Welcome
to Christendom's Alumni E-Zine. If you have information that
you would like to share with your fellow alumni, send it to
the Grapevine Editor, Tom McGraw, at tmcgraw@christendom.edu.
The editor reserves the right to include or exclude any information
submitted for publication in The Grapevine.
The
Grapevine Online is uploaded on the First Friday of every
month. It will have a couple of sections (when information
is available), namely, Class Notes (your basic information
on alumni babies, weddings, jobs, etc.), Calendar of Events,
and Links to various
recent stories about Christendom College and/or the Alumni
of Christendom.
October
2007 edition of The
Grapevine Online
Class
Notes / Calendar of Events / Links
to Stories / Prior
issues
Homecoming Weekend
Over
300 alumni returned to Christendom during the first weekend
in October for Homecoming 2007. The weekend began on Friday
evening with the annual Alumni vs. Crusaders Basketball games.
The Lady Crusaders defeated the alumni squad in the first
game. The lady alumni team played very well, but the ball
was simply not going into the hoop for them! In the second
game the alumni put up a great fight and were only down by
two points at the half, but in the end the Crusaders were
victorious and won by six. The final basket of the game was
scored for the alumni by Joseph Vander Woude, on a driving
layup to the hoop. After both games, students and alumni attended
a post-game reception in St. Kilian's Cafe where hundreds
of alumni visited with each on the patio and inside the cafe.
On
Saturday the afternoon picnic was blessed with lots of sunshine.
It was held outside for the first time in recent years. Stduents,
alumni, faculty, and staff and their families enjoyed the
many different games and activities including face painting,
pumpkin painting, and sand art. There was also a giant moonbounce,
a giant slide called "The Screamer," and an obstacle
course. About 400 people came together by dinner time for
a great feast of grilled food. Cotton candy, popcorn, and
snow cones were served free of charge throughout the day,
to the delight of all. Many thanks to the Student Activities
Council, under the new leadership of Siobhan O'Connor, for
their great work on this event.
On
Saturday evening, the Alumni Reception in the Chapel Crypt
was filled to capacity as hundreds of alumni talked and reminisced
until midnight. During and after the reception, many alumni
walked over to the St. Lawrence Commons to attend the Homecoming
Dance. At the conclusion of the night, a small group of alumni
cleaned up the Chapel Crypt led by the intrepid Joannie Watson,
Megan Mead, and Andy McDonald.
On Sunday, West defeated East, making the total tally after
29 games: East: 15 victories, West: 14. This sets up a rather
important game next year!
Class
notes
Tony
and Julie (Timmerman) Bodoh ’97 are still residing
in Nashville, TN. However, they have taken on some new challenges
this year. Tony is working in the Corporate Office of Gaylord
Entertainment, recently promoted to the position of Manager
of Operations Analysis. He specializes in the optimization
of hotel and convention center operations and manages the
guest and meeting planner satisfaction programs for all of
Gaylord’s hotels. Tony is also teaching in the Primetime
business program for Aquinas College at two of the school’s
satellite campuses. Recently Tony authored two children’s
books which will be published by the end of the year. One
book is written for 3-5 year olds. The other is written for
infants and toddlers. Both books will serve as the first book
in their respective series which will be launched under the
Daddy Daughter Days brand. The artwork for each is presently
being completed and we are planning for a general release
during the Christmas season in several different book stores
and online. You can visit http://daddydaughterdays.wordpress.com/
for more information and a preview of the books. Julie is
also pursuing one of her dreams. She resigned her full-time
position of seven years in the Cardiac Cath Lab at Vanderbilt
Children’s Hospital and began attending Culinary Arts
School at the Art Institute of TN in July. She will graduate
in December of 2008. Professional catering services will be
available after that. They have two lovely daughters, Katrina
(4 years) and Hannah (2 years). They are pictured here while
visiting the Bowes Family in Orlando Florida this September.
Adam
Marchand is driving a nice new cruiser. He's really busy,
arresting people and writing tickets. There is a wide range
of things to deal with in his job. Everything from seeing
fatal accidents and suicidal people, to speaking with kids
at public events and talking with their parents. And how does
he like being a state trooper? "I can honestly say I
love my job," says Adam. "And if any of the seven
guys who burned the wall flower ever come through my state,
you can bet your bottom dollar they'll receive no mercy from
me if I catch them speeding. . . . On another note I'm excited
about getting involved with a new FOCUS chapter at the University
of Vermont this year. That's all for now, let the good times
roll!"
Unable
to resist the call of the West any longer, Mollie Tschida
packed up her covered wagon and headed back to her beloved
Pacific Northwest with James Dean riding shotgun. Just like
the first pioneers on the Oregon Trail, her trek across country
was legendary. First making stops in St. Louis and Wichita,
she visited with the young families of Katy (Jenkins) Hochshield
and Laura (Williams) Ross. Leaving Wichita, she and
James headed north across the scenic plains of Kansas and
Nebraska. Crossing into South Dakota, Mollie and James were
back in the Old West. At the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre
on the Pine Ridge Reservation, she had the honor to meet the
great-grandson of the Oglala Sioux chief Red Cloud and the
grandson of Chief Big Foot, both key players in the history
of the Old West. From there, Mollie took a wrong turn and
traveled on dirt roads through the Bad Lands, rolling over
a few prairie dogs along the way. They spent the night in
the Black Hills, where they rode ATVs and built bonfires with
old friends. Leaving the Black Hills, they headed almost due
west, travelling along lonely highways through the high plains
and mountains of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Finally, after
six days and five nights on the road, Mollie returned home
to her native Seattle, where she is currently working at a
conservative think tank while James loafs at home.
Way
up in the region of Minnesota, dwell Ryan and Lori (Omann)
Meyer. Here is a picture of their daughter, Claire, helping
to pick all of the pumpkins at Grandma and Grandpa's for Halloween.
She's keeping mom very busy, now at 17 1/2 months, but they
are loving every minute of it! She is also getting ready to
be a big sister in December. Lori is due on December 15th
with baby # 2
!
Niall
and Sherry O'Donnell are proud to announce the arrival
of Jude Anthony, born September 5 at 6:28 pm, 8 lbs. and 7oz.
and 21.5 inches. Contrary to popular belief, he was not born
holding a guitar in his hand. But Niall plans to teach him
plenty of songs and see what happens.
Jessica
and Nate Schuetz say that married life is treating them
well and they are really enjoying Monterey. The best part
of Monterey is falling asleep every night to the sound of
the sealions who lovingly remind Jess of oversized, wet, squishy
dogs by their bark. The next best part though is the scenery
which is amazing! Being a military spouse is challenging at
times (including finding a job), but with her free time Jess
has dedicated herself to taking up drawing again and she has
started a small in-home buisness for fun. Nate continues to
work very hard on his Arabic so please keep him in your prayers
that he graduates this April.
Mark
and Pie Schwerdt were Hitched on September 8th, 2007.
At their wedding reception, a good time was had by all, especially
with the pinatas!
Mary
(McFadden) Brand and her husband Jonathan are already
checking out real estate in Front Royal as they anticipate
their move next summer. Jonathan is the headmaster of the
new Catholic school that will be opening its doors in Fall
2008. In the early years, the school will rent space in the
HLI building. Check out the website: www.chelseaacademy.org.
Chelsea Academy will start with grades 6 - 9 and add a grade
each year. Please keep the new school in your prayers.
Kate
(Murrell '98) & Joe Pride are now parents of
four kids under 5 years, wow! Harvey Michael Pride arrived
Sept. 20 and joined 18 mo. old Sophia, 3 yr. old Jack, and
5 yr. old Genevieve. We are learning how to swim again.....Great
Blessings!
J.
Marianne Siegmund, STL '89, has recently authored four
articles for the "Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Thought,
Social Science, and Social Policy," published by Scarecrow
Press, www.scarecrowpress.com
in July 2007. The entire, 2-volume work is very faithful to
Magisterial teaching and it is a great reference to have at
hand. If you know of an individual or a library who might
be interested in obtaining it, please pass along this information.
Joseph
Coleman and Adriana (Richardson), were married at last
on September 22nd. They were married at St. Nicholas Ukrainian
Catholic Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois.
Last Homecoming
Weekend, found Suzannah Redner visiting a friend in
Moscow, and this year she is again leaving to explore the
colder regions of the world, spending a few weeks with a friend
stationed in Antartica. Her friend is an assistant at an independent
research facility studying anbaric particles and their effects
on D.U.S.T. Suzannah plans to spend her two weeks observing
work in the research facility, taking notes, and staying warm.
Calendar
of events
November
30, 2007: Life on Tap (St. Kilian's Cafe)
February
8-10, 2008: Discernment Weekend
March
1, 2008: Alumni Career Mentoring Reception
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Press
Releases and Campus News: http://www.christendom.edu/news/releases.shtml
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