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AQUINAS VIGNETTES
This section adds stories provided by Aquinas students. It will be added to as additional material is accumulated. If you have a remembrance to share, send it in an email to the webmaster at sdb1215@sbcglobal.net. There must been hundreds of stories out there about student experiences that would probably fill a book.
Father Francis Clementine McKenna, O.P.
Father McKenna wore more hats at Aquinas than most people have in their closets. During my time there he was the Athletic Director, Religion, Latin and Spanish teacher, Public Relations Director, and bookstore manager. During the summers he oversaw the maintenance of the buildings and grounds and managed the summer student crew providing the labor. He was excitable, funny, and beloved by most.
Being such a busy man, he carried a key ring that had to contain scores of keys. During the spring of 1957 we had a gloriously nice day and the windows of our 3rd floor classroom were opened wide. When Father Clem entered the classroom for our religion class, he was confronted with a talkative audience which he attempted to quiet. As the din lowered a voice in the back of the room exhorted something about his bald dome. His face turned crimson. He stared the student down, took his key ring from his sash, and flung them at the offending student standing in front of the window. The student ducked just in time and the keys flew out the window like a scared bird. The silence was deafening until the now under control teacher announced that we would move the morning religion class outside to take advantage of the beautiful day God had given us. Once assembled, the offending student led us in the Rosary as we all got down on our knees and started the search for the scores of keys.
Contributed by Louis A Nobile, class 1957
Father Keefer O.P.
I'd like to share a quick memory of Fr. John Edward Keefer O.P. if I could. I had him for English class in 1964 and I remember him assigning several books by Charles Dickens for his Summer Reading program. I also enjoyed reading "Moby Dick", which always interested me in marine mammals for my later work with NOAA. He also always assigned Shakespeare, especially "The Merchant of Venice", to his classes. I also enjoyed his cheer leading efforts at basketball games where he used to shout "Huzzah!" often to the crowd. Finally, he asked his class what author they liked the best and he really liked it when I said "Jules Verne" for all his SiFi works. He was a true inspiration to me!
Contributed by Steve Holt, class 1965
You Would Think Your Safe on a City Bus
Contributed by Louis A Nobile, class 1957
Back in the late 80's, Bill Quinn, class 1960, took a long trip around the country by himself and decided to visit Dave Farenbach, same class, who lived in Seattle. One night at dinner Bill told the following story:
"During his sophomore year, Bill and two of his buddies were caught smoking on a city bus. Fr. Smith had spies everywhere and this transgression was quickly brought to his attention. Quinn and his fellow offenders were called into Fr. Smith's office for 'counseling'.
Fr Smith began the counseling by describing the transgression in a low, controlled voice while simultaneously removing his rings and watch. He calmly and quietly continued to describe the reasons why the act in question was against the rules while rolling up his sleeves. At some point, he came flying out from behind his desk, grabbed the tie of the guy on the left and delivered an open-handed round-house right to the left cheek. He would then grab the tie of the guy in the middle (Bill Quinn) ... Smack! Then the guy on the right...Smack! Then the guy in the middle (Bill)...Smack! Then the guy on the left...Smack! Back to the guy in the middle (Bill)...Smack!... on and on until Father got tired or his hand was getting sore. As he was catching his breath, Fr Smith asked the three students if they had learned anything over the last few minutes. Quinn chirped right up with; "Yes Father, I've learned never to be the guy in the middle!"
Contributed by Dave Farenbach, class 1960
Father Smith's Desk
I didn't start attending Aquinas until my sophomore year. Needless to say I had never heard about Fr. Smith. On the first day of school I arrived just before classes were to start. Walked into the main office on the ground floor where a priest was seated at a desk in the back corner. Walked back to the desk and immediately noticed the immaculate glass top. Bent over the desk placing both hands on the glass while introducing myself. Fr. Smith swiped at both my hands brushing them off his desk. He then reached into his desk drawer, pulled out a Windex bottle, and proceeded to polish his glass top while lecturing me on never to touch the desk. He then spotted a lump in my left shirt pocket immediately frisking me for cigarettes. It was my rosary case. Such was my introduction to Fr. Smith.
Contributed by Steve Brown, class 1960
Bring me the salt... George
I worked in the cafeteria during lunch hour. There were usually two priests in the lunchroom. Fr. Minichiello took money for lunches, controlled the line making sure nobody ditched and barked orders to the kitchen staff and student helpers as only he could. Fr. McKenna was the patrol boy who walked though the lunchroom making sure students behaved.
There was a separate table in the middle of the dining area where students could get various condiments. You were supposed to take your lunch to the condiment table where your applied your salt and pepper, catsup, etc. Some students were violating the rule and Fr. McKenna stopped all activity to make a very public announcement "that nothing was to be removed from the table." Just then, my friend and classmate George Allen walked into the cafeteria to get his lunch. He had missed Fr. McKenna's announcement. He worked his way through the line then headed to the condiment table. I was watching him from the back of the cafeteria. Just as he arrived I hollered "George... bring me the salt." He reached for the saltshaker... Fr. McKenna exploded as only he could. He had observed my interaction with George and knew immediately who the real culprit was. He came over my table, gave me the hardest open-hand slap I've ever experienced, and banned me from the cafeteria. During my remaining time at Aquinas, I never spoke to him and he never spoke to me.
Contributed by Steve Brown, class 1960
Where's my jacket?
I'm of the 1956 class, but as a freshman in 52, I was aware that we were not to bring coats to our last class, but to retrieve them from our locker after class. It was Spring and I had a very light jacket and was sure I could roll it up and place it under my desk with books pilled on it to make it undetectable. The last class was General Science. The Father whose name I cannot recall would teach as he walked up and down the aisles. I was the last one in the row, and became aware he had stopped behind me. He reached down and retrieved my jacket while continuing to teach, went over to the window (we were on the third floor), open the window, tossed out me jacket, and said "the next time that will be you!" Guess who never did that again for the next 4 years! Because of the discipline at Aquinas, a few years later I joined the Navy and had no trouble with the rules in Boot Camp. I will always cherish my years at Aquinas as the foundation for the rest of my years
Contributed by Jim Snyder, class 1956
Note: The priest in question mentioned above was Father Motti, a large man, who smoked big cigars.
Father Gyroscope
I am not what you call a writer with a gift for humor. My son-in-law once told me that I think I am funny, and I am not. So really what does he know? He is a meat head anyhow. So hidden in all the folklore of Aquinas is my story. I hope it gives you a chuckle or two. Yes, I ran it by my son-in-law but no I didn’t even get one chuckle. Imagine for a moment those early days of school when summer hot days lingered on until fall finally came about. It was one of those days when Fr decided he needed to open all the windows to bring in some fresh air.
Well Fr on that day showed us his gyroscope from his tour of service in the Navy. I think he described it as a device used for measuring or maintaining orientation and angular velocity. I saw it as a weapon when he started spinning its wheel in such a way that on its axis it was freely rotating wildly and threateningly. He announced that if we didn’t settle down and take our new school year seriously, he had a plan for those unlucky students where he detected any deviation. Yes, that seemingly holy Dominican priest would have that unfortunate student opens his chops and have that student bite down on that spinning wheel. Well, I wanted no part of that friar or his mid-evil gyroscope. So, I took one shuddering sigh and hunkered down for once.
That didn’t last long with all the windows open. Guess what happens when windows have no screens, and it is Aquinas. One thirsty hornet flies in at that moment to find one fearful dude. Yes, that hornet made a beeline straight for me as if it could smell my fear?? I held my breath as the hornet hovered right above my head, saying a prayer to Saint Francis that I would turn invisible to avoid the buzzing and that hornet. Alas, however the hornet made its way to me, but hovering, taunting, teasing. Finally, after holding my breath and closing my eyes, I felt the flying creature land right between my eyes. So, with a hornet crawling between my eyes and heading south on my nose I was ready for action.
I swear that hornet was having a laugh itching ever so close to struck me on the tip of my nose. So, what do you do when the entire class was in stitches and all eyes were on me. I thought of Fr Smith., He might enjoy this outcome and pounce on me for failing to swat that intruder.
However, it wasn’t Fr Smith but Fr Gyroscope who was watching me and seemingly holding the threatening gyroscope for me to see. He said if I even attempted to move an undeveloped muscle to swat it, I might have the gyroscope to chomp down on. So, the entire class was watching this hoping to see who would win. Fr Gyroscope bellowed out for me to freeze, not to move, or I would be the first to chomp.
The hornet was amused, for I swear I heard it chuckle, seeming to taunt me with a promise that swatting would give my classmates a good show. But that hornet did not stand a chance since in all my four years at Aquinas I feared those men in Priestley white so much so that I would gladly take a hornet sting over the castigation from any priest. I froze for what seemed like a lifetime, sweat dripping down my temple. The entire class gazed at me from my periphery with amusement and relief that they were not me. Father Gyroscope picked up his tool of torture and strode toward me eagerly awaiting my failure. As he approached, I prayed a silent prayer and thanked the Lord; my prayer was answered. It was either an answered prayer or maybe the hornet was bored because he decided he would be better off flying away to the safety of the outside. As I breathed a sigh of relief, Fr Gyroscope could not hide his disappointment at missing the chance to use his treasured spinning wheel on my chops.
Contributed by Ed Price Class of 1964
Moments to Remember.
I would work during the Summers at Aquinas for tuition. It was the summer between Junior/Senior year around 2nd week in August. I was working near the Track across from Aquinas Hall when I saw one of our assistant football coaches walking toward me. I said, 'hey' - 'I need a break' let's sit on the steps for a chat". We spent about 50 Minutes discussing many things. He was wondering if any football practice was
scheduled for the day. I said ' not sure in this heat '. He said he was going to be leaving and wanted to say 'Good By'. I said, 'oh no' I wanted you to be my coach - 'I need all the help I can get' (I was a little on the "Light Side") He said, 'no' I just came to say 'Good-by' I said, 'that's disappointing". What do you think you might do? I am planning to go to New York. 'I said, why?' I understand more people are leaving there than coming. He said 'I think I am going into baseball" I said, "more people are getting into Football than Baseball. He said that He just might buy a team. I thought he was teasing. He said 'No' I am serious. Many years later when I had to take complete machine shop equipment to American Ship Building in Elyria, Ohio, I did not know who George Steinbrenner was.
Contributed by Frank Lageman Class of 1962
Who do you like in the 5th race?
Mike Montoney (class of 62) told me this story more than once: As he entered a classroom, the teacher told him, in pretty much no uncertain terms, that he needed to stay in the room after the class was ended and everyone else had left. There was obviously going to be a serious discussion. Mike thought to himself "Am I in trouble? Am I going to get a failing grade in this class?" As ordered, Mike nervously stayed after class. The Dominican teacher, after the room was empty, except for the 2 of them, then reached into his sleeve and pulled out a racing program, probably from Beaulah Park, opened it up, and to Mike's astonishment said something like "Who do you like in the 5th race?" Mike was from Grove City, and I believe his family-owned racehorses, and consequently it was his advice that was sought!
Contributed by Joe Cordiano Class of 1962
Louie the Rat
So many memories, and so many forgotten. So many classmates, and so many passed on. Aquinas prepared me for the military and the war I served in 1967, and 1968.
I
recall a young Friar named Sullivan, and not always fondly. He was a tough priest and occasionally showed an aggressive streak. Some called him “Louie the Rat.”
After classes ended, some of us North Enders boarded a city bus at Cleveland Ave and Mt. Vernon. One of my classmates exclaimed loudly “the driver looks like Louie the Rat.” After a few stops the bus driver, not liking what he overheard, pulled over, approached us Aquinians and threw us off the bus. The location of our brusque removal was Fort Hayes where, not too long afterward, several of us that were unceremoniously removed from that bus would be inducted into the military.
Contributed by Michael J. West, class of 1965
My First days at Aquinas and My Successful Classmates
This was the beginning of my high school education. The year was 1949. My first day of classes was in the main building which was used to govern facilities of the campus, the gymnasium, and the classrooms. My first class was religion in a classroom on the 3rd floor on the north side of the building. We were seated alphabetically. I was in the 3rd seat from the front behind two other students. I cannot remember the name of the teacher, but it could have been Father Skalko who, it was said, as a young man worked the docks of New York.
Little did I know that for that entire first year I would be sitting behind Ed Carfagna and Jim Corrova who would become Godfathers to very successful and large restaurants and food handling services in Columbus, Ohio.
Contributed by Richard L. Dunkel Class of 1953
AQUINAS COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
When I graduated from Roosevelt Junior High School, my father wanted me to attend Bexley High School just like he did. But we didn't live in Bexley, so my father registered me with my grandparents' address. For one month I attended classes there and hated every minute I was there. Several of the teachers there actually remembered my father and I didn't even make a single friend. Then I was called to the principal's office. Where do you live? I told them my grandparents' address, but the principal didn't believe me because someone squealed on me! Empty your locker and don't come back! I tried to look sad, but I was so glad to get out of that place. Of course I had to go to some school, but where? To a Colurnbus public school? My father knew a number of railroaders who had sent then sons to Aquinas College High School. After a number of phone calls, we had an appointment at Aquinas. lt was decided that I would go to Aquinas the very next day. Now here's a problem, wasn't Catholic! So, on Monday I got on public transportation and asked how to get to Aquinas. lt was easy with one transfer. I got to Aquinas on time and checked in, got my schedule, bought my books and t loved every minute of the next three years! I was at Bexley for one month and didn't make a single friend, but I made many friends at Aquinas the first week. Not being Catholic was a benefit because I didn't have to take religion classes. I am sorry that I didn't take religion classes now, but I was afraid that I would be at a disadvantage being the only non-Catholic in the class. What I did find was that Bexley High School was way behind Aquinas. I had to work well into the night trying to catch up in my lessons. At Bexley in Latin class, they were doing grammal but Aquinas had long ago finished grammar and was well into reading Caesar's Gallic Wars. Plane geometry at Bexley was defining shapes while Aquinas was doing theorems. I did catch up in my classes and f enjoyed everyday there. There was an embarrassment for me at Aquinas. My Uncle Lawrence was a State School lnspector for the State of Ohio. He came to Aquinas each year that I was there and the priests would have him sit in on my classes, and I would be called upon in each of those classes, I am glad that they asked easy questions. After college, I was employed as a Professor of Geology at the State University of New York, College at Cortland. Newsletters would tell about Aquinas lunches at the TAI how I wish I could be there. When I retired, the class of 1956 was having its 60th reunion. I filled out an application to attend! Greg Swepston asked for some information about me and he sent information about some of my classmates. As it turned out, I was probably the last person to arrive at the reunion and many of my old friends came to the door to greet me. Then Greg introduced me Iike l was a visiting celebrity! Aquinas graduates still meet monthly. In the last seven years I have won the 50/50 raffle four times. The raffle provides scholarships for Catholic students who want to go to Catholic schools. I always turn back my winnings so that kids can have the benefit of a Catholic education as I had. At one of our TAT lunches last year, a friend who had graduated the year before me was talking about how some of the priests would slap the students. '!im, did you ever get slapped?" Yes, I got slapped! The guys at the table couldn't believe that I had gotten slapped, you have to know me. Actually, I took it as a badge of honor to get slapped
Contributed by James E. Bugh
HAZING AND INITIATION
ln my first month at Aquinas, it was the lunch period, and all of the students were waiting on the first floor for the bell to ring for the start of the next class period. When my books and paper went flying. I grabbed the closest object, which was the arm of one if the cool guy football players. I twisted his arm and he went to his knees. I told him to pick up my books! The football team in unison said he didn't have to. It twisted a little more and he picked up my books and papers. I have often thought about this event. Was the cool guy, a bully or was l? The event was not malicious but a prank. So maybe I was the bully. The 'cool guy' at any other time could have easily beaten me up in any way. After that event, I was never taken lightly. And the football team always wanted to sit next to me during exams. And Little Joe wrote in my yearbook, "Good luck and thanks a lot. Ha Ha.
Contributed by James E. Bugh
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT DRESSING FOR GYM CLASS
There was a time when we had gym class with 30 guys and one basketball on one court. As I was growing up, I was always the last one picked to be on a team. lt was no different at Aquinas. There were others in my gym class who also were never considered stars in athletics. One day as we were preparing for gym class, about six of us in that category of not being much of an athlete decided not to dress for gym that day. So, we were loitering in the locker room, waiting for the period to end when a priest came into the locker room. "What are you doing here?" Of course, he knew what we were doing. "Go see Father Smith!" Of course, you know that Father Smith was Dean of Discipline. We went to Father Smith's office and stood in a lineup. lf you knew Father Smith, you know what we expected! First in line was Jim Downey. Jim was much taller than me and he may have weighed 100 pounds more than me. Father Smith asked Jim what his excuse for not dressing for gym was. Jim began a lengthy story about his playing Santa Claus at Lazarus. His gym clothes were in his duffel bag that was left at Lazarus the day before. lt sounded good to me but Father Smith slapped Jim and that slap sent Jim across the room. What would it do to 170-pound weakly kid like me? I was next! "Bugh, what's your excuse?" "Father, I don't have an excuse." Here it comes, I brace for the slap! 'Oh, OK." and he went on to the next kid. ln three years, I never got slapped by Father Smith. Sixty some years later, I was at one of our monthly Aquinas lunches and talking to a friend who had done some odd jobs in and around Father Smith's office. He told me that 'all of the priests loved rne' because I was smart and never caused problems
Contributed by James E. Bugh
