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SABER
FALL / ANNUAL REPORT 2018
FEATURE
Our 2018 Honorees
FATHER GORDON DOFFING
2018 OPUS SANCTI THOMAE AWARD
THOMAS CLEMENTS ’73
2018 EDWARD G. HAMES ALUMNI HONORS AWARD
FROM THE HEADMASTER
E ach fall as we welcome students back to school, I find myself reminiscing about
my time as a Saint Thomas Academy cadet. I recognize the students’ looks of
apprehension because I was equally as disoriented the first day of my freshman year.
I had just recently relocated from New York City and faced a new school, a new home,
a new community and the prospect of new friends. While my father and uncle were
alumni, and my grandfather a long-time history teacher, Saint Thomas Academy was
still a bit intimidating.
Thankfully, in second hour on my first day at the Academy, I met Matt Dudley ’90.
We became fast friends, and today represent the lifelong brotherhood that is so strong
among cadets. Many others provided their special memories of the traditions and this
brotherhood that we’re pleased to share in this issue of Saber.
I’m also drawn to reminisce when I visit with alums who return to campus for Alumni
Reunion Weekend. It’s the highlight of the year for many, as we renew old friendships
and celebrate the ways in which Saint Thomas Academy shaped our lives forever.
Matthew C. Mohs ’90 In that context, I was struck by what Thomas Clements ’73, our 2018 Hames Alumni
Award recipient, said of Saint Thomas Academy (on page 6), “They were forming
leaders. They weren’t forming guys who just sit in the back.” That was true when Tom
was a student, when I was a student and it’s still true today.
Tom has certainly lived life as a leader — both in business and in service to others.
After a successful business career culminating in the sale of his company, Tom put his
new-found prosperity to work for others through the founding of the first Catholic
college in Georgia, and later, extensive mission work in Ghana, most notably the
establishment of St. Joseph Catholic School, one of the top high schools in
Western Ghana.
One of the faculty members during Tom’s school years, Fr. Gordon Doffing, had a
profound impact on many cadets in our history. The esteemed Opus Sancti Thomae
honoree for 2018 (profiled on page 2), Fr. Doffing served the Academy for 20 years
from 1966 to 1986. As Middle School Director in its early years, he laid the foundation
MISSION for what has become a vital element of Saint Thomas Academy — a distinct program
for boys entering adolescence, rooted in the Academy’s rich traditions and history.
Our mission — to develop boys into
His leadership and influence on generations of boys cannot be understated.
men of character — is our promise to
our students, our families, our community These two men demonstrate the ripple effect that Saint Thomas Academy, and our
and the world. generous community, has had globally through the years. Extraordinary gifts of time,
talents and resources from our alumni, parents, friends and donors allow us to fulfill our
We accomplish this through the
mission to develop boys into men of character, prepared to lead in college and beyond.
transformative power of an educational
On behalf of everyone at Saint Thomas Academy, we are deeply honored. Thank you.
and life experience deeply rooted in
Catholic faith and traditions, academic
excellence, military leadership, and
an all-male environment.
Matthew C. Mohs ‘90
Headmaster
cadets.com
CONTENTS SABER
Fall / Annual Report 2018
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Saint Thomas Academy Alumni
Saint Thomas Academy
Family & Friends
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10 20 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LEADERSHIP
Chief Officer
The Most Reverend Bernard Hebda
Chairman
FEATURES IN EVERY ISSUE Mr. Kelly Rowe '79
Vice Chairman
2 2018 Opus Sancti Thomae Award 13 Academy News Mr. Daniel Kubes ’87
Recipient
18 Meet the Faculty Past Chairman
6 2018 Edward G. Hames Alumni
24 Advancement News Mr. James Kolar ’80
Honors Award Recipient
10 Tracing Tradition 48 Alumni News
Vice President
The Most Reverend
20 The Mother of All Clubs 50 Class Notes Andrew Cozzens
22 2017-18 Annual Report 52 In Memoriam Secretary
Mr. Matthew Mohs ’90
53 Calendar of Events
Founding Partner
Mr. Michael Ciresi ’64
cadets.com SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 | 1
2 | SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 cadets.com
FEATURE
2018 OPUS SANCTI THOMAE AWARD
Humility and Humor:
The Father Gordon Doffing Story
BY DAVID JACOBSON
Y ou don’t go long without laughter when you talk
to Father Gordon Doffing, recipient of this year’s
Opus Sancti Thomae Award.
“I was flabbergasted when Dave Hottinger ’85
(Saint Thomas Academy’s Director of Institutional
Advancement) called me about the award,” Father
Doffing said. “I told him he must have got the wrong
number. With archbishops, and statesmen and successful
businessmen on the list of recipients, I feel like I’m in
very good company, but I don’t know if I deserve it.”
He does. And statements that reveal his humility only
confirm that fact. He is not only a standard-bearer for
Saint Thomas Academy, but also a stalwart of St. Paul
as a whole. He has lived almost all of his 85 years in the
area, starting with his childhood in West Side, where
his interactions with the Church put him on the path
to priesthood.
“In St. James parish, the priests did so much in our
neighborhood and also in our schools,” he said. “They
Through all his years at Saint Thomas
were such good examples.” Father Doffing particularly Academy, the memories that stand out
admired the late Father Patrick Hessian, who helped lead
were coaching the Academy’s High
St. James and went on to serve as a major general in the
Army and retire as its Chief Chaplain. School Bowl quiz team to a Twin Cities
championship and the annual group trips
— Continued on page 4
to Germany he would lead.
cadets.com SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 | 3
FEATURE | Father Gordon Doffing
RIGHT
Father Doffing speaking to the
Middle School on a recent visit.
BELOW
Father Doffing instructing cadets
during his days as a faculty member.
Father Doffing graduated from St. Agnes in 1951 and attended
what was then the College of St. Thomas. A major influence
while studying clarinet there was Dr. Francis Mayer, head of the
music department and the band director, who, Doffing recalls
with a laugh, used to encourage him by saying, “If doctors and
scientists can make penicillin out of moldy bread, then we
ought to be able to make something out of you.”
His first stop out of college was St. Joseph’s in West St. Paul.
Six years later, Monsignor Roach invited him to join the faculty
of Saint Thomas Academy, where he stayed from 1966-1986.
His roles included music teacher and guidance counselor until
Headmaster Pat Casey persuaded him to become head of the
middle school.
ABOVE
Father Doffing presiding over a mass.
RIGHT
Activities and Athletic Director Bob Slater ’77
laughing and reminiscing with Father Doffing.
4 | SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 cadets.com
Father Gordon Doffing | FEATURE
Pictured below from left to right: Father Doffing, Michael Byrne ’63, Michael Fleischhacker,
and current Middle School Director Jamie Jurkovich.
OPUS SANCTI THOMAE AWARD
The Opus Sancti Thomae Award was established
in 1992 to honor friends and affiliates of Saint
Thomas Academy. This award recognizes both
men and women who have made outstanding
contributions to business, civic, church, educational
and professional communities. We honor their
respective characters and achievements with this
medal, designed by the Reverend Thomas Kolar,
deceased faculty member. Its centerpiece is an
encircled Jerusalem cross. Embedded sapphires
grace each bar of the cross and representations of
the two Academy logos denote its place of origin.
In 1986, Archbishop Roach asked Father Doffing to take over the Previous Recipients of the Opus Sancti
parish at Church of the Holy Childhood, where he stayed until his Thomae Award:
retirement in 2000. He has since lived in Mesa, Ariz., because he
1992 – Frank C. Mullaney ’39
“fell in love with the climate, compared to St. Paul’s.”
1993 – Clara Glenn
The climate in Mesa is conducive to his pursuit of the hobby he calls 1994 – Most Reverend John R. Roach, D.D.
“nocturnal hydrotherapy” (late-night swims). He occasionally leads 1995 – Gerald and Henrietta Rauenhorst
mass, conducts funerals and makes hospital calls. 1996 – J. Peter ’51 and Mary Ritten
1997 – Alan K. (Bud) Ruvelson ’32
Despite the time and distance away from his days at Saint Thomas 1998 – Sylvester G. Turbes
Academy, Father Doffing likes what he sees there. “They’re doing 1999 – Lawrence M. O’Shaughnessy ’39
so much outreach in the community, especially in West St. Paul. 2000 – Reverend Thomas F. Kolar
Joe Seidel is such a great guy, and the stuff he’s doing — taking the 2001 – Walter G. Kurtz
students to go spend time with people in need — that kind of 2002 – Reverend Michael J. O’Connell ’59
personal contact shows up in the lives of the students. Joe really 2003 – Gerald ’48 and Maurna Donovan
has a handle on that. He’s been doing it so well for so long. And 2004 – Michael W. Wright ’56
there are others, such as Erick Rome, who leads students on 2005 – George R. Schnell
trips to Guatemala on a mission that does so much for the 2006 – John T. ’52 and Pat Myser
Guatemalan people.” 2007 – Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn, D.D.
2008 – Charles M. Denny ’48
Through all his years in St. Paul and at Saint Thomas Academy, the
2009 – James M. Keane
memories that stand out were coaching the Academy’s High School
2010 – Thomas E. Gainor ’51
Bowl quiz team to a Twin Cities championship and the annual group
2011 – F. John Campbell
trips to Germany he would lead. He recalled that one group in the
2012 – Tom Schreier, Jr. ’80 and
Bavarian Forest strayed into what was then Czechoslovakia, behind Tom Schreier, Sr.
the Soviet Union’s “Iron Curtain,” and was arrested. “They were kept 2013 – Father Dennis Dease
overnight,” Father Doffing said, “after one night the Czechs had had 2014 – Michael V. Ciresi ’64
their fill of those kids and asked us to come get them.” 2015 – Joseph T. O’Neill ’49
2016 – Brain P. Short ’68
Father Doffing’s ability to make light of the situation now typifies
2017 — Sharon and Michael D'Agostino
his humor. And he is so humble that you also get his humor when
he recalls the time he told his students he shook hands with Pope
John Paul II. “One of the kids said, ‘That must have been a thrill,’
and I told him, ‘Well, the Pope thought so.’ ”
cadets.com SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 | 5
2018 EDWARD G. HAMES ALUMNI HONORS AWARD
Roots and Wings:
The Thomas Clements ’73 Story
BY DAVID JACOBSON
6 | SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 cadets.com
FEATURE
Thomas Clements ’73 and his wife Julie.
T homas Clements ’73, recipient of
this year’s Edward G. Hames Alumni
he headed to Notre Dame University.
Classmate Tim Plunkett ’73, who
TIE Communication and Firstwave —
and then built up Conduit Software as
Honors Award, credits much of his nominated Clements for the Hames chairman of the board and president
career success and personal fulfillment Award, recalls his friend parlaying his until 1999, when the company sold for
to the “roots and wings” Saint Thomas own move to South Bend into the $70 million. Asking himself, “Why did
Academy gave him. business of transporting other God give me this largesse?” Clements
Minnesotans back and forth. “He moved from business success to even
“I know the term ‘roots and wings’ is not called it the Minnesota Club of greater social significance.
still in vogue,” he said. “But I feel like Notre Dame, and when he graduated,
the academy said, ‘Listen you are a he sold the business.” “Man’s search for meaning is his
family member. You belong here. You ultimate goal,” he reflected. “When man
are loved here, and you have roots here.’ While at Notre Dame, Clements is fully actualized, using his talents to
But they didn’t constrain us. They said, applied to med school, and didn’t get the fullest, he’s actually happy. I believe
‘Go out there and spread your wings in. “That’s the best thing that never you’re as happy as you want to be. You
and try and do new things.’ That happened to me,” he said, “because aren’t what happens to you. You’re what
encouraged a lot of us who lived lives I got into this field called software.” you make of what happens to you. For
of full expression.” me, that base came from Saint Thomas
After spending his first post-college Academy.”
Clements’ full expression came in the decade in sales and management at
form of entrepreneurialism. After Control Data and Honeywell,
graduating from the Academy in 1973, Clements worked for smaller firms — — Continued on page 8
“They [Saint Thomas Academy] said, ‘Go out there
and spread your wings and try and do new things.’ That
encouraged a lot of us who lived lives of full expression.”
— THOMAS CLEMENTS ’73
ABOVE
Tom Clements pictured with his family.
LEFT
Exploring Mt. Zion National Park.
cadets.com SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 | 7
FEATURE | Thomas Clements ’73
So, instead of pursuing more wealth can’t let’s at least try. That definitely
through software, Clements created came out of Saint Thomas Academy.
Southern Catholic College, the first They were forming leaders. They weren’t
Catholic college in Georgia. He
“Man’s search for meaning is his forming guys that just sit in the back.”
developed the by-laws, mission,
ultimate goal. When man is fully governance and vision, recruited 18 Clements left Southern Catholic as the
actualized, using his talents to board members and raised more than college launched in 2005 and the
$10,000,000 in donations. following year he received the St.
the fullest, he’s actually happy. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award from the
I believe you’re as happy as you Such an entrepreneurial path “goes National Catholic Educational
back to the concept of a life of full Association. (The school’s student body
want to be. You aren’t what expression,” he said. “Saint Thomas peaked at 200-plus, but by 2010,
happens to you. You’re what you Academy really encouraged us to financial shortfalls forced its closure.)
participate in extra-curricular activities
make of what happens to you.
and to try new things. If you failed, that Meanwhile, in 2006, Clements had
For me, that base came from was OK. You were still loved. You were founded Clap for Jesus, which created a
Saint Thomas Academy.” still accepted. Being an entrepreneur is a new residential high school in Ghana
big risk, and I’ve done that multiple that now serves more than 800 students
— THOMAS CLEMENTS ’73 times and I had a sense of it being OK to who otherwise would not be attending
}
fail. Starting a Catholic college, I felt high school at all. Much of the rest of
like, ‘OK we can do this, and even if we his energy goes toward Clements
Tom Clements
speaking at
Southern Catholic
College, the first
Catholic College
he created in
Georgia.
}
Tom Clements
pictured with
students of
a Catholic
high school in
Ghana, which he
founded through
his organization,
Clap for Jesus.
8 | SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 cadets.comThomas Clements ’73 | FEATURE
Fundraising Consultants, which helps EDWARD G. HAMES ’36 ALUMNI HONORS AWARD
non-profits do just that, and in 2017 he
literally wrote the book on the topic: Since 1969, the Saint Thomas Academy Alumni Association has honored
How to Run a Nonprofit: The “Go to” a leader in our community with the Alumni Honors Award, which was later
Guide for all Nonprofit Managers. renamed the Hames Alumni Honors Award in 1971. The award is named
for Edward G. Hames ’36. During his days as a student at the Academy,
In addition to Saint Thomas Academy Hames was Cadet Colonel, an Eagle Award Winner and a leader in school
providing him roots and wings, he said, activities. He was a teacher and also presided over the STA Alumni
“I have 14 friends from high school who Association in 1967-68 and was serving on the STA Board of Directors
get together approximately once a year.” 12 in 1970 at the time of his death.
He refers to them in the context of The Hames Award seeks to give due recognition to those alumni who have
Proverbs 27:17, “‘As iron sharpens iron, exemplified the ideals of the Academy, and in doing so have distinguished
so one person sharpens another." A lot themselves in their communities. Such alumni enrich the lives of those about
of times I talk to these guys about what’s them through their personal and family lives, their occupations or professions,
the right thing to do. These are very their civic leadership or human welfare activities, their intellectual or cultural
strong friendships with people who are pursuits or their efforts to advance the goals of the Academy.
virtuous and have that sense that we
need to leave the world a better place.” Recipients of the Edward G. Hames Alumni Honors Award:
1969 – John Lee ’51 1994 – James Shannon ’38
1970 – William Fallon ’15 1995 – Ronald Smith ’51
Tom Clements pictured with some of his 1971 – Patrick Towle ’25 1996 – James Whalen ’42
Saint Thomas Academy classmates on a 1972 – Alfred Gruenther ’16 1997 – Felix Bettendorf ’41
recent get together. 1973 – L. Fallon Kelly ’26 1998 – Charles Denny ’48
1974 – Emmet Murphy ’18 1999 – Christopher Cox ’70
1975 – Frank Mullaney ’39 2000 – Timothy Kelly ’52
1976 – Clarence Rowe ’34 2001 – Brian Short ’68
1977 – Thomas Carlin ’39 2002 – Lawrence McGough ’47
1978 – Herbert Mischke ’45 2003 – Thomas Krebsbach ’41
1979 – Alan Ruvelson ’32 2004 – Gerald Brown ’58
1980 – Richard Murphy ’42 2005 – Michael O’Connell ’59
1981 – Joseph O’Neill ’49 2006 – Thomas Schreier, Sr.
(Honorary Alumnus)
1982 – J. Peter Ritten ’51
2007 – William Gabler ’63
1983 – J. Jerome Plunkett ’42
2008 – Roger Swenson ’51
1984 – Lawrence O’Shaughnessy ’39
2009 – William Fallon ’49
1985 – Gerald Donovan ’48
2010 – Justin McCarthy ’41
1986 – Robert Courteau ’41
2011 – Thomas Lee ’55
1987 – John Hoffner ’53
2012 – John “Buzz” Myser ’52
1988 – Michael Wright ’56
2013 – James S. Garberg ’41
1989 – Paul Vincent ’44
2014 – William Culbertson
1990 – Thomas Gainor ’51
(Honorary Alumnus)
1991 – Robert Hamel ’41
2015 – Terrence J. “T.J.” Ryan ’78
1992 – William Foussard ’72
2016 – T. Michael McNulty, S.J. ’58
1993 – Walter Kurtz
(Honorary Alumnus) 2017 – Wayne Thalhuber, M.D. ’56
cadets.com SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 | 9Tracing Tradition
BY LUKE KOLAR ’19
T
“When classmates gave their senior
speech, I was able to learn a lot
he word “tradition” is heard daily at Saint Thomas Academy,
about them, further building the
likely more than in a standard high school. But do we ever stop
and ask ourselves: what is tradition? In pursuit of an answer,
sense of brotherhood. Even very
I conversed with a dozen alumni of Saint Thomas Academy familiar students become better
spanning seven decades, from boarders to younger brothers. known through the opportunity
Conversations with these alumni, each recounting his unique of the senior speech to reveal an
story, reveal more about tradition than a simple definition unfamiliar aspect of their lives,
ever could.
something ‘unique to Saint
Traditions are embedded into the memories of their participants, Thomas Academy.’”
and this is certainly the case at Saint Thomas Academy. For
— MR. PETER EDWARDS ’04
Mr. Michael Barcelow ’64, the annual homecoming bonfire that
“brought enthusiastic students and faculty together” still holds
nostalgic importance. Mr. Anthony DeLorenzo ’61, a boarder,
recounts his duty as Hall Commander on the St. Paul campus,
which involved ensuring that “beds were made [and] floors were
cleaned,” as well as organizing drill sessions. This daily routine,
to Mr. DeLorenzo, marks memories based on tradition.
t
SENIOR SPEECH
Graduates of Saint Thomas Military Academy placed particular
importance on the military pillar in general. “There are plenty
of good schools, all-male schools, Catholic schools,” explains
“you also got to hear who was in trouble.” The theme of
Mr. John Sturner ’59, “but what sets us apart is the military
community was certainly a common thread for those who
program.” In his day, the military department drew from the
mentioned formation as their tradition of choice. “It’s at
Army’s existing leadership programs rooted in World War II and
formation where we laugh together, where we go through
the Korean War. Now, as Mr. Sturner explains, “leadership has
sobering moments together, or cheer and motivate each other,”
become more academic by far,” and has adapted to “the times.”
describes Mr. Kelly Rowe ’79. “It’s that one time of day where
But with a grandson at Saint Thomas Academy today, he still
we all come together as a school.”
sees the military pillar as a timeless and crucial tradition.
In the memories of many alumni, formation epitomizes the
brotherhood so often mentioned in the halls of Saint Thomas
Coming together as a community
Academy. This brotherhood, while more of an abstract concept
Daily formation, which emerged after Saint Thomas Academy’s than the formation itself, is still very much a tradition. Mr. Nate
move to its current campus, was most frequently cited as Walcker ’05 discussed how the notion of brotherhood has had
impactful to 1970s and 1980s alumni. In the words of Mr. Jim the greatest impact on his life. “Over the years, when people talk
Seidel ’87, “One formation exhibits our four pillars all at once: about their experiences at STA, [brotherhood] is what it all
military, Catholic, all-male, and college-prep.” Indeed, formation comes back to,” says Mr. Walcker, “and it’s so important because
can be seen as a microcosm of the Saint Thomas Academy it continues in the lives of cadets beyond their graduation.”
experience, characterized by routine reporting, prayer, Mr. Jeff Smith ’97, currently a mathematics teacher at STA,
and academic announcements, each of which correspond
with a pillar. For Mr. Paul Cramer ’87, the
...the idea of tradition itself, rests in the mind of the community.
formation tradition represented “a quick
break in the day… to stand with your Each cadet drives or rides to school, walks through the hallways, and eats
classmates, and to see your classmates lunch every single day, yet these are not considered traditions.
present.” With a laugh, he added that
since Mr. Culbertson, the Dean of Students, It’s the meaningful repeated practices — those that bring us together
would publicly name cadets required to as a community — which are designated as traditions in solidarity.
see him after formation,
10 | SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 cadets.com“It’s at formation where
we laugh together, where
we go through sobering
moments together, or cheer
and motivate each other.
It’s that one time of day
where we all come together
as a school.”
— MR. KELLY ROWE ’79
similarly mentioned how brotherhood is especially apparent
in the all-male environment. “The all-male environment is
also helpful for teachers, cadets are more on-task,” he added
with a chuckle.
In the course of my interviews, I found this prominent sense
of brotherhood to be a common thread across the decades.
Mr. Jack Ptacek ’64, a boarder, felt this brotherly connection
while living with a truly international group of cadets, “some
from Cuba, Brazil… and quite a few from Mexico.” “We used
toothbrushes… to shine parts of the floor,” remembers Mr.
Ptacek, “and through routines like [this] we had quite the
camaraderie.” Mr. Rowe also recalled Saint Thomas Academy’s
strong fraternal environment, assuring me that even if the
term “brotherhood” was not as commonly used in his day,
“My close friends, who we’d refer to as the brotherhood today,
were, of course, all there.” Elaborating on the etymology of the
word, he proposed that the term “brotherhood” may be more
common today as cadets today tend to come from smaller
families, and their classmates more literally fill the role of
brothers with this designation.
One of the most common events in which the brotherhood is
mentioned is the senior speech. Much like how formation
arguably emerged from Saint Thomas Academy’s traditional
t
pillars and values, the senior speech originated as an element FORMATION
— Continued on page 12
cadets.com SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 | 11Tracing Tradition, continued
“...it’s particularly rewarding to see
the continuation of this tradition…
knowing it began with our senior class.”
— MR. MICHAEL REIF ’98
BROTHERHOOD
t
“Over the years, when people talk about their
of formation in the 1990s. Today, it is oft considered
fundamental to formation itself. The importance of senior
experiences at STA, [brotherhood] is what it all comes
speeches is twofold, according to Mr. Peter Edwards ’04. back to, and it’s so important because it continues in
“The tradition of every senior giving a speech in front of the the lives of cadets beyond their graduation.”
school almost every day really ingrains the importance of
speaking publicly,” describes Mr. Edwards on the academic — MR. NATE WALCKER ’05
importance of mandatory speeches. The second facet of the
tradition’s purpose, however, connects to the recurring concept particularly rewarding to see “the continuation of this
of brotherhood. Mr. Edwards recalls that when classmates “gave tradition… knowing it began with our senior class.”
their senior speech, I was able to learn a lot about them,” further
building the sense of brotherhood. Even very familiar students Listening to Mr. Reif contemplate that fateful 1998 tournament,
become better known through the opportunity of the senior Mr. Rowe ponder the thousands of announcements made at
speech to reveal an unfamiliar aspect of their lives, something four years’ worth of formations, or even Mr. Ptacek describe a
“unique to Saint Thomas Academy” according to Mr. Edwards. high school experience spent living on campus, I couldn’t help
but philosophize on tradition itself. Even as a member of the
Class of 2019, I still see these described traditions alive — if not
Tradition in full view in the same literal form, at least as implicit in new traditions
The senior speech isn’t the only recently founded tradition to adapted to a changing world. However, I’ve come to realize
have a lasting impact on graduates of the last two decades. that all traditions, and the idea of tradition itself, rests in the
During the winter of his senior year, Mr. Michael Reif ’98 and mind of the community. Each cadet drives or rides to school,
some friends approached their senior military instructor with walks through the hallways, and eats lunch every single day,
the idea of wearing full Class A uniforms to the MSHSL yet these are not considered traditions. It’s the meaningful
Basketball State Tournament games. “Guys really loved it, and repeated practices — those that bring us together as a
we won the tournament, so the tradition has really taken off community — which are designated as traditions in solidarity.
since then,” reflects Mr. Reif. The annual sight of hundreds of And it’s this solidarity of cadets past and present that
consistent cadets and the lens flares of their shifting brass analogously gives our traditions their importance. Time will
across the television screen is certainly fulfilling in itself to shape traditions, but the underlying community they reflect
any alumnus. But to Mr. Reif, the pioneer of this practice, it’s has, and will continue to, transcend centuries.
12 | SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 cadets.comAcademy News
STAFF UPDATES COACHING UPDATES
WELCOME TO NEW TEACHING STAFF Joseph Piazza has been hired as head wrestling STAFF NOTES
Margaret Adams — Theology coach. Daniel Conners has been named the head
Curt Cooper — Military Leadership track and field coach as Rick Stevson has moved to
Lisa Deyak — English assistant track and field coach. Currently, a search is
Anthony Govrik — Spanish underway for a head baseball coach.
Stephanie Heidorn — Digital Arts
Brandon Lutterman — Art
OTHER NEW STAFF
Jennina Boskovich — Counseling
Robert Guggisberg — Facilities
Missy Perry — Counseling Math teacher Joshua
Mulheron and his wife
Francie Reding — Admissions
Macey welcomed a baby
Nate Sillman — College Counseling girl this summer. Emma
Nathan Whipple — Counseling was adopted by the
Joseph Piazza Daniel Conners
Mulherons in July and is
receiving lots of love.
Upcoming Admissions Events
Saint Thomas Academy is a place where boys harness their greatest intellectual, athletic, spiritual and
leadership potential. Here, they can explore and become the young men they are meant to be. It’s the origin
of a life-changing bond of brotherhood your son will carry with him for life. Please share the below events
with those who may be a good fit for the Academy.
ADMISSIONS SHOWCASES
This event offers an opportunity to meet our faculty and staff, tour the facilities and interact with coaches
and moderators at the Activity Fair. Current parents and students will be on hand to answer questions and
welcome guests to the Saint Thomas Academy community. Register at cadets.com/showcase
n Monday, October 29 | 6:00 to 8:00 PM
n Sunday, January 6 | 1:00 to 3:00 PM
ACE VISIT: AUTHENTIC CADET EXPERIENCE
Experience first-hand a school day with one of our current students.
Attend classes, meet teachers and other boys, and get a sense of
the incredible community spirit at Saint Thomas Academy.
Register at cadets.com/ace
TUESDAY TOURS
Each month we offer a guided tour for prospective families to
tour our campus, see our classes in action and learn more
about our unique approach to educating boys.
Register at cadets.com/tuesday
cadets.com SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 | 13Academy News
Leo Bluhm ’22, Michael
DelVacchio ’22 and
Sam Trammell ’22
recently volunteered
to help rebuild the
playground at Jenny Lind
Elementary in North
Minneapolis. The boys
helped to build a stage
and paint sidewalk games.
Crack Drill and Honor Guard
The Honor Guard and Crack Drill Squad recently attended a meet and greet session with Medal of
Honor recipient MSG Leroy Petry (TOP). The Honor Guard presented the colors and the Crack
Drill Squad followed with a presentation.
The Crack Drill Squad also presented at the Life Prep School in East Saint Paul to celebrate
Patriots Day (ABOVE). If you have an opportunity for the Crack Drill Squad to present, please
contact LTC Cooper at ccooper@cadets.com.
14 | SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 cadets.comAcademy News
Poster Presentation
Jack Ogle ’19 was selected to present his poster
at the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. The
abstract title of the poster is, “Advanced Image
Classification Workflow to Quantify Extracellular
Matrices of Bioprosthetic Heart Valves.” The
BMES is the professional society for biomedical
engineering and bioengineering and boasts over
7,000 members.
NATIONAL MERIT
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Luke Kolar ’19 and Peter Holmes ’19 have been
named semifinalists in the 64th annual National Merit
Scholarship Program, which represents less than one
percent of the nation’s high school graduating seniors.
Seven cadets received Letters of Commendation
from the National Merit Scholarship Program. They MARK YOUR
CALENDAR!
placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.6
million students. Commended cadets include: Lance
Decapia ’19, Morgan Donohue ’19, Donald Hau ’19,
VISTA FALL
PRODUCTION
Jack Libbesmeier ’19, Thomas Mayleben ’19, Lucas
Montpetit ’19, and Hayes Reding ’19. This fall, VISTA
Productions presents,
Little Women.
Show Information:
November 9, 10, 16
7:30 p.m.
November 11 and 18
2:00 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults
and $5 for students and
seniors.
Contact Wendy Short-
Hays at wshorthays@
vischool.org for ticket
reservations or to
purchase at the door.
Middle School students in coding class were working
on teamwork and problem solving. Students had one
Cadets from Environmental Science class sheet of aluminum foil and had to try to build a boat
performed water quality testing in Rogers Lake. that would support as many pennies as possible. The
top group made it to 150 pennies and 12 nickels.
cadets.com SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 | 15Academy News
Little plays in the OK Go ‘Sandbox’ through
University of St. Thomas graduate work
The musical group OK Go stumbled into the videos to accompany
education world through its creative songs, and “Upside Down and
more so, the accompanying videos. The band Inside Out,” which
received message after message from teachers features a video
who found the band’s music and videos brilliantly recorded in a micro-
reached and aided teaching students of all ages a gravity environment.
variety of concepts. Little, who is currently
pursuing her
Through happenstance, the band met University master’s certificate in
of St. Thomas Professor AnnMarie Thomas, engineering education
UST Professor of the Year and Creator of the at UST, was chosen
University’s Playful Learning Lab. Together, Caroline Little
because of her work
Professor Thomas and the band created the with Professor Thomas
OK Go Sandbox, an online platform on which and the Playful Learning Lab, and Little’s experience
educators tap into resources and share ideas
CHOIR in NASA’s Micro-gravity University for Educators in
around creativity and STEAM learning concepts.
DIRECTOR 2016-2017. Little’s recent capstone project for the
TRAVELS The Sandbox allows the band to more actively National Geographic Certified Educator program
interact with educators and contribute to was also space-themed.
VISTA Choir Director
Julia Fahey recently classroom learning.
took her Youth Choir to As the lead educator, Caroline will accompany
Greece for a summer Professor Thomas works with a bench of more a group of UST students involved in the Playful
competition. The choir than 700 educators to create content for the OK Learning Lab to a STEAM event at the California
won Gold in the World Go Sandbox, including a series of educational Institute of Technology (Caltech). She will work with
Music category and just videos that complement every music video the students (1,100 strong) from across the country on
missed the highest score band produces. Only one educator is chosen to
by two points. The choir space-related experiments, an art competition and
be the lead on the set when these educational more. Caroline and the students will get to meet and
also won Silver in the
Sacred Music category videos are being produced. work with the band during the weekend.
and received the highest
score in this category. This October, Saint Thomas Academy French Watch the Academy’s social media feeds for updates
Julia’s choir also received teacher and Experimental Vehicle Team co- on Caroline’s experience at Caltech and her brush
the prestigious award moderator Caroline Little will be the lead with fame!
of having the Best educator on the production of educational
Communication with
the audience!
Notre Dame STEM Trustey
Fellows Kim Wald, Kara Ehlert,
Lisa Clausen and Mark Westlake
pictured on the Notre Dame
campus during their two-week
meetings on increasing STEM
with Middle School students.
16 | SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 cadets.comAcademy News
ANNUAL TASTE OF STA
The annual Taste of
STA event took place
on October 4 and
welcomed over 500
people to eat and drink
their way through
a sampling of Saint
Thomas Academy
community vendors.
View more pictures
and vendor listing at
www.cadets.com/taste.
Join Us!
2019 COMMUNITY AUCTION CO-CHAIRS
April 26-27, 2019
Jen and Vern Lovegreen ’85
Shelley and Brian Kueppers ’85
Katie and Andy Wilhoit ’87
cadets.com SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 | 17Academy News MEET THE FACULTY
Lisa Clausen
STARTED AT SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY | 2016
SUBJECTS/CO-CURRICULARS/CLUBS | Middle and High School Science Teacher
FIRST TEACHING JOB | 1998 Inver Grove Heights Middle School; Outside of Saint Thomas Academy,
I helped coach my son’s basketball and baseball teams, taught Confirmation and spent many hours flooding
hockey rinks!
HOBBIES | Anything that involves the outdoors! Running, hiking, biking, skiing. Spending time at my cabin up
“
North. I love sports, especially hockey and basketball! Cooking and canning the garden’s bounty! Maple Syruping
at the Clausen Family Sugarbush in Wisconsin. Being a Minnesota Master Naturalist and teaching others to love
the outdoors!
IT IS EXCITING TO
WATCH STUDENTS A FAVORITE TEACHING MOMENT | One special moment was walking into Walgreens one day and the
GROW AND pharmacist was a student from my first year of teaching in 1998. I actually taught him 6th, 7th and 8th grades!
REACH He immediately recognized me from behind the counter and was yelling my name across the store! I always enjoy
THEIR GOALS when I have the opportunity to see how students have achieved their goals in life!
ACADEMICALLY,
BRUSH WITH FAME | I ran into Bob Dylan once in Duluth while out running on the Lake Walk!
ATHLETICALLY AND
ARTISTICALLY.
FAVORITE EXPERIENCE | Honestly my favorite experiences come from my Grandparents! I grew up hiking
”
and sailing around Lake Superior, farming and having them support me as an athlete and musician. So much of who
I am today has come from all the love and support of my grandparents!
WHY I TEACH AT SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY | I love the small class sizes! It allows me to really get
to know my students and be able to connect with them! I also love that I get the opportunity to watch student
progress through their school years. It is exciting to watch them grow and reach their goals academically,
athletically and artistically.
FAVORITE MUSIC | I love all types of music! 80’s and 90’s are my favorite, but I love Classic Rock, Jazz,
Blue’s, Classical and New Age. In the summer you can find me on a patio somewhere listening to live music!
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT | Mexico and my
Northern MN cabin! Growing up in Duluth I also
spend a lot of time around the North Shore. Lake
Superior is in my soul!
FAMILY | Husband of 21 years — Matthew;
Sons: Caden, 17, and Carson, 15; My girl: Yellow
Lab — Sunny, 11
18 | SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 cadets.comMEET THE FACULTY Academy News
Patrick Meisch ’10
YEAR STARTED AT SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY | Teaching 2017, Graduate of 2010
SUBJECTS/CO-CURRICULARS/CLUBS | Science Instructor, Middle School Soccer Coach,
Poker Club Moderator
FIRST TEACHING JOB | PLTW Biomed Instructor at East Ridge High School
HOBBIES | Playing soccer, playing video games, reading sci fi and fantasy novels, learning Japanese
A FAVORITE TEACHING MOMENT | My favorite teaching moment so far occurred when a biomed
student of mine stormed in to my room one day in order to complain about missing a study session that I had
held after hours for a big exam, which made her feel as though she had been deprived of a valuable learning
opportunity. She was angry with me and she expressed that she was at a disadvantage compared to the other
“
IN MY EXPERIENCE,
THERE IS NO
students as a result of choosing to miss said session and she continued to complain that it was not fair while SCHOOL THAT
growing ever more distraught. She left my room in a huff after I told her that every choice one makes in life
BETTER CAPITALIZES
will carry consequences and growing up is about learning to plan around these inevitabilities. I spent the rest
of the day agonizing over whether or not my terse delivery of this crucial lesson had made an enemy out of ON THE MISSION
one of my best students. She came back in to my room the following morning and apologized for her behavior, OF TURNING
admitted her fault in the situation, and told me she would strive to plan better in the future. I was too proud BOYS IN TO MEN
of her demonstration of character in the moment to experience the relief that came with the return of our OF UPSTANDING
relationship to normalcy. QUALITY.
”
WHY I TEACH AT SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY | I chose to teach at Saint Thomas Academy to pursue
my passion of teaching while giving back to the community that gave me so much as a child. In my experience,
there is no school that better capitalizes on the mission of turning boys in to men of upstanding quality.
FAVORITE MUSIC | 90’s Alternative
FAVORITE VACATION
SPOT | My favorite vacation spot
is my couch, but I have always
wanted to travel to Hawaii one day.
cadets.com SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 | 19The Mother of All Clubs
BY DAVID JACOBSON
W hen it comes to many household tasks, if the mother doesn’t
do it, it doesn’t get done. That is often the case at Saint Thomas
Academy, where the Mothers’ Club, celebrating its 80th year, is
responsible for*:
Service to the school:
n Cadet Promotions Reception
n Faculty and Teacher Appreciation Meals and Gifts
n New and Used Uniform Sales
Outdoor Seasonal Planters
*
n
Partial list provided by current n School Christmas Decorations
Mothers’ Club President n Military Ball Decorations
Kris Goldade, who is quick n Picture Day
to point out, n Back To School Night
“While there is a Mothers’ Club
board and I happen to be the Fostering parent/guardian involvement and camaraderie:
president this year, Mothers’ n One+ Event Per Year, Per Class
Club runs so well because of n Mother's Harvest Mass and Meal
all 500 of the amazing mothers n Mothers’ Club Meetings and Socials
volunteering and sharing their
time and talents.” Celebrating Mothers and Sons:
n Spring Senior Moms and Sons Mass and Luncheon
[
n Christmas Mother and Son Mass and Brunch
Service to Faith:
n Eucharistic Adoration
n Prayer Chains
n Mother's Morning Of Prayer
n Monthly Mother/Son Mass
Community Support:
n C ards, Flowers, Meal Trains and Other Support For Those In Need
Even more amazing than the list of what the Mothers’ Club gets done
is that many of the activities are so long-standing. “What strikes me is
the traditions that were started 80 years ago that still exist,” Goldade
said. “It’s not too often that that happens these days. It speaks
volumes about the connections to the school and how close a
community it is.”
20 | SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 cadets.comIn honor of the 80-year anniversary, Goldade, a long time
educator, has dug into the club’s history and identified unique
levels of longevity, continuity and community. For example,
Joan Farley, whose grandsons are now cadets, was a club
member for the 18 consecutive years that her six sons attended
the Academy (Greg ’79, Tim ’81, Kevin ’83, Michael ’84,
Brian ’87, and Daniel ’93).
Goldade visited with Joan Farley regarding the changes in
Mothers’ Club throughout the years. Joan noted that
technology has been a big change, “There is no longer a phone
calling committee that disseminates information to members.
It’s all email now.” Joan remembers taking over the email
communication for her STA Mothers’ Club friends and having
the precious contact information sent to her via certified mail
so as not to lose a single name. Pictured are past presidents Joan Farley and Mary Kelly Klein.
While digging through the archives of the Mothers’ Club files, names, she realized the plaque was unrealistic. So she decided
Goldade found that the stamp of the Mothers’ Club is all on a rock memorial and drove around the area looking for
around the school. Did you know that the long- standing one. She found a 3-ton rock at a nearby construction site, had
tradition of the silent auction began with the Mothers’ Club? it delivered to the school and a plaque placed on it in
Did you also know the rock that sits outside of the cafeteria remembrance of those cadets that have served.
doors was put there by the Mothers’ Club? While Anne Hickey
was Mothers’ Club president, she wanted a plaque made to Many past Mothers’ Club members strive to keep their
remember the Saint Thomas Academy graduates that had connections to the Academy long after their sons graduate.
served in the military. When she found that there were 1,800 For example, along with the late Ann Connelly (mother of
Mick ’07 and Patrick ’10), Mary Kelly (mother of Cotter ’10
and twins Louis and Dennis ’18) started Alumni Nights to
help their fellow members keep in touch. Similarly, Past
Presidents, Judy Wicker and Sue Hayes, about 10 years ago,
started an annual “WHACHABENDOIN Luncheon” that
draws some 40-50 members ranging in age from 70 to 90.
Goldade, whose son Matthew graduated in 2018 and son Jacob
is a junior, will serve in that critical past-president role next
year and pass on the legacy of the Mothers’ Club. Looking to
the future, she said, “We will continue welcoming in new
moms and encouraging them to get involved in the many
traditions of the Saint Thomas Academy Mothers’ Club —
making friendships that will last long after their sons have
graduated. A huge piece of why moms want to stay connected
to STA after their sons are done with school is that we have
made great friends through our involvement in the many
Mothers’ Club events, and we don’t want those friendships to
come to an end. It’s out of that desire that we are building a
strong Moms of Alumni branch of the Mothers’ Club.”
If you wish to be included in the newly created Moms
of Alumni database and receive an invite to the
“WHACHABENDOIN” Luncheon next fall and other
Past Mothers’ Club President Anne Hickey (1973-74) seated events during the year, please e-mail Mary Kelly at,
on the three-ton rock she brought to the Academy as a
memorial to alumni who served in the military.
mmkelly.orchard@comcast.net.
cadets.com SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 | 212017-2018 Financial Highlights
Operating Summary (unaudited)
July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018
INCOME
n
Student Tuition, Net — 71% Student Tution, Net $10,111,990
nnual Giving Income — 11% Annual Giving Income 1,499,619
n A
Auxiliary Programs 1,051,403
n A uxiliary Programs — 7% Other 498,594
n O ther — 4% Endowment Earnings Transfer 1,015,000
n ndowment Earnings
E
TOTAL INCOME $14,176,607
Transfer — 7%
EXPENSES
n G eneral Instruction — 49%
General Instruction 6,897,416
n S tudent Activities and Athletics — 7%
Student Activities and Athletics 1,042,109
n G eneral and Administrative — 24% General and Administrative 3,446,370
n P lant and Maintenance — 12% Plant and Maintenance 1,671,580
n A uxiliary Programs — 2% Auxiliary Programs 260,996
nO ther Expenses — 3% Other Expenses 410,418
Debt Reduction and Interest 447,719
n D ebt Reductions and Interest — 3%
TOTAL EXPENSES $14,176,607
2017-18 SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
CHIEF OFFICER TRUSTEES Mr. James Mulally ’70
The Most Reverend Bernard Hebda Dr. Bernard Carpenter Mr. Timothy Murnane ’77
(Faculty Representative) Dr. John Newcome ’79
CHAIRMAN
Mr. Michael Ciresi ’64 Mr. Daniel Queenan ’89
Mr. Kelly Rowe ’79
Rear Admiral John Crowley, Jr. ’71 Mr. John Schreier ’82
VICE CHAIRMEN Mrs. Sharon D'Agostino Sister Mary Denise Villaume, VHM
Mr. Daniel Kubes ’87 Dr. Mary Garry Mr. Thomas Votel ’75
Dr. Mary Henderson Reverend Nate Wills, C.S.C. ’95
PAST CHAIRMEN Mr. Gregory Hosch ’89
Mr. James Kolar '80 Mrs. Kim Hunnewell
Mr. Richard Johnson ’85 HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERS:
VICE PRESIDENT Mr. Michael Wright ’56
The Most Reverend Andrew Cozzens Mr. Louis King
Mr. Thomas Lee ’85
SECRETARY Mr. William Lentsch
Mr. Matthew Mohs ’90
22 | SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 cadets.comAnnual Report 2017-2018
CONTENTS Honoring Our Donors
22 Operating Fund Report The 2017-18 Annual Report honors and recognizes hundreds of
24 Letter from the Director of Institutional Advancement individuals and organizations who provided financial support to
25 Your Gifts at Work Saint Thomas Academy for the previous fiscal year (July 1, 2017
26 Alumni Honor Roll of Donors to June 30, 2018). We are grateful to each and every one of you
33 Student Honor Roll of Donors for your expression of support and confidence in the Academy
36 Honor Roll of Donors and its tradition of educational excellence.
43 Alumni Open and Community Auction Sponsors
While compiling these lists, we made every effort to avoid errors.
43 Supported Endowment Funds
If your name was listed incorrectly or inadvertently omitted,
44 Memorials and Gifts in Honor please call the Advancement Office at 651-683-1594.
45 Corporate, Business and Foundation Donors
46 The Heritage Society
cadets.com SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 | 232017-18 Annual Report
Your Investment, Our Students,
Amazing Results
BY DAVID HOTTINGER ’85
DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
T his annual report edition of Saber highlights the commitment and
investment in Saint Thomas Academy by so many in our community across
the United Sates and throughout the world. We are indeed blessed.
Of course, you can see our beautiful campus and transformative projects
that have recently taken place in the Innovation Center, the Chapel, and
the Anderson Learning Commons. But the greatest outcome of your gifts
at work, in my opinion, appears each day on the faces of the students who David Hottinger ’85
can attend and gain everything possible from Saint Thomas Academy,
thanks to financial support from our benefactors.
More than $3 million per year in assistance goes to families and students. This is a
number that should evoke pride in all who support STA, comprising numerous gifts toward
the Aquinas Annual Fund, Operation Scholar, Endowed Scholarships, Student Sponsorships, “I like Saint Thomas
Fund a Need, and Random Acts of Kindness. Nearly half the students who attend Saint
Thomas Academy do so because of your support.
Academy because it is
teaching me to become
You can see on page 43 our established scholarship funds, and I encourage you to support
those or create a fund of your own. I ask you to reach out to our Advancement team with an a well-rounded, strong
offer to support our students, as there could not be a more meaningful and impactful gift to leader and young man.
a young man than that of a Saint Thomas Academy education.
I also like my fellow
Thank you for making a difference by investing in excellence and the development of
students, teachers and
men of character.
staff. I like being a part
of the Saint Thomas
Academy legacy.”
REMEMBER TO
— LOGAN CLOUTIER ’19
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
FOR
NOVEMBER 14, 2018!
If you would like to offer a “challenge
match” to the community on STA Give Day
2018, please contact Mike Maxwell ’84 at
651-683-1577 or mmaxwell@cadets.com.
24 | SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 cadets.com2017-18 Annual Report
Your Gifts at Work | THE SAMECS ON SCHOLARSHIPS
BY DAVID JACOBSON
Jason Samec, a senior and captain on the cadets football team, knows The Samecs’ financial aid application caught the eye of
something about openings. As an offensive lineman, Samec creates scholarship donors. Learning about the scholarship availability,
openings for the skill-position players behind him, and as a defensive Michael recalled. “I cried…and I’m not a crier, but I couldn’t
lineman, he rushes through openings in the opposing offensive line. believe that our family would be blessed that way.”
Perhaps the determination to create and “I cried, too,” Jennifer said. “I was completely shocked and wasn’t
capitalize on openings that Samec showed in expecting that at all. We were starting to lose a little bit of hope,
helping the cadets to a 7-0 start this season stems but this answered our prayers.”
from the opening that donors created for Samec, Despite some early “class-clown” behavior Jason mentioned in his
an open door to Saint Thomas Academy in the speech at the Honor Awards and Dinner, he was a fit from the
form of a scholarship, a door Samec rushed start. “My top experience has been football,” he said. “Freshman
through four years ago. When he exits football started three weeks before school, so by the first day of
as a graduate next spring, Samec will remain school, I knew 40 or 50 guys.”
determined to create openings, not just on
whichever college football field he graces, but Other impactful experiences include his time as an altar
also by eventually contributing funds for a server, work with campus ministry, and last year’s mock trial.
Jason Samec ’19 scholarship that provides a future cadet an Academically, Samec gravitates toward business and hopes
otherwise-unaffordable opportunity to attend the Academy. to eventually earn an economics degree and possibly attend
law school.
“The person who provides the scholarship for Jason also went to
Saint Thomas Academy on a scholarship,” explained Jason’s father, His parents appreciate other aspects of the Academy. “It’s helped
Michael, “and he’s hoping that the people he’s given the scholarship develop Jason into a more responsible person,” Michael said.
to can do the same thing, so that they create a number of “Maybe being at an all-boys school helps because he’s not trying
scholarships for people.” to impress the girls.” Added Jennifer: “I’ve come to understand
more about the brotherhood and how they really do operate as
That seems distinctly possible, given Jason Samec’s trajectory. His family through their ups and downs.”
parents, Stillwater residents, make no bones about the fact that they
wanted a different experience for Jason than he could have received Underlying it all, the Samecs feel great gratitude for the
at the local public high school, but that they could not afford Saint scholarship that brought Jason to Saint Thomas Academy.
Thomas Academy. Michael works as an electrician, and Jason’s “We’ve thanked the donors repeatedly,” Jennifer said, “but we
mother, Jennifer, primarily is a stay-at-home mom. can never thank them enough.”
ABOUT THE STEELE FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
BY DAVID JACOBSON
Jason Samec attends Saint Thomas Academy “Gerry Brown deserves all the credit for being “One benefit of the scholarship is a one-to-one
under the Steele Family Scholarship Program, our scout on the ground every year,” Steele relationship with a mentor,” Steele said. “Gerry
established in 2006 by Tom Steele ’58. said. “His astute football knowledge is an asset and I stay in touch with all of the Steele Family
The program works with the Admissions to the program. Jason Samec, for example, Scholars beyond high school and college. This
Department to identify a current 8th grader seemed to be somebody who would fit in very extends through the rest of their lives, which is
who shows academic and athletic promise. well, and we have been very pleased with his very impactful to the scholarship recipients and
The program then looks at family and financial academic performance and his performance on very rewarding for me.”
circumstances and awards the scholarship the football field.”
Steele hopes other alumni will follow suit so
from 9th-12th grade.
Steele’s own experience of “coming from a that families of prospective cadets “do not
Steele — along with his classmate and football modest background, where my family had no self-select out of Saint Thomas Academy based
teammate, Gerry Brown, for whom the car and no TV” and having a donor cover the on cost. I’d like to see an increase in the pool
Academy’s football stadium is named — selects cost of his Academy education prompted him of eligible candidates for the Steele Family
recipients based on their potential to contribute to start the scholarship program. Beyond Scholarship Program and in increase in the pool
to the betterment of the school academically funding, Steele and Brown maintain of funds from other people to start these types
and athletically. relationships with the scholarship recipients. of scholarship programs.”
cadets.com SABER Fall / Annual Report 2018 | 25You can also read
