ODU Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Living the ODU Mission
Established in 1980, the Distinguished Alumni Award is given to an alumna or alumnus who has demonstrated a life according to the Dominican motto: To contemplate truth and to share with others the fruits of this contemplation. Recipients of the award display a commitment to intellectual, spiritual and professional growth; are lifelong learners, show commitment to serving others in a global society as an ethical and effective leader, and are grounded in the pursuit of truth, justice and peace.
2023 ODU Distinguished Alumni
This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award honorees are Mary Smart Callaway (class of 1979), Jay DeLuca (class of 1996), John Kelley (class of 2005) and Lou Staffilino (class of 1973 – posthumous). They will be celebrated at a special recognition dinner
and ceremony to be held during Homecoming weekend on Saturday, Oct. 7. Read more about
this year's Distinguished Alumni Award recipients below.
Mary A. Callaway ’79
Colonel Mary A. Callaway graduated from Ohio Dominican College in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, and was immediately commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. In early assignments, she served as a programmer/analyst in the 20th Missile Warning Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and later as the configuration manager and test director in that same squadron. She held two positions at the Defense Communications Agency in Washington, D.C., first as a programmer and later as the operations manager for the ARPANET (a precursor to the Internet) and DISNET. She also was one of four team members who implemented a congressionally mandated program to include supercomputers and their customers on the ARPANET.
After attending the Communications and Computer Systems Staff Officer course at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, she was assigned to an early warning satellite development program at Los Angeles Air Force Base in California. In this assignment, she served in roles including the satellite on-board processing project officer, the program manager for ground systems development, and the director of test and operations. Following that assignment, she was assigned to the Air Force Studies and Analyses Agency in Washington, D.C. where she served as the Chief of Communications and Computer Systems.
Following that assignment, she served as the Executive Officer for XOM, the Directorate of Command and Control under the Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations in Washington, D.C. After graduating from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Col. Callaway was assigned as the Commander of the Pacific Air Forces Computer Systems Squadron at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. She was next assigned as the Director of Global Connectivity for the Air Force Communications Agency at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. In 2001, she was named Commander of the 86th Communications Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, which she held until 2003 when she was transferred to the Air Force Security Assistance Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, as the Chief Information Officer.
After a brief deployment to Djibouti, she retired as a colonel in 2005. Since her retirement in, Col. Callaway has volunteered regularly in her parish as the leader of Adult Faith Formation and has taught adult religious education to include a seminar on social doctrine in preparation for the 2008 elections. Mary and her husband, Bruce, have been married for forty-two years. In addition to her degree from Ohio Dominican, Mary earned a master's degree in Computer Science from the Air Force Institute of Technology; a master’s degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces; and a master's degree in Theological Studies from the University of Dayton.
Jay DeLuca ’96
Jay DeLuca graduated from Ohio Dominican College in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Today, he has over twenty years of business leadership, strategy and consulting experience in areas that include franchising, sales, marketing, distribution, contracting, commercialization and business development. In 2009, he founded a consulting company that focuses on assisting sales organizations through business advisement, professional education and contracted representation, and he has vast experience with healthcare services companies and medical device manufacturers across the globe.
In 2015, Jay and his wife Amy ’95 opened their first Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery in Gahanna. Today, they own and operate six bakeries in the Central Ohio and Middle Tennessee markets, with three additional bakeries underway in Tennessee. In addition to operating their bakeries, Jay and Amy are developing three additional trade areas in Middle Tennessee in Downtown Nashville, The Gulch, and Spring Hill. Jay’s role is the “Chief Joy Officer” of their enterprise, and he enjoys bringing energy and inspiration to their teams. Along with Amy, Jay’s main goal is to provide support and remove barriers to the team members he serves, ensuring the teams have the tools and resources necessary to grow their bakeries.
Jay spends much of his time prospecting for growth, financial analysis, providing training resources for managers, increasing in-bakery sales and managing the development process of additional locations. Jay and Amy reside Nashville, Tennessee with their two fur kids, Maui and Moonshine. Jay has passions for family, travel, boxer rescue, vintage cars and riding his Harley.
John F. Kelley III ’05 (MBA)
John Kelley III earned his Master of Business Administration from Ohio Dominican University in 2005. He currently serves as Chief People Officer at White Castle System Inc., where he is responsible for leading the strategic human resources functions with his Organizational Development Leadership Team at White Castle and its subsidiaries, which include White Castle Distributing and Food Products Division.
John joined White Castle in 1992 as a coordinator in the International Division and, five years later, moved to the Human Resources department as Training Manager. John was promoted to Director of Training in 2000 and to Senior Director of Training and Human Resources in 2001. As Chief People Officer, John is responsible for training, organizational development, employee relations, compensation and corporate services. He also serves as a member of the executive council for White Castle.
As a fourth-generation family member, John’s natural passion for White Castle translates to a commitment to fostering the company culture of loyalty and putting people first. Prior to earning his MBA from ODU, John graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Wilmington College. He also is a certified Senior Professional of Human Resources (SPHR), and a member and past Board President of the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART). In the Columbus community, he proudly serves on the board of directors for several local organizations, including A Kid Again, Ohio Dominican University, and The Godman Guild. An avid reader, John enjoys travelling and is a Level II Whiskey Sommelier.
Lou Staffilino ’73 (Posthumous)
Lou Staffilino was a 1973 graduate of Ohio Dominican College, and was among the first classes of men to be admitted after the college became coeducational. Lou was proud to be a first-generation college student and chose to pursue a degree in education because of the strong influence his teachers, especially Catholic Sisters, had on his childhood. Following graduation, Lou worked in public education in Central Ohio for thirty years, mostly in the Westerville and Dublin school districts, and also as Superintendent for Lakewood Local Schools in Licking County.
After a brief retirement, Lou worked in various administrative roles for The State Department of Education, Columbus Torah Academy and Delaware Area Career Center. He enjoyed being part of the educational community right up to the end of his life. Lou was married to Beth Ruck ’74, who passed away in 1984. Lou and Beth have one son, Joel, who lives with his wife and four children in Chicago.
Throughout his life, Lou was a believer in the transformational power of education
and was grateful for the education and experience he had while attending Ohio Dominican.
Sadly, Lou passed away on June 19 of this year, and we’re proud to honor him posthumously.
Lou’s son, Joel, is accepting his father’s Distinguished Alumni Award on his behalf.
This year is Lou’s class’ 50th Reunion Celebration.
Previous Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Dr. Martha (Marty) Petrucci ’56 is a retired adjunct professor, library and media director, and leader of numerous
allied independent associated agencies throughout Central Ohio. Martha is the proud
mother of three children, whom she shared with husband, attorney Michael Petrucci,
who passed away in 2007. Martha graduated from the original College of St. Mary of
the Springs in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and two minors in Drama and
Library Science. From 1957 to 1973, she completed course work equivalent to a master’s
degree in Library Science and Media and Communications at The University of Kentucky,
Miami of Ohio, Kent State University and The Ohio State University. Martha completed
a master’s degree in Adult Education at The Ohio State University in 1975, and a doctorate
with a focus on Curriculum and Staff Development, Instruction and Educational Media
in 1980. During this time, she co-authored a proposal for the development – and supervised
the construction – of The Edgar Dale Media Center at The Ohio State University College
of Education. Martha began her career as an elementary school librarian in the Bexley
City Schools district, then served as head of the Children’s Department of the Bexley
Public Library. She also served as the first lay supervisor of Library Media and as
director of the first federal and state funding for the 93 Columbus Catholic Diocesan
Schools over a 33 county area. Throughout her career, Martha supervised the construction
of 55 media centers as well as numerous remodeling projects. Following the completion
of her master’s degree at OSU, she taught all of the graduate Library Science courses,
as well as some audiovisual classes, in the College of Education until 1978 as well
as during select summers in the mid-1990’s. From 1981 to 1982, Martha served as Coordinator
of C.A.L.I.C.O. (The Columbus Area Library and Information Council of Ohio), a consortium
of special, public and academic libraries. From 1982 to 1992, she served as director
of Library and Media for the Worthington City School District in the Columbus area,
during which time she lead the Centralized Library Materials Processing Center to
automate the school media centers and ancillary educational service areas. Prior to
her retirement in 1992, Martha spearheaded an effort to create a consortium of media
centers to maximize the strength of their buying power. She joined two other area
school districts to form the C.O.E.V.C. (Central Ohio Educational Video Consortium),
which soon expanded to include 17 Central Ohio school districts and three colleges
and universities, including Ohio Dominican. Martha has been faithfully engaged with
ODU and is a regular attendee at reunions and other campus events. She is a former
member of the Ohio Dominican College Alumni board and has served numerous times as
a class representative for reunions. In 1999, Martha generously established the Petrucci-Galloway
Family Endowed Scholarship Fund for Single Mothers.
Jaime Capestany ’90, R.Ph, currently serves as a clinical pharmacist at PrimaryOne Health in Columbus, Ohio.
He has served as an adjunct assistant professor at Midwestern University College of
Pharmacy for 15 years as well as a preceptor and clinical instructor at The Ohio State
University College of Pharmacy for 18 years. Jaime earned his Bachelor of Science
in Biology from then-Ohio Dominican College in 1990 and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy
from The Ohio State University in 1998. Over the past 13 years, Jaime has volunteered
his time as pharmacist at the Physicians CareConnection, which specializes in health
and related social needs that impact the quality of life for people in vulnerable
populations. He also has volunteered as a pharmacist with international medical missions
for 14 years. Jaime is a board member of the Physiciasn CareConnection; has served
on the Dean’s Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion at The Ohio State University
College of Pharmacy; and has served as a preceptor for other colleges of pharmacy
as well as for visiting international pharmacy students. For several years, Jaime
served as one of the moderators for an elective at The Ohio State University College
of Pharmacy titled, “Puerto Rico: A Cultural Look at Healthcare.” Jaime served in
a number of roles at Mount Carmel East Hospital for 27 years, including as manager
of Anticoagulant Services, pharmacy manager for Regional Ambulatory Pharmacist Services;
pharmacist and clinical coordinator of its Anticoagulation Clinic, and clinical and
staff pharmacist. He also served as a staff pharmacist at Target for 10 years. Jaime
is a member of Kappa Psi and The Ohio State University Alumni Board. He is very involved
at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and is a former member of Parish Council.
Jaime has served as an ODU class representative for multiple reunions and has attended
events regularly as a volunteer. He has been a guest lecturer in ODU’s Master of Science
in Physician Assistant Studies Program for several years and previously served as
a member of the Campaign for Sciences Committee.
Dr. Janice Knoefel ’72 has served as a neurologist and geriatrician for 45 years and currently resides in
Albuquerque, New Mexico. Janice earned her Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from then-Ohio
Dominican College in 1973; her M.D. from The Ohio State University in 1977; and her
Master’s in Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health in 1996.
She has served on the faculty of the University of Cincinnati; Boston University;
and University of New Mexico since 1996, and she currently serves as a Professor of
Medicine (Geriatrics) and Neurology at The University of New Mexico. Janice is a participant
in clinical care, education, research and administration. An expert in neurological
diseases of aging, Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia of all types, she currently serves
as the clinical director of the Center for Memory & Aging at the University of New
Mexico’s Clinical Neurosciences Center. In addition, Janice serves as the administrative
core co-director of the New Mexico Alzheimer Disease Research Center.
Janice has published over eighty scientific research papers, chapters, reviews and
editorials, and she edited three editions of “Clinical Neurology of Aging” by ML Albert.
She is a member of the American Geriatric Society and the American Academy of Neurology.
Since 2019, Janice has led The University of New Mexico’s campuswide Aging Grand Challenge
initiative. In 2015, Janice co-founded the Stephen Frances Endowed Scholarship at
Ohio Dominican in memory of a classmate who died in 2013. Janice’s sister, Ellen Knoefel
Cooper, is a 1970 graduate of Ohio Dominican.
Dr. Martha Addison Armstrong ’71 serves as director of Ohio Dominican University’s Social Work program, a position
she has held since 1989 when she returned to her alma mater. Under her directorship,
the Social Work program was awarded initial and continuing reaffirmation of program
accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education. Upon her graduation from then-Ohio
Dominican College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare, Martha completed her
Master of Social Work at the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work and earned
her doctorate in social work from The Ohio State University. A licensed independent
social worker with supervisory designation in the State of Ohio, Martha has extensive
clinical supervisory and not-for-profit administrative experience in the provision
of social services on behalf of varied client population groups that included twelve
years as assistant director of Catholic Social Services in the Diocese of Columbus.
Her engagement in social services at the national level extended to participation
as a team leader for the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children
as well as membership on the social services Code of Ethics writing committee of the
Board of Directors with Catholic Charities USA. In Central Ohio, she has served numerous
terms on the Boards of Trustees of Nazareth Towers and The Rosement Center. Martha
and her husband Gregory have three children, all of whom are ODU alumni, and six grandsons.
Valerie J. Peters-Cardwell ’83 currently serves as the corporate officer of Clarence Cardwell, Inc., a convenience
store management company based in Orient, Ohio. Valerie and her husband of 40 years,
Clarence, have owned and operated convenience stores in the Central Ohio area for
over 30 years. Valerie graduated cum laude from then-Ohio Dominican College with a
Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Business Administration in 1983. Currently, she
is serving her first term on the Ohio Dominican University’s Board of Trustees, including
on its Fiscal Responsibility, Audit, and Investment Committees. She most recently
completed a successful endowed scholarship drive on behalf of the Board of Trustees.
Valerie is active as a long-term member of the ODU Alumni Council, and also previously
served as chair. She enthusiastically supports various university and alumni events,
including its annual Grad Bash. She and her husband are members of the President’s
Club and have supported numerous ODU capital campaigns through the years. Ohio Dominican
is a family affair as her daughter, Chelsea, attended ODU as an adult student, and
her sister, June Pietrusik, graduated in 1987. In addition to her commitments to her
business and ODU, Valerie serves as an at-large member of the Pickaway County Republican
Central Committee.
Karen S. Days, MBA ’09 serves as vice president for Corporate and Community Health Relations at Nationwide
Children’s Hospital, where she is responsible for developing and supporting the delivery
of corporate and community wellness, prevention, and education efforts. Days has spoken
locally and internationally on family violence prevention and treatment, and provides
consulting and support to other cities and institutions seeking to develop family
violence intervention and prevention infrastructure across the United States. She
previously served as president of Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence and The
Center for Family Safety and Healing. She also worked for 10 years in the criminal
justice field, with roles at the Columbus City Prosecutor’s Office; Alliance for Cooperative
Justice; the Office of Criminal Justice Services of Ohio; and the United Way of Central
Ohio. Days earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminology/Criminal Justice from The Ohio
State University and an MBA from Ohio Dominican in 2009.
Theresa A. Holleran, Ph.D. ’75 is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and attended Holy Name Elementary School and Bishop
Watterson High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Ohio Dominican
College, a master’s degree in Computer Science from Bowling Green State University,
and a doctorate in Education: Studies in Technologies of Instruction and Media from
The Ohio State University. Holleran has served in numerous roles since returning to
Ohio Dominican in 1986, including as director of Academic Computing; chair of the
Division of Mathematics, Computer and Natural Sciences; vice president for Academic
Affairs; and, currently, professor of Computer Science. She has made contributions
to numerous campuswide committees, including IT Governance; Rank, Tenure, and Promotion;
Academic Assessment; and Learning and Information Services. Most of her academic research
and interest is related to the use of current technologies to improve learning.
Thomas R. Winters, JD ’72 is a practicing attorney and has represented individuals, businesses and trade associations
on legislative and governmental matters at the national, state and local levels. He
currently serves as a member and immediate past chair of the Board of Directors of
Catholic Social Services for the Diocese of Columbus. Winters has served on the ODU
Board of Trustees since 2003. Following 20 years as a partner in the Columbus office
of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, he spent two years as first assistant attorney
general of Ohio. In 1999, he was appointed to the Executive Order of the Ohio Commodore
by the governor, and was appointed in 2013 to the State Racing Commission. Winters
is a member of the Thomas More Society and a former member and chair of the Board
of Shawnee State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Ohio Dominican
College and a Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law School. He received a Doctor
of Humane Letters, honoris causa, from Ohio Dominican in 2017.
Sister Margie Davis, OP ’72 earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Ohio Dominican College. A native of Columbus, Ohio, she is also a graduate of Our Lady of Peace Grade School, Bishop Watterson High School and The Ohio State University. In 1982, Sr. Margie took her first profession of vows and joined the congregation of Sisters of Saint Mary of the Springs, now the Dominican Sisters of Peace, which is ODU’s founding congregation. Sr. Margie has worked in various ministries, including as a case manager and team leader at Southeast Community Mental Health Center; at The Dwelling Place, a shelter for homeless women in New York City; and as director of Social Work at Mohun Health Care Center. Sr. Margie has served as the director of Campus Ministry at ODU since 2013. During her tenure, ODU has participated in numerous service trips, including annual Spring Break service mission trips to Haiti. Sr. Margie is heavily involved on and around her alma mater, such as attending campus events, coordinating opportunities to serve in the community, and meeting with students.
Reta Clemans Holden ’65 earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from St. Mary of the Springs College in 1965. She graduated from Newark Catholic High School, and attended The Ohio State University and Santa Clara University Graduate School of Business. Reta has worked at Battelle Memorial Institute; Syntex Corporation; Indianapolis Children’s Museum; John Strange Elementary School; H&R Block; Conner Prairie; and Trader Joe’s. She is a long-time member of ODU’s Alumni Association Council, and is a member of the President’s Society and Legacy Society. She also has given generously toward faculty research and student scholarships. Reta lives in Indianapolis, Indiana where she enjoys walking her dogs and hiking in Indiana’s State Parks.
Mira R. Wright ’78 earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Ohio Dominican. A former member of the Women’s Basketball Team, Mira was also the first African American to serve in a coaching role, as an assistant coach in 1979. Mira is a devoted and inspiring advocate of her alma mater – she has helped to recruit students to ODU; has served as a mentor; has attended numerous campus events; is a member of the President’s Society; and is an active member on ODU’s Alumni Association Council, on which she has served since 2011. She is also a graduate of Collinwood High School in Cleveland and Xavier University, where she earned a Master of Education in Counseling and Education. Mira has held the position of Director of Human Resources Administration for Columbus City Schools since 2003. In 2011, she established The Multicultural Gift Fund at Ohio Dominican, a fund that provides financial assistance to ODU’s multicultural students.Joanne Charles McGinnis, '52
Joanne is the only surviving person to have started at St. Mary of the Springs Academy
in the first grade, staying through elementary and high school and then graduating
from St. Mary of the Springs College with a BA in History in 1952. She went on to
earn her Master of Arts degree from John Carroll University in 1977. Joanne taught
at various schools over her career teaching math, science, history, Core Curriculum,
History, and as a Reading Specialist. Joanne has been an active volunteer over the
course of her life, some of which included serving as a Board member of the Chagrin
Valley Recreation Center as Chair and Co-Chair of The Recreation Center Volunteers;
St. Vincent Charity Hospital in Cleveland Heights, OH; Reading Tutor at Kenston Public
Schools in Bainbridge, OH and has served as a member of the Christ Child Society of
Cleveland since 1967 to present day. Joanne is a founding member of St. Joan of Arc
Church in Chagrin Falls, OH. She served as parish Council President under two Pastors,
taught Catechism classes for over twenty-five years, and later prepared special needs
children for the Sacraments. In 2011, she started and continues to lead, a group who
visit people in nursing homes and those who are home bound. Joanne was married to
her husband, Dick McGinnis, for fifty-six years, a wonderful and patient husband and
father. Joanne and her husband had six children and five are living. Joanne states
that Dick was "the wind beneath my wings."
Sr. Mary Faith Geelan, O.P., '60
Sr. Mary Faith was born in New Haven, CT and was educated in both public and Catholic
schools in the New Haven area, except for a brief stint when the family moved to Arlington,
VA while her father served one term s United States Congressman during the terms of
Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman. Sr. Mary Faith entered the Dominican Sisters
in 1955 after graduation from high school. Sr. Mary Faith graduated from St. Mary
of the Springs with a BS in Elementary Education and History. She went on to earn
her MA in American History from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN and
then her MSW from Marywood University in Scranton, PA. Throughout her career, Sr.
Mary Faith has served as a schoolteacher; Principal; Social Science Department Chairperson
and Academic Vice Principal from 1959-1985 in the states of Connecticut, New York,
Pennsylvania and Ohio. In July 1982, Sr. Mary Faith became part of the Leadership
Team for the St. Mary of the Springs Dominican Sisters in Columbus. From 1992-1996,
Sr. Mary Faith served as a family therapist and supervisor for partial hospitalization
and outreach programs in Scranton, PA. In 1996, Sr. Mary Faith was named Prioress
of the St. Mary of the Springs Dominican Sisters and served in this role until 2002.
She then went on to serve as a Pastoral Minister; Mission Group Coordinator and Director
of Pastoral Ministry. On March 5 this year, Sr. Faith became the Co-Mission Group
Coordinator at the Mohun Health Care Center. During her term as Prioress of the former
Dominican Congregation of St. Mary of the Springs, along with the other members of
her leadership team, they oversaw the construction of the present Motherhouse after
the demolition of the former “high rise” Motherhouse building. During this same period,
they also began discussions with members of the other Dominican Congregations to discern
as to what they could do better together than as separate Congregations. These discussions
eventually lead to the founding of the Dominican Sisters of Peace in 2009. Sr. Mary
Faith served on the Board of Trustees for Ohio Dominican for many years between 1973-2015.
Additionally, Sr. Mary Faith has served in a number of other leadership positions
for the Dominican Leadership Conference and Leadership Conference of Women Religious,
Region VI Ministry Committee of LCWR.
Craig Denney, '90
Craig graduated summa cum laude from Ohio Dominican in 1990 with a BA in Economic and Business. Craig was a member
of the Ohio Dominican Men’s Basketball Team for all four years and co-captain his
junior and senior seasons. Craig went on to get his Juris Doctorate from Case Western
Reserve University School of Law; Master of Business Administration from Saint Martin's
College; and then Masters of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Craig
is a Colonel in the Army Reserve and has over 23 years of military service. He currently
serves as the Commander and Chief Trial Judge for the 150th Legal Operations Detachment (LOD) for the Army Reserve JAG Corps. This is the Military
Judges' unit. Craig served as a Military Judge in the Army Reserve for more than six
years before his selection as Commander of the unit. Craig's full-time job is serving
as an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) for the Social Security Administration ODAR which
handles disability cases in Nevada. Prior to being appointed as an Administrative
Law Judge in 2016, Craig was a partner at the law firm Snell & Wilmer. His practice
area was federal criminal defense. Before entering private practice, Craig served
as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) with the United States Attorney's Office
in Nevada. He prosecuted federal criminal cases involving money laundering, fraud,
drug trafficking, and firearm offenses. For more than a decade, Craig has been Adjunct
Faculty at the University of Nevada Reno (UNR). He teaches undergraduate courses (Corporate
& White Collar Crime, Organized Crime, and Federal Prosecution) in UNR's Criminal
Justice Department. Craig recently served as President of the Washoe County Bar Association
in Reno, Nevada. He is also Board Certified in Criminal Trial Advocacy. Craig is married
to Dr. Valerie Fridland who is a full professor at UNR. They have two children, Cole
and Taylor.
Rose Mary Fry, '71
Rose Mary Fry, an Ohio native, earned an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education
from Ohio Dominican College and a graduate degree in Staff and Organizational Development
from The Ohio State University. She has 35 years of experience in the education,
nonprofit and for-profit sectors.
Since September 2010, Rose Mary has worked as a nonprofit consultant, focusing on
training and consulting services to new and established nonprofit organizations.
She was founding executive director of the Texas Nonprofit Management Assistance Network,
a 501(c)(3) organization that helped identify and meet the needs of Texas nonprofits
through work with nonprofit resource centers and academic providers. Rose Mary also
was executive director of the Nonprofit Resource Center of Texas in San Antonio, the
oldest resource center in the state.
For approximately 33 years, Rose Mary has volunteered in the nonprofit with particular
interest in the arts, education, and women's and children’s issues. She was the first
licensed consultant for the Standards for Excellence program in Texas, and she is
the only licensed consultant with this credential in the state.
Rose Mary serves as a board member of the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas,
the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, and ACCION Network. She is cochair of Say
Si Leadership Council, and a member of San Antonio 100. Previously, she served as
board president of ACCION Texas, Impact San Antonio and Texas Public Radio. She was
campaign chair of Say Si’s Capital Campaign, president of the Hollow at Inwood Homeowners
Association, and chair of the National Alumni Advisory Board for Ohio Dominican University.
She is a 2009 graduate of Class V of the Masters Leadership Program in San Antonio
and Bexar County, and a member of Impact San Antonio.
Dolores Liotta Christie, Ph.D. '60
Dolores Liotta Christie, Ph.D. graduated magna cum laude from the College of St. Mary of the Springs with undergraduate degrees in Biology
and French. She earned her Masters of Art degree in Religious Studies from John Carroll
University in 1978 and her doctorate in Roman Catholic Theology/Ethics from Duquesne
University in 1988.
After retiring from full-time academic work in 2002, Dolores served as executive director
of the Catholic Theological Society of America; chair of the Department of Religious
Studies and chair of the Division of Humanities, both with Ursuline College; visiting
Theology professor with Ohio Dominican University’s graduate program; and visiting
assistant professor with John Carroll University.
Dolores now teaches courses in the Institute for Learning in Retirement, and does
an occasional college session in bioethics and fundamental morals. She also serves
on the Ohio Solid Organ Transplant Chemical Dependency Committee and on the Ethics
Committee of Hospice of the Western Reserve. In her spare time, she lectures and writes.
Dolores is widely published in esteemed periodicals, including The Encyclopedia of
Bioethics, Moral Choice and Commonweal. She earned first place in The Catholic Press
Journalism Award for Best Magazine Article in 1997.
In 1999, Dolores was appointed to the Ohio Dominican Alumni/ae Board. She served as
an advisory board member for the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, Office of Women in the
Church and Society; the Cardinal Suenens Program in Theology and Church Life; and
the Cleveland Catholic Diocese Marriage and Family Office. She also was a board member
for the Jesuit Retreat House in Parma, and currently is a board member for the Internal
Medicine Foundation of St. Luke's Hospital. Her professional memberships include the
American Academy of Religion, American Association of University Professors, Bioethics
Network of Ohio, Society of Christian Ethics and the Society of Biblical Literature.
Lucia Delewese McQuaide, '70
Lucia Delewese McQuaide served the Diocese of Columbus as Episcopal moderator of education
and superintendent of schools from 1998 until her retirement in 2014. As superintendent
of schools, she was responsible for the overall direction of Catholic Schooling in
the diocese. As Episcopal moderator of education, Lucia supervised the offices of
Catholic Schools, Religious Education and Catechesis, and Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
A lifelong resident of Columbus, Ohio, Lucia earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary
Education from Ohio Dominican College, a master's degree in Early and Middle Childhood
Education from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in Religious Education
from Loyola University of New Orleans.
Lucia was a member of the School Study Council of Ohio, the American Association of
School Administrators, the National Catholic Educational Association and the Chief
Administrators of Catholic Education for which she served as president.
She has received the Today's Catholic Teacher Distinguished Diocesan Leader Award,
the Diocese of Columbus Service Award, recognition in the National Register's Who's
Who in Executives and Professionals, the Bishop Watterson High School Alumni Award
and was the St. Joseph Cathedral Gala Honoree. Lucia also is an member of the Ohio
Dominican University Education Hall of Fame.
Lucia serves on the Cristo Rey Columbus High School Board of Directors. She also is
a member of the Executive Committee, Our Lady of Bethlehem Board of Trustees, the
Carol Flanagan Footsteps Foundation Board, Communities in Schools Board of Directors,
St. Timothy Parish Finance Council, and is the immediate past chair of the Ohio Dominican
University Alumni Council.
Lucia and her husband, Ted, have been married for 37 years. They are the parents of
twins Shelley Johnson and Ted Jay McQuaide, and the proud grandparents of Kiley Johnson
and Kayla Johnson.
Mary Ann Daniel Oprisch, '50
Mary Ann Daniel Oprisch, a resident of Altlanta, Georgia, received her B.A. in Art
with a minor in Home Economics from the College of St. Mary of the Springs in 1950.
Her involvement and connection with Ohio Dominican has continued since graduation.
She established a scholarship in memory of her parents, The Charles and Olga Daniel
Endowment Fund, for students with financial need and academic eligibility. Her sister, Lillian
Daniel Savord ’47, is also an alumna, as is her niece, Marie Daniel Blubaugh ’71,
who is married to Stephen Blubaugh ’71.
Mary Ann is an artist and has won numerous awards for her watercolor, and pen-and-ink
drawings. She is a member and past officer of the National League of American Pen
Women.
Mary Ann is a member of Sacred Heart Church in Atlanta and a past president of the
St. Pius Church Guild in Scarsdale, New York, and past president of the Japanese Scholarship
Committee at the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut. She was also a member of the
Southport Women’s Club.
She retired from the Information Desk at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport
in 1986.
Maggie Ellen Wagner Olsen-Kohner, M.D. '65
Maggie Ellen Wagner Olsen-Kohner earned her B.A. in Biology with a minor in French
from the College of St. Mary of the Springs in 1965, and went on to earn her M.D.
from The Ohio State University in 1969.
She is a Dermatologist in Los Angeles and owner of Margaret Olsen MD, Inc, and A Beautiful
Skin. She is a founding member of the Dermatology Foundation, and a member of the
American Board of Dermatology and the American Medical Association.
In addition to her practice, Maggie is a clinical attending physician at Wadsworth
VA Hospital, the Chief of Dermatology at St. John’s Hospital and Health Center, a
Venice Family Clinic Volunteer, and a featured speaker for the American Cancer Society.
Maggie is also a spokesperson for Skin Cancer Lectures.
She has been heavily involved with Ohio Dominican since her graduation, including
serving as a member of the Board of Visitors and a member of the Board of Trustees
from 2004-2007. She has also opened her home for alumni events, and to host present
and former ODU presidents and vice presidents of Advancement.
Maggie established the Margaret List Wagner Scholarship to provide financial assistance
to ODU students with financial need who maintain an acceptable grade point average
with consideration to students majoring in Nursing and/or Science.
Maggie and her sister established the Edward F. Wagner Endowed Scholarship at Ohio
Dominican in memory of their father. It is awarded to students from disadvantaged
backgrounds.
Sr. Margaret Ormond OP, '65
Sr. Margaret is a graduate of the College of St. Mary of the Springs, earning her
B.A. in History in 1965. She also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, in 2011 from Ohio Dominican University.
Sr. Margaret is well-known throughout the Dominican Order for her years of teaching,
service and cross-cultural ministerial experience.
She served as the prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Peace until 2015 and was prioress
general of the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs from 1990-1996 and general
councilor in the 1980s. In 1987, Sr. Margaret was appointed the first international
coordinator of Dominican Sisters International, an office established at the general
headquarters of the Order in Rome.
She spent 10 years traveling to many countries speaking on topics such as religious
life and global realities faced by the Catholic Church. She facilitated Dominican
Congresses in the Philippines, El Salvador, Hungary, South Africa, Kenya and Peru. Sr.
Margaret also taught high school in New Haven, Connecticut. and Steubenville, Ohio.
In 1962, Sr. Margaret entered the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of
the Springs (now the Dominican Sisters of Peace). Throughout her life, she has been
a strong advocate for women and the education of women, especially in many African
countries while serving as a consultant on leadership among African Religious in 2008.
Kathie Kenny Rupp, '65
Kathie Kenny Rupp, a resident of Columbus, received her B.A. in Mathematics in 1965
from the College of St. Mary of the Springs. As a student, Kathie was very involved
on campus, including serving as president of her senior class.
She continues her active involvement as an alumna, attending events on campus and
serving on the Alumni Board since 2006. She is also a 2015 Reunion Representative
for the Class of 1965 and was a member of the planning committee for Reunion 2000.
She and her husband, Garry, are members of Ohio Dominican's Legacy Society, and she
participates in many “calling nights” held at ODU to thank donors for their gifts.
Kathie is very active in her community as a supporter of Nationwide Children’s Hospital,
Bishop Watterson High School and the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.
She served as president of the Parish Council at St. Peter Parish in Columbus in 2014,
and was president of the Christ Child Society of Columbus and corresponding secretary
and expansion chair for the National Christ Child Society, based in Washington D.C.
Kathie and Garry are members of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.
Dr. Ed Burney ’74
Dr. Burney is a professor of Ophthalmology at Case Western Reserve University School
of Medicine, and director of Anterior Segment Diseases and the Surgery Center at University
Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland.He also is the director of Ophthalmology
at the Louis B. Stokes Veterans Medical Center in Cleveland. He has taught and mentored
more than 250 resident doctors and fellows. He volunteers in the community by offering
glaucoma screening, mentoring high school students who are considering medicine as
a career, and fundraising for his church.
John Collins '69
Mr. Collins spent his 40-year career working in housing and residence life at universities
and colleges throughout the east and Midwest. He has participated in the Great Lakes
Association of College and University Housing Officers and the Association of College
and University Housing Officers –International. He volunteers at his church and with
Habitat for Humanity.
Mary Anne Duffy Brennan ’64
Ms. Brennan worked for the Hamilton County Welfare Department and served as the co-owner
of PSB Educational Services.She has volunteered as a literacy tutor and served on
the board of trustees for the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation. She also was president
of several organizations: the Kidney Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and Catholic
Social Services of Southwestern Ohio. Nine members of her family have graduated from
ODU.
Mary Evelyn Ruetty '54
Ms. Ruetty retired from her 50-year career with Catholic Social Services in 2004.
She held numerous positions including vice president of Administration at the Holy
Rosary Family Center, Clinical Supervisor and social worker. Ruetty is a member of
the Catholic Record Society of Columbus.
Matt Yuskewich '74
Mr. Yuskewich founded Winterset CPA Group in 1988. He is a member of the American
Institute of CPAs and the Ohio Society of CPAs. He served on the Ohio Society’s PAC
Committee of Fifty and as treasurer of the Ohio House Republican Campaign Committee.
Former Governor Bob Taft appointed Yuskewich to the Ohio Business Gateway Commission.
He also was chairman of the Board of Tax Appeals for the City of Upper Arlington.
He previously served on the ODU Alumni Council. Yuskewich is active at St. Agatha
Parish and Bishop Watterson High School.
Mark Weiner ’94
Mr. Weiner is the director of Licking County Victim Services, and has provided direct
services to crime victims for 21 years. He is a member of the Ohio Crisis Response
Team and the National Organization for Victim Assistance’s National Crisis Response
Team.
Nancy Recchie '73
Nancy Recchie graduated from the University in spring of 1973. She is former member of the ODU Board of Trustees but remains active on the Advancement Committee. Nancy’s Mother, Martha Rickey Recchie, Class of 1946, was also a Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient in 1990; her son, James Darbee, graduated in 2011, and her brother, Ralph Recchie, graduated from ODU in 1987. Nancy and her husband, Jeff, have been faithful supporters of ODU. They have one son, James. Nancy continues to serve ODU in a variety of ways as a member of the Advancement Committee; a former Adjunct Professor; have led Study Abroad trips; served as a Reunion Representative; and have served in other capacities over the years. Nancy and her husband Co-Owned the Benjamin D. Rickey & Company, a company that works with communities large and small, developers, architects, local and state governments and a variety of organizations to evaluate, recognize and help preserve significant historic resources.
Joe & Susie Stone Rath '71
Joe Rath graduated from Ohio Dominican in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Joe and his wife, Susie Stone Rath, graduated from ODU in 1972 and have three sons. Joe is a retired Attorney and his last position was as General Counsel for Allstate Financial Services. Joe is a former ODU Board member and served on a number of committees. Joe and Susie have served in many capacities for many years as volunteers and supporters of ODU.
Michael Wagenbrenner '68
Mike Wagenbrenner graduated from Ohio Dominican in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree
in Economics. Upon graduating he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United
States Marine Corps and spent a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam.
He and his wife Polly Russ, also a graduate of Ohio Dominican, have been married since
1968. Mike and Polly have two children together, Megan Brown and Jeffery Wagenbrenner.
In 1976 Mike and his brother began Wagenbrenner Company Realtors and later that year
Wagbros Co., a real estate partnership, was established between Mike and his two brothers,
Tad and Tom Wagenbrenner.
Mike Wagenbrenner is also a member of the Ohio Dominican Board of Trustees and served,
with his wife, as Co-Chairs of the ODC Fund in 1997-1998.
Mike is also involved in many activities in the Bexley and Grandview communities and
is part of the Board of Directors of the Columbus Country Club.
Barbara Finsel Zoltanski '52
Barbara Finsel Zoltanski is a 1952 graduate from the College of Saint Mary of the
Springs (now Ohio Dominican University) where she received a bachelor of science degree
in elementary education.
She and her husband, Edward, are parents of 10 children who have devoted their lives
to public service through professions in medicine, higher education, law, engineering,
finance and historic preservation.
Barbara's grass roots expression of civic responsibility includes serving as a school
board member and voluntary Central City teacher for at-risk youths. She also led a
successful effort to provide the first federally-funded hot lunch program within her
community elementary school. Barbara was among the last educators in Lucas County
to serve in a four room rural school.
She also led a campaign to preserve a Maumee Valley historic structure targeted by
expanding industry. She researched and regularly authored a local history newspaper
column.
She is a self-motivated steward who struggled relentlessly to inform, recruit and
defend the quality of air and streams threatened by development in Monclova Township
and the nearby native-American river basin.
Long before the term "globalization" was commonplace, Barbara held a community-wide
fund raiser to heighten awareness and generate support for impoverished Guatemalan
children. She involved the local community to respond to the plight of Chernobyl victims
when she opened her country home to raise needed funding for pure milk and daily food
for Polish children.
She served as a host parent for cultural exchange guests and served as an advocate
for minority and mentally-challenged persons. Barbara successfully championed the
provision of publicly provided transportation for faith-based schools in her district.
Her civic memberships have included the League of Women Voters, American Association
of University Women where she was president of its investment group, The Foundation
for Life, Heartbeat of Toledo and the Auxiliary of the Little Sisters of the Poor.
For seven consecutive decades, Barbara has considered herself an activist, one who
is in search of sustainable solutions to the pressing needs of the under-served.
She is a member of a family of educators spanning four continuous generations which
began with her grandparents, John and Mary Finsel in 1878.
Sr. Mary Andrew Matesich, OP, Ph.D. '62
Through her 22 years as president of Ohio Dominican, Sr. Mary Andrew built a reputation for visionary leadership that is seen in the many advances the college has made. Through her leadership, the college adopted a Vision 2005 Plan that in many ways is one of her greatest legacies. It was an ambitious plan for increasing resources, enrollment, and excellence at Ohio Dominican.
Sister Mary Andrew was one of only a handful of women college presidents when she took office in 1978 at the age of 39. In her term as president she led the college through a period of unprecedented growth and has established herself as a national advocate for higher education and private colleges and universities.
Sister Mary Andrew was born in Zanesville and raised in Newark, Ohio. She graduated
from St. Francis DeSales High School, now Newark Catholic High School, in 1957.
Shortly thereafter, she joined the congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary
of the Springs, the founders of Ohio Dominican College. She received her BA in Chemistry
from Ohio Dominican College in 1962.
She earned an MS and PhD in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.
In 1965, she returned to Ohio Dominican as a faculty member in chemistry. In 1973,
she was elevated to academic dean of the college.
Finally, in 1978, she was named college president after the retirement of her friend
and mentor, Sister Suzanne Uhrhane.
Anita Ellis '70
Anita J. Ellis graduated in 1970 from Ohio Dominican with a Bachelor of Arts degree
in fine art and art history. She earned her master's degree in art history from the
University of Cincinnati in 1975.
Anita has additional coursework at various institutions including Cambridge University
in Cambridge, England.
Anita is the Director of Curatorial Affairs and Curator of Decorative Arts at the
Cincinnati Art Museum where she has provided expertise and leadership with respect
to exhibitions, publications, collections, development and management for nearly 30
years.
A recognized authority on Cincinnati Decorative Art, especially ceramics, she has
lectured extensively throughout the United Sates and is widely published in national
and international art journals and magazines.
In 1992 she won the Florence Roberts Head Book of the Year Award for Rookwood Pottery: The Glorious Gamble. In 1995, she published Rookwood Pottery: The Glaze Lines, which remains the most extensive handbook on the subject. And, in July 2003, her
most recent book, The Ceramic Career of M.Louise McLaughlin made its debut.
Anita originated and was the Project Director for The Cincinnati Wing: The Story of Art in Cincinnati, a permanent cross-media display in 18,000 square feet of a renovated wing in the
Cincinnati Art Museum.
This project was awarded grants from such prestigious organizations as the Luce Foundation,
the National Endowment for the Arts, and both Planning and Implementation Grants from
the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Because of her work for The Cincinnati Wing and her active professional and community involvement, Anita received the prestigious
YWCA Career Woman of Achievement Award in 2004.
Anita serves on the Board of Trustees for numerous organizations including The American
Ceramic Circle.
Gilda Jackson '75
Gilda Jackson graduated from Ohio Dominican in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree
in economics. She later earned her Master's Degree in human resource management from
Pepperdine University.
After graduation, Gilda was commissioned as second lieutenant, and completed Naval
Supply Corps School. She was promoted several times throughout her career, eventually
serving as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Aviation Depot located aboard Marine
Corps Air Station.
She has been involved in the "Adopt-a-School," participated in "Shadow Day," volunteered
for the Literacy Council; and has volunteered for the academically-challenged children.
She has been recognized as the first female Commanding Officer of the Cherry Point,
NC Naval Aviation Depot in its 56-year history; as the first African-American female
to make the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps; and has received medals for
Navy Commendation, Navy Achievement, and Marine Corps Good Conduct.
Recently, Gilda was inducted into the Hall of Excellence by Ohio Foundation of Independent
Colleges, Inc. for exemplifying the traditions, ideals, strengths and values of private
higher education.
Fen Yu Lewis '67
Fen Yu-Lewis graduated from Ohio Dominican in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science Degree
in chemistry and mathematics. She earned her Master of Science Degree in chemistry
from The University of Akron in 1971.
Fen began teaching at Strongsville City Schools in 1974 as a chemistry teacher, and
also organized extracurricular projects for students. Fen has been recognized for
her work with numerous awards.
She has received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science
Teaching; the American Chemical Society Central Regional Award in High School Chemistry
Teaching; a Tandy Technology Scholar; the Irene Heller Award; and the Most Influential
Teacher Award.
She has been involved with many community organizations and has volunteered numerous
times over the years. She was the Fluorine Chapter Vice President for the National
Chemical Honor Society for Women; Board of Directors for the Cleveland Regional Council
of Science Teachers; and Active Presenter, Consultant, and Instructor of various workshops,
programs, and conferences.
Fen works part-time as a tutor at Highland High School and as a student teacher evaluator
for the University of Akron.
She has written a number of publications and has been involved in numerous projects
throughout her life.
Ann DeCain Blackham '49
Ann DeCain Blackham graduated from the College of St. Mary of the Springs in 1949
with a major in English and a minor in art. She is the founder and president of Ann
Blackham & Co. Inc. of Winchester, and Chairman of the Mass. Board of Registration
of Real Estate Brokers & Salesmen.
She has participated in local, state and national political initiatives. In the late
1960's she organized a pilot childcare program in the U.S. Department of Labor and
also ran for the Senate in her state.
She has served on a Presidential task force for women's rights and responsibilities
and co-authored a government pamphlet. She was the first chairperson of the Governor's
commission on the status of women and was involved in the successful passage of the
equal credit and equal rights amendments in her state.
Ann has stayed involved with campus activities over the years and represented Ohio
Dominican at the 75th Anniversary Academic Convocation of Emmanuel College. She currently
serves on Ohio Dominican's Board of Visitors.
Richard Maxwell '69
Richard Maxwell earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Ohio Dominican
in 1969 and his Masters in Education Administration from Xavier University in 1974.
Richard is a certified financial planner and the President and Owner of Maxwell Financial
Management, which was listed in the 2001 Business First Book of Lists as the 10th
largest Greater Columbus fee-based financial planners.
In addition, he has been a member of the Board of Trustees and the Legacy Society
at ODU. He has been a member of Columbus Life Underwriters and National Life Underwriters;
International Association for Financial Planners; and Central Ohio Association for
Finical Planners, among numerous other affiliations.
He has earned countless sales and services awards; received the Gamma Award; and held
numerous speaking engagements.
Sr. Mary Ann Fatula '66
Sister Mary Ann Fatula, PhD, graduated from the College of Saint Mary of the Springs
in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in Latin and mathematics. She received her master's
degree in theology in 1968 from St. Michael's College in the University of Toronto.
She earned her Ph.D. in systematic theology from the Catholic University of America
in 1981. She currently holds the position of Professor in Theology at Ohio Dominican
University.
Sister Mary Ann is a member of the Catholic Theological Society of America and the
College Theology Society.
She is the author of four books: Catherine of Siena's Way; The Triune God of Christian Faith; Thomas Aquinas: Preacher
and Friend; and Holy Spirit, Unbounded Gift of Joy. She also has had numerous articles and papers published.
In 1982, 1990, and 1998, Sister Mary Ann was selected as the recipient of the Conley
Award, which is voted on by Ohio Dominican's students, in recognition of her outstanding
teaching abilities and dedication to her students.
Corrine Hall Hughes '61
Corrine Hall Hughes earned her degree in history and elementary education from St.
Mary of the Springs College in 1961.
She served as an elementary school teacher for many years with the Columbus Public
and Catholic Schools, later becoming Alumni Director at Ohio Dominican College.
Corrine continues to stay busy at Ohio Dominican having served on both the Revels
and Msgr. Fisk Scholarship Committees. She served on the Ohio Dominican Service Learning
Council and as a tutor for the Dominican Learning Center.
She has also been involved in Corpus Christi Parish activities including parish council
and liturgy committee. She was named the "1995 Corpus Christi Parish Catholic Woman
of the Year" and was a nominee for "Diocesan Catholic Woman of the Year." She is a
member of Kappa Gamma Pi, the Catholic Honorary Society.
Corrine serves on several community committees including the Arts Committee for the
Martin DePorres Center and the Health Care Committee for B.R.E.A.D. Corrine is also
a community performer in dance. Corrine has left her mark on the university through
her service and dedication.
She and her husband, Thomas, had seven children. Five graduated from Ohio Dominican.
Joan Kennedy Ensign '82
Joan Kennedy Ensign graduated in 1982 from Ohio Dominican College. She majored in
general studies and gained her master of arts degree from the University of Dayton.
Joan served as a special events coordinator for Ohio Dominican and later as a self-employed
gerontologist.
Joan supported her husband, William J. Ensign, former mayor of Toledo, for nearly
three decades as a professor of political science at Ohio Dominican.
Joan and Bill have six children.
Joann Obermeyer Rauh '52
Joann Obermeyer Rauh graduated from St. Mary of the Springs in 1952 with a Bachelor
of Arts in Chemistry and minors in Math and English.
Her first job out of college was with Procter and Gamble in Cincinnati, researching
cooking oil and workings as a member of the team that developed Duncan Hines cake
mixes. She later taught high school English and Math while she and her husband lived
in Europe.
She was elected to the county council four times; has served as president of her local
meals on wheels; was a member of the County Council for Retarded and Vocationally
Handicapped; member of the Council of Economic Development; and volunteered as a CCD
Teacher for her church.
As a person who excels and everything that she does, Joann also has a private and
commercial pilot license.
Dr. Joseph W. Shannon III '77
Dr. Joseph W. Shannon III, a clinical psychologist in private practice, graduated
from Ohio Dominican College in 1977. He received his Master's Degree and Ph.D. in
Counseling Psychology from The Ohio State University.
He is the Founding Vice-Chair of Ohio Dominican's National Alumni/ae Board. Joseph
held the position of Director of Career Counseling and Placement at Ohio Dominican
and was a member of the alumni mentoring program.
He has been active in the American Psychological Association; and a former director
of training (volunteer) for Columbus AIDS Task Force. Dr. Shannon directed the Freshwater
House Clinic in Columbus and has provided both strategic short-term counseling and
long-term psychotherapy services.
He has written numerous articles for psychological journals and has appeared on "CBS
This Morning" and "PBS Viewpoint."
In 1985, Dr. Shannon started his current private practice, Shannon and Associates,
where he develops and presents professional workshops to medical, allied medical and
mental health professionals.
Sr. Natalie Kennedy OP '30
Sr. Natalie Kennedy OP graduated in 1930 from St. Mary of the Springs College with
a bachelor of arts degree.
Sr. Natalie remained an active member of the Ohio Dominican community while she lived
with her fellow Dominican Sisters at St. Mary of the Springs convent.
Sr. Natalie passed away in February 1993.
Sr. Colleen Gallagher '53
Sister Colleen Gallagher graduated in 1953 from St. Mary of the Springs with a bachelor's
degree in Art and a minor in English. In addition, she received her Master's degree
in Education from DePaul.
Since graduation she has been a teacher, a principal, a Diocesan School Supervisor;
has served as Vice President for Mission Development for Mt. Carmel Health Services
in Columbus.
Prior to this she held the same position for the Franciscan Health System working
out of St. Anthony Medical Center. She has served as chaplain at two hospitals and
was a pastoral Associate at St. Matthias in Columbus.
Sister Colleen was a teacher of English as a Second Language and Scripture in Puerto
Rico. She has been active in the provision of services to AIDS patients and was a
member of the Interfaith Ministry Committee for AIDS in the Metropolitan Area Church
Board.
She is currently serving the Dominican Sisters of Saint Mary of the Springs as Promoter
of the Arts, and will celebrate 50 years as a Dominican during her Golden Jubilee
in 2004.
Mary Lu Hatem Harrison '63
Mary Lu Hatem Harrison graduated from the College of St. Mary of the Springs with
a BA degree in 1963. She received a Master's Degree in Social Work from the National
Catholic School of Social Service at The Catholic University of American in 1965.
She began her career as a Child Welfare Social Worker in Athens County, and then moved
to Franklin County Children's Services as a Child Welfare Supervisor. She had a 25-year
career at The Ohio State University Medical Center that included 16 years as Director
of the Social Work Department.
Her professional associations included the National Association of Social Workers
(NASW), the Ohio Chapter of NASW, American Hospital Association, Society for Social
Work Administrators in Health Care, founding member and President of the Central Ohio
Chapter of the Society for Social Work Administrators in Health Care, Ohio Hospital
Association, and President of the Society for Hospital Social Workers.
She was also an annual lecturer for the Social Work and Health Policy class at The
Ohio State University.
Following her retirement in 1995 from The Ohio State University Medical Center, she
has worked part-time as a Home Care Social Worker for the University Home Care Services
Corp and also for Care Star, a Case Management agency for the Ohio Home Care Wavier
Program.
Parish involvements include Sacristan, Eucharistic Minister, Parish Shut-in Ministry
as Eucharistic Minister and a member of the B.R.E.A.D. Committee.
She served as President of the Ohio Dominican Alumni/ae Association, and Co-Chair
of the Yuletide Revels in Merrie England for 12 years.
Tom Finnegan '79
A 20+ year Army retiree, a Columbus resident at the time, and now an accomplished
actor, Tom Finnegan graduated with Ohio Dominican's class of 1979 earning a Bachelor
of Arts Degree in General Studies.
While attending Ohio Dominican as an adult student, he directed the City of Columbus
Employee Counseling Program, and after graduation was hired to administer a similar
program for the Defense Construction Supply Center.
Tom began his acting career at Ohio Dominican appearing in The Sound of Music, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Hogan's Goat. He also appeared in local productions at Players Theatre including the world premier
ofRainbow Dancing, and in Damn Yankees and Anastasia.
In 1980 he relocated to Los Angeles, California, to pursue an acting career. He has
appeared in films such as Hoffa, Ghost, Die Hard 2, Repo Man, and in numerous TV series including Charmed and Reasonable Doubts. Tom's 1992 Federal Express commercial was selected as the best commercial of the
year by Entertainment Weekly.
As a playwright, his play, Soljers, was produced in Los Angeles, and won Drama-Logue Theatre Awards for Outstanding
Writing, Production, Directing and Acting, and an Excellence in Theatre Award nomination
from the NAACP.
In 1995 Tom became the first Ohio Dominican graduate to be inducted into the Ohio
Foundation of Independent Colleges Hall of Fame.
Douglas Carpenter, Ph.D. '73
Douglas Carpenter, PhD, graduated in 1973 from Ohio Dominican with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in History.
He later earned his master's degree in Educational Administration from Xavier University
in 1978, his Educational Specialist degree from the University of Dayton in 1984,
and his Ph.D. in Educational Administration from The Ohio State University in 1990.
He started his career as a social studies teacher at the junior and senior high school
levels. Later, he advanced to become an elementary and junior high principal in Plain
City, Ohio.
Dr. Carpenter has held dual positions on two separate occasions during his career
at Jonathan Alder Schools, first as principal and head coach, and later as superintendent
and head coach.
Dr. Carpenter is involved in numerous activities outside of his immediate duties as superintendent, including: president of the School Study Council of Ohio; The Buckeye Association of School Administrators; the American Association of School Administrators; and charter member of the Plain City Optimist Club.
Mary B. Crowe '34
Mary B. Crowe graduated in 1934 from the College of St. Mary of the Springs with a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science and Economics.
She wrote and published many articles. In addition, she gave many speeches at various
activities that included topics such as The Women From Equitable, and The Power of
the Mind Over the Matter.
After graduating Mary held positions as an Estate Planner and Life Underwriter for
the Equitable Life Assurance Society.
Sr. Sally Duffy, SC '71
Sister Sally Duffy graduated from Ohio Dominican College in 1971 with a bachelor's
degree in political science and a minor in sociology.
Sister Sally has a master's degree from the following universities: M. Ed. from Xavier
University in guidance and counseling; M. PA from the University of Colorado in health
care; and a M. Div. from Loyola of Chicago University in spirituality. She also has
additional graduate work in theology and counseling psychology.
Sally Duffy, SC became a member of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in 1977. She
currently serves with the SC Ministry Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has served
as President and CEO of St. Mary-Corwin Regional Medical Center in Pueblo, Colorado.
Sally has also served in the following capacities: high school teacher, coach and
guidance counselor (Bishop Watterson High School); student affairs staff and women's
basketball coach (Notre Dame University); oncology and emergency room crisis counselor
(Penrose Hospital); hospital administrator (Penrose-St. Francis Health System); and
college campus minister student affairs administrator (Barat College).
Some of her honors include: Pueblo, Colorado Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of
the Year; Charter Member of Ohio Dominican College Athletic Hall of Fame; Central
Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame; and Student Graduate School Graduation
Speaker for Loyola University of Chicago.
Her involvements have included chamber of commerce commitments, board of director
memberships, hospice programs and other civic engagements. She currently serves on
the following: College of Mt. St. Joseph Board of Directors; St. Francis Medical Center
Board of Directors in Grand Island; Emanuel Community Center Board of Directors; Volunteers
of American Faith-based and Community Resource Center Advisory Council; SUMA: Fatherhood
Project Advisory Board; and Board of Directors of Mission Partners Guatemala.
Patricia Snapp Barkley '61
Patricia Snapp Barkley graduated in 1961 from the College of St. Mary of the Springs.
She majored in home economics and achieved her master's degree in special education
from the University of Kentucky in 1967. Pat is a retired teacher.
She and her husband, William, have three children and currently reside in Lexington,
Kentucky. Pat and William enjoy traveling to Europe, Asia, Canada, and throughout
the United States.
Martha Rickey Recchie '46
Martha Rickey Recchie graduated from the College of St. Mary of the Springs in 1946 with a degree in Economics. She then taught Interior design classes and eventually earned her master's degree in Housing and Environmental Design in 1993.
Martha was a part-time lecturer and Director of the Interior Design Program/Home Economics at Ohio Dominican for 22 years. In 1976 she started an interior-design business and was on the faculty at Ohio Wesleyan University. She retired in 1988, giving her more opportunity to focus on her business. She also began working as a regional editor for Meredith Publications (Better Homes and Gardens) after retiring.
She served as an Alumna Visitor for the Ohio Dominican Endowment Campaign; an Alumna Agent; and as her class Representative for reunions. She served as a member on the Alumni/ae Board and as President; was a member of the board of trustees of Columbus Landmarks Foundation; and was a founding board member of the Phoenix Society.
Martha has four children (two of whom are also Ohio Dominican alumni) with her husband, Joseph Recchie.
Sr. Suzanne Uhrhane, OP '37
Sister Suzanne Uhrhane, OP, joined the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs
in 1934. She attended Marietta College and completed her undergraduate work at the
College of St. Mary's of the Springs, receiving a Bachelor's of Science degree in
Chemistry in 1937.
After finishing her advanced degree work at The Ohio State University, she joined
the faculty of St. Mary of the Springs in 1941 where she taught and served as Associate
Professor and Chair of the Chemistry Department. Sister Suzanne became President of
the College in 1964.
During her tenure as President, the College underwent many changes, going coeducational
in 1964; changing its name from the College of St. Mary of the Springs to Ohio Dominican
College in 1968; tripling its enrollment; expanding campus facilities to include a
new dormitory, library, and food service building; and reorganizing the board to include
lay members along with Dominican Sisters.
She was also instrumental in forming the Alumni Office knowing the importance of keeping
in close contact with former students. She served as president for 13 years before
retiring; she then remained active in the college's affairs, serving as the "Ambassador
to the Alums" and working as library administrator until her death.
She held numerous prestigious positions throughout her life. She served as a trustee
for St. Anthony Hospital; as a member of the Ohio Board of Regents Advisory Committee
on Higher Education Facilities; on the executive board of the Ohio Foundation of Independent
Colleges and Universities; board of Directors, for the Regional Council of International
Education; member of American Chemical Society.
Sr. Maryanna Childs '42
Sister Maryanna Childs graduated from St. Mary of the Springs in 1942. She received
her Master's degree in English with a major in literary criticism from Catholic University
in Washington, D.C. in 1948.
In 1947 she began her college teaching at St. Mary of the Springs and remained teaching
there for 40 years.
She was the author of several books, countless poems and children's books. Much of
her poetry was recognized with various awards and appeared in newspapers and magazines
throughout the country. When she retired from college teaching she continued with
freelance writing and lecturing.
In Sister Maryanna's memory, Ohio Dominican annually honors a current student with
the Childs Writing Award.
Patricia Fallon Durbin '55
Patricia Fallon Durbin graduated from St. Mary of the Springs in 1955 with a major
in English and a minor in Speech, Drama and French.
After graduating, she worked for Merrill Books and City of Columbus Recreation. She
is retired from Ameritech and was a Volunteer Services Manager at Lifecare Alliance,
a United Way Agency.
Over the years, Patricia has been involved with League of Women Voters, Christ the
King Retreat Leader, and Book Review Column for the Catholic Times.
Yukiko Abe
Yukiko Abe came to Ohio Dominican as a non-traditional student - not only was she
an international student, but she was also an adult already in possession of an Associate
of Arts degree in TESOL (Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages) in 1982. She
is also an alumna of Ake-no Hoshi Junior College, Ohio Dominican's sister college
in Aomori, Japan.
She is a partner with her mother and brother in the operation of the family business,
Abe Saburo Firm. She is active in education and community service.
In her career, she has provided an ombudsman service to residents of Morioka dealing
with City Hall, offered volunteer services in tutoring and interpreting English, and
given volunteer care to the Dominican sisters in Mohun Hall.
She has been a member of National Alumni/ae Board since 1999. She has worked in her
family's wholesale store selling traditional Japanese foot wear and taught English
at night.
She taught English at a famous junior high school part time in 1987-88; and since
has taught at several other schools.
Sr. Ruth Caspar '56
Sister Ruth Caspar, retired professor in Ohio Dominican's Division of Philosophy and
Theology, was the first recipient of the Ohio Dominican Master Teacher Award in 1992.
A well-loved and well-recognized professor, Sister Ruth taught in the philosophy department
at Ohio Dominican from 1968 to 2003.
She received her bachelor's degree in English from St. Mary of the Springs in 1956,
and her master's and doctoral degrees in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame.
She did postdoctoral work in bioethics at the University of Virginia, the Kennedy
Institute, and the Hastings Center.
She has served as a consulting ethicist for various Catholic health care organizations.
Her publications have appeared in academic and professional journals.
She has been associated with various organizations, including the American Philosophical
Association; the American Catholic Philosophical Association; and the Society of Christian
Philosophers.
Sister Ruth retired from Ohio Dominican University in May 2003. In honor of her long-time
service, ODU awarded her an honorary degree, Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa, and named her Professor Emeritus.
Tonya Baroody Largy '61
Tonya Baroody Largy graduated in 1961 from St. Mary of the Springs. She majored in Sociology and French and minored in Psychology. She went on to earn an MSW from the Fordham University School of Social Work in 1963 and practiced in New York City and Poughkeepsie, New York until her first child was born.
After living in Rome, Italy for a year in 1970 where her husband was assigned to work
for IBM, she developed an interest in archaeology. In 1981, she completed a second
BA in Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts in Boston. In 2001, she earned
a second Master’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Since 1982, she has been employed as an archaeologist specializing in the study of
animal bones from archaeological sites at Harvard University. Tonya also analyzes
bones and plants as a Consultant to other archaeologists in the Northeastern United
States.
While living in Massachusetts since the late 1970’s, Tonya has done volunteer work
and served on the boards of a number of non-profit organizations.
These include starting a home (Hesed House) for mentally handicapped adults, working
to establish a grass roots organization to protect the Assabet River, serving as Vice-President
of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society, and the Steering Committee of the Conference
of New England Archaeology.
Tonya and her husband, Thomas Largy, have two sons, Thomas Edward and Timothy.
Martha Sullivan '43
Martha Sullivan graduated in 1943 with a Bachelor's of Arts degree with a major in English from the College of St. Mary of the Springs. She also attended The Ohio State University where she studied Broadcasting.
She is a member of the Executive Board of the Phoenix Society and has previously served
on the Board of Directors for the Vita Center, Inc., the Columbus Junior Theater of
Arts, the Ohio Dominican Board of Trustees and Alumni/ae Board.
Very active in her alma mater, Martha also served as an Alumna Visitor for Ohio Dominican's
Endowment Campaign in 1998; as an Alumni/ae Agent in 1997; a Class Representative
for Reunions; attended many events on campus and has helped Ohio Dominican in many
capacities over the years.
She was also active in the Advertising Club, Press Club of Ohio, and Hospital Public
Relations.
Martha held positions as the Communications Director of St. Anthony hospital; was
a long-time Account Executive with the Byer & Bowman advertising agency and worked
as the Advertising Account Executive.
Martha also held the position of the religious organization, the President of the
Elizabethan Guild.
Over the years she received numerous awards, including the Columbus first "Advertising Women of the Year" in 1964; Creative Advertising Awards on local, regional, and national levels; and Women's Council of Columbus Advertising Club.
Judy Stattmiller '58
Judy Stattmiller received her undergraduate degree in social work from the College
of St. Mary of the Springs in 1958 and her Master of Social Work degree from The Ohio
State University in 1962.
Stattmiller coached girls' sports and taught special interest classes while pursuing
her degree from OSU. Judy was responsible for the formation of several neighborhood
organizations; the Linden Professional Workers Association and the Windsor Terrace
Homes Council.
She also established a neighborhood-based multi-service center and the Neighborhood
Health Center. In addition to being named executive director of St. Stephen's Community
House, she received The St. Vincent De Paul Oznam Award and the Walter & Marian English
Award.
She has been affiliated with the Franklin County Juvenile Delinquency Task Force,
the White House Conference for Children & Youth, the White House Conference for families,
and was a Delegate to Caritas Internationals.
Judy has served as a member of the St. Peter's Parish since 1986 and currently serves
on the Parish Council. Judy has two children and one grandson. Her mother, sister
and brother are also all graduates.
Elizabeth Biggert '37
Elizabeth Biggert graduated in 1937 with a bachelor's degree from St. Mary of the
Springs with a major in English and a minor in biological sciences. Biggert also has
a bachelor's of science in library science from Western Reserve University (now Case
Western Reserve University).
Since graduating she has worked as a librarian at Toledo Public Library, Columbus
Public Library, and Ohio Historical Society Library. Biggert spent 22 years in the
U.S. Naval Reserve including two years on the staff at the U.S. Navy Midshipman School
for Women at Smith College during World War II.
She also worked at the Battelle Columbus Library where she was the head of the Economics
Library.
In 1953 Biggert authored Guide to the Manuscripts in the Library of the Ohio State
Archaeological and Historical Society.
She has been affiliated with the Special Libraries Association, Columbus Symphony
Women's Association Board of Trustees and the Columbus Naval Services Chapter, Reserve
Officers Association- President 1966-1967.
She was also appointed to the Ohio Governor's Advisory Committee on Women Veterans,
1995-1998.
Jean Kennedy '56
Jean Kennedy graduated in 1956 from the College of St. Mary of the Springs with a
bachelor's degree in biology. She received her master's degree from Harvard University
in teaching.
After graduating, Jean began teaching biology at the Croton-Harmon High School in
Croton-On-Hudson, New York.
She has been involved with various organizations over the years including, National
Education Association, National Science, and Westchester County Science Teachers,
among many others.
Ann L. O'Rourke '43
Ann L. O'Rourke graduated in 1943 from St. Mary of the Springs College with a bachelor
of arts degree.
She served as the financial director for the Catholic Diocese of Columbus.
Ann remained involved with university events and committees until her death in November
2002.
Judy Wellnitz Baltimore '59
Judy Wellnitz Baltimore, a 1959 alumna of the College of St. Mary of the Springs,
has two sisters who are also graduates of Ohio Dominican - Irene Altman (deceased)
and Evelyn Reeder.
Judy is an administrator for the Warren R. Baltimore Company, an insurance company
in Powell, OH.
Her husband, Warren, is the president of the company, and together they have four
children.
Judy is extensively involved in the Columbus community. Judy serves on the following:
The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, the Alzheimer's Association of Central
Ohio, the Columbus Speech and Hearing Board, the St. Stephen's Community House Board,
the Ohio Higher Education Facility Commission, the Arthritis Foundation Women's Board,
the Tri Village Rotary Club, the St. Agatha Church Parish Council and the Ohio Higher
Educational Facility Commission.
She has also served on the Ohio Dominican Board of Trustees since October 1982.
Forence Cavendish Chase '28
Florence Cavendish Chase graduated in 1928 from St. Mary of the Springs College. Florence
served as the president of the alumnae board from 1950-1951. Her daughter, Barbara,
is also an alumnus.
Florence passed away in December 1985.
Millie A. Armstrong Drake '68
Millie A. Armstrong graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio Dominican
College. She majored in Spanish literature and minored in French.
Her postgraduate studies were at The Ohio State University, where she studied linguistics.
She taught for several years and worked as a private investigator while living in
Columbus, Ohio.
Millie moved to Ithaca, New York where she participated in management training at
Cornell University's Institute for Administrators of Nursing Homes and Health Related
Facilities.
This training opened the door for her to work in the field of gerontology, a field
she stayed in for 10 years. She held positions that included the Assistant Administrator
and the Director of Activities at the Ithacare Center in Ithaca, and as the Executive
Director of Lake Howard Heights in Central Florida.
While in the field of gerontology, Armstrong served on many civic boards and committees
and was appointed by the Governor of Florida as a State Delegate to the 1981 White
House Conference on Aging.
After 25 years of living in the United States, Armstrong returned to her native home
of Puerto Rico and made a career change to the field of sales and marketing. In this
profession, Armstrong worked at resorts and hotels across the island.
Armstrong lives with her husband, Juan, and they enjoy experiencing different cultures
while traveling to various countries.
Sr. Margaret Ann McDowell, OP '53
Sr. Margaret Ann McDowell OP graduated in 1935 from St. Mary of the Springs College with a bachelor of arts degree. Sr. Margaret passed away in July 1987.
Gloria E. Zide Absi '58
Gloria E. Zide Absi graduated magna cum laude in 1958 from the College of St. Mary
of the Springs with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She later
earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Otterbein College where she graduated
with honors as well.
She has remained active with campus, serving on Ohio Dominican's Revels Committee
and the Alumni Association Board of Directors for more than 10 years, including 4
terms as president.
Gloria is an accomplished pianist and organist and has a strong soprano voice. She was a musical teacher at Our Lady of Peace School; directed the annual Christmas programs and children's choir at Our Lady of Peace; and handled the 4th and 5th grade classes at Avondale Elementary School.
In 1966, Gloria and her husband, Phillip, a professional engineer, started their company Absi & Associates. She holds the title of Human Resources Administrator in their business, where she is in charge of accounting, office management and personnel administration.
Among her many commitments are memberships in the Society of Architectural Administrators, "The Azariennes" Literary Club, the Women's Concerns Committee and Supers' Guild of Opera Columbus.
Thomas J Fitzpatrick '69
Thomas J. Fitzpatrick graduated in 1969 from Ohio Dominican College with a major in
Chemistry.
Since graduating Fitzpatrick has risen through the ranks of Elford, Inc. from Project
Manager, to Assistant to the President, General Manager, Treasurer, President, Chairman
and CEO to the Senior Chairman.
He was a member of countless committees and boards in the community including the
Executive Committee of the Ohio Dominican Board of Trustees; Chairman of the Development
Committee for Ohio Dominican; Franklin University's Advisory Board of Organizational
Leadership and Management; the Ohio Dominican University Alumni Board; and was an
Ambassador for the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges.
Fitzpatrick has received numerous awards over the years. He was honored as Entrepreneur
of the Year Finalist; The Cornerstone Award Man of the Year; Ten Outstanding Citizens;
Resolution of Honor Service Above Self; Service and Leadership Award, as well as countless
others.
Dr. Gretchen Wagner Gooding '57
Gretchen Wagner Gooding, MD. graduated in 1957 magna cum laude with a Bachelor of
Arts Degree in Biology from St. Mary of the Springs. In 1961, she earned her Doctor
of Medicine degree cum laude from The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
Gooding served her internship at University Hospitals in Columbus; was a research
fellow at Boston City Hospital; received a training grant from the National Institute
of Health (Allergy and Infectious Diseases); and served her residency in Diagnostic
Radiology at the University of California, San Francisco.
She became a member of the radiology faculty at the University of California, San
Francisco (UCSF) in 1975, and was appointed Professor in Residence in 1986, the first
woman ever to be so honored in Diagnostic Radiology at UCSF.
From 1987 until 2003, she was Vice Chairman of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology,
UCSF, and was Chief of Radiology at the Dept. of Veteran Affairs Medical Center in
San Francisco, the first woman in that position.
An expert in the use of diagnostic ultrasound, Dr. Gooding is an honorary member of
the Cuban, Pakistani and Hungarian Radiological Societies. She received the Distinguished
Alumni/ae Award from Ohio Dominican and the Distinguished International Faculty Award
from the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association, and was honored as the San Francisco
Bay Area's Most Outstanding Professional Federal Employee in 1987 and 1995.
Both she and her husband, Charles A. Gooding, MD, are Distinguished Alumni/ae recipients
of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, the only couple ever to have received
this prestigious honor. S
he is Past President of the San Francisco Radiological Society and the American Association
for Women Radiologists, the recipient in 2003 of the Alice Ettinger Distinguished
Achievement Award of that organization.
She has a wealth of original papers, book chapters, and multiple speaking engagements
throughout the world in her work as a radiologic leader, mentor and educator.
She and Charles are the proud parents of three children, Gunnar, a lawyer, Justin,
an interventional radiologist, and Britta, a cross sectional imaging radiologist.
They have three lovely grandchildren in Southern California.
Mildred Schlueb '54
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Mildred Schlueb graduated in 1954 from the College of St. Mary of the Springs. She received her Master's Degree in Elementary Education from The Ohio State University.
She was a recipient of one of the six Golden Rule Awards for volunteerism; received the Tom Frank Memorial Award; the Tom Frank Memorial Award; and was one of 5 recipients of the Jefferson Award for Community Service.Schlueb retired after 32 years of teaching fourth, fifth and sixth grades in the Columbus Public Schools.
She has served on the parish school education committee; been principal for religious education classes; served on the Social Concerns Committee of Parish Council; and was a religious education teacher.
She volunteered her time for a program with the Columbus Public Library where she taught mothers to read so they could read to their children and as a tutor for the Literacy Council.
She was selected woman of the year by the Pilot Club International and was chairman of the Board of Courage, Inc.
Sr. Dr. Arline C. Schmeer '51
Sister Dr. Arline C. Schmeer, OP graduated from the College of St. Mary of the Springs
in 1951 with honors with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry.
Sister Schmeer also earned a Master's of Science Degree in Biology from the University
of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. in biomedicine from the School of Medicine and University
of Colorado Graduate Schools.
She has worked as the Director of the Mercenene Cancer Research Institute; President,
the Mercenene Medical Research Foundation, Coordinator and Director for the building
of a new medical reach institute; and Director of Research on Anticancer Agents of
Marine Origin, and countless other positions throughout her career.
Sister Schmeer's most prominent contribution to society is her discovery of an anti-cancer,
antiviral and antibacterial agent in marine animals.
She has received numerous awards for her work including the Ohio Sertoma Award, two
Ohio Kroger Awards, and the President's Cabinet and Medal Award of the University
of Detroit.
Sister Schmeer is a member of the American Chemical Society; American Society for
Cell Biology; Electron Microscopy Society of America; and is a life member of the
New York Academy of Sciences.
She has been published in Science, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Journal
of Cell Biology, Die Naturwisenschaften, Czechoslovakia Academy of Sciences, European
Journal of Cell Biology, and countless times in other celebrated journals.
Dr. Schmeer has been the recipient of two honorary doctor degrees and has at least
17 independent confirmations of her discovery which include the National Cancer Institute,
Case Western University, Ohio State University, Battelle Memorial Institute, a Nobel
Prize winner and other national and international medical groups.
Martha Sliter Sheeran '53
Martha Sliter Sheeran graduated summa cum laude from St. Mary of the Springs in 1935
with a BA in English and Sociology and a minor in Philosophy.
Sheeran had numerous articles published in newspapers and magazines; among her works
are two novels, A Place Entwined and Voices from the Upper Room.
Sheeran was a writer and public relations professional. She began her career as a
personnel officer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture; from there she held a position
for Ginn Publishing Company.
In 1951 she was employed by Nationwide Insurance where she occupied various writing
and editorial positions in public relations. In 1976 she became the first woman to
be named a department director by Nationwide when she became Director of Corporate
Communications.
She was a member of many boards and societies, including the Public Relations Society
of America, national board of Kappa Gamma Pi (National Catholic College Women's Honor
Society), board of the citizens' council for Franklin County Children's Services.
Sheeran was also active in Columbus Diocesan Council of Catholic Women; in a unit
of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra; was a panelist on the Columbus Panel of American
Women. She did volunteer case work for Catholic Charities of Columbus and was involved
in volunteer work to feed the poor with St. John's Kitchen.
Among her numerous awards Sheeran received the Ohioana Poetry Day Award, and was listed
in Who's Who of American Women.
Sheeran, a freelance writer, did radio and TV script writing and was published in many national magazines. She was married to James (Jim) E. Sheeran.
Ann Natalie Hansen '48
Ann Natalie Hansen is a graduate of St. Mary of the Springs Academy and of the College
of St. Mary of the Springs where in 1948 she received a Bachelor of Arts degree with
a major in history and a minor in biological science.
She also received a Master of Arts in history from The Ohio State University, and
a Bachelor of Letters in history from Oxford University, England where she was a member
of Somerville College, and also studied at the University of Oslo, Norway, and held
one of the three Oxford places at the Institute of Historical Research of the University
of London.
She is a former instructor at the College of St. Mary of the Springs, Berea College
(KY), and the University of Dayton.
Miss Hansen was a reporter and feature writer for The Columbus Dispatch from 1954 to 1958.
She has published five books and a number of articles, and has given scholarly papers
in Connecticut, San Francisco, and at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
She is a member of Phi Alpha Theta national history honor society; and has been president
of Delta Chapter, Phi Delta Gamma (OSU); of Columbus Branch, National League of American
Pen Women, and of Columbus Branch, English-Speaking Union as well as serving on its
Board of Governors for 25 years.
She was invested at St. Joseph Cathedral, Columbus, with the Equestrian Order of the
Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
Dennis Smith '69
Dennis Smith graduated in 1969 from Ohio Dominican with a bachelor of science degree
in elementary education.
Denny was a leader of the first men's basketball team, providing competitive spirit
and enthusiasm for the new program. He has remained close to the university over the
years serving on many committees and advisory boards. He is a past member and president
of the university's alumni/ae board.
Denny served his country in the military and retired as a Colonel in the United States
Army Reserves.
His past employers include Ameritech and Ohio Bell Telephone Company. He is currently
a global sales director for SBC Global Markets and is a certified sales instructor.
He has twin daughters and lives in Columbus with his wife, Carol.