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class notes
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For a comprehensive, regularly-updated list of Class Notes, including birth, engagement, marriage, career, and other announcements, or to submit a class note of your own, go to 1846.stvincent.edu/classnotes
Marla Turk: A Logical Progression
Although SVC teaches students about the hallmark of stability across their four years, frequently they find that change can lead their lives toward finding that consistency. Marla Turk, C’17, discovered that the need to travel and try new things aided her in achieving her passions. Majoring in economics and mathematics, she found that the structure of her classes pushed her to become more adaptable. “The amount of logic and knowledge from my math classes…has aided me in being able to adapt quickly to learn to code,” Turk noted. After taking the opportunities and global trips that the McKenna School offered her, she found a love for traveling and gained a greater perspective of varying businesses in the real world.
Having enjoyed her summer internship at PNC Bank, upon graduation, Turk began her career in Pittsburgh. Although she enjoyed her first job and believed it provided numerous possibilities for her future, she wanted something more. Eventually, after three years, she was ready to start fresh and branch out more in her career. “I wanted to move out west to be in better weather and work with data that pertained to marketing and customer behavior,” said Turk. When a career as a Data Scientist working at MGM Resorts International presented itself, the move to Las Vegas, Nevada was easy, and her wish was fulfilled. Soon, she wished to go a step further, and about a year and a half ago, she accepted a position at Block, Inc. as a Data Developer.
Despite the changes that appear to frequent her life and career, Turk continues to go with the flow and advocate for her career, always searching for the joys present in her current situation. ♦
Adam Jakubek: Drawn to Serve
Whhile reflecting upon his 15 years of active duty in the Navy, Commander G. Adam Jakubek, D.O., C’04, says he felt he was always drawn to serve, following in the footsteps of his father, David Jakubek, C’83, much like he did when he chose to attend Saint Vincent College.
Jakubek finished his high school career in northern Virginia, and while his friends were off to large state schools, he was solely focused on Saint Vincent. “I felt a smaller school would best prepare me for my goal of becoming a physician,” he recalled. While at SVC, a Navy recruiter presented Adam with an opportunity to make his goals of becoming a physician and serving his country coincide, and upon graduation he was off to Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and interning at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. Juggling the rigors of medical school and naval training proved to be difficult for Jakubek, but he credits the high standards his professors set for him at Saint Vincent for his successes. “Dr. Jim Barnett refused to let me settle for less,” he stated. “That personal connection with your professors makes a huge difference.”
Having served all over the globe, from Okinawa, Japan to Afghanistan, and back to Virginia, Jakubek still looks back fondly on his time at Saint Vincent. Whether that be living on the fifth floor of Aurelius Hall in the Summer of 2000 or prefecting in the newly-opened St. Benedict Hall in 2003 where he had the pleasure of living next to Fr. Rene Kollar. “He was always late to my pod meetings, but I gave him a pass since he always paid for the Hotel Loyal pizza.”
Jakubek has continued to further his education and qualifications throughout his time in the Navy, including attending an intensive 30-day training at sea, writing a thesis paper on improving the management of neurological conditions at sea to become a Submarine Medical Officer, and becoming a board-certified neurologist. He’s stationed back at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, VA, where he resides with his family. ♦
Rhodora Donahue Remembered
In Memoriam
NAME
Raymond J. Smoko, Sr., C’72
Vincent S. Simmers, Sr., C’77
John A. Brenkus, C’61, S 65
Joseph Werstuik, C’77
Peter T. Horn, C 79
Thomas C. Badstibner, P’50, C’54
David K. McGuire, Ph.D, C’57
Deborah (Plack) Taylor, C’89
John T. Gordon, C’69
Kenneth J. Planinsek, C’82
A. Simeon Whitehill, C’59
Joseph P. Fletcher, C’71
Vicki L. (Smith) Hickle, C’91
Francis A. Seitam, C’56
David A. Tomko, C’60, S 64
Most Rev. Rembert G. Weakland, O.S.B., L.H.D.,
P’44, C’48, S’51, D’87
DATE OF PASSING
January 10, 2022
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Rhodora
Jacob Donahue passed away on December 12, 2022, at the age of 97. Mrs. Donahue was a devout Catholic and devoted wife and mother of 13 children with 84 grandchildren and 168 great-grandchildren. She and her beloved husband, John F. “Jack” Donahue, took seriously their vocation to each other as married Catholics and as parents to pass on the gift of faith that they cherished in their own lives. Mrs. Donahue was passionate about the importance of faithbased education, which was a cornerstone in her relationship with Saint Vincent College.
Mrs. Donahue made a transformational gift to endow the Saint Vincent College Center for Catholic Thought and Culture. Crafted to engage Faith and Reason in the modern world with students, faculty, and visiting scholars, the Center has emerged as a leader in that dialogue, which is so important in our society today. Led by Executive Director Dr. Jerome Foss, the Center has sponsored a new minor program of study called “The Sanctity of Life,” and it produces a yearly scholarly journal, Conversatio. Mrs. and Mr. Donahue also made a gift to Saint Vincent Seminary, establishing the Pope Benedict XVI Chair for Biblical Theology and Liturgical Proclamation, which has significantly advanced the scholarship of those preparing for priesthood.
Mrs. Donahue’s understanding of faith and vocation is concretely and practically based in the family, also known as the “domestic church” or “little church” from the documents of Vatican II. She cared for many people as if they were brothers or sisters or sons or daughters. Father Paul Taylor, O.S.B., President of Saint Vincent College, tells the story that she wanted to encourage him to get healthier and so made a thoughtful gift to him to tune up his bicycle so that he would be encouraged to exercise. Father Paul reflected on the gift upon Mr. Donahue’s passing, saying, “I am motivated all the more to ride that bicycle because she is keeping an eye on me from Heaven!”
Mrs. Donahue and her family have and continue to be dear friends of Saint Vincent and the College Community. Her spirit of philanthropy with purpose and results has enabled Saint Vincent College to excel in the academic and spiritual formation of our students. Our Bearcats have benefited greatly from her gifts, and that benefit will live on in our community. We remain very grateful and continue to be inspired.
Atty. Stephen J. Meyer, C’87
Katherine A. (Barcovtch) Lowanse, C’14
Edmund F. Avolio, P’53, C’57
Rev. Vernon A. Holtz, O.S.B., C 58, S’62
Joseph H. Murton, D.P.M., C’85
G. Bruce Jenkins, C’54
Dr. Ferdinand “Fred” Soisson, Jr., P’47, C’51, D’82
Michael P. McCarthy, M.D., C’61
Arthur P. Sundry, P’46
Joseph P. Lesko, C’62
Samuel L. Paolo, C’51
The Honorable Henry E. Shaw, Jr, C’61
Joseph P. Zanella, C’59
Louis F. Zylka, C 58
Thomas R. Little, P’62, C 66
Rev. Damian J. Warnock, O.S.B., C’75, S’79
Gerard J. Davidse, II, C’75
Ronald J. Fracalossi, C’61
Charles J. Tripoli, M.D., C’52
Rev. Russell J. Maurer, C’56, S’60
Harold V. Muller, Jr., C’60
Robert “RJ” Okunewick, C’22
Brian J. Smith, C’80
Rev. Cornelius P. Chang, O.S.B., C’58, S’62
William E. McCowan, C’80
Terence E. Moore, M.D., C’76
Rev. Leo J. Pleban, C’56, S’60
Neal Genemore, C’79
John J. Reilly, C’68
Richard J. Kramarik, C’68
Jerome M. Feret, C’61
Scott N. Newton, C’79
J. Anthony Glasstetter, P’50, C’54
Patrick W. Holstead, C 92
Joseph B. Luketich, C’69
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FROM THE Art Collection
The Fountain, n.d.
Laura Sylvia Gosse
(English, 1881-1968) oil on canvas
28 x 20 inches
Gift of Michael and Aimee Rusinko-Kakos
Learn more about this piece at 1846.stvincent.edu/collection.
