… I’d like to share with you some of the reasons why I’m so grateful to RHS, and I hope that you share some of my sentiments.

First, I’m grateful to be a Regina graduate myself.  Regina prepared me for life by providing me with both a strong academic foundation and a true moral compass.

But, I am most thankful that my daughter Karin has had the privilege of sharing in the Regina legacy.

When I sent a shy adolescent here… I could not have envisioned the knowledgeable, confident young woman who would graduate as a proud member of the Class of 2006.

Regina is a school that has accepted and loved my daughter for who she is, and yet lovingly and firmly challenged her to be the best she could be—not just academically, but spiritually and personally as well.

It is Regina’s nurturing and caring environment that has provided a great catalyst for learning and development.  Regina had provided not just ample opportunities to learn, serve, and lead, but also the gentle guidance and nudging it sometimes takes to get teenage women headed in the right direction.

Graduation marks the end of our daughters’ formal education at Regina, but they will take with them a beautiful legacy—a foundation of learning, faith, and friendship that will serve them always.

And for that, I offer heartfelt thanks to those who are Regina’s heart and soul—Sister Maureen, Mrs. Lips, the teachers and the staff here who exemplify Mary in their lives and so inspire and motivate us to do the same…

I’m proud to tell you that I’ve signed on for the next four years, and thanks to your support of Regina, my younger daughter Krissy will share in the legacy, too…

Brenda Tedeschi Bodnar ’77, P’06, ’10

Regina Fund Co-Chair, 2005-2008
Attorney

Algis Sirvaitis and Associates

Following graduation in 1969 from Regina, I attended Miami University (Oxford, OH) and graduated in 1973 with a BA in English, having taken courses in medieval literature, theatre and linguistics   I was awarded a Rotary Fellowship to study Art History (Medieval and Renaissance) at the University of Paris IV (Sorbonne), and studied in Paris for a year.  

Following my year abroad, I was hired as the editor of the suburban weekly newspaper, The Maple Heights Press, and then moved to a similar position for a trade magazine in the food industry before joining General Electric at Nela Park in 1978.     When I moved to New York in 1982, I continued my studies and received my MBA in Marketing in 1988 from Baruch College, City University of New York. 

In December 1999 I came to New York University’s Stern School of Business as associate dean of marketing and external relations.  My department of 13 people provides the communications support for the School’s undergraduate, graduate, executive and PhD programs, including public relations, advertising, website, publications, and special events….

Regina was a perfect fit for me. The academic foundation I got at Regina served me very well throughout my further studies and career.  I found that an all-girls school really allowed me to learn and provided the opportunity to make some lasting friendships.  Today, when there is so much written about lapses in corporate governance and we grapple with whether or not ethical behavior can be instilled in our MBA graduates, I appreciate having had an education that was grounded in good values.

Joanne Hvala ‘69

Associate Dean, Marketing and External Relations

New York University’s Stern School of Business

Edward and wife Mary were high school sweethearts and co-valedictorians at Collinwood High School. Born in the 20’s, their early lives were shaped by the Depression.  Edward proudly answered the call of his country and served as a 101st Airborne Division paratrooper during WWII. At 18, he spent four months as a POW. In escaping death at that time, he felt his life was truly a “gift and a bonus.” The young couple married, lived simply, and loved their family and each other for 56 years before death parted them.

As an alternative to formal education, Edward and Mary chose ‘real world’ experiences. They loved to travel and visited over 160 countries.  They were excited to meet people in distant lands, learn about different cultures and cuisines, but they never became self-indulgent. Their genuine concern for others extended far beyond their family circle. 

Through hard work and perseverance, Edward became a successful businessman and later, a real estate investor. He was a great communicator and an avid letter writer. For seven years he was Mary’s care-giver.  His sense of humor and warm, affable nature brought comfort to his family and people of all ages, wherever he went.

Edward and Mary had a high regard for education which greatly influenced their children. Dale became a physician and Denise (Intihar- Lum ’70), a nurse practitioner. Being the parents of an alumna and living in South Euclid for so many years, they read about the many good things happening at Regina and wanted to make a difference in promoting academics at the school.

With their bequest, the first in Regina’s history, the Intihar legacy continues. In response to their great generosity, Regina was able to forge ahead with the recent science laboratory renovation.  

Edward and Mary Intihar