Charlie Gartenmayer honored with Kansas Monk Award during Raven Alumni Weekend
Benedictine College welcomed home alumni from all over the country for Raven Alumni Reunion Weekend on June 12-14, 2025. Alumni gathered to reminisce about their time in college and celebrate their lives since graduation.
The weekend began on Friday night with the Golden Raven Banquet. This annual event is a special gathering of those who were celebrating their 50th reunion or more. The night included a social hour, followed by dinner, a "state-of-the-college" address from Benedictine College President Stephen D. Minnis, the distribution of blessed rosaries, and an opportunity for alumni to share fond memories of their time in Atchison.
On Saturday evening, June 14, the college hosted a banquet for all alumni during which two individuals from the Class of 1975 were honored for their lifetime achievements, contributions to their communities, and loyalty to Benedictine College. Both honorees this year had dedicated a large portion of their lives to education. The Offeramus Medal was presented to Diane Liebsch, and the Kansas Monk Award went to Charlie Gartenmayer.
Garteynmayer first came to Benedictine to play football, where he played safety and wrapped up his career in 1974. He immediately transitioned to coaching and served alongside long-time head coach and Hall of Famer Larry Wilcox from 1979 until Coach Wilcox retired in 2020. He took over as Athletic Director for Benedictine in 2007, following a 32-year career in education with the Atchison Public School system.
He retired from coaching in 2022 and continues to serve Benedictine and its student-athletes in his role as Athletic Director.
"As I look out at this incredible audience, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for the recognition of this award and the support of so many individuals," Gartenmayer said. "God has blessed me abundantly with many gifts."
"This is an amazing college," he said. "I love working here and being a part of the visionary board and cabinet. We have amazing students at Benedictine College today, just like us 50 years ago."
"This award is not simply a recognition of my individual efforts," he concluded. "But a celebration of an incredible team of family, colleagues, and friends. Together, we have pushed boundaries, defied expectations, and created something truly remarkable and memorable."
The Raven Athletic Department recently finished third in the Heart Commissioners Cup Standings while finishing in the Top 25 of the Learfield Directors' Cup Standings for the first time.
To read more about the success of Raven Athletics under the leadership of Gartenmayer, visit ravenathletics.com and read the June edition of "From the Desk of Athletic Director Charlie Gartenmayer – https://www.ravenathletics.com/general/2024-25/releases/20250611l8rufp.
(Parts of this release were pulled from the original release posted in the Media & Culture portion of www.benedictine.edu.)
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