Wednesday, July 29, 2015

24 Knights Named AP Scholars; 1 National Scholar

Last May the College Board Advanced Placement exams were taken. The results are in and 20 graduating seniors and 4 juniors were named AP Scholars. 

Jon Collins had the added distinction of being named a National AP Scholar the qualification of which is an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.


AP Scholar with Distinction:  Average of 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on 5 or more of these exams 
Cameron Bretsen, David Choi, Jon Collins, Marcus Cronin, Zach frevert, Harrison Hohman, Alex Hotovy, Andrew Pace, Young-Joon Park, Zach Starman, Lucas Tucker.

AP Scholar with Honors:  Average of at least 3.25 on all exams taken and 3 or higher on 4 or more of these exams
Ryan Anderson, Augustin DeMayo, John Gutsmiedl, Christian Keller, Dun Fletcher Lin.

AP Scholar: A score of 3 or higher on 3 or more AP Exams;

Ian Alfieri, Tyler Degener, Kalle Haines, Min Chang Kim, Taesung Kim, Stefano Tarantolo, Adam Terasinski, Andrew Whitaker.

Congratulations Knights!

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Mount Michael Alum Jim Clements '97 to Head Heart Ministry Center

Announcement from HMC:

Jim Clements '95
We are very pleased to announce that the Heart Ministry Center will welcome Jim Clements as our new Executive Director on July 6, 2015.

Jim’s commitment to our Mission, passion for community service, and natural leadership style impressed our Board and staff as an ideal fit for HMC throughout an extensive
search process.

Our search began with more than 50 applicants, which the Search Committee narrowed to eight prime candidates. The Committee interviewed these candidates and identified two finalists for the Board of Directors’ consideration, working throughout the process with a professional consultant who conducted online assessments and in-depth interviews.  HMC employee representatives also participated in the interview process.

An Omaha native, Jim joins us from Welch Law Firm, P.C.  He earned his law degree from the University of Florida School of Law (2008) after receiving his Bachelor of Arts & Science in Journalism at Creighton University (2000). He is a graduate of Mount Michael Benedictine High School and served as the school’s Director of Admissions and Marketing before law school.   

Jim is no stranger to the Heart Ministry Center. In recent years, he has served as a pro bono attorney and a presenter for the Pathway Program. He has also been active with Inclusive Communities, the Greater Omaha Young Professionals Council, and the Hanscom Park Neighborhood Association.

We think you’ll find in Jim an effective leader, communicator, team builder, and community partner and advocate capable of advancing HMC’s mission.


Jim and John have been working together closely in recent weeks, beginning what is already proving to be a smooth transition. John will depart on July 7 to begin his position with the Omaha Community Foundation as Director of Donor Philanthropy. He will remain available to facilitate the transition as needed and has committed to be a resource to Jim in the future.  John will also remain involved in the HMC mentoring program.  

John Levi  '99 is also a Mount Michael graduate and led HMC for may years.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Christian (Andy) Dunbar ’89 Navy Seal, Named Tillman Scholar

Christian (Andy) Dunbar ’89, Cmdr US Navy, was recently named a 2015 Tillman Scholar by the Pat Tillman Foundation.  After actively serving as a Navy Seal he is pursuing a Masters of Business Administration at UCLA.

The following Bio is extracted from the Tillman Scholars announcement.

"There is nothing that we can't do when we put our mind and our passion to it. we change the world...and we must take our place in making positive change happen. for if not us, then who?"


Growing up during the height of the Cold War, Christian felt there seemed nothing more important than defending the survival of the american way of life. since receiving a Navy ROTC scholarship for college, his military career has been much more than he could have every expected, spanning over 22 years, 44 countries and for different combat campaigns. in his own words, he has been fortunate to have led operation at critical and strategic crossroads in world history.

Through his service, Christian has seen, first hand, the the heroism of service members on a daily basis, the ferocity of their fight for each other, their dedication and passion taking care of the wounded and fallen, and the compassion they have with families who are simply caught up in war trying to survive.  Above all, he has been humbled by the complete selfless dedication of those who have directly served with and for him.

Today, while pursuing his studies in business at UCLA's Anderson School of Management, Christian continues to serve in the Navy. His academic and future career goals are specifically rooted in a deeper sense of purpose to adapt lessons from the military to bring about substantial and lasting social change on the topic of sexual assault and domestic violence prevention.  As the father of three girls and a veteran who has witnessed atrocities overseas, he wants to create meaningful change across companies, organizations and college campuses, where it's estimated 1 in 4 students are assaulted in their time at university.  He hopes to bring his decades of leadership and experience to developing and delivering behavioral health and ethical culture programs to bring about broader social change.

The following is extracted from his last change of Command:

CDR Christian Dunbar is a native of Omaha, Nebraska and son of Bill and Sheri Dunbar.  He was commissioned in 1993 following his graduation with a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame.  He graduated Basic Underwater Demolition and SEAL training with his original class 191. His Platoon leadership assignments include four deployments with SEAL Teams THREE and EIGHT, and Seal Delivery Team ONE in support of contingency Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, NOBLE ANVIL, and ENDURING FREEDOM. He completed his assignment as SDVT-1 serving as the Operations Officer.

During his assignment at Special Operations Command Pacific, he served as the Deputy Director of Plans and Policy, the Director for Maritime Counter Terrorism Operations in the Special Activities Division and Director of Maritime SOF Operations for JTF 515 and JTF 510. He then served as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer for Seal Team THREE and deployed withe the NSW Task Group - Arabian Peninsula in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in the Al Anbar Province.

He recently completed tours with Naval Special Warfare Group ONE as the Operations Deputy for Training, Readiness, and Capabilities and as the Director of Training and Operations Officer at the Naval Special Warfare Center. His last assignment was as the Director, Special Operations Planning and liaison Element - SOUTH for CFSOCC-A in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

CDR Dunbar is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School with Masters of Science in Defense Analysis (Irregular Warfare) and MS Space Systems Operations.  His personal awards include the Bronze Star with "V", Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service medal, Navy Commendation and Achievement medals and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.