Spring 2003 - Benedictine University

Transcription

Commemorative Issue
Spring 2003
Benedictine
The News From Benedictine University
A Salute to Benedictine Hall
Benedictine
St. Benedict’s Rule for Monks begins with
a powerful imperative: Listen. And at
Benedictine University, we believe in the
importance of listening to one another.
We therefore have named our magazine
Benedictine Voices. We pledge that within
these pages, members of the Benedictine
community will speak with candor about
issues facing our University and our world.
We cordially invite you to enter into
dialogue with us.
Spring 2003 | Volume 31 | Number 3
Contents
Writers
Phil Brozynski
William J. Carroll
Linda A. Hale
Julie Milam
Fr. David Turner, O.S.B.
Elizabeth Summers, C00
Vision
Contributors
Pina Arnone
Nadia Darwish
Fr. James Flint, O.S.B.
Barbara Grabowski
Julie Nelligan
Jill Redmond
Debbie Smith
Donald Taylor
Matt West
Allison Wilson
Director of Public Relations
Mercy Robb, M.B.A. ’02
Editor
Linda A. Hale
“The future belongs to those who believe in
the beauty of their dreams.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt
1 • Time Capsule Renewed
William J. Carroll, President
2 • Letter To The Community
S P E C I A L
F E AT U R E
5 - 20 • A Salute To Benedictine Hall
• The Historical Development of
Benedictine Hall
3 • Monastic Perspective
• If These Walls Could Talk
• Test Your Benedictine Hall Knowledge
• 100 Year-Old Time Capsule Re-dedicated
Values
“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men . . .”
— Galatians 6:10 (NIV)
philanthropy
• Benedictine Alumna Gives
From The Heart
21 • Benedictine Hall Lithograph
23 • Q & A With Coach Cally
• Abbot Honors Martha Duda
• New Officer Trio To Lead
Alumni Association
22 • Alumni Briefs
Vitality
“Success is never final.”
black history month review
25 • Great Speakers Inspire At Annual
King Day Breakfast
— Winston Churchill
32 • Faculty/Staff Notes
33 • Benedictine Honors Ralph Meeker
26 • Tavis Smiley Motivates Crowd
• Campus Community Loses One Of Its
Biggest Fans: Fr. Stanley Vesely, O.S.B.
• Benedictine Hosts Civil Rights
Exhibition
34 • Sabbaticals: Helping Professors Enrich
Students and Themselves
university news
27 • Benedictine Accepted As
AQIP Institution
• Alumnus Jim Ryan Named First
Distinguished Fellow At Benedictine
28 • ACCA Bioterrorism Seminar
Generates Community Interest
• Master of Exercise Physiology Program
Is Back at Benedictine
29 • Springfield College Partnership
class/faculty notes
29 • Class Notes
t h e
Art Director
Mary Kay Wolf, Wolf Design
Editor’s Note: The Benedictine memories supplied by
faculty and alumni have been edited for space and
content in some cases. To see the complete content,
go to www.ben.edu/alumni.
24 • Come On Safari With Steve
alumni news
o n
Photographers
Nadia Darwish
Jake Herrle
Matt West
c o v e r
eaglescenter
35 • Sports Complex Plans In The Works
• Lynn O’Linski Heads University’s
Athletic Department
• Coach Ostrowski Inducted Into
Hall Of Fame
36 • Time Out: Eagle Basketball Achieves
Program Milestone, Lady Eagles Finish
Tied For Second In The League, Ryan
Lands On Academic All-American Team
annual fundraiser
36 • President’s Golf Outing
Benedictine community members salute Benedictine Hall.
See page 20 for photo identification. Cover photo by Jake Herrle.
Benedictine Voices is published three times a year by
the Office of Public Relations. Reproduction in whole
or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Distributed free to alumni, students and friends of
the University.
Opinions expressed in Benedictine Voices are not
necessarily those of Benedictine University, its
administrators, faculty or students.
Letters to the Editor must be signed, and letters
not intended for publication should be so indicated.
Please address all mail to:
Benedictine Voices
Benedictine University
5700 College Road
Lisle, IL 60532
2003 Upcoming events
May 10
Undergraduate
Commencement
May 31
Graduate
Commencement
July 21
President’s Golf Outing
Cress Creek Country Club
October 18
November 1
In this issue
S P E C I A L
F E A T U R E
A Salute to
Benedictine Hall
Homecoming
Educare
Scholarship Ball
www.ben.edu
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Lisle, IL
5700 College Road
Lisle, Illinois 60532
(630) 829-6000
Permit No. 18
Change Service Requested
Benedictine
St. Benedict’s Rule for Monks begins with
a powerful imperative: Listen. And at
Benedictine University, we believe in the
importance of listening to one another.
We therefore have named our magazine
Benedictine Voices. We pledge that within
these pages, members of the Benedictine
community will speak with candor about
issues facing our University and our world.
We cordially invite you to enter into
dialogue with us.
Spring 2003 | Volume 31 | Number 3
Contents
Writers
Phil Brozynski
William J. Carroll
Linda A. Hale
Julie Milam
Elizabeth Summers, C00
Vision
Contributors
Pina Arnone
Nadia Darwish
Barbara Grabowski
Julie Nelligan
Jill Redmond
Debbie Smith
Donald Taylor
Matt West
Allison Wilson
Director of Public Relations
Mercy Robb, M.B.A. ’02
Editor
Linda A. Hale
“The future belongs to those who believe in
the beauty of their dreams.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt
1 • Time Capsule Renewed
William J. Carroll, President
2 • Letter To The Community
S P E C I A L
F E AT U R E
5 - 20 • A Salute To Benedictine Hall
• The Historical Development of
Benedictine Hall
3 • Monastic Perspective
• If These Walls Could Talk
• Test Your Benedictine Hall Knowledge
• 100 Year-Old Time Capsule Re-dedicated
Values
“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men . . .”
— Galatians 6:10 (NIV)
philanthropy
• Benedictine Alumna Gives
From The Heart
21 • Benedictine Hall Lithograph
23 • Q & A With Coach Cally
• Abbot Honors Martha Duda
• New Officer Trio To Lead
Alumni Association
22 • Alumni Briefs
Vitality
“Success is never final.”
black history month review
25 • Great Speakers Inspire At Annual
King Day Breakfast
— Winston Churchill
32 • Faculty/Staff Notes
33 • Benedictine Honors Ralph Meeker
26 • Tavis Smiley Motivates Crowd
• Campus Community Loses One Of Its
Biggest Fans: Fr. Stanley Vesely, O.S.B.
• Benedictine Hosts Civil Rights
Exhibition
34 • Sabbaticals: Helping Professors Enrich
university news
27 • Benedictine Accepted As
AQIP Institution
• Alumnus Jim Ryan Named First
Distinguished Fellow At Benedictine
28 • ACCA Bioterrorism Seminar
Generates Community Interest
• Master of Exercise Physiology Program
Is Back at Benedictine
29 • Springfield College Partnership
class/faculty notes
29 • Class Notes
t h e
Art Director
Mary Kay Wolf, Wolf Design
Editor’s Note: The Benedictine memories supplied by
faculty and alumni have been edited for space and
content in some cases. To see the complete content,
go to www.ben.edu/alumni.
24 • Come On Safari With Steve
alumni news
o n
Photographers
Nadia Darwish
Jake Herrle
Matt West
c o v e r
eaglescenter
35 • Sports Complex Plans In The Works
• Lynn O’Linski Heads University’s
Athletic Department
• Coach Ostrowski Inducted Into
Hall Of Fame
36 • Time Out: Eagle Basketball Achieves
Program Milestone, Lady Eagles Finish
Tied For Second In The League, Ryan
Lands On Academic All-American Team
annual fundraiser
36 • President’s Golf Outing
Benedictine community members salute Benedictine Hall.
See page 20 for photo identification. Cover photo by Jake Herrle.
Benedictine Voices is published three times a year by
the Office of Public Relations. Reproduction in whole
or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Distributed free to alumni, students and friends of
the University.
Opinions expressed in Benedictine Voices are not
necessarily those of Benedictine University, its
administrators, faculty or students.
Letters to the Editor must be signed, and letters
not intended for publication should be so indicated.
Please address all mail to:
Benedictine Voices
5700 College Road
Lisle, IL 60532
2003 Upcoming events
May 10
Undergraduate
Commencement
May 31
Graduate
Commencement
July 21
President’s Golf Outing
Cress Creek Country Club
October 18
November 1
In this issue
S P E C I A L
F E A T U R E
A Salute to
Benedictine Hall
Homecoming
Educare
Scholarship Ball
www.ben.edu
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Lisle, IL
5700 College Road
(630) 829-6000
Permit No. 18
Change Service Requested
b e n e d i c t i n e
Vision
Time Capsule Renewed
W
Three years ago, when the
cornerstone was removed
from Benedictine Hall and
placed in an outside column
of Kindlon Hall, it was
100 years to the day since
the original cornerstone was
inserted in the brick and
mortar of Benedictine Hall.
The time capsule did not
withstand the rigors of
time, and everything in it
disintegrated. But an
account tells us that it
held a photograph of Abbot
Nepomuk Jaeger, O.S.B.,
founder and first abbot of
St. Procopius; and copies of
the Czech newspapers Narod
and Katolik, printed by the
monks and published for
Czech and Slovak immigrants
in Chicago. There was a script
headed with I.O.G.D., which
is Latin for St. Benedict’s
motto: “That in All Things
God May Be Glorified.”
Before the first shovel of dirt
was scooped from the earth,
Abbot Jaeger knelt and wrote
the motto in the dust. Those
words continue to be the
banner cry of this University.
VVision
William J. Carroll,
President
e are proud of
Benedictine’s
history and
continue to feel
the persistence,
vision and values of the
handful of monks who arrived
in the middle of a cornfield.
year six thousand sixty-five
since the creation of the
world, one thousand nine
hundred since the nativity of
Our Lord Jesus Christ, one
thousand and six since the
conversion of the Bohemians
to Christ the Lord; five
hundred and fifty-two years
since the foundation of the
University of Prague; one
hundred and twenty-four
since the beginning of the
Republic of the United States
of North America; thirteen
since the establishment of
St. Procopius Monastery as
canonical priory, and again
thirteen years since the
beginning of St. Procopius
College; six years since the
elevation of St. Procopius
Priory to the dignity of an
Abbey; while the bark of
Peter is happily governed by
the Supreme Pontiff, Leo
XIII; while Patrick Augustine
Feehan is Archbishop of
Chicago; and Hildebrand de
Hemptine is Abbot Primate
of the entire order of
St. Benedict; John Nepomuk
Jaeger is the Abbot of
St. Procopius Abbey; William
McKinley is president of the
republic; and as the whole
Catholic world is rejoicing in
the year of the great jubilee:
This cornerstone was placed
on July 2, AD, 1900, on
the feast of the Visitation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
by the Most Reverend and
Honorable Leo Haid, D.D.,
O.S.B., apostolic vicar of
North Carolina, in the
presence of innumerable
faithful, both lay and clergy,
who prayed for success of
what was begun here. May
the great and best God bless
this beginning.”
A new cornerstone for the
year 2000 was placed in one
of the outside Kindlon Hall
columns. Among the items it
contains: Baccalaureate and
Commencement programs; a
Benedictine football helmet; ➤
The script tucked into that
original time capsule was an
historical account that began
in the same format as the
Christmas Gospel — “In the
Set into a Kindlon column is a
rough, reddish “sazava” stone,
sent to the first monks from
the ruins of St. Procopius
Monastery (Sazava) in the
present day Czech Republic.
Spring 2003
1
Vision
baseball cap and basketball
jersey; a copy of my inaugural
address; undergraduate and
graduate catalogs; copies of
the school paper The Candor;
a collection of photos
commemorating many
occasions; Great Issues–Great
Ideas programs; Voices
magazines; Founders’ Walk
information and a Benedictine
University Campus Services
T-shirt.
Also set into a Kindlon column
is a rough, reddish “sazava”
stone, sent to the first monks
from the ruins of St. Procopius
Monastery (Sazava) in the
present day Czech Republic.
As Benedictine Hall was built,
that stone was set into the
outside wall below the second
floor windows. It has two
dates on it — 1785 — the
year that the Abbey was
suppressed in Czechoslovakia,
and — 1885 — the year
St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle
was founded.
Place your hands on those
Kindlon columns and recall
many pieces of Benedictine
history. It is impressive. The
original time capsule —
disintegrated as it is — is on
display for you to enjoy and
to remember. (See story on
page 20.) ✝
Dear Benedictine University Alumni and Friends,
I wanted to share with you exciting events that have recently taken place at Benedictine University.
• In early December, Benedictine University took Springfield College in Illinois (SCI) under its wing in a
strategic partnership. SCI is a two-year Catholic institution in the state capital. Benedictine plans to
develop junior-senior year programs at the College, as well as adult and graduate programs. This is a
significant step toward becoming a major player in Catholic higher education for Benedictine University.
In my articles for Voices, I have spoken of new models of cooperation between colleges that will make us
stronger. I trust that as you watch the Benedictine/Springfield partnership unfold, you will see such a
model in action. (See story on page 29.)
• St. Procopius Abbey held an Abbatial Election on December 29-30, and Fr. Dismas Kalcic, O.S.B. was
elected the new abbot. The Bible tells us that Dismas was the good thief who was crucified on a cross next
to Jesus. Born in Joliet, Abbot Dismas graduated from Joliet Catholic High School and served in both the
Army and Air Force before studying at St. Procopius College. He joined the monastery in 1954 and
professed vows in 1955. After ordination in 1961, he completed his master’s degree in economics from
the University of Notre Dame, continued graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University and earned a
Ph.D. from Washington University. He taught at Benedictine and was the executive vice president in
1973-74. He began service at Benet Academy as business manager, then director of finance and electronic
learning systems. He then served as pastor of three different parishes in Wisconsin. In 2001, he returned
to the Abbey, and taught economics at both Benedictine University and Benet Academy. By election,
Abbot Dismas becomes the ex-officio Chancellor of both Benedictine University and Benet Academy.
Former Abbot Hugh Anderson, O.S.B., is on sabbatical in St. Louis studying spiritual direction.
(Abbot Dismas is pictured on the front cover of this issue.)
• Since the opening of Birck and Kindlon Halls, we have been focusing on renovating Scholl and Lownik
Halls to accommodate those faculty and staff remaining in Benedictine Hall. Benedictine Hall has been
the hallmark of this campus for more than 100 years, but it would be cost prohibitive ($15-28 million)
to try to refurbish it. I am interested in ideas on how to ‘celebrate’ Benedictine Hall’s importance on
this campus before it is closed forever. We welcome your ideas. (This issue of Voices is dedicated to this
great building.)
• At the end of January, the University announced that Jim Ryan, C68, former Illinois Attorney General
and gubernatorial candidate, was appointed the first Benedictine University Distinguished Fellow. Ryan
will work with faculty and students and will represent the University to public and private institutions,
government agencies and the community. (See story on page 27.)
Clearly, much is happening on campus. Please know that your ideas and input are always welcome.
Sincerely,
William J. Carroll
President
2
Vision
monastic
perspective
ndividual Benedictine
monasteries usually
look to a ‘founding
community’ that gave it
its beginning, started a life
that grew and moved into its
own future. St. Procopius
Abbey is a foundation (in
1885) from St. Vincent
Archabbey in Latrobe,
Pennsylvania. Abbot Boniface
Wimmer, O.S.B., the monk
who first brought Benedictine
life to America in 1846, had
the vision for some of his
men to be missionaries to
Czech immigrants, just as
the St. Vincent community
had been missionaries to
German immigrants.
I
THE
Succisa
Virescit
Cut It Down and
It Will Grow!
by Fr. David Turner, O.S.B.
St. Procopius Abbey engaged
in this same life-giving action
by founding St. Andrew’s
Abbey in Cleveland, Ohio,
and Holy Trinity Monastery
in Butler, Pennsylvania. Both
communities began with an
eye to missionary work among
Slavic peoples: people of
Slovak ancestry in the case
of the Cleveland community,
and people belonging to the
Byzantine-Ruthenian Rite
of the Catholic Church.
Anyone entering the
St. Vincent Archabbey basilica
today would notice a variety
of ‘coats of arms’ decorating
the walls of the Archabbey
church, symbols representing
the independent communities
that had their origin at
St. Vincent. St. Procopius
Abbey was Archabbot
Boniface Winner’s eighth
independent foundation,
so quite naturally, the arms
of St. Procopius Abbey is
found there. Included among
the various designs is the
symbol of the Archabbey of
Montecassino: a centuries-old
oak tree stump with new
shoots coming from its side.
The motto “Succisa Virescit”
surrounds the symbol: cut it
down and it will grow.
Most of what we know
about the beginnings
of Montecassino and
St. Benedict has come down
to us through the Book of the
Dialogues written by Pope
Gregory the Great some
50 years after Benedict’s
death. The traditional year
given for the birth of Benedict
and his twin sister Scholastica
has been the year 480 of our
common era. In 1980,
Benedictines around the
world celebrated the 1500th
anniversary of St. Benedict’s
birth, just as in 1947
Benedictines celebrated the
1400th anniversary of his
death. On that occasion, Pope
Pius XII issued an encyclical
letter ‘Fulgens Radiator’ ➤
Spring 2003
3
Vision
Anyone entering the St. Vincent Archabbey basilica today would notice a variety of
‘coats of arms’ decorating the walls of the Archabbey church, symbols representing
the independent communities that had their origin at St. Vincent. St. Procopius
Abbey was Archabbot Boniface Winner’s eighth independent foundation so quite
naturally, the arms of St. Procopius Abbey is found there. Included among the
various designs is the symbol of the Archabbey of Montecassino: a centuries-old
oak tree stump with new shoots coming from its side. The motto “Succisa
Virescit” surrounds the symbol: cut it down and it will grow.
extolling
the work of
Benedictine monks
over the centuries.
Between the year 500, a
possible date given for
Benedict’s leaving the village
of his birth (the present-day
Norcia [Perugia], Italy) and
529, the traditional date for
his founding of Montecassino,
Benedict had a variety of
experiences: as a hermit, a
temporary superior of a group
of monks who early on tried
to poison him, and finally as
the founder of 12 small
monasteries at Subiaco.
Benedict left Subiaco about
the year 529 because of the
difficulties being caused by
a local priest, and he traveled
to the ruins of a preexisting
Roman fortification high on
a mountain, the ‘municipium
casinum.’ There is a theory
that he settled there because
a patrician benefactor gave
the property to him. When
Benedict arrived on the
mountain, he found a temple
dedicated to the pagan god
Apollo along with a holy
grove for sacrifices to this
god. The accounts given by
St. Gregory the Great would
4
Benedictine Voices
have us
see Benedict
changing these
areas into places
for Christian use.
Benedict’s practical sense
changed the existing temple
into an oratory for his
community, while using some
of the other existing buildings
as living space for his
community and their work.
About the year 577, only
30 years after Benedict’s
death, Zotone and his
Lombard hordes destroyed
Montecassino for the first
time. Some monks did flee
and settle elsewhere, though it
was not until the early eighth
century that Pope Gregory II
commissioned Petronace, an
architect/builder from Brescia
to rebuild the monastery.
Many flocked to newly built
Montecassino and it is even
recorded that Charlemagne
visited there in 787 and
granted many privileges to
the abbot and his monks.
In 883, with the monks
having lived there in peace for
a little more than one hundred
years, the second destruction
of the monastery took place,
this time by Saracen hordes
that invaded and sacked the
entire area and burned the
monastery to the ground.
Monks again fled and
managed to settle elsewhere
though monastic life was not
resumed on the mountain
until the middle of the 10th
century. A number of great
churchmen were involved
in restoring Montecassino,
including Frederick of
Lorraine, who later became
Pope Stephen IX. Many
churchmen and civil
rulers helped to restore
Montecassino, culminating
with Abbot Desiderius who
rebuilt the basilica enriching
it with great art and mosaics.
An earthquake caused the
third destruction in 1349,
leaving nothing but a few
walls. The Archabbey was
reconstructed over the
years and remained in
veritable peace — the Pax
Benedictina — until February
15, 1944, when Allied bombs
leveled the building to the
ground.
This was during some of the
final stages of World War II,
as Montecassino, and its
position high on a mountain,
was on the firing line between
German and Allied forces.
Many have written about the
event, including U.S. General
Mark Clark in his celebrated
book Calculated Risks. It has
generally been admitted that
there were no German forces
actually in the monastery,
though once the bombing
took place the Germans had a
strategic position and it took
some months for the Allied
Forces to break through and
march on to free Rome.
On a personal note, I visited
Montecassino in 1980, after
its reconstruction and
decoration that took more
than 10 years, and spoke to
Father Agostino Saccomano,
O.S.B., a monk who lived
through the bombings. He
had planned to die, along
with the abbot, as the
building was being destroyed.
However, the place where
they stayed — the cell of
St. Benedict — was the only
spot not destroyed by the
bombs and both monk and
abbot lived to tell the story.
Succisa Virescit — cut it down
and it will grow — has been a
Benedictine watchword for
these many centuries. We have
seen how the destruction of
this one building has always
led to new life. The chopped
down, broken, old oak stump
always becomes the source for
new growth, always green and
alive. In all instances, we also
see life that is stronger than
ever — life that truly moves
into the future. ✝
A salute to
Benedictine
Hall
I
n 1900 the cornerstone
of what would become
Benedictine Hall was
set in place. Then
St. Procopius College, the
building would live through
more than 100 years of monks,
professors and students —
all whose lives would be
touched, not just by a
building constructed by the
men of the Benedictine order,
but by a University whose
founding beliefs were, and
are, to nurture the whole
person, to live life in balance
and to instill the belief
‘that God may be glorified
in all things.’
Here is a “Salute to
Benedictine Hall.” As its
service to a growing
University is almost over, we
honor all the memories it
holds and all the moments it
has experienced. As we look
toward the future, let us
also remember that the
Benedictine traditions are
not housed in any particular
building, but live in the
hearts and minds of the
community. ✝
Spring 2003
5
I just loved the “creak of the floor,” tin ceilings, marble stairs and the warmth
of the Chapel. When former professor, Jim Hazdra, passed away, his wake
was in Ben Hall. It was just so touching to listen to the monks sing/pray in
the Gregorian chant.
I enjoy all the pictures of the Abbots, the religious statues and paintings
and the definite feel of this school being a Catholic/Benedictine Institution.
Alice Sima, C83, M.B.A. ’87, Professor
Hall
ssor
ictineaint, C55, Profe
d
e
n
e
ss
B
u
o
T
rd
monks
chers
as tea
iends
and fr
6
robed
There are so
many wond
erful memor
in the ‘Ad Bu
ies
ilding,’ as we
knew it. It wa
down in the
s
dining hall th
at
I
m
long friends
et my life
my first day
of
freshman ye
during my or
ar
ientation. I w
ill always
remember th
at first day, as
well as
Paradise, all
the talent sh
ows held in th
social center
e
, the SGA mee
tings, the
midnight brea
kfasts, The Pu
b, the
Admissions O
ffice, where
most of us
worked, not
to mention en
dless classes
and study nig
hts, and the
stairway right
outside the Ch
apel that ho
lds a specia
spot for my hu
l
sband, Jim an
d me.
Olga (Garnic
a) Bond, C84
.
na
stones
by Ber
is
say.
n the
e Hall
st upo
” they
n
a
r,
c
ti
ta
s
ic
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it
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Bene
and m
ows sp
bricks
e shad
“Just
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t
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n
espers
do
They
nday V
all is
ver Su
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o
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in
icti
sid
choir.
Bened mbrose pre
onks in
A
s of m
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o
r
d by
Chante
all is
shmen itality.
tine H
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osp
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in
n
a
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a
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g them
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enator animals.
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S
“
H
e
is
n
icti
ng h
nted
Bened ilar y greeti
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H
ded b
ions,
Father lab surroun
inhibit
e
d their
e
h
s
Into th
to
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Hall is
r.
d clea
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ing stu
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s push ar ts loud an
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th
a
e
M
h
r
e
ir
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m th
lly sin
ak fro
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To spe
ats an
ll is
e
a
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H
,
e
n
ictin
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life.
Bened eo making
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L
are ba
e
p
s
e
Father
k
g Sha
Bringin
ts.
era,
studen
is cam
Hall is
with h monks and
ictine
d
s
e
y
a
n
e
B
alw
of the
Luke,
ily life
Father
the da
tower,
g
in
p
nor th
Snap
is
in the
ll
p
a
u
H
ic
mus
ictine
Bened lban writing n to sing.
A
me
Father shy young
g
Coaxin
g
Hall is class re-livin nspiracy.
ictine
d
e
n
atin
vil co
L
e
Be
’s
in
e
il
n
Bas
atili
Father expose of C
’s
Cicero
l law
natura
Hall is
laining
ictine
Bened alentine exp ality.
or
V
Father politics in m
g
n
ti
o
r
Ro
humo
ll is
gentle
ne Ha
.
ti
is
a
r
h
ic
b
d
h
e
e
lg
Ben
d wit
into a
Richar
shmen
e
fr
Father
e
s
cold
to ea
keep it wall.
Tr ying
eer to
is
b
th
f
u
ll
o
a
o
S
H
his can
ictine
ng the
Bened
ur ying arigolds alo
John b
m
g
r
e
is
h
th
Fa
est win e.
ded
the W
he ten
Sacrific
ves in
While
a
e
ly
o
is
e
H
th
Hall
under
n with
ictine
altars
e daw
Bened
ne of
ted th
li
e
e
g
r
n
g
s
The lo
monk
pious
Where
is
ll
a
ora.”
H
men
ictine
et Lab
Bened oys became
, “Ora
le
u
r
b
the
Where
d out
en live
And m
Tin ceil
Black-
St. Procopius College
was dedicated on
September 2, 1901. This
solemn dedication
was the crowning of
more than 20 years of
labor to build a
Czech abbey and
college. The
streamers would
have been red and
white, the Bohemian
national colors.
ings
A
SalutE
To Benedictine Hall
The Historical
Development
of Benedictine
Hall
With contributions from
When I first came here, Ben Hall housed the abbey, the high school and the college. Almost all my
college classes were in Ben Hall, I made my novitiate to the abbey in what is now the music
department on the fourth floor. I lived in the abbey section until we moved to our present location.
I taught economics for seven years in Ben Hall and my office was [in room 266], I prayed many
hours in the student chapel, which is now [the Ben Hall Theater}. I took all my vows there and
was ordained deacon in that same chapel, and I could go on and on. I’ve said enough to let you
know that Ben Hall had major significance in my life.
Abbot Dismas, O.S.B., C57
h
rt
o
N
➢
1901 The first section of
Benedictine Hall was ready for
occupancy in 1901. This was an
‘L’ shaped building, the north
section (going east and west)
joined to the front section
(facing east) and ending at what
is now the “first tower.” Moving
from Chicago, the student body
consisted of 11 students and six
faculty members as the school
year started. Fr. Ildephonse
Wittmann, O.S.B., was the
rector and taught English, Latin,
German, bookkeeping and
religion. Fr. Cyril Zenisek,
O.S.B., was business manager
and taught mathematics,
geography, history, composition,
bookkeeping and natural
sciences. Br. John Nepomucene
Chval was the prefect of
discipline and taught drawing,
penmanship and singing. These
three monks resided on the Lisle
campus and were joined by three
“commuting monks” (from the
Chicago priory): Frs. Method
Vones, Joseph Chvatal and
Aloysius Keclik, O.S.B.
1904 The first year that all four
years of high school were taught.
1905 The first year college
courses were taught.
1908 The 40’ by 30’ addition
was built. This addition went
from the ‘tower’ to what is now
the center door of Benedictine ➤
Benedictine Hall, 1926.
Spring 2003
7
I first came to then St. Procopius College in 1957 on an altar boy
picnic. We were eating down by the slough as it was
called and I asked someone to direct me to a washroom.
They sent me up to Ben Hall, but somehow I took a
wrong turn and wound up lost in the monks’ private
cloister. I still remember being met by an angry monk
on the south stairs — the ones that are too deep and too
shallow — and being ushered out the door by the scruff
of my neck. Not the most auspicious beginning, but I
returned as a student in 1963 and a faculty member in
1975 so I have many memories of the building.
I remember:
Bugs Lab 1925:
Looking north.
This second floor
room is where
Employee Services
is now located.
On a warm summer evening walking by the building and
hearing trumpet, drums or piano music drifting from the
upper floors.
Trudging up and down those stairs, grabbing the ball on the
iron railing and wondering how many thousands and
thousands of other hands had touched that same spot.
The bu
gs lab
The handles on the chapel door.
Looking at the paintings of the abbots and wondering what
they would think of how we have changed.
In the sixties the ground level area directly across from the
powerhouse was converted from an old cannery (yes, we had a
farm, slaughter house and cannery) to the chemistry glass
research lab. Distilled water was somehow made in the lower level probably
from condensed steam. We would have to carry big bottles of distilled water
over to the science building for our labs — what a way to get students not to
waste distilled water.
When given a chance, wandering through the many back stairways, tunnels,
tiny rooms and storage areas.
Cleaning out the old attic over the biology “bugs lab” with John Mickus.
Being amazed and sometimes shocked at what we found.
Riding the elevator that always takes forever.
In the sixties, folding walls joined all the classrooms on the second floor. Some
of my philosophy classes filled three rooms. One teacher took roll every day and
being a “W” I could come 10 minutes late and still make the roll.
Sitting on a bench by the glass lab and sharing part of my lunch and a
wonderful conversation with Brother Andrew about our history. He liked
strawberries and we grew a lot at home.
Walking to the cemetery, then turning back to see Ben Hall and thinking it
was home.
Wayne Wesolowski, C67, Professor
Sisters Chapel:
The convent for the Sisters who lived
on campus was the wing that now has Health
Services in the basement and the International
Center on the second floor. The second floor,
north end, contained the Sisters Chapel.
8
Benedictine Voices
Kitchen Sisters: From the basement,
where the Sisters cooked from 1901 until
around 1957. This picture is from 1953.
I
954 when
ts from 1
vided
vironmen
ro
p
en
f
as
o
h
l
y
riet
Hal
edictine
variety
with a va
day. Ben
faculty; a
vided me
e present
all-monk
th
e Hall pro
y who
st
n
it
o
to
ti
la
t
ic
m
e
al
en
ed
th
d
Ben
t-year stu
ed with an
Sisters or
rs
e
ct
e
fi
n
ra
ti
a
ti
te
ic
ic
as
in
ed
en
ened n
arrived
s where I
by the B
ar as a B
classroom
well fed
ovitiate ye
as
n
w
fe
y
I
li
m
e
me with
y
r
er
fo
h
em
rooms w
room area
s and mad
of dining
ained a
all three
first vow
I was ord
em; a sm
gave
nced my
e
u
th
o
er
n
h
ed
w
ro
w
p
o
el
I
cate” that
ap
e
foll
ri
h
er
le
C
h
C
e
w
“
m
a
el
sa
om
t;
ap
e
h
ro
es
th
C
ri
k
p
n
a
r;
u
a
te
/b
monk;
years la
ination as
ormitory
ent three
out into
mmon d
entual ord
!)
co
ev
it
a
to
in
as
commitm
g
l
ay
in
w
as wel
me sleep
te
n on the
n room,
first priva
subdeaco
bed (with
recreatio
sleep; my
move my
r
her if
ld
dy hall, a
ei
u
k
u
th
o
st
as
w
g
a
to
in
e
rb
m
eres
op
om distu
my confr
uently st
fr
h
eq
ead
g
ic
h
fr
n
h
t
I
ri
w
o
d
en
an
from
p my sn
a depar tm
s office —
or to sto
and now
professor,
r;
rofessor’
a
p
te
e
a
is
b
the corrid
in
w
ld
o
m
u
us
a priest (n
edictine
which I co s and be a camp
room as
as
c and Ben
ices from
e Catholi
talk!); off
ld offer M
ad a
th
u
ls
h
t
al
,
co
u
d
w
o
I
e
e
en
ab
th
y
leg
her
ing to a
and worr
; space w
n
rd
rk
ld do
o
u
ea
co
o
d
w
ac
w
a
n
,
self
and
onks
ich I ca
edict him
rk the m
from wh
. St. Ben
ture
great wo
ty
e
fu
si
an office
e
th
er
th
iv
im
n
h
to
f our U
showing
, move in
identity o
’s future,
it of faith
h his spir
his Order
it
f
o
w
,
n
n
o
si
ca
vi
. We
come.
centuries
st
is yet to
over the
the best
the Provo
at
th
g
in
ssistant to
know
., C58, A
.B
.S
O
,
Turner
Fr. David
A
SalutE
To Benedictine Hall
Hall. This allowed for the
adding of the ‘center section.’
The fourth floor
attic space once housed
the dormitories
(before walls were put in)
and is now home to the
music department.
all
Benedictine er,HC02
ipp
by Debra A. Sk
down,
ch is coming
The old matriar
d
un
t a so
.
Quietly, withou
ung successor
adow of her yo
Stoic in the sh
man,
, like an old wo
Her structure
ir
pa
re
nd
yo
Crumbling, be
and losing heat,
d brick.
Roof leaking
ndows and re
her rattling wi
at
g
tin
ea
ns
Seaso
t, some cold,
Some rooms ho
d frustrating.
an
le
tab
Unpredic
wels
s held in her bo
ha
ch
d women,
This matriar
teens, men, an
n,
re
ild
ch
y
an
m
of
er
ht
ug
La
d old.
Both young an
n of her time,
The admiratio
, and sheltered
led
dd
cu
She has
sdom,
wi
of
Many years
d controversy.
f, academics, an
Religious belie
, lawyers,
rs, psychologist
red many docto
usicians.
m
d
an
ts,
She has mento
tis
ists, dancers, ar
log
s and posters.
cio
so
ing
int
ts,
pa
tis
Scien
eams,
with hopes, dr
d
ne
or
ad
lls
and need,
Her wa
times of crisis
in warmth in
us
ed
ts.
ac
en
br
m
em
sh
She has
d accompli
our laughter an
walked,
And celebrated
watched as we
s
ha
windows she
s,
nie
sti
de
r
Through her
ou
s
rd
r colors, towa
re,
Shrouded in he
at this structu
ide?
our shoulders
er
ov
ing
ok
er and our gu
Lo
elt
sh
r
ou
e,
m
ho
r
ou
en
be
d
Who ha
in her walls.
ies she has with
her halls.
Many memor
ne who entered
yo
er
each and ev
Memories, of
wn,
She will go do
in admiration.
k doors.
memor y, and
in
ry,
to
his
In
nd rails, and oa
d brick, iron ha
re
,
of
ro
er
pp
co
I will miss her
.
nedictine Hall
I will miss Be
I reme
mber w
hen I w
floor o
as on
f Ben H
the thir
all for
took a
d
Hallow
tour a
een. W
n
d foun
the his
e
d
tory of
out ab
out
when
the do
Ben Ha
rmit
ll was
there fo ory. I also spe
nt time
r choir
practic
lesson
e and
s. That
voice
time is
memo
the mo
rable fo
st
r me.
Donna
Jones,
C98
As a relatively new biologist on
the faculty, I was called over to
trap out the bat that was
“terrorizing” faculty and
students on the fourth floor of
Ben Hall — this would have
been in the early 80’s.
Almost all of the important
meetings held during the 80’s
were in what is now the Ben
Hall Theater. The college-wide
masses, the honors day
celebrations, all of the guest
lectures were held there.
I had the best office during my
first two years as the dean — it
was on the third floor and was
originally the theology
department library/classroom.
The old monks would come in
and point out exactly where
their desk was for their theology
classes. The office had lovely
built-in bookcases with very nice
stained glass doors.
I remember serving dinner to
the residents at the Thanksgiving
and Christmas dinners. Phil
Bean, a retired history professor,
and I were usually the principal
carvers for the meals and we
had a polite competition as to
who would carve the most
turkeys. We ended one dinner
with a tie — each of us had
carved 13 turkeys.
We converted the old Chapel
[of Altars] room into a Scholars
lounge, which was pretty
actively used by the Scholars
for a number of years. Presently,
it is the room where the
soundproof music cubicles are
found. Originally, this room had
many altars. This was the room
where monks would say their
daily masses.
John Mickus, Dean
The ‘Quinta’ class — the first
Bachelor of Arts candidates,
containing eight students.
Interestingly, intramural baseball
team pictures have students with
‘K.S.P.’ on their uniforms, the
first letters of the Czech phrase
“Kolej Svatého Prokopa”
indicating St. Procopius College.
This was also the first year that
non-Benedictine students were
admitted to the developing
school of theology (seminary).
One reason for bishops sending
their men to the Benedictines
was to have them perfect their
language facility in Czech.
In the first brochure describing
the college the following
statement was found:
“St. Procopius College has
no invested funds or student
endowments; on the contrary
it still has many debts. It is
therefore completely dependent
for support coming from the
fees paid by the individual
students.” The fees for the year
amounted to $160 for tuition,
lodging and laundry, $30 special
fee for piano lessons and the use
of instruments and $20 for
lessons on other instruments.
1913 The ‘center section’ was
opened, holding the chapel on
the third floor, the dormitory on
the second floor (present day
classrooms), the Sisters’ convent,
the ‘Chapel of Altars,’ biology
rooms, the student dining room
and the laundry area. In the
1950s some of the college
students were convinced that in
the laundry was a Benedictine
Sister whose job it was to smash
buttons on dress shirts.
1914 The Abbey formally
transferred from St. Procopius
Parish in Chicago to the Lisle
camps, leading to the eventual
completion of the south wing. ➤
Spring 2003
9
Ben
H
colle all was t
h
g
raise e life. W e center
e
d
o
matr food th ate our f f our
ere,
ic
wen armin th ulated,
t to
an
e
partie cafeteria d had ‘m Mass,
.
fema s where Mixers ixers’
were
ladie
le co
s
our,
ll
then eges we from all
re in
all-m
v
Virtu
ale,
socia ited to
a
l eve
activ lly every
n
it
d
ts.
Non y was do ay-to-da
e
y
n
teach of my cla e at Ben school
e
ssm
ates Hall.
build rs ever
dr
o
in
It wa g would eamed r
th
s so
subs be destr at this
dest
ru
o
ta
ever ction re ntial. Its yed.
m
yo
a lim ne and inds us
th
e
ited
life o verythin at
g ha
n this
Gera
s
ld An
e
a
rth.
germ
eier,
C62
ys
system.
eating
cellent h
pt the
Hall’s ex
e
n
ti
il
ic
o
b er ke
ed
ber] Ben
inter, that
then,
w
f
o
en
s
ev
[I remem
ay
es
d
ore glass
e coldest
w
th
I
.
e in the
in
m
m
n
ar
co
w
Eve
I would
nice and
en
ry
h
w
ve
s
so
ay
ve
g o r. I
place
inter d
would fo
in
ll many w
y glasses
m
dowsills
d
in
and I reca
w
an
e
f th
doorway
uple
on one o
co
k
a
ac
g
n
northeast
kp
ti
ai
ac
glasses w
mp my b
again.
hold my
would du
could see
there and
up and I
ay
ed
lw
m
al
ar
h
the
lenses w
edictine
until the
iler in Ben
minutes
utput bo
dar y
-o
h
en
ig
g
h
le
e
s
it
f
ory of th
emory o
r several
m
a
fo
d
g
This mem
in
in
w
m
been sno
brings to
ad
so
h
lways just
al
al
l
It
h
.
al
o
H
m
d
rt DeNar
f cozy war
A
o
f dir ty
s
r,
rd
ke
ta
fu
ya
tly ll o
care
-20
e constan
e first 15
er
th
w
d
at
ce
g
an
in
days,
st entran
quit work
at northea
Art never
times
inside th
’s boots.
e during
le
er
p
th
eo
p
h
g
m
u
ro
lunch,
th
at
e
r
m
o
slush fro
floor. I ca
ffee break
at
co
After
th
n
g
o
o
e
in
o
b
dry
at fl r.
he’d
d
drying th
u’d think
d thanke
ning and
an
when yo
ea
t
cl
en
,
m
rt
was A
for a mo
me,
im
at
h
d
but there
ed
ke
p
o
p
lo
t,
day, I sto
a momen
the third
bing for
quit swab
e
H
.
im
h
you
if one of
and said:
but what
resumed
ank me,
d
th
an
to
ay
u
at.
of yo
rned aw
ay after th
“It’s nice
rt?” He tu
e same w
d got hu
tisfy his
of Art th
sa
t
h
to
g
u
slipped an
st
o
ju
th
or clean
. I never
ep
pt the flo
mopping
uty to ke
ed he’d ke
e had a d
m
h
su
lt
as
fe
e
ad
h
Ih
ut
o
ed
rn
it tu
boss, but
ng hurt.
om getti
people fr
6
cher, C7
David Fis
10
Benedictine Voices
a
Twisting stairw
me to
cted
t attra
a
all.
h
H
w
n
f
s Be
Part o
lways
e wa
Hall a
dictin
n
e
e
n
B
,
e
e
B
ing
g
m
a
o
s
elc
ite it
rm, w
Desp
a
e
w
th
very
ense
had a ou could s
you
s
Y
a
.
g
ry
feelin
s histo
s.
ss of it
e hall
richne
ugh th
ro
th
the
d
e
d
lk
a
a
h
w
little
dI
me a
ry gla
beco
I’m ve
to
y
rtunit
.
oppo
history
f that
part o
0
n, C0
Nielso
Pam
Slough 1914:
Once there was enough moisture to make ice!
Note the pool and the handball court.
You can see the Neff stone farmhouse between the groups
of youths, and behind the figure with the fur hat
(probably the monk-prefect) on the far right, you can see
the "old barn" across the road — it was built by the monks
around 1897, and taken down in the early 1940s.
A
SalutE
To Benedictine Hall
Choir Chapel:
Located on the
first floor,
the walls have
changed drastically
over the years, so you
have to orient
yourself by the
windows. Around
1970, this room was
transformed into the
St. Benedict Chapel.
1916 The completion of the
south wing of Benedictine Hall,
usually referred to as the ‘abbey
side.’ This section provided
living quarters, the ‘Choir
Chapel’ and other facilities
for the monastic community.
The ground floor was an
auditorium/gymnasium for all
three schools now functioning:
academy, college and school
of theology (seminary). The
dedication took place on
June 18, 1916.
1917 Thirty-one students were
enrolled in the seminary.
The tru
nk room
I remember touring, then
IBC, as a senior in high
school with my mom.
During the tour, she shared
her memories with me of
running through the halls
and playing as a child
while my grandfather
was picking the Sisters
up to drive them back
and forth to the churches in
Chicago. Since my mom
passed away, I have taken
graduate classes at
Benedictine and have found
comfort in walking the same
halls that she walked.
Nicole (Brongiel) Laughridge
C93, M.P.H. ’00
I am v
ery sad
to see
my tim
[Ben H
e
all] go
‘loung in that build
. I grad
in
e’ with
uated
a large g. When I w
alterna
in 19
as
room o
tive to
f table a student th 95 so I spent
the lib
hang o
e base
s with
rary fo
most o
ut and
m
vendin
r study
meet o
g mach ent was still f
ing an
ther stu
My fav
d grea
ines. It
a
dents.
orite p
t
for com
w
art of th
so ma
muters as an
ny
e build
like m
ing tho
halls a stories from
e
to
ug
fte
long a
go and h was the fo
rehears r a voice cla
urt
ss
alw
a
from u l rooms were to just take it ays found m h floor. I hav
eh
p there
y
great a
a
.
nd the ll in and pictu self going do eard
re was
wn the
The cre
re it ba
a won
ak y flo
c
k
th
e
derful
ors
school.
view o n. The tiny
My fath and the old
f
the cam
I love b
rooms
er wen
pus
eing p
t
art of th to school h are somethin
ere wh
g I lov
at histo
Jenny
e
e
n it wa
d abou
Jacobs
ry. It w
s
t the
-Latha
ill be m
St. Pro
m, C95
copius
issed.
and
I gained a great sense of self while studying at Benedictine, and Bell Hall is
symbolic of Benedictine. Because I had such a rich experience here, the loss of
Ben Hall saddens me. I spent years inside of it in my classes, walked by the
building thousands of times and I have always admired it. I know that the
transformation of the campus is for the best, though, and new memories will
continue to be made as students grow and learn as I did.
Kristin Deanne Hough, C02
The sch
olars
lounge
g where
buildin
ll as the s. Whether it
a
H
n
e
e
rB
memori
e
membe
tside, th still
nds and
lways re
I will a
reat frie as snowing ou
g
f
o
t
ing. I’m s
lo
w
rt
a
it
e
fo
r
d
m
o
a
o
sse
sc
Im
y day
e in cla
s alway
ot sunn
et whil
ade
Hall wa
was a h
ents I m fessors who m
at Ben
d
u
re
e
st
h
e
th
ro
f
p
o
e
atmosp
y
th
n
a
f
with m
to all o
ce!
friends
nk you
xperien
all. Tha
great e
H
a
n
e
e
n
B
ti
at
nedic
g at Be
learnin
, C99
a
uastell
Dan G
This first floor sacristy,
located in the St. Benedict
Chapel, was used to hold
supplies for campus masses.
1925 The back (and final)
section of the building was
added, containing the Bugs Lab
and Paradise. Also, with the
building of the new gymnasium,
the old auditorium/gymnasium
was converted into the college
library. The stage area was
closed to form the librarians’
workroom. Frs. Adolph Hrdlicka
and Vitus Buresh, O.S.B.,
processed many a book there.
1926 St. Procopius Seminary
becomes bi-ritual. Eastern Rite
seminarians for the Ruthenian
Bishop Basil Takach begin to
attend. The seminary continued
to educate these students for the
priesthood until 1951 when they
established a seminary in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Late 1930s A science building
was erected on the spot where
the Krasa Center now stands.
This building was erected almost
totally by the monks and student
workers, led by the master
mason Br. Procopius Koukal,
O.S.B. For most of its life it was
called simply ‘The Science Hall.’
The building housed offices for
the science faculty, chemistry
and physics laboratories and one
residence room occupied by
senior students in physics.
1951 With the completion
of Jaeger Hall, college students
moved out of Benedictine Hall
as well as out of the Butler
Building (a prefabricated tin ➤
Spring 2003
11
When Fr. Michael
Komechak, O.S.B.,
founded the studio
art program in 1978,
he was given the
south end of the
top floor in
Benedictine Hall
for studios,
offices and
storerooms.
They had been
used by the
non-ordained
monks as
living
quarters from
1916, when the south
section was completed, until 1970
when the monks moved into their newly
completed abbey building across College Road.
[At my] class reunion in 1986, I noticed many changes had occurred to the building since 1956,
but I could still tell where the second floor dormitories had been and the third floor chapel where the
auditorium is now, and the basement refectory where we ate ‘family style’ at long tables. A
particular interest was seeking out the former Chapel of Altars behind the auditorium/chapel where
I served Mass many early mornings for priest-monks; each of the now-private music practice booths
was formerly an individual altar, and I noted that many of the original wood vestment tables
remain in place extending from the walls. I found that the second and third floor ‘jakes’ remain in
place, albeit converted from exclusive male use.
The gravity water closets up by the ceiling, where we cooled quarts of beer on weekends when we
out-of-state students remained on campus, were gone — but the memory lingers. It was interesting
to walk through the North end of the building, which was the cloistered monastery, and I’m not sure
I had ever set foot in that section until this visit. I looked into first and second floor rooms where I
recall classes in Fr. Demetrius’ Algebra I, Al Rychtarik’s Plane Geometry, Solid Geometry and
Trigonometry, Fr. Gilbert’s Latin I, Fr. Brendan’s Latin II, Fr. Paschal’s and Fr. Christian’s
Religion, etc. I saw the outside fire escape stairs leading down, then back up to ‘Paradise’ where
Fr. Roman (before he was ordained) lived and conducted the infirmary. I recalled a missing
metal building in that same area, which was a chapel where the Eastern Rite monks,
Frs. Chrysostom, Athanasius, Demetrius, as I recall, celebrated Mass amid lots of incense
and chanting in [Slavonic]; some of us attended periodically and gained an appreciation
of another culture’s approach to our common Catholicism. After a good building tour, I
walked over by the ‘slough’ and on to the cemetery where I walked among the graves of so
many familiar names of priests and brothers from those years long ago; I prayed for them,
but also I requested them to remember and pray for me — one of the ‘kids from Kansas.’
After that, I stopped at the Abbey to see if Fr. Roman might be in and available to chat
(he was my Freshman prefect, and later was president of a Catholic college in Wichita).
He was and we reminisced at length.
I remem
ber the
se room
monast
s as
ic q
novitiate uarters durin
g my
year, esp
468, th
ecially
eB
room
own off rother’s Chap
el. My
ice tod
ay, on th
floor, w
e fourt
as once
h
the nov
master’
ice
s comb
ination
and stu
bedroo
dy.
m
An artis
t friend
recomm
that insu
ended
lated fi
ber pan
attache
els be
d to all
the wall
as back
s to ser
ing
ve
The win for framed art
work.
dow at
the sou
of the c
th
orridor
was cov end
prevent
ered to
su
the artw nlight from fa
ding
ork.
Fr. Mic
hael Ko
mechak
C54, A
, O.S.B
rt Cura
.,
tor
It was a great afternoon and I am glad I detoured North
from I-80 on my way to Indiana. Happy Days, those
were in the Fifties… It was enjoyable to return
to them for a few hours.
Lawrence A. (Larry)
Tholen, C56
12
Dormitories,
classrooms,
s
life experience
A
SalutE
building that stood in what is
now the parking area adjacent
to the west entrance door at the
ground level, near Benedictine
Central). The ‘big move’ into
Jaeger Hall excited the college
men who now had the benefits
of ‘high living’ in semi-private
rooms.
, Intro
ul class
wonderf
n Hall.
e
B
I had a
in
m. Arts,
s in
to Com
speeche
.
giving
d
n echo
e
a
y
s
jo
a
n
Ie
re w
e”
u
use the
a
q
c
ti
e
n
b
a
class
and “
the aura ing].
I liked
ild
u
b
e
th
f
look [o
2
hr y, C0
Choud
n
a
lm
Sa
Fr. Kevin’s
I worked under
old bookstore
direction in the
ll in 1965-67.
in Benedictine Ha
ny places to
There weren’t ma
pus in those
hang out on cam
d a regular
years, and we ha
re-the-library
after-dinner-befo
th a number of
crowd. Along wi
Fr. David and
student regulars,
dropped in, as
Fr. Dismas often
Christian
did Mr. Smith. Fr.
pped by too,
occasionally sto
uple of
and we had a co
t helped me
conversations tha
jor to history.
to change my ma
lds many
The building ho
g Fr. David’s
memories: readin
a first-floor
press releases on
chatting with
bulletin board,
the business
Br. Columban in
misplaced
office, exchanging
er “Bill
mail with the oth
the business
Murphy” also in
pair of doors
office, that funny
to each other in
that opened on
hall, the art work
the back of the
ssroom where
cla
irs
in the upsta
t Rhetoric and
gh
tau
Mr. Meehan
ht.
nig
at
Lit
American
7
C6
y,
Bill Murph
es
or
o
d
l
f
a
n
th
re
Four usic se
m
To Benedictine Hall
1956 With the transfer of
the academy to the former
St. Joseph’s Orphanage property
north of Maple Avenue (now
Benet Academy), the second
floor, east-west section, was
converted into classrooms.
I was leaving home for the first time, going away to
college. I’ll never forget that cold January day in 1966. I
took the Greyhound Bus from Detroit to Chicago, the train
from Chicago to Lisle, and a cab from the Lisle train station
to the administration building of St. Procopius College
(Benedictine Hall).
It was between semesters so the campus was pretty much
desolate. Here I stood in this circular drive in front of the
impressive building. My mind was racing with thoughts and
questions as I trekked up the stairs lugging my military-type
duffel bag and a suitcase.
I entered the building and looked down the hallway, which
seemed endless and saw no one. I left my stuff at the door
and went off looking for someone to assist me. While
strolling the halls and gazing at the high ceilings I couldn’t
help but be impressed with this building. It had a certain
aura about it.
After about 10 minutes of meandering a priest noticed
me and asked if he could help. He said to wait about
15 minutes and he would take me to Jaeger Hall where
I would be staying.
This was my introduction to St. Procopius College. The
building was my first impression and many memories were
made from that building in the following three years.
As for that priest, it was Father Hugh Anderson. Go figure.
Allen Goll, C69
1957 The Benedictine Sisters
discontinued running the
kitchen/food service. MarieAntoinette Haot-Denissoff
became the kitchen manager
aided by area women.
1960 During the summer,
the kitchen area (now Sodexho’s
Campus Services office space)
was totally rehabilitated with
new steam plumbing, hot and
cold water lines, stoves and food
service preparation areas. The
bakery remained in operation,
though the homemade bread
recipe of the Benedictine Sisters
did not seem to be duplicated.
The former convent area was
used by the Benedictine Brothers
who until this time slept in
dormitory/bunk rooms.
1963 The new library opened.
First-year students spent much
of their “Hell Week” time
transferring books from
Benedictine Hall to the new
facility. The library was named
to honor the first lay chairman
of the Board of Trustees,
Theodore Lownik, who was
associated with Tallman Federal
Savings and Loan Association
on Chicago’s south side.
1966 The abbey decided
to close the farm operation.
This eliminated the fresh eggs
brought in daily by Brs. George
Rooney and Matthew Netreba,
O.S.B. It also eliminated the
dairy herd, as well as the steers. ➤
Spring 2003
13
Ode to Ben Hall
by Ingrida (Latoza) Korsakas, C97
A true Ben Hall pleasure was hiding from everyone on the top
floor in order to gather my thoughts for a tough exam or
assignment. Looking at campus in the evening from the tiny
window while listening to someone practice a piano piece always
proved to be enjoyable, romantic, and even spiritual. All worries
and fears disappeared as my mind was set at ease by the peaceful
scenery and beautiful music. Campus in sight, no fear or fright;
Chopin at night, always a delight.
Ben Hall may claim rights as the birthplace of my college
education. Administration offices with plenty of paperwork lived
here but the magnificent beauty of the old hallways and
staircases also showed me a path to higher intelligence. As an
elementary education major, most of my classes and professors
were in Ben Hall. So, to me, the middle of this building existed
as the core of my studies at Benedictine University. Ideas
exchanged, theories discovered, stories shared, languages
learned. It developed the skillful, knowledgeable and diverse
person that I am today. A sense of place, a sense of time, a sense of
grace in your heart and mine.
To celebrate our academic successes, my friends and I would
gather in the company of each other. We really enjoyed The Pub
parties in the basement of Ben Hall as we danced the night
away. We didn’t want the evening to end. The Pub wasn’t much,
but all we needed was some loud music, a dance floor and each
other. “Oh what a night” echoed loudly through the room and
we lived in the moment, knowing it to be one of the best times
we’d be sharing at Benedictine University. Music set us free. Dance
tenderly. We let it be, just you, just me.
1946 Election: At this election, strictly speaking to select a
coadjutor abbot for the dying Abbot Procopius Neuzil,
Father Ambrose Ondrak was chosen (the election was held on
November 7, Abbot Procopius died December 1). The window, on
the central entrance, means “God, Church and Country.”
Stained
glass
windows
I remember . . . Working nights at the
main switchboard with the ‘Alexander
Graham Bell’ era pull out cords,
I frequently, accidentally,
disconnected calls or connected
calls to the wrong party.
two
I remember
Benedictine
e for
things about
a special plac
of
always hold
ll
wi
at
th
the first ‘love
Hall
to
d
ce
du
tro
s in
e
g with the lat
me. First, I wa
in
dy
stu
ile
ffee, wh
my life’… co
night crowd.
cond
ced to the se
I was introdu
y
Additionally,
on the first da
…
fe
wi
y
m
e’…
. To this day,
‘love of my lif
80
19
in
,
ar
ye
ore
e within
of my sophom
s and a hom
o beautiful kid
look at
23 years, tw
n Hall, I still
Be
of
e
nc
dista
that
rock throwing
that place, at
at
e,
er
th
g
bein
me
that building
and soon co
w
no
en
dd
be hi
, but
time. It may
e for progress
ry steps asid
down, as histo
ies which
or
em
m
e
th
have
I will always
destroy.
progress can’t
The barber chair
14
Benedictine Voices
Walking in the hall late at night after
studying alone in a classroom.
Hearing the creaking, groaning
floors and heating plant rattling
the steam pipes and then suddenly
running into a monk who seemed
to come out of the shadows.
All those stuffed specimens from
the Jurica Brothers in their classroom.
Bob Knetl, C70
for
s. I’m grateful
for two year
Benedictine
lt more
at
fe
e
e’
I’v
,
om
‘h
ow
y
eh
been m
building. Som
have
Ben Hall has
office in this
lieve I would
assigned an
tory than I be
his
s
ty’
having been
rsi
ive
the Un
s.
to
pu
d
m
te
ca
ec
here on
closely conn
located elsew
office been
certain
felt had my
Ben Hall has
po
ilding —
l stand int,
es of the bu
m a physica
ut
fro
trib
at
at
th
l
it
m
ica
ys
ph
I’ll ad
all
er
e rich wood
th
ov
s,
e
ndow
however, th
expansive wi
d
an
Ben Hall.
deficiencies,
gs
ilin
ce
most about
es with high
e what I love
the large offic
th that I
t a few — ar
rm
jus
wa
e
d
m
an
na
rt
to
,
rtain comfo
doors and trim
impart a ce
plicate.
e attributes
possible, to du
im
Together, thes
t
no
if
,
ult
ry diffic
ve
be
ll
wi
believe
Ben Hall.
I’ll truly miss
Professor
Nona Jones,
A
SalutE
To Benedictine Hall
ries of
I have many memo
from my
Benedictine Hall
(1963days as a student
e, what is
tim
t
tha
At
).
1967
or
flo
rd
now the thi
Theater”
“Benedictine Hall
entire
was the chapel; the
nt,
me
art
dep
y
biolog
the
including many of
the Jurica
specimens now in
ated in the
Museum, was loc
building,
the
of
g
win
west
th section
sou
the
of
and most
par t of
s
wa
of the building
r. In fact,
the monastic cloiste
occupy was
w
no
I
ice
off
the
m for one
originally a bedroo
nistrative
mi
Ad
of the monks.
, and even a
offices, classrooms
re were all
ver y small booksto
ing. The
ild
bu
the
in
located
ground
the
in
One of my biggest memories of Benedictine Hall is a lesson taught to me by
cafeteria was
building
the late Dean, Thomas Dyba, in that building in November 1972. It was
floor section of the
e Pub.
Th
as
n
ow
kn
my freshman first-semester and I was an “undeclared” major. [I was
w
no
having trouble with a class.]
e to campus
When I first cam
er of 1963,
est
for the fall sem
Dyba explained to me [what I would need to do] in order to pass the course.
t ready
ik Librar y was jus
wn
Lo
He added that he would allow me to withdraw from the course, but it would
many of the
t,
fac
In
en.
op
to
show up as “WF” on my transcript. He asked me what I wanted to do.
been
books had not yet
old librar y
I thought hard and I told him: “I’m 17 and I know I’m in lots of trouble
moved from the
er level of
that was in the low
here. Maybe in college I’m supposed to make my own decisions, but I’m kind
where
ll
Ha
ine
ict
ned
Be
of lost. What do you think I should do?”
al is now
Benedictine Centr
first two
the
g
rin
Dean Dyba stood up and gazed out of one of Benedictine Hall’s big windows
located. Du
a steady
for a couple of minutes. He finally turned around and spoke. “All right, since
weeks of classes,
en moved
you’re asking, here’s what I’d do. You’ve been struggling with this course since
stream of freshm
librar y to
old
the
m
fro
books
Labor Day. We just observed Veteran’s Day and Christmas Break is right
physical
ir
the
g
rin
the new du
around the corner. All you need is to pass this course, and you and the Math
ysical
cation classes (ph
edu
Department are finished with one another the rest of your college career. Father
uired of all
education was req
Tsi says you have been attending class and trying hard. I wouldn’t waste a
e).
tim
t
tha
at
en
freshm
semester-long investment in time, effort and tuition money. I’d study like mad
Professor
7,
C6
r,
Ralph Meeke
for those last two tests, pass them and move along with the new major. You’d be
crazy to fight this far and this hard and quit on this course now.”
Well, I took Dean Dyba’s advice, studied like a maniac, and passed the course.
As each semester passed, my grades rose. I would look at Dean Dyba’s Benedictine Hall
window and think of the day he taught me to act towards an acceptable result in a
tight spot rather than throw an investment away in panic. This lesson served me well
many times during the years that followed and I have told this story to my children.
I loved Benedictine Hall in the winter, starkly red against the snow. I loved it in high
summer, backed up by the lush greenery, but I think I loved it best in late autumn, set
amidst the last splashes of red and golden leaves and the first of the
barren trees. I think this is because the school looked like
this the day Dean Dyba taught me never
to give up easily.
David Fischer, C76
A student infirmary room,
similar to a ‘cell,’
as they were called,
that served as a monk’s
quarters. Note the light
hanging over the desk
(probably a 10-watt bulb).
1967 The school of theology
(seminary) discontinued
operation. This opened up
rooms on the third floor for
faculty offices. Until the opening
of Kindlon Hall, most of the
language, communications
and literature faculty members
were housed in this area.
1970 The monks moved to the
new St. Procopius Abbey on the
east side of College Road. This
opened up the entire ‘abbey
side’ of Benedictine Hall. A few
monks remained behind and
lived in the building (the
president and academic dean)
in areas formerly occupied by
the monastery superiors. The
old ‘Bishop’s Room’ and the
‘Chapter Room’ become space
for campus ministry, with the
former ‘choir chapel’ being the
space for daily liturgy. The old
‘college chapel’ on the third
floor continues to be used for
Sunday Masses, though the
space became known as the
‘Social Center’ and was used
for a variety of other events.
This was also when Fr. Alban
Hrebic, O.S.B., began to
develop the north end of
the fourth floor into music
classrooms and studios for
music lessons. The south end,
especially the areas formerly
occupied by the Benedictine
Brothers (chapel, recreation
room, dormitory and
classroom), were developed
into rooms for art lectures
and classes.
1976 While the building of the
‘Physical Education Learning
Center’ (later to be named to
honor Dan and Ada Rice) did
not affect Benedictine Hall
directly, it did close the old gym.
Because the ‘PELC’ (as it was
affectionately called by those
who are dedicated to acronyms)
was erected with some federal
money, the old gym had to be
taken “off line” and could not
be used by the campus
community. ➤
Spring 2003
15
Sacred Heart was a large
student study hall on the
third floor, north of the
Student Chapel entrance.
It was later partitioned into
semi-private seminary rooms
and after 1967, became offices.
Student Refectory:
The Pub of recent years was once the student dining room.
First Student Chapel:
this would have been the chapel
before the “west wing” was
constructed in 1912-13.
This is now the classroom across
from the student theater.
Close bonds,
ions
lasting impress
For me, Ben Hall is a symbol of
the “caring community spirit”
which is so prevalent on our
campus. The old motto of IBC
was a place where “people make
a difference.” When I think of
Ben Hall I see the faces of the
difference makers. So many
caring people (administrators,
faculty and staff) who helped
create the spirit, which is the
lifeblood of what Benedictine
University is all about.
Coach John Ostrowski
16
Benedictine Voices
—
fall day in 1989
from a blustery
were no
Hall surfaces
e
n
er
Be
Th
of
y
it.
or
vis
mem
a campus
My very first
us — and
e to Lisle for
sidewalks with
her brought m
le shared the
op
the day my fat
pe
dictine Hall
ne
few
Be
ry
of
ick
trees and ve
me. The red br
d
he
leaves on the
uc
to
Le
ce
e Ivy ague
about the pla
looked like th
yet something
dition — and
tra
d
ays and uneven
an
llw
ry
ha
to
his
e of
t
spoke to me of
toured the maz
we
As
.
useum, I almos
ast
m
t
or ar
East Co
the four th flo
schools of the
to
e
b
th
pu
of
t
e
en
on
d
the basem
ry students an
staircases from
full of semina
d a classroom
verbs.
tin
La
in
expected to fin
em
th
others drilling
The Pub
Benedictine br
pper y floors of
on the hard, sli
t
ible.” Many
en
uc
sp
s
Cr
ur
he
ho
the “T
many
With You” or
[I remember]
It
shut down
ke
be
Ta
t
n’
n would
“You Ca
s
ole productio
rehearsing for
ing lines, alway
ering if the wh
nn
nd
ru
wo
s,
ts
set
en
ilding
anxious mom
Late nights, bu
s.
ion
lat
vio
de
due to fire co
uld
.
, not seen. I wo
behind schedule
n Hall are heard
or for
Be
flo
of
th
or
ur
flo
fo
e
th
th
m the four
r and hasten to
ne
one
din
Memories fro
As
er
.”
ov
g
nd
ig ba
dents lingerin
, another for “b
leave other stu
entering
r concer t band
s
fo
wa
ht
I
e
nig
lik
t
ne
fel
band practice-o
d a sleepy,
rs, I sometimes
n Hall often ha
non-music majo
her floors of Be
of a handful of
ot
d that the
e
un
th
e
so
d
hil
an
W
ergy
territor y.
ed with an en
fill
s
unauthorized
wa
or
flo
g, the four th
somber feelin
dampen.
—
did nothing to
ick and mor tar
thin carpeting
e sum of its br
ersity is not th
s, the monks
nt
niv
de
U
e
stu
e
tin
th
dic
y,
Bene
e facult
It is true that
es in the
University is th
ve built. It liv
e. Benedictine
lowship they ha
fel
it is much mor
d
in the
d
an
an
ing
s,
rn
or
ofess
unity of lea
ssmates and pr
and the comm
our former cla
lity, charity,
th
ita
wi
sp
ho
are
:
sh
ity
mun
friendships we
is special com
n I became
ed as part of th
part of the reaso
values we learn
Hall. She was
n
y.
or
Be
iss
em
m
m
ll
shed
t, I wi
remain a cheri
moderation. Bu
unity and will
m
m
co
at
th
of
a member
er, C94
Holly Wehmey
I entered as a freshman into
IBC in the fall of 1990. My first
week was both exciting and
frightening. Starting college was
an important step in both mine
and my family’s lives, you see,
I was the first in my family to
attend college.
I attended the SOAR orientation
program that first summer,
staying in Neuzil Hall. I was
so impressed by the faculty and
student volunteers that for the
next three years I volunteered to
lead new students through the
same program. Sitting up in the
third floor classrooms mentoring
the new students through their
first couple days of college
allowed me to share in the same
spirit those before me felt.
Knowing that I was there making
a difference to the incoming
students made being a SOAR
volunteer so rewarding. I made
many friends over the years just
by listening; Cheryl, Pat, Jon
and Doug just to name a few.
Listening to Father David talk
about the Benedictine Spirit
brought us closer together as a
class. I still wear the St. Benedict
medal I received as a gift from
him, it’s a little tarnished from
the years of wearing it but my
memories are as shiny and new
as that first day back in
September 1990.
Mark Daimid, C94
Bell towers
Chapel Masses
A
SalutE
1988 The opening of the Krasa
Center with its state-of-the-art
cafeteria, ‘Eagle’s Nest,’ bookstore
and offices, brought the kitchen
and food service activities to an
end in Benedictine Hall. For
many years the old student
dining room (there on the
ground level since 1913)
continued to be used under the
name ‘The Pub’. This designation
came when the State of Illinois
changed the legal age for drinking
to 19, and beer was available
every weekday afternoon. The
popular ‘Friday Afternoon Club’
(F.A.C.) brought many faculty
and students together for
exciting interactions.
Student Dormitory:
this is the second floor of
the west wing, it was
partitioned into classrooms
after Jaeger Hall
was built in 1950-51.
As the State of Illinois changed
its law back to 21 as the legal
age for drinking, ‘The Pub’
continued to be a space for a
variety of social events (Pub
Parties) at which those of legal
age were allowed to purchase
alcohol.
Student Chapel:
this is in the west wing,
on the third floor,
the present social
center/theater. The murals
in front were painted by
Br. Joseph Pondelicek in 1930.
ories of
my
my mem
came to
some of
e
ar
sh
ghts that
ked to
ltars.
the thou
A
f
f
o
o
When as
e
n
el
o
hap
ne Hall,
Abbey C
Benedicti
rocopius
d floor
the St. P
as
d the thir
w
in
d
eh
in
b
m
d
te
I
ca
,
lo
m
o
as
”w
sembly ro
l “chapel
lled the as
e that
ca
ac
This smal
w
sp
o
e
n
th
,
Chapel
s is now
Student
el of Altar ractice rooms.
he Chap
s as p
se
u
believe. T
t
en
ts of
c depar tm
s, studen
the musi
the 1960
,
embers
le
m
p
e
am
m
o
ex
days, for
ted to bec
vi
ld
o
in
e
e
th
er
t
In
ege w
studen
pius Coll
ety. The
ses (at
St. Proco
vers Soci
rning mas days
slaus Ser
o
ce
m
y
en
rl
W
ea
e
e
th
th
of St.
e
e
er
rv
ew
would se
nks. Thes
ld say
members
priest-mo
riest wou
p
e
th
ch
f
o
ea
.)
en
m
h
a.
w
0
II
:0
l
6
unci
atican Co
.
before V
he
te Mass”
va
ri
p
n
w
d Terce (t
“his o
Prime an
s,
uld make
d
o
w
au
L
ts
es
ri
ts
the abbey
ey) the p
b
b
e studen
A
th
e
So, after
d
th
f
an
prayers o
eir Mass
th
r
fo
el
morning
hap
to the C
their way
crifice,
Mass.
e
rv
se
aking a sa
ld
wou
ts were m
, we
en
ts
d
u
en
d
st
u
e
st
early, th
ed. But as
at
at would
ci
th
re
Being so
ts
p
es
ap
ri
e monks
r those p
fo
riest who
t”
p
h
g
a
which th
fi
s
u
t“
time, vers
t help bu
f
rgy.
o
o
n
t
n
ld
u
u
is
o
co
am
in h litu
editative
in a short
dents —
ul and m
u
say Mass
rf
st
s
ye
u
ra
r
p
more
better fo
ood
would be
bed, the
and the G
er back to
r the day
e
fo
(w
”
d
s
The soon
ie
ee
d
ud
ur “good
ith our st
we did o
help us w
rvers was
se
rn
e
tu
th
f
in
uld
t
riest o
Lord wo
is ef ficien
favorite p
ted for h
Usually a
e was no
h
hoped).
—
ca
nd Juri
Fr. Edmu
rator
e.
seum Cu
use of tim
C63, Mu
.,
.B
.S
O
y,
dore Such
Fr. Theo
To Benedictine Hall
2001 The opening of the
Joseph and Bess Kindlon Hall
of Learning and the Michael and
Kay Birck Hall of Science made
for more changes in Benedictine
Hall and other buildings on
campus, such as Lownik and
Scholl. Many offices and
classrooms were moved to these
spacious, state-of-the-art
buildings, including all the
science laboratories, classrooms
and office spaces, the departments
of math, nursing, nutrition,
communications and the School
of Education. The new buildings
also contain the Jurica Nature
Museum, computer labs,
television studios, a four-story
library, the registrar’s office
and much more.
I rem
em
schoo ber my fi
rst
lr
gettin unning do days in g
ra
g out
wn th
of wo
e hall duate
door
w
rk on
I tried
ly to fi ay after
to ge
door,
n
t
d tha
bu
in
t the
side o t it was lo was not o
c
nly a
f the
buildin ked and o
sm
n
g.
the w all
I rem
rong
embe
r how
remin
Bened
de
ictine
institu d me of a
Hall
go
tion a
nd ho od, sound
for th
w it w
e fou
r and
as my
me to
a ha
hom
finish
my de lf years it to e
gree.
ok
Andre
a M. A
hlsen
, M.S
.M.O.B
. ’96
2003 With the renovation of
Lownik (the old library building),
more offices moved from
Benedictine Hall, including
the admissions office. Scholl was
also recently renovated and the
remainder of the Benedictine
Hall offices and classes will be
moved to these two buildings
very soon. ➤
Spring 2003
17
If The Walls Could Talk
Benedictine Central . . . One Room, Many Uses
Since the laying of its cornerstone in 1900 and the opening of its
doors to students in 1901, the building now called Benedictine Hall
has changed many of its spaces.
T
he once “College
Chapel” where so
many events took
place such as the
professions of the monks,
ordinations of seminarians to
various sacred orders (e.g.,
deacons and priests), has
served in past years as a
theater and lecture room,
and also as a place for
Sunday Mass in the days
where more than 300
students would
participate.
There is one space,
though, that probably
has had more “lives”
than any other in
Benedictine Hall, and that
is the area on the ground
floor now housing
Benedictine Central. With
the completion of the
monastery section in 1916,
the ground floor area at the
south end was designed to be
an auditorium/gymnasium.
The archives have a number of
pictures showing a stage and
stairs to that stage on the east
and west walls. Unfortunately,
us “older folks” depend upon
humorous stories told by
those who were the “young
monks” at the time, claiming
that to score a basket during a
ball game one had to bounce
the basketball off the ceiling!
When the new gymnasium
building opened in 1925
(now no longer extant) at the
south end of the football field,
the area became the college
library, with the stage boarded
18
Benedictine Voices
up for the librarians’
workroom. Many an hour was
spent back there cataloging
and preparing new books and
periodicals for library use.
Fathers Adolph and Vitus
walked up and down those
stairs many a time.
In 1963, with the big move
to the new
library, named in
honor of Theodore Lownik,
the first lay chairman of the
Board of Trustees, the room
once again was rehabilitated
to create a larger monastery
refectory, or dining room.
The stage area became the
place for the community’s
television set, and a wall was
also erected to form a
‘Chapter Room,’ to give more
room for people during
meetings than was possible in
the room near the Choir Chapel
on the first floor (now the
University College offices).
In 1970, the new monastery
and church was completed
across College Road and the
monks moved out of
Benedictine
Hall
completely.
With the
food
services
people
looking for
more room to accommodate
a growing student population,
the area was converted into a
student dining room, with the
cafeteria line in what was the
Brothers’ ‘Shoe Room,’ now
an art laboratory for print
making. A highlight was the
fact that the old stage was
opened up and became
something of a “veranda”
where the faculty could eat
lunch together and discuss
matters of mutual interest.
With the 1988 opening of the
new Krasa Center (named
after longtime friend of the
University, John Krasa) and its
state-of-the-art cafeteria and
dining room, the space
became a 24-hour study
lounge for both residents and
commuters. Fr. Michael
Komechak, O.S.B., tried to
make this a hospitable place
with art pieces on the walls.
Some were original works
done by students in the oil
painting class who wanted to
make a contribution to their
alma mater.
With the growing student
population and the desire to
provide a “one stop
shopping” approach for
registration, financial aid and
other services, “Benedictine
Central” was created — a
place well-known to all who
have registered for classes,
A
SalutE
To Benedictine Hall
A Look At The Past and
Into The Future.
Benedictine Hall has had a
variety of lives. From the
four-story ‘L’ shaped building
that greeted the students in
The Pub, shown here in the 1970s,
became the place where
memories were made.
1901, through its additions
that completed its final shape
in 1925, through the various
changes when walls went up and
No one from the mid to late 70’s will ever forget The
Pub. It was a special place that held many special
moments for scores of, then IBC, students, families,
friends, faculty and visitors. If walls and windows
could only talk…
Ken Carruthers, C76
walls came down. Many people
will be able to tell stories and
many memories will be shared.
The one important element in
it all is the driving spirit that
continues to remain irrespective
processed Add-Drop
forms, or paid tuition
and fee bills. Many
have commented
how good and pleasant
it is to not have to
run around from
office to office at
registration time.
One room, but six
different lives in less
than 100 years. Just
as the monks of the
Benedictine Order adjusted
as times and societies
changed, one room on this
campus has changed with
the needs of the times and
the growth of the student
body. As Benedictine
University moves into its
future, other changes will
take place as well. The
walls may carry many
stories, but the University
will carry its important
work of educating all those
who come here by making
adjustments to provide the
best education and facilities
that are possible. ✝
I remem
b
I remem er the Chapel a
nd
b
always se er the back park daily noon Ma
ss
in
e
m
e
d
a
Fr. Mich
little rick g lot entrance th .
ae
e
wonderi l’s art classes in ty. I remember at
ng
th
the build how we would e attic and
in
the third g if it were on ever get out of
fire. I als
floor pe
o remem
rforman
commu
ter loun
ge that ces as well as th ber
h
e
a
d
1970’s fu
The mo
rniture.
st
has to b memorable part
e The Pu
b. I don’t of Benedictine
howeve
Ha
r,
th
space, h if they ever con ink it still exists ll
verted it
ow did th
,
to
stale be
e
y
o
e
ff
v
ic
e
e
rg
er
rememb smell for all th et rid of the nast
e Pub pa
e
y
rt
morning r walking throu
gh there ies? I
s
on Mon
still hav after Saturday
da
in
nig
are som g your feet stick ht Pub parties y
e
a
to the fl
oor. The nd
parties a great memorie
re
s from a
n
ll of tho
sorry to d fun times tha
se
tw
h
down, b ear that Benedic ere had by all.
ut I will
have to tine Hall will be I’m
visiting
m
torn
ca
a
exciting mpus soon to se ke a point of
things h
ave bee e what new an
d
n
happenin
Carmela
g there.
Corsini,
C86, M.B
.A. ’90
of the location. Whether one
looks at the original auditorium/
gymnasium or the old gym or
the Rice Center, we continue to
see students developing their
athletic skills. Whether we think
of the old chemistry laboratory
at the west end of the first floor
of the east-west wing or of a
laboratory in Procopius Hall or
in the Scholl Science Center or
in the Birck Hall of Science, we
continue to develop the minds
of future scientists, health
professionals and teachers.
The spirit continues.
emories
My favorite m
ever y
t in The Pub
ou
ing
ng
ha
are
on Fridays for
d
an
ch
lun
r
day fo
also
noon Club. I
the Friday After
four th
e
th
to
up
ing
remember go
ople
t too many pe
floor where no
air.
was a barber ch
e
er
th
at
th
knew
ds tried, one
en
fri
y
m
of
A couple
d ring
on the roof an
time, to get up
The old college motto of ‘Virtue
and Knowledge,’ found on the
covers of the old catalogs, is
lived in the hearts of the
students of the 21st century as
it did in the hearts of those who
the bell.
first occupied Benedictine Hall
er, C83
Richard Warn
in 1901. We move into the
future with our one desire
Great friends,
s
Great memorie
“that God may be glorified
in all things.” ✝
Spring 2003
1
19
A
SalutE
To Benedictine Hall
Test Your Benedictine Hall Knowledge and Win A Prize!
100 year old
Time Capsule
Re-dedicated
by Phil Brozynski
A time capsule, placed in the
cornerstone of Benedictine
Hall more than 100 years ago,
was re-dedicated March 21,
2003 in a solemn ceremony in
the Kindlon Hall of Learning,
attended by more than 40
members of the Benedictine
University community.
During the dedication
ceremony, President William
Carroll read aloud an English
translation of a script which
had been placed inside the
capsule. He then consecrated
the case with incense while
faculty member Alicia Cordoba
Tait performed sacred music
on the oboe. Abbot Dismas
Kalcic, O.S.B., concluded the
ceremony by leading those in
attendance in prayer.
“Time has worn this capsule,”
Carroll said. “It has changed
through 100 years of
deterioration. But what hasn’t
changed is the vision of this
institution – to provide a
Catholic, liberal arts education
to our students.”
The capsule has been placed in
a plastic case in the ceramic
mural area of the Jim and
Mary Ryan Lounge. ✝
20
Do you watch for ‘strange
things’ hanging from
ceilings? Do you ever ask
about little doorways that
seem to appear (and may
now be screwed shut)? This
is fundamentally a test for
the curious!
4 If you stood at the
entrance to Health Services
(north door) and looked up
to your left, you would see
a small “shed” attached to
Benedictine Hall. What
is/was the function of this
addition to the building?
1 The Music Department
has soundproof practice
rooms on the third floor
north of the west end of the
theater (accessible only by
the back stairs). What was
the function of the long
tables with individual drawers
located in that area?
5 While you are standing
looking at the entrance to
the Health Service, can you
explain the reason for the
beautiful stonework at this
doorway? You need to think
back to the 1950s.
2 On the fourth floor,
extreme north end of
Benedictine Hall, is a small
door with a padlock on it.
One can easily peek in
through the screen on this
door. In the past (prior to
1950) what was the function
of this room?
6 Where did college men
sleep prior to the opening
of Jaeger Hall?
7 In the 1950s, where
did the “rector” of both
college and high school
have his office?
8 Where was the original
Procopian News room, the
place where the newspaper
editors and writers produced
the paper that covered both
college and high school news
prior to 1956?
9 What was the original
use of what is now known as
Ben Central?
10 At one time there were
three bells on the roof of
Benedictine Hall. Can you
identify where the bell
ropes were available for the
bell-ringer?
*Prizes to top winners will
be distributed through the
alumni office.
Send your answers to
jnelligan@ben.edu. Answers
will be published in the
next issue.
3 There is still a water tank
in Benedictine Hall. Can you
identify its location?
Quiz compiled by
Cover Photo
Benedictine Community Members Salute Benedictine Hall
(From top
to bottom)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Coach John Ostrowski, M.S.,
Head Baseball Coach
Wayne Wesolowski, C67, Ph.D.,
Professor of Chemistry
Alice Sima, C83, M.B.A., ’87,
M.S.N.,R.A., Director of
Pre-Professional Health Programs
Fr. David Turner, O.S.B., C58,
Assistant to the Provost
5.
Nona Jones, M.B.A., M.A.T.,
Ph.D., Assistant Professor of
Marketing
6. John Mickus, Ph.D.; Dean,
College of Arts and Sciences
7.
Abbot Dismas Kalcic, O.S.B., C57,
Chancellor of Benedictine
University
8. Bernard Toussaint, C55, Ph.D.,
Professor of Philosophy
9. Alicia Tait, D.M.A., Associate
Professor, Chair, Department of
Fine and Performing Arts
10. Coach David Swanson, C76, M.S.,
Assistant Athletic Director,
Baseball Coach
11. Fr. Michael Komechak, O.S.B.,
C54, Curator, Benedictine
University Art Collection
p h i l a n t h r o p y
Values
• philanthropy
• alumni news
Get a piece of Benedictine Hall
History: “Centennial” Lithograph
Abbot Honors Martha Duda
A limited number of copies of the “Centennial” lithograph, by
celebrated artist Franklin McMahon, are available through the
alumni office for $300.
Chancellor of Benedictine University, Abbot Dismas Kalcic, O.S.B.,
presents a recognition plaque to Martha Duda. The plaque will be
placed at a new walkway at the Ave Maria Shrine. Thanks to
generous donations and pledges totaling $35,000 from Duda, the
Shrine was refurbished and a new walkway and landscaping will
be made possible. The gifts were made by Duda, in honor of her
sister, Mary Duda. Duda’s nephew Dr. Ralph Duda, is an alumnus
of Benedictine and a practicing physician in Springfield, Missouri.
(Voices had incorrectly acknowledged Ms. Duda as “Ms. Duba” in
the previous issue. We regret the error.) ✝
This beautiful, colored 32” x 24” lithograph depicts Benedictine
Hall on its 100th birthday. Also pictured are the Krasa Center
and the Neff Farmhouse. There were only 300 printed and each
one is numbered.
To purchase this lithograph of the building that holds so many
memories for so many people, contact the alumni office at
(630) 829-6080 or dsmith@ben.edu. ✝
If everyone made a gift, it would
really add up to something.
Working together, we can achieve the goal of keeping
the Benedictine Experience alive and prospering.
Your financial donations are deeply valued, as are your
gifts of time and talent. To learn more, contact the
Office of Advancement, (630) 829-6366.
Giving Makes the Difference.
o
hance t
ers a c
Give oth
nce’
re
e Diffe
n
i
t
c
i
d
e
’E
n
the Be
e
c
n
e
xperi
21
Values
a l u m n i
n e w s
a l u m n i
Alumni Board
of Directors
The Alumni Board of
Directors meets quarterly and
works to keep Benedictine
alumni connected to their
school. Currently, there are
open positions on the Board.
Excited, positive alumni are
wanted to fill these positions.
This is not a large time
commitment and is an
excellent way to stay involved
with your alma mater.
Interested and want more
information? Call Julie
Nelligan at (630) 829-6077.
Alumni Discount
for Cybercamps
Cybercamps offer cuttingedge technology programs
for 7-16 year olds at leading
university campuses each
summer, and will once again
host their weeklong camps for
five consecutive weeks at
Benedictine University. Both
day and residential programs
are being offered. As part of
their community outreach,
Cybercamps is offering a
$50 discount for alumni
children and grandchildren
to attend the program at
Benedictine, or any of their
47 other university locations
across the country. Visit
www.cybercamps.com to
learn more, or call toll-free
(888) 904-2267 and speak
with one of their knowledgeable
camp consultants. Don’t
delay; summer registration is
now open and classes are
filling quickly.
b r i e f s
E-Mail Addresses
The alumni office would like
to utilize e-mail to keep you
informed of Benedictine
happenings. Please forward
your preferred e-mail address
to dsmith@ben.edu and look
for our informative messages.
President’s Invitational
Golf Outing
The 9th Annual President’s
Invitational Golf Outing is
approaching — Monday,
July 21. We are looking for
all alumni — golfers or not. If
you are a golfer — get a team
together and compete for the
coveted Alumni Cup proudly
displayed at the University.
Don’t wait too long to get
your foursome registered, this
Benedictine Alumna Gives From The Heart
W
hen asked to give a
charitable donation,
the immediate
thought is to pull out a
checkbook. When alumna
Bridget Wickert, C97,
computer science, donates,
she gives from her generous
heart as well. Wickert, a
computer consultant with
SoftLink, Inc., has traveled
to rural Romania two times
in the last year through the
organization Global
Volunteers.
Her visits bring care and
compassion to at-risk infants
and toddlers at a small, under
funded hospital in the
Romanian village of Tutova.
The children live in a ‘failure
to thrive’ clinic, and
volunteers work with
22
Benedictine Voices
event sells out fast. If you
aren’t a golfer — we still need
you to volunteer the day of
the event. You could be a hole
watcher chatting with the
golfers and the first to see the
hole-in-one winner, or man a
beverage station keeping the
golfers hydrated and happy.
The possibilities are endless.
If you are interested in
spending a lovely summer
day at Cress Creek Country
Club in Naperville, phone
the alumni office today.
For information on any of
these alumni matters, please
contact Debbie Smith,
assistant alumni relations
director, at (630) 829-6080
or dsmith@ben.edu. ✝
by Elizabeth Summers, C00
approximately 10 children
from 11 to 18 months of age.
“There is always a desire to
help those less fortunate than
oneself,” Wickert reflects.
She credits her thinking to
her family influence and
experiences at Benedictine
University. “The experience,
at Global Volunteers, helped
me realize that we [those
from other cultures and
countries] are more alike than
we are different,” she avows.
Although Wickert’s volunteer
experiences are only three
weeks in length at each visit,
she feels that she truly makes
a difference in the lives of the
children. She is anxious to go
back to Romania and will do
so as soon as she can save the
necessary funding.
Wickert is living in the
Benedictine spirit of giving
back and finding great joy
in her endeavors. ✝
Bridget Wickert, C97, with
Romanian children in Tutova,
Romania.
a l u m n i
n e w s
Values
Q & A With Coach Cally
Voices recently contacted Bill Callahan, C78, to get
his perspectives as the first-year head coach of the
Oakland Raiders and his experiences with taking his
team to the Super Bowl. ‘Coach Cally,’ as his team
a l m a
calls him, had some interesting insights.
COACH CALLY:
This was truly an experience
of a lifetime, seeing how many
of my goals and life dreams
came true. I always wanted to
lead a team and be responsible
for a group of men. I had this
opportunity and was proud of
the fact that I could do this for
the first time in 20 years. Most
people who watched the game
on television can understand
that there is a great deal of
“surrounding activities”
and a head coach has to keep
his mind on all his players
and maintaining a focus
on the game.
One element that people do not
see or experience, although it
would be great if they could, is
the enormity of the media. I
had to be highly focused as I
faced more than 250 members
of the media at daily press
conferences. The international
pool of reporters is a challenge
as they come from all over the
world — for example Japan,
Mexico, European countries —
and they all want “scoops” for
their papers. This was intense
as they all kept asking questions
and one had to think rapidly
and give correct answers.
Keeping in mind anything
said would be quoted!
m a t t e r s
Raiders Coach
Callahan (above)
watches a play
during the 2003
Super Bowl in San
Diego, California.
(Left) Playing for
Benedictine’s
football team as
number 10,
Callahan set
records.
VOICES:
Tell us a little about your
Super Bowl experiences.
How did it feel to be there?
VOICES:
Did your time at Benedictine
help you get to where you
are now?
COACH CALLY:
Coach Marvin Carlson gave
me the model of a competent
and caring coach. Fr. David
Turner challenged me
educationally and helped me
develop the strong analytical
approach that I bring to the
game. I was always encouraged
to do the best job I could do,
and this has carried me though
the many experiences I have
had on a high school, university
and now professional level as a
football coach. My “playbooks”
and other “notebooks” seem to
be a focus when sportswriters
describe my work. All this had
its start at IBC [now
Benedictine] along with the
opportunities I had to watch
films of other teams and do
analysis of their approaches to
the game.
VOICES:
Your alma mater is very proud
of your accomplishments and
how well you hold yourself in
the public eye. Do you have
any advice for students today
on how to follow in your
footsteps in terms of
successfully reaching their
goals and holding themselves
well?
COACH CALLY:
My first bit of advice is “Be
your BEST self.” Develop an
attitude of respect for other
people, even for people who may
act in such a way as not to
deserve respect. But more
importantly, always have a
strong spirit of gratitude. While
I may have worked very hard
along the way, there were
always teachers, mentors – and
now – owners, who make it
possible for a person to see
dreams become realities.
VOICES:
What is your most vivid
memory of your time at
Benedictine?
COACH CALLY:
We had a spirit of making
the very best out of the
experiences we had. My
friends and I never seemed
to fall into having “pity
parties” as some might call
the activity. Yes, we were
Division III, but that did
not prevent us from playing
the best games we could play,
setting the records that we
could set. The college had
that great spirit and
attitude of providing good
experiences for us. I will be
forever grateful. ✝
Spring 2003
23
Values
a l u m n i
n e w s
Come on Safari with Steve
by Julie Milam
S
teve Grobl, C81, is an
alumnus with many close
connections to his alma
mater. He is a President’s
Associate and contributed to
the Benedictine 2000 Capital
Campaign, naming a study
room in the library. In
addition, he employs an alum,
Patti (Kiss) Marchese, C83.
Now, he wants to connect
clients from his real estate
business, Steve Grobl Real
Estate, with the University.
Steve hosted a brunch event
for more than 200 real estate
clients on Sunday, March 16,
in the Jurica Nature Museum.
‘Safari with Steve’ benefited
Benedictine University with
increased exposure to the
community while providing
clients to a very unique
experience that builds
loyalty to his business. In
appreciation for use of Jurica,
Grobl made a donation to
Fr. Theodore
Suchy, O.S.B.,
to help him frame
21 sketches made
by the Jurica
brothers that
will hang
around the
outside
of the
Museum.
The number one purpose of
the brunch is customer
appreciation. Grobl’s
philosophy of doing business
is to invest in his clients and
show his appreciation for their
business in a unique way. The
venue of the Jurica Museum
appeals to the variety of clients
he has, empty nesters, couples
new to the area and families
with children. All found the
brunch event educational and
entertaining.
Alum Steve Grobl is a big fan of the Jurica
Nature Museum and its curator, Fr. Theodore
Suchy, O.S.B.
“Coming up with a novel idea
and carrying that idea through
to reality shows a level of
commitment and perseverance
that mirrors what we do
during a buy or sell
transaction with our clients,”
commented Grobl.
He credits his education at
Benedictine with giving him
success in his professional life.
This pride in his alma mater is
why he wanted to share the
Jurica Museum with his
clients. “The University
allowed me to be creative
and to try things out. The
small class size and the close
contact with professors
expand your horizons, while
encouraging adaptation and
experimentation. In real estate
you must be flexible, be able
to adapt, to think on your
own and on the spot.” ✝
New Officer Trio to Lead Alumni Association
T
he newest slate of
officers for the
Alumni Board of Directors is
now in place for 2003-2005:
President is Susan
(Udelhofen) Ross, C79;
Vice President is Joan
Henehan, C91; and
Secretary/Treasurer is Patrice
Kucia, C91/96. The new
executive team, leading a
board of 24 members, would
like to bring the Alumni
Association in closer alliance
with entities of the University
to support common goals.
24
Benedictine Voices
Starting with the new term,
the Board of Directors will be
utilizing its recently updated
by-laws. In that guiding
document, the purpose of
Alumni Association has been
defined as follows: “To
support the University’s
objectives by collaborating
on projects and activities
that involve our collective
and individual financial
contributions, our talents
and skills and our time
and presence.”
The officers envision Board
members connecting with
areas of the University where
they can make a positive and
meaningful difference
influencing students,
partnering with faculty and
staff and carrying the
Benedictine identity into the
external community, all while
yielding benefits for alumni
themselves. “The Board is
planning to focus on
opportunities for alumni
representatives to participate
in causes that support the
University, which in turn
enable them to network with
each other for their own
personal and professional
fulfillment,” Ross said. “What
we’re working toward is an
energized Board of Directors
to lead the way for an
expanded presence of the
Alumni Association on and
off campus.”
The Alumni Association’s
history of dedicated service
sets the stage for a continuing
but renewed role. The new
officers hope to bring the
Board in sync with the
evolving needs and interests
of various aspects of the
University’s extended family,
so that the Alumni
Association brings relevant
value to the school and to
its own members. ✝
b l a c k
h i s t o r y
m o n t h
r e v i e w
Great Speakers Inspire at
Annual King Day Breakfast
Vitality
V
black history
month review
I
by Phil Brozynski
A
Arlander Keys shares his
Civil Rights experiences.
rlander Keys,
United States
presiding
magistrate judge
for the Northern
district of Illinois, told several
hundred people gathered in
the main dining room of the
Krasa Center on January 20
about growing up in raciallydivided Mississippi during
the 1950s and how he was
profoundly influenced by
the civil rights movement.
Keys and Brigadier General
Sherian Grace Cadoria (U.S.
Army, Retired) were the
keynote speakers for the
eighth annual Rev. Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. Breakfast
sponsored by Benedictine
University, the College of
DuPage, NICOR,
TECHSERV and The
Northern Trust Company.
(Ret.) Brigadier General
Sherian Grace Cadoria, the
highest ranking female officer
in the U.S. Armed Forces,
relates her life experiences to
the audience.
Keys talked about the murder
of 14-year-old Emmet Till,
who was dragged from his
bed and killed and whose
body was dumped in a river
after he allegedly whistled at
a white man’s wife in Money,
Mississippi, during the
summer of 1955. Till’s
attackers were later acquitted
by an all-white jury.
“Imagine what a profound
impact this terrible event
would have on a 12-year-old
African-American boy only
two years younger than
Emmet,” said Keys, who
grew up about 40 miles from
where Till was murdered. “I
remember the fear and rage
through the African-American
community.”
Keys, who lived with his
grandparents in Mississippi,
was later sent to a boarding
school in Alabama for his
own safety. He recalled
participating in sit-ins
and other civil rights
demonstrations and that
he admired King’s courage
to fight the injustices and
inequalities facing the
black community.
Keys was joined by Cadoria,
the highest ranking female
officer in the United States
Armed Forces when she
retired from the Army in
1990. Cadoria is a much
sought after keynote and
motivational speaker because
of her sense of humor and
long list of personal
achievements. She holds an
honorary doctorate from
Benedictine University.
The breakfast also featured
entertainment provided by the
College of DuPage Chamber
Singers and a presentation of
scholarships and recognition
of King Day poetry contest
winners. ✝
university news
T
class notes
A
faculty/staff
notes
L
eaglescenter
I
golf outing
T
Y
Spring 2003
25
Vitality
b l a c k
h i s t o r y
m o n t h
r e v i e w
Political Commentator and Author
Tavis Smiley Motivates Crowd
by Phil Brozynski
Tavis Smiley said the goal
of an advocate is simple…
“The goal of an advocate is
to comfort the afflicted and
to afflict the comfortable.”
Smiley — author, former talk
show host and current radio
political commentator —
appeared at Benedictine
University on February 22
as part of the University’s
celebration of Black History
Month. Nicor sponsored
his visit.
Smiley spoke to about
40 students, faculty and
community members in the
Krasa Center Presentation
Room prior to his speech in
the Dan and Ada Rice Center
in front of about 400 people.
He told the small gathering of
students that college was not
all about committing algebra,
physics and other information
to memory.
“About half of what you learn
you will never use again,” he
said. “College is about
learning to think critically,
about learning how to
Audience members listen intently to Tavis
Smiley; the St. John AMEA.M.E. Sanctuary
Choir & Sign Singers entertain quests.
navigate life. That will always
come in handy.”
Later in his presentation,
Smiley said that each person
can be great and that
greatness is not about
being served or being held
in high esteem.
“Martin Luther King said that
any of us can be great because
all of us can serve,” Smiley
said. “We think the way to be
great is to be served. The way
to be great is by being of
service to others.” ✝
Benedictine Hosts Civil Rights Photo Exhibition
An exhibit featuring photographs of the Civil Rights Movement
by Ernest C. Withers was displayed February 21-23 in the
Kindlon Hall of Learning at Benedictine University as part of
the school’s celebration of Black History Month.
The display, sponsored by the Northern Trust Company, is part
of a national traveling exhibition.
Withers has been a photographer for more than 60 years and
still maintains a studio on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee.
He documented the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and
1960s, as well as the southern entertainment and social scenes.
Well known and trusted by civil rights activists such as the
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Evers and James
Meredith, Withers gained a unique view of the people and
events that altered the course of American history. Because of
his intimacy with his subjects, Withers
was often the first and sometimes only
photographer to capture rare
moments as they unfolded.
Withers also published a booklet of
the infamous Emmet Till murder
trial, “Complete Photo History of
the Till Murder Case,” which
mobilized interest in the southern
Civil Rights movement throughout
the United States. ✝
26
Benedictine Voices
u n i v e r s i t y
n e w s
Vitality
Continuous Quality Improvement Is Key
Benedictine Accepted as AQIP Institution
has been formally accepted
as an Academic Quality
Improvement Project (AQIP)
Institution as of February 10.
This is a new and exciting way
for the University to set and
meet goals for improvement.
By joining AQIP, Benedictine
University demonstrates a
willingness to identify
concrete targets for continuous
improvement and to hold
itself accountable for
re-engineering processes
and operations to improve
the results and activities for
itself and its students.
Alumnus
Jim Ryan
Named First
Distinguished
Fellow at
Benedictine
Benedictine President
William Carroll has signed the
agreement for participation
in the Academic Quality
Improvement Project, which
formalizes the relationship
and provides continuing
NCA accreditation for the
University over the next
seven years until the next
reaffirmation of accreditation
in 2009-10. As an AQIP
institution, Benedictine will
continue to be involved in
the quality improvement
efforts that began in the fall.
Presently, the University has
five action project committees
in place that include members
of the University Council.
Each committee is charged with addressing the following
action projects:
Moving beyond the
boundaries of traditional
accreditation, the AQIP
model is designed to align
accreditation with an
institution’s program
of continuous quality
improvement in order to meet
the rapidly shifting needs of
educational institutions in the
21st century. ✝
“The professors at
Distinguished Fellows are top-level
public service or government
professionals who utilize the practical
experience gained from their public
service to assist the University in
fulfilling its mission.
knowledge through
stimulated my interest in
politics and government,”
Ryan said. “I had a great
experience at Benedictine and
• Maximize margins while maintaining a Benedictine balance.
• Improve the graduation rate of all student groups.
• Create a collaborative community through systems of
shared governance.
• Implement: Benedictine University — a Catholic University
in Benedictine tradition.
• Implement: Values-centered Liberal Arts Education
enriched by our excellence in the sciences.
want to give something back
F
programs that will benefit
the University and the
community at large.”
Ryan was elected Attorney
General in 1994 after
to the school that has done so
They work with faculty and
gaining attention as one
ormer Illinois
much for me.”
students as resource persons in
of Illinois’ most successful
Attorney General
the delivery of educational
prosecutors during his
“I would like to use the
programs, and serve as
10-year tenure as DuPage
experience I have gained
liaisons between the
County state’s attorney.
during my 30-year career in
University and other
He won re-election as
law, politics and government
institutions and agencies.
Attorney General in
Jim Ryan, C68, has
been named a Distinguished
Fellow at his alma mater.
As a Distinguished Fellow,
Ryan will interact with
students, faculty, public
and private institutions,
government agencies and
ordinary citizens on behalf
1998 by more than
to assist the University in
preparing students to be
“We are very honored to have
responsible citizens and
Jim in the classroom at
leaders,” he added.
Benedictine,” Carroll said.
Ryan and his wife, Marie,
“He will share his vast
live in Elmhurst. ✝
2 million votes.
of the University.
Spring 2003
27
Vitality
ACCA Bioterrorism
Seminar Generates
Community
Interest
t
he biology section of
the Associated
Colleges of the
Chicago Area (ACCA)
hosted a 10-week seminar
series at Benedictine
University this spring on
Bioterrorism. The subject was
especially timely as it started
the week of the national
“orange level” alert for
terrorism in February.
Margaret O’Leary (M.B.A.
Programs and Task Force
Chair of the Suburban
Emergency Management
f a s t
a
fter a year hiatus, the
Master of Exercise
Physiology program
has returned in a
new form to Benedictine
University. The new program
reflects the need for a more
clinical approach to exercise
physiology. The new name of
the program, Master of
Clinical Exercise Physiology
(M.C.E.P.) is indicative of this
change. The revisions were
made with the help of an
advisory committee composed
of members of the exercise
physiology community, many
of them practicing graduates
of the former program. This
two-year, part-time program
is designed in accordance with
28
Benedictine Voices
u n i v e r s i t y
Project) started off the series
with a historical perspective of
bioterrorism leading to a
discussion of the current
situation today. Other topics
covered were the biological
effects of several biological
and chemical agents that are
considered to be most likely
to be used by terrorists,
detection of these agents, the
types of basic research
currently being done on these
agents, concerns of the food
industry and the agricultural
community, the epidemiology
and investigation of a
bioterrorism incident, and the
local, statewide and national
response plans for such an
incident. Speakers included
local microbiologists,
researchers from Argonne
National Laboratory and
n e w s
University of Illinois Chicago
Biodefense Center and
officials from the Illinois
Department of Public Health.
The ACCA consortium is
composed of 15 of the smaller
liberal arts institutions in the
Chicago area, which cooperate
together to present courses,
seminars and symposia that
could not be offered as
individual curricula. It was
formed 37 years ago in
cooperation with Argonne
National Laboratory to
promote college-level
education and training in
biology, chemistry, computer
science, mathematics and
physics. A major activity of
ACCA is an annual student
research symposium, a forum
for undergraduate research.
Students from all of the
ACCA schools can take these
seminars for biology credit.
Typically, the fall seminar
series is ecologically or
environmentally oriented and
the spring series is more cell
biology in nature. The
seminars are designed to
expose students to the current
thinking presented by experts
in the field on topics such as
invasive species, biorhythms,
the Chicago watershed,
special topics in virology,
immunology and micro
biology and current issues
in biomedical ethics.
These seminar series are
open to the public. For
more information, visit
the ACCA Web site at
www.ben.edu/acca/acca_
biology.html. ✝
f a c t s
Master of Exercise Physiology Program
Is Back At Benedictine & Better Than Ever
the American College of
Sports Medicine (ACSM) for
certification as a Registered
Clinical Exercise Physiologist.
Graduates of this program
will be qualified to work
in the prevention of
cardiovascular disease and
in the rehabilitation of those
who have experienced
cardiovascular problems.
The M.C.E.P. program
requires coursework in the
biological bases of
cardiovascular and respiratory
disease. It uses a case study
approach in combination with
laboratories to better integrate
academic information with
practical application. It also
requires two internships for
further application of learned
concepts in the workplace
setting. Students are exposed
to the latest information from
the natural sciences through
graduate-level courses in
physiology, pathophysiology,
biochemistry, pharmacology
and nutrition. Specialized
intergenerational needs are
addressed. The mind and
spirit are addressed in
courses such as behavioral
modification and stress
management. Other courses
assist the students in program
development and administration
and expose students to
complementary health care
options. The ethics of health
care administration and
research are also addressed.
Master’s program graduates
are found in leadership roles
in a variety of professional
settings including hospitals,
independent rehabilitation
programs, agencies, schools,
corporations and health clubs.
The program also provides an
educational background for
those who wish to pursue
further study at the Ph.D.
or M.D. level. For further
information, visit
http://www.ben.edu/
Academics/CAS/parch/
index.html or contact Allison
Wilson at (630) 829-6520. ✝
u n i v e r s i t y
n e w s
Vitality
Benedictine University Welcomes Partnership
With Springfield College in Illinois
Benedictine University has
formed a partnership with
Springfield College in Illinois
(SCI), located in the state’s
capital. The partnership was
formed to take SCI under
Benedictine’s wing and to
offer programs and services to
the Springfield area. It will
also move the two institutions
toward a merger, following
the guidelines of the Illinois
Board of Higher Education
and the U.S. Department
of Education.
“This strategic alliance
between SCI and Benedictine
University transforms
Benedictine University into
a regional university,” said
William Carroll, Benedictine
president. “I am firmly
convinced that alliances such
as ours, which make each of
us a stronger and more viable
institution and will ensure our
success and longevity,
is the future of higher
education.”
Alumni
Get Together
In Naples
An alumni reception was held on January 4 in Naples, Florida
for area alumni. Fr. David Turner, O.S.B, and Vice President of
Advancement, Mike Wall, went to the event, along with 20
alumni. Pictured (from left) are: Leo Ochs, C77; Deborah Ochs;
Fr. David Turner, O.S.B.; LaVerne Iaffaldano and Richard
Iaffaldano, C55.
Upon approval by the
appropriate governing
agencies, junior and senior
level adult accelerated
programs and graduate
programs will be offered at
SCI. Junior and senior level
programs for traditional
undergraduate students will
be developed for courses
leading to a bachelor’s degree
on the campus as well.
Meanwhile, SCI will continue
to operate as a two-year
college. The campus will
Class of ’59
maintain its Catholic identity
as well as its liberal arts
heritage and traditions.
The College will remain a
member of the National
Junior College Athletic
Association Division II
and continue to offer its
full athletic program of
seven sports.
SCI is a two-year liberal arts
college founded in 1929 by
Catholic Ursuline Sisters and
the first institution of higher
learning in Springfield. ✝
the chief of the Department of
Urology at the Guam Memorial
Hospital, regional navy hospital.
Richter resides in Tamuning,
Guam.
21 years as a trial judge of the 10th
Judicial Circuit of Illinois. During
his tenure, he presided in criminal,
civil, equity, juvenile, family and
traffic courts. Ebel resides in Peoria
with his wife, Sandra, and their
son, Dominic.
Class of ’63
Class of ’71
Dominic Castino, Literature,
produces and performs in
productions at Goodshow
Productions in Minnesota.
Dennis Motyka, Political Science,
was recently named senior vice
president and director of banking
centers for Cole Taylor Banks.
Class of ’65
Class of ’72
Terrence M. Burns, Social Science,
Mary Gubbe Lee, Sociology,
was featured in the October 10,
2002, issue of the Rockford
Register Star. Readers learned of
Lee’s many accomplishments in the
“Get to Know Me” column of
the newspaper.
Jaroslav K. Richter, Biology, is
continued his education and
earned a Master in Social Work
degree in 2001 and a Master in
Public Administration degree in
2002 from Grand Valley State
University in Grand Rapids, MI.
He is currently enrolled in their
Master of Criminal Justice
program. He is working for MultiCultural Counseling Services as a
therapist/program counselor.
Burns resides in Saugatuck, MI.
Class of ’67
Thomas G. Ebel, Philosophy, has
recently retired after more than
Class of ’76
David Fischer, Psychology, was
invited to speak at a training
session for the Chicago Police
Department’s Organized Crime
Division. Fischer is in his 18th year
of service in the Cook County
State’s Attorney’s Office and is ➤
Spring 2003
29
Vitality
c l a s s
n o t e s
‘rat pack’ alumni identified
“There’s a picture in the Annual
Report [Voices, Winter 2003]
that you are asking be identified.
There’s a great looking guy in
the middle of the picture, so it
caught my attention!”
Golf Trip To
Scotland
An alumni golf trip is being
From left to right: Phil
Horvath, C69, Mike Gormley,
C69, Bob Enderle, C69, Ron
Greco (glasses), C69 and Russ
Bulsis, C69 [now deceased].
planned to Scotland, in
conjunction with the British
Open, for the summer of 2004!
More details will follow.
Relations at (630) 829-6077
“In fact, right over my head is
Mike’s wife, Karen (dark outfit)
and to her right is the profile of
my wife, Barbara, (I believe).” ✝
for more information.
Submitted by: Bob Enderle, C69
Call the Office of Alumni
assigned to the Narcotics Nuisance
Abatement Unit. He and his wife,
Linda, along with their five
children, reside in Chicago.
Class of ’80
Terry K. Cahill, Sociology, was
promoted to Colonel, United
States Marine Corps Reserve, in
December 2002. Cahill also is a
sergeant in the Dallas Police
Department. He and his wife,
Diane, reside in Garland, TX.
Bill Gleeson, Physical Education,
is a history/physical education
teacher and head track coach at
Brother Rice High School in
Oak Lawn. He is also the football
coach for St. Xavier University. He
and his wife, Mary Joan, have a
son, Thomas John, and a baby due
in August. The family resides in
Oak Lawn.
James J. Kocal, Physical Education,
is a senior professional health care
representative with Pfizer. Kocal
and his wife, Julia, have three
children and live in Valparaiso, IN.
Class of ’81
Petra V. Contreras, Political Science,
currently is serving as the deputy
inspector general for the 49th
Armored Division in the Texas
National Guard. He is also a senior
special investigator for Liberty
Mutual Insurance Co.
Class of ’84
Ann S. Barker, Psychology, received
the 2001 June Bucy Award for
30
Benedictine Voices
Excellence in Leadership of Youth
Service Agency from the Texas
Network of Youth Services. Barker
is the executive director of the
Montgomery County Youth
Services. She and her husband,
Lynn, reside in Conroe, TX with
their children, Kara and Kevin.
Class of ’88
Jeff McShane, Business &
Economics, was recently promoted
to director of sales for KaltronPettibone, a Chicago based
specialty chemical distributor.
McShane is a member of the
Chicago Drug and Chemical
Association, The Institute of Food
Technologists and the American
Chemical Society. He resides in
Carol Stream with his wife and
their two children.
Paul Toussaint, M.D., Mathematics,
was recently named chairman of
the Department of Pediatrics at
Resurrection Medical Center. He
and his wife, Veronica, reside in
Glenview, IL.
Class of ’90
Brian Butler, International Business
& Economics, is currently working
for the Chamberlain Group. He and
his wife, Ana, reside in Hoffman
Estates with their soon to be,
two children.
Class of ’91
Ursula Bielski, History, was
recently featured in the Chicago
Tribune Magazine. The article was
entitled “Telling Moments” about
five Chicagoans recalling some
lesser-known people and places that
helped to define Chicago. Bielski’s
book “Chicago Haunts” discussed
the inhabitants of Rosehill
Cemetery.
Class of ’93
Andreas Papakostas, Physical
Education, works as the clinical
director of West Suburban Health
Park. He and his wife, Lauren,
have two boys, Mateo and Marcos,
and reside in Plainfield.
Ed Romero, International Business,
recently made President’s Club
(2002) in his job as sales manager
for Comark. He and his wife,
Kristina, have a daughter, Karley,
and a baby born this spring. The
family resides in Barlett.
Anthony Schultz, M.D., Health
Science, successfully completed his
board certification in Emergency
Medicine in 2001. He recently
returned from a six-month tour
as an emergency physician in the
Middle East. He is an emergency
medicine physician for the U.S.
Army stationed in Ft. Riley, KS,
at Irwin Army Hospital.
Class of ’96
Andrea Ahlsen, M.S.M.O.B., has
recently accepted a position as
manager of Distance Learning for
Waubonsee Community College.
Additionally, she earned a master of
arts degree from National-Louis
University in Adult Education. She
resides in Batavia with Frank Mall.
John J. Cabral, History, is currently
the assistant principal at Benjamin
A. Friedman Middle School. He
earned a master of education
degree from Cambridge College
in 2000 and is completing a
Certificate of Advanced Graduate
Studies (CAGS) in Educational
Leadership and Management from
Fitchburg State College this
Spring. He and his wife, Cristina,
reside in Fall River, MA.
Michael McCarthy, M.D.,
Biochemistry, is currently a surgical
resident at Midwestern University.
He resides in Schererville, IN.
Class of ’98
David E. Do, Health Science, earned
his J.D. in 2001 and is currently
finishing his M.B.A. Do works as a
managing attorney for Edward F.
Diedrich & Associates, PC. He
resides in St. Charles, IL.
Class of ’99
Chris Murphy, Accounting, works
as a financial auditor/consultant
for McGladrey & Pullen, LLP.
He resides in Chicago.
Class of ‘00
Nancy Cobb, M.O.B., published
her first book with McGraw-Hill
entitled, “The Project Management
Workbook: Field-Proven Strategies
for Managing Your Greatest
Assets.”
c l a s s
let us know . . .
n o t e s
Vitality
missing alumni
If you know where any of the following alumni are, please contact the
alumni office at (630) 829-6080 or alumni@ben.edu.
Class of 1999
Can you name any of these ’happy alumni?’
Contact alumni@ben.edu.
Class of ’01
Catherine (Rhodes) Jaeger,
Language/Literature, is working
as a high school English teacher
in District 94. She is pursing a
Master of Library Science degree
at Dominican University. Jaeger
and her husband, William, reside
in Naperville.
Monika Maciag, Biology, was one
of two Benedictine students who
received the Chicago Health
Executives Forum (CHEF) Future
Leader Student Award. She also
volunteers at Good Samaritan
Hospital and is president of the
MPH Academic Club at
Benedictine University while
working on her graduate degree.
The other recipient was Meena
Veluri, M.D., current M.P.H.
student. Veluri currently volunteers
at Medical College of Wisconsin
and has worked as an extern at
Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital.
She is also a member of the
M.P.H. Academic Club of
Benedictine University. This was
the first time Benedictine students
have received this award.
Marriages
Sally (Lundgren) Jensen,
M.S.M.O.B. ’99, was recently
married to Jeffrey Jensen. They are
at home in Aurora, CO.
Amy Noel (Klodzinski) Levy,
Elementary Education ’95, was
married in July 2002 to Jacob
Levy. She also earned her Master
of Education degree in Special
Education from Loyola in
December 1999. The Levys
reside in Hattiesburg, MS.
Jennifer M. (Damratowski)
Lubinski, Social Science ’99,
was married to Art Lubinski in
November 2002. They reside in
Orland Park where she is a social
worker at Palos Community
Hospital.
Mr. Mohamed S. Alsalahi
Mr. Peter L. Cosme
Mr. Joel P. Ellison
Ms. Jamie L. Fornek
Ms. Heidi Frey
Mr. Wasay Humayun
Ms. Elaine M. (Miller) Johnsrud
Mr. Rudolph W. Kellerman
Mr. K. Todd Keylock
Ms. Tamara A. Kowalski
Ms. Jennifer L. Lopez
Mr. Phil E. McGee
Mr. Michael P. McKenna
Mr. Christopher M. Murphy
Ms. Lorene A. (Husa) O’Connell
Ms. Susan M. (Koppenhaver) Pasakarnis
Ms. Gloria Pavlovic
Mr. John J. Perron
Ms. Sara J. Polaski
Mr. Walter R. Pynas
Ms. Donna J. (Seplak) Ristoff
Ms. Stephanie M. Sabin
Mr. Marc Schuett
Ms. Sanjay K. Srivastava
Ms. Isabell Stephan
Ms. Melissa A. Wojtecki
Keep In Touch
What’s new in your life? A marriage or a child? A new job or promotion?
Have you been published or honored? Let us know!
First Name
Middle/Maiden
Address
Last Name
Major
Class Year
City
State
Zip
Jennifer Schindl, M.C.P. ’98, was
married in November 2002 in
Nassau, Bahamas to John Hanson.
They reside in Chicago.
Births
Heather (Matusiak) Baranivsky,
Marketing ’96, and Gregory
Baranivsky, Finance ’94, announce
the birth of their daughter,
Anastasia Maria, in September
2002. The family is at home in
Minneapolis where he works for
U.S. Bancorp Asset Management
as managing director of the
Product Group and she is a
buyer for Target Corporation.
Eileen (Cibula) Curry, Elementary
Education ’82, and her husband,
Ken, announce the birth of a baby
girl in August of 2002. They are at
home in LaGrange Park.
Deana (Kozak) Gelino, Business &
Economics ’93, and David Gelino,
Accounting ’90, announce the
birth of triplet boys: Nicholas,
Jeremy and Trevor. They
welcomed the boys in November ➤
Home Phone
E-mail Address
Your Title/Company Name
Work Phone
Job Description
Spouse’s Name
Major
Class Year
Tell my classmates that . . .
Please clip and mail to:
Debbie Smith
Alumni Office
5700 College Road
or fax to (630) 829-6313 or e-mail alumni@ben.edu
Spring 2003
31
Vitality
2002 and are at home in
Norridge, IL.
Lisa Natalie Hauser, Accounting
’89, and her husband, Richard,
announce the birth of their twin
boys, Anthony and Richard, in
April 2002. Big sister, Elena,
welcomed the boys to their
Darien home.
Kimberly (Pisaneschi) Johnson,
M.C.P. ’99, and her husband,
Rudy, announce the birth of their
first son, Griffin Patrick, on New
Years Day 2003. The family is at
home in West Chicago.
Jim Norris, Psychology ’81, and his
wife, Eileen, announce the birth of
their daughter, Katherine, in
November of 2002. Her siblings
Michelle, Christian and Benjamin,
welcomed her home to their Half
Moon Bay, CA, home. Norris is
the head of the Sea Crest School
in Half Moon Bay.
Sharon (Daniels) Novack, Business
& Economics ’93, and her husband,
Mike, announce the birth of their
first daughter, Jordyn Elizabeth, on
New Years Eve 2002. The family is
at home in Oswego, IL.
Elizabeth (Pelletier) Schwarz,
Philosophy ’91, and her husband,
Dave, announce the birth of their
daughter, Rachel Renee, in
February 2002. Big sister, Claire,
welcomed home her sister to their
Davenport, IA home.
Dr. Germaine (Rodeo) Yang, Biology
’95, and her husband, Patrick,
announce the birth of Stephanie
Ann in November 2002. The
family resides in Elmhurst.
✝ in memory
William P. Bartishell, ‘81, passed
away in February 2003.
Mary Patricia “Mary Pat” Lappe,
Sociology ‘90, passed away on
March 7, 2003.
Natalie Anne Ragusa, Sociology
’98, passed away on March 4,
2003.
Don Stuprich, ’50 St. Procopius
Academy, passed away on
December 28, 2002. ✝
32
Benedictine Voices
f a c u l t y / s t a f f
Jane Boumgarden (Psychology
and Sociology) and Thomas
Wangler (Mathematics and
Physical Sciences) have been
recognized for educational
excellence in Who’s Who Among
America’s Teachers 2002.
Jane Crabtree, Ph.D. (Business)
presented the paper “You Can’t
Go Home Again: Repatriation
Failures and Successes” at the
Institute of Behavioral and Applied
Management conference in
Denver, CO, November 12-15.
Mark Djordjevic (Music) presented
a recital on the viola on February
28 in the Benedictine Hall
Theater.
Kevin Doyle (Computer Science)
has been approved for candidacy
on the J. William Fulbright Senior
Specialists Roster. The roster is a
list of all approved candidates who
are eligible to be matched with
incoming program requests from
overseas academic institutions for
Fulbright Senior Specialists.
Fr. James Flint, O.S.B. (History,
Philosophy and Religious Studies)
will soon have his dissertation,
“Great Britain and the Holy See:
The Diplomatic Relations
Question, 1946-1852” published
in book form. Fr. James, who is
also the University archivist and
historian, examines the political,
economic and religious problems
that prevented the establishment
of relations between Great Britain
and Pope Pius IX.
Mardelle Fortier, Ph.D. (Literature)
has been selected as the new
president of the Illinois State
Poetry Society. She will start her
position in June 2003. Fortier
served as president of this society
for a two-year term in 1999-2001.
Beth House (Fine Arts) exhibited
two works at “Exploration,” the
17th annual juried exhibition of
the Chicago Calligraphy Collective
held at the Newberry Library. The
exhibition ran from January 22 to
March 8.
Jim Iaccino, Ph.D. (Psychology
and Sociology) wrote an article,
“The Shadow Trickster in Italian
Horror Cinema: Mario Bava’s
Baron Blood (1972) and Lisa and
the Devil (1972),” that was
published in November in Kinoeye:
n o t e s
A Fortnightly Journal of Film in
the New Europe. The article is also
up at the Web site www.kinoeye.org.
Larry Kamin (Biology) recently
earned a master’s degree in
Economics from Roosevelt
University.
John Kloos (Religious Studies)
presented “Chicago, Hub of the
World’s Religions” on January 3,
2003 to the American Society of
Church History, the American
Catholic Historical Association and
the American Historical Association
meeting jointly at the Palmer
House.
Fr. Michael Komechak, O.S.B.
(Fine Arts) gave an illustrated
lecture on the spiritual meaning of
modern art at the Rubloff
Auditorium of the Art Institute of
Chicago. Fr. Michael also presented
an hour-long photographic slide
presentation on the Annunciation
on February 26 at St. Joseph
Church in Downers Grove.
Fr. Michael revealed the religious
meanings of the figures, objects
and settings in five famous
paintings commemorating the
conception of Christ in the womb
of the Virgin Mary as described in
the first chapter of the Gospel of
St. Luke.
Alfred Martin (Biology) was the
guest speaker at a luncheon on
February 6 at Knox Presbyterian
Church. Martin spoke on the
topic, “Should a Christian Believe
in Evolution?”
Diane Moran (Psychology)
and Amy Warpinski, a senior
psychology student, presented
a poster entitled “Stop
Procrastination… It’s Time for
Change: A Cooperative Approach
to Behavior Modification” at the
Mid-America Conference for
Teachers of Psychology
(MACTOP) October 11-12 at the
University of Southern Indiana in
Evansville. The poster was awarded
first place and is automatically
accepted for the American
Psychological Association’s
National Conference in 2003.
Dr. Pete Nelson, Ph.D.
(Mathematical and Physical
Sciences) was published in the
December 22 issue of the Journal
of Chemical Physics. His article,
entitled “A permeation theory
for single-file ion channels:
Corresponding occupancy states
produce Michaelis–Menten
behavior,” proposes a simplified
theory for the basic functioning
of biological ion channels. Ion
channels are the electrical enzymes
that run the nervous system. These
enzymes are the targets of roughly
a third of all drugs. This topic was
discussed in BIOL/PHYS 323,
which Nelson taught this spring.
This research was funded by a
National Institutes of Health
fellowship and a grant from the
Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
The article is available online at
http://link.aip.org/link/?jcp/
117/11396.
Dan Nohl (Computer Science)
took four teams of Benedictine
University computer science
students to the 16th Annual
Associated Colleges of the Chicago
Area (ACCA) Programming
Contest at Wheaton College.
The advanced team of Tom
MacKenzie, Grace Nijm, Larry
Pollack and Colleen Powers
finished third. Eight teams from
five ACCA schools competed
in the advanced division and
five teams competed in the
novice division.
Margaret O’Leary, M.D., M.B.A.
(M.B.A. Programs) is one of 12
faculty-level physician editors and
one of 150 faculty and physician
authors of the new publication
“Emergency Medicine: Rules of
the Road for Medical Students.
The Guide for a Career in
Emergency Medicine.” O’Leary
served as editor for the chapter
“Women in Emergency Medicine”
and co-authored “Formal
Management Training in
Emergency Medicine.”
Peter Seely, M.A. (Communication
Arts) presented a paper entitled
“Surrealistic Stooges: The
Supernatural and the
Extraordinary in Slapstick
Comedy” on November 21 at
Lewis University as part of that
institution’s Arts and Ideas series.
The paper represented the media
literacy component of the series.
Alicia Cordoba Tait, D.M.A. (Music)
performed with the Downers
Grove Choral Society on
November 3. She was the
oboe d’amore soloist in their
performance of Johann Sebastian
Bach’s “Christmas Oratio” under
the direction of Robert Holst,
a former conductor of the
Benedictine University Concert
Chorus. She performed with the
trio Arbitrio on January 11. The
group performed the International
Guest Artist Recital at the end of
Bassoon Day at Ohio State
University. She also performed
with the Mozart Wind Quintet at
the University of Illinois Krannert
Center for the Performing Arts
in Urbana on January 26 at a
Chamber Music Concert with
other principal players of the
Sinfonia da Camera, during a
faculty recital with Arbitrio at
Benedictine University on January
31, and two concerts with Sinfonia
da Camera on February 8 and 9 in
the Great Hall of the Krannert
Center for the Performing Arts
at the University of Illinois –
Champaign.
This year Ralph Meeker,
professor of computer
science, was the recipient
of the Benedictine Life
Award, for fostering a
spirit of community,
creating an atmosphere
of warmth and hospitality
and living the Benedictine
values during his 33 years
of service to the
University. This is
the hightest honor
Benedictine faculty/staff
can recieve. It was
presented as part of
Employee Recognition
Day this past March. ✝
Campus Community Loses One Of Its Biggest Fans
by Elizabeth Summers, C00
Lisa Townsley, Tim Comar and
Manmohan Kaur (Mathematics)
attended the Joint Mathematics
Meetings in Baltimore, MD on
January 13-18. Townsley presented
“Effective Student Presentations in
a Liberal Arts Setting” at the MAA
General Contributed Paper
Session; Comar presented
“Increasing Student Participation
via Online Communication in
Calculus Courses” at the MAA
Session on Innovative Use of the
World Wide Web in Teaching
Mathematics, and “Visualizing the
Construction of Hyperbolic
Surfaces and Three-Manifolds
using a CAS” at the MAA General
Contributed Paper Session; and
Kaur presented “Ternary Rings of
Operators and C*-Algebras” at the
AMS Special Session on Functional
Analysis, “Use of the Computer
Algebra System DERIVE in a
Vitality
Benedictine University Honors Commitment
and Service to Education
Donald B. Taylor, Ph.D. (Molecular
Biology) presented “The Peptide
LSARLAF Directly Induces a
Conformation Change in the
Platelet Integrin alphaIIbbeta3”
at the annual meeting for the
American Society for Cell Biology
during the week of December 1419. Taylor’s research was
supported by grants from the
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
and the Abbott Laboratory Fund.
n o t e s
Fr. Stanley Vesely, O.S.B.
Multivariable Calculus Course” at
the MAA Session on Classroom
Demonstrations and Course
Projects that Make a Difference,
and “DERIVE Labs to Aid
Visualization in a Multivariable
Calculus Course” at the MAA
Session on Creative Visualization
Labs. The latter talk was accepted,
The Benedictine University
community has suffered a
great loss. Fr. Stanley Vesely,
O.S.B., the senior monk of
St. Procopius Abbey, died
of congestive heart failure
on January 11, 2003.
and most recently working
in the alumni office. The
baseball field was named
Vesely Field in 1994 in honor
of his contributions to the
University’s athletic programs.
Fr. Stan, as he was
affectionately known, was
a very visible fixture at
Benedictine University for
the past 76 years. He began
his association at the school
as a high school student at
Benet Academy in 1927 and
professed his monastic vows
in 1934. His service to the
community included teaching
religion and Latin, serving as
the College’s athletic director
Known on campus as the
‘Super Fan,’ he was a constant
source of Benedictine
University sports history.
One could also count on
Fr. Stan to cheer up the day
with his enormous repertoire
of jokes and puns.
Fr. Stan will be greatly missed
by the many persons he
touched over the last seven
decades. ✝
but not presented due to a time
conflict. In addition, Comar
attended workshops on “Visual
Linear Algebra” and “Getting
Students Involved in Undergraduate
Research,” and Kaur attended
“Project NExT Workshops.”
Kaur also took a short course on
“Public Key Cryptography.” ✝
Spring 2003
33
Vitality
Sabbaticals: Helping
Professors Enrich
Notes from Donald Taylor, professor, biological science
M
uch of molecular
biology and medicine
is evolving efforts to
elucidate the structural
information encoded in the
Human Genome. One aspect
of this growing area of study
is called Bioinformatics (a
rapidly evolving discipline
which combines computational
chemistry and structural
biology in the post genomics
era). The National Institutes
of Health (NIH) have deemed
this a significant priority in
our attempt to use the
information acquired from the
Human Genome Project to
ultimately provide a rationale
for molecular based therapeutic
interventions of human
disease. The necessity to have
technologies to investigate the
genome evolved to the point
that the NIH organized an
institute called the National
Center for Biotechnology
Institute (NCBI), which is
housed at NIH and is in
charge of developing software
and Web-based tools to study
molecular biology.
During my sabbatical leave
I took a series of workshops
and short courses to better
enable me to integrate these
techniques in my courses. I
have implemented several
database and software tools
in Bioinformatics in my
BIOL 371 Molecular Biology
course. I now offer a onehour weekly laboratory session
in which the students learn to
34
Benedictine Voices
explore genomes of organisms
by using Web-based tutorials.
Students are required to
complete two research
projects which use
bioinformatics resources to
see the potential for their
application in modern genetic
analyses. At the end of the
laboratory course, I sponsor
a student symposium where
students give a poster
presentation of one of their
n o t e s
projects. Students are also
required to give an oral
presentation using
PowerPoint.
In addition to the professional
development work, I
continued existing research
collaborations with colleagues
from other institutions of our
work characterizing the
mechanism of an integrin
receptor activating peptide
and the development of
peptides with cytokine activity.
Finally, I made peer-reviewed
presentations at the 18th
International Congress of the
Society for Thrombosis and
Haemostasis in France, at the
annual meetings of the
Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology Society, the
Experimental Biology/FASEB
society and the National
Council on Undergraduate
Research conference. I also
attended the annual program
director’s meeting of the
Howard Hughes Medical
Institute.
Sabbatical leave offers the
faculty member a focused
opportunity to obtain
additional specialized training
and career development that
then allows them to bring
these experiences into the
classroom. In my case, the
scholarly development that
resulted from my sabbatical
leave was a combination of
completing ongoing research
and initiating a project in a
new area of investigation. The
sabbatical leave is also a way
to reinvigorate a faculty
member. ✝
Notes from Barbara Grabowski, professor,
computer science and information systems
I
am extremely grateful to
the University; the College
of Business, Technology
and Professional Programs;
the Department of Computer
Science and Information
Systems (CS and IS); and
my faculty colleagues for
the opportunity for a
sabbatical for the 2001-2002
academic year.
I had served as director of the
M.S.M.I.S. Program since
1992 and chair of the CS and
IS department since 1999. In
these administrative roles, I
taught just a few courses. I
had come to the realization
that I wanted to do more
teaching.
To prepare to get back into
the classroom, I set two goals
for my sabbatical: first,
to create Web-enhanced
courses, and second, to
create a new course.
I created WebCT courses for
Computer Organization and
Architecture, Knowledgebased Systems, Electronic
Commerce and Application
Development Methodologies.
I am still working on a
WebCT course for Strategic
Information Technology
Management.
I also worked on a new course
titled Ethics and Technology
and its WebCT companion.
The first offering was during
spring quarter 2003 as part of
the Management of
Information Technology
Lecture Series.
I am very excited about Ethics
and Technology. The
M.S.M.I.S. Program has
always been concerned about
effectively and efficiently
managing information
technology. Ethics and
Technology gives students an
opportunity to grapple with
social and ethical issues.
Topics we examine include
privacy and personal
information, encryption, trust,
freedom of speech, intellectual
property and professional
ethics and responsibilities.
We also examine broader
issues of computers and the
changing nature of work
and information haves and
have-nots. ✝
e a g l e s c e n t e r
Sports Complex Plan In The Works
Vitality
Lynn O’Linski
Heads University’s
Athletic Department
L
ynn O’Linski has been named the new
athletic director at Benedictine
University. O’Linski previously worked
as athletic director and head softball
coach at St. Xavier University in Chicago
and director of operations-fastpitch softball
at the Bulls/Sox Training Academy in Lisle.
B
enedictine University will
be the envy of the suburbs
when a proposed sports
complex comes to
fruition. The Village of Lisle is
working with the University
to make a multi-purpose
sports complex a reality.
The plans are to create a
football, track and baseball
facility that would be used by
Benedictine students, Lisle
High School and Benet
Academy. Lights would be
added to the football field, a
stadium would be built with
offices, locker rooms and
seating for 5,750 people. The
University baseball field would
also get lights and bleachers
with a capacity for 650 fans.
The plan calls for concessions,
washrooms and more parking,
continued on page 36
“Lynn has a strong vision of what a
student-athlete’s experience at a Division
III school should be,” said Susan Yasecko,
dean of administrative services. “It was
obvious to us that Lynn cares about the
whole student-athlete and believes in the
importance of developing a well-rounded
person. She has also demonstrated a longstanding commitment to education.”
O’Linski joined an elite group when
she was named athletic director at
Benedictine University. Fewer than
150 women nation-wide serve as the
chief athletic administrator at an
NCAA-member institution.
She served as athletic director at St. Xavier
University from 1988 to 2000 where she
supervised a staff of 35 coaches and
administrators, monitored the academic
continued on page 36
Veteran Baseball Coach Ostrowski Inducted into Hall of Fame
B
enedictine University
baseball coach, John
Ostrowski, was inducted
into the Illinois High
School Baseball Coaches
Association (IHSBCA) Hall of
Fame as part of a ceremony
on February 1, 2003 at the
Hickory Ridge Marriott Hotel
in Lisle.
Ostrowski earned his 698th
career victory during the 2002
season. He has a 30-year
career record of 698-545-6,
which places him 23rd among
all active NCAA college
coaches and 10th among
Division III coaches.
“This honor truly humbles
me,” Ostrowski said. “It
makes me reflect on all the
great student-athletes I’ve had
the pleasure to work with.”
The Eagles have finished
either first or second in the
Northern Illinois-Iowa
Conference (NIIC) 27 times
under Ostrowski and have
made 12 post-season NCAA
and NAIA tournament
appearances. Ostrowski has
had three players chosen in
the major league draft and
has coached four Division III
All-Americans and 42 allregion players.
“I really enjoy small college
athletics,” Ostrowski said.
“You put the individual first
and winning second in a
Division III situation like
we’re in.”
Several of Ostrowski’s former
players have gone into
coaching. Eight former
players and assistant coaches
have gone on to become head
college coaches and many
other former players and
assistants have gone into high
school coaching.
“It’s an unbelievable snowball
effect,” Ostrowski said. “We
have had several kids who
have seen what coaches can
do in the lives of others. It
certainly is a labor of love.” ✝
Spring 2003
35
Vitality
e a g l e s c e n t e r
time out
by Jill Redmond
Athletic Director
continued from page 35
Eagle Basketball Achieves Program Milestone
The Benedictine University men’s
basketball team accomplished something
this season that has never been done in
the 63-year history of the program. The
Eagles, under the direction of head coach
Keith Bunkenburg, recorded their seventh
consecutive winning season with a 14-13
overall record.
Lynn O’Linski is the new
athletic director at
Benedictine University.
academic status of 275
student-athletes, oversaw
the planning and construction
of a $12 million convocation
and athletic center and
implemented the addition
of three varsity sports.
A 1976 graduate of St. Maryof-the-Woods College in
Terra Haute, Indiana with
a bachelor of arts degree in
journalism and physical
education, O’Linski earned
a master of arts degree in
education from St. Xavier. ✝
Sports Complex
continued from page 35
The Eagles strung together six consecutive
winning seasons from 1976 to 1981 and
five consecutive winning seasons from
1963 to 1967. Both streaks were under
the leadership of long-time head coach
Tony LaScala.
The Eagles went 6-6 in the Northern
Illinois-Iowa Conference (NIIC) for a
fourth- place finish. Along the way,
junior Bryan Uselding received NIIC
Player of the Week recognition during
the ninth week of the season.
Uselding, who led the Eagles with
13 points and 5.5 rebounds per game,
was the only Eagle to receive NIIC
All-Conference honors.
Freshman standout Chris Hebeler, who
handed out a team-high 72 assists and
was the Eagles second leading scorer with
10.5 points per game, received NIIC
All-Conference honorable mention.
Hebeler started all 27 games for
the Eagles.
Highlights of the Eagles season
included winning the Wisconsin
Lutheran Tip-Off Tournament title
the opening weekend of the season.
The Eagles went 0-2 at the College
of Wooster Tournament, but Hebeler
walked away with All-Tournament
honors. ✝
Lady Eagles Finish Tied For Second In The League
The Benedictine University women’s
basketball team posted strong
performances in the Northern Illinois-Iowa
Conference (NIIC), concluding the season
with an 8-4 conference record. The Lady
Eagles finished tied for second place
with Rockford College in the NIIC final
standings.
The Lady Eagles beat out Rockford for the
No. 2 seed in the NIIC Tournament, which
allowed them to host a first- and secondround game. They played their way into
the second round of the tournament with
a 71-50 win over Concordia University.
The Lady Eagles were upset at home
by Rockford in second round action to
conclude their season.
The Lady Eagles landed two players on the
NIIC All-Conference team. Two juniors, Erin
McGunnigal and Julie Robinson, received
All-Conference recognition. McGunnigal
averaged 12.6 points and 5.8 rebounds
per game, while Robinson averaged
12.4 points per game.
Sophomore Kristin Racine received
NIIC All-Conference honorable mention
for contributing 8.3 points and 6.4
rebounds per game.
Highlights of the Lady Eagles’ season
were a third-place finish at the
Wisconsin Lutheran Tip-Off Tournament
and second-place finish at the Ohio
Northern University Tournament. The
Lady Eagles ended the season with a
13-14 overall record. ✝
as well. (For more details, see
rendering on page 35.)
Once the project receives the
green light necessary to
proceed, the complex would
take an estimated 12-18
months to complete.
The facility would not only
heighten University athletics
for students and fans, it would
also be a prime host for
regional and national sports
events. ✝
36
Benedictine Voices
Ryan Lands On Academic All-America Team
Benedictine University senior Pat Ryan
continues to make his mark in Benedictine
football history, this time for his
performance in the classroom. Ryan was
named to the 2002 Verizon Academic
All-America College Division Football Team.
Ryan was a first-team selection as a
defensive lineman.
Ryan boasts a 3.63 G.P.A. as an
accounting major. He started all 10 games
for the Eagles on the defensive line and
racked up 79 total tackles, 33 tackles for
a loss (minus-138 yards), 11.5 sacks,
one interception, five passes defended,
one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.
With his 33 tackles for a loss, Ryan
set a school record for the second
consecutive season. Along with his
academic accolade, Ryan was awarded
the Illini-Badger Football Conference
(IBFC) Outstanding Defensive Lineman
and named a first-team All-Conference
selection. ✝

Spring 2003 - Benedictine University

Transcription

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