www.chsfalcons.org • 256.430.1760 • 4810 Bradford Drive, Huntsville, Alabama 35805 Construction Progress • Gymnasium walls completed • Multi-purpose room walls going up • Concrete footings being poured for east side academic wing • Asphalt completed on roads and parking lot • Roof for gym and multi-purpose room to be completed by end of February (weather permitting) Volume I Issue 1 January/February 2010 Catholic High School (Pope John Paul II Catholic High School) Advancement Update — INSIDE — Local Pastors Share Insights and Challenges / Page 2 Strategies & Giving Notes / Page 3 Linda J. Smith Challenge Grant Tops $765,000! / Pages 4 and 5 Gala Results & Advancement Office / Page 6 Alumni Corner / Page 7 Walls Rise on Gymnasium and Multi-purpose Room The new campus continues rapidly arriving at construction milestones, in spite of the weather’s onslaught of cold and rain. A visit to the site shows construction beginning at the rear of the campus and moving forward toward the front of the school. You can stop and see the progress from the Old Madison Pike entrance to the campus, next to the sign with the architect’s rendering of the future buildings. See the weekly progress of our new campus at www.chsfalcons.org We Aren’t Done Yet! By Connie Gerlach, Director of Advancement What a wonderful sight—and blessing!—to see walls, roads, and daily construction activity (weather permitting!) where once we saw only a vision, looking out over an empty field. Yet we continue our daily efforts to fund the task we have started. The generosity of our Church and our community cannot be too strongly appreciated. We have more than 7,000 registered families and individuals in our school/parish community, and 992 participate in the school Capital Campaign. With this commitment, things are getting done; however, we are not finished. We need more of our parishioners to invest, now, in the education of our young people. More than a building or athletic field, our new campus is a center for the unique and powerful mission of Catholic education. We will continue to develop strong academic leaders, grounded in spiritual values. Our new larger, technologically improved facility will permit more of our parishioners and community to make Pope John Paul II Catholic High School their high school of choice. Your investment will deliver tremendous benefits to individuals and to our community. Please consider what you can do: pray on it, and act on it! Thank you and God bless you.
Construction Progress• Gymnasium walls completed• Multi-purpose room walls going up• Concrete footings being poured for east side academic wing• Asphalt completed on roads and parking lot• Roof for gym and multi-purpose room to be completed by end
of February (weather permitting)
Volume I Issue 1 January/February 2010
Catholic High School(Pope John Paul II Catholic High School)
Advancement Update
— INSIDE —Local Pastors Share
Insights and Challenges / Page 2
Strategies & Giving Notes / Page 3Linda J. Smith
Challenge Grant Tops $765,000! / Pages 4
and 5
Gala Results & Advancement Office /
Page 6Alumni Corner /
Page 7
Walls Rise on Gymnasium and Multi-purpose Room
The new campus continues rapidly arriving at construction milestones, in spite of the weather’s onslaught of cold and rain. A visit to the site shows construction beginning at the rear of the campus and moving forward toward the front of the school. You can stop and see the progress from the Old Madison Pike entrance to the campus, next to the sign with the architect’s rendering of the future buildings.
See the weekly progress of our new campus at www.chsfalcons.org
We Aren’t Done Yet! By Connie Gerlach, Director of Advancement
What a wonderful sight—and blessing!—to see walls, roads, and daily construction activity (weather permitting!) where once we saw only a vision, looking out over an empty field. Yet we continue our daily efforts to fund the task we have started. The generosity of our Church and our community cannot be too strongly appreciated. We have more than 7,000 registered families and individuals in our school/parish community, and 992 participate in the school Capital Campaign.
With this commitment, things are getting done; however, we are not finished. We need more of our parishioners to invest, now, in the education of our young people. More than a building or athletic field, our new campus is a center for the unique and powerful mission of Catholic education. We will continue to develop strong academic leaders, grounded in spiritual values. Our new larger, technologically improved facility will permit more of our parishioners and community to make Pope John Paul II Catholic High School their high school of choice. Your investment will deliver tremendous benefits to individuals and to our community. Please consider what you can do: pray on it, and act on it! Thank you and God bless you.
Father Michael Mac MahonHoly Spirit Catholic Church
When money is hard to come by, there are many stops and starts
along the way. This has been the story of our new Catholic High School. Through the grace of God and the generosity of many people throughout our parishes, great things are finally happening. Nothing can stop us now. Many years of prayer, a dedicated faculty, enthusiastic parents and an extended school family, with strong leadership and good planning, have brought us to this point in time. Our Catholic High School has a proven record of excellence. Graduates have made a wonderful contribution to the business, professional, and economic well-being of north Alabama and beyond. In its new surroundings and under its new name, “Pope John Paul II Catholic High School,” the school will continue to provide a Catholic Education centered in gospel values and principles. It will be a center of faith formation and academic excellence for Huntsville-Madison and neighboring counties. Our continued financial support of our new Catholic High School is necessary to keep this dream alive. So many have given so much. I know I want to be a part of this success story. Don’t you?
Father Louis GiardinoGood Shepherd Catholic Church
The Catholic community of Huntsville has pursued a high
school for many years. With the first round of BRAC consolidations, the opportunity was seized, and Catholic High School was begun. Through the generosity of parents, Churches and benefactors, Catholic High School has grown and prospered. The hard work and excellence of students, parents, faculty, and contributors have led us to this place. We have a great opportunity to further the work of Catholic education. We need your continued support to complete our new school and facilities. The goal is in sight!This new school will enrich the life of the local Church. The benefits of this project will extend to the whole community as well as the students! Please join me as we complete the necessary fundraising and plan for the opening and dedication of the new school. GO FALCONS!!
Father Philip O’KennedySt. John the Baptist Catholic Church
It’s one of those rare moments—we’re on the edge of a “dream coming
true,” a dream that many have dreamt since the mid-1990’s.I’m grateful to Bishop Foley for its courageous beginnings and to Bishop Baker for bringing Catholic High School to this stage of a “dream come true.”Most of all, I’m grateful for the sacrifices of all of you—our faithful supporters across the past 15 years: “well done, good and faithful servants.” Thank you; God will surely bless you for this.Over the centuries, Catholic schools have been “an arm of the evangelization ministry of the Church.” One can only begin to imagine how Pope John Paul II Catholic High School will continue this great ministry of education and evangelization in the Huntsville-Madison region, in the decades to come.Thank you.
Pastors Reflect on New Era for School With the walls rising on the gymnasium, the footings poured for the chapel, and the working infrastructure installed, our new campus is coming to life. From dream to reality represents a commitment of time and resources which no one can better verbalize than our pastors. Three pastors of local churches share their thoughts on past, present, and future, as we continue to build our school community. —Connie Gerlach, Director of Advancement
Rev. PhiliP O’KennedyRev. lOuis GiaRdinOveRy Rev. Michael Mac MahOn, v.F.
Did You Know ... ?Your gift of $100 to $25,000 can be doubled. Please see Linda J. Smith Challenge Grant details on page 4.
Your gift can be designated as a naming opportunity, for a lasting legacy on the new campus, at any time in the pledge cycle. Please call the Advancement Office for details.
Your company might match your gift. Please see your Human Resources office for more information.
Your gift can be designated as a memorial or honorarium, at any time in the pledge cycle. Please call the Advancement Office for details.
You can schedule gift payments using electronic bank withdrawals or credit card drafts (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa) at monthly, quarterly or annual intervals. Please call the Advancement Office, 256.430.1760 ext. 109, for details.
Capital Campaign chairs and committee members met with Advancement Director Mrs. Connie Gerlach on January 12 to discuss strategy for finalizing the Linda J. Smith Challenge Gift.
Mrs. Gerlach was pleased to announce that, as posted January 5, 2010, the team had raised $758,211 of the $1,000,000 needed to take full advantage of the Linda J. Smith Challenge Gift. She tasked the group with raising the remaining $250,000 by May 2010. (Note: see updated figures on page 4.)
Pope John Paul II Catholic High School Board Co-Chair Mrs. Nancy Archuleta and Board member Mr. Joe Colazzo attended to offer the support of the Board.
Mrs. Butch Damson, Co-Chair of the Treasure in the Field Solicitation Team, spoke on the relationship between stewardship and giving. She said, “Christians understand stewardship—that nothing is ours.” When we give, she said, we are “being stewards for God.” She encouraged the group to “raise the money and get the school built for the grace of God.”
Additional agenda items included announcement of two activities: intial planning for ribbon-cutting, co-chaired by Mrs. Carol Chapuran and Mrs. Michele Vevon, and a social for parents of Catholic High School freshmen and sophomores, chaired by Mrs. Michelle Kloske.
Campaign Chairs and Committee Discuss Strategy to Finalize Million Dollar Challenge Gift
AnonymousAnonymousMr. Robert & Mrs. Diana AcebalMr. Richard H. & Mrs. Constance AdamMr. Don and Mrs. Dolores AdamsMr. Bruce & Mrs. MaryAnn AndersonMr. Vincent & Mrs. Julia AquilaLTC (Ret) Raymond J. Astor, Sr.Mr. Jay BainMr. Carl & Mrs. Vicki BarkleyBaron FamilyMr. Keith & Mrs. Barbara BergMs. Mary BowieMr. Lynn & Mrs. Elizabeth BoyerMs. Marilyn M. BrainerdMr. David & Mrs. Julie BurgeMr. Frank & Mrs. Margaret CamposMr. Harold & Mrs. Ann CareyDr. Jasper & Mrs. Kristine CastilloMr. Maurice CentnerMr. Mike & Mrs. Mary ChandlerLTC (Ret) Frank & Mrs. Carol ChapuranMr. James & Mrs. Michele ClarkMr. Francisco J. CollazoMr. Robert & Mrs. Kathleen ColtonMr. Robert & Mrs. Zoraida CoxMr. Tod & Mrs. Debbie CraigMr. Daniel & Mrs. Vevyette CraneMr. Charles & Mrs. Jane CreagerMr. J. W. Cremin Mr. Deke & Mrs. Danielle DamsonLTC (Ret) Gerald & Mrs. Renee DavieMr. Brandon & Mrs. Cynthia Despres Mr. Thomas & Mrs. Alicia DetwilerMr. Anthony & Mrs. Lauren DiRienzoMr. Donal & Mrs. Tina DohertyMr. Dominic & Mrs. Alice DonCOL (Ret) Andrew & Mrs. Andrea DullMr. Mike & Mrs. Lisa Durant
COL (Ret) Robert & Mrs. Marge FeistMr. John & Mrs. Catherine FilippoBG (Ret) William & Mrs. Judith FiorentinoMr. David & Mrs. Sunny FleddermanMr. Bill & Mrs. Clare GibbonsMr. Paul & Mrs. Mary Lou GlosemeyerMr. Bob & Mrs. Mary GravesMs. Ann GundermanMr. George Gunter & Ms. Margaret DelVillanMr. Sami & Mrs. Nawal HabchiMr. Jeffrey & Mrs. Glenda HarrisMr. Gregory & Mrs. Karen HavoMr. William & Mrs. Terry HeckerMr. Steve & Mrs. Kay HelmbrechtMr. Tom & Mrs. Jennifer HenkenMr. Joseph & Mrs. Joanne HodgesMr. James R. Hudson, Jr.Mr. Thomas & Mrs. Blanche IrbyMr. John & Mrs. Evelyn JaapMr. Michael & Mrs. Melody JanssenMr. Frank & Mrs. Cynthia JeanDr. Kyle & Mrs. Robin JonesMr. Ed & Mrs. Lisa JourdenMr. John & Mrs. Kim KaliszakMs. Rita Keown Mr. Reed KlosMr. William & Mrs. Claudia KlusMr. Kenneth & Mrs. Rita KnowlesMr. Terry & Mrs. Mary KoelblMr. William & Mrs. Angela KoonsMr. Fred & Mrs. Lizette KummerMr. Anthony & Mrs. Betsy LashleyMr. Karl & Mrs. Christy LaueMs. Allissa S. LeachMr. Joseph & Mrs. Virginia LeahyMr. Michael & Mrs. Phyllis LeeMr. Robert LeslieMr. Arnel & Mrs. Teresa LibariosMs. A. Teresa Lux
Mr. Nick & Mrs. Irene MangusMr. Richard & Mrs. Maria Markwalter MAJ William & Mrs. Renee McArdleMr. Timothy & Mrs. Lori McDerbyMr. Lonnie McMillionMr. Lorace & Mrs. Becky MerriweatherMr. Kevin & Mrs. Nora MichaelsMr. Jeffrey & Mrs. Patricia MillerMr. Frank & Mrs. Betty MokryMr. Bernard & Mrs. Nancy MorganMr. Mahmoud & Mrs. Melinda NaderiMr. Kevin & Mrs. Lou Ann NashThe Reverend Gary New, S.D.S.Mr. Joe & Mrs. Marie NewberryMr. Pablo & Mrs. Rita NievesMr. Michael & Mrs. Cathryn O’HalloranThe Reverend Philip O’KennedyMr. Max Patin & Ms. Pamela BourqueMr. Brian PetersonMr. Jerry & Mrs. Dorothy PetersonMr. David & Mrs. Jean PoolMr. William & Dr. Lois PopeMr. John & Mrs. Desiree PosselMr. Bill & Mrs. Kathy PottratzMr. Steven & Mrs. Mary PottsMr. Donny & Mrs. Kristin PraxMr. Maurice & Mrs. Joan PrestonDr. Jeff & Mrs. Cindy PrylinskiMr. Patrick & Mrs. Rebecca QuinnMr. Robert & Mrs. Elizabeth RiggleCOL (Ret) John & Mrs. Diane RivenburghMr. & Mrs. Charles S. RobertsMr. Al & Mrs. Cathie RossiMr. Lawrence & Mrs. Debra SchaeferMr. Brendan & Mrs. Karen SchlosserMr. Peter & Mrs. Pamela SchofieldMr. Wayne & Mrs. Deborah SchrenkMr. Thomas & Mrs. Joyce ScottMr. David & Mrs. Justine Seeley
THANK YOu! Participants in the Linda J. Smith Challenge Gift
List includes gifts received from June 1, 2009, to January 20, 2010.
Committee of 1,000 / Gifts or Pledges of $1,000 or More
Linda J. Smith Challenge Gift: More than 75% to $1 Million Goal!As of January 20, gifts and pledges total $766,661. We need just $233,339 to take us to the full $1 million challenge match amount. Your gifts plus the challenge match can add $2 million to the construction fund!
Double the value of your gift by participating in the challenge!
Conditions for Linda J. Smith Challenge Gift• A minimum of $500,000 must be pledged or gifted between June 1, 2009 and June 1, 2010.• To be eligible for a match, gifts must be a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $25,000.• On June 1, 2010, any amount from $500,000 up to $1,000,000 will be considered for matching.• To be matched, a pledge must be paid in full by June 1, 2012.
Committee of 1,000 (continued)Mr. Paul & Mrs. Christina SemmensMr. Joseph & Mrs. Jacqueline SerockiMs. Susan ShalhoopMr. Robert & Mrs. Jennifer SheibleyDr. William & Mrs. Donna ShergyMr. John & Mrs. Teresa SimmonsMs. Nonda SloanMr. Henry & Mrs. Nancy SmithMr. Richard & Mrs. Judith Smith Mr. Stuart & Mrs. Erica SmithMr. Neil & Mrs. Anna SpearMs. Roberta Stender Mr. Ted & Mrs. Ann StevensonMr. Tim & Mrs. Stacy StoneMr. John & Mrs. Melanie StonerMr. Paul & Mrs. Janet StranahanCOL (Ret) Michael & LTC (Ret) Patricia SudnikMr. Peter & Mrs. Mary Sullivan
Ms. Judy Teague Mr. Michael TooleMr. Bob Tourville & Ms. Cindy HessMr. Jack & Mrs. Irma TuderMs. Helen TygielskiMr. Robert & Mrs. Diane VaughanMr. Tacey & Mrs. Andrea ViegasMs. Jeanne B. WeaverMr. Mark & Mrs. Susan WedenMr. Richard & Mrs. Sharon WhiteMr. David & Mrs. Kathleen WiethopMr. John & Mrs. Claire WilliamsMr. James & Mrs. Laura WilsonMr. Walt & Mrs. Joanne WilsonMr. Frank & Mrs. TC Zimmerman
Companies/OrganizationsBoeing CompanyCOLSA
Falcon Athletic Booster ClubGary C. Wyatt General Contractor, LLC Good Shepherd Catholic ChurchGood Shepherd Catholic Church Knights of
Columbus Heartlite Hospice Care GAHoly Spirit Catholic ChurchMerriweather HoldingOur Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic
ChurchSaint John the Baptist Catholic ChurchSaint John the Baptist Catholic Church
Women’s ClubSaint Joseph Catholic ChurchSaint Mary of the Visitation Catholic ChurchServisFirst BankThe Orthopaedic Center
Anonymous Mr. Art Abdinoor & Ms. Laurel Best Mr. David W. AbercrombieMr. Allan & Mrs. Mary AndersonMr. Glendon & Mrs. Noelle AndersonMr. Chris & Mrs. Maria ArehartMs. Brenda ArmstrongMr. Cecil ArmstrongMr. Hampton & Mrs. Mechelle ArmstrongMr. Randall & Mrs. Karen BachmeyerBrother Paul BauerMr. John & Mrs. Karin BeckMs. Marilyn BoydMr. Tommy BrazieMr. Daniel & Mrs. Valerie BrownMr. Glenn & Mrs. Janice CampbellMr. Carl & Mrs. Marianne CaseMr. David & Mrs. Stephanie CaseMr. Harry A. & Dr. Mary T. ChaffeeMr. Michael & Mrs. Stephanie ChandlerMr. Michael & Mrs. Theresa ChiversMr. Louis & Mrs. S. W. ClarkMs. Barbie ColeMr. James & Mrs. Loretta CollierMr. Vince & Mrs. Jennifer CornettMr. Paul & Mrs. Sydney DeanMr. John & Mrs. Linda DeHayeMr. Michael & Mrs. Mary Ann DeMaioribusMr. Binh & Mrs. Le DinhMr. Glen & Mrs. Janet Donoghue Mr. James & Mrs. Nancy DownnardDr. Michael EreshevichDr. Peter & Mrs. Virginia FinzelMr. Kevin & Mrs. Colleen FlynnMs. Nancy FuryMr. Vince & Mrs. Joan GoeddekeMr. Milford & Mrs. Gwen Greenway
Mr. Robert & Mrs. Gina GrondinMr. Michael & Mrs. Patricia GuillebeauMr. Derry & Mrs. Diana HarrisonMr. Lee & Mrs. Kathleen HeckmanMr. Neil C. & Mrs. Lilian HofstetterLTC (Ret) H. E. & Mrs. Mona HoppmeyerMr. Richard & Mrs. Metta JacksonMs. Claudia KliesnerMs. Tammy KluesnerMr. Paul & Mrs. Jarcia KosinskiMr. & Mrs. Anthony KoszarskyCOL & Mrs. Robert Kuehn, Jr.Mr. John & Mrs. Robin KutsorMr. Robert & Mrs. Barbara Lamere Mr. Michael & Mrs. Helen LamyMs. Lisa LaurendineMr. & Mrs. Daniel LeBasMr. Philip & Mrs. Lorna LindemanMr. Billy & Mrs. Ann LivesayMr. William & Mrs. Joann LorsonMr. Donald & Mrs. Patricia MarshMr. Tim Martin & Ms. Christie CoplenMr. Anthony D. MayMr. Duane & Mrs. Bernadette MayerMr. Charles & Mrs. Margaret McBreartyMr. Albert & Mrs. Shirley McDonaldMr. John & Mrs. Debora MieleMr. Kevin MooreMr. Paul & Mrs. Patsy MorinMr. Austin & Mrs. Nan MulherinMr. David & Mrs. Patricia NicolasMr. Jack II & Mrs. Heather NorrisMs. Suzanne NorrisMr. Greg & Mrs. Mary Louise OgleMr. William & Mrs. Mary OliverMr. Charles & Mrs. Carrie OrchardMs. Elizabeth Patrick
Mr. Stanley & Mrs. Mary PietrzakMr. J.H. & Mrs. Laura PriestMr. John & Mrs. Patricia Rakoczy Mr. R. & Mrs. Marilyn ReesMr. Ralph & Mrs. Sue SchweersMr. Patrick & Mrs. Leslie ShieldsMr. John & Mrs. Margaret SlankasMr. Christian & Mrs. Lisa SloanMr. Christopher Smith & COL (Ret) Monica
Gorbandt -SmithMr. Edward & Mrs. Roberta SnowMs. Frances SoleyMr. Robert SpazzariniMr. Mark & Mrs. Jane SweeneyMr. Jeff & Mrs. Patricia ThompsonMs. Barbara TownsendMr. Paul & Mrs. Cindy TygielskiMs. Jagoe Brown WadeMr. Jerry & Mrs. Barbara WallachMr. Billy & Mrs. Julie WarnerMr. Mark WattsMr. William & Mrs. Patricia WeaverDr. Carolyn WhiteMr. Marvin & Mrs. Cathy WhittMr. Smith & Mrs. Jackalyn WilcoxMr. George & Mrs. Joyce WinghartMr. John & Mrs. Tammy Wright
Companies/OrganizationsAct IIAlabama Psychological Services Center, LLCKnights of Columbus AuxiliaryKnights of Columbus, St. Ann’s CouncilTownhouse Galleries
JPII Challengers / Gifts or Pledges of $100 to $999
Co-Chairs Mrs. Julie Kellogg, Mrs. Ileana Gonzalez-Tablada, Mrs. Cindy Prylinski and Mrs. Cindy Tygielski announced a net profit of $76,064 from the Gala “A Night to Remember.” The November 14 event attracted approximately 470 guests. The school’s Parent Association sponsors the Gala as the primary fundraiser, providing financial support for academic programs and student development.Principal Vince Aquila recognized the “hard work and dedication of the Gala Co-Chairs and committees and the generosity of all who supported and attended.”The Co-Chairs said they “felt we were truly in God’s hands at every step, and we look forward to the continued success of our upcoming 2010 Gala co-chairs. Our traditions of growth and excitement have increased every year, thanks to our community. May God always bless you.”
Yes, I/We Want to Make a Gift Please match this gift as part of the Linda J. Smith Challenge Gift (applicable for gifts of $100 or more)
Name NameCompany Name (if gift to be made in name of company) AddressCity State Zip Phone EmailPledge/gift amount $ Pledge period: 1 yr. 2 yrs. 3 yrs. OtherPayment schedule: monthly quarterly annually Beginning
Credit card number Card type Card exp. date
EFT Authorization: I hereby authorize Catholic High School to deduct $ from my checking account
on the 20th of each month. (Please include a voided check.)
Name on account Bank routing number Account number
Matching gift (company) Naming Opportunity
Signature Date
Mail to: CHS Advancement Office • 4810 Bradford Drive, Huntsville, Alabama 358056
Co-Chairs Announce Net Profit of $76,064 for 2009 Gala
Gala Co-Chairs (from left) Mrs. Cindy Tygielski, Mrs. Ileana Gonzalez-Tablada, Mrs. Cindy Prylinski and Mrs. Julie Kellogg at the Gala Gift Gathering Party
Advancement Office: Expanding the Scope
The name change of this newsletter, from Development Office Update to Advancement Update, reflects our new departmental designation of “Advancement Office.” The Advancement Office serves as the umbrella organization to promote the dynamic collaboration of cultivation and major fundraising activities to meet the financial needs of educational organizations. For continued growth in the areas of fundraising, capital projects and alumni engagement and cultivation, we have adopted an Advancement Office structure, as illustrated above. Also, this will permit future expansion of personnel as activity levels increase in these areas.Using this new structure, the Advancement Office will continue present objectives and address long-range planning requirements to:• Identify and cultivate donors and resources• Leverage resources to provide financial support and long-term
financial solvency• Create and maintain a business platform that promotes growth and
expansion in fundraising objectives• Cultivate and engage alumni to participate as Alumni Board and
Karen Joly shared her vocal gifts as a featured performer at the November Catholic High School Gala. A senior at the University of
Alabama, Karen will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy. She currently interns at the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Greater Birmingham’s Hand in Hand early intervention program, where she works with children with special needs. She also works with adults with special needs in UCP’s Linc Point program. Karen has served at-risk children through Tuscaloosa One Place, providing weekly music enrichment to elementary students, and used her musical and spiritual gifts with hospice patients. As part of her music studies, Karen has performed in UA’s opera theater program.
Laura Scott, currently working at The Arc of Madison County, stopped by the school to donate blood for the school’s November drive. Laura graduated
in 2009 from Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and minors in French and Entrepeneurship and Social Enterprise. As a junior, she honed her French language fluency during a term in Dijon, France, studying at the Universite de Bourgogne and staying with a French family. Active in the Kappa Delta sorority, Laura chaired activities and served as the group’s webmaster. While in school, she interned in accounting at Gulfstream Aerospace and worked for Wake Forest University, using her programming skills to create websites for local non-profits. Laura also helped conceptualize and implement The Cuba Project: Cuban Artists’ Books and Prints 1985-2008, a traveling art exhibit.
Michael Helmbrecht is in his second year at Mississippi State University, s t u d y i n g E l e c t r i c a l E n g i n e e r i n g . He is a student in the Shakouls
Honors Program and has been inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, an all-discipline honor society, and Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society. Michael has worked the past
three summers for the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in Huntsville. This semester, he was selected to help a university professor and graduate student with a research project.
Matthew “Luke” McDonald attends the University of Alabama, where is he studying elec-trical engineering. His first semester at UA was very successful, despite catching the swine
flu just before Thanksgiving holiday. After the first semester, Luke spent time catching up with former class-mates from Catholic High School. Outside of class, Luke spends most of his time at the recreational center and plans to get involved in student intra-mural programs. Catching a few foot-ball games during the season with friends was on the agenda. Now that the basketball season has started, he plans to attend several of them as well. Although Luke is a diehard Ken-tucky fan, he still wants Bama to win when they are not playing Kentucky. Road trips are under way to visit good friends at other colleges.
Corner Alumni, we want to hear from you! Send your news and a photo to [email protected].
“Where are they now?” Our alumni are on the move, and we want to stay in touch!
Watch the Alumni Corner in the Advancement Update for the latest news.
Alumni, send us your updates!
An expanded alumni focus in conjunction with the initiation of an alumni association and an alumni affairs department are being developed for implementation in the next year. One of the first projects is a website designed to be in touch with our alumni. If you are interested in being a class agent, please contact Connie Gerlach at [email protected]
