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TOWSON UNIVERSITY PRESENTS The THE ZOO ZOOM 8K RUN NOVEMBER 12, 2017 • 8:30 a.m. Trailblazers Whether you have the speed of a cheetah or pace of a tortoise, join The Maryland Zoo for this wildly popular annual event– Marvis Barnes ’59 and Myra Harris ’59 sponsored by TU—with an all new course. Choose from either the 8K race or 1 Mile Family Walk/Fun Run. Both courses run overcame segregation to become the first black right through the center of the zoo alongside the animals. graduates of the State Teachers College at Towson. Registration includes all-day admission to the zoo.

ENTRY FEES VARY FROM $20 TO $45 TU faculty, staff and students receive a $5 discount. Use code TowsonZoom Registration and details: www.marylandzoo.org/zoozoom

FOLLOW US: towsonalumni towsonalum @towsonualumni Towson University Alumni BIG PICTURE

PHOTO OP

Assemble 2,771 freshmen, 2,330 transfer students, 560 graduate students and President Kim Schatzel and you literally get TU. Students from one of the largest freshmen classes, the most diverse and academically prepared took a group photo on the Unitas Stadium field during Convocation ceremonies. Seventy-nine percent of TU’s freshmen hail from Maryland with the others coming from 25 states and 14 countries. STUDENT SPOTLIGHT FEATURES

“Goalball can bridge DEPARTMENTS “the gap between the sighted and those with PRESIDENT’S LETTER | 4

vision impairments.” NEWS & NOTES | 5

WE ASKED | 10 GOALBALL ROLLS INTO TU Vincent Thomas about his art and his mission to introduce men to the joy of dance. Tim Utzig and Muhammad Waheed brought their vision of a new club sport to TU. ALUMNI NEWS | 26 The duo started goalball, a sport Distinguished Alumni and designed for blind athletes, which Deans’ Recognition Awards both played while attending the 50th Reunion of the Class of 1967 Maryland School for the Blind. “Goalball is like their college John Schuerholz ’62 Inducted into Wildlife photographer National Baseball Hall of Fame 12 | GORILLAS IN HER MIDST football team,” Utzig explains. Kathleen Hertel Ricker ’04 captures animals in their natural habitats. “Everyone comes out to see it.” Now, when TU spectators watch PHILANTHROPY | 33 the sport, he says “it’s really cool Paws for Thanks to see their reactions.” John Yingling ’71 Gives to Athletics Anyone can play because all 17 | THE ROOTS OF TU SCIENCE Partners in College Readiness participants wear a blindfold. Tactile George LaTour Smith laid the foundation for markings on the court allow players and Environmental Justice the study of the sciences at the Maryland to determine their location as they try to throw a ball embedded with CLASS NOTES | 37 State Normal School; The new Science Facility will expand that legacy to support the next bells into the opponent’s goal. The Humanity of Expression Silence is imperative so opposing generation of TU science students. players can hear the ball and try No Excuses to block it. Begun in 1946 to help visually impaired WWII veterans, goalball 18 | THE TRAILBLAZERS has been played in the Paralympic Marvis Barnes ’59 and Myra Harris ’59 Games since 1976. overcame segregation to become Utzig and Waheed got the the first black graduates at the State goalballs rolling at TU by partnering Teachers College at Towson. with Campus Recreation; Disability Support Services stepped in to buy the equipment. Waheed is overwhelmed with the university’s support. What’s more, he’s grateful for the opportunity to play a sport that can, he says, 23 | ROAD WARRIOR “bridge the gap between the Greg Slater ’97 keeps sighted and those with vision Marylanders moving. impairments and encourage more vision-impaired students to go to college and get involved.”

2 3 Muhammad Waheed PRESIDENT’S LETTER National Honors Fisher College receives $1 million from the Howard TOWSON FIVE FACULTY IN HEALTH Hughes Medical Institute There is nothing like fall on Towson UNIVERSITY PROFESSIONS RECOGNIZED GRANT WILL TRANSFORM UNDERGRADUATE, MINORITY STUDENT University’s campus. I loved scooping SUCCESS IN STEM Rita’s Italian Ice for new students and their parents during move-in weekend, cheering on the Tigers at football games, “Research shows that undergraduates SUMMER 2017 ISSUE Towson University Jess and Mildred Fisher and watching the leaves turn colors over College of Science and Mathematics faculty engaged in authentic research are more historic Stephens Hall. members Laura Gough, Matthew Hemm likely to persist in science and math classes, This fall has been an especially good Kim Schatzel and their team will receive $1 million over to graduate and to pursue STEM careers,” one for TU. Last month, we earned one President five years from the Howard Hughes Medical says David Vanko, dean of the college. of our highest spots ever in the U.S. News Institute (HHMI) “The Howard & World Report rankings, placing in the as part of their Hughes Inclu- top 10 public regional universities in the Ginny Cook inaugural sive Excellence north and coming in first among the six Editor Inclusive grant provides regional USM institutions. We welcomed Excellence us with an an incoming freshman class that is one of Lori Armstrong initiative. opportunity to the largest, most academically prepared Associate Vice President, The TU truly transform and most diverse in TU history. And we Alumni Relations proposal was how we encour- gladly accepted incoming transfer and one of over 500 age and engage graduate classes that are 10 and 12 percent Marlene Riley received the first Emerging submissions, students in larger, respectively, than just a year ago. Lori Marchetti and Innovative Practice Award from the one of 90 invit- undergraduate Did I mention our projected fall 2017 Art Director/Designer American Occupational Therapy Associa- ed full propos- research.” “We welcomed enrollment is now 22,700 students—its tion (AOTA). The clinical associate professor als and one of The initia- highest ever? Yes, it’s been a very good fall. Kanji Takeno was one of only six occupational therapists just 24 grants tive’s broad You will find more good news in this an incoming Staff Photographer in the nation to earn the honor, which awarded. objective is to issue, including a $1 million grant from the “recognizes occupational therapy practi- Gough’s help colleges freshman class Howard Hughes Medical Institute, national tioners … who have developed innovative and Hemm’s Fisher College associate professor Matthew Hemm, one of the and universities honors for four College of Health Professions Lauren Castellana and/or non-traditional occupational therapy team aims to lead investigators on the grant, instructs students in his lab. encourage that is one of the faculty, and TU research to save millions of Assistant Photographer practices for underserved populations…” implement the participation dollars for U.S. agriculture. Riley has helped develop two service- Towson University-Research Enhancement and cultivate the talent of students in the You can also read a feature on two largest, most Contributors learning courses and directed students Program (TU-REP) to bring authentic re- natural sciences, particularly those of people that personally inspire me. Myra Alison Armstrong ’09/’13, in outreach programs that serve at-risk search experiences to a large, diverse group diverse backgrounds and pathways. Harris ’59 and Marvis Barnes ’59 were the academically Megan Bradshaw, children and adults. of students early in their undergraduate “The Fisher College of Science and Mathe- first black students to earn bachelor’s Ray Feldmann ’77, Kyle The AOTA also recognized four others in science careers. The program will recruit matics is strongly committed to the success degrees at Towson University. Their story prepared and Hobstetter, Joseph Hockey the College of Health Professions. Faculty students—specifically transfer students and of our minority students and those who of leadership and resilience contains and Jan Lucas members Roxanne Castaneda, Lisa Crabtree, members of underrepresented minorities— are the first from their families to attend most diverse important lessons for all of us as we Barbara Demchick and Sonia Lawson were who are interested in science; create a cur- college,” Vanko adds. “Without every stu- embark on a new season and new academic named AOTA fellows. riculum and support system that promotes dent succeeding, we can’t easily deliver on in TU history.” year. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Office of Alumni Relations This distinction recognizes “occupational participation in multiple authentic research our obligation to provide a qualified STEM 410-704-2234 or 800-887-8152 therapists who through their knowledge, projects; and provide assistance in continu- workforce for Maryland. This grant will expertise, leadership, advocacy, and/or ing research at TU and beyond. move us closer to our student success goal.” guidance have made a significant contribu- tion over time to the profession with a mea- VISIT US ONLINE sured impact on consumers of occupational therapy services and/or members of the Kim Schatzel Association.” towson university president towson.edu magazine.towson.edu

He Minds the Maggots USDA GRANT FUNDS TU RESEARCH TO STOP CROP LOSSES

Each year the sugar beet maggot causes Alkharouf and his colleagues will Published three times a year by the Division millions of dollars in losses to U.S. agricul- pinpoint genes within sugar beets that can of Marketing and Communications for Towson ture. TU’s Nadim Alkharouf is hoping to stop be turned on or off to make them more University’s alumni, faculty, staff and friends. the destructive pest. resistant to the maggots or, alternatively, kill Please send comments and contributions Backed by a $40,000 grant from the the pest before it invades the plant. to Towson, Marketing and Communications, USDA, Alkharouf, associate professor of The long-term goal is to produce plants Towson University, 8000 York Rd., Towson, MD computer and information sciences in TU’s that are resistant to the maggot. 21252-0001. Telephone: 410-704-2230. Please Fisher College of Science and Mathematics, This year, TU students Shaina Furman and send address changes to Alumni Relations, Towson University, 8000 York Rd., Towson, MD is analyzing data using bioinformatics tools. Cherokee Lake are working at the USDA in 21252-0001 or email [email protected]. Beltsville, Maryland. Nadim Alkharouf with students. 4 5 3 7 Five TU faculty KUDOS “X” MARKS recognized by the TO TU | THE AWARD | “Champion for More in the Middle” Make room in TU’s TU won a 2017 X Maryland State trophy case. Money Award from Target ASSOCIATED BLACK CHARITIES HONORS PRESIDENT SCHATZEL magazine ranked X, a provider of Arts Council TU 150th in its higher education AWARDEES CHOSEN FROM 2017 Best Colleges student life solu- Recognizing her strong national leadership in According to ABC’s website, “More in the for Your Money MORE THAN 348 APPLICANTS the areas of diversity and inclusion, President Middle” is the framework the organization uses 1 5 tions. The university list, outperforming was honored for Kim Schatzel received the 2017 “Champion for to advocate and promote the need to address WORDS 79 percent of the ANCIENT removing barriers More in the Middle” award from the Associated issues associated with structural race-related WORK | competition. TU INSTINCTS | in its graduate Black Charities (ABC). ABC President and barriers that limit opportunities for citizens of “Students love writ- holds the No. 181 Tavia La Follette online application. CEO Diane Bell-McKoy presented the award to color. “In limiting the opportunities and not ad- ing for real causes,” spot in Forbe’s 2017 received The TU consulted with Schatzel at the organization’s annual gala held dressing the systemic barriers faced by people says TU professor Best Value Colleges Greater Baltimore vision-impaired at Martin’s West in June. of color, we seriously harm the collective future Zosha Stuckey. Her ranking. TU was Cultural Alliance students and con- Bell-McKoy said the “Champion for More in of the state,” ABC said. English class part- also ranked fourth 2017 Rubys Artist ducted user testing the Middle” award is set aside for local individu- nered with Friends on BestColleges.com. Project Grants in “so that prospective als or organizations of Patapsco Valley Only Johns Hop- media arts and students who rely that are bringing State Park and the kins, University of performing arts. on a screen reader greater economic state park service Maryland College The assistant pro- can successfully equity in the region. to write grants for Park and St. Mary’s fessor of theatre apply to TU.” ”Prior to your the first fully acces- College ranked arts evoked instinc- leadership at sible playground ahead of Towson tual responses in Towson University,” at the Hollofield University. Ancient Instincts, a Bell-McKoy said, STELLAR area. Their pleas performance that “Satan owns the fallen world,” by TU’s Jim “the university had helped raise more investigated ecolo- Condron, Maryland State Arts Council winner. struggled with than $77,000 for gy, perception and issues of inclusion, the park, off Route the psychology of The Maryland State Arts Council, an agency diversity and STATS 40, that opened last sound. of the Maryland Department of Commerce, equity. Under your summer after a six- recognized five members of TU’s College leadership, diver- year collaboration. of Fine Arts and Communication. Jim L. sity, inclusion and 8 Condron , Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, cultural competency Diane Luchese, Naoko Maeshiba and Susan became one of your TECHNO- Leslie Mann, received 2017 Individual Artist top eight priorities. 4 AWARD | Awards. “As a priority,” she TOP 10 | EduCycle® nabbed During a June ceremony at the American continued, “you in- the Campus With light sensors, Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, each stituted a very clear CLASSROOM DIVERSITY smart meters and Technology Impact received grants of $1,000, $3,000 or $6,000 and transparent Award, an interna- other innovations, for their outstanding achievement and to strategy to bring about measurable change. Diversity has become a hall- tional honor that We look forward to your continued leadership TU became one 6 support of their artistic growth. mark of the university under recognizes univer- Condron, an adjunct II in the Department and continued changes at Towson as a regional of the top 10 Kim Schatzel’s leadership. In 2 MAKE IT sities that make of Art, received $6,000. His pieces “express employer. institutions in the March, she spoke on “Campus nation for energy TWO | an extraordinary humor, absurdity and beauty through the “Your unwavering commitment to this as a A GREEN For the second Leaders Creating Healthy AWARD | savings. Six major impact on campus combination and interaction of everyday core part of your educational agenda is to be year in a row, CBE’s technology. TU’s Campus Climates” at a joint TU’s #WastED projects and many objects, castoff remnants and paint,” accord- applauded,” Bell-McKoy added. Enactus chapter innovative OTS session of the American campaign won the smaller improve- ing the artist statement on his website. Schatzel said she was pleased to receive placed second in program, created Council on Education and RecycleMania Case ments helped the Luchese, professor of music, and the award on behalf of Towson University. a national compe- in the College of Study Competi- university achieve Maeshiba, associate professor of theatre, “This is a wonderful honor,” the university’s the National Association of tition, winning the Liberal Arts by tion Education its Better Buildings each received $3,000 awards. Luchese, a 14th president said. “I am very humbled and Diversity Officers in Higher R.W. Plaster Free Theresa Jenkins, and Awareness Challenge goal music theorist and organist who teaches accept it on behalf of the incredible team at Education. Enterprise Challenge. manager for tech- Award. Last spring, three years ahead music theory, aural skills and counterpoint, TU that is deeply committed to advancing Enactus, a student nology, facilities students led six of schedule. Energy performs recitals throughout the northeast. thriving inclusiveness across our campus entrepreneurial and events, has innovative games consumption on Maeshiba, a performer, director and community. team, took home the saved $2.8 million and trivia contests campus is down 20 choreographer conducted an artist residency “We work hard to foster a diverse and $5,000 prize in the and repurposed to help their peers percent since 2010, at Kud Mreza, Slovenia, in March 2016, inclusive campus and educational experience “It is great educational organizations and National Enactus 2,800 computers identify campus saving “roughly unlocking the connection between voice, that ensures every one of our students thrive leaders like you that help create more access Competition for its for use on campus items that could $1.5 million a year body and emotions. and reach their fullest potential at Towson Uni- and opportunity as a result of your advocacy,” café project. The café, and in area high be recycled and in energy costs,” Fisher-Harrell, associate professor of versity,” Schatzel added. “We strive for thriving ABC said to Schatzel. “Towson University models located in the base- schools. Previous composted. “This says TU Energy dance, is a former member of the Alvin inclusiveness of all races, ethnicities, religions, excellence in leadership and understands the ment of Stephens award winners campaign was all Manager Steve Ailey American Dance Theater, who teaches gender identities, sexual orientation and levels value of contributions to the community. We Hall, was judged on include Duke about making waste Kolb. ballet and master classes to children and of ableness.” salute you!” its profits—$11,000 University and education fun,” says adults worldwide. She and Mann, professor last year—scalability, Harvard Business Patricia Watson, dance, each received $1,000 awards. Mann sustainability and School. has created more than 20 works in four campus sustainabil- clarity, among other ity manager. different genres: ballet, modern, dance for criteria. the camera and aerial dance.

6 7 SUCCESSFUL RUNS knoblock wins postgraduate scholarship

Megan Knoblock ’17 received the 2017 Maryland Association of College Directors of Athletics (MACDA) Post-Graduate Scholarship Award. A four-year member of TU’s cross country and track and field programs, Knoblock graduated with a bachelor’s SPORT degree in exercise science in May. She began studies a graduate program in SHORTS sport management at the University of Florida in the fall. An impressive student-athlete, Knoblock graduated from TU with a 3.92 GPA and made the dean’s list every semester. She also received the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry Research Grant. Knoblock helped guide the Tigers to their first CAA Championship in track and field last spring, placing WE’RE NO. 1 fifth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase track and field wins its first caa title at the 2017 conference meet. She set 2 4 13 30 four TU records as part of the track and field programs. She posted a After winning 13 medals over the two- The next day the Tigers added seven TOP WITH COACH’S program-best of 9:55.16 in the indoor THE DRIVER | day meet, the TU outdoor track and field medals, including four gold, one silver 3,000m run and was a member of the THROWERS | John Hulede HONORS | BOX | team captured its first Colonial Athletic and two bronze. indoor distance medley relay that Two members of concluded his TU The list is 13 names Mike Gottlieb ’80 Association Outdoor Track and Field Sophomore Lauren Coleman became timed 12:14.66. Knoblock ran the TU’s outdoor track golfing career in long. These TU concluded his Championship title last spring. The Tigers the first Tiger to win shot put, recording 3,000m steeplechase in a program- and field team took May by finishing outdoor track and 30-year baseball recorded 163.5 points to earn the first-place a school record of 15.29-meters (50’2”). record 10:41.89 and helped the their best shots last fourth at the PGA field teammates coaching career at finish, followed by Elon (158) and James Zhane Washington captured bronze in the outdoor distance medley relay team May, competing Minority Collegiate earned All-Colonial the end of last season. Madison (140). triple jump with a personal-best of 11.85m finish with a time of 12:19.40. in the 2017 NCAA Golf Championship Athletic Association He compiled a TU competitors won six medals on day (38’10.50”). The Tigers’ 4x100m relay team Knoblock participated in multiple Women’s Outdoor in Florida. It was the honors—Zanae 733-821-10 record one, along with setting a school record. The of Jaina McLean, Zanae Freeland, Jamila community service and volunteer Track and Field East 31st edition of the Freeland, Megan and led TU to all Tigers recorded 68 points to lead the eight- Brown and Liz Reid timed 46.28 to win silver. programs. She worked as a sales Regional Prelimi- 54-hole, stroke-play Kelly, Skyler Dun- three of the school’s team field after the first day. Freeland continued her day by winning intern for Athlete Network and nary Championships event. He shot a 228 can, Tymia Joseph, NCAA Division I Freshman Skyler Duncan became the 100m and 200m dashes. She is now as a counselor for the Nike Green at the University of for the weekend, Lauren Coleman, Tournament the second Tiger in program history to the two-time CAA champion in the 100m Mountain Running Camp. Knoblock Kentucky. Soph- scoring a two-over Brynn Warrington, appearances (1988, win gold in the javelin throw. Classmate dash (11.89) and the first Tiger sprinter to coached the West Towson Elemen- omore Lauren 74 in the first and Courtney Rose, 1991, 2013). Matt Tymia Joseph captured the long jump capture the 200m dash title (24.34). Megan tary Girls Running Club and tutored Coleman competed third rounds. “It was Jaina McLean, Liz Tyner, who spent title for the first time in TU history. For a Kelly became the second Tiger to capture fellow student-athletes in math and in the shot put while awesome,” Hulede Reid, Jamila Brown, the previous four second-straight year, TU won two medals the 400m hurdles (1:00.66) chemistry. junior Ksenia Safon- says. “Being able Ksenia Safonova, seasons as the in pole vault. Brynn Warrington brought Freeland became the second Tiger in ova participated in to represent your Zhane Washington assistant coach and home gold and Courtney Rose took bronze. program history to be named Co-Most the hammer throw. school at an event and Allison Marella. recruiting coordina- Senior Allison Marella won bronze in the Outstanding Track Performer of the Meet, To qualify, each had that promotes the In addition, head tor at the University 10,000-meter run. according to a vote by the league’s head to rank in the top 48 advancement of coach Mike Jackson of Richmond, took coaches. She shared the vote with James for her event in the minority collegiate was named the the helm for the Madison’s Kennedy King. NCAA East region. golfers is something CAA’s Women’s Tigers. I always took very Track and Field 8 9 seriously.” Coach of the Year. DID YOU STUDY DANCE WHY ARE YOU SO PASSIONATE work with male students in the AS A CHILD? | ABOUT INTRODUCING MORE Baltimore County Public Schools MEN IN (BCPS) and to create the BCPS Men’s There was no place to study dance MEN TO DANCE? | Ensemble, which is composed of mid- MOTION in my hometown of Edgefield, South I feel that one of my missions at TU is dle- and high-school students. I see Carolina. I danced in my living room, to bring men into the fold of dancing— them weekly to work on technique at the community center, and at family and to show them it’s OK to dance. and to create a new work. They’ve barbecues and reunions. I was influ- We are socialized to think of men and toured the Center for the Arts and enced by TV shows, especially “Soul masculinity in certain ways, and that taken classes with the non-majors in Train”, where I saw people like me affects men who want to move. They my Movement Enhancement for Men dancing. A cousin and I sang at talent may redirect their interest to other class. The BCPS Men’s Ensemble has shows, and I choreographed our duets. activities or athletics because that’s performed with dance majors in the WE ASKED Vincent Thomas about his I was a drum major in high school how they’ve been socialized. In many TU Dance Company and in some of and very active in choir and musical art and his mission to introduce men to the cultures men play a vital role as danc- my company’s projects. I’m commit- theater. But it never occurred to me ers, so I let men know that it’s their ted to showing them what’s possible, joy of dance despite persistent obstacles. that I could be a professional dancer. birthright to move. After all, we move and of course I hope they get excited I didn’t really discover my love for before we speak or walk—the body is about dance and enroll at TU. dance until I was 18 and majoring in a moving thing. music education at the University of South Carolina. FACULTY WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE DANCE PROFES- Q & A SIONALLY? | “I had a football player in the As a freshman I took my very first dance class and fell head-over-heels class who told me, ‘Now I in love after the first head roll. When Vincent E. Thomas, professor I ran out of elective classes, I studied of dance, is an award-winning ballet, jazz, tap and ballroom off know how to fall’.” dancer, choreographer and teacher. campus. I earned my bachelor’s He has danced with Dance Repertory degree and taught choral music, Theatre, Randy James Dance Works, Vincent Thomas but continued to study dance. I — EDGEWORKS Dance Theater and Liz found modern dance at Columbia Lerman Dance Exchange. His choreog- College, a women’s college in Co- raphy has been presented at various lumbia, South Carolina. The teachers national and international venues. sneaked me in to take classes with Among his numerous awards are a HOW POPULAR ARE YOUR WHAT IS VTDANCE? | the dance majors, and it was just 2009 Best of Baltimore-Choreographer NON-MAJOR DANCE CLASSES VTDance is my solo-based company, mind blowing. Eventually I decided Award, 2009 Baker Artist Choice though I audition and bring in other “I’ve got to follow this” and enrolled at FOR MEN? | Award (B Grant), three Metro DC artists and performers based on the Florida State University to pursue an Movement Enhancement Skills Dance Awards, several Maryland State project. We’re taking “What’s Going MFA in dance. for Men has grown from an initial Arts Council Individual Artist Dance enrollment of six to about 25–30 in On,” which looks at life, love and Awards, and a 2008 Kennedy Center each of two sections. I require the social justice through the music of Local Dance Commission Project HOW DID YOU COME TO TU? | students to attend a couple of dance Marvin Gaye, to Ohio and Montana Award. He received rave reviews for his Catherine Horta-Hayden (TU profes- concerts and write a paper about the before returning to DC Dance Place this performance of “iWitness” at the 2014 sor of dance) was a fellow graduate experience. A least 90 percent of these fall. “In the Company of Men Part III” Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. student at Florida State. After receiv- men have never seen a professional is scheduled to premiere in 2018. His work “We Hold These Truths...” ing my master’s degree, I danced dance concert, and they often can’t We’re building audiences, literacy and was selected for the 2012 National with Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, wait to go to another one. A few years appreciation, as well as promoting the ACDFA Festival at the Kennedy Center then taught dance at a high school in ago I had a football player in the class idea that all people have some kind of for the Performing Arts. He premiered Virginia and as an adjunct at George who told me, “Now I know how to fall.” art within. Through art, we connect to “F.E.A.R. Project” with Annika B. Lewis Mason University. Catherine, who He’d gained a greater awareness of his our deepest humanity. n in Denmark and the United States was teaching at TU, approached body and how to protect it. A crimi- in 2016. He was a 2012-13 American me about conducting a master nal-justice major who’d been dancing Dance Institute Incubator Artist (Mary- class. Although I had never heard with me for 2 ½ years said he wanted land), an Urban Bush Women BOLD of Towson University, I had a great to find a way to bring movement and facilitator/faculty member for the time. The students were fantastic dance to law enforcement. UBW Summer Institutes (New and the Department of Dance York), and artistic director for the seemed so vibrant. In 2002 WOULD YOU EXPLAIN HOW Marvin Gaye Project Company. He I accepted an offer to join is the founder of VTDance, a Balti- the faculty as a visiting YOU WORK WITH MIDDLE- AND more-based dance company that guest artist. HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS? | provides an outlet for solo, group and I’m in the third year of a grant collaborative choreographic endeavors. received from the Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences to

10 11 BY KATHLEEN HERTEL RICKER ’04

GORILLAS ur guides swung machetes back and forth, making a path through the jungle. Sweat dripped down IN HER my face. My knees shook with Opain as I tried to balance myself in the mud. Mosquitos and stinging nettles attacked my MIDST bare skin. We had been hiking for over two hours, but it seemed like forever. But this is what I craved. Four years ago I set a goal—to see wildlife in their natural Wildlife photographer habitat and use my photography to educate others about animals in the wild, not behind bars in a zoo. Kathleen Hertel Ricker ’04 Since then, I have been to all seven continents, swum with orcas in Norway, encountered penguins in Antarctica and been captures animals in their surrounded by elephants and lions. This was my fifth trek to see gorillas in Africa and my second trip to Virunga National Park—one natural habitats. of the few places to spot mountain gorillas in the wild. This part of Congo still has problems with poaching. Gorillas are killed mostly for meat but also for their land. Today I was going to meet a family of nine gorillas—three silverbacks, four little ones and two females. The family was just around a bend. Our group donned face masks to prevent the transfer of germs between us and the gorillas. Humans and gorillas are so close genetically that even a small cold can be transferred back and forth between the two species. I readied my three cameras—one with a lens for close-ups, another for portraits and a third point-and-shoot model for video. We had to stay a minimum of six feet from the gorillas, but the gorillas can move as freely as they please. The little ones, like all children, are often curious and will venture a bit closer. We started toward the family when we heard the grunt of a silverback in the bushes. He was making his presence known. Our guide grunted back, letting him know it was safe. As we turned the corner, we saw the beau- tiful Munyaga Group lying under the trees. Bilali, the oldest female, was in the center watching over three wrestling babies.

12 13 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TREKKING WITH GORILLAS There is a 98 percent chance you will see gorillas but no guarantee.

Treks may be an easy 15-minute walk or an intense eight-hour hike.

Permits are required from the parks. Fees vary. Visitors must be 15 or older. You will also need a Visa for each country.

Expect mosquitos and stinging nettles (a plant) on the journey.

Guides travel with a rifle to scare off wild animals. In the DRC, armed rangers accompany groups to keep poachers away.

TREKS I RECOMMEND Saso Uganda Safaris www.gorillatrips.net/

Rushaga Gorilla Camp www.rushaga.com/

Kathleen Hertel Ricker (above) pauses with her guides during a recent trek. A wedding photographer and an animal advocate, she hopes her photos from adventures to Africa, India and other global destinations will “educate people about how they can save the planet.”

She was so beautiful. Her facial expres- Yet even habituated groups are extremely the group—their behaviors and characteris- sions reminded me of all tired mothers whose protective of newborns. While trekking with tics—and give them a name based on their youngsters refuse to nap. I watched as her gorillas in Uganda, our guide got too close personalities. When the mountain gorillas eyes grew heavy and closed for just a minute to one of the infants. The mother screeched become accustomed to the humans, other until one of the little ones jumped on her. in alarm and within seconds the silverback scientists, conservationists or journalists are Then Bilali and I made eye contact, staring crashed through the brush, ran up the hill brought for visits. If everything goes well, the at each other. I just melted into her big brown and started swiping at our guide. Our guide treks are made available to the public. eyes wondering what was going through was able to calm the silverback so we could There are fewer than 880 mountain gorillas her mind. continue our experience, but the male gorilla left on our planet, according to the World These gorillas are habituated—familiar eyed us constantly, making sure his family Wildlife Fund. They are found only in the with humans—but still extremely wild. Those was safe. Virunga volcanos that span the borders of not habituated typically just move or hide Habituation takes two to three years, a Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Repub- when humans are nearby. Many gorilla process where researchers come across wild lic of the Congo, and in Bwindi Impenetrable families associate humans with poaching gorillas and essentially join the family. Trek- National Park in Uganda. or kidnapping their babies, which end up kers eat like them, travel with them, behave I’ve seen see gorillas at each location but in zoos. like them. They learn about each gorilla in the Virunga Park in the Congo is my favorite

14 15 spot. Bwindi National Park, home to 480 for the camera, but I got it before he had a gorillas, is a close second with its beauty and chance to grab it. Then he reached out and tropical feel. touched my leg. My heart was racing. Then Twice in nine months I visited Bwindi’s he did it again! Nshongi Group, named after the Nshongi As he moved to sit right next to me, I was River, where this group was first found. This teary and barely breathing. For an animal is the largest family of gorillas in Bwindi, with lover this was the ultimate moment. I felt like about 18 members that often split off into I was Dian Fossey, a zoologist and gorilla re- smaller families. searcher, who lived and died with her gorillas. In June 2016, while trekking with the Each trek with these beautiful animals has Nshongi Group, I met a little guy, Raha been different and magical. The one hour I (which means “enjoys”), who was about three get to spend with the gorillas is never enough or four years old. He was jumping around time. I could watch them all day. The more in the tree tops banging his chest and then I look at them the more similarities I find falling down rolling in the leaves laughing. between gorillas and humans, from the way Raha loved our attention. He climbed we move our hands to the way we interact from tree to tree making sure that we were with our young. The idea of a world without watching him. gorillas is heartbreaking. In March 2017, I was back with the Nshongi We must spread the word and educate group and within minutes I saw Raha again. people about how precious these animals are Tired from the uphill trek, I sat in the brush and how vital their habitat is for their survival. and photographed one of the mothers and My hope is that in five years we will have her baby as she cuddled him. Sudenly, I saw 1,000 gorillas, until some day they will no Raha coming right at me. I stayed still to see longer be endangered. n what he would do. My guide told me to pick Kathleen Hertel Ricker ’04 is a wedding and up my camera so he wouldn’t grab it. Raha wildlife photographer, and an adventurer. moved right in front of me and reached www.KathleenHertel.com Raha’s antics—jumping around the trees and pounding his chest—made him the center of attention. He would eventually run over and touch Ricker’s leg. “The one hour I get to spend with the gorillas is never enough time. I could watch them all day.” KATHLEEN HERTEL RICKER ’04

Ricker, who has been to all seven continents, 48 countries and 42 states, trains her lens on gorillas in Africa and penguins in Antarctica. For more pictures and information, visit towson.edu.

16 THE ROOTS OF TU SCIENCE George LaTour Smith laid the foundation for the study of the sciences at the Maryland State Normal School; the new Science Facility will expand that legacy to support the next generation of TU science students.

The man behind the name Groundbreaking Education of Smith Hall and Research Starts Here George LaTour Smith, the first faculty member Bring out the shovels. Construction of the new to specialize in the sciences, was hired by the Science Facility – which will be the biggest Maryland State Normal School in 1875 as an building on campus —began this fall. assistant professor to teach physics, chemistry To be built on York Road, between Stephens and natural history. He became the namesake Hall and the 7800 building, this new building of Smith Hall, TU’s first science building, con- will have 50 teaching laboratories, 30 research structed in 1965. labs, 50 classrooms, 10 student lounges and Smith, a Cornell graduate, worked with the collaborative areas, eight lecture halls, and an U.S. Coast Survey to build lighthouses along outdoor classroom leading to the Glen. George LaTour Smith the Atlantic coast before coming to the MSNS. The facility will also include a rain garden for His background lacked teaching experience, stormwater control, a planetarium, observatory so he spent his nights in the school’s laboratory, rooftop greenhouse and a museum and vivarium. studying just as much as the students he taught The Science Facility will place equal value on during the day. teaching and research. His efforts made him a beloved professor. “At TU, undergraduate and graduate students “Not only was he a truly great instructor, but work closely with faculty to explore real ques- there was never anyone who found more real tion and solve real problems—replacing the joy in teaching,” Minnie Lee Davis, Class of ‘cookbook’ labs in which students replicate ex- 1877 wrote in 75 Years of Teacher Education. periments with known outcomes,” says David Outside of teaching, he was superinten- Vanko, dean, Jess and Mildred Fisher College of dent of the Samuel Ready School, a school for Science and Mathematics. orphaned Maryland girls. He was a member of In addition, the facility will be a powerful the Botany Club of Baltimore and secretary for launchpad for new community collabora- the Photographic Society of Baltimore. And he tions—in business, technology and education. became a member and curator for the Mary- Completion of the $124 million project is land Academy of Sciences, the precursor to the scheduled for 2020. n MAGNIFIED | Maryland Science Center. Smith’s microscope is on permanent Ginny Cook, editor, Felicity Knox ’94, archives display in the archives. To read more about Smith, visit librarian, and the Fisher College contributed tuspcoll.blogspot.com/ to this story.

17 The

When a Supreme Court decision opened the door to educational opportunity, Marvis Barnes ’59 and Myra Harris ’59 stepped through to enroll at the State Teachers College at Towson. Their arrival signaled the beginning of a determined, rewarding —and at times hurtful—journey.

BY JAN LUCAS / PHOTO BY KANJI TAKENO

he decision would alter the course of earn bachelor’s degrees from the college. millions of lives, black and white alike. For four years they (and the pioneering black On May 17, 1954, a landmark U.S. students who followed them) brought a dab Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of of diversity to the overwhelmingly white TEducation, overturned state laws establishing campus. racially segregated public education. Myra Harris, then a recent graduate of For more than 50 years Maryland stipulat- Baltimore’s Frederick Douglass High school, ed that its black citizens attend “separate but had already been accepted at the historically equal” schools. They were separate, but too black Coppin State Teachers College (now often unequal. Coppin State University). Following Brown v. Board of Education, Later she found herself at a meeting formerly all-white public schools and col- listening to Rebecca C. Tansil, director of leges across the country opened to black and admissions at the State Teachers College at other nonwhite students. Some complied Towson. Harris says she approached Tansil with the decision promptly and without inci- afterward to ask who could attend the college. dent. Others resisted, especially in the Deep The firmness of her response had an impact, South. For years afterward, violence marred Harris remembers. “Towson,” Tansil said, attempts at racial integration. “is open to everyone.” The 1,164-student State Teachers College Harris decided to transfer. When Coppin at Towson had already eliminated the color State balked at releasing her records, the staff barrier peacefully with the admission of four at Frederick Douglass High, glad to help an Morgan State College (now Morgan State illustrious graduate, provided her transcripts University) graduates into its one-year teach- and other records in a sealed envelope. Harris ing-certificate program. and her mother then carried the envelope Harris and Barnes, both stellar high-school to a meeting with Tansil and Orielle Murphy, graduates with glowing recommendations, dean of students, on the Towson campus. were to become the first black students to 18 Marvis Barnes ’59 (left) and Myra Harris ’59 (right) exchange ideas,” she says. “We learned about She decided not to make an issue of the didn’t keep a log, I’d get behind. I was not go- each other that way.” biased grading. ing to get behind, so I started a second book.” Barnes and Harris, both Harris says she didn’t encounter blatant Once some of her classmates shunned Then one day the supervisor approached racism on the Towson campus. There were no her. “When the professor asked us to break her with a plan. “I’m going to take you home stellar high-school graduates ugly taunts, racial epithets or threats, and in into groups, it was clear that some students with me,” she insisted. “That way I’ll see the with glowing recommenda- fact many students, faculty and staff seemed didn’t want to be with me,” Harris recalls. She book and return it to you.” receptive to integration. But at times she says Orielle Murphy resolved the problem Harris asked the supervisor if she would tions, were to become found herself on the receiving end of what are by forming the groups herself. “She assigned take her home afterward, and the supervisor now called microaggressions—subtle words those same students to sit with me,” says agreed. After phoning her mother to say she’d the first black students to or behaviors meant to let her know she was Harris with satisfaction. “She wanted us to get be late, Harris accompanied the woman to earn bachelor’s degrees an outsider. to know each other.” her house in a suburb north of Towson. Harris endured the slights and kept on When the time arrived for student teach- “She gave me a room-by-room tour, which from the college. Marvis Barnes Myra Harris going. “I’d pray over it,” she says. ing, the college assigned Harris to a nearby I thought was unnecessary,” Harris says. Sometimes the rejection wasn’t so subtle. elementary school. But she subsequently “When we got to the bedroom, she said, “Myra, For example, during her freshman year learned that it, too, was ‘unready for integra- here’s your book!” Harris was assigned to observe classes in a tion.’ “I was very disappointed,” she recalls. Then she drove her student back to Balti- Baltimore City elementary school. “When the Instead she did her student teaching on more. teacher there found out I was black, she had campus at the Lida Lee Tall School, a site As they pulled up to the curb, Harris says “There were eight other girls “The exposure to people an excuse,” Harris recalls. “She said she was ordinarily limited to resident students. the supervisor exclaimed, “Oh, Myra, you live on the floor, and they were so who weren’t like me was ‘not ready to accept me at that time.’” Although her student-teaching supervisor in a beautiful house.” One professor continually doled out A’s to seemed cordial, at times her actions sug- The woman’s stratagem didn’t fool Harris accepting that we bonded right better for me than being in white students while making Harris—who gested darker motives. “We were required to for a minute. “I think she just wanted to see thought her work equaled theirs—make do keep a log book,” Harris says. “The supervisor where I lived,” she says. “But I did get a good away. We were close, like sisters.” a segregated environment.” with A minuses. “I asked what I could do to collected the books every week, graded them grade in student-teaching.” raise my grade, but never got much of an and returned them to us. Harris emphasizes that good came of the Marvis Barnes ’59 Myra Harris ’59 — — answer,” she says. “Even the other students “One week as she returned my partner’s hurtful experiences. “They made me a strong noticed that their grades were always higher book, she said, ‘Myra, I don’t have your book.’ person,” she says. than mine.” She kept forgetting to return it. I knew that if I As an upperclassman, she became a member of the college’s Freshman Advisory Council. By then there were a few more black students, Harris’s qualifications were never in ques- He was determined to see his star student test with the custodian when Tansil had gone and she enjoyed sharing the insights she’d tion. After all, she’d graduated third in her enroll at the State Teachers College in Towson. for the day. gleaned. She coached these young men and high school class of 401. Tansil confirmed the Barnes already had been admitted to two “It was not the SAT,” Barnes emphasizes. “I women on how to keep moving forward de- young woman’s distinction as the college’s historically black colleges: Morgan State had already taken that.” She remembers the spite occasional setbacks, saying, “You can’t first black freshman. Then, Harris recalls, she College (now Morgan State University) and test as a basic assessment of reading, math Living Legacies worry about everything. Deal with it and put said, “Myra, if you have problems, please Howard University. She’d been offered some and English skills. The Barnes-Harris Scholarship Endowment it behind you.” Later they’d tell her how much don’t hesitate to call me.” scholarship money and was in the process “I finished it in a couple hours,” Barnes re- they appreciated the advice. Harris had aspired to become a teacher of deciding between them when Mr. Morton calls, “and I was so afraid when I turned it in.” When Marvis Barnes and Myra graduates, helps these young since childhood. Now she was a “dayhop” interceded. Evidently surprised, Tansil asked if she had Nine white sisters (commuter) majoring in elementary edu- Morton told Barnes’s mother that if her finished. “Are you sure?” she persisted. Harris enrolled at the State men and women at the outset cation at the state’s largest teachers college. daughter aimed to be a “big-time teacher,” But when the director of admissions exam- Teachers College at Towson, of their TU careers. Resident student Marvis Barnes says the September 1955 marked the beginning of a she needed to send her to the State Teachers ined Barnes’s answers, her doubts evaporated. financing their education wasn’t The Barnes-Harris Scholarship top floor of Richmond Hall became her home college career distinguished by success both College at Towson. “Congratulations!” she exclaimed. “You’re a concern. In those days the state is awarded annually to an incom- away from home. “I had a handpicked roommate, a junior in and out of the classroom—as well as expo- The math teacher then obtained an admitted.” waived tuition for students who ing freshman who possesses “a sure to bias and bigotry. application and asked Barnes’s mother to Barnes then explained that she lived in named Katherine “Kathy” Smith, who was the pledged to teach in Maryland’s strong allegiance to the African- complete and mail it. Turner Station and would have to make a nicest person on earth,” Barnes says. “There public schools for two years American culture.” Recipients were eight other girls on the floor, and they Mr. Morton’s plan “Someone from the State Teachers College grueling streetcar commute every day. Tansil phoned my home and told me I had to take a seemed to take that in stride. “Congratula- after graduating. Barnes and must be graduates of a metropol- were so accepting that we bonded right away. Marvis Barnes (then Marvis Brown) grew test as part of the admission process,” Barnes tions!” she repeated. “You have a room in the Harris repaid the favor many itan public high school, enrolled We were close, like sisters.” up in Turner Station, a close-knit community remembers. “I had mixed feelings, but my dorm.” times over during their long full-time (12 or more hours) and Her new roommate shared her deep near Dundalk, Maryland. “It was an isolated, religious faith. “We had Bible study and mom urged me to go ahead and try. She said, “That’s how I ended up at the State Teachers and illustrious careers. with demonstrated financial segregated neighborhood,” Barnes explains. ‘Be yourself and you won’t have any trouble,’ College,” says Barnes, who majored in devotions every night before we went to sleep,” As a top-notch student at the all-black Sollers so I took the long streetcar ride to the Towson secondary and middle school education. Decades of cuts in state need. All applicants must she recalls. Point High school, she knew Towson only as campus.” “Glory to Mr. Morton.” support for public colleges and submit an essay of no less than “Our group eventually moved to Newell Hall, a “white school.” She was met by Rebecca Tansil, who universities have left many one page, double-spaced. and we lived together until we all graduated. “I didn’t know I could go there,” she says. explained that Barnes would be admitted if Dayhopping to Towson students struggling with debt. It was a delightful experience.” Although Barnes’s friends had her interests Mr. Morton knew otherwise. Barnes she passed a comprehensive test. The Barnes-Harris Scholarship, For details or to make a gift to the remembers him fondly as a “big, tall man” Tansil then escorted her to a large room Myra Harris remembers getting up early Barnes-Harris Scholarship, go to at heart, she says a couple of faculty members founded more than 20 years who taught high-school mathematics and in Stephens Hall—Barnes thinks it was the every morning to catch the No. 8 streetcar. www.towson.edu/studentdiversity/ did not. “They would go down the row asking challenged her and her classmates every day. music room—and instructed her to leave the “I’d always try to sit with other students and ago to honor TU’s first black scholarships/barnesharris.html.

20 21 questions,” she says. “When it was my At Northwestern Senior High School turn, they’d skip over me.” she served as department chair and Not one to be ignored, Barnes assistant to the principal. “After I answered anyway. retired, the principal phoned and There were times when her mere asked me to come back.” She relented presence excited unwanted attention. and returned to Northwestern for “My friends and I used to walk up to another four years. “I loved every day Hutzler’s [department store] after din- of it, but after 54 years I needed to ner,” she says. “White people driving learn how to rest,” she admits. past on York Road would actually slow Now retired, she remains active in down to look at us.” her church and loves spending time She was a young black woman with her four grandchildren. Today clearly on equal terms with her white she recalls her undergraduate years classmates, and their easy comradery as a wonderful, formative experience. turned heads wherever they went. “Towson made me a teacher,” she says. Today Barnes shrugs off those Myra Harris and Marvis Barnes disquieting moments. “They were little made TU history, though they didn’t things,” she insists. recognize that at the outset. The two “My friends were protective and women integrated the State Teachers Dr. Tansil and Orielle Murphy always College only three months before Rosa asked me how I was doing.” Parks refused to surrender her seat Barnes says student-teaching was to a white passenger on a Montgom- a rewarding experience for her, most ery, Alabama, bus. By the time they likely because the college had scouted “Myra, if you have graduated, the Civil Rights Movement local schools to identify which ones was in full swing under the leadership would welcome her. Every day she problems, please of Martin Luther King Jr. rode a campus bus to and from a And make no mistake: Harris Baltimore County middle school. don’t hesitate to and Barnes are proud alumnae who There she says she worked with “a excelled academically, socially and fantastic teacher who taught me a lot.” call me.” professionally. Both say the State Still, neither Barnes nor Harris took Teachers College at Towson provided chances with their personal safety. —Rebecca C. Tansil an excellent foundation for long and “I never feared for my life,” Barnes rewarding careers. They remain grate- explains, “but I never went anywhere ful to Rebecca Tansil and Orielle Mur- alone. I took precautions.” phy for their unstinting guidance and Harris recalls having to leave cam- encouragement. And although they pus after dark, something she’d always The local Jaycees chapter recognized her agree that although most members managed to avoid. As she waited alone contributions with Outstanding Elementary of the campus community were receptive to at the York Road streetcar stop, a carful School Principal and Outstanding Educator of integration, some were not. That, they agree, of unruly men sped by. “They were the Year awards. In retirement, she continues was an unfortunate fact of life. yelling at me,” she remembers. “I was to be involved in her church, saying her work Harris and Barnes dealt with it, finding frightened. Thank the Lord the streetcar there helps to keep her mind focused. solace in friends, family and faith. They came right away.” In retrospect, Harris doesn’t hesitate to pressed on, eyes on the prize, with the sup- credit the State Teachers College for her port of those who wanted them to succeed. Exemplary educators professional achievements. “The exposure to And they did. n people who weren’t like me was better for me After earning their bachelor’s degrees than being in a segregated environment,” she Jan Lucas is associate director of publications in 1959, both women went on to illustrious explains. “Towson was a treasured experience in University Marketing and Communications. careers, initially as classroom teachers and that helped to make me who I am. I would later in administrative roles. do it again.” Myra Harris taught elementary school and Marvis Barnes began by teaching core supervised student teachers. She served as social studies and English at Garrison Middle assistant principal and later principal at School, where she found innovative ways to Harlem Park Elementary as well as at Madison encourage boys to read. (She made them Square Elementary in Baltimore City. buy and read a newspaper every weekend.) She earned a master’s degree from Columbia She married a Morgan State graduate, University and took postgraduate courses at reared two sons and earned a master’s Johns Hopkins and Loyola universities. degree from what is now Loyola University Maryland.

22 ROAD WARRIOR

Greg Slater ’97 keeps Marylanders moving

BY GINNY COOK PHOTOS BY KANJI TAKENO

tuck in traffic? Stalled by road construction? Stymied by snowstorms? S Greg Slater ’97 feels your pain. As administrator of Maryland’s Depart- ment of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA), he understands the frustration of commuters and is committed to addressing traffic woes and keeping folks and vehicles on the move.

23 “I want every- body out there working to make things better for the This road warrior battles antiquated to drivers—his customers—in detours, delays can sometimes be secured in hours, giving Slater is notified whenever there is a fatality— systems that govern state transportation and and frustration from road construction proj- a boost to port business and Maryland’s commuter.” grim statistics he can cite from memory. fights the entrenched impression of the civil ects that can sometimes go on for years. He economy. “Freight that would have come to —Greg Slater ’97 Last year 523 people died in traffic accidents, servant who is anything but civil or obliging. points to recent projects, including work on surrounding ports now comes to Baltimore,” 20 percent of them pedestrians and six in Whether it’s clearing snow-covered roads, MD 32 that beat its completion date by a year, Slater explains. road construction work zones. maintaining bridges, designing highway im- and I-270, an estimated four-year project that An automated bid process and electronic He wishes he could do more to enhance provements, protecting the environment or took 2 1/2 years. management of construction activities are safety and urges drivers to slow down, something as simple as responding to phone Anyone who drove to the beach via MD 404 two other innovations that Slater says “are reminding them that “every person who or email complaints, Slater says the highway this summer can testify to the gridlock along bringing out a broader, more competitive died is someone’s loved one.” administration has to “rethink the way to do the route. But the road construction will be environment” to SHA’s operations. business. complete by November, about one year after All roads lead to service Slater’s compassion and drive come from an ingrained commitment to serve. When faced with tough decisions, he even refers to SHA brought in the expertise of researchers a list of attributes he keeps on a tablet. Among in TU’s biology department to study the them are integrity, trust, dedication and dependability. effectiveness of the relocation of 900 turtles These guide his vision of an organization that delivers service to its customers. In fact, from a highway construction area. he invokes Nordstrom, the department store, as the customer service model he wants to emulate. Slater (left) returned to campus in August to lend his expertise to Joe Oster (right) vice president of “People’s expectations are higher than ever,” administration and finance, and other campus officials, about rerouting foot and vehicle traffic when “Transportation is a quality-of-life issue. work began, another example of an accelerated The road he traveled construction begins on the new Science Facility along York Road. Slater says. “The nature of what we do is that My job is to enhance the system for our entire construction contract. “I can’t wait to pay everybody’s an expert. Everybody drives; Slater started out at TU as a business state … and getting there can be painful,” he that last installment,” Slater says, noting that everybody walks; There are a lot of amateur major, but soon switched to geography and As SHA’s head, Slater manages an annual “I was fortunate that the director of main- admits. vacation travelers were inconvenienced for engineers and amateur planners out there. environmental planning, a choice that would budget of $2 billion and oversees nearly 3,000 tenance had 35 years of experience,” Slater His challenges include managing safety only one season. “Whether it’s a call or a [message] on eventually propel him to leadership in employees at its Baltimore headquarters, a explains. “I could be helpful but also get out and infrastructure changes while modern- What drivers may not notice is the SHA’s Facebook or Twitter, they want to understand Maryland’s transportation departments. complex in Hanover, more than two dozen of the way.” izing an organization that he says, “from a commitment to protecting wildlife. “We work what we are doing. They are very personal, His background is dichotomous—an maintenance shops and seven districts policy perspective hasn’t changed in decades.” to understand the habitats of various species,” very direct. analytical side from his father, an engineer, throughout the state. Slater and the SHA are already doing more Slater says. Road signs “When they are stuck in traffic, it’s my fault. and a creative side from his mother, an artist. “Greg Slater is an innovator, who brings than lending bureaucratic lip service to prob- Mussels in a stream at Rocks State Park Slater knows there are few long, lonesome A pothole is my fault.” (Both parents are TU graduates.) great energy and new solutions to the table lems. Streamlining freight-hauling permits in Harford County were relocated during a highways in the state. Motorists in Maryland Slater is willing to shoulder the blame. He’s “Early on I thought differently from every- that meet the changing dynamics in the trans- at Baltimore’s port, instituting e-bidding and construction project and then reintroduced traveled some 58 billion miles last year, he says. been known to pick up the phone, listen and one else,” he explains. “I came at things from portation world,” Gov. Larry Hogan said in a e-construction processes, protecting wildlife to their former home when it was safe to They drove over 2,567 bridges, of which respond to commuters’ complaints. a different angle.” But it was always systems— press release announcing his appointment. and the environment, and balancing con- return. Special fencing prevents deer and only 67 need repair. That 67 is a number he’s “Everybody has something that is important how they operated and how they can be Slater’s first day on the job, March 13, struction costs with expediency are just some other animals from crossing major highways proud of, noting Maryland has one of the to them and it’s important that we show that improved—that fascinated him. began in sunny Annapolis. One moment he of the SHA’s recent innovations. while some culverts and bridges are designed lowest numbers of bridges that require work what’s important to them is important to us,” Two geography classes would build on was receiving congratulatory handshakes; the for their safe passage. SHA also brought in of any state in the country. he says. It’s one way of meeting future trans- that appeal, he adds. The first with Professor next he was thrown into crisis mode, manag- the expertise of researchers in TU’s biology When an eight-lane bridge over the portation needs. He says, “It’s how we can Time is money John “Jay” Morgan combined mapping and ing a snow emergency as a blizzard tracked department to study the effectiveness of Mississippi River in Minnesota collapsed 10 make getting to work easier for you.” n technology. Another examined how railroad up the East Coast. It might seem like heresy for a state institu- the relocation of 900 turtles from a highway years ago, “It changed the conversation about networks shaped the country’s development. Someone handed him a yellow operations Ginny Cook is the editor of Towson. tion, but Slater’s agency doesn’t always award construction area. bridge safety,” Slater says. In Maryland, regular After graduation, Slater spent his first two coat with his name scrawled on duct tape. highway construction contracts to the lowest Baltimore’s port is also benefiting from a inspections and engineering analysis, along years in private industry before spending the During the next 27 hours, he hunkered down bidder. He wants bids that “provide the best time-saving process developed by SHA in with timely overhauls, have kept the state’s next 18 with MDOT SHA. He most recently in an operations center to monitor pavement price and value in the shortest amount of cooperation with a number of other state bridges safe and off his list of things to served as deputy administrator for planning, temperatures or drove around in an SUV to time,” he says. agencies. It used to take days or weeks to re- worry about. engineering, real estate and environment get firsthand information. Most of all, he When selecting speed over lowest price, ceive a freight-hauling permit to move goods What does keep him up at night is the with seven years prior to that as planning wanted to make sure “those who really do the Slater knows he must still be a steward of out of the Port of Baltimore, Slater says. Now number of deaths on Maryland’s roads. director. work,” he says, got the sleep and food they state tax dollars. But he also factors in costs with a simplified, automated process, permits needed.

24 25 ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI NEWS

Having recently been elected president of TU has distinguished itself as a jewel in 1 2 the Towson University Alumni Association, the University System of Maryland crown I am extremely honored to serve alumni and through academic and social achievements FOUR YEARS LATER students, and to help the university achieve regionally and nationally. As we strive to Congratulations to the Class of 2017 its goals and objectives. I greatly appreciate serve and expand our alumni base in various the confidence expressed as I follow in the regions around the United States, our out- Members of the Alumni Association successful footsteps of our long-serving reach will be consistent with the university’s raised their glasses to TU’s graduates at Alumni Association President Lance strategic plan. These efforts have proved to the Toast to Graduates in West Village Johnson ’93. be effective, and will continue with upcom- I will continue and accelerate efforts ing alumni events in Atlanta, New York and Commons on May 22. Cosponsored by initiated by consultants to have the Alumni Los Angeles. the Office of the President, the Provost’s Association function as a more self-direct- As the evolution of Towson University Office and the Office of Student Affairs, ed, transparent entity. This will facilitate continues, I am excited about the opportu- we celebrated with 686 seniors and their clear and consistent communication with nity to be directly involved and to favorably families as our newest alumni joined the 3 4 a focus on greater outreach and service to impact TU students, alumni and other ranks of over 160,000 alumni worldwide. all TU alumni in a structured, programmatic stakeholders. I look forward to seeing way. We intend to help all alumni achieve many of you on campus in the near future. their academic, professional and personal In the meantime, feel the roar of the Tiger. Anthony Hamlett ’76 goals. I believe the key to building and/or re-building long-term relationships with our | 1 Phillip Ross III ’77 with his daughter Diana Ross ’17 alumni is to connect and engage with them | 2,3 Smiles are the order of the day as happy “Our outreach will on a personal level with a high degree of Anthony Hamlett ’76 parents and other family members enjoy spending consistency and predictability. president, tu alumni association time with their graduates. | 4 TU Tigers Taylor Lutz ’14/’17 M.S., Cindy Lutz ’87, Tony Lutz and be consistent with Carly Lutz ’17 celebrate. the university’s strategic plan.” 1 2 THE ROBING ROOM Alumni volunteer at the spring 2017 Commencement CHARGE WITH “NO CHARGE” The robing room was bursting at the seams when 36 TU alumni volunteered SECU’s Visa card for alumni has no annual fee for May’s Commencement. They helped the newest graduates with their regalia SECU, a partner of Towson University and the Towson and shared in their excitement. University Alumni Association, offers the SECU Visa

Signature® Card for Towson University alumni, an exclusive card available only to TU graduates. The SECU Visa Signature Card provides access to 3 valuable benefits, exclusive perks and VIP features, | 1 Many alumni volunteered to help graduates in including no annual fee, no international fee, EMV chip the robing room before commencement. 2 technology and complimentary concierge service, all | Robin Pettiford ’94 helps a graduating student with her hood before the College of Liberal Arts with special, custom card designs available only to TU ceremony. | 3 Doc shares his commencement graduates. Whether the design is Stephens Hall or Tiger excitement with alumni volunteers. Athletics, the cards display TU colors while users enjoy all the benefits that the SECU Visa Signature Card has to offer. It’s an elite card experience wrapped in TU pride. To learn more or to apply, visit secumd.org/towson.

26 27 ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI NEWS

1 2

1 2017 AWARDS BANQUET GOLDEN GRADS Alumni receive Distinguished Alumni Class of 1967 celebrates its 50th and Deans’ Recognition Awards reunion

TU’s finest were recognized May 5 The Class of 1967 needed three days to by the TU Alumni Association at the celebrate their return to campus and Distinguished Alumni Award and the their five decades as graduates. Their Deans’ Recognition Awards Banquet. fun-filled weekend began on Friday evening, June 2, at Souris’ Saloon. The next morning they met President Kim | 1 Distinguished Alumni Award Mark P. Becker ’80, president of Georgia State University, is leading the institution through a dynamic period of growth and advancement. Schatzel for breakfast and then spent a He was executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of South Carolina and dean of the School of Public Health. whirlwind day filled with a campus tour, a look at memorabilia from the library’s | 2 Distinguished Young Alumni Award archives, classes and a banquet. The Emily J. Taylor Au.D., FAAA ’13 opened her audiology practice, Taylor Listening Center, two months after her TU graduation. She specializes in festivities concluded on Sunday as the 2 3 diagnostic audiology and strives to create an atmosphere where people feel at ease and look forward to appointments. group watched the Orioles take on the Red Sox at Camden Yards. 2017 AWARD 3 4 | 1 The class of 1967 celebrates its 50th reunion. | 2 Dean Terry and Sally Snell | 3 The class of 1967 gathered outside of Stephens Hall. | 4 Patricia Walker RECIPIENTS Fielder, Ruth Cullison and Bonnie Robertson | 5 Tom McDade, James Watkins, Henry Chen (retired faculty member) and Alan Diem The Deans’ Recognition Awards honor alumni from each college.

| 3 College of Business and Economics Salvatore Correnti ’82 rose through the ranks of the former USF&G Corpo- 4 ration to launch its investment startup, Falcon Asset Management. He was 5 6 later CEO of Conning Asset Management. | 4 College of Education Delegate Kathy Szeliga ’94 is the Republican representative for District 7 and serves on the Health and Government Operations Committee. She is the highest-ranking Republican woman in Maryland. | 5 College of Fine Arts and Communication Ian Belknap ’06 is the artistic director of the Acting Company in New York City. The New York Times has called his work “a stroke of curatorial inspiration.” | 6 College of Health Professions James R. Churilla ’89 is an associate professor and graduate program director 5 of the Exercise Science and Chronic Disease Program at the University of 7 8 North Florida in Jacksonville. | 7 College of Liberal Arts Michael Edward Ranneberger ’71 had a distinguished diplomatic career in Latin America, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. He also was the State Department’s senior foreign policy adviser to three commanders of the U.S. Central Command. | 8 Fisher College of Science and Mathematics Christopher M. Young ’80, an engineer and entrepreneur, has founded seven companies over the past 30 years. These include Government Services Group (GSG), as well as ProObject, Secure Offices, The Yellowstone Group and MECH Recruiting.

28 29 ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI NEWS

1 2 1 2 ALL HANDS ON DECK CABARET Alumni set sail on a pirate cruise Alumni gather for student production

TU Tigers unleashed their inner pirate Alumni and friends were welcomed to during a cruise of Baltimore’s the infamous Berlin Kit Kat Club in 1930 Inner Harbor. The voyage on June 24 during a student performance of Cabaret featured a swashbuckling adventure presented by the Department of Theatre aboard the Fearless with games, grog Arts and the Department of Music. and a limbo contest. The May 4 event included refreshments, networking and a visit to the annual pottery sale.

3 4 | 1 Jackie and Edward ’00 Molen with Judy ’65 and Louis Kistner | 2 Verna Scheeler and Alan Scott

1 “SPACEBALLS” TU Planetarium screens wacky comedy “Spaceballs,” the comic science fiction movie directed by Mel Brooks, found a home July 15 at TU’s Watson-King 5 Planetarium. Alumni and friends relaxed in the Smith Hall venue to watch the “Star Wars” parody.

2 3 | 1 Nicole ’16 and Clark ’07 Adelman, Sienna Klima, Glendene Strickland, Stacey Klima ’14 and Tamera Kirby | 2 Keshia Monroe ’13, Anicia Cote ’12 with her twin sons and Erica Johnson ’13 | 3 Keri McClelland and Jim Boyce ’15 get ready to “get jammed!”

| 1 Brendan ’11 and Kaitlyn ’13 Maltese | 2 Kirsten Cerbone ’16, Susan Johnston and Ashley Chouinard ’15 | 3 Brian Jensen ’16, Sequoia Hutt ’15, Victoria Wright ’16 and Tiara Caneff ’15 | 4 Steve Bilsky ’11, Jerianne Lombardo ’12 and Laura Twohig ’12 | 5 The crew of TU pirates are ready to set sail.

30 31 ALUMNI NEWS

1 JOHN SCHUERHOLZ ’62 INDUCTED INTO THE NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME John Schuerholz ’62 Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame More than 40 Towson alumni—James Gede ’53, Mike Gill ’74, Gary Gill ’74, Bill Stetka ’77, George Henderson ’62 and Molly Shock ’75—along with several 2 3 teammates and relatives, made the trek to Cooperstown, New York, to honor John Schuerholz ’62 as he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The chairman of the Atlanta Braves and former TU baseball player has spent more than 50 years in Major League Baseball beginning with the minor league department of the Baltimore Orioles, then with the Kansas City Royals and the Atlanta Braves.

4 The Plaque Reads JOHN BOLAND SCHUERHOLZ JR. Gifted team builder whose steady eye for talent consistently produced winning results. Learned his craft in the player personnel department of the mid-1960s Orioles before joining the expansion Royals. Developed talented Kansas City nucleus into an A.L. powerhouse, advancing to the post-season seven times in a 10-year stretch. Named general manager in 1981 and led franchise to first World Champion- ship in 1985. Took over as Braves’ general manager and constructed rosters that would qualify for 14 straight post-seasons, winning five N.L. pennants and the 1995 Fall Classic. First GM to win World Series titles in both leagues. Continued as club president and vice chairman following his | 1 Missy Dudley, Gary Gill ’74, John Schuerholz ’62 and Mike Gill ’74 | 2 John Schuerholz and AVP days as primary team architect. of Alumni Relations Lori Armstrong | 3 A placeholder held the spot for the future home of John Schuerholz’s Plaque Postcard | 4 Susan Henderson ’64, Jim MacDonald, George Henderson ’63 and Bill Steka ’77

32 PHILANTHROPY

Recently, I had the pleasure of welcoming Thank you to all of the alumni and a number of our new students and their friends who support Towson University. families at orientation. That opportunity al- Everyone in our community feels the lowed me to reflect on my first six months impact of your philanthropy. at Towson University and to look forward During the coming year, I hope that you, to the start of a new academic year. our alumni and friends, will also take ad- I offered the following advice to the new- vantage of the myriad ways to reconnect est members of our university community: with the university. Support our Tigers at fully immerse yourself in the Towson Uni- athletic competitions; enjoy the artistic versity experience. I also had the opportu- and cultural talents of our faculty, staff and nity to highlight the many ways in which students; mentor a student or attend an private philanthropy enhances this terrific alumni event. We look forward to seeing institution and provides support for our many more alumni and friends return to “Everyone in our many academic, co-curricular, athletic and Towson University in the coming months. cultural programs. community feels Brian J. DeFilippis vice president the impact of your university advancement philanthropy.”

Legacy Giving is Thoughtful Planning TOWER LIGHT SOCIETY MEMBERS MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE

Did you know you can make a legacy Your thoughtful planning can make gift to support your alma mater that a tremendous difference in our future costs nothing during your lifetime? In- planning. Membership in the Tower Light cluding Towson University in your will or Society is offered when donors let us trust is a thoughtful way to make a real know that they have named the Towson difference in supporting the university. University Foundation, Inc., as a bene- A planned gift through your will or living ficiary in their will, trust, life insurance, trust is one of the easiest ways to make It’s simple retirement or other estate plan. Other a special legacy gift. Why? One paragraph in your will or trust members qualify through charitable gift can set up your legacy gift. annuities. It’s revocable A bequest doesn’t take effect right away. It’s flexible To learn more about planned giving It is a gift that doesn’t affect your cur- You can leave a specific amount, a options available to you, contact rent asset balance or cash flow. If your specific asset or a portion of your es- Kathleen Hider, director of planned plans or circumstances change, you can tate; and you may choose exactly how giving and major gifts, at 410-704-6287 easily revise the bequest. your legacy gift will be used. or [email protected].

PB 33 PHILANTHROPY PHILANTHROPY

Paws for Thanks Giving Back to Athletics TU COMMUNITY THANKS DONORS FOR THEIR GENEROSITY HONORING THE PAST WITH A GIFT FOR FUTURE STUDENT-ATHLETES

Last April, students, faculty, staff, admin- giant “Thank You” banner. What makes this istrators and TU President Kim Schatzel event unique for a day of donor appreci- gathered outside of the University Union ation is that many of the students, faculty for Paws for Thanks. The Marching Band and staff who attend are donors themselves. blasted TU’s fight song as students lined Students who have made a gift to Towson up to enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers. University have the opportunity to talk This gathering, which at first glance could about why they chose to donate and what be mistaken for a pep rally, was actually impact they hope to have on the institution. Towson University’s annual donor As TU continues to build a culture of appreciation event. philanthropy on campus, events such as During Paws for Thanks, people from Paws for Thanks will become increasingly every corner of campus come together to important to allow our community to thank thank our generous donors by signing a those who have given back and made a difference.

Addressing Student John Yingling ’71 Substance Abuse began working with Dan Crowley, athletics and Recovery chief development officer, to reunite the 1969 football team for their 45th anniversary COLLEGIATE RECOVERY in 2014. COMMUNITY SUPPORTS STUDENTS With football’s 50th anniversary Substance abuse is a challenging and approaching, Yingling decided to make a growing problem, especially on college significant gift to support athletics. Half of campuses where it’s perceived as his gift supports student-athlete scholar- the norm. ships, while the other half is the first gift to Towson University’s Collegiate support an athletics practice field. Crowley, Recovery Community (CRC) hopes to says Yingling, “has taken a significant ease stressors for students in recovery first step in helping us raise funds for this or struggling with substance abuse. project.” CRC “gives students a chance to Now, five teams share TU’s one artificial connect with peers and have a genuine turf field, which is incredibly challenging college experience while sharing given the class schedules maintained by our common goals and values,” says Emily scholar-athletes. Crowley says, “Building this new facility will provide far greater Sears, manager of substance education, TU’s 1969 football team members (above) in 2014 and (below) in 1969. treatment and prevention services. flexibility to our teams, creating an optimal “Members can attend support meetings, experience for Tigers now and in the future. Nearly 50 years ago John Yingling ’71 donned Yingling still feels the exhilaration of his social events, or engage in service or It has a direct link to scholar-athlete excel- a Tiger uniform and stepped onto the field time at Towson and remains close with advocacy opportunities.” lence and competitiveness.” as a member of Towson University’s first some of his 1969 teammates. “There’s noth- Yingling is pleased to be a part of this Grateful students deliver messages of thanks while Towson received a grant from football team. Now the insurance executive ing better than having those connections being serenaded by the TU marching band. Transforming Youth Recovery, a national project. “Towson gave so much to me in is taking steps to ensure that TU student- from 50 years ago,” he says. “You can never leader in the youth recovery movement academics and athletics that I have to give athletes will have a new practice field as erase those memories.” in January 2016 to build an active back,” he notes. “I’m excited to be a part well as scholarship support. After graduation, Yingling’s focus shifted. program for students. This grant put of moving the next 50 years of Towson Yingling spent two years at what is now He raised a family with his wife, Sharon TU a step ahead of legislation passed athletics forward.” Wesley College before transferring to TU Yingling ’71, while he worked to build Craw- last spring which required all University in 1968. Many of his teammates were also ford Yingling Insurance, a fourth-genera- System of Maryland institutions to junior college transfers, a similarity that tion family-owned business in Westminster. To support the practice field project, provide recovery support and services united the group. Or perhaps the players He also played semi-professional football visit towson.edu/GiveToCapitalProjects. to students in need. knew they were the beginning of a Towson for the Carroll County Chargers. All of this To support Athletics, visit towson.edu/ football legacy. kept his attention away from TU until he GiveToAthletics. To support Towson’s students in recovery, visit towson.edu/ GiveToStudentRecovery. 34 35 PHILANTHROPY

Environmental Justice and College Readiness TU PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH BALTIMORE BUILDS A COLLEGE PIPELINE

Shiann Newman, BFHS senior, captures fresh fruits and vegetables to show TU anthropology students on Baltimore’s Federal Hill the disparity of Curtis Bay’s food desert.

Solving environmental problems within T. Rowe Price Foundation provided a South Baltimore and introducing the grant to support the high school students’ prospect of college to underrepresented field trips, meals and other necessities asso- students is at the center of Associate Pro- ciated with encouraging attendance. Senior fessor Nicole Fabricant’s partnership with Director of the T. Rowe Price Foundation Benjamin Franklin High School (BFHS). Stacey Van Horn says, “I’m pleased that our Under the guidance of Fabricant’s grant dollars were of value to Towson Uni- upper-level anthropology students, BFHS versity’s work in the Baltimore community. students learn anthropological research Colleges and universities engage with Balti- methods such as interviewing, photo-voice more organizations and residents in unique and photo elicitation, narrative mapping, and often powerful ways. The universities and visual anthropology to determine why and our communities both benefit, which certain communities unevenly experience is terrific. Towson University’s partnership environmental problems and hazards. with Benjamin Franklin High School pro- Paired groups of anthropology students vided a wonderful learning opportunity for and high school students home in on a teachers, faculty and students.” particular environmental problem within Fabricant is most grateful for the support. the community to research. “T. Rowe Price has provided us the oppor- In addition to exploring environmental tunity to bring youth from Curtis Bay to justice, BFHS students take field trips to experience college, hopefully building a Towson University where they attend college pipeline from South Baltimore into Towson classes in the social or physical sciences, University,” she says. listen to faculty speak on environmental sciences and discuss college readiness as well as the support and resources available To support TU’s BFHS partnership, visit to ensure college success. towson.edu/GiveToDiverseLearners. Amber Smith, BFHS senior, documents the lack of adequate trash and city services in Curtis Bay.

36 PB MILT DIGGINS ’68/ ’78 M.ED.

is the author of Stealing Free- dom Along the Mason-Dixon: Thomas McCreary, the Notorious Slave Catcher from Maryland, CLASS NOTES a best seller for the Maryland CLASS NOTES Historical Society.

1960 1980 MILT DIGGINS ’68/’78 M.ED. wrote Stealing DENNIS CAPRIO ’80 and his wife, Gayle, Freedom Along the Mason-Dixon: Thomas traveled to Jerusalem, Israel, last March. McCreary, the Notorious Slave Catcher from Maryland. This story of slave catching and KEVIN BRISCOE ’84 BS POSC has been kidnapping is told through the nefarious appointed director of corporate activities of a Maryland slave catcher and communications and community of kidnapper, and his supporters. The book Ciox Health in Georgia. became a best seller for its publisher, the LISA ELEY ’88 BIOL Maryland Historical Society, and is in its BRETT MATTHEW SMITH ’84 HIST is the new second printing. Diggins travels throughout published Thirteen athletic director for the Institute of Notre Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware Geese in Flight. Dame in Baltimore City. and Washington, D.C., giving talks on the Fu- gitive Slave Act of 1850 and its contribution to the nation’s divide over the slavery issue. JOEL D. ALBIZO ’85 CCST, CEO of the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards, was elected president of the Federa- tion of Associations of Regulatory Boards, CLAIRE OTTERBEIN ’00 1970 where he will establish the budget, interpret bylaws and lead efforts for common sense JANICE M. IMWOLD ’71, who retired in 2014 became executive regulations. after teaching mathematics in Baltimore director of the County schools for 43 years, found a second Crisfield Heritage career as a mathematics master teacher JOE DURHAM ’85 was promoted to commercial with TowsonUTeach. Her first students in the marketing executive for the Columbia Bank Foundation. program will graduate next spring, she in Timonium, Maryland. writes, “and it gives me great satisfaction to CHARLIE SHOEMAKER ’86 retired after 28 know that I had a small part in the RON SNYDER ’00 CCMM continuing process of educating students years as a teacher, 27 of which were at Wilde Lake High School in Howard County, where who will educate students” in math and wrote Wrestling’s science. he established the alternative learning program for struggling students. New Golden Age: How GERALD T. GARLAND ’73 BUAD, managing Independent Promotions director of Incite Consulting, was appointed KEN SKRESZ ’86 DANC was appointed Have Revolutionized to RF Industries’ board of directors. He has executive director of the Maryland State One of America’s over 18 years of experience with the wireless Arts Council. A certified dance and theater Favorite Sports. telecommunications industry, most recently instructor for grades 6 through 12 in Mary- as senior vice president of solutions land, he has designed and implemented arts development and product management education and professional development for TESSCO Technologies. programs with a special emphasis on under- served populations. Skresz most recently TIFFANY FOUNTAINE BOYKIN ’05 WILLIAM ROWE ’75 became the chief risk worked as an educational program super- visor and coordinator of fine arts for the officer in the Office of the Comptroller of is dean of student the Currency. He has served as deputy to Maryland State Department of Education. the chief of staff and liaison to the Federal engagement at Anne Deposit Insurance Corporation since 2006. TODD FEUERMAN ’87 ACCT, director of Ellin Arundel Community & Tucker’s accounting and consulting de- College. RENEE MURDOCK ’78 BUAD became corpo- partment, co-presented two sessions at the rate responsibility officer for Key Bank’s Construction Financial Management Asso- Hudson Valley/Metro New York market, ciation’s 2017 Annual Conference and Exhi- where she will oversee Community bition last June. The sessions were “Leasing Reinvestment Act compliance. Murdock has as We Know it vs. Leasing in the Future” more than 30 years of banking, community and “Management Succession & Ownership development and nonprofit management Transfer Techniques.” experience. LISA ELEY ’88 BIOL published Thirteen Geese in Flight, a book that documents her experience coping with mental illness as an African-American woman.

PB 37 Ethel M. Carson ’77 ALUMNI 1990 August 30, 2017 IN MEMORIAM CLASS NOTES PROFILE CHAD CHAPPELL ’90 joined The Expo Group Arthur V. Campbell IV ’78 as national sales director. Most recently he April 20, 2017 was director of sales development for Visit ALUMNI Patricia E. Gladwell ’68 Louis E. Rusk ’80/ ’89 Baltimore. He holds a Certified Meeting June 29, 2017 July 11, 2017 CHARISSE MONTGOMERY ’02, whose son has Kathleen Sciegel Professional designation and is a member Ann S. Smithers ’34 Susan A. Cunha- a rare neuromuscular disease, has released a of the International Association for June 17, 2017 Michael J. Flannery ’80 ’84 M.A. Cheesman ’68 new self-advocacy and safety book series— Exhibitions and Events. August 22, 2017 Adelaide E. Brooks ’38 July 16, 2017 The Super Safe Kids—to engage children and September 11, 2017 Mary L. Naugle ’80 Ellen S. Burton ’69 families in improving safety and quality in ALVIN ANTON ’93 ACCT is managing director August 24, 2017 Melvin J. Sykes ’41 June 15, 2017 the home, hospital and community. of fixed income and chair of the investment May 22, 2017 Helen B. Zdrojewsk ’81 committee for Summit Financial of Hunt Catherine M. Rowan ’69 February 3, 2017 September 8, 2017 JENNIFER DUGENT WOLFF ’04 ART was Valley, Maryland. Previously, he spent 13 Rose M. Potter ’43 June 4, 2017 Nancy R. Wancowicz ’82 chosen from among 5,000 entries to receive years with CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Barbara J. Aron ’70 December 29, 2017 a Certificate of Excellence from Graphic as the senior director of investments. May 1, 2017 Catherine M. Pazdera ’46 Design USA. Her company specializes in February 17, 2017 Arnold Breidenbaugh ’82 Janie D. Barnes ’70/’81 July 18, 2017 graphic design for print, multimedia, AMBER (ERIN) RUPINTA ’98 CCMM, morning Jean A. Hopkins ’46 July 21, 2017 communications and social networking. anchor for ABC 11 in Raleigh, North Carolina, August 20, 2017 Mark H. Reiner ’83 Christine M. McConnell ’70 hosted the 10th anniversary of the Carolina January 20, 2017 Margaret W. Hubbard ’49 August 10, 2017 SHELLEY MORRIS FERGUSON ’05 and her Music Awards, which honors Carolina music, May 22, 2017 Wesley D. Zimmerli ’83 husband, Donnie, welcomed their first child, spanning hip-hop, R&B, country, rock, Amer- Ronnie H. Young ’70 May 4, 2017 Amelia Vaughn, on June 9, 2017. ican and bluegrass. She is a member of the Dorothy W. Rembold ’50 September 11, 2017 July 28, 2017 Richard M. Wilson ’84 Asian-American Journalists Association and R. Gerard Schaefer Jr. ’71 July 30, 2017 TIFFANY FOUNTAINE BOYKIN ’05 MS was the National Weather Association. William M. Hammerman ’52 June 12, 2017 May 30, 2017 Linda R. Chick ’88 appointed dean of student engagement at Carol H. Webster ’71 Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, MICHAEL HARDY ’99 ECON joined Duane July 16, 2017 Virginia M. Helm ’52 August 16, 2017 Maryland. She joined the college in 2016 as Morris as a partner in the firm’s Baltimore July 26, 2017 Jeanette G. Adams ’89 assistant dean of student services. office. He has extensive experience repre- Sandra C. Hendrick ’72 June 3, 2017 May 22, 2017 senting private equity investors and operat- Sonia Isaac ’53 May 18, 2017 Eleanor Ruth Ross ’89 KARA BALL FERNANDEZ ’08 is the 2018 ing companies in connection with mergers Patricia Kucharski Kureth ’72 September 4, 2017 and acquisitions, debt and equity securities Elizabeth S. Anderson ’55 July 8, 2017 Department of Defense Education Activity and other strategic transactions. February 26, 2017 Elizabeth A. Eisenman ’93 Teacher of the Year for the Mid-Atlantic Joseph B. Yellin ’73 August 25, 2017 June 17, 2017 District. Her recognition includes entry in the Mary Jo Robb ’57 National Teacher of the Year competition. COREY WITMER ’99 and his wife, Perry, July 13, 2017 Joanne H.Levy ’93 NO EXCUSES Melinda S. Frisch ’73 Fernandez teaches third grade at Delalio welcomed their daughter, Robbie June, September 10, 2017 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO Sara B. Kanefsky ’58 July 4, 2017 Elementary in North Carolina. on March 18, 2017. August 8, 2017 Sherell Jacobson ’94 CONSIDER COLLEGE AS A PLAN, NOT JUST A DREAM James M. Smith ’73 July 23, 2017 George C. Gott ’58 July 26, 2017 PRESTON PEHRSON ’09 was promoted to August 31, 2017 Kamari V. Groom ’94 director of player personnel for the football Julianna Jaramillo and Antonio Quintana She even had them review TU’s online 2000 Charles D. Bowers Sr. ’73 August 9, 2017 are reading the Towson alumni magazine application to become familiar with the Majorie A. Bayne ’60 September 3, 2017 team at the U.S. Naval Academy. in their fourth grade class. admission process. “They were surprised RON SNYDER ’00 CCMM wrote Wrestling’s August 12, 2017 Brian E. Flanagan ’95 Ward Wesley Smith ’74 August 18, 2017 Their media teacher, Kathleen Sciegel ’84 at the out-of-state tuition for Towson,” New Golden Age: How Independent Ronald C. Sweany ’60 May 11, 2017 Promotions Have Revolutionized One September 15, 2017 David T. Koons ’97 M.A., has not only made reading university Sciegel says. But then she pointed out Sara H. Hawley ’74 2010 of America’s Favorite Sports, which July 1, 2017 magazines part of her lesson plan but TU’s cost “was cheaper than the instate Joyce D. Feinberg ’60 July 9, 2017 examines wrestling’s beginnings and the BRYAN PORTER ’10 MS has been appointed also part of her plan to sow the seeds of tuition for Colorado College, which is 40 September 16, 2017 Sally R. MacDonald ’98 to the board of trustees for the Baltimore hurdles participants must overcome to Sue Carnell ’74 September 11, 2017 higher education. miles from Pueblo.” become superstars. Carolyn S. Owens ’62 August 16, 2017 Museum of Industry. A CPA and director at She wants her students at Park View Her efforts are all part of becoming a No September 22, 2017 Ailene Sher ’00 Ellin & Tucker, an accounting and business Michael N. DiMenna ’74 Elementary School in Pueblo, Colorado, to Excuses University (NEU) school, which July 10, 2017 consulting firm, Porter will help guide the CLAIRE OTTERBEIN ’00 ART became Gail P. Quesenberry ’63 September 4, 2017 know that a university education is a pos- Park View Elementary applied for last June 5, 2017 Daniel Joseph Zito ’05 museum as it continues educating and executive director of the Crisfield Heritage Marie E. Lancaster ’75 sibility, but only if they prepare for college, year. Schools with the NEU designation August 25, 2017 engaging visitors and the community. Foundation in June. She manages finances, Carmela A. Triolo ’63 April 16, 2017 not just dream about it. implement six core concepts to make sure fundraising and community outreach, along July 28, 2017 Glenn Allen Lewis ’06 Shawn P. Flannery ’75 “The overall theme is to have a plan that students are prepared for college if they with coordinating volunteers, education March 16, 2017 LAURA GILMAN ’10 MA, manager of the Anna L. Blais ’63 May 30, 2017 will take them to college after high school,” choose to attend. programs, rentals and special events. Kansas City aging program for Jewish Family September 11, 2017 Jeanann Boyce ’07 Services, received the Field Instructor of the Sciegel says. “NEU believes when these six systems Ann C. Doak ’75 July 8, 2017 June 23, 2017 Year award for Avila University’s social To get her students to focus on their are in place, all students achieve and MARCELLA TILLI ’01 and MATT PELUSO ’01 Annette K. Heiserman ’64 July 14, 2017 Laura E. Wallen ’07 work program. futures, Sciegel requires them to make succeed,” Sciegel adds. welcomed their second daughter, Giorgiana Marilyn R. Guzinski ’76 September 3, 2017 February 10, 2017 two PowerPoint presentations. First they Now that her fourth graders are think- Ava, on September 26, 2016. Thomas G. Redman ’65 June 3, 2017 Megan M. Dasovich ’11 THOMAS A. COSSENTINO ’11 MUSC, an search careers—what they want to be ing about college, “Perhaps one of the Dennis R. Gajewski ’76 July 23, 2017 accountant with Myers and Stauffer in KELLY HOLMES ’01 CCMM joined A. Bright April 28, 2017 when they grow up—and next they conduct students will venture to Maryland to at- Sarah M. Lewis ’65 Owings Mills, Maryland, passed each of the Idea Advertising and Public Relations in Bel August 5, 2017 Orlando Alberto Rojas ’13 online searches of the colleges they wish tend Towson,” she says. n Charles T. Lusco ’76 four parts of the Uniform Certified Public Air, Maryland, as a senior communications July 28, 2017 Mary Ann J. Tolen ’67 July 8, 2017 Accountant Examination on his first attempt. to attend. specialist. She has worked over 11 years May 21, 2017 Zachary S. Warnick ’17 He and his wife, Jen, were married in 2016 working in retail and financial marketing, Margaret S. Selby ’76 July 26, 2017 Charlotte B. Weinhold ’67 August 6, 2017 and reside in Hampstead, Maryland. —GINNY COOK conducting strategic planning, project July 24, 2017 management, creative writing, graphic Peter Olejnik ’76 FACULTY/STAFF MATT STUCKEY ’11 BUAD joined Northwestern design and community outreach. Daniel L. Fitzell ’67 September 24, 2017 September 14, 2017 Mutual in Baltimore as an associate wealth Patricia B. Leak ’77 Mary Jo McCabe ’80 management adviser with Bell Wealth KIMBERLY MCLAREN ’02 KNES married September 3, 2017 Douglas M. Hall Jr. ’68 July 1, 2017 Management Group. A certified financial Teodoro Bordador III on July 1, 2016, in March 26, 2017 John G. Isaacs planner, Stuckey has a series of securities Annapolis, Maryland. They now live in Need date? licenses as well as a Maryland Life and Louisville, Kentucky. Health Insurance license. 38 39 GIAVANNA PARMER GREIN ’12 published a ANDREW LINGELBACH ’14 directed April’s CLASS NOTES children’s book, When Nilly met Nelly, the Wish Race 5K that benefited Make-A-Wish, Hungry Hungry Ele, about a young banana the foundation that grants the wishes of farmer in India and a hungry, determined children with life-threatening medical condi- elephant. tions. A childhood cancer survivor, Lingelbach is an ACSM certified personal trainer at the MATT SIKORSKI ’12 and CHARLOTTE RIDGE- Merritt Athletic Club in White Marsh, Maryland. WAY ’14 discovered TU ties run long and deep, even atop Peru’s Machu Pichu. They CARI ASHKIN ’15 CCMM joined A. Bright Idea spied a girl wearing a Maryland flag T-shirt Advertising and Public Relations in Bel Air, Maryland, as a communications specialist. SEND US YOUR NEWS! and soon learned that ADRIANNA MORGAN ’16 and ALIE WALLER ’17 were also TU graduates. KAITLIN WYNNE ’15 ART won Gourmand’s We’d like to hear from you about “Best Culinary Heritage Book” for her DAVE RYBCZYNSKI ’14 M.S. MUED is director cookbook, I Nengkanno’ Guåhan: The Food what’s happening in your personal of fine arts at Mercy High School in Baltimore. of Guam. Authors from as many as 200 and professional life. He often plays saxophone with the BSO countries participate in the annual cookbook Pops and Several Species: The Pink Floyd competition, according to Gourmand SEND MAIL TO: Experience. He also freelances on wood- International’s website. Alumni Relations, Towson University, winds throughout Baltimore and Washington, D. C. 8000 York Rd. Towson, MD 21252-0001 MICHAEL BEHRMAN ’17 BUAD has been hired by Heritage Financial Consultants as a client EMAIL: relationship manager. [email protected] ALUMNI PROFILE

PRESTON PEHRSON ’09 Gale is director of player Jamieson ’94 personnel for the football team at the U.S. Naval Academy.

BRYAN PORTER ’10 M.S.

was appointed to the board of trustees for THE HUMANITY OF EXPRESSION the Baltimore Museum HER ART AIMS FOR UNDERSTANDING AND DIALOGUE of Industry. Gale Jamieson’s artistic expression brings TU art professor, now retired. The off-cam- her closer to understanding humanity. pus group gave students opportunities to “Each piece is a story, a journal of mo- further their skills and showcase their works CHARLOTTE RIDGEWAY ’14 and MATT SIKORSKI ’12 ments and an inquiry into culture, intercon- in exhibitions throughout Maryland. nections, impermanence,” she says on her Through the years, Jamieson’s art has discovered fellow alumni, website. been in residencies from Florida to New ADRIANNA MORGAN ’16 and Her most recent works are featured in York, and across the Atlantic in France and ALIE WALLER ’17, atop a self-published booklet featuring over Ireland. Her sculpture is part of the perma- Machu Picchu. 20 pieces. Her favorite, Pangea, is a kimo- nent collection of the Smithsonian Museum no made from woven strips of National of American Art. Geographic maps, draped over a bamboo She also has her own exhibit spaces in hanger. southern Pennsylvania. KAITLIN WYNNE ’15 ART Pangea “highlights the Westernization “I have always had a space for art, even of our world and our subsequent loss of if it is just a back room,” Jamieson says. “I won Gourmand’s “Best culture,” Jamieson explains. now have two fairly large studios; one in Culinary Heritage Book” Jamieson has always been involved in York, Pennsylvania, that I have owned for for her cookbook, the arts, fashioning her first creation in fifth seven years, and the other is right next to I Nengkanno’ Guåhan: grade. “One other student and I created an my house, a large 250-year-old barn I have The Food of Guam. eight-foot papier-mâché owl for our school used for 35 years.” float,” she recalls. From then on, she and Her ultimate goal is for her art to start her teacher knew art was in her future. conversations. She notes, “If I don’t put my At TU, Jamieson was a part of the Sculp- art out for the public to see and converse ture Coalition, founded by Jim Paulsen, a about, then I’m just talking to myself.” n

—JOSEPH HOCKEY 40 “It’s a good cause to help students fulfill their education. Not all students have sufficient money to attend college, so the little bit I can donate is helping them.”

Patrick H. O’Connell Jr., TU’s most loyal donor with 35 consecutive years of giving, pictured with his son, Brian O’Connell ’87 (left), a TU supporter for over 10 consecutive years.

To help students further their education, go to towson.edu/giving or contact the Development Office at 1-866-301-3375.