Graduate Schools

Accountancy Class Secretary — Kim Talianko; ktalianko@alumni.edu

 

Architecture
Kudos to Notre Dame Magazine editor Jason Kelly ’95 for the last issue of the magazine (winter 2024-25). The well-illustrated article “Retooling the Curriculum — Tangible connections to the past instruct the architects of the future” was written by Alan DeFrees ’74. He is the James A. and Louise F. Nolen Professor of the Practice in the School of Architecture. The school opened its Michael Christopher Duda Center for Preservation, Resilience and Sustainability in 2021 which recently launched a Master of Science in Historic Preservation degree. Prof. DeFrees was a collector of old tools “as elegant pieces of history.” When he was asked to teach a Historical Construction and Preservation class at ND’s School of Architecture, he used his collection to demonstrate how to use them. Students enthusiastically began learning to feel the process of “making with their hands.” DeFrees believes, rightfully so, that, “It is important for all future architects to penetrate beyond the surface of their designs toward a mastery of the underlying construction.” Together with Prof. Robert Brandt who leads the furniture design program, and Prof. Stephen Hartley, restoration scholar who also works in woods but primarily acquaints students with stone, ornamental plaster, stained glass and other essential crafts, the faculty provides a valuable needed program of courses the students take in historical construction and preservation that will give them “ a new respect for the tremendous efforts of our forebears to create the built environment.” Michael DeMaagd Rodriguez ’20MArch is an adjunct assistant professor of the practice at ND and project manager at Restore Consulting, Grand Rapids MI; Michael S. Mesko ’96, ’98MArch is the owner of MSM Design, Brooklyn NY, and is professor of the practice at ND; Craig L. Tiller ’91 is senior director, associate University architect at ND; Mark Isinger ’14, classical architecture, is a church design and restoration architect with Hord Architects, Memphis TN; Jeff M. Blough ’95 is a senior architect at Wildman Chalmers Design, Pittsburgh. Bianca Pagliara ’20MArch in design and urbanism, originally from Guatemala, is an urban designer with ADAM Architecture, Winchester, England. Marc Clemenceau Bailly ’97 is the principal of Bailly & Bailly, Seattle and NY. The firm specializes in residential, corporate, retail and institutional clients. Edmond G. Gauvreau ’79, Washington DC, is chief, planning branch, installation readiness division, HQ US Army Corps of Engineers. Our prayers and condolences go out to the family and friends of Joseph R. Legan ’60, Palm Beach FL. He was the founding partner of Shepherd Legran Aldrian (and later added Guszkowski). The firm became nationally renowned for designing retirement communities, elderly and multifamily housing, health care facilities and religious centers. — Orlando T. Maione, FAIA Emeritus, FACHA Emeritus, NCARB; 27 Bucknell Lane, Stony Brook NY 11790-2521; 631-246-5660; cell 516-578-5320; omaione@optonline.net

 

Biological Sciences
The sad report of the Nov. 16 death of Prof. Emeritus Frank H. Collins, the Clark Professor of Biological Sciences, was necessarily short in the last issue of the magazine since it was soon going to press. Once again contact from Robert “Bob” Gwadz ’62, ’70Ph.D. is most appreciated. Bob further reports that it was in his laboratory at the NIH that Frank and his future wife, Gillen Professor Nora Besansky, were introduced to each other. At the time Frank became a postdoctoral fellow in Bob’s NIH lab, Nora was working as a technician whom Bob assigned to assist Frank. And, as Bob wrote, the rest is history. When Nora expressed interest in obtaining an advanced degree, Bob suggested she go to the lab of ND mosquito geneticist and National Academy member George B. Craig Jr., the first Clark Professor. Although Craig offered Nora a fellowship, she ended up receiving her doctorate from Yale in the lab of Jeffrey Powell ’69. Upon a nomination from Bob, Frank came to ND after Craig’s death, assuming Craig’s Clark Chair, with his wife later being named the Cardinal O’Hara Professor and then the Gillen Professorship. In Bob’s opinion, the work of Frank and Nora “on the molecular genetics of the mosquito vectors of malaria was groundbreaking.” Just into the new year, the Jan. 3 death of former ND biology professor Earl Savage was reported; he was less than two months short of 94. Savage, a mycologist and significant contributor to the department’s fungal collection, taught and advised many of the students majoring in biology in the 1960s before being recruited by Indiana U South Bend as the chair of biology. Earl spent the rest of his career at IUSB, living in the same home in Mishawaka until his death. While department head, Earl recruited Notre Dame doctoral students to teach in IUSB undergraduate courses. This correspondent (PBC) was introduced to his teaching career when Earl needed a person to teach the microbiology course to 100 nursing students. Earl was predeceased by his wife, Rosemary, and is survived by their son, Stephen, of Mishawaka. A Department alumna, Denise Bruesewitz ’08Ph.D., a professor and chairperson in the Department of Environmental Studies at Colby College, Waterville ME, has been named Colby’s provost beginning July 1. Colby, f. 1813, is among the “CBB” triad (with Bates and Bowdoin) of excellent small colleges in ME. Denise completed her doctorate under the guidance of Jennifer Tank with Gary Lamberti and David Lodge on her committee. Good news was received from doctoral candidate (and proud Penn State graduate), Tarrick Qahash, who had a nice Christmas holiday after passing his Ph.D. preliminary exam. Tarrick looks forward to soon joining the alumni of the Department. — Joan Smith Carter ’71MS and Philip B. Carter ’67, ’71Ph.D.; 12916 Barsanlaw Drive, Raleigh NC 27613-6400; res 919-848-2192; phil@ncsu.edu

 

History
Dear ND History Community, I have been under a rock for a year and I am sincerely sorry for all the neglected news. Very unexpectedly, on Feb. 13, 2024, Rev. Isaac McDaniel, OSB passed away and I am still in shock. Isaac was my best ND friend for almost 42 years, since our very first day in grad school. He was the smartest of us all. So well read and passionate about historical truth and Catholic social justice, but the kindest, funniest, most historical gossip enthused person I ever met. He was a brilliant writer. His dissertation with Father Kerby was on Catholics in the Mexican War. Later, he published two memoirs (under his given name, Mark) about growing up Catholic in KY, the seminary, and attending Notre Dame. He graduated in 1991 and taught for some time at St. Meinrad’s. By the end of the century, he was part of the Diocese of Louisville. He was a fill-in celebrant while teaching History, Economics, and Theology at Spalding and Bellarmine. He loved the parks of Louisville and his photos were extraordinary. He loved his furry friends Pondo and Scupper. And, he made me feel loved and listened to (not an easy task). I still miss him every day. The world lost an amazing man. But, the UGH table in Heaven — Drs. Kerby, Dolan, Gleason, Nugent and Hoy, Catherine Box and so many others — just added another leaf and became wittier than ever. Congratulations to Dr. Sean Brennan, who is the new state coordinator for the National History Day contest in PA and starting this fall, will be the co-director of the Honors Program at the U of Scranton. Last fall, he published his fifth book, The Essential Speeches of the Cold War through Routledge Press. Please send me your updates. — Mary Linehan ’91Ph.D.; 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
Greetings to all MNA, EMNA and MSA alumni. What an exciting football season! Even though the outcome of our final game didn’t go our way, it was wonderful being in Atlanta and seeing so many of our fellow MNA alumni including Yvonne Delgadillo ’12, Sukeshi O’Neal ’12 and David Frea ’12. Congratulations to our team, coaches and the entire Notre Dame family for an unforgettable season. We also send congratulations to one of our alums for his recognition by the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh as part of the second class of Righteous Among the Neighbors. James Lucot ’94, the 2020 Holocaust Center Educator of the Year, was honored for his many years of exceptional teaching of the Holocaust at Seneca Valley High School and Butler Community College. More congratulations to Kim Brennan ’06, who has just secured the position of chief operating officer with Nonprofit Resource Partners. She will be working with the founder of Nonprofit Resource Partners, Dave LaBarre ’04. Nonprofit Resource Partners provides fractional employment to nonprofit organizations in a variety of expertise. Kim is blessed and grateful to be assisting in this important endeavor. All MNA, MSA and EMNA alumni are encouraged to submit your news for upcoming Class Notes. You may email me directly at the address below. — Betsy Quinn ’12; betsyquinn@alumni.nd.edu

 

Master of Science in Management Class Secretary — Maddie Corsaro ’17; mcorsar1@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
At the last game in 1943, Notre Dame was undefeated, headed for a National Championship playing the Great Lakes Navy Team in Chicago. We lost, but we won the National Championship. I was 10 years old, listening in by radio to the team I have been devoted to ever since. I was at Notre Dame in 1988 when we won our 11th and last title. After 37 years, another National Championship title remains elusive. This year, despite the heartbreaking loss to Ohio State, we had a great coach, Marcus Freeman; great offensive and defensive coaches, Mike Denbrock and Al Golden; and a strong, devoted team, closely knit, caring for each other. They played like champions. Our Hearts Forever love thee, Notre Dame. — Marvin J. LaHood ’58MA, ’62Ph.D. English; 93 Parkhaven Drive, Amherst NY 14228; 716-691-4648; mlahood@roadrunner.com