MOUNT NEWS COLLEGE OF MOUNT ST. JOSEPH
NOW &THEN
PAST, PRESENT AND WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE FUTURE
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SPRING 2014
FROM THE PRESIDENT Looking out my office window, I finally see the beginning of spring – buds on the trees and the daffodils and crocus beginning to bloom. Winter is over and spring is finally bringing sunshine and warmer weather to the Mount. Along with that warmer weather, the Mount is starting a new season with our move to Mount St. Joseph University. You can celebrate this change with us on July 1st when it becomes official, but for now you can see the latest updates at www.msj.edu/university. We are excited and appreciate all the feedback many of you provided on our new logo – look for it soon! This issue of Mount News is filled with stories that will bring back memories and that will show you the Mount tradition of community and friendship is alive and well with our students. Whether you graduated in 1930 or 2013 the benefits of lifelong friendships still abound. Also, catch up on alumni news, profiles and happenings on pages 26-31. Exciting new curriculum changes are driving our new business dean, Dr. Jamal Rashed, to form new and inventive partnerships with Cincinnati businesses. His energy is contagious and you can find out more about him and the new path for our students on page 14. Just as the students emerge from the tunnel under campus to enjoy the sun and warm breezes, we too invite you to share this season with us. Opportunities to visit campus include our senior art thesis in the Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery April 4 – May 10; The Mount Jubilee annual scholarship event on April 30; graduation on May 10 and alumni weekend on June 6-8. I hope your spring is as bright and encouraging as the flowers in the quad and I hope to see you soon on campus or in the community. Blessings to all,
Tony Aretz, Ph.D.
For behold, the winter is past...
– Song of Solomon 2:12
MOUNT NEWS FEATURES
SPRING 2014 AROUND THE QUAD
6 Making Mount Memories by Kara Gebhardt Uhl A look at Mount traditions—past, present and what’s in store for the future.
2 News 5 Academics
22 THE LION’S CORNER 23 MAKING AN IMPACT 24 FACULTY & STAFF UPDATES ALUMNI UPDATES 26 28 29 31
14 Building Business Leaders by Mary Brigham The business division is evolving as graduate programs expand and new strategies are launched in the coming year.
18 Ties That Bind For A Lifetime by Jessica Baltzersen ’13 For many Mount alumni, college proved to be just the beginning of their adult journeys. Their personal histories continue to be written as they grow together.
News Classnotes Alumni Profile: Sean Crotty ’07 Passages
32 LAST THOUGHTS
PUBLISHED BY Office of Institutional Advancement College of Mount St. Joseph 5701 Delhi Road | Cincinnati, OH 45233 www.msj.edu EDITORIAL/DESIGN TEAM Catie Adams ’15 Alissa Beck ’11 Tara Byrd Kim Cochrane ’01 Hannah Kimmich ’14 Cecilia Koloc ’14
Jill Eichhorn Trevor Griffith Jenny Rapien Kaeppner ’94 Jessica Lohner Kathleen Scanlan Lundrigan ’87 Sandy Oldendick
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Andrea Tortora CONTRIBUTING COPY EDITOR Arlene Werts All photos by Don Denney unless otherwise noted. If you would like to contact a member of the editorial team, call (513) 244-4871 or (800) 654-9314. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor, please e-mail sandra_oldendick@mail.msj.edu.
Correction: We regret the error found in the fall 2013 issue of Mount News. The “Home of the Brave” story should have included the Coast Guard as a branch of the armed forces.
ON THE COVER: Mount students Corey Burdine (left), Casey Bell (center) and Alex Jung (right) enjoyed playing a game of pool at the open house of a new 24/7 game room on March 21. Former students and guests might remember playing pool in the old game room (inset).
The College of Mount St. Joseph (“the College”) is committed to providing an educational and employment environment free from discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or other minority or protected status. This commitment extends to the College’s administration of its admission, financial aid, employment, and academic policies, as well as the College’s athletic programs and other college-administered programs, services, and activities. The College has designated the chief compliance and risk officer, (513) 244-4393, Office of the President, as the individual responsible for responding to inquiries, addressing complaints, and coordinating compliance with its responsibilities under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and other applicable federal and state civil rights laws. The College has designated the director of Learning Center & Disabilities Services, (513) 244-4524, as the individual responsible for responding to inquiries, addressing complaints, and coordinating compliance with its responsibilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
SPRING 2014 • 1
AROUND THE QUAD NEWS And the Silver Award Goes To… The College of Mount St. Joseph’s website www.msj.edu was awarded the silver award at the 2013 Pride of Case V Awards in the “Best Institutional Website” category. The category and award recognizes outstanding work on an overall institution-wide website. The entries are judged on the site’s completeness of available information, ease of navigation, technical competence, impact on the communications and marketing program and institution and overall creativity and innovation. The Mount’s website underwent a complete makeover in June 2012, including becoming a responsive website that is easier to view on mobile devices. Congratulations to all who contributed!
Update On TOP
65+
The number of students officially enrolled in TOP as of February 2014.
85+
The number of students that attended the Promark seminar “Cashing in on Dressing Up.”
The Mount’s first-of-its-kind career preparation initiative, Talent Opportunity Program (TOP), has exceeded enrollment expectations since it began seven months ago. TOP is a free opportunity for students to complete three levels—gold, silver and bronze—through career readiness classes, seminars or participating in networking or resume sessions. Once students complete the gold level, they are eligible to receive career coaching services by Promark if they have not found a professional job within six months of graduation. “In the first month of registration, 65 students officially enrolled in TOP and have started to work their way through the levels,” said Brittany Arthur, program manager of TOP. “We had 85 students come to the Promark seminar on professional image called, ‘Cashing in on Dressing Up,’ which was one of the largest seminars we’ve had. TOP is an incredible program we’re offering to our students, and parents are thrilled we are doing everything we can to help our students be career-ready once they graduate.”
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GAME ON! NEW STUDENT SPACE Mount students are in for a real treat now that a 24/7 game room is open. Known as The Lion’s Den, the space is located in the former Scholar’s Center on the ground floor of the Seton Center. The Lion’s Den includes a pool table, ping pong, foosball, air hockey and video gaming areas. New couches and seating were added to the room, and there are large flat-screen televisions and a docking stand for students to place their gaming systems. The Lion’s Den was officially unveiled in March.
“We’re really excited to have this option open to students. There hasn’t really been a place for them to just relax, and that’s the idea behind The Lion’s Den – to give them a place to relax, unwind and have fun.” – Warren Grove, coordinator of residence life
Project Identify Seeks to Give Names to Missing Persons
READY FOR THE WORLD!
Do you remember Pearl Lady? What about the Traveler? Both of these women were found dead in the Cincinnati area, and their bodies were never identified. Beth Murray ’86, Ph.D., professor of biology, and some of her students have been working on Project Identify with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office in order to find out who these women were, along with others who have been found and never identified.
making its graduates
Students work on getting identifying information, such as DNA samples and dental records, and put the information into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), an online database that matches information about the missing with information about the dead. The hope is that someone will come across the information and be able to recognize who the missing persons are.
The Mount prides itself on career-ready and equipped to take on the world around them. “My time at the Mount afforded me growth-filled opportunities that have led me to assist students, parents and teachers to meet the real needs of others,” says Chris Winiarski ’01, director of campus ministry, mission and formation at La Salle High School.
“I’ve worked so hard narrowing down the cases that I feel responsible…for trying to find them and give them names.”
Check out what more of our
– Meghann Black, a Mount student working with Project Identify
www.msj.edu/outcomes
David Dillon Speaks at Inaugural Lecture More than 200 business leaders and community members were guests at the Mount’s inaugural Duffey Conway Ethical Leadership Series on Nov. 21, 2013, in the Presidential Ballroom of the Westin Hotel in downtown Cincinnati. David Dillon, then-CEO of the Kroger Company, was the series’ first keynote speaker.
graduates are doing now by visiting
PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENTS WORK WITH PRO BONO CLINIC Physical therapy students, led by Dr. Karen Holtgrefe, are working at a pro-bono
Dillon said he credits Kroger’s turnaround with the company’s view of honesty and ethics, which permeates everything it does. “Good ethics is good business,” he said in his presentation entitled “Ethical Leadership and the Common Good.”
physical therapy clinic in Price Hill, an urban
An additional panel discussion featured Jill P. Meyer ’93, member-in-charge at Cincinnati law firm Frost Brown Todd LLC; Willie F. Carden Jr., director of Cincinnati Parks; and John Sinclair, president of Humana’s Ohio market.
for pro-bono PT services. It turned out there
community near the Mount. A 2011 graduate of the program researched and surveyed local communities to see if there was a need was. “This has been a goal of the program since it started,” Holtgrefe said. The students participate in the clinic through an elective that is offered every semester.
The goal of the Duffey Conway Ethical Leadership Series is to create a dialogue about how we can make a difference where we live, where we work, and around the world. The series is made possible by a generous grant from the Ruth J. and Robert A. Conway Foundation, a family foundation with strong ties to the College of Mount St. Joseph. The title of the series honors the legacy of Margaret Duffey Conway and her family.
“We’ve wanted to provide services to those most in need. The students get a lot out of it, from improving their communication and clinical skills, to providing a much-needed service to those in need. The patients are thrilled that we’re there and love working with the students.”
For information about other events sponsored by the Mount’s Center for Ethical Leadership, please visit www.msj.edu/ethical-leadership.
– Dr. Karen Holtgrefe
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AROUND THE QUAD NEWS Move to U Update The College of Mount St. Joseph announced on Oct. 9, 2013, that it will officially become Mount St. Joseph University effective July 1, 2014. Since the announcement, a task force with representatives from several key departments has been meeting to outline tasks and set priorities. But what does the name change mean? Well, the Mount is already operating at the level of a university with our significant growth in graduate programs, and this growth is expected to continue with more choices at both the undergraduate and graduate level. We will also have a broader range of student experiences and opportunities, including expanded career preparation initiatives, such as our Talent Opportunity Program (TOP) and co-op programs. The change to a university won’t change some things, such as the personal attention given to students. And a Mount education will continue to inspire a lifelong commitment to educational, professional and community engagement in the spirit, tradition and values of its founders, the Sisters of Charity. More information can be found at www.msj.edu/university.
THE MOUNT JUBILEE RECOGNIZES AWARD RECIPIENTS The Mount Jubilee, held on April 30, is the annual scholarship benefit that honors individuals and organizations who have made a significant impact on the College. This
(left to right) Don Doyle Jr., Anita Sullivan Doyle, Lisa Bell Massa, Timothy Massa.
year’s event co-chairs are Lisa Bell Massa ’89 and Timothy Massa, Anita Sullivan Doyle ’89 and Don Doyle Jr. ’89. We are proud to honor this year’s award recipients:
Anne Rasche Award Geraldine Vigil Chavez ’46 Trustees Awards Anne and Charles Caroll Sedler Family
Future Five Awards Keith Carter ’05 Paul James (P.J.) Volker III ’05 Loretta O’Donnell Dees ’06 Juwana Hall ’09 Courtney Jaspers Prince ’09
Corporate Partner Award The Kroger Co. 4 • COLLEGE OF MOUNT ST. JOSEPH
Soldier Surprises Mom at December Commencement Cynthia Manning ’13 had no idea her graduation surprise was hiding in the balcony of the College Theatre as she walked across the stage to receive her diploma. At the end of the Dec. 12, 2013, commencement ceremony when Manning received her bachelor’s degree in general studies, her son, Staff Sgt. Andrew Cunningham, walked down the aisle of the College Theatre and wrapped her up in a huge hug. Cheers and a standing ovation erupted in the audience as they were reunited. Cunningham, a combat engineer, was stationed in Afghanistan since June 1, 2013, for his fourth tour of duty, and wasn’t scheduled to finish his deployment until March. However, he returned to Fort Knox, Ky., early and wanted to surprise his mom. “She had told me she wished I could be there for her graduation,” he said.
“I didn’t think he was going to be able to make it. This has been a long journey, and I’m happy he was here to share it with me. He’s home.” – Cynthia Manning ’13
ACADEMICS NEW HEALTH AND WELLNESS MAJOR Health care leaders around the country are having conversations about minimizing health care costs. Wellness is often promoted as a way for people to be proactive in keeping healthy. This fall the Mount will offer a new health and wellness degree in the Division of Health
New Three-year Programs College is an expensive investment, and the Mount is always looking for new ways to make it affordable for students. The Mount now offers options for eight undergraduate programs—accounting, biochemistry, biology, business administration, chemistry, history, music, and psychology—to be completed in three years instead of four. Students who follow one of the three-year degree tracks will take courses year-round and are encouraged to have consistent meetings with their academic advisors. They will still have the opportunity to take advantage of cooperative education and TOP.
Sciences for students who are interested in a variety of health-related careers. Health and wellness majors have the flexibility to choose a minor that can tailor their degree even further. For example, some students might choose a business or biology minor which could position them for graduate school or public health careers. Others might also select a religious studies minor to prepare for a career in spiritual wellness, such as in a hospital or hospice setting. And some students may choose a minor in exercise physiology if they’re interested in a career in the fitness aspect of wellness. “With this new degree, we’re looking at wellness from the liberal arts perspective,” said BC Charles-Liscombe, Ed.D., chair of health and wellness. “It’s a very flexible major that will fit a student’s career goals regardless of their interests. It will also be a strong foundation for those students who want to pursue it further in grad school.”
Business On Saturdays The Mount’s new Saturday MBA will offer the flexibility of weekend classes to professionals who want to pursue their MBA. The program is paced for the working adult so that students can earn their MBA in just more than two years by taking one course at a time. Also new is the Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership, offering accelerated courses on Saturdays. Classes start in August for both programs. Read more about the new programs and direction of the Division of Business on page 14.
Mount Students Design Delhi Business Association Logo Mount students are leaving their mark on the west side of Cincinnati. Last year, several design students worked on art that is displayed at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Green Township campus. This year, two senior graphic design students created the new logo for the Delhi Business Association (DBA). Alyssa Seiler (above right) and Cecilia Koloc (above left) spent fall semester creating different versions of the logo, and meeting with DBA members several times to learn about the organization’s goals and what message they wanted the logo to convey. On Feb. 15, 2014, the logo was unveiled at the DBA’s monthly meeting in front of DBA members as well as other faculty and staff members. The logo will be used on DBA correspondence, business cards and other marketing materials. Koloc said the experience “really prepared us for our careers in graphic design. I learned how to communicate with a real client to ask the right questions to get the information I needed. Everything, from the design to the colors to the font, was selected with thoughtful consideration and approval from the Delhi Business Association.” Now that the logo work is complete, students in the Mount’s business division will create a marketing plan for the DBA.
“Our students embraced this project. Logo work is highly creative, competitive and a key factor in marketing for businesses that requires attention to detail and understanding the vision of their clients.” – Beth Belknap Brann, chair of the Mount’s graphic design department
M
SPRING 2014 • 5
In between class and studying and co-ops are moments— dances, bonfires, service projects, game nights and sporting events. Mount traditions have long offered a varied student experience and increased school spirit. Here we talk about those beloved customs – past, present, and what’s in store for the future. While Mount students can easily measure success within the classroom, it is those moments when the “remember whens” are truly made.
A LOOK AT MOUNT TRADITIONS—PAST, PRESENT AND WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE FUTURE By Kara Gebhart Uhl
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Life at the Mount in the 1960s was quite different from student life today.
1960s: Dress Codes, Capping and Mixers Student life in the 1960s was quite different from student life today. Dr. Annette Muckerheide, SC, ’63 and her fellow students wore skirts, nylons, bobbie socks and saddle shoes. “Dressed up” meant earrings and heels, she says. Study time was from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. “A bell rang at 9 p.m. and many of us rushed to the SOC (the social center, an area on the ground floor of Seton Center that is currently the commuter lounge and computer lab area) to play bridge and smoke,” Muckerheide says. Students had to ask for “date permission” from the Dean of Students, who waited for their return at curfew. Tradition was a concept instilled in freshman early. “Every fall, new incoming freshmen were ‘capped’ in a special ceremony in which they individually received their caps and gowns,” Muckerheide says. These served as a college uniform – students wore them to Sunday Mass and on special occasions. “Some of us attended Sunday Mass still in our PJs, camouflaged by the voluminous black gown!” Muckerheide says. Other favorite traditions included Christmas caroling, in which seniors would walk out onto Seton Hall’s balcony—attached to what is now the first floor offices in Seton Center—carrying candles and serenading students below (before it was a parking lot). There also was the Sophomore Revue, a musical put on by the sophomore class, and Sunday night mixers with men from Xavier and University of Cincinnati. “I loved those days,” says Muckerheide, who eventually returned to the Mount as a faculty member for 34 years until her recent retirement.
Historical photo courtesy of the Mount archives.
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Seton Beach (above left and right) was the place for the girls to relax while working on their tans.
1970s: A Decade of Change Ten years later, Patricia Schwaiger Willig ’73, current director of the Mount’s Wellness Center, began to see change. “First semester of my first year [as a student], we were obliged to wear skirts and dresses to class, but that changed in second semester—the beginnings of progress and women’s liberation,” Willig says. Three-hour open visitation on Sundays was introduced her senior year— students could visit with members of the opposite sex in their rooms, although they were strictly monitored. There were still the mixers held at the armory at Xavier University, and Willig says many of her friends met their future husbands that way. On warm days Willig and her friends loved to lie in the sun on ‘Seton Beach’ – the concrete slab and grassy area behind the pool (now the wrestling room in the “old gym” building) with aluminum foil reflectors and baby oil to maximize their tans. The SOC was still the place to be to smoke and play cards, although there was a jukebox – a gift from one of the senior classes. “There were
8 • COLLEGE OF MOUNT ST. JOSEPH
many weekend nights we gathered in the rooms of students who played guitars and sang folk songs and old Girl Scout songs and Beatles songs. The Vietnam War was going on and many of us were politically active in our protest against the war,” Willig says. Students also would sing “Mount St. Joe Girls,” which dated back to when the college was at the Motherhouse, says Lisa Hinger-Odenbeck ’80, current director of the Mount’s development and campaign planning. “Somewhere along the way – I think in the 1970s – we adopted The Beach Boys’ ‘California Girls,’ replacing the words of the song to ‘I wish they all could be Mount St. Joseph girls …’” Willig’s favorite traditions included the Father/Daughter Dance in the fall and the Spring Formal. And almost everyone participated in the Sophomore Revue (see photos of the 1971 Sophomore Revue on page 32). “It was a great unifying event for our class and solidified a class identity for all of us, which contributed to school spirit on a larger level,” Willig says. In the early 1970s, seniors still caroled at Christmas. Students decorated Seton lobby
and floor lounges, and students, faculty and staff attended a formal holiday dinner in the dining room. Several years later, decorating for Christmas became an event known as Senior Christmas, with senior class committees creating a theme, recalls Jeanine Lesko Derler ’77. Underclassmen were awakened in the middle of the night to seniors running down the halls, knocking on doors and throwing candy into dorm rooms. Then everyone was then led to the decorated Seton lobby while still in their pajamas. Another favorite meeting place was a small, on-campus pub called The Bacchus Room. “The following words sum up the Bacchus Room for me: raisin bagels with butter and cream cheese, beer [and] singing at the top of our lungs Billy Joel’s ‘Only The Good Die Young,’” says Mirjana Jerkic Zovkic ’82. The beer of choice was Little Kings, which students nicknamed “Little Killers.” Back then, the drinking age was 18 in Ohio. It was raised to 19 in 1984 and went to age 21 in 1987. Eventually the Bacchus Room became the current Office of Admission.
Historical photos courtesy of the Mount archives.
The Mount’s first social sorority was created in 1976 – Delhi Si Mounti. “We even had t-shirts printed – I still have mine,” Hinger-Odenbeck says. “Since we did not have any sororities on campus, we made up our own for fun.” Over the years, the group evolved into a service sorority but ended in the 1990s. Hinger-Odenbeck also recalls a private wine and cheese reception for seniors in the president’s lounge. The junior class planned “Senior Send-off,” a week of special events, dinners and serenades, capped off with a junior/senior formal dance, off campus.
Senior Christmas (above left) involved seniors decorating Seton lobby in the middle of the night then waking up the residents to enjoy the decorations. The Tub Toss (above right) was a fun way to collect donations for a local charity.
1980s: Tub Toss, Seton Beach and Senior Christmas “One tradition that I will remember forever is Tub Toss,” says Jeannette N. Bryson, who, although not an alum, has worked at the Mount since 1987. Students would put a bathtub in the middle of the intersection of Delhi and Neeb roads and approach drivers with buckets, asking for donations to a local charity. The money in the
SPRING 2014 • 9
The Homecoming Pep Rally includes a bon fire (above left), pizza and corn hole (above right).
buckets was then tossed into the bathtub. By the 1980s, Senior Christmas remained very popular. The class of 1988’s theme was Precious Christmas Moments, playing off the then-popular Precious Moments figurines. “We all made wall hangings of ourselves as a Precious Moment,” Tanya Fasnacht Jolliffee ’88 says. It remained a surprise for freshman, including the middle-ofthe-night wake-up call, although updates to the tradition included Bruce Springsteen’s “Santa Claus is Coming To Town” blaring through speakers, Jolliffe says. The Christmas Mass and dinner was also well attended, and the programming council often provided entertainment (a concert or party) after, Bryson says.
2000s: Student Life Today No longer capped (but still heartily welcomed) today’s incoming freshmen are invited to attend a Welcome Weekend boat ride on a large double-decker paddleboat with food and dancing on the Ohio River. “The boat ride is a great experience for incoming students to socialize and meet new people,” says Bobby Sagers, a junior, defensive back on the football team, orientation leader and member of Excel Crew. “Everyone is a
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little nervous starting out,” Sagers said. He added the activity makes new students feel comfortable and it is a lot of fun. The Homecoming Pep Rally is well loved. The October 2013 event included a bonfire, pizza and corn hole. Rod Huber, the Lions’ head coach, emceed a recognition ceremony for all fall athletes, says Erin Fontaine, a junior and vice president of the Campus Activities Board (CAB). “I think Homecoming really encourages spirit,” says Tristan Chaput, a junior and president of CAB. Weeklong events include a Student Government Association-sponsored office and department decorating contest, RA staff-hosted bingo and an SGA homecoming t-shirt sale, followed up with the pep rally, tailgating and home football game. “There is so much happening on campus that everybody is active and buzzing with anticipation of the next event,” Chaput says. On the heels of homecoming is Community Trick-or-Treat, which includes trick-or-treating in the residence halls and activities in the dining center. “I think this event really encompasses the school’s mission in so many ways,” Chaput says. This year about 4,000 attended. “When so many people are coming to campus for an event that is truly put on by the entire college … it is hard not to be proud of where you attend.”
Although Senior Christmas is no longer a tradition, each year the baseball team decorates the Motherhouse and there is a Christmas prayer service and dinner. “Faculty and staff attend alongside students, which serves to remind me how lucky I am to be at a school where everyone can come together and celebrate Christmas,” says Kayla Thieman, a sophomore, SGA senator and CAB’s traditional events co-chair. Bingo, which is played as “M-O-U-N-T,” is another loved tradition Thieman enjoys, along with many of her classmates. And although there are no longer mixers at Xavier’s armory, the spring formal is a muchanticipated event, Fontaine says. The night of dancing and fun, which has recently been hosted at the Newport Aquarium, brings many Mount students together and has sold out the past two years.
The Importance of Tradition “Just as traditions are important in families, traditions are important in schools,” Fontaine says. “Tradition is something that forms a school’s identity. People can look back in 10, 50, 100 years and see where a school comes from by looking at tradition.”
Homecoming pep rally photos by Catie Adams.
With tradition comes school pride. “Without it, the Mount would be just another college,” says Jacob Stentz, ’13, an RA and current graduate student in the nursing program. It’s pride students and alumni feel when seeing defensive back Sagers carry the MSJ flag, leading his football team on the field for every home game—a tradition Sagers helped create and one he hopes the Mount will continue. For Thieman, football games and service opportunities encourage the most school spirit. Thieman says it’s inspiring to see current students, alumni and the community come together to show their support. Those employed at the Mount are eager to show their support, too. In May 2013, more than 60 Mount faculty and staff took part in multiple community development projects. “When students, faculty and staff can come together for a shared purpose, they are reminded of their common interest in helping people,” Thieman says. Strong traditions also provide a thread that connects the past, present and future, says Sarah Lierman, a junior, SGA senator, orientation leader and the fourth generation of her family to attend the Mount. She says college should be more than a place to study. She believes school spirit and Mount traditions build bridges between current students and alumni.
Junior Bobby Sagers (above right) helped create a new tradition of carrying the MSJ flag, leading the team onto the field at every home game.
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Warren Grove (left), Janet Cox (center) and Stephen Craig (right) are helping start new traditions at the Mount.
Involved Commuters Beth Weil ’83 was a commuter – then called a “day-hop” – but still involved in student activities. “The fondest memory I have of a Mount tradition was Sophomore Revue,” Weil says. “It was long hours, late nights and a lot of fun.” Her mother, Betty Wellman Gibbs ’46, was a member of the first class to put on a revue—it was an experience they shared, a generation apart. Mountie (a term Mount students formerly used to describe one another) spirit, as a commuter, was mostly about the relationships she had with fellow students and faculty, Weil says. Today, Katie Jauch, a senior, has played on the women’s soccer team all four years, is a senator in the SGA, a peer tutor, and a member of Mount Education Association, Kappa Delta Pi, Alpha Chi and Chi Alpha Sigma. She’s also a commuter, and one of her favorite Mount traditions is Commuter Breakfast, held once each semester. Sponsored by CAB, students can pick up granola bars, coffee, donuts and orange juice in the Theatre Lobby, on their way to classes. Coordinating student life with a commute has also worked well for Bobby Sagers, the junior football defensive back. Although he’s a resident during the fall semester, he commutes each spring. “The Mount has made it easy to be a part of campus/life activities by promoting themselves very well,” Sagers says.
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Still, there’s room for improvement. “Since I started in January 2013 I have thought of the commuters as an underserved population that deserve programming tailored to their needs,” says Stephen Craig, the Mount’s new coordinator of campus activities and leadership. He and new Dean of Students Janet Cox, are starting a commuter group. “I’d like the commuter students to have a forum to meet other commuters, support each other and feel more connected to the campus,” Cox says. “I would like to be sure they feel at home here during, after and between classes. The Mount has a lot to offer in terms of outside the classroom activities.”
The Future Alumna Patricia Schwaiger Willig says she sometimes misses the school spirit she felt when she was an undergraduate, but believes it’s being reinvented. “I believe that a Mount student is a special student indeed, and, regardless of change over the years, the commitment to serving the whole person and providing a student with the necessary support needed to be successful has not changed one bit,” Willig says. “While I fondly reminisce about the ‘old days,’ I am so aware that we are all called to grow and change to keep in pace with a highly competitive and technological world. I do believe that the Mount is up to the challenge.”
Enter Stephen Craig who is working to recreate some of the Mount’s past successful traditions. Future plans include expanding the number of student groups on campus, including looking into the feasibility of Greek Life. Come to SpringFest May 2, he says. “We will be having some activities there that have never been done on this campus.” Past activities have included well-known musicians and Cincinnati Circus Company. Cox joined the Mount in July. Her plans include a new game room, which opened in March (read more on page 2), and recently she started a Tuesday and Saturday student shuttle, offering easier access to neighboring communities. “I’d also like to see students thrive in their leadership pursuits and encourage clubs to provide all-campus events to contribute to campus life,” she says. Warren Grove, coordinator of Residence Life, is another newcomer with lots of plans, including a Health and Natural Sciences Learning Community and a Community Service Living Area, both to debut in fall 2014. Grove is also actively working with RAs on social and educational residence hall programming. Programs planned this semester will provide learning opportunities that engage students in meaningful conversations, he says. In late January, RAs took students to downtown Cincinnati’s Fountain Square to ice skate and show them the cultural, social and fun opportunities available. The trip let RAs have fun with students while helping to remove a phobia that some students may have about exploring downtown. Armed with insightful and inspiring ideas, these Mount newcomers’ plans will create an even more engaged student experience, both inside the classroom and out. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Mount. Kara Gebhart Uhl is a freelance editor, writer and blogger based in Fort Thomas, Ky.
ONLINE EXTRA! Ryan Korengel photos provided.
EAGER TO MAKE MOUNT MEMORIES On Sept. 14, 2008, Ryan Korengel was playing golf at the Little Miami Golf Center when high winds unexpectedly came through the area. “On the eighth hole, I was about to putt, when a tree fell on my head,” Korengel says. Doctors told his parents that if he made it through the night, he’d be paralyzed on the left side of his body and partially blind. Two weeks later he woke up. The then 12-year-old was told he would never walk, never use his left arm, and would likely require a feeding tube, wheelchair and full-time assistance. “Ninety days and five surgeries later, I walked out of the hospital, about two months ahead of schedule,” Korengel says. Despite three hours of therapy every day, he set a goal of playing golf again—even if it had to be one-handed. He achieved that goal, and has continued to play competitive golf in high school. Korengel first became interested in the Mount because of the size of campus and Project EXCEL, a comprehensive academic support system for students with specific
learning disabilities. Korengel spoke of his desire to attend the Mount in fall 2014 when being interviewed by local media following the success of his recovery. Mount President Tony Aretz noted this, and personally wrote Korengel a letter. When Korengel and his parents visited the campus, Dr. Aretz was waiting for them. In September Korengel applied to the Mount—and was accepted. He quickly sent in his deposit and was officially the first student registered for fall 2014. “I was very proud of myself and I am very excited to go to the Mount,” he says. Currently it’s Korengel’s dream to play golf for the Mount. “Since my brain injury, I have looked up to people like Jim Abbott [former major league baseball pitcher who was born without a right hand] and Casey Martin [a professional golfer with a birth defect that affects his right leg] for overcoming physical disabilities to play sports,” he says. “It would be unbelievably rewarding to know I could be that person for someone else who has physical disabilities.” M
Read more about residence life today at www.msj.edu/mountnews SPRING 2014 • 13
Building Business
by Mary Brigham
“We will expand the message about the Mount’s business programs beyond the tri-state region.” – Jamal Rashed, Ph.D.
There is an air of excitement in the halls of the Mount’s Division of Business. Dean Jamal Rashed, Ph.D., is gearing up for the first of several strategic planning retreats involving all stakeholders: undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, alumni and advisory board members. The college will officially become Mount St. Joseph University effective July 1, 2014. This new designation reflects the changes taking place in the business division as graduate programs expand and strategies from the college’s Vision2020 plan are launched in the coming year. New offerings include undergraduate business majors that can be completed in three years and expanded weekend course offerings for adult and graduate students. Growth, quality and weekend programs are the top three priorities for Rashed. As the new business division dean, he oversees the accounting, business administration, organizational leadership and sport management departments. The Mount’s focus on personal attention and small class size sets it apart from the competition, Rashed says. “We will expand the message about the Mount’s business programs beyond the tri-state region,” Rashed says. He wants the Mount to be the place employers turn to and visit when they need to hire business graduates. Rashed is working closely with Cincinnati business leaders to develop ethical, career-ready and community-engaged graduates who can contribute to the economic future of Cincinnati.
SPRING 2014 • 15
Outcomes in the
COMMUNITY
The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) program celebrated the 10th anniversary of its first graduating class this past fall and continues to launch graduates who are leaders in private and family businesses, Fortune 500 corporations, top health care systems and nonprofit organizations. “Every class in the MSOL program has impacted my career,” says Valerie Holmes, assistant vice president of marketing operations at Western Southern Life, Inc. She will earn her MSOL from the Mount in May 2014. “The course content was applied and aligned with my responsibilities at work, and I was promoted as a result.” Debby Combs ‘06, manager of talent development and recruitment at Ohio National Financial Services, says her decision to join the MSOL program was validated by a supervisor at her previous job. Combs earned her MSOL while working at the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport as director of organizational development and strategic initiatives. She was later instrumental in coordinating a Mount MSOL cohort at CVG. “The program encouraged airport employees to stretch themselves and look at leadership opportunities differently.” she says. Delhi Township Fire Chief William Zoz said the BSOL program proved powerful for fire department staff members who participated. He is pleased to see his staff’s job performance and approach improve as they apply what they are learning. “The leadership strategies match well with my business degree and give us a full package,” Zoz says.
16 • COLLEGE OF MOUNT ST. JOSEPH
He says he is thrilled to be back in the tri-state as part of the leadership team at the mission-driven Mount. Rashed comes to Delhi from Northern Michigan University, where he was dean of the college of business. He previously served as director of the Center for International Business at Xavier University. Mount President Tony Aretz, Ph.D., says, “I was looking for a dean who could lead the transition to a university school of business that engages more with the external community.” Since Rashed’s arrival in July 2013, the Division of Business has put in place the groundwork to launch several new initiatives in fall 2014. One strategy is a mentorship program for the 324 undergraduate business majors. Each one will be paired with a mentor from the business community. Rashed will make the matches. He wants Mount students to benefit from the guidance and expertise shared by alumni and members of the business advisory council.
Big Expansion Plans Adult students will also benefit from the coming business division enhancements. The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership (BSOL) degree completion program now offered off-site at several area locations will also be available on campus on Saturdays. Developed for the working professional with an associate degree, the BSOL program builds skills in leadership, technology, ethical decision making and problem solving. In the past, the Mount has partnered with several Cincinnati companies to offer the BSOL exclusively onsite at their job locations. Professionals interested in this program no longer have to wait for their employer to partner with the Mount. Now they can take the classes on their own, on campus, starting in August. Lauren Martin, offsite-advising coordinator, says the BSOL degree completion program lets students utilize their work experiences in the classroom and complete their degree while still working full time. The program curriculum welcomes students with a variety of transfer credit backgrounds and career choices, she says. “Employers value this program because their employees learn a concept in class one week and can apply it to their job the next.” Rashed has expansion plans for graduate programs, too. The division now serves 85 graduate students. Starting in fall 2014, busy professionals with responsibilities during the week will have a convenient Saturday morning class option, enhanced with online components, for pursuing the Master
“The project-based internship was the best experience, and I was offered a position with Henkle Schueler after I graduate.”
– Sean Brooks, sports management major
of Business Administration (MBA) degree. “I want the Mount to be known as the place for the working professional who is looking for a graduate degree on Saturday,” Rashed says. The Saturday MBA will join the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership to give students several Saturday options to pursue professional development and career enhancement through quality degree programs.
Real-life Lessons The Mount’s small class sizes and personal attention from faculty continue to set it apart from other programs and remain important to Paul Silva ’87, president of the Greater Cincinnati Market for First Financial Bank. “I was a co-op at a bank the last two years of my undergraduate program, and 25 years later I’m still in banking,” says Silva, a management and finance major. “My co-op position provided the entry into banking.” Experience is essential to landing a great job. The Mount’s co-op program placed 75 business students in the past year to help them gain an edge in the job search. “The job market for business majors is picking up,” says Rich Utecht, career and co-op coordinator at the Mount. “Our students do well in this very competitive field.” The first class of MBA 4+1 students, who will graduate in May 2014, will have an even better advantage. Open to all undergraduate students, the 4+1 model enables students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA in just five years. During their senior year, 4+1 students take four courses for dual credits that count toward their undergraduate and graduate programs. The +1 year is two additional semesters of fulltime MBA coursework. Dr. Charles Kroncke, associate professor of economics and chair of business administration says, “Our MBA graduates finish with enhanced academic knowledge and the practical skills necessary to launch them into leadership positions.” Encouraged to consider the 4+1 program by his academic advisor, sports management major Sean Brooks says the opportunity to have an extra advantage in the workforce was too good to pass up. “The project-based internship was the best experience, and I was offered a position with Henkle Schueler after I graduate.” M Mary Brigham is the associate director of graduate recruitment for the Mount.
BUSINESS PROGRAMS Offered at the Mount Graduate: – Master of Business Administration (MBA) 4+1 Program – Master of Business Administration (MBA) Saturday Program – Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) Undergraduate: – Accounting – Business Administration – Business Administration/ Mathematics – Organizational Leadership – Sport Management – Accounting Minor – Business Administration Minor – Coaching Minor – Marketing Minor
Visit www.msj.edu/business to learn more about business department offerings. SPRING 2014 • 17
By Jessica Baltzersen ’13
18 • COLLEGE OF MOUNT ST. JOSEPH
These 1975 alums returned to campus when they reunited last September.
A friendship formed at the College of Mount St. Joseph means something more than just being a classmate. It’s a special bond and a lifelong connection that lasts well past graduation. For many Mount alumni, college proved to be just the beginning of their adult journeys. Their personal histories continue to be written as the alums grow together. How students’ college experiences etch themselves on their future lives is never easy to predict. Yet many Mount alumni say the relationships they formed on campus evolved into strong ties of family, faith and support.
Faith-Based Bond For Nancy O’Neil Blaha, Jody Meyer Owens, Lynn Rice Toner, Frances Mohner Warmington, Bonnie Farina Ingels, Kathy Kuczek Hull, Barb Coyle Montavon and Candyss Call McNichols (all class of 1975) fond memories, their children’s weddings and strong faith kept the group connected throughout the years. Their 60th birthdays brought them together again. The group of five nursing and three education majors met at the Mount’s small, intimate setting. Montavon roomed with Hull while Blaha roomed with McNichols. Owens roomed with Toner. As their lives interweaved, the strength of their faith and support for one another became the common thread that bound them together after graduation. “We have been there for each other through the highs and lows of our lives, if not physically, through prayer when times are tough,” says Blaha, a nursing major. These women helped Owens survive initial tough times at the Mount. Her parents had moved to Florida and she was the only Protestant girl among the group. She had never set foot in a Catholic school. As her SPRING 2014 • 19
These classmastes celebrated their 60th birthdays together last fall.
grades began to slip she “wanted to quit and go home,” says Owens, a nursing major. With Toner as her first roommate, Owens stumbled into the group of girls “by the grace of God,” as she describes it. “They took me as I was and made me a part of a group that I will never forget,” she says. The weekend of Sept. 20, 2013, Toner, an education major, hosted a 60th birthday dinner at her Northern Kentucky home. It was a chance to regroup for the eight friends, who came from Missouri, Florida, Northern Ohio and Kentucky to reunite and remember good times. The women reminisced about many fun times, including lying on the concrete behind the Physical Education building, or as they called it, “Seton Beach.” And of course they visited the Mount campus. “At our age it is comforting to have dear friends that know your history,” says McNichols, an education major.
Friends Become Family Attending the Mount encourages students to embrace new experiences. Whether it’s learning how to live in a new country or opening up one’s heart to faith, the College environment helps make these connections. Satinder Singh Bharaj ’87, a dual major in biology and chemistry, is grateful to his Mount friends who made him a part of their families. Bharaj joined the Mount as one of the first 12 males on campus in
Top Left: Patrick Eichhold ’03, Scott Cropper ’04, Nate Poeppelman, Bryan Wirthwine, Sean DelFavero, Jeff Benke Center: Tricia DelFavero-Wirthwine ’03, Kyle Wirthwine ’03 Bottom Left: Ginger Jones, Jane Finn, Gayle Wirthwine, Julie Tasch, Ashley DelFavero, Beth Smith ’03
20 • COLLEGE OF MOUNT ST. JOSEPH
1986, the year the College became co-ed. Born and raised in Kenya, Bharaj made many adjustments to life in Cincinnati. Bharaj says he is honored by the way his Mount friendships have continued as those college buddies raise families of their own. Today Bharaj is an active Mount alumni board member. As an employee of Procter & Gamble, he also serves on the P&G team for the recruitment of Mount science students. “The education, attention from my professors and [critical] thinking skills I acquired from the Mount are invaluable,” says Bharaj. “I know I would not have gotten the same educational experience had I gone somewhere else.” Patrick Eichhold ’03, a graphic design major, also formed a family bond with his friends and found his faith at the Mount. He says it wasn’t until his college years that he truly felt the Lord’s presence, which he credits to the Mount’s Campus Ministry program. And Eichhold says the most important relationship he formed at the Mount was with Jesus. The lifelong faith is felt through the friendships Eichhold made at freshman Satinder Singh Bharaj ’87 orientation. He met Beth Smith ’03, a social work major, that night. Later on, he would meet Kyle Wirthwine ’03, an education major; Tricia DelFavero ’03, a physical therapy major and Scott Cropper ’04, an education major. When Cropper was determined to get everyone together to watch the movie “The Karate Kid,” one day, he asked Eichhold to join him on his quest to purchase a DVD player. They became friends in the electronics department of a Cincinnati Meijer store. “Scott’s insistence upon “The Karate Kid” was a start to what bonded our group, but it was ultimately laughter that brought us together at different times,” says Eichhold. With a close, tight-knit community at the Mount, it’s easy for friends to become family. Eichhold, from Indianapolis, became friends with Smith, Wirthwine, DelFavero and Cropper, but also with their siblings and parents. “We are all part of each other’s families,” Eichhold says.
“My family sort of adopted Patrick during our time at the Mount,” says Smith. “My parents invited him over for dinner and he came to extended family activities.” Today, Eichhold is an active Mount alumni board member and regularly sees his Mount friends. He and Smith get together weekly to watch their favorite TV series “The Walking Dead.” Eichhold and Wirthwine, who is now married to DelFavero, take annual camping trips. And Eichhold and Cropper often attend must-see concerts and sporting events. Eichhold says most of the friends he spends time with are people he met at the Mount. Ten years after graduating, the group enjoys watching each other’s families grow. This past fall, Wirthwine and DelFavero, and Cropper and his wife welcomed baby girls within a week of each other. “It has been quite an honor to grow with these friends of mine as students, athletes and professionals. Now it’s an even greater honor to see them grow as parents,” says Eichhold. College is just the beginning of a student’s adult life. After graduation, busy schedules, career opportunities and settling down to lives and families can sometimes cause friends to drift apart. But for those who met at the Mount, the bond continues to bring them back together today. Through triumphs and hardships it’s the faith, strength, kindness and support that alumni find in one another.
What Fosters a 50-year Friendship? Nancy Welsh Sorg ’63, shares thoughts on her longtime friendship with the late, former board member, Georgine Braidic Wolohan ’63, who passed away May of 2013. Mutual Interests As Mount nursing classmates Sorg and Wolohan bonded over the same passions, serving as Good Samaritan School of Nursing Faculty and co-chairs of their Mount reunions. They also shared a love of Catholic Women of Cincinnati. Admiration Sorg always admired Wolohan for her intelligence and her activities with an array of organizations. The real depth of their conversations surrounded Wolohan’s work in school functions, community needs, her Art Museum docent tours, and Mount events and fundraiser ideas.
Georgine Braidic Wolohan ’63 (left) with Nancy Welsh Sorg ’63 (right) at an alumni reunion.
Fun “Spending the day with Georgine was guaranteed fun,” says Sorg. The two laughed a lot while organizing luncheons, parties and Mount events. They could be serious and professional when needed, but loved to be silly with all of the friends. Trust Wolohan rarely talked about her journey as a liver transplant survivor, but whenever she had concerns or worry, Sorg was right there for support and encouragement. “To be a friend and to have a friend, trust is the key,” says Sorg, “Georgine and I knew that what was shared between us, stayed between us.” M
Jessica Baltzersen ’13 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and New Media Studies. She is currently freelance writing.
Who are these cuties? Visit www.msj.edu/mountnews to read about the bond their moms have formed.
SPRING 2014 • 21
THE LION’S CORNER ATHLETICS The Mount’s women’s volleyball team has a long tradition of success in its storied history, which includes trips to the NCAA Division III tournament and conference championships. Coach Jon Bennett just finished his fifth season as the Mount’s head women’s volleyball coach, and this year led the team to a 7-2 conference record. In 2012, the team won the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Tournament and played in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament.
Carolyn Condit ’76
Nicole Sherpensky ’14
We talked about the Mount’s women’s volleyball team then and today with CAROLYN CONDIT ’76, who is now the head women’s volleyball coach at Miami University, and NICOLE SHERPENSKY ’14, who just finished her senior season with the Lions. What was the recruitment process like?
What were/are your coaches’ expectations?
CC: No coach asked me to attend the Mount to compete. I remember going to tryouts. Good competitive teams were hard to find for girls back then. I was a member of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and often saw older Mount athletes officiating these grade school and high school games. Mary Bierman ’71 and Jane Scheper Meier ’73 were roles models of mine before I met them at the Mount.
CC: To work very hard, stay focused, practice well, manage details and represent the Mount with pride.
NS: I’d known JB [Coach Jon Bennett] for a couple years before coming to play for him. He would answer any questions I had. I also would talk to players about playing for JB and Cris [Coach Cristina Webb] and would ask them what it was like. After a couple visits, I knew I wanted to come here.
NS: Our biggest rivals are Transylvania and Bluffton, Hanover and Rose-Hulman.
What (if anything) is changing with the sport? CC: The games are more physical, dominated by bigger athletes who enjoy strength-training programs. Most athletes today specialize and play many years of the same sport—this can be good and bad. The negatives are that some high school athletes lose the sheer joy of competing because they play too much now. NS: Rules of the sport change every year it seems. It becomes more and more competitive. Why did you choose the Mount? CC: The Mount was a very good school, it was the size I was looking for, and I heard many good things about the coaches and competitive teams. NS: I chose to come to the Mount because the coaches here truly care about their athletes, and I could immediately feel the sense of family when I came to visit.
NS: Our coaches’ expectations were for us to always put 100 percent into what we do on the court and in the classroom. Who was/is your biggest rival? CC: Our big in-state rivals were Dayton, Cedarville, Ohio State, Cincinnati and Cleveland State.
What were your favorite wins? CC: Every time we defeated Dayton, Cincinnati or Ohio State. Our win over Illinois to advance to the National Volleyball Tournament in 1975 in Princeton, N.J. NS: Beating Transylvania in three sets during the conference championship at home to go to the NCAA [Division III] tournament. How has playing on the Mount’s volleyball team affected your life and who you are becoming? CC: I learned how to be a professional teacher and coach. Kay Corcoran, Jean Dowell and Pat Shibinski were role models every day: their preparation, style of instruction, how they handled themselves in winning and losing situations, and how they motivated and disciplined studentathletes. They taught us the importance of goal setting and performance objectives. NS: I’ve gained many leadership skills playing here. I wouldn’t be the woman I am today had I not played for the Mount.
Visit www.msj.edu/mountnews to read the full Q&A.
For up-to-date info on all of the athletic programs at the Mount, visit www.msjsports.com 22 • COLLEGE OF MOUNT ST. JOSEPH
ATHLETIC NEWS This year the football program celebrates its 25th season with the Knowlton Kickoff Classic against Augustana College on Sept. 6, 2014. Women’s volleyball also celebrates its 45th season. Let’s take a look at some fast facts: FOOTBALL: The team’s first win was the first football game ever played in Mount history. In 1990, the Lions defeated Rose-Hulman 31-10. The Lions have played in the NCAA Division III playoffs five times. WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: Since joining the HCAC in 1998, the Mount women’s volleyball team has won or shared 13 regular season HCAC titles (1998-2001, 2003-2008, 2010-2012) and since the 2002 season, has won the HCAC Tournament eight times (2002-2006, 2008, 2010, 2012). M
Carolyn Condit photo by Scott Kissell.
MAKING AN IMPACT DONOR RELATIONS A new two-year project will make living connections for students and faculty between a core curriculum based on the Common Good and the legacy of service that is the bedrock of the Mount’s founding Sisters of Charity. A $44,000 Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) Program Development Grant was awarded to the Mount in November 2013. The grant comes from the Council of Independent Colleges with funds from Lilly Endowment Inc. The Mount will spend the grant during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 academic years on mission and pilgrimage trips designed to deepen the understanding of the Charity Charism embraced by the Sisters of “God is calling us to do Charity. There are very few sisters left what is needed at this actively working in moment and in New education ministries, said John Trokan, D.Min., Orleans it’s very obvious associate professor and chairperson of the that what is needed is Department of Religious housing.” and Pastoral Studies. This makes it especially — Sister Nancy Bramlage, SC, important for faculty to director of mission and ministry immerse themselves in the life of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the teachings of her order, Trokan said. “In terms of the meaning of a charity education – we all need to own it,” Trokan said. “We are the living link in terms of the Charism and how it is lived out on campus.” The NetVUE grant will fund two summer pilgrimage trips for 12 faculty and staff members at a time to the National Shrine and Seton Heritage Center in Emmitsburg, Md. This is where Seton founded the Sisters of Charity in 1809. Sister Nancy Bramlage, SC, director of mission and ministry, said being in the same spaces where Seton worked is empowering. Faculty can strengthen their perspective on approaching teaching, advising and coaching as a ministry. “This makes the whole story and
2013 New Orleans mission trip group.
person of Elizabeth Seton come alive,” Bramlage said. For students, the NetVUE grant funds mission trips to New Orleans. The Mount has sponsored these service learning excursions trips for years. The grant will emphasize the “mission” part of them, Bramlage said. Students stay at the Sisters’ House of Charity, where activities mirror the Sisters’ Charism of doing whatever presents itself. “God is calling us to do what is needed at this moment, and in New Orleans it’s very obvious that what is needed is housing,” Bramlage said. After daily volunteering, students will spend evenings processing their days, talking about what they learned and whom they want to pray for. They also will gather footage and conduct interviews for a DVD they will produce, in order to share their experiences with others. “That will really help them reflect on what they are doing,” Bramlage said. “And it will encourage more students to make the trip.” The NetVUE grant is just the beginning of the Common Good/Charity Charism connection. Mount President Tony Aretz, Ph.D., said he is committed to sustaining the outcomes of discerning meaning and value in serving the common good for years to come.
GRANTS 101 Grants from private and corporate
nonprofit agencies, faculty research
foundations and from government
in biology and interactive media, and
agencies connect students to success
the Ethical Leadership Development
and the college to the community.
Initiative.
Recent projects supported by grant
Grants for scholarships, curriculum,
awards include: a state-of-the art lab for
community service, and renovations
communication and new media studies
address key institutional needs and help
opening this fall, advanced nursing
reach Vision2020 goals, without undue
curriculum, student involvement with
burden on student tuition. M
New Orleans photo provided.
If you have a foundation, or are involved with one that might support the Mount, please contact linda_liebau@mail.msj.edu or call (513) 244-4593. Read more about grants and foundations at www.msj.edu/grants. SPRING 2014 • 23
FACULTY & STAFF UPDATES ACCOMPLISHMENTS Tony Aretz, president, was appointed Secretary and Vice Chair for Membership of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Board of Trustees. John Ballard, professor of management, presented, “The Crawford Slip Method: Uses to Improve Teaching, the Classroom and the Course,” at the Lilly Conference on College and University Teaching and Learning, in May in Bethesda, Md. He co-authored the article with Mary Ann Edwards, associate professor of business administration. Robert Bodle, associate professor of communication and new media studies, presented his paper, “Social Media and Cybersecurity: Examining the Public-Private Nexus of State Security and Online Social Production,” at GigaNet Annual Symposium in October in Bali, Indonesia. Gail Burns ’93, chairperson of undergraduate nursing, presented at the 24th International Networking for Healthcare Education Conference at Cambridge University, UK, in September. She presented a theme paper, “Contemporary Political, Financial and Social Drivers Forcing Immediate Baccalaureate Nursing Curriculum Redesign.” Michael Casicato, campus ministry coordinator, facilitated the Beginnings Retreat in September at the Grailville Retreat Center in Loveland. The retreat gave freshmen an opportunity to reflect on their first month of college while getting to know fellow classmates and upperclassmen. BC Charles-Liscomb, associate professor of athletic training, Gail Burns ’93, chairperson of undergraduate nursing, Mary Kishman, chairperson of graduate nursing, and Rosanne Thomas, chairperson of physical therapy, attended the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Fall Institute in Chicago, Ill., in October. R.A. Davis, professor emeritus in biology, was invited to be a tour leader at Big Bone Lick State Park in Kentucky in September, as part of the Cincinnati-area “Great Outdoor Weekend.”
Sylvia Dick ’76, adjunct instructor in art education, and Susan Ruttle Lawrence ’80, adjunct instructor in art education, recently attended the Ohio Art Education Association Conference (OAEA) in Toledo, Ohio. Six of the Mount’s art education students also attended the OAEA professional development conference in Toledo. At the Award Recognition Ceremony, recent Mount grad, Katherine McMonigle ’13, received the 2013 OAEA Student Division Award. Lisa Dehner, associate professor of physical therapy, Karen Holtgrefe, associate professor of physical therapy, and Rosanne Thomas, associate professor of physical therapy, attended CAPTE training in preparation for the physical therapy program’s upcoming accreditation site visit, and the American Physical Therapy Association’s Educational Leadership Conference in Portland, Ore. in October. Mary Kay Fleming, associate professor of psychology, was selected as one of 20 participants in an assignment design charrette offered by the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA) in March in Portland, Ore. Karen Ghaffari ’85, adjunct instructor in nursing, presented several seminars to faculty, nurses and nurse leaders to at University of Cincinnati, West Chester Hospital and the Greater Cincinnati Health Council. The seminars ranged from “Strategic Plan for Development of a Caring Bundle” to talks on improving patient satisfaction and fall prevention. Brooke Gialopsos, assistant professor of criminology, had a manuscript, “The Short-Term Repeat Sexual Victimization of Adolescents in School,” published in the journal “Crime and Delinquency.”
COACH HUBER RECEIVES AWARD Mount head football coach Rod Huber ’99 (shown on left with Dr. Manny Ohonme, founder of Samaritan’s Feet) might be a tough act on the sidelines, but that’s not always the case off-field. “I’ve been a coach for more than 30 years and this was one of the most moving events I’ve seen,” he said. Huber is talking about seeing children in need receive a new pair of shoes with the help of donations by the nonprofit group Samaritan’s Feet. Rod encouraged other coaches from the HCAC (Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference) to get involved in the Barefoot Games to raise awareness and money for the organization. His efforts earned him the “Meritorious Service Award” at the American Football Coaches Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. The honor recognized his efforts in raising more than $8,000 for Samaritan’s Feet. After the ceremony, members of the all-HCAC football team washed the feet of 250 kids from Padua Academy in Indianapolis and fitted them with new shoes. Mount players Brandon Keller, Sam Fowler, Shane Kelly and Leonard Riston were among the team members. “The washing of the feet teaches our studentathletes to serve others,” Huber said. “One of [the Padua Academy students] said it was the best day of her life.” Huber became involved with Samaritan’s Feet after a trip to Africa. He traveled with professional football players to teach adults how to coach football. While abroad, he was struck by how many children showed up at the stadium without wearing shoes.
Jeff Hillard, associate professor of English, wrote a new e-book, “Story’s Triumph: Mining Your Creative Writing for its Deepest Riches,” which has been published by Amazon Kindle. It is part of Hillard’s forthcoming, “Write Up!” series for writers of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction.
24 • COLLEGE OF MOUNT ST. JOSEPH
Coach Huber photos provided by Kevin Warren.
Karen Holtgrefe, associate professor of physical therapy, was re-elected secretary of the physical therapy section of the Ohio Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Athletic Trainers board, and elected secretary of the joint board in September. Eric Johnson, associate professor of chemistry, presented a poster titled, “Do Backbone Motions Contribute to Side-Chain Order Parameters?” at the Gordon Research Conferences in West Dover, Vt. Kathryn Kelly, director of student administrative services, has been appointed to the NCAA Division III Financial Aid Committee for a fouryear term that began in January. Sally Le Cras, adjunct instructor of physical therapy, was recently named director of the Pediatric Physical Therapy Residence Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center. Craig Lloyd, associate professor of art, had four paintings included in the Summerfair Select art exhibition at the Carnegie Arts Center that ran October through December. Elizabeth Mason, assistant professor of English, wrote two poems, “Remembering Where Pieces Fit” and “Orthopedics is the Medicine of Keeping Children Right,” which were accepted for publication in the Pisgah Review of Brevard College. Tracy McDonough, associate professor of psychology, and Lynda Crane, professor of psychology, were recently awarded an Advised Grant from Interact for Health (formerly the Health Foundation) to support their work on The Schizophrenia Oral History Project. Stacy Mueller, director of Project EXCEL, gave a presentation titled, “The College Search for Students with Disabilities,” at the National College Fair held at the Duke Energy Center in September. Patty Ragio, vice president of institutional advancement, was accepted into Leadership Cincinnati Class 37. This 10-month program will culminate in June 2014.
Heather Christensen photos provided.
Kathleen Ray, Project EXCEL, presented, “Twenty-seven More Ideas for Using Technology in Your Classroom,” at the Ohio Catholic Education Association Conference in Columbus, Ohio in October. Clarissa Rosas, program director of TEAM-MSE, and Amy Emery ’00, clinical placement coordinator, led a group of students in June to Munich, Germany, to learn about inclusive practices in the country, meet intervention specialists and the Minister of Education.
SPOTLIGHT ON
HEATHER CHRISTENSEN, PH.D., ASST. PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY Heather Christensen, 29, and her husband, Patrick, are expecting their first baby on May 15, 2014, a mere five days after Commencement. “We have no clue what we’re doing,” she admits. “We don’t know if we’re having a boy or a girl, or even have names picked out. We did sign up for an infant CPR class though.” Christensen’s laid-back approach has made her a favorite to many students since coming to the Mount three years ago. She even ran in the “Tough Mudder” on a team with her students, while she was in the first trimester of her pregnancy. “My students were very protective of me. Then after we finished I told them I was giving them all Fs,” she joked.
Robyn Stone, adjunct instructor of English, wrote a poem, “Spring, Cloaked,” which was published in the “Silver Leaves Journal” in September. It won Oloris Publishing’s first Spring Poetry Contest. Karl Zuelke, director of the writing center, presented a short story, “Falls of the Ohio,” at the Society for Literature, Science and the Arts (SLSA) conference in October. It was held at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind. NEW HIRES Welcome to our new employees at the Mount: Mary Amos, Andre Atkinson, Dustin Baynes, Sheree Brown, Tammy Bruner, Tara Byrd, Joe Cornely, Greta Fyffe, Nesta Hampton, Lori Hattendorf, Tony Hester, Gary Homan, Honee Johnson, Deborah Jones, John Letcher, Warren McConnell, Marianne McGoron, Bridget McDermott, Bill Minor, Chris Montecalvo, Travis Neimester, Nick Niemeyer, Fred Okanda, Casey Thompson, Marta Trujillo and Deborah Wille.
Congratulations to the following faculty promotions: Eric Johnson, Ph.D. – Division of Behavioral and Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry – promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure Amy Murdoch, Ph.D. – Division of Education, Department of Education – promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure
On campus, “Dr. C.” started breast cancer cell culture research with the help of two student researchers and continues it today. Students learn how to grow breast cancer cells in vitro (outside the body), which they can then manipulate in different ways to learn the molecular mechanism that contributes to their growth and division. Outside the classroom, she led the effort to bring the Beautiful Lengths Campaign on campus and donated 10 inches of her hair for cancer patients. What don’t people know about you? I am a HUGE baseball fan! It’s my goal to see every major league ballpark in the country. What do you do in your free time? I’m super obsessed with scrapbooking. I’m really into exercising like boxing (the heavyweight bags), running and being with my two dogs. Any big plans for when you turn 30? I made a list of 30 things I was going to do before I turned 30. I’ve done most of them—learn to surf, travel internationally, brew beer, and knit a blanket are a few. What haven’t you crossed off the list? I still haven’t made ice cream yet! M
SPRING 2014 • 25
ALUMNI UPDATES NEWS In the past couple of decades, the age-old concept of “paying it forward” has appeared as a movie, a foundation and even in the drive-through line when someone buys a cup of coffee for the stranger behind them, to the point where it has become a bit of a cliché. However, for generations of Mount students, whatever you label it, the idea of paying forward their excellent education is a common thread. Since the Sisters of Charity established our alma mater in 1920, campuses, enrollment and programs have changed and grown, but the rich tradition from our founders of taking service, social responsibility and ethical leadership out into the world remains constant. Each week our office hears numerous stories of alumni who are using what they
Alissa Beck ’11 Program Manager of Annual Giving and Young Alumni
learned at the Mount to serve in their communities in large and small ways. It is a privilege, especially as an alum myself, to work for and give back to a place whose “products” go on to be successful leaders in more industries that I can begin to fairly list here. The classnotes and stories in this and past issues of Mount News are just a small sampling. As alums we have a lot to be proud of: what the Mount has been to tens of thousands of students and, as we approach our centennial in 2020 and then beyond, how it continues to evolve. Whether it’s On the Ohio, College or University, it will always be our Mount. And our graduates have and will extend their reach into all parts of the world, from Delhi to Washington to Cambodia.
As the school year draws to a close, please join me in welcoming our 2014 graduates to the Alumni Association. I hope you were able to attend one of the events we offered in the fall/winter such as Saints, Spirits & Salsa celebration, a Pops concert or the Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo. If you have pictures from these events or other events that you want to share with us, please email them to alumni@mail.msj.edu or post them on our alumni Facebook page at www.facebook.com/msjalumni. New alumni and current students gathered for the 2014 MSJ Day with the Cincinnati Reds on April 11. This was the fourth year for this fun evening. This year’s phonathon was a great success as we reached over 10,000 alumni. We always receive many updates like new addresses and emails, marriages and promotions. We like hearing what you have been up to and sharing with you news about new programs and developments at the Mount. So if by chance you did not hear from our student callers and you’d like to update your profile, email us at alumni@mail.msj.edu or call (513) 244-4892. We hope to hear from you soon. We love to hear your ideas on how to make your alumni experience better.
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Jenny Rapien Kaeppner ’94 Associate Director of Alumni Relations & Lead Annual Giving
Welcome new alumni!
We’d love to hear from you! To contact Jenny Kaeppner, call (513) 244-4298 or e-mail jenny_kaeppner@mail.msj.edu. To contact Alissa Beck, call (513) 244-4892 or e-mail alissa_beck@mail.msj.edu. Bookmark www.msj.edu/alumni. This is where you can find the latest news, register for events, submit a classnote or passage, and sign up for Alumni Connections, the monthly e-newsletter dedicated to you, our loyal alumni.
Opportunities for Alumni
Annual Fund
Alumni, did you know that the Office of Career and
Donating to the Mount Annual Fund is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Just go to www.msj.edu/give, click the “Give to the Mount” button and support the Mount. It’s that easy. Your gift, no matter the size, helps our students on a daily basis, and taking advantage of our matching gift program will stretch that support even further. When alumni contribute to the Annual Fund, it also sends a message; strong alumni support influences the success of other funding opportunities such as grants. If you have already given to the Annual Fund this year, thank you so much for your commitment to sustaining and strengthening the Mount as we move toward our centennial anniversary in 2020 and beyond. Today’s students are forever grateful.
Experiential Education lets you get involved on campus and interact with students and also delivers resources to help you find the perfect next career step? There are several ways you can assist students in becoming competitive candidates as they enter the professional world. An alumni co-op employer lets students gain experience in their field before entering the workforce, while earning course credit. Co-ops work between 15-20 hours a week for your organization. This lets alumni serve as mentors, helping students acclimate to the professional world. Alumni employers can also attend the annual campus career fair. This event allows current students and alumni to network with different organizations and gives employers the ability to recruit and interview students to fill open positions. To begin a professional career, students must present themselves well during an interview. Students participate in mock interviews through careerrelated coursework at the Mount. We are always looking for employers and alumni to assist with mock interviews. This year, the interviews are scheduled for May 5-8. You might even find a potential employee during this process. Looking for a way to engage current students without making a huge time commitment? We often encourage students to speak with someone employed in their field of interest. It’s a chance for students to learn about a job’s day-to-day responsibilities. We are always looking for professionals from a variety of fields who are interested in sharing their career experience with students. The Career Center also has many services that assist our alumni. Looking for a fresh set of eyes to examine your resume? One of the advisors in our office would be more than happy to meet with you and discuss it. Nervous about an upcoming job interview? Career Center advisors will meet for mock interviews, so that you feel you are completely prepared. Finally, if you would like help networking with certain organizations, let us know, and we will do everything we can to put you in touch with someone from that company or one like it so that you can achieve your career goals. If you have any question, would like to assist us with any of our endeavors, or need to take advantage of some of our services you can contact the Career Center at 513-244-4888 or email career_center@mail.msj.edu.
Save the Date Mount alumni classes of 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984 and all Royal Mounties are invited to join us for Reunion Weekend on June 6-8. Invitations have been mailed.
The weekend will include individual class gatherings, a special golden anniversary celebration for the class of 1964, an alumni awards convocation, a luncheon, tours of the current campus and “old Mount,” Mass, and a family brunch. This year’s reunion classes can get updates through Facebook. Alumni will have the opportunity to view the schedule of events, information on accommodations and, most importantly, see who among their former
By donating to the Mount Annual Fund you are changing the lives of our students. Your gift will:
Ensure that all students have the opportunity to access the Mount’s tradition of excellence through scholarships and financial aid. Help the Mount continue to grow while remaining a Catholic community that is grounded in the spiritual values and vision of its founders, the Sisters of Charity. Advance the Mount’s mission to educate students through a liberal arts and career-ready curriculum with ethical leadership development. classmates plans to attend. Please like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/msjalumni. Other classes with an anniversary this year will celebrate at Homecoming on October 25. For more information about Reunion Weekend 2014, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (513) 244-4298 or visit www.msj.edu/reunion-weekend. SPRING 2014 • 27
ALUMNI UPDATES CLASSNOTES 1940s Dorothy Nurre Broad ’46 of Carmel, Calif., has children in New Jersey, Texas, Idaho, and California but the whole family is able to meet every January and July at the Grand Valley Manor. Helen Lavey Wilson ’49 of Indianapolis welcomed her great grandson, Henry Michael Saffen, born July 23, 2013. Her daughter and granddaughter, who live in Japan, came to visit this summer for three weeks.
1950s Harriet Fealy Foley ’57 of Franklin, Ohio, had a Foley Family Reunion in Kilkee, Ireland in July with 35 relatives from the United States and over 45 relatives from Ireland. Judith Janson Mellott ’57 of Cincinnati is spending six months out of the year in Hilton Head with her husband, enjoying their retirement and their two great-granddaughters. Rosemary McIntyre Southworth ’58 of Carmel, Ind., was just blessed with her seventh grandchild. Jeanine Evers Radler ’59 of Ann Arbor, Mich., is happy to report that she has a new daughter-inlaw named Kelsey.
1960s Kathryn Carnes Boylan ’60 of Elyria, Ohio, is working in the public health field. Kathryn Ann Connelly S.C. ’60 of Cincinnati is being awarded the Sr. Blandina Award for her work in the community of Price Hill. This award honors a creative thinker and doer who is persistent in overcoming obstacles, a champion of minorities, fearless against injustice, unbowed by failure, and able to involve the community. Mary Block Bay ’61 of New Canaan, Conn., celebrated the birth of her first grandchild, a girl, on April 10. Patricia Fuersich Hoffman ’63 of Orlando, Florida, and her husband recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a cruise around the Hawaiian Islands. Anne Kennealy Gutzwiller ’65 of North Bend, Ohio, was awarded the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award, the highest award given by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, for her contributions and service to the mission of the organization. Elaine Meyers Reardon ’65 of Cincinnati, celebrated the birth of her grandchild, Jack Martin Reardon, born July 22, 2012. Elizabeth Glaser Frye ’66 of Beavercreek, Ohio, is enjoying retirement and doing volunteer work.
Jane Ackerman Hoffman ’67 of Cincinnati is on the board at the Pregnancy Center East. Maureen Kennedy ’69 of Royal Oak, Mich., is retiring after directing the Madison Chorale for 35 years. Kathleen Sheridan ’69 of Manassas, Va., is currently training to be a Master Gardener.
1970s Ellen Fordham Kuebler ’70 of Cincinnati with her husband, Bill, and Rita Lewandowski Bennett ’70 of Sagamore Hills, Ohio, boarded the Queen Mary II in October sailing to the Northeast Harbors of New England and Canada. Susan Schehl Schiller ’71 of Cincinnati has been named the executive director of the Bethany House Services, an organization that helps over 2000 adults and children each year with many different programs. Patricia Sibilia Steiber ’76 of Aurora, Ind. recently got married.
1980s Caroline Metzger Malsbary ’82 of Cincinnati, is looking forward to full retirement so that she can travel more and spend more time with her grandchildren. Annie Echoles Timmons ’82 of Cincinnati is currently working as the director of the Friar’s Club, working to improve the lives of inner-city children. Joann Rome Session ’83 of Cincinnati is now the Director of Nursing Services at Great Miami Services. Lana Miller Woodring ’83 of Destin, Fla., has been named the vice president of administrative services at TSA Consulting Group, Inc. in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. Jean Taylor Aclin ’84 of Elkton, Fla., is working at UF Health Trauma Center in Jacksonville, FL. In addition to her work, she is also very involved with the church, participates in ballroom dancing, and enjoys photography. Juanita Becker Kaiser ’85 of Cincinnati has sold her home in Batesville and bought a condo in Cincinnati to move closer to her daughter. Paul Silva ’87 of Cincinnati has just been named President of the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky division of the First Financial Bancorp. Denise Dicke Stauffer ’88 of New Bremen, Ohio, has been appointed to the new position of principal/CEO of Lehman Catholic High School. James W. Steele ’88 of Cincinnati has been appointed executive director of Ohio Valley Residential Services, a nonprofit that serves people with development disabilities.
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Lori Kreimer Schaefer ’89 of Cincinnati obtained her Certified Trust and Financial Advisor Certification in July. She also celebrated her 24th anniversary at US Bank.
1990s Michael DiCecco ’90 of Avon Lake, Ohio, was named President of the Equipment Finance division at Huntington Bank. Dwane Mallory ’90 of Cincinnati has just been re-elected as a Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge. Karen McFarland Menchen ’92 of Cincinnati is pleased to announce the arrival of her granddaughter, Samantha Rose Menchen. She was born on September 20, 2013. Jill Meyer ’93 of Cincinnati is working as the member-in-charge of the Cincinnati office of Frost Brown Todd. In February, she will be the keynote speaker at the Business Courier Bizwoman Breakfast and Showcase. Anne Milam ’94 of Charlotte, N.C., recently completed her book entitled, “Bloom Where You’re Planted.” The book discusses Anne’s life as a children’s ministry director, community member, and pastor’s wife. In April 2014, Anne plans to attend a planning conference called Exponential West, where she will have the opportunity to market her book. Susan England Carson ’96 of Cincinnati received her master’s degree in business administration/ business analytics from the University of Cincinnati’s Lindner College of Business in December. She is currently working at AxcessFinancial as a web analytics analyst. Maria Mosteller Childs ’96 of Cincinnati has just published her first book entitled “Firefighter’s Don’t.” In addition to being an author, Maria is also an elementary school teacher. Elizabeth DeBrunner Rutherford ’96 of Norwood, Ohio, is a language arts teacher at Lebanon Junior High, a mother of four, and a grandmother of two with a third expected in February. Elizabeth is also the owner and education director of Rutherford Tutoring Services. Kathleen Deyer Bolduc ’97 of Oxford, Ohio, has published a book which will be released in February entitled “The Spiritual Art of Raising Children with Disabilities.” Carolmarie Stock ’98 of Cincinnati is working part-time at the Cincinnati Museum Center as a children’s program presenter. James Gerdsen ’98 of Cincinnati has just published his first book entitled, Squirrels, Boats, and Thoroughbreds: Lessons for Leading Change in Traditional Businesses.
PROFILE: SEAN CROTTY ’07 The Mount’s philosophy of personalized attention and investment in its customers attracted Sean Crotty ’07 (center, in photo at right) to the college. He continues to model those same values since graduating in 2007, whether he is dealing with customers at the Cincinnati fitness business he owns with his sisterin-law, or working with patients in Cambodia through the Peace Corps.
acclimate to, but those perceived challenges are also what enriches your experience living abroad.” For the CDC, Crotty assists in enforcing clinical blood transfusion guidelines, trains physicians in blood donor care, and recruits donors. He’ll continue his work with the CDC and the Peace Corp until August, when he will begin training as a nurse practitioner.
His experiences working with Crotty is a volunteer leader for the patients under extreme hardships “The Mount instilled a sense of Peace Corp’s community health planted a seed that he needs to confidence and self-assurance, program, and an advisor for the capitalize on. “I have genuine Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) which is crucial whether you are passion for learning how whole national donor program in Cambodia. working in the small business communities are affected as well as He joined the Peace Corps in 2011 as individuals. This falls in line with a world or the Peace Corps.” a health extension agent, teaching public health model.” health center staff in remote parts Crotty would like to open his own nursing practice in an of the countryside about general patient assessment. underdeveloped area and provide outreach services through Crotty helped translate a guide for basic and advanced home visits and mobile units to deliver healthcare to those First Aid and Western practices of general sanitation and without access to it. workplace care into Khmer for Cambodian practitioners. For inspiration and solid support, Crotty looks to his family. He helped create a protocol for health fairs to teach basic He draws his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to health principles to young people across the country. And he service from his father Kevin, a former vice president for Van designed exercise stations for a local high school. Dyne Crotty. His mother Karen, an avid artist, is his sounding He says that “success is not always measured by what large board, confidence-builder, and the “glue” for the family, scale projects you have done.” He joined the Peace Corps which includes brothers Colin (who also attended the Mount) because of his belief in cross-cultural exchange. “There is an and Michael, sister Melissa and their families. innate value in every nuance of interpersonal relationships,” Crotty says his education and criminology/sociology degree he says. helped him understand the importance of attention to detail As a volunteer leader, Crotty is training current volunteers, and accountability, and taught him program development. providing support for programming, policy, emotional needs “The Mount instilled a sense of confidence and and cultural understanding, and helping Peach Corps staff self-assurance, which is crucial whether you are working in with site development. the small business world or the Peace Corps.” The Peace Corps allows “you to push your boundaries,” Crotty says. “We have a language barrier and a cultural barrier to
ONLINE EXTRA!
Visit www.msj.edu/mountnews to read about how Beth Pluckebaum Siemer ’90 was honored with the Distinguished Teacher Award from the National Catholic Education Association and how Claire Caruso ’69 was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. SPRING 2014 • 29
ALUMNI UPDATES CLASSNOTES Katherine McMonigle ’08 of Harrison, Ohio, has been selected as one of five finalists for the Niche award in the functional ceramics category.
What started as a tribute by photographers Melanie Tracy Pace ’05 and Adam Pace ’05 to Melanie’s sister Ali quickly became a viral story that touched the hearts of millions.
Aimee Neville ’09 of Cincinnati has just been named the associate director of finance at DunnhumbyUSA. Amanda Knisely Sharp ’09 of Grove City, Ohio, was recently married at the Ohio State University Medical Center.
When Ali married husband Ben Nunery in 2009, Melanie took wedding photos in their new but still empty home. Ali passed away in 2011 from a rare form of lung cancer, leaving behind Ben, daughter Olivia, and a house full of
Mary Scherzinger Gehring ’10 of Oldenburg, Ind., married Matt Gehring on September 21, 2013. Lisa Davis Kelly ’10 of Cincinnati married her husband, Patrick Kelly, on April 20. Timothy Meiner ’10 of Claremont, Fla., recently married fellow graduate, Katie Playko ’10, at the Mount on August 13, 2013.
memories. Before moving out of the Price Hill home in November 2013, Melanie shot pictures of Ben and 3-year-old Olivia, including recreations of the original wedding photos with Olivia taking her mother’s place. Melanie included the results on her company’s blog at www.loft3photography.com/blog. Within a month it garnered global acclaim, including an in-home interview on The Today Show. Melanie says all the attention is Ali touching lives even after death. “Our images helped heal thousands. (They show) that everything is going to be all right. Life is hard, but we can move on, gracefully.”
2000s John Hutcheson ’00 of St. Augustine, Fla., is now the campus pastor for Parkview St. Augustine. After graduating from the Mount, John moved to Louisville where he received his master of divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Juana Mendez SC ’00 of Erlanger, Ky., has been working to benefit the Hispanic community. Since her graduation from the Mount, she has been a parish administrator for Cristo Rey, a Hispanic parish on the grounds of the former Marydale Retreat Center in Erlanger. She also formed Centro de Amistad de Cristo Rey (Center of Friendship of Christ the King) which serves over 500 immigrants and undocumented workers. Kelli Higgins Salm ’03 married Philip Salm on October 5, 2013. She is now working as a physical therapist at Middletown City Schools. Erika Brosz Robbe ’04 and Mark Robbe ’00 of Harrison, Ohio, welcomed their second child on July 17, 2013, William “Will” Patrick Robbe.
Karen Vander Wegen Dotterer ’05 of Cincinnati is now pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice, she is currently working in estate administration and probate for an elder law firm. Sarah Seitz Geil ’05 of Cincinnati, just celebrated 5 years of marriage to her husband, Joe Geil. They have a son, Jamison, who is 3, and just welcomed their second son, Lucas, on August 29. Jennifer Burnett Kidder ’05 of Cincinnati married Jason Kidder on November 9, 2013. Noelle Wedig ’05 of Cincinnati is working as a full-time costume designer for Kings Island and also as the resident costume designer for the Know Theatre. She says that when designing these costumes, she works hard to make the story come to life. Ashel Duty Kruetzkamp ’07 of Florence, Ky., is a finalist for the 2014 Healthcare Heroes Award for her work as a manager at St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
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Melyssa Hoff Donnellon ’12 of Cincinnati married Jordan Donnellon on October 12. Joseph Grothe ’12 of San Francisco, Calif., working at Archbishop Riordan High School. Elise Jesse ’12 of Cincinnati has joined Channel 5 as a reporter, coming from KFBB-TV in Great Falls, Montana. Michael Murphy ’12 of Crestwood, Ky., just took a job at VCE in Dallas, Texas, as a pricing analyst in their finance division. VCE is a converged infrastructure (cloud technology) company that builds and maintains systems for small to large businesses. Jennifer Taylor ’12 of Cincinnati is currently working as an intern on the stranding team at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida. Through her internship, she responds to distressed and injured wildlife, most recently assisting on the necropsy of a 32-foot sperm whale. Taylor says she is grateful for her education from the Mount, as it has served her well through her experiences. Robert (RJ) Wissner ’12 of West Chester, Ohio, who is currently enrolled at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCUMB), returned to the Mount to answer students’ questions regarding preparation for the MCAT and his first year of medical school. Julia Hall Bruggeman ’13 of Ft. Thomas, Ky., married Robert Bruggeman on October 4, 2013. Tracy Rottenberger ’13 of Cincinnati has accepted a position as a corporate paralegal at Schwartz Manes Ruby & Slovin. Todd Uterstaedt ’13 of Mason, Ohio, has worked to develop a new division called, “Daughters in Charge” for Baker & Daboll. This division will create products and services specifically designed for the unique challenges and issues daughters, ages 25-40, encounter in the family business setting.
PASSAGES ALUMNI Jeanne Sedler Cottingham ’39 Ruth Voglewede Egan ’39 June Enneking Lueugers ’43 Shirley Wood Lyman ’43 Mary Jane Jameson Wenstrup ’43 Ruth Caruso Smith ’43 Mary M. McKenna ’44 Sr. Lawrence White, SC ’47 Kathryn M. Flynn ’48 Sr. Helen Miriam Groeber ’49 Mary Clare Donnelly Minges ’52 JoAnn Lindsay Mott ’52 Rose Ann Calabrese Swiger ’52 Rosemary Beck Counts ’53 Mary Fitzgerald Morrissey ’55 Jane C Vogele Berger ’57 Mary Ann Grigsby Morgan ’63 Seton Lally, SC ’64 Mary George Hagen Becker ’65 Marianne Orlando Daleske ’65 Anne Pieroni Szopa ’65 Ruth Ellen White Horney ’67 Mary Jane Trost Huffman ’67 Margaret Straw Roskop ’68 Georgianne Wagner Schade ’68 Joan Axt ’75 Cleo A Garvin ’87 Margaret A (Mimi) McCullough ’87 Karen Lee Lorenz ’89 Ruth Mary Daly Davidson ’90 Mary Elizabeth Symes Herbst ’90 Harold Peak ’90 Carolyn R West ’90 Joselyn Hayes Chandler ’95 Cara S Grandey King ’96 Linda M. Mack McCulley ’99 Anita Stock Scherer ’99 Vanessa Blust Tiemeier ’04 Elizabeth Holman Vainrib ’07
HUSBAND OF Rosemary Spraul Reyering ’46 JoAnn Lindsay Mott ’52 Susan C Clark Oberjohn ’52 Rita Szakats Banjoff ’59 Mary Ann Bockrath Jung ’60 Mary Philips Rapien ’60 Judy Joseph Stepanic ’60 Barbara Zitson Smith ’63 Carolyn Marshall Hater ’79 Delores Adams Cunningham ’82 Diane M. Sweeney Travis ’88 Patrica Massuchi Denoyer ’00
MOTHER OF Lynne S. Sundermann Hamons ’61 Ann Luegers Cerone ’66 Jane Pierman Lomont ’66 Diane Rack Kammerer ’67
ONLINE EXTRA!
Patricia Holmstrom Metzger ’68 Patricia Schell Furlong ’69 Gerri Rack Morrison ’69 Anita Hulefeld Preston ’69 Linda Swaggard Guminey ’70 Anne Cosgrove Clarke ’71 Mary Lou Cosgrove Buelow ’73 Barbara Pierman Luff ’74 Kathleen Neumann Ellyassaki ’76 Mary Ann Minges ’77 Nancy Cosgrove Cody ’78 Margaret Neumann Fischer ’78 Denise Counts Hill ’78 Barbara Delph Beal ’79 Carol Ann Lewis Beckham ’79 Susan P. Hibbard Jajczyk ’79 Cheryl A. Wessel Anglemyer ’80 Allison Creutzinger Ellison ’80 Jane A Berger-Bidwell Moeller ’81 Bonnie A Rack Ballauer ’82 Julie P Cosgrove Kammerer ’82 Nancy Rack Mock ’84 Janet Lynn Freese Huffman ’85 Ann Marie Flynn Corwin ’86 Kathryn Flynn Dye ’88 Elizabeth Flynn ’88 Mary L Mauch Irvin ’88 Stephen R Frietch ’89 Barbara Stahmer Grieser ’89 Kelly J Pennington ’89 Kimberly Pennington ’89 Cathy Ungruhn Grisby ’91 Jennifer Bode Wagner ’92 Scott Justice ’93 Gina Ross Krakovsky ’94 Jennifer Heyob Wallace ’99 Sheila S Walsh Tabler ’03 Shawn M. Scaggs ’12 Laurie Young Huff ’13
FATHER OF Joanne Whalen Hyle ’63 Theresa Fessel Broxterman ’78 Lauren E Schaller ’10 Jenifer Daeger Schoenfeld ’78 Mary Jo Giovannazzo Tonderys ’80 Anne Schenden Pape ’84 Teresa Dorsa Hay ’85 NanciAnn Wagner ’87 Pamela Ann Poland ’88 Dwane K. Mallory ’90 Sharon M Grohs Bachman ’91 Nancy Poland Heisel ’91 Amy Knabe Schmidlin ’91 Mary Seeger DeWitt ’92 Susan Rapien Watson ’92 Melissa Lucas Reed ’94 Richard J. Seelig ’94 Dianna Renee Mitchell Jones ’01 Emily Fox Burton ’02
Amy Gagnon Risola ’02 Diane Vormbrock Gray ’03 Christa R Tallarigo Franke ’04 Katie Havrilla Blain ’05 Marianne Fry Topp ’05 Joseph Vormbrock ’05 Robert C. Spangler ’07
SISTER OF Mary Elizabeth Wagner Daly ’46 Grace Wagner Heupel ’50 Jeanne Schaefers Roof ’58 Marlaine Ryan Hampton ’71 Diane Donovan Burke ’81 Anne Vollette Fischer ’08
BROTHER OF Betty Ann Bachman McMahon ’66 Sr. Rosemarie Gerrety, SC ’72 Mary Ann Foley Robbe ’83 Diane Marie Wolf Ritter ’96 Cynthia Huls Maki ’13
SON OF Nicole Eckes Logsdon ’02
WE REMEMBER MOUNT STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF Dominic James Giovannazzo, Ph.D. Former Chair of Education Department Helen Miriam Gunn, SC Reading Center Coordinator Mary Lou Hines Former Alumni Office Secretary Capt. Edgar Mallick, USN (Ret.) Former Academic Dean Peter Mosher, Ph.D. Assistant Professor and Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education Daniel Quinn Former Director of Public Safety Tyler Stiles Student majoring in communications/new media studies, minoring in criminology Michael Tepe Student majoring in social work M
Visit www.msj.edu/mountnews to read a previously published personal reflection by the late Vanessa Blust Tiemeier ’04 about her battle with breast cancer. SPRING 2014 • 31
LAST THOUGHTS We dug deep in the Mount archives—from the pages of the 1971 yearbook—and are reminded of days gone by.
Read about
SOPHOMORE REVUE starting on page 7.
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Save the dates: September 5-6, 2014
An exciting weekend celebrating the 25th season of Lions football! Join us for one or all of these fun events. Inaugural MSJ 5k Friday, September 5, 6:45 p.m. Register by August 1 for $15 per runner. Early registration includes the option of ordering a Dri-Fit running shirt commemorating the event at an additional cost. After August 1, registration is $20. Day-of registration is $25. Undergraduate Mount students pay only $5 per runner, thanks to a discount sponsored by the Campus Activities Board (CAB). Alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome. Â Join us afterwards for a post-race celebration.
5th Annual Charlie Wrublewski Volleyball Tournament Celebrate the 45th season of Lions volleyball this fall. $5 admission, alumni admitted free. Friday, September 5 6 p.m. - Mount St. Joseph vs. Thomas More 8 p.m. - Heidelberg vs. Westminster (MO)
Football Tailgate
Saturday, September 6 11:30 a.m. - Mount St. Joseph vs. Heidelberg (ct. 1) 11:30 a.m. - Thomas More vs. Westminster (ct. 2) 2 p.m. - Mount St. Joseph vs. Westminster (ct. 1) 2 p.m. - Thomas More vs. Heidelberg (ct. 2)
Saturday, September 6, 4 p.m. Alumni, former coaches and staff, and their families are invited back for a tailgate reception prior to the game. Admission is $10 per person/$5 per child under 12, and will include dinner, soda and two drink tickets per adult, plus free admission to the football game. A cash bar will also be available.
Lions vs. Augustana, Knowlton Kickoff Classic Football Game Saturday, September 6, 6 p.m. (pregame ceremony on the field at 5:30 p.m.) Cheer on the Mount Lions against the Augustana Vikings of Illinois in the second year of this series of match-ups made possible by the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation, Inc. Members of our 1990 Lions first football team and Mount St. Joseph All-Americans will be honored at half-time. Go to www.msj.edu/knowlton-classic for more information or to register for the 5k and/or tailgate. For questions, contact Jenny Kaeppner at jenny_kaeppner@mail.msj.edu or (513) 244-4298.
VS MSJ LIONS
AUGUSTANA VIKINGS
KNOWLTON KICKOFF CLASSIC C E L E B R A T I N G T H E 25 TH S E A S O N O F L I O N S F O O T B A L L
APRIL 30 30
The Mount Jubilee Vocal band “Ball in the House” performs
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID CINCINNATI OHIO PERMIT NO 7116
IMPORTANT DATES MAY 2 8 10 14 26
SpringFest Semester Ends Commencement Job search workshop College closed – Memorial Holiday
JULY 1 4 18-19
IT’S OFFICIAL! MOUNT ST. JOSEPH UNIVERSITY! College Closed – Independence Holiday Orientation for new students
AUGUST 21-22 22-24 25
Orientation for new students Welcome Weekend Semester Begins
SEPTEMBER 1 5-6 5 6
College Closed – Labor Day Holiday 5th Annual Charlie Wrublewski Volleyball Tournament Inaugural MSJ 5k Knowlton Kickoff Classic Football Game and Tailgate
Cincinnati, OH 45233-1670
Reunion Weekend Orientation for new students 13th Summer Spirituality Institute
5701 Delhi Road
6-8 18-19 23-27
Office of Institutional Advancement
JUNE
OCTOBER 15 24 25 25
Leadership in Nursing Awards Dinner Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner Alumni Tailgate Party Homecoming Game
For complete calendar listings visit www.msj.edu/calendar For complete Mount Lions schedules go to www.msjsports.com
JOIN US! The Department of Religious and Pastoral Studies presents the 13TH SUMMER SPIRITUALITY INSTITUTE. The Institute will focus on “Sustaining the Sacred Web of Creation.” Topics will focus on sustainable foodways, spirituality and wellness, healing and love creation, bringing about a sustainable reign of God and environmental ethics. Daily presentations will be open to the public. Registration is required for all morning and afternoon classes. Visit www.msj.edu/spirituality for more information.
SAVE THE DATE
HOMECOMING
WEEKEND 2014
October 24-26 Mark your calendars now and watch for announcements to come!
MISSION STATEMENT The College of Mount St. Joseph is a Catholic academic community grounded in the spiritual values and vision of its founders, the Sisters of Charity. The College educates its students through interdisciplinary liberal arts and professional curricula emphasizing values, integrity and social responsibility. Members of the Mount community embrace: excellence in academic endeavors; the integration of life and learning; respect and concern for all persons; diversity of cultures and beliefs; service to others. If you have received Mount News in error or wish to update your mailing preferences, please contact Sandy Oldendick at sandra_oldendick@mail.msj.edu or call (513) 244-4871.