May 2, 2014
From the Laboratory to the Great Outdoors
After 17 years of outstanding service to Carroll College and the Department of Natural Sciences, Dr. Ron Wilde will be retiring in May.
In the classroom and laboratory, Ron has enriched the lives of countless students and colleagues at Carroll. Through his leadership and personal commitment to students, Ron has been an asset to the college and has touched all of us. Following retirement, Ron has a full slate of activities planned including spending more time with Miki and their grandchildren, hunting, kayaking and hopelessly watching the Yankees lose a succession of future pennant races.
Ron arrived at Carroll in the fall of 1997, just as Carroll’s chemistry program was being revived. In the early years, Ron was instrumental in attracting top quality students to the new program and working with his colleagues to design the chemistry curriculum. Shortly after his arrival, Carroll undertook the construction of the Mary Alice Fortin Center, and Ron’s contribution was the novel design of the new organic chemistry laboratory. With its eleven ventilation hoods arranged around the perimeter and ample student bench space organized so that all students had an unobstructed view of the central teaching area, Ron has been able to teach synthetic organic chemical techniques safely and effectively. One of Ron’s most important contributions to the Carroll chemistry program was his introduction of a three-month synthesis project during the second semester of organic chemistry. This innovative and unique laboratory project has been cited by many of Carroll’s chemistry students as a favorite learning experience and a crucial reason for their decision to major in chemistry. In recognition of his exceptional teaching, Ron received Carroll’s Outstanding Teacher Award in 2010.
During his time at Carroll, Ron also served as the Faculty Athletic Representative who is responsible for certifying athletic eligibility. Ron’s attention to detail and impeccable sense of integrity have been instrumental in integrating Carroll’s academic standards and values into our athletic programs. In 2012, Ron was awarded the NAIA Wally Schwartz Faculty Athletic Representatives of the Year award. This honor recognizes faculty athletic representatives who exemplify "loyalty, enthusiasm and honesty.”
Ron’s love for students in the classroom and on the court or field will be missed. He is truly a champion of character!
Endings & Beginnings
Carroll College Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement for the class of 2014 takes place on Saturday, May 10.
Carroll College graduates from the Class of 1954 and 1964 will also be honored.
This year, Carroll College has invited Mr. Mark Semmens to address this year's graduating class. Mr. Semmens is the Managing Director of Investment Banking at D. A. Davidson & Co. in Great Falls, Montana, the chair of Carroll's board of trustees and a graduate of the class of 1982.
Also addressing the class of 2014 is senior Stuart Allyn of Boise, Idaho. Stuart, who is graduating with a major in biochemistry and molecular biology, was elected by his fellow classmates to speak on their behalf.
In addition, the College will be honoring the achievements of outstanding faculty and students.
A schedule of commencement activities can be found on the Carroll Commencement webpage.
Golden Grads
We look forward to welcoming our Golden Grads back to campus next weekend. It is always a great pleasure to have our 50- and 60-year graduates back on campus.
Please see below for a schedule of events for commencement weekend.
Purple and Gold Jubilee Reunion
Class years 1964, 1954 and 1944
Friday, May 9th
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Welcome Reception and check-in ~ Campus Center Lobby
1:30 p.m. - Tour of the Campus ~ depart from the Campus Center Lobby
3:00 p.m. - Unveiling of Bricks and welcoming the Class of 2014 ~ Lawn by St. Al's
6:00 p.m. - Social Hour & Dinner ~ Campus Center Lobby
Saturday, May 10th
10:00 a.m. - Baccalaureate Mass ~ Cathedral of St. Helena (tickets required)
11:00 a.m. - Brunch ~ Brondel Center at the Cathedral of St. Helena
2:00 p.m. - Commencement - Carroll College PE Center
5:00-7:00 p.m. - Jubilee Reception
To register contact: Kathy Ramirez 406-447-5185 or alumni@carroll.edu.
Gathering in Gratitude
Over the past year, the Corette Library has undergone tremendous changes and enhancements including two new high-tech classrooms, private study rooms, new furniture, carpet and updated décor.
On Thursday, May 8, Carroll will honor lead donors in this effort, Ron and Tarcella Rickman and Shaun and Mary Ann Corette, for their support and service to the college. The updated donor wall in the foyer of the library will be unveiled, reflecting the generosity of many individuals who understand the importance of having a quality library at Carroll.
Please join us on May 8 at 5:15 p.m. for light appetizers and beverages in the Sandbox classroom in the Corette Library.
A Spring Sing
The Carroll College Choirs will perform their spring concert on Sunday, May 4 at 4 p.m. at Saint Mary’s Catholic Community in Helena. This semester’s concert theme is “Darkness and Light” as most of the musical selections focus on these ideas.
The Carroll College Choir will open the concert with sacred music from the Russian Orthodox tradition. Other concert selections by the Carroll Choir include an African prayer for peace in the Zulu language which will feature student soloists Alex Bold, Dion Granger-Troy, Erin Johnson and Zane Clark. Other selections are by Dale Grotenhuis, Eric Whitacre and Morten Lauridsen.
The women of the choir will present two pieces, including a famous prayer of St. Francis which asks God to illuminate the darkness of our hearts; and a selection which combines Russian and Scandanavian Sami (Yoik) influences with a traditional Christian hymn tune. A special treat will be a vocal jazz setting of Van Morrison’s song “Moondance,” arranged by Deke Sharon and featuring student soloists Braxton Hudson and Symantha Bodden.
All choirs are directed by Dr. Robert Psurny, Jr. Associate Professor of Music at Carroll College. For further information on the various works featured in the concert, click here.
The public is welcome and admission is free.
Student News
Mulligan is the 2014 A.O. Duer Scholarship Award Winner
Carroll College junior multi-sport athlete Kathleen Mulligan has been named the 2014 A.O. Duer Scholarship Award Winner, announced Tuesday by the NAIA.
Mulligan, an All-Frontier Conference Volleyball player and NAIA National Champion in the triple jump maintains a 4.0 grade point average and for her efforts has received the prestigious national award.
The Duer award is the NAIA’s top award for student-athletes and was voted on by the Council of Faculty Athletics Representatives for the NAIA. Mulligan will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Named in honor of the NAIA's former executive secretary who served the association for 26 years, this award has been annually presented since 1967 to a male and female junior student-athlete in any sport who has excelled in scholarship, character, and citizenship.
Mulligan, originally from Des Moines, Wash., is majoring in Health Sciences and has been selected to the Carroll College Dean’s List all five semesters, while maintaining her perfect 4.0 grade point average.
Faculty/Staff News
A Deserving Honor
Financial Aid Office Staff - pictured left to right: Leslie Olsen, Coordinator; Tina Wagner, Advisor; Keith Carparelli, Associate Director; Laurie Rodriguez, Associate Director; Janet Riis, Director
Leslie Olsen, Carroll College Financial Aid Coordinator, was honored with the Financial Aid Professional of the Year Award at the Montana Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators conference this past week.
Leslie has been with the Carroll College Financial Aid Office since 2000. Her kind heart, empathetic nature, exceptional organizational skills and outstanding listening skills have been an asset to the office. As the main front line worker and face of our office she must know all aspects of the financial aid programs as well as the policies to implement them at the college level.
Over the years she has supplied food to hungry students, Christmas presents to homeless students, books to students who couldn’t afford them, and has been the local “mom” to many Carroll football players. In addition she has dried many tears from students and comforted many parents both in person and through email and phone. She constantly strives to improve the office function as well as her understanding of financial aid and her own personal growth.
Congratulations Leslie on your well-deserved recognition.
Upcoming Events
Carroll Choirs Spring Concert, May 4, 4-6 p.m., Saint Mary Catholic Community, 1700 Missoula Ave., Helena
The theme of the concert is “Darkness and Light.” For more information, contact Dr. Robert Psurny at 447-4807. Everyone is welcome and admission is free but an offering will be taken to support music at St. Mary.
Carroll College Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement, May 10
Carroll College graduates from the Class of 1944, 1954 and 1964 will also be honored. A schedule of commencement activities can be found on the Carroll Commencement webpage.
Boise Alumni Gathering, May 16, 6:30-9 p.m., Berryhill & Co., 121 N. 9th St., Boise
Join Carroll’s head football coach Mike Van Diest and Carroll alumni, parents and friends for a buffet dinner at Berryhill & Co. Cost is $25 per person. Please RSVP to Kathy Ramirez alumni@carroll.edu.
Spokane Alumni Gathering, June 19, 6 p.m., Manito Park Picnic Shelter, Spokane
Bring a salad or dessert to share and join fellow Saints for an early summer get-together. For questions, contact Kathy Ramirez at alumni@carroll.edu.
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