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| Volume #4 Issue #1 Date: January 2018
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| Alumni Spotlight: Ray Bandziulis '76
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In mid-November, alumnus Ray Bandziulis returned to Fenwick and showed students how biotechnology and DNA identification can have vast STEM applications in real life – and death. | |
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Bandziulis' FHS Yearbook photo from 1976. |
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Courses related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are some of the more popular classes among Fenwick’s student body. Several members of the Class of 2021, for example, are enrolled in Freshman AP (Advanced Placement) and Honors Biology taught by Ms. Amy Christophell ’06. They, along with upper-classmen and women, were treated last semester to a visit by a distinguished Friar alumnus and biotechnology expert Ray Bandziulis, PhD.,’76.
Dr. Bandziulis is Vice President of Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs at Lucigen Corp. in Middleton, WI, near Madison, where he helps to design and manufacture reagent tools for DNA and RNA research as well as molecular diagnostic devices for infectious diseases. With annual sales of approximately $15 million, the 20-year-old company now sells internationally. Bandziulis defines the biotech industry as “an interesting blend of science, business and engineering skills – working together to solve problems in the life sciences and in human medicine by the application of DNA technology.”
Essentially every cell within each person’s body contains the same hereditary deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) – and this is where the differences begin to emerge. “Our unique ‘DNA signature’ identifies us as individuals,” Bandziulis explained to four groups of about 150 curious Fenwick students assembled in the school’s Auditorium in mid-November. He returned to visit his alma mater and reconnect with John Polka, his former biology teacher who retired last June after 52 years at Fenwick.
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| Faculty Focus – Alan Howell
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Mr. Howell, the Chairman of the Foreign Language Department, is in his 34th year of teaching at Fenwick. |
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What is your education and background?
AH: I attended Kalamazoo College as an under-graduate and earned a major in Spanish language and literature and a minor in instrumental music. I spent my junior year in Spain living with a Spanish family and studying Spanish history, art and literature. I completed the requirements for a Michigan teaching license as part of my under-graduate program. After graduation, I returned to Spain and taught English to Spanish students for several months. I did my graduate degree at University of Michigan, where I was a teaching fellow and earned an MA degree in Hispanic language and literature.
Before coming to Fenwick I taught junior high English and high school Spanish at Whiteford Agricultural School in Ottawa Lake, Michigan. When I moved to Chicago, I took a job at an elementary alternative school teaching all subjects. Following that experience, I spent three years at the Academy of Our Lady on the south side of Chicago. I began my years at Fenwick in the summer of 1983.
What are you currently reading for enjoyment?
AH: I am reading the following books for my personal enjoyment: Science and the Afterlife Experience, When Healing Becomes a Crime and Secret History of Extraterrestrials.
What interests do you pursue outside of the classroom? AH: My interests include gardening, watching classic films, reading and exercising.
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| Collegiate Friar: Ryan Jennings '17
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|  | Ryan Jennings '17, a freshman at Yale, thinks he will declare a double major in economics and computer science. |
| Name: Ryan Jennings
Fenwick graduation: 2017 Hometown: Clarendon Hills, IL
Grade School: Clarendon Hills Middle School
Current School: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Current Major: Undecided, but most likely Economics and Computer Science
Career aspirations: A job in finance, graduate business school, then potentially entrepreneurship
Fenwick Achievements/Activities: Volleyball (4 years, 2 years varsity), Soccer (2 years), National Honor Society, Fenwick Pep Band and Wind Ensemble, Investment Club
Fenwick Teacher Who Had the Most Influence on You:
Mr. Quinn -- his U.S. History class taught me to think for myself and the importance of history in our lives today. Mr. Quinn is also a very engaging teacher who makes sure that his students question everything, often asking, "What do you think?"
Fenwick Class That Had the Most Influence on You: AP Physics 1 and 2 with Mr. Kleinhans. The breadth and structure of this class helped me develop my work ethic, and Mr. K is a great person who taught my classmates and me a lot about life in general. In addition to Mrs. Esposito's AP Physics C class, Physics with Mr. Kleinhans increased my confidence going into college STEM classes.
Best Fenwick Experience/the One You Would like to Live Again: Seeing Mr. Konrad join the faculty in their tug-of-war match against the students at a Fenwick pep rally. It was a great moment and made me realize how much I loved Fenwick and its school spirit.
Fenwick Experience That Changed You the Most: The Lumen Tranquillum and Fenwick Hall of Fame ceremony in the Auditorium my senior year showed me how valuable my education at Fenwick is and will be for the rest of my life. Many of the stories told by the recipients of these great awards revolved around their experience at Fenwick as students, which inspired me to appreciate my time there even more.
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| 3 Friars Hoops Legends to Have Jerseys Retired
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In the illustrious, nearly 90-year history of Fenwick High School, only two retired jerseys have been displayed atop the Fieldhouse Gymnasium: those of Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Lattner ’50 (football) and former NBA player Corey Maggette ’98 (boys’ basketball). But that number is about to more than double in a pregame ceremony (2:30 p.m.) on January 13th, when the jersey numbers of three alumnae will be added: Erin Lawless #34, Tricia Liston #32 and Devereaux Peters #14.
“Lattner and Maggette: That’s some elite athletic company,” observes Dave Power, Head Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach who mentored all three of the honorees when they played for his Friars. “Each of these women is so well deserving of this recognition from our school,” adds Coach Power, now in his 41st year of coaching (first at Proviso West, then at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Westchester).
Power is one of only three 900+ (933 now, and counting) game-winning basketball coaches in Illinois history, and teams on which the trio of Lawless, Peters and Liston played contributed to nearly 43% of that win total. Keep in mind that Fenwick was an all-boys institution for its first 63 years; it went coed in 1992 – the year Power came to Fenwick. Who are these players, and what did they do at Fenwick? And what has each done since moving on from Oak Park? Read more.
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Calling all Roger Finnell Impersonators! The 50th edition of Fenwick's Banua show will be celebrated on Friday, January 26th, and Saturday, January 27th. This year, we are inviting all Banua and Blackfriars Guild alumni to join in the fun. Roger Finnell '59 has graciously agreed to welcome back any and all Finnell impersonators from the past for a “Finnell-off” skit during Saturday’s performance only. Alumni Mike Gaynor '90 and Ed Ward '85 (also a current parent) already have signed on! If you are up to the challenge, please email rfinnell@fenwickfriars.com or jiarrobino@fenwickfriars.com.
Banua Reception: Prior to the 7:30 p.m. show on Saturday the 27th, please join Mr. Finnell for a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. in the Library welcoming all Banua and Blackfriars Guild alumni, current parents and friends. Please RSVP.
The Fenwick Auditorium needs your help! When the auditorium was finished in 1960, it was heralded as a state-of-the-art theater and even highlighted in a national magazine as “a high school with one of the most modern sound and lighting systems in the Midwest.” Unfortunately, much of the equipment that we use for today’s school productions is original to the 1960 addition. The main speakers are 57 years old, and the outdated lighting system forces us to rent temporary equipment for each major production held in the auditorium.
To help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Banua, we are reaching out to current parents and alumni to help us bring our auditorium into the 21st Century. With the help of generous friends of the Blackfriars Guild, we are hoping to raise $25,000 for the first phase of our auditorium improvements, which includes new lighting consoles, stage monitors, and headsets and microphones. Our hope is to have everything purchased and installed before the 50th production of Banua in late January. To help get things started, a generous, anonymous donor has agreed to match each gift up to $5,000! If you would like to contribute, please click here and designate "Banua 50th."
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| The 'Friar Files:' Fenwick's Blog
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The Fenwick Blog made its debut last fall. Catch up online and read the latest "Friar File" guest post by alumnus Brian Hickey '12, a recent graduate of Valparaiso University who is bringing hope to Islamic refugee children in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. "It is much more difficult to hate a particular group of people after interacting with them," he says.
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| Date Saver: 66th Blackfriars Gala Is April 20th
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Save the Date for the 66th Annual Blackfriars Gala! The event will be held on Friday, April 20th, 2018, at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace. Please join us for a fun evening of dinner, dancing and an exciting live auction with fellow Friars – all are welcome! This year we will induct V. James Marino ’68 and Kenneth Nelson, M.D. ’75 into the Fenwick Hall of Fame, and present Monsignor Michael Boland with the Lumen Tranquillum Award. Reduced price tickets will be available for graduates of the classes of 2005-2017. More details will follow in the coming months; please visit the Fenwick website for updates.
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| Daily Prayer & Preaching Emails
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Care to pray along with Fenwick students, faculty and staff on a daily basis? Now, you can obtain a copy of the prayer and meditation proclaimed every school day by a student during the the "Morning Annocuncements" at Fenwick. Sign up for the Fenwick Daily Prayer and Preaching email, which began distribution last month.
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The Communications Staff needs your help. We are researching three potential story ideas for future editions of the Friar Reporter alumni magazine: - Do you know of a Fenwick alumnus or alumna who is teaching at a college or university? (Send us their names, please!)
- What about Friars who went on to become civil servants, such as police officers or fire fighters? Tell us who they are.
- Are you part of a Fenwick multi-generational family -- grandparent, parent and child who all have graduated from FHS?
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Also, send us "Class Notes" info for the spring 2018 issue of the Fenwick alumni publication, along with any corresponding photos. Please email Cameron Watkins, Director of Alumni Relations.
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Girls' Basketball Jersey Retirements
Saturday, January 13 (2:30 p.m.)
50th Annual Banua Show Celebration
Saturday, January 27 Naples, FL Alumni & Friends Gathering
Tuesday, February 6 Dallas, TX Alumni & Friends Gathering
Thursday, February 22 Arizona Alumni & Friends Gathering
Tuesday, March 20 66th Annual Blackfriars Gala
Friday, April 20 New York City Alumni & Friends Gathering
Thursday, April 26
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The New Year is here and, soon, Final Exams followed by a new semester! By making a gift to Fenwick High School, you are helping to ensure that every class of graduates is as prepared for their college years as you were.
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Have something to share with your fellow alumni? Please send all of your alumni news and happenings to Director of Alumni Relations Cameron Watkins at cwatkins@fenwickfriars.com.
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