Jeffrey Kristoff and Wallene Swentko first walked the halls of Bishop Noll as members of the Class of 1963. After graduation, college and careers, both returned to serve on the school’s Board of Directors. As they retire from those roles this month, they leave behind a legacy of leadership, service and philanthropy.
For both, the road back to Noll began with their 50th reunion 13 years ago. Kristoff said that the milestone gathering — paired with the launch of the school’s Ignite & Inspire capital campaign — inspired him to step into a leadership role to help shape Noll’s next chapter.
Wallene said she connected with and worked with many classmates, especially Kathy Benko, on reunion activities. Another of their classmates, Tim Mertz, came up with the idea to donate a class gift – a first in recent history for Noll reunions.
“We renewed friendships and got very involved and became excited about getting back to this idea of Bishop Noll,” Swentko said. The school administration quickly noticed their energy.
“Mary Ellen O’Neill (now-retired director of advancement) noticed that we were very creative and good workers. That led to Kathy and my involvement in the annual spring auction (The Big Event), and we enjoyed it."
From there, Swentko was recommended to join the board, bringing with her a 40-plus-year background in education from teaching in the Archdiocese of Chicago. When she started, she was one of only two women to serve on the board.
During his seven years on the board, Kristoff’s efforts focused on development and fundraising. Along with Swentko and Benko, he put together an annual Christmas dinner for staff and faculty. Kristoff also championed a series of Vatican lectures to bring culture to students and alumni.
Kristoff, Swentko and classmate Dr. Richard Schreiner also began a special scholarship for Bishop Noll graduates who attend Purdue University in West Lafayette. Today, that endowment has grown to a value of more than $275,000, ensuring that generations of Noll products have a bridge to future academic success.
Swentko, key collaborator on these initiatives, said, “Being on the board was a wonderful experience to be with people who had the best interest of Bishop Noll in mind.”
The pair was part of board decisions to approve the school's STREAM Lab and athletic stadium projects. Swentko enjoyed working around the building to preserve Noll's history and ensure the school stayed visible.
"I got very comfortable coming to Bishop Noll,” she said. They also had fun taking Noll to the outside community such as through a float in Whiting’s Pierogi Fest.
“We wanted more publicity for Noll being a part of the community. We let them see we were still vibrant and that was important," Swentko said. In recent years, Kristoff has been involved with fundraising and the annual alumni golf outing.
"Noll guided and assisted us (as students) for our future while at school," he said. "Now, it’s time for us to guide and assist Noll in its future."
Swentko shares this sense of responsibility.
“People need to realize they can give their time and can be a very productive part of Noll – they shouldn’t be afraid or hesitate. They have to give back. All of us are raised for service," she said. "You run into Noll people all over the country. Even though we were a small school, we did a lot. You can donate, you can pray and those who have the ability should get involved."
She also highlighted how board service has evolved for out-of-town alumni. "Some of our meetings are now virtual, so anyone can participate. Noll people have to connect with each other and really try to get involved."
Kristoff, who lives in South Carolina, said that his time on the board was rewarding — both for the opportunity to collaborate with fellow members of the Class of '63 and his board colleagues, and to witness Noll’s growth over the last seven years.
Swentko, of Hammond, agreed.
"Everyone on the board always had the goal to make Noll good and great and enjoyed being a part of it,” she said. “I liked the fact that I could walk into Noll and be comfortable -- do whatever Noll needed to succeed. I was part of that and really enjoyed it.”
Swentko added that her group of 1963 friends are "irreplaceable.”
Though they are officially stepping off the board, both agree that their years of service were a rewarding continuation of the education they received decades ago.
“Noll helps shape people's lives, their attitudes, and their beliefs," Kristoff said. "That truly is the basis for an education for life, and it has been incredibly rewarding to witness that growth firsthand."
For Swentko, leaving the board doesn't mean leaving the school. “I don’t intend to stop being involved,” she said. “I can’t stop caring. As much as I enjoy giving to Noll, Noll gives right back to me.”
The Bishop Noll community is grateful to Dr. Jeffrey Kristoff and Wallene Swentko, left, pictured with BNI President Paul Mullaney '77 and BNI Board Chairman Dan Markovich '98. They were recently celebrated by the board for their retirement and honored their decades of commitment and their support of the school's mission. The last board meeting for the two class of 1963 alumni, whose time on the board ended this June, was filled with love, per Swentko. "It was wonderful.”