Class Notes

Brother Leo Ryan (Dean, 1975-80)

Brother Leo Ryan, CSV, who served as dean of Notre Dame's College of Business from 1975-80, was recently honored by Alpha Kappa Psi, the professional business fraternity, for a lifetime of achievement and service to the fraternity. The award was presented to Brother Ryan at a Pricipled Business Leadership Institute at Chicago's Palmer House Hilton.

Brother Ryan and Lyle Staab (MBA '79) reconnected at the event where they were both judging a case competition. Staab is a principal at LTStaab Consulting, Chicago.

2012

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David Frea (MNA) has been invited into formal formation to become a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Columbus.

Mary Claire Sullivan (MBA, FIN '08) is the vice president of business development for Jordan Energy, a developer of solar energy solutions.

CJ Webster (EMBA) was recently honored for being a member of the 2012 Sales Team of the Year and the MVP of the Western Region at LexisNexis. During 2012, Webster relocated from Ohio to San Francisco, was married, graduated from ND with an EMBA, and was able to lead his sales team from the bottom third of the rankings to No. 1. Webster is the Northern California sales manager for LexisNexis.

2011

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Dr. Michael T. Benson (MNA) has been named president of Eastern Kentucky University. The unanimous selection of Benson, currently the president of Southern Utah University, was announced at a special meeting of the EKU Board of Regents. He will assume his new role on Aug. 1.

Ray Camosy (MNA) is the newly elected president of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Foundation Board.

Kelley Durham (MNA) is executive director of The Auburn Valley Humane Society in Auburn, Wash.

2010

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Shelley Kendrick (MNA) was promoted to vice president of operations for Ecumen, which operates a variety of senior housing options and services. Kendrick oversees senior housing and all of Ecumen's skilled nursing facilities.

Amber Maneth (MNA) has recently been named supervisor of membership and guest services at the Denver Art Museum.

Urvashi Mathur (MGT), along with her mother and sister, launched TestRocker in December 2012. TestRocker is a unique and personalized online education platform for standardized test preparation.

2009

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Eric Friedman (EMBA) was recently named president of the Notre Dame Club of Saginaw Valley.

Michael Lenahan (EMBA) was recently named president of Notre Dame Club of Muskegon, Mich.

2006

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Chris Sinclair (MBA) was recently honored by the Boston division of the FBI with the 2012 Director's Community Leadership Award for outstanding community leadership and youth advocacy. The award was presented by FBI Director Robert Swan Mueller III. Sinclair is president of The Anthem Group, Boston.

2005

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Dave Brenner (MARK) recently joined Google's Chicago office as the manager for the company's top global consumer packaged goods accounts. His responsibility is to advise CMOs and global marketing teams on how to build their brands using digital.

Katie Lawler (MARK, PSYCH) was recently named to The Daily Record's Leading Women: Maryland's Future 2012 list of honorees . The honor is awarded to professionals, 40 and younger, for "tremendous accomplishments early in their careers." Honorees were judged on professional experience, community involvement, and a commitment to inspiring change. Lawler, who is an assoicate counsel for Miles & Stockbridge the Baltimore, Md. office, practices general civil litigation, focusing on mass torts and toxic tort defense litigation.

2003

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John Carter (MBA) has put his corporate career behind him to work for Kore Foundation, a not-for-profit organization focused on developing solutions to alleviate extreme poverty in Haiti. Kore helped start 87 small businesses in Haiti during 2012. The organization has plans to start 100 new businesses in 2013.

2001

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Eric Horvath (MNA) was recently named the director of public works for the City of South Bend, Ind.

2000

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Steven Cieckieiwcz (MBA, '95) recently joined Aon as a director of finance. He and his wife, Cynthia, run a baking business, Uptown Soda Bread.

1999

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Yuming Meng (MBA) was recently appointed by the government of China to the position of vice president of Beijing Wangfujing Department Store (BWDS) Group. BWSD is specializes in retail of general merchandise and is known as "the first store in China."

1997

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Christopher Trenta (ACCT ) The Diocese of Cleveland has announced that Fr. Christopher Trenta, ordained in 2009, will be attending the Pontifical Atheneum Sant'Anselmo in Rome, Italy to pursue a doctorate in Liturgical/Sacramental Theology.

1995

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Francois Delvaux de Fenffe (MBA) created Minds&More (www.mindsandmore.biz), a firm focused on helping companies grow by building their capabilities in marketing, sales and transformation. Founded in 2010, the company has more than 30 specialists and offers more than 450 years of experience to clients. The company, which is based in Belgium, offers summer internships to students who have a passion for marketing and sales. On a personal note, de Fenffe and his son attended the ND/Navy game in Dublin and notes that they "loved it."

1994

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Robert Dunklau (EMBA) recently was named VP/COO of Fresh Wave, the consumer division of OMI Industries. Dunklau has been charged with the continued long-term growth of OMI's Fresh Wave natural odor eliminating products in both domestic and international markets. He has served on the board of directors for the Greater Chicago Food Depository since 2001, chairing the finance and audit committees. Dunklau, his wife, Tracy and their two children reside in St. Charles, Ill.

Bill Reading (EMBA) recently accepted a new position as managing director for the Carolinas with Newport Board Group, a national professional services firm that provides board and CEO advisory services to help emerging growth, middle-market, and private-equity clients navigate transitions, improve performance and scale their businesses.

1991

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Brian Harrington (MBA) has joined Zipcar's management team as executive vice president/chief marketing officer to lead the company's global marketing efforts. Harrington will be responsible for overseeing marketing organization, including member acquisition, global brand building, social media, public relations and delivering new innovative products and services to further enhance the Zipcar member experience.

Brian Schaefgen (ACCT) has joined Vintage Capital Group, a Los Angeles-based real estate and private equity investment firm, as CFO and COO.

1989

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Rob Moore (MBA) was recently promoted to senior vice president of sales for MNI Targeted Media Inc., Stamford, Conn., the leading provider of targeted marketing solutions across multiple platforms. Moore, who joined the company five years ago, previously served as vice president of sales for MNI.

1984

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Muhammad Naseem (MBA) will be traveling to the U.S. this summer with plans to visit campus for Reunion. He is hoping to get together with MBA '84 classmates.

Stephen Theobald (ACCT) recently joined Walker & Dunlop Inc. as executive VP, CFO and treasurer.

1982

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Francis Tisak (MGT) Former captain, Francis X. Tisak recently retired following a 30-year career in the U.S. Navy. His last assignment was as chief of staff for acquisition at the Defense Logistics Agency.

1980

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Greg Meredith (FIN) received the 2012 Harvey G. Foster Award from the Notre Dame Alumni Association. The award, established in 1982, recognizes Meredith's distinguished involvement in civic and University initiatives, particularly his work to support children, young adults and the disabled.

Steve Odland (MARK) was recently named president and CEO of the Committee for Economic Development (CED), a non-profit, non-partisan business-led public policy organization.

1979

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Ted Carnevale (ACCT) Gramkow Carnevale Seifert & Co. LLC, which is Ted Carnevale's firm, has been named to the 2012 Best of the Best Firms by INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA).

Dan Rahill (ACCT) has been named Partner-In-Charge of Tax Services by FGMK, LLC, a Chicago-based certified public accounting and advisory firm.

1976

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Robert McDonnell (MGT) The Notre Dame Alumni Association recently presented the 2012 Rev. John J. Cavanaugh, CSC, Award to Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell. The Rev. John J. Cavanaugh Award is conferred on an alumnus/alumna who is performing or has performed outstanding service in the field of government, patriotism, public service, local, state or national politics. McDonnell has built a reputation for his fiscal stewardship and success in closing substantial budget shortfalls without raising taxes.

1956

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Pete Fieweger (B.S., Commerce) retired at the end of 2011 after 50 years of practicing law, . He and his wife Shirley are enjoying their children and 13 grandchildren.

Dick Fitzgerald (B.S., Commerce) and his wife, Sally, spent the winter in Manzanillo, Mexico, as they do each year. Before departing, Dick shared his thoughts on Notre Dame's 2013 football season, noting that the Miami game was more exciting than the Stanford and that it is entertaining once again to watch the Fighting Irish.

Richard Van Mele (B.S., Commerce) recently assisted in establishing a Pregnancy Help Center in Vero Beach, Fla., and serves as chairman of the board for the facility. The center, which opened in April and is staffed with RNs, provides free professional counseling and ultrasound services, as well as long-term follow-up care to pregnant women needing assistance.

Wedding

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Christopher Webster (EMBA 2012) and Tina Webster were married at the Manor House in Mason, Ohio on March 3, 2012.

Future Domers

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Jason (MNA '12) and Niki (MA, '11) Fehr welcomed a son, Micah on Feb. 7, 2013.

Cheron Merten (MNA, '12) and Matt Merten welcomed a daughter, Marley Jean, Jan. 28, 2013.

Amy Crownover-Reed (MNA, BBA Marketing '00) and Daniel Reed welcomed a son, Everett Daniel Reed, on January 3, 2013.

Anna Sanford Mlodzik (MNA, 07) and her husband, Pete, welcomed a daughter, Grace Edwards Mlodzik, on December 2, 2012, joining big brother Teddy.

Mark Welch (MBA '04) and Holly Welch welcomed a son, Dylan, Mar. 14, 2013, joining big sister Lilah.

In Memoriam

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Asaph Schwapp (FIN '09) passed away on May 8, 2013, of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He was 26. Schwapp came to Notre Dame as part of the first recruiting class put together by Charlie Weiss and was known for his strong work ethic and physical strength.

Mirko Jurkovic (MARK '95), a member of Notre Dame's 1988 national championship team and consensus All-American lineman, died Jan. 9, 2013. He was 42.

Jurkovic was a four-time letter winner who played defensive tackle for the '88 squad and moved to guard, where he started on teams that won the '89 Orange Bowl and '91 Sugar Bowl. He was named Notre Dame lineman of the year by the Moose Krause chapter of the National Football Foundation in 1991 and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the ninth round of the 1992 draft.

He is survived by his wife, Angie, and their three children, Mirko, Claire and Samantha.

George Blake (B.S., Commerce '56) passed away on Feb. 2, 2013, at the age of 79. Blake is survived by his wife, Mary, his children and grandchildren, his siblings and several nieces and nephews.

Following his graduation from Notre Dame, Blake graduated from University of Chicago Law School in 1961. He was a retired partner of Vedder Price, Chicago.

Robert Braun (B.S., Commerce '56) Robert P. Braun passed away peacefully on Jan. 15, 2013, at home in Redlands, Calif., with his wife, Joyce, by his side. He is also survived by his daughter, Kimberlee; a sister and brother.

Braun began his career at Uniroyal in Mishawaka, Ind., and transferred to the Redlands, Calif., location in 1979. Following his retirement, Braun accepted a position as plant manager for the local Carson-Brooks, working there for several years.

Braun enjoyed ushering at Sacred Heart Church for many years on Saturday evenings. He had a keen mind for numbers and liked a good game of poker. His greatest pleasure, however, was spending time with Joyce.

Christopher J. "Jimmy" Crowley (B.S., Commerce '56)

Chris J. "Jimmy" Crowley, loving husband, father and grandfather passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 20, 2012, at the age of 78, He now joins his high school sweetheart and the love of his life of 54 years, MaryAnn, in the house of the Lord. Crowley was a lifelong supporter of his beloved alma mater and the Fighting Irish.

Henry Olbricht (B.S., Commerce '56)

Henry B. Olbricht passed away on Oct. 25, 2012 in Solana Beach, Calif. A Mass was celebrated on the Notre Dame campus by the the Holy Cross priests from Hank's ND '56 classmates.

Richard J. Savage (B.S., Commerce '30)

Richard J. Savage, secretary for the Notre Dame Class of 1930 died Jan. 30, 2013. Savage celebrated his 105th birthday on Jan. 7, 2013, with a small group of his 105 living blood relations, which included seven children, 35 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.