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RONEY -- BROTHER CYPRIAN LUKE RONEY After a lifetime of service to his brotherhood and to education for the people of Northern New Mexico, Brother Cyprian Luke Roney, F.S.C. passed away peacefully on December 15, 2007 surrounded by his family and his Christian Brothers with whom he shared his dedication to improving lives by bringing educational opportunity to all who seek it. A timeless worker in many ways, Brother Luke's major educational accomplishment was to the College of Santa Fe. He was appointed president of the college in 1958 when it was known as St. Michael's College. He held the position for 24-years during which he built the first permanent classroom buildings and residence halls, established degree programs for working adults as well as for inmates at the New Mexico Penitentiary, obtained full accreditation for the institution, opened the college to women as full-time students and changed the name to the College of Santa Fe. During his time as president of the college, Brother Luke advanced the position of private education within Santa Fe, New Mexico and nationally through his work with a variety of regional and national educational organizations. He also served on the boards of St. Vincent Hospital and St. Michael's High School. Brother Luke was born May 16, 1917, in Albuquerque, NM, the son of Edward Milton Roney and Josephine Roney (nee Lerch). He entered the Juniorate of Lafayette, LA, in 1929, received the habit of the Brothers on August 14, 1933, and made final profession of vows on June 9, 1942. He held a BA from St. Mary's University and a PhD in mathematics from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Prior to returning to Santa Fe, Brother Luke taught at the Mullen Home for Boys in Fort Logan, Co; Landry Memorial High School in Lake Charles, LA; and Hanson Memorial High School in Franklin, LA. He led teacher training for student Brothers at the Scholasticate in Las Vegas, NM. He came to the College of Santa Fe (then St. Michael's College) in 1947 as a professor of mathematics; in 1956 he was named director of the student Brothers community. In 1959, Brother Luke was named Auxiliary Visitor for the New Orleans-Santa Fe district. He retired from the college presidency in 1982 but remained an involved and interested member of the college community. In August 2007, he joined his brothers in residence at the St. Michael's High School brother's residence. Brother Luke is survived by his brothers, John I. Roney and Paul J.Roney; his sisters, Sister Marie C. Vicentia Roney, SC; Sister Lucia Anne Roney, SC, Sister Josephine Roney, SSS and very close family friend, Jesse R. Hagy and many cousins, nephews, nieces and grand nephews and nieces. Pallbearers will be: Brothers Brian Dybouski, Donald Mouton and Paul Walsh, and Paul J. Roney, Richard R. Roney and Milton J. Roney. There will be a Rosary and Prayer Service, Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at the Greer Garson Theater at 5:00 p.m. with Visitation to begin at 4:00 p.m. Mass will take place at St. Francis Cathedral Basilica, Wednesday December 19, 2007, 10:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Christian Brothers plot at the Rosario Cemetery. There will be a reception following the burial in the lobby of the Greer Garson Theater. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brother Luke Roney Scholarship Fund at The College of Santa Fe, 1600 St. Michael's Drive Santa Fe, NM 87505. Arrangements are under the direction of: Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 984-8600
        Published on: Tue December 18, 2007