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| OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT |
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Soldiers Fly Flag Over Iraq In Honor of UST
 Staff Sgt. DeRonnious Heidelberg hand-delivered a unique thank you note to University of St. Thomas President Dr. Robert Ivany on Friday, July 17. The thank you note – in the form of an American flag – carried with it the gratitude of the men and women serving in the United States Army 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, who received care packages prepared by UST students, faculty and staff.
In appreciation for the University’s support and patriotism during a time of war, the squadron dedicated a day of combat and flew an American flag in honor of the University of St. Thomas over the squadron headquarters in Kirkuk, Iraq on May 27, 2009.
The care packages were assembled during the Fifth Annual UST President’s Day of Service on Feb. 28, 2009. Students, faculty and staff joined Mrs. Marianne Ivany and Dr. Robert Ivany to assemble about 30 care packages individually addressed to Heidelberg’s unit.
 Heidelberg, who is married to UST staff member Jesselyn Heidelberg, assistant director of health promotion and wellness, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Thomas A. Shoffner, Squadron CSM Kenneth Agueda, and Company Commander CPT Fernando Del Rio. Heidelberg reiterated that the little things like snacks and personal care items can make a difference to soldiers in combat.
“There were a lot of soldiers who were on their first deployment,” Heidelberg said. “We had been in combat for 65 days, and many of the men and women had not received even one piece of mail. The fact that UST addressed the packages to those individual soldiers really showed the soldiers that somebody really cares. A couple soldiers came to me and said, ‘thank you for asking your wife’s University to send care packages, because nobody was going to send me anything.’ It meant so much to those soldiers.” |
Dr. Ivany Presides Over Air Force ROTC Commission
 University of St. Thomas President Dr. Robert Ivany, a retired Army major general, was on hand June 4 to help kick off the “Pizza for Patriots” (P4P) Initiative at the DHL Express location in North Houston.
The P4P Initiative, the world’s largest pizza party, is a partnership between DHL and Pizzeria Uno to make and deliver 25,000 pizzas on July 4 to our military troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Ivany spoke from first-hand experience to 250 DHL employees about how important and meaningful it is for soldiers to receive care packages from folks at home while actively serving their country.
Ivany served 34 years in the U.S. Army. During his various commands as an armored cavalry officer, he led soldiers in the United States, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the Federal Republic of Germany and in Vietnam where he was wounded in action and decorated for valor. He also has two sons who serve in the military.
P4P’s goal is to provide every service member with a slice of home on Independence Day. For more information on the program, go to www.pizzas4patriots.com.
Photo Cutline: (l to r) SPC Errick S. Blair, CPT Brian Wilson, PO1 Anthony Broussard and UST President Dr. Robert Ivany
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Dr. Ivany Presides Over Air Force ROTC Commission
 University of St. Thomas President Dr. Robert Ivany presided over the Air Force ROTC commission of eight cadets as second lieutenants in the United States Air Force on Saturday, May 16, at the University of Houston. Ivany talked about leadership and America’s military future.
University of St. Thomas’ Army and Air Force ROTC programs partner with the University of Houston. Since its introduction in 2003, Air Force ROTC has been offered to students at 17 local colleges and universities. Based at the University of Houston, the program extends to University of St. Thomas, Rice University, Texas Southern University, University of Houston-Downtown, Houston Community College, Houston Baptist University, South Texas College of Law, San Jacinto College, Alvin Community College and College of the Mainland. Air Force ROTC is a growing program and is part of the Houston Corps of Cadets.
ROTC scholarships are available to high school seniors and college students enrolled at UST or participating universities. To learn more about St. Thomas’ ROTC program, contact Shannon Wilson at 713-942-3409 or wilsonl@stthom.edu.
Left to Right Dr. Ivany, Lt. Rachel Lanehart, Lt. Jennifer Messinger, Lt. Justin Miller, Lt. David Morgan, Lt. Wesley Parker, Lt. Jared Schultz, Lt. Ryan Tamez, Lt. George Van Dyke and Col. Phil Bossert. |
Six Decades Later, World War II Memorial Dedicated in Texas
 More than 60 years after their sacrifice, the Texas service women and men who died in the deadliest conflict in the history of the world will have the World War II Memorial of the state of Texas dedicated in their honor. UST President Robert R. Ivany, who fled Hungary as a child with his family to the United States during the war, will deliver the keynote address. The Honorable Tom Craddick, speaker of the Texas House, will introduce Dr. Ivany.
The war cost more than 60,000,000 civilian and military lives over the course of the roughly seven-year global conflict. Of the 830,000 Texans who served, more than 22,000 Texans were killed.
In recognition of the anniversary when the Second World War drew to an official end, the dedication was held Aug. 15, outside the Texas Supreme Court Building in Austin. |
Ivany Named Chairman of Board for MHAHouston
 The Mental Health Association of Greater Houston’s board of directors has elected a new slate of officers to serve during 2007-2008, with UST President Robert Ivany assuming the position of chairman of the board. Officers include three vice presidents Jeff Love, Peggy d’Hemecourt and Bill McClain; secretary-treasurer Connie Estopinal; and immediate past president Maureen Hackett.
Dr. Robert Ivany has served as president of the
University of
St. Thomas since July 1, 2004. Prior to his retirement from the U.S. Army as a major general, he presided over the
Army
War
College in
Carlisle, PA. His 34-year military career as an armored cavalry officer included commands in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Germany and
Vietnam . He has spoken on the topic of leadership development and has focused on military and civilian leadership challenges. He has served on the MHAHouston board since 2005, has served as chair of the Strategic Planning Committee and been a member of the Executive Committee.
“I am very honored to be asked to serve as chairman of the board for MHAHouston,” Dr. Ivany said. “I remain committed to the mission of MHA as an integral and dynamic part of the
Houston community and will strive to advance our goals in the short and long term. We are blessed with a very competent and committed staff, and I look forward to working with them and with members of the board.”
MHAHouston, established in 1954, is affiliated with Mental Health America and Mental Health America in
Texas, is a nonprofit, United Way agency devoted to promoting mental health and improving the care and treatment of persons living with mental illness through education and advocacy. |
Community Involvement: Give a little, Get a lot
 The University of St. Thomas is dedicated to promoting community service, civic engagement and service learning in higher education. In the fall of 2000, UST became a member of Texas Campus Compact, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting community service. As a result of that alliance, UST made the commitment to develop service-learning programs as part of its curriculum. Acting to fulfill the University’s vision of responding creatively to challenges posed by poverty, globalization, limited economic resources and changing demographics, the service learning component allows students to connect classroom theory with practical experience in the community. UST’s Office of Volunteer Opportunities provides UST students, staff faculty and alumni a resource to increase personal and academic growth through community service. Every semester, the University hosts a President’s Day of Service when faculty, staff, students and alumni come together in action. This Day of Service is a call to incorporate one’s beliefs into a lifetime of action.
 “I found that working to give back to the community has been among the most rewarding things I have done during my time at St. Thomas. I have had the chance to work with alumni, faculty, staff and students, both traditional and non-traditional, as well as members of the greater community. Each time I see more and more clearly how, by giving of my time and effort, I can do something to make the world a better place."
Nathan Prihoda,
UST Senior Psychology & Catholic Studies Major |
Talking to the Leaders of Tomorrow
 UST President Robert Ivany talks to students who attended the Management Leadership for Tomorrow-Houston Fellows program held on the UST campus in September. The Houston Fellows program is for high performing African American, Hispanic and Native American high school seniors who signed up to complete a year-long curriculum that will prepare them for success in college and their future careers. The seminars help ground participants in the civic and business issues facing Houston; and involves them in action-oriented projects to help make Houston an even better place to live and work. After Dr. Ivany’s talk on UST’s goal to educate leaders of faith and character, the UST Admissions Office gave the students helpful tips on choosing the right college. |
Ecuadorian Consul General Donates Books to UST
 In September, the Consul General of the Republic of Ecuador in Houston Guillermo Alvarez donated books from the Republic of Ecuador to UST’s Center of International Studies. Accepting the donation is UST President Robert Ivany. The Center now has the largest Ecuadorian collection of books in Houston housed in Tiller Hall. |
UST Receives Scholarship Monies from Newman Circle
 University of St. Thomas President Robert Ivany (center) receives a $12,500 check from the Newman Circle, an organization of Catholic women who believe in and support the University of St. Thomas by contributing toward scholarships to aid worthy students. Shown (left to right) are Martha Ann McGrew, Barbara Fosdick, Father Dennis Andrews, CSB, Pat Cook, Dr. Robert Ivany, Norma Clark, Mary Ann Benedict, and Delta Thompson. The Newman Circle, in addition, informs and involves its members in religious and cultural activities in the community as a means of enriching their lives. |
UST President, Robert Ivany, Receives George Washington Distinguished Service Award
 Dr. Robert R. Ivany, president of the University of St. Thomas in Houston, was awarded the George Washington Distinguished Service Award by the Paul Carrington Chapter of the Texas Society and National Society, Sons of the American Revolution.
This prestigious award has been given each year since 1944 to a person who has manifested the highest quality of public and private life as exemplified by George Washington, the father of our country and first president. The citation presented to Ivany reads: “Dr. Ivany demonstrates the qualities of good citizenship and faithful, meritorious service to his fellow man as exemplified by the father of our country and by our founding fathers.”
Past recipients of the George Washington Distinguished Service Award include church, civic and business leaders, an astronaut, governors of Texas, U.S. Senators, physicians, mayors, judges and attorneys; and a "Who's-Who" list of dignitaries including Judge Ross Sterling, Bishop A. Frank Smith, Gov. Price Daniel, Judge Spurgeon Bell and Judge William Blanton, Jr. The award was presented at the George Washington Birthday Celebration dinner on Feb. 22 at the Briar Club. |
St. Anne School Texas Glitz Gala a Success!
 On Feb. 24, Dr. Robert Ivany received the Crusader Award for continued support of the mission of Catholic education at the University level from St. Anne’s School in Tomball at its annual gala “Texas Glitz.” Event chair Catherine Pierce reported that “his words of encouragement and support moved the crowd of 300 plus to a very generous support of our auctions, live, silent and Big Board! Not only was this the most successful event in our school’s history, but it brought together many diverse groups from our community in celebration of our wonderful school.” |
President Ivany Inducted into Kinights of Columbus Council
 UST President Robert Ivany and Bill Cork, director of Young Adult and Campus Ministry for the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese, were newly inducted into the Knights of Columbus Fr. Vincent J. Guinan Council 13940. The council was chartered in December 2006 to serve the University of St. Thomas community. Featured in the photo (l to r are Grand Knight and UST student Luke Stuckey, Dr. Robert Ivany, Bill Cork, and Recorder and UST student Clint Mendonca. |
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