Saint Mary’s 10th president, Brother Peter Clifford, dies

WINONA, Minn. — Brother Peter Clifford, FSC, the 10th president of Saint Mary’s University, passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at De La Salle Hall in Lincroft, N.J.

A dedicated educational visionary and financial steward, Brother Peter served as president of Saint Mary’s from 1976 to 1984, and is credited for bringing fiscal security to the college. Brother Peter also fostered close relationships between Saint Mary’s and the city of Winona by being an active member of the community. During his presidency, he served on the boards of both the Winona Chamber of Commerce and Norwest Bank.

Additionally, he initiated the first graduate course offerings in the Twin Cities and laid the financial groundwork for the Performance Center and the ice arena on the Winona campus.

Brother Peter was born in the Bronx in New York City on Feb. 17, 1925. He graduated from St. Jerome’s School in the Bronx in 1939 and entered the Junior Novitiate of the Christian Brothers in Barrytown, N.Y.  He entered to the Brothers Novitiate in 1943, made his first vows in 1944, and made his final vows in 1950.

Brother Peter studied history at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., received his B.A. degree in Education from Manhattan College in 1950, and an M.A. degree in History from Fordham University in 1957. In 1968, he received a CAS degree in Educational Administration from Harvard University. In 1970, he received an Ed.D. degree in Educational Administration, also from Harvard.

Brother Peter’s ministry career was varied. He taught at grammar schools, served as a missionary in the Philippines, acted as the academic dean at De La Salle College in Manila, served as an administrator at a variety of high schools, worked for the Catholic Schools office in Brooklyn, N.Y., and acted as the executive secretary for secondary schools at the National Catholic Education Association.

Brother Peter’s ministry in higher education began as an academic dean at St. John’s University in Jamaica, Queen, before coming to Saint Mary’s.

After the conclusion of his work at Saint Mary's, Brother Peter served as Provincial of the LINE District of the Brothers of the Christian Schools for three years and for two years as an Assistant in Higher Education for the U.S. Catholic Conference in Washington, D.C.  His last college connection was as President of St. Mary’s College in Leavenworth, Kan., from 1989 to 1994.

Brother Peter then became Director of Finance for the LINE District of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.  He moved back to Winona in 2000 and worked as a vice president for the Metanoia Group, a consulting enterprise at Saint Mary’s University, until 2002. He then moved back to Rhode Island where he became Assistant to the President of Ocean Tides, a residential center for delinquents, until his illness this year.

A wake for Brother Peter will be held at the Christian Brothers Center in Narragansett, R.I., on Thursday, July 25, and Friday, July 26, 2013.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Christian Brothers Center on Friday, July 26, 2013 at 11 a.m.

Brother William Mann, FSC, President, will represent Saint Mary's University at the wake, Mass, and burial.

“Brother Peter will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his strong leadership and for establishing a solid financial foundation at Saint Mary’s, enabling us to significantly expand our reach and educational reputation,” Brother William said. “Those who worked alongside Brother Peter will also remember his kindness, generosity and enduring spirit. He will be missed.”

Death notice for SMU trustee, alum Brother Michael Collins

It is with deep sadness that we inform you that Brother Michael Collins, FSC ’59, M’65, Ed.D., a current and long-time Saint Mary’s University Trustee, died from cancer on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012.

Brother Michael was serving as president and chief academic administrator of DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis. He was a prominent national figure in Catholic, secondary education throughout his distinguished 53-year career. Saint Mary’s University awarded Brother Michael with an honorary Doctorate of Leadership and Service at the 2011 Founder’s Day ceremony.

Visitation will be Friday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. (with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m.) at DeLaSalle High School. The funeral Mass will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis (with visitation one hour before Mass). A reception at DeLaSalle High School will follow the Mass.

The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to Brother Michael’s family, to the Christian Brothers of the Midwest District, to the DeLaSalle High School community, and to Brother Michael’s Saint Mary's classmates.

Saint Mary’s University mourns loss of freshman Millie Harrison

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is mourning the loss of freshman Millie Harrison, who died unexpectedly Saturday, April 2, on campus, due to apparent natural causes.

Harrison, 19, of Colorado Springs, Colo., was known as an outgoing and charismatic student on the Saint Mary’s campus. A theatre major studying stage management and communications, she was active with theatre productions and was a member of the student Second Page Comedy Troupe. She also served as an Admission Ambassador and played an active role with KSMR, the campus radio station.

“It is heartbreaking to see a young person, so filled with spirit, taken from us too soon,” said Brother William Mann, Saint Mary’s president. “We join together in gratitude for the gift of life Millie so freely shared, and in remembrance of the joy and impact of her life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Millie’s family and friends as we all try to come to terms with such a tremendous loss.”

Gary Diomandes, professor of theatre and dance, said, “Millie was an excellent student. She worked hard and earned top-notch grades. But the best thing about her was her sense of humor and fun-loving personality. She instantly made friends; everyone who met her, adored her.”

“She was a theatre major and wanted to be a stage manager,” Diomandes said. “She was very talented in the technical aspects, and she was interested in every aspect of theatre. She was good at everything she tried.” Diomandes said Harrison was the production stage manager for Saturday’s planned performance of student-produced one-act plays. “We canceled that performance, but (her classmates) all wanted to do it (for her) on Sunday as scheduled.”

A prayer service was held Saturday night at Saint Mary’s with several hundred students attending. A memorial service to honor Harrison’s life is planned for 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, in Page Theatre.

Counselors will continue to be available to students in the Saint Mary’s Wellness Center.

Saint Mary’s University mourns the loss of Dr. Jon Kabara ’48, founder of Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies

Dr. Jon J. Kabara, 84, of Galena, Ill., known worldwide in the medical community for his breakthrough research, died Thursday, March 24, at his home in Florida. Funeral arrangements are pending.

A 1948 graduate of Saint Mary’s University, Dr. Kabara dedicated his life to medical research. He served as a professor at the University of Detroit and later Michigan State University for more than 30 years, and in 1969, he helped establish the first affiliated school of osteopathic medicine at Michigan State. An expert in the field of dietary fats and oils, Dr. Kabara was awarded more than 16 U.S. and foreign patents and is credited with more than 200 publications, including eight books.

Dr. Kabara earned a career full of impressive titles such as “International Man of the Year,” as well as listings in “Leaders in American Science” and “American Men in Science.” His life-long passion for science and entrepreneurship led his company, Med-Chem Labs Inc., to the successful creation of Lauricidin, a science-based nutritional supplement for better health and self-healing.

In 2005, Dr. Kabara and his wife, Betty, made a transformational gift to establish the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at Saint Mary’s University. Dr. Kabara’s goal was to incite a passion for entrepreneurial spirit in students, no matter their area of study, and to recognize the importance of entrepreneurship in society. Through the Institute, students at Saint Mary’s have heard success stories of alumni entrepreneurs and nationally known speakers, taken tours of various businesses, competed in business plan competitions, and worked toward the future creation of their own businesses through the assistance of a supportive entrepreneurial university community.

“Saint Mary’s University is proud to call Dr. Jon Kabara one of our own,” said Brother William Mann, president. “Dr. Kabara provided Saint Mary’s with an opportunity to inspire and educate students — who one day dream of starting their own businesses — through the establishment of the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. Jon’s legacy will continue to shape the university’s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship, and for this we are forever grateful.”

Robert Figliulo ’76, chair of the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies Advisory Board, said Dr. Kabara was “a dear friend, whose radiant smile and character will be greatly missed by those he impacted not only at the university, but across the world. Saint Mary’s students are blessed to have so many alumni with unique entrepreneurial experience. Jon wanted to share that experience with as many of our students as possible. We are honored to carry on his work.”

In 2008, Saint Mary’s University awarded Dr. Kabara with an honorary Doctorate of Ethical Leadership. In 1998, Dr. Kabara received the Distinguished Alumni award and in 1970, he was the recipient of the Bishop Patrick R. Heffron award for service to the university.

Dr. Kabara once shared this advice with Saint Mary’s students: “Make ‘ethical business’ more than an oxymoron term. As leaders for the next generation, our country/world needs your special talents and efforts to help form a truly peaceful global economy.”

Dr. Kabara also encouraged students to have a passion for what they do. “My final piece of advice is this secret: If you can dream it, you can make it happen. So dream big.”

Saint Mary’s University extends its thoughts and prayers to Betty Kabara and the entire Kabara family. A daughter, Sheila Kabara Howell, is a 1975 Saint Mary’s alum.

Saint Mary’s student dies in Big Lake car accident

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University senior Joseph Kritzeck, 21, of Elk River, Minn., was killed Monday, July 20, in a car accident near Big Lake, Minn.

According to the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota State Patrol, Kritzeck’s sedan crossed the median and collided head-on with a pickup truck around 10:15 a.m. Monday on the southern edge of Big Lake.

Kritzeck was a theatre major and English minor who hoped to teach high school and coach drama. He was active with the Saint Mary’s Theatre Department.

No funeral arrangements have been made at this time.

“Our hearts go out to the Kritzeck family during this terrible tragedy,” said SMU President Brother William Mann. “Joe’s presence will be greatly missed at Saint Mary’s. The entire university community joins me in extending our sympathy and prayers.”

Saint Mary’s alum dies in New York plane crash

Madeline Loftus

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is mourning the loss of 2006 graduate and former star athlete, Madeline Linn Loftus, who died Thursday in a plane crash.

University officials learned Friday morning that Loftus was one of the 44 passengers aboard Continental Airlines flight 3407, which crashed Thursday evening outside Buffalo, N.Y. News reports confirm everyone onboard was killed, as well as at least one person on the ground.

Loftus, 24, of Parsippany, N.J., was a marketing major who played on the SMU women’s hockey team from 2004 to 2006. Loftus was also instrumental in starting the Cardinal Athletic Council, which represents student athletes and is active in community service projects.

“The Saint Mary’s University community extends its sympathy and its prayers to the Loftus family, as well as to all of the families who lost loved ones in this tragedy,” said President Brother William Mann, FSC.

SMU athletic director Nikki Fennern added, “We are deeply saddened at the news of the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of so many, including one of our own. Madeline was an important part of the university and athletic communities. Our thoughts and prayers now turn to Madeline’s family, friends and teammates as they cope with this sudden loss.”

“Maddy was the first senior to graduate from my program. She will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Terry Mannor, SMU women’s hockey coach. “Everyone who knew her will remember someone full of life and compassion. She was loved by everyone, and will be greatly missed.”

Dr. Thomas Marpe, dean of the SMU School of Business, said he “will miss Maddy for her quick smile and outgoing personality. She was a wonderful student, and her classmates were always eager to work with her on projects. Maddy was enthusiastic about life and especially about women’s hockey.”