Graduate Schools

Accountancy Class Secretary — Kim Talianko;

ktalianko@alumni.nd.edu

 

Architecture Class Secretary — Orlando T. Maione, FAIA, FACHA, NCARB;

27 Bucknell Lane, Stony Brook NY; 631-246-5660; fax 631-751-7598; omaione@optonline.net

 

Biological Sciences

Picking up where we left off in the summer issue, it is exciting to report that Katherine “Katie” Wasserman ’21MS (Global Health), has joined our many distinguished alumni as a scholar and as an athlete, and she earned All-America status this past summer. Without doing any historical review, it is probably safe to say that Katie is the only All-American among the department’s graduate student alumni to earn the distinction while completing her graduate degree. Katie had shattered NC State U’s track record in the 5,000 meter run last March with a time just short of two-time Olympian and biology major Molly Huddle ’06’s 5K Notre Dame record set in 2004. Katie broke Molly’s record at the national NCAA meet in June when she came in second behind fellow ACC foe Elly Henes of NC State, who passed Katie in the final straightaway. Katie’s extraordinary performance this spring caught the eye of several sporting goods companies who now want to sponsor her to run professionally. So, she has decided to postpone her career in science and her job as a research assistant in neurophysiology at Boston U to get paid to run. We wish her the best of luck for continued success. It would be nice to hear from other recent alumni. Most people move frequently early in their careers, so please stay in touch with friends and colleagues through this column and updates to your ND directory page. — 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

At the deadline for the last issue of this magazine, word came of the April death of our beloved professor Dr. Robert Kerby ’55, ’56MA. Please enjoy the memories provided by our alums and revel in the joy of being taught by such an amazing man. This is from Herb Briick ’73: “I was a member of his first class at Notre Dame in the autumn of 1972, and as a history major, he was my advisor that year for the required senior research paper. His mentorship was an experience I will always remember and cherish. The knowledge, enthusiasm and unpretentious approach he shared with his students made every class an event you did not want to miss. … As an Air Force pilot in Southeast Asia who was awarded the Silver Star before most people had heard of Vietnam, and as a married priest in the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, he was the kind of teacher you knew could offer a unique perspective not only in the classroom, but on life itself.” Geoffrey Huys ’76MA writes from Seattle: “One of my fondest memories of Father Kerby came via a phone call during the spring of 1977. After completing my MA a year earlier, I took a position teaching history at the Rabun Gap Nacoochee School in northeast Georgia. The school was renowned for its scholarship and work study program, but sadly after one year my position and several others were eliminated, so I reapplied to ND to continue my studies. I was accepted without delay but also without a stipend or other financial support. But two weeks later, I was summoned to the school office for a phone call and it was Father Kerby, who said he had just found a spare Hearst Fellowship, which I immediately accepted. ‘See,’ he said, ‘isn’t it great to have a Byzantine priest on your side?’” This tribute comes from Tom Spencer ’73MA, ’76PhD: “Anyone fortunate enough to have taken one of Bob’s classes on the Civil War, the Jacksonian era or military history knows he was a dynamic and engaging lecturer whose penchant for details and many stories and anecdotes made the subject incredibly enjoyable. He sometimes manifested a gruff and intellectually intimidating demeanor, done I suspect to test the mettle of young graduate students like myself, but it masked a kind and spiritual person who possessed a delightful sense of humor. His laughter could often be heard reverberating through the corridors of O’Shaughnessy Hall. ... Whenever I get to the Jacksonian period or Civil War in the classes I teach, I know I am on firm ground. I often think of him and find myself smiling.” Isaac McDaniel ’91PhD sent this contribution: “Kerby gave us a run for our money, though he hardly looked the part of an erudite college professor. He was big-boned, middle-aged and paunchy, a chain-smoker with a Cheshire grin and a grizzled crew cut that made him look like an erstwhile football player who had gone to seed. A Melkite priest who presided at weekend Masses in a nearby parish, he spoke to his students with a finely honed cynicism that made his clerical collar (which he wore only once, at the start of each semester) seem more incongruous. He had a devastating wit and talked with a nasal twang that reminded me of George Burns, tossing off gruff remarks designed to startle and subdue his students. The first day of class, he informed us that, ‘The good historian reads a book a day.’ Then, leaning back to savor our audible intake of breath, he added: ‘If you don’t like the profession, ladies and gentlemen, then get out.’ Before he became a teacher, he spent several years in the military … and served as an American advisor in Vietnam. He said that Gen. Paul Harkins, the American commander in Saigon, once summoned a small group of advisors and asked them for their estimate of the war’s progress. Each of them gave a glowing prognostication. ... Kerby demurred and said, ‘We’ll fight this war for 10 years, and then we’ll lose.’ Harkins narrowed his eyes, leaned forward and muttered. ‘And you are a goddamned fool!’’’ We have all benefited and been made better by knowing Robert Kerby, who was far from a fool. May he rest in peace. — 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

It is always wonderful connecting with our MNA alumni. This summer has included visits with three from the Class of 2012: Heather Anderson, Ronda Collier and Yvonne Delgadillo. These women are truly living the motto: “Servant heart. Business mind.” Congratulations to Katie Dearing ’12 and her husband, Nicholas, on the birth of her beautiful daughter in June. Such a blessing. Please continue to send positive thoughts and prayers for our alumni. You are all encouraged to submit your news for upcoming Class Notes. — Betsy Quinn ’12; 2110 Brummel St., Evanston IL 60202; 847-987-6773; betsyquinn@alumni.nd.edu

 

Graduate Degrees

Lydia ’76MA, international studies, and Dan Novakov ’72, ’76JD are long-time Dallas philanthropists with a passion for giving people a chance in life while dedicating their time, talent and treasure to serving others in areas including health care, Catholic education, children’s charities and the Catholic community, including the preservation of the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe downtown. They were named the 39th Annual Catholic Foundation Award honorees. The Novakovs met at Notre Dame as Lydia earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s and a master’s degree from Notre Dame, while Dan earned a bachelor’s degree and JD. Erin Drew ’11MA, ’13PhD, English, published The Usufructuary Ethos: Power, Politics, And Environment in the Long Eighteenth Century (May 2021) at the U of Virginia Press. John Paul ’09MA was recognized as a 2021 Michiana Forty Under 40 honoree. — Marvin J. LaHood ’58MA, ’62PhD English; 93 Parkhaven Drive, Amherst NY 14228; 716-691-4648; mlahood@roadrunner.com