On the Banks of Buck Creek
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spring 2009 On The Banks Of Buck Creek Alumnus And Professor Team Up To Transform Springfield Waterway Wittenberg Magazine is published three times a year by Wittenberg University, Office of University Communications. Editor Director of University Communications Karen Saatkamp Gerboth ’93 Graphic Designer Joyce Sutton Bing Design Director of News Services and Sports Information Ryan Maurer Director of New Media and Webmaster Robert Rafferty ’02 Photo Editor Erin Pence ’04 Coordinator of University Communications Phyllis Eberts ’00 Class Notes Editor Charyl Castillo Contributors Gabrielle Antoniadis Ashley Carter ’09 Phyllis Eberts ’00 Robbie Gantt Erik Larkin ’09 Karamagi Rujumba ’02 Brian Schubert ’09 Brad Tucker Address correspondence to: Editor, Wittenberg Magazine Wittenberg University P.O. Box 720 Springfield, Ohio 45501-0720 Phone: (937) 327-6111 Fax: (937) 327-6112 E-mail: [email protected] www.wittenberg.edu Articles are expressly the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily represent official university policy. We reserve the right to edit correspondence for length and accuracy. We appreciate photo submissions, but because of their large number, we cannot return them. Wittenberg University does not discriminate against otherwise qualified persons on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability unrelated to the student’s course of study, in admission or access to the university’s academic programs, activities, and facilities that are generally available to students, or in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other college-administered programs. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Editor, Wittenberg Magazine Wittenberg University P.O. Box 720 Springfield, Ohio 45501-0720 Cover photo by Robbie Gantt PHOTO BY ERINspring PENCE ’042009 1 Collin Wenzell ’10 performs in Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni, the Department of Theatre & Dance’s mainstage production, Feb. 26-March 1. The production was directed by Visiting Instructor of Theatre and Dance Seton Brown ’04. 2 Wittenberg Magazine inin this this issue issue... ... spring 2009 Vol. 11, No. 2 16 On The Banks Of Buck Creek Industrialized and overgrown, Springfield’s own waterway is almost a forgotten resource. John Loftis ’94 and Professor of Geology John Ritter want to change that. 22 A Legend Celebrated Wittenberg salutes mentor, friend and longtime Head Football Coach Dave Maurer. 24 A Time Of Transformation As Concerned Black Students celebrates its 40th anniversary, Wittenberg Magazine reflects on the historic 1969 walkout and what it meant to those who were there, who followed and who continue to carry the torch today. Departments 4 Letter from the President 5 Around Myers Hollow 12 Education 13 Witt World 14 Tiger Sports 26 Alumni World 55 Calendar of Events 56 Reflections Log on to take our first-ever online reader survey at www.wittenberg.edu/magsurvey PHOTO BY ERIN PENCE ’04 spring 2009 3 Wittenberg University Navigating Uncharted Waters Board of Directors ESIDENT Wittenberg, Our Students And The Economy Dr. William D. Adams PR E s I began to write this column, I found myself thinking about all that Waterville, Maine H T Mr. William H. Barton Jr. ’71 Ahas happened since I last shared my thoughts with you in the alumni Bronxville, N.Y. OM magazine. In just a few months, the world we live in has changed in ways Mr. Wesley C. Bates ’70 FR R few of us could have predicted, and we now find ourselves in whatI Marco Island, Fla. cautiously describe as “uncharted waters.” We, quite frankly, live in a time tt ette N Mr. David L. Boyle ’69 L A that presents extraordinary challenges to all of us both as individuals and G Greenwich, Conn. E I as a broader community. As members of the Wittenberg family, I imagine Ms. Jennette Bradley ’74 Robb Columbus, Ohio you are asking yourselves two fundamental questions: “How is Wittenberg faring in these uncertain economic times?” and “What can I do, as a member of this family, to help?” Mr. Stephen R. Buchenroth ’70 Worthington, Ohio I know that each of you has been touched personally by the changing economy and so has Mr. Glenn W. Collier Wittenberg. I suspect that most of you look at your 401k retirement accounts and shake your Springfield, Ohio heads (just as I do). You, too, have been bombarded with news about the ailing stock market, Mrs. Jennifer Sauer Cooperider ’81 rising unemployment, major losses in college endowment funds and college affordability. Sylvania, Ohio You have also likely read stories about places such as Harvard or Stanford, where the loss in The Rev. Jonathan L. Eilert ’93 endowment income has resulted in major cutbacks in staff and faculty, and wondered about Loveland, Ohio your own alma mater. Dr. Mark H. Erickson Springfield, Ohio Yes, the Wittenberg endowment has also taken a significant hit, falling from a high of Mr. James J. Henson ’75 $120 million this past summer to $83 million this spring, resulting in nearly $750,000 less Columbus, Ohio revenue to fuel our annual operating budget of $58 million. The good news is that we are not Dr. Elizabeth A. Hunter ’69 so endowment dependent as the Harvards of the world, so the hit to our operating budget is Fairfield, Ohio not nearly so great (although I have often said, give us Harvard’s endowment, and we will find Mrs. Alicia Sweet Hupp ’82 a way to deal with the resulting problems). Nevertheless, the impact is real and will be felt not Springfield, Ohio only this year, but for several years to come. Mr. Douglas E. Kentfield ’78 Garden City, NY Our bigger concern, however, is ensuring that we retain our present students and Mr. Thomas P. Loftis attract new students in this challenging economic climate. This past month we announced Springfield, Ohio a 2.9 percent tuition increase, our lowest increase since 1965. We have also developed an The Rev. Dr. Marcus C. Lohrmann emergency loan pool for students who can’t find loans from any other sources, and we will Sylvania, Ohio be providing $30 million in student financial aid this fall. We are also working diligently to Mr. John P. McDaniel ’64 keep university costs as low as possible by making significant cuts in our existing budget Highland, Md. while preserving the quality of the educational experience for our students. Mrs. Sarah Hagen McWilliams ’88 Millboro, Va. On the new student front, our admission application numbers are down slightly (consistent with national trends), while our deposits are up (bucking the national trend), but it is still very Mr. John F. Meier ’69 Sylvania, Ohio early in the process. If you know of students who are interested in college, please tell them Ms. Deborah G. Miller ’71 about the life-changing impact of a Wittenberg education. Tell your own story. Tell them also Palo Alto, Calif. that while we will never be the low-cost option with a 12:1 faculty/student ratio, we are a great Mrs. Joan C. Milsom ’47 investment with lasting value. Pittsburgh, Pa. Just this past week, I learned that 93 of our present students have expressed concerns about Mr. Frederick B. Mitchell ’69 their ability to stay at Wittenberg in light of changing family financial circumstances.N othing Chicago, Ill. would make me sadder than to see these students leave our fine university. This is where you Dr. Michael A. Senich ’74 Midland, Texas can help! Your support through giving to the annual fund can ensure that these young people Mr. Lewis W. Shaw II ’66 can continue to enjoy the same wonderful education you did at Wittenberg. So I am asking, Dallas, Texas perhaps even pleading, on their behalf that you give them this opportunity. Even a small gift Mr. William H. Steinbrink ’64 makes a difference. We often refer to ourselves as the Wittenberg family, andI would ask you Shaker Heights, Ohio to respond like a family to those members of the Wittenberg family who need your help. Mr. Rick Sterling In these challenging times, I find myself using nautical phrases more often than ever: Lafayette, Colo. uncharted waters and following our compass (our strategic plan). The seas are rough; The Rev. Paul F. Swartz ’65 Indianapolis, Ind. the headwinds are strong, but our young people can find safe harbor with your support. To navigate these uncharted waters, we need all hands on deck (all our alumni engaged). Mr. Milton O. Thompson Indianapolis, Ind. Please give. Thank you. Mr. Charles D. Weller ’70 Stamford, Conn. Dr. Ronald C. Woods ’69 Ann Arbor, Mich. Mark H. Erickson President 4 Wittenberg Magazine AR ound MY E R S around myers Ho aroundmyershollow LL hollow ow aroundmyershollow Senior Class Selects TIME Magazine Managing Editor As Commencement Speaker ne of the nation’s leading TIME’s other brand extensions Ojournalists, Richard Stengel, including TIME Style & Design and managing editor of TIME, has TIME For Kids. consistently brought perspective, depth, Prior to his current post, Stengel served passion and energy to the world’s at different times as the magazine’s largest weekly newsmagazine and all national and culture editor as well as of his professional pursuits. On May 16, the editor of TIME.com. As a senior Stengel will share his story with the 426 writer and essayist, he covered both the Wittenberg seniors set to receive their 1996 and 1988 presidential campaigns. diplomas as he presents the keynote Stengel has also written for The New address during the university’s 164th Yorker, The New Republic and The New Commencement Exercises. York Times. The 16th managing editor in the A frequent television commentator on ME I history of TIME since its founding CNN and MSNBC, and author of several F T O in 1923 by Henry R.