Alumni Share #WhyJCU Stories

Emmett “Bud” Feely ‘55

My decision to enroll at John Carroll University was one of the best decisions of my entire life !

Sixty nine years ago this coming September my parents drove me from Detroit, Michigan to University Heights, Ohio where I then embarked on a four year experience that shaped...and enriched my future life.

During those four years I grew intellectually...spiritually....socially....was instilled with moral values...and urged to become a “ A MAN FOR OTHERS “.

This year we were to celebrate our 65th reunion of our graduation class.   I...and my surviving  fellow graduates are now 86 or 87 years of age.

While at JCU  we forged friendships that have endured thru all these years. Within the past week I have spoked to 7 of my former classmates, including my roommate for two years in Bernet Hall.  Over the years a group of us has vacationed together in Florida, and also in northern Michigan.

During our college years the military draft was in effect  for all able-bodied, non- deferred young men.  John Carroll’s military ROTC program was mandatory for the first two years of the then, all male student body.   Because of the draft law, the majority of students continued to be deferred in ROTC for our Junior and Senior years.  During the summer between  our Junior and Senior years we were obligated to endure 8 weeks of “boot camp “....or, our basic training at Fort Eustis, Virginia.  We went through this challenging time together as a separate JCU  military Company.   This collective experience obviously drew us further together as friends, students, and soldiers.

The day following graduation, in June of 1955, we were commissioned as Officers in the U. s. Army.  We went on to serve on active duty, some of us stationed together, which furthered our bonds of friendship.

The JESUIT influence on my life has been overwhelming !  My father attended the Jesuit’s St. Louis University. My brother, Tom, graduated from JCU in 1957. One of his daughters, SR. Katherine Feely, is currently on the staff of John Carroll.  Each of our six children is JESUIT educated.   Four of our nine grandchildren are Jesuit educated....our granddaughter Maura Farr graduated from JCU in 2017, and her brother Charley Farr is now finishing his Junior year at JCU. Each of our three sons-in-law is a product of a Jesuit University ( Fordham University in NY, And two from LeMoyne College in Syracuse N.Y. ). Our daughter, Colleen currently serves on the Board of Trustees for LeMoyne College.   Additionally, each of my 5 brothers-in-law is Jesuit educated.

Fr. William J. Millor SJ  was my friend, and my  Dorm  Prefect  in Bernet Hall.   He presided for us at our wedding in Gesu Church in Detroit 63 years ago.  Millor Hall on Carroll’s campus is named in his honor.

During my 23 year retirement I have enjoyed continuing my Jesuit involvement by volunteering at their Retirement community , Columbiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan.

During these years I have reconnected with former Jesuit Priests from JCU, as well from my high school....University of Detroit Jesuit High School.

Among those Jesuit retirees are Fr. Howard Kerner, SJ...Fr. Joe Loftus, SJ...Fr. Hugh Rodman, SJ...Fr. Henry Birkenhauer, SJ...Fr. Tom Bieker, SJ...Fr. Peter Deanne,SJ...Fr.Dick Twohigg SJ...and Fr. Joseph Schell, SJ.

As  freshmen, three of my U of D Jesuit High School and I lived in Rodman  Hall.  Fr Schell lived across the hall from us and he and I forged a friendship that continued until years later during his residence at COLUMBIERE.   I. Visited with him there three days before he died.  At one time he served as President of John Carroll, and today,  The Jesuit residence at JCU is named in his honor ....Schell Hall.

I thank God, The Holy Spirit, and my parents often for providing me with my John Carroll University experience....and I encourage anyone considering to become a “ BLUE STREAK “ to proceed with the admission process.

Bishop Neal Buckon ‘75

I was looking forward to joining classmates at our 45th Class Reunion June 5th-7th, 2020.  However, this event is not possible due to the current situation.

May 25th, 1975 was an important date in my life.  It was the day I received a diploma from JCU; and the day I was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.

I have 28 years of service in the Army, and I served in three branches: the Transportation Corps, the Infantry, and the Chaplain Corps.

During my Senior Year at JCU I first heard the call to the ministerial priesthood.

John Carroll University was key and essential in preparing me to serve both God & Country.  I will be forever grateful to my Alma Mater!

Richard Timbers ’50

It's 1943...I dropped out of High School...I enlisted in the USMC...in l946 I am Honorably Discharged from the USMC....after serving in the Pacific....and the occupation of Japan...  I applied to John Carroll ...surprisingly ...after several interviews... I am accepted...I Graduated ...class of l950...Thank you John Carroll...you made my life.

Rick Dodson ‘59

Not a lot of on-campus photos as I was a day hop. But, I did find a few taken during my ROTC summer camp at Fort Eustis, VA in 1957. Some of the water craft classes were held at Fort Story. During summer camp much of the required training was dedicated to water craft operations along the beach at Fort Story. Weekends there allowed opportunities to swim, fish and/or sun bathe. During one of those weekends A group of classmates were walking the beach and came upon a baby shark that had washed up on the beach. It afforded a photo opportunity and served as a basis for some wild tales.

David Nigles ‘54

I graduated in 1954, was commissioned as an ROTC Reserve 2nd Lt., reported for active duty at Fort Belvoir, VA in September of the same year. I had married my high school sweetheart in 1953, Peggy,  she and our daughter lived off base in Arlington.

My JCU life included meeting Don Shula in a class he had to take to get his degree, can’t recall the class. I liked the idea of being able to attend mass each morning, something I did in the JCU Chapel for many years, the celebrant became a dear friend, a retired priest living out his years at JCU, can’t recall his name.

Peggy died in 1965, in 1966 I remarried, my secretary while General Manager of the Terminal Tower. I had been a builder for years, but in 1965 I moved into CRE and had a 50 year career in this field, moved to Denver in 1983, moved to Hawaii in 2018 after my second wife died in 2014. I have 8 children, 8 Grandchildren, and 2 Great Grandchildren.

I consider the 4 years I spent at JCU as 4 of the best years of my life, why? A complete education in the best sense, spiritual, practical, useful.

Jimmy DeClerk ‘61

When I started at Carroll the dorms were full so I lived for a couple of months off campus with a nice local family.  When dorm space opened up for me it was to a 3 man room #007 in the basement of Dolan Hall.  (At that time we had not yet heard of James Bond.)We 3 got along well.  In those days Carroll was all men except in night school. 

  I majored in Business/Transportation Management.  Army ROTC was mandatory for years 1 & 2.  Coincidentally, it was the Army Transportation Corps only.  I did some track and basketball but not well enough to be a star.  I mowed lawns, worked part time in the cafe, and later drove a beer truck to make some money.  I joined and enjoyed the Glee Club - great group of guys.  Also joined the Rifle Team and eventually became Captain.  The 50' indoor range was in the old ROTC building.  I also wanted to be a competitive swimmer but alas, Carroll had no pool or swim team.  I did much later become a SCUBA Instructor, after Army active duty. 

  Philosophy classes and the Logic course were enjoyable.  I filled in for my Spanish prof. when he was away.  The Trans Mgt. classes were small, about 10 students and the Business School was in the old wooden Gym.  I stayed in ROTC and enjoyed the monthly check.  Another source of income for me was the Cleveland Clinic.  They paid $50 per pint of my rare O Negative blood!

  As a junior, I bought a green 1950 Plymouth sedan that needed a transmission, which I got a a junk yard and swapped in the parking lot with borrowed tools.  $50 for the car and $20 for the tranny and I could drive myself and classmates to and fro and home to Rochester, NY for holidays.  Couldn't afford insurance!

  Class of 1961, I graduated, was commissioned as an Army LT and spent the next 2 years "fighting" the Cold War from a base in Mannheim, Germany.  Then, after 26 more years in the Active Reserve, the Army retired me as an LTC while I pursued a parallel 40 year civilian career with Eastman Kodak Co.  My career highlight with Kodak being helping the Company as Logistics Director to create a world class photo materials factory in Xiamen, China, an exciting 3 1/2 year endeavor.

  While in Germany, I met my lovely wife of over 50 years.  Our now middle aged daughters are happily married, successful in their endeavors and are raising a small flock of grand kids, the oldest of whom will graduate from college this year.  We are enjoying semi retirement with our several rental units, our home near the beach in S. CA, our remote cabin in the Sierra, our desert home in Palm Springs and our family cottage in the Finger Lakes.

  Thanks, Carroll, for building the foundation to support this life of ours.  Thanks to my parents who taught me and my siblings how to behave and the value of work.  And thanks to Our Lord for the many blessings we enjoy.