Saint Mary's honors faculty, staff, students, Lasallian educators at Founder's Day April 5
Brother William welcomes Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría, Superior General of the Institute of the Brothers of Christian Schools.
Brother Michael Collins, FSC, was awarded a Doctorate of Leadership and Service from Brother William and Michael Gostomski, chairman of the SMU Board of Trustees.
Brother Jeffrey Gros, FSC, received a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Brother William and Michael Gostomski, chairman of the SMU Board of Trustees.
Drs. Melissa Luedtke and Roxanne Eubank were presented with the Brother H. Charles Severin, FSC, Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Distinguished Lasallian Educator Award.
Hilary Ethen and Sean Ohl, this year's Outstanding Seniors.Saint Mary’s presented honorary doctorates to Brother Michael Collins, FSC, Ed.D., president and chief academic administrator of DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis, and to Brother Jeffrey Gros, FSC, Ph.D., professor of church history at Memphis Theological Seminary.
Brother Michael, who is also a current SMU trustee, was awarded a Doctorate of Leadership and Service. He has been recognized locally, regionally and nationally for his contributions to education, and particularly his efforts at promoting diversity within Catholic education. Brother Michael received his undergraduate degree in 1959, and a master’s in 1965, both from Saint Mary’s.
Brother Jeffrey received a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. He is well known in the ecumenical movement for broadening the understanding and reach of ecumenism. He served for 10 years as director of faith and order for the National Council of Churches and served for 14 years at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Brother Jeffrey received his undergraduate degree in 1959, and a master’s in 1962, both from Saint Mary’s.
Also honored were a dedicated faculty member, a Lasallian educator and two outstanding seniors.
Melissa Luedtke, Ed.D., of the Education Department received this year’s Brother H. Charles Severin, FSC, Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award is given every other year to an undergraduate faculty member who is recognized by both students and other faculty as exceptional in their teaching and engagement of students.
Roxanne Eubank, Ed.D., professor, Doctor of Education in Leadership, and director of the Institute for Lasallian Studies, was chosen as this year’s Distinguished Lasallian Educator. These awards are given by Lasallian institutions in the North American-Toronto Region of the De La Salle Christian Brothers to honor contributions and commitment to the Lasallian mission of education.
Additionally, the Outstanding Male and Female Senior Awards were presented to students who have demonstrated the ideals of scholarship, character, leadership and service. Above all, these men and women have shown genuine concern for meeting the needs of others. The Outstanding Male Senior Award went to Sean Ohl, son of John and Lori Ohl of Bloomington, Minn. The Outstanding Female Senior Award went to Hilary Ethen, daughter of Todd and Lucinda Ethen of White Bear Lake, Minn.
Ohl is a biology-pre-med major. While at SMU, served as president of Tri-Beta National Biological Honors Society (Gamma Epsilon Chapter) and completed a summer research internship for R&D Systems. He also played baseball, served as a resident assistant and practiced mixed martial arts. Ohl has also volunteered in the emergency room for Winona Health, and has been an EMT with the Lewiston Ambulance Service. After graduation, he plans to attend Midwestern Medical School (Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine).
Ethen is a K-8 elementary education major with a math concentration. She has been involved with Open Mic Night, Serving Others United in Love (SOUL), Together Encountering Christ, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Residence Life, Relay for Life, Mass choir and Kappa Delta Pi (the educational honor society). She has also kept busy with SMU Volunteer Services, the Student Leadership Program Team, Students for Life, the Initial Teaching Alphabet (ita) Literacy Clinic, Lasallian Collegians, Habitat for Humanity, Ambassadors, and the Outdoor Club. Ethen was also part of the women’s tennis team and played intramural sports. Her future dreams include teaching in Africa or at an inner-city school district.
The following students were finalists for the 2010 Outstanding Senior Awards — Males: Santiago Escobar, son of Santiago Escobar Velasco and Francia Acevedó of Madelia, Minn.; Benton Kodet, son of Robert and Laurie Kodet of Northfield, Minn.; Lukas Holland, son of Jearold and Theresa Holland of La Crosse, Wis.; Daniel Streefland, son of Tom and Deb Streefland of Webster, Minn.; and Ryan Wockenfus, son of Jeff and Brenda Wockenfus, of New London, Wis.; Females: Alison Kremer, daughter of Patrick and Lisa Kremer of Iona, Minn.; Jennifer Koezly, daughter of Edwin and Monica Koezly of Ham Lake, Minn.; Elizabeth “Libby” Perkins, daughter of David and Kathleen Perkins of Bloomington, Minn.; and Samantha “Sami” Traxler, daughter of Tim and Jeanne Traxler of Le Center, Minn.
