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On July 29, Saint Leo University signed an agreement to merge with Marymount California University, following a vote from the university’s board of trustees.

Pending regulatory and accreditation approvals, this agreement will unite the two Catholic, values-based institutions together under the Saint Leo University name, helping to provide students everywhere with a quality education. Marymount California University is in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, nearly 2,500 miles from University Campus.

“There is value that comes from two universities working together to create something powerful for our students,” University President Jeffrey Senese said. “Working with Marymount, Saint Leo University looks forward to making an even more meaningful impact on Catholic higher education from coast to coast.” 

This first merger for Saint Leo is expected to offer many benefits for both institutions, providing students with more degree program options and internship opportunities, around-the-clock support for students studying online, and more university location options to consider attending, among other benefits.

Senese said Marymount California and the area surrounding it are a good fit for Saint Leo, as it serves first-generation college students, Catholics, Hispanics, and military students.Saint Leo and Marymount California Leaders

The university is in the process of gaining regulatory approvals to move forward with merging Marymount into Saint Leo as one institution. While the two institutions work to develop these plans, an immediate next step will be to work to allow new students at Marymount an immediate opportunity to consider additional degree programs.

As two universities rooted in the Catholic tradition, focused on the future for students, this newly unified community will offer an innovative, values-based learning environment inspired by individuals in pursuit of a greater purpose.

griffin-clark-hsGriffin Clark, 21, a sophomore criminal justice major and member of the men’s golf team, passed away on July 4. He was involved in a car accident near his home in Chesterfield County, VA. Griffin helped lead the golf team to its recent NCAA Division II National Championship, in Denver, CO, playing in the final match-play pairing against Chico State (CA) and winning by three strokes.
“Griffin was an outstanding young man. We were so blessed to have him be part of our Saint Leo family,” Saint Leo men’s head golf coach Chris Greenwood said. “I have so many good moments with Griffin, but the one I will always remember is standing in the 18th fairway together the final day in Denver.”


Frederick “Fred” William Colby Sr. ’84, registrar emeritus, passed away on July 7. A decorated veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served from 1952 to 1979, including tours of duty in Singapore and Tokyo, as a Naval intelligence specialist. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Saint Leo College and was a member of the Saint Leo staff for 24 years, retiring as registrar.


Dr. Diane Johnson passed away on May 10. She was an assistant director of the Center for Online Learning from 2005 to 2014. After retiring from that administrative role, she continued to teach as an online adjunct professor. She is remembered for being supportive of Saint Leo’s students and guiding them through their educational development.


On May 20, Dr. Kurt Van Wilt passed away at his home. A humble and devoted English professor, he dedicated his life to the education of Saint Leo University’s students, to their spiritual and intellectual growth and development. A respected poet, he was the master of the sonnet, a form that appeals to the kind of artisan who enjoys the rigor of structure, the triumphs achieved through simplicity. An expert in comparative mysticism and Native American literature, he authored three critically praised books for Millichap Books. He was also a co-founder of The Sandhill Review literary arts magazine, The Lightning Key Review electronic journal, and The Green Rabbit chapbook series.


William “Bill” Sharp ’48
May 27, 2016

Robert E. Shoyrer ’49
April 5, 2010

Glenda W. Rusin ’52
February 7, 2015

Mary (Corrigan) Grant ’54
April 11, 2016

Richard Cobb ’60
March 4, 2016

Henry Pike ’61
July 7, 2016

Mary Ellen McGrath ’62
April 13, 2016

Peter E. Feuge ’69
November 22, 2015

Eugene Fischer ’72
February 12, 2016

Beth (Dempsey) Moore ’74
May 27, 2016

E. “William” Vanderbilt ’75
March 23, 2016

Richard A. Carter ’77
December 17, 2015

Jesse J. Dean ’77
November 17, 2015

 

Stanley P. Juds ’77
October 16, 2015

Patricia (Kennedy) Lemmerman ’77
January 7, 2016

Audrey S. Henries ’79
December 16, 2015

Marie Gagne ’82
July 23, 2012

Timothy “Tim” Murphy ’82
January 29, 2016

William A. Denton ’83
December 13, 2015

Kyle A. Miller ’83
January 1, 2009

Frederick “Fred” Colby ’84
July 7, 2016

Wayne Dupree ’86
April 36, 2016

Claude H. Bader ’93
August 2, 2014

Russell “Russ” Swart ’96
May 13, 2016

Jonathan E. Weaver ’01
April 16, 2015

William T. Campbell ’04
March 31, 2013

Father Damian DuQuesnay, who had been the oldest living monk in the Order of Saint Benedict of Florida, passed away on May 8. Greatly loved and admired by colleagues, students, faculty, and staff, he was a remarkable man of faith.

Born on July 24, 1918, in Highgate, Jamaica, Father Damian graduated from Jamaica College Prep and Saint Benedict College (now Benedictine College) in Atchison, KS, in 1943 with a BS in zoology. He received his MS from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, in 1951.

He was ordained into the Holy Priesthood on the Feast of Corpus Christi Day, June 20, 1946, by Bishop Emmet Michael Wash in the unfinished Abbey Church. Father Damian was the first Jamaican to ever wear the habit of a Benedictine.

Father Damian taught numerous subjects at Saint Leo College, including biology, histology, and zoology. He also served two separate terms as department chair of the science faculty. He was prefect in the prep school for 10 years, where he taught algebra, biology, chemistry, French, geometry, Latin, and religion. He thoroughly enjoyed teaching students at both the prep school and the college. When asked what type of teacher he was, he simply said “fair.”

Father Damian was appointed abbey prior in 1957 and also served as novice master and brother master. After his retirement from the Saint Leo faculty, he was chaplain to Holy Name Monastery, a responsibility he held for four decades but eventually relinquished at age 90 due to his limited mobility.

He was the abbey botanist and remained faithful in his daily devotionals and prayers right up until his passing.


Harrell-second-from-leftDr. Teresa Harrell, instructor of speech and senior academic advisor at the Langley Education Office, passed away June 26.

She graduated with distinction from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in social work and educational policy in 1972. In May 1994, she was awarded her PhD from the University of Minnesota, majoring in training and development in the College of Education. Dr. Harrell had served at the Langley Office since 2006 and is remembered for her fierce dedication to the success of our students.


HomanDr. Scott R. Homan, associate professor of management at the Savannah Education Center, passed away on June 23. He graduated from Purdue University in 1988 with his bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership and supervision; he earned his master’s degree in the same discipline the following year. After a stint at Anderson Consulting in Chicago, he decided to pursue his love of teaching and completed his doctorate degree from Texas A&M University. He joined Saint Leo in Spring 2013 and taught graduate and undergraduate courses in business management.


reynoldsJohn “Jack” Reynolds, who served on the Saint Leo Board of Trustees from 1990 to 2012, passed away on April 17. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from St. John’s University at night and his Master of Business Administration at the Stern School of New York University (also at night) and attended the advanced management program at Dartmouth College. He was employed for 10 years by W. R. Grace and for many years by ITT, rising to the position of corporate vice president and division president. He was a trustee emeritus at the time of his death.


RiddleWalt Riddle, retired Saint Leo University and Sunshine State Conference (SSC) publicist, passed away on May 7 after a lengthy illness. Celebrated as a gifted writer and a transformational figure for both Saint Leo University athletics and the SSC, Riddle first came to Saint Leo’s University Campus in 1989 as the sports information director and special events coordinator. The following year, he assumed the duties of SSC assistant commissioner and sports information director, and helped the conference establish its first central office. Under Riddle’s guidance, the SSC developed one of the nation’s largest NCAA Division II television packages.

Riddle remained with the Sunshine State Conference until 2001, when he returned to his duties as Saint Leo’s sports information director. In 2006, he transitioned to a new role as Saint Leo’s director of athletic marketing and Green and Gold Club coordinator, a job he held until his retirement in 2011.

“The Sunshine State Conference and Saint Leo University lost a friend, leader, and mentor with the passing of Walter Riddle,” said Francis X. Reidy, Saint Leo’s director of athletics. “He had a positive impact on many young coaches and sports information directors around our league. Walt was instrumental in helping Saint Leo athletics transition to its current state of success.”


RosenbaumDr. Burt Rosenbaum, for nine years an adjunct professor at Saint Leo College, passed away on March 30. After graduating from the College of the City of New York with a degree in mechanical engineering, he began his career at NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics), which became NASA, and published about 30 applied mathematics research papers with emphasis on statistics. Several of his papers contributed to NASA’s successful Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969, for which he received the Apollo Achievement Award.

He continued his studies at Case Institute of Technology (now Case Western Reserve University) while working, marrying and starting a family. In June 1957, just six months shy of his 35th birthday, he received his PhD in theoretical physics.

After retiring from NASA in 1973, Dr. Rosenbaum and his new family moved south and eventually to Florida, where he accepted an adjunct position at the University of Tampa. For the final nine years of his second career, he remained at Saint Leo College teaching mathematics, statistics, physics, and computer science until 1994.


VerdinJules Verdin, a member of Saint Leo University men’s soccer team and the 2014 Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year, died on July 7 in a hiking accident in Switzerland. He was 19 years old.

“The Saint Leo soccer community mourns Jules’ death,” said Keith Fulk, Saint Leo’s head men’s soccer coach. “He was one of the best players I had the privilege and honor of coaching, and he was a constant student of the game—always asking questions about how he could improve his game. I think he really matured during his first year here at Saint Leo, from the time he arrived to the time he left campus at the end of the school year, and that’s what you want to see in your students.”


Eva Jo (Osborne) Lent ’57
December 25, 2014

Gerald H. Frost ’59
March 2, 2015

Michael “Mike” J. Mead ’68
January 21, 2015

Thomas F. Vigliotta ’71
July 4, 2015

Michael R. Arnold ’73
January 2, 2015

Francis “Frank” T. Christopher ’74
March 2015

George Brayton ’75
October 3, 2012

Linda J. Tremont ’75
October 3, 2013

Robert E. Hutchinson ’77
October 10, 2014

Michael T. Chiappetta ’79
April 25, 2015

Ann B. (Roper) Myhre ’79
December 25, 2013

Jack L. Treese ’79
October 1, 2014

Daniel P. McBath ’84
February 23, 2015

Faison D. Robinson ’84
June 15, 2015

Barbara B. Miller ’86
July 23, 2015

Jerome Polon ’87
October 29, 2014

Rex R. Chambless ’89
December 7, 2014

Janice R. Wiley ’89
February 19, 2014

Howard P. Bennett ’90
January 18, 2012

Nels W. Marvin ’90
September 1, 2007

Donald N. Hiemstra ’92
January 22, 2015

William R. Widhalm ’96
February 3, 2015

Robin L. Lindin ’98
August 24, 2012

Charlene Jackson ’04
June 13, 2015

Harold Ludwig ’05
August 26, 2008

Jack M. Webb ’09
January 30, 2015

Hazel J. Williams
December 2, 2014

In his first few months at Saint Leo, Dr. William J. Lennox Jr., the university’s ninth president, decided to forgo a formal inauguration ceremony. “A day or more centered around me seems at odds with our student-centered mission. Quite honestly, it’s not who I am or what I want to represent as the university’s president,” said Dr. Lennox. Instead, with funds that would have been used for an inauguration, he created Inauguration Scholarships, one-time awards given to students at education centers, online, and at University Campus.

In January, President Lennox met with a group of 25 U.S. Army ROTC Cadets at Saint Leo University. As dawn was breaking over University Campus, Dr. Lennox spoke of his military career, answered questions, and encouraged the cadets to always “think two ranks above you.” Saint Leo has a partnership with the University of South Florida that allows its students to participate in U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps programs.

Sister M. Dorothy Neuhofer ’49, OSB, passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2015. She was a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida. Sister Dorothy, as she liked to be called, was the university archivist and special collections librarian at the Daniel A. Cannon Memorial Library, and she held the rank of professor. She worked for the university for a remarkable 50 years, and was honored for that special milestone in August 2015. Sister Dorothy resided at Holy Name Monastery among the other Benedictine Sisters of Florida, including her sibling Sister Mary Clare Neuhofer. At the time of her passing, Sister Dorothy held the role of archivist of the monastery. She had served as prioress of the community at an earlier time.


Bullard,-MarcianMarcian Bullard, a University Campus sophomore who was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems, was involved in a fatal automobile accident on December 27, 2015.


Dennis,-JackieJackie Dennis, a student majoring in human services at the Gwinnett Education Center, passed away on January 17, 2016. She is survived by numerous family members, including
a son and daughter.


John Fiengo ’69, onetime director of Alumni Relations and vice president of Development for Saint Leo College, passed away June 19, 2015. After earning his BA in English, he aspired to be a teacher, but that was not to be fulfilled until later in life. His interest in helping others led him to various positions with the United Methodist Church, the Children’s Cancer Center, and Volunteers of America, where he served as the director of Development and Public Relations. His altruistic career eventually culminated at Wharton High School in Tampa where he helped students with criminal convictions obtain their GED—a job he found very demanding, but also very rewarding. He was a lifelong friend to his former Saint Leo classmates and could always be counted on for support in their endeavors.


Foley,-BillBill Foley, an associate professor of accounting and professor emeritus, passed away on September 23, 2015.


Timothy R. Giampavolo, a student studying psychology at the Pasco-Hernando State College-New Port Richey Education Office, passed away November 24, 2015.


Osborne,-GaryGary Richard Osborne II, a Lakeland Education Center student, passed away September 22, 2015. He was studying for his associate degree in liberal arts and was awarded the degree from Saint Leo posthumously. A talented musician and songwriter, he had plans to attend Belmont University in Nashville to pursue his commercial music degree.


Sams,-FredFred A. Sams ’82, a graduate of Saint Leo College and adjunct professor in the Graduate Criminal Justice program, passed away on November 19, 2015. His career in law and criminal justice began when he was accepted as a member of the FBI in 1967. Over the years he served with multiple police and sheriff departments and as the director of forensics and crime labs for two agencies. He was a regionally prominent forensic investigator and consulted on many homicides and major death cases. Sams served in the U.S. Army in Special Forces, Army Criminal Investigation, and S-2 Intelligence. The American College of Forensic Examiners awarded him the distinction of Fellow, as well as Diplomate in Law Enforcement Expert and Diplomate in Homeland Security.


ZimmermanAshley (Henderson) Zimmerman ’10 passed away on December 22, 2015. She had been an administrator in the MBA program from 2006 to 2011 and was instrumental in the buildup of the online MBA during Saint Leo’s transition from its partnership with Bisk in 2007.

 

 

 


Hugh “Mickey” McLinden ’47
January 21, 2016

J. Kenny DesRosier ’48
October 9, 2015

Raymond O. Howd ’49
September 10, 2014

Dorothy Neuhofer ’49
October 14, 2015

William “Bill” McKeown ’54
September 16, 2015

Robert “Bob” Parkinson ’61
August 14, 2014

Samuel Meo ’63
November 11, 2014

Francis P. Neuhofer ’63
November 29, 2015

Brodie Rowe III ’64
November 13, 2012

Constance (Dawe) Snell ’64
September 17, 2013

Frank C. Mikusi, Sr. ’68
July 27, 2015

Frank J. Seeley ’68
August 17, 2015

John F. Fiengo ’69
June 19, 2015

Edward J. Tancig ’70
August 3, 2015

Charles M. Durian ’73
November 6, 2015

Lucille B. Emberton ’78
May 7, 2015

Stanley P. Morrison ’78
November 11, 2015

Rupert D. Cobb ’79
January 8, 2015

Claude C. Huffman ’79
January 27, 2012

Fredrick Hendrick ’80
May 11, 2015

Carolyn Kiehl ’81
June 11, 2015

Lyle Everett Thomas ’81
August 21, 2015

Richard “Rusty” Ross ’82
September 11, 2014

Fred A. Sams ’82
November 19, 2015

Jenine Jezek ’83
June 16, 2015

Miles H. Prewitt ’85
March 25, 2011

Thomas “Tommy” Lee ’86
August 21, 2015

Donald D. Parker ’87
October 31, 2015

Billie Dodds Schache ’87
December 9, 2007

Samuel William Brightbill ’88
October 8, 2015

Gale LaFountain ’91
January 7, 2016

Sandra (Bradford) Mordoh ’01
September 9, 2010

Clarence Peacock ’02
August 5, 2015

Aubrey Vigneault ’05
April 9, 2015

Carolyn Steward ’07
October 9, 2010

Harold L. Nelson ’08
April 4, 2015

Melanie Bancroft Richeson ’08
May 25, 2015

Victoria L. Walker ’10
November 27, 2015

Ashley (Henderson) Zimmerman ’10
December 22, 2015

Our alumni, students, faculty, and staff enjoy a variety of special events throughout the year. Take a few moments to experience Saint Leo in Pictures. Click on any photo below to learn more.

mock_debate

Image 1 of 17

Burke Tomaselli ’16 (left) and Zoe Mathieu ’16 facing off in the mock presidential debate. During fall semester, Saint Leo University students in a broad range of academic classes created a fictitious (but realistic) two-party American presidential campaign. Students assumed the roles of candidates, staff, press, security consultants, and other key players, culminating with a debate between the fictitious Republican and Democratic presidential nominees on November 13.

 

 

 

 

 

Michael A. Frassrand ’38
August 14, 2014

Wilbur Harry North ’38
September 7, 2014

Kevin F. Doyle ’52

January 16, 2014

Robert “Bob” Wallace ’53
October 2014

John R. “Jack” Terwilliger ’54
August 13, 2014

Gertrude (Neuhofer) LaBruzzo ’55
October 14, 2014

Caroline (Dyches) Low ’56
June 20, 2014

Bernard “Bo” O’Neill, Jr. ’57
November 4, 2014

Walter F. Kelly ’58
July 15, 2014

Jean A. Baumann ’67
August 23, 2014

William R. Connollon ’68
February 25, 2014

William P. “Bill” Day ’69
December 7, 2014

Bruce J. Hendra ’69
December 25, 2014

Ranald J. McCullough ’69
July 17, 2014

Paul C. Gadomski ’74
June 27, 2014

Mark L. Brigham ’75
January 3, 2015

Rayford “Ray” Ward ’76
January 22, 2012

Raymond F. LaFountain ’77
July 19, 2013

Nancy B. Nichols ’77
March 25, 2013

Roy Pfander, Jr. ’77
June 21, 2014

Dan A. Ellett ’78

May 20, 2006

Garace A. Reynard ’78
November 19, 2013

William Daniel Addison ’81
January 16, 2014

Juan A. Perez ’81
January 11, 2011

Arnett R. Tharp ’81
September 21, 2012

Alfred “Al” E. Smith ’82
October 20, 2014

Lawrence M. Tucker ’82
June 29, 2013

Steve Stanley Bukowski ’84
June 21, 2010

Ronald J. Zarko ’84
October 8, 2014

Janet “Jay” Baricar ’87
March 29, 2014

Regina E. Surles ’87
December 25, 2012

Cyndee I. Thomas ’88
September 28, 2014

Albert R. Mitchell ’89
July 11, 2013

Lori S. Holbrook ’90
December 31, 2012

Sherrill A. Perry ’92
September 16, 2013

Rose Marie Neblett ’93
September 22, 2014

Michael T. Thornburg ’93
August 8, 2014

Susan E. D’Amour ’94
May 23, 2014

Emily S. Bryant ’94
October 2, 2009

Arthur C. Gunn ’94
February 14, 2010

Alvin D. Mercer ’96
May 14, 2013

Kaye Boone ’97
November 28, 2012

Asberry D. Simpson ’98
April 27, 2014

Jerry H. Rodgers ’01
February 13, 2014

Rosemary (Brown) Mohring ’03
May 6, 2014

Marie E. Gieski ’04
February 25, 2014

James A. Butler ’06
August 22, 2014

Terri L. Ruffatto ’06
October 7, 2014

Wylene A. Amadi ’10
May 7, 2014

America “Sandy” Berry ’10
May 23, 2014

Mathew Weaver Rogers ’12
January 15, 2015

Susan C. Vines ’12
July 8, 2014

Rhonda R. Robison ’13
August 4, 2014