Category: 1970s

Dan Dumbacher, BCHS Class of 1977, has been appointed executive director of the world’s largest aerospace technical society, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). As executive director, he will lead the organization’s 70-person professional staff and oversee its $20 million annual budget. Dan joins AIAA from Purdue University, where he serves as professor of Engineering Practice in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He became a faculty member at Purdue after retiring from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where he spent more than three decades. At NASA, Dan most recently served as deputy associate administrator in the Exploration Systems Development Division for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. In that capacity, he provided leadership and management as the program director for exploration systems development encompassing the Space Launch System, Orion, and Ground Systems Development and Operations development and integration efforts. Previously, Dan managed the Engineering Directorate at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, which supported the Space Shuttle program’s propulsion elements, design and development of Ares launch vehicles, oversight of NASA’s Payload Operations Center, and supported all Marshall Space Flight Center International Space Station and science missions. He also was deputy director of the Ares Projects Office and, before that, was deputy director for product assurance in the safety and mission assurance office, focusing on Space Shuttle return-to-flight efforts. Other assignments included manager of the X-37 Flight Demonstrator, deputy manager of the Space Launch Initiative Program, and program manager of the Second Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle Program, among other roles. Honors at NASA include being awarded the coveted Silver Snoopy Award, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service. He twice received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, in 2002 for accomplishments related to NASA’s Space Launch Initiative Program, and in 1997 for his work on the DC-XA Project. Purdue University recognized him with the Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Award in 2003, and with the W.A. Gustafson Teaching Award in 2015. Congratulations, Dan, on an accomplished career and this important position.

BCHS Trojan Joe Underwood, a Trojan for several years until he moved to Florida, is among the 50 finalists for the Global Teacher Prize for the ‘best teacher in the world’. See all nominees from around the world here. Joe has stayed in touch with his Class of 1971 and we all congratulate him on this amazing honor!

Greg Fehribach, BCHS Class of 1976, has recently been honored for his work in creating accessible environments for those with physical and sensory disabilities. The Eskenazi Health and Eskenazi Health Foundation has announced a $1.5 million grant from Lilly Endowmnent Inc. to expand their Initiative for Empowerment and Economic Independence (IEEI) with the ultimate goal of establishing the new Gregory S. Fehribach Center for Empowerment and Economic Independence by 2019. The Eskenazi Health Program empowers Indiana college students with physical and sensory disabilities to find gainful, sustainable and equitable employment through diverse internship opportunities. Read more at EskenaziHealth.edu

This alumni from the Class of 1973 writes: “After 44 years of reporting to corporate America, I will be retiring on September 5, 2017. Shortly thereafter, my wife, Cindy and I are planning a five-week tour of the west and northwest US and Canada. I suspect that much wine will be consumed along the way! After that, back to Detroit where I will begin construction of my model railroad. Follow my progress at www.jaysmodelrailroad.com.” Thank you Jay and enjoy retirement!

Bob Beck, BCHS Class of 1979, shares this information: “I retired at the end of June (2017) after 35 years of Government service – 4 in the USAF followed by 31 as a Government Civilian. My wife and I have spent 26 of the past 27 years overseas serving in U.S. Embassies across the world (Prague, Vienna, Sofia, Athens, Paris, Damascus, Baghdad, and Bangkok). Although I’ve retired, we head right back overseas at the end of July as my wife has a 2-year posting to the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. It is a great big world out there!” Enjoy retirement and travels!

The business of being Indiana’s First Lady has Karen (Batton) Pence, Bishop Chatard High School Class of 1975, wearing a variety of hats. Now, as she supports her husband, Governor Mike Pence, in his run for vice president of the United States, the demands on her time will, undoubtedly, continue to grow. Karen keeps life in balance by applying the advice she gives to others: Find a job that fits with your gifts and your passion, and you will honor God and be happy. The mother of three spent 25 years as an art teacher in Indiana and Washington, D.C., before trading her art supplies for, among other things, historical dress that she often dons when visiting classrooms across the state as the official ambassador for Indiana’s Bicentennial Commission. In her role as First Lady, Karen is involved in a variety of diverse programs including serving as the honorary chair of the Art Therapy Initiative at Riley Children’s Hospital and as a member of the Riley Children’s Foundation board. As the wife of Donald Trump’s running mate, Karen recognizes that her schedule may feel the impact of the presidential campaign, but she said that serving Indiana remains her priority. “I am extremely honored to continue to touch lives of Indiana families through my initiatives, foundation and as Indiana’s Bicentennial Ambassador,” she said. (more…)

Jorge Gutierrez shares that he is the proud father of 3 wonderful young men, Jorge Evan (26),Jonathan (24) and Jared (22)!!! From the photo, it looks like he is quit a successful fisherman too! Thanks for the great photo, Jorge!

Congratulations to Martin Kavanaugh, BCHS Class of 1971, on his second book, ‘Mr. Satisfactory, Memoirs of an Excellent Life’, published in 2015. Mr. Satisfactory is an autobiography and history of growing up in a large family in Indianapolis, as he takes you through the ‘shenanigans and mischief’ that a boy can get into in twelve years of parochial education. Martin’s first book, ‘A Hockey Road Well Traveled’, was published in 2009.