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St. Rita Dedicates Donald A. (Class of 1958) & Nancy C. Petkus Science Laboratories
For Immediate Release December 9, 2009
The administration of St. Rita of Cascia High School is joined by Mr. Don Petkus ’51 and Mrs. Nancy Petkus and students during the recent dedication of the Petkus Laboratories. Back row left to right: St. Rita Vice President Mr. Ernie Mrozek ’71, Physics teacher Mr. Don Krystof, Mrs. Nancy Petkus, Principal Mrs. Sally Deenihan, Mr. Don Petkus ’58, Chemistry teacher Mrs. Susan Krystof, and President Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A. ’83. Front row left to right: Ryan McGowan ’11 (Most Holy Redeemer), Kevin Yerkes ’10 (Lenart), Jaime Viramontes ’10 (Queen of the Universe), Kevin Handler ’10 (Queen of Martyrs), Dan Dillon ’10 (Most Holy Redeemer), and Bob Gallagher ’11 (St. Damian).
This past week St. Rita of Cascia High School officially dedicated the Donald A. (Class of 1958) & Nancy C. Petkus Science Laboratories. These chemistry and physics labs were named in honor of Mr. Petkus for his dedication to the field of science and his alma mater, St. Rita.
Throughout his distinguished careers at ComEd and DAMP Associates, Inc., Mr. Petkus has given back to the community through involvement in many not-for-profit boards, and now focuses much of his efforts on education. Additionally, a grant for $50,000 from the Helen Brach Foundation was also applied to the renovation.
The labs were completed in the Fall of 2008, however the official dedication took place this week with Mr. and Mrs. Petkus in attendance. They were joined by St. Rita President Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A. ’83, who blessed the new labs, Vice President Mr. Ernie Mrozek ’71, Principal Mrs. Sally Deenihan, as well as Chemistry teacher Mrs. Susan Krystof, Physics teacher Mr. Don Krystof and their AP Chemistry and Honors Physics students.
Several features of the new laboratories include rear vents, new water, gas, and electricity lines, a new fume hood, new emergency showers and eye-wash stations, new equipment storage drawers, and all new cabinetry. The old floor tiles made from asbestos were also properly removed and replaced with modern materials.
Mrs. Krystof is extremely satisfied with the new facilities. “It’s now much easier for me to supervise the students from the front of the room during laboratory assignments,” she said. “Safety in general has improved.” Krystof added, “I also like that the trough-style faucets are gone, so there won’t be as much splashing or spilling.”
The new equipment will improve the results of existing experiments, and perhaps allow for the design of organic chemistry labs in the future.
“We wanted to provide a place in which our students will be able to learn,” Principal Deenihan emphasized, “not just a beautiful room to display. I think we have accomplished the task of having a space that is both usable and durable.”
Successful development projects such as the Petkus Science Laboratories increase the intrinsic value of a student’s education at St. Rita, and will ensure the future prosperity of the school by sending well-trained graduates out into the working world.