(35 years ago) Rockhurst Goes Coed! - Rockhurst University

For someone who enjoys hearingfrom former students, colleagues andfriends, there may be no better giftthan a collection of memories andaccolades. Thanks to chemistry alumni,we’ve created a specialedition newsletter.To view archived copies of Fr.Wheeler’s chemistry newsletter, visitwww.rockhurst.edu/chemistrynews.Fr. Wheeler’s lifelong dedication toeducation is now and will continueto be an inspiration. His network ofcontacts is amazing, his dedication tostudents unconditional; his shoeswill certainly be hard to fill!Jackie Riedel, ’05DO/MBA Candidate, class of 2008Kansas City University of Medicineand BiosciencesI have found Fr. Wheeler to be a“rock” of wisdom and faith. His10:15 p.m. Sunday night Mass homilieswere always to the point of“know where you are and what youshould be doing.” The number ofe-mail addresses from his newsletterexemplifies the many lives Fr. Wheelerhas affected. I always marvel at thegreat number of Ph.D. and M.D. designationsthat follow the names inthat newsletter. To think of all thelives each one of those has touchedas an extension of Fr. Wheeler’s messageis impressive.I have spent the past eight yearsteaching doctors during their residencytraining years. I recall mycohorts and myself seeking help ongeneral chemistry problems after that10:15 homily was completed. Thehomework was due the next day. Thisselfless example of a teacher is myparadigm for instructing the residents.From this I found a learningmoment is not just in the classroom.I, like many other of his students,was convinced to start Fr. Wheeler’sweightlifting program. I rememberthat it was very intense, so much sothat it took two weeks of very hardcalisthenics just to qualify for usingweights. I recall many days where Icould hardly walk up the stairs to thelocker room after working out. Ofcourse, it was always worse when hewas in the weight room, as he’dmake you work like a dog (much likein chemistry).Overall, I count Fr. Wheeler as agreat teacher and mentor for countlesschemistry students. With himand Dr. Servoss during the time I wasthere, I believe we had one of thefinest chemistry departments around.Many of my colleagues went on toobtain M.D. or Ph.D. degrees as aresult of his efforts.Daniel Casey, M.D., ’91President of the Medical StaffJohn Peter Smith HospitalFort Worth, TexasThomas M. Sack, Ph.D., ’80Director, Chemical Sciences DivisionMidwest Research Institute18 ROCKHURSTFALL 2005