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!

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.

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.

Summer Repairs & Upgrades

Track Resurfacing - More photos

Every summer while students and faculty are on break various repairs and upgrades are undertaken at the Mount.   So far the track has been resurface and will be painted in the near future.  The stage roof has been recovered to stop some pesky leaks, the server room has been remodeled and segmented into additional office space for faculty. Currently worn pavement is being replaced in front of the Chapel and in the near future carpet will be replace the rubberized surface on the ramp between the school and gym.   

The most exciting upgrade for campus this summer is a 3 mile fiber-optic line has been run and currently being connected to the buildings.   This line was schedule to be completed the end of July but but it looks like it might be ready early in the month! Photos

Regular repairs and upkeep are in full swing.  Leading the way in keeping the grounds in tip top shape are alums Colten Boison ' 14 and Lucas Tucker'15.     

A Fiber-Optic Line is laid along Mount Michael Road to bring improved internet connectivity to the Mount

New Hires for 2015-2016 School Year

Technology Director

Dr. Thomas Rzemyk, Ed.D.

Dr. Thomas Rzemyk will be the Mount’s new technology director. Dr Rzemyk holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration from Bellevue University, a Master of Science in Security Management & Criminal Justice from Bellevue University, and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Leadership from North central University. He is also a graduate of the United States Air Force Security Forces Police Academy. Thomas began his law enforcement career in 2001 in the United States Air Force as a Security Forces Military Police Officer and Investigator. After an honorable discharge in 2005, Thomas began a professional career in Information Technology and Network Security. He has been employed as an analyst by the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and for the last eight years, served as a Technology Facilitator for Millard Public Schools in Omaha.. He also teaches and develops undergraduate and graduate courses at various educational institutions across the United States.

Dr. Rzemyk currently has over a decade of information technology, project management, and higher education classroom teaching experience. “As a technology professional, it is my vision that all faculty, students, and staff have access to the technology resources required to be successful, innovative, and creative in the classroom. Technology continues to evolve and is an important element of society. I believe that strategically aligning students with the correct tools and technology resources allows them to become independently inspired and motivated to work collaboratively with their peers. Thus, preparing each student for a rewarding future.”

Basketball Coach

Derrik Spooner

Leading the Knights in the Palace next winter will be Coach Derrik Spooner. Coach Spooner is a native of Omaha and a graduate of Millard North High School. He played basketball for Hasting College and earned his BA in Physical Education with an endorsement in K-12 Physical Education.

Post-graduation, Coach Spooner taught for both Holy Cross Catholic School as well as Grace Abbott Elementary School.

His recent coaching experience included the titles of Boys Varsity Assistant/Junior Varsity Head Basketball Coach, Boys Freshmen Basketball Coach and Reserve Baseball Coach, all within the athletic department of Millard North High School. It is an exciting time for Mount Michael Benedictine athletics. We wish Coach Derrik Spooner much luck in the coming season.

Math

Mount Michael is happy to welcome Mr. Patrick  Mohs to our community. He will be teaching Algebra and Geometry at the Mount.  He graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 2010 and has since then taught Algebra and Geometry at St.  Wenceslaus and Westside Middle School.

Social Studies

Tom Swanson '01

Mount Micheal Alum Tom Swanson '01 is excited to return to the Mount as a teacher. In 2007 he graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha. For the last nine years Tom has called Alliance, Nebraska home.  He has has taught a variety of courses at Alliance High School; American History Research, World History and Geography, Current Events, Academic Decathlon, America at War, and Holocaust History.  He has designed elective courses, and developed flipped and blended learning environments that have increased student achievement.

Tom has been head coach of the Alliance Spartans American Legion Baseball team for many years and in 2014 led them to their first state birth in a quarter century. He also has experience coach cross country.