Three alumni honored at Saint Mary’s Reunion Weekend June 20-22
WINONA, Minn. — Each year during summer Reunion
Weekend festivities, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota honors outstanding
alumni.
This
year’s Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient was Paul J. Meyer ’64, J.D. of Phoenix, Ariz.; the Alumni Appreciation
Award was given to Thomas J. Baryl ’58 of Oak Brook, Ill.; and the Outstanding
Young Alumnus Award was given to Nathan Semsch ’04 of Crystal, Minn. All three were honored during a reception Saturday, June 21, on
the Winona campus.
Approximately 450 alumni, family and friends returned for
Saint Mary’s Reunion Weekend festivities, which began Friday, June 20, and ran
throughout the weekend.
2014 Saint Mary’s Reunion Weekend Honorees:
 |
| Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary's University, with Nathan Semsch |
Nathan Semsch ’04
Outstanding Young
Alumnus
Nathan Semsch is currently
a senior project manager with Sullivan/Day Construction, a commercial general
contractor based in the Twin Cities. Throughout his time at Saint Mary’s
University, he built many good friendships, as well as a reputation for helping
others. Selected as Outstanding Senior, he served as president of the university’s
Habitat for Humanity chapter for two years. His exceptional involvement at
Saint Mary’s continues; in May 2012 he concluded six years of service on the
Saint Mary’s Alumni Board, including two years as president. Semsch has
assisted with several university initiatives including service days, last
year’s Centennial and the First Generation Initiative.
 |
| Brother William with Thomas Baryl |
Thomas J. Baryl ’58
Alumni Appreciation
Thomas Baryl received the Alumni Appreciation award for his lifetime support of Saint Mary’s University and other Lasallian Catholic institutions. Baryl is president of Peoples Auto Parking, a family business which manages and has owned several parking facilities in downtown Chicago, and which has diversified into banking investments and other commercial properties. Baryl has stayed active with his alma mater, serving as an alumni board member and president of the Chicago alumni chapter, as a financial contributor, a president’s advisory member, and as a supporter of the Chicago Centennial Celebration. He also has sponsored Chicago theatre alumni events.
 |
| Brother William with Paul Meyer |
Paul J. Meyer ’64, J.D.
Distinguished Alumnus
After being selected an Outstanding Senior at Saint Mary’s, Paul Meyer went on to notable careers in law and business. Meyer served as the senior law clerk to Chief Justice Earl Warren of the U.S. Supreme Court, and he later became a managing partner of Meyer, Hendricks & Bivens, PLC in Phoenix, Ariz. Meyer was executive vice president and general counsel of Eller Media and then president and CEO of the Americas Division of Clear Channel Outdoor, the largest outdoor advertising company in the U.S. He is now president of Digital Sign Services of JCDecaux North America. Meyer is currently serving his second term on the Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees. His generous financial contributions have significantly furthered the mission of Saint Mary’s University.
