Graduate Schools

Accountancy Class Secretary — Kim Talianko;

ktalianko@alumni.nd.edu

 

Architecture

Welcome to the newly appointed dean of the ND School of Architecture, Stefanos Polyzoides, who took over July 1. Selected by a national search committee that considered several “eminently qualified candidates” and recently announced by the University president, Polyzoides was born in Athens, Greece, and earned his bachelor and master’s degrees in architecture from Princeton. He has lived in Southern California since 1973 and was a faculty member of the U of Southern California School of Architecture 1973-1996. He is “an award- winning architect and urbanist whose approach to design emphasizes cultural continuity, urban regeneration, environmental responsibility and community engagement.” He is co-founder and partner with his wife, Elizabeth Moule, of Moule & Polyzoides, Architects and Urbanists, Pasadena CA and is licensed to practice in California and several other states. Former dean Michael Lykoudis, FAIA is taking a one-year sabbatical after which he will return to ND to teach in the School of Architecture. Prior to voluntarily stepping down as dean in June as he had announced last year, he was honored with The Seaside Prize for 2020 presented by the Seaside Institute, Seaside FL. The prize has been presented annually for the past 28 years and “recognizes individuals and organizations who through design, have changed the way we live.” They are “thought innovators in concepts, quality and character of their industry and considered leaders of contemporary urban development and education, who have made their vision a reality.” Lykoudis was also quoted in the March 2020 issue of Architectural Record, by the editor in chief in support of his comments to the Washington Post against President Trump’s proposed executive order, “Federal Classical Mandate” that would dictate that “the classical architecture style shall be the preferred and default style” for new and upgraded federal buildings. Lykoudis wrote that “classical architecture is not a style. It is a dedication to principals of community, resilience and beauty.” Edmond G. Grauvreau, ’79, FAIA, chief of programs branch, installation support community of practice, HQ, US Army Corps of Engineers, Washington DC was quoted in Architectural Record February 2020 in response to the national controversy of the President’s appointment of J. Brett Blanton as the next Architect of the Capitol (AOC). Blanton is a licensed engineer and was neither trained nor licensed as an architect. In the Record editorial: Gauvreau, “a DC-based architect with professional knowledge of relevant governmental regulations” stated that “There is no statutory requirement for the head of the AOC to be a licensed architect.” And with Blanton’s 20-plus years of service in the public sector and his current position as the deputy vice president for engineering at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, “He’s got the skill set they really need.” Congratulations to AIA’s newest Fellow, Ashley Lawren (Robbins) Wilson, FAIA, ’97MArch., who is at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington DC. Bruce D. Turner ’85, AIA is construction manager for the Cumberland County Improvement Authority, in New Jersey. Peter M. van Dyk, ’72, AIA retired last year as executive program director of ASCENT, a program and project management firm based in Chicago. He provided construction planning services for the $8 billion O’Hare airport expansion and led project delivery teams for the Arkansas Arts Center. Mark D. LeMay ’77, AIA heads the facility performance group for JQ Engineering of Dallas/Ft. Worth TX, a specialty contracting firm managing projects involving concrete repair, waterproofing and industrial linings and coatings. He was just named the 2020 president of International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI). Scott Braley ’71 of Atlanta wrote of the passing of his classmate, Edward Suzuki of Tokyo in September of last year. Our prayers and condolences go out to Ed’s family. Scott and wife Sherri were partners in their consulting and training practice firm focusing on the design and construction industries. — Orlando T. Maione, FAIA, FACHA, NCARB; 27 Bucknell Lane, Stony Brook NY 11790-2521; 631-246-5660; 631-751-7598; omaione@optonline.net

 

Biological Sciences

(Apologies for the repetition of the last report first published in the winter edition of the magazine and reappearing in the spring edition. The following contains updates for both spring and summer) I learned that Brother Raphael Wilson, CSC, ’48 (ordained as a secular priest in December 1994 as Rev. Joseph B. Wilson) died in South Bend on May 5, 2019, just days after his 94th birthday. At Notre Dame, Brother Raphael taught hundreds of students general biology and supervised graduate student research utilizing germ-free animals in his laboratory, a part of the LOBUND Institute. He came to Notre Dame after teaching at St. Edward’s U, Dallas TX, a Holy Cross institution. While in Texas, the New Jersey native earned his master’s degree at UT-Dallas and later his PhD at UT-Austin, doing his research at the medical branch in Galveston. His interest in germ-free technology and research took him to the University of Ulm, Germany, for academic year 1968-69 to assist in the gnotobiotic maintenance of twin boys born with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease (SCID). As a Holy Cross brother, Wilson served as the 16th president of the U of Portland and later as the acting president of King’s College, Wilkes-Barre PA. It was following this last post that he was ordained a priest and served eight years in different central Pennsylvania institutions before retiring back in Indiana. Sister Katherine “Kay” Seibert, SC, MD, ’67MS, ’73PhD, 2018 recipient of the Dr. Thomas A. Dooley Award from the Notre Dame Alumni Association, was recently recognized by Creighton U as an outstanding alumna of its School of Medicine. As mentioned in the summer 2018 issue of Notre Dame Magazine, Sister Kay did two years of medical courses while completing her PhD in the department. Creighton then admitted Kay to their program in medicine to permit her to do the clinical courses needed for the MD degree. Sister Kay phoned just before this summer issue went to press to say that she and her fellow nuns are well strung-out dealing with patients in the New York and New Jersey area during the coronavirus outbreak there. She, herself, is working with non-COVID-19 patients. Following his doctoral work and postdoctoral in Prof. David Hyde’s lab on retinal regeneration in zebrafish, Ryne Gorsuch ’15PhD came east to a postdoctoral in Prof. Nenad Bursac’s lab at Duke U. He is a research scientist at Precision BioSciences, Durham NC working on the cell therapy team in the bio analytics group. A native Hoosier from Albion, the ancestral home of your correspondent JSC, and Wabash College alumnus, Ryne works in the same biotech company as his wife, Cassandra “Cassie” Buchheit Gorsuch ’15PhD, whose work was described in this space last issue. Lastly, it has recently been learned that Paul T. McDonald ’70PhD passed away on April 7, 2017 at age 76 and, sadly, his wife Eileen died on May 13, 2019. They had one son. A native of Connecticut, Paul did his undergraduate work at Yale and his doctoral thesis at ND on mosquito genetics under the direction of Prof. Karamjit S. Rai. Paul returned to his native state and worked in the area of dipteran genetics throughout a career at Uniroyal, directing programs in the insecticide division. Professor Emeritus K.S. Rai characterizes Paul in writing: “Paul added so very much to my lab over the years through his creativity and sharp brilliance at ND, Mombasa, Kenya, and New Delhi, India, field programs over and above being a gentle and very unassuming soul he was. I have lost a part of myself.” — Joan Smith Carter ’71MS and Philip B. Carter ’67, ’71PhD; 12916 Barsanlaw Drive, Raleigh NC 27613-6400; res 919-848-2192; phil@ncsu.edu

 

History

It is April 21 and I hope you and yours are doing well. Around here everything is still breaking: car, cell phone and, in about five minutes, this computer is going through the window. But, I hope when this reaches your mailbox in July everything will be much improved, especially with the health of this nation. The day the first coronavirus case was reported in Seattle, I learned that our beloved Drs. Walter Nugent and Suellen Hoy had just relocated to the city. It’s been non-stop worry since. Good news, however, came from Philip Hicks ’80 who is the Bruno P. Schlesinger Chair of Humanistic Studies at SMC. He just published a memoir of his undergraduate years titled Old Notre Dame: Paul Fenlon, Sorin Hall, and Me (Corby Books 2020). Philip focuses on his friendship with the last of the famous bachelor professors-in-residence at ND. Although Fenlon taught English, the book has a section on historian Matthew Fitzsimons and his “following.” Rev. Thomas Blantz, CSC, is also frequently quoted in the book which is dedicated to him for all Father Blantz did to encourage Philip’s interest in Notre Dame history. A little further afield, Carl Schott ’71PhD is still actively writing and lecturing on European history. For eight years, he has been a guest speaker on cruise ships in Europe and the Caribbean discussing the history and culture of the places visited. He has also been a consistent lecturer at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the U of South Florida. His recent publication Mission to Saint Petersburg, covers the Franco-German duel for Russian diplomatic support 1871-79. This led to an invitation to lecture, in French, in the hometown of Gen. Adolphe LeFlo. Carl has also published several works of historic fiction and one contemporary novel. All are in-print on Amazon. Carl provided contact information so, if you are Bill Fowler or some other friend of Carl, reach out and I will connect you. Now, back to South Bend for a very sad story. I received an email from Catherine Box. Her husband, Tom, died on Sept. 22, 2019, six days before his 94th birthday. They had been married for 69 years. Mrs. Box is still tireless. A little frustrated by the shelter in place order, she misses her trips to church and to the library, but still gets out for her daily walk. If you would like her contact information, please let me know. Thank you for asking about my health. I am a billion times better now that I live in a healthy climate. Now, you can worry about the health of this computer. Nothing is where it used to be, I can’t figure out how to double space, and the editor is going to be mad at me. — Mary Linehan PhD; 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

The MNA family holds each other in thoughts and prayers as we face the pandemic. We pray for all, especially the sick, caregivers, frontline workers, leaders and those who have lost their lives. Our hearts go out to the Class of 2020. We are with you and stand ready to support you. We are ND. This year, the MNA staff planned the first annual Blue-Gold MNA Reunion. Unfortunately, due to social distancing restrictions, the event has been postponed to 2021. Look for details next year about this exciting opportunity to connect. Congratulations to two alumni on their recent accomplishments: Brookes Ebetsch ’02, ’07MNA and James D. Lucot Jr. ’94MSA. Brookes is the new executive operations director at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights IL. Board president Steve Daday said, “Brookes will be a tremendous asset to the organization. She brings a tremendous passion for the arts and education component of the institution, and unbelievable enthusiasm.” James completed all requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Holocaust and Genocidal Studies at Gratz College. He teaches Advanced Placement US History and Government at Seneca Valley Senior High School and Holocaust Studies at Butler County Community College. He is an active member of Classrooms Without Borders and the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh. We applaud the work of James and Brookes. Thank you to Cynthia Proffitt, MNA program manager, for continuing to send updates from campus. All MNA and EMNA alumni are encouraged to submit news for upcoming Class Notes. You may email 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

David Rozek ’13MA, ’16PhD, psychology, a suicide prevention expert, has been hired by UCF Restores of Orlando FL, a leading independent research center dedicated to revolutionizing the treatment and understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder. As an assistant professor, Rozek will teach in the U of Central Florida’s psychology department in addition to changing the way PTSD is understood, diagnosed and treated. His expertise will be instrumental in helping UCF Restores to achieve their mission. Istvan Daruka ’98MS, ’99PhD, psychology, after two years of intensive research activity, has published a comprehensive research paper titled “On the Voynich Manuscript” online in Cryptologia. This paper provides direct evidence for the first time that most likely its text constitutes a meaningless 100-year hoax. — Marvin J. LaHood ’58MA, ’62PhD English; 93 Parkhaven Drive, Amherst NY 14228; 716-691-4648; mlahood@roadrunner.com