The Raider - Winter 2012 - Regis Jesuit High School

TheRaider
2012
A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI, STUDENTS, PARENTS & FRIENDS OF REGIS JESUIT
WINTER ISSUE
If you build it, they will come..
Constructing the foundations of a Jesuit school
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
•
•
•
•
2011-12 Financial Report
Launching the FOUNDATIONS FOR
EXCELLENCE Campaign
The Girls Division Celebrates Ten Years
Maintaining Our Ignatian Identity
Table
of
Contents
2
ON THE COVER
Top to Bottom: Renderings and/or construction photos of the new Performing
Arts Center and Student Commons, the Boys Division, the Girls Division and the
“Pink Palace” on the Regis U campus
SCHOOL NEWS
Message from the President....................................................................................3
FOUNDATIONS FOR EXCELLENCE Campaign Kicks Off.......................................4
Building Our Ignatian Identity...................................................................................6
Success of First RJ Day for Others..........................................................................8
Fall Sports Wrap Up...................................................................................................9
The Fall Classic 2012 Tees Up Another Win.........................................................10
2011-12 FINANCIAL REPORT
Message from John Sheridan ’76..........................................................................11
Members of the Board of Trustees and Council of Regents.............................12
Financial Overview ..................................................................................................12
Giving Report.............................................................................................................13
THE ALUMNI RAIDER
Building Regis Jesuit: Alumni in Construction.....................................................15
An Alumni Perspective on the New Building.......................................................17
The Girls Division Celebrates Ten Years...............................................................18
Class Notes................................................................................................................20
What It Means to Be a Raider................................................................................22
COMMUNITY NEWS
Faculty Notes.............................................................................................................23
Where Are They Now: Nancy Cowdin..................................................................24
Raider Journeys........................................................................................................25
In Memoriam.............................................................................................................27
Upcoming Events.....................................................................................Back Cover
The Raider and Alumni Raider are published by Regis Jesuit High School twice a year
[summer and winter]. Your comments, opinions, inquiries about the magazine, Regis
Jesuit High School, its programs or community members including alumni are welcome
to communications@regisjesuit.com. Story ideas and submissions are welcome as well.
Regis Jesuit High School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to
all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to
students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and
ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship
and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
President: Rev. Philip G. Steele, SJ ’66
Principals: Alan Carruthers – Boys Division Gretchen M. Kessler – Girls Division
Chief Financial Officer: Carol Mendlik
Vice President of Operations: Rick Sullivan
Vice President of Advancement: John Jackson
Director of Communications: Charisse Broderick King
Contributors:
Julie Alcorn
Kinda Alquatli ’13
Jim Broderick King ’87
Mary Dailey
Ann Dawkins
Kathy Geraci
Sheila Gustafson
Jeff Howard ’88
John Jackson
Jon Kraus
Carol Mendlik
Paul Miller ’04
John Moore ’81
Kathleen Morton
Debbie O’Dwyer
Kimberly Reynders
John Sheridan ’76
Colin St. John ’01
Phil Steele, SJ ’66
Kim Wagman
Design: TaCito Design, Inc.
Printing: Unique Litho, Inc.
Mission Statement
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
using sustainable production methods.
Regis Jesuit High School,
a Catholic educational community,
affirms the uniqueness and dignity of individuals,
inspires the pursuit of excellence,
fosters faith and a commitment to service and justice,
and strives to develop a connection to the world community.
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Message from the President
3
As I prepare a homily for a student liturgy, I like to know what kids are thinking so
that my words might better connect with them. So at a recent lunch meeting with a
few boys from the pastoral committee to plan an upcoming Freshman-Sophomore
liturgy, I asked, “Here we are almost halfway through the first semester. How are
things going for you?” One of the freshman boys responded immediately, “I haven’t
had this much fun at school since kindergarten!”
Nothing he might have said could have made me feel better than I did at that moment.
It got me thinking about the place of fun in the mission of Regis Jesuit High School.
Having fun is not one of the pillars of the Grad at Grad—but maybe it should be.
If high school is not fun, something is wrong. Parents instinctively know this; they take great satisfaction when they
see their children truly having fun. The best teachers know how to make learning fun (I didn’t say “easy”). Coaches
who mix the right formula of discipline and fun tend to have the largest (and best) teams. Invariably our students
returning from retreats and service experiences describe those times as “fun.” Last summer we saw the impact of Missy
Franklin’s philosophy of fun on the entire U.S. Olympic swim team. Indeed, genuine fun is one of the most important
antidotes to the demons of loneliness, depression and self-doubt that stalk our kids and threaten to make life way more
burdensome than it should be.
I often hear words of appreciation from alumni for the skills that guaranteed their success in college and beyond. I hear
words of gratitude for the “Jesuit values” that have given shape to their lives and guided their career choices. But when
they get together, alumni don’t tend to talk much about such lofty subjects. Rather they spend hours telling the same old
ridiculous stories, laughing about the fun times they had with their friends—very often the same best friends they have
today.
Years ago I developed a response to those who asked me how I did in Las Vegas: “You can’t put a price on fun.”
I wish that were true. I wish fun weren’t so expensive! I wish that we could be tuition-free, as St. Ignatius mandated
for the very first Jesuit schools; or that we were fully endowed, as is our namesake Regis High School in New York;
or that one of the many people who have told me they have us in mind when they win the lottery would find the right
combination of numbers.
But until lightning strikes, we commit ourselves as a community to provide—and to be—the resources needed by
our children as they learn the kind of fun that is life-affirming, edifying, inclusive and loving. This means faculty and
staff spending countless hours helping kids “get it.” It means scores of parents volunteering endless hours to help the
cafeterias, nurses’ offices, teams and clubs function so well with such modest resources—and others volunteering
to meet with their fellow parents to solicit the support so essential to our operation. It means Trustees and Board
Committee members freely dedicating their precious time and expertise to the health and growth of the school—led
with extraordinary generosity for the past four years by Mike Reidy ’72 and now with equal passion and love by John
Sheridan ’76.
Thank you to each member of this community for your marvelous and necessary gifts of time, talent and treasure.
The best gift I can wish in return is that we all continue to have fun as we work together to build the future of Regis
Jesuit High School.
Gratefully,
Rev. Philip G. Steele, SJ ’66
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winter 2012
4
FOUNDATIONS FOR EXCELLENCE
Goes Public
Capital Campaign to raise $20 million for endowment and new building
On September 12, 2012, Regis Jesuit High School
announced the public launch of the FOUNDATIONS FOR
EXCELLENCE campaign at a celebratory event held at the
school. The event, entitled “An Evening of Excellence,”
featured entertainment by the Boys Division Advanced Jazz
Ensemble and Girls Division Canta Belles, along with remarks
by students, faculty, President Fr. Phil Steele, SJ ’66, and
Board Chair John Sheridan ’76. Approximately 100 Regis
Jesuit parents, alumni, board members and other friends
gathered to learn more about the campaign and celebrate its
success so far. Although Regis Jesuit only recently announced
the FOUNDATIONS FOR EXCELLENCE campaign to our
wider community, the public launch was a culmination of
several years of planning and preparation.
More than five years ago, the Board of Trustees and
Management Team of Regis Jesuit began conversations about
the future needs of the school and the next capital campaign.
The school’s previous campaign, Tradition Touching
Tomorrow, had concluded with the construction of the new
Boys Division building and renovation of the existing building
for use by the Girls Division. With the co-divisional model
securely in place, the question became, “What’s next for
Regis Jesuit?” In April 2008, the school conducted a survey
of several key community members and three issues rose to
the top. First, Regis Jesuit has a growing need for financial
aid. This year alone, we will provide $2.5 million in tuition
assistance to about 350 students, and that number continues
to rise each year. Second, the school’s truly dedicated faculty
Architectural rendering of the Performing Arts Center &
Student Commons, slated for completion in January 2014
FOUNDATIONS FOR E XCE L L E NCE
2007 – Board of
Trustees approves
long-term plan and
identifies need for a
capital campaign
Timeline
Spring 2010 – Regis Jesuit
contracts with Steier
Group; feasibility study
shows support for a $20
million capital campaign
2007
Spring 2008 – Survey
of key community
members identifies
three top priorities
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Fall 2010 – Silent
Phase of campaign
begins
Fall 2011 –
Campaign
receives first $1
million pledge
5
For more information on FOUNDATIONS FOR EXCELLENCE, please
visit www.regisjesuit.com/FFE or call the Advancement Office at
303.269.8140.
Guests gather at the public
launch of the campaign on
September 12
and staff earn significantly less than teachers in other
schools, forcing many to make tough decisions of
whether to stay at Regis Jesuit or teach elsewhere. And
third, Regis Jesuit has extremely talented faculty and
students in the area of performing arts who perform
in seriously deficient spaces, and the campus lacks a
central gathering space and auditorium for students,
parents, alumni and the wider community.
Armed with this information, Regis Jesuit contracted
with the Steier Group, a Catholic fundraising
consulting firm based in Omaha, in the fall of 2009
to help define and gather support for these three
priorities. Based on a feasibility study conducted
the following spring, the Steier Group confirmed
that our community was in favor of a major capital
campaign to support:
• Increasing the school’s endowment for tuition
assistance to ensure the long-term viability and
affordability of Regis Jesuit High School for a
diverse spectrum of families;
• Increasing the endowment for faculty
compensation to ensure that our talented pool of
teachers and staff members is paid justly for the work to
which they have dedicated their lives;
• Constructing a Performing Arts Center and Student
Commons building in the center of campus to provide space
for Regis Jesuit’s flourishing performing arts programs and
provide much needed space for college counseling, student
communications and community meetings and gatherings.
The Steier Group recommended a goal of raising $20 million
over five years, and in June 2010 the Board of Trustees voted
to move forward with the silent phase of the campaign. Over
the next two years, Regis Jesuit and the Steier Group – with
the assistance of countless hours of volunteer help – worked
to secure more than $14.5 million in gifts and pledges from
September 2012 –
Campaign goes public
with $14.5 million
raised
approximately 250 donors, setting the stage to launch the
public phase with over 70% of the goal already met.
The need for the FOUNDATIONS FOR EXCELLENCE
campaign is clear. With the construction of the new Performing
Arts Center and Student Commons and adding $7 million
to the endowment for faculty compensation and tuition
assistance, we can maintain and improve the tradition of
excellence that began with our founding in 1877. Over the
next months, Regis Jesuit will be asking for support from
every member of the community to help us reach our $20
million goal and make each of these priorities a reality.
June 2013 –
Conclusion of
campaign solicitation
phase ($20 million goal)
2014
February 2012 –
Campaign surpasses
$10 million in gifts and
pledges
March 2013 – Projected
date of ground-breaking
for new building
January 2014 –
Projected completion
date of new building
The Raider
winter 2012
6
Building Upon Our Strong Ignatian Foundations
B y J i m B roderic k Kin g ’ 87
The Seal of the Society of Jesus
At Regis Jesuit we direct
much of our focus on building
for the future, both literally
and figuratively. Our current
campaign, FOUNDATIONS
FOR EXCELLENCE, has called
us to consider carefully how we
build that future, not only with new
facilities, but also with renewed focus
on building resources for our students
and faculty. While we bolster and build upon
the strength of our current foundations, we must also
focus on sustaining the firm and centuries-old base of Ignatian
spirituality within our thriving school community.
While we continue the tradition
of morning and afternoon prayer
as a community each school
day, in recent years we have
also incorporated the traditional
Ignatian prayer of the “Examen.”
In the middle of a busy school
day, it offers an opportunity to take
five minutes to reflect quietly on the
spiritual movements of the day, enter into
conversation with God and offer gratitude. More
and more teachers have paired this concept of selfreflection with our established hallmark of critical thinking
to encourage our students to apply genuine discernment
in their lives, whether reflecting on performance on a test,
relationships with friends or in making college decisions.
To build this contemplative and discerning attitude in RJ
students, there must be some accompanying and intentional
effort in supporting our teachers’ own spiritual growth as
well. Beyond sharing dedicated mornings and entire days of
prayer together as an adult community, many Regis Jesuit
employees are called to explore Ignatian spirituality on a
deeper level. With the financial and spiritual investment of
the school’s Jesuit community, many have sought to foster
their spiritual growth through multi-day retreats such as the
“Jesuit Colleagues” eight-day summer retreat sponsored by
the Missouri Province of Jesuits this past summer. Our newest
Ignatian educators attend the annual Province retreat, and some
of the staff have attended the Ignatian Spirituality Conference
in St. Louis. Several RJ staff members have also undertaken
The Spiritual Exercises in their full form, both on 30 day silent
retreats, as well as through the more common extended version
of The Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life.
The crucifix as seen at this year’s Mass of the Holy Spirit
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola have
animated Jesuit apostolates for nearly five centuries.
Poignantly, the first meditation from this prayer guide is
titled “The First Principle and Foundation” and certainly sets
the groundwork for the entirety of Ignatian spirituality. The
Spiritual Exercises are likewise a basis for much of what we
build on at Regis Jesuit High School. Of course, most in our
community would point to the theology courses and student
retreats as central to this Ignatian framework, but we offer
more than those opportunities, and are developing new ones to
support this outcome.
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With our students, staff and even parents and alumni engaged
in this spiritual adventure, it is helpful for us as a community
to do our own “institutional Examen,” of sorts – to take stock
of the school’s many graces, to offer God gratitude for those
blessings and to seek new opportunities for our growth in
the Ignatian tradition. This year, the Regis Jesuit community
will engage in our first formal process of self-reflection in
this vein as we coordinate with the Provincial and his staff
in the Missouri Province office to examine formally our
Ignatian identity and our sponsorship with the Province. There
will certainly be opportunities for the wider RJ community
to participate in this “Sponsorship Review” in the coming
year, so watch for that invitation. This appraisal will be an
intentional way for us to look deeply at our identity as a Jesuit
apostolate, to celebrate all that we have done as a Jesuit work
and ways we have grown in our Ignatian character, and to
7
St. Ignatius and the First Companions continue to inspire the RJ community today
identify the ways we can strengthen the foundation and build
further upon our mission as a Jesuit school.
It is certain that with both the physical changes to our campus
in the coming years and in building great spiritual structures,
we will continue to reveal a vibrant school community
committed to God’s greater glory!
In addition to being an alumnus, Jim Broderick King has
taught Latin at Regis Jesuit since 1995. For the last five
years, he has also served as the school’s Ignatian Identity
Coordinator, ensuring that the school maintains a strong
connection to its Jesuit history and mission.
Fr. James Martin, SJ to Visit Regis Jesuit
We are pleased to announce a great opportunity for next fall. In collaboration with Regis University, we will be bringing
Fr. James Martin, SJ, to Denver in September of 2013! Fr. Martin will visit Regis Jesuit on Wednesday, September 18,
2013. He will be at Regis University the following day. Details of the schedule are still pending, but he will certainly be
doing a presentation here for the wider RJ community on the 18th. If you are not familiar with Fr. Martin, you may know
one of his many books (The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything and Between Heaven and Mirth), his writing in America
Magazine or one of his many appearances on Comedy Central’s Colbert Report as the “official chaplain of the Colbert
Nation.” Fr. Martin also recently appeared with Stephen Colbert and Cardinal Timothy Dolan at an event on humor and
faith held at New York’s Fordham University.
Get updates on this event at www.regisjesuit.com/JamesMartin.
The Raider
winter 2012
8
See photos from the
first RJ Day for Others
at www.regisjesuit.
com/DFOPhotos.
Hundreds Serve
One Community for First-Ever
RJ Day for Others
When the forecast called for sun and
mid-70s for Saturday, September 8, 2012,
organizers of the inaugural RJ Day for
Others breathed a sigh of relief. After all,
nearly 600 members of the greater Regis
Jesuit community were heading out that
day to serve as a community, many at
outdoor locations. Designed to bring the
multiple facets of the school community
together in the shared experience of prayer
and service to the people of God in the
Denver area, RJ Day for Others was the
brainchild of the school’s Service Directors,
Ignatian Identity Coordinator and Director
of Alumni Relations, who modeled it
after similar days of service many Jesuit
universities sponsor.
Turnout for the first-year far exceeded organizers’ imaginings.
“When the core team first started talking about doing something
like this, we decided that we would count it a success if we
had 50 to 100 people participate this year,” said Kristen Kraus,
who serves as the Girls Division Service Director. In fact, the
first Day for Others is the largest service event Regis Jesuit has
ever implemented in the school’s history. Assisted by a group of
about 25 dedicated staff, parent and student volunteers, the team
was energized by the overwhelming desire of the community to
participate. Ignatian Identity Coordinator, Jim Broderick King ’87,
declared, “The hunger to embrace that part of our educational
mission that instills a deep commitment to justice is clear in the
response to Day for Others by our community.”
Beginning with a commissioning service held at Regis Jesuit
in the morning, the volunteers then spent the majority of the
day at nearly 50 service sites around the Metro area. About
200 reconvened at the school in the late afternoon for Mass
and sharing of their service experiences before partaking in a
community meal.
Serving together proved to be an impactful experience for many
beyond the work being done. One mother, who accompanied her
sons to the Denver Rescue Mission, wrote:
“I must thank to you for providing my boys and me with this
wonderful service opportunity. [We] had the great fortune to
prepare food, literally serve those who are less fortunate than
us, and clean up after the meal. My sons understood that the
food they served was left-over stock from various grocery
stores; nevertheless, the gratitude of those who ate at the
Denver Rescue Mission was palpable.
“Opportunities such as this remind my family of the many
blessings that have been bestowed upon us. I hope as my sons
Winter 2012
The Day for Others Core Team (L-R) Colin St. John ’01,
Nick Fagnant ’02, Kristen Kraus and Jim Broderick King ’87
The Raider
grow they will continue the tradition of acting as men for others
and continue to pursue opportunities to be leaders in the service
for others.”
Another group, made up of faculty and staff members who helped
organize supplies for The Rise School, described their experience
this way:
“When we first saw the task ahead of us, I think [we all] felt
overwhelmed, but we dug in, working side-by-side. By the
time we left, the room was organized and looked great. We
all have a few sore muscles from lifting and stretching and
cleaning, but the feeling we left with certainly outweighed any
sore muscles. It was great to help our fellow educators.”
The sites were equally pleased with the outcome, with many
emailing or calling before the day was out to communicate their
thanks for “the fantastic groups of volunteers.” The volunteer
coordinator at Rowan Community, an elder care facility, wrote,
“The group that we had was wonderful, and the residents were
enchanted with everyone, but the children especially. Please thank
all concerned from all of us here, and we hope to see them back
again.”
All signs point to that being a good probability after the success
of this first event. Organizers are more energized than ever about
making Day for Others an annual experience at Regis Jesuit. “We
want this to become another of the great traditions at the school,”
said Boys Division Service Director and core team member, Nick
Fagnant ’02. Colin St. John ’01, another core team member and
Director of Alumni Relations, added, “I know there will come
a day when alums tell stories about their experience at Day for
Others in the same way they reminisce fondly about retreats, or
football games or favorite teachers.”
Fall Sports Highlights
9
Girls D ivision
B oy s D ivision
Cross Country
The girls had a very successful campaign. Led by Madalyn
Somer ’14, the team overcame key injuries and qualified for
state, finishing 18th overall.
Cross Country
Led by Frank Morton ’13, the Raiders finished seventh at
regionals. Both he and Sean Morton ’13 qualified for state as
individuals. Look for John O’Hagan ’15 to lead the Raiders back
among the state’s elite in the coming seasons.
Field Hockey
In the program’s third varsity season, the Raiders put
themselves on the state’s radar. Led by Faye Hubregsen ’13, the
Raiders advanced to the state playoffs where they fell to topseeded Colorado Academy in a tight 3-0 match. Look for Jenny
Biernat ’14 and Caroline Law ’14 to lead a talented Raiders
squad deep into the playoffs next season
Softball
Experience is what the Raiders will take away from this season.
Lauren Caldwell ’14, who posted a .472 batting average, will
look to lead a talented young squad to the playoffs next season.
Rugby
After finishing with a 4-3 regular season record, the Raiders
made a deep playoff run, finishing in third place in the state
Division 1 field. The Raiders were led by the outstanding play
of Hannah Burgan ’13 and Brigid Sleevi ’14, both of whom
were selected as Rugby Colorado High School Girls All-State
players. The Raiders played tough and with class which earned
the team the Sportsmanship Award and Coach Joe Lagan the
honor of being named Coach of the Year.
Volleyball
It was a rebuilding year for the Raiders whose third place team
from last season graduated nine seniors. Santaisha Sturges ’15
led the team with an impressive 197 kills. The Raiders made a
late season push but were ousted in the state regionals.
Football
The Raiders both overcame inexperience and injuries, turning
what could have been a forgetful season into a memorable one.
Antonio Broadus ’13 led a tough defensive core that kept the
Raiders competitive in every game. After a first round upset over
Gateway, the Raiders were ousted by Valor Christian in the second
round of the state playoffs. The future is bright for the Raiders
behind quarterback Matt Houghtaling ’15 and running back
Chukwima Obinnah ’15.
Golf
Three-peat! Head Coach Craig Rogers has built a dynasty at
Regis Jesuit as the Raiders coasted to their third straight state
championship. Transfer Spencer Painton ’14 finished second
overall as Chris Korte ’14 and Cole Cunningham ’13 tied for
sixth. It was Cunningham’s third top-six showing in his three trips
to state. Jack Kelley ’14 finished 17th overall. With three returning
golfers, the Raiders like their chances again next season.
Soccer
Winning six of their last eight games, the Raiders entered
postseason play sizzling; however, a snowy first round affair
against Rangeview cooled their steam. Senior defender and team
captain Trey Ahern ’13, along with classmates Christian Naes ’13
and Adam Manilla ’13, showed remarkable leadership that will
prove successful in the coming years as the Raiders started a
number of underclassmen.
Tennis
The Raiders finished sixth in the final team standings at the 5A
state tennis tournament. No. 4 doubles team of Noah Warren ’14
and Joe Robertson ’15 claimed third place and Chanon Penvari ’16
finished fourth, giving Head Coach Laura Jones’ team a total of
17 points over the three days of the tournament, and lifting them
three positions higher than in 2011.
John Gaudio ’72
Courtney Oakes, The Aurora Sentinel
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winter 2012
10
Teeing Up Another Win
Oktoberfest at the Fall Classic
8th Annual
OKTO
BERFEST
TOURNAMENT
SEPTEMBER 5, 2012
Kevin McNicholas (L) and his
crew enjoy their day on the links
The Fall Classic 2012 was another great success with net proceeds topping $170,000 to benefit the Regis Jesuit High School
Scholarship Program! It was a glorious day at Sanctuary as 30 foursomes took to the course to the strains of the accordion for a
day of fun and fundraising. Parents, alumni and other friends were among the 120 golfers participating in the eighth year of the
event presented by RE/MAX LLC. The title sponsor for the fifth consecutive year was K-M Concessions/The T. Kevin McNicholas
Foundation, and Kevin was there to rally his troops for the festivities. Hole-in-One and Gold Sponsors, Mike McDonald and Lee
Payne brought out a bevy of beautiful automobiles, but luck was not on anyone’s side to win a car this year.
With the final foursome in, it was Mike Kennedy ’92 with Charlie Kay ’07, Brian Fagan ’00 and Victor Wind who claimed first place.
The longest drive in the women’s division was made by Mari Ann Martin, with Curtis Frank earning the honor in the men’s. Thanks
to Jim Benemann, our fabulous emcee, the outstanding staff at Sanctuary and our amazing Regis Jesuit students and volunteers for a
great event. Special thanks to all the players and sponsors whose generosity supports our tuition assistance program. PROST!
THE FALL
CLASSIC
benefitting
REGIS JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
at Sanctuary
PRESENTED BY RE/MAX, LLC
winter 2012
The Raider
Mark your calendars for the
9th Annual Fall Classic:
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at Sanctuary!
M e s s a g e f r om t h e
c h air
Board of Trustees
Dear Friends:
As your new Chair of the Board of Trustees, I am honored to serve and
privileged to share this year’s update on what we’ve accomplished together
for this very special place. As an alumnus of the class of 1976 (yes, the “old”
campus), I look in amazement at how far our school has come since I attended.
Indeed, in 136 years, our success has never been greater.
1112
financial
re port
Several years ago, you asked us to meet three priorities as part of a capital
campaign now known as FOUNDATIONS FOR EXCELLENCE. I am pleased
to report that the campaign has pledges and gifts of nearly $15 million toward
the goal of $20 million thanks to your support. At least $7 million of the monies raised will be earmarked
to meet the first two priorities identified: increasing our endowment for both tuition assistance and faculty
compensation. Already, we have achieved significant progress toward parity with salaries offered by
neighboring public school districts, and our overall endowment fund has bounced back from the lows of the
recession so that we can continue to offer tuition support to families who could not otherwise afford a Regis
Jesuit experience.
The third priority was to expand our facilities, and we look to break ground on a new building in the spring.
What was once two ‘temporary’ buildings on a rabbit-infested hill will become the new gateway to our
campus as a multi-functional Student Commons and Performing Arts Center. It will be the first truly allschool building, built both to respect and further our co-divisional structure, and strengthen our overall
community.
We should all be proud of these accomplishments; they demonstrate the fantastic improvements we can make
when we work together. But beyond bank accounts, salaries and bricks and mortar, we must remember what
created this community in the first place and what keeps us together today—the Ignatian tradition at work.
While money and improved facilities can provide the environment where our school and students can flourish,
the people of Regis Jesuit are its foundation.
With that in mind, I want to give a heart-felt thank-you to my predecessor, Mike Reidy ’72, whose four years
as Chair and countless years of service can never be measured, but will forever be remembered. I also want
to acknowledge retiring Trustees, who likewise cannot be thanked enough: Greg Armstrong, who helped with
numerous construction projects; Tom Robinson ’64, alum and former teacher, who has given so much of his
life to the school; and Fr. Michael Sheeran, SJ, former president at Regis University, whose influence and
involvement has helped make Regis Jesuit what it is today. These people reflect the faith, passion and genuine
humility at work throughout the Raider community.
God bless our students, alumni, faculty and staff!
John F. Sheridan ’76
Chairman
FINANCIAL REPORT
People serving people in the spirit of community—that’s the reason Regis Jesuit has accomplished
so much as an institution. By working together with and for each other, we will always succeed.
1112
Today’s students come to Regis Jesuit as children with the opportunity to grow up within this utterly unique
place that has been steeped in Jesuit values for well over a century. They learn from us as we live our faith,
sticking together with love and respect in times both of triumph and challenge. With our guidance, they leave
four years later as adults, taking with them a host of accomplishments, unforgettable memories and life-long
friends, but also an Ignatian sense of humility. Having learned to collaborate and engage, to respect human
life and dignity, to confront injustice, they take these lessons courageously and confidently to serve in all
corners of the globe.
11
statement of activities
Regis Jesuit High School
2011-2012 REVENUES
2012-13 Board of Trustees
Mr. Sean T. Q. Agniel
Mr. Bert R. Bondi
Mrs. Julie J. Bunsness
Mr. Stacey A. Campbell
Rev. Elbert V. Chilson
Mrs. Molly Jenkins Cohen
Mr. Fred J. Diss ’79
Rev. John P. Fitzgibbons, SJ
Mr. John A. Harpole
Rev. Jeffrey D. Harrison, SJ
Mrs. Ellen L. Kiniry
Mrs. Eileen McCallin
Rev. Gerard E. Menard, SJ
Mr. Caleb Meyer ’93
Mr. Daniel P. Murray, Sr. ’74
Mr. Michael L. Reidy ’72
Mr. John F. Sheridan ’76
Rev. Philip G. Steele, SJ ’66
Mrs. Mary L. Sullivan
Mrs. Ana S. Titterington
Mr. Philip F. Vottiero
Financial Overview
Current gifts & special events
Tuition & fees
Long-term gifts
Auxiliary activities
6.4%
70.5%
18.2%
4.9%
2011-2012 EXPENSES
Salaries & benefits
Education & student services
Maintenance & utilities
Tuition assistance
Planning & administration
Depreciation
Debt service expense
Advancement
57.0%
14.0%
3.9%
10.2%
2.5%
6.2%
1.3%
4.9%
Regis Jesuit takes seriously its responsibility to earn and maintain the trust of our donors.
More than 85 percent of every dollar given to the school goes directly to our programs.
Unrestricted Funds for the Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2012 and 2011
2012-13 Council of Regents
Mr. Gregory Armstrong
Mr. Richard O. Campbell ’54
Dr. Kenneth J. Cavanaugh
Mrs. Marion G. Curtis
Mr. James M. Davis
Mrs. Annabelle Deline
Mr. Donald E. Gallegos ’51
Mr. Patrick F. Gartland ’65
Mr. Guy H. Gibbs ’47
Rev. Ralph D. Houlihan, SJ
Mrs. Margaret M. Kelly
Mr. Gerald J. Laber
Rev. Louis J. McCabe, SJ ’58
Mr. Daniel J. McCallin ’67
Mr. Kevin McNicholas
Dr. John E. Meyer
Mrs. Margaret Nemechek
Mrs. Cleo Parker Robinson
Mr. Thomas E. Robinson ’64
Rev. Walter T. Sidney, SJ
Mr. Francis A. Weber ’45
Rev. Leo F. Weber, SJ ’44
Mr. Walter S. Weckbaugh ’62
Mr. Michael A. Zoellner ’74
12
REVENUES
Tuition and fees
20122011
18,104,235
16,400,531
Auxiliary activities
1,257,213 1,173,792
Contributions and special events
2,722,402
2,301,592
Investment earnings and net (losses) gains (238,865)
798,344
21,844,985 20,674,259
16,971,802
15,946,315
2,671,791
2,510,805
TOTAL REVENUES
EXPENSES
School instruction and operations
Student clubs and auxiliary activities Management and general
Fundraising, communications and web expenses
TOTAL EXPENSES
Decrease in unrestricted funds
921,988
890,521
1,447,102
1,419,716
22,012,683
20,767,357
(167,698)
(93,098)
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON RESTRICTED FUNDS
Contributions: campaign (FFE) and other long-term purposes4,459,084
Investment (losses) gains on restricted funds
4,523,596
(54,396)
769,734
Distributions
(481,688)
(379,855)
Net increase in restricted funds
3,923,000
4,913,475
2011-2012
Giving Report
TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED IN 2011-12: $4,865,219
2011-2012 CONTRIBUTIONS
General Scholarship Fund $317,651
Special Events (net)
$546,810
Unrestricted Annual
$722,169
Capital Campaign*
$3,278,589
7%
11%
15%
67%
*Includes one-time gifts and payments on pledges to FOUNDATIONS FOR EXCELLENCE during the 2011-12 fiscal year.
Thank you for your support!
FINANCIAL REPORT
1112
During our 2011-12 fiscal year, we received nearly $1.6 million from current parents, alumni, past parents, grandparents,
foundations, corporations and other friends of the school toward our annual needs. Below are just a few of the things that
support from our donors helped to make possible last year:
• Providing $2.1 million in financial aid to 365 students, with an average award of nearly $6,000 per student
• Hiring a new Security Specialist for the school
• Increasing faculty and staff salaries to attract and retain quality teachers and administrators
• Launching the RJ iPad Pilot Program (RJiP3) to stay current with today’s technology
13
2011-2012
Giving Report
ALUMNI PARTICIPATION
Total Participation by All Alumni:
Total Giving by All Alumni: 6.9%
$1,059,941.08
Giving by Decade
30s$250.00
40s
$10,239.00
50s$118,453.00
Top 5 Classes by Giving
Class of 1974
$383,804.00
60s$143,767.00
Class of 1976
$99,027.00
70s$562,672.00
Class of 1956
$81,285.00
Class of 1980
$70,582.00
Class of 1969
$55,466.00
80s
$164,394.71
90s
$52,685.50
00s
$7,479.87
Participation by Decade
30s3.2%
40s12.0%
Top 5 Classes by Participation
Class of 1961
30.0%
50s14.0%
Class of 1945
21.1%
60s11.1%
Class of 1957
19.4%
Class of 1956
16.5%
Class of 1953
15.8%
70s8.0%
80s6.3%
8.2%
90s
00s3.2%
PARENT PARTICIPATION
Total Participation by All Parents:
Total Giving by All Parents: 43%
$1,573,133
Congratulations to the Class of 2012 parents for having the highest giving total per class ($718,349) and
to the Class of 2013 parents for having the highest participation per class at 46%!
EVENT OUTCOMES
Regis Jesuit’s two fundraising events, The Fall Classic golf tournament and LARK Dinner-Auction,
both exceeded their fundraising goals for the 2011-12 fiscal year.
Event
The Fall Classic 2011
LARK 2012: Bella Italia
Event Totals
14
Goal
$150,000
$325,000
$475,000
ResultOver/Under
$156,775
$6,775
$389,828
$64,828
$546,603
$71,603
104.5% of goal
119.9% of goal
115.1% of goal
Alumni
Raider
Building Regis Jesuit
WINTER ISSUE
2012
Alumni in Construction
B y C olin S t. J oh n ’ 0 1
Mike Zoellner ’74
from his senior
yearbook and today
Rendering of Zoellner’s new RedPeak development currently being built at 18th and Pennsylvania in Denver
During the hottest months of 2000, I, along with other rising
seniors at Regis Jesuit, took on the annual (and often dreaded)
task of summer reading. But, this load was different; it was
heavier. And one book added the most heft to my backpack:
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.
Mrs. Julie Shipman had assigned the slice of historical fiction
for her College Western Civilizations class. (It’s now called AP
European History and the current teacher, Mr. Chris Walsweer,
says he spares the lower backs of current students and doesn’t
assign the 800-plus page work.) It is, at a basic core, the story
of the building of a medieval cathedral. Words like “nave” and
“transept” are bandied about and the book educates realities in a
way that sometimes only fiction can. The Pillars of the Earth is,
of course, about a lot of other things, but it feels more and more
like a hallmark of my education—especially as of late.
As you’ve probably heard by now, Regis Jesuit is in the midst
of a capital campaign and one of the three areas to be addressed
is manifesting itself in a new Performing Arts and Student
Commons building. It’s the next step in a line of buildings that
have come to define RJ’s history. From a single-story house in
Las Vegas, New Mexico, Regis Jesuit moved first to Morrison,
then the Pink Palace followed decades later by the “new”
building on the Regis University campus; finally, southeast to
Campbell Campus to what we now know as the Girls Division
building, joined later by the Boys Division building. The journey
has been anything but smooth: Each generation has lamented
the loss of its cement identity. But, if there’s anything that binds
us, it’s that progress and evolution—Regis Jesuit moving ever
forward.
All the while, alums have been contributing to the construction
and real estate fields with much success. Mike Zoellner ’74 has
led in his field of real estate: As president and CEO of RedPeak
Properties, Zoellner has overseen the acquisition, development
and management of apartment properties throughout the Front
Range—a portfolio that includes more than 2,200 spaces. Most
recently, RedPeak announced the development of “One City
Block,” which will offer four distinct apartment buildings in
Uptown Denver. Zoellner has been in the real estate game since
graduating from Creighton and, then, Creighton Law. He is
the chairman of the Colorado Multi-Family Housing Alliance
and sits on the Council of Regents at Regis Jesuit High School,
where he has taken a generous lead in the FOUNDATIONS FOR
EXCELLENCE Campaign.
continued on page 16
The Alumni Raider
15
winter 2012
Alumni in Construction
continued from page 15
The quad outside the Girls
Division is named in honor
of Paul Foster ’59
Nicole Haselden ’08 (third
from left) at a building site
Paul Foster ’59 sees the movement of the construction
profession as a complex affair. Foster operated his own
architectural practice and worked for Denver Parks and
Recreation for years. Now, he acts as an owner’s representative
for Regis Jesuit, helping to choose architects and contractors
for the new building. “Shaping the design is what I’ve tried to
do,” Foster tells The Raider. He finds the utmost importance in
“buildings that are more responsive to the needs of the user than
the egos of the architects.”
16
And it’s a constant stream of grads who are becoming interested
in the multifarious niche. Nicole Haselden ’08 received her
degree in real estate construction management from DU, and
winter 2012 T h e A l u m n i R a i d e r
is in the process of getting her MBA there. She has plans to
work in real estate development or commercial construction,
following the footsteps of her father, whose company, Haselden
Construction, was chosen as the general contractor for the new
building on the RJ campus. The younger Haselden has worked
on a jobsite with a general contractor and looks forward to
taking her experiences to the next level. Looking back to Regis
Jesuit, she says, “The classes and teachers challenged us to
think outside the box on any topic, which helps in the industries
I would like to go into.” In the development both of the physical
structures of Regis Jesuit, as well the thousands of students
who have graduated, this challenge seems to have encouraged
proceeding outside of the box, onto the ground and into the sky.
An Alumni Perspective on the
New Performing Arts Center & Student Commons
John Moore ’81 was named one of the 12 most influential theater critics in the United States by American Theatre
Magazine in 2011. At The Denver Post, he wrote more than 3,000 theater reviews, feature stories, columns and breaking
news stories, winning numerous awards from Westword, the Society of Professional Journalists, Best of the West,
Colorado Press Association, Society of Black Journalists, Denver Press Club, Colorado Theatre Guild and more. His
online innovations, including an unprecedented website dedicated to Colorado high school theater, prompted The
Chicago Tribune to suggest that The Denver Post’s multimedia theater coverage was the best in the nation.
What were the arts spaces like when you were at
Regis Jesuit?
I remember as a boy going to watch my oldest brother Brian
perform in the dumpy old gymnasium barn behind the Pink
Palace. My first play was Inherit the Wind, which we did in the
“new” chapel; no place to perform a play. We got bounced out
of there when the drama teacher found a half a can of beer in
the light booth. By then, the new main building had been built
just north of the Pink Palace, but we were forced to perform in a
lecture hall.
A few years ago, I learned that Regis Jesuit was renting out the
cavernous old theater at Colorado Heights University. That’s
where my mom performed theater in college, so I’m guessing
it isn’t in all that great of shape now. And I couldn’t help but
notice it’s a 17-mile drive each way. Drama kids are always being
asked to sacrifice like that, and it kind of stinks: Can you imagine
putting the Regis Jesuit football stadium in Wheat Ridge?
This is why I applaud the school’s commitment to building a
500-seat theater for drama and music. I think having a first-class
facility will not only encourage students to participate in theater
arts, but will expose greater student audiences to the thrill of live
performance. Both bring essential, lifelong benefits.
How vital do you see arts as part of an education?
I strongly believe the performing arts should be a required part
of the curriculum just as much as math, science and physical
education. This is an old stat, but drama kids outscored other
students on the 2005 SAT by an average of 65 points in verbal and
34 points in math. Studies show drama kids have better reading
comprehension, better attendance records and generally stay more
engaged in school than those who don’t.
Do you think your arts education at Regis Jesuit led
to your career?
As the editor of The Raider Review, I learned how to edit other
people’s work courteously and to develop my own writing style.
Performing in plays made every aspect of high school better.
While my parents were getting divorced, I buried myself in books
(including, yes, my pocket New Testament), parties, the school
newspaper and the drama program. I was looking for answers ...
anywhere. Somehow I ended up being the valedictorian of
my class, and for that I owe a great debt to Kim Smith, Julie
Martin, Kathy Madden and the chance I was given to play Walter
Hollander in a stupid Woody Allen comedy. Performing kept me
sane; it kept me studying and laughing through many tears.
Is there any one play you would like to see Regis
Jesuit students perform?
John Moore ’81
I have several dozen suggestions,
though I’m guessing each one
would probably get shot down.
I hope every high school kid
gets the chance to perform in
Spring Awakening, Bloody
Bloody Andrew Jackson, Next
to Normal and The Book of
Mormon. I taught theater for a
couple years at Holy Family
and Machebeuf, and I know
that to really show kids the
incredible, visceral joy of
performing, you have to give
them material they can relate
to, and will mean something
to them in their everyday
lives. Schools should not
be afraid to let students
explore sexual or violent
content. Drama kids are
in it for the right reasons.
Let’s challenge them.
They can handle it.
The Alumni Raider
17
winter 2012
The Girls Division Turns Ten
Celebrating Regis Jesuit Education for Young Women
Andrew Long ’00 & Co.
B y Paul Miller ’ 0 4 wit h re p ortin g by Kinda A l quatli ’ 1 3
Fast forward ten short years, 940 girls have been transformed
into young Women with and for Others, receiving the same Regis
Jesuit education that young men have received for 136 years. “I
will forever be grateful to those who were willing to build the
Girls Division ten years ago, because without them I would not
be who I am today,” said alumna and current Alumni Council
member Jessica Waller ’07.
Raider pride, GD style!
When asked why he would ever get involved with educating
young women after a 125-year tradition of forming young men,
former RJ President Wally Sidney said in the fall 2002 issue of
The Alumni Raider, “The entire life of Ignatius was a pilgrim
search for the magis, the ever greater glory of God, the ever
fuller service of our neighbor, the more universal good, the more
effective apostolic means. Jesuits are never content with the status
quo, the known, the tried, the already existing. We are constantly
driven to discover, redefine and reach out for the magis.”
18
Much of the Girls Division success can be credited to Gretchen
Kessler, who was appointed GD principal in 2003. Kessler
was quoted back in the fall 2002 Alumni Raider, saying “This
is a most-exciting prospect and one that will make a world of
difference to young women in the Denver area.” When asked
to reflect on her experience today, Kessler says, “These past ten
years have been some of the most fulfilling ones that I have had
in 34 years in Jesuit education. It has been an honor to be able to
be part of establishing a unique experience of a Jesuit education
in a single-gender environment for girls, while also being a part of
what I call ‘the best of both worlds.’ We have all the advantages of
a single-gender environment while also having the other Division
right across the Green. Every year has been a trip ... an amazing
one. I am so proud of our students and graduates and how they
are becoming young women of faith, competence, conscience and
compassion.”
Revisiting Latin class, magis is a word that means “more.” So,
in putting Fr. Sidney’s words into lay terms, he felt Regis Jesuit
High School could provide more for its community. Over the
course of more than 470 years, Jesuits have continually sought
to serve the Church in their respective time and place. Two
years prior to the opening of the Girls Division (GD), members
of Denver’s Catholic community requested an opportunity for
young women to receive a Jesuit education. Per alumnus and
current GD assistant principal, Jeff Howard ’88, Fr. Sidney and
the Board of Trustees entered into a dialogue and discernment
about whether or not RJHS could even entertain that request.
After two years of prayer, discussion and reflection, it was agreed
that Regis Jesuit High School would do something that had never
been done in the United States: open an all-girls Jesuit school.
There was a catch, however: Instead of establishing this school as
an institution separate from the existing boys school, the Board
and Fr. Sidney would create a unique, co-divisional Regis Jesuit
with both a Boys Division and a Girls Division.
winter 2011 T h e A l u m n i R a i d e r
A photo from the first GD Kairos retreat
The girls basketball program has been strong from its first days
Despite the immediate and continued
success of the Girls Division, male
alumni were uncertain, fearing the Regis
Jesuit experience that they knew and
loved had changed. “The school has
definitely changed, but change can be
a good thing and not something to shy
away from,” said Waller. “It’s important
to be open to growth while still retaining
the vision and values that built this
wonderful institution 136 years ago,
which I believe have not changed. ”
When it opened in 2003, Regis Jesuit became the first and only
co-divisional Jesuit high school in the world and remains the
only one in the U.S. That first year found 50 sophomores and
125 freshmen attending classes and forging bonds in the school
building of St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church in Greenwood
Village, while the former boys building was being renovated
for them on the Campbell Campus. “The classes of 2006 and
2007 were very lucky to be a part of the establishment of the
Girls Division,” said Alumni Council member Jill Dann ’06. “I
think all of the girls in the first classes embraced the important
traditions at Regis Jesuit and felt grateful to be a part of such a
strong community.” Dann and her classmates laid the foundation
for success, both establishing themselves as part of the
community of Regis Jesuit while also differentiating the Girls
Division with some traditions of their own. “When I graduated,
I left Regis Jesuit feeling as though I had been a part of some
very important years, and that many students, of both Divisions,
would enjoy a community that would only grow stronger in the
future.” Each year since Dann’s inaugural class, enrollment has
increased, with the current freshman class having 199 students.
When asked about whether or not
the Regis Jesuit brotherhood has
fundamentally changed, Howard said
he didn’t think so. “In fact, one could
argue that the questions of identity for the
institution that arose around the creation
of the Girls Division actually sharpened the focus on what it meant
to be a student at Regis Jesuit’s Boys Division.”
Howard is a “Raider Man” both officially and at his core, having
spent more than 20 years at Regis Jesuit, first as a student and
now teacher and administrator. Son of an alum from the class of
1959 and proud father to two current Raiders (BD14 and GD16),
Howard has been one of the strongest advocates of the co-divisional
model. “I, for one, believe the boys are better off for having girls on
campus. It’s important to remember that way of proceeding at Regis
Jesuit remains rooted in an all-male and all-female education.”
Kessler also agreed that while this co-divisional model has had its
challenges, the advantages are overwhelming and amazing.
10
GIRLS DIVISION
2003
2013
ANNIVERSARY
See more photos
from the early years
of the Girls Division
at www.regisjesuit.
com/GD10.
From Las Vegas to Morrison to North Denver to Aurora, Regis
Jesuit High School has been a pioneer in the pursuit of magis. A
little over a decade ago, the thought of an all girls Jesuit education
in the state of Colorado was simply a fantasy. Regis Jesuit High
School turned that fantasy into reality and the ten year anniversary
of the Girls Division is yet another milestone in Regis Jesuit’s rich history.
KEY DATES IN GIRLS DIVISION HISTORY
Then RJ President Fr. Wally Sidney, SJ with
new GD Principal Gretchen Kessler in 2003
Fall 1999
Fall 1999-Fall 2001
Fall 2001
December 2001
Winter 2002
Spring 2003
Fall 2003
Fall 2004
Spring 2006
2012-13
Summer 2013
Regis Jesuit approached by interested families about the possibility
of educating girls
Regis Jesuit Board discernment about possibilities
Decision made to open Girls Division in current Boys Division building and build new facility for boys
Gretchen Kessler hired as first principal of the Girls Division
Realization that new Boys Division building will not be complete in t
time for a fall 2003 campus opening of the Girls Division
St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox elementary school building secured as temporary site of the Girls Division
Regis Jesuit High School Girls Division opens with 174 students
Regis Jesuit High School Girls Division moves to Campbell Campus
First class of the Girls Division graduates at Johnson & Wales University
where they also held Compass Day in 2003
Girls Division celebrates its tenth anniversary
Anniversary Mass and celebration held for all alumni
Plans are underway for a celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Girls Division to take place in the summer of 2013.
If you are interested in getting involved, please contact the Alumni Office at 303.269.8138 or alumnioffice@regisjesuit.com.
The Alumni Raider
19
winter 2012
Class Notes
1940s
The Kirkland Museum recently highlighted the artistic career
of William Francis Joseph ’44. Joseph was an exceptional
sculptor and painter. During his lifetime, he received well over
60 commissions and was featured in more than 80 exhibitions.
In 1959, Joseph was invited to join the highly regarded 15
Colorado Artists, the first Colorado-based group championing
modernistic art.
William Joseph’s ’44
Mary Magdalene, 1951
Jerome Simone ’62
Dan Lynch ’77 is an attorney with Lynch & Stern specializing
in commercial law and litigations.
Class of 1978 – See which of your classmates has held onto
their hair the longest at reunions the weekend of July 19-20, 2013.
Fr. Michael Pavlakovich, V.F. ’78 is celebrating his silver
jubilee anniversary this year, marking 25 years in the
priesthood.
1980s
Jerome Simone ’62 received the Special Recognition Award
from the United Indian Health Services for his 36 years of
service to the American Indian Community working toward
improving their health and wellness. Among others, Simone is
also the recipient of the Luna Wessell Leadership Award and
a Life Time Achievement Award from the National Council of
Indian Health Service Unit Directors. Simone is the founder
and president of the Humboldt Bay Rowing Association.
Class of 1983 – Don’t miss out on your reunion year
festivities, July 19-20, 2013 weekend.
Class of 1963 - Congratulations on your upcoming 50year reunion! Be sure to clear your calendar the weekend
of July 19-20, 2013.
Class of 1968 - It’s been 45 years since you last walked
the halls of the Pink Palace. Be sure to get in touch with
your old classmates and reserve the weekend of July 19-20,
2013.
1970s
Henry Sobanet ’88 is the budget director for Gov. John
Hickenlooper. Over the summer, he hit a hole-in-one at a golf
tournament, winning a 2012 Ford Taurus.
Class of 1988 – Twenty-five years is a milestone! Be sure
to celebrate with your old classmates on the weekend of July
19-20, 2013.
TJ Maxfield ’93 was recently named vice president of strategy
and business development for Front Range Bank.
1990s
Class of 1993 – Bring the ruckus to your 20-year reunion
celebration, July 19-20, 2013 weekend.
Brian Elliott ’94 lives in Des Moines, Iowa with his wife Emily
and son Harrison. He is currently co-owner and president of
Brown Engineering Company.
Joe Nolan ’95 was recently named director of operations for
North Carolina Speaker of the House, Thom Tillis.
Sports Illustrated named Brian Mullan ’97 one of the ten most
underrated players in the MLS. Read more about it at
www.regisjesuit.com/alumniinthenews.
Class of 1973 - It’s your 40-year reunion. The celebration
will take place the weekend of July 19-20, 2013.
Michael Zoellner ’74, president and chief executive
of Denver-based RedPeak Properties launched a $65
million, 302-unit apartment complex in Denver’s uptown
neighborhood.
20
Dan Lynch ’77
1960s
Brian McConaty ’67 serves as an attorney at law at Robinson
Waters & O’Dorisio in Denver and was recently voted
into the Top Ten Attorneys in Colorado by Super Lawyers.
McConaty also serves as president of the Colorado chapter of
the American Board of Trial Advocates. In March of 2011, he
was inducted as a fellow into the American College of Trial
Lawyers.
Brian McConaty ’67
Henry Sobanet ’88
winter 2012 T h e A l u m n i R a i d e r
Brian Mullan ’97
Class Notes
Maggie (Marolda) Lackey ’07
Class of 1998 – Come celebrate your 15-year reunion on
the weekend of July 19-20, 2013.
2000s
Patrick Dolan Sawyer ’00 is in his ninth year of production
at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse. He holds a bachelor’s
degree in musical theatre from the University of Northern
Colorado. His favorite roles include Harold Hill in The Music
Man and Julian Marsh in 42nd Street among others.
Fr. Michael Rapp ’01 was reassigned from his position as
parochial vicar at St. Michael Parish in Craig to study at the
Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome.
Brett Murray ’04 graduated from NYU Law School and the
Stern School of Business this past May. Brett has been hired
by Kirkland & Ellis International Law Firm in Manhattan.
After finishing a year as an Alum Service Corps volunteer at
St. Louis University High, Michael Koenigs ’05 worked as
one of the media directors for the Ned Lamont gubernatorial
campaign in Connecticut. Koenigs is also a cofounder of the
YouTube channel, Gadfly TV.
Nick Woodward ’01 founded Transcending Energy.
Stephanie DePrez ’07 is currently in her second year as choir
director and member of the theology department at Xavier
College Prep High School in Palm Desert, Calif. She graduated
from the University of Notre Dame in 2011 with a bachelor of
arts in music and film, television and theatre studies.
Brendan Sapien ’03 is employed at the law firm of Lewis,
Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith in Los Angeles. He is engaged to
be married in July 2013 to Vanessa Cole.
Zach Fenoglio ’07 was selected and is starting for USA
Rugby. Read more about Fenoglio at www.regisjesuit.com/
alumniinthenews.
First Lieutenant Brian N. Lander ’03, United States Marine
Corps, has just returned from a seven-month deployment to
Helmand Province, Afghanistan, with First Battalion, Seventh
Marine Regiment, First Marine Division. Brian is a platoon
commander with Animal Company, 1/7, stationed at the
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twenty-nine Palms,
California. He attended The Citadel, the Military College of
South Carolina, graduating in 2008 having majored in political
science/international studies.
Maggie (Marolda) Lackey ’07 was married last April to
Ashton Lackey in the Blessed Rupert Mayer Chapel at Regis
Jesuit High School.
Ronny O’Dwyer ’01 received the prestigious Rev. Ron
Windmueller, SJ, Ignatian Educator Award, also known as the
Teacher of the Year award at DeSmet Jesuit High School.
Class of 2003 – A good showing from your class
guarantees the reunion celebration will be a good time.
Mark your calendars for the weekend of July 19-20, 2013 for
your ten-year reunion celebration.
After graduating from Xavier University in 2008, Tyler Borg ’04
moved back to Denver and attended Dental School at the
University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, where he
graduated with a doctorate in Dental Surgery in May 2012.
On June 2, 2012, he married Jenna Aleece Nicholson, who is
also a dentist, at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Denver. He
now is in a periodontics residency program at the University of
Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He and Jenna are
hoping to move back to Denver to start their own practice after
Tyler finishes his training.
CLASS OF 2007 - We’re celebrating your five-year reunion
on December 22, 2012 at the Irish Snug.
See www.regisjesuit.com/2007reunion for more information.
Ruth Case ’08 will be participating in the Alliance for
Catholic Education Program through Notre Dame for two
years. In the summers of 2012 and 2013, she will receive
training in South Bend. From August through May she will be
teaching middle school math and science at St. Paul’s Catholic
School in Jacksonville, Florida.
Katherine Misgen ’08 is currently serving as an Alum Service
Corps volunteer at Regis Jesuit High School in the Boys
Division science department.
Joe Strong ’08 moved to China over the summer to teach
English.
Brittany Quinn ’08 spent the summer of 2011 in Shanghai,
studying intensive Mandarin and Chinese business, language
and culture at East China Normal University.
The Alumni Raider
21
winter 2012
Lauren Blumhardt ’11
and Dom Pera ’11
Class Notes
Katie Zeuli ’08 is working her dream job as a roadie for
Invisible Children, which means she puts words into action,
calling on young people to join her in the fight of their
mission. Zeuli was introduced to Invisible Children while she
was at Regis Jesuit and credits her alma mater for opening her
eyes to the world around her and for instilling the confidence
to make her dream a reality.
Marisa LaRouche ’12
Over the summer, a lively discussion was had at the annual
Class Representative Luncheon. Over 20 alumni, grad years
ranging from 2005-2012, gave their input on how to best
stimulate interest, participation and fellowship among our
young alumni. If you are interested in becoming a Class Rep,
contact alumnioffice@regisjesuit.com.
This past summer, Lauren Blumhardt ’11 and Dom Pera
’11 spent seven weeks teaching English in the Sacred Valley
of Peru. They lived with a host family and each taught at
different secondary schools to children ages 11-18.
Marisa LaRouche ’12 used her Boettcher Scholarship to
attend the Colorado School of Mines. She is the second Girls
Division graduate in three years to be awarded this tremendous
honor. Jena Fleiner ’10 was the other recipient. Zach Anderson
’09 also was a Boettcher Scholarship winner.
Class Representative Luncheon
What it means to be a Raider
This article is written from the perspective of a North Denver guy that graduated from Regis High in 1969, when all the classes were
in the Pink Palace. This article is precipitated by the death of my father, Glenn Churchill, Sr.
To the amazement of my family, there were ten-plus members from my graduating class at my father’s funeral, a class which
numbered a total of 105 students. There were several other classes represented as well. Of what importance is that number? It shows
a brotherhood of a bunch of young guys from over 40 years ago that have gone through a lot of life changes, curves, deaths, etc. As
a group, I feel we got a great foundation in education, sports, philosophy and intellectual curiosity from our years at Regis Jesuit.
Several of the attendees at my dad’s funeral had met him once or twice, but through our upbringing of respect taught by our parents
and some good Jesuit training, there was an outpouring of friendship and caring. For the younger students and graduates, these
words may not mean a lot at this great stage in your lives. As the years proceed, and your faith is tested mightily through death,
illness or financial strife, just remember there is a safe haven in your friendships and beliefs established with fellow students and faculty.
Glenn Churchill, Jr. ’69
I went to Regis Jesuit during a great time, when we met a bunch of guys from South and East Denver; our time did create a lifelong
fraternity, and I am very thankful I had the opportunity to go there.
We all find when we are confronted with death or tragedy that there are only a few doors to open for solace: the God door, the family
and friends door. I would add the Regis Jesuit door. During my father’s slow demise over this long, hot summer, I frequently sent
Fr. Steele emails asking for his prayers; his immediate response of prayer and encouragement was much appreciated. In addition,
without my request, Fr. Steele had Fr. Sullivan come to the funeral Mass as a concelebrant.
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winter 2012
I miss Regis Jesuit High School since it vacated North Denver, but if we look back how many of our old neighborhoods are really
the same as 40 years ago? Change is difficult, but didn’t we learn to roll with the punches from the Jesuits and lay instructors? Regis
Jesuit has maintained a tradition and reputation that is second to none. The life lessons I learned there I utilize on a daily basis.
When your days are over at Regis Jesuit, never fully close that door because there will always be someone on the other side to give
you a hand.
Glenn Churchill, Jr. ’69
The Alumni Raider
Faculty & Staff Notes
In this feature of The Raider, we list milestone occasions,
awards or events for members of the faculty and staff.
Baby Boomlet
Girls Division English teacher, Danielle (Dally) Brigman and
husband, Harold, had their first child, Emily Caroline, on August
11, 2012, who arrived “with a full head of hair and the sweetest
temperament” according to her mother.
Catherine Cole, Girls Division theology teacher and retreat
coordinator, and husband, Pat ’99, welcomed their second son,
August David, on August 23, 2012.
Emily Caroline Brigman
Born September 16, 2012, Ella Leela Sajit joined older sisters
Mary and Teresa as the third child of Boys Division teachers,
Heidi and Saj Kabadi.
Boys Division science teacher, Jake Herman and his wife,
Erin, welcomed their second child, a girl named Tobi Moon, on
October 10, 2012.
Alex Crane ’05, Girls Division theology teacher, and his
wife, Ashley, welcomed their second son, Liam Roderick, on
November 3, 2012.
August David Cole
Tied the Knot
Boys Division theology teacher, Jason Beyer, married Zoe
Frank on May 27, 2012.
Cameron Turner ’04, Girls Division English teacher, married
Gwynne Middleton in a garden-themed wedding in June 2012.
Fellow Girls Division teacher and alum, Brian Davenport ’04,
stood up as Mr. Turner’s best man.
Girls Division Latin teacher, Ryan Williamson, wed Julia
Matthias on October 6, 2012 in Castle Pines. Patrick Kelleher,
former Girls Division teacher, was Mr. Williamson’s best man.
Ella Leela Kabadi
Honors and Awards
Recent retiree from the school for the second time, Harold
Martin was chosen by Marisa LaRouche ’12 as the teacher she
wished to be honored by the Boettcher Foundation as part of her
Boettcher Scholarship Award. See a photo of Mr. Martin with
Marisa, Ms. Kessler and Fr. Steele on the opposite page at the top.
23
Ryan Williamson Wedding
The Raider
winter 2012
Where Are They Now?
Nancy Cowdin
Upon the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Girls
Division, The Raider is checking in with a favorite former
inhabitant of the northernmost Campbell Campus building.
Nancy Cowdin first taught Colorado Ecology and Integrated
Science to gentlemen in 2004 before picking up stakes and
waxing scientific on biology, neuropsychology and more with
Raider women until 2007. That year, she made a move out East
to enter a doctoral program in neuroscience at Georgetown
University. Cowdin has completed her master’s degree and is
now in the dissertation phase.
As she tells us, “My research is a study of post-traumatic stress
disorder within a group of trauma-exposed, inner-city young
African-Americans.” She goes on, “I am conducting spectral
frequency analysis of all-night EEG recordings, looking
for frequency-specific changes in neural activity related to
memory processing during sleep in PTSD.” In her dwindling
spare time—and in a very familiar circumstance—she teaches
chemistry at an all-girls Catholic high school, Georgetown
Visitation. And wouldn’t you know it? She’s teaching
alongside another former Regis Jesuit faculty member, Lindsay
Fitzpatrick.
24
winter 2012
Even with all of her recent accomplishments, Cowdin says
she still misses the Regis Jesuit community. “I was so happy
to have a chance to visit with Ralph Taylor this summer when
he came to D.C.,” Cowdin relates. “I miss all the lovely and
talented Regis Jesuit girls and boys that I was privileged to
know.” She ends her correspondence by encouraging former
students to drop her a note on Facebook. Oh, and in case you
were wondering, she adds: “I am still engaged—now for six
years—and have yet to set the date. I definitely need a wedding
planner.”
The Raider
Cowdin in the 2005 Girls Division yearbook
Raider Journeys
A recurring feature in The Raider, where we
share photos from members of the globetrotting
community of Regis Jesuit. Here are submissions
since the last issue. In future issues, we want to keep
filling this section, so get one of your countless RJ
t-shirts out of the bottom drawer, grab your Raider
red, pack your suitcases and start snapping!
JP Fasone ’13 and his
family enjoy the beauty of
Yellowstone during summer
vacation
Conor McNamara ’14 sporting his RJ tennis shirt at
the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China this past July
John Newland’s ’04 Pete Champman ’98
Memorial Tournament shirt helped him
reel in this big one on Chatfield Reservoir
On the campus of Duke University, Ian Shelton ’13
sports his Raider wear during a college tour
Members of the Arnese family, (L-R) Julia ’16, Dan and
Emma, say ‘Aloha’ to Raider red while in Maui
The Raider
25
winter 2012
Raider Journeys
Girls Division Principal,
Gretchen Kessler, and
members of the Evans
family during their
Ignatian pilgrimage to
Monserrat this summer
This September found Zachary Coury ’16 and his mother, Gail,
in San Francisco for the Oracle Open World conference
RJ Raiders L-R Nick Haws ’96, Jordan Conner ’03, Neal Jones ’03 and
Scott Alcorn ’99 at the most recent Broncos-Raiders showdown
Rob Peters ’76, Christian
O’Dywer ’04 and David
Blakeman ’01 enjoying
summer in Chicago at
one of the events for
Raiders on the Road
26
winter 2012
Cyrill Nigg’01 (L) and Jesse Meyer’01 know
the alumni koozie is the way to go for all your
beverage cooling needs
Wrigley Field finds Nick Ginley ’07 sporting his RJ spirit
To submit a photo for inclusion in Raider Journeys, send your picture(s) [resolution of 300 dpi or
better–standard for most digital cameras and smart phones] to communications@regisjesuit.com.
Learn more about the kinds of photos we are looking for at www.regisjesuit.com/raiderjourneys.
The Raider
In Memoriam
The entire community of Regis Jesuit extends
its sincere sympathy to the family and friends
of loved ones who have died. The following
are remembered in our prayers:
ALUMNI
Listed in ascending order by year of graduation.
These alumni have passed away since the
publication of the summer 2012 issue of
The Raider.
FAMILY & FRIENDS
Listed alphabetically by last name
George Bucher ’42
and aunt of Thomas Carleno ’81 and
Cornelius “Neal” Muldoon ’43
Joseph Von Feldt ’79
Thomas Fahey ’46
William Horst ’48, brother of Donald Horst ’50
Donald Lancaster ’53, brother of David Lancaster ’54
Capt. Michael N. Morton ’76, brother of Brian A. Morton ’77
Erik Taht ’84, brother of John Taht ’86
We have also been informed recently of the
deaths of the following alumni who passed away
in previous years.
William Switzer ’40
David Rampe ’42
Raymond Hartman ’45
Luis T. Abarca, father of Marco Abarca ’81
Ann Marie Carleno, wife of Harry Carleno ’45
Glenn Grant Churchill Sr., father of Glenn Churchill, Jr. ’69
Leticia Shepherd Cook, mother of Ed Stevenson ’74
James C. Harvey, Sr., father of Jerry ’67 and Jim ’74
Harvey and grandfather of James ’04, Joseph ’06 and Jacob ’14 Harvey
Charley Martin, father of Kyle Martin ’85
Jeff Mattei, father of Carl Mattei (GD Basketball coach)
and grandfather of Colton Mattei ’10
Sheila McNally-Nakamura, sister of Dan McNally ’60
Martha “Marti” Morales, mother of Leo Morales-Egizi ’98
Virginia Prose, mother of Mark ’68, Steven ’71, Gary ’73,
Kent ’80 and Scott ’84 Prose
Anne Ratterman, mother of Mark ’68, Timothy ’78, Dave ’79 and Ned ’82 Ratterman and grandmother of
Jack Doyle ’60
Jay Ratterman ’04 and Kristopher Boryla ’15
Fred Pettid ’60
Peggy Robertson, mother of Stephen Robertson ’79 and
Robert Hinton ’62
Toby Potter ’69
Eric Jamali ’06
grandmother of Amy ’12 and Joseph ’15 Robertson
Margie Roth, mother of Shawn Roth ’93 and grandmother
of Katharine Roth ’14
Aniko Smith, mother of Steven Smith ’10
Tony Zeman, father of Charles ’73 and Matthew ’81 Zeman
and grandfather of Chase Zeman ’03
The names recorded in this section represent those made known to us between
May 15, 2012 and October 24, 2012. Any passings after that date will be listed
in the summer 2013 issue.
We make every effort to account accurately for the passing of any alumnus/a,
student, faculty or staff member as well as that of any of their parents, spouses
or siblings. If we are aware of other relationships the deceased had to members
of our community, we do our best to list them as well. We also share news of
the deaths of all members of our extended community on the In Memoriam
page of our website (www.regisjesuit.com/inmemoriam).We sincerely regret
any oversights or errors that may occur.
The Raider
27
winter 2012
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Men and Women with and for Others
Calendar Highlights
2012
Tuesday, December 4
Thursday, December 6
Friday, December 14
Saturday, December 22
Monday, December 24
Monday, December 24 – Monday, January 7
Monday, December 24 – Tuesday, January 1
Co-divisional Instrumental Concert
Co-divisional Choral Concert
Regis Jesuit vs. Mullen Boys and Girls Basketball Games at Metro State
Red & White Christmas: Classes of 2007 5th Reunion at the Irish Snug
Young Alumni Christmas Eve Mass at Our Lady of Loreto
Christmas Break – NO CLASSES
Christmas Break – OFFICES CLOSED
2013
Monday, January 7 – Friday, January 18
Monday, February 4 – Friday, February 15
Sunday, March 10
Tuesday, March 12
Friday, March 22 – Sunday, March 24
Wednesday, March 27
Thursday, March 28 – Friday, April 5
Friday, March 29 – Monday, April 1
Wednesday, April 10
Saturday, April 13
Wednesday, May 1
Thursday, May 9
Sunday, May 19
Monday, May 20
July TBA
Third Weekend in July – details TBA
Boys Division Service Projects
Girls Division Service Projects
Ernie DeNapoli Memorial Concert
New Raider Night – Class of 2017
RJHS Theatre presents Les Misérables
Girls Division Canta Belles Easter Vigil Concert
Spring Break – NO CLASSES
Easter Break – OFFICES CLOSED
Impressions Literary Magazine Release Party and Poetry Slam
LARK 40th Anniversary at the National Western Complex
Girls Division Spring Concert
Boys Division Spring Concert
Boys Division Graduation at Boettcher Concert Hall
Girls Division Graduation at Boettcher Concert Hall
The Rudy Memorial Golf Tournament
Raiders Reunion 2013
Celebrating the classes of 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003 and our Golden Grads of more than 50 years
For full details on upcoming alumni events at Regis Jesuit, visit www.regisjesuit.com/alumnievents.
For full details on school-related events, visit www.regisjesuit.com/calendar.
All events are held at the school unless otherwise noted.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.regisjesuit.com
Help us build FOUNDATIONS FOR EXCELLENCE!
303.269.8000 Boys Division
Visit www.regisjesuit.com/FFE for more information on the campaign
and to make your commitment today.
303.269.8100 Girls Division
303.269.8047 Alumni Office