St Thomas Military Academy - Kaydet Yearbook (Mendota Heights, MN)

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Born and reared where men are men on the wind- swept prairies of North Dakota, Major Langeland fled southward in 1928 before a blizzard that obliterated his natal town of Lankin,- and since that time his life has been one with St. Thomas. Receiving his B.A. from the College of St. Thomas in 1932, he immediately plunged into a colorful teaching career at the Academy, at the same time working on his M.A. which he received from the University of Minnesota in 1937. In 1943 he was appointed Dean of Studies, succeeding Mr. Thom- as Grogan, and from the start proved that he was the man to handle the innumerable tasks con- fronting him. Enhanced with a keen sense of humor and the faculty to penetrate into problems, and driven by that rugged spirit of resolution so characteristic of the wind-beaten natives of North Dakota, this very personable young man has shown wisdom beyond his years in guiding St. Thomas cadets down a prudent road in difficult times. As his fourth year of directing academics draws to a close, the success already achieved gives rise to greater promise in the future for the Academy of tomorrow. MAJOR GEORGE E. LANGELAND Dean of Studies Page ninoteon

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COLONEL PHILIP R. DWYER Commandant and Professor of Military Science and Tactics Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 9, 1900, Colonel Dwyer attended the College of Villanova one year before receiving his appointment to West Point in 1919. From the time of his graduation in 1923 up until the present his colorful career reads like a story book: 1923-26, 29th Infantry, Ft. Ben- ning, Ga.; 1926-27, Student Infantry School, Ft. Benning, Ga.; 1927-30, 15th Infantry, Tientsen, China,- 1930-36, ROTC Lanier High School, Macon, Ga.; 1936-39, 65th Infantry, Puerto Rico; 1939-40, Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leaven- worth, Kansas,- 1940-41,20th Infantry, Ft. Warren, Wyo.; 1941-42, 2nd Battalion, 37th Infantry, Kodiak, Alaska,- 1942-44, 153rd Infantry, Umniak, Alaska,- 1944, Navy War College, Newport, R. I.; 1944, 116th Infantry, 29th Division, France, Hol- land, Germany,- 1944-46, 407th Infantry, 107th Division, Germany. What with this unusually broad background. Colonel Dwyer's coming to St. Thomas in 1946 will go down as a high light in the school's history. Already this indefatiguable and universal- ly respected commander has left his indelible stamp on the Academy's character, leading, in his first year, the school to the highest honor rating it has ever achieved; over and beyond that, he has obtained for St. Thomas the rating of Military In- stitute and of Senior Military School. All hats are off to Colonel Dwyer,- and we assure him that he and his famous Estimate the situation! will brighten the hazy years ahead when we recount our youthful exploits to our grandchildren. Pogo oighieon

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Hailing from Prior Lake, Minnesota, Father Roach was ordained to the priesthood in June, 1946. He began his work at St. Thomas in September as an assistant dean and as Religion instructor. So evident were the capabilities of this manly, efficient priest that Father Flynn created him Head Dean of Boarders before the year was finished. Only a boarder could evaluate the service Father Roach has rendered St. Thomas, for the improve- ments he has made are too numerous to mention here. Known as a just but stern disciplinarian, he is always personally interested in the welfare of all cadets under his jurisdiction. Though for the main part his duties are in connection with the administraton of the boarder students, he serves St. Thomas in many other capacities: he is an en- thusiastic supporter and promoter of all school ac- tivities—our athletic contests, our dances, our clubs, our classes, our chapel services. Wherever cadets are gathered together at work, at play, or at prayer, there Father Roach is to be found. All in all, he so combines manliness, scholarliness, priest- liness, and administrative talent with the ability of being just himself, that he is miles from ever being a stuffed shirt. Page twenty