Class Notes

Marcia Carter Taylor, BSN ’56, retired from hospice nursing with the Dallas Visiting Nurses Association and is now full time RV-ing. Her e-mail contact is [email protected].

Lillian A. Drake, BA ’59, has a new book out under her pen name of Ann Drake, “Trailblazers of America.”

left to right: Diana Sanchez Martinez, Robert F. Furgason, Dr. Suzette Chopin

Diana Sanchez Martinez, BA ’63, left, with colleague Dr. Suzette Chopin and Texas A&M Corpus Christi President Robert F. Furgason, is shown in Austin receiving the STAR award from the Texas Higher Education Board in December. It was awarded for the College of Science and Technology program “Pathways to Success in Science” (78 applicants and only four awards). Diana based her presentation on her IWC experiences and Suzette at Loyola. Their program addresses all four goals of Texas’ Closing the Gap program: participation, success, excellence and research.

Sister Germaine Corbin, CCVI, Ph.D., BA ’62 [front row] with some members of the Extended Run Players, which she founded in 1996 using volunteer senior performers who are alumni, friends and former UIW performers. The players, and the musical offshoot The Cadenza Singers, perform locally by invitation and on campus and to date have raised nearly $35,000 for UIW theatre scholarships. The photo below, shows the cast of the fall 2003 Radio Show reader’s theatre production, which included the classic “The Lone Ranger.”

Extended Run Players

Cheryl Lynn McMullan, BA ’66, MA ’70, IWHS ’62, received the Lawyer Community Service Award Feb. 20 from the San Antonio Bar Foundation during the 2004 Peacemaker Awards Gala at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel.

Dr. Bernadette O’Connor, BA ’66, IWHS ’61, is the UIW Moody Professor of Philosophy this year at UIW and OLLU. She delivered her Moody Lecture at UIW on Jan. 28 and also delivered the December commencement address, which is available online at:
www.uiwtx.edu/~libweb/dr o’connercommencement

Irene Stewart Villarreal, BA ’68, defended her doctoral dissertation at the University of Kentucky last November. It has been a long-time dream of Irene’s and “I appreciate Incarnate Word for giving me the basis for this dream and setting high standards that have stood well with me all this time.”

Coni Allen Ellis, MS, RN, OCN, CWOCN, BSN ’69, and Margi Lynam Ciatto, BSN ’69, visited the Alumni Office and the campus last fall from Houston and went home with many materials to help bring in new students and continue family tradition.

Eileen B. Cuff, BA ’70, had major surgery to remove a growth and spent eight weeks in Sloan Kettering. The initial prognosis was dire, but the tumor proved to be benign. The surgery was extensive and the recovery time just as difficult and long, made easier by loyal family and friends. On top of everything, she was forced into early retirement, but do not go there unless you want to hear pristine Brooklyn anger. Classmates always remember Cuff’s humor and leadership, and some of us will never forget her initial Brooklyn pronunciation of Chihuahua, Mexico. An IWC classic!

Patricia McCauley Hogan, BA ’70, is now teaching third grade at Knightdale Elementary School in North Carolina. Her family will be following her to North Carolina.

Anita Mickelson Krueger, BSN ’71, was at home for three weeks in January recuperating from a fractured pelvis after a fall in California visiting her daughter and new granddaughter. She’s back to work now as a school nurse in Fort Worth. [email protected].

Ann Lauder, BA ’71, IWHS ’68, is the new principal of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles School in San Antonio. Ann was principal for five years at the Northside ISD secondary alternative school and has extensive experience in teaching and administration.

Jerry Watson, former drama student ’71, and frequent performer on the UIW stage, received a Globe Award in San Antonio last fall for best direction of the comedy “Art,” which also won the best comedy award. The show was repeated at Trinity University in January.

Joan Ashcraft Davis, BM ’72, and Mike Davis, St. Anthony ’62, are looking for happy prayers again! Olympian son Josh has moved back to San Antonio with his growing family and is working on the Long Beach Olympic trials (again) for the U.S. team. Josh gave a wonderful, inspiring talk last fall at the UIW reception for scholarship donors and students. Will and Cara Davis are expecting son Jack in March, and twin Sam Davis will marry in May and is applying to law schools. Daughter Tynan is in graduate school in San Marcos and teaching voice privately.

Marlene Ann Fincke, BA ’74, retired in June 2003 after 29 years of teaching in the San Antonio Independent School District.

left to right: John Mangrem, Adriana Garcia, and Jessie Casares

John Mangrem, BA ’74, MA ’02, showed up at Brackenridge Villa for Heritage Day Oct. 15 dressed as philanthropist George Washington Brackenridge. He was joined by alumna Adriana Garcia, BA ’00, MA ’02, as Brackenridge’s sister, Eleanor, and Development Staffer Jessie Casares as Mother Pierre Cinquin, CCVI. John, who teaches ESL on campus, has more than a passing interest in Brackenridge. He is completing research and hopes to turn it into a one-man documentary on the famed 19 th century banker philanthropist who once owned the UIW campus and a large portion of northern San Antonio.

Dennise Maslahowski Bartelo, Ed.D. BA ’76, MA ’79, is the associate vice president for graduate studies and community outreach at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire.

Laurie Fitzpatrick-Pittman, BA ’76, was in the Actor’s Theatre of San Antonio production of “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife” in February at the Cameo Theatre in the title character of Marjorie Taub.

Dr. Billy Lorin Morgan, DDS, BA ’77, owner of Brush Country Dental Center in Pleasanton, Texas, has been named to the Community Advisory Board of the Wells
Fargo Bank.

Virginia C. Orona Gengenbacher, BA ’78, is the new principal of St. Margaret Mary School in San Antonio. Virginia had previously served as assistant principal and counselor, and counselor at St. Vincent DePaul Church and St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home.

Silver Anniversary Class of 1979 Representatives Honored at December Commencement

Ercelyn Ritter Anderson, Master of Arts in Education; Sylvia Martinez Aragon, Bachelor of Arts in Education; Margaret Loudine [Lou] Clair, Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and also MA ‘89; Thomas Dowson, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology; Tony Hutto Master of Arts in Biology; Lilliam M Jones McPherson, Bachelor of Science in Physical Education; Barbara L. Meger, Bachelor of Arts in Child Care Work; Martha Ann Ramirez Ramos Bachelor of Science in Nutrition; Patricia Ann Bullion Recker, Master of Science in Biology; Linda L Robertson-Schule, Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Amada Castillo Rodriguez, Bachelor of Arts in Child Care Work; Pamela F. Shaeffer Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology [was unable to attend graduation 25 years ago].

“I just wanted to thank you and the University of Incarnate Word for honoring the class of 1979. I had fun and felt very special. I also think this was a great experience for my own children to see that they can succeed just as mom did. Thank you so much.”
– Martha Ramirez Ramos

Victoria Prosper Leland, BSN ’82, has published a book of photographs and meditations, “The Work of Your Hand,” designed for parents of critically ill babies in neonatal care but wonderful for all parents. www.home.earthlink.net/~lelandhome. Vicky is a NICU nurse in Plano, Texas, and experienced the world of neonatal intensive care personally in 1983 as a scared young mother who delivered a premature baby in an emergency situation.

Laura Shaw, BA ’82, MA ’85, is theoretically “retired” in Florida, but recently reports “involvement” with her library and involvement in a fund drive to raise money to bring Frances Mayes in for the 100 th anniversary library gala in October. And next fall she’ll begin training for the Stephen Program of ministry assistance for her church. And she must keep in shape for the weekly visits of grandson Edward, nearly 4.

Juan R. Lopez, BS ’83, MA ’89, graduated Nov. 14, 2003, from the College of Naval Warfare, Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, RI. Juan completed his schooling as part of his overall Defense Leadership and Management Program training that he is receiving as a civilian employee of HQ’s Air Force Contracting. “The Naval War College is designed to enhance my professional capabilities of making sound decisions in command, staff and management positions in joint and combined military and civilian working environments.” Graduates receive a master of arts in National Security and Strategy Studies. Upon graduation, Juan returned to the Washington, D.C., area and resumed his employment with HQ’s Air Force Contracting.

Jesse Borrego, former theatre major ’84, has a recurring role in the Fox terrorism thriller, “24.” It’s his first substantial return to TV since his initial big break a couple of decades ago, when the dancer/actor was cast in the television series “Fame,” according to San Antonio Express-News television critic Jeanne Jakle. He plays, as he put it, “a bad guy” on the first 12 episodes of “24.” “But the beauty of it,” he added, “is he’s not an obvious bad guy.” His character, named Gael, goes through many flips and turns in the series. Jesse also had good reviews for his role in Showtime’s “The Maldonado Miracle.” Also in this with a cameo role was alumna Jeanette Herrmann Longoria, ’48, IWHS ’44.

Sister Renee Turcotte, OP, MA ’86, has retired from parish work but does volunteer work as chaplain assistant at nursing homes and a rehab center, and plans to teach ESL to immigrants in Maine.

Theresa K. Peterson Cayton, BA ’88, is a clinical social worker at Texas Children’s Hospital and has specialized in the area of renal disease, rehabilitation and child abuse. She is also one of the founding sisters of UIW’s chapter of Delta Sigma Delta, which just went national, and the search is on for all founding sisters and past members.

Stephen Weser, BA ’88, is currently working for the Audie Murphy VA Hospital in San Antonio as a nursing assistant, but is still pursuing theatre by acting in local productions after obtaining a master’s in drama from the University of Houston in 1990. Other interests are working for Region 20 ESC as a GED teacher part-time and teaching drama at the Cyndi Taylor Krier Juvenile Treatment Facility for the Volunteers in Probation/Partners for the Youth program. He says it is a very rewarding experience. He would like to hear from other alumni from the drama department. E-mail [email protected].

[l-r] Theatre Alumni Tony Garza, '99 and Ricardo Chavira, '96 in "The Alamo", which opened April 9.

Margaret A. Fitch Robertson, BBA ’90, is the Asset Recovery Team Leader for FirstMark Credit Union in San Antonio.

Naoto Komatsu, BBA ’90, is the manager, finance operations for the Finance and General Affairs Division of Pfizer Japan Inc.

Mary Bowlin-Brand, BA ’91, received a rave review in the San Antonio Express-News last October at the opening of the musical (book, songs and lyrics) called “Life is Hell” for the new Ring the Bell production company at the Alamo Street Theatre. The musical, based upon a twist to the Faust legend, ran four weeks.

Michael “Jake” Jacobson, BBA ’91, married UIW student Tanna Jones last September and they are continuing an education with UIW online through the Virtual University. Very handy since they are both in Cambodia, where Jake has a three-year assignment with the San Antonio-based H.B. Zachry Company.

José Rubén De Léon, BA ’92, wrote and performed a world premiere one-man show on Spanish writer Federico Garcia Lorca in San Antonio last October. José hopes to take “Lorca” on tour.

Andrea Barrera Vasquez, BA ’93, M.Ed. ’96, is married and is the assistant director of the Center for Migrant Education at Texas State University in San Marcos.

Nichola Harlan, BSN ’94, has been working at Santa Rosa Adult Emergency Room downtown for 11 years, also holding a position as a flight nurse with Critical Air Medicine for the past two years and working both jobs full time. She has held the following positions: 2000 and 2001 San Antonio Emergency Nurses Association Membership chairperson, 2001 President-elect San Antonio Chapter of the Emergency Nurses Association, 2002 President for the San Antonio Chapter of the Emergency Nurses Association, 2001 and 2002 state delegate for the Texas Emergency Nurses Association, 2003 Immediate Past President for the San Antonio Emergency Nurses Association.

Desiree Kornrum-Byrne, BBA ’94, had her doctoral dissertation proposal approved at UT Austin. She will need to wait a bit longer since her research involves human subjects and needs separate approval. She hopes to finish her doctorate in educational administration-higher education administration and leadership at the end of the summer or next fall.

Rose Ann Martinez, BS ’94, is now the head volleyball coach at Oliver Wendell Holmes High School of the Northside School District in San Antonio. She has one son, Geoffrey Scott Curtin, 11, with Scott Matthew Curtin, BBA ’91.

Rita Graves, MA ’96, is the new principal at Little Flower School in San Antonio. Rita has
30 years experience in education – 10 in Philadelphia and 20 in San Antonio. She was previously principal at St. Matthew Catholic School and taught at St. Luke and St. Peter Prince of Apostles schools.

Mary Hymel, BA ’97, appeared in the Shoestring Shakespeare Company and playwright Bruce Limpus’ production of a holiday panto, “Rapunzel,” a British tradition in which a traditional tale is spoofed. Mary plays the pregnant woman who has a weird craving – in this case, for brussels sprouts and ketchup.

Amali Mahoney-Martin, BS ’97, received a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from the UT Medical Branch at Galveston and married Matthew Martin on May 17, 2003. She is working as an occupational therapist at Christus Santa Rosa Rehab hospital in the San Antonio Medical Center.

Juan Daniel [Dan] Morales, BA ’97, has been reappointed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from the Department of Labor as the Hispanic liaison for the agency.

Donna C. Normandin, BBA ’97, (ADCaP) was promoted to senior vice president of community development for the Frost National Bank in San Antonio.

Asia Hales Ciaravino, BA ’98, won a Globe Award in San Antonio last fall as the best actress in the drama, “Bash.” Best direction of a drama went to Robert Ball, head of the UIW theatre program, for his campus production of “The Illusion.”

Justin Coquat, BA ’98, earned his doctorate in law from South Texas College of Law last May and is currently working on his LL.M. in intellectual property at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. Justin is engaged to Rebekah Meeks (Alumni 2000), daughter of our own Professor Robert Meeks of UIW’s ADCaP program. Rebekah is currently working on the last semester of her doctorate, also at South Texas College of Law. She will sit for the Texas Bar Exam this July. Justin and Rebekah met at the University of the Incarnate Word. The two were engaged this past November in Grenoble, France, the region of Justin’s family origin. Their wedding is scheduled for Nov. 27 in San Antonio at the Incarnate Word Motherhouse Chapel. The couple plans to practice law in San Antonio.

Jennifer Ward Grimes, BA ’98, married Daniel Grimes on campus in 1999. She is in her fourth year of teaching second grade for the San Antonio NISD.

Wen Pao, MSN ’98, RN, CCRN, was a 2003 finalist in NurseWeek’s Nursing Excellence Awards in the category “Advancing the Profession.” She is an adjunct faculty member at UIW and works with a bridge program that sees nursing students at the UTHSC San Antonio into practice.

Travis Turner, BA ’99, graduated from Creighton University Law School and passed the Texas State Bar in November 2003.

LT(JG) Kenneth Dewayne Williams, BM ’99, wrote to Sister Germaine Corbin, CCVI, at the end of 2003 about his long deployment overseas. He has been in seven countries, but feels out of the loop with news in the United States. “I got up close and personal with the war on terrorism by boarding ships of those setting out to harm the U.S. I have met people and places I never knew existed. Some of those places I hope never to see again; some places I hope survive so future generations can see the places I’ve seen.”

Louis J. Agnese III, BBA ’00, graduated from UT Law School in May 2003 and passed the State Bar of Texas in November. He is now an attorney with Akin Gump/Strauss/Hauer & Feld, LLP in San Antonio.

Melissa Molina, BS ’00, has been accepted into the class of 2007 at the University of Houston College of Optometry.

Marguerite Muzquiz, BSN ’00, MSN ’03, is with the University Health Systems in the General Medicine Department as patient care coordinator. A doctorate in nursing or a degree in hospital administration are in the future for her.

Anne Marie Cowan, BA ’01, and her husband, Osman Ozturgut (above), are now in St. Louis, Mo.

Antoinette Delgado, BA ’01 ADCaP, continues her dream of education made possible by the UIW evening program and is now in her third year of law school.

Monica Navarez Ramirez, BSN ADCaP, ’01, IWHS ’88, MSN student and Leonard Leos, BSN ADCaP ’02, MSN ’03, St Anthony HS ’77, have come full circle through the two Brainpower schools, the ADCaP evening program, and last fall both joined the UIW nursing faculty.

Christopher D. Ruggles, BBA ’01 ADCaP, is a military intelligence analyst with the U.S. Army in Germany.

Suzanne Aguirre, BA ’02, is an intern at the National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution and is assisting in production. She is in the process of moving back to San Antonio and hopes to extend her work with the Alameda, also a Smithsonian Institution.

Adriana Barron, BA ’02, is in New York City, NY, but left for Italy on Dec. 19 to continue her internship with the Gucci Corporation.

Roland Garza, BBA ’02 ADCaP, received his master of science in counseling and guidance from Texas A&M Kingsville in August 2003 and his thesis was “The Effectiveness of Student Development.” Roland continues as the supervisor of the Counseling Center at San Antonio College.

Teresa A. Cape Meshako, BBA ’02 ADCaP, IWHS ’81, is attending UIW classes on the Virtual University after moving to Washington, D.C. Her husband was promoted on the BRAC project at the Pentagon. Alumni may contact her at [email protected].

Betsy Heald, MA ’03, retired from USAA as a claims adjuster on Oct. 31, and has several plans for her future.

Joseph E. Langlinais, BA ’03 ADCaP, joined the Army after graduation and is now at Fort Richardson in Alaska. You will be happy to hear that training ceases at 40 below zero.

Martha Oseguera, BBA, ’03 Virtual University: “I just had to send feedback on today’s commencement exercises. I have never been so touched and want to let the University know how special everyone involved made this day for myself and the other graduates who have worked so hard to make it to this exciting day. The Mass and Dr. Schubnell’s commission to the graduates brought tears to my eyes. The staff who lined us up was amazing – they were all so well coordinated and helpful even in little ways like showing us how to adjust our hoods. They cheered us on during the processional and that just felt so great! The rehearsal was very helpful and made it very easy for us to know all of the little details required to handle everything efficiently and beautifully. The procession with the bagpipes was absolutely thrilling and I cannot begin to tell you how it feels to have our professors watch us cross over the bridge. My adviser, Professor Rod Elrod, was there. He has been a source of inspiration, has been encouraging and supportive to all of his students. I had a huge lump in my throat when I saw him there. The commencement was beautiful and Dr. O’Connor’s words will be with me always. I have taken online classes as well and when I came off the stage, Dr. Cyndi Porter recognized my name, stopped me to congratulate me and wish me well. This was very touching as well – to know that I’m not just a name on the Internet and the director knows who I am! These are just a few of the things in the culmination of my experience that has made every thing so unique and special and is what the University is so well known for. Please accept my thanks to everyone for all of their hard work and efforts to ensure great memories for the students and their families. I am thrilled and proud to be a graduate of the University of the Incarnate Word.”

Christopher Wertz, BBA ’03, is the business finance manager for the Physicians Surgery Center in Kansas City, MO. It is a busy, all-inclusive position working for 17 very busy surgeons. He misses Texas, but is happy to have this opportunity. He expresses thanks to all of his UIW professors. E-mail [email protected]