BISHOP MIEGE FOUNDATION DINNER
Celebrating Service and Legacy: 2025 Foundation Dinner Honorees
At Bishop Miege, the measure of success has always been found in service to others. Rooted in faith and guided by a spirit of gratitude, our community thrives because of those who give their time, talent, and heart. At the 2025 Foundation Dinner, we honored Jim Schemmel, recipient of the Herb Rome Stewardship Award; Tom and Donna Kellerman, recognized as the Family of the Year; and Dr. William J. Hendricks, named Alumnus of the Year. Their dedication embodies the mission of Catholic education, forming lives of leadership and love.
Stories of Dedication That Have Shaped Bishop Miege
On Oct. 25, 2025, the Bishop Miege community gathered for the annual Foundation Dinner, celebrating individuals and families whose dedication has shaped the life and legacy of our school. The 2025 Foundation Dinner Honorees were recognized for their leadership, faith, and service to the Miege community. The evening began with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Shawn McKnight, followed by remarks from student speaker Joshua Collins.
Herb Rome Stewardship Award: Jim Schemmel
The Herb Rome Stewardship Award was established to recognize individuals whose long-term commitment reflects the legendary service of Herb Rome, who dedicated 53 years to Bishop Miege. This year, the award goes to Jim Schemmel, whose stewardship to Miege has spanned more than three decades. Jim and his wife, Carol, are members of St. Joseph Parish.
Jim and Carol have been married for 58 years. They met at Spaulding High School in Granville, Iowa, and began a lifelong journey together. They raised nine children, seven of whom graduated from Bishop Miege, and two of their thirteen grandchildren are also Miege graduates, with three great-grandchildren expected by spring.
Jim is a proud U.S. Air Force veteran, serving from 1967 to 1970 during the Vietnam era, most notably at the Strategic Air Command (SAC) underground command center in Omaha, Nebraska. After his service, he earned a business degree from the University of Omaha and completed his MBA while raising a young family. He spent 28 years at Hallmark Cards, Inc., holding leadership roles in technology, merchandising, and operations.
Jim’s service to Bishop Miege is extensive and impactful. Dr. Joe Passantino recalled that when he was seeking volunteers in 1987 when he arrived, Jim Schemmel’s name came up repeatedly. At the time, the school was forming the Commission on Schools, which included representatives from both Bishop Miege and St. Thomas Aquinas. Jim was invited to join the group and agreed immediately, beginning a long history of service.
“As the saying goes, ‘No good deed goes unpunished,’ as that was only the beginning of him serving on other boards … as he never said no,” Dr. Joe Passantino said about Herb Rome Stewardship Award Winner, Jim Schemmel, at the 2025 Foundation Dinner.
Jim then served on the Johnson County Regional High School Board in the 1990s to help guide local Catholic school planning and then dedicated 15 years to the Bishop Miege High School Board of Trustees, continuing his work on the Finance Committee throughout that time.
He was instrumental in developing a system for tracking enrollment data across Johnson County Catholic schools, which remains a key tool for predicting and planning future enrollment to this day. Jim also volunteered as a West Virginia mission trip chaperone for multiple years. Throughout all of these roles, Jim has been known for his grace, humility, and quiet effectiveness, always working to strengthen Miege without seeking recognition.
Family of the Year Award: Tom and Donna Kellerman
This year, Bishop Miege introduced the Family of the Year Award, honoring families whose multi-generational involvement and service have enriched our school. The inaugural recipients are Tom and Donna Kellerman, members of St. Agnes Parish, whose connection to Miege spans the entire history of the school.
Tom’s family was part of the very first graduating class at Bishop Miege in 1959, with his sister Mary Ellen as the first Kellerman graduate. Tom himself graduated in 1962 as part of the first class to attend all four years. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany, and later attended Donnelly College.
Donna Kellerman grew up in Chanute, Kansas, attending a one-room schoolhouse for her first eight years before continuing her education at Chanute High School and Neosho Community College, eventually earning a degree at Pittsburg State University. She and Tom met while working at Hallmark Cards and were married in 1970 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chanute. Together, Tom and Donna raised five children, all Bishop Miege graduates: Joe ’89, Ryan ’91, Mark ’94, Lisa ’96, and Matt ’01.
“Thank you for this great award. We appreciate this very much. I’m a 1962 graduate and a very proud graduate. This school was a great school when it started in 1958, and it’s an even greater school today. Go Stags Go! ” — Tom Kellerman ’62
The Kellermans have contributed to Miege in countless ways. They served on the recruitment committee, helping attract middle school students and share the Miege experience, organized junior high pizza parties before basketball games, initiated game-day competitions such as Punt, Pass, Kick and basketball halftime free throws, and volunteered countless hours at events, athletic competitions, and school activities, often leading by example with their children and grandchildren.
Even when they have no kids or grandkids playing or cheering, Tom (and many times Donna) can be found at the very top of the grandstand, at the 50-yard line, cheering louder than anyone.
Their son Mark continues the tradition of feeding people at the tailgates before home football games and is also coaching the flag football team. Their son Ryan can be found running the sound and video at the graduations. Their grandchildren, Cole ’23, Grant ’25, Elsie ’27, Kaitlyn ’28, Bridget (projected ’30), and Clark (projected ’33), continue the family’s Miege legacy, and Tom and Donna remain active in nurturing traditions, mentoring, and building community at Miege.
Alumnus of the Year: Dr. Bill Hendricks, Class of 1978
The Alumnus of the Year Award honors graduates whose professional and personal contributions reflect the values of Bishop Miege. This year, the award goes to Dr. Bill Hendricks, Class of 1978, whose lifelong dedication to service, leadership, and community engagement exemplifies the spirit of Miege. Dr. Hendricks and his wife, Teresa Hendricks, were members of Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park for many years and now belong to Holy Spirit Parish in Lee’s Summit.
Dr. Hendricks graduated from Bishop Miege in 1978 and went on to Benedictine College, earning a BA in Biology, and then to the University of Kansas School of Medicine. After completing his family practice residency at KU, he served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force from 1989 to 1996 and later in the Kansas Air National Guard until 2009, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He and Teresa met at Benedictine College and married in 1985. They have three children: Laura Kleffman ’04, Billy Hendricks ’07, and Tim Hendricks. Dr. Hendricks is one of six children in his family to graduate from Miege: Maggie Kleine ’72, Jim Hendricks ’73, Ann Darnell ’75, Dan Hendricks ’85, and Mary Duff ’89.
Dr. Hendricks has devoted his time and talents to strengthening both Bishop Miege and the wider community. He served as co-team physician for the football team from 2000 to 2021, participated actively in parish and diocesan programs including the Crozier Society, Knights of Columbus, and his church’s choir, and supported educational institutions, including Bishop Miege, Benedictine College, St. Benedict’s Abbey, and Mount St. Scholastica. Through his career, parish involvement, and volunteer leadership, Dr. Hendricks exemplifies the Miege values of service, faith, and community engagement.
These awardees remind us that the strength of Bishop Miege lies in the commitment, leadership, and service of our Stag families, alumni, and friends. From the vision and dedication of Jim Schemmel, to the multi-generational involvement of the Kellermans, and the professional and community service of Dr. Hendricks, their contributions have shaped the life of our school today and for generations to come.