Record number complete LPMP program

ARCHDIOCESE — Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk received an honorary doctorate at the Athenaeum of Ohio graduation ceremonies Oct. 21 in recognition of his 25 years as chancellor of the Athenaeum.

CT PHOTOS/MARGE STOWE

Father Tim Schehr leads the graduation procession at the Athenaeum of Ohio Oct. 21.

The archbishop said the "conferral of an honorary doctorate is an honor which is very gratifying to me. It is a sign that the respect and honor in which I hold the Athenaeum is reciprocated by the institution itself. The fact that this honor has been conferred so rarely in the Athenaeum’s history gives a further depth of meaning to this gesture."

Also, it was announced the rare book collection — more than 8,500 volumes housed in the Athenaeum’s Eugene H. Maly Memorial Library — has been named in the archbishop’s honor. The archbishop recently contributed several volumes from his library to the rare book collection.

"Few people know of the archbishop’s generosity to our library," Father Smith said. "Over the years, he has personally given many books to the collection. His habit of coming by the Athenaeum and dropping off a ‘bag of books’ for us is appreciated by everyone who knows of this kindness. His generous spirit, tremendous scholarship and love for learning have given an example for students and faculty alike. I am proud that we are naming the special collection of our library after him," he said.

"The naming of the rare book collection in my honor is a sign that the care and interest that I have had over the years in making some contribution to the quality of the library is recognized by the Athenaeum," said Archbishop Pilarczyk. "I am pleased and grateful."

Athenaeum president and rector, Father Ed Smith, right, presents an award to Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk at the Oct. 21 graduation. Behind the archbishop is Father Jeff Kemper, who is about to assist in the bestowal of an honorary doctorate upon Archbishop Pilarczyk.

"His dedication and personal investment in the Athenaeum has helped provide competent, dedicated ministers who are prepared to meet the diversity of ministries needed in the church in this time and place," said the Father Jeffrey M. Kemper, dean of the Athenaeum.

Father Robert J. Hater, who has taught philosophy and theology at the Athenaeum since 1974, also was honored at graduation ceremonies Oct. 21 with the Athenaeum’s Celebration of Teaching Award. Father Hater presently holds a faculty position as professor of pastoral and systematic theology. His current courses focus on the theology of ministry, evangelization and various aspects of parish ministry. Father Hater also was recognized with other Celebration of Teaching honorees by the Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities (GCCCU) at ceremonies earlier this month at Xavier University’s Cintas Center.

Dr. William C. Wester, retired director of the Athenaeum’s pastoral counseling program, was honored with the rank of professor emeritus.

A record 36 men and women received two-year certificates in Lay Pastoral Ministry at the Athenaeum of Ohio’s graduation ceremonies, marking the largest number of certificate graduates since the Lay Pastoral Ministry Program (LPMP) was founded in 1975. The 2007 LPMP certificate class tops the previous high of 30 graduates in 1990. In all, 51 students were graduated from the Athenaeum of Ohio this year. Degrees were conferred by Cincinnati Archbishop Pilarczyk.

Graduates earning master of arts in pastoral ministry degrees are, from left, Russ Feldkamp, Donna Bolia, Mark Johnson, Tom Gaier, Linda Mulvaney and Eve Van Sickle. Graduates and their degrees are: Master of Divinity: Father Ronald Haft, Colerain Township; Father Thomas McCarthy, Cincinnati; Father Reynaldo Taylor, Cincinnati. Master of Arts in Biblical Studies: Adam McMahon, Cheviot Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling Stephen Hoard, Cincinnati; Mara Drais, Cincinnati Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry Donna Bolia, Centerville; Donna Booker, Amelia: Timothy Creech, Loveland: Michael Erb, Cleves; Russ Feldkamp, Cincinnati; Thomas Gaier, Cincinnati; Mark Johnson, Cincinnati; Linda Mulvaney, Sardinia; Eve Van Sickle, Milford. Certificate in Lay Ministry Robert Adams, Centerville; John Back, Liberty Township; Jerome Barga, Versailles, Oh; Robert Basye, Dayton; Martin Brown, St. Mary’s; Brian Campos, Dayton; Michael Cassani, Cincinnati; Leo Cordonnier, Dayton; Charlene Davidson, Cincinnati; Ronald Dvorachek, Georgetown; Jeff Ehrnschwender, Hamilton; Dona Fischer, Lakeview; Donna Foltz, Covington, Ky.; Thomas Graber, Greenville; Cynthia Hill, Dayton; Michael Hinger, West Chester; Richard Hobbs, Franklin; Tracy Jamison, Cincinnati; David Kaiser, St. Henry; Michael Lippman, West Chester; Cathy Magness, Dayton; Richard Magness, Miamisburg; Carol Maingot, Cincinnati; Terrance Martin, Miamisburg; Frank W. Moore, Dayton; Jeffrey Perkins, Loveland; Terri Reder, Cincinnati; John Rettig, Lebanon; William Schaefer, Trenton; Richard Simpson, Beavercreek; David Stammen, Blanchester; Janice Tebbe, Russia; Hoang Vu, Fairfield; Daniel Wade, Huber Heights; David Wallace, Maineville; Mark Westendorf, Cincinnati.