Co-Chairs of the Scholarship Ball
Lené Westerman ’85
Lené Westerman graduated from Benedictine College in 1985 with a degree in business. While in college, she was the Freshman Class Princess for the 1981 Homecoming celebration and was a member of the cheerleading squad her sophomore, junior and senior years, serving as captain the last two years. She was also a member of the Ladies’ Knights of Columbus service organization.
Westerman holds several leadership roles in Dallas, Texas, institutions and has focused on education. While serving on a business advisory board for St. Augustine Catholic School in Dallas, she has been instrumental in implementing business procedures and fundraising for the school. She is a leader in the Bishop of Dallas’ initiative to assist Dallas area urban schools. She established The H.G. Westerman/Evan D. Pecorari scholarship fund at Jesuit Dallas for Latino students and heads the Jesuit Dallas diversity parent advisory board. She has held various leadership programs at Prince of Peace Christian School where she founded the high school’s Student Success Center. Westerman is a member of the Philanthropy Roundtable, The Council on Southwest Foundations and The Association for Small Foundations. Westerman is currently a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Frisco, Texas, where she has taught faith formation and Sacrament classes. She has served on the Board of Directors for Benedictine College since 2010 and is currently Chair of the Advancement Committee.
Lené’s passion is children. In 2007, she was honored as a “Woman of Inspiration” by Bea’s Kids, a Dallas organization that serves children from low income families. She formerly served as vice-president of The Westerman Foundation, which was established by her mother, Laura Jane Westerman, in support of Catholic education and organizations. Through her foundation she has funded scholarships and opportunities for numerous students to attend school, and has helped provide toys at Christmas to underprivileged children. She is also very involved with her own three children. She has completed Young Men’s Service League with her sons, Andre and Evan, and is involved with her daughter, Sophia, in the National Charity League, where mothers and daughters give back to the community by completing service hours together.
Lené is the daughter of the late Laura Jane and the late Howard G. Westerman Sr., ’50. She lives in Plano, Texas.
Patrick ’94 and Kate McClard ’93 Carr
Patrick M. Carr, a 1994 graduate of Benedictine College, is the President & CEO of The H&H Group, a novelty gift company based in the UK. Patrick is responsible for the US business, headquartered in Riverside, Missouri. Patrick was the former Senior VP & General Manager at Advantage Solutions and the President of Hallmark Canada in Toronto, Ontario. Patrick has been an active supporter of the College since the very beginning as the Student Body President his junior and senior years, Alumni Board President and as a past & current Benedictine College board member. He has also served on the boards for UNICEF Canada, Markham-Stouffville Hospital, the Varley Art Gallery Foundation and is a 2015 Leadership Kansas alum. Patrick is also a published author of three books (Courage for Happiness, Mr. Bear’s Big Dream and most recently, A Gentleman’s Guide to Winning in Business & Life) and has an MBA from Baker University.
Kate (McClard) Carr, a 1993 graduate of Benedictine College, was also an active student leader serving in Student Government as Social Chair and as a Raven cheerleader. Kate has been focused on raising three children over the years and also actively volunteering and serving on boards including Co-Chair for the 2017 and 2018 Scholarship Balls, St. Benedict’s Advisory Board, Church of Nativity Arts & Environment Committee, St. Joseph Cupertino Program Advisory Board, Kappa Kappa Gamma Mom’s Club Co-President, Rockhurst High School Spectacular Auction Co-Chair, and Junior League of KCMO Member. Kate currently works as a fabric and wallcovering representative for Design & Detail, based in Lenexa, Kansas.
Patrick and Kate are members of the Church of the Nativity and live in Leawood, Kansas. They have three grown children…Patrick, Maggie and Teddy.