We’re proud to celebrate the 2025 class of Distinguished Alumni, remarkable individuals who live out CJ’s mission through faith, service, and leadership. Their impact inspires our community and reflects the heart of a Catholic, Marianist, and Notre Dame education.
The honor is bestowed upon alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievements and service— a testament to the positive impact they have made. This year’s recipients will be recognized at the Distinguished Alumni Ceremony held on Saturday, August 9.
Janice (Dorsey) Allen ’74 — Professional Achievement
“Janice has gone well beyond her job and personal responsibilities to ensure everyone is treated equitably and has the resources and opportunities to pursue their dreams and aspirations. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she has a strong history of community service.”
– Joyce Kenner
Janice (Dorsey) Allen vividly remembers being taught to “go out in the world and use our time, talent and treasures to help others.” She took that advice to heart.
Both professionally and personally, Allen has made an impact on the community. From a CJ student to her role as the treasurer/chief financial officer for the Trotwood Madison School District, Allen has been a trailblazer.“I tell my children Sean ’05 and Evan ’06 that one of the things that I am most proud of is being affiliated with the first graduating class of CJ,” she said. “Being an African American female amongst a majority of students that didn’t look like me, I learned to hold my head high, navigate through covert racism and dispel stereotypes. I learned perseverance, determination and how to truly discern who is in my corner.”Allen went on to blaze trails as one of only 40 women selected from across the country to participate in the University of Dayton’s re-entry engineering program for women with math and science degrees in 1979. And she currently represents less than 1 percent of all African Americans and less than 25 percent of all women school treasurers in the State of Ohio.
Beyond her professional achievements, Allen has a strong history of community service. She earned the distinction of being a YWCA Woman of Influence in 2018 and was named one of Dayton’s Favorite Community Role Models by the Opera Guild of Dayton that same year. She has been instrumental in raising funds for St. Benedict Moor Catholic School and served on the Montgomery County Developmental Disabilities Board. And her continued involvement at CJ is something she treasures.
“Immersing myself in all aspects of the CJ life—as a parent, president of the parents association, member of the CJ Board of Trustees, a long-time member of the Eagle Council and chairing our 50th class reunion last year— has demonstrated my commitment to this institution,” she said. “One of my goals was not only to represent my class, but also to serve as an example to others.”
The CJ legacy is one she shares with several members of her family including her sisters, Dr. Joyce Kenner and Sharon Dorsey; brother, James Dorsey; her sons and her cousin. And her Eagles family only continues to grow.
“CJ has become another family to me that I will forever cherish for all of the wonderful experiences and opportunities.”
Jane Bohman ’84 — Professional Achievement
“Jane has a strong sense of justice flowing from personal convictions rooted in both scripture and the teachings of the Catholic faith. For Jane, her good works underlie her faith. She is a witness to the role that Catholic women play in working toward the betterment of society.”
– Sister Jeanette Buehler, CPPS
While much has changed in the more than four decades since Jane Bohman graduated, the foundation of justice that began at CJ continues to guide her every day as she has been dedicated to the pursuit of social justice as an attorney, public policy advocate and citizen.
“I was taught about the injustices inherent in oppressive social relationships and the need for Catholics to respond to such injustices,” she said. “I was given the confidence to challenge myself at each stage of my education and career and to work for a better world.”
Bohman served as executive director of the Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty from 2000-2008, expanding the statewide grassroots organization that educated the public about the flaws and injustices in the Illinois capital punishment system and promoted humane alternatives to the death penalty. She testified before numerous legislative bodies in favor of the abolition of the death penalty and appeared on national news outlets. Under her leadership, the Coalition played a critical role in the historic process that began with Illinois Governor George Ryan placing a moratorium on executions in 2000 and led to his commutation of all 167 state death sentences and the pardon and release of three innocent death row inmates in 2003. This remains the largest blanket commutation of death sentences in American history and was a major milestone in the ongoing national movement to abolish capital punishment.
After spending 24 years in Chicago, Bohman returned to the Miami Valley in 2008 with her son Michael, quickly becoming an active volunteer and advocate. She serves as the coordinator of the Dayton Homicide Prayer Vigil, secretary of the Board of Directors of Ohioans to Stop Executions and co-convenor of the Miami Valley Chapter of Ohioans to Stop Executions.
“This recognition is meaningful to me because it acknowledges the importance of the issues I have worked on, particularly the abolition of the death penalty,” Bohman said.
Bohman is humbled by the recognition and grateful to those who were part of her CJ journey.
“I’m grateful to my friend Barry Flanik for nominating me and proud to represent the Class of 1984 which is full of good and talented people,” she said. “And my parents, Jerry and Carol Bohman, who valued Catholic education and sent their eight children to CJ.”
Mary Garman ‘79 – Professional Achievement Award
“What makes Mary the perfect recipient of this honor is not just what is on her resume but what I believe brings her the most joy— service to others. Mary truly has a Marianist heart and is an amazing servant leader. She has a quiet sense about her but is so special. Most of all, Mary Garman lives and breathes the charisms that represent this award.”
– Sharon White
Love and loss are interwoven in Mary (Moeder) Garman’s Chaminade Julienne story.
“My senior year I was one of two girls in my drafting class and, although I was terrible at drafting, it’s where I got to know my future husband, Gary Garman,” she said. “Our first date was senior prom and our love for each other has carried us through for 43 years, three children and five grandchildren.”
One year earlier, during her junior year, Garman experienced the unexpected deaths of a few classmates, including one of her best friends.
“Faith and friends were my saving graces,” Garman said. “I had and continue to have several great friends who shared in this pain together. Our annual trips to Calvary Cemetery for reflection and prayer at gravesites remind us of the bonds we have together.”
Later that same year, her father passed away unexpectedly.
“Death and dying were far too frequent; however, I believe those experiences helped shape my calling as a nurse,” Garman said. “I spent the first 20 years of my career in pediatric critical care. It was my passion to work with families in crisis.”
Garman later moved into the healthcare executive ranks and now has two businesses—ME&Garman Consulting, LLC, which focuses on business consulting and executive coaching, and ThriveWise 360, helping people age with wisdom and wellness. From nurse to chief operating officer and now entrepreneur, Garman’s professional path has changed over time, but her passion to serve others has been a constant.
“The work Mary did inside the walls of our hospitals was never enough to fulfill her calling of serving others,” White said. “There was never a time when I asked Mary to represent Premier out in the community at a function or on a board when she did not say yes.”
The United Way of Greater Dayton has been a priority for Garman as she has invested her time and talent with the organization for many years.
“I’ve committed much of my time serving on boards for non-profit organizations,” Garman said. “One of my favorite boards was the CJ Board of Trustees where I served as chair of the Mission Effectiveness Advisory Council. Sister Kim Dalgarn certainly taught me a lot about the organization and helped me to better understand the history of the Sisters of Notre Dame and the Marianists.”
Sister Donna Jurick ’57 — Professional Achievement
“The ripple effect of her work is highly significant. So many lives have been influenced and enhanced by her efforts over the years— facilitating change, fostering goodness, and engendering hope all in the spirit of CJ’s motto ‘to love, learn, and lead through a living faith, academic excellence, and moral responsibility.’”
– Sister Jean Stoner, NDNU
Assistant professor, vice president, college president and, more recently, chair of the Student Learning and Success Board Committee at Notre Dame de Namur University— the titles varied but Sister Donna Jurick’s passion was a constant.
“She brings her passion for education, commitment to student success and belief in the power of community to her work,” Stoner said. “Whether championing new academic initiatives, monitoring student support services, integrating mission into discussions or lending a thoughtful voice in pivotal moments, Sister Donna leads with grace, strength and purpose.”
After spending decades at St. Edward University in Texas, Sister Donna returned to Cincinnati in 2020 and recently completed a five-year term as part of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Ohio Province Leadership Team. Upon reflection, she is appreciative of her Julienne education.
“I have always known and often explicitly described the way especially competitive debate and extemporaneous speaking have informed my life of ministry as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur,” she said. “The excellent educational grounding I received in Julienne’s classrooms was significant preparation for further study culminating in a doctorate in communication and organizational theory.”
While Sister Donna is grateful for all the Julienne religious and lay teachers she had, it’s Mary Elizabeth Jones – both her teacher and competitive debate and forensic coach—who had the greatest impact on her careers in teaching and education administration.
“Debate taught the importance of knowing the facts and working out of the comprehensive picture even as you managed the details and attended collaboratively to the requirements of the moment as you addressed also the long-term goal and the adjustments required to keep that long-term goal on track,” Sister Donna said. “My position as a university president and vice president often required public speaking, both prepared and extemporaneous, which given my background I enjoyed.”
And it was at Julienne that she continued to build a strong faith foundation nurtured by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
“I am grateful for both Julienne’s initial preparation and the opportunities I have had to build on it throughout long years in ministry as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur.”
Tony Ricciuto ’74 — Chaminade Julienne Community Award
“Whether it’s a brief encounter at a CJ event or game, text message exchanges or meeting up to play golf, for me “Coach” (Tony Ricciuto) continues to exemplify the values and character of CJ that were impressed upon me many years ago as a student. As he continues in his role as a teacher at CJ, it validates his inherent character and life-long devotion to Chaminade Julienne.” – Brian Bensman, ’92
As a teacher, coach and advisor, Tony Ricciuto has been a CJ mainstay for more than three decades. That longevity, however, does not mean complacency.
“He continually works at learning new methods to improve his teaching and to keep up with changing times,” said Angela Ruffolo, CJ social studies department chair and senior activities coordinator. “He is an excellent social studies teacher, and he has touched the lives of thousands of students.”
Bensman, who recently joined the Chaminade Julienne Board of Trustees, is one of those students.
“As I reflect on how I can most effectively serve and support CJ in this role, Tony Ricciuto is one of the people who provides the inspiration and exemplifies the type of impact I aspire to have in my service to CJ,” Bensman said.
The accolades and recognition are humbling to Ricciuto.
“This is quite an honor,” he said. “I always look at the photos whenever I walk by and I’m so honored to be in the Athletic Hall of Fame and now receiving the Distinguished Alumni honor is incredible to me.”
While many have been impacted by Ricciuto, the longtime educator remembers vividly the impact of his own teachers.
“Fuzzy Faust, Pat Conner, Maureen Eid and Mickey McFadden, they were fair to their students and great at providing motivation,” he said. “Mrs. Eid taught me to love reading history books.”
And the learning has never stopped for Ricciuto who continues to build on the lessons learned from his colleagues, past and present, including Tom Hoefler (Carroll High School), Joe Staley, and Angela Ruffolo.
“Tom was a ‘mentor’ teacher back then, even though we did not officially have one. Joe had a love for teaching—sometimes rare when you also coach—and has been a dear friend since 1986. Our children grew up together and all attended CJ. Angela is a wonderful role model and puts in a lot of time outside of class. ”
Now a role model himself, Ricciuto waxes philosophical about his profession. “Teaching is fun and sad—every year I get older, and the students I’m teaching are always the same age.”
Randal Romie ’74 — Professional Achievement
“Randal is a respected landscape architect whose life and work exemplifies the integration of the deeply held Catholic values he learned at CJ. He creates spaces that nurture the spiritual and communal well-being of those who experience them, truly embodying the principles of faith-informed design.”
– Risa Wright
Faith has been at the forefront of Romie’s career, even reflected in the name of his business.
“My company’s name is Designature—only God designs nature, and my God-given talents emulate from God’s grace through me to bring people closer to Him through nature.”
Romie has come a long way from cutting grass in his neighborhood while attending Precious Blood, and later Chaminade Julienne, to a respected business owner and member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
Little did he know when taking Fuzzy Faust’s drafting class all those years ago that it would help propel him along this path.
“The drawing and lettering required in his class was the exact experience that I needed when I committed to a degree in landscape architecture at Ohio State University,” he said. “I spent one winter semester, three mornings a week in class at 8 a.m., practicing and learning how to letter and draw with a pencil—a precursor to hand-drawing legal and legible construction documents for developments and landscape plans. The good old days before computers.”
While building a successful career, however, he never lost track of things that mattered including service. In 2006, he received the ASLA National Community Service Award. Romie has also been instrumental in enhancing the quality of life in Greensboro through its public gardens volunteering with Greensboro Beautiful.
“My professional work has benefitted from my volunteering, a form of marketing, client development, my donation, avocation, leadership training and my way of giving back and receiving on a higher level for bringing people closer to nature,” he said.
Beyond the professional service connections, he and his wife also established an African resettlement ministry through their parish in 2012.
The Distinguished Alumni recognition is incredibly meaningful to him.
“My first reaction was that this was a gift and affirmation from God of the many choices and direction that I have taken over the last 33 years. The verse from Matt 12:23, “whoever humbles himself will be exalted,” came to mind as I was in a humbling situation in 1992. God lifted and gifted me, in my understanding, and gave me my own business so that I could simultaneously continue to volunteer at my parish, with the City of Greensboro, and in the community. This verse fits me like a glove; 1 Peter 5:5 “So humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time.” It seems that now is my time.”
Bob Young — Honorary Alumni Award
“Bob Young is a name that resonates through the halls of Chaminade Julienne. For nearly five decades, he has been an integral part of the school’s legacy – both in the classroom and on the football field. A fixture at CJ, Bob’s journey is a testament to passion, dedication, and an unyielding commitment to education.”
– Pat Wright
Teacher, coach, facility director, Bob Young has worn many hats at Chaminade Julienne.
“To students, parents and faculty alike, Bob is more than a teacher—he’s a pillar of the CJ community,” Wright said. “His impact can be seen in every student who walks through the doors of the STEMM program, every football player who takes the field and every educator who benefits from his pioneering student.”
Young’s journey began in the classroom, teaching industrial arts, engineering and technical drawing. His forward thinking led him to initiating CJ’s first STEM program and he was also an early adopter of Project Lead the Way. Young was the first Catholic school teacher in the state to teach both tech prep and STEM.
But for Young, the focus was never about him, it was about Chaminade Julienne.
“When I graduated from college, I wanted to be someplace great,” he said. “I wanted to begin and end my career in a place that was great and wanted to be better all the time and this is that place.”
From innovative programs to compassionate teachers, Young describes CJ as an educational institution that teaches the whole person.
“It’s a place that loves the kids and teaches them lessons for their whole life,” he said. “It’s not just about the books, which is a much longer gift to them.”
Young’s reach extended to athletics as Young spent many years as an assistant coach in the CJ football program and the . Eagle Youth Football program.
After leaving the classroom, Young became facility director and now, at 72, continues to work as a member of the maintenance team. While his roles have changed over the years, his commitment to CJ remains strong.
“Bob may be a fixture at Chaminade Julienne, but his legacy is anything but static,” Wright said. “It’s living, breathing and evolving, just like the students he’s shaped for decades.”
The accolades, while appreciated, are not necessary according to Young.
“They are giving me an award for giving me a gift. It’s a gift being here.”
Clements/Cooper Family — Legacy Award
“Being a part of this community has meant so much to our family over the years, and it is with the utmost respect and deep gratitude that we accept this recognition. It feels like both an honor and a responsibility — to continue the legacy of those who came before me and represent the values that CJ instills in its students.”
– Brandon Artis ’02
For close to seven decades, members of the Clements/Cooper family have walked the Chaminade, Julienne or CJ halls. From Lena Turner ‘56 to Tania Moody ‘20, the longevity is being recognized with a Legacy Award.
“When I first discussed the award with our family and the possibility of being selected, we experienced a brief moment of excited shock,” Artis said. “That feeling quickly turned into humble joy once we received the official news.”
The family’s remarkable journey began in 1956 when Lena (Clements Turner ) and Rose(Clements) Moody became pioneers as some of the first African American students at Julienne High School. Their story was one of determination, faith, and unwavering family support. Their brother, Joe Clements, funded their first year of tuition through his military service— an act of sacrifice that changed the course of the family’s history.
Encouraged by the Sisters at St. John’s elementary school to pursue Catholic education, Lena and Rose worked throughout high school to help pay for their education. And more than that, they lit the path for future generations. Through their guidance and example, they instilled the values of faith, education, and perseverance into their siblings, children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren.
“Being raised in a large Catholic family, the mission and values of the CJ community have always resonated with us, especially the commitment to justice, family spirit, and service,” Artis said. “For every generation of our family who has walked through CJ’s doors, there’s always been one constant – CJ felt like home. It gave us the tools to break through barriers while we were students and long after we graduated. If I had to explain why CJ is such a special place, I’d say it’s because it develops not just scholars, but servant leaders. It’s a place that nurtures heart, faith, resilience, and hope – and our family is living proof of that.”
And while Artis graduated more than 20 years ago, the lessons he learned at CJ continue to influence his life.
“I carry with me the importance of faith, service, discipline, and community. CJ helped me understand that leadership is rooted in humility and that success means little without purpose. Those lessons show up in how I lead teams, how I mentor others, and how I strive to show up for my family and community.”