DU Magazine Fall 2019

FALL 2019

RELATIONSHIP

&INFLUENCE
The astonishing impact of giving back.

SHAPING LIVES GIVING BACK ANNOUNCING A
Faculty transform Alumni return to campus NEW SCHOOL
students’ lives—in the to teach a new generation The Elizabeth T. MacNeil
classroom and beyond of students School of Nursing honors
alumnus’ mother

The Magazine of Dominican University
FALL 2019

PRESIDENT

Donna M. Carroll

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR
EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT

Leslie B. Rodriguez

MANAGING EDITOR

Jessica Mackinnon

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Jason Keyser
Jeff Kraft

PROJECT MANAGER

Pam Morin

MAJOR PHOTOGRAPHY

Ryan Pagelow

DESIGN

Jim Bernard Design

Dominican University
7900 W. Division Street
River Forest, Illinois 60305
dom.edu
[email protected]
Dominican Magazine is published twice
yearly by Dominican University for its
alumnae/i and friends. Reproduction in
whole or part without written permission is
prohibited.
© 2019 Dominican University

Meet the Class of 2023, Dominican’s newest
relationship-builders and influencers. This year’s
freshman class is one of the most academically
prepared of the last decade. More than 50%
graduated in the top 25% of their high school
class, while 15% were accepted into the highly
selective Mazzuchelli Scholars Honors Program.
Of the 419 new freshman, half are first generation
college students.

table of contents

DU news

Adjuncts Give Back

Four alumni return to their alma mater to carry forward the traditions
and values they learned while at Dominican.

11 3

14 Announcing the Elizabeth T.
MacNeil School of Nursing..
Relationship & Influence 4
Students take on the Google
A Dominican education has the power to influence lives through Marketing Challenge.
transformative relationships, as evidenced by three exemplary alumni.

6

Meet The Queen of Tape.

20 10
DU adds its 14th Varsity sport.
Faculty Focus Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  1 

A look at the accomplishments of Dominican faculty.

departments 36

21 In Sympathy

Class News

from the president

“What distinguishes a Rooted in Relationship
Dominican alumna or and Influence
alumnus is not only what
she or he has achieved, This is the magazine that I have been wanting to produce—about alumnae/i, relation-
but also how it was ships, influence and giving back. Over the years, it has been my privilege to get to know
achieved—with integrity so many talented graduates, to hear their stories and to witness the life-shaping impact
and generosity. “ of a Dominican education. Their accomplishments make this alma mater proud and help
raise the reputation of the university.
—President Donna M. Carroll
What distinguishes a Dominican alumna or alumnus is not only what she or he has
The watercolor at right, was a gift to achieved, but also how it was achieved—with integrity and generosity. Our almost 70
President Carroll from artist alumna Luan Caritas Veritas Award winners epitomize that Dominican difference, like human rights
Fauteck ‘69. A beautiful rendering of the advocate Eileen Willenborg (2019), or investigative journalist Gera-Lind Kolarik (2015)
rose she received at her Candle and Rose or Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu (1984). Each has her own truth, as you will read. But,
ceremony, the piece perfectly captures the all three share the same disposition toward civic engagement and giving back.
spirit of this issue on the powerful influence
of a relationship created at Dominican. Dominican alums are as humble as they are accomplished, which, of course, makes
me want to recognize them all the more. A perfect example is our May 2019 honorary
2  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019 degree recipient, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Michelle Agins ’75. As one of the
first African American female photojournalists hired by the New York Times, Michelle is a
true trailblazer in her profession. She is also a warm, humorous, self-deprecating woman,
who captivated students with her stories—and her determination. Check out Dominican’s
interview with Michelle on page 18.

You also should enjoy reading about the many alumnae/i who share their practical
wisdom with students in the classroom. Dominican faculty members regularly invite suc-
cessful graduates back to campus to speak in their classes. It is a great showcase for talent
and the role modeling is significant. More recently, we have begun hiring local alums as
adjunct faculty—enriching students’ learning not only with their expertise but also with
their lived experience of mission.

Strong alumnae/i participation in the recently completed Powerful Promise Campaign
is another example of how mission begets relationships, which beget generosity. Over
6,000 alums invested in this philanthropic effort, endowing over 60 new scholarships and
helping the university raise over $75 million. When I talk with them about their giving,
the explanation is always very personal—to honor an unforgettable teacher, in gratitude
for enduring friendships, or, in the case of alumnus David MacNeil, to name the school
of nursing in memory of his mother.

You may have noticed that the Alumnae/i Notes section in this magazine now
highlights alumnae/i honors and professional accomplishments. We seek to balance theirr
humility with our pride in their success—and to acknowledge the time, talent and trea-
sure that they continue to share with Dominican University.

Thank you for keeping Dominican in your heart and among your priorities.

Sincerely,

Donna M. Carroll, President

The Elizabeth T. MacNeil School of Nursing

In recognition of a generous gift by David MacNeil, CEO of MacNeil

Automotive, The Department of Nursing has been renamed The

Elizabeth T. MacNeil School of Nursing. The School honors MacNeil’s late

mother, a highly regarded pediatric nurse and teacher. MacNeil’s in-

vestment will help boost Dominican’s growing reputation in the health

sciences and enhance our capacity for providing highly trained nursing

professionals for local and underserved communities in metropolitan

Chicago and throughout the state.

A Dominican alumnus, MacNeil was a 2016 commencement

speaker and holds an honorary degree from the university. In 1989

he founded WeatherTech, well known for its signature line of car and

truck mats as well as its dedication to using only American-made

parts. Today, the company is a multimillion-dollar business producing

a wide range of high-end automotive accessories.

“Nursing was more than a job to my mother,”

MacNeil said. “It was how she approached life and Former board chair Kevin Killips and new board chair Thomas Abrahamson
with Donna Carroll at the 2019 commencement ceremony.
people—with care. She would be honored to know
Transition in Board Leadership
that her legacy is encouraging this compassion in
Thomas D. Abrahamson has been elected as Chair of Dominican’s
future generations of nurses.” board of trustees. Abrahamson succeeds Kevin Killips ’79,
Dominican’s longest serving board chair and a recent recipient of
Elizabeth MacNeil taught pediatric nursing the university’s Golden Rose of Charity for his service.
most of her life, at Chicago area institutions includ-
Abrahamson, who has been a member of the board since 2013,
ing the University of Illinois at Chicago, St. Anne’s first became affiliated with the university when Lipman Hearne, the
marketing firm for which he served as chairman, was contracted to
Hospital and St. Mary of Nazareth. She received help promote the institution’s name change from Rosary College to
Dominican University. His 20-year involvement with Dominican has
Elizabeth T. MacNeil her bachelor’s degree from St. Xavier’s University focused on creating initiatives to enhance the university’s branding,
student recruitment and fundraising.
and a master’s degree from Roosevelt University.
“Tom brings a marketing savvy to the role of chair that will direct
Prior to her careers in nursing and teaching, she served as an officer board priorities and shape institutional strategy in a very complex and
competitive context,” said President Donna Carroll.
for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Abrahamson has worked with more than 100 colleges and uni-
The MacNeil School of Nursing is part of the Borra College of versities in the U.S. and abroad, as well as with some of the largest
nonprofit organizations in the world. He believes that Dominican is
Health Sciences, named in honor of Pier and Renee Durand Borra, an unique among its peers.

alumna of the university. “Dominican is what college ought to be: academically rigorous,
in a caring and supportive environment, with unlimited access to the
David MacNeil shared his experience with career opportunities (and fun) of a world-class city,” Abrahamson said.
WeatherTech during a Brennan School of
Business C-Suite speaker series program in 2014. A long-term Oak Park resident, Abrahamson recently retired and
is increasing his involvement in the community. He currently serves as
a commissioner on Oak Park’s Historic Preservation Commission. He
also is chair of the Friends of the Children-Chicago and chair-elect of
the Acorn Theater in Three Oaks. Michigan.

Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  3 

Short takes on a season at Dominican

Alumna gaining Celebrating ten years of New women’s
renown for artwork Caritas Veritas Symposium. bowling team
created with tape. is on a roll.
PAGE SEVEN
PAGE SIX PAGE TEN

Tackling the Google Online Marketing Challenge

Students in Brooke Reavey’s digital marketing class had the exciting opportunity last spring to compete in the
global Google Online Marketing Challenge (GOMC). The students were given a $10,000 budget of in-kind Google
advertising credits to create and execute an online marketing campaign for a nonprofit selected by Google.

Prior to tackling the Google The team of Martha Diaz, Agata Krol the simulated experience of living with a range
Challenge, students had to pass a and Jennifer Carinato (left to right, below) of disabilities. The team created three online
certification titled “Google Ad Funda- partnered with Florida Disability Access and campaigns to increase the organization’s do-
mentals.” Reavey also had the students nations, awareness and number of volunteers.
complete four additional digital marketing Awareness Foundation, a national nonprofit Their efforts were rewarded when they were
certification programs and play a simulation named one of the Challenge’s “Top Marketer”
game to prepare them for the Challenge. dedicated to promoting disability awareness teams.
“Experiential learning is at the core of the
Brennan School of Business’s mission and I try through a video game designed to give players All three team members used the skills they
to incorporate some aspect of experiential ed- learned in class and through the Challenge
ucation in every class. I knew that my students while serving summer internships focused on
would find the GOMC particularly challenging digital marketing.
but believed that this learning exercise would
help them gain marketable skills for internships “I have never learned so much in a semester
and entry-level jobs. Thankfully, it seems to than I did with this class,” said Carinato. “The
have paid off!” class expanded my horizons in so
many ways and will benefit my
future tremendously.”

Lonnie Bunch III, SAVE
an honorary degree THE DATE
recipient and 2018
commencement SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020
speaker, was appointed Join us for the
the first African
American to oversee 40th Annual Trustee Benefit
the Smithsonian Concert & Gala featuring Audra
Institution’s 19 McDonald, the most decorated performer in
museums and galleries American theater, with six Tony Awards, two
in Washington, D.C. Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and a 2015
National Medal of Arts bestowed on her by
President Barack Obama.

The Annual Trustee Benefit Concert & Gala
raises much-needed support for scholarships.

For information and tickets, visit events.dom.edu

4  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019

The OXFORDExperience

Noah Groll, Class of 2021, and Georgia Jackson, Class of 2021, are are joining a highly that are needed for me to achieve my career
selective group of Dominican honors students who have had the opportunity to study at the goals. This is the next step in my journey of
University of Oxford. Noah, a philosophy major, and Georgia, an English major, will be living and personal and academic growth through the
studying in Blackfriars Hall, one of 45 colleges and private halls that make up the University of Dominican tradition,” he said.
Oxford. Founded in 1221 by the Friars of the English Province of the Order of Preachers, Blackfriars
Hall has served for centuries as a place where students can engage with contemporary thought Georgia Jackson is excited about being
while living in a communal environment. exposed to different perspectives and a wider
range of worldviews than she experienced
Dominican has sent seven students to Oxford Noah Groll considers studying at Blackfriars growing up in a small town near St. Louis,
and many of them have gone on to enjoy to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend Missouri, where she graduated high school
impressive careers. Tania Mann Geist (2006– one of the world’s greatest universities. He is with honors.
2007) worked as associate editor for L’Osser- familiar with the Dominican tradition, having
vatore Romano after graduating and served as attended Fenwick High School in Oak Park Emma Bond, Class of 2020, studied at
managing editor of Church Life Journal at the and Blackfriars Priory School in Adelaide, Blackfriars last year. A theology major, she
Institute for Church Life at the University of Australia the summer before his senior year in claims that the Oxford program was the most
Notre Dame. Mary Petrosko Becker (spring high school. spiritually, emotionally and intellectually chal-
2007) received her PhD in clinical psychology lenging experience of her life.
and was a behavioral health postdoctoral “Blackfriars presents me with the opportu-
fellow at the University of Minnesota, and nity to learn from some of the world’s leading “Every day was an opportunity to rise to
Laura Rovi (2012-2013) taught math, English, scholars in my field of study. I’m looking for- the occasion and become the self-motivated,
history and geography at the West African ward to tackling coursework that will deepen independent, intelligent individual the program
College of the Atlantic in Dakar, Senegal. my understanding of philosophy and help me was designed to produce. Students walk away
improve the critical analysis and writing skills with the skills they need to succeed in any
profession anywhere in the world,” she said.

Emma Bond studied in Oxford last
year and insists it was the most
challenging experience in her life.

Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  5 

Anna Dominguez ‘09, is garnering growing U.S. beach volleyball player Misty May-Treanor and Anna Dominguez creates
acclaim for her unique works of art, all of which television and film celebrities Rashida Jones and intriguing works of art entirely
are created using conventional adhesive tape in a Tracee Ellis Ross. from multiple layers of colorful
kaleidoscope of colors. Known as “The Queen of adhesive tape. Her work has
Tape,” she recently unveiled the first commissioned Each of Dominguez’s pictures can take more than been commissioned by several
permanent piece of art for Chicago’s trendy new 150 hours to create, depending on its detail and the celebrities.
St. Jane Hotel. The piece, a tribute to the hotel’s extent of the layering process. Her favorite piece (so
namesake Jane Addams, revered social activist far) is the elaborate, regal portrait of tennis phenome-
and founder of Hull House, incorporates 36 rolls non Serena Williams, which incorporates empowering
of tape. words in nine languages.

Dominguez was featured this spring in the “I think that it’s important to empower women all
Chicago Tribune, and in June executed her first live over the world, not just the U.S.,” Dominguez ex-
art piece during the U.S. women’s soccer match plained. “I’m looking forward to doing more pieces that
against Chile at Gallagher Way, adjacent to Wrigley make a statement and reflect female empowerment.”
Field.

Dominguez, who graduated with a degree in
studio art and played on the women’s soccer team,
has created a number of pieces melding her love of
sports, art and pop culture. She has done artwork
for nonprofit charities, celebrities and professional
athletes, including a piece she presented to U.S.
soccer player Abby Wambach during her 2015
retirement ceremony at the Superdome in New
Orleans. The event, which was seen by more than
26,000 people, was nerve-wracking but particularly
special because of Dominguez’s love of soccer.

She also has created portraits of Kaley Cuoco
of the popular television series, The Big Bang
Theory, Brian Urlacher of the Chicago Bears,
boxers Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor,

photo: Nolis AndersonEve Ewing Releases Third Book,1919

Eve L. Ewing, MAT ‘09, has published her third book, 1919. The book
of poetry was inspired by the Chicago Race Riot in the summer of 1919,
a conflict which began when a group of white youth threw stones at an
African American teenager who had crossed the unofficial barrier be-
tween white and black beaches on the city’s south side. The riot resulted
in the deaths of 38 people and injuries to more than 500.

A prolific writer across many genres, Ewing is the author of
Electric Arches, her first book of poetry, and the 2018 nonfiction book
Ghosts in the Schoolyard: Racism and School Closings on Chicago’s
South Side. She writes the Ironheart series for Marvel Comics, co-wrote
the play No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks and hosts the podcast, “Bughouse Square with
Eve Ewing.”
Ewing is an assistant professor at the School of Social Services Administration at the University of Chicago
and serves as an instructor with the Prison + Neighborhood Arts Project at Stateville Correctional Center.
The Long Term, a collection of works by participants in the Prison + Neighborhood Arts Project is currently
displayed at the O’Connor Art Gallery located on the 4th Floor of Lewis Hall, through December 20.

6  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019

Celebrating 10th Annual Caritas Veritas Symposium

Dominican celebrated on Donald Graham received the Bradford O’Neill Medallion for
September 24 the 10th annual Social Justice during this year’s Symposium.
Caritas Veritas Symposium, a
treasured tradition during which honor of the revered professor of English, is worked for social justice throughout their lives,
all members of the University presented to a member of the faculty or staff through their scholarship and their actions.
community come together to who demonstrates his or her commitment to
explore the institution’s foundational values diversity, service and justice. The 2019 Bradford O’Neill Medallion was
of compassion and truth. Founded by Sister presented to Donald E. Graham, a passion-
Diane Kennedy, former vice president for mis- The 2019 Davlin Diversity Leadership ate advocate for providing access to college
sion and ministry, the symposium has grown Award was presented to Tina Taylor-Ritzler, for all students, regardless of their economic
from attracting about 150 people ten years professor of psychology and a member of the situation. Chairman of The Graham Holdings
ago to more than 1,400 last year. Dominican community since 2009. Taylor- Company (formerly The Washington Post),
The symposium revolved around the Ritzler has worked tirelessly and leveraged her Graham is the co-founder of TheDream.US, the
theme of “Dreaming, Doing and Discovering,” training in community psychology to foster a nation’s largest national scholarship fund for
with members of the community offering diverse and inclusive campus environment. undocumented students wishing to attend
presentations and panel discussions on what She helped design Promising Pathways, a college. Since its inception in 2013, the
they have discovered in their pursuit of truth, program focused on improving the campus program has raised more than $141 million in
what love has led them to do in the world, experience and retention of African-American scholarship funds for students continuing their
and how their dreams and experiences have and first-generation students, and is involved educations at 75 partner colleges across the
shaped their discoveries. in the team that applied for, and continues to country, including Dominican University.
“The symposium affords an annual sustain, the university’s Title V-funded grant
moment for members of the community to focusing on strengthening student advising Graham also co-founded and served as
articulate what the university’s values mean and teacher education and enhancing our chairman of the District of Columbia College
for their work now,” said Claire Noonan, vice Hispanic-Serving Institution identity. Access Program, an initiative that has
president for mission and ministry. “It has increased significantly the number of D.C.
grown to become what Latino theologian Taylor-Ritzler has served as chair of the public high school graduates enrolling in, and
Orlando Espin refers to as an exercise in Academic Diversity Committee, helped graduating from, college. He also served as a
‘traditioning’.” facilitate the Faculty-Staff Diversity Dialogue director of the College Success Foundation,
During the symposium, the university Series and serves on the Civic Learning Sub- a program designed to help underserved and
presents two prestigious awards in honor of committee. She also serves as director of the low-income students in Washington State and
sisters whose legacies continue to impact Social Justice and Civic Engagement minor the District of Columbia finish high school and
the community. The Sister Mary Clemente and received the 2015 Mother Evelyn Murphy graduate from college.
Davlin Diversity Leadership Award, named in Excellence in Teaching Award.
Graham also served as a director for
Tina Taylor-Ritzler The Bradford O’Neill Medallion for Social KIPP-DC, a community of District of Columbia
received the Justice honors Sister Vincent Ferrer Bradford schools providing access to excellent educa-
2019 Sister Mary and Sister Thomas Aquinas O’Neill, two tional opportunities and support for students
Clemente Davlin pioneering Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters who who historically have been underserved.
Diversity Leadership
Award.

Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  7 

Building Bridges Instead of Walls

Dominican University hosted on April 25 a Donna for her efforts to build bridges, instead of initiatives director of the Bureau of Western
delegation of 23 Mexican university presidents walls, between the U.S. and Mexico and for her Hemisphere Affairs of the U.S. Department
and senior leaders, as well as 31 U.S. college support of immigration reform and the rights of of State, spoke about the 100,000 Strong in
presidents, as part of the U.S./Mexico Higher undocumented students. the Americas program, a public/private sector
Education Summit. The summit, which was partnership that supports student exchanges
organized by the Council of Independent Col- During a luncheon in the Noonan Read- and training programs between the Americas.
leges (CIC), focused on the importance of in- ing Room, Margaret Hug, regional education
ternational educational exchanges, particularly
given the current nationalist political climate in
the U.S. Dominican shared with participants
ideas and opportunities for faculty and student
exchange programs, including internships and
shared research projects.

The summit follows the inaugural gathering
in 2017 of U.S. university presidents in Guada-
lajara, Mexico, during which President Donna
Carroll served as a speaker.

During the visit, Rodrigo Guerra Botello,
secretary general of the Mexican Federation
of Private Institutions of Higher Education,
presented Carroll with a commissioned etching
by Mexican artist Luis Moor. He thanked

Dominican Alumni Help Children Heal From Loss

Dominican University hosted on August 9-11 Camp Kangaroo, a free Camp Kangaroo volunteers, left to right, Charlotte
weekend camp for children 5 to 16 years old who have been impact- Shuber, Jim Kozyra, Maria Parducci, Gaby Moreno.
ed by the loss of loved ones through gun violence, drugs or terminal
illness. Sponsored by the Seasons Hospice Foundation, the annual
camp provides children a safe space, with others who have had the
same experiences, and activities including art projects and games.
Children also are offered yoga, pet therapy and music therapy by pro-
fessionals trained in grief education and emotional support. More than
40 children attended the camp this summer.

Several Dominican alumni participated as counselors for the camp,
which was co-directed by Charlotte Shuber, MSW ‘07. Also involved
were Maria Parducci, MSW ‘15; Katherine Wyman, MSW ‘18; Elizabeth
Hoffman, MSW ‘18; Stefanie Piatkiewicz, ‘07, a camp counselor
trained in social emotional learning; Gaby Moreno ‘14, a music therapy
intern for Seasons Hospice; and Jim Kozyra ‘06, who captured the
weekend in video.

8  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019

The Well-Rounded Athlete

Mike Cross embraces Division III emphasis on
academics as well as athletics.

Michael Cross had all intentions of attending “There is a “Having Mike a
the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. big initiative at Coy- part of the men’s
A 2017 graduate of Nazareth Academy ote Logistics to give back,” golf program has
in Westchester, he had picked out his said Cross. “I think this is what been great,” said
courses and lined up housing—but makes it such a great compa- Antonio Rivas,
then he started to question his decision. ny. It lines up with Dominican head men’s golf
With just weeks before formal enrollment, in University’s mission of providing coach. “As much
mid-July, he decided that he wanted to stay compassionate service.” work as he puts
closer to home and save some money. It was Cross believes in sharing his into his academ-
then that Mark White, Dominican University’s talents with his peers and serves as a ics, he puts into
former head golf coach, reached out to Cross calculus teaching assistant and tutor. his golf game.
about the opportunity to play golf in college. “Sometimes I think I get just as —ANTONIO RIVAS
much out of a tutoring session as the
Serendipitously, Cross had just played in a individual or group I work with,” he said. HEAD MEN’S GOLF
tournament in Indianapolis, and he discovered “It helps reinforces my understanding COACH
that he had the itch to play golf competitively. of various topics and problems.”
Cross expects to graduate in May Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  9 
“The nature of the sport itself is that you 2021. He has plans to continue his
rarely play at your best,” said Cross, “but education, eventually working to-
when you do, the feeling makes you want to wards a master’s degree in either
keep playing.” applied math or applied statistics.
“While I’m not sure if I will
So Cross decided to give Dominican immediately begin to pursue a
University a shot and embraced the NCAA Di- master’s degree or head into the
vision III philosophy of developing well-round- working world, I know a master’s
ed individuals. In addition to his participation degree is in my future,” he said.
in men’s golf, Cross, who is double majoring “Having Mike a part of the
in computer science and math, is an ac- men’s golf program has been
tive member of Math Club, the Math Honor great,” said Antonio Rivas, head
Society (Kappa Mu Epsilon), and Mazzuchelli men’s golf coach. “As much work
Scholars. He also is the vice president and as he puts into his academics,
one of the founding members of Dominican he puts into his golf game.
University’s Brennan Investment Club, a group Over the last year, we have
he helped get off the ground last year with seen his game become
several fellow students and with the help of more consistent and
Ramiro Atristaín, an adjunct instructor and the his leadership on
group’s advisor. the team is immea-
surable. I’m positive
Over the last two summers, Cross interned once his golf career
at Coyote Logistics, working with a team of at Dominican is over,
other interns to develop a full stack web-app Mike will be great at
designed to raise money for St. Jude Chil- whatever comes his
dren’s Research Hospital. As a member of the way.”
intern team, Cross helped build a database
using SQL Server, added API infrastructure
in C# and designed a front-end in Javascript
with React/Redux.

STBWTOHORWEMAFLIEIGIRNNHEG’S’TR‘IONLTLOS

The Dominican University Dominican launched this fall a women’s bowling The newest DU Stars (back row, left to right) Anahi Ayala,
department of athletics was program, the university’s 14th varsity sport, in Candace Kipp, Claire Tarvan, (front Row, left to right) Makayla
honored with an award from response to student surveys indicating that the Barnes, Gabby Vitale.
Maywood School District 89 in sport was a top interest with incoming freshmen.
After less than a month of practice, the squad of Intercollegiate Bowling Conference, which was
recognition of the annual eight athletes headed to a tournament in southern founded this September and includes six NCAA
Pack the Bus drive which Illinois hosted by McKendree University, ranked Division III member institutions from Illinois and
provides school supplies for second in the nation. Wisconsin. The team will be practicing at Stardust
Dominican’s local learning Bowl in Addison, Illinois. With 84 lanes, it is the
partners, including Maywood’s “We’re definitely throwing ourselves into the largest bowling center in the state and one of the
Emerson Elementary and fire,” says Candace Kipp, the team’s only veteran largest in the country.
Lincoln Elementary. This past collegiate bowler. Kipp is a transfer from Rock
year, Dominican’s student- Valley College, where last year she helped lead Kipp hopes, just maybe, she’ll soon stop
athletes donated more than the men’s team (they didn’t yet have a women’s being asked if bowling is a “real sport.” “It’s one of
$1,300 in school supplies, program) to second place at the junior college the only sports where you have to use every mus-
delivering them in time for the national tournament. Individually, she placed 14th cle,” she says. “You have to focus on everything
start of the school year. in the men’s division. your body is doing, and have great mental focus.
So, it’s a very real sport.”
Coach Allison Mulligan, like most of her
players, is new to collegiate bowling, though she’s
played recreationally since childhood. As assistant
softball coach, she sees some crossover skills,
especially in the way pitching resembles the
precision mechanics of launching a bowling ball.
“This season’s focus is on building a team and
establishing a winning culture and reputation for
the program,” Mulligan says.

Eventually, the team plans to join the Central

Hall of Fame

Honors New Class

The Dominican University Depart-
ment of Athletics welcomed five
new inductees to the Athletics Hall
of Fame in June. This is Domin-
ican’s fifth class to be inducted.
From left to right: Emily Mahoney
’13 (Softball), Kelly McEnery
Donlevy ’94 (Women’s Volleyball),
Megan Vaccaro ’10 (Cross
Country), Michael Kapusta ’11
(Men’s Soccer), and Lamont
McGee ’92 (Men’s Basketball.)

10  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019

focus story

Adjunct instructors give back
to their alma mater

Alumni continue relationship with Dominican by connecting
with a new generation of students.

Dominican, like most universities, engages adjunct instructors John Strauss ’82 is an example of
with specific expertise and knowledge to complement the the transformation that can occur when a
work of full-time faculty. Most adjunct instructors teach one student’s learning is sparked by an emotion-
or two classes per semester while maintaining full-time careers al connection with a great teacher. He is
in the public or private sector. For those adjunct instructors determined to replicate that experience with
who are Dominican alumni, returning to their alma mater is his own students.
a way of continuing their relationship with the institution
and carrying forward the traditions and values they them- Strauss is a retired high school English
selves were taught by the Dominican Sisters and faculty. teacher who this fall is teaching two senior
honors seminars. He was inspired to pursue
John STRAUSS ’82 his vocation by another current Dominican
adjunct instructor and alumnus, Tom Secco
Inspired to pursue his vocation by another current adjunct ’74, when Strauss was a student in several of
instructor and alumnus. Secco’s English classes at Triton College.

Strauss, who had never been a particu-
larly committed student, was turned on by
Secco’s brilliance, passion for ideas and love
of teaching. Noting Strauss’ enthusiasm,
Secco encouraged him to pursue a bachelor’s
degree in English.

“Tom literally drove me in his car to Ro-
sary,” Strauss recalls, “and brought me right
to the head of the English department, Sister
Caroline McGinty.” He graduated three
years later as a triple major in literature,
philosophy and education.

As an adjunct instructor for the past
seven years, Strauss has tried to impart to his
students the joy and confidence in learning
that Secco instilled in him. “Tom had the
ability to sear through an author’s ideas to
the essence of his or her work,” he explains.
Strauss is particularly excited that the honors
seminar he is teaching this fall explores
Dostoyevsky’s masterpiece The Brothers
Karamazov—one of the works he studied
under his longtime mentor’s guidance.

Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  11 

Matt TOLES ’97

“Together, we find how best to navigate through the

Since recently retiring after 29 years as work, while I strive to show them how they can
an advanced placement English teacher at learn and grow.”

West Leyden High School, Strauss also has

become an academic advisor to incoming

freshmen for Dominican’s growing Honors

Program. It is a role for which Strauss seems

especially well-suited. He and Secco count

Sisters Jean Crapo, Clemente Davlin and

Melissa Waters—in addition to Greek phi-

losophy professor Basil Papadakis—among

their most influential colleagues.

Strauss’s connection to Dominican runs

deep. He met his wife, Terri Houdek ’83,

here and proposed to her in Dominican’s

parking lot just before her Candle and Rose

ceremony. (And yes, they served as each

other’s Candles and Roses—in their respec- a freshman. “I was raised by my grandpar- banking and investment banking. A member

tive graduating years.) ents,” he explains. “They lived their lives by of the Brennan School of Business’ advisory

the principles of caritas and veritas.” council for many years, he returned to his

Ramiro J. Atristaín-Carrión ’89 After graduating from Dominican with alma mater to teach at the invitation of his
an economics degree, and receiving an MBA mentor, Molly Burke, professor and dean

was born in Bolivia, but felt at home at from the Illinois Institute of Technology, emerita.

Dominican from the moment he entered as Atristaín-Carrión built a successful career in “Dominican has always been welcoming,”

Atristaín-Carrión says. While an undergraduate,

he took note of the many first-generation

Italian-American students. Today, the uni-

Ramiro J. ATRISTAÍN-CARRIÓN ’89 versity serves increasing numbers of Latinx
students and their families.

“I was raised by my grandparents. They lived their What has changed, according to
lives by the principles of caritas and veritas.” Atristaín-Carrión, are the economics of an

undergraduate education. “Students like

me used to be able to ‘pay as you go’ for

their educations. That’s not the case any

longer.” One of the foundation courses he

now teaches focuses on the fundamentals of

personal financial planning.

Atristaín-Carrión’s relationship with

Dominican is comprehensive. Beyond teach-

ing, he serves as an Executive-in-Residence,

matching undergraduate business students

to executive mentors in their fields of study.

This year, he also took on the role of director

of the university’s Center for Global Peace

through Commerce.

12  Dominican Magazine FA 2019

Matt Toles ’97 has juggled a number uniquely qualified for the course—in addi- I wanted to teach here. Thirty-seven years
of roles over the past decade at Dominican, tion to being one of the first Dominican stu- later, I finally did it.
while working full-time as a vice presi- dents to graduate with a major in religious
dent at several Chicago area banks. With studies, she has served as a parish minister “I love the challenge of teaching, and
a degree from John Marshall Law School, and certified pastoral associate and is the au- making the course work expansive and
he has taught a wide range of upper-level thor of No Longer Silent: The Empowerment inclusive. I tell my students to keep asking
courses, including constitutional law and of Women in the Gospels (2011). me questions—to keep challenging me,”
international law, as well as Liberal Arts Matthews explains. “That energy always
and Sciences (LAS) seminars. He also has She also earned a master’s degree from keeps me going.”
worked closely with David Dolenz, assistant the School of Education, walking across the
professor of political science, to build and stage at Commencement with her daughters Matthews acknowledges that Dominican
strengthen Dominican’s pre-law program students today have a very different experi-
and curriculum.
Susan DEHN MATTHEWS ’75. MAEA ’97
Toles helps students prepare for their
LSAT exams, advises undergraduates inter- “I realized that what I believed in and what
ested in pre-law as a major, organizes visits I wanted to do in my life had to be one and
to Illinois’ Appellate Court, and coordinates the same.”
panel discussions with retired judges.
in attendance. Her long association with ence than she had. “So many are working
He can be a tough taskmaster. “Domin- Dominican also includes taking her wed- full-time jobs,” she says, “but the common-
ican’s culture of caring has remained ding photos on campus and cheering her ality is a hunger to learn and to make a
remarkably consistent,” he says in reference mother, Bernardine Dehn ’77, who received difference in the world.”
to his three decades of experience with the her bachelor’s degree in religious studies
university. But he also insists on preparing from Dominican two years after Susan. Like so many adjunct professors,
his students for the rigor required of pro- Matthews continues to feed that same hunger
spective legal careers. Matthews recalls “a moment of clarity” she had as a student, while honoring,
during her sophomore year. “I realized that through her own teaching, the mentors she
“The first few weeks of class are often what I believed in and what I wanted to do had decades ago.
tough, when they are learning to read the in my life had to be one and the same,” she
cases and write more effectively,” he said. But said. “I remember thinking that one day
by week five, Toles enjoys seeing his students
formulating thoughts and articulating per-
suasive arguments.

“Together, we find how best to navigate
through the work, while I strive to show
them how they can learn and grow,” Toles
says. “I challenge and help them through
some hard choices.”

Susan Dehn Matthews ’75,
MAEA ’97, breaks new ground this fall in
her role as a seasoned adjunct professor. She
is teaching her first online course, Introduc-
tion to Roman Catholicism. Matthews is

Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  13 

HELPING STUDENTS FIND THEIR PATHS At the heart of Dominican University,
and Rosary College before it, is
relationship—between students,
faculty, staff and sisters; and
between students themselves.
These relationships have the
potential to influence students far
beyond their years at the university.
As evidenced by the alumnae
profiled in the following article, the
Dominican difference has the power
to ignite lifetimes of activism and
the desire to share with others the
values instilled in them as students.

Shayla Thurston '19, left, and McKenzie Wird, Class of '20, right,
are recipients of scholarships created by Eileen Willenborg to honor
her parents, William and Marie, and her sister, Anne. Both students

graduated from St. Labre School in Montana.

14  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019

Relationship and Influence

Eileen Willenborg Willenborg, center,
helped organize
Advocating for the Chicago's participation
Disenfranchised in a national strike by
SAG-AFTRA members
Eileen Willenborg ’69 came to Rosary College against the advertising
with a limited world view, self-conscious industry.
about her small-town roots and worried
that she wouldn’t be able to compete with ated throughout Willenborg’s life. group. She eventually earned her law degree
classmates from larger schools with better Willenborg’s fierce devotion to civil rights from Rutgers University and spent the next
resources. That anxiety was erased quickly— 30 years as a union attorney fighting for
and she left Rosary as a feminist and social was ignited by images of violent racial unrest workers’ rights.
activist excited about launching a career in the South, as well as racist reactions to
advocating for the disenfranchised. Dr. Martin Luther King’s efforts to confront As an attorney for the Association of
Willenborg was honored with Dominican segregation in Chicago. She was devastated Flight Attendants, Willenborg fought to
University’s prestigious Caritas Veritas Award by King’s assassination in 1968 and remem- end the airline industry’s practice of firing
during Alumni Weekend. bers gathering on campus with classmates female attendants once they married and
the night riots broke out on the west side, had children. She also helped eliminate the
Born in Greenup, a tiny town in central watching the eerie orange glow cast by fires misogynistic weight restriction for female
Illinois, Willenborg knew at a young age ravaging entire blocks of the city. attendants.
that she wanted to explore the larger world.
She set her sights on Rosary after seeing a Following graduation, Willenborg did In 1995, Willenborg was appointed ex-
brochure about the college’s study abroad graduate work in history at Illinois State ecutive director of the Chicago Local of the
program in Fribourg, Switzerland. University but dropped out after realizing Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of
she wanted to be an activist instead of an Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).
The impact of the Sisters was immedi- academic. She worked for several years During her tenure, she helped coordinate
ate. Her advisor, Sister Martinice boosted in labor relations, became a leader in the Chicago’s participation in a nationwide
her confidence by confiding that she, too, Chicago Women’s Liberation Union and strike against the advertising industry’s
came from a small town—and that the size co-founded a gay and lesbian political action attempt to pay actors a flat rate rather than
of one’s high school wasn’t a predictor of
one’s success in life. Sister Albertus Magnus,
professor of history, Willenborg’s major,
encouraged her students not to be defined,
or confined, by their gender, often telling
them to “get off the pedestal and avoid the
bake sales.” Willenborg remembers a fateful
gathering during which Sister Jeremy, an
English professor, exhorted students to
be leaders—a challenge that had a lasting
impact on Willenborg.

Frank Kronke, who taught moral
theology, helped spark a radical change in
Willenborg’s worldview by introducing her
to Catholic liberation theology, with its call
for social and economic justice for the poor.
He had served time in jail for protesting the
Vietnam War and his activism has reverber-

Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  15 

the more lucrative residuals that had been In 2009, SAG-AFTRA awarded Willen- a Catholic school for Native Americans in
part of union contracts for decades. With borg the George Heller Memorial Award Montana, the opportunity to attend Domin-
help from the Teamsters, SAG-AFTRA orga- for her contributions to performers and ican University.
nized picket lines to shut down the buildings broadcasters in Chicago and beyond.
of large advertisers and advertising agencies Willenborg also has funded the Willen-
in Chicago. The strike ended shortly after Throughout her life, Willenborg has borg Civic Learning Academy, a program
union workers refused to cross the picket remained an avid supporter of her alma that provides Dominican faculty and staff
line outside a Ford plant on Chicago’s south mater and has funded two scholarships that with the resources to design learning experi-
side. are near and dear to her heart. The William ences for students interested in working for
and Marie Ettelbrick Willenborg Endowed social and economic justice.
Willenborg also served as a driving force Scholarship honors her parents and provides
in the creation of the Illinois Production scholarships for downstate students. Another “I’ve had a unique and wonderful life,
Alliance, an organization that pushed for tax endowed scholarship honors her sister, Anne due in no small part to the conversations I
incentives that would attract motion picture Therese, who was killed in a car accident at had many years ago with my Rosary pro-
and television production to Chicago. The the age of 25. Anne was a graduate of the fessors and classmates. Dominican helped
legislation passed in 2008, benefitting the University of Montana and a vocal advo- me become the person that I am today and
City of Chicago and local SAG-AFTRA cate for Native Americans. The scholarship I hope that I can play some part in helping
members. gives qualified students at St. Labre School, other students become the people they are
meant to be,” Willenborg said.

Mary Yu '79 visited campus this summer
to talk with Class of 1979 classmates
and members of the Class of 1969 during
Alumni Weekend. She received the Caritas
Veritas Award in 1984.

16  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019

Relationship and Influence

Mary Yu between race and economics. to be invisible but she excelled enough that
Mary became a religious studies major Cardinal Bernardin appointed her director
Serving as a Role Model of the office.
because of a desire to do good, which she
for Young People of Color associated with religion. The Sisters were After 10 years of community organizing,
role models and fostered her commitment to Mary decided to attend law school. “I want-
Mary Yu ’79 spent her childhood trying social justice. ed additional tools for advancing the work
to be invisible. Today, as a Supreme Court of social justice—to force people to do the
Justice for the State of Washington, she is “The Sisters were revolutionary women right thing, even if their hearts weren’t really
the furthest thing from invisible. She credits way before their time in educating and in it,” she said.
Rosary College with helping her discover empowering women. Sisters Candida Lund
her identity and find her voice. “All that and Kay Ashe and so many others sacrificed so After law school, she decided to become
I am, and all that I will ever be is because much to advance the role of women,” she said. a prosecutor and fell in love with trial prac-
of my experience at Dominican,” she told tice and the courtroom. “There is no better
classmates in a talk delivered during Alumni After graduation, she applied for a job trial lawyer than a preacher. I wanted the
Weekend. with the Archdiocese of Chicago—at a time opportunity to get up, address a jury and
when the Catholic Church was at its peak persuade them of my position.”
Mary grew up in Bridgeport on Chicago’s in the work for social justice, with Catholic
south side. Her parents came to this country Mary was appointed as a trial judge by
without legal documentation and hoped that THE SISTERS Washington Governor Gary Locke, the first
Mary would someday find a job as a secretary Chinese American governor in the country,
so she could avoid having to work as hard as WERE because he wanted to diversify the bench to
they did, with dirty and calloused hands. Her reflect the communities served by the court.
mother had been a farmworker and her father REVOLUTIONARY After 14 years as a trial judge, she was encour-
had worked all his life in a factory. aged to seek appointment to the Washington
WOMEN BEFORE Supreme Court by a colleague who reminded
Throughout school, she sat at the back her that she could serve as a role model.
of the classroom because, she explained, in THEIR TIME...
those days children sat alphabetically or by “I wondered if people would vote for
size—and she was always one of the smallest liberation theology exploding throughout someone like me—an Asian, Latina, openly
students. She wasn’t a stellar student at St. Latin America. The Archdiocese launched gay woman. But I realized that if I didn’t say
Mary of Perpetual Help. Like many high an Office of Peace and Justice, and Father yes, how was I going to encourage young
school kids, she was testing the rules and ques- Francis Kane hired her as his secretary—a people of color to step forward every time
tioning the ability of others to enforce them. position that, at the time, was the pinnacle an opportunity presents itself? I knew that if
of her career aspirations. I turned down the opportunity, I would be
But she had a teacher who saw something my worst enemy,” she said.
in her. Joan Finnegan, a Rosary College Representing the archdiocese, she visited
alumna, encouraged her to consider college. workers’ houses, food lines and religious As a member of the State Supreme
She brought Mary to campus and convinced communities at the edge of radical change. Court, she now has a unique platform for
her parents that it was okay for a girl to seek She raised money from parishes for the inspiring young people. She has volunteered
higher education. According to Mary, Ms. Campaign for Human Development. She as a judge for the Seattle Girls’ School Mock
Finnegan saved her life, when so many of was encouraged by Father Kane to get up, Trials for 15 years and is part of the State
her peers were lost to bad choices. go to the podium and talk publicly about Law Library’s Read Campaign, an effort fo-
what it meant to be a person of faith. This cused on enhancing child literacy. She even
Initially, she struggled at Rosary, which wasn’t easy for someone who once wanted has a bookmark with her photo.
seemed like 500 miles from Bridgeport. But
she joined a Latin American student group, “Who would have ever thought that a
which provided a safe place for exploring her kid like me would someday be a Supreme
identity. And the Dominican Sisters created Court Justice, let alone have a bookmark
a culture that helped bridge the divides with her image!” she laughs.

Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  17 

MY GOAL NOW

IS TO

HELP STUDENTS

Michelle Agins AVOID THE My grandmother gave me a Brownie camera
OBSTACLES and told me to go out and take beautiful
Refusing to be Defeated pictures for her—which I did.

The camera became her bridge, transporting I FACED. This is a little corny, but I used to watch
Michelle Agins ’77 from her childhood home “Superman” on TV and thought Jimmy
in Bronzeville to the pinnacles of journalism— a Pulitzer Prize, she not only had to be really Olsen, the Daily Planet photojournalist, was
and role model status for a new generation of good, she had to overcome the barriers and so cool. So, with my camera and one of my
trailblazers. She has photographed presidents, hostility that persist for black women in the grandfather’s hats, I used to run around my
hitched rides on Air Force One, witnessed media industry. “The deal is, I refuse to be de- neighborhood shouting, “Press!”
the destruction of war, and changed lives by feated,” she told Dominican undergraduates in
recording, in intimate detail, the struggles of an extraordinary commencement address this In high school, I worked as a copy girl
the less fortunate. She’s worked at The New spring. Now, she is helping young reporters and and photo intern at the Chicago Daily News.
York Times for 30 years, covering the Okla- photojournalists of color blaze their own trails. With the first money I made, I bought a
homa City bombing, the devastation of 9/11, The following interview has been edited into a police radio and went out to fires and police
a coup in Haiti and racial strife in America. first-person narrative. calls to take pictures for the paper. But after
To attain her level of success, which includes college, when I went back to the paper seek-
ing a job, with my degree from Rosary and
my portfolio, the photo editor told me, ‘We

I grew up in Bronzeville in the mid-60s.
My neighborhood was electric. Other times
it was sad. I saw all sides of it, from the day
that Dr. King was killed to happier times
like the Bud Billiken Parade. My mother
died when I was eight, and my grandparents
stepped up and raised me. To cheer me up,

Michelle Agins '77 delivered the 2019
commencement speech and received an
honorary degree from the university.

18  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019

know your work, but let’s be real honest: Not today, not tomor- Gera-Lind Kolarik
row, never. We haven’t even hired our first white woman as a staff
photographer.’ Honoring the Legacy of Georgie Anne Geyer

What he and others didn’t realize is that I would find men- Gera-Lind Kolarik ’75, recipient of the 2015 Caritas Veritas
tors—angels—almost as if they had been assigned to guide me Award, first learned about the extraordinary career of foreign
on my journey. People like Bob Black and John H. White, both correspondent Georgie Anne Geyer while doing research for
award-winning photographers at Chicago dailies, and my Rosary a journalism class assignment. She was immediately intrigued
professors, who nurtured my innate but very raw potential and by the trailblazing journalist who for decades had reported
gave me the confidence that would carry me to places around the from hot spots around the world and interviewed international
world. leaders such as Fidel Castro, Yasser Arafat, Saddam Hussein
and Muammar Gaddafi.
In 1983, while working for the city of Chicago, I was appoint-
ed personal photographer to Mayor Harold Washington, who Following graduation, Kolarik worked as a television produc-
didn’t think he needed me. But I told him, ‘I am documenting er for Chicago’s WBBM and WLS and had the opportunity to
the life of the first black mayor of Chicago, for the children of the meet Geyer when she spoke for the Chicago Press Club. The
city of Chicago. This is history. You are history.’ two struck up an acquaintance that deepened into friendship

After his first term, I returned to journalism and took a job Esteemed journalist Marvin Kalb delivered the first Geyer Lecture in 2016.
with The Charlotte Observer, where my first assignments included He was a long-time colleague and friend of the late Georgie Anne Geyer,
covering the new NBA franchise, the Charlotte Hornets, and right. Gera-Lind Kolarik, left.
NASCAR racing. But what really changed my life was when they
sent me to cover the 1988 Democratic National Convention, when Gera-Lind created a video documenting Geyer’s strug-
where I met a New York Times photographer. A few months later, gles following surgery to remove her tongue due to cancer.
I got a call from The Times offering me a job. I thought it was a
joke. I’ve been there for 30 years now. “I was so upset that such an amazing person, who was so
talented at interviewing others, was denied the ability to tell her
We won the Pulitzer for a series in 2000 on “How Race is own stories and to inspire others like me,” Kolarik said.
Lived in America.” I was teamed up with reporter Don Terry to
explore the challenges he faced growing up biracial. There is so In an effort to share Geyer’s legacy, Kolarik launched the
much hate out there. I mean, I knew it was out there, but I had Georgie Anne Geyer Initiative in 2016, which brings to campus
never been that intimate with it. But what made me hopeful was renowned reporters and provides experiential learning scholarships
Don Terry’s courage in putting his personal story out there in The for Dominican students aspiring to be foreign correspondents.
New York Times as a way of helping other people going through
what he did. Geyer passed away earlier this year in her Washington,
D.C., home. Her legacy continued this fall, when Dominican
I’ve been on my path now for over 40 years. I’ve seen and welcomed Clarissa Ward, chief international correspondent for
done amazing things. Of course there were many obstacles and CNN, as the 2019 Geyer Initiative speaker, on October 2.
setbacks. But I always managed to find a way around them,
because when I needed them the most, my angels, my mentors, Through the Geyer Initiative, Kolarik’s admiration for Georgie
my friends and colleagues appeared to help and show me the way Anne Geyer will benefit budding young foreign correspondents
forward. for many years to come.

My goal now is to help students avoid the obstacles I faced. I’d Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  19 
like to advocate for more journalists of color. The world is diverse.
When we cover the news it should be a mirror. We have to under-
stand what different communities are going through by using the
voices of representatives of those communities.

I now tell young photographers to be on the lookout for their
own angels and let them guide you—and fight to be taken seriously.

faculty focus

Dominican faculty help build Culture, Transmedia Storytelling and Intertextuality College of Applied Social Sciences
awareness and boost the reputation in the Squared Circle (Routledge), was published
of the university. We’re pleased in March. Hassan Zamir, assistant
to highlight some of their recent professor, School of Infor-
accomplishments. For more José Blanco, associate professor, fashion mation Studies, presented
information about faculty and department, published the textbook Guide to “Undergraduate Data
their achievements, visit Producing a Fashion Show (2019, New York: Fair- Science Education in
dom.edu/faculty-focus. child); edited a chapter, “Part I: History of Fashion iSchools: Current Practices
and Product Development,” in The Fashion Business and Future Directions” at
Rosary College of Arts and Sciences Reader (2019, London: Bloomsbury); and the iConference 2019 in
published a book chapter, “Dressing the Jíbaros: Washington, D.C. He has
Brent Friesen, Puerto Rican Peasants’ Clothing through Time published a chapter, “Cybersecurity and Social
professor of chemistry, and Space,” in The Meanings of Dress (2019. Media” in Cybersecurity for Information Profes-
co-authored an article in New York: Fairchild). Blanco is the vice president sionals (ABC-CLIO, May 2019).
the Journal of Ethnophar- of education and programs for the Costume
macology entitled Society of America. Melissa M. Thompson, clinical assistant profes-
“Dynamics of the iso- sor, School of Social Work, presented “Teacher
flavone metabolome of Brennan School of Business as Student: Empathy in an Online Pedagogical
traditional preparations of Course” and “Keeping Mission Focused:
Trifolium pratense L.” He Elizabeth Collier, Relationship Considerations in Distance Education”
also co-authored an article in the Journal of professor of business at the Social Work Distance Education Confer-
Chromatography A entitled “Preparation of flavone ethics and Christopher ence in San Antonio, TX. She presented with
di-C-glycoside isomers from Jian-Gu injection Chair in Business Ethics, Adrian Kok, associate professor, School of Social
(Premna fulva Craib.) using recycling counter-current has been appointed chair Work, and Suhad Tabahi, assistant professor,
chromatography.” Friesen also presented two of the North America School of Social Work. She was recently named
talks: “Five Sinsinawa Dominican sisters: Pioneers Chapter of the United as a partner with Social Work Virtual Pal, a global
and role models for the education of women Nations’ Principles of virtual community for the social work profession.
chemists” and “Depletion and enrichment of Responsible Management
select ingredients to generate normalized extract Education, an initiative that brings the U.N. and Cecilia L. Salvatore, professor, School of
resources (DESIGNER) for turmeric (Curcuma business schools around the world together to Information Studies, presented “From Documen-
longa L.) extracts” at the 2019 American Chemical achieve sustainable development goals through tation to Access and Exhibit: Common Issues
Society Great Lakes Regional Meeting in Lisle, IL. responsible management education. Related to Local History Collections” at the 2019
International Conference on Local Chronicles held
Bill Kerr, professor of art, art history and design, Anjali Chaudhry, professor of management, in Changsha, China. The presentation was at the
and his wife, Weeks Ringle, were guests of honor marketing, and international business, received invitation of the Office of Chinese Local Chronicles
this summer at the QuiltTime Festival, a major a $4,000 leadership development research grant Guidance Group in Beijing. She also attended the
exhibition of quilts in Yokohama, Japan. They from the Team-Based Learning Collaborative, International Federation of Library Associations
designed two new fabric collections, “Warp+Weft” chaired a panel on “Team-based Learning for Congress in Athens, Greece, where she coor-
and “Dreamy.” Kerr and Ringle published Modern Diversity, Inclusivity, and Leadership: Theory, dinated and moderated a session titled, “Local
Quilts Illustrated Magazine vols. 13 & 14, and Practice, and Application” at the Academy of History Collections, Genealogy, and Oral History
a publication entitled Warp+Weft. They also Management Annual Meeting in Boston, MA, and as Critical Information Services in Libraries.” In
released the “Art of the Quilt 2020” calendar presented a paper on “A Profile Approach to LMX addition, she was elected chair of the Local History
exclusively featuring their work. —An Exploratory Study” at the annual meeting of and Genealogy Collections section of IFLA.
the European Association of Work and Organiza-
CarrieLynn D. Reinhard, associate professor tional Psychology in Turin, Italy. Borra College of Health Sciences
of communication, was elected president of the
Professional Wrestling Studies Association and Jeff Bell, clinical professor of operations, Lauren D. Trillo,
was named editor of the Popular Culture Studies presented the “Myths and Benefits of Forecasting co-director of clinical
Journal. She also presented an award-winning and Inventory Optimization for your Supply education for the Physi-
poster at the International Communication Chain” at OMTEC (Orthopaedic Manufacturing cians Assistant Studies
Association conference in Washington, D.C. and Technology Exposition and Conference) in program, presented the
Her book, Convergent Wrestling: Participatory Rosemont, IL. poster “Trigger Cases:
Challenging Physician
Assistant Students on
Unconscious Bias” at
the University of Wisconsin (Madison) School of
Medicine and Public Health’s 27th annual Medical
Education Day.

20  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019

class news

You Always Belong to Dominican April found me in Colorado with 1963
my brother. I also went to Dallas
Class News items are submitted by alumnae/i and do with my book club. May was Banff, Susan M. Flynn
not represent positions, policies or opinions of the Canada, with my granddaughter. Class Agent
Office of Alumnae/i Relations or Dominican University. In Houston, my grandchildren
Items have been edited for length and content. Class and I went to the museum for the Judy Jedlicka Koubek and I met
News published in this issue was collected before July Van Gogh exhibit. I love being a for lunch at the Art Institute and
15, 2019; news submitted after that date will appear in grandmother! My life is lovely and then did an overview walk through
the Spring 2020 issue. If you have news or questions, filled with love. I wish love for all the Modern Art wing. Judy and her
please contact the Office of Alumnae/i Relations at of you.” husband now live near Lake Shore
[email protected] or (708) 524-6286. For up-to-date Drive.
information about alumnae/i, go to dom.edu/alumni. The following news about Karen
Arntson McDonnell was sub- Debbie Hegberg Heer received
Thank you for sharing your news! mitted by her husband, Bill, and an award from AFS Intercultural
their daughter, Jean. “We made exchange programs as “Outstand-
Undergraduate Alumnae/i 1960 the very difficult decision of ing Volunteer” for her more than
Class News moving our precious Mom to a 25 years of service. Debbie wrote:
Jo Scaccia Maday memory care facility in EauClaire. “Finally attended the New Orleans
1941 Class Agent Taking her there was certainly a Annual Jazz and Heritage Music
heart-wrenching experience for Festival. Took a whirlwind tour of
On June 1, the dear Beatrice Dear Classmates: all of us. We all knew this was a Guatemala and went on a week-
Morand Hill turned 100 years old. necessary move. She is willing long cruise to Alaska. I enjoy
She celebrated this accomplish- This is a reminder that June 2020, to do this because after years of water aerobics every morning at
ment surrounded by her loved will mark 60 years since our suffering, she knows it’s necessary the local YMCA.”
ones. graduation. With this in mind, I am for her health and Dad’s health,
hoping that most of us will be able too—and after nearly 57 years of Kathy Markley Scruggs is hoping
1957 to attend the reunion to celebrate. marriage, they know one another to get to Turkey to look up some
pretty well. Mom is in Azura Mem- former students from her Peace
Ellen Bendry 1962 ory Care. We feel blessed to have Corp work 56 years ago. She and
Class Agent found such a warm and welcom- husband Max, plan to take a trip
Kay Pielsticker Coleman, ing place. Please keep Mom and to Zurich, Venice, and Nice, while
I heard from Audre Coia- Elizabeth Freidheim, Corrine Dad in your prayers. If you’d like to their knees and hips keep work-
Kurowski about her “Bach and Carnivele Hanley, Carolyn send Mom a card, please send it to ing. Kathy is an active reader and
Beyond” concert. Audre is a Sweeney Judd, Gloria Adams their home.” belongs to an AAUW Book Club.
member of the American Guild of Mills, Mary Beth Vander Vennet Now that Pam Balow has relocated
Organists and will be participating Tallon Donna Allendorf Wahlert: “Bob to Northern Virginia, Kathy visits
in the choir as a second alto. Class Agents and I just returned from a cruise with her.
in France. At Christmas, 22 family
I am hoping to travel to Peoria Corrine Carnivele Hanley: “I have members visited us in Florida. Helen McCauslin reports from
in September to witness the been working with animal activ- Bob and I leave soon for Oxford, Southwest Michigan: “For the first
Beatification of Bishop Fulton J. ists to close down horse racing in England, where we will take a time in a couple years I was out
Sheen. We will be waiting for news the U.S., starting with Santa Anita, class. In 2020, one grandchild gardening. Only interruption in
from Cathy Klein as she takes a where 30 horses have died since will receive a PA degree and get planting came when I had carpel
river cruise through Germany and December. There is no answer married. The other 12 grandchil- tunnel surgery. Healing went very
France! to the animal cruelty other than dren are busy getting on with their well.” Besides gardening and her
to shut down racing. Please add happy lives.” wonderful photography skills,
Jean Horrigan-Delhey was here racehorses to your prayer list.” Helen is active with The Three
for her annual visit. Mary Whalen Suzanne Meyer Hubbard: “The Rivers Promise, a charity in Mich-
is hosting a luncheon for our class Carolyn Sweeney Judd: “Christ- days of large families are gone, igan that is working to establish a
at her home. mas 2018 was a large family affair but I am grateful all seven of the program to help the Three Rivers
with the extended family. I went to Meyer children are all alive and High School graduates go to col-
Please pray for our classmates. I San Pancho, Mexico, in February. enjoying our visits. We had the lege or into trade programs.
look forward to hearing or talking privilege of babysitting our grand-
with you at any time. children in IL. and CO. It is so fun Big news from Karen Christensen
to watch their minds developing. McGirr: “I decided to take my
What a joy they are.” son’s advice and move to Austin,
TX, to be near his family. Between
March and June, I chose a place,
sold my condo, found movers
and MOVED! My four children
helped me pack. The move went

Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  21 

class news

smoothly but I am still searching Illinois’ New Superintendent of Education quilting and bummed that bur-
for things I KNOW I packed but sitis in my hip limits my walking.
haven’t uncovered. I’m living at Dr. Carmen I. Ayala MBA ’87 was appointed by the Illinois State Fortunately, my Pilates instructor
an active retirement community Board of Education as the 30th State Superintendent of Education, is adept at adjusting to my issues
five minutes from my son, James, effective March 1. Carmen is the first woman and first person of so it can remain on the agenda.
his wife, Lauren, and their two color to serve in the position. Looking forward to our trip to
children Henry, 2, and Elizabeth, Russia and then to Lake Como to
3 ½. My other three kids live out of “I’m honored to serve as our state’s Superintendent of Education mark Kiera’s 50th year.”
the country. Michael and Charlie and grateful to the board members for placing their trust in me,”
live in Mexico, where they play in said Carmen. “Governor Pritzker has made it clear that education Diane Farr Knittle: “Bill and I
orchestras, one in the Yucatan and will be a top priority for the new administration, and I look forward continue to enjoy family and travel
one near Mexico City. My daugh- to our work ahead. Together, I know we can break down barriers since retiring. We went to Lisbon,
ter and her family live in Bristol, to opportunity and ensure that students of all races, backgrounds, Fatima and smaller Portuguese
UK where she is a professor.” income levels and zip codes receive a strong education in Illinois.” towns in December. We enjoyed
going to the fishing village,
As you can see, the ’63ers continue Carmen has 36 years of education experience, most recently Cacais. We spent Christmas in
to be active and generous. We serving as the Superintendent of the Berwyn North School District. Tampa with our youngest son
made donations to Dominican for She began her career at Chicago Public Schools, serving as a teach- Paul and his family – Eleanor, 4
a DACA student who needed some er there for five years. ½, and James, 18 months. Paul, a
financial help. We made donations lieutenant commander in the U.S.
to a number of churches and to 1965 Richard and his sister, Kate. We Navy, was deployed to the Middle
Catholic Charities to help them finished last fall with friends in East. We became cheerleaders at
care for the Central American Mar Poelking Sclawy a refurbished mill in France, and local grandchildren’s sports and
refugees. And of course, we pray! Class Agent another reunion in Wales. This school events: Alex, 13; Kiley, 10;
Caritas et veritas. year, we are celebrating our 50th Shea, 7; and Ailla, 5. The Margaret
Richard and Maureen McMahon wedding anniversary with a mini- Home, a home for pregnant,
1964 Hibbott emailed their Christmas cruise and a family gathering in homeless women, has become a
letter. “Our youngest grandchild Ireland.” focus of our volunteer efforts.”
Mary McGough Schultze entered primary school as the
Class Agent eldest chose his university (Surrey Kim Regan: “It was the year of Kim Regan and Barb Tucker
UK) for autumn 2019. The other toes-Dan had one that slowed him Philipps both wrote that Harry
It was a beautiful and enlight- four are making progress in their up in Barcelona, but he powered Stavrakos, husband of Maria
ening Reunion weekend for the schools on three continents. through. It certainly cut into the Tsinonis Stavrakos died just
1964 classmates who received fun, like my broken metatarsals before Orthodox Christmas.
good news about our school. Jane and family bought their did in Edinburgh the summer
Attending were Judy Anderson first USA house in Boston. Alice before. Kiera’s family was with us Gerry Young: “Our first-ever
is in London. Helen comes from for a week over Christmas, then cruise comes at the end of the
Brindley, Joan Canale Szuberla, Shanghai about three times a year. a week with Sheila. We were in year to Mexico, Honduras, and
Back in the UK for a three-gen- Budapest last fall. I’m having fun the Caribbean. Then, we hope to
Pat Connery Koko, Carol Kaiser eration family get together for cruise to the Caribbean islands
again, and Cuba”
Dwyer, Patty Keeffe Smith, Joann
Paulette Serritella Davies wrote:
Casciato Hillebrand, Maureen “What keeps me busy is working
out four times a week at the local
Cox O’Doherty, Joanne Knotek, gym. I love Zumba!”
Ann Elliott-Holmes and Ginny
Gaul Cullen. Marian Matulis Rohde: “Our
children planned a special cele-
We heard from Donna Carroll who bration with relatives and friends
has molded Dominican into the for John’s and my 50th wedding
“Best Value in Illinois” according anniversary on August 2.”
to U.S. News & World Report.
Campus looks great and teems Chon Schwope Wilson: “We
with energy. We were all taken remodeled our family room. Our
with alumna Mary Yu ’79 as she golden doodle, Willow, is 2 and
spoke of her journey from Chi- training well. Two grandchildren
cago’s South Side to Washington graduated high school. Three
State Supreme Court Justice. She grandchildren, 16, have their own
credits Dominican for her success. cars. Rog works on his model
railroad when he takes time away
As we age, many of us are facing from his other interests. After I
health concerns. Please include
your classmates in your prayers.

22  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019

“Together, I know we can break down barriers to opportunity and
ensure that students of all races, backgrounds, income levels and zip

codes receive a strong education in Illinois.”

Dr. Carmen I. Ayala MBA ’87

gave up making baby blankets, having cataract surgery, so the child, Bridget, in Washington, D.C., Lina Fruzzetti in Milwaukee for a
I discovered I like doing it too editing process on my memoir has and we recently bought a condo weekend reunion.
much and am back at it. My sister been delayed. Otherwise, Michael across the street from her house
and I traveled to Salt Lake City and I are doing well.” on Capitol Hill which I will be Lina Fruzzetti’s documentary,
to attend an aunt’s funeral. Our using as a “grammie nest”. “In My Mother’s House,” continues
grandson, Jeffrey, was confirmed Dot Macina Grimm: “One day can to have a far-reaching impact.
in May. We hosted a 17-year-old change your life and I’ve expe- Terry Wilkinson Pawlik reported: She reports: “I received a grant
French boy in July, son of a wom- rienced it. One day, I was doing “Ray and I are still staying active from the Social Science Research
an we hosted in 1987. We showed volunteer things, housework, and visiting friends and family all Institute to go to Eritrea to collect
Antoine as much of small town going to the gym. The next day over the country. After our 50th more interviews about the film,
America as he could stand. I talked I passed out at the emergency anniversary celebration, we spent trying to write a book about the
to Marjorie Malafronte Mills on room. That was March 11. The Christmas with our son in South documentary and its impact. I will
her birthday. She still lives in the next thing I remember, it was Georgia and we also visited long- be away in Bologna, Italy, for my
high desert of Arizona, where her May at a specialty hospital. I had time friends and family there. sabbatical leave in January 2020,
sister visited after not seeing each caught some rare pneumonia. We went to D.C. to spend Easter which will give me the opportunity
other for 20 years.” Three months in bed cost me a with our daughter, Layne. We to start writing. I will be away six
considerable amount of muscle, headed back to Arizona for three months to a year. No other news to
Chris Camacho Santoyo,: “I feel so I went to a rehab hospital. Now, weeks of celebrations in May. Our report except the best, which is my
pretty good considering I have I’m at a sub-acute facility trying to daughter, Kate, received her EdD granddaughter, Suraya, got early
scoliosis which causes me to lose develop muscle enough to stand in educational leadership, and we decision admission to Brown!”
balance. A wheeled walker has and eventually walk. Currently, celebrated her daughter, Maya’s,
been the best thing for me—I can I’m in a wheelchair and on oxygen. First Communion. Finally, our oldest Celina Tannura Zalas retired in
almost run holding on to it. I have I feel blessed to have the rock daughter, Tressy’s son, Aidan, June after 14 years as the business
worked as the Mexico represen- solid support and prayers from my graduated from high school. He is manager at St. Mary Parish in
tative for the University of Notre family and friends. I am confident attending St Andrew’s University Riverside. The pastor, Fr. Tom May,
Dame in Mexico City. I put ND on of a full recovery.” in Scotland. Our son, Ray, has wrote: “Celina balanced the books,
the map here and coordinated been nominated for Lieutenant managed the payroll, paid all the
two big conferences. I will retire As for the Sclawys, I thought I Colonel in his Air National Guard bills, coordinated the rectory staff,
in September and become a was looking and feeling pret- unit. He has a full-time position and made sure parish buildings
freelance translator and write ty good till the sleep doc said I with the Savannah Air National were maintained and operational.”
about my life with my existentially should lose weight or get a C-Pap Guard. Terry also shared the fol-
adventurous husband, who died in machine. Not a hard choice. Steve lowing: “Sister Teresa Margaret Alice Kuehne Finn and her
2013. My writing may wind up as and I resemble a couple aging (Suzy Brinkman) is very ill with husband reported, “John/Pat & I
a memoir of the deeply felt expe- elephants in our nightly appara- advanced stage Alzheimer’s. were really fortunate to be on our
riences of my 47-year marriage. tus. Unlike esteemed classmates, Kerry Hubata and I were planning annual escape from winter. We left
I am also translating a biography I have written nothing except a visit but the latest news was January 1st for Perth, Australia.
of a well-regarded anthropologist a journal. Nieces and nephews worrisome so Kerry made a quick We arrived 23 hours later & then
and archeologist of the 20th cen- are doing well and are enjoying trip. Although there was concern to Fremantle from where our 81-
tury, Manuel Gamio, my husband’s their lives. My sister, Ann, left her she might not recognize Kerry, day, Southeast Asia trip departed.
grandfather. I want to re-learn husband (just short of their 48th Sister did know her and chatted It is called an ‘In-Depth’ travel
French as my daughter-in-law is anniversary) and is still trying to for a few minutes before she fell program, which presents lectures,
French and I’d like to visit with her be divorced. She came here to cel- asleep. I last visited her for her activities, tours, Insight Evenings,
family in the Southern Alps. I also ebrate her 70th birthday. We get Golden Jubilee in 2015. I am con- etc. with specialists in History &
want to become certified in grief along much better now than when tent that I have seen Suzy many Perspectives, Exploration, Science
counseling.” we were young. Stay as young and times throughout the years. It’s a & Nature, Food, Photography,
upbeat as you can. long story but a beautiful journey & Arts & Culture. It was really
Dianne Hanau-Strain: “I have a for her.” amazing! If anyone is interested in
boring recital of coping with bone 1966 discovering more about the 51 dif-
and joint issues. Can I brag about In March, Beverly Doherty’s fam- ferent ports we explored, Pat wrote
my family? Husband, Charles, Judy Purvin Scully ily trip to New Orleans included a daily blog at: apfinn.blogspot.
both sons Aaron and Dan, and Class Agent stopovers at Wakulla Springs com. Although we have had many
I are a support group for the State Park and Montgomery, long cruises, this one was the most
books each of us is writing. Aaron Mary Therese Connolly Kinder Alabama. They were in Asheville, special!”
Bobrow-Strain just published (and wrote: “Our youngest, Colleen, was North Carolina, for a Road Scholar
was reviewed in the New York married in Banff, Canada. We are week, touring before traveling John and I attended the Memo-
Times) The Death and Life of Aida thrilled with our new son-in-law the rest of the way to Milwaukee rial Mass for Sr. Jean Murray,
Hernandez: A Border Story.” and celebrated for 10 days with from their winter home in Florida. OP, who taught French and was
our relatives. Our daughter, Molly, In July, she hosted dear friends President of DU after Sr. Candida
Kathleen Stark Burt: “I’ve been just gave birth to her second Ann Canale, Jeanne Heinen and and prior to Donna Carroll. If any
somewhat out-of-commission classmates would like to receive

Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  23 

class news “I wanted to combat that negativity with positivity.”

Chanelle Bell MSEd ’16

a prayer card, let me know. On The days surrounding Easter Donna Kungis O’Donnell sent weather and settings as beautiful.
a happier note, we attended the were busy for Maureen O’Rourke the following: “Bob and I took Consider attending 2020’s
Trustee Benefit and were delighted Cannon and her husband. In our annual vacation in Cabo San Rosarian luncheon to be part of
to see our Class of 1966 scholar- addition to celebrating the birth Lucas, Mexico. We were blessed this memory as well. Our 55th
ship recipient, Era Doce, featured of their 16th grandchild, Riley to celebrate our 50th wedding reunion weekend is in June 2021.
in the benefit program. The event James Lannon, and singing three anniversary in April with family Then, 2022 will be the 100th
raised $500,000 for scholarships. days during Easter week, they had and friends. The highlight of May anniversary of Rosary College.
Easter dinner for 30 at their home. was our grandson Anthony’s First These are wonderful opportunities
Kerry Hubata represented Her son-in-law, Keegan, is still an Communion. We toured NYC- the for us to come together to
our class at the Scholarship adjunct professor at Dominican 9-11 Memorial, Statue of Liberty, celebrate!”
Luncheon. “It was a joy and an in the English department and Times Square, Rockefeller Center,
inspiration to meet Era Doce and enjoys engaging with the bright, Central Park, and enjoyed a fabu- Linda Miller Drennan and her
learn first-hand about her life motivated students he teaches. lous production of Lion King. June husband, John, spent time trav-
and background, her struggles, took us to Bob’s 55th reunion at eling. They were on a Caribbean
accomplishments and aspirations. Marcia Diaz Schultz was a St. John’s University in Minne- cruise in January. While visiting
It was also a joy to see my dear Spanish major at the University sota and a visit with his sister. friends in Arizona in February, it
friend and classmate, Kathy Pudik of Madrid in 1964-65 with Pat We celebrated the 50th wedding snowed! The weather improved
Rey and to follow up on Elizabeth O’Connor Frisino. According to anniversary of our friends John during their stay in Florida in April
Enciso ’18. While it is always a Marcia, Rosary set her on a path and Marian Matulis Rohde ’65 in and May. They were in Colorado
happy event to revisit Rosary/Do- of volunteering. She remembers August. We cruised from Montreal visiting with their three chil-
minican, it proved especially so at taking her portable typewriter to Boston in September.” dren and grandchildren in June.
the luncheon.” to teach typing during her According to Linda, they need to
sophomore year and said Mary Barbara Barry had a reunion with stay home for a while, so she can
Kathy Pudik Rey shared her Redmond went, too. Marcia wrote: Mary Wingfield Grace and her work on her golf and pickleball,
reflections on the scholarship “I spend my retirement, teaching husband in Door County, Wis- and volunteer at the nursing home
luncheon as well, noting, “The English at the University of consin. They enjoyed the typical and church.
Scholarship lunch gave this long Albany, visiting my daughter and 4th of July festivities, reminisced
distance Rosarian a wonderful grandsons in Rhode Island and about Rosary and Mary’s 40 plus This year’s travels for us have in-
opportunity to enjoy not only our my son in San Francisco. Since years with the Girl Scouts. Barbara, cluded Hawaii, Florida, Washing-
campus with all its past memories, 1978, I have tutored and taught a retired psychologist and special ton, D.C., a Rhine River cruise and
but to personally connect with ELL with Literacy Volunteers administrator, will spend three a trip to Ft. Jackson in Columbia,
today’s students. To linger over of America. I spent two weeks weeks in Andalusia in September, South Carolina. After my brother
lunch and listen to a student’s with Annunciation House in El a southern province of Spain. and sister-in-law’s renewal of
responsibilities and challenges Paso, Texas, processing refugees. their wedding vows for their 10th
opens a small window into her/ Speaking Spanish to the neediest Suzy Wills Kessler wrote: “During anniversary and our grandson,
his life in the 21st century, so very of the poor and helping them the Rosary/Dominican Alumnae/i John’s 12th birthday, we headed
accelerated compared to our time reach their contacts in the United Weekend 2019, Judy Purvin up to Minocqua for the summer.
as undergrads.” States, I felt my Rosary heritage Although we still love travelling, it
very deeply: Caritas and Veritas. Scully, Kathy Kahler Matthews, really is nice to have a home base
Sandy Kern Cyr and her husband, Thank you Sister Sheila, Sister that’s comfortable and familiar.
Doug, were gracious enough to Philip Mary, and Sister John Sr. Rosemary Hickmann, OP We’ve lived in our “starter home”
provide a place to stay when John Berchmans. I will return.” and I attended the Presidential in Riverside for more than 50
and I flew to Tampa for the NCAA Briefing followed by the Rosarian years. We’re planning on staying
Final Four women’s basketball Maureen Connolly’s story At Luncheon. Donna Carroll put for the duration!
games. We were able to spend the Edges, published in The New shared Dominican University
some time with Kathy Pudik Rey Guard Vol VII, was nominated updates, which continue to It’s hard to believe it’s only two
before she headed to Chicago for a Pushcart Prize. She left show the unwavering Powerful years until our 55th reunion! Our
for the Scholarship Luncheon. medicine in 2017 and is available Promise of this university. The 50th was so special. I’m hoping
Sandy wrote in an email that she for teaching writing, and copy diversity of its student body, the many of you are planning to join
and Doug were in Virginia for the writing/copy editing. continued strength and success us again, now that we’re officially
graduation of her sister Mary’s of its academic offerings, and the “Rosarians,” alums who graduated
son, Stephen. He plans to get a Mitzi Battista Witchger reported: stability and growth of its finances more than 50 years ago.
master’s degree in nursing. They “In May, I was trekking on the are points of pride, which we can
went into Washington, D.C., and Appalachian trail for three days. share and treasure. The beautiful 1967
visited all the war memorials and We started in Harpers Ferry, West weather, the birds’ songs, the
The Martin Luther King Memorial. Virginia, and made it to nearby lush views of the Quad, and the Elizabeth McGrath
By the time they took the train Maryland and Virginia. Our total ease of conversation filled with Class Agent
back to Charlottesville, Sandy trail coverage was just over 26 memories and stories made the
figured they had walked at least miles. May not sound like much, but afternoon so enjoyable. Do you Jane Kisting Callahan: “I have
10 miles. at 75 years old, it was just enough!” remember Saturday, June 4, 1966? three daughters and four grand-
Our Commencement Day had

24  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019

sons. I divorced in 1990 and get back to Indiana monthly to be an Ama (means grandmother Mary Win Hesseling Ogg: “Max
moved from Iowa to Arizona, and visit Dick’s mom, who is in assisted to my two-year-old granddaugh- and I spent late spring & summer
worked for the Federal Judiciary, living and just celebrated her ter) to a grandson in September. of 2017 selling our beloved home
managing a national training 105th birthday. Married a wonderful man, James in Sheridan, Wyoming, and moved
center, and then for city govern- Haverland, in November 2015 to Bethel Springs, Tennessee,
ment as an administrator in the Linda Becker Madura: “We moved (my first husband passed away while we were spry enough to do it
Scottsdale City Attorney’s office. to Iowa to share this last part of in 2007). Spent our honeymoon on our own. We’re enjoying living
I am retired and fill my time with our lives with our youngest daugh- on Marco Island and will be doing nearer to our young grandsons
books, exercise, making jewelry, ter, Anne, and her family. Anne is a family reunion on a cruise Charlie, George, & Henry and be-
lunching with friends, etc.” on the faculty of Augustana College. to Alaska. Picked up an extra ing able to participate in their ac-
If my classmates are in the area, granddaughter and a 98-year-old tivities. Max is more than content
Karen Tyrrell Rafter: “Tom and please ring my bell! I suffer from mother-in-law. Been very blessed on our 10 wooded acres. I have
I finally retired and moved from macular degeneration and glau- and am grateful for my years at not yet found a good volunteer
Oak Park to our summer place in coma and my ability to do all basic Rosary.” activity, but can read to my heart’s
Indiana. We have plenty of bed- computer tasks is fast disappear-
rooms and have access to Lake ing. Love to all who read this!” Spreading “Positively Melanin”
Michigan, so anyone coming our
way can stop by. We also have a Roxanne Calibraro: “I just arrived Chanelle Bell MSEd ’16 founded an online community called
three-bedroom, modern cottage home with my third dog from “Positively Melanin” to highlight professionals of color with the
right on Sheridan Beach, if you Guide Dogs for the Blind. Sadly, purpose of connecting them with young people looking to enter
want a family beach place. Until we had to spend two weeks in San similar fields who need guidance and support. The group’s message:
the volunteer season begins in the Rafael, California, training togeth- Mentors are all around you.
fall, it is pretty quiet around here if er, but someone has to do it. He
you are not one of the tourists.” is a beautiful and handsome boy With the help of the Obama Foundation Community Leadership
named Nifty.” Corps, Chanelle launched “Positively Melanin.” The framework for
Jane E. Duggan: “Retirement the group came to her three years ago while struggling in the search
means great travel opportunities. Mary Lou Jantz: “I volunteer at for a fellowship to enhance her professional skills. “How can some-
Last year, I went to Australia, Beaumont Hospital in Grosse one aspire to something that they have never seen. We all know that
where I met 20 cousins, and then Pointe, Michigan. My great niece, representation matters, and that’s why Positively Melanin exists.
to New Zealand. On a list for an Alexandra, is a Fulbright scholar Black excellence deserves to be showcased,” Chanelle explains.
Arctic Art Tour next summer led in Thailand. She previously spent
by wonderful friend and neighbor two years in the Peace Corps in The name “Positively Melanin” was given to emphasize that the
Marian ‘Mame’ Jackson.” Ukraine. My niece, Kaitee, just group wants to highlight positive images of Chicago’s South Side
graduated from Georgia South- communities and “color the narrative,” Chanelle said.
Terry Beeson Sheahan: “My western State University School
health, though challenged, hasn’t of Nursing and is an ER nurse. Al- She described further, “I’m here on the South Side, and all the
slowed me down. I still live in my though I only attended Rosary for images I’m consuming from media about people who look like me,
cabin on the Missouri River in two years, I have fond memories of who live on the South Side, are all negative images. I wanted to
South Dakota, read history, collect classmates and teachers.” combat that negativity with positivity because all the black people I
antique paperweights, travel, and know are beautiful and are doing excellent things and are impacting
thoroughly enjoy my children and Barbara Schaefer: “Last Decem- the world.”
grandchildren.” ber, I went to the Judy Collins
concert at Dominican with Ellen
Susan Steffaniak Farina: “We O’Connor Nick and her husband,
lived in Washington, D.C, since Jerry. Was delighted to run into
1974. When I neared retirement Nadia Berezecky Horb and her
and our two married children were sister at the concert. In August,
already living in Virginia, we de- a friend and I went to Croatia,
cided to move closer to them and Bosnia, and Slovenia. In October,
our grandchildren. We sold our some family members and I are
home of 40 years and moved to a going to France and Normandy
townhouse in Centreville, Virginia. and then to visit one of my niece’s
Our son, his wife and two little in-laws in Belgium.”
girls live down the block and our
daughter, her husband and four Louise Gorgosz Gerl: “I retired
children live 30 minutes away. from teaching in Cincinnati Public
Moving here was the best decision Schools in 2001. Have been very
ever! Babysitting grandchildren fortunate to have wonderful expe-
might not appeal to everybody, riences traveling in China, Japan,
but Dick and I love it!! We try to Europe and Israel. My two sons are
married to lovely women and I will

Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  25 

class news

content and have many projects wine tasting tour of the Dordogne Michigan, without regard to the T-shirt. We enjoyed great compa-
that may be completed...someday. region, and was followed by a weather. Around the summer ny in lovely settings. Join us next
We are happy & healthy & will stay in Lourdes and Paris. When solstice, I took Amtrak to Montana time!”
begin our 50th year together!” not working, I enjoy hosting my and spent a week camping (Yes.
grandkids in Chicago. The oldest in a tent) at Glacier Park, where I Tomi Campbell Hubert, Suzanne
Jean Ulm Krbec: “My husband, Jim graduated from college, four more hiked, saw stars in the dark sky, Engle and Carol Anderson Kunze
and I returned from Belgium. Our are currently in college, two work- swam in a chilly alpine lake, and represented our class at the
son, Jeff, was celebrating his 50th ing, one a senior in high school, failed to see any grizzly bears. I’m inspiring Scholarship Luncheon
birthday and our granddaughter and two in elementary school. somewhat involved in working for at Dominican University. It was a
made her First Communion. Jeff I am a theatre usher with the justice for immigrants and refu- pleasure to meet the two students
and his wife, Melissa, adopted “Saints”, an organization offering gees, mostly through my parish.” who were awarded scholarships
Chaya from Thailand three years volunteer usher opportunities. I for 2018/2019: 1) Audra Laird
ago. She attends a Catholic British love living in Chicago and taking Jane Grimes Hensen: “Gary and (Class of 2020) was awarded
school so she is fluent in English, advantage of many free programs I are enjoying retirement on the the Class of 1968 Study Abroad
French, and Thai. Our foreign offered to seniors.” Oregon coast after living in Illinois Scholarship. She majors in
exchange student, Luise, joined us for sixty years. We keep busy with Fashion Design, and minors in
from her home in Essen, Germany.” Margaret Stapleton: “I retired volunteer work. He is a trustee at Business Administration & French.
from lawyering in 2018 and am the Elks Lodge and I have worked Audra studied Haute Couture
Nadia Horb: “I am still running my enjoying doing not much at all. at the library, a thrift shop, and at in Paris at the Paris American
own business in sales of health I’m getting reacquainted with the local hospital. We have two Academy. 2) Jennifer Lewanczyk
and life insurance, with a special friends. I spend a good amount daughters in the area with two (Class of 2020) was awarded the
emphasis on Medicare products. of time with my two granddaugh- grandchildren so we visit them Anna M. and Bernard G. Anderson
I spent three weeks in France that ters, and I take walks along Lake often. Our youngest is married to Scholarship (Carol Anderson
started with a fabulous culinary/ a career Army man. They live in Kunze’s family). She’s studying
upstate New York and have four Psychology and is in the five-year
Jeopardy! All-Star children. We used them as an ex- Master of Social Work program.
cuse to do road trips all over. I still
Colby Burnett MAEd ’16 is one of Jeopardy’s most recognizable cherish my time at Rosary. It was For the 2019/2020 year, our
faces, becoming the first contestant to win both the Teachers Tour- a great learning experience for me scholarships are the Class of
nament (2012) and the Tournament of Champions (2013). In March in many ways.” 1968 Golden Jubilee Scholar-
2019, he captained a team in the show’s first-ever All-Star Game. ship and the Class of 1968 Study
Colby’s team finished in third, splitting $100,000. 1968 Abroad Award. The Golden Jubilee
Scholarship will be awarded to
“I was surprised upon being chosen to captain a team and I Mary Duncan Gemkow and two students: Christina Bennett, a
relished the challenge of guiding a team to victory,” Colby said. “I sophomore majoring in Corporate
achieved the proper amount of fame that I wanted in life - I get rec- Suzanne Engle Communications, and Sabrina
ognized from time to time, but can still walk in and out of a grocery Class Agents Hufana, a junior majoring in Nutri-
store or public transportation without much fuss.” tion. The Study Abroad Award re-
Rosary ’68ers had memorable cipient is Julia Dunfrund, a senior
Colby grew up in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago and cred- get-togethers, keeping momen- majoring in Fashion Merchandis-
its his mother with keeping him out of trouble, as well as enhancing tum going on the wonderful spirit ing and she will be studying in
his intellect by buying him an encyclopedia, which he has read from of our 50th reunion last year! In Milan, Italy, in fall of 2019.
cover to cover. After winning Jeopardy!, Colby bought his mom a March, a group met for the “Strictly
new home in Chicago. He currently works as a College Counselor at ’68 Luncheon”. In June, we met for If you would like to contribute to
ITW David Speer Academy in Chicago. lunch during Dominican Univer- our class scholarships, contact the
sity’s Alumnae/i Weekend. At the Office of University Advancement.
luncheon, Donna Renn was our Tomi Campbell Hubert is our
emcee. Peggy May Schrage (aka, representative for scholarships.
Holly Golightly) gave a perfor- Anyone who might be interested
mance as emcee of ’60s trivia in representing our class at a
with fun prizes. Marilyn Freehill future scholarship luncheon please
Jancewicz and Marita Hoy Fenley let Tomi know.
provided swag gifts. Prizes for
longest distances travelled went Mary Corsiglia Joyce has been
to Suzanne Cosimano Awalt travelling. She went to London
(California), Pat Fitts Jacobson in May. The highlight of the trip
(California) and Lynne Wykowski was Stratford-on-Avon and the
Loresch (Pennsylvania). President Cotswolds. Over the summer,
Donna Carroll paid us a visit and she visited family in Waters-
was presented with a Girl Power meet, Michigan (the family’s

26  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019

“I was liberated and realized that my voice has power.”

Fanny Y. Lopez-Benitez ’11

22nd reunion there), and went to Suzanne Engle and her husband Bay—their first trip by boat, and Ann Mueninghoff as homilist,
Universal Studios accompanying welcomed home their daugh- their vacation. They spent two cocktails in the Rebecca Crown
her granddaughter to Harry Potter ter, Ellie Nelson, in May. Ellie weeks in ports on Green Bay and Library followed by dinner in the
World. Also to Omaha and Boston completed her two-year service in then crossed back to Michigan to Social Hall, and then a Sunday
to celebrate birthdays and other the Peace Corps in Jamaica. She their home port of Macatawa Bay. farewell brunch—it was all grand
special events. She continues served as a Literacy Specialist at They enjoyed the mix of exploring and great!
gardening, participating in Garden Newstead Primary School. They some new spots before heading
Club projects, volunteering at the are so proud of the work she did. to some familiar favorites. In May, Along with many Illinois class-
hospital, playing mahjong, going Suzanne and her husband had a Carol joined Marilyn Freehill mates, out-of-state classmates
to Thai Chi, and various activities wonderful visit in Jamaica with from California, New Mexico,
at church. She says, “tell all in the their daughter, celebrating their Jancewicz, Kathy Wessels Cook, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri,
class that my house (in Chatham, 30-year wedding anniversary as Vermont, Connecticut, New York,
New Jersey) is in a premium loca- well as Ellie’s close of service. Joanne Moore Kiewicz, Carol Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa,
tion—three blocks from a train and Wisconsin, Maryland, Virginia,
15 minutes from the airport—with Donna Renn made her annual Niccolai, Jeanne Rogge Steele, Pennsylvania, and Hawaii attended
plenty of room for guests.” voyage en France, renting an Pat Stephens Mitchell and Eleanor Reunion 2019—all in all sixty-one
apartment in Paris followed by a Seitter ’69 for a trip to Paxton, Illi- ’69ers had fun enjoying the week-
Sheila Matthews Gummerson float on the Dordogne and Garonne nois where Marilyn grew up. They end events.
hosted lunch in her home in Scha- Rivers to visit wine country. This all enjoyed seeing all the Freehill
umburg, Illinois, in June. Donna year, Donna explored Montmartre landmarks and driving through AND… drum roll…Our Golden
in depth, and savored a St. Emilion Amish country. Jubilee Class of ’69 Endowed
Renn, Mary White Mabus, Marita or two while in Bordeaux. She Scholarship gift to Dominican:
wonders, “Why does wine taste so Kathy Gaspers Szeszol is in her $108,625!! Thank you to everyone
Hoy Fenley, Sherry O’Connell good in France? Is it the absence third year volunteering at the who attended our 50th Reunion!
Melin and Mary Duncan Gemkow of sulfides? No! It is because one DuPage Art League, doing the art Special thanks to the University
attended. Donna reports, “I swear is in France sipping vin rouge al class schedules. She also taught a Advancement Office, especially
’68 alums are all super heroes. No fresco!” children’s four day art camp. The Melanie Dykstra; Margaret Ryze-
matter what life throws at us, we children were focused and the wski; Sararose LaGreca ’17; and
prevail. Chris Savage Corbett, Susan Bakel Cohn hosted Pam parents loved the artwork pro- Brad Taylor for their guidance,
Nicky Santi Thorson and Marilyn Boggs Menard and Suzanne duced. She tended to her garden expertise, patience and good
Freehill Jancewicz could not Engle at her home in Wichita and harvested zucchini, cucum- humor in making sure our Jubilee
attend due to illness. If any of you in April. They had a great visit, bers, and tomatoes. She enjoys Reunion was wonderful!
get together outside of reunion, enjoying good food, lots of giving extras to her daughters and
take a selfie and send it to Suzanne sightseeing, and seeing Susan’s neighbors. On to some news. We have a
and Mary, our class agents.” family. few authors from our class. Gail
1969 Donohue Storey has penned two
Nicky Santi Thorson let us know Peggy May Schrage made a trip novels, The Lord’s Motel, and
the sad news that our classmate to California in July to visit Susan Kreuz McCoyd God’s Country Club, and a memoir
Maria Maciulis Lovera passed her son, Paul, who is the Musical Class Agent titled I Promise Not to Suffer,
away on January 11. This is a very Director/Conductor for the Mid- about her Pacific Crest Trail trek
personal loss for Nicky. She and summer Mozart Festival in the Having just celebrated our 50th with husband, Porter Storey, MD.
Maria were friends since second San Francisco Bay Area. Peggy Golden Jubilee Reunion, you Peggy Garrity authored In the
grade, and Maria was godmoth- met up with Suzanne Cosimano would think there would be an Game: The Highs and Lows of a
er to one of Nicky’s sons. Our Awalt for the concert in Sonoma avalanche of news, but I did not Trailblazing Trial Lawyer. Kim
condolences to Maria’s family and at the Buena Vista Winery. go about with pen and paper. So, Smyth Roufs and her husband,
to Nicky, who has lost her good I only comment on our wonderful Timothy G. Roufs, PhD, co-au-
friend. Ann Sauer enjoyed kayaking this Reunion weekend events. thored Sweet Treats Around the
summer on the river in her home- World: An Encyclopedia of Food &
Marilyn Freehill Jancewicz town of Freeport. She also takes From Friday’s gracious cocktail Culture. Tim recently completed
continues her volunteer work at regular bike trips on the lovely reception in the lovely home of a project he has been working on
Dominican’s McGreal Center. trails near her home. She travelled President Donna Carroll to Satur- for 53 years, a three-volume col-
For leisure, she travelled with the to St. Paul, Minnesota, to visit a day’s President’s Briefing, to the lection of Native American, Paul
entire Posse to Carol Anderson friend from high school. Whenever Class of ’69 lunch and memory Buffalo’s, teachings titled “When
Kunze’s home on Lake Michigan. she can, she makes a trip to down- lane production produced and Everybody Called Me Gah-bay-
She cautions fellow ’68ers that town Chicago. directed by Kathleen Perkins, bi-nayss, “Forever-Flying Bird”: An
when the posse gathers, ideas are accompanied by Terri Cahill Ethnographic Biography of Paul
hatched so stay tuned. Carol Anderson Kunze and Mehl, technical assistant Kathryn Peter Buffalo”. Both the Smithso-
her husband, Jack, made a Kelley, and audience partici- nian and the Library of Congress
Tomi Campbell Hubert moved Door County trip, starting from pation by many classmates, the have requested copies of the
to Barrington, Illinois. She says CenterPoint Marina in Sturgeon exceptional presentation by collection.
she is the slowest person on earth Justice Mary I. Yu ’79, Alumnae/i
unpacking boxes. Mass in the chapel with Sr. Mary

Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  27 

class news

A July lunch was enjoyed by Andrew, is working in finance at “project list.” Between the farm, Marilyn Otte Mahoney retired at
Career Education Corp. She stays family, and subbing, the calendar the end of 2018 after 38 years in
Carolyn Foskett Mahoney, Carolyn in touch with Judy Gaglione Zitlow fills up. She and Don drove to family law/domestic violence. She
and celebrated Valerie Burrer Yellowstone with her sister, Susan, continues to serve on the Board
Carey Aiossa, Mary Lou Long Danek’s 70th birthday. She hoped visiting three national parks. She of Trustees in a social service
Crawford (with her 6-month-old to see Jean Zenk Tucker-Geisler and Sue took a trip to Paris and non-profit called Waypoint and
granddaughter, Grace), Eleanor this past summer too. Normandy. On the agenda is a works with their advocacy group,
Seitter and me at the Rogers Park canal trip through France with the Children’s Lobby. She also gives
home of Carolyn Aiossa’s daugh- Vicki Woodward celebrated her Yancey siblings and spouses. She her time to the Manchester YWCA
ter, Carey. Carolyn’s daughter is 70th birthday in D.C. Her son, hopes that Don will retire soon by meeting with domestic violence
a lawyer, and her son, daughter- Woody, and his family moved and enjoy more of the Wichita survivors. She says, “Overall, life
in-law and grandchildren live in there while his sister, Morgan, is museums, theater and other is good and I am in a much more
Brussels. All present, save me still with Google in San Francisco. activities. relaxed frame of mind.”
and Grace, were teachers, all Vicki and John took a cruise to
retired except Carolyn A. who still Alaska with a side trip to Denali Mary Ann Campbell Swalling had Linda Grzesiakowski Hanrath
teaches part-time. Carolyn A. and National Park. They attended the a Campbell reunion in the Katmai has been cruising the rivers. She
Michelin Paterno Lentino enjoyed Providence College mini-reunion National Park. Lots of fishing and and her husband celebrated her
lunch the next day. in Fribourg and took a river cruise hiking. It was the most members birthday with a Danube river trip,
from Basel to Amsterdam. Vicki is of her family to be with her at the sailing from Budapest to Prague,
Mary Iannucilli retired on June reveling in retirement, and hopes same time since she arrived in with stops in Bratislava and
30 after 11 years as Principal that John will “ratchet down soon Alaska 47 years ago. Vienna. Back in Chicago, they
of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin and unplug.” visited the Hamilton Exhibit. She
(CJB) Catholic School. CJB was Ruthmarie Hamburge Mitsch had is hoping to catch up with Sue
nationally recognized as a Blue Moira Donahue Murray retired a nice get together with class- Mackiewicz Sowa for lunch soon.
Ribbon School twice while under from her job in bank compliance. mates Mary Beth Kenny Murray,
her leadership (2008, 2018). After She and her husband, also a Judith Greene and Nanette Our recently retired teacher of
attending Rosary College, Mary “double Rosary graduate,” keep an Wright Maltz in Kansas City. 31 years, Anne Vonderhaar, is
joined the Sinsinawa Dominican eye on their two grandsons and Nanette and Ruthmarie met again recuperating from carpal tunnel
Sisters. manage to fit in lots of travel. She is in Naples, FL and Nanette and Bill surgery on both hands. Once
beginning her tenure as Director of travelled to London to receive a recuperated, she will be looking
Looking for updates and news of Finance on the local AAUW board. tour from Judith and her husband, for part-time work, excluding
classmates? Our PRIVATE Face- who live there. I have included Walmart greeter!
book page continues—so far there Congratulations to Nancy Sidote a homage to Sr. Jean Murray ’49
are 50 or so members. You do Salyers and her husband on their that Ruthmarie wrote. “Sister Jean Mary Anne Saal Chevalier is
need to have a Facebook account 40th wedding anniversary. She played a large role for us during retired. She regularly visits her
to see our page. We also still have keeps busy knitting, reading, and our Rosary years and long after, 95-year-old mother in Peoria. She
the BLOG https://1969rosary. is learning needlepoint. The five when she became president of the and her husband were in Raleigh,
blogspot.com/, but very few seem grandchildren keep her active as college. She was a mentor, espe- NC for a national woodturners
to access it . Other avenues: email she makes the babysitting trek to cially to those who took classes in conference, his major hobby. She
the Alumnae/i Office, alumni@ Woodstock! French literature and those who volunteers with Minds in Motion,
dom.edu or email sfmccoyd@aol. were part of the BA/MA program. an activity/support group for
com. Fifty years and counting Welcome to Peg Rohr Duran’s The Fribourg attendees knew her Alzheimer’s patients and their
Class Agent open to anyone wish- new grandson, Adam Jose, born well. We met her as Sr. Meredith caregivers. They are still involved
ing help or take over. to her son and his wife. Both she in full habit. She encouraged me with Dominican Associates with
and Jose are retired and keep busy to get my graduate degree in the Springfield Dominican sisters.
1971 trying new activities. medieval French literature. I am
grateful to have communicated Martha Kahler Van Ness, Jane
Kathy Klem Large Linda Fosnacht Siebolds, is with her until her death. She and
Class Agent officially a member of the Class of Sr. Philip Mary were guests in Heinen Schlotman, Kathy Riley
’71 (2019). She left Rosary to get our home in Bonita Springs and
Ellen Havlik Turney wrote that married and went back to get her I was deeply honored that she Ketterhagen, Cathy McGinn
“she is everything HR” at her BA in Legal Studies from Domini- made time for a former student Kinsella, Martha Larkin and
medical association job. She and can. She wrote that “it was easier in her busy schedule. I have been Colleen Colgan vacationed in
her husband have managed to at 18 than at 70” and is a very blessed by mentors, and she holds Santa Fe, NM. They toured the
travel, sailing on the Queen Mary proud college grad! She continues a special place in my life, as she Georgia O’Keefe Museum, St.
from Hamburg to NY and will to work at Chronicle Media news- does for many of our classmates.” Francis Cathedral, Loretta Chapel,
take a river trip in France Fall ’19. papers, and she and John travel to So poignant, Ruthmarie. and San Miguel Mission. The most
Both of her children are in the Mexico each year. memorable tour was of La Fonda
Chicago area. Daughter Jennifer is Hotel, and learning about the his-
a trauma surgeon studying causes Martha Yancey Hellar wrote that toric Harvey Girls. Their docent,
of gun violence, and her son, she is trying to catch up on her Pat, taught health at Rosary in
1948. They had a wonderful time

28  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019

reminiscing and making plans for
our 50th reunion, but the impetus
for the “mini-reunion” was to cele-
brate their 70th birthdays!

Many, many thanks to all who re-
sponded to my pleas for news! On
a personal note, I lost my Dad, Bill
Klem, in mid-May to bone marrow
cancer. He had a wonderful run
of 94 ½ years! Keep those cards,
letters and email changes coming!

1973 Award-Winning Educator

Lydia Colon Perera wrote: “Greet- Melissa Connelly MAT ’08, MAEA ’13 was “I am a first-generation graduate who, in spite
ings from Cusco, Peru, where I promoted to CEO at Chicago-based OneGoal, of starting high school in a truancy program,
have been living for the past 20 a nationwide coalition of teachers, students, obtained three college degrees with a 4.0 GPA,”
years. Last year, I had a group school leaders and education advocates working Melissa said. “I’m leveraging my experiences,
from the Class of 1973 and we did to close the college degree divide. Melissa took empathy, and drive to make certain my accom-
a trip to Machu Picchu together. over May 24 for Dominican alumnus Jeff Nelson plishments are not an anomaly, but the norm for
Here is a short video of our MAT ’07, a co-founder of the organization and its underserved youth across the country. ”
reunion: https://bit.ly/2XZd8f0. only CEO to date. Jeff is serving as chairman of
I am part owner of Prisma Hotel the board of directors. “Melissa is both a visionary with a gift for
near the main square and have a seeing what is possible for students and also
beautiful hacienda in the Sacred Melissa, an award-winning educator, joined a pragmatic operator with a track record of
Valley of the Incas. It’s an amazing OneGoal five years ago and for the past 2½ achieving results wherever she goes,” Jeff said.
place to visit.” years has been chief program officer. During the “Leading OneGoal over the past 12 years has
2018-2019 school year, OneGoal reached more been the greatest honor of my professional life,
1974 than 13,000 students in over 200 high schools so I am deeply grateful to be able to pass the
across six states. baton to her.”
Susan Schwarting
Class Agent

Susan Schwarting’s proposal to
pilot a meditation and mindful-
ness program for ChildServ’s
teen homes has been accepted.
The program will be based on the
Building Blocks program devel-
oped by Susan and her daughter,
Sarah Schwarting ’04, for their
business The Center for Serenity.

1975 granddaughter and still enjoys Marianne Daniels Hansel and her Clari Lucchesi Claus and her
painting. She gave Marianne husband went on Chicago Botani- husband, Jonathan, have retired to
Mary Alice Griesinger Daniels Hansel a painting for her cal Gardens’ tour of private homes Gettysburg, Virginia.
Class Agent living room of all types of birds and gardens in Ireland. In the fall,
since Marianne loves birds. they will cruise the Greek Islands. Jillann Gabrielle is living in Crys-
Mary Greey Hickman visit- tal Lake, Illinois, and performs one
ed Chicago from her home in Judy Hansel Keeley and husband, Debbie Basile Fitzsimmons and woman shows as famous actress-
Shippensburg, PA. We met at John, daughter, Shannon ’18, and her husband, Richard, celebrated es. In August, she performed as
Marianne Daniels Hansel’s home. son, Andrew, took a cruise along their wedding anniversary and her Hedda Hopper.
the coast of Norway. They traveled retirement in Hawaii, where they
Debbie Basile Fitzsimons, Sherri into the Arctic Circle and enjoyed honeymooned. Elizabeth Dugan is still working
fresh seafood. After the cruise, on her genealogy—she is working
Burke, Kate Coulihan Ficke, they flew to Stockholm where Debbie Wielgot Schmalholz has her way through Ireland to find
Judy’s grandfather lived before he a granddaughter and most of her her Dugan relatives.
Betty Dugan, Judy Hansel Keeley, came to America. time is spent with “Princess Penny”.
Gera-Lind Kolarik and I were
in attendance. Mary has a new

Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  29 

class news

Historic Trustee Election along with being faculty at the I’m also glad that so many were
Columbia International Universi- willing to share of their treasure
Fanny Y. Lopez-Benitez ’11, Title V project manager and adjunct ty School of Business. I will also as well as themselves. Our class
professor at Dominican University, was elected a trustee for the teach a business course at Co- gift came in at $62,125. This
Village of Hanover Park. Fanny is the first formerly undocumented lumbia College, a women’s liberal represents a participation rate of
Mexican immigrant woman to serve as a trustee for the village and, arts college. This is a bit of ironic 14% and reflects a very generous
at age 29, the youngest woman to be elected. déjà vu in that when I arrived at gift of $40,000 by Kevin Killips,
Rosary, it was still transitioning who gave the full amount of his
Fanny was part of the “Together for Hanover Park” slate with to co-ed. In some classes, I was proposed match, even though the
fellow Dominican graduate Roberto Sepulveda MBA ’10. In its en- the only man. Having been raised rest of us were able to reach only a
dorsement, the Daily Herald praised Fanny as a “public policy expert with brothers and having attended little more than half of that target.
and community organizer who would bring a fresh perspective to an all-male high school, I was quite Don’t forget that this $62,125
the board.” awkward. Thankfully, the Domin- will get doubled by a donor to the
ican Sisters and the ladies at Learning Commons. By the time
Fanny has always expressed pride in her immigrant experience Rosary were very kind and some of our next reunion, we’ll be seeing
and has been civically engaged since her childhood. “I crossed the of my best memories are of my students served in a renovated
border with my mother and sister to reunite with my father in Illinois time there. One would think that space with our class commem-
at age 13,” Fanny said. “I started doing community organizing in after being married for forty years, orated via a plaque citing our
2008 as an undocumented youth in both Chicago and the North- having raised a daughter and hav- contribution.
west suburbs because I was liberated and realized that my voice has ing been the source of countless
power.” embarrassments to her, and now More news from reunion and
granddaughters, I would have a beyond:
Alicia McNamara-Grott went to 1977 deeper insight into women. Truth
Provence, France, to sample the be told, I feel as awkward as ever Bridget & Joe Cortina missed
food and smell the lavender. Dominic Calabrese won the 2019 in a class of women once again. I the reunion and sent regrets,
Lifetime Achievement Award from can only hope that the faculty and “We moved from the two homes
I went to Spain in March—saw the Publicity Club of Chicago for ladies of Columbia College will be we owned into a brand new one
Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba and his professional accomplishments, as kind as the Sisters and ladies near Naples, Florida. Then I was
Seville. It was a small, tour group, which include rising to Senior of Rosary.” called early for a total right knee
which luckily, were all my age and Vice President in Public Relations replacement and had a total left
walking ability (not much) since at The Chicago Lighthouse and 1979 knee replacement on August 1st.
the streets in Spain are mostly establishing a scholarship for We moved Joe’s 86-year-old mom
cobblestones. The highlight of the students at his high school alma Hilary Ward Schnadt from Illinois to our new home
trip was a three-hour tour of the mater. Class Agent in Florida. Suffice to say we are
Prado in Madrid. Also got addicted swamped with things to do.” We’ll
to sangria. I want to go back and 1978 I am still basking in the memories hope to see them at our next
see Barcelona on the next trip. of our 40th Class Reunion. Helen reunion and I’ll hope to stage a
JP Mililli, father of Ashley Mililli Hollerich summed up my feelings group photo of all the ’79ers with
I look forward to seeing all of you DiGiorgio ’06, wrote: “I carry on as well as her own when she new knees forming a kick line.
at reunion in June 2020. If you with my second career and wrote: “Now that I’m home from From the conversations I heard,
have any news please email me at continue with my doctoral studies Reunion Weekend I’ve had time we could field quite a group of
[email protected] to reflect. Reunion Weekend was “RoCoettes”.
truly remarkable—the best one
yet! A time of hugs and greetings, Kathy Petrie Heskin helped to
laughter and joy, apologies and coordinate the “Women & Water
forgiveness, revelation and accep- Coming Together Symposium” in
tance, hope and renewal. So many August at Lac Courte Oreilles, WI.
stories and memories shared. A Classmates may remember the
truly remarkable weekend! Thanks October 2018 talk that she gave
to those who were hesitant to at Dominican with a Native Ameri-
come but took the risk, those who can Water Walker, with whom she
haven’t come in a long time but is continuing to collaborate on
returned, and those who return issues of sustainability and Native
every five years without fail. American spirituality.
You all make this a special time!
Whether I knew you well or not, Petra Horst is updating the
you all enrich my life. I’m so proud exterior of her Victorian home
to be a part of the Class of ’79!” in Stoughton, WI. She intends
to keep the same painted lady

30  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019

“I’m leveraging my experiences, empathy, and drive to make
certain my accomplishments are not an anomaly, but the norm for

underserved youth across the country. ”

Melissa Connelly MAT ’08, MAEA ’13

“pumpkin” theme of orange and Memorial Foundation, where she through November at Metropolis Alumni, Patty Rubino Williams,
green. She also told me that her has served for nearly 20 years. in Arlington Heights. I will present Lori Davies, and Lori Sagan
mother graduated with a library Before that, she was Program a Reader’s Theatre version of a Christensen.”
science degree at the same com- Director at Chicago Foundation new play by fellow Rosary grad,
mencement ceremony in 1979 in for Women. Her son Gareth, a Catherine Sweitzer ’73, The Wed- 1989
which we graduated. recent grad of Loyola University ding Box. I directed this fashion
School of Business, is an aspiring show within a play for the Italian Garett Auriemma
Karen Allegra (under the pseud- hip-hop artist, producer, and radio American Theatre of Chicago, which Class Agent
onym Keziah Frost) published host. Now that tuition payments took place on September 8th. ”
her second novel, Getting Rid of are a thing of the past, Nan looks Hi, all! I’m so happy to be serving
Mabel. Good going! forward to adventurous travels. Finally, I am sorry to report that as our new Class Agent, and I
research conducted by Laura Graf look forward to sharing all of your
Teresa Anderson Shultz wrote: Hugh F. Toner III is now a “triple Holden and Helen Hollerich and news.
“I really enjoyed reconnecting alumnus” of Dominican University. subsequently confirmed by the
with classmates at the reunion. It He completed his MA in Conflict Alumni Office, has uncovered that Brenda Groeper MAT ’01 and
felt like everyone was sharing life Resolution in spring of 2019 and we lost another classmate last fall. I were joined by Laura Brown
experiences on a deeper level. The had earned his MBA from DU in Vickie L. Reeves passed away in
friends I made at Rosary are truly 1987. Still working as a criminal Greenfield, IN on November 16, Schmuck MAT ’07, Michelle
special! I’m still living in Chicago defense lawyer in Peoria, he hopes 2018. May she rest in peace.
near Wrigley Field (Yes, I was to put those sharpened skills to Burns, Jeff Deyoung, Korin Heinz
raised a Cub fan) and teaching regular use. He is also pleased that Reach me at hwschnadt@ucenter. and John Quatto as we celebrated
the State of Illinois Preschool for his son will start law school this org or also now at hwschnadt@ our 30th Rosary College reunion.
All program in an Archdiocesan summer, 40 years after Hugh did. gmail.com. It’s hard to believe it’s been 30
school. Not ready to retire yet. My years since we walked across the
big news is a new granddaughter, It was fun to see Rev. Anne 1980 Cloister Walk for Candle and Rose.
Eleanor, who was born on Valen- Campbell Williamson at the Brenda and I are celebrating our
tine’s Day and joins her big sister reunion after not seeing her since Linda Rohde 25th anniversary. Brenda is now in
Lorelei, who is 3 years old. I love our alumni trip to London in 1997. Class Agent her 21st year teaching Social Sci-
being a grandma, although I am While she is currently ministering ences in Berwyn, IL, while I am in
the ‘far away’ grandma who travels in New Hampshire, she recently Plans for our 40th reunion are my sixth year as Director of Com-
to Georgia every chance I get. My returned to England to celebrate starting. If you’re interested in munications and Development
son still lives in Chicago. I met up her son’s new graduate degree helping or have suggestions, for the National Anti-Vivisection
with my big sister, Carol Anderson and his thirtieth birthday. She please get in touch with me. Your Society. Our son, Evan, is a junior
Kunze ’68, at the reunion. Thanks wrote, “I so enjoyed the reunion, planning committee is open to just at Fenwick High School, and our
again to all the reunion committee reconnecting with old friends, about anything! daughter, Rowan, is in eighth
members who worked so hard to sharing stories of RoCo and the grade. I traveled with Evan and
make the reunion a success. To last 40 years. I am grateful to 1983 the other members of the Fenwick
our classmates who could not make Mary Raleigh for her hospitality Band and Choir for a performance
it this year, please keep in touch on Friday evening, and for all the Judy Maurino Abraham said “I am tour across Hungary, the Czech
and come to the next reunion—we events on Saturday. One of the a 2 Term Trustee for the Village Republic and Austria. I had the
would love to see you!” highlights was hearing Mary Yu of Broadview. My daughter, Tea honor of seeing these amazing
tell her story, from growing up Rose, is a 2018 graduate of Fen- instrumentalists and vocalists
Let me echo her thanks to all who on the South Side of Chicago to wick HS, and is attending Illinois perform at the Danube Palace in
helped plan our reunion, including serving on the Supreme Court of College and on the Women’s Budapest, at the Hlahol Music Hall
Washington State – awesome! I Basketball Team.” in Prague and, most impressively,
Sue Junkroski, Robin Nystrom, am grateful to have been able to at the Minoritenkirche, a nearly
join those who gathered, and I am 1985 700-year-old Gothic church in
Jim Twist, Hugh Toner, Helen still thinking of those who were Vienna.
absent. A great weekend—thank Lori Fisk-Conners
Hollerich, Nancy Greco, Nan Silva, you.” Class Agent Laura Brown Schmuck is now
in her 14th year of teaching high
Mary Raleigh, Rick Wilk, Gus Nancy Greco is having a busy Lori Fisk-Conners submitted, school French in Orland Park, IL.
Simpson Archer, and Kathleen summer & fall: “I began my role as “Had an amazing time at She notes that her husband, Ron,
Williams. Mary Yu shared an in- understudy in Over the Tavern at the wedding for Lori Sagan “will be retiring from the Chicago
spiring story. Robin built our own Theatre at the Center in Munster, Christensen’s son, David, and his Police Department, so I need to
blog. Helen created some fabulous IN in July. I also began rehearsals lovely bride, Christina. Wonderful figure out my next steps because
videos and Mary Raleigh again as Mrs. Harcourt for Anything visiting with my fellow Rosary I don’t want to work while he is
opened her home to us. Goes, which runs September retired.” Her son, Christian, is a
2nd Lieutenant in the Marine
Nan Silva was very much missed Corps and has begun training
at the reunion when an ill-timed
flu bug kept her away. Nan is
Program Director at Community

Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  31 

class news

on helicopters. Her daughter, graduated from Desoto, and as an Other Heroine and Hero by Ardella Anderson Wosneski
Hannah, received her BA in Film obtained her Beauticians license. the IWF South Africa as they cel- wrote, “I moved from San Antonio,
from the University of Missouri. In She will be attending Prairie View ebrated the Silver Anniversary of Texas, to Phoenix, Arizona where
her spare time, Laura takes part A&M University and majoring in Freedom from Apartheid. The or- there are Portillo’s and Lou Malna-
in competitive dance and fitness Business Marketing.” ganization stated, “We thank Lau- ti’s! I completed an Executive
activities. ra for her continued contribution Education Certificate in Manage-
JoAnn Mizgajska Cassell wrote: to this global legacy and linking us rial Leadership at the University of
Korin Heinz teaches French at “Just finished a goal of running to our sister Forum. Laura, Ernst & Texas. On April 27, 2019, I married
Fenwick High School. She lives a marathon in every state. 50 Young former Shareholder/Owner my husband, Adam Wosneski. I
in Elmhurst, has taken student marathons in 50 states before I & Senior Partner, Chairman & was fortunate to have so many
groups to France and is active turn 50. Otherwise living the life Owner of Bioss North America Dominican alumnae present
in ballet. She has two awesome as an entrepreneur, wife and mom is a former leader in IWF South including Bernadette “Deco”
stepdaughters, Zoe and Phoebe, to two wonderful ladies!” Africa and a current member of Stepnowski Freeman ’79 (and
in high school. Korin had the our Carolinas Forum and Board of my cousin!), Chrissie Lukuch
opportunity to go on a Domini- Jennifer Sutton Granvold wrote: Directors.” Antonoplos, Susanne Hufnagel,
can pilgrimage to southwestern “A lot of milestones this year. Bronwyn Clark McDaniel, and
France. 20th wedding anniversary. The James T. Struck wrote: “I discov- Heidi Beucher Shimko.”
twins graduated HS—and both ered two Islands in Lake Victoria,
Betsy Birmingham, her husband, head to Texas Tech in the fall. Can Africa. On some maps, north of an 2002
Kevin Brooks, and the youngest I just say, super proud parents? island Ukerewe Island there is an
three of their five children relocat- We enjoyed a Tour of Italia in June unnamed island. Also northeast of Maria Salerno Conforti and
ed to Thunder Bay, Canada. to celebrate. 26 years with Insight Bumbire Island on the west side of Debbie Stewart Carollo
Betsy is Dean of Social Sciences and I am still loving the IT world; Lake Victoria there is an unnamed Class Agents
and Humanities at Lakehead especially the eCommerce work island too. These two new African
University. I currently do. And I am officially islands might have names, but are Christopher Albrecht married
Over-The-Hill this year and look- not on the maps.” Mary Kate Mulkerrin at St.
Kimberly Long-Cullen shares ing forward to that AARP card!” Michael in the Old Town neigh-
that she too has wonderful mem- 1999 borhood of Chicago. Chris works
ories from her time at Rosary and Willis Lamont McGee MBA ’94 as an IT Project Manager for UBS.
that her daughter is now looking was inducted into the Dominican Kara Green Hanak and Christy Mary Kate is a Marketing Analyst
at it after she completes her senior University Athletics Hall of Fame. for Annalect.
year of high school. Kimberly Willis ranks seventh on the men’s Miklautsch Gumbach
recently joined the, multinational basketball all-time scoring list Class Agents 2003
organization CultureIQ, Inc. as (1,452 points). Throughout his
their General Counsel and Data career, McGee was a three-time Sr. Kimberly Prohaska was Mary Sobczak Minster and
Privacy Officer. all-conference selection and appointed acting Administrator Yvette Vazquez Pratt
two-time NAIA All-Chicagoland of St. Scholastica Monastery. She Class Agents
If you’d like to keep in touch, honoree. celebrated her Silver Jubilee of
please be sure to join our “Rosary monastic profession in 2018 and Amanda Bohne successfully
College Class of 1989” Facebook 1994 currently serves as sub prioress defended her doctoral dissertation,
group. It’s a closed group, but you and vocation director. “Managing Death: Women’s
can find the page and request to Kelly McEnery Donlevy was Networks of Private and Civic
join! inducted into the Dominican 2001 Responsibility in Medieval En-
University Athletics Hall of Fame. gland,” in the English Department
1992 Kelly was a member of the Rosary Ali Hecimovich at the University of Notre Dame.
women’s volleyball program from Class Agent
Melissa Mascari Santo Pietro 1990-1993, earning All-America 2005
Class Agent honorable mention honors and Artist Dan Zamudio, his wife, Julie
All-Region First Team honors as a Sulzen, and their children have Tory Kathrein Theodossopoulos
Tammy Wronski joined the 1000 senior in 1993. renovated the Wold Airbrush Fac- and Katrina Prorok Arthur
book club this year! tory in Logan Square to combine Class Agents
1996 their home and work: the Sulzen
James Loftis submitted, “Daugh- Fine Art Studio and gallery. Their Tory Theodossopoulos had her
ter Karly graduated from Desoto Jennifer Utterback Davis home has become both their living third baby boy on June 30, 2019.
High School, and received her Class Agent space and gallery displaying both
Associates degree from Cedar their own work and the work of Katrina Prorok Arthur is carrying
Valley Community College. Karly is Laura Machaba Abiodun’s father, other artists. on her family’s legacy as Oper-
now at Texas Southern University Peter Kgabo Selepe, was honored ations Manager for their Tavern
and wants to be a Veterinarian.
My other daughter, Kelly, also

32  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019

which recently celebrated its 75th Big Ambitions from GOLD Award Winner 2009
anniversary in 2018. She currently
resides in Palatine with her hus- Jeanette Chavarria-Torres ’15 started her construction-hauling Lindsay Buoniconti and Shannon
band, Jon. company five years ago at the age of 22—when she was still a senior
at Dominican. She was inspired by her father, a Mexican immigrant Sromek Hickey
Please contact Katrina at katrina. who lost his trucking business during the Great Recession. Class Agents
[email protected] to be includ-
ed in future class updates. With her father’s experience in mind, Jeanette was determined to Michelle Behnke Chambers
build a business of her own. “That’s when my dream started,” she says. stated, “In 2018, I set up my own
2006 “When my dad’s business was taken away, it became my dream.” business called The Best You. I
mentor children and adults to
Annie Hughes Halsema and Jeanette is the President and CEO of DCH Construction & Haul- get rid of negative thoughts and
Diane Schultz Meske ing, which has grown from $50,000 in revenue to over $1.3 million. self-limiting beliefs, and put
Class Agents She was recently presented with the GOLD Award from Dominican positive affirmations and self-love
University and was on campus to accept the honor. The GOLD Award mantras in their place. I helped
Christine Gloriosa Nogal and recognizes an outstanding Graduate of the Last Decade who has co-author a book sharing my
her husband welcomed their third shown leadership in a career or occupation. story, and it is a #1 best seller on
baby, Brooke Patricia. Big brother Amazon. Dominican has given me
and sister are very excited about Jeanette has big ambitions for the future. “In five years, I want so much and I’m glad I can give
the new addition! Christine is DCH to be one of the major women-owned trucking businesses in the back to others!”
the Director of Marketing at the Chicago area.”
Arthroscopy Association of North 2010
America and the Chair of the CAE Angela Frys Murphey and Brian boy, Francisco Richard Sullivan
Committee at the Association Murphey were married on May 25, aka “Frankie.” Frankie was born on Ann Hussey Bala and Michelle
Forum. 2019, in Rosemont, IL. January 19, and weighed 7 lbs.
9 oz., 20 inches. Schultz
2007 Brandon Robinson and Crystal Class Agents
Williams Robinson tied the knot Mary Hansen Pakosta is the head
Stephanie Lieberman, Mark in St. Louis, MO. Friends Laura coach for the girls’ varsity vol- Megan Vaccaro was inducted into
Carbonara, and Stephanie Adams leyball team at Riverside-Brook- the Dominican University Athlet-
Taylor Munoz, Lissa Ortega, Angela field High School. After playing ics Hall of Fame. Megan is only
Class Agents Solis-Sullivan, and Rich Sullivan Division III college volleyball at individual cross-country cham-
attended the nuptials. Brandon Dominican, Mary embarked on her pion in school history (2008).
Librarian Michael Jay Dubensky and Crystal happily call Chicago professional career as a teacher Following her graduation in 2010,
performed four piano recitals at their home. and coach. She teaches social Vaccaro returned to the program
the Blackstone and Sulzer region- studies at Freedom Middle School as an assistant coach before be-
al branches of Chicago Public College sweethearts Angela So- in Berwyn. coming head coach in 2015.
Library during the 2018/19 year. lis-Sullivan and Rich Sullivan be-
came parents to a beautiful baby 2011
Cristina Crispino Bertolli
appeared on the TLC reality Jaron Salazar and Fanny Y.
television show “sMothered.” The
show focuses on close mother and Lopez-Benitez
daughter relationships. Cristina is Class Agents
a stay-at-home mom and teaches
dance lessons at the Turning Point Michael Kapusta was inducted
in Elmwood Park. into the Dominican University
Athletics Hall of Fame. Michael
2008 was a member of the men’s soccer
program from 2007-2010, helping
Catherine Calixto and Eileen Dominican make a run to the
Terrien national semifinal match in 2009.
Class Agents Michael was named NACC Offen-
sive Player of the Year, Defensive
Emily Marxer and Joe Piatkiewicz Player of the Year and Freshman
’10 welcomed Eloise Rose Piat- of the Year.
kiewicz on January 3, 2019! Their
hearts are hers.

Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  33 

class news

2012 2013 2017 A.C. Buehler Library at Elmhurst
College. She began her career
Ali Messina Karla Bayas, Marco Rodriguez, Matthias Witteman, Charlie at Saint Xavier University and
Class Agent Spry, Anna Derkacz, and Alyssa Northwestern University before
and Molly Brauer Domico arriving at Elmhurst in 1997.
Matthew McCabe was chosen a Class Agents Class Agents
Neubauer Civic Scholar for the Colleen Waltman MLIS ’95 is
University of Chicago’s Booth Molly Brauer is the Assistant Director Lisa Badger states, “I ran a the new Executive Director of the
MBA program. Six leaders from for Administration in the University successful political campaign Homewood Public Library. Previ-
the nonprofit sector are selected Memorial Center at CU Boulder. recently, and was elected to the ously she was the director of Blue
each year for a full-tuition schol- Springfield Park District Board of Island Public Library.
arship to the weekend MBA pro- Emily Mahoney was inducted Trustees. This is concurrent with
gram. “I’ll continue in my role as into the Dominican University my professional position on the Claire Dougherty Stewart MLIS
Chief of Staff for Noble Schools in Athletics Hall of Fame. Emily put staff of Illinois State Treasurer Mi- ’99 is the Dean of libraries at the
Chicago where I lead strategy and together one of the most dominant chael Frerichs, amongst other civic University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
policy work for our 18 public high single seasons in Dominican’s duties I hold. I’m a proud DU alum.” She was previously the Associate
schools serving 12,000 students. history, posting a 21-8 mark as a University Librarian for Research
I was a teacher at Noble and in pitcher on the softball diamond in 2018 and Learning at the University of
Chicago Public Schools while I 2013. Over the course of four sea- Minnesota.
earned my MAT degree.” sons, Emily amassed 533 career Kaitlyn Ashner
strikeouts, 60 more than any other Class Agent Susan Frankino Reynders MLIS
pitcher in program history. ’03 is the Executive Director at the
Annika Strolle competed at the Mount Prospect Public Library.
Celebrating a ‘Distinguished Teacher’ Miss Illinois 2019 Scholarship Previously, she served as Execu-
Competition. She was a finalist for tive Director at the Lincolnwood
In early July, Jeremy Robinson MAT ’09 was recognized as a Distin- the Quality of Life Scholarship, Public Library for seven years.
guished Teacher—a newly-created program by The Noble Network given to the candidate who exem-
of Charter Schools in Chicago. A Rhodes Scholar, Jeremy is an plifies volunteerism. Annika was Lauren Moser Rosenthal MLIS ’08
English teacher at Noble’s Rauner College Prep. honored to be the third runner-up was named Director of the Fox
to Miss Illinois. Through the Miss River Valley Public Library District.
After graduating from Dominican, Jeremy spent two years with America Organization, Annika She joined the Fox River Valley
Teach For America before eventually beginning his career at Rauner promotes her personal platform Public Library District staff in 2014.
College Prep. The Distinguished Teacher program provides an “Take the L.E.A.P: Making Moves
industry-changing approach to celebrating and rewarding teachers towards Making Music,” shares her Brie Montoya Martin MLIS ’16
who are achieving an exceptional impact with students. love of Scottish dancing, and trav- and her husband Dylan purchased
els the state promoting creativity the Southern Oregon Spartans, a
“Being named a Distinguished Teacher has immediately become and positivity. junior ice hockey team that plays
one of the highlights of my 13-year career in education,” Jeremy in the Western States Hockey
said. “In a world that frequently forgets to value the educators that 2019 League (WSHL). She serves as
strive, often selflessly, to raise and nurture its children, my status the team’s President and game
as a Distinguished Teacher unambiguously convinces me that I Crystal Medrano and Gianna day Events Manager.
matter. It shows me, in a very concrete way, that the exceptional Rosa
work I strive to accomplish with my students is not merely noticed Class Agents School of
but honored.” Education
Armani Brockman participated in
the Borderlands Alternative Break Karen Rubel MAEA ’95 was
Immersion in 2019. She traveled named President and CEO of
to Tijuana, Mexico to build homes Nathan Adelson Hospice, the larg-
and learn about communities near est and only non-profit hospice in
the border. Southern Nevada. She has been
with the organization for over 12
Graduate Alumnae/i years, and previously served as
Class News Chief Operating Officer and Vice
President for Development.
School of
Information Studies

After 22 years in the position,
Susan Swords Steffen MALS
’76 retired as the Director of the

34  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019

scrapbook

1. Angela Solis-Sullivan ’08 1 2
and Rich Sullivan ’08 became 3 3
parents to Francisco Richard
Sullivan “Frankie” on January 19, 4
2019.
7
2. Ardella Anderson Wosneski
’01 married Adam Wosneski
on April 29, 2019. Several
Dominican alumnae attended.

3. Crystal Williams Robinson ’08
married Brandon Robinson in St.
Louis, MO.

4. Dominic Calabrese ’77 won the
2019 Lifetime Achievement
Award from the Publicity Club of
Chicago.

5. JoAnn Mizgajska Cassell ’92
achieved her goal of running 50
marathons in 50 states before
turning 50.

6. Marilynn Macku Halasz ’59
checked an item off her bucket
list by going to the top of the
Willis Tower and standing on the
ledge!

7. Dominican hosted the inaugural
GOLD Reunion on August 16,
2019. Many alumnae/i from
the classes of 2009-2019
reconnected for cocktails on
campus.

5
6

Dominican Magazine FALL 2019  35 

THE LORD IS CLOSE TO THE BROKENHEARTED AND SAVES THOSE WHO ARE CRUSHED IN SPIRIT

PSALM 34:18

in sympathy

Alumnae/i Mary Rathbun ’76 Grandparent of University Friends
Patricia Farmer Leahy ’77 Dorothy Mims ’18 Marilynn Alsdorf
Isabelle Naughten O’Hearn ’37 Elizabeth Michaud Beheshti MFA ’78 Sr. Marise Barry, OP
Barbara Humes Cook ’43 Regina Gustafson McCord MALS ’78 Parent of Paul Faherty
Virginia Roman Thomas ’43 Virginia Serio Lombardi ’79 Sr. Jeremiah Farrell, OP
Marie Lennertz Ehrsam ’45 Vickie Reeves ’79 Daniel Anderson * Georgie Anne Geyer (MHS)
Virginia Garrahan Kelleher ’46 Patricia Hanlon MALS ’81 Tracy Caldwell * Deborah Masters
Edwina McDonald ’46 Sr. Mary Leahy, SP MBA ’81 John Jenks * Fr. James Michaletz, CSV
Elizabeth Wager Foreman ’47 Ronald Stoner MALIS ’84 Bronwyn Jurkowski ’08 Colette O’Malley Pollock +
Rosemary Patterson Johansson ’48 Gregory Miller MALIS ’90 Conan Jurkowski ’06 Harrison Steans
Mary Alyce Greenan Ferstel ’49 Sr. Patricia Dolan, OP, MALIS ’91 Odin Jurkowski MLIS ’94 George Stewart Jr.
Sr. Jean C. Murray, OP ’49 (FS) + Irene Konwerski Ruffner ’92, Orion Jurkowski MLIS ’97
Yvonne Loubiere Biagiarelli ’50 Kevin Morency ^ + Former Trustee
Jean Holmberg Brokamp ’50 MBA ’94 Richard Morency ^ (T) Current Trustee
Donna Sheehan Feeley ’50 Jill Saraceno Franklin MSPED ’01 Adrien Robinson ’79 * Staff/Faculty member
Jean Dougherty Quigley ’50 Judith Ball ’02 Judy Purvin Scully ’66 + ** Student
Kathleen Ann Ostrander Jakel Jacqueline Lundquist Henry MLIS ’07 Andrew Smith ^ ^� Friend
Kim Crook Kelly MSPED ’14 Debra Stachon ’98, MSEd ’01 * (FS) Founding Sister
MALS ’51 Angela Lombardi Stranges ’84 (MHS) Mazzuchelli Heritage Society
Barbara Kelly ’51 (MHS) Current Student Crystal Smith Vasquez MBA ’93 + (NGA) Non-graduating Alumna
Joan Marie Moynagh MFA ’51 Steven Follenweider Geralynn Walsh ’84, MBA ’90
Kathleen Auer Powers ’51
Constance Barbantini ’52 (MHS) Family member of Sibling of
Diana Alfini Gust ’52
Loretta Hosty Morency ’52 (MHS) Margaret Abu-Taleb ^ Maureen Kelly Bransfield ’58 +
Colette Malecki Wheeler ’52 Mary Lou Alfini ’57 Marion Casey ’52
Miriam Gruber Inskeep ’53 Peter Alonzi * Anthony Cuccia ^
Gloria Ruffin Walsh ’53 Anthony Barbato ^ Elizabeth Gearen Fischer ^
Alice Carney Joyce ’54 Pier Borra ^ + Margaret Leahy Frederick ’67
Jeanne O’Connor ’55 Renee Durand Borra ’64 John Gearen Jr. ^
Rita Cleary Smith ’57 (MHS) Judith Zurek Cisco ’76 Paul Gearen +
Dorothy Davis Grant ’58 Mary Jo Grill ’96 Loretta Brodnicki Kalina ’48
Kathleen McKeown ’58 Francine Harvalis MSPED ’00 Steven Saraceno MBA ’90
Barbara Simon Winfree ’58 (MHS) Helga Wenzel Humes ’94 Helen Hosty Stout ’61
Sr. Vanna Rauth, OP ’59 Elizabeth King Jurkowski ’04 Fr. Richard Woods, OP *
Annette DiGrazia Allison ’60 Emma Mims ’07 *
Mary Ann Kelly McCabe ’60 Paula Morency ^ Spouse of
Rosalind Cigan ’61 David Murray MBA ’84
Sr. Mary Kay Connell, OP ’61 Sheila Murray ^ Joan Lauerman Alfredson ’56
Sr. Patricia Miller, OP ’62 Claire Noonan * Dawn Heller MALS ’66
Jill Ongemach Cass ’63, MALS ’64 Heather Cassin Opolony ’05 Myra Jachman Hoecker ’62
Mary Feeley Ostrem ’48 Marsha Holden MALIS ’93
(MHS) Constance Harvalis Pawlowski ’71, Merry Heineck Kipp ’73
Dorie Farrell Ivey ’64 Julie-Anne Post Kress ’55
Veronica Gull Jachim ’64 MSPED ’91 Eileen Loechel ’78
Eileen Hirschenberger George ’65 Barbara Tucker Philipps ’65 Andrew McKenna ^
Rita Casey Travers ’65 Kathleen Redmond * Mary Feeley Ostrem ’48
Susan Surette Bergheger ’68 Delmor Thurman ’80 Joan Zurek Phelan ’56
Margaret Kloempken Chandler ’69 Laura Powers Thurman ’81 Sharon Evans Pikul ’78
Inez Ringland ’71, MALS ’72 Margaret Tucker MFA ’75 Karrie Sim MLIS ’19 *
Mary Pat Andrea ’72 Helen Hosty Stout ’61

36  Dominican Magazine FALL 2019

June 7-9, 2019 brought back nearly 250 The Class of 1979 gathered for a group photo during Alumni Weekend.
alumnae/i to our beautiful Dominican campus The Class of 1969 presented a historic reunion gift for scholarships.
for Alumnae/i Weekend. Highlights included:

An informative university update from President Donna
Carroll, where she announced the successful completion of

the $76 million Powerful Promise campaign.

An endowment to date of a record-breaking
$108,625 scholarship by the Class of 1969.

A historic $61,125 40th Reunion gift to the Learning
Commons, raised by the Class of 1979, in response to a

challenge from classmate and former chairman of
the Dominican Board of Trustees, Kevin Killips.

Their combined giving will be matched by an anonymous
Powerful Promise Campaign donor.

An inspiring presentation by the Honorable Mary Yu ’79
on her path from first-generation Rosary graduate to

Washington State Supreme Court Justice.
She was joined by Dr. Barrington Price, Vice President

for Student Success and Engagement, who
discussed how his division is ensuring that students

are prepared for life beyond graduation.

The honoring of two distinguished alumnae with the
presentation of the Caritas Veritas Award to Eileen
Willenborg ’69 and the O’Keefe Outstanding Volunteer
Achievement Award to Susan Kreuz McCoyd ’69.

Susan Kreuz McCoyd ‘69 received the Young Alumnae/i reconnecting during the Crown Library cocktail hour
O’Keefe Award from Donna Carroll.

Where Learning Demands More

7900 W. Division Street
River Forest, Illinois 60305
dom.edu

OUR MISSION PMJBEE11/1931M
As a Sinsinawa Dominican–sponsored institution, Dominican University
prepares students to pursue truth, to give compassionate service and
to participate in the creation of a more just and humane world.

For a full schedule, visit Michael Eric Dyson, PhD
events.dom.edu

Sr. Helen Prejean Steep Canyon Rangers 40th Anniversary Trustee
Concert & Gala
Mazzuchelli Lecture January 11, 2020, 7:30 p.m.
November 4, 2019, 7:00 p.m. Audra McDonald
Michael Eric Dyson, PhD March 14, 2020, 5 p.m.
9 to 5 the Musical
What Truth Sounds Like Donald Goergen, OP, PhD
November 15-17, 2019 February 11, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Kennedy Lecture and Dinner
Sunday, 3:00 p.m. We Shall Overcome March 25, 2020, 5:00 p.m.

President’s Holiday Featuring Damien Sneed
Concert February 15, 2020, 7:30 p.m.

Rockapella
December 6, 2019, 7:30 p.m.

Rockapella