STA`s New Headmaster - Saint Thomas Academy

Saber
Saint Thomas Academy
summer 2014
Cover Story
STA’s New
Headmaster
Pictured with wife, Meghan,
and children Abigail and Alex,
Matthew Mohs ’90 takes the
helm of Saint Thomas Academy.
Chairman Update
A new milestone, a new leader
S
aint Thomas Academy, founded in 1885, has a long
been accomplished and with even greater promise for the
and distinguished history of heads of school, with
future. We are already enjoying the benefits of first-class
28 serving in that time. While the title has changed over
facilities with the success of our Defining Moment Campaign,
time, from founder to rector, president to principal, and finally
and the opening of Vincent J. Flynn Hall, a place for everyone
headmaster, the function of the leader for the school has
in the STA community, from athletics to arts, music and
remained the same — to oversee the education of young men,
classrooms. We have also launched our five-year strategic
the next generation of leaders.
plan that will shape and strengthen STA and our mission
On July 1st, we marked a new milestone in our 128 years
for the future.
I thank our entire STA community for your support
of Academy history, when the first alumnus of this institution
was hired as headmaster.
throughout and for your continued support of Matt and Saint
It is remarkable when you consider that more than
Thomas Academy as we enter our 129th year. I would also like
14,000 cadets have graduated from this school, but not
to express my extreme gratitude to our Board of Trustees and
surprising when you understand why he chose to return.
to the members of our Search Committee, Mike Ciresi ’74,
Our Board of Trustees search committee spent almost a year,
Chris Cox ’70, Rev. Dennis Dease, Amy Goldman, Marianne
working with a national search firm, looking for
a new headmaster. And, in the end, the best
Short, faculty member Kevin Zenner and immediate past chairs
Tom Schreier, Jr. ’80 and Rick Anderson ’80, who together
person was “one of our own.” Matthew C.
worked tirelessly to ensure we selected the right candidate for
Mohs ’90 is equally excited to be here, and
headmaster, and whose experience and wisdom throughout
as he stated when he first accepted the
were unparalleled. I thank Dr. Mich for his leadership and vision
position, “this is the only job I would leave
that helped the Academy become what it is today, an
my current position for. I attribute a great
institution of great strength, well positioned for our newest
deal of my success to what STA
headmaster. You were the right leader at the right time.
has done for me.”
On behalf of the STA Board of Trustees and employees,
Matt is succeeding
please join us in welcoming Matt “back home.”
Dr. Thomas Mich after
10 years as headmaster
Jim Kolar ’80
at a time when much has
Chairman, Board of Trustees
FEATURES
1
21
STA’s New Headmaster
Alumnus Profile:
Steve Norton ’96
iN EVERY ISSUE
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21
8 Academy News
18 Advancement News
22 Alumni News
27 Class Notes
It is our mission to help each student
discover and develop his potential talents
and abilities by providing an excellent
college-preparatory education that instills
qualities of everlasting value: leadership,
a sense of brotherhood, a strong moral
compass, self-confidence, a faith guided by
the Catholic tradition, and an awareness of
the importance of service to others.
949 Mendota Heights Road
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
18
651-454-4570
651-454-4574 fax
cadets.com
STA’s new headmaster
Deep connection.
Deep affection.
Matthew Mohs ’90, STA’s new Headmaster,
and his summary from his senior yearbook.
In April, the Board of Trustees announced the selection of Matt Mohs ’90
as headmaster of Saint Thomas Academy, succeeding Thomas Mich effective
July 1, 2014.
Mohs brings extraordinarily strong academic qualifications, leadership
experience, and educational background to the position — and, as the first
alumnus in the history of the Academy to hold the position, a deep and
abiding connection to the Academy.
Matt Mohs has STA in his blood.
He is the son of Mayo Mohs ’52, the nephew of Tom Turbes ’71, and the
maternal grandson of legendary Academy history professor Sylvester Turbes.
His senior class voted him “Most Likely to Teach at STA” in the 1990 yearbook,
and in adulthood, he served on the Alumni Association board for more than a
decade, including a year as president.
cadets.com
SABER Summer 2014 | 1
Cover Story
But the fact is, until he had finished eighth grade, Mohs
never considered going to STA, let alone one day becoming
headmaster. That’s because he was a New York City kid, born
and raised in the Big Apple.
His father, a writer and religion editor for Time magazine,
met Mohs’ mother, Patricia Turbes, while back in Minnesota at a
faculty gathering at the Turbes home. They married and settled
in Manhattan, where Patricia worked for Time-Life Books until
Matt and his younger sister, Clare, were born.
The family lived in an Upper West Side apartment,
and Matt and Clare took the bus to Saint Ignatius Loyola on
the Upper East Side, just two blocks from the Metropolitan
Museum of Art.
“After school, I would walk over to the museum and
wander around,” he recalled. “And since we lived just
11 blocks from the Museum of Natural History, we spent a
lot of hours there.”
Looking back to those years, Mohs said living in New York
fostered a strong sense of independence and curiosity about the
world. “I gained a perspective on the importance of learning and
an appreciation for all the things life has to offer,” he said.
“I never realized what a gift it was to live there until later in life.”
Mohs and his family spent many summers in Minnesota
visiting family. He attended STA summer camp and fondly
remembers his encounters with Bill Culbertson, Tom Weber
and Wayne Gifford, and taking swimming lessons from
Jack Zahr.
“I always loved coming to Minnesota, but New York was
home and I never imagined I would go to STA,” he said.
Mohs and his sister, Clare, grew up in
New York City.
Life changed course abruptly the summer between
Mohs’ eighth and ninth grade years. “My sister and I were in
Minnesota when we found out our parents were separating.
It was so sudden. We didn’t return to New York, and I was
enrolled in STA for my freshman year while Clare went to
Nativity,” he said.
Mohs recalls feeling lost and disoriented that first year.
“It was very difficult for my sister and me, losing New York,
our home and friends so suddenly.”
Always a good student, Mohs coped by immersing
himself in his studies.
Thoughts from classmates and teachers . . .
Friendships made at
STA stand the test
of time. Here, Mohs,
Mark Got twalt ’90
and Chris George ’90
are on vacation with
their wives.
“As a member of the Saint Thomas Academy Class
of 1990 and the father of an incoming freshman I am
thrilled that Matt Mohs will be the new Headmaster.
Matt was at the top of our class academically but was
very humble and self-deprecating about it. He is a
genuine, ethical and thoughtful leader who has, like
his grandfather Sy Turbes, dedicated his considerable
talents to educating students. He has a love for the
Academy which as a student led him to lead the school
in the “Give Me a T…” chant and as an adult will place
him in a long line of excellent school leaders.”
— Charlie Weier ’90
2 | SABER Summer 2014
cadets.com
“I began to believe I was going to make it.
The Academy gave me an opportunity to
thrive and come out of my shell. S TA
became a place I loved and cherished.”
“STA’s academic program gave me an outlet and I felt
very supported by my teachers. People were looking out
for me. The Academy was the one piece of my life that was
stable, and helped me set goals and focus while other things
were out of my control,” he recalled.
In that environment, he said, “I began to believe I was
going to make it. The Academy gave me an opportunity to
thrive and come out of my shell. STA became a place I loved
and cherished.”
Besides excelling academically (he was the Class
of 1990 valedictorian), Mohs kept busy with yearbook,
newspaper, Cadence, student council and Quiz Bowl,
among other co-curriculars.
As a student in Joe Seidel’s campus ministry class,
Mohs volunteered with Seidel at many non-profit agencies.
“Matt was a student leader involved in a lot of activities.
He was often the first student to arrive in the morning and the
last to leave,” Seidel said. “He was an exceptional student
who always put the other person first.”
(Note: The class poll in the 1990 Kaydet also listed
Mohs as “Most School Spirit,” “Best Student” and “Best
English Student.”)
For college, Mohs chose the University of Notre Dame,
where he studied history with a concentration in public
service. Again, he excelled, graduating summa cum laude and
Phi Beta Kappa.
As he considered various career paths, including foreign
service, public policy and education, he became intrigued by
a then-new Notre Dame teacher development program for
Catholic schools — the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE).
He signed up and headed to a coed Catholic high
school, Saint Thomas Aquinas, in Hammond, LA, where he fell
in love with teaching. “I quickly found out I loved working with
“Matt Mohs and I met at the start of second hour on the first
“Matt’s experiences as an STA cadet provide a historical
day of freshman year at STA, and we have been friends ever
perspective that will help him continue the strong legacy
since… I remember visiting Matt when he was in his third
established by ‘The Old Guard’ of faculty members who
year of teaching in Louisiana. We were sitting there, talking
gave so much of their hearts establishing STA’s traditions.
about the future, and he said his dream job was Headmaster
In addition, Matt’s experiences at Notre Dame and in his
of STA. To see him achieve his goal fills me with pride. STA is
professional life provide the perspective needed to identify
in his blood... Matt and I were in each other’s weddings, and
the most effective way to incorporate the best elements of
we have watched each other become husbands and fathers.
the ‘new age’ of secondary education at the Academy. As a
We have shared each other’s triumphs and commiserated
result, Matt will be able to lead with a vision for STA that will
through the tough times. He is one of the finest men I know,
blend its best traditions with the best opportunities of the
and I am proud to call him a friend. To see him lead STA is the
‘new age.’ Welcome home, Matt!” — Frank Blankley taught
icing on the cake.” — Matt Dudley ’90
English from 1974 to 2009.
cadets.com
Clare and Matt Mohs with their father, Mayo Mohs ’52, at
Rockefeller Center in New York City. The elder Mohs was
an editor at Time magazine.
SABER Summer 2014 | 3
Cover Story
Mohs and Meghan Kelley were engaged when they earned masters at
the U of M. They are pictured with his grandfather Sy Turbes, a long-time
history professor at STA, and his mother Patricia Turbes-Mohs.
teenagers,” he said. “I liked encouraging them to try
new things and to go outside their known world.”
At the end of his two-year commitment to the school
through ACE, he received a teaching job offer from STA
but turned it down. “I felt like my work wasn’t done at Saint
Thomas Aquinas, and I needed to continue to work with the
young people there.”
The summer between his second and third year
in Louisiana, Mohs’ father was killed in a car accident in
California. Deeply shaken by the tragedy, Mohs completed his
third year of teaching and then headed back to Minnesota to
be closer to home and family. “Even with the desire to return
home, it was very difficult leaving Louisiana,” Mohs recalled.
“In a short period of time, I had become part of a vibrant
community and loved the kids I had the privilege to teach.” Prior
to leaving, Mohs was named Teacher of the Year for the school.
With an MA in teaching under his belt as part of the ACE
program, he accepted a fellowship at the Hubert H. Humphrey
Institute for Public Affairs to study education policy and public
management.
“While I loved teaching, this program gave me the
opportunity to blend my interest in public policy with education,”
said Mohs. He not only earned an MA in public affairs at the
Institute but met fellow student and wife-to-be, Meghan Kelley.
An internship led him to the Minnesota Department
of Families, Children and Learning, the predecessor of the
Minnesota Department of Education, where he held several
positions related to federal educational programs and the
emerging state and federal accountability systems between
1999 and 2004.
“I came to the department at the right time and got
invaluable experience,” he said. “This was just prior to the
implementation of No Child Left Behind, which required
considerable policy and program development. I had the
opportunity to oversee many federal grants and work with
districts across the state. I learned a lot about systems and
the importance of connecting the dots among the players.”
In 2004, Mohs was recruited by the Saint Paul Public
Schools (SPPS) to lead the district’s federal programs. Over
the next eight years, he progressed from assistant director
to director and then to executive director of Title 1 Funded
programs for SPPS. He also served two temporary stints
as chief accountability officer leading the district’s work
More thoughts from teachers . . .
“The thing that I remember most about Matt was his
“The adjectives I would use to describe Matt as a student would
involvement in so many activities: yearbook, newspaper,
be ‘spiritual, prepared, insightful, gentlemanly, intelligent,
student council, Cadence, Quiz Bowl, Campus Ministry
committed and caring.’ These are the same adjectives that I
and so forth. He would get here early and leave late.
would use to characterize a Headmaster. I would add to these
He truly loved being at STA! I think that his passion for
the remarkable skill of ‘able to listen’ which, Matt, as a student,
STA will continue during his tenure. I look forward to
had mastered and is, in my opinion the most significant skill
working with him!” — Pat Callahan has taught English
required. Matt will listen to all, he will hear them and though
since 1984.
his response may not be the one wanted, it will be the one that
will best suit the needs of the Academy. I am very proud to
have been one of his former teachers and feel that he will be an
excellent Headmaster.” — Joe Reymann ’57 taught science at
STA from 1976 to 1999.
4 | SABER Summer 2014
cadets.com
The future STA headmaster already had the look of a leader
in this 1990 yearbook photo.
around research, assessment, strategic planning and school
improvement, in addition to the federal programs. In July 2012,
he was named the district’s chief academic officer, directing the
work of eight offices and more than 2,000 staff members.
Representing the district, he led a statewide taskforce
that assessed Minnesota’s standardized testing program and
developed recommendations that led to important legislative
changes, including the realignment of high school testing with
the goal of college and career readiness. He fostered strategic
partnerships with various governmental, private, and nonprofit
organizations to benefit the students of Saint Paul, as well as
the state of Minnesota. On numerous occasions, he presented
Meet the Mohs Family
Matthew and Meghan Mohs have
been married since 2000 and live in
Mendota Heights.
A graduate of Northwestern University,
Meghan is the Director of Community
Human Services for Ramsey County, the
largest department in the county with
more than 1,000 employees and a nearly
$170 million annual budget. She has dual
Master’s degrees in Social Work and Public
Administration from the University
of Minnesota.
Their children Alex, 11, and Abigail, 8,
“I am extremely hopeful for the future with our new headmaster
attend Saint Thomas More Catholic School
as he readies himself to begin his tenure with us. Matt is
in St. Paul. Alex loves baseball while Abigail
intelligent, seasoned and very human; all the traits that,
enjoys swimming and taking classes at
in my mind, will benefit greatly Saint Thomas Academy in
the years ahead.” — John Geroux taught physics and is
currently the audio-visual coordinator.
Circus Juventas.
The family is active in the Saint Thomas
More parish in St. Paul.
cadets.com
SABER Summer 2014 | 5
Cover Story
Mohs (second from far right) was among classmates awaiting
presentation of the Fleming Sabre. Peter Maulik ’90 was
selected as the 1990 Cadet Colonel.
on behalf of the district at national conferences and testified
to the Minnesota legislature.
Meanwhile, he kept close to the Academy over the
years, serving on the Alumni Association board from 1997
to 2008 and as the 2006-07 president.
When he learned Dr. Thomas Mich was retiring,
Mohs says he had to carefully discern a potential candidacy
for the position.
“I did not doubt my love and passion for the mission
and future of the Academy, but I also realized that I found deep
meaning in the work I’ve been doing in Saint Paul. My work in
the district transformed me as an individual, an educator, and
a leader, and I have a deep sense of purpose surrounding my
work there.
“Ultimately, I had to consider whether my skills, talents
and leadership abilities would transfer in ways that would
benefit the Academy. I realized I just had to trust the process,
trust the Spirit, and have faith that the search committee would
offer the job to the best candidate,” he said.
In announcing the Board of Trustees’ selection of
Mohs, chair James Kolar ’80 cited the depth and breadth
Mohs, at left, was among educators receiving Teacher of the Year
honors in 1997 in Hammond, LA.
of his experience. “Matt brings a powerful combination of
outstanding academic qualifications, leadership experience,
a rich and varied teaching and educational background,
deep love for Saint Thomas Academy and commitment to
its future,” Kolar said.
Currently completing a doctorate in leadership at
the University of St. Thomas, Mohs says he is inheriting
leadership of the Academy at a time of great strength and
accomplishment.
“We face challenges, but with our talented faculty and
staff, and committed families and alumni, I feel very confident
about the future of the school.”
As the first alumnus to become headmaster in the
Academy’s 128-year history, Mohs says he is deeply honored.
“It’s humbling to be in a position to lead the people
whom I considered authority figures in my youth. It’s humbling
to have this community put its faith in me,” he said.
“I look forward to leading a school that does such an
outstanding job of preparing young men and hope to serve
as an embodiment of that mission.”
“When I was offered the position of Headmaster,
I felt a sense of peace, knowing that the Board had
confidence in me to lead the Academy forward.”
6 | SABER Summer 2014
cadets.com
Matthew Mohs :
career in brief
SAINT PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
2004–2014
Chief Academic Officer, Division of Academics
Executive Director, Title I/Funded Programs
Director, Title I/Funded Programs
Assistant Director, Title I/Funded Programs
Acting Chief Accountability Officer
UNIVERSITY OF SAINT THOMAS
Graduate Student Advisory Board Cohort representative
since 2009
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
1999–2004
Federal Education Programs and Policy
Development Supervisor
Reading First Director
State Coordinator for federal Comprehensive School
Reform Program and Reading Excellence Program
Federal Liaison Representative for Council of
Chief State School Officers
No Child Left Behind Consolidated Programs
Leadership Team
SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
President 2006–2007
Held offices of Past-President, Vice-President,
Treasurer and Secretary
Board of Directors, Member from 1997–2008
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN,
FAMILIES & LEARNING
1998–1999
Consultant
Intern
HUBERT H. HUMPHREY INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
1997–1999
Research Assistant
Teaching Assistant
SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL, Hammond, LA
1994–1997
Teacher
professional and
community involvement
MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF ADMINISTRATORS OF
STATE AND FEDERAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS (MAASFEP)
Treasurer 2007-present
President 2006–2007; held offices of Past-President
and Vice-President; officer since 2004
Board of Directors, member or liaison since 2001
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Local Assessment and Accountability
Advisory Committee
Title I Committee of Practitioners
Commissioner’s Working Group on Assessment
and Accountability, Co-Chair
cadets.com
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE UPPER MIDWEST
Board of Directors, Member since 2012
Education Committee, Member since 2013
SAINT LUKE’S CATHOLIC CHURCH
(SAINT THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY)
Pastoral Council — Chair (2003–2004), 2001–2004
Social Justice Committee — 2002–2003
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME MINNESOTA CLUB
Tax Assistance Program — preparing tax returns for
low-income and immigrant families, 1998–2005
HUBERT H. HUMPHREY INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Public Affairs Student Association —
President, 1998–1999
Alumni Association Board — Student Representative,
1998–1999
Student Mentor — As requested
Education
UNIVERSITY OF SAINT THOMAS
Doctorate in Leadership Candidate (ABD) —
2015–2016 completion anticipated
K-12 Principal Licensure
Superintendent Licensure
HUBERT H. HUMPHREY INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Master of Arts in Public Affairs
Concentrations in Education Policy and
Public Management
UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND Portland, OR
Master of Arts in Teaching
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME Notre Dame, IN
Bachelor of Arts in History, Concentration from
the Hesburgh Program in Public Service
Graduated summa cum laude
SABER Summer 2014 | 7
Academy News
STA
Salute to the
Commencement
ceremony was held
at the Cathedral of
Saint Paul on
May 29, 2014.
Congratulations to
Co-Valedictorians J. Bruno
and C. Huberty. C. Plunkett
was the Salutatorian.
8 | SABER Summer 2014
cadets.com
Class of 2014!
Seniors gather in the court to show off
apparel from their chosen college.
College designations for the 2014 Cadets
University of St. Thomas (23)
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (11)
Creighton University (9)
Marquette University (8)
University of Notre Dame (7)
University of Wisconsin, Madison (7)
Saint John’s University (5)
University of Minnesota, Duluth (4)
Iowa State University (3)
Boston College (2)
Gustavus Adolphus College (2)
Minnesota State University, Mankato (2)
The University of Arizona (2)
University of Denver (2)
University of Mary (2)
University of Nebraska at Lincoln (2)
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (2)
University of Wisconsin, River Falls (2)
Bemidji State University (1)
Brown University (1)
Dartmouth College (1)
Duke University (1)
Florida Southern College (1)
John Carroll University (1)
LIU Brooklyn (1)
Loyola University Chicago (1)
Middlebury College (1)
Pepperdine University (1)
Purdue University (1)
Saint Louis University (1)
Southern Methodist University (1)
St. Olaf College (1)
Visit cadets.com /seniors to see the many scholarships
awarded to the class.
Texas Christian University (1)
The Citadel, the Military College
of South Carolina (1)
The University of Montana, Missoula (1)
United States Military Academy (1)
University of California at Los Angeles (1)
University of Chicago (1)
University of Massachusetts, Lowell (1)
University of Missouri Columbia (1)
University of Missouri, Kansas City (1)
University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire (1)
University of Wisconsin, Platteville (1)
University of Wisconsin, Stout (1)
Vanderbilt University (1)
Vassar College (1)
SABER Summer 2014 | 9
Thank you to
departing STA staff
We thank our friends for their
years of dedication to the
students.
Dr. Thomas B. Mich retired
after serving as Headmaster
from 2004 to 2014.
Dr. Celeste Heidelberger retired
after serving as the Dean of
Academics from 2001 to 2014.
“Dr. Heidelberger has served
the Academy with exceptional
dedication these past 13
years. Her strong work ethic
and support for academic
excellence has characterized
her leadership,” said Dr. Mich.
SGM Myles McDowell retired
after teaching Leadership from
2001 to 2014. “SGM expected
much from his students, as he
expected much from himself.
His students and colleagues
will remember his humor –
which often resulted in very
quotable catchphrases,” said
LTC Michael DePuglio.
Kathy Miley taught theology
from 2003 to 2014, and was
the KEE Club moderator,
spearheading monthly student
visits to Feed My Starving
Children.
Media Specialist Christina
Lindstrom (three years),
science teacher Katie Koessler
(three years), art teacher
Sara Miller (two years), and
mathematics teacher Michael
Combs ’05 (two years) are
also leaving the Academy.
Information about incoming
faculty will be available in the
October Saber.
10 | SABER Summer 2014
Academy News
STA
Trustees end their term
Three trustees finished their terms in June – Kevin McGuire ’69, Rev. Reginald Whitt,
O.P. and secretary Dr. Thomas B. Mich. We thank them for their years of service and
valuable contributions to the Academy. Kevin Zenner ended his term as the faculty
representative to the board. Information about incoming board members will be
available in the October Saber.
EVT places second and third at Shell Eco-Marathon
The Experimental Vehicle Team (EVT) competed April 25-27, 2014, in Houston, TX,
in the Shell Eco-Marathon. Students built two cars to compete in the battery electric
urban concept division; these cars are required to have all of the same systems as a
street-legal car. With two days of rigorous inspection and two days of course racing, the team
overcame many obstacles, working late to make repairs and prepare the cars for the
competition. The STA vehicles finished second and third, behind Sherbrooke Université of
Quebec. The EVT was the top U.S. team in its division and the top high school team. The team was happy to see a number of Academy alumni in the Houston area who
stopped by the event to visit. View more photos at Facebook.com/SaintThomasAcademy.
Leadership instructor Myles McDowell and
Spanish teacher Cheryl Hanson were the 2014
spring recipients of the Myser Family Foundation
Teaching Excellence Award, a financial award
generously established by the Myser family
(Buzz ’52, Pat, John ’77 and Michael ’79).
The award recognizes teaching excellence at the
Academy. A committee comprised of parents,
students and faculty vote for two deserving
members of the faculty who have been on staff
for at least five years.
cadets.com
Students earn rank
of Eagle Scouts
Senior Service Projects group named
Volunteers of the Month
Service Coordinator Jane Doyle received an e-mail from Kate Errickson, the volunteer
coordinator of the Minnesota Children’s Museum:
“I am pleased to let you know that your students [were named] the June Volunteer
of the Month at the Museum. Usually this goes to an individual but this group
worked together so well that we had to extend the honor to all of them.”
The nomination reads:
“The Saint Thomas Academy team received many compliments during their run, not just
from staff but from visitors! They gave kids tons of enthusiastic, individualized attention,
helped groups run smoothly, and maintained a high level of energy and commitment.
Congratulations and thank you to the STA team of A. Benz, R. D’Agostino, R. Durand,
team leader G. Grojean, M. Kane, T. Kane, I. Nichols, J. Ryan and T. Schroeder.”
State History Day results
During the past school year,
a number of cadets earned
the rank of Eagle Scout, the
highest rank in Scouting. On
average, only seven percent
of scouts achieve this rank.
Congratulations to
D. Beckman ’15, J. Benedict ’14,
T. D’Agostino ’16, R. Gall ’15,
L. Galvin ’14, Z. Gilliland ’15,
H. Johnson ’16, T. Schroeder ’14
and B. Sullivan ’16. All of these
young men have served in
leadership positions in their
troop and performed various
community services, including
more than 1,000 hours on their
Eagle projects.
Students
receive Salute
to Youth award
Seniors A. Benz, J. Evanoff and
A. Raarup were honored with
a Salute to Youth award,
recognizing their achievements
in volunteer projects,
academia, sports, spiritual
development and family.
The awards program has
recognized Twin Cities seniors
for almost 60 years.
Congratulations to the following STA students who earned places and recognition at
State History Day on May 3, 2014.
• Fourth Place, Individual Web site: “A Clean Conscience: The Rights and Responsibilities
of Conscientious Objectors” by K. Malecha ’15.
• Honorable Mention, Individual Performance: “Regulation and Loopholes: Rights and
Responsibilities in the FDA” by J. Riehm ’15.
• Honorable Mention, Group Performance: “Putting your Trust in Others: Trusts and
the Laws Against Them” by C. Buonfiglio ’15 and S. Casagrande ’15.
• Honorable Mention, Individual Exhibit: “Controlling the Atomic Age: Nuclear Testing
and the Responsibilities of Government” by A. Kilen ’18.
cadets.com
SABER Summer 2014 | 11
Mothers’ and
Fathers’ Club
change leaders
Academy News
STA
Thank you to Angie Conley
for her dedicated service
as Mothers’ Club
President, and we
welcome Sharon
D’Agostino (Tom ’13,
R. ’14 and T. ’16) as
the 2014-15 president.
Thank you to Al Paterson
for his dedicated service
as Fathers’ Club Chair,
and we welcome Mike
Weidner (Kyle Rohde ’10
and J. Weidner ’16) as
the 2014-15 chair.
Visit cadets.com/parents
for opportunities to get
involved with our parents’
associations.
Students host Special Olympians
Each year, juniors in Chief Kim Friede’s leadership class submit ideas for a field trip they’d
like to take as a company, with the winning idea earning the chosen company a day away
from classes. This year, cadets in A Company and Band Company proposed hosting and
playing a basketball tournament with Special Olympic athletes.
When Academy alumni Mark Gaertner ’85 and Greg Walsh ’86 learned of the event,
they offered to fully underwrite it, including awards and lunch for the participants.
On April 15, nearly 40 Academy juniors teamed up with the Special Olympics team,
The Flames, in an eight-team basketball tournament.
After the event, Chief Friede received the following e-mail from the Flames Coach:
“I’ve been coaching Special Olympics for 23 years and I can honestly say that our team has
never experienced an event like you and the STA students sponsored. The entire day was so
special – the welcoming committee, the band playing the national anthem, the organization of
the basketball games, lunch, and finally the beautiful medals and T-shirts everyone received
was just unbelievable. You hosted a day these athletes will never forget. Everyday life for the
disabled community isn’t always easy so what you did for them is truly appreciated.”
Honors for Jack Zahr
The Class of 2014 dedicated the Kaydet yearbook to Athletics
and Activities Director Jack Zahr, who passed away in
September 2013. Jan Zahr and daughter Becky, pictured
(at left) with yearbook editors A. Hove ’14 and C. Huberty ’14,
were at the dedication ceremony. The dedication reads in part,
“In every interaction with students, he saw beyond the uniform
and respected and loved each cadet as an individual. He
worked tirelessly to nurture students’ talents and dreams while
reminding them to be well-rounded people.”
In addition, thanks to the generosity of so many people
who cared so much about Zahr and the tireless work he did
for the Academy, the Athletics Director office is now known as
the Jack Zahr Athletics and Activities Office. The plaque reads,
“This office is named for John ‘Jack’ Zahr, a Saint Thomas
Academy teacher, coach and athletic director from 1977 until he
passed away in 2013. His impact on students, especially during
his 26 years as AD, was significant. Naming of this office was
made possible by hundreds of donations in his memory.”
12 | SABER Summer 2014
cadets.com
Pictured (L-R) are Duffy ’15, Iverson ’14, McGrath ’15 and Plourde ’14, with teacher
Tony Kinzley.
On May 9, 2014, students had a “Pink Out” out-of-uniform day. The money raised supported the
Avon Cancer Walk in honor of John Barnes’ niece who passed away from breast cancer last year.
P. Cramer ’14 will be remembered
as one of the school’s greatest
marksman ever. He was recently
awarded the coveted “Junior
Distinguished Marksman
Badge #698,” the first person
to accomplish this feat in
school history.
The Junior Distinguished
Marksman Badge was first
awarded in 2001 to recognize
the accomplishments of juniors
[all non ROTC and active
personnel] participating in the
rapidly growing discipline of
three-position air rifle.
This award is usually reserved
for precision competitors, and
the STA Rifle Team competes in
the Sporter category. To earn
this badge by a Sporter
marksman is truly the mark of
excellence in rifle competition,
and, to do it in just three years is
remarkable.
Congratulations to the Corps leaders of the Class of 2015! Front row: R. Thomas,
L. Earley, C. Kettler, J. Mischke, J. Sorenson, C. Hallett. Middle row: J. Pursley,
A. Petronack, K. Clancy, L.Holtz. Back row: J. Riehm, M. Jacobson, J. Waldvogel,
C. Duffy.
Cramer is pictured with coach
CW4 Paul Preblich and parents
Paul ’87 and Anne.
Named the 2013-14
Cadets of the Year are (L-R)
NCO L. Earley ’15,
Cadet R. Stuart ’17 and
Officer A. Zobel ’14.
cadets.com
SABER Summer 2014 | 13
J. Misukanis ’15 was
selected as an alternate
to the Minnesota Music
Education Association
All State Jazz Ensemble.
Academy News
STA
T. Kane ’14 received
the John Philip Sousa Award.
It is given to a student
who displays excellence
in loyalty, cooperation,
leadership, dependability,
and musicianship and
participation.
B. Carlson ’14 received
the Armstrong Award. It is
given out by high schools
nationwide to recognize
“outstanding musical
achievement and an
incredible dedication to
the program.” W. Lee ’14 received the
Directors Award. It is given
annually to students who
show exemplary leadership,
responsibility and musical
dedication to the VISTA
Band program.
The VISTA Jazz Ensemble
performed on April 22, 2014,
at the Classic Suburban
Jazz Festival. The group
performed for the other
conference schools, was
critiqued by four working
jazz musicians, and enjoyed
music performed by other
participants.
14 | SABER Summer 2014
VISTA Productions’ Shrek! receives awards
The SpotLight Theatre Awards are presented through
an educational initiative of the Hennepin Theatre Trust
that honors and supports Minnesota high school
musical theater programs and students. The honors for the VISTA Production of
Shrek! were:
• Outstanding Overall Production
• Outstanding Overall Performance
• Honorable Mention Performance
by a Student Orchestra
• Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role: Z. Hays ’14 as Shrek
• Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role: J. Wankel ’14 as Donkey
• Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role: C. Greenheck ’14 as Fiona
• Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role: B. Carlson ’14 as Lord Farquaad
• Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role: A. Evans ’16 as Gingy
• Honorable Mention Performance in a Supporting Role: D. Najjar ’14
as Pinocchio
• Honorable Mention Performance in a Featured Role: A. Felton ’16
as Mama Bear
Art awards presented
The following students won awards during the annual Art Show Reception in April:
• First Place, N. Kloster ’16, Lost in Translation
• Second Place, S. Hummel ’14, Sailors Cross
• Third Place, P. Gaylord ’17, Morning Shred
• Honorable Mention, M. Jurkovich ’17, Sun sets on the Ford Plant
• First Place, J. Lennon ’18, Monochromatic Spirit Animal
• Second Place, C. Larson ’19, Newspaper Collage Portrait
• Third Place, B. Mansur ’19, Warhol Inspired Portrait
Military appointments and scholarships announced
J. Ryan ’14 received an appointment to the Merchant Marine Academy. The following students
received four-year ROTC scholarships: C. Koumontzis ’14 (Army),
C. Lasswell ’14 (Navy), Z. Litwin ’14 (Navy), M. Smilanich ’14
(Navy) and T. Woodard ’14 (Army).
In addition, G. Oncay ’14 (pictured) received an appointment
or nomination to West Point, Navy, the Air Force Academy and
the Coast Guard Academy. He also received four-year ROTC
scholarship offers from each military service to the university of
his choice. Oncay will attend West Point and be a member of the
USMA Class of 2018.
cadets.com
J. Riley ’14 (right) committed to play lacrosse
at Duke University and W. Dahl ’14 (left) committed
to play lacrosse at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Riley was named the Pioneer Press lacrosse player of the
year and an Academic All-American.
The Golf team won the Section 3 (Class 3A) Championship
and placed seventh at the Class 3A State Tournament.
Individually, the first place golfer had a score of 142.
B. McNaney ’15 posted a score of 156, S. Sienko ’14
posted a score of 159, M. Donohue ’19 posted a score
of 161, J. Rowe ’18 posted a score of 166, J. Fewer ’15
posted a score of 168, and Z. Weier ’14 posted a score
of 175.
The Baseball team finished the season winning seven of
their last eight games in conference play to tie for second
in the conference. In sections, they won the first round to
get into double elimination before losing.
The Lacrosse team finished the season with a record of
7-8, with a loss in the section semifinal game.
The Tennis team ended up 12-4 for the season, with a
hard-fought 4-3 loss to Eagan in the section quarterfinals.
They were conference runners-up to Mahtomedi (ranked
#7 in state).
The Track and Field team made a lot of progress this year
and showed great potential for the future. The finest week
of the season was when nearly every member of the team
had a personal best performance to help win both the JV
and Varsity Catholic Invitational meets.
The team dedicated two of its major year-end awards
to two long-time coaches. The award formerly known as
the Most Valuable Performer Award is now the Bill
Culbertson Most Valuable Performer Award. Culbertson
was coach of the team for more than three decades, led
the team to two True Team State Championships, several
other high places in the True Team meet, and coached
two individual state champions. A. Zobel ’14 received
this award.
The award formerly known as the Coaches’ Award
is now the Jack Zahr Coaches’ Award. The late Zahr also
coached for more than three decades and especially
treasured those athletes who combined accomplishment
with dedication to the team and to their teammates. The
award was presented to D. Beckman ’15.
J. Brady ’14 was the STA recipient of the Hobey Baker High
School Character Award honoring high school hockey
players who exemplify the Hobey Baker ideal that
“character builds excellence.”
cadets.com
T. Hubbard ’15 (pictured with coach Doug Hurd) is the
recipient of the first annual “Peter Bauleke Top Ranger Award.”
Ranger team members decide by vote which fellow teammate
has made the greatest contribution throughout the competition
season. The award is named in honor of Peter Bauleke ’06.
The Color Guard
presented at a
St. Paul Saints
baseball game
on May 24, 2014.
Mike Eaves, head
coach of the University
of Wisconsin Men’s
Hockey Team, visited
with LTC (Ret) DePuglio
to learn about STA’s
developmental
leadership philosophy
and share ideas. Coach
Eaves is looking to
enhance leadership
training with his players.
SABER Summer 2014 | 15
Academy
AcademyNews
News
STA
Summer camps
are back at STA!
Visit our Web site for more information!
We still have openings for
the August session of Cadet
Camp and LEGOS Robotics.
Visit cadets.com/Camps
for details.
cadets.com/academics
• Eagle and Torch Academic Awards
• Semester Two High Honor Roll and Honor Roll lists
• May Awards Convocation
cadets.com/military
• May Military Awards
cadets.com/athletics-and-activities
• Highlights from the school year
cadets.com/2013photos
Save the Dates
• Hundreds of photographs from the school year
Second Annual Taste of STA
Thursday, September 25
6:00 p.m.
Hames Alumni Honors Award
presentation
Thursday, October 2
10:30 a.m.
Athletic Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony
Friday, October 3
4:30 p.m.
Cadets.com wins award
The school’s new Web site (which premiered July 2013) won an American
Web Design Award from Graphic Design USA. The project was led by the
Academy’s Director of Communications Mary Machgan Culbertson and IT
Manager Carole Loufek, in cooperation with 5 by 5 Design and Hutman,
Inc. The national competition honors outstanding new work from a variety
of genres that include: web design, print, packaging, Internet, interactive
and motion graphics. More than 1,500 entries were received for this year’s
awards. Saint Thomas Academy was among an elite class of winners that
also included 3M, the College of William and Mary, Coca-Cola, the Ford
Foundation, Lowe’s, McDonald’s, Google and others.
More information is available
in the Alumni section.
16 | SABER Summer 2014
cadets.com
STAMeet the Faculty
Bill McCarthy
Started at STA
1997
Subjects
Physical Education, Health
Coached hockey, football, baseball and soccer
Band director (on three different occasions)
First Teaching Job
“At Saint Thomas Academy, teaching Graphic Arts.”
Hobbies
“Traveling, music and finding new restaurants.”
Fact of Interest
“My family owned three different Fish and Chip
restaurants in the Twin Cities for 15 years.”
McCarthy is pictured with his 7th grade baseball team.
A Favorite Teaching Moment
“Hard to select one – they are all pretty good, but I did
have one parent tell me that she was corrected during a
pre-test study/review session with her ninth grade
student, by the phrase, ‘Mom, I think Mr. McCarthy
knows what he is talking about — he is the teacher.’
Turns out, she was much more the authority on the
subject, but her son didn’t think so. It is great that our
students are such believers!”
Brush with Fame
“Having my cast signed by the Prime Minister of
Canada, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, and having Bobby Orr,
the greatest hockey player of all time, call me — I told
him he had dialed the wrong number, but, he said ‘no,
I have not made a mistake.’ He called to talk about a
player who was from my area whom we had just
selected in the NHL draft. I was speechless during
much of the conversation, and saved his telephone
number to my phone afterwards.”
Why I teach at STA
“On many occasions I say to people, ‘I have been at
Saint Thomas Academy for 17 years and haven’t gone to
work yet.’ Every day is different, every day is a challenge
and every day there are many rewards.”
Favorite Music
“Anything by the band Chicago — I have only seen them
in concert 29 times.”
Favorite Vacation Spot
“It seems to change — being in Tampa during the winter
was okay. Our trip last summer to Madrid was fantastic!
I am usually up for any kind of travel and can find
something interesting to do wherever we go.”
Family
Wife Susan and three daughters, Catie (husband T. J.),
Allie and Becky.
Favorite Experience
“I have two — the band trip to Chicago in 2011, and
coaching the STA hockey team in the state hockey
tournament in 1999. Both opportunities allowed me to
see our students shine and excel.”
cadets.com
SABER Summer 2014 | 17
The 2014 Auction Co-Chairs,
Rick Johnson ’85, Mary
Kalish-Johnson, Mary Jo and
Gary Iverson, and Bridget and
Tom Lee ’85, say “THANK
YOU” to everyone who helped
make the 49th annual Auction
such a great success for the
students, teachers and staff
of the Academy!
Community Auction a success
T
hank you to everyone who participated in the success of the Community
Auction — donors, advertisers, volunteers, attendees, underwriters and
Auction Coordinator Jodie Whaley. On behalf of the school, the co-chairs are
thrilled to announce that $365,000 was raised this year, including a record
$86,190 for the Sweet Home Fund — Families Helping Families.
18 | SABER Summer 2014
There are still openings
available for some “Let’s Party”
events sold at the Auction.
Visit cadets.com/Auction
for more information.
cadets.com
Advancement News
Thank you to everyone who purchased Auction raffle tickets. Here is a list of the raffle winners.
Car Raffle
Gasoline Card Raffle
John Tracy ’58 was the winner of the grand prize —
a three-year lease of a new 2013 Honda Civic Coupe EX,
made possible by a generous grant from the Walser Foundation.
Catherine Mayleben won the second prize, a $2,500 gift
certificate from R. F. Moeller Jeweler, and Eugene Floersch
won the third prize, an iPad.
Five winners — Douglas and Catherine Goaley, Nana Keller,
Mary Nadine Hamelin, Kat Schmocker and James Wicks –
each received a $100 gift card. Thank you to Susan and
Steve Dahl ’77 (Kath Fuel Oil Service Co.) and Dawn and
Jeff Wieland (BP) for sponsoring this raffle.
Tuition Raffle
Michael and Theresa Philbin were the grand-prize winners,
receiving free tuition for one STA student for the 2014-15 school
year. The Bandt family won the second prize, Taher lunch for
one student for the 2014-15 school year, and Joel and Jolene
Owens won the third prize, a $500 gift card to the Cadet Maker,
Short Family Bookstore. Thank you to the STA Board of
Trustees for sponsoring this raffle.
cadets.com
My Favorite Teacher
Hundreds of people purchased a ticket in the name of an
STA faculty or staff member to say “thank you” for the work they
do. The following teachers’ names were drawn on Family Night:
John Bina, Tony Kinzley and Kathy Miley.
More photos available online
at cadets.com /Auction.
SABER Summer 2014 | 19
Advancement News
Class of 2014: Prepared academically,
mentally, spiritually
By David Hottinger ’85, Director of Institutional Advancement
“The proof of excellence of an institution is found in the class of students it
sends forth each year to fight the battles of life.”
— Archbishop John Ireland, founder of Saint Thomas Academy 1885
O
ne hundred and twenty eight years later, this founding
J.P. Bruno “First, we as students
principle of Saint Thomas Academy remains ever-
may be thinking that we are preparing
present as the Class of 2014 graduated on May 29 to
to leave the Academy, but that is
go forth to the next exciting challenges of their young lives.
simply not true. We are not ‘leaving,’
On a beautiful evening at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, the
rather, we are being sent out from this
ceremony was a culmination of their educational experience
place. This may be a slight distinction,
and time spent at the Academy.
but it is a powerful one. Choosing to
I believe it is fitting to share with you excerpts from the
use the word ‘sent’ implies that we
eloquently presented speeches by the Co-Valedictorians,
carry with us all that we have learned
Chris Huberty and J. P. Bruno. They both highlight the
over the years, and even carry the mission of this school with
uniqueness of the Saint Thomas Academy educational
us… A second powerful image is that Saint Thomas does not
experience.
just build men, they build men for others: people who care for
Christopher Huberty
others above themselves and express the emotions of love
“Conventional thought says that we
and compassion openly. We are those men.”
go to high school to learn academic
subjects. But I don’t think that really
I believe it is crystal clear that the Class of 2014 is
captures the whole story, at least not
prepared academically, mentally and spiritually. These young
for me. I went to high school to learn
men represent the cumulative investment of the Saint Thomas
how to be a good person to others.
Academy community. Parents, professors, administrators,
And no school is a better place to learn
coaches, friends and Academy benefactors have all invested
that than Saint Thomas Academy.
in so many ways in the formation of this class — and we can
To the Class of 2014, thank you. The
each look forward with pride as these graduates go forth into
support you all gave me saved my life and there is no way that
the world.
I could possibly repay you. As we all go our separate ways,
never forget to cherish the bonds that make this place what
it is. The knowledge may fade, but the friendships will not.”
20 | SABER Summer 2014
cadets.com
Alumnus Profile
Pictured at this year’s Alumni Golf Open
are Norton (second from left) with Greg
Hoffmann ’90, Rory Duggan ’96
and Brian Duggan ’90.
Steve Norton ’96
Norton tees off for his year as the
2014-15 Alumni Association president
Steve Norton loves a good round of golf, especially when he
plays with STA alums Rory Duggan ’96, Brian Duggan ’90
and Greg Hoffmann ’90.
The foursome has played together in the Alumni Open
for many years and has taken top honors at the tournament
a couple of times.
“We always have a blast at the Open,” said Norton, who
is the incoming president of the Alumni Association for the
2014-15 school year, succeeding Mike Youngdahl ’81.
In leading the Association this year, Norton says the
board has several priorities, especially reaching out and
engaging more alumni of all ages in the Association’s many
activities, including the Alumni Open, Homecoming and
Taste of STA. Norton and the Association are excited about
enhancing the Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony by
making it a stand-alone event rather than part of
Homecoming weekend festivities. They will also be working
with the STA Board of Trustees on policies and procedures
to ensure appropriately qualified individuals receive the
esteemed recognition of being named an honorary alumnus
of the Academy.
It was golf buddy Greg Hoffmann who recruited
Norton to serve on the Alumni Association board about
eight years ago.
“I decided to see if it was a good fit for me, and I’ve
really enjoyed it ever since. It’s a great way to give back to the
Academy and to meet a lot of alumni from over the years,” he
said. “I’d like to thank Mike Youngdahl for his leadership last
year and look forward to working with the Association board.”
Growing up, Norton remembers going to many STA
sporting events because his older brother Dave ’88 was a
cadet. “It was just a given I would go to the Academy,” he said.
Once a cadet himself, Norton played sports and acted in
some VISTA productions. But most pivotal, he says, was
participating in Mock Trial — which he captained his junior and
cadets.com
senior years. “That
experience really solidified
Steve Norton ’96
my desire to go on to law
school,” he said. “I always
credit STA as one of the better influences in my life.”
Norton graduated from St. John’s University with
majors in political science and English and then earned his
JD at William Mitchell College of Law. He clerked for a judge
in Ramsey County District Court while in law school, as well
as the Minnesota Court of Appeals following graduation.
He then spent a year as a corporate compliance attorney.
But he soon returned to the public arena, first as a
prosecutor in Minneapolis and later in Washington County.
During this time, Norton got involved in real estate,
including renovating homes. In 2007, while still working in the
public sector, he launched his own residential real estate
company, Norton Realty. In 2012, he made the transition to a
full-time real estate career.
“I realized that real estate is a much better fit for my
personality,” Norton said. “I enjoy helping people and making
them happy. When a customer buys a new house that is a
good investment and provides a wonderful home for the
family, they’re happy. At the same time, my clients appreciate
that I truly understand the intricacies and legal aspects of
home sales.”
Some of those happy clients have been STA alumni
and faculty members. “The STA connection is very strong in
this community. It’s hard to go anywhere and not run into
STA alumni. That connection is one of the wonderful things
about the Academy.”
Besides being realtor and attorney, Norton is a city
council member in Mendota Heights, where he and his wife
Angela live. He previously served on the city’s planning
commission.
SABER Summer 2014
2013 | 21
Alumni News
STA Centenarian Club welcomes Col. Riordan
Colonel Clifford T. Riordan, STMA Class of 1932,
recently celebrated his 100th birthday with family and friends
in Maryland. Cliff is also known as “Speed.”
His daughter Rosalind Kendellen
wrote: “After graduation from St. Thomas
Military Academy, as it was known then,
he went to the U.S. Military Academy (West
Point), graduating in the Class of 1938.
My dad served in the Army for 30 years,
retiring from his last assignment at Natick
Laboratories in Natick, MA in 1968.
He talks fondly of his days at Saint Thomas which gave him
his background to be accepted at West Point.”
The Alumni Office believes that Riordan is the
Academy’s oldest alumnus. If you or a relative will be
celebrating a birthday milestone, or entering the Centenarian
Club, please let us know. We would like to recognize you in
our magazine and send a gift to you on behalf of the
Academy. Please contact David Hottinger ’85 at
651-683-1594 or dhottinger@cadets.com.
Historic photo from October 30, 1945 given to STA
In February, Tom Norman ’47 visited the Advancement
Office with a gift to present to the Academy. It was not a
monetary gift. In his closet, Norman had come across a
vintage panoramic photo of the entire STMA student body
taken on campus on October 30, 1945. Norman had the
print beautifully framed and presented it to David
Hottinger ’85, Director of Institutional Advancement,
and it will be placed prominently in the STA museum.
This is a very unique photo, with each cadet numbered
and identified along with the administration.
After graduation, Norman worked with his father in
22 | SABER Summer 2014
the family lathing business. He then branched into
construction and home building. He and his wife Collette
were married in 1954 and have six children. They have
always resided in Mendota Heights, MN.
If you would like to see the print in person, stop by
Saint Thomas Academy. It will be in the museum located
in the hallway connecting Founders Hall and the
Middle School.
If you are interested in a purchasing a copy, please
contact David Hottinger ’85 at 651-683-1594 or
dhottinger@cadets.com.
cadets.com
cadets.com
Alumni News
2014 Alumni Golf Open
Congratulations to the Golf Committee – Bill Lethert ’84, Bill Lynch ’82,
Joe Jansen ’83, Mike Maxwell ’84, Steve Norton ’96,
Kelly Rowe ’79, George Turner ’79 and Alumni Association President
Mike Youngdahl ’81 — for a very successful tournament.
The event was held on June 9, at Southview Country Club in West St. Paul.
Scramble Play Winners
(L-R): First place ($100): Ryan Inman ’00, Jon Dolphin ’99, Brian Geraty ’01 and Brian Nordin ’97
Second place ($75): Rory Duggan ’96, Greg Hoffmann ’90, Steve Norton ’96 and Brian Duggan ’90
(20)14th place ($50): Pat Tracy ’66, John Tracy ’98, Mike Bisanz ’71 and Mike Bisanz ’04
Other Award Winners
(L-R):
Closest to the Pin (40s, 50s and 60s): Jim Conway ’59
Closest to the Pin (70s and 80s): Bill Lethert ’84
Closest to the Pin (90s to present): Jon Dolphin ’99
Closest to the Pin (All): Charley Gardner ’89
Longest Drive: Jason Wynne ’89
Longest Putt: Walter Roberts ’51
Many more Alumni Open photos are available
online at
cadets.com
alumni.cadets.com/2014AlumniOpen.
SABER Summer 2014 | 23
Alumni News
Save the Dates!
2014 Taste of STA
Presented by the Saint Thomas Academy Alumni
Association, Mothers’ Club and Fathers’ Club
Thursday, September 25
6:00-9:00 p.m.
Flynn Hall – Holtz Gymnasium
FREE
The second annual Taste of STA will feature wine,
beer and food from purveyors with a connection
to the Academy.
Make plans to join us for this fun and casual STA
Community Event.
Culbertson to receive
2014 Edward G. Hames
Alumni Honors Award
The Saint Thomas Academy Alumni Association is pleased
to announce that Bill Culbertson ’10, Honorary Alumnus,
has been selected as recipient of the 2014 Edward G. Hames
Alumni Honors Award. The Hames Award will be presented
on Thursday, October 2 at 10:30 a.m.
Culbertson, honorary alumnus of the Class of 2010,
served Saint Thomas Academy for 40 years as a teacher,
coach, administrator and trustee. It is estimated that he taught,
counseled or coached more than 4,000 cadets during his
tenure at the Academy. He is one of only seven men who
served for 40 or more years at STA.
Culbertson retired from his full-time position in 2008 but
continues to serve the Academy today. He is the public
address announcer at football and hockey games, he works in
the Advancement Office on special projects, and calls to thank
donors for their gifts. He is a member of the Alumni Association
Board of Directors and was on the Athletic Hall of Fame
Committee from 2008-13.
In addition to his service to STA, Bill has been involved in
the broader community as a volunteer or board member for
numerous organizations. He currently volunteers every Monday
at Joseph’s Coat in St. Paul and is also on their Board of
Directors.
Culbertson is truly deserving of the Hames Alumni
Honors Award.
Saint Thomas Academy, in creating the Alumni Honors Award, seeks
to give due recognition to those alumni who have exemplified the
ideals of Saint Thomas Academy, and in doing so distinguished
themselves in their communities. Such alumni enrich the lives of
those about them through their personal and family lives, or their
professional occupations, or their civic leadership, or human welfare
activities, or their intellectual or cultural pursuits, or their efforts to
advance the goals of the Academy. In presenting this award, Saint
Thomas hopes the example of the alumnus so honored will be a
source of edification and encouragement to alumni, students, and
their communities we all serve.
24 | SABER Summer 2014
cadets.com
Alumni News
Don’t Miss It!
STA Athletic Hall of
Fame, Class of 2014
2014 Alumni Reunion
Weekend
The STA Alumni Association is proud to announce the
five alumni who will be inducted into the Academy’s
Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, October 3, 2014.
All event times are tentative and locations are
subject to change.
October 2-4, 2014
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Alumni Memorial Mass | 8:00 a.m.
Chapel
Alumni Honors Breakfast | 9:00 a.m.
Cafeteria
mischke
thalhuber
feely
Formation and Presentation of the
Edward G. Hames Alumni Honors Award | 10:30 a.m.
Court
This year’s recipient Bill Culbertson ’10
(Honorary Alumnus).
Cadet Pass in Review | 11:30 a.m.
Gerry Brown Stadium
brown
miley
Herb Mischke ’45 of St. Paul, MN
Participated in football, basketball, baseball and golf
at STMA: attended College of St. Thomas.
Wayne Thalhuber ’56 of St. Paul, MN
Participated in football, basketball and baseball at STMA;
attended College of St. Thomas.
Pat Feely ’63 of Burnsville, MN
Participated in football, basketball and baseball at STMA;
attended College of St. Thomas.
Christopher Brown ’69 of West. St. Paul, MN
Participated in football, basketball and baseball at STA;
attended University of Minnesota.
William Miley ’77 of St. Paul, MN
Participated in football at STA; started the alpine ski
program at STA in 1988 and was head coach 1988-98.
Senior Stag Dinner | 5:00-7:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy Gym
All classes having a 50th (or more) reunion.
Alumni Reunion Event | 6:00 p.m
Holtz Gymnasium
All classes ending in 4 and 9 that are celebrating a five-year
reunion. Senior Stag Attendees are welcome to join this
celebration after dinner.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony | 4:30 p.m.
Founders Hall Court
Dinner in cafeteria follows ceremony
Football Game vs. Mahtomedi | 7:00 p.m.
Gerry Brown Stadium
The Alumni Association will host a hospitality room inside
Flynn Hall during the football game.
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Off Campus Class-Specific Events
Stay tuned for more details and
event updates.
cadets.com
SABER Summer 2014 | 25
Alumni in the News
For news items noted “Read more...”,
please visit our Web site at cadets.com /AlumniNews.
Paul Berg ’81 was named Associate Director for
Daniel Queenan ’89 has been promoted to chief
Marcus & Millichap Capital Corp. in the firm’s Minneapolis
executive officer, Asia Pacific region, for CBRE Group Inc.
office. Berg was vice president in the real estate department
Queenan had previously served as chief operating officer of
of U.S. Bank and worked for Centennial Mortgage & Funding
the Asia Pacific region. In that role, he worked closely with
and JPI Development Partners. He is co-chairman of the
CBRE’s country and regional business line, and shared
legislative committee of the Minnesota Shopping Center
services leadership to drive growth, premier client service
Association and on the board for the Boys & Girls Clubs of
and excellence in all aspects of the Asia Pacific business.
Read more…
the Twin Cities. Read more…
Kevin Lovegreen ’87
has published a sixth Lucky Luke’s
Hunting Adventures book. This bonding,
father and son journey to Colorado is full
of adventure. Visit KevinLovegreen.com
for details.
Tom Malchow ’95 was inducted into
the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame selected Saint Thomas
Academy and University of Michigan men’s
swimmer Malchow as part of the Class of
2014. The induction took place on June 14,
in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Read more…
Steve Nilsson ’89 (right)
Peter Krieger ’12, a member on two of
and Peter Mork ’85 (left)
the STA Class A state hockey championship
are hot commodities in the
teams, has been closely watched by the
Twin Cities industrial real
USHL Waterloo Black Hawks since his
estate market. Developers are
playing days at the Academy. After going
responding in force with
undrafted and playing for the NAHL
build-to-suit projects for
Aberdeen Wings in 2012, Krieger’s game excelled and he
specific clients, renovation
was drafted 99th overall by the Black Hawks during the
of existing sites, or even
2013 USHL draft. Read more…
constructing speculative
buildings with no immediate tenants — the ultimate bet that
the economy will improve. Case in point: Nilsson recently
closed on the sale of two sites totaling 15 acres in Brooklyn
Park to First Industrial Realty Trust, a Chicago-based real
estate investment trust. Read more…
Fort Snelling Clean-up Project
Twenty-four alumni, cadets, faculty and friends of Saint
Thomas Academy descended on Fort Snelling National
Cemetery on the Wednesday prior to Memorial Day to
help prepare the grounds for Memorial Day ceremonies.
A photojournalist from the Pioneer Press followed the
group, gaining STA some valuable PR. View the story
online at http://tiny.cc/l10nhx. A big thank you goes out
to all who volunteered their time to help the staff at
Fort Snelling ready the cemetery for Memorial Weekend
activities! More photos can be viewed at
https ://saintthomasacademyalumni.shutterfly.com /
26 | SABER Summer 2014
cadets.com
Class Notes
49
John Kloster shared a
family photo. Pictured (L-R)
are son Karl, grandsons Noah ’16 and
Lewie ’13, wife Donna, grandson
Weston ’10 and daughter-in-law Josie.
75 has been named vice president of
R. John Welsh, Ph.D.
Bellevue University’s Human Capital LabSM
(HCL). The HCL brings together business
and academic leaders to measure the
impact of learning investments and shares
this knowledge with learning leaders and
clients through industry studies, newsletters
and quarterly colloquia. Over the last 25
years, Welsh has successfully led Fortune
500 companies, higher education and
high-tech start-ups. Before joining the
Human Capital Lab, he held an executive
leadership role at Saint John’s University,
where he designed and implemented
several new, innovative philanthropic and
educational strategies to increase donor
engagement and donations. Prior to that,
he led several global management
consulting firms.
94
Lt Col. Collin Coatney wishes
his classmates the best from
Tucson, AZ, where he resides with wife Terri
and son Chace Patrick. “Happy 20th reunion
to all. If you are in the Tucson area, be sure
to call and say hello.” Coatney is serving with
the Arizona Air Guard as an instructor.
73
Tim Plunkett sent an e-mail to STA: “Some of my classmates and
I had a gathering in Winter Park, CO, and took this picture for Saber.
Pictured are (front) Terry Bussen, and (back) Dan Dooley, me, Greg Palen,
Jim Joyce, Tom Clements, John Rooney and Chris Lee.”
81
In May, STA hosted a Nike
Championship Basketball
Clinic. Greg Monahan (pictured at
right) welcomed guests from all over
the country. He said of the day,
“I could have spent all day there
(and it was a basketball event!) —
I just love being an ambassador for
STA! People were impressed with not
only the facilities but how friendly and
welcoming everyone associated with
STA was. Once again the Academy
‘showed’ well!!”
09
John Michael Coatney joined
the Peace Corps and recently left
for Panama where he will be training for
three months in Panama City before being
assigned to a village for community service.
He will be in Panama for the next 27 months
and several classmates are already making
plans to head south for a visit next year.
“See you on Facebook!”
cadets.com
@
We want to hear from you! Please send your
contributions to Class Notes via e-mail to
alumni@cadets.com, via the Internet at
cadets.com (Alumni Online Community),
or by mail, attention Alumni Office.
SABER Summer 2014 | 27
Class Notes
was sworn
04
in as an attorney before the Illinois
Graeme Fehr
Supreme Court on May 1, 2014, in Chicago.
He joined his brothers, Karl Fehr ’01 and
John Fehr, as a partner with Fehr Law
Group, LLC, Chicago. Before law school,
he completed an MBA in Real Estate
Finance from Roosevelt University, Chicago.
10
Michael DePauw (pictured right) was commissioned by
Pat Abele ’10 on May 27, 2014 at USAFA, Colorado Springs.
Abele flew out to perform this honor for his classmate.
(pictured
10
right) sent an e-mail and photo
Pat Abele
to LTC DePuglio on May 25: “We both
commissioned this past Friday. He (Kurt
Altrichter ’10) is branching Minnesota
National Guard Infantry, and I’m branching
Active Duty Armor Branch.”
Register online at Zapevent.com
28 | SABER Summer 2014
cadets.com
In Memoriam
Please remember in your prayers these classmates and friends of the Academy who recently
passed away [April 12 to June 30, 2014] or of whose death we were recently notified.
Jon Conney ’63
(June 2014)
Robert C. McIntyre ’51
(March 2014)
Martin P. Coyne ’47
(June 2014)
Edward J. Menalis, Jr. ’42
(June 2014)
Donald G. Dornbach ’50
(June 2014)
John C. Robertson ’73
(May 2014)
Edward F. Hinderer ’48
(May 2014)
David L. Vincent ’67
(April 2014)
Lawrence Coss
Father of Tim ’78 and James ’01;
grandfather of Garrett ’16
The Coss Foundation
Audrey Ettl
Mother of Mark ’72, Luke ’82
and Matthew ’83
Gerald Rauenhorst
Father of Mark ’71, Neil ’72,
Joseph ’74, Michael ’76, Judy
Doerr (Lee Doerr ’72) and Amy
(Philip) Goldman; and grandfather
of Nicholas Goldman ’14
The Opus Group
Art Nilsson
Father of James ’86, Steve ’89
and Dan ’98
Calendar of Events
July
September
31 Used uniform sale (high school),
03 Mothers’ and Fathers’ Clubs Gathering:
6:00 p.m.
“Meet the Headmaster”
August
08 Back to School Night
12 Opening Mass and Reception
07 STA registration Round-Up Day, option 1
15-22 Bridging for Essentials Drive
13 STA registration Round-Up Day, option 2
25 Taste of STA
07, 13 New uniform sale (high school)
14 Student JO Workshop
October
15 Senior Leader Workshop
01 20 New parent orientation (all grades)
02-04 Alumni Homecoming Reunion Events
22 Middle School new student orientation
08 22 Freshman orientation and retreat
16-17 No School
25 First day of school
27 Senior leadership conference at UST
Visit
cadets.com
cadets.com /calendar
Opus Sancti Thomae dinner
Grandparents’ Day (all grades)
saint thomas academy
SABER
Saber, a publication of
Saint Thomas Academy, is
published four times a year for
alumni, families and friends of the
Academy. Your comments, story
ideas and suggestions are
welcome. Please call editor
Mary Machgan Culbertson,
Director of Communications,
at 651-683-1532 or email
mculbertson@cadets.com.
Feature and Profile Writer:
Cynthia Hill
Design and Printing:
Sexton Printing
for the complete school calendar.
PHOTO CREDITS
Andy King Photography
Peter Cunniff ’15
LTC Michael DePuglio
Brian Edel
Emily Suzanne Photography
John Geroux III
Tony Kinzley
Laurie Kropp
Lifetouch Photography
Mary Machgan Culbertson
Michael Murray Photography
Mike Maxwell ’84
The Photographer’s Guild
Shell Eco-marathon
Wendy Short-Hays
STA Alumni
SABER
Summer 2013 |
STA Families and Friends
29
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Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
TWIN CITIES, MN
Permit No. 857
949 Mendota Heights Road
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Snapshots
What we did this summer…
Vive la France! France was the destination for a student group
this summer, and included stops in Paris, Versailles, the Loire Valley,
the French Riviera and the D-Day beaches in Normandy.
Hooah! In June, some 80 cadets tackled an intimidating
ropes course as part of two training sessions at the Boy Scout
Base Camp at Fort Snelling. Classes in communication skills,
leadership, and problem solving rounded out the experience.
s
Ole! A group of
students traveled to
Costa Rica in June.
The tour involved
white water rafting,
a rainforest zip line,
visits to national parks,
hiking a volcano and
relaxing in hot springs.
Summer fun! Summer camp
returned to STA in the form of Cadet
Camp! The two-week, morning
camp features creative technology,
science and ceramics. Campers
learn to make a movie and write a
book with an iPad, venture into a
hands-on exploration of the scientific
world, and create works of art in
the ceramic studio. Openings are
available for the August session –
visit cadets.com /camps
for registration.