2025 Spirit of Blessed Edmund Society Inductees

Brother Rice High School is pleased to announce our 2025 Spirit of Blessed Edmund Honorees: Brian Henry ‘74, Brother Joseph Alphonsus King, and Thomas Van Dusen ‘72.

The Spirit of Blessed Edmund Society is the most prestigious honor we have and was established in 1999 to honor those who have epitomized the Brother Rice Spirit. This spirit is reflected in people who have shown extraordinary dedication, love, concern, leadership, and enthusiasm for Brother Rice High School. Without a doubt, this describes the service of this year’s honorees.

Brian Henry ’74

“I am grateful for how my teachers, coaches, and classmates challenged me to be better each day. Catholic education teaches students how to listen to God while promoting excellence in all directions. The environment at Brother Rice allows students to fall in love with who they are and what they choose to do each day and to be thankful for what they are given.” — Brian Henry

Brian Paul Henry is the son of the late Bob and Mary Jo Henry and the second oldest son of their ten children. With a strong belief in education, Brian and each of his siblings attended either Brother Rice or Marian High School.

During his years as a Brother Rice High School student, Brian Henry served as the Junior Class President, Student Council President, and a member of the National Honor Society. He played basketball and was a team member of the first State Championship in school history. When Brian graduated in 1974, the faculty recognized him with the John G. Stewart Leadership Award and the Bronze Medal for Academic Excellence.

Reflecting on the influence Brother Rice had in his life as a student, Brian shares, “Brother McKenna and Brother Dogan taught me how to write with purpose. Brother Morrison and Brother Grimaldi taught me that faith-filled leadership is about inspiring others to learn more, do more, and become more. Coach Norton and Coach Fracassa taught me that with the right people and self-discipline, anything is possible. Collectively, the Christian Brothers taught me that used properly, Irish humor can open doors, disarm negativity, and solve problems effectively.”

The educational foundation provided by Brother Rice served Brian well both in college and in law school. He graduated from the University of Michigan Honors College with distinction and honors in Philosophy. Later, in law school at the University of Detroit, he served as an Associate Editor for the Law Review and, upon graduation, published an article summarizing the key Supreme Court decisions interpreting the Equal Protection Clause.

In 1984, Brian married Beth Gariepy, a 1974 graduate of Marian High School, and together they raised three children, Brian Patrick ’05, Molly, Marian ’07, and Kevin ’13.  Building upon their family legacy, Brian and Beth proudly sent their children to Brother Rice & Marian, where they each enjoyed high school experiences that helped them think critically about themselves and the world.

Brian Henry has distinguished himself as a loyal alumnus and dedicated volunteer leader by serving as a member of the Board of Directors for Brother Rice, as Chair of the Facility Committee, as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, and as Chair of the Dad’s Club Athletic Committee. In 2007, The Brother Rice Alumni Association proudly celebrated Brian as Alumnus of the Year.

Also active in our community at large, Brian has served Southeast Michigan as a real estate attorney for over forty years, representing developers and lenders. He currently serves as the Senior Executive Counsel for eTitle Agency and is responsible for the strategic direction and profitability of a title company licensed in eighteen states. Additionally, Brian currently serves as Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals for Bloomfield Township, and as a member of both the Michigan Electronic Recording Commission and the Michigan Housing Council. He is a past Chair of the Real Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, a past Chair of the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, and a past Chair of Leadership Oakland.

Brother Rice is honored to welcome Brian into the Spirit of Blessed Edmund Society and is grateful for his distinguished service, valued counsel, and unwavering support of the mission of Brother Rice High School.

Brother Joseph Alphonsus King (1900–1987)

Brother King had a lasting impact on his students, colleagues, and the broader Brother Rice community.  In his reflection from the occasion of his Diamond Jubilee Celebration in 1980, Brother King shared, “I am happy for the privilege of being a Christian Brother, the boon of having known so many wonderful self-sacrificing men, the benefit of their religious kinship over the years – all in the service of our beloved Master.”

Brother Joseph Alphonsus King, also known as Phonsie King, served the Christian Brothers Community for 66 years and came to Brother Rice in 1960 to help shape the school and minister to the students and community of our newly opened Brother Rice High School.  A beloved teacher and mentor, Br. King would remain at Brother Rice for over 25 years until his passing on April 17, 1987.

At the age of 19, Phonsie King was called to the religious life and joined the Congregation of Christian Brothers, taking his vows in 1921. He lived a life of service through education and had a deep commitment to his faith and students. Brother King, originally from Newfoundland, Canada, dedicated decades of his life to teaching, even in his later years when retirement was expected. He was known for his high energy, sense of humor, passion for education, and devotion to Our Blessed Mother Mary.

Brother King taught Latin and English at Brother Rice and engaged students with creative learning experiences, making him a favorite of his students. He treated his students as more than just pupils, often helping them personally and spiritually. His impact stretched across generations, as former students continued to carry his lessons into their own lives.

Thomas Van Dusen ’72

“Just like thousands of other alumni, I love Brother Rice. The friends I made there are, to this day, my best friends. But my biggest Brother Rice highlight is being the proud father of three more Warriors – John (04), Joe (06), and Patrick (09). Brother Rice was – and is – as meaningful to each of them as it has always been for me. What a profound joy it has been for me to experience this. I am looking forward to my six grandsons becoming Rice alumni in 2037 (Tom), 2039 (Conor and George), 2042 (Liam), and 2044 (Patrick and Nolan).” — Thomas Van Dusen 

For decades, Thomas Van Dusen ’72 has been a loyal alumnus, proud alumni parent, generous supporter, and trusted advisor to Brother Rice High School and the Brother Rice Endowment Fund Board. 

Tom is the son of the late John and Catherine “Kay” Van Dusen and the oldest of three Van Dusen brothers (Tim ’73, Steven ’86) raised in the Catholic tradition and attended Brother Rice High School. 

After graduating from Brother Rice in 1972, Tom Van Dusen attended Michigan State University, earning a B.A., magna cum laude, and went on to the University of Michigan Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor cum laude.   A talented attorney, Tom Van Dusen is a Member at Bodman PLC, where he concentrates his practice in Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, serving as former chairman of this group.  He has been selected by his peers numerous times for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America.

Tom and his wife Cindy valued their Catholic upbringing and were proud to raise their three sons in the Catholic community of St. Regis Parish and School.  Following in Tom’s footsteps, their sons, John ’04, Joseph ’06, and Patrick ’09, also attended Brother Rice, where, like their father, they forged many deep friendships and relationships that remain important in their lives today. 

Tom has provided strategic vision and valuable counsel by serving on the Brother Rice Board of Directors from 2012 through 2020.  Through his Board service, Tom was also the Board Liaison to the Brother Rice Endowment Trustee Board and continues to serve as a Trustee today.

Brother Rice has not been the only benefactor of Tom’s counsel and service, as he has represented the Archdiocese of Detroit for over 40 years under the leadership of four Archbishops and has also represented many other Catholic organizations, including the Diocese of Gaylord, the Diocese of Saginaw, the Adrian Dominican Sisters, and the Dominican Fathers, as well as the Province of St Joseph. 

President Tom Reidy shares, “Tom is a passionate alumnus who believes in our mission with all his heart. He has been a trusted advisor and confidant to our school leadership, and it makes us very happy to see Tom receive this well-deserved honor.”