Co-Chairs of the Scholarship Ball
Larry ’72 & Janet Munro ’81, G’02 Wilcox
Larry Wilcox played on the defensive line during his time as a student at Benedictine College. He graduated from Benedictine College in 1972 with a B.S. degree in Physical Education. He earned a M.S. degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 1975. He took over the Raven football program as head coach in 1979. In fall 2020, Larry became just the 13th college head football coach at any level to achieve 300 victories. He is the winningest head football coach of any four-year Kansas college or university in history with 305 career wins. Larry received the Kansas Monk Award in 2007, was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2017, and the Raven Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018.
Larry led his Ravens to 14 appearances in the NAIA Football Championship Series, earning trips to the national semifinals in 1992 and 2001, and playing in the National Championship Game in 2018. In addition to his tenure as head football coach, Larry served as Athletic Director for 24 years and was NAIA District 10 Athletic Administrator of the Year. He also served for six seasons as the head baseball coach, two as softball coach, and four as golf coach for Benedictine College.
Larry retired after the 2020 season, having led his Ravens to 35 winning seasons out of his 42 as head coach. As tremendous as his success on the field has been, Larry takes even more pride in seeing the lives of the husbands, fathers, and businessmen that he helped shape during the time he was able to touch their lives at Benedictine College.
Janet Wilcox was the Assistant Dean for Student Success and Director of the Student Success Center at Benedictine College for 14 years, from the Center’s establishment in 2008 until her retirement in 2022. Under her direction the Center established an integrated program that coordinates a wide range of services designed to support the success of Benedictine College students throughout their collegiate experience, while helping facilitate a seamless transition into their career paths upon graduation.
Janet graduated from Benedictine College in 1981 with a B.S. degree in Sociology and received her Secondary Education Certification in Social Studies in 1985. She received her master’s degree in Education Administration from Benedictine in 2002. After serving as Assistant Director of Student Activity at Park University, Janet worked for 16 years as a classroom teacher and assistant principal at Mount St. Scholastica Academy (now Maur Hill-Mount Academy). Prior to her employment at Benedictine College, Janet was the Principal of Bishop LeBlond High School in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Larry and Janet were married in 1983 and have spent their lives in dedicated service to the development and mentorship of young men and women within a Catholic education environment. Their devotion to the students and community of Benedictine College has resulted in over a generation of faithful Ravens becoming successful and productive citizens wherever life’s path after college has led them.
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.