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FROM THE PRESIDENT Message a 2002 proved to he a very big year for our Avila community. OnJuly 16, we became a University, a distinction given to institutions with a Carnegie Foundation Classification ofMaster’s I or higher. Our faculty, staff, students, and alumni enthusiastically endorsed our name change. Two celebrations marked the event and an Avila purple plum tree was planted in the quad to commemorate the occa- sion. With the name change comes added responsibility, and we accept the challenge to provide the best possible education to our students, now and in the future. As members ofthe Avila University family, we can all be proud that we continue to meet this challenge, led by the pioneering spirit of our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph ofCarondelet. In 2002, we also experienced the sadness that comes from losing a devoted friend, and man of Avila, G. Richard Scott, who passed away March 26. Richard loyally served Avila for 38 years as a faculty member, as Vice President for Academic Affairs, and for the last fifteen years, as Director of Planned Giving. Richard’s presence is greatly missed. A scholarship has been established in Richard’s name and gifts to-date are over $21,000, making it possible for deserving and qualified students to experience an Avila education. We are starting 2003 with the inaugural issue of the new Accent. We hope to bring you more in- depth news about campus events, faculty and student accomplishments, and most importantly, to help you, the alumni, stay connected with one another. You will be able to read alumni news in Accent’s new “Connections” section. As in all families, sharing news is important, so please take the time to fill out the form on page 12 so that we may publish your news in the next issue. In this debut issue you will also find “Accent on Avila”-short stories that will keep you up-to- RyanJackson, SaraMaley,Jen-HungLan, TomGordon, Bobby Bass, andNatashaBoulch. date on what is happening on campus. You’ll read news about people familiar to you like Srs. Olive Louise Dallavis and Ann Dominic Tassone, and you’ll also see new names like Dr. Stephen Maynard Caliendo, Avila’s Professor of the Year. You will read how proud we are ofDr. Stanley Banks and Dr. Carol Colburn for publication oftheir books, “On Alley Way” and “Spirited Lives,” respectively. In this issue, we have also included the fiscal year 2001-2002 Honor Roll ofDonors, an impressive list of alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and students who have financially expressed their support for Avila’s value-based education. Thank you to everyone for your gifts. Please take the time to enjoy your new Accent and send us your comments. This is your magazine. We seek and value hearing from you. Best Wishes for a Healthy New Year, Thomas F. Gordon, J.D. LL.M. President . Contents FEATURES WINTER 2003 BEN MEADE 6 VicePresidentlor Advancement AvilaProfessorBen Meadeearns international Kimberly Hinrichs success with hisfilm, Vakvagany Directorol CommunityRelations Karl Yehle BRICKS, MORTAR, Associate Directorol AND A LEGACY CommunityRelations 8 Karen Baum ‘94 Meet the men andwomen whose namesgrace CommunityRelations Coordinator the campus buildings. Eric Schroer ‘97, ‘02 Alumni Director SPORTS 10 Morten Klinte Football, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Art Director Volleyball, Cheerleading, and Dance Team. GinnyArnold Contributing Writers Karen Baum ‘94 ACCENT ON AVILA Josh Englebrake JamalaaFerrell Poet-in-Residence 2 Melishe Ivey Greg Middlestadt Professor of the Year 2 JenniferSanchez Jake Sanders GolfClassic 4 Sharon Sichko Jennifer Sexton Leaping Lizards 5 Karl Yehle New Perks for Avila Grads 5 Accentispublishedbythe AdvancementDepartment CONNECTIONS ofAvila University. Connecting Avila Alumni 12 Sendquestions , comments,letters Memorials 15 orstoryideasto: AvilaUniversity CommunityRelations Department 11901 Wornall Road KansasCity,Missouri64145 (816] 501-2496 www.Avila.edu or [email protected] Poet-in-Residence “I always said that if I made it to Instructor of English at Avila University, and a eighty'five, I would retire then.” Kansas City, MO, native, Stanley Banks is a recog- nizedpoetandwinnerofthe 1981 Langston Hughes SisterEllenwhenannouncingherretirementon her85th birthday. Prize forhisbookofpoems, OnAlley Way. Raised in a poor inner city family, Banks con- Srs. Ellen Marie Gavin, siders teaching at Avila his dream occupation and Marie Georgette “a fulfillment of the Eschbacher, American potential,” and honors “working with and Marie Tucker, and instmcting a diverse group of bright students.” His Teresa Zilch retire recently published article in The Avila University community was sad to see the departure of theKamosCityStar, “Outof Sisters Ellen Marie Gavin, Marie Georgette Eschbacher, Marie Tucker, the Blues,” remembers and and Teresa Zilch in the spring of 2002. All four sisters made the move gives recognition to the to St. Louis, where they will reside at the Nazareth Living Center, the tragedy on September 11. retirement community ofthe Sisters ofSt. Joseph ofCarondelet. Banks says that these The Sisters will not only he missed for their more than 70 combined events forced him to think about who he is as an years ofservice to Avila, hut also for theircontribution to the character and the atmosphere of the University. African American citizen. Sister Marie Harris, Provost and Vice President for Academic He believes, “America is Affairs, said, “TheJi.rpresence oncampus reflected the importance ofcar- the land of big hearts and ingandcommitment, and theywere amodelofthatforthestudents.” 03 great potential.”Thisdistinguishedgentleman was also a 1989 National Endowment for the Arts fel- — lowship recipient. 03 Steer Dinner An Evening of Simple Elegance 2002 Avila University Professor of the Year Five hundred guests dined onmouth-wateringfiletmignon Stephen Maynard Caliendo, Ph.D., Assistant and swing-danced to the Steve Professor of Political Science, was honored hy MillerKCBandatSteerDinner Missouri Governor Boh Holden during the 2002 2002, “An Evening of Simple Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Elegance.” Serena Aernie, luncheon on December 4- Dr. Caliendo was select- Director of Development, said, ed for the award because of his effective teaching “We raised over $327,000 for and advising, service to the university community, student scholarships thanks to andhiscommitmenttohighstandardsofexcellence the generosity and support of and success in nurturingstudentachievement. 03 our event sponsor, Mary Beth Meyers, our corporate sponsor BankofAmerica, and the many friends of Avila who donated auction items, sponsored tables, and purchased tickets to the event. Because oftheir support, we raised 33% over last year's event.” Steer Dinner 2003, “Grade A+ Evening,” will he held at the Fairmont Hotel, March 29. For more information, please Top photo: contact Serena Aernie, 816- President Thomas Gordon with EventSponsor Mary Beth Meyers Lefttoright:MarieJoan Harris, CSJ, Ph.D., Provostand 501-2450. C3 Vice PresidentforAcademicAffairs; Stephen Maynard Bottomphoto: Caliendo, Ph.D., Assistant ProfessorofPolitical Science; Honorary chairpersons DonandChristine MissouriGovernorBob Holden Alexanderwith President EmeritaSr. Olive H Louise Dallavis 2 • Accenton Avila • Accent 1 Colburn and Smith Publish AU Spirited Lives Avila College became In 1866, ourcountry wasstartingto heal from the warbetween the States. AvilaUniversityonJuly 16, Many people were trying to return to a sense of normalcy after seeing and 2002, with the unveilingof hearing about too much death and destruction oftheirfamilies, friends, and the new sign and logo. neighbors.Onegroupofextraordinarynunsjourneyedto KansasCity tohelp Three hundred guests were in the healing process. These women came to greeted by President Tom Gordon, Bishop Raymond establish the first formal elementary school in ourcity. The St. Teresa’sAcademy, led by Sister Boland, MayorKay Barnes, and Jackson County FrancisJoseph Ivory, welcomedchildren into its ExecutiveKathrynShields. doors inearly 1866. That wasjustthebeginning A ofthe impact Catholic nuns had on our society second celebrationfor and in our culture. students, faculty and staff Spirited Lives is a book that recounts how was hAeld September 13, nuns influenced the shaping of America as we 2002. tree wasplanted to pkrnoofewssiotrtsodaaty.AvTihlea bUonoivkerwsaistyc,o-CwarriotltenCoblybutrwno canodmmeevemroyroanteewasthien\ietvedentto S^rnsn. OpliovreniLnoicuiTsaessDaolnleavtihsroawndin and Sister of St. Joseph Martha Smith. Spirited participate in the planting. thefirstspades ofdirt. The name change was Lives’ documentation begins in 1816, by follow- approved by the Avila Board of Trustees, the ing the Sisters of St. Joseph’s journey from St. Jackson County Circuit Court, and the Missouri CarolColburn Louis to the restof the United States, including Kansas City. Secretary ofState. “We believe our university sta- SpiritedLives tellshow the sisters helped financeandadministrateschools, tus requires an evengreatercommitment to excel- hospitals, and orphanages throughout the United States until 1920. Carol lence in education, as well as a greater commit- Colburn concluded that following 1920, young women continued to choose ment to the Kansas City community,” said President Gordon. 03 the religious life, despite the changing views in the American culture about nuns. Q3 Mock Trial Team Debuts with a Sixth Place Finish at Nationals “When students look back and point to one life changing experience while incollege, theyalmostalwaysreveal that they never learned like this before,” remarks Stephen Maynard Caliendo, Ph.D., referring toAvila’saward-winning Mock Trial Team that worked theirway toasixth placefinish in the Parker Division at the First Annual American Intercollegiate Mock Trial Tournament. The tournament was held in St. Petersburg, Florida. Avila received an invitation after doing well at the RegMiooncaklTcroimapleitsiatiroevnitianliTzoepdepkraogeraralmietrhaint tChaeliyeenard.o has taught BJaecsksiRcoawAg(nle-rl)l:yM,elHiesastaheFrleGmrienggo,rDy,eraenkdMSotoerphheeandM,aKyenllairRdicCea,liendo. before at Purdue University and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. “This program is a vital tool to helpstudents learncritical Front Row (l-r):Sara Alarabi, Angie Weatherford, Margaret Henry, andAimee McLandsborogh. thinking, public speaking, and organizational skills that occur in an intimate setting with attorneys, professors, and each other,” Caliendo said. adjunct instructor, volunteered his time as the attorney-coach Forty teams participated in two divisions of 20. The sixth ofthe team. place finish was an extraordinary accomplishment for Avila’s In addition to the team award, Fleming received an team. Only two of the six students who participated had ever Outstanding Witness Award. heard ofa mock trial before last September. Caliendo asserts that, “Mock Trial lends itself to an exami- The team of Melissa Fleming, Jessica Agnelly, Sara nation of the law from different perspectives, making it an Alarabi, Heather Gregory, Margaret Henry, Aimee essential program at the University level to help students learn McLandsborogh, Kelli Rice, and Angie Weatherford put in these important skills through the lens ofthe law and the trial many long hours. Derek Moorhead, an Avila alumnus and system.” Q3 Accent • AccentonAvila • i ACCENT ON AVILA Golf Classic Shoots a Hole-in-One Holocaust in History and on Stage The 19th Annual Avila Golf Classic shot a 47% increase over last year’s event, successfully raising $40,000. Nearly 100 golfers enjoyed a perfect 74 “Avila was right up there competing with the degree day at the beautiful Loch Lloyd Country Club, followed by a banquet top schools in the nation: New York University, and award ceremony. University ofNorth Carolina-Chapel Hill, Roger Thank you to the following sponsors who helped make the GolfClassic Williams University in Rhode Island, the a success: University of Notre Dame, the University of Fiorella’sJack Stack Barbecue Country Club Bank Chicago, the University ofLublin in Poland, and DSTSystems Bob Cunningham the list goes on,” remarks Dr. Charlene Gould, Fahnestock & Co. Otis ElevatorCompany regarding her fellowship at the Summer Institute Jeanne ‘92 and TomOlofson Dr. and Mrs. Fritzlen on the Holocaust and Jewish Civilization at J.M. Fahey John Bonden Northwestern University in Chicago. Pfizer, Inc. Earl Beall Northwestern University is one of the foremost USBank Jack and Mary ‘57 Kitchin institutions to study the Holocaust in the nation. Dissinger Insurance Services Muehlbach Funeral Home “Topscholarsfromallovertheworldareflown into Andrews McMeel Universal Bob Lewellen teach this academic seminarstarting in the rootsof ClarksonConstruction Great American Investors, Inc. TheTenderloinGrill HNTB Judaism. This wasnotjust aboutNazis. Itwasabout Shughart, Thomson & Kilroy, PC. A.J. Lutz ‘92, Lutz Business Systems understanding the psyche of perpertrators, UPS The Capital Grille bystanders, victims, and challenging educators and CBIZ/Robert D. O’Byrne &. Assoc. Chappell’s Restaurant researchers to dojustice to the memory ofthis hor- Bill Waris & Associates The Daily Limit rificevent,”saidGould. TED Systems, L.L.C. EBT Restaurant Twenty-five privileged fellows were chosen out Coca-Cola The Fairmont on the Plaza of hundreds of international applicants to this MountainValley SpringWater Jose Pepper’s prestigious program to pass on this legacy. “It is a Glazer’s Midwest Kansas City Royals realprize toget afellowship; itgives the instructor County Beverage Kennedy’s Bar&.Grill added credibility in the classroom,” said Gould. LindaAbell Manny’s Avila is fortunate to have two fellows graduate SerenaAemie Neal &Jeanne ‘80 Patterson from this program, Dr. Gould and Dr. Jeffrey Bank 10 PB&J Myers, who attended the institute in the summer Blue Cross/Blue Shield Price Chopper of2000. Don Brain, Sr. Ricco’s Pizzeria Dr. Myersand Dr.Gouldco-teach“Holocaust in History and on Stage.” The course was the subject ofdiscussionofbothsummerinstitutesandreceived veryfavorable reviews by leadingscholars and edu- catorsofHolocauststudies. OH Avila Professor Spends His Summer Helping Others Every summer, Patrick Kopp, Asst. Professorof Computer Science, takes a group ofstudents from hischurch on a mis- sion trip. This year the group headed to Pipestem, West Virginia, where the six youths and five adults battled wasps, bees, and rainstorms to repair a home for a needy family. “Personally, I have notfoundanythingtocomparetothefeelingI had when we all stood together looking at the ‘new’ house,” Kopp said. C3 4 • Accenton Avila • Accent Avila Alums Enjoy New Perks of Membership Avilaalumni willenjoynewbenefits thanksto Alumni Director Morten Klinte. The new Alumni Athletic League has been established. Alumni who apply will receive membership cards that will grant them use ofthe Avila athletic facilities for weight training purposes, aswell as involvement in the Alumni sports leagues. Membership will also be available to friends ofAvila students, staff, and the local community. There is no initi- ationfeeformembership, however, a minimal monthly fee may be charged. “We want to invite Avila alumni back oncampus, offeringthem an additionalconnection to the school,” said Klinte. The Avila Alumni Mentoring Program kicks offin February. Thisprogram will offeralumni the Avila students recently returned from Grenada where they partici- opportunity to get involved with students who pated in a National Science Foundation-funded summer program enti- have majors in their particular fields of employ- tled “Research Experiences for Undergraduates.” The three weeks in ment. It will allow students to get career advice Grenada were part ofarigorous 10-week workshop designed to encour- and to network in professional arenas. age highly motivated students to pursue careers in science. Other programs in the works are the Alumni This year’s project AssociationBenefitPackage, theAvilaCreditCard, focused on the ecology ^ and a license plate program. All of these concepts ofamphibiansand rep- / have been brought to the Alumni Association tiles. Students exam- Board and are now awaiting their implementation ined the interactions intoAvila’sfuture. between two species of For more information about these, or any lizards on the grounds ’ \ other alumni programs, please contact Morten of the hotel where the Klinte at 816-501-2422. Q3 group stayed during 4 - r> the trip. Catherine nBoh1nert, a junior at ', ' •' :v • Avila, noted that, “In the very near future, most island populations oflizards will be living undersuchconditions.” Dr. Robert Powell, Professor ofBiology at Avila and Program Director, commented that, “Although most biologists are drawn to the few pris- tine areas that remain in the tropics, tobetterunderstand the influence ofhuman development, we must learn more about how animals adjust to alterations of their habitats.” Pam Simmons, aseniorAvila student, was part ofa team that studied interactions between ground lizards and those that generally remain in trees, trying to determine ifactivity by the former limits feeding on the ground by the latter. Accent • AccentonAvila • ? ? Dr. Benjamin Meade, Assistant Professor of Communication at Avila University, has been the center of a great deal of attention in the press after the release of his film “Vakvagany” (Dead End). Meade spent several weeks in Hungary making the movie which is described as “ ... a new, exciting, and provocative experience in the language of modern cinema” by avant-garde filmmaker Stan Brahkage. Meade has a faculty appointment at the University of Pecs in Pecs Hungary. Avila students have the unique experience of working with this inventive and dedicated filmmaker and instructor. Accent recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Meade. Accent: How has the success ofyourfilm affected the way you teach? Dr. Meade: It changed my life and the way I teach. It forced me again to re-evaluate both. Although making Vakvagany was emotionally painful, I believe that I am a better mentor to my students as a result of the experience. A: Were others at Avila involved in thefilm M: Dr. Dotty Hamilton and Susan Lawlor ofthe faculty, one student, and two alumni were involved. Their help was invaluable. I think it was a rewarding experience for them. A: Recently, four students traveled to Hungary with you and taughtfilm- making to Hungarian students. What insights do you think they gained? M: They learned patience and tolerance by working with people who live quite differently. I think the students now have a better appreci- ation ofwhat do. I A: How does Avila’sfilm program stack up against other institutions? M: Avilahasagiftedprogram. Weareoneofthefewuniversitiesaround that not only employs digital technology, hut also works with motion picture film. A: What do you hope your students willget out ofyour classes? M: My goal is to continue to connect the mind and heart of my students allowing them to express themselves in their work. Critical thinking skills are paramount in real life and I believe that knowing one’s self is imperative in the development ofcritical thinking skills. A: As a successful experimentalfilmmaker, what do you think oftoday’s movies? M: Most are bankrupt of originality and ingenuity. Hollywood is in the unenviable position of mer- chandising rather than creating an artistic outlet. A: You came to Avilafrom a successful background in thefinancialservices business. How did that happen? M: Several years ago, my brother died and I reevaluated my life and career. Back in the 70s, 1 received a film degree, but when I couldn’t find a job out ofcollege, I took a job in financial services. Coming to Avila changed and continues to change my life. I bring my life experiences into the classroom and am actively involved in what I teach. I think this brings a great deal ofcredibility to our program and the university as a whole. A: What is yourgoal in workingwith Avila students M: 1 wantourstudentstohe betterconsumersofall media. Abetterunderstandingofhowmediaaffects our lives is crucial to good citizenship and stewardship. VAKVAGANY Best Documentary • Santa Fe Film Festival 2002 Best of Festival Award • Southern Hungarian Film Festival 2002 Independent Filmmaker Award * KAN Film Festival 2002 Best Experimental Film * Great Lakes Independent Film Festival 2002 Best Documentary • New York Struggling Artist Film Festival 2002 www.vakvagany.com ..... 4 Accent • BenMeade • 7 A vila University has always looked to alumni and friends in the community to help the growth ofthe school. This has never been more important or essential than when Avila moved to the outskirts ofKansas City in 1963. Due to the increase ofenrollment, Avila need- ed abiggercampus to house the existingstudent popula- tion and todevelopfutureplanstoopenfull-time enroll- ment to men in 1969. The campus move to the undeveloped edge of the city was made possible by a donation from Margaret O’Rielly ‘18, who holds the distinction ofbeing the first BRICKS, graduate of the College of St. Teresa. O’Rielly left $200,000 in her estate to Avila in 1959. With this great gift, theschool wasabletopurchase50acresandbuildthe campus. At that time, thedonation madebyO’Riellywas the largest gift ever received; therefore the school wanted MORTAR, to honor herby naming the first buildingafterher. The second building erected was Blasco Hall, the administration building. It was also built in 1963, named after Alfred J. Blasco. Mr. Blasco was the first layman to AND A he the chairperson ofthe Avila Board ofTrustees. He was the fatherofBarbara Lowry, graduate of 1958. Mr. Blasco was the CEO ofInterstate Securities. In addition to donations from friends and benefactors, Avila also received funds from the United States Government to build three structures, Marian Center, Carondelet Hall, and Ridgway Hall. LEGACY Marian Center was named after Mary, the mother of God, and was finished in 1965. That same year, Carondelet Hall was finished and opened as a residence center. It is named after the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, who sponsor the university. The word Carondelet (pronounced ca-ron-de-let) was the name of the village outside ofSt. Louis where the Sisters ofSaint Joseph first began their ministry in the United States. The third structure built with government funds was Ridgway Hall, a residence center constructed in 1970. It was named to honor Marie Ridgway, a dear friend, phi- g£B lanthropist, and benefactor of the University. Marie had 0^ no ties to Avila as such, hut donated because she wanted to help young people and hercommunity. chluMP Foyle Hall houses the chapel and the convent where a s numberofAvilaSistersofSaintJosephreside. Builtin 1967, Foyle Hallwasnamed inhonorofRoseFoyle. Shewasone ofthe original founders ofthe Scholarship Sponsors. In 1973, Avila added yet anotherbuilding to the campus, Hodes Education Center, named for Herman and KaRose Hodes. The Hodesfamilyoftenchildren hadfive <S • Bricks, Mortar, andaLegacy • Accent