RHODES SCHOLARS — From left: Otto Lang, Rhodes Scholar of 1953; JanaLee Cherneski, Rhodes Scholar 2004; STM President Dr. Terrence Downey; Anne Kelly, Rhodes Scholar of 2012; and Henry Kloppenburg, Rhodes Scholar of 1968. (STM photo)
Rhodes Scholars feted
By Dianne Anton and Kip Yaworski
SASKATOON — A celebration was recently held at St. Thomas More College in Saskatoon to recognize nine graduates of the Catholic college who have been chosen as Rhodes Scholars over the years.
Four of the nine former STM students were on hand for the celebration weekend, which included a supper Sept. 15, mass Sept. 16 and the unveiling of a plaque commemorating Rhodes Scholars at STM.
STM Rhodes Scholars who attended the event were Otto Lang (1953), a retired lawyer and former member of Parliament and cabinet member; retired lawyer Henry Kloppenburg (1968); JanaLee Cherneski (2004); who recently completed her doctoral studies at Brasenose College, Oxford; and Anne Kelly, STM’s most recent Rhodes Scholar (2012).
Other Rhodes Scholars from STM include a professor of the college, the late J. Francis Leddy (who was a 1933 Rhodes Scholar); as well as former students Bernard M. Wolfe, a physician and researcher who was a Rhodes Scholar in 1958; retired law professor Jerome Atrens (1960), physician and researcher Erik Pioro (1980), and Canadian diplomat Donald Bobiash (1984).
The Rhodes Scholarship is a postgraduate awards program that permits outstanding students from around the world to attend Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Criteria for the award, established in 1903 by Cecil Rhodes, focus on intellect, character, leadership and commitment to service.
“STM is honoured to celebrate excellence as personified by the Rhodes Scholars who have studied with us over the years,” said STM President Dr. Terrence Downey. “The superb scholarship, leadership abilities and disciplined habits of mind, body and spirit that they exemplify inspire all who come to study at STM. We are fortunate indeed to have such accomplished and distinguished role models for our students and, indeed, for all who are called to serve at STM as faculty and staff.”
Lang said that it was because of his professor Francis J. Leddy (also a recipient of the scholarship), that he applied for the opportunity to study at Oxford.
Cherneski said that she was inspired by the community spirit she experienced at St. Thomas More College at the University of Saskatchewan. “I took STM as the ideal model, and tried to recreate the sense of community I experienced at STM with me to Oxford."
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