St. Xavier Magazine - Fall 2022

From the President

In this edition of the St. Xavier Magazine, you will read about the financial picture and fiscal viability of St. Xavier High School. In addition, you will see the donor and audit reports and have the opportunity to dive into detailed information about the record-setting 2022 X-Travaganza as well as one of the most integral parts of our current capital campaign, endowing programs.

In my interactions with constituents and donors, I sometimes hear the phrase, “St. X has enough money!” Of course, my answer is facetious when I respond, “Well, you are half right.” I think that in a perfect world we would not charge tuition at all, and no one’s decision to enroll would be influenced by the cost. As you have read about in previous editions of the St. Xavier Magazine, the dream for the future is to raise the endowment to the point that we minimize, if not eliminate, financial barriers for future students. Everyone I’ve met agrees that affordability should never be a barrier in a young man’s decision to develop his talents and gifts as a Bomber.

I’m not a businessman, but it seems to me we have the worst business model in the world, spending $22,705 per student but charging only $16,762 in tuition. That difference between what we charge and what students pay is what we refer to as the gap. All of our students benefit from the support of the annual fund’s Long Blue Line Scholarship. In addition, thirty-one percent of our students are eligible for the state’s Ed Choice Scholarship program, based on the performance of their public school district. Some of our students also earn Xcellence Scholarships, while others are eligible for financial aid scholarships.

To be clear we are working on our business model, and that includes being as efficient as possible and by filling every seat and right-sizing our programs. The efficient capacity of this building is between 1,4001,450 students. St. Xavier 200, our strategic plan, identifies goals, strategies, and measures to enroll that number.

But…do we have enough money? The answer is a qualified no. That is why we are in the process of a $200 M campaign. As you recall we are hoping to invest $65 M to refurbish our facilities focusing primarily on our academic classroom infrastructure as well as facilities that support wellness. We want to add $75 M specifically to need-based financial aid and $60 M to endowing programs to help mitigate the need for dramatic tuition increases in the future. One example is the recent gift to endow two of current programs, The Leo H. Gerbus ’53 Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Ada Lovelace

Computer Science Department. That gift effectively reduces $250 of cost for each student. Read about that and other ways the Long and Wide Blue Line is helping secure the future. Please stay tuned for changes in the Ohio tax code that will change your gift into a benefit when you contribute to the Xavier Scholarship Granting Program (X-SGO). It is my hope that you take advantage of this investment opportunity to benefit the Long Blue Line.

The high school years are the right time for young men to be formed into leaders and Men for Others. What happens to our students once we have invested in them? They use what they have learned at St. X to go off to college, refine their skills, and prepare to change the world! It’s not hard to see that the world needs more St. Xavier graduates! I hope you take the opportunity to get to know some of the amazing people whose stories in this edition demonstrate why this investment has such a great return. Students like Max Rohs ’23, Joey Wassler ’23, faculty member Therese Bower, and our new Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Gerry Bollman ’86 are all living examples of what St. Xavier brings to the world.

I cannot help but be very optimistic that the Long and Wide Blue Line will transform our strategic vision into reality. Many have already contributed to this lofty goal, and it is our deepest hope that all our supporters know the abundant gratitude we have for their generosity which allows us to keep high quality programs and dynamic faculty while still following our very poor business model. We have many steps to go to reach our goal, but with your help, I am confident we are “On our way to Victory.”

Tim Reilly ’76

A.M.D.G., Timothy J. Reilly ’76 President

I cannot help but be very optimistic that the Long and Wide Blue Line will transform our strategic vision into reality.

Anthony

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mr. Gregory G. Achten ’82- Co-Vice

Mr. Robert E.

Mr. Michael E. Dahm Rev. Walter C. Deye

’66 - Co-Vice

Mr. Brian J. Fitzgerald ’91 Mr. Lee P. Geiger ’93 Dr. Colleen M. Hanycz Mrs. Toi C.

Rev. Paul A. Lickteig

Mrs. Patricia

Mr. Adam T.

Rev. Gregory J.

Mr. Vivek Ramaswamy

Mr. Andrew N.

Mr. Timothy J.

Mrs. Mabe Rodriguez

Mr. Mark M.

Rev. Matthew C. Spotts

Mr. Timothy J. Steigerwald

Mrs. Linnell R.

Rev. Eric M. Sundrup

Mr. Nicholas J. Vehr ’77 - Chair Mr. Madhu Vrishabhendra Rev. Nathan C. Wendt SJ

CONTRIBUTORS

Robert G.

Therese C.

Joyce A.

Eric N.

Cathy M. Cionni David V.

Brendan C. DeVenney Heidi B. Eveleigh Edmund L.

Eric M. Gammarino

Cara L. Hester W. Matthew Keith

Nicholas B. Kemper

Wayne Box

Ralph A. Nardini

Aleth B.

We are St. Xavier

News and notes around the St. Xavier campus

Mission Trips Largest Participation In School History

We had an amazing summer of service and immersion mission trips at St. X. More than 150 seniors spent a week of their summer serving others on their Service & Immersion Trip with one more trip going out this fall. Spending time in Cincinnati, Cleveland, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, our Men for Others worked in gardens, helped with housing repair and served in soup kitchens all while exploring social issues affecting that area. Leaving their phones behind for the week, the Bombers got to know their classmates better during the nightly reflections, throughout their work-day and while cooking meals and eating together. Thank you to all of the seniors who made this the largest participation summer for the program in St. X history!

National Merit Scholars

Congratulations to the 11 St. Xavier students who are Semifinalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Competition.

Pictured with Principal Dan Lynch and President Tim Reilly ’76 are Semifinalists: Isaac Chang, Charles Dillon, Bryan Greive, Oscar Haughey, Patrick Jennings, Benjamin Johnston, Ethan Kyle Macasilli-Tan, Dominic Nadler, Andrew Robinson, John David Sniegocki and Samuel Warren.

Welcome to the Class of 2026

St. Xavier kicked off the school year on August 17 welcoming the Class of 2026. This class adds 328 members from 84 different grade schools in the Cincinnati area. Welcome to the Long Blue Line!

Mass of the Holy Spirit

St. Xavier students, faculty, and staff were pleased to celebrate the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit together in the Berning gym on Friday, September 2 followed by Spirit Day. The long-standing tradition is an event that is cherished throughout the Jesuit community around the world. The Class of 2026 was formally welcomed into the St. Xavier community. Fr. Tom Deacon Royce Winters, the Pastoral Administrator at Church of the Resurrection in Bond Hill. Fr. Manahan encouraged the community to Fire Up, St. X…Every Day is Spirit Day!

College Board National Recognition Program

Congratulations to Lucas Aguilar, James Butts, Jayden Harlan and Aidan Scott-Emuakpor-Price for being recognized as a College Board National Recognition Program awardee.

Alumni Golf Outings

The Young Alumni Golf Outing and Alumni Golf Outing were once again successful bringing members of the Long Blue Line together for a day of golf and brotherhood.

The winning foursome of the afternoon flight, which finished with a – 57. From left to right: Gary Franke ’78, Dr. Tim Schiller ’78, Doug Massa ’78 and Tim Fischer ’78.

The winning foursome of the morning flight, which finished with a -56. From left to right: Patrick Beausejour ’07, Michael Beausejour ’05, Jake Daly ’07 and Johnny Wolf ’05 with Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events Eric Gammarino ’09.

The 2022 Young Alumni Golf Outing group.

The faculty/sta team consisting of Principal Dan Lynch, Vice President of Enrollment Mike Dehring ’88, legendary swim coach and math teacher Jim Brower, and Assistant Director of Enrollment and Retention and current head swimming and diving coach Dave Albert ’08 celebrate a long putt made by Coach Brower.

Hole contest prizes for the morning and afternoon flights (four footballs autographed by Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor along with two Scotty Cameron Putters).

Advancement Chairman Take the Lead on Annual Fund Efforts

Student Advancement Chairman for the 2022-23 school year have been announced. Each year, approximately 30 seniors help the school with various school-wide events such as Masses and dinners along with major fundraising activities such as the Fall and Spring Phonathon and the Senior Class Gift Project. These seniors, known as the Senior Advancement Chairmen, are individually hand-selected at the conclusion of a thorough review process which includes, but is not limited to, the quality of recommendations offered by faculty members, the extent of each student’s involvement with past Phonathons and a history of demonstrating leadership skills both inside and outside the classroom.

The 2022-23 Chairman include Joe Abou-Khalil,Taj Ahuja, Zane Arar, Max Bonner, Cole Bui, Isaac Chang, Patrick Crowley, Ryan Deeley, Alexander Devine, Luke Eckert, Zachary End, Robert Fogler, Francis Franke, Jack Freeman, Michael Gawkins, Bryan Greive, Nicholas Haussler, Samuel Hawkins, William Hendon, Dominic Infantino, Andrew Isbell, Patrick Jennings, Samuel King, Charles Koehne, Stuart Lipp, Alexander Little, Walter Lynch V, Evan Miller, Connor Mulligan, Kai Munz, Peter Rose III, Andrew Scheve, Zohair Siddiqui, Liam Smith, Andrew Tran, Joseph Wassler, and James Wiseman.

Entrepreneurship Gives Back

When Max Rohs ’23 was a freshman he started his own business, a computer recycling company. He approached President Tim Reilly ’76 and asked if he could promote computer recycling, part of the Pope Francis’ Laudato si' with the subtitle "on care for our common home". Max would promote recycling and collect computers through a drive at St. Xavier. The drive was a success and Max and his company collected more than 600 computers. It took one year to break down the computers and kick-start his company. After a year, Max came back to President Reilly and proudly presented him with a large donation to the school. His entrepreneurial spirit and his Men for Others attitude made a big impression! Max just bought another company to continue his adventures in entrepreneurshipPeace Pizza food truck. You can check it out at www.peacewoodfirepizza.com

Max Rohs ’23 accepts the Student Social Entrepreneurship Award at the Leo H. Gerbus ’53 Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Annual Dinner.

Career Connexions

Students Co-host Special Olympic Games

In June, St. Xavier was proud to be a host of the Hamilton County Special Olympics summer games at Ballaban Field. Many of our students volunteered with Special Olympic athletes during the school year and were happy to reconnect during their summer vacation over football, bocce ball, soccer and more. They had the FCC and Bengal mascots, sunny weather and a great time!

Christine Dauenhauer was the catalyst behind Career ConneXions and she leaves a legacy that will carry on for years to come.The two names go hand-in-hand.

Looking back at what she accomplished in her 5-years developing the Program, a few items stand-out the most. Dauenhauer shares, “I’ll never forget students saying, “…That job shadow was a game-changer for my life!” or when an alumni volunteer came back to St. X after 15 years and lit up as he smelled the weight room or found his composite picture.” The biggest compliment for the program, “We benchmark annually, and local and national schools are catching on to what we do and are copying it.”

The strength of the Program will continue with Dauenhauer’s successor, Aleth Rhoades, who took the role in Aug as Career ConneXions Director. Dauenhauer shares, “The program future will be incredible under her leadership. She brings the perfect blend of business knowledge, passion for youth development, and natural ‘super-connector’ skills to the role. She will be an amazing leader to spot improvement areas for the program and set the next bar for incredible results.” Rhoades joins St Xavier from a long-standing career orchestrating company-wide, strategic initiatives with a background in information technology, having tenure at Electronic Data Systems, U.S. Bank, Great American Insurance, and Paycor. When Aleth is not focused on her three sons, Jack (Bomber ’22), Eli (Bomber ’24) and Lee (future Bomber, ’29), she relaxes over a good meal with her husband and friends, and seeks adventure through traveling.

Aleth will continue to offer core student programs like Networking Roundtables with Alumni, keynote speakers, and internships. She also hopes to simplify the student experience with Career ConneXions by streamlining website program content and student learning centered on the value of a well written resume and job application, the power of networking, and showing your best in a job interview.

Let us know: Go to stxavier.org/careerconnexions.

Photo left to right: Christine Dauenhauer, Matt Langerderfer summer internship with Beacon Orthopedics, Logan Tobery and Matthew Olszewski summer intership at Evoqua, Aleth Rhoades

Are you an Alumnus or parent interested in helping students through Career ConneXions?

Walk4X

On Friday September 23, the St. Xavier student body participated in the 47th annual Walk4X. The Walk4X is the only student fundraiser for the school. The money raised from the Walk4X bridges the gap between the cost of tuition and the actual cost of educating a student at St. Xavier. This year the walk raised more than $130,000. Students enjoyed the day raising money for their fellow classmates and future members of the Long Blue Line!

Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Annual Dinner Event

On September 10 the St. Xavier community celebrated the impact of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation with a huge announcement. The program is now endowed and will be called The Leo H. Gerbus ’53 Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

After graduating from St. Xavier High School in 1953, Leo followed his father into the homebuilding business and later formed the Gerbus Brothers Construction Company with his brother, Rudy. As an entrepreneur, Leo became involved over the years with a number of other ventures, including Trans-Ash, HydroCat boats and the U.S. distributorship businesses for Priestman Long Reach Excavators and Moxy Articulated Dump Trucks, to name a few. Leo is a longtime soccer fan and was one of the founders of SAY Soccer in Cincinnati and of Cincinnati’s first semi-pro soccer team. According to Leo, St. X was instrumental to his success in life, teaching him to be a leader, work with others, and to use his talents to create something larger than himself.

The featured speaker for the event was Robert J. Kohlhepp, retired Chairman and CEO of Cintas Corporation. During the evening several awards were bestowed. The Matteo Ricci, SJ, Award was bestowed upon Mark Cappel ’86; the Distinguished Companion Award bestowed upon Dick and Sarah Huskey; the Dr. Charles H. Matthews ’71 Excellence in Entrepreneurship & Innovation Award bestowed upon Amare Leslie ’22; and the Student Social Entrepreneurship Award went to Max Rohs ’23. A special thanks goes out to event sponsor Bob Carroll ‘76 of Robert E. Carroll, CPA. The new Leo H. Gerbus ’53 Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is always seeking new volunteers and supporters. Please contact Tim McDonald at tmcdonald@stxavier.org for more information.

Theatre Xavier

This summer Theatre Xavier performed their newly devised theatrical piece Playlist at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The Fringe Festival is the world’s largest performing arts festival taking place annually in Edinburgh Scotland. For three consecutive performances Theatre Xavier performed for international audiences this stirring play about music and its importance in some of the most sentimental moments in people’s lives. Theatre Xavier alum and 2018 St. Xavier grad, Henry Howland, choreographed the dances and helped develop the stylized movement for Playlist

This is Theatre Xavier’s second time performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

COMING SOON:

Theatre Xavier’s Fall Production is Willian Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This classic is set in modern day, will include a diverse cast, and tons of technical spectacle. Performance dates are November 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov 13 at 5 p.m. Tickets will go on sale in October at stxavier.org

PAC New Family Welcome

On Sunday August 14, Parents Across Cultures (PAC) welcomed incoming freshmen and transfer students and their families at the New Family Welcome (formerly the Ice Cream Social) in the Ellis Gym. While the widely popular ice cream stations were still on the menu, PAC added four discussion panels around the gym to help parents get specific information including The First Week of School, Getting Involved, Academics, and a Spanish Speaking panel. Families were able to have one on one conversations and were given information cards to keep on hand going forward.

The New Family Welcome not only creates opportunities for families and students to connect before school starts, but to build relationships, make carpool connections, and meet St. X Faculty, Staff and leadership including President Tim Reilly, Principal Dan Lynch and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Wayne Miller.

In addition, the New Family Welcome was supported by the Asian Pacific Alliance and the Black Student Union student groups to help students of color and culture connect in a more meaningful way, and Mothers’ Club who provided additional support and information as well. For more information on our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion scan the QR Code.

X-Travaganza

Preparations are underway for the 50th annual X-Travaganza! With the generous support of the St. Xavier community, X-Travaganza has grown from a premier once-a-year dinner auction to a series of events, raffles and auctions that culminates in the flagship event on March 4. 2023. Throughout the year, X-Travaganza proceeds collectively generate funds to benefit all St. Xavier students!

Your support of X-Travaganza helps fund many educational and extracurricular opportunities for all students, from Academics, Athletics, Music, Theater X and Mock Trial to Community Service, Mission Trips, Campus Ministry, Tuition Assistance and many more.

Join X-Travaganza 2023 Co-Chairs Leeann and Jim Fitzpatrick, parents of Jacob ’19, Dylan ’22 and Brady ’24 and Lisa and Chuck Ciccia, parents of Charles ’01 and Lou ’04 for the upcoming events! Visit www.stxavier.org/xtravaganza for updates and registration links.

SAVE THE DATES:

Ladies Bunco Night: October 18, 2022 Holiday Online Auction: opens November 23, 2022 Grand Raffle: ticket sales start January 2023 Trivia Night: January 21. 2023 Opening Party: March 3, 2023

X-Travaganza: March 4, 2023

X-Travaganza Golf Outing: May 22, 2022

Co-Chairs Leeann and Jim Fitzpatrick, Lisa and Chuck Ciccia

Vice President’s Message

The Long Blue Line Yesterday, Today & Always!

Tony Schad ’81

I am proud to say I am a member of the St. X class of 1981, and that we celebrated our graduation from St. X along with the 150th anniversary of the school. Our graduation was held in the Fr. Benson Gymnasium (now the Dick Berning Gymnasium.) I had to blink a few times realizing that we are now working towards the 200th anniversary in 2031 with our St. Xavier 200 campaign. That will be my 50 th class reunion year!

Yes, a lot has changed since I walked the halls as a young St. Xavier Bomber. At that time, the building still had the Jesuit living quarters attached to it. Our weight room was basically some nautilus machines on the stage of the gym. In my mind’s eye I can still see, then math teacher, Dick Piening doing arm curls on those machines! We had a cinder track that ran around our grass (mostly dirt) field and the small concrete bleachers that surrounded them. The cafeteria was the same as it is today except the poles were multicolored and we called it the rainbow room. For the time, those facilities were fantastic.

Our campus, and all that it entails, is still wonderful but there is a considerable amount that is original to this building from when it opened back in 1960. The fact that so much is still the same as it was back then is a tribute to those entrusted to its care and maintenance as well as the fact that our students, faculty and staff appreciate this place and take care of it as their own.

With that said, and so our students can strive for the Magis each and every day with the absolute best support around them, one of the initiatives of the St. Xavier 200 is focusing on upgrading parts of our campus. With your financial support we will upgrade our classrooms and academic areas. That includes

common areas that will help facilitate study groups and socialization opportunities for our students. It will also include upgrading our dining facility to serve our students needs better. There will be much more happening, but we want you to know that everything we do is to better serve, equip and prepare our students so that their surroundings enhance their St. X experience to the fullest extent possible.

Young men come to St. Xavier to receive unparalleled education and formation opportunities. Without you, the people whose names you see in this magazine, that would not be possible. So, thank you Long Blue Line of St. Xavier. We stand proudly on your shoulders every day and we know with your continued support.

St. Xavier High School will continue to march towards its’ 200th anniversary knowing the tradition of yesterday, valuing the mission today and knowing that St. X will always be a place where young men are transformed into leaders and Men For Others!

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

Anthony E. Schad ’81 Vice President for Advancment

Young men come to St. Xavier to receive unparalleled education and formation opportunities.

Alumnus Provides for Endowment of Programs

The Leo H. Gerbus ’53 Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The Ada Lovelace Computer Science and Technology Department

Leo Gerbus ’53 had a long history as an entrepreneur, helping found Gerbus Brothers Construction Co. shortly a er graduation. Leo became involved with many other important ventures in the boating, manufacturing, and heavy machine industries. According to Leo, St. X was instrumental to his success in life, teaching him to be a leader, work with others, and to use his talents to create something larger than himself.

Leo

200th anniversary. The school is seeking to raise $200 million and a significant goal of the campaign is to contain the current and future cost of tuition by the endowment of individual departments and programs.

a long history as an entrepreneur, helping found Gerbus Brothers Construction Co. shortly a er graduation. Leo became involved with many other important ventures in the boating, manufacturing, and heavy machine industries. According to Leo, St. X was instrumental to his success in life, teaching him to be a leader, work with others, and to use his talents to create something larger than himself.

Design concept at full size

St. Xavier High School has received a gift of $10 million from an alumnus and his spouse who wish to remain anonymous while impacting students through endowments for a major school program, an academic department and for tuition assistance to students in need.

As a result, St. Xavier’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation will now be known as The Leo H. Gerbus ’53 Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in honor of Leo Gerbus ’53, a Cincinnati entrepreneur who has been a major influence in the donors’ lives. The same very generous couple has also created a significant endowment for the computer science department which will now be known as the Ada Lovelace Computer Science and Technology Department. Ada Lovelace was a 19th century mathematician who is considered by many to be the first computer programmer and “the prophet of the computer age.” The donors wish to recognize the achievements of Ada Lovelace and educate others about those achievements.

This generous gift comes as a part of the St. Xavier 200 campaign. The campaign, which began in July of 2021, is a 10-year campaign leading up to St. Xavier High School’s

Programs, in part and in their entirety, are being endowed during this campaign. St. Xavier has received partial program endowments for the St. X Mission Trip Program, St. X Choral program, the overall Fine Arts program, the Exceptional Learners program, the volleyball program, and football program. Some might be named for individual donors and families, and some will be named for people or programs who have made significant impact for the donor and now can transform the experience for thousands in the future.

There are a wide range of endowment opportunities that can make a significant impact for the young men of St. Xavier. If you are interested in learning how you can support the initiative to endow departments and programs at St. Xavier High School call Vice President for Advancement Tony Schad ’81 at 513-618-3228 or email him at Tschad@stxavier.org

Anonymous Donor Endowment by an:

e LEO GERBUS 53 Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Anonymous Donor Endowment by an:

e LEO GERBUS ’53 Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

OPERATING REVENUE

$3,086,361

ADVANCEMENT AND OTHER INCOME APPLIED TO OPERATIONS

REVENUE + INCOME

NET OPERATING EXPENSES

Instructional $15,377,647

$4,453,528 Tuition Assistance $4,019,629 Aux. Enterprises & Activities $3,486,581 Plant Operations $2,702,349 Fundraising $2,038,753

$32,078,487

Introducing Gerry Bollman ’86

Gerry Bollman is the new Vice President for Operations and Chief Financial Officer for St. Xavier High School. He began his tenure in August. Gerry attended St. Xavier between 1982 and 1986 following a number of cousins and an uncle who are also Bombers. Since graduation Gerry has been an active and engaged alum providing financial support as well as volunteering where he could (Career ConneXions) to benefit students.

Why did you decide to come back to work at St. Xavier?

I always enjoyed my time at the school and long wanted to contribute in a more meaningful way, but my career took me out of Cincinnati for quite a few years. As I thought about a “final act” to my professional life I was excited by the idea of finding a way to combine my professional skills and experience with my love of St. X and desire to be a part of the community again. For me it’s all about the motivation of pursuing a mission driven calling and waking up each day excited to come to work and collaborate with so many smart, committed, passionate and loving individuals who all support that mission.

You have a longstanding history of support for St. X. What encouraged you to stay engaged? Quite simply I believe in the mission of the school and want to do what I can to ensure that the school continues to thrive as it fulfills its goal of assisting young men in their formation as leaders and men for others. I strongly believe that I wouldn’t be the person I am today were it not for the education, as well as the spiritual and personal growth, I experienced while at St. X. I gained confidence; I expanded my understanding and appreciation for the wider world around me; I came to appreciate more deeply the value of service to others and the power of servant leadership; I allowed myself to be vulnerable and grew my willingness to trust and love others more deeply. What St. X offers is unique and irreplaceable, and I want to give back as fully as possible.

What is your vision for your first year as the CFO?

Well, I have had enough first days in a new role to know that the most important objectives are to listen and to learn.

I think we are all people who want to have a positive impact, whatever we do, so the temptation is always to act first. Listening, though, is critical to making sure the actions we take are constructive and appropriate for the culture and context in which we work. Beyond that I am excited to be coming onboard as the Board of Trustees finalizes the St. Xavier 200 Strategic Plan for Continuous Improvement to set the course for the next decade and beyond. I think my experience analyzing, planning, and executing will allow me to be a good strategic partner to the leadership of the school in helping to bring those goals to life.

What else should we know about you?

Prior to coming to St. X fulltime I spent more than 30 years in business, the last 17 as a CFO. My jobs required that I travel extensively, and I’ve now completed dozens of roundthe-world trips. I also spent time living or working in the UK, France, Australia, and New Zealand. Outside of work I love to entertain and to cook. I wish I could play golf but have terrible hand-eye coordination, so I am relegated to watching it on the weekends. I do love to work out and lift, though, and have done so regularly since turning 40. Despite all my travel for work, I still enjoy exploring new places with friends and family, although my favorites remain London and Hilton Head. I have two small dogs, Scooby & Shaggy, who have kept me company along the way.

excerpts from the ARCHIVES

Nicholas Kemper ’06, Archivist

Over twenty years after its installation, the giant twisted hunk of metal that sits outside the Berning Gymnasium continues to confuse and delight. To some, it seems out of place; to others, it’s a beautiful work of abstract art; to most, though, it’s a mystery. So, what is it? Who made it? And how did it end up at St. Xavier?

In 1984 a group called the Linclay Corporation was constructing the Commerce Center, a 30 story office building located at Sixth and Vine Streets downtown. Clement Meadmore, an Australian American artist known for his massive outdoor pieces crafted from steel and bronze, was commissioned to decorate the plaza outside with one of his sculptures. Built at the cost of $100,000 and weighing more than seven thousand pounds, the piece was dedicated in August 1984. Its name? “Open End.”

This abstract and minimalist work of art remained in its original location for fifteen years until the plaza upon which it sat was slated to be remodeled. Due to frequent pedestrian injuries caused by its sharp edges as well as its propensity for attracting graffiti, “Open End” was not included in the renovation plans. Tim Helmick ’68, regional accountant for Grub and Ellis, the property management company, contacted St. Xavier and asked whether the school would be interested in the piece. After an enthusiastic response from art teachers and administrators, the massive sculpture was refurbished and donated to St. Xavier High School where it was installed pro bono by Fenton Rigging in late September 1999.

Two decades after its relocation, “Open End” still manages to confound the St. X community as much as it did when it first arrived. Some viewers have likened it to Gumby, while others have compared it to heating pipes; some have even said it resembles a can opener. But perhaps this diversity of interpretations is part of its charm. As the late Fine Arts teacher Dennis

O’Brien mentioned at the time of its installation, “Abstract art is like poetry; you bring your own background to it.” And at the very least, according to then St. X President William Verbryke SJ, the sculpture “makes a good conversation piece.”

Faculty Focus

Therese Bower

Please tell us a little bit about your background and your family ties with the Long Blue Line.

I am the oldest of the three children of Dianne and Jim Cahill (Class of ’64 and English teacher from 1969 to 2012), who made many sacrifices to provide us with an excellent Catholic education when we were young. I attended St. Mary School, St. Ursula Academy, and then Ohio State, where I majored in English and minored in Russian. My husband and I met while working at a resort in Maine one summer, and we have been married for 25 years. After working for a cultural exchange program in Boston, I earned my Master of Arts in Teaching from Simmons College. I moved back to Cincinnati to teach English at St. Ursula, which I loved, but then I took a hiatus from teaching to focus on our four children. I returned to teaching eleven years ago when I accepted a position in the English Department at St. X. In addition to teaching, I am the Global Education Coordinator, a Kairos director, and the Global X-plorers Club moderator.

Why did you decide to bring your gifts to St. Xavier?

Growing up as the daughter of a faculty member, I considered St. X a home away from home. When I was a kid, one of my favorite events of the year was the St. X Open House. My dad would bring us, and we’d roam the school while he spoke to prospective families. My brother and I would make a beeline for the Biology classrooms to check out the animal displays there. I attended countless football and basketball games, and I think I saw every Theatre Xavier production from 1978 until 1985, when I joined TX myself as a freshman. In high school, some of my best friends were St. X students. Through them and the experiences of my brother and many cousins, I saw the transformative power of Jesuit education. I knew the St. X environment would challenge me to be the best teacher I could be.

What is the most rewarding thing about being part of the St. Xavier community?

I love being part of a community that is so united in its mission. Cura personalis, care of the whole person, pervades every aspect of school life: classroom interactions with students, Kairos and other retreats, community service, clubs, sports, and the Finding God in All Things Meditation every week, to name only a few. In walking through a typical school day, I witness a community engaged in the sacred work of developing young people into the fullest and finest version of themselves. I also witness laughter—a lot of it. St. X is a joyous place to be every day.

Tell us more about your new adventure with the Global Scholars Program:

St. X is one of more than 890 Jesuit schools around the world, which means that St. X students are part of a global network of more than 840,000 students! The Jesuits have long prioritized global citizenship

education in our schools, and to that end, the Jesuit Schools Network has developed the Ignatian Global Scholars program. Global citizens, according to the Ignatian definition, are “those who continuously seek to deepen their awareness of their place and responsibility in an increasingly interconnected world, both locally and globally; those who stand in solidarity with others in the pursuit of a sustainable earth and a more humane world as true companions in the mission of reconciliation and justice.” Students at St. X earn the Ignatian Global Scholar distinction through curricular programming, cultural experiences, global and local projects, and ongoing reflection. I have been fortunate to be involved in this work over the last three years, and our first cohort of Ignatian Global Scholars will graduate this May.

You recently completed a Fulbright fellowship. Can you tell us about it?

In 2019, I applied for the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Fellowship. I was accepted, and our cohort of 75 educators from around the U.S. participated in a yearlong professional development program focused on best practices in global education. The fellowship culminates in an international field experience, and my bags were packed for Morocco in March 2020. Of course, the trip was cancelled due to the pandemic. Fortunately for us, it was eventually rescheduled, and I traveled to Morocco this past March, where our group met with education officials and visited schools in Rabat and Casablanca. The wait was worth it! Everything I learned through the Fulbright TGC Fellowship has informed my teaching and helped me facilitate the Global Scholars program. I owe the St. X administration a big thanks for supporting me throughout this opportunity.

How would you describe the St. Xavier Advantage?

Having three sons attend St. Xavier has been a blessing beyond measure. Through their experiences, I’ve witnessed the many ways this school develops Men for and with Others. Our two soccer players gave us thrills on the field, and their coaches taught them grit, teamwork, and humility. Our oldest son’s passion for writing found a home in The Blueprint and Young Writers’ Forum, where moderators and peers encouraged him and challenged him to strive for the Magis. All three sons were the beneficiaries of a rigorous academic program delivered by exceptional teachers and supported by dedicated staff and administration. Like all of our graduates, my sons departed St. X ready to, as St. Ignatius said, “go forth and set the world on fire!” The St. Xavier Advantage is the celebration of each student’s gifts and the cultivation of those gifts for the greater glory of God and the good of humanity.

Student Spotlight

Joey Wassler

Joey Wassler ’23 has embraced all St. Xavier has to offer. Throughout his time at St. Xavier, he has participated in football, basketball, and baseball. He has also been part of community service through the Big Brothers program, worked the Phonathon, and is a Senior Chairman along with his fellow classmates.

Tell me about all the members of your family that are part of the Long Blue Line:

I have four other brothers that are members of the Long Blue Line. David ’18 (playing basketball at NKU), Jackson ’20 (playing football at Youngstown State), Jacob ’25 and Josh ’26. I have many other relatives who have attended St. X as well: Brian ’96, Matt ’98, and Paul ’05 Kuhn; Uncle Ed ’82 and my cousin, Eddie Gerstner ’22; Uncle Dan Gerstner ’85; Uncle Mark Gerstner ’89 and his sons, Trevor ’16 and Devin ’20; Rob Wassler ’02 ; Great Uncle Fred Edrich ’42; Great Uncle Tom Huber ’64, and his sons Tim ’93 and Mike ’98.

Why did you choose to attend St. X?

There are many different reasons why I chose to attend St. X, but the first one that comes to mind is the support and love that the students show one another. I remember when I had my experience day and I was in the classroom. I could tell that the students loved St. X through their engagement in the classroom material and in their conversations with one another. The environment here is one of respect and care for each individual person, which is something I found unique.

How are you di erent now than when you were a freshman?

As a freshman, it almost felt like I stayed in the same little bubble for the year. I was with lots of the same friends I had in grade school, and I participated in all the same activities I used

to as well. Now, as a senior, I have expanded and stretched myself as I have met new people and tried new activities. It is enjoyable and refreshing to be able to walk through the halls and know most of the people you walk by because of all the different activities you’ve tried while at St. Xavier. Another big difference in myself since freshman year is that I have accepted new challenges whether they be in school or on a sports team. Freshman year I was too scared to try anything new, and sophomore and junior year I didn’t want to take any harder classes or courses. But, after three years, I have accepted the challenges as opportunities and decided to take some more difficult courses my final year of high school. People have pushed me everyday in my time here, and I am glad for it, as my growth over the last four years has been amazing.

What is your favorite memory/experience at St. X? Some of my favorite experiences at St. X have been the Musicfest and Spirit days, as well as the Walk4X days. The days where the whole community of St. X comes together to celebrate a cause are very special. Getting to enjoy those moments with my friends and classmates have formed my favorite high school memories. Of course, the State Championship Football game in 2020 was a great memory, and I experienced it with my older brother Jackson to make it even better.

What is the St. Xavier Advantage?

The St. Xavier Advantage is being able to walk into school every day knowing that everyone there, especially your teachers and fellow students, will be giving it their all to help you become a better student and Man for Others. The people at St. X want to see you succeed and will always help to build you up. A big part of the St. Xavier Advantage is the support system the school builds for students. If we have any problem at any time with any aspect of our lives, someone at school can help us. That is how I interpret the St. X Advantage.

Alumni X-Cerpts

“Of All The Gin Joints In All The Towns In All The World, He Walks Into Mine.”

Ilyas Nashid ’95, Senior Video & Web Specialist for the Kleingers Group, was featured in an article for Cincinnati Magazine where he shared his expertise in 3D animation and his vision of the Metaverse.

Written by Robert Bunning ’71, printed with permission

Robert Bunning ’71 was back in Cincinnati for his 50th St. Xavier high school reunion, and he was also scouting barroom locations for his current music video project, “One for My Baby.” The parking attendant at the Lytle Park Hotel suggested that he drive over to Fort Thomas and check out the Olde Fort Pub.

Luke Perry ’05 resides in Cincinnati after graduating from Penn State and working in DC. He is now taking the reins of Perry Contracting Inc., the construction company that his father started back in 1989. Luke most recently won the National Award as the Associated Builders and Contractors - "Young Professional of the Year".

Andy Gruber '06 was featured in an article on K12DIVE.com as one of the 10 standout assistant principals/district leaders! Andy is the assistant principal at Indian Hill Primary School.

From the outside, the pub looked promising. Inside the ambiance was perfect for the project. Bunning introduced himself to the lanky bartender and proprietor, who reached out his hand and said “Bob Arnzen.” Bob agreed to let Bunning use the location, but after a second, the familiar name clickedBunning asked, “Are you the Bob Arnzen of St. Xavier basketball fame?”

Bunning had been one of the key members of a St. Xavier basketball class that perhaps had the most impressive four-year transformations in the history of the school. As freshmen, they were 3-15, but in their senior year, as underdogs all year, they went on to win the GCL and the City. Though they had never met, Bunning had heard much from coach Dick Berning about Bob Arnzen’s heroics in leading St. X to their second-place state finish in 1965.

The two Roberts then spent a few minutes swapping basketball stories. Bunning learned that Arnzen also played semipro baseball and his manager was none other than Bunning’s uncle, St. X grad, and Hall of fame pitcher, Jim Bunning.

Bunning then explained his project required an actor to play a bartender, and Arnzen said he was game. Pictured here are Bunning and Arnzen together during the video taping of “One for My Baby” by Robert Bunning.

News

Blue

BIRTHS

PFEIL

Zach Pfeil ’12 and his wife Tiffany are happy to announce the birth of their first son: Titus Zachary Pfeil (class of ’40). Titus was born early morning July 27, 2022, in North Carolina.

IN MEMORIAM

1948 Mr. Edward BENS

1960 Mr. Herbert BILL 1965 Mr. Gary BOLTE 1947 Mr. Robert BOOTH 1955 Mr. James BORGMANN 1965 Mr. Thomas BREVING

1997 Mr. A. Miguel CHAVEZ 1970 Mr. Rory CLEAR 2019 Mr. Joshua CUSHING 1958 Mr. Thomas DRAIN 1956 Mr. John EVANS 1960 Mr. Herbert HERBERS 1964 Mr. John HOLBROCK 1961 Mr. John JOSEPH

1973 Mr. Dennis KEMPER 1951 Mr. William KLEKAMP 1960 Mr. Harry KOLLMAN

BAYER

Tim ’08 and Holly Bayer welcomed their daughter Rose Margaret on March 18, 2022.

HASSE

Chris ’06 and Jennifer Hasse welcomed future Bomber Mark who was born May 20, 2022. He was welcomed by sisters Mary Kate and Lucy.

1959 Mr. Edward LOTZ 1951 Dr. Robert MCDONALD 1961 Mr. David MCMAHON 1955 Dr. John MEYER

1946 Mr. Thomas MORAND

1961 Mr. Robert MUCCINO 1953 Mr. John NIEHAUS 1958 Mr. Charles O'CONNELL 1956 Mr. Robert OTTO 1947 Mr. Joseph PALAZZOLO 1945 Mr. James Pater

1961 Mr. Gerald RAPIEN

1949 Mr. Richard ROLFES

1956 Mr. Frank ROTTMUELLER 1959 Mr. Anthony RUSSO

1952 Mr. Richard SCHULTE 1963 Mr. Robert SCHWING

1953 Mr. Joseph SEIWERT

1965 Mr. Robert SHUMAN

1953 Dr. Theodore STONER 1945 Mr. Charles SUMME 1949 Mr. Harry VOET 1955 Mr. James WILLIAMSON

Bob Otto ’56 when he was a young Marine escorting President Kennedy in July, 1963, when the President was in Naples, Italy.

X-Peditions

On the globe, the long blue line is the equator. In St. X parlance, the Long Blue Line of alumni and student body appears all over the globe. Bomber blue turns up all over the map and we want the evidence. Send us your pictures wearing St. Xavier High School gear or hoisting a copy of St. Xavier magazine at an exotic locale or local landmark. Maybe a picture of Bombers at the Pyramids of Egypt or posing at the Pit. Either way, let us know where you’ve been displaying your X pride. Send your high-resolution digital images to bdevenney@stxavier.org or mail prints to Brendan DeVenney c/o St. Xavier magazine, 600 W. North Bend Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45224.

1. Cousins Jackson Donaldson ’15 and Austin Briggs ’17 overlooking Coco Cay, Bahamas while cruising on the Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas.

2. Ed ’79 and Joe ’18 Evers enjoyed the Field of Dreams Game between the Reds and Cubs in Dyersville, IA on August 11. 3. Members of the Class of 1973 recently made their 15th annual golf trip! This year they traveled to Indianapolis. Pictured left to right: Pat McCafferty, Greg Buchert, Tom Bruns, Owen Wrassman, Mark Ahern and Ed Zenni.

4. George Brass ’23 and Max Brass ’26 pose with their mom Katie in front of the Church of St. Ignatius in Rome. 5. Andy ’22, Brendan ’25 and George Beluan ’91 in front of Èglise Saint-Francois-Xavie in Paris, France.

6. Brian Zenni ’16, Greg Zenni ’78 and Tommy Zenni ’11 stand on the Jesuit Stairs below St. Ignatius Church in Dubrovnik, Croatia April 2022. The stairs were featured in The Game of Thrones “Walk of Shame”. 7. Alex Childs ’92, John Cranley ’92, Conor Childs ’25 and future Bombers Joseph Cranley and Brendan Childs watching the sunset in the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan (July 2022).

1. Members of the class of 1967 together at their 55-year reunion at the Lytle Park Hotel in downtown Cincinnati. 2. Pictured left to right: Taylor Martin ’24, Petey Wilkens ’25, Jackson Cornwall ’24 and Walker Bailey ’25 at the 16U Water Polo Junior Olympics this summer in Northern California. 3. Logan A'Hearn ’21 and Ryan Robinson ’21 together at the summit of the highest peak in the Rockies, Mt. Elbert. Ryan attends Indiana University and Logan is attending Vanderbilt University. 4. Three generations came together for a family vacation in Siesta Key, FL. Pictured left to right: Aiden Johnson ’24, Charlie Horstman ’59, A.J. Johnson ‘97. 5. Col. Lance Kollstedt ’88 is repping his St. X pride at the 121st Air Refueling Wing on the Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio! Kollstedt is the 121st Operations Group Commander and KC135 Evaluator Pilot. 6. Jung family vacation 2022 in Destin, FL. Pictured here are Joe Wells ’08, Mathias Jung ’11, Rob Jung ’82, Alex Jung ’09, and Robby Jung ’14.

1. Pictured from left to right: Mike Donnelly ’88, Dan Kruse ’88 and Tim Kruse ’92 hike to the top of Chimney Rock - Asheville, North Carolina.

2. Paul ’70 and Jake ’03 Westrich venture to Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Parks. Here they are in Telescope Peak in Death Valley.

3. Hal Klink ’60 and his grandson Andrew Voelkerding ’25, play golf at Tiger Woods’ Payne Valley golf course.

4. Trevor Kranson ’29, Connor Kranson ’22, and Parker Kranson ’24 display their X Pride! 5. Mitchell McMurray ’12 (left) with Adam Lehnig ’12 (right) started their second year of emergency medicine residency at the University of Louisville. They have the pleasure of working with Dan Danzl ’68 (center), Chair Emeritus of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Louisville.

6. Joe Linz ’69 and Doug Tuke ’69 representing the Long Blue Line in Rome at the Coliseum. 7. Jack Louis ’22 with his family on day 1 at West Point Military Academy.

1

1. Glenn Dittrich ’91, Mike Marchal, Tom Frank ’81 and Erich Sylvester ’66 gathered for lunch on July 28 in San Francisco. 2. Sean Murphy ’96 competed as a goaltender for Ireland in the European Box Lacrosse Championships in Hannover, Germany. He is a dual citizen of the United States and Ireland and has competed internationally in lacrosse for Ireland since 2002. In Ireland his team went 5-2 in the championships, finishing 9th. He started two games, winning both (versus Serbia and Poland), and led the entire tournament in assists by goaltenders. This 20th year of competition for international competition for Ireland is his last. He states that it has been a tremendous honor to have come such a long way since starting to play for St. Xavier's inaugural lacrosse team back in 1995. 3. Rob Janning ’67 hosted the Northern Kentucky football reunion at Summit Hills country club in Northern Kentucky. 4. Pictured from left to right: Jim Banks ’86 and Dan Kruse ’88 hike to top of Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas, Nevada. 5. Kellen Rushford ’20 is a pro cornhole competitor. Here he shows his X-pride at the Cornhole World Championship Tournament in Rock Hill, SC. 6. The Leo H. Gerbus '53 Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation had their first guest speaker welcoming Tom Pellegrino ’95 of the Kliengers Group to talk to the students who are learning about evaluating and reading resumes as a business owner/entrepreneur.

7-8. Chicago Alumni Outing at the Wrigley Rooftops on June 30.

X-Peditions

1. William Schaefer ’61 and Matthew Schaefer ’90 met Bob Doolan ’35 at Chandler's Burger Bistro for the 55WKRC listener lunch on July 13. 2. Noah Mehrle ’16 in front of a picture of the pope at the Apostolic Palace of Castel in Gandolfo Italy.

3. Ryan Schautz ’17 enjoyed a vacation exploring San Fransisco, Alcatraz, and Yosemite National park with his brother Sean ’20 to experience the awesome wonder of the West! 4. Pictured from left to right: Tom Williams ’83, Reid Tepe ’11, Mike Tolbert ’71, Michael Tolbert ’12, Jerry Tepe ’84 and Brad Tepe '12 together at a family wedding in Rhodes, Greece. 5. Future Bombers from St. Susanna- Will Habegger ’30, (Brother of Drew ’23 and Jack ’25) and Luke Garay ’30, (Brother of Alex ’23 and Nathan ’25 Garay).

6. The Class of 1976 celebrates together at their “Second Tuesday of the Month” gathering at Mad Tree’s Alcove in OTR. 7. Pictured left to right: Mike Bergman ’79, Jim Brower, Andrew Brower ’12, Mark Jechura ’84, Chet Jechura ’07, and Jim Luebbe ’85 met up at the US Masters Swimming Nationals in Richmond, VA August 4th -8th.

X-Peditions

What is up?

Mail the form to: St. Xavier High School (Magazine), 600 W. North Bend Road, Cincinnati, OH

Fax: 513-761-2586 or E-mail: egormley@stxavier.org

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News About You

1. Kevin Webb ’03 shows his X pride on August 11 during a recent X-Pedition on Mt. Rainier. 2. The Bombers dominated at this year’s Ed Heimann Mens Club Championship at Hyde Park CC. Nolan Schuermann ’21 defeated runner-up Jack Beckett ’20, supported by their trusted caddies Garrett Madden ’18 and Jack Worrall ’17.

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