1955 yearbook
Source URL
Title
1955 yearbook
Description
Class History
"A man's real possessions are his memories . . . ." The
possessions, then, of this year's graduating class are indeed
numerous. For many are the memories of the never-to-be-
forgotten days at St. Ambrose. Friendships made that will last
a lifetime; an education earned, but not easily; experiences had
that wouldn't be traded for all that familiar "tea in China";
and the finest Catholic education to be found anywhere.
Any history of an organization would be but half complete
if it failed to mention those people to whom the real credit
belongs. So too with this story of the seniors. First and foremost, a sincere thank you to Msgr. Burke, president of St.
Ambrose during our four years. It was his guiding hand that
led St. Ambrose through four wonderful years of which we
proudly claim a part. Our gratitude goes out to the professors
who patiently struggled along with us. If at any time it was
an easy job for them, it is doubtful whether the credit belongs
to us. Mr. Shannon Boyd, our class advisor, certainly deserves
our gratitude. A special word of thanks is due Mr. Peter
Danner, head of the placement bureau and one of our economics
professors, who helped so many of the seniors. We appreciate
the genuine interest that Mr. Danner took in his job, as well
as his active participation in many of the class affairs and general campus activities.
From 1951 to 1954, our underclassman days, we wondered
if we would ever become college seniors. Despite the efforts
of many of us, however, we finally made it. Remember those
days? When such colorful characters as Tony Kuchan, George
Fuller, Bob Flanagan, Tom Flavin, Jim DeCremer, John Manley,
Dominic Rauzi, Harry Stretcher, Lloyd Considine, BUI Kenny,
and many, many others were still roaming the campus. You had
to look close for fellows like Considine and Streicher, but a
glance would spot you DeCremer and Manley.
That first day as a senior, September 21, 1954 was our "finest
hour." There was no outward change, but it was with an inward sense of determination that the members of this class took
their turns as leaders of the school. It was a year filled with
hard work, dances, and games; indeed, a year well spent.
On September 22, Msgr. Burke celebrated a Solemn High
Mass in Christ die King Chapel commemorating the opening of
school for another year — our year! Six new members joined
the faculty at St. Ambrose this year: Fr, Rice, Fr, Taylor, Fr.
KelIeher, Mr. Vaughn, Mr, Beauregard, and Mr. Kilfoy. The
ranks of Ambrose swelled to a near record high as a total of
329 freshmen enrolled.
The Student Council, headed by Carl Pflug, had a big job
ahead, with Homecoming scheduled rather early in the year.
But a finer Homecoming could not have been hoped for. Dan
Belloc's orchestra supplied the music for some 360 couples at
the Coliseum, which was gaily decorated with balloons noting
"St. Ambrose, 1954, Homecoming," attached to each table.
Thanks must go to all those who made the dance the success
that it was: Batt Maher, general chairman, and Jim Ganzer, who
contracted Dan Belloc. The church students once more showed
their versatility by fielding the winning float in the parade. The
combined "genius" of Jim Wolfe, Charley Owens, Marv Eldred,
Larry Muffins, and all the other fellows from the department
made it possible. And, of course, the football game made the
weekend complete, as the Bees trounced St. Norberts, 28-14.
Appropriately enough, Coach Frank Brogger named as captains
of the game the seven seniors on the squad: Mitch Ware, Larry
Zitkus, Jim Hanrahan, Jim Murphy, Ken Floerke, Jim Delaney,
and Boh Durnin, A salute to Mitch and "Zitko," who were
named on the little Ail-American team. Miss Rosemary Palas-
cback was our very lovely queen for this 1954 Homecoming.
She was attended by Pat Cullen, Carol Sandway, Lois Carrol,
and Lila Jean Blitscb,
The N.F.C.C.S. of the Iowa Region, with Fred Lorenz as its
president, held its first regional workshop early in October,
inaugurating the beginning of another important year. Without
a doubt the largest and most active organization on campus,
N.F.C.C.S. has been outstanding in its work to help each student during his stay at St. Ambrose, and more important, instill
in him the realization of the importance of his position as a
Catholic layman after he has left our campus. With Fr, Kam-
erick as its spiritual director, N.F.C.C.S. has grown steadily
since its beginning in 1947. This is due to the hard and determined work of Father plus the co-operation of all those who
actively participated in it.
The significance of the senior participation in club activity
on campus is indicated by the fact that all the clubs and organizations were headed by seniors. At the helm of the band directed by Mr. Kriesa were Dave Thoensen and Norb Siegel,
Guiding the Monoeram Club were Larrv Zitkus. tint Fav. and
Jim Hanrahan; the C.I.C., Max Miller and Leo Cunningham;
the Ottumwa Club, Jerry McCright; the Chicago Club, Jim
Delaney; the American Chemical Society, Jack Moriarty; the
Education Club, Batt Maher; the History Club, Harry Byrd;
the Veterans Club, Bill Dues and Jim Laughrin; the Commerce
Club, Bob Sheston; and the Inter-Club Council, Pat Cleary and
Jerry Waters,
The County Fair, sponsored by N.F.C.C.S., certainly surpassed
expectations for fun and entertainment. The big feature of the
Fair was the "Showboat," set up by the Family Life Commission, in which the entire north end of the gym, set off by a
"Showboat," was given to floor shows and games'. All who saw
the show would never forget the can-can dance by curvaceous
"Tiny" Shannon. Then there was the Pie-throwing booth set
up by the Catholic Action Commission in which such notable
men as Howie Grogan, Bob Terracina and others were gracious
enough to "donate" their faces.
It will be a long time before a group is so gifted with the
basketball material of our class, namely Jim Fay, Bill Dart,
Jim Wolfe, and Willie Malatestinic. Each one was varsity or
potential varsity material from his freshman year through his
senior year. They had indeed an enviable record, emerging as
state finalists twice and as state champions during the '53-'54
season. They played basketball at its finest! However, it would
be to Coach Bob Duax that these players would point the finger
of credit, for Bob, master of the press, was a leader of men,
as exemplified by his sportsmanship and good example.
And remember all the Iowa Farm boys who were on our
campus for a week or more. The reason was the February Farm
Institute held at St Ambrose. Directed by Dr. Sacco and Msgr.
Hauber, the Institute featured rural experts who spoke on different phases of agriculture. Even some of the college students
took advantage of the tours which were offered in the afternoon. The Institute was just another one of the many ways
in which St. Ambrose has shown its interest in the rural area.
Finally came the day when the seniors could just relax. The
Sophomore-Junior Cotillion! And the fellows did an expert
job. "Pirates Paradise" was the theme, as one could easily
notice, for the stage was set as the deck of a pirate ship, and
the band members themselves were in pirate togs. The walls
of Snug Harbor were decorated with the pirate's skull and
crossbones, while on each table was a candle in a bottle covered
by different colors of wax. Bill McGee and Jack Winne were
co-chairmen of the dance and, together with their committee,
did a fine job.
Obviously, only a few of the many good times of this senior
year have been mentioned. But it would have been impossible
to recall them all. And still, many activities were remaining
on the calendar.
Trouble ahead — mid-semesters were approaching. Of course,
seniors don't flunk, do they?!?
March 27 began our fourth Retreat during our four years at
St. Ambrose. It was quite different from those of the first two
years, which were held in the gym. Now we have beautiful
Christ the King Chapel. April 1 marked the date of the Senior
Sampler. Now all the "shower tenors" had the chance to let
everyone enjoy their talents.
The following day was the Third Annual N.F.C.C.S. Boxing
show, again directed by Mitch Ware. Anyone who saw the '54
fights will never forget Tom Henneberry^s TKO in about 30
seconds of the first round. Seems Tom threw a flurry of fists
and ran into the same — then suddenly walked towards his
corner. He thought he heard the bell! But it takes men like
Tom and all those who participate in it to make ^b& boxing
show the success that it is.
Another pitfall was in the offing — Graduate Record Exams.
But because of our persevering and relentless pursuit of knowledge during our four years at St. Ambrose, we would, no doubt,
be excused from them and given perfect marks*
Monogram Madness was expected to be the laugh riot of
the year once again. Its cast was loaded with such deserving
"oscar" winners as Two Gun Smiggins, Crowser, Joe Awful,
Dean Peppier. It would be hard to forget such events as this
from our college days.
And then came our last big social event — Senior weekend!
Dedicated to us. Hie Prom, a dinner, another dance. It was
hard for us to realize we would soon be leaving St. Ambrose.
But a bigger job was awaiting us — applying that which we
learned at this Catholic College to the activities of the outside
world. And just as the seniors accepted their responsibility as
leaders in the college, so did they gladly accept this challenge.
Graduation Day.
Then .... the culmination of a dream! Mav 29. 1955 ....
"A man's real possessions are his memories . . . ." The
possessions, then, of this year's graduating class are indeed
numerous. For many are the memories of the never-to-be-
forgotten days at St. Ambrose. Friendships made that will last
a lifetime; an education earned, but not easily; experiences had
that wouldn't be traded for all that familiar "tea in China";
and the finest Catholic education to be found anywhere.
Any history of an organization would be but half complete
if it failed to mention those people to whom the real credit
belongs. So too with this story of the seniors. First and foremost, a sincere thank you to Msgr. Burke, president of St.
Ambrose during our four years. It was his guiding hand that
led St. Ambrose through four wonderful years of which we
proudly claim a part. Our gratitude goes out to the professors
who patiently struggled along with us. If at any time it was
an easy job for them, it is doubtful whether the credit belongs
to us. Mr. Shannon Boyd, our class advisor, certainly deserves
our gratitude. A special word of thanks is due Mr. Peter
Danner, head of the placement bureau and one of our economics
professors, who helped so many of the seniors. We appreciate
the genuine interest that Mr. Danner took in his job, as well
as his active participation in many of the class affairs and general campus activities.
From 1951 to 1954, our underclassman days, we wondered
if we would ever become college seniors. Despite the efforts
of many of us, however, we finally made it. Remember those
days? When such colorful characters as Tony Kuchan, George
Fuller, Bob Flanagan, Tom Flavin, Jim DeCremer, John Manley,
Dominic Rauzi, Harry Stretcher, Lloyd Considine, BUI Kenny,
and many, many others were still roaming the campus. You had
to look close for fellows like Considine and Streicher, but a
glance would spot you DeCremer and Manley.
That first day as a senior, September 21, 1954 was our "finest
hour." There was no outward change, but it was with an inward sense of determination that the members of this class took
their turns as leaders of the school. It was a year filled with
hard work, dances, and games; indeed, a year well spent.
On September 22, Msgr. Burke celebrated a Solemn High
Mass in Christ die King Chapel commemorating the opening of
school for another year — our year! Six new members joined
the faculty at St. Ambrose this year: Fr, Rice, Fr, Taylor, Fr.
KelIeher, Mr. Vaughn, Mr, Beauregard, and Mr. Kilfoy. The
ranks of Ambrose swelled to a near record high as a total of
329 freshmen enrolled.
The Student Council, headed by Carl Pflug, had a big job
ahead, with Homecoming scheduled rather early in the year.
But a finer Homecoming could not have been hoped for. Dan
Belloc's orchestra supplied the music for some 360 couples at
the Coliseum, which was gaily decorated with balloons noting
"St. Ambrose, 1954, Homecoming," attached to each table.
Thanks must go to all those who made the dance the success
that it was: Batt Maher, general chairman, and Jim Ganzer, who
contracted Dan Belloc. The church students once more showed
their versatility by fielding the winning float in the parade. The
combined "genius" of Jim Wolfe, Charley Owens, Marv Eldred,
Larry Muffins, and all the other fellows from the department
made it possible. And, of course, the football game made the
weekend complete, as the Bees trounced St. Norberts, 28-14.
Appropriately enough, Coach Frank Brogger named as captains
of the game the seven seniors on the squad: Mitch Ware, Larry
Zitkus, Jim Hanrahan, Jim Murphy, Ken Floerke, Jim Delaney,
and Boh Durnin, A salute to Mitch and "Zitko," who were
named on the little Ail-American team. Miss Rosemary Palas-
cback was our very lovely queen for this 1954 Homecoming.
She was attended by Pat Cullen, Carol Sandway, Lois Carrol,
and Lila Jean Blitscb,
The N.F.C.C.S. of the Iowa Region, with Fred Lorenz as its
president, held its first regional workshop early in October,
inaugurating the beginning of another important year. Without
a doubt the largest and most active organization on campus,
N.F.C.C.S. has been outstanding in its work to help each student during his stay at St. Ambrose, and more important, instill
in him the realization of the importance of his position as a
Catholic layman after he has left our campus. With Fr, Kam-
erick as its spiritual director, N.F.C.C.S. has grown steadily
since its beginning in 1947. This is due to the hard and determined work of Father plus the co-operation of all those who
actively participated in it.
The significance of the senior participation in club activity
on campus is indicated by the fact that all the clubs and organizations were headed by seniors. At the helm of the band directed by Mr. Kriesa were Dave Thoensen and Norb Siegel,
Guiding the Monoeram Club were Larrv Zitkus. tint Fav. and
Jim Hanrahan; the C.I.C., Max Miller and Leo Cunningham;
the Ottumwa Club, Jerry McCright; the Chicago Club, Jim
Delaney; the American Chemical Society, Jack Moriarty; the
Education Club, Batt Maher; the History Club, Harry Byrd;
the Veterans Club, Bill Dues and Jim Laughrin; the Commerce
Club, Bob Sheston; and the Inter-Club Council, Pat Cleary and
Jerry Waters,
The County Fair, sponsored by N.F.C.C.S., certainly surpassed
expectations for fun and entertainment. The big feature of the
Fair was the "Showboat," set up by the Family Life Commission, in which the entire north end of the gym, set off by a
"Showboat," was given to floor shows and games'. All who saw
the show would never forget the can-can dance by curvaceous
"Tiny" Shannon. Then there was the Pie-throwing booth set
up by the Catholic Action Commission in which such notable
men as Howie Grogan, Bob Terracina and others were gracious
enough to "donate" their faces.
It will be a long time before a group is so gifted with the
basketball material of our class, namely Jim Fay, Bill Dart,
Jim Wolfe, and Willie Malatestinic. Each one was varsity or
potential varsity material from his freshman year through his
senior year. They had indeed an enviable record, emerging as
state finalists twice and as state champions during the '53-'54
season. They played basketball at its finest! However, it would
be to Coach Bob Duax that these players would point the finger
of credit, for Bob, master of the press, was a leader of men,
as exemplified by his sportsmanship and good example.
And remember all the Iowa Farm boys who were on our
campus for a week or more. The reason was the February Farm
Institute held at St Ambrose. Directed by Dr. Sacco and Msgr.
Hauber, the Institute featured rural experts who spoke on different phases of agriculture. Even some of the college students
took advantage of the tours which were offered in the afternoon. The Institute was just another one of the many ways
in which St. Ambrose has shown its interest in the rural area.
Finally came the day when the seniors could just relax. The
Sophomore-Junior Cotillion! And the fellows did an expert
job. "Pirates Paradise" was the theme, as one could easily
notice, for the stage was set as the deck of a pirate ship, and
the band members themselves were in pirate togs. The walls
of Snug Harbor were decorated with the pirate's skull and
crossbones, while on each table was a candle in a bottle covered
by different colors of wax. Bill McGee and Jack Winne were
co-chairmen of the dance and, together with their committee,
did a fine job.
Obviously, only a few of the many good times of this senior
year have been mentioned. But it would have been impossible
to recall them all. And still, many activities were remaining
on the calendar.
Trouble ahead — mid-semesters were approaching. Of course,
seniors don't flunk, do they?!?
March 27 began our fourth Retreat during our four years at
St. Ambrose. It was quite different from those of the first two
years, which were held in the gym. Now we have beautiful
Christ the King Chapel. April 1 marked the date of the Senior
Sampler. Now all the "shower tenors" had the chance to let
everyone enjoy their talents.
The following day was the Third Annual N.F.C.C.S. Boxing
show, again directed by Mitch Ware. Anyone who saw the '54
fights will never forget Tom Henneberry^s TKO in about 30
seconds of the first round. Seems Tom threw a flurry of fists
and ran into the same — then suddenly walked towards his
corner. He thought he heard the bell! But it takes men like
Tom and all those who participate in it to make ^b& boxing
show the success that it is.
Another pitfall was in the offing — Graduate Record Exams.
But because of our persevering and relentless pursuit of knowledge during our four years at St. Ambrose, we would, no doubt,
be excused from them and given perfect marks*
Monogram Madness was expected to be the laugh riot of
the year once again. Its cast was loaded with such deserving
"oscar" winners as Two Gun Smiggins, Crowser, Joe Awful,
Dean Peppier. It would be hard to forget such events as this
from our college days.
And then came our last big social event — Senior weekend!
Dedicated to us. Hie Prom, a dinner, another dance. It was
hard for us to realize we would soon be leaving St. Ambrose.
But a bigger job was awaiting us — applying that which we
learned at this Catholic College to the activities of the outside
world. And just as the seniors accepted their responsibility as
leaders in the college, so did they gladly accept this challenge.
Graduation Day.
Then .... the culmination of a dream! Mav 29. 1955 ....
Date
1955
Rights
St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803
Identifier
http://cdm16810.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16810coll2/id/8683