THE MAGAZINE OF OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY Spring 2016 OHIO’S #1 PROFESSOR Eco-Scientist Laurie Anderson Expands the Classroom PagePage 12 12 4 Moot Court 18 Conventioneers 26 Art and 30 Record Conquerers Since 1884 Artifice Championships Elliott Hall at sunrise. Photo by Larry Hamill. 12 18 26 Features 12 Breaking Boundaries Named the 2015 Ohio Professor of the Year, Laurie Anderson is on a quest to solve 21st-century problems. Her method? Engage students to be part of the solution. 18 Conventional Wisdom No doubt about it—presidential nominations raise spirited debate. A century-plus tradition, Ohio Wesleyan’s Mock Convention brings its own political fervor every four years to OWU’s Gray Chapel. 26 Art & Artifice Retiring theatre professor Bonnie Milne Gardner and her former student—Anne Flanagan— reunite to showcase one last play. This time, it’s Flanagan’s award-winning “Artifice” that takes center stage at the Studio Theatre. Departments 02 LEADER’S LETTER 10 COMFORT ZONES 36 CALENDAR 04 FROM THE JAYWALK 30 BISHOP BATTLES 37 FACULTY NOTES 07 OWU TIMESCAPES 32 ALUMNI PROFILE 38 CLASSNOTES 08 GIFTS AND GRATITUDE 34 ALUMNI HAPPENINGS 48 THE FINAL WORD ON THE COVER: Professor of Botany-Microbiology Laurie Anderson in her element at the Moore Greenhouse. Cover photo: Mark Schmitter ‘12 2 | OWU Leader’s Letter CIVIC – AND CIVIL – ENGAGEMENT Arneson Pledge needed more than ever n February Ohio Wesleyan students, home state of Arkansas, where Melissa reasoned reflection. Students and faculty I faculty, and staff gathered in Gray and I were joined by OWU Trustee and deliberated with one another and shared Chapel to continue a tradition that Delaware County Commissioner Jeff the convention floor as equals. originated on this campus in 1884: Benton and a group of students. Ohio Wesleyan has a long history of Mock Convention. Consistent with past Delegates heard from Congressman educating citizens who are prepared to practice, Mock Convention replicates Pat Tiberi, who encouraged them to engage our civil society and advance the national convention of the party not engage with issues of interest and to the interests of our democracy. While currently occupying the White House. probe deeply to ensure that they are not Mock Convention dates from 1884, the NOW MORE THAN EVER, OUR COUNTRY HUNGERS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PREPARED TO ENGAGE IN A THOUGHTFUL AND CIVIL MANNER WITH THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES OF OUR TIME. NOW MORE THAN EVER, OUR WORLD NEEDS LEADERS WHO HAVE MORE INTEREST IN BRIDGES OF UNITY THAN WALLS OF SEPARATION EVEN AS WE CONFRONT THE PROFOUND THREATS TO LIBERTY AND This year’s convention was a gathering of misled by loud voices that too often are HUMAN DIGNITY THAT ARE the Republican Party. It was a showcase misinformed and/or simply unwilling to of the robust civic engagement that has speak truthfully. Former Ohio Speaker SO PROMINENT. long been treasured at Ohio Wesleyan— Jo Ann Davidson, who will serve as co- and a clear reminder of the desperate chair of the Republican Party Convention commitment to preparation for public need in our society for deep but civil in Cleveland this summer, spoke to the service often is associated most clearly public debate and participation. delegates about the many issues that with Ben Arneson, who served on the The delegates to Mock Convention surround preparation for a national party Ohio Wesleyan faculty for 36 years and engaged in spirited debate about the convention. Commissioner Benton gave in 1947 founded the Institute for Practical rules that would govern their work, the a primer on the importance of local Politics and Public Affairs, which now policies that would drive their campaign, government in the lives of every citizen. bears his name. Arneson was fond of and the candidates who would represent Notably absent from the proceedings quoting Thomas Jefferson, who called on the Grand Old Party in the fall of 2016. were angry tirades, blistering personal “better minds for better politics.” They worked late into the night, and they attacks, stinging insults and polemics Ben challenged his students to were back early Saturday morning to irrelevant to the purpose of the gathering. prepare for lives of public service by complete their task. I had the pleasure The convention turned loud at times, but asking them to sign cards that became of chairing the delegation from my all in the spirit of informed debate and known as the Arneson Pledge. On the THE MAGAZINE OF OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY cards were written these words: “With a As I sat in Mock Convention I could view to serving the public interest and not help thinking about the values SPRING 2016 | Volume 94 Issue N0. 1 regardless of the nature of my future reflected in Arneson and Fleming and vocation I pledge that, upon leaving echoed again in Gray Chapel this winter college, I will devote a portion of my time and their contrast with the noise that www.owu.edu/alumni-and-friends/ to active and definite participation in characterizes the political process in Ohio Wesleyan Alumni Online Community public affairs.” our country today. Now more than ever, Vice President for University Advancement Among the many students of Ben our country hungers for individuals who Colleen Garland are prepared to engage in a thoughtful and civil manner with the most pressing Editor and Chief Communications Officer Will Kopp issues of our time. Now more than ever, our world needs leaders who have more Director of Alumni Relations interest in bridges of unity than walls Katie Webster of separation even as we confront the Managing Editor profound threats to liberty and human Lisa Lopez Snyder dignity that are so prominent. Now more than ever, our society needs individuals Class Notes Editor whose values are shaped and whose Amanda Zechiel-Keiber ’09 [email protected] intellects are honed by the successors of Ben Arneson who teach on campuses like Designer Ohio Wesleyan. Walker Design & Marketing This may be the most important Editorial Assistant contribution of liberal arts education as Abby Hanson ’16 we move toward the middle of the 21st century in a world that is increasingly Contributing Writers Ben Arneson, founder of the Institute divided and plagued with violence. Mark Beckenbach, Jeff Bell,Emily Feldmesser ’16, for Practical Politics and Public Affairs, We need thoughtful leaders who are Cole Hatcher, Julia Stone ’16 challenged students to prepare for lives prepared to engage in a civil society and of public service. Contributing Photographers to make the world a better place and who Sarah Blake, Lisa Di Giacomo, Larry Hamill, Arneson who made an impact on our are committed to “active and definite Spenser Hickey ’15, Mark Schmitter ’12, Paul larger world was Arthur Fleming. Arthur participation in public affairs.” Vernon Fleming graduated from Ohio Wesleyan Those of us on campus today have Office of University Communications in 1927 and returned to his alma mater the privilege of serving an institution (740) 368-3335 to serve as president before later with a heritage that is strong, a mission presidencies at the University of Oregon that is noble, and a future that is bright. Alumni Relations Office (740) 368-3325 and Macalester College. His work in That heritage is reflected in the likes of [email protected] academic life was complemented by Ben Arneson and Arthur Fleming and is a lifetime of public service. He served renewed among our faculty and students Website: www.owu.edu as secretary of health, education and every day. As you read about Mock OWU Magazine: http://magazine.owu.edu The Ohio Wesleyan Magazine welfare in the Eisenhower administration Convention and about other news from ISSN 0030-1221 and later as chairman of the Civil Rights campus, I welcome your thoughts on our Commission and chairman of the White work together and on its impact on our House Conference on Aging. He was the larger society. Printed on recycled paper second layman to be named president of the National Council of Churches. He received two Presidential Medals CORRECTIONS: We regret that in the Winter 2016 issue two people were misidentified in photographs. of Freedom. Arthur Fleming fulfilled the Rock Jones On page 8, in the story about Dr. Rolland Dickson, Arneson Pledge in extraordinary ways. President, Ohio Wesleyan University pictured are Susan Dickson and Rolland Dickson. At the bottom of page 32, Don Wagner ’62 was misidentified as Don Morgan. We apologize to these individuals and to our readers for these errors. 4 | OWU From the JAYwalk National Moot Court award winners Katherine Berger (left) and Rhiannon Herbert discuss a case. OWU earns top-5 finish in national moot court competition When the final verdict was handed down, smallest schools in the country to advance team you didn’t think you would beat,” seniors Katherine Berger and Rhiannon a team as far as the tournament’s round says Herbert, a resident of Mentor, Herbert earned an OWU-record-setting, of 16. OH, who hopes to become a state top-5 finish in the American Collegiate Berger, who has been participating prosecuting attorney. Moot Court Association’s national in Moot Court since her freshman year, In addition to Berger and Herbert, championship, held in January in Long called the annual competition “the defining Ohio Wesleyan junior Forest Dearing Beach, CA. experience of my college career.” of Louisville, KY, and sophomore Chloe Pre-law advisor Michael Esler, Ph.D., “The adrenaline that you feel when you Dyer of Guysville, OH, also advanced coach of OWU’s moot court team, notes are standing in front of established legal from regional competition to the national that Ohio Wesleyan was one of the two professionals and being battered with finals.