1970s
Mary Grace (Kniola ’72) Landrum says, “I learned about the importance of service and community at Franciscan University. Houston City College recently awarded me an honorary bachelor’s degree for my community service, and I currently serve as a governor–appointed public member on the Texas Board of Nursing.”
1980s
Bernie Fite ’81 says, “Since graduating from the University of Steubenville in 1981, I joined the Philadelphia electricians’ union, married my wife, Mary Jo, in 1984, have been in the same Christian community, and raised six children, ages 29-39. We now have eight grandchildren. From 2000 to 2014, we brought teens to Steubenville Youth Conferences, which was very rewarding. My son, Eddie, graduated from Franciscan in 2014. I’m looking forward to an In His Image Household reunion sometime, the oldest household on campus. If anyone wishes to get in touch with me, I’m on Facebook occasionally, and my email is [email protected].”
1990s
John (Coleman) McNichol ’92 and his wife, Jeanna, live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, where John teaches literature and composition at a local Catholic high school. He is currently pursuing his PhD in literature from the University of Texas at Arlington. John and Jeanna have been blessed with seven children and, at this writing, are expecting their fifth and sixth grandchildren. Their son Danny graduated from Franciscan in 2021, and sons Christopher and James are current students. John recently finished his 32nd year of his teaching career and has been pursuing his secondary career as a fiction writer. His young-adult Catholic adventure fiction trilogy titled The Young Chesterton Chronicles was published by Hillside Education. In 2019, John’s story, “How Zeke Got Religion at 20,000 Feet,” was published in SNAFU magazine. Tim Miller, best known as director of the Deadpool movie series, selected John’s story and nine others from over 20,000 potential stories to be adapted for the Netflix series Love, Death, and Robots. The episode of John’s story was released on Netflix on May 15. John cautions parents regarding the episode, as it is depicted with more violence than he wrote; however, the important themes of faith and the use of the Rosary as a means of striving against evil were thankfully preserved in the final version of the show.
Several members of the Class of 1996 came together in Columbus, Ohio, for the funeral of Mrs. Kathleen Quinn, mother of alumni Rosemary Quinn ’97, Chrissy (Quinn ’01) Wilson, and Sister Mary Magdalene (Anne) Quinn ’96. They say, “We are grateful for the gift of Franciscan in our lives.”
The family and friends of William “Will” Pressley Durst IV ’03 share, “It is with profound sadness we share the passing of William Pressley Durst, who died in a car accident on November 4, 2024. He was driving home with three of his four beloved children after picking up a prescription for his youngest son, who was courageously battling leukemia. During Will’s time at Franciscan, he was a proud member of Prince of Peace Household, worked in the computer labs, and was active in Chapel Ministry, Students in Free Enterprise, and Math Club. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in business in 2003. He brought joy to every corner of campus and remained connected to his faith and community throughout his life. He deeply loved his wife, Allison, and their children. Will could talk with just about anybody and lived by the sentiment ‘there are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met.’ He had a servant’s heart, an unwavering trust in the Lord, and a smile and laugh that could light up any room. Will’s youngest son was declared cancer-free in late December. Though we mourn Will’s earthly absence, we know he continues to intercede for us, faithfully and fiercely, as he always did. He was a true prayer warrior and man of mission.”
John ’09John 09 and Angie (Allmaras ’10) were married in 2012 and have four children. Angie says, “
Joyce (Wurdinger ’08) Sprouse is happily married to Martin, and they have one adorable son, Joseph. Joyce says, “I was with the Servants of the Lord sisters as a sister for eight great years! I followed God’s plan, and I am so blessed!”
Sr. Emma Ruth Greathouse ’19 and Sr. Emmanuelle (Mary Katherine) Schratz ’22 took their first profession of vows with the Franciscan Sisters of Penance of the Sorrowful Mother, TOR, June 13, 2025.
Coley (Hough ’18) Skamai says, “If you would have told me a few years ago that my mom was completing her 10th year of a perpetual novena for me to marry the brother of my high school best friend and that her prayers would be answered on May 3, 2025, I would have laughed. And yet, that’s exactly what happened! I’m blessed beyond measure to experience the gift of matrimony with Bobby Skamai and to come to know God’s love in a new way through this beautiful sacrament.”
