Graduate Schools

Accountancy Class Secretary — Kim Talianko;

ktalianko@alumni.nd.edu

Architecture

If you haven’t seen the official published renderings of the new architecture building, visit ND and the School of Architecture websites. The Walsh Family Hall is not just a new building but a complex of buildings surrounding a plaza complete with tower, but no bells. Due to open in 2018, this will be the first new building the school has occupied on campus since the program started in the late 1800s. Now I will continue with Part II of the attendees at this year’s ND architecture reception at the AIA’s national convention in Philadelphia: Robert S. Barringer ’76, of St. Louis; Daniel J. Rectenwald, AIA, ’84, COO of Hammel, Green and Arahamson, of Minneapolis; Deborah Slaunwhite, RA, ’97 with Asher Assocs. Architects of Jenkintown PA; Mary Clare and Robert Parme, AIA, ’75, associate/architecture and design leader with HED of San Diego; James J. Ramentol, AIA, ’75, principal with GRA Architects, Berkeley Heights NJ, as well as classmates Hugh A. Boyd, FAIA, ’75, who has his own firm in Montclair NJ, and Lee A. Casaccio, AIA, ’75, who has his own firm in Havertown PA; F. Evan Fugazzi ’04 practicing in Philadelphia; Sean P. O’Brien, AIA, ’86, project architect with Howard Kulp Architects, Allentown PA; Chad M. Carnahan ’97 is the owner and director of operations of WAG, Whole Animal Gym, Philly; Josh Eckert, AIA, ’03, M Arch ’09, director of planning and urban redevelopment with Alberto & Assocs., Architecture, Interior Design, Land Planning of Haddonfield NJ; Eugene L. Aleci, AIA, ’75, architect, principal with Community Heritage Partners, Lancaster PA; Timothy Casper, AIA, ’11 M Arch with Voith & Mactavish Architects of Philly and with the same firm Robert P. Duke ’13; James Wentling ’75, architect with Land Title Building, Philly; Joyce Owens, AIA, RIBA, ’84, who has her own firm in Ft. Myers FL and is president-elect of AIA Florida for 2017; Krista L. Dumkrieger ’09 with Cooper Carry architecture firm, Atlanta; Martin A. De Sapio, AIA, ’81, who has his own firm in Flemington NJ; Robert Jakubik, AIA, ’87, associate with Olson Kundig of Seattle; and Williston L. Dye, AIA, ’76, president/CEO of Williston Enterprises, Las Vegas, who just announced that he and his staff have joined with the regional architectural, interior design and landscape architecture firm Bernardon, also in Philadelphia.* Jennifer Klund ’93 M. Arch*. is a principal with HGA Architects and Engineers of Minneapolis and serves on the American College of Heathcare Architects (ACHA) Board of Directors. Again the question arises, “Should I go with my fourth year class or my fifth?” My answer, and personal choice, has always been go with the four since those are the classmates you interacted most with, shared classes, sports, dorm room, etc. Another check is read the class column for each of your fourth and fifth years and see how many names you recognize from each. My experience has been you know more in your fourth year class. Of course you can always list your fifth year class where you wish. Whatever your decision, please let the University know so you get the correct mailing and notices. Our prayers and condolences go out to the family of Alice Wesoloski. During the Duke game, Arkie Alummi weekend, there was a memorial remembrance for Alice arranged by the school and alumni. — Orlando T. Maione, FAIA, FACHA, NCARB; 27 Bucknell Lane, Stony Brook NY 11790-2521; 631-246-5660; fax 631-751-7598; omaione@optonline.net

Biological Sciences

Shortly before the deadline for this submission, word was received of the death of Rev. James J. McGrath, CSC, ’55, alumnus and long-serving faculty member of the department. Father Jim passed away on Oct. 24, just six days short of his 85th birthday, Oct. 30, on which day a wake was held at Moreau Seminary. Your correspondents especially feel the loss of a most popular teacher, residence hall rector, student advisor and priest. When Father McGrath heard that we were visiting campus in August 1989 to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, he quickly arranged to officiate at a celebratory Mass at noon that day in the Log Chapel, the very place where we were married. Such acts were typical of him, a person who early dedicated his life to the service of God and everyone with whom he came into contact. And he did it with a broad smile. Jim McGrath was Brooklyn-born, entered the seminary as a teenager, studied theology at Holy Cross College in Washington DC, received his first degree from Notre Dame and took courses toward his master’s degree at Notre Dame over a series of summers. He earned his master’s and PhD degrees in biology with a focus on botany from the U of California-Davis in 1963 and 1966. Afterward, he was assigned to Notre Dame and taught in Biological Sciences until his retirement. In his 50 years as a priest (he celebrated his jubilee in 2009), Father Jim was an important influence in his department, in the undergraduate program and beyond the campus. Aside from teaching scores of students, he served as a rector and later as chaplain for the ND Fire Department, where he resided before moving to Holy Cross House, and for two decades assisted diocesan priests by celebrating Sunday Mass at a parish in southern Michigan. He served as an assistant chairman of the department and was its representative on the design committee for the Galvin Life Science Center and coordinated the move to the new building. Because of his expertise in botany, he was responsible for the maintenance of the greenhouse and developed an attractive display in a first floor hallway of biological specimens collected over decades by faculty and students. Perhaps his most lasting legacy for ND students is the sand beach on St. Joseph’s Lake. Father McGrath took the initiative to make the swimming and boating area more attractive and inviting and raised the funds needed to landscape the shoreline, adding sand to the east end. Sadly, there are other deaths to report. George Mukunnemkeril ’73PhD, who recently retired from a career of teaching in the community college system of North Carolina, writes that Frank J. Michalski ’66MS, ’71PhD (August 2009), Edward J. Hallinan ’75PhD (October 2014) and James J. “Jim” McGivern ’73PhD (March 2016 within days of his 71st birthday), have passed away. Frank spent most of his career in industry with Corning and Quest Diagnostics in New Jersey as described in this column several years ago. Ed did his undergraduate work at Niagara U and early graduate work at The Catholic U in Washington DC before coming to ND. He spent some time with the WHO in India, working on Aedes aegypti early in his career and then worked as a geneticist at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse NY and then at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem PA before retirement, during which time he taught at Evergreen Charter School. Jim was a native Pennsylvanian who did his undergraduate degree at Iona College and then graduate work at ND but spent most of his life in northwest Pennsylvania. Jim taught at Gannon U, the Catholic institution in Erie, from 1976 until his retirement 37 years later. A scholarship has been established in his name at Gannon. — Joan S. ’71MS and Philip B. Carter ’67, ’71PhD; 12916 Barsanlaw Drive, Raleigh NC 27613; 919-848-2192; phil@ncsu.edu

History

As I type this, the Cubs are seven hours away from the last game of the World Series. I am completely overwhelmed. After 48 years, I never thought I would see this in my lifetime. So, I present to you some things that other grads never thought they’d see in their lifetimes. I have been sitting on some ND faculty reminiscences for a long time. With apologizes to those who contributed, let’s play ball. James Carroll ’97PhD writes from Iona College, where he is chair of the history department, about his mentor, Walter Nugent. The first course he took in grad school was Dr. Nugent’s “American Frontiers.” Jim was amazed at his professor’s prodigious list of publications but “more impressive was his wide spectrum of research interests, ranging from American Populism, transnational migration and the American West.” Dr. Nugent directed Jim’s dissertation on Native American boarding schools and “he was a gentle guide, consistent advocate and wise counsel.” The two remain in close contact and Jim concludes, “in the final analysis, he is a caring gentleman who is both a credit to the profession and the University of Notre Dame.” Editorially, I’ll just add ditto! Going back a little deeper in the vault, I received a wonderful letter from Norman Lee Smith last January. I hate to shorten it, so there will be more of his stories at a future date. He arrived at ND in September 1965, MA in hand from Springfield College. He had a fellowship to work in the archives with Rev. Thomas McAvoy, CSC. Talk about an auspicious beginning. Lee also took Father McAvoy’s two-semester course, “The Formation of a Catholic Minority in the US.” Switching things up, Lee began his dissertation on North Carolina politics with John Alexander Williams and then Vincent DeSantis, all while teaching full time at Georgia State. The dissertation was never finished, and in 1980, Lee graduated from Emory Law School. He has many happy memories of ND, including meeting his wife, Helen, on campus. They have six children scattered across the US. The youngest has just completed an MA in theology at ND. Along with practicing law in Atlanta for 27 years, Lee was a scout for major league baseball. At ND, he found a special professor who shared his love of baseball. Described as the “incomparable” Marshall Smelser, “he was the one person that all the graduate students revered and wanted to emulate.” Apparently Dr. Smelser had a dim view of “the University’s best known extra-curricular activity,” telling Lee, “the heaviest cross I bear is the crossbar on the football field.” However, he was a devoted Chicago White Sox fan. During orals, he had a reputation for coming in with a legal pad full of prepared questions. Lee was nervous, until Dr. Smelser said, “well, let’s have a little batting practice first” and asked him about a motel in Niles called the Five Flags. Veteran grad students had warned Lee that this was one of Dr. Smelser’s favorite questions and he was prepared. In fact, the students had a “book” on the professors and their favorite questions. Where, I would like to know, was this book in 1987? Dr. Kerby asked me how much a bale of hay weighed. I told him I was a city girl and had never seen a bale of hay. Not a good way to start one’s comps. More of Lee’s stories will be forthcoming. I am also looking for a Mike who sent me a wonderful piece on Matthew Fitzsimons. Please contact me. I am also accumulating stories about Rev. Marvin O’Connell, if anyone would care to share. We need to devote a whole column to this beloved professor. If you are interested, I have copies of the beautiful homily Rev. Wilson Miscamble, CSC, delivered at Father O’Connell’s funeral. I’m happy to send them to you. Finally, a bit of personal news. As I reported a few years ago, I have been beset with a rare tracheal disease. Eleven surgeries have helped a great deal, but I need another operation. Having been off work for two and half years has made it very difficult to finance my healthcare. So a “go fund me” account has been established at https://www.gofundme.com/2h9tr6hu. My thanks to any of you inclined to help in this way. By the time you receive this, it will almost be time for pitchers and catchers to report. Thinking of Mrs. Box and Bob Schafern tonight. — Mary Linehan ’91PhD; maryline113@yahoo.com

Mathematics Class Secretary — Patti Strauch;

255 Hurley Hall, Notre Dame IN 46556; bus 574-631-7083; strauch.1@nd.edu

Master of Nonprofit Administration

Founder of the MNA program, Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, CSC, will be featured on a 2017 United States Postage Stamp. We also will welcome the launch of the new on-campus MNA program in August. The new one-year, residential Master of Nonprofit Administration program is designed for those desiring to enter the nonprofit sector directly out of college or a post-college nonprofit placement, such as the Peace Corps or Teach for America. In this new, intensive program, you will gain a solid business education and acquire insights and strategies to elevate organizations into a more effective and sustainable force for good. The current MNA program will be rebranded as the Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration. Congratulations to the August 2016 MNA graduates, Franklyn Baker, Alex Hogback, Laura Jensen, Melissa Kratzer, Rev. Robert Luvakubandi, Lindsey McIntyre, Michael Mesterharm, Yao Ni, Susan Rossman, Emily Ward and Grace Weil. Will Arvin ’15 recently moved to Hartford CT from New Orleans after accepting a position as vice president of development for the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. All MNA alumni are encouraged share your important work and life updates. Please submit your news for upcoming Class Notes by emailing me directly at the address below. — Betsy Quinn ’12; 2110 Brummel St., Evanston IL 60202; 847-733-0557; betsyquinn@alumni.nd.edu

Political Science Class Secretary — Charlie Kenney;

455 W. Lindsey, Room 205, Norman OK 73019; 405-325-3735; ckenney@ou.edu

Graduate Degrees

Jenifer Dasal ’04 MA, art history, associate curator of contemporary art for the past eight years at the North Carolina Museum of Art, has recently started a podcast called Art Curious. She writes, “Much of what I do has been due to the wonderful experiences I had at ND, for which I will always be grateful.” Robert J. Horgan ’59 PhD, government, passed away on Aug. 24 in Richmond VA. His distinguished career included teaching at Clark College, Dubuque, for 12 years, and serving as mayor of Dubuque for two terms. In 1967 he moved to Richmond VA, where he began a 27-year career at the Urban Center and the U of Richmond, where he taught state and local government in the political science department. — Marvin J. LaHood ’58MA, ’62PhD, English; 93 Parkhaven Drive, Amherst NY 14228; 716-691-4648; mlahood@roadrunner.com