Fall/Winter 2011 - St. Jerome's University

Volume 30. Number 2
Fall/Winter 2011
ST. JEROME’S MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS
MEET THE
MOYNIHANS:
A Branch of the SJU Family Tree
MEET THE
4 MOYNIHANS
6 8 HONORARY DOCTORATE
SR. CRONIN g.s.i.c., RECEIVES
BISHOP TONNOS RECEIVES
JOHN SWEENEY AWARD

Volume 30. Number 2 • Fall/Winter 2011
EDITOR
Mari-Beth Davis
CONTRIBUTORS
David Perrin
Nadine Collins
Mari-Beth Davis
Kelly McNab
Mark Greco
Anne Louise Mahoney
Jim Robson
Sharon Carey
Myroslaw Tataryn
The Moynihan Family
Emily Brown
Jason Annan
Mitch McDade
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
Bravada Communications
PHOTOGRAPHY
Bryn Gladding
SJU Alumni
Emily Brown
Carolyn Eckert
Mari-Beth Davis
The Moynihan Family
Please address correspondence to:
SJU Update
St. Jerome’s University
290 Westmount Rd. N.,
Waterloo, ON Canada
N2L 3G3
Tel: 519-884-8110 ext. 28277
Fax: 519-884-5759
Email: mbdavis@uwaterloo.ca
www.sju.ca
SJU Update is published by St. Jerome’s
University, co-founder of and federated with
the University of Waterloo, and mailed free of
charge to all alumni, former residents, students,
faculty, staff and friends of the University.
Left to right: Jim Beingessner, Sister Joan Cronin, g.s.i.c., and David Perrin
SJFEATURE04
SJEVENTS06
SJCAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY09
SJSTUDENTLIFE10
SJFACULTY12
SJALUMNI13
Meet the Moynihans
St. Jerome’s Feast
Alumni Golf Classic
Bishop Tonnos Honoray Doctorate
Class of 2011
Our Focus On Reducing Energy
SJU Launches 150th Anniversary
Tree Planting with Student Leaders
Students Attend UN Youth Assembly
Distinction in Teaching Award
Retiring Faculty
Alumni Association Message
Class Notes
Blast from the Past
Join St. Jerome’s University Alumni on Facebook and Linkedin and follow us on Twitter @StJeromesUni
2010/11
SJU Board
of Governors
Maureen O’Donoghue Rich, Chair
Marion Thomson Howell, Vice-Chair
Dorothee Retterath, Past-Chair
James Beingessner, Chancellor
David B. Perrin, President
Jim Frank, V.P. and Academic Dean
Carol Acton
Cathy Brothers
Kevin Burns
Michael Coughlin
Martha Fauteux
Larry Gravill
Steven Jennings, ex officio
Lauren Leech
Pat Leicester
Glen Lombard
Steve Lubczuk
Don McCutchan
Judy Nairn
Fr. Cornelius (Con)
O’Mahony, ex officio
Very Rev. Sam Restivo,
C.R., ex officio
David Seljak
Leigh Sherry
James Skidmore
Jon Turner
2

David B. Perrin, President and Vice-Chancellor
BRINGING A
VISION TO LIFE
As many of you may remember, I joined St. Jerome’s University as President
and Vice Chancellor in August 2007 and committed to a 5 year term. Earlier
this year I decided to not let my name stand for a second term. The Board of
Governors has launched a presidential search to find my successor.
When I became a Jeromonian, I committed to exercise careful leadership that
considered our rich past but also developed our potential to face the challenges
of Church and society today and in the future. SJU was entering a transformative
phase; I suggested that to ensure our future, we had to constantly renew
ourselves, refashion ourselves and reconstruct ourselves, while keeping focused
on our fundamental original values.
This is why I am so proud of the visioning work we have done as a community
– work that has culminated in the 2015 and Beyond Campus Master Plan and
the Strategic Vision: 2015 and Beyond. The latter sets the direction for the future
of SJU into our 150th Anniversary year and onward. Our progress to date is
illustrated in the 2010-11 President’s Report. (It and the Strategic Vision are
available at www.sju.ca.) I am enthusiastic about how the vision will be brought
to life in the years to come.
There have been many highlights for me over the past five years, including
launching the Centre for Responsible Citizenship; awarding SJU’s first-ever
honorary doctorate and hosting the Apostolic Nuncio for Canada, His
Excellency Luigi Ventura. I look forward to creating more fond memories until my
term ends on July 31, 2012.
Nadine Collins, University Advancement Officer
Alumni are an integral part of any University, but especially so at St. Jerome’s, where building community is one of our strengths and
is a reflection of our Catholic values. You are our best ambassadors, recruiters, supporters and visionaries! Bringing the future vision
of SJU to fruition is possible only with your time, talent and treasure. Together we celebrate our strong roots and traditions while
accomplishing great things for the future.
We are working hard to keep you connected to today’s SJU. Here’s how:
• improving the look of SJU Update (what do you think?)
• outlining recent successes in the 2010–11 President’s Report and charting our course for the future in
the Strategic Vision: 2015 and Beyond
• announcing news and sparking conversations with you through Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter
• sharing student stories in the Donor Reports
• highlighting key facts on the SJU Fact Sheet
• profiling your stories as we update our website
• connecting with more and more of you in person as our 150th Anniversary approaches, to celebrate
this important milestone
We welcome your ideas, suggestions, questions or comments about how we can engage you better.
Contact me at nacollins@uwaterloo.ca or 519-884-8111 ext 28255.
3

MEET THE
MOYNIHANS:
A Branch of the SJU Family Tree
Through almost half a century, St. Jerome’s University has become entwined in the histories
of many families. One such family is the Moynihans. Their connection to SJU grew out of
their desire for higher learning in a place that offered a sense of community, supported
their Catholic upbringing, and was truly a home away from home. Their father Terry
Moynihan has always been a strong supporter of Catholic education and he encouraged
his children and grandchildren to consider living at St. Jerome’s. More than 10 members of
the Moynihan family have been part of the St. Jerome’s Family Tree.
Dane Moynihan
SJU student, studying Chemical Engineering
As a child, Dane heard lots of great stories about St. Jerome’s from his father, Paul
Moynihan (BASc ‘87). When the time came for Dane to choose a university, the fact
that his father, two of his uncles, two of his aunts and four of his cousins had lived at
SJU played a role in his decision. “I chose to live in St. Jerome’s because I’d heard
such great things from all of my family who went there…. I like the fact that St. Jerome’s
exposes residents to people from various areas of study and backgrounds, all the
while in a Catholic environment. Becoming a part of this community is special to me
because, having grown up in Alberta while many of my family lived in Ontario, living
at SJU allows me to experience something that they all thoroughly enjoyed and found
integral to their Waterloo experience.” And while uWaterloo’s strong engineering
program certainly played a role in his decision, the SJU community felt like a true fit
for Dane from the moment he toured the campus. As Dane wraps up his first term, he
shares, “my time so far at SJU has been great! The atmosphere is amazing and I’ve
developed a sense of camaraderie with my fellow residents. I can’t wait to come back
to SJU following my co-op placement in Spring 2012.”
Let’s meet a few other members of the Moynihan branch of the SJU Family Tree.
Kelly Moynihan (BSc ‘79)
Upstream Strategic Environmental Lead -
ExxonMobil Production Company, Houston, Texas
Kelly Moynihan started the family’s connection with SJU, living in
residence for three years during his studies towards a Bachelor of
Science in Chemistry. What Kelly didn’t know at the time was that he
was founding a Moynihan family tradition at St. Jerome’s.
Read Kelly’s story: http://www.sju.ca/graduates/update.html
Left to right: Kelly Moynihan and daughters Sandi and Nicki and his wife Kathy
4

Val McAlpine (née Moynihan) (BES ‘80)
Autism Support Worker, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Markham, Ontario
Following in her big brother’s footsteps, Val McAlpine already knew a lot
about St. Jerome’s. Val enjoyed spending as much time as she could at the SJU
campus, really valuing the sense of community she felt there. Meeting students
with different backgrounds and interests helped her grow and learn through the
friendships she developed.
Read Val’s story: http://www.sju.ca/graduates/update.html
Paul Moynihan (BASc ‘87)
Val and Paul McAlpine
Managing Director, Global Financial Advisory, Rothschild, (Canada) Inc.
That brings us full circle to Paul – Dane’s father. Paul decided to come to St. Jerome’s
in 1982, joining his older siblings in the Moynihan tradition. An active member of
the SJU community, Paul’s two-plus years in residence included stints on the Bagbiters
football team and the Maple Rockies hockey team. He was part of the inaugural
St. Jerome’s All Male Glee Club, which included an amateur performance at
Conestoga Mall. Inspired by a picture in his dorm room, Paul’s motto, “Aim High,”
helped him through his Chemical Engineering program and kept him grounded with
his friends in residence, even while they indulged in occasional practical jokes,
summer BBQs, and “science experiments”. Paul felt like he truly had two homes at
the uWaterloo campus: one with his engineering buddies and one with the SJU
community. Just as important, SJU gave Paul a faith-based education shared with likeminded
students and a chance to live his values.
And Paul is optimistic about his son Dane’s future as a chemical engineer. He’s confident
that Dane’s individual strengths, along with the support he’ll get in residence at SJU, will
help him stay focused as he pursues his studies, and in his career. When asked whether
his other children Connor (15) and Claire (13) might attend SJU, Paul said, “Who knows
where their path might lead them, but we certainly hope SJU is on their short list.” If
history is any indication, we expect to see more Moynihans at SJU someday!
For more information on the members of the Moynihan family, please visit
http://www.sju.ca/graduates/update.html
Left to right:
Dane Moynihan
and father Paul
I’d like to extend a big thank you to the members of the Moynihan family for
participating in this feature – your story is an inspiration to the alumni community! If you
have a St. Jerome’s Family Tree story, I’d love to hear from you – mbdavis@uwaterloo.ca
or 519-884-8110, ext. 28277.
Maureen O’Brien (nee Moynihan) (BA ’81)
Human Resources Manager,
Imperial Oil Limited, Calgary, Alberta
While St. Jerome’s University was appealing and well-known, younger sister Maureen was just as happy to pursue
her post-secondary studies in her hometown of Edmonton, Alberta. But her parents encouraged her to think seriously
about SJU given Kelly and Val’s positive experience. Maureen found that many of her peers just entering university at
SJU were, like her, searching for the same thing – their place in the world.
Read Maureen’s story: http://www.sju.ca/graduates/update.html
5

SJEVENTS
THE CHANCELLOR JOHN SWEENEY AWARD – PAST RECIPIENTS
2010 Senator Noël Kinsella
2009 Fr. Bernie Hayes, C.R.
2008 The Hon. John Milloy
2007 Craig Kielburger
2006 Rev. Dr. James McConica, C.S.B.
2005 School Sisters of Notre Dame
(Canadian Province)
2004 Margaret Visser
2003 The Hon. Allan J. MacEachen
2002 Fr. Jaques Monet, s.j.
2001 Congregation of the Resurrection
(Ontario-KentuckyProvince)
6

ST. JEROME’S
FEAST 2011
The 11th Annual St. Jerome’s Feast – honouring Sister Joan Cronin, g.s.i.c.,
recipient of the 2011 Chancellor John Sweeney Award for Leadership
in Catholic University Education – took place on Friday, September 30,
2011, at St. Jerome’s University. More than 150 members of the St.
Jerome’s community joined us at the St. Jerome’s Feast as we celebrated
Sister Joan’s achievements in leadership, and together raised over
$12,000 to support first-year entrance scholarships at SJU. This year’s
event included our first ever sponsor, Chapman’s Ice Cream, and featured
a silent auction event.
The John Sweeney Award was created to honour the historical contribution and continuing
commitment of Catholic institutions, leaders and educators to the cause of post-secondary
education and scholarship in Canada. The award also recognizes the ongoing need for a
Catholic presence and voice in shaping future leaders and engaging in the challenging issues
facing the world today. The Award is named for John Sweeney, who was an exemplary
Catholic leader and educator and the first lay Chancellor of St. Jerome’s University.
Sister Joan, this year’s recipient, is a member of the Grey Sisters community, which is based
in Pembroke, Ontario. She has worked as a classroom teacher, vice-principal, principal,
consultant, coordinator and supervisory officer with various Ontario Catholic school boards.
Currently the Executive Director of the Institute for Catholic Education, she holds B.A. and
B.Ed. degrees, as well as master’s degrees in Theology, Education and Adult Education.
And Sister Joan is still teaching. For the past 20 years, she has taught in the certification
program for Catholic superintendents.
During The Feast, Sister Joan dedicated her award to women and men from the Ontario
religious orders who struggle to maintain Catholic education through challenging times, and
spoke about the award representing her hopes for future generations to continue working
toward a sound Catholic university for the 21st century. Sister Joan was encouraged by the
St. Jerome’s community’s understanding of our multiple responsibilities regarding the Catholic
intellectual tradition and our place as a liberal arts university engaging students for the good
of their community, the Church and global society. Sister Joan’s work as an educator and an
administrator is a testimony to her commitment to Catholic education for young people.
The proceeds of this event support first-year entrance scholarships, allowing us to attract
students who have demonstrated academic excellence and enable us to give financial
assistance to those who may not otherwise be able to afford post-secondary education.
The University relies on support from donors to provide the approximately $300,000 in
financial aid we award annually.
7

ALUMNI
GOLF
CLASSIC
One of the great things about
being an alum is coming back to
campus to catch up with friends and
acquaintances. Many SJU alumni
did just that during Reunion weekend
(formerly called Homecoming),
playing in the St. Jerome’s Alumni Golf
Classic event on Saturday, September
24, 2011. Seven foursomes of alumni
and current SJU students teed off at
Merry-Hill Golf Club for a fun day on
the course. The weather was terrific
and players enjoyed lunch and 18
holes of golf at Merry-Hill, and dinner
back at the SJU campus, where some
awesome golf prizes were awarded.
The lowest-scoring team this year was
made up of current students Mitch
McDade, Rebecca Bird and Grant
Albin, who had their names engraved
on the coveted Golf Classic Cup!
Whether you lived in residence,
graduated from St. Jerome’s or just
love the SJU community, be sure to join
us next year at the Grey Silo Golf Club
on Saturday, September 29, for the
2012 St. Jerome’s Alumni Golf Classic.
SPRING CONVOCATION 2011
Honouring the Most Reverend Anthony F. Tonnos
At St. Jerome’s University’s convocation
liturgy on June 16, 2011, we were
pleased to confer an honorary degree,
Doctor of Theology (honoris causa),
and the title Chancellor Emeritus to
the Most Reverend Anthony F. Tonnos,
our former Chancellor. Bishop Tonnos’
support for St. Jerome’s University’s
commitment to enhancing the role of
the Catholic intellectual tradition in
our contemporary culture has been
steadfast. He served as Chancellor of
the University from 1984 to 1991.
We also celebrated with SJU students
who were graduating at Spring
Convocation, and wish to congratulate
those who won SJU awards: Krista
Hundt, Matthew Fox, Monique
Bevan, Dawn Hayes, Patricia Herrick,
Sebastien Kundra, Sharon LaPlume,
Larissa Currah, Erin Kooistra, Andrew
Lessard, Kate Smith-Eivemark, Marissa
Taggart, Myra Khan and Jim Robson.
Congratulations to all of our
graduating students on your
outstanding achievements!
Left to right: David Perrin, Bishop Tonnos and Peter Naus
8

SJCAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY
Our Focus on Reducing Energy
“St. Jerome’s University is dedicated to teaching and learning
excellence, leadership and responsible citizenship, which must
now include the conscientious and sustainable use of all our
resources,” says Facility Manager Jim Robson. Key to realizing
this vision is the completion of a Sustainability Plan to create
a culture of sustainability across the entire organization and to
educate ecologically responsible citizens.
Given St. Jerome’s ongoing environmental awareness and
stewardship, the sustainability plan’s first goal is to reduce
our kilowatt consumption by promoting energy conservation.
We have recently completed two such projects:
• A motion sensor retrofit in several classrooms and
common areas in the residences. With our service
partners and Waterloo North Hydro, this project is
estimated to reduce energy consumption by 2 kilowatts
and has been approved for an incentive under Ontario
Power Authority’s Save On Energy program.
• A replacement of the breezeway lighting with
LED fixtures, the latest lighting technology. Energy
consumption will decrease by two thirds. This project has
also been submitted for an energy rebate under the Save
On Energy program.
Our Facilities Department is working with partners such
as Waterloo North Hydro, on other innovative reduction
strategies, aiming for an overall 10% reduction in energy
consumption over the next three years. They will also focus
on the plan’s two remaining goals of encourage recycling
and reducing impact on landfills, as well as reducing the
amount of grass that is cut on campus.
ENERGY CONSUMPTION WAS EQUAL
TO ROUGHLY 170,667 OF 60 WATT
LIGHTBULBS. NOW IT IS APPROXIMATELY
56,230 LIGHTBULBS, OR A 2/3 REDUCTION.
CLASS OF 2011 RECOGNIZED
A
t the St. Jerome’s University Fall 2011 Convocation, held on Saturday,
October 22, 2011, we lay a stone in Alumni Court to commemorate
the wonderful Class of 2011 and these students’ important role as part
of the SJU community. Graduating student Alysha Donko (BA ’11) was proud to
pose in Alumni Court during convocation and shared her special moment with her
parents and grandmother.
In addition to our SJU graduating students, former Chancellor Peter Naus was
formally recognized with the title of Chancellor Emeritus, in order to express our
gratitude for his service to St. Jerome’s University
during his term from 2007 to 2011. As a titular
head of St. Jerome’s, Peter brought prestige and
distinction to the University, and we are pleased
to recognize his commitment and passion for St.
Jerome’s through this honorary title.
Alysha Donko at Fall
2011 Convocation
At the convocation ceremony, graduating student
Sebastien Kundra addressed the fellow members of
his graduating class, speaking about his love of SJU
and the need to move away from “I”-centred views
and into a world that is more empathetic, caring and
considerate – with newly graduated leaders focused
on learning, excellence and social responsibility.
Congratulations to all of our graduating students
on your accomplishments – we wish the Class of
2011 great future success!
2012
St. Jerome’s Feast
Proceeds from this event
support first-year entrance
scholarshps at SJU
Save-the-date
Friday, September 28, 2012
9

SJSTUDENT LIFE
SJU CELEBRATES FUTURE 150TH ANNIVERSARY
GRADUATES AT ORIENTATION
First-year SJU registered students and
residents were welcomed at St. Jerome’s
University with a kick-off dinner on
September 6, 2011. The event began St.
Jerome’s University’s sesquicentennial (150th)
Anniversary celebrations by welcoming the
incoming class, and offered a glimpse of
festivities to come over the next few years.
As President David Perrin told the students, “This
special event is being held to honour your unique
relationship as the graduating-class-to-be in 2015,
the 150th anniversary year of SJU. At this inaugural
event, part of the students’ Orientation Week activities,
students will meet some of the alumni who were
among the first students to graduate in the 1960s from
our current campus at the University of Waterloo.”
In one of the highlights of the evening, Ken
McLaughlin – SJU graduate, Waterloo historian,
and Distinguished Professor Emeritus at SJU
– offered his reflections on being part of the first
graduating class of St. Jerome’s. “It was the year
that the campus opened and we very much felt that
SJU student leaders from the
Students’ Union, Students’
Catholic Community,
Residence Life and Student
Life, along with Residence
Dons gather with SJU
President David Perrin at
the annual Leadership
Tree Planting. The group
plants a tree each year to
commemorate our student
leaders who give so much
time, energy and passion to
the SJU community.
Speaker Ken McLaughlin and SJU students
we were pioneers shaping the tradition for future
generations of students,” he said.
Profiles describing the success of a number of alumni
who attended SJU in the 1960s were also shared
with students and the SJU community at the dinner.
Be sure to watch for more information
at www.sju.ca for upcoming 150th
Anniversary events!
TREE PLANTING WITH STUDENT LEADERS
Student leaders pictured here with SJU President David Perrin: Front
row (L to R) Natalie Kemp, Catherine Bellissimo. Back row (L to R)
Rianna M. Lewis, Jonathan Turner, Emma Troughton, Bridget King,
Danny Yu, David Avila, Mike Cimetta, Patrick Reilly, Evan Wittmann,
and Richard Henkel
10

SJU STUDENTS ATTEND
THE 9th ANNUAL UN
YOUTH ASSEMBLY
St. Jerome’s University students Jason Annan and Emily
Brown had an experience of a lifetime this past
summer. Thanks to an invitation extended to SJU
President David Perrin by Daniel LeBlanc, OMI, who is the
Missionary Oblates’ representative to the United Nations,
Jason and Emily eagerly attended the 9th Annual Youth
Assembly. This exciting event brought together hundreds of
youth from around the globe at the UN Headquarters in
New York on August 3-5, 2011.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon urged the participants
to see the Youth Assembly as a call to action: “The world
needs each and every one of you to do your part in
transforming the world and building a more sustainable
and equitable future for all,” he told them. With this vision
in mind, Jason and Emily took part in multiple panels of
speakers talking about key global issues. One of the most
interesting discussions they attended explored The Arts
and the Millennium Development Goals – showing how
music and other art forms were being used to reach eight
important goals: ending poverty and hunger; universal
education; gender equality; child health; maternal health;
combat HIV/AIDS; environmental sustainability; and
global partnership.
Emily and Jason had both travelled to Peru with SJU as
part of the Peru Initiative. Their sense of social responsibility
and advocacy had sparked their interest and opened their
eyes to the ever-growing challenges in the world. The Youth
SJU Student Leaders Jason Annan and Emily Brown
Assembly gave them both an opportunity to hear other youth
speak about their own accomplishments, despite their young
age. Jason and Emily met delegates from around the world
– including youth leaders from Germany, Nigeria, China
and the United States.
Jason and Emily shared that after the three-day conference,
they felt inspired and energized, but left New York equipped
with real strategies and ideas for how to pursue global
development and take action. As Emily says, “It isn’t every
day that you get to meet some of the brightest minds in
the world – minds of people who, as the Youth Assembly
slogan goes, are not just tomorrow’s leaders, but ‘tomorrow’s
leaders today.’”
ALUMNI-STUDENT CAREER MIXER
Thursday, February 9, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. St. Jerome’s University-White Room, Sweeney Hall
Are you a recent SJU graduate just starting out on your career path? Need some advice about your career?
The Alumni-Student Career Mixer provides informal career networking for recent SJU grads and upper-year students.
At this popular annual event, attendees draw inspiration from the professional, educational and personal
accomplishments of our SJU alumni speakers. The mixer gives you a great opportunity to boost
your networking and communication skills and hear valuable advice from fellow SJU alumni
who have established themselves in their careers.
NEW! Just added to speak:
David Jaworsky (BMath ‘88) - Senior Director, Corporate Relations at RIM
Maria Capulong (BA ‘02) - Lawyer, specializing in litigation, Carranza LLP
Cheri Chevalier (BA ‘96) - Central Marketing Organization Lead,
Microsoft Canada Inc.
Visit www.sju.ca or contact Mari-Beth Davis at 519-884-8110,
ext. 28277, for more information.
11

SJFACULTY
J.P. PRETTI WINS
MATHEMATICS
AWARD FOR
DISTINCTION IN
TEACHING
J.P. Pretti, Faculty of Mathematics
Lecturer at SJU, was one of
two recipients of the Faculty
of Mathematics Award for
Distinction in Teaching, awarded
on September 19, 2011. The
award is given to individuals
who consistently demonstrate
outstanding academic skills and
a deep commitment to students’
education. When presenting J.P.
with the award, fellow Faculty
of Mathematics colleague
Steve Furino said, “J.P. and I
were colleagues at St. Jerome’s
University for almost a decade
and our offices were adjacent.
He was invariably generous with
Left to right: Ian Goulden, Dean – Faculty of Mathematics, J.P. Pretti,
Steve Furino and Serge D’Alessio
his time, both for his students and
his colleagues. From comments
made to me by students … it
was clear that J.P. had found
the balance between support
and high expectations. I was
always impressed at the gracious
presence and tactful honesty that
he could bring to these settings.”
Congratulations, J.P.!
RETIRING FACULTY
St. Jerome’s University salutes two exemplary professors, Dr. Stan Fogel and Dr. Ted McGee, who are retiring in
2011. Here are brief excerpts from the tributes offered by former Vice-President and Academic Dean Myroslaw
Tataryn at the Board of Directors Dinner this summer.
Dr. Stan Fogel
began teaching
at SJU in 1975
Dr. Ted McGee,
professor at SJU
since 1978
Stan Fogel, Professor of English, retired from St. Jerome’s in August 2011 after 36 years of
service. He was a very popular professor of American literature, but his biggest claim to
fame was his travel writing course, which regularly attracted an abundance of students.
Perhaps it was his own passion for travel that made this course so exciting – after all, Stan
was known as a rather enigmatic presence at SJU. Regardless of the course, the meeting or
the context, Stan could be counted on for his incredibly lively contributions, his energy, and
his unquestioned commitment to bringing literature to life for his students. Stan brought many
gifts to St. Jerome’s over the years. We thank him for these gifts and wish him a wonderful
retirement and very safe travels.
Seldom does an individual become emblematic of an institution, but this is truly the case
with Ted McGee. As Professor of English, Associate Dean, and Interim Dean, Ted was the
embodiment of St. Jerome’s University’s excellence in learning and teaching. He is truly an
excellent example of what the classics termed a Pedagogue: someone who is wholly and
fully committed to mentoring the students in the art of scholarship. Ted’s vehicle was certainly
Shakespeare, but his goal was education, and it was a goal he achieved glowingly, as the
myriad alumni who have spoken of him will attest. Ted will retire at the end of this calendar
year. We wish him many, many good things in his retirement.
12

Alumni Association
Advisory Group
Mark Greco (MMSc ’05, BASc ’04)
Carolyn Eckert (BA ’94)
Gayle Dzis (BA ’63, MA ’68, MPhil ‘73)
Mary Fran Wallace (BA ’67)
Annabel MacDonald (BA ’83)
John Pendergast (BA ’87, MA ’90)
Ronan Quinn (BA ’97)
Andrew Lee (BMath ’03)
Dante Labriola (BA ’10)
Mark Grecco (MMSc ‘05, BASc ‘04) Alumni Association Chair
SJU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
As a member of the St. Jerome’s Alumni Association, I‘ve met hundreds
of alumni over the years. I love to see their faces light up as they relive
moments that helped shape their cherished experience at SJU. Our alumni
are passionate about St. Jerome’s!
Your past experiences at St. Jerome’s can even make a difference today.
Your continued connection with SJU is a valued gift to your alma mater and
we hope you will share it with us. For example, some alumni give back to
the SJU community through the hugely successful Alumni-Student Career
Mixer. This annual event, coming up on February 9, 2012, showcases
talented alumni in various professions and gives upper-year and newly
graduated students an opportunity to learn about diverse careers. But the
beauty in this event lies not only with our alumni who speak at the event and
connect with current SJU students, but it also results in our alumni gaining
invaluable insight into the students of SJU today, and often reminds our
alumni about their roots and where they got their start as a student.
Alumni play a key role at St. Jerome’s University. You can invest in SJU’s
future by giving your time and talent through volunteering, coming out to
events, supporting the university financially, and truly partnering with SJU by
being engaged, involved and invested alumni.
To share your story or learn more about supporting SJU, contact Mari-
Beth Davis at 519-884-8110, ext. 28277 or at mbdavis@uwaterloo.ca.
SJALUMNI
CLASS NOTES
ALI ASARIA (former resident) spoke at
a Waterloo conference on innovation
at the Perimeter Institute of Theoretical
Physics in September. Called
Innovation Nation, the symposium
looked at how to foster new ideas,
technology and programs in business,
government and universities. The
panel of innovation companies
featured Ali, who is Chief Executive
Officer of Well.ca.
ASHLEY DIETRICH (BA ’05) former
SJU staff, received her police officer’s
badge on August 3, 2011, and
joined the ranks of the Waterloo
Regional Police. Since high school,
Ashley had dreamed of becoming a
police officer, but took time following
graduation to work for six years at
SJU as the manager of recruitment
and admissions. She was one of four
women in her graduating class; her
sister is an officer with the OPP.
TERRENCE J. DOWNEY (BA ‘66)
was appointed the 11th President
of St. Thomas More College on
August 1, 2011. Dr. Downey was a
faculty member in political science
at uWaterloo from 1977 to 1999,
received the Father Norm Choate,
C.R. Distinguished Graduate
Award in 1990 alongside his wife,
Margaret (BA ‘67), and earned the
Distinguished Teacher Award in
1988. He left Waterloo in 1999
to become President of St. Mary’s
University College in Calgary. He
is an accomplished teacher, scholar
and academic leader, and his vision,
guidance and leadership have had
a profound influence on Catholic
higher education across Canada.
NAN FORLER (BA ‘87) celebrated
the launch of
her new book,
Winterberries
and Apple
Blossoms:
Reflections and Flavours of a
Mennonite Life, on November 12,
2011 at Conrad Grebel College.
The book is a celebration of the
seasons in a Mennonite community
and includes poems and recipes that
correspond to every month of the
year. The lyrical text is complemented
by renowned Mennonite artist Peter
Etril Snyder’s stunning paintings.
Nan, who lives in Waterloo with her
husband, Kevin Coates (BA ’85), has
degrees in both music and education;
she has taught junior kindergarten
through to grade eight for over twenty
years. Winterberries and Apple
Blossoms is available at Wordsworth
Books, Chapters and Amazon.
13

SCOTT GUSBA (BMath ’97, MMath ’03)
recently earned top marks in the province
in the Certified General Accountants of
Ontario (CGA Ontario) accounting contest.
Scott, currently in second year at Lambton
College in Business Administration –
Accounting (BACC), is intent on securing his
CGA designation and through the contest
earned $5000 toward the CGA program
of study once he completes his third year
co-op program.
JOHN LOHUIS (BA ’76) has been named
the recipient of the 2011 President’s Award
from the Mississauga Sports Council. The
award is presented annually to an individual
for distinguished service supporting the
Mississauga sports community. John has
spent 16 years as the City of Mississauga’s
Director of recreation and parks. He
graduated in 1976 from the recreation and
leisure program and also holds an MBA.
JULIA MCCARTHY (BA ’87) is an author of
two poetry collections, Stormthrower (2002)
and more recently Return from Erebus (2010),
which received the 2011 Canadian Authors
Association Poetry Award. Julia, who is
originally from Toronto, spent ten years living
in Alaska and Georgia. She also lived in
Norway and spent significant time in South
Africa. She now resides in Nova Scotia,
where she works as a freelance writer and
editor. Julia will be taking part in uWaterloo’s
reading series on March 8, 2012.
ANDREW McCLENAGHAN (BMath ’02)
is owner and CEO of
Echidna Solutions Corp.,
which has received two
awards of distinction
in the past few months:
London’s Featured
Company Award and
Interactive Media Award, Best in Class for
PlayOn! The Featured Company award is
given to a London, Ontario, company that
has demonstrated leadership in its industry, is
recognized as an employer of choice, and
has demonstrated community mindedness,
innovation and growth.
JOHN MORLEY (BMath ’04) and his
Hamilton band Live
How You Live are hot
off the heels of having
Yoko Ono select
one of their songs to
commemorate John Lennon’s 70th birthday
anniversary. The band released its third
album, Blue Collar Love, this summer.
BRUCE RODRIGUES (BMath ’83) was
appointed Director of
the Toronto Catholic
District School Board
on October 3, 2011.
With 167 elementary
and 31 secondary
schools, the board is Canada’s largest
Catholic school system. Bruce has had a
long and distinguished career in Waterloo
Region’s Catholic schools and has served
as classroom teacher, program head,
vice-principal and principal. He is also an
accomplished writer of Catholic curriculum,
most notably through the Institute for Catholic
Education. Bruce has long been a supporter
of SJU and has participated for the past two
years at the Alumni-Student Career Mixer,
speaking about his passion for education.
FATHER TIM UNIAC C.R. (BA ’81) was
elected as Assistant
Superior General of
the Congregation of
the Resurrection. Father
Uniac is a member of
the Ontario Kentucky
Province and will be residing in Rome.
KRISTA WINSTON (née Bruno) (BA ’88, MA
’93) and her husband, Mark, welcomed
twins, Samuel Robert and Zoë Elizabeth, on
December 16, 2010. Big brother Eli, age 5,
is thrilled with his new playmates. Krista is
currently on leave
from her position
as Head of Student
Services at the
University of
Toronto Schools.
KEEPING IN
TOUCH
BLAST FROM
THE PAST
St. Jerome’s University graduate
Sharon Carey (BA ’88) saw the
Spring 2011 issue of SJU Update and
immediately started digging through
her SJU photos for her photo of Frank
Spagnola (pictured in the 1971
Bagbiters football team photo in the
last issue). She sent in her pic of Frank
dressed to impress with Sharon at the
St. Jerome’s Formal in February 1970.
Send your memories, photos, stories and updates
to Mari-Beth Davis at mbdavis@uwaterloo.ca or
give her a call at 519-884-8110, ext. 28277.
Join Us For
The St. Jerome’s
/ Resurrection
Reunion
Tuesday, July 17 - Friday, July 20, 2012
For more information contact:
John Devine
519-744-6472, devinej@sympatico.ca
John Mudd
202-997-0211, jmudd@archbishopcarroll.org
Tom Sexton
267-847-0410, tom_sexton@hotmail.com
14

SJU REMEMBERS
Father Norman Lawrence
Choate, C.R.
Amemorial service was held at St. Jerome’s University
on Sunday, October 16, 2011, to celebrate the life
of Fr. Norman Choate, who passed away on July 3,
2011, in his 80th year. Fr. Choate, former President, chaplain
and lecturer at St. Jerome’s, first arrived at SJU in 1964 as a
sociology lecturer and then became the university’s chaplain in
1974. He served as President from 1979 to 1989; during his
years of leadership, he presided over the launch of the Centre
for Catholic Experience as well as the construction of Siegfried
Hall. His legacy lives on with Choate Common, the outdoor
area in front of Siegfried Hall, and the Fr. Norm Choate, C.R.,
Distinguished Graduate Award, presented annually to a St.
Jerome’s University graduate.
Fr. Norm was a visionary and had an adventurous spirit that
enabled him to touch the lives of many people during his
life. Thoughtful and heartfelt tributes arrived from his former
students and SJU graduates…
“I remember Norm Choate as a kind, sympathetic, lovely
man with a tremendous focus and verve for life. Whenever
I think of my days at St. Jerome’s, he is always in my
thoughts.” Jacqueline d’Amboise (BA ’69)
BRIAN PATRICK EBY (BA ’71)
Former St. Jerome’s University Registrar, Board Member
(1986–2002) and Chair of the Board (1993–1999) Brian
Patrick Eby passed away on October 25, 2011. Brian
left his position at SJU to attend law school and from there
had a prominent legal career in Kitchener with Ludwig,
Lichtenheldt and Eby. He was the winner of the first ever
Lawyer of the Year Award from the Kitchener-Waterloo Bar
Association, and was often a nominee for “Best Dressed
Lawyer.” Brian and his wife, Laura, have been proud
supporters of the St. Jerome’s community over the years.
MEMORIAL MASS
Last year, St. Jerome’s University instituted an annual liturgical service
to celebrate the lives of SJU community members and their loved ones
who had died during the previous year. On October 31, 2011, in the
Notre Dame Chapel, we remembered the following people:
? Fr. Norman Choate, C.R. (SJU President, chaplain and lecturer)
? Donald Robert Coxson
? John Dean
? Connie Dietrich (BA ’71)
? Brian P. Eby (BA ’71, SJU Board of Governors, Chair)
? David Greenstein
? Donald Grierson (PhD ’68, SJU Retired faculty)
? John Whitcomb Koester Jr. (BA ’72)
? Lois Ann Kraemer (BA ’67)
? Robert Kuntz
? Eve Margaret Menich
? Br. Maurice Lloyd Michaud, C.R. (BA ’83, Board of Governors)
? Hugh M. Morrison (SJU Retired staff)
? Camilla Paleczny
? Clarence Norbert Perrin
? Kathleen Thomson
The next Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, November 2, 2012. To have your loved one remembered, please
contact Nadine Collins at nacollins@uwaterloo.ca or 519-884-8111, ext. 28255.
Where Have You Taken SJU?
Do you have a photo of yourself or a fellow SJU alum in SJU gear (t-shirt, hat)?
Post your photo on the St. Jerome’s Alumni Facebook page for your chance to
win a Canon PowerShot Elph 100 digital camera.
The winning photo will be published in the next issue of SJU Update.
Join St. Jerome’s University Alumni on
15

HELP CONTINUE
THE SJU TRADITION
Invest in the future of St. Jerome’s University and our
students by helping us:
>> Support capital enhancements for the SJU campus
by creating new student-focused social spaces
>> Continue the success of our Centre for
Responsible Citizenship
>> Provide students with scholarships and bursaries to
continue giving our students financial aid
>> Foster a vibrant Campus Ministry, which is key
to growing the intellectual, spiritual and practical
dimensions of faith and life for all students at SJU
As we approach our 150th Anniversary, we want to
continue to provide amazing opportunities that add to
the unique student experience at St. Jerome’s University,
while developing new programs and expanding and
enhancing opportunities for students as future leaders.
Left to right: Mitch McDade, Rebecca Bird and Grant Albin
“Friends who attend other post-secondary institutions speak
of their residence and educational experiences in such an
impersonal manner. It’s a shame that not all university students
are exposed to the academic and personal growth opportunities
that SJU has given me.” SJU student Mitch McDade.
HERE’S
HOW TO
GIVE
Giving a gift is as easy as visiting our website at www.sju.ca and clicking
on the “Donate Now” button.
For more information, please contact Nadine Collins, University Advancement
Officer, at nacollins@uwaterloo.ca or 519-884-8111 ext. 28255.
Donations made to St. Jerome’s University on or before December 31, 2011, are
deductible on your 2011 income tax return, so send in your donation today!
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:
Publications Mail Registration No. 40065122
St. Jerome’s University
290 Westmount Rd. N.
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G3