On Saturday, September 30, the TMC Alumni Association honored five distinguished alumni and one faculty member, who were nominated by their peers in the categories of Citizenship, Service, Professional Achievement, and Lasting Influence.Those honored included: Robert Ryan ’70 (posthumously) and Thomas A. Saalfeld ’71 for Citizenship, Terry Eagan ’71 for Service, Tim Rahschulte ’93 and Dave Schroeder ’90 for Professional Achievement, and Professor Chris Lorentz for Lasting Influence.

Friends and family gathered in Steigerwald Hall to applaud the work of Bob Ryan, a driving force in the creation of the New Perceptions agency and Tom Saalfeld, who served on numerous non-profit boards, in addition to other volunteer work, while devoting 40 years of service to St. Elizabeth Healthcare. Their contributions in the field of Citizenship will be felt for many years to come. Terry Egan received the Service Award for tirelessly working to improve the Alpha Delta Gamma fraternity at TMC in addition to his other volunteer efforts through his parish and local community. For outstanding achievement professionally, Tim Rahschulte was applauded for his work helping companies with new product development, performance management, strategic road mapping, workforce planning, and talent solutions focused on building team cohesion and transforming business outcomes. Dave Schroeder was also recognized for his professinal work as the Executive Director of the Kenton County Public Library (KCPL). In addition to guiding renovations, expansions, and additions to various branches of the Library; during Dave’s tenure KCPL was the first library in Kentucky to be recognized by the publication Library Journal with a prestigious star ranking.

Faculty member Chris Lorenz was honored with the Lasting Influence Award, the latest recognition for his tireless and ongoing efforts to provide TMC students with the best education possible.

Congratulations to all!

2017 PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS

Timothy Rahschulte ’93

Since graduating from TMC with an Economics and Business Administration degree, Tim has helped companies with new product development, performance management, strategic road mapping, workforce planning, and talent solutions focused on building team cohesion and transforming business outcomes. He has co-authored three books, has been a contributing author to many more, and has authored dozens of thought-leadership articles for magazines and peer-reviewed academic journals.

Most recently, Tim served as Chief Learning Officer for a private equity owned organization in Portland, Oregon, where he designed and commercialized the Professional Development Academy in collaboration with executives from Fortune 500 companies, and General Colin Powell and Marshall Goldsmith. Additionally, Tim teaches graduate courses at George Fox University in Oregon and lectures at Portland State University and Drexel University in Philadelphia. He has been an invited lecturer at many other universities in the U.S. and Oxford, England, Shanghai and Beijing, China, and Athens, Greece.

David Schroeder ’90

Named Executive Director of the Kenton County Public Library (KCPL) in April 2007, Dave began his career at the Library as a shelver in 1986. He began working in KCPL’s Local History Department in 1987. From 1996 to 2000, Dave held the position of Archivist for Thomas More College and the Diocese of Covington, returning to KCPL in 2000 as the Kentucky History Librarian. Under his guidance, the new William E. Durr Branch was completed in Independence; the Covington Branch was completely renovated and expanded; and currently a new addition is underway at the Erlanger Branch. Also during his tenure, KCPL was the first library in Kentucky to be recognized by the publication Library Journal with a prestigious star ranking.

Dave serves as President of the Friends of the Kentucky Public Archives and he has served as member of the Kentucky Archives and Records Commission since 2007. He is the past Chair of the Kentucky Public Library Association and currently serves as President of the Kentucky Library Association and Chair of the Advocacy Committee. Dave earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Thomas More College, a Master of Arts in History from the University of Cincinnati, and a Master of Science in Library Science from the University of Kentucky.

Dave is the author of Life Along the Ohio: A Sesquicentennial History of Ludlow, Kentucky; co-editor of Gateway City: Covington, Kentucky; and co-author of Lost Northern Kentucky

2017 CITIZENSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS

Robert Ryan ’70

Faced with the loss of his parents at a very young age, Bob Ryan persevered. With the help of family, friends, and community, he attended Covington Catholic High School, earning a scholarship by cleaning the building after school.

Bob attended Thomas More College and was very involved in the fraternity, Alpha Delta Gamma. Bob gained many lifelong friends while at Thomas More College, where he also met his bride, Mary Beth (McClanahan) Ryan ’72. Bob was drafted into the Army at the height of the Vietnam War. Returning safely, he earned a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and a Rank I degree from Xavier University.

Bob became a leader and change agent in his field. His personal mission was to change the attitudes, opinions, and perceptions related to those with disabilities. He coined the term for the new entity “New Perceptions.” He led by his intellect, his heart, and his Irish wit. Bob was lost to cancer on Sept. 5, 2015, shortly after retiring with plans to spend more time with Mary Beth, his three daughters, and his grandchildren. Bob has left a legacy of positive change in attitudes towards those with disabilities. His imprint is indelible on the hearts of many.

Thomas A. Saalfeld ’71

Thomas grew up in Taylor Mill, Kentucky, and married fellow TMC graduate Kathy Hoevel ’72 in 1975. They have three sons Dave, Greg, and Jeff, and a grandson, Austin. Sons, Dave and Greg, are also Thomas More College graduates.

Thomas graduated from Holy Cross High School in 1967 and received a basketball grant in aid from TMC. During his playing days, the team posted huge victories over Xavier University and Niagara University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and went on to earn a MBA from Xavier University in 1972. His career included time at MacGregor Sporting Goods and Procter & Gamble.

Desiring to use his business education to help the Northern Kentucky community, he began working at St. Elizabeth Hospital as Manager of Accounting and Payroll. In subsequent years, he served as Financial Manager before being promoted to Vice President of Professional Services. He continued to progress in his career, being promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of St. Elizabeth Fort Thomas, the Covington facility, and the Falmouth Center. He retired in December 2014, after forty years of service at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. Thomas became a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, and served on numerous not-for-profit boards. He also volunteered at the Saint Bernard Pantry, and was a Newport Central Catholic board member and a NCC Gala Co-Chair.

2017 SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT

Terry Egan ’71

Terry Egan graduated from TMC with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. While at TMC, he was a member of the Alpha Delta Gamma fraternity. He went on to earn a MBA from Xavier University in 1972 with a concentration in Marketing.

Terry spent most of his career in the field of medical products used in surgeries and hospitals. It began with a product management training program at Baxter Labs in Chicago, after which he joined Kendall Medical Products, a division of Colgate Palmolive located in Boston, Massachusetts. Following a successful stint in Boston, he joined the Zimmer Orthopedic Division of Bristol Myers in Charlotte, North Carolina, continued his career at a subsidiary in New Philadelphia, Ohio. His final post at Bristol Myers was in Largo, Florida.

Terry has especially enjoyed volunteer opportunities, serving as a Board President of a Catholic grade school and high school. In retirement, he has continued volunteer efforts, serving as a member of his parish St. Vincent DePaul group and as the Board President of his Home Owner’s Association. He has tirelessly served the Alpha Delta Gamma fraternity at Thomas More College, working with the ADG Alumni Association to improve the experience of actives and alums.

On a personal note, Terry convinced Gayle Fromme ’73 to be his wife in 1975. Gayle was a TMC Homecoming Queen and a member of Alpha Lambda Mu, a former sorority at the College. They have three sons: Christopher, Patrick, and Jonathan, and three daughter-in-laws. Terry’s newest loves include five grandchildren, ranging in age from five months to nine years.

2017 LASTING INFLUENCE AWARD RECIPIENT

Christopher Lorentz, Ph.D.

Chris began teaching at Thomas More College in 1994. In 1999 and 2015, he received the award for Outstanding Full- Time Teacher of the Year. He recently participated in the Northern Kentucky Teacher Leadership Program. Chris currently serves as the advisor to Delta Epsilon Sigma (the College’s national scholastic honor society), is the advisor to the Outdoor Adventures Club, and serves on the Institutional Planning and Effectiveness Committee.

Chris has been awarded several teaching grants focusing on the improvement of middle school science education in the state. Through these projects he has developed a new science course for pre-service teachers at TMC and has collaborated with Northern Kentucky University on a similar course for graduate students. In addition, he has developed workshops for middle school science teachers and science camps for K-12 students. Most recently, Chris developed and directed the Environmental Science program for the Biological Sciences Department. He also serves as the Director of the Center for Ohio River Research and Education at the College’s Biology Field Station. Through the Center, he has been awarded several research grants involving aquatic biology, and he has collaborated with the University of Louisville. In addition, he works with the Husbandry Department at the Newport Aquarium in the collection and care of local freshwater specimens and volunteers as the adjunct curator of fishes at the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History.

Chris has served as President of the local chapter of Sigma Xi, a national scientific research society. He is an active member of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetology, as well as the American Fisheries Society. Chris was recently appointed by the Ohio EPA to serve on the Hamilton County Environmental Action Commission; he serves as the Science Advisor for the Licking River Watershed Watch, and is on the Science Education Committee for the Kentucky Academy of Science.