Category: 1980s

Gregory Welch, BCHS Class of 1983, writes: “I have recently returned to Indiana and taken a position as Staff Chaplain at Ascension St. Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital.” For his favorite BCHS memories, he writes: “I remember many nights of sporting events and dramatic productions—I only rarely went home after school!”. Thanks Gregory, for your updates!

With the great leadership he learned from Bishop Chatard High School, Michael Hudson, BCHS Class of 1987, was awarded the Augustus Witherspoon Award.

This award is awarded to the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity member for:
-Outstanding Leadership
-Fraternity Community Service
-Mentoring for the 2024 Georgia District.

Michael was also the first in his chapter 2025 Tau Gamma Lambda Brother of the Year.

Congratulations to Edrice Simmons, BCHS Class of 1989, who was recently named as one of 15 honored by BlackDoctors.org in the 9th annual 2024 Top Blacks in Healthcare.

The award honors those who have reached a pinnacle in their careers supporting the Black community.

Edrice is the Vice President of US Oncology at AbbVie and leads a team of over 500 professionals who are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that improve the lives of patients with cancer.

Read the full article at blackdoctor.org

Recently four moms from the 1989 graduating class of Bishop Chatard High School attended “Mom Prom” at Depauw University for the Delta Tau Delta House for a weekend of fun with their sons.

Out of the four moms, three married their “high school sweethearts” and had sons attend BCHS — amazing generations of Trojans!

Usually we think of the life of a priest as saving souls. But, Fr. Chris Wadelton, BCHS Class of 1984 and current pastor of St. Bartholomew’s Parish in Columbus, IN, went a step further to save the lives of others.

In 2020, Fr. Wadelton donated a kidney to a parishioner he had met, changing her life and that of her young family.

Seeing that change served as a primary motivation for Fr. Wadelton to donate part of his liver — even though he wouldn’t know the identity of the person he was trying to help.

Read the story of his journey through these donations and the effect they had in his and others lives in the Oct. 13, 2023 Criterion at archindy.org

Congratulations to Mary Beth (Hornak) Keiser, BCHS Class of 1987, who is the new principal at Nativity Catholic School on the southeast side of Indianapolis.

Gregory Welch, BCHS Class of 1983, has been awarded certification as a Board Certified Chaplain by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. He continues his work as a hospice and hospital chaplain for OSF Healthcare in Peoria, IL.

Congratulations to Michael Hudson, BCHS Class of 1987, on being named the 2022 Supply Chain Advocate of the Year in Georgia, for his work at Green Diamond Waste. This award recognizes the supply chain leader of a Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council corporate or government member-partner that consistently demonstrates support for minority business development, corporate spend, financial support of Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council programs, and initiatives. Additionally, the Supply Chain Advocate of the Year operates as an integral force in their organization’s Minority Supplier Diversity efforts.

Green Diamond Waste Management is a Sustainability Resource Company based in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 2007, they provide cost-saving dumpster and waste hauling solutions, consulting, and innovative solutions for their clients. The parent business was founded in Indianapolis by Arthur Hudson, and has passed on through the family, expanding with hubs in Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas.

Jim Wood, BCHS Class of 1982, was ordained a permanent deacon on July 25, 2022 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. Deacon Jim will continue to serve the poor and sick, as well as parishioners at St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church.