Catholic Campus Ministry at Wayne State College
The following provides information on ministers, sponsors/advisors, and general development. If you find errors, please send an email to wsccatholic@archomaha.org
1892	The “Catholic Club” was established at the Wayne Normal School through the inspiration of Miss Anna Byrne, later known as Mrs. Charles Bright (’22) of Wayne.
1892-1911	John, Pat, and Dan Saunty were the first sponsors of the Catholic Club. Weekly programs consisted of music, informal; debates, and articles from the “True Voice” (The Omaha Archdiocesan newspaper) which were read and discussed by members. In 1911 the State of Nebraska purchased the old school.
1910-1939	Professor E. J. Huntemer (at WSC ’10-’39), Director of Manual & Physical Training, was sponsor of the club until he left in 1939. The 1937 Spizzerinktum (school annual) had this to say: “Today the help, inspiration and pleasure derived by the members of the Newman Club is due largely to the enthusiasm and interest of E.J. Huntemer.”
1931	The Catholic Club obtained a charter from National Federation of Newman Clubs (refer to National Catholic Student Coalition) and from that date has been known on campus as the “Newman Club” and is presently a recognized student organization on campus.
1906-1950	Fr. Wm. Kearns (d. 04-19-52), pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Wayne and served as moderator and counselor of the club.
1950-1953	Fr. Robert Hupp (d. 08-29-03), pastor in Wayne and served as chaplain of the Newman Club assisted by speech Professor James McCarthy (WSC ‘50-‘53).
1953-1968	Fr. Wm. Kleffman (d. 08-21-97), pastor in Wayne was Newman chaplain. There was no faculty sponsor.
1968-1974	Fr. Paul Begley (ord.1955), pastor in Wayne and Newman Club chaplain, invited Math Professor Fred Webber (at WSC ’65-’95; d. 10-18-99) to assist him as the advisor. When asked in December 2004 about Fred, Fr. Begley said with conviction and appreciation that Fred was just a “plain good guy.”
1968-1974	A second priest, Fr. Anthony Milone (ord. 1957), pastor for Dixon and Waterbury, was appointed to work with Wayne State College students. With Fred Webber, the priests helped begin Cooperative Campus Ministry to provide opportunities for demonstrating a unified spirit of concern and assistance between denominations for the benefit of the students, faculty, and staff of Wayne State College. This entity still exists today as an official campus organization.
1974-1981	Fr. Tom McDermott (d. 12-31-90) became pastor at Wayne. Religious instruction and counseling were two main thrusts in his ministry.
1974-1979	Fr. Tom Adams (ord. 1964) pastor at Dixon, was assigned to campus ministry.
1974-1982 ???	Fr. Jerry I. Spenner (ord. 1964) was active in Newman activities, especially in the areas of liturgy and Scripture study.
1981-1986	Fr. Jim Buschelman (d. 08-11-86) became pastor at St. Mary’s and Newman Chaplain. A new chapter began for the Newman Club. He was joined by Norfolk Missionary Benedictine Sr. Rosann Ocken, OSB. She was permitted by her community to donate her time at Wayne State. Her office was in the basement of St. Mary’s Church. The Student Organization Office accepted Sr. Rosann as advisor for the Newman Club even though she was not WSC staff. Together with Fr. Jerry Spenner and the students Fr. Jim and Sr. Rosann reorganized the Newman Club. They revised the structure and the Constitution to include a Newman Board consisting of the sponsors, president, vice president, and secretary. Activity emphasis was on Liturgy, Spiritual, Service, Social, and Educational opportunities. Student involvement and Christian leadership were the two mainstays upon which the program was built.
1982-1984 1982	The Knights of Columbus around Nebraska helped to provide salary for a nine- month position for Sr. Rosann Ocken. Office space was rented in the basement of the Ecumenical Center, owned by ELCA ministries (now called The Welcome House). Methodist ministry also had office space at this 1301 Schreiner site. During this time, Sr. Rosann served as the interim director of the Ecumenical Center.
1984-1986	The Education (Catholic School) Office of the Archdiocese of Omaha began funding Newman Ministry. A religious salary of $10,000 and funds of $2,500 for programming, office rental, etc. Programs at this time included: engaged couple counseling, personal and faith counseling, vocation discernment, and RCIA. Note: Sr. Rosann kept records of activities in scrapbooks currently available at the Catholic Center for anyone to enjoy.
1986-1996	Sr. Rita Marie Tofflemire, OSB, was assigned to Campus Ministry at Wayne State and Sr. Rosann transferred to Norfolk. In 1992 (?) the Methodist ministry UMHE (United Ministry of Higher Education) purchased the Episcopalian Church and started CrossPoint Ministries on the southwest end of campus.
1986	Fr. Don Cleary was assigned as pastor for St Mary’s Parish soon after Fr. Jim Buschelman died (August 11, 1986). He was not assigned as WSC chaplain.
1985-1988	Fr. Norm Hunke (ord. 1973), pastor for Laurel and Dixon parishes, was assigned to Wayne State College. He was a great support in helping Fr. Don Cleary and Sr. Rita Marie Tofflemire, OSB.
1988-1992	Fr. Mike Grewe (ord. 1979), pastor for Laurel and Dixon parishes, was assigned to Wayne State College.
1992-1995	Fr. Rodney Kneifl (0rd. 1985), pastor for Laurel and Dixon parishes, was assigned to Wayne State College ministry. He helped with Bible studies and group activities along with Mass.
1992-93	Connell Chapel was dismantled and the School of Social Sciences remodeled the space for department offices. As a result, the basement worship space in The Welcome House chapel was used for Newman Mass.
1996-2001	Sr. Jeremiah Lee, OSB, was assigned to Wayne State College and left in March 2001. She was also a full time student working for a counseling degree.
1996-1999	Fr. Al Salanitro (ord. 1989), pastor for Laurel and Dixon parishes, was assigned to Wayne State College. He also completed a theater degree and taught at WSC.
1998-2003	Fr. James “Mac” McCluskey (ord.1968) became pastor in Wayne.
1999-2003	Fr. Mark Tomasiewicz (ord. 1991), pastor for Laurel and Dixon parishes, was assigned to Wayne State College. Rev. Paul Judson became the Welcome House pastor in August 1999 and served until June 2001. Rev. Paul Lutter came in October 2001 and left in May 2003.
2001 January	In January 2001, through the efforts of Fr. Mike Gutgsell and Archdiocesan Young Adult Coordinator and UNO campus minister Marty Kalkowski, WSC ministry was placed under the responsibility of the Office of Religious Formation with Director Jim Corr. A 12-month salary and operating expenses were to be paid by his office and a checking account was to be used for program expenses and functions. At this time $16,000 reserved for a future facility was transferred from the Newman account in Wayne to an Archdiocesan building fund.
2001 June	Omaha Notre Dame Sister Cynthia Hruby, ND, accepted the position and began the last week of June, officially July 1, 2001. Conditions at the Welcome House were in flux on many levels from a change in ELCA minister responsibility to maximum number of students living in the house to need for various repairs.
2001-2002 2002	By November 2001, it was determined a change was needed. Catholic ministry planned a move to a WSC property at 1108 Walnut Street with rent to begin February 15 but the house was not ready. The move occurred by March 16 in time for the first WSC Busy Person Retreat. The first Newman Nite Mass was at 9 pm, March 19, Feast of St. Joseph. The archdiocese paid the rent and Sr. Cynthia, who took up residence in July 2002, offered to pay utilities during the transition since there was not money budgeted for a move. In early 2002 a stipend of $250/semester plus mileage for the chaplain was also determined. An Advisory Board began to take shape from October 2001-June 2002. The first group included: business student Mark Weeder; Newman Club president Lisa Lange; chaplain Fr. Mark Tomasiewicz; banker, parishioner, and deacon-to-be Pat Gross; business man and parishioner Ken Kwapnioski; parishioner and WSC professor Dr. Tim Garvin; and WSC Learning Center Director, Dorothy Weber. Dr. Laura Barelman joined the following year. Several house options were explored with the help of builder and parishioner Nick Hochstein in the following months but none were determined viable. Sr. Cynthia “dubbed” the effort “St. Joseph’s Project” and continued to encourage all to pray for St. Joe’s intercession and guidance. Development projects began: 1) An Anniversary Fund savings account for a future building was opened (donors were invited to give an annual gift equal to the number of years since the 1892 founding); 2) Catholic Connections newsletter began to be published each semester for donors, priests & other ministers, parents, friends of the ministry, and students who completed the Religious Preference Release; 3) Sr. Cynthia attended the CCMA Development Institute in July 2002; 4) In June Sr. Cynthia attended Access classes provided to archdiocesan employees and then started a file for donor information; 5) Efforts began to identify Catholic WSC alumnae who could be encouraged to support the ministry. Statistics 10/30/01 from Information Services indicate there were over 900 WSC Catholic students: Fr = 310, So = 178, Jr = 157, Sr = 214, Grad Stu = 54. In June 2002, WSC administration decided labels and names could no longer be provided directly to the ministers. Student information (labels and Excel document) could be provided to ministers only if students completed release information for the Registrar Office in one of three ways: #13 of the WSC registration form, affirmative responses during On-Line Registration, or a half-sheet Religious Preference Release (RPR) form was submitted to the Registrar Office.
2002-2003	Due to lack of funds, each archdiocesan office was asked to make cutbacks. Starting July 2003 the WSC campus minister’s position was cut from 12 to 10 months (August-May) for an undetermined length of time. In June the college no longer permitted free access to WSC internet system. With the help of Andy Kuchta (WSC grad ’03 from Randolph), Sr. Cynthia designed and established a Web Page for Catholic ministry sharing the expense for a server with St. Mary’s (fee of $200 per year). Campus continued to provide the student organization email catholic@wsc.edu set up in August 2001. An August 2003 leadership training was held in Fremont for Catholic college students from Dana in Blair, CSM and UNO in Omaha, and WSC in Wayne.
2003- present	Fr. Mark Tomasiewicz became pastor in Wayne and continued as chaplain.
2003-2004	Cooperative Campus Ministry experienced several changes. In May Joy Smith left campus and professor Barb Engebretsen became advisor for Campus Crusade for Christ. In January Diaconal Minister Sandra Braasch came to serve at the ELCA Welcome House. In September CrossPoint UMHE minister Ilene Nichols began a new role at Haven House and Rev. Susanne Burris became the interim minister. In December Alpha Omega’s advisor professor Mimi Moore left WSC.
2004 July	Housing Director Jeff Carstens informed Sr. Cynthia that 1108 Walnut Street could be leased until May 14, 2005 at which time campus would proceed with plans to make four Walnut street properties into parking space. By the spring semester CNC leadership had grown to a five-member council and continued as a team with changes in roles for the fall semester.
2004 October	Five students attended a leadership conference at Blue Cloud Abbey in South Dakota: Prez Heather McAndrew, Secretary Jim Walla, Sophie Dubas, Sarah Gibbs, and Stacilyn Geidner.
2004 December	Bob and Susie Sherry contacted Sr. Cynthia regarding purchase of their property at 317 E. 10^th Street. Sr. Cynthia immediately contacted Jim Corr and Pat Gross (designated as “purchase agent” for CNC with the Omaha Archdiocese). Before Christmas Sr. Cynthia received a call that Pat had contact with Fr. Michael Gutgsell which informed him Archbishop Curtiss was favorable toward this decision. Pat would work with the Sherry’s and the appropriate Chancery personnel to bring the purchase to a closure for a move in May 2005.
2005 January	ELCA ministry board discontinued lease of the Loft from WSC Foundation. A representative of the Foundation called Sr. Cynthia in early January asking if Catholic ministry was interested in leasing The Loft but steps had already been taken to purchase a site.
2005 April 29 2005	The Archdiocese of Omaha purchased the Bob & Susie Sherry property located at 317 East 10^th Street as the site of the Catholic Newman Center. Deacon Pat Gross served as the sales agent for the archdiocese on behalf of the Office of Religious Formation and the Wayne Catholic ministry.
2005 August	On August 31^st Archbishop Eldon Francis Curtiss and Fr. Ryan Lewis came to preside at a 3:30 pm dedication followed by a 4:30 pm meal in the Upper Cafeteria. Catholic Newman Council President Jim Walla and campus minister Sr. Cynthia Hruby, ND, opened the Dedication Service by welcoming the guests. CNC Vice President Sophie Dubas and parishioner Patricia Sherry led the music which included “We Are a Pilgrim People…Come Holy Ghost.” About 45 guests attended, including WSC president Dr. Richard Collings, Assistant Dean of Students Jeff Carstens, Office of Religious Formation Director Fr. Matt Gutowski, CNC chaplain Fr. Mark Tomasiewicz, Deacon Pat Gross and his wife Mary Jo, former owners Bob and Susie Sherry, Professor and Sister Janet Gilligan, Omaha Notre Dame Sisters Christine Elias, Rita Ostry, Marie Alice Ostry, and Dorothy Rolf, former local pastor Fr. Don Cleary. In addition to former WSC campus minister Sr. Rosann Ocken, OSB, other campus ministers included USD and CCMA board member Fr. Joe Forcelle, USD Sr. Rosemarie Maly, OSB, ELCA Welcome House diaconal minister Sandra Braasch, Mt. Marty, Yankton, Rachel Wagner. Photographers were Randolph parishioner Angela Nordhues of College Relations, Catholic student Ashley Braun of the Wayne Stater, and local parishioner Clara Osten of the Wayne Herald. Guests began arriving at 3 pm and were greeted by Learning Center director Dorothy Weber and Professor Tim Garvin, members of the CNC Advisory Committee. A tour of the house was provided by Jim Walla and Sophie Dubas and some of the students who attended. These included Nick Benes, Sarah Gibbs, Travis Moore, Neil Risinger, Sarah Ryan, Savannah Seamann, Heather Stout, Adrianne Svitak, and Mary Venteicher. WSC maintenance staff member Carolyn Seier prepared and displayed the snacks and beverages. Quilt donors Bernard and Leona Seier of Albion were present. After the blessing closing in the patio area, Bernard drew the name of student Jamie Stec, one of the 75 donors who had given to the Anniversary Building fund over the past four years. About 4:15 pm the group went to the Upper Cafeteria for supper and were joined by several additional students. Several tables had been made festive by yellow and white balloons provided by Counseling Center staff member Donna Ewing.
2005 October	Homecoming “Renaissance 2005” was truly a re-birth for Catholic participation this year. Nick Benes and Heather Stout took the lead in completing the “Painting our way to a new beginning” banner which was started at Newman Nite with all present putting painted hand prints around the edges. Jim Walla was one of the Royalty Court finalists and he led a team of five (Sarah Ryan, Jami Talbot and friend, Jamie Stech, Lynn Weeder) to fourth place in several activities in the student organization Olympics. Sophie Dubas facilitated the construction of a horse with movable legs that led the float team (Sarah Kava, Travis Moore, Savannah Seamann, Renae Shanle, and Jim Walla) to a first place prize of $75 in the student organization category.
2006   May 22	The local CNC checking and savings accounts were closed. Funds were sent to the Catholic Faith Formation Office. Donors designations to WSC will be honored.
2006  August 31	City of Wayne and Fire Department inspections resulted in an October report regarding improvements to meet building codes. Restricted areas included: non use of upper room and basement, and south entrance stairs.
2007  June through September	Archdiocesan Facilities Facilities Director Barry Koebel coordinated improvements including concrete and kitchen work Chad Sebade, electrical upgrade by Mark Klein, various other projects by Koebel's staff. Concrete and electrical work expenses were taken from the CNC Anniversary Fund.
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