THE MAGAZINE OF OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY Spring 2019 traveledThe road lots from Pakistan to Ohio 6 Touchdown twins 8 Indomitable intern 16 Mom M.D. at Mayo Students celebrate the Indian Holi festival March 22, organized by Horizons International Club, welcoming the coming beauty of spring. (Photo by Kit Weber ’20) 8 10 16 Features 8 Comfort Zones Anna L. Davies ’19 has made herself at home many places during her four years at OWU: in a Small Living Unit, as a Kappa Kappa Gamma, as a member of President’s Club, and as part of this magazine’s masthead. We crash her senior single in the Gillespie Honors House. 10 Bishops of Pakistan More than one-quarter of OWU’s current international student population comes from Pakistan, a tradition that goes back decades and has produced some truly remarkable alumni. 16 Solving maternal mortality at Mayo Katherine White Arendt ’98 has made it her life’s work to advocate for pregnant women through medicine, overseeing a team of more than 400 at the prestigious Mayo Clinic. Departments 02 LEADER’S LETTER 07 OWU TIMESCAPES 25 CALENDAR 04 FROM THE JAYWALK 22 FACULTY NOTES 26 CLASS NOTES 06 BISHOP BATTLES 24 ALUMNI HAPPENINGS 48 THE FINAL WORD ON THE COVER: Photo illustration by Jennifer Brinckerhoff Leader’s Letter International students and cultural events enrich campus s long ago as the 1890s, Ohio Wesleyan University attracted Astudents from South Asia. The flow of students from the subcontinent began as a result of OWU alumni who joined Methodists in establishing schools and other education centers all around the world. Students from South Asia established a Young India Club on the OWU campus in the 1890s. Well over a century later, Ohio Wesleyan attracts students from throughout the world, with the largest number of international students coming from South Asia. We celebrate the presence of an international student body with students from more than 35 countries. These students bring a magnificent array of diverse cultural President Rock Jones speaks at baccalaureate — the student-planned, student-led, interfaith heritages, religious traditions, and life celebration of the spiritual journeys of the senior class — in Gray Chapel last May. (Photo by experiences, enriching our campus and Paul Vernon) enhancing the education of students, it possible to Go Global right here on represented in the graduating class faculty, and staff. campus. recognized as a senior carries the nation’s We speak often of an education that A decade at OWU has given me an flag to the stage of Gray Chapel. prepares the next generation of moral appreciation for numerous traditions on We live in a time when some in this global campus. Among my favorite our society question the benefits of a events each year are Culture Fest and commitment to diversity. We live in a “I am grateful for days baccalaureate. time when nationalism is on the rise spent among students Culture Fest is sponsored each spring around the world, at the expense of who believe in the by Horizons International, a student the values of cross-cultural friendship organization that promotes cross- and understanding reflected in the importance of building cultural friendship and understanding. At longstanding mission of OWU’s Horizons bridges, opening doors, Culture Fest our students don the attire International. We live in a time when of their homelands and present various some want to make it more difficult, not crossing borders, and expressions of their native cultures, less difficult, to travel from one nation to seeking to listen and including music, dance, poetry, and other another. understand rather than readings, followed by a buffet dinner When given a choice of learning featuring the exquisite cuisine of four about and from those whose cultures and shout and condemn.” different global cultures. It is one of the traditions are different from one’s own, most well-attended events of the year. too many people today choose to isolate leaders for a global society. Through The Baccalaureate, planned and led by themselves in their own cultural cocoons OWU Connection, we challenge students graduating seniors and held on the eve and in their ignorance of the humanity to think big, go global, and get real. The of Commencement, is a celebration of individuals they view as different. The significant presence of international of the diversity of the OWU campus. results can be tragic, even deadly. students at OWU helps us establish a Each year baccalaureate begins with a I am grateful for the opportunity to laboratory for a global society, making parade of the nations, with every country spend my days in the midst of a student 2 | OWU Leader’s Letter body composed of young adults eager generation of moral leaders for a global to learn from one another, and eager society. THE MAGAZINE OF OHIO to live and study in the midst of people In this issue of OWU Magazine you WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY from all around the world. I am grateful will learn more about what it means to Go for days spent among students who Global on the OWU campus as you read believe in the importance of building the stories of students from Pakistan, bridges, opening doors, crossing the nation that today sends the largest borders, and seeking to listen and number of international students to Ohio SPRING 2019 | Volume 96 Issue N0. 1 understand rather than shout and Wesleyan, continuing a regional legacy condemn. that dates back more than a century. They www.owu.edu/alumni I am grateful to witness an academic enrich our campus, and they help prepare Ohio Wesleyan Alumni Online Community community that places in leadership all of our students for lives that will enrich Vice President students from around the world. In my our global society. for University Advancement time at Ohio Wesleyan, our students Thank you for your support of this Natalie M. Doan, J.D. ’03 have elected student body presidents diverse, dynamic community and for your Chief Communications Officer from Pakistan and New Zealand. encouragement of all those who choose Will Kopp Students with family heritage in Laos to make OWU their home for four years – Editor and Slovenia have been elected senior and their alma mater for a lifetime. Molly Vogel class president. Seniors from Pakistan [email protected] and Afghanistan have been elected by Director of Alumni Relations their classmates to serve as graduating Katie Webster class trustees. It is precisely this kind Rock Jones Class Notes Editor of environment that forms the next President, Ohio Wesleyan University Amanda Zechiel-Keiber ’09 Twitter: @owu_rockjones [email protected] Editorial Assistant Anna L. Davies ’19 Copy Editor Andrew Sterling Designer Jennifer Brinckerhoff Contributing Photographers James D. DeCamp, Mark Schmitter ’12, Paul Vernon Contributing Writers Cole Hatcher, Molly Vogel Editorial Board Dale Brugh, Stefanie Niles, Mike Plantholt, Eugene Rutigliano, Nancy Bihl Rutkowski, Doug Zipp Office of University Communications (740) 368-3335 Alumni Relations Office (740) 368-3325 [email protected] Students with the Rafiki club that celebrates African and Caribbean cultures perform at Culture Colleen Nissl ’72 (left), a member of the OWU Board of Trustees, was a moderator for the second Website: www.owu.edu Fest last March, including (from left, in front): Eva Churu ’19, (in back) Paris Norman ’19, biennial Women of Ohio Wesleyan forum on campus in October. (See story Page 4.) OWU Magazine: owu.edu/magazine Daniela Black ’19, and Iyana Buckmon ’20. (Photo by Reilly Wright ’20) The Ohio Wesleyan Magazine ISSN 0030-1221 Share Email us at OWU Magazine Letters may your [email protected], Office of Communications be edited for opinions tweet @OhioWesleyan 61 S. Sandusky St. length and or send us a letter: Delaware, OH 43015 clarity. Printed on recycled paper From the JAYwalk Fody Frentsos receives staff STAR Award A constant smile, a positive attitude, and a willingness to go above and beyond are just a few of the characteristics that nominators praised about Fotios “Fody” Frentsos ’84. Frentsos received the third annual Special Thanks and Recognition (STAR) Award from the University Staff Council at a Jan. 11 luncheon. The peer-nominated award honors non-faculty Just do it employees who go above and beyond their job description, offering encouragement, a positive The Ohio Wesleyan attitude, and an efficient work ethic to the campus community. University Athletics Frentsos is known as the “lifeline” of the Athletics Department, which includes being a trusted Department began a multi- and sought-out mentor to students, especially athletes, although his actual title is coordinator of year partnership with Nike athletic facilities and equipment and he’s also the hitting coach for the baseball team. Whether it be through BSN SPORTS on a student struggling with academics or life at home, Frentsos’ door is open. March 1. The agreement “He exemplifies what is great about Ohio Wesleyan,” said Mike DeWitt, head men’s includes numerous basketball coach. incentives in the form of President Rock Jones noted the lasting impact that Frentsos leaves on former students. discounts and rewards “Everywhere I traveled, I’d be asked, ‘How’s Fody?’ These questions came from former classmates, along with incentives for students, and alumni.” on-field achievements Frentsos was a standout athlete as a student, earning nine letters in three sports. He served as and additional marketing, an assistant football coach for 11 seasons, then transitioned to baseball full-time to be able to spend branding, and promotional more time with his family, including his wife Kelly Maxwell Frentsos ’86 and their six children. opportunities. It covers all Visit the alumni Facebook page to read more accolades for Fody or share your own.