Notre Dame Alumni E-Newsletter
December 2014 
 
In This Issue
NDAA Meeting
Turkey Trot
Alum named Coach of the Year
Uncle Joey
Fr. Colin Concert Series
Athletes sign
The Notre Dame Fund
NDPMA News
Addison Oaks Trees
Class Reunions
Prayers for Alumni
Quick Links

Dear  ,
 

On behalf of the administration, faculty and staff at Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, and together with the Notre Dame Alumni Association Board of Directors, I wish you a merry and blessed Christmas and a healthy and joyous new year!

 

2014 has been a wonderful year for Notre Dame! We have so much to celebrate!  The alumni board has gained new members, the first-ever ND 5K Fun Run was a success, overall alumni participation in the annual fund saw a significant increase driven by a 67% increase in participation among young alumni, and the advancement team is growing, adding two new positions to our office this year.  I am filled with excitement and anticipation as we look to 2015.

 

We hope that in this new year you will connect at an even greater level with the alumni association and continue to be a part of the mission of this great institution. 

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Beth Campbell

Director of Alumni Relations
UPCOMING EVENTS 
Alumni Board Meeting - Tuesday,  February 10

 

Join the Alumni Association Board of Directors!
The Notre Dame Alumni Association Board of Directors is looking for new members. All graduates of Notre Dame Prep, Notre Dame High School, Pontiac Catholic, Oakland Catholic, St. Michael and St. Frederick are eligible.   

If you would like to attend, and/or have a topic for the agenda, please email Beth Campbell at bcampbell@ndpma.org.

Notre Dame Harper Woods Alumni Ice Hockey Game

 

Friday, December 26, St. Clair Shores Civic Arena at 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. $20 per skater. Bring a green and a white jersey if possible. 

 

Following the skate all are welcome to join us at The Shores Inn on 23410 Greater Mack Ave. For more information please contact Ricky Winowiecki '04 (NDHS)  

ricky@annarbortees.com

ALUMNI NEWS

Notre Dame Hosts Another Turkey Trot Meet-Up

 

More than 100 Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy students, alumni, faculty and friends supported The Parade Company yesterday by running in the 32nd annual Thanksgiving Day 10K Turkey Trot, 5K Stuffing Strut, 15K Drumstick Double or Mashed Potato Mile.  

 

The race, which typically is the largest running race in the state of Michigan, drew more than 19,000 participants this year.   

 

Many of the Notre Dame's "trotters" took one of its buses from the Pontiac campus and met up with other members of the community at 7 a.m. for a large, group photo near the statue of Joe Louis in the lobby of Cobo Center. Some of the participants received a commemorative Notre Dame "Go Irish" Turkey Trot button.  

 

In total, the ND runners contributed more than $5,000 to The Parade Company, Special Olympics Michigan and Gleaners Food Bank as a result of their participation in the event.

Notre Dame Alum Named Coach of the Year 


Paul Verska, who graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1963, was named the 2014 Macomb County Coach of the Year at The Macomb Daily Football Awards Dinner held December 1. Verska led the De La Salle football team out of Warren, Mich., to this year's Division 2 state title by beating Muskegon Mona Shores, 44-8, at Ford Field on November 28.


 

Verska has been the Pilots' coach since 2002. His teams have made three appearances in state championship games. He also was named Coach of the Year, and De La Salle was named Team of the Year, in 2008.

Uncle Joey from 'Full House' Searches for 'Big Bang Theory' Director

 

 
Mark Cendrowski, center, a 1977 graduate of NDHS, has been the director of "The Big Bang Theory" for many years. He has been nominated for the Directors Guild Award for his work on the hit comedy series.

In a video recently obtained by the Notre Dame Alumni Association, Dave Coulier '77 (NDHS), a comedian and actor  who starred as Uncle Joey in the popular TV series "Full House," searches for his friend Mark Cendrowski, current director of the hit TV program "The Big Bang Theory." Cendrowski also graduated from Notre Dame in 1977. 
Notre Dame High School graduate Dave Coulier ('77) starred on "Full House" for eight years. Currently he is on a successful comedy tour in North America.
The video, which was put together in 1988 just prior to Cendrowski's wedding, was intended as a spoof by Coulier, who had help from "cameraman" Dwight Cendrowski '70 (NDHS), Mark's brother.


 The footage available here is a short excerpt from a much longer video and features their visit to Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods and a meeting with the legendary Fr. John Bryson, s.m., at the school's rectory.

NDPMA NEWS

Notre Dame Senior Performs at the Fr. Colin House

 

Notre Dame Prep senior James Bishop performed four original songs on November 17 for a small group gathered in the main room of the Fr. Colin House, which is where the school's advancement offices are located.

 

Bishop's performance was the second of the Notre Dame alumni association's recorded "Colin House Concerts Series" in which Notre Dame students and alumni are invited to play in a small, intimate setting at the school. The performance includes some pretty extraordinary and innovative guitar work by Bishop.

To view James's performance click here.

 

We are still looking for alumni to participate in the Colin House Concert series! If you are interested in sharing your talent, please contact bcampbell@ndpma.org.

Seven from Notre Dame Prep Sign Letters of Intent

 


 

On November 12, the first official day that high school athletes can sign their national letters of intent, seven Notre Dame Prep senior student-athletes made it official and declared their intention to play sports at the university level. 


"It's an exciting day not only for these seven young men and women, but also for their family, friends, fellow students and teammates," Notre Dame Athletic Director Betty Wroubel said.


Congratulations to the following: Emma McLean - University of Michigan, gymnastics,

Mark Marrone - Northwood University, baseball, Joseph Vyskocil, Wisconsin Milwaukee, baseball, Jacob DePillo - Hillsdale College, baseball, Luke Shilling, University of Illinois, baseball, Will Mullen, Western Michigan, baseball, Katherine Carlson - Valparaiso, volleyball

To read more, click here.

New Direction for The Notre Dame Fund Focuses on Donor Choice

 

Gregory Simon, Director of The Notre Dame Fund

Based upon conversations and feedback from Notre Dame alumni, the advancement office has re-launched the school's annual giving program. The new approach creates an opportunity for donors to feel more empowered in their giving. We believe the changes, like the student experience on campus, will give donors an experience that is uniquely Notre Dame!

 

"We are excited about the new approach because it shows that the school is in partnership with our donors," Greg Simon, Director of The Notre Dame Fund, said. "Ultimately, every dollar goes to benefit the kids, so giving donors a chance to choose is just another way for us to communicate our priorities and express our gratitude to the people that help make Notre Dame possible." 

 

The program, named The Notre Dame Fund, includes five mission-driven categories or 'ways' to give. Please consider giving to this year's effort to make Notre Dame even better. To give online or learn more about the new approach, click here.

For more Notre Dame news,  click here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Addison Oaks Christmas Tree Farm - Frank Rimi '71 (NDHS)

It's that time of the year when we will be putting up our Christmas trees! Here's a chance to support Notre Dame and a Notre Dame High School alumni business. 

 

For each tree sold, Addison Oaks Christmas Tree Farm will donate $5 back to Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy. The tree farm is owned and operated by Frank Rimi '71 (NDHS), his wife Cathy Rimi and their three sons. The 20-acre site was first planted as a tree farm in 1988 and features rolling, scenic topography. The farm is nestled between two parks in northern Oakland Township. 

 

Visit www.addisonoakstrees.com for a map and information.

  

Be sure to print out the Donation Coupon and present it at the time of purchase. 

Notre Dame Alumni Association on Facebook, Twitter

 

"Like" the Notre Dame Alumni Association Facebook page to receive news and updates. Follow us on Twitter too! 

 

All alumni are encouraged to join the conversation and post your own memorable photos and videos from your time at Notre Dame or one of the predecessor schools. Or you can post recent status updates and photos to let other alumni know what you're up to!  

Don't forget to utilize the alumni business directory

 

Be sure to check out our alumni business directory. If you would like to add your business to our list please contact Beth Campbell at bcampbell@ndpma.org.

CLASS REUNIONS NEWS
For a list of upcoming class reunions   

 

Considering planning a reunion for your class? The alumni office can help you get started. Call (248) 373-2171 ext. 3 or email bcampbell@ndpma.org for details. 

PRAYERS FOR ALUMNI
We pray for those who have died:


Amelia Blust- Wife of the late Clyde '45 (SM) 11-29-14

 

Thomas Joseph Mulcahy- Grandfather of Thomas '04 (NDP), Tim '07 (NDP), Molly  '11 (NDP)  11-27-14

 

Lorraine Verlinde- Mother of Gary '70 (NDHS) 11-27-14

 

Ramon Bessette- Father of Steve '82 (NDHS) and John '85 (NDHS) 11-26-14

 

Felicia Marino- Mother to Joe '78 (NDHS) and Thomas '79 (NDHS) 11-9-14


 Rocco Taglione- Grandfather of Steve '04 (NDP) and Lisa '02 (NDP) 11-9-14

 

John Dobroczynski- Father of John '87 (NDHS) 11-6-14

 

Virginia Ross- Mother of David, '75 (NDHS) 11-5-14

 

Joseph Tarchalski- Father of Jeanne '67 (SF), Susan '69 (PC), and Douglas '72 (PC) 11-3-14

 

Michael Berman- Uncle of Lisa Hathaway '12 (NDP) 10-30-13

 

John McGaffey- Wife of Ann Marie, '51 (SM) 10-26-14


 Marvin Knoth- Father of Joseph '73 (NDHS) and Robert '77 (NDHS) 10-25-14

 

Richard Magerman- '39 (SM), Father of Roger '67 (SM),  Brother of Janet Whitfield '53 (SM), Brother of Madeline Deem'57 (SM) 10-23-14

 

Kathleen Gladysz- Mother Peter '70 (NDHS), Stephen '71 (NDHS), John '73 (NDHS),  James '77 (NDHS), Thomas '79 (NDHS),  Paul '83 (NDHS) 10-22-14

 

Richard Healander- '53 (SM) 10-22-14

 

David James- Father of Jeff '82 (NDHS) and Eric '79 (NDHS) 10-18-14

 

Charles Sornig- '57 (SM), husband of Betty Sornig '56 (SM) 10-18-14

 

Mary Autio- Grandmother of Anne Autio '09 (NDP) 10-14-14

 

Betty Cavanagh- Grandmother of Michael Kosuth '14 (NDP) and Charlie Kosuth '10 (NDP)    9-29-14

 

Charles J. Kosuth- Grandfather of Michael Kosuth '14 (NDP) and Charlie Kosuth '10 8/25/14 

 

Prayer list: click here

 

Email your prayers and petitions to alumni@ndpma.org.

NDP = Notre Dame Prep; NDHS = Notre Dame High School; OC = Oakland Catholic; PC = Pontiac Catholic; SM = St. Michael; SF = St. Frederick.