THE MAGAZINE OF OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY Winter 2016-17

Professor Chris Wolverton sows seeds of discovery beyond the pull of gravity

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11 Soccer 14 OWU lab 20 2020 26 Women sons to NASA Vision of Wesleyan A view of Selby Stadium through the leaves in fall. Photo: Abi Care Horvat ’17 14 20

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Features

14 OWU into Orbit Professor Chris Wolverton’s work to sprout on the International Space Station.

20 Vision for the Future: 2020 by 2020 A bold new strategic plan for increasing enrollment and raising the University’s profi le.

26 WOW The inaugural Women of Wesleyan leadership forum off ered connection, conversation, and camaraderie.

Departments

02 LEADER’S LETTER 11 BISHOP BATTLES 36 CALENDAR 04 FROM THE JAYWALK 12 COMFORT ZONES 37 FACULTY NOTES 07 OWU TIMESCAPES 31 ALUMNI PROFILES 38 CLASS NOTES 08 GIFTS AND GRATITUDE 34 ALUMNI HAPPENINGS 48 THE FINAL WORD

ON THE COVER: Professor Chris Wolverton received a grant from NASA to send an experiment to the International Space Station. Photo by Thompson Creative Imaging and Bill Walker. 2 | OWU Leader’s Letter

2020 VISION SHOWS FORESIGHT The enrollment objective of 2,020 students by 2020 is critical to OWU’s future

ighteen months ago, Provost Chuck important strategic conversation. The business administration, computational E Stinemetz convened a faculty outcome of the retreat was a commitment neuroscience, data analytics, nutrition, summit on the future of Ohio Wesleyan to increase enrollment at OWU to 2,020 communication (tracks in media University and its academic program. The students by 2020. This has become production studies; organizational, faculty looked closely at emerging trends known on campus as our 2020 Vision. interpersonal, and group communication; affecting American higher education, Nothing about this objective is and strategic corporate communication), including shifting demographics, easy. It requires careful planning and social justice, and special education, as risings costs paired with stagnant execution. To that end, the board and well as a petition for accreditation to offer family incomes, increasing emphasis on faculty identified five pillars for the 2020 a Bachelor of Science degree. This is a outcomes and career preparation, and Vision: creation of new and enhancement remarkable set of accomplishments in a ways in which the OWU curriculum should of existing programs, improvement of short period of time.

“MUCH HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. NEW ACADEMIC PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO CREATE BRIDGES BETWEEN OUR LIBERAL ARTS CURRICULUM AND PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION.”

In response to the need to address cost and to allow students to complete academic work in the summer while engaged in internships, jobs, undergraduate research or other President Rock Jones lends a hand to Bree Riggle ’18 on move-in day Aug. 20. programs anywhere in the world, OWU evolve to fulfill our historic mission as a the student experience outside of the offered a portion of its summer session liberal arts university while responding classroom, enrollment initiatives including online this past summer. Our summer to the changing needs and expectations growing international student and transfer enrollment increased 30 percent over of students and their families. The faculty student recruitment, renewal of the the previous year, and we will double the convened in a second summit in January physical campus, and development of a number of online summer offerings in of 2016 to continue the conversation and sustainable financial model. 2017. to explore the question of the appropriate Much has been accomplished in In the coming months, we will size of Ohio Wesleyan as we move toward a short period of time. New academic develop strategies to dramatically rethink the middle of the 21st century. programs are designed to create bridges our approach to career planning and In February of 2016, the Board of between our liberal arts curriculum and development. We intend to engage Trustees met in a retreat on campus professional preparation. In the past year students from their earliest weeks on where they were joined by faculty for this the faculty has approved new majors in campus in programs that enable them to Letters

Missed opportunity THE MAGAZINE OF OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY to remember While I greatly enjoy the magazine, I was somewhat disappointed in your Baby Boom generation article in think deeply about their passions and to the fall issue. The article mentions many important events, people and align their academic work more directly WINTER 2016-17 | Volume 93 Issue N0. 3 characters of the time, but I did not with their aspirations for meaningful lives see any “In Memoriam” mention and fulfilling careers. We will place even of the OWU students/graduates www.owu.edu/alumni Ohio Wesleyan Alumni Online Community greater emphasis on internships and who served their country during the Vietnam Conflict, regardless practical, real-world experiences through Vice President for University Advancement of whether they volunteered or Colleen Garland The OWU Connection. were drafted, and gave it their all, This is a time of bold and aspirational the ultimate sacrifice. An omission, Chief Communications Officer Will Kopp thinking at OWU. The University is and a sad one. Yet you did give blessed both by deeply dedicated, editorial space to 15 students who Editor protested, demonstrated against Molly Vogel innovative faculty, and by alumni and the war. Protesters are not always [email protected] friends who provide the philanthropic right ... they have a right to protest, Director of Alumni Relations foundation that allows Ohio Wesleyan to but show some respect for others Katie Webster continue to educate the next generation as well. Are those who fought not as important? What about the Class Notes Editor of moral leaders for a global society. Vietnam Memorial? I guess Stokely Amanda Zechiel-Keiber ’09 In this edition of the magazine, you Carmichael or the like is more [email protected] important to this narrative. have the opportunity to read about Editorial Assistant the work of faculty and students in a – George Aitken ’66 Anna L. Davies ’19 Colonel, USAF (retired) research laboratory, to learn more about Copy Editor the 2020 Vision, and to hear from the Helping dreams take wing Andrew Sterling recent Women of Wesleyan weekend, a We read about Dr. Jed Burtt’s Designer reminder of the deep connections that passing in the fall issue of OWU Walker Design & Marketing Magazine. His influence on our son, exist within the OWU family. I encourage Corey, was instrumental in his love Contributing Photographers you to consider your place in these of birds. Corey is now in Florida Scott Areman, Sarah Blake, James DeCamp, stories and to share your thoughts as working for Natural Encounters, Lisa DiGiacamo, Spenser Hickey ’15, Mark Schmitter ’12 we work together to advance Ohio which contracts with Disney World Wesleyan’s noble mission in these rapidly to train birds and put on the bird Contributing Writer performances at Animal Kingdom. Cole Hatcher changing times. OWU gave him the confidence to grow into the man he is today, and Editorial Board Dale Brugh, Roger Ingles, Mike Plantholt, Dr. Burtt gave him knowledge to Nancy Bihi Rutkowski build on. We thank him. We hope Corey passes on the pride and Office of University Communications knowledge of his experiences at (740) 368-3335 Ohio Wesleyan. Rock Jones Alumni Relations Office President, Ohio Wesleyan University – Glenn and Jo Derryberry (740) 368-3325 Twitter: @owu_rockjones [email protected]

Website: www.owu.edu Share your opinions. OWU Magazine: magazine.owu.edu The Ohio Wesleyan Magazine Email us at [email protected]. ISSN 0030-1221 Tweet to @OWUAlumni. Or send us a letter: Printed on recycled paper OWU Magazine Office of Communications CORRECTIONS: Our Fall 2016 issue contained an 61 S. Sandusky St. incorrect Board of Trustees listing, please see Page Delaware, OH 43015 47 for an updated listing. Participants at a Phi Delta Letters may be Theta reunion were misidentified, an updated listing edited for length and clarity. can be found at owu.edu/magazine. We regret the errors.

4 | 4 OWU | OWU From the JAYwalk

OWU adds new majors The menu at Ohio Wesleyan’s all-you-can- them to pursue targeted interests and student interest in careers such as health think academic buff et just got bigger. career goals. education, community health, food justice, Faculty members recently approved Professor Dale J. Brugh, OWU’s food advocacy, food policy, food industry new majors in communication, data associate dean for innovation, says the work, and dietetics.” analytics, Middle Eastern studies, nutrition, nutrition and data analytics majors also In addition, he says, the major also and social justice. Classes for the off erings will provide students with practical skills in “complements other majors for those will begin in fall 2017. the context of the liberal arts. “The major students contemplating advanced study in The communication major will be part in data analytics will help students gain physical therapy, occupational therapy, and of OWU’s newly renamed Department the skills necessary to process large data physician’s assistant.” of Journalism and Communication. The sets, see trends, and make insights that Faculty members last year approved major was created to “blend the intellectual drive decision-making,” Brugh says, noting a new major in business administration, breadth of a liberal arts education with a that few liberal arts institutions off er data which began enrolling students this fall. deep understanding of communication analytics. The major off ers concentrations in both strategy and experience in digital media “The major is grounded in the liberal arts management and marketing. It was already production,” Provost Chuck Stinemetz says. with emphasis on the social, ethical, and the third-most-popular major among Communication majors will choose from cultural impact of big data and its use,” he incoming fi rst-year students. three concentrations: media production says. “This combination of technical skill and The new majors are part of a plan studies; organizational, interpersonal, critical thinking will position OWU graduates approved by the Board of Trustees to enroll and group communication; or strategic to take advantage of the growing number of 2,020 students by 2020 through various corporate communication. In addition to data analytics jobs in fi elds such as fi nance, initiatives, including enhancing academic their core courses, communication majors marketing, insurance, and health care.” off erings.Read more about 2020 by 2020 also will be able to focus on specifi c The nutrition major, Brugh says, on Page 20. fi elds, such as political, health, or business “focuses on the relationship between food, communication, Stinemetz says, allowing nutrients, and human health. It addresses

Orchesis Performers in the annual contemporary dance concert Orchesis hang out on the pedestrian bridge near campus. The November concert featured original work by students, guest choreographers, and artistic direction by assistant professor of theatre and dance Rashana Perks Smith. Photo: Abi Care Horvat ’17 From the JAYwalk From the JAYwalk WINTER 2016-17 | 5

One OWU Cydni Chèry ’18 inks her thumbprint on a group work of art at One OWU: An Evening of Harmony, Healing, and Hope. The Oct. 3 event at the labyrinth was organized to lift up and support all campus community members.

Photo: Mark Schmitter ’12

Aca-mazing The fourth annual A Cappellooza, featuring performers from OWU groups the JAYwalkers (left), Pitch Black, and OWtsiders was held Nov. 5 in Gray Chapel. The event was hosted by Eric Gnezda ’79, an OWU faculty member and singer/songwriter, with a theme of movie songs. Groups from other local colleges, and the Grammy-nominated a capella group Committed also performed.

Symone Mann ’19, president of the OWtsiders, performs.

Photos: Hannah Wargo ’19

Photo: Abi Care Horvat ’17 6 | OWU From the JAYwalk

Festival of lights Aaina Gupta ’18 (left) and Areena Arora ’17 dance at the Diwali celebration on Nov. 13, organized by SANGAM, the student organization highlighting South Asian cultures.

Fall Festival Delaware families and members of the OWU community enjoyed the second annual Fall Festival outside the Delta Tau Delta house on Oct. 28. The event, organized by the Faith and Justice Club, featured trick-or-treating around Williams Dr. (blocked to traffi c for the occasion), two bounce houses, and pumpkin decorating. Julia Anne Caple ’20 (foreground, above) and Emma Wong ’20 paint eager faces. Max Brooker (below), son of Matthew Brooker ’03 and Julia Brooker ’05, gives Bob the Bishop fi v e .

Photos: Reilly Wright ’20

OWU by the numbers 12 36 97 94

Percent Countries, Percent of Percent of class of increase in including students who 2015 graduates who the size of the U.S., receive some found employment or this year’s represented form of fi nancial enrolled in graduate incoming class in the student assistance, thanks school within six over last body to donor support months of graduation OWU Timescapes

1971

2016

All-football reunion brings together conference champs More than 20 members of the 1971 football team gathered Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl (the NCAA College Division on the steps outside Merrick Hall at the all football reunion Western Regional title game). Samford (Alabama) won the during Homecoming and Family Weekend, Oct. 8. game, 20-10, but forfeited the victory after it was discovered Their team, coached by Jack Fouts ’48, won the Ohio ineligible players were used. Athletic Conference title and was selected to play in the 8 | OWU Gifts and Gratitude Gifts and Gratitude DITTRICK HOUSE Ohio Wesleyan dedicates new Small Living Unit

n what Tom Tritton ’69 called the “most glorious possible the great things on this campus,” Tritton said. O October day,” the Ohio Wesleyan community came President Rock Jones noted the Life Trustee’s “catalytic together on Oct. 6 to dedicate the Dittrick House – OWU’s first role” in advancing Ohio Wesleyan’s residential campus and his new student housing construction in 50 years. longtime connection with the University, his pioneering role in the Tritton, chair of the OWU Board of Trustees, welcomed cable television industry, and his extraordinary legacy of service, guests to the outdoor event, held in front of the Dittrick House, a which includes an integral role in Pwoje Espwa (Project Hope), a 5,795-square-foot duplex containing two small living units (SLUs) Haitian orphanage that houses 350 children and provides health of 12 students each. Its construction – and the construction of a care for dozens of children each day in its clinic. second “SLUplex” underway at the corner of Rowland Avenue Jones thanked Dittrick for being “supportive of Ohio and S. Washington Street – was made possible by gifts from Wesleyan in every conceivable way,” calling him “an exemplar of Doug Dittrick ’55 and others who believe strongly in the value of everything we would hope for in an alumnus.” a residential liberal arts education. Dittrick told the crowd at the dedication that he still recalls “Their generosity allows us to celebrate this house – and all of being a “Delaware townie” 65 years ago when he enrolled at

Doug Dittrick ’55 and Rock Jones Gifts and Gratitude Gifts and Gratitude WINTER 2016-17 | 9

The Dittrick House welcomed its first residents this fall, including members of the Sexual and Gender Equality House. (From left) Melanie Doweiko ’17, Julianne Zala ’17, Marisa Grillo ’19, and Alyssa Clark ’17.

Ohio Wesleyan, following in the footsteps of his father, a 1931 After the ceremony, both Alexander and McCluggage said alumnus and former OWU faculty member. Despite all Dittrick their time as trustees has helped underscore for them the accomplished since graduating, he said Ohio Wesleyan and his need to enhance OWU’s student housing to support a vibrant fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, “are still the driving forces for me.” living-learning community, retain current students, and attract Dittrick said he plans to continue supporting the University future Bishops. and encouraged others to do the same, especially students, as The gifts recognized all were made as part of Ohio they become young alumni. “You’d be a godsend to us and Ohio Wesleyan’s seven-year, $200 million Connect Today, Create Wesleyan,” he said. “We need all of you to support us.” Tomorrow comprehensive campaign. To date, the campaign has Additional donors recognized for student housing gifts were raised $115 million, including $3.2 million of its $10 million goal for Phil Meek ’59 and Nancy La Porte Meek ’59, Rich Alexander residential facilities. ’82, Mike McCluggage ’69, and Tim and Lisa Sloan P ’13, P ’16, Alexander, a 12-year trustee, said when the opportunity parents of two recent OWU graduates. arose “to collaborate with Doug and be among the initial drivers

Interfaith House (IF) asks Sexuality and Gender Equality “How do we coexist?” In House (SAGE) works to uplift matters secular and spiritual, students from marginalized identities, concrete and abstract, IF provide a safe space, and serve as members strive to create a resource for promoting sexuality an environment in which and gender equity. Members work diversity can thrive. House to bring programming to campus projects have included with special consideration for the a community dinner to women’s and LGBT movements. celebrate the Muslim festival House projects have included of Eid and a “Jesus Ate with Transgender Celebration Week and Sinners” event linked to “Take Back the Night,” a speak- lessons from the Last Supper. out and march in protest of sexual violence. 10 | OWU Gifts and Gratitude

of OWU’s first new student housing in five decades, it was The Dittrick House is home this year to the Interfaith House something I couldn’t pass up.” (IF) and the Sexuality and Gender Equality House (SAGE). The “The SLUs are so important,” Alexander continued. “They student-moderators of the two SLUs shared their thoughts with are the runway leading to the residential campus, they are the crowd on the value of small living units and then invited welcoming, they reflect our diversity, and they contribute to everyone inside to tour their bright, spacious dwellings. our vibrant living-learning community. … The SLUs are a terrific Speaking on behalf of SAGE, Lissette Gonzalez ’17 said the reminder of what the Ohio Wesleyan experience is all about.” Dittrick House, with its open-concept layout, has nurtured an McCluggage, who lived in Bashford Hall and the Delta Tau even stronger sense of community within the SLU and enhanced Delta fraternity house as a student, said he’s equally pleased meetings to discuss its mission, “How do we coexist and create a to support new SLU construction. “It’s important that the safe space for dialogue?” living experience is a positive experience for our students,” In discussing IF, Chase Smith ’17 referenced Ohio Wesleyan’s McCluggage said, adding that he is impressed by the small living aim to place education in the context of values. “Nowhere do I units and the opportunity for the house members to “get to know see this more than in the SLUs,” Smith said. “SLU members live one another in a collaborative, collegial setting.” the mission and values of Ohio Wesleyan University.” AN OWU TRADITION With a history that dates back nearly 50 years, Ohio Wesleyan’s small living units (SLUs) are an integral part of campus life. Conceived by faculty members to enhance the residential campus experience, SLUs are living- learning communities of 10 to 12 students passionate about common topics and issues.SLU members engage in lively discussions with their peers, participate in cultural and educational activities, and create programs and events to educate the campus and Delaware communities about their house’s most important issues.

A SLU OF KNOWLEDGE Ohio Wesleyan’s seven SLUs explore issues ranging from social justice and environmental awareness to cross- cultural experiences and language. The groups living in the new Dittrick House explore issues tied to faith and personal identity.

Interfaith House residents use their common space for house projects, faith-based club meetings, events with the Chaplin’s office, or just to relax and have a house meeting. From left: Emily Phillips ’17, Olivia Lease ’17, Courtney Dunne ’17, Dom Mejia ’17, Anna Davies ’19, and Sean McCartt ’18. Gifts and Gratitude Bishop Battles

SOCCER COACH KICK-STARTS TWO GENERATIONS OF PLAYERS Jay Martin probably wasn’t thinking about recruiting two decades culture on the team. into the future when he was coaching in the late 1980s and ’90s. “(Martin) brings the same kind of commitment to wanting to But it turns out there are unforeseen benefits to achieving the win, excellence, and asking a lot of his players. I think that’s been remarkable longevity that Martin has had as coach of the Ohio a mainstay of Ohio Wesleyan soccer,” says Scott Norman. Wesleyan men’s soccer team. His younger son agrees. “The program is even better than I Scott Norman ’88, Andy Riggle ’95, and Domenic expected coming in. It’s tough to really describe what we have Romanelli ’88 all played for Martin in their time at OWU; now their here in terms of the pride and tradition of a soccer program,” says sons do. First-year students Nolan Norman ’20, Drew Riggle ’20, Nolan Norman. and Antonio Romanelli ’20, along with Nolan’s older brother Nick Nick Norman, whose team made it to the NCAA Division III Norman ’17 are on the 2016-17 roster. semifinals in 2014, also came for the winning tradition. “The goal Martin, the men’s coach since 1977, speaks highly of his is to win a national championship. I think that’s why every soccer second-generation players. “All of them have a very positive player joins this program, because they know we can compete mindset because they come from an athletic family and an athletic for a national championship,” says Nick. background,” Martin says. “It’s a pleasure working with these “There’s a lot of tradition here. I think the quality of players is guys.” at the same level it was 10, 20 years ago. I think the player that Although their fathers attended Ohio Wesleyan, the current comes here is one that wants to win a national championship and players all say they chose the school on their own, with winning has a sort of unique personality,” says Andy Riggle. a national championship as their main goal. Their fathers That includes his son, Drew. “It’s not totally what I expected, encouraged their sons to make the right decisions for themselves, but (Martin is) a great coach, and I did expect that. It’s very and tried not to influence their choices. serious and there’s a winning mentality, which I expected,” says “I didn’t have to be the one to tell him that it’s a great place. Drew. “The culture is great.” It’s a great tradition; Jay’s a great coach. Antonio found that out Martin acknowledges the correlation between a father’s himself,” says Domenic Romanelli. experience and the likelihood of his son joining the same “Success is what you come here for,” Antonio confirms. program, which has occurred in previous seasons. Martin The team won national championship titles in 1998 and 2011, believes it means the father had a good experience at OWU and Martin is the winningest men’s collegiate soccer coach in all and playing soccer for him. “I take that as a compliment and look divisions. forward to getting more of these guys in the next few years,” According to dads Scott and Andy, the program has remained Martin says. the same in key ways. One obvious reason for the consistency —Megan Parker ’20 over the years is Martin. His influence has created a specific

Back row (from left): Andy Riggle ’95, Domenic Romanelli ’88, Coach Jay Martin, Scott Norman ’88

Front row (from left): Drew Riggle ’20, Antonio Romanelli ’20, Nolan Norman ’20, Nick Norman ’17 12 | OWU Comfort Zones

Nancy Bihl Rutkowski • Student Involvement Office Nancy Bihl Rutkowski is approaching 30 years coordinator. The job description she wrote for with Ohio Wesleyan University and knows how to herself reflects her experience and passion for fill a need when she sees one. She created her fostering leadership skills in the students she current position of director of student leadership works with and teaches each day. and involvement by taking components of her “Somehow, OWU just keeps getting better,” first job, director of Greek life, and adding parts Nancy says. “OWU has always drawn students who of her time spent as the new student orientation care. I think we’re in great shape for the future.”

1 Sisters for life 6 Scrapbook shoes Like Phoebe Bush ’18, Nancy is a sister of Alumna Whitney Weadock ’16 painted Nancy Delta Delta Delta. She joined because she a special pair of TOMS shoes to commemorate liked the message of Tri-Delta to “be kind her time as president of President’s Club. alike to all.” Different logos for clubs Nancy advises and a painting of the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center (where Nancy has worked since it 2 Learn to Lead opened in 1991) adorn the shoes. Nancy holds seminars and classes that teach new leaders how to best fulfill their roles. “My mantra is that I want students to take care of 7 I’ve got a Golden Bishop themselves and be healthy before engaging Every April Nancy organizes the Golden Bishop beyond the classroom.” Awards, which celebrate student achievements throughout the year. “I go to the bookstore and buy about a hundred bishops a year,” Nancy 3 Make the connection says. Sharma currently helps her coordinate the 1 Nancy loves working with groups and one- event and decorate the bishops. on-one with student leaders like Shashank Sharma ’17, her current intern. She has had a student intern every school year since 1998. 8 Advisers to the President “I have a ton of student contact with my job. Nancy has advised President’s Club since That’s my favorite part,” Nancy says. 2008, when Rock Jones became president. Under Nancy’s and Rock’s guidance, the club has grown to 30 members, with Lee LeBoeuf 4 Leaders helping leaders ’17 as president. Nancy created Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Fellowships. The Fellows, like Tyler Iffland ’17, help teach workshops for students who are new to 9 The welcoming committee Nancy also created the Orientation Team leading clubs. “The feedback from students Leader position. Students like Emma Nuiry ’17 out in the world now is that it’s a very help freshmen adjust to college life. significant factor in getting the jobs they’re in,” Nancy says about LEAD. 10 What’s happening this weekend? 5 Here’s the plan Nancy oversees the Campus Programming Nancy’s highlighters and black leather Board’s plans for events, as well as helping planner are never far from her reach. She’s students like president Evan Hudgens ’19 got her priorities straight, though: “Someone set up, tear down, and publicize. “That’s a with a problem trumps a long to-do list.” passionate, very dedicated group of students,” Nancy says. —A.L. Davies ’19 7

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Photo: James DeCamp PROFESSOR CHRIS WOLVERTON’S WORK TO SPROUT ON INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

By Misti Crane Photos by Thompson Creative Imaging WINTER 2016-17 | 15

Photo courtesy NASA

s a ninth-grader in suburban Cincinnati, Chris Wolverton landed what was, at the time, his dream job. The local garden center didn’t just sell plants; it made them. This early opportunity to experiment with propagation — creating new plants from parts of other plants — helped set Wolverton on his path toward becoming a botanist. On top of that, he was raised by a mother who spent her free time in the yard, her hands in the earth. And, “I had a fabulous 10th-grade biology teacher,” Wolverton recalls. So by the time he set foot on the Miami University campus as an undergrad, he had an uncommonly clear idea of where he was headed. A lot of botanists settle on that particular slice of science propelled by other primary interests — cell biology, for instance. For Wolverton, the plants came first. “It was purely, genuinely about the plant stuff,” he says. “I didn’t grow up on a farm or anything, but plants always seemed cool, and it just seemed like they didn’t get a lot of attention.’’ Now, Wolverton’s plants — well, the seeds that will grow into plants — are on the verge of leaving Earth on a rocket bound for space. The OWU professor of botany and microbiology has secured a coveted spot for his research on a flight to the International Space Station. For somebody who studies the interplay between plants and gravity, this is a great big deal. Wolverton’s project, which is tentatively scheduled to launch at the end of 2017, was one of 16 selected to fly this round. Fewer than a third of the applicants were awarded grants. 16 | OWU

plants’ ability to survive when stressed by drought, how they regulate nutrients drawn from the soil, and how much fruit erupts from their blossoms. The seedlings that are at the heart of the story are called Arabidopsis thaliana. The small, flowering weed is the fruit fly of botany, the plant scientists most often study and manipulate to learn more about all plant life. It’s a member of the same family (Brassicaceae) that includes cabbage and radishes. Wolverton will send some genetically altered Arabidopsis seeds (which are 30 percent as responsive to Earth’s gravitational pull) and some wild seeds. They’ll be mounted at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California — 14 at a time — on rectangular membranes about the size of two postage stamps. Then, they’ll go into seed cassettes (each about the size of a large Lego block) that have holes that allow moisture in. The cassettes eventually will be placed inside LED-lit boxes in a unit aboard the space station. Most people probably never consider gravity’s role in plant There, they’ll grow for almost four days on a centrifuge development. But Wolverton is practically giddy about this that will replicate the Earth’s pull, just shy of 1 G. During that opportunity to study the effects of weightlessness. He marvels time, the roots should grow about the length of a staple. at what might unfold when the same thread-thin roots he After that, the crew aboard the space station will drop the investigates on Earth grow in space, free of the inescapable pull gravitational pull so that Wolverton can study what happens here. to the roots at zero gravity and at increments between zero Wolverton and his team, which includes several current gravity and 1 G. They’ll get pictures during the flight, and frozen OWU students, hope to answer two primary questions: How seedlings will come back for further study. much gravitational force does it take for cells within the root “We want to know: What is the minimum amount it takes tips to respond? And how does it differ in plants that have been to trigger these cells to know which way is down?” he says. bred free of starch-filled bodies normally found in the roots? “It’s a bit like, ‘Can you hear me now? Can you hear me Scientists know these bodies play an important role, but the now?’ ’’ specifics of that remain a mystery. In his lab at Ohio Wesleyan, Wolverton and his students The vital relationship between plants’ roots and the pull have advanced understanding of how the root architecture of gravity — called gravitropism — is, on its own, scientifically develops in relation to gravity — basically by tipping tiny interesting. But the work is about much more than scratching plants on their sides and gathering data on what is happening the itch of curiosity. It could have implications for crop at a cellular level as the roots twist and turn and exploring how productivity for farmers. It could answer questions about he can manipulate that.

“We want to know: What is the minimum amount it takes to trigger these cells to know which way is down? It’s a bit like, ‘Can you hear me now? Can you hear me now?’ ’’ - Professor Chris Wolverton

PREPPING SEEDS FOR SPACE TAKES METICULOUS PLANNING, TESTING, AND STEADY

HANDS. Wolverton’s experiment uses mustard seeds, For the flight, Wolverton will mount 14 seeds at a time which are widely used as a model organism on rectangular membranes about the size of two in plant biology. They have a rapid life cycle postage stamps. The membranes go into seed cassettes and are prolific seed producers. This petri dish (pictured) that have holes to allow moisture in. The (pictured) contains several hundred seeds. chambers eventually will be placed inside LED-lit boxes in a unit aboard the space station. WINTER 2016-17 | 17

Wolverton is working to determine the genetic switches that could grab a 21-year-old botany major’s attention. As it that control the plants’ response to moisture, nutrients, and turned out, the researchers behind it were from home, or close other elements within the soil. One of the primary focuses is to it. Mike Evans, a now-retired plant biology professor from the role of auxin, a plant hormone that pools in the tip of the Ohio State University, led the work. root. Wolverton and Evans got to talking and kept talking. After As Wolverton contemplates the upcoming months and the he graduated from Miami, Wolverton headed to Ohio State opportunity to see how his experiments fare, he’s experiencing for graduate work in Evans’ lab. “We watched for really subtle his share of nervous energy. There’s a lot to do to get this changes in the root architecture — movement at the top, or the right. NASA has questions. And Wolverton has a lot of his own bottom, or both. You can answer some questions about gravity questions that he wants answered, and reanswered. just by looking carefully,” Wolverton says. When he applied for the grant in 2014, he knew it wasn’t a He’s continued to write new chapters in that body of slam dunk. But, “I thought it was clever.” research, which he brought with him to Ohio Wesleyan. And As the months passed, “I was checking the site every week, it’s hit a point where his questions can’t be answered on this and I’d pretty much given up hope. I started to think it wasn’t planet. Opportunities to conduct an experiment aboard the clever enough.” International Space Station are to scientists interested in In early 2015, word came. He remembers his disbelief as he gravity what working with Meryl Streep is to an actor. digested news that NASA would give him $520,000 for three “It’s a huge opportunity. Space flight and crew time aboard years plus a rare spot on the space station for his project. the International Space Station are rare commodities,” says Sarah Wyatt, a professor of environmental and plant biology THE PULL OF GRAVITY from Ohio University whose work went to space in 2014. That kid back in southwestern Ohio? He didn’t care much about She counts herself among those eager to learn the answers space travel. He wasn’t a boy who dreamed of becoming an to the scientific questions Wolverton is posing. “For someone astronaut or begged his parents to take him to the planetarium working on gravity, the only real control experiment is to have on the weekend. For him, it’s always been about the plants. no gravity, and that can’t happen on Earth,” she says. “Many Back in 1994, as an undergrad at Miami, Wolverton of the questions we would like to ask … can’t be answered on managed to find his way to Portland, Ore., to attend the annual Earth.” meeting of the American Society of Plant Physiologists. Wyatt is aware that watching her research go into space “I was listening to all these talks I could barely might have been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Her project understand,” he says. So he went for a walk. As he wandered evaluated what proteins were expressed in the cells of the alone through an exhibition hall filled with 1,000 or more plants in microgravity, the first analysis of this type. scientific posters, he encountered some science that stopped “I think it’s fantastic that Chris is getting this chance,” she him. The researchers employed a computer to take pictures of says. roots as they grew. Wolverton, 44, who lives in Delaware with his wife Jenn This was 1994. People were still getting accustomed to and their 13-year-old daughter Lindsay and 9-year-old son email. The marriage of computer and camera was something Jack, is a dedicated researcher. But toiling in a lab without the

In this photo from NASA, astronaut Kate Rubins holds a container like the one that will house the seed cassettes with Wolverton’s experiment.

To ensure the seeds will germinate as needed in-flight, Wolverton and research technician Nathan Madonich ’16 are growing their own in the lab. 1816 | OWU

opportunity to interact with budding scientists was never Wojnoski says she was set on going from undergrad studies going to suit him. That’s what brought him to Ohio Wesleyan. straight to medical school prior to studying under Wolverton, The school’s size and the priorities set by leadership allow but now is considering exploring more research before that. In him the opportunity to run a robust research program while addition to sparking an interest in plant biology, the experience maintaining an active class schedule, something that can be also has likely given her a competitive edge when it comes to difficult at larger research centers, Wolverton says. future job opportunities, Wojnoski says. He first came to Ohio Wesleyan in the summer of 2001 as Troy Jones ’18 has been inspired to pursue a career in plant an Ohio State doctoral student filling in for a professor who had physiology by working alongside his favorite professor. “It has left for another opportunity. “There were maybe seven, eight been an amazing opportunity to work with Dr. Wolverton,” he students, and I just loved it. I just fell in love with the place and says. the commitment to both time in the classroom and research.” Wolverton’s enthusiasm rubs off easily on undergraduate Wolverton was walking the hallways with researchers botany students, Jones says, and he gives them freedom to whose work was appearing in prominent journals, including meaningfully contribute to the science. “He is able to teach Science, and who interacted with students daily. complex ideas in a way that makes them manageable,” says “So I put my hat in the ring, and I got the job.” Jones, who is from Detroit and is triple majoring in botany, Nathan Madonich ’16, who graduated with a degree in environmental studies, and classics. botany, says he’s grateful for Wolverton’s teaching style (hands on, inclusive) and enthusiastic support of his students’ pursuits. SOWING SEEDS FOR SPACE Madonich, 22, spent the summer after his freshman year The days in Wolverton’s lab are filled with the kind of detail- working on research in Wolverton’s lab and, with the support driven preparation necessary for a rare shot at conducting an of his professor, applied for and secured a research internship at experiment in outer space. There aren’t any do-overs. If the Cornell University the next two summers. seeds don’t grow or the lighting doesn’t work like they hope, it Then his graduation coincided with a rare opportunity: could be a bust. Wolverton had money in his NASA grant to hire a research “We have been doing a lot of verification tests. For technician. “Working with him has been a blast,” Madonich instance, NASA was interested in seeing how long our seeds says. “This is not something everyone gets to do. This couldn’t would be viable,” Madonich says. “We found that they can be have happened to a better guy.” pretty reliable even up to a year after they’ve been glued on Current students also are working with Wolverton, helping membranes and are ready to go. shepherd his science to space. Allyson Wojnoski ’18, a French “We’re also working to become comfortable with the flight and biology major from Connecticut, says working with hardware that will actually go on the International Space him has opened doors for her, including the opportunity to Station so there are no glitches.” present her own research at OWU’s Summer Science Research If he’s nervous about anything, it’s that the plants won’t Symposium and the American Society for Gravitational and respond to their light source in the way he and Wolverton Space Research meeting in Cleveland in October. expect.

MANY OF WOLVERTON’S FORMER STUDENTS HAVE MOVED ON TO OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND VERY PROMISING CAREERS IN SCIENCE. HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF HIS ALL-STAR ALUMNI CREW:

Evan Bai ’11 Breane Budaitis ’14 MAJORS: GENETICS AND BIOCHEMISTRY MAJORS: CHEMISTRY AND GENETICS Earned a Ph.D. in genetics at Yale and is currently Currently pursuing a doctorate in cellular a research scientist at Vertex Pharmaceuticals in and molecular biology at the University of Boston. He analyzes and interprets human genetic Michigan. Works in the Verhey Lab, where data to understand human diseases and discover she studies proteins in cell environments. new therapeutic approaches. “I had the opportunity to conduct “I first studied with Dr. Wolverton during a research in Dr. Wolverton’s lab, where I freshman honors tutorial course, where he worked worked on designing a genetic screen to closely with me and two other students on plant better understand how plants sense and research in his lab. I was really struck respond to gravity. Unlike the rigidity of by how patient Dr. Wolverton was when explaining science in the classroom, this research the science to me, a non-native English speaker. Since then, experience brought to light the power of creativity in the sciences, I fell in love with scientific research and continued to study plant reaffirming my aspiration to pursue a research-focused career.” root development with Dr. Wolverton throughout my four years at OWU.” WINTER 2016-17 | 19

“Another thing that’s always tricky is the germination rate and how viable these seeds will be. There’s always this worry in the back of my mind that the seeds won’t germinate,” Madonich says. Wolverton, who will take the seeds first to California to NASA’s Ames Research Center, then to the launch site, either Florida’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral or Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, agrees. “The biggest issue would be some sort of biological failure,” he says. They’re sending a lot of seeds, though, and an outright experimental failure seems doubtful, Madonich and Wolverton say. And the lead-up to a trip to space is all about ensuring things go off as planned, which means lots of reassurances will happen between now and then. “At one point, I pictured that I would drop some seeds in the mail and NASA would plant them and water them, and I would get the data back,” Wolverton says, laughing. Marianne Steele, a project manager at the Ames Research Center who is working with Wolverton, says his work could provide important insights into human life as well. “One of the The grant Wolverton received from NASA allowed him to hire Nathan Madonich ’16, at work above left, as a research technician things NASA wants to do is to go to the moon and Mars and on his experiment. beyond. When we do that we’re not going to have gravity, and one of the important questions from a science perspective, as interested in promoting work that has the potential to improve well as an exploration perspective, is what happens … to human life on Earth, Steele says. immunity, and muscle, and bone.” “That’s part of the whole process of selection,” she says. Basic plant science can help NASA piece together “This is taxpayer money and we have to be responsible in using information with applications that go far beyond the tiny that money for Earth benefits as well as for exploration.” seedlings aboard the space station, Steele says. “Plants are Wolverton says applications in the field are probably a not human, and yet, they have a lot of similar molecular decade or more off, but the information he and other scientists mechanisms going on. And they are a lot easier to take a look at are gathering about the interplay between plants and gravity than humans are.” could have far-reaching implications. “It doesn’t get much Beyond fostering a better understanding of what can better than this in my field, to have this opportunity,” he says. be accomplished in zero gravity — and in different levels “It sort of feels like this is what I came here to do.” of gravity below what we experience on Earth — NASA is Misti Crane is a freelance writer in Columbus, Ohio.

MANY OF WOLVERTON’S FORMER STUDENTS HAVE MOVED ON TO OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND VERY PROMISING CAREERS IN SCIENCE. HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF HIS ALL-STAR ALUMNI CREW: Iftekhar Showpnil ’13 Susannah Waxman ’16 MAJORS: CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY MAJOR: BOTANY Currently pursuing a doctorate in the Currently lab manager at the Nils Loewen Molecular, Cellular and Developmental glaucoma research lab at the University of Biology program at Ohio State Pittsburgh Medical Center. She’s also con- University. ducting her own research and has a paper set “Dr. Wolverton was very easy for publication, on which she is first author. to approach and connect with on a “In doing research in the Wolverton lab, personal level, and has been a great I was also given something I hadn’t mentor and role model for me.” experienced in the sciences before — a creative outlet. While working in this lab, I was trusted with a space where I could try, fail, succeed, and learn my own way on my own time. I also learned that tape, wire, cardboard, and fire can take the place of unnecessarily expensive equipment in terms of fixing a lot of lab-related problems. This is absolutely a real-world research skill.” ­— A.L. Davies ’19 VISION FOR THE FUTURE

A bold new strategic plan for increasing enrollment and raising the University’s profile by creating new programming, enhancing the student experience, improving campus buildings and residential facilities, and securing the University’s financial future.

As Ohio Wesleyan University approaches its 175th anniversary commitment to providing a practical liberal arts education, the in 2017, President Rock Jones and the Board of Trustees looked ambitious goal of attaining an enrollment of 2,020 students by around campus, from Stuyvesant Hall down to Selby Stadium, the year 2020 was created, growth of more than 20 percent in and into the future. They examined how Ohio Wesleyan can the student body. best secure the core elements of its historic mission for 21st- But enrollment growth isn’t the ends; it’s the means to century students, including the commitment to providing a larger goal. “The ultimate objective is being a dynamic, a vibrant residential campus founded in the liberal arts, premier institution in the tradition of the liberal arts that remaining open and accessible to all, and being dedicated to connects theory with practice, the classroom with the world, the benefit of society. and that prepares students for leadership,” says Jones. Small residential liberal arts colleges face a number of The vision for Ohio Wesleyan, 2020 by 2020, seeks to challenges in today’s marketplace, including demographic ensure the long-term viability of the University by establishing shifts, rising costs, and aging facilities. As identified in a study a plan for growth through five key areas of emphasis: aligning by Bob Sevier of Stamats, a leading expert in the field of higher academic and co-curricular programs with current needs, education, the most vulnerable institutions share several improving student experience and retention, boosting characteristics, including academic programs misaligned with recruitment, maintaining and improving the physical campus, the marketplace, lack of a compelling vision and less than and ensuring financial stability. 2,000 student enrollment. “It’s a vision for Ohio Wesleyan; it’s about the kind of To address these areas head-on, and strengthen the institution we want to be,” Jones says. WINTER 2016-17 | 21

Program Initiatives Faculty across OWU have been re-examining the new areas like data analytics, yet each is also enhanced with needs and interests of students and the marketplace with OWU’s core foundation in the liberal arts. OWU graduates will an eye toward developing new academic programs. “As the have the expertise and the broad critical thinking skills to marketplace evolves and student interests shift, it is critical become leaders in their fields. that OWU continue to adapt to meet these changing needs,” Summer online classes were introduced for the first time says Dale Brugh, associate dean for this year and led to a 30 percent increase innovation. “Creation of new programs is over last year in summer session an important component of our effort to “Creation of new enrollment. OWU is looking to double achieve a larger student body.” programs is an the number of online classes for next Business administration and important component summer. computational neuroscience majors were Athletic programs and co- introduced in fall 2016, and the former of our effort to achieve a curricular activities are also key areas is already the third-most popular major larger student body.” for growth. One-third of all students among incoming students. Faculty Dale Brugh, associate dean for innovation participate in a varsity sport, and members have nearly everyone plays surpassed the goal intramural sports, of two new majors performs in music or per year by recently theater, or participates developing new majors in a club. OWU in communication, data coaches are working analytics, nutrition, to increase roster sizes, Middle Eastern studies, where appropriate, and social justice. and the University is All will be available examining options for in fall 2017. Faculty new sports teams and also developed a other extracurricular new major in special activities. education, which must be approved by the Ohio Wesleyan faculty Ohio Department of member Justin Breidenbach Education. (Read more is working with The about these majors on Woltemade Center for Page 4.) Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship to launch Many of these new an Accounting Fellows majors are linked to program. For more visit career paths, some in owu.edu.

Fulfilling The OWU Connection The OWU Connection is an interdisciplinary introduction The first-year seminar UC 160 “The OWU Experience” is an to a lifetime of learning. Faculty created the comprehensive important step in a successful first year of college. Not only does program to give students the broad-based knowledge, global the course introduce students to The OWU Connection, it also skills, and real-world experience that will help them become provides an early opportunity for community-building within leaders who can tackle tomorrow’s most important challenges. the small classes. In recent years, retention of students who took To prepare students for the world beyond OWU, through the course was consistently higher than for those who did not. The OWU Connection students are encouraged to integrate In 2014, retention was 12 percent greater for UC 160 students knowledge across disciplines (Think Big); build a diverse and than non-UC 160 students. This year, for the first time, UC 160 is global perspective (Go Global); and practice the application of required for all new students, and administrators are hopeful knowledge (Get Real Experience). that will lead to more students returning for year two and, The University continues to develop eventually, graduating. new OWU Connection internship, research, and travel opportunities for Jadé Giordani ’17 used a Theory-to-Practice Grant through The OWU Connection to travel students, and most of the new majors to Tanzania in the summer of 2015 to study incorporate such experience in their the culture and health care complexities of graduation requirements. the Maasai people. 22 | OWU

Student Experience & Retention BLOCK To address the issue of student retention, which of living-learning communities, revising the residential currently2 stands at 80.7 percent (compared with 85 percent or programming model to better facilitate that goal, and higher among peers according to U.S. News & World Report), adapting the residential adviser role to include a stronger the Student Affairs division was reorganized, with the goal mentorship component,” Todd says. of improving first-year retention to at least 85 percent by To increase retention, the University is purchasing 2020. Dwayne Todd was hired in June as the vice president for student success software to allow for identification and student engagement and success, followed by Brad Pulcini, outreach to students who might be at risk early in the the assistant dean for student engagement and director of the semester, allowing Pulcini to be proactive and connect a first-year experience, in August. student with support resources. The software allows for Pulcini’s two primary job responsibilities obviously go faster follow-up with students after the identification of hand in hand. “First year is the springboard of success to so-called “red flag behaviors” such as requesting a transcript remaining a member of the OWU community,” he says. (indicating a possible desire to transfer), or performing With that in mind, Student Affairs is re-evaluating new- poorly on a first assessment in class (a sign he or she could be student orientation, to focus more on community building. struggling academically), or not using the swipe card to enter Three or four days in June would allow first-year students to dining facilities (because if a student isn’t eating, he or she be introduced to campus, meet their peers, and register for could need help). classes. An additional day could be offered prior to convocation To address the sometimes difficult transition back home in the fall for students who aren’t able to attend in June. The for break after fall semester, Pulcini is creating a program that goal would be to allow students to adjust in stages, so that fall brings first-year students together over coffee to talk with orientation can focus more on preparing students for the rigors upperclassmen about the adjustment. of college academics. Todd and his staff are working now

Consideration is also underway to with a cross-functional team of faculty,

refashion the residential experience “First year is the staff, and students to refresh their plan for for first-year students to instill a springboard of success to retention to provide a clear set of priorities strong sense of community from the and tactics. “We believe the changes we very first semester. “This will involve remaining a member of will begin to make in the first year will better connecting the curricular and the OWU community.” have a lasting transformative effect on co-curricular aspects of the first-year Brad Pulcini, assistant dean for student students throughout their entire OWU engagement and director of the experience through the development fi rst-year experience tenure,” Todd says.

Dwayne Todd (left) and Brad Pulcini (center), from Student Aff airs, organized a surprise “Finish Strong” event at the gate on S. Sandusky St. on Oct. 26 to encourage students going into the second half of the semester. WINTER 2016-17 | 23

Student Recruitment BLOCK 3 One of the primary aims of increasing enrollment typically what they’ll cite.” to 2,020 by 2020 is to allow more students to take advantage To broaden the University’s reach to prospective students, of the quality education and opportunities available at two regional recruiters were hired, one based in Chicago and OWU without compromising admission standards. Current focusing on Illinois and the Midwest and the other based in enrollment is 1,724 students, but the campus can accommodate Cleveland, focusing on that region. Already, the incoming 40 percent more, around 2,400 students. Enrollment has Class of 2020 was up 12 percent over the previous year. The fluctuated over the decades, with the low point 1,387 students class is also the most diverse in our history, including more in 1985. than a third of U.S. students who are multicultural, as well as Susan Dileno, vice president for enrollment, says growing students from 35 states and 11 countries. enrollment will be a challenge, but it is attainable, with the Nicole More, director of international admission, and cooperation of all departments involved in the 2020 Vision. her office are emphasizing recruitment in China, India, “We know students find mid-to-larger institutions more Pakistan, and Vietnam, along with a few other locations. “We attractive, and there’s always a risk when you’re dipping below are connecting with OWU alumni and international schools 2,000 that prospective students are fearful it might replicate around the world, plus looking to form new partnerships their high school experience,” says Dileno. when possible,” More says. The University’s long-standing relationships and The Admissions office is also focusing on recruitment reputation are assets when it comes to recruitment. “We have a of transfer students, which are a substantial pool of possible good rapport with guidance counselors who know our history, applicants. According to DeVry, at any given time, 40 percent and we’ve continued those strong relationships. I think the of college students are transfer students. Recognizing sense of community here and social life and relationships with this reality, OWU has a partnership with 25,000-student faculty are things that give us the Columbus State Community College edge over other institutions,” Dileno designed to allow for easier transfer says. of credits and is dedicating more “When they visit, it’s a true and resources to process transfer credits powerful experience for prospective for those students. students. When you ask a current (Below) Orientation leaders welcome new student why they’re here, (the students and their families to campus during strength of those connections) are New Student Orientation Aug. 20. 24 | OWU

Physical Campus BLOCK 4 The Ohio Wesleyan campus has always been a Slocum Hall were completed over the summer, and the newest beautiful one, but making sure it remains so while adapting Small Living Unit (SLU) duplex community, the Dittrick House, to fit current needs is a constant area of focus. From regular was dedicated in October and represents the first new student beautification efforts, like landscaping and improved signage, housing construction in more than 40 years. (See story on Page to consideration of long-term plans for first-year housing, 18.) An additional SLU at Rowland Avenue and Washington enhancing the physical campus is critical to ensuring that Street is scheduled to welcome residents in January with OWU is attractive to incoming students and a worthy home to construction of a new honors house on Oak Hill west of the current ones. Butler Jones House slated to begin over winter break. Recent major renovations to Merrick Hall, as well as To further strengthen OWU’s identity as a residential the construction of the Simpson Querrey Fitness Center and campus and build community, plans are underway to further renovation of Edwards enhance the JAYwalk as Gymnasium – all made OWU’s Main Street and possible through major town square. philanthropic support The newest SLUplex – have already made containing the House of significant impact to the Peace and Justice and campus. Renovations to the House of Linguistic Diversity will welcome its the Admissions office in fi rst residents in January.

Various improvements were made to the physical campus over the summer, including to the sidewalks and landscaping on the academic side. WINTER 2016-17 | 25

Financial Plan for the Future BLOCK 5 To secure long-term viability, the Board of Trustees improvements, as well as growing the endowment, securing and its finance and investment committees have taken steps annual giving, and investing in faculty innovation. to define building blocks for growth, including growing OWU’s Every generation of alumni that has lived in Stuyvesant endowment and annual operating revenue. Hall, or watched or played in athletic contests in venues such As a further step toward establishing solid financial as Selby, has benefited from the foresight of campus leaders stability, OWU will publicly launch the who preceded them, working throughout the comprehensive campaign Connect Today, Ohio Wesleyan years to ensure the Ohio Wesleyan tradition Create Tomorrow during the University’s remains strong. That spirit continues with the 175th Birthday Party, Oct. 19-22, 2017. All of the University’s 175th target of 2,020: Keep OWU strong, vibrant, and Ohio Wesleyan community will be invited Birthday Party ready to serve new generations of students to participate in the ongoing seven-year Oct. 19-22, 2017 as we look ahead to our bicentennial 25 years campaign, which includes objectives for capital down the road.

Join Alumni & Friends and Make the CASE The Alumni Relations office is here to connect you to your alma mater, to current students, and, perhaps most importantly, to each other. We all want the University to be successful, and there are many ways — small, medium, and large — that you can connect to each other and help your University achieve the enrollment objective of 2,020 by 2020. We look forward to seeing you!

Small Medium Large Join the Ohio Wesleyan Offer to speak on a career Start an Alumni & Friends University Alumni & Friends panel or other career event After 5 networking group in your area group on LinkedIn Offer an internship Participate in the Alumni in Residence Career Offer an externship to a program (mentor a student, provide Development to a student student (job shadow) résumé review and interview tips) owu.edu/careers Attend an Alumni & Friends Post a job or internship on After 5 networking event in Become a featured speaker in the Bishop Link and LinkedIn your area Alumni Webinar Series

Recommend/encourage Send congratulatory notes Staff a college fair in your area prospective students to apply to admitted students Admissions to OWU Participate in a guidance counselor owu.edu/apart Call admitted students and/or yield reception in your area

Update your information with Ask an alumni friend to Join your reunion committee the alumni office join you at a regional event Host a regional alumni event Social Events Attend an alumni event in Attend your class or and Service your area affinity reunion Volunteer on a regional Opportunities leadership board owu.edu/alumni Connect with us and fellow Come back for Homecoming alumni through social media or Reunion Weekend

Make a participation gift Increase your annual gift Join the 1842 Society with an annual to the Ohio Wesleyan Fund gift of $1,842 or more Encourage alumni to make Engagement Participate in online giving a gift to OWU Join The Tower Society by informing and Participation through the City Challenge the University that OWU is in your in Giving April 19-21, 2017 Sign up for a estate plans owu.edu/give monthly donation Invest in the Connect Today, Create Tomorrow campaign

For more information on how you can get involved, contact Katie Webster, Director of Alumni Relations, at [email protected] or 740-368-3329 ( the name says it all )

The inaugural Women of Ohio Wesleyan leadership forum offered connection, conversation, and camaraderie

By Kathy Lynn Gray Photos by Paul Vernon WINTER 2016-17 | 27

o Raffa Boukhira ’76 hadn’t been back to campus in 25 years when she received her invitation to the first Women of Ohio JWesleyan Leadership Forum and decided to attend. “I really wanted to retrace the paths I’d walked on as a student,” says Boukhira. The two-day event in September more than lived up to her expectations, as she listened to alumnae from around the country and spanning generations talk about their challenges and successes since graduating. More than 100 alumnae, students, and faculty gathered in Merrick Hall to listen to panel discussions on philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and achievement in wide-ranging conversations and informal networking gatherings. “It’s amazing to see what people accomplished,” says Colleen Nissl ’72, a co-chair of the event. “It’s very inspiring.” (Please see biographies of some of the Vernita Johnson ’95 (left) and panelists, following pages.) Dr. Laura Staley ’84 (center) Boukhira, director of institutional engage in the discussions at WOW. Student advancement at the Kingsbury Center, a Jocelyne Munoz ’17 (above) listens to a private Washington, D.C., school for the panel discussion. learning disabled, was most impressed by the panel on women and philanthropy. Ginny Kirkwood ’64, who began giving back as soon as she left OWU, shared her uncommon life of international service. While most of her girlfriends were getting married, she worked in the Peace Corps in Turkey for two years helping orphaned children. That led to a marriage of 50 years and a life filled with family, career, and good works. “If you can give something back, you should do it,” she told the audience. “There’s desperate need around us every day, and if you can help in any way, just do it. Doing volunteer work can be something little — sometimes it’s just going to see a neighbor for a cup of tea.” A student panel moderated by Ashley Biser, associate professor of politics and government, touched on the experience of women at Ohio Wesleyan today and how they are being connected with opportunities. “I had the most popular major when I started: undeclared,” joked Emma Nuiry ’17. “I think OWU does a fabulous job nurturing and fostering passions.” (Nuiry has found several: She’s double majoring in sociology/anthropology and women’s and gender studies with a minor in black world studies.) 28 | OWU

Two panels focused on how women have become leaders crazy,” she says. “I think that’s the thrill of it all.” in their fields. “You have to just dive into it,” says Julie Podolec In addition to believing in themselves, panelists ’07, who started a frozen fruit-bar company in southern also expressed a common thread of encountering sexism California with her husband. She was a stay-at-home mom throughout their careers. Carol Latham ’61 says she had no when she decided to make fruit pops for her teething young illusions that she was on equal footing with men when she son after searching for some without extra sugar. founded Thermagon, which manufactured heat-transfer She created Modern Pop, Inc., in 2013. In three years, the materials for electronic components. She’d been a single startup has evolved from a single pushcart to a company mother raising three children in Cleveland throughout her selling to retailers such as Costco and Whole Foods, largely career and had worked in an almost 100 percent male world because Podolec wasn’t afraid to reach out to big-company even before she started the business in 1992. executives, embrace social media, and work tirelessly to “I needed to outperform my male counterparts, and I promote her product. “You have to commit and be a little never spent much time thinking about it,” says Latham, who

Ginny Kirkwood ’64 (left) and Patsy Belt Conrades ’63 shared their stories and views on the importance of philanthropy.

In the student panel (from left), seniors Emma Nuiry ’17, Tanisha Murphy ’17, and Jocelyne Munoz ’17 discussed their professional hopes for after graduation and how OWU has helped them find their respective passions.

JESSICA CHOATE ’17 KRISTEN HAJDUK ’05 WOW Leadership Committee, “Women leading the way” panelist student panelist When Kristen Hajduk, a U.S. Department Halfway through her education at Ohio of Defense policy adviser, got tired of her Wesleyan studying pre-med, Jessica male colleagues appropriating her ideas, Choate discovered a new passion: politics she enlisted other co- workers to support and government. her before going into meetings. So when she was offered a spot as the only student on the As the only woman on most of her homeland security Women of Ohio Wesleyan Leadership Committee last spring, she projects, she brings unique insight. “The journey to self-realization jumped on it. is the best I could hope for any woman,” Hajduk says. “If someone “I’m hoping to go to law school, and the connections I’ve disagrees with you, it doesn’t mean you’re wrong; it just means made had a big impact on me,” says Choate, who is the OWU that they have a different perspective.” student body president. “It was great on the networking level, After loving a global issues class her first semester at OWU, being able to meet several attorneys on the committee. Those Hajduk graduated with a double major in international relations are OWU connections I know I’ll be able to reach out to when I’m and English literature. She went on to work at think tanks analyzing leaving here.” homeland security and the strategic impact of U.S. involvement in Choate hopes to work in Washington, D.C., as a lawyer, so Iraq and, more recently, as an adviser in the Office of the Assistant she has her sights on Georgetown Law. But first she plans to join Secretary of Defense for Special Operations. AmeriCorps for a year after graduating from OWU. Outside her official duties, she co-founded the No ceptionsEx Ultimately, she’d like to serve as a judge. initiative, an advocacy campaign that in 2016 helped persuade the Listening to the women at the leadership conference secretary of defense to open all military jobs to women soldiers. inspired her. “It was the one place where discrimination against women “I was surprised at how the women had been mistreated was still legal in the United States,” Hajduk says. “This was one in the workplace and how it’s been difficult for their ideas to be more step in making sure the military had the best and the appreciated,” she says. “So many accomplished women came brightest. To know we played a part in shaping that decision is one back. Being able to meet strong women who have faced adversity of the things I’m most proud of.” was motivating.” WINTER 2016-17 | 29

majored in chemistry at OWU. “I just did my thing. I knew my “I decided I was complaining too much, and that’s when data, and I knew our products were the best,” she says. I ran for office.” Aware of differing views of women in other countries, one Based on the response to the inaugural event, plans have of Latham’s early business cards listed her as technical director already begun for the next WOW, possibly in 2018. Colleen of Thermagon, not owner. “In Korea, a guy turned to me and Garland, OWU vice president for university advancement, said: ‘Why did your company send you?’ I told him it was my hopes the women’s forum becomes a signature event for company and I invented the product. He was just speechless.” alumnae to “connect, collaborate, learn, and give back” to Bridget Donnell-Newton ’80, the mayor of Rockville, Md., the University. shared her career of public service but called herself a reluctant “The inaugural year for this event was an inspiring way politician, although she grew up in a family where politics and to connect the impressive women of Ohio Wesleyan across government were discussed at the dinner table. “I just came generations and professions,” she says. “It was so invigorating into who I am,” she says. to see the attendees engaging with each other and discussing

Dr. Diane “I left the Petersen ’66 delivered a conference feeling moving and lively keynote really empowered address to a packed house on and reassured, the third floor of like I was on Merrick Hall. the right track.” —Kelsey Ullom ’14

DIANE PETERSEN ’66 AMY WELDELE ’97 WOW keynote speaker Moderator, panel on entrepreneurship Diane Petersen came to OWU in 1962, Here’s what bemuses Amy Weldele about expecting the school to be as integrated her career as a financial adviser: Few and liberal as her New Jersey high school. women choose it. She ended up breaking racial barriers in And yet, it’s a job that seems suited to the University’s all-white Greek system, females: flexible, family friendly, and based on developing trusting becoming the first African-American Delta Delta Delta sorority relationships and helping others. member after a year of pushback by the organization’s national Ten years ago, only 25 percent of certified financial planners office in Texas. were women. Today, that’s still the case, Weldele says. She’d like Dr. Petersen remembered the fight in her WOW keynote to change that. address. “No one was going to tell us what to do,” she recalls She’s co-founder of the women’s initiative at her firm, with a chuckle. “I had clearly come to the right place.” Budros, Ruhlin & Roe in Columbus, where she has worked her “I came to college wanting to be a serious stage actor,” way up in 18 years from an assistant wealth manager to a senior she notes. But her undergraduate education, and the support wealth manager. The initiative’s goal is to make financial planning she received from her sorority sisters, taught her to take on new appealing to women and to mentor them. challenges throughout her life. Weldele credits Ohio Wesleyan with introducing her to the She found a management job after graduating as a field during a semester-long internship at a bank in Philadelphia, speech major but quickly saw that women were not treated the where she worked with a financial adviser. same as men. So she returned to school, earning a master’s “I thought I wanted to help people financially, but I wasn’t sure degree in communicative disorders from Northwestern what path I would take,” she says. “That helped narrow it down.” University in 1968 and, in 1982, a medical degree from the After she graduated with an economics degree, she sold life University of Michigan before going on to a career as an ear, insurance for a year before joining Budros, a top-ranked fee-only nose, and throat specialist. financial planning firm. “It’s a relationship-based business, helping our clients navigate through their lives and make financial decisions,” says Weldele, the mother of two elementary-school children. “I realize how fortunate I am to really make a difference.” 30 | OWU Alumni Profile

both the opportunities and the challenges that women face Education, linking undergraduates with scholarships to in today’s workplace, and how the university helped prepare study abroad. She says she made useful contacts during the them for their careers.” conference with whom she hopes to connect in the future. Kelsey Ullom ’14, traveled from her home at the time Despite the different career paths the alumnae in in Houston to attend. “I left the conference feeling really attendance have taken since graduation, their Ohio Wesleyan empowered and reassured, like I was on the right track,” education provided a bond across the years and professions. she says. “It was especially interesting to listen to the older “I was a little intimidated to talk to some of the professionals women there and realize that everyone in the room had a in the room, but because we all had the link to Ohio Wesleyan, different way of dealing with inequality in the workplace.” it turned out to be the most comfortable networking I’ve ever Ullom, who recently transfered within her company to done,” Ullom says. Washington, D.C., works for the Institute of International Kathy Lynn Gray is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio.

Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to network in Merrick between discussions.

Kelly Burns (left), OWU development officer, chats with participants from a panel on entrepreneurship including Amy Weldele ’97, (center) who moderated and Vernita Johnson ’95, (right) who discussed her jewelry-making business.

COLLEEN NISSL ’72 TRACIE WINBIGLER ’87 WOW Co-chair WOW Co-chair Work harder, work longer, and do it better. An economics major at OWU, Tracie That’s how Colleen Nissl got ahead Winbigler became part of General in what was mostly a male-dominated Electric’s executive training program after profession when she graduated from law graduation, eventually climbing the ladder school in 1975. Now in her 41st year of until she was the chief financial officer law, she is general counsel and senior vice president for NetJets, and an executive vice president at GE Asset Management. She a private aviation firm with operations in Europe, China, and the served in similar positions at NBC Universal Television Group United States. Before that she was associate general counsel for and, in 2012, became the chief financial officer for the National Borden as well as senior counsel for Battelle Memorial Institute Geographic Society. She is now chief financial officer of the and chief counsel in the Ohio attorney general’s office. specialty outdoor retailer REI, based in Seattle. At Ohio Wesleyan she majored in history, taking advantage of Winbigler says her liberal arts education at Ohio a semester in Mexico and an internship in Washington, D.C. Wesleyan helped her work in a variety of industries, and she “My mother expected me to get married and have a family, credits OWU professor Bob Gitter for steering her into the GE but I knew I wanted to be independent and take care of myself,” training program. Nissl says. Eventually she did both, relying on what she says is her No. 1 strength: the ability to multitask. To express interest in participating in a future WOW event, Her work, she believes, has made it easier for women who or to learn more about becoming a mentor for a current came after her to have legal careers — and to mix family with a student, please contact Katie Webster, kpwebste@owu career. But equality remains elusive. or (740) 368-3329 “We’ve come a long way, but we’re never there,” she says. For more photos from WOW, visit owu.edu/wow Alumni Profile WINTER 2016-17 | 3 1

BANKING ON OWU: ROBERT W. GILLESPIE ’66 Robert W. “Bob” Gillespie ’66 will be the became chairman and CEO of KeyCorp fi rst to admit that he came to Ohio Wesleyan “I experienced a four years after it acquired Society Corp. in University unprepared for the rigors of 1993. He remains chairman emeritus of academic life. “I’m one of these folks who really great deal of personal KeyCorp in Cleveland. experienced a great deal of personal growth growth in my As Gillespie advanced in his career, he in my four years at Ohio Wesleyan, because I four years at Ohio remained connected to OWU, joining the came in probably not really ready for a college Board of Trustees as a Trustee-at-Large in experience,” he says. Wesleyan, because 1987 and serving until 2013, when he became But professors like Norman Leonard in the I came in probably a Life Trustee. He currently serves on the Economics Department opened his eyes—and not really ready for a Board of Trustees’ University Advancement, his ears—to the benefi ts of a quality education, Finance and Operations, and Investments and good communication skills. “I would fi nd college experience.” committees. Gillespie also has been active with myself writing notes in his labor economics class —Robert W. “Bob” Gillespie ’66 the Department of Economics and with the that didn’t relate to labor economics, they related Woltemade Center for Economics, Business to the incredible way he expressed himself,” and Entrepreneurship. He previously served as Gillespie recalls. chair of the Campaign for Ohio Wesleyan and has been a Outside the classroom, Gillespie enjoyed the privilege dedicated volunteer with annual giving, his class reunion, of serving as president of the Epsilon chapter of his and more. Bob and his wife, Ann Wible Gillespie ’67, are fraternity, Alpha Sigma Phi. “There, I learned that, by golly, I’ve members of the Founders’ Circle and the Tower Society, and got a little bit of leadership skills,” Gillespie says modestly. recipients of the Adam Poe Medal. Following his graduation with a B.A. in economics, Gillespie built In May, he was recognized by the Ohio Wesleyan Alumni upon the leadership and communication skills he had learned at Association Board of Directors with the University’s Alumni Award OWU and in just 11 years went from working as a teller at Cleveland for his outstanding service and dedication to his alma mater. “When Society for Savings bank to its president, as it was renamed Society I received my recognition at my 50th reunion, others on the platform National Bank. Nine years later, he was named president of Society were folks that I knew extremely well, dear friends and people who Corp., and later became chief executive offi cer. He guided the shared that commitment to stewardship that made it easy to join up,” institution from a $3 billion enterprise to a $120 billion operation, then he says. —Molly Vogel

Photo: Paul Vernon 32 | OWU Alumni Profile Alumni Profile

TO INFINITY, AND BEYOND

For James “Jim” productively with Oberg ’66, both like-minded Ohio Wesleyan people and those University was a with whom he didn’t launching pad, always agree, which starting him off served him well in his with a degree in professional life. mathematics and Oberg was fueling a lifelong awarded the DAC for passion. his work with NASA “I was and his freelance learning how to work on the study of learn,” Oberg says about his Ohio Wesleyan “I always wanted to space. He has freelanced for NBC, ABC, United experience. “It’s basically a passion that has Press International and MSNBC. PBS made his remained all my life.” be a rocket scientist.” book Red Star in Orbit into a documentary series Fulfi lling the University’s mission to create —James “Jim” Oberg ’66 in 1991. It is considered a groundbreaking study of students with well-rounded interests, he the Russian space program from 1957 to 1981. developed a hunger to learn new things and “I always wanted to be a rocket scientist,” share them with those around him. And share he has. Oberg says. “I was inspired by science fi ction and “I’m one brick in a large building of space exploration,” newspaper articles of the 1950s describing the new age Oberg says. “But I’ve opened up some special of exploration.” windows into secrets of space fl ight with the historical Oberg won NASA’s Sustained Superior Performance research I did.” Award in 1997 and the American Astronomical Society’s The recipient of Ohio Wesleyan University’s Distinguished Jonathan Eberhart Planetary Sciences Journalism Award in 2014 Achievement Citation (DAC), Oberg has 1,000 published journal for his article “Torrid Mercury’s Ice Poles” in Astronomy magazine. and magazine articles, 29 UFO debunkings, 10 published Internationally, he is a Fellow of the British Interplanetary books, 22 years with NASA, and two master’s degrees (from Society and, in 1993, he was invited to be the fi rst foreign member Northwestern University in applied mathematics and from the of the Russian Academy for Cosmonauts. He’s also recognized as University of New Mexico in computer science). He is also fl uent an expert on the Russian and Chinese space programs. in four languages. He now lives on a ranch in rural Galveston “I was doing things no one had ever done before,” Oberg County, Texas, with says about his time at his wife Alcestis NASA. “I was doing and “fi ne herb things people could gardens, orchards, only dream about a miscellaneous until we carried collection of dogs, it out.” cats, and horses, —A.L. Davies ’19 and an often grand view of the sky,” Oberg (above) serves as he says. They have lead rendezvous and guidance procedures two sons and four officer in the “Trench” grandchildren. in Mission Control for a Oberg says satellite retrieval mission OWU was his in 1991. “home away from Oberg (right) hangs out home” and taught with famed astrophysicist him how to work Neil deGrasse Tyson in New York City in 2012. (Photos courtesy James Oberg) Alumni Profile WINTER 2016-17 | 33

DOCUMENTING CHANGE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

In his tireless Sekkat recently pursuit of the story, wrapped up Driss Sekkat ’06 work on Invisible has risen from a Enemy, a trilogy on journalism major radicalization fi lmed in and college intern Morocco for MBN. His at CNN to award- resume also includes winning documentary projects about life in fi lmmaker, for which post-revolution Egypt, he was presented the including two seasons 2016 Ohio Wesleyan each of the shows University Young Rayheen Ala Feen and Alumni Award. Our Neighborhood. Sekkat credits “(The hardest part is) his professors with to separate yourself helping prepare from your emotions,” him for his career in Sekkat says about his international media projects. “At the end production. “OWU of the day, you’ve got was incredible to be able to create in every way. that separation so it We had such a doesn’t aff ect your great journalism editorial judgment.” department with Sekkat previously Professor (Trace) worked for ESPN Regan and Professor Sekkat reviews his to launch the fi rst work from a day on (Jim) Underwood international version the set in Indonesia and Professor in November. of SportsCenter, (Paul) Kostyu. I owe “I like creating (Photo courtesy for CNN on The everything to them,” formats around Driss Sekkat) Situation Room with Sekkat says. human-oriented Wolf Blitzer, and as Sekkat created and produced four seasons head of programming development for MBN. of Street Pulse, an investigative documentary stories. That’s He now works as vice president of business series, for Middle East Broadcasting Networks, my passion.” development for the United States, Middle East, Inc. (MBN). A 2015 feature on the people who —Driss Sekkat ’06 and North Africa branch of never.no, a social live in cemeteries in Cairo, Egypt, because they media platform that helps networks engage with cannot aff ord housing won the Bronze Award at their audience. the New York Festival. The program also won While at Ohio Wesleyan, Sekkat wrote for the the 2014 Council on International Nontheatrical Events student newspaper, The Transcript, and ran the OWU (CINE) Special Jury Award and the 2013 CINE Golden radio station, WSLN, and television station. He also Eagle. played on the varsity golf team. “I’d say (I’m most proud of) Street Pulse because Mentors, including OWU graduates Byron Pitts it was able to compete against huge names like HBO and ’82 and the late William Headline ’54, have inspired Sekkat Showtime. I was working with a really small team,” Sekkat says. throughout his career. Headline was also a member of Phi “We were able to prove to ourselves we could do it.” Gamma Delta, the fraternity Sekkat joined at OWU. “Every time Sekkat, who is currently based in Miami, gravitates toward we win an award and every time we wrap up production, I think gritty material that puts him close to his subjects, often working of OWU because you can’t forget where you come from,” internationally. “I like creating formats around human-oriented he says. stories,” he says. “That’s my passion.” —-A.L. Davies ’19

Know someone you'd like to nominate for an alumni award? Visit alumni.owu.edu to submit a nomination 34 | OWU Alumni Happenings Homecoming & Family Weekend #owuhomecoming | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram Alumni Happenings Alumni Happenings WINTER 2016-17 | 35

More than 800 alumni, family, and friends returned to campus Oct. 7 and 8 for reunions, including the Homecoming & Family Weekend All Football Reunion, Delta Tau Delta Mu Chapter 150th Anniversary Reunion, a Donors & Scholars Brunch, and alumni tailgate before OWU football triumphed over Kenyon 25-17. Save the date for next year, Oct. 19-22, 2017. 36 | OWU

CALENDARof EVENTS The following is a listing of OWU alumni events around the country. These events offer alumni, families, and friends opportunities to network with fellow Bishops and to reconnect with OWU near your hometown. To RSVP for an event, please visit www.owu.edu/alumni or call (740) 368-3325.

JANUARY 2017 APRIL 2017 JULY 2017 January 21 | On campus April 15 | Multiple Locations July 15 | Northern Michigan Bishop Backer Community Day OWU vs. Denison Viewing Parties Red & Black Luncheon Branch Rickey Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club April 19-21 | Multiple Locations January 24 | Youngstown, Ohio Ohio Wesleyan City Challenge July 29 | Cape Cod, Mass. “Selections from the Collection of Red & Black Clambake the Richard M. Ross Art Museum” April 20-22 | On campus Earlham, Mass. Showing & Reception Alumni Board - Spring Meeting McDonough Museum of Art OCTOBER 2017 April 29 | On campus FEBRUARY 2017 Pi Beta Phi Reunion Recognition October 19-22 | On campus OWU 175th Birthday Party February 11 | Naples, Fla. including Homecoming and Family Red & Black Luncheon MAY 2017 Weekend, and public kick-off of Naples Grande Beach Resort Connect Today, Create Tomorrow May 18 -19 | On campus comprehensive campaign. February 11 | On campus Board of Trustees Phi Delta Theta Gathering May 19-21 | On campus February 25 | Long Island, N.Y. Reunion Weekend (celebrating Men’s Lacrosse against Messiah classes ending in 2 and 7) Long Island, N.Y MARCH 2017 OWU 175th March 24-25 | On campus FIJI “Pig-Weekend” Reunion

Stay connected Update your preferred email address to stay connected to OWU and receive important news, invitations to events in your area, and the latest on class affinity reunions and activities at owu.edu/emailupdate

Don’t Be a Baltimore Alumni/Parent Chapter - [email protected] SAVE THE DATE Stranger! Bay Area Alumni/Parent Chapter – [email protected] Boston Alumni/Parent Chapter – [email protected] If you are Reunion Columbus Alumni/Parent Chapter – [email protected] interested Weekend 2017 in becoming Chicago Alumni/Parent Chapter - [email protected] May 19-21, celebrating involved in your FairChester (CT-NY) Alumni/Parent Chapter – [email protected] the classes that end in regional chapters, New York City Alumni/Parent Chapter - [email protected] “2” and “7” please contact us Northeast Ohio Alumni/Parent Chapter – [email protected] #OWUreunion at one of the Northern New Jersey Alumni/Parent Chapter – [email protected] following email Rocky Mountain Alumni/Parent Chapter - [email protected] addresses: Philadelphia Alumni/Parent Chapter – [email protected] Washington, DC, Alumni/Parent Chapter – [email protected] Faculty Notes WINTER 2016-17 | 37

CALENDARof EVENTS Amy Butcher, assistant From left: College in South Hadley, Mass., professor of English, published Conductor titled “Las Voces Femeninas en “Pokémon Go See the World in Chad Fourman, la Ficcion Criminal Espanola.” All Its Splendor,” in the July 17 Jennifer Jolley, In July she gave a presentation edition of The New York Times Micah Ewing. about Susana Martin Gijon’s Vino Sunday Review. An additional Performers y Polvora at the Gijion Noir Week essay, “Flight Behavior,” in the Festival in Spain. published in the June issue background. of The American Scholar, was Mark Schwartz, professor of awarded grand prize in the Solas mathematics, and Ben Letson Awards for “Best Travel Writing of ’14 had a jointly authored 2016” and anthologized in Best paper accepted for publication Travel Writing 2016. Her essay “A in Mathematics Magazine, a Slow Kind of Unraveling” has also periodical of the Mathematical been distinguished as a notable Association of America. The essay in Best American Essays paper, “The Regiomontanus 2016, guest-edited by author Problem,” considers where to Jonathan Franzen. Jennifer Jolley, assistant Today: God’s World and Human stand to optimally view a painting. professor of music, had the Responsibilities (University The research for the paper world premiere of her beginning Readers, Cognella Press, 2016). was carried out during OWU’s band piece Last Stage to Red Summer Science Research Rock. It was performed by the Donald Lateiner, emeritus Program in 2012. The paper will Mason Intermediate School’s 6th professor of humanities- appear in 2017. Grade Beginning Band at Mason classics, co-edited and (Ohio) Middle School from May authored two essays for The 9 to 11. Ancient Emotion of Disgust (Oxford University Press, 2016). Ted Cohen, professor of His essays are titled “Theory sociology-anthropology, and Practice of an Ambivalent published the 13th edition of Emotion” and “Evoking Disgust in his textbook The Marriage and the Latin Novels of Petronius and Family Experience: Intimate Apuleius.” Lateiner’s interest in Relationships in a Changing the subject grew from his course Society (Cengage, 2017). at OWU titled “Love and Sexuality Originally authored by the late in Literature and the Arts.” Brian Strong, the current edition Michael Flamm, professor is the sixth edition Cohen has Ji Young Choi, associate of history, wrote In the Heat updated and revised. The professor of politics and of the Summer (University of 13th edition addresses racial, government, stayed as a visiting Pennsylvania Press, 2016), a gender, and sexual diversity scholar for spring 2016 at the book about the New York City in how marriage, intimate Mershon Center for International race riots of 1964. Dave Farber, relationships, and parenthood Security Studies at Ohio State John Krygier, professor of a professor from the University are experienced, including wider University. Young also gave geology-geography and of Kansas, said, “Flamm’s examination of multiracial and lectures on Korean politics in director of environmental riveting history of black anger, biracial experience, ongoing Shanghai, China, on March 28 studies, along with co-author police misconduct, and the changes in how we conceptualize and in Washington, D.C. on July Denis Wood, used Illustrator and politics of law and order sets the and understand gender, and 28. He took OWU students to InDesign to make the third edition stage for today’s debates over discussion of the movement for Seoul, South Korea, to study of their book Making Maps: A incarceration, police-community marriage equality that culminated environmental politics on a grant Visual Guide to Map Design relations, and the struggle for in the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court in May and will teach a Travel- for GIS (Guilford Press, 2016) racial justice in the United States.” decision legalizing same-sex Learning course there in the from scratch. Matthew Wilson, marriage. spring 2017 semester. a professor from the University Frank Hobbs, associate of Kentucky, said, “The book is professor of fine arts, took part Emmanuel Twesigye, Aden Eva Paris-Huesca, assistant fresh, lively, and engaging—it is in a three-person art exhibit S. & Mollie Wollam Benedict professor of modern foreign a pleasure to read and thought- in the Andrews Gallery at the professor of Christian Studies, languages, wrote a book review provoking for students.” College of William and Mary in published the textbook for his of El Agua de la Muerte by Nieto Williamsburg, Va. The exhibition classes “Critical Issues in Religion Solis and Jose Antonio in the ran from Oct. 6 to Nov. 4 and was and Ethics” and “Moral Values 2016 Journal of Hispanic Studies. titled “One Off: Monotypes by in Contemporary Society.” The In April Paris-Huesca gave a Barbara Grossman, Frank Hobbs, book is titled Religion and Ethics Skype lecture at Mount Holyoke Yvonne Petkus.”

The deadline for receiving Class Notes and Faculty Notes submissions for the Spring OWU Magazine is Feb. 3, 2017. 38 | OWU CLASSnotes

Charles Purviance ’59 retired Roger Jennings ’62 published Daniel Mills ’63 co-authored 1930s from his 19-year position as Waking the Lion, a book about The Trump Phenomenon and the Mary Laning Stewart ’39 was executive director of the Kirtland his grandfather, who was credited Future of US Foreign Policy, a honored by the city of Norwalk, Partnership Committee, the by the Eastern Orthodox Church book recently published by World Ohio, for serving 40 years on the nonprofit organization of civic with saving 1,250,000 Greeks, Scientific. Architectural Review Board. leaders that works to preserve Armenians, and Jews from death and expand Kirtland Air Force at the hands of the Turks. William Davis ’66 is director 1950s Base in Albuquerque, N.M. of the Barnstormers, a four- Robert Nelson ’62 published part male choral group in New Joyce Bohyer Hildebrand ’50 Dirty Waters: Confessions of England that recently celebrated was honored for her fine-arts 1960s Chicago’s Last Harbor Boss, a its 70th anniversary. advocacy when the London Bruce Buchanan ’61 received memoir about his time as director (Ohio) High School performance Delta Tau Delta fraternity’s of harbors and marine services in Robert Gillespie ’66 and Ann auditorium was named after her. Alumni Achievement Award in Chicago. Wible Gillespie ’67 donated August. Buchanan is a professor “celebration bells” to University George Kerns ’51 received the of computer science, philosophy, John Bassett Jr. ’63 announced Hospitals’ (Cleveland area) University of California, Santa and medicine at the University of his plans to retire as Heritage Seidman Cancer Center. Cancer Barbara, College of Engineering Pittsburgh. University president at the end of patients will ring the bells at the Exemplary Service Award. the 2016-17 school year. end of their treatment.

Connie Naumann Luhta ’52 was inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. A pilot who has competed across the world ALUMNI ENSURE LINCOLN HONORED IN DAYTON in air races, she is the owner of Thomas C. Cecil ’52, has been a self-proclaimed “Lincolnphile” Concord Air Park and president since he was a boy and heard stories about Abraham Lincoln from of Cleveland’s International his father, Judge Lester Cecil, a Lincoln scholar. Earlier this fall, Women’s Air and Space Museum. Thomas Cecil fulfilled a dream as he watched the unveiling of a new Lincoln statue in downtown Dayton. Chuck McManis ’54 was Cecil was the driving force behind the 11-foot statue featured in the Las Vegas commemorating Lincoln’s delivery of an anti-slavery speech in Journal-Review for his 42 years of Dayton’s Courthouse Square while on the campaign trail in 1859. Thomas Cecil experience with gun engraving. The statue was unveiled Sept. 17, on the 157th anniversary of the ’52 (seated) and speech. his brother (front Charles “Vic” Brown ’58 Cecil founded the nonprofit Lincoln Society of Dayton in 2003, left), David Cecil donated a copy of his book and the organization received endorsement from the national ’55 and Tom’s Vampire Resurrection to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission in 2014. The society seven children Williamsburg (Va.) Regional raised more than $250,000 to commission a bronze statue created at the dedication Library as a part of its Local by sculptor Mike Major, the first artist-in-residence for the Ohio of the new Authors Project collection. Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts. The society is Lincoln statue in currently raising funds to light the statue. “The Lincoln Society of September. John Batty III ’59 was appointed Dayton would not exist without the dream of Tom to find a way to to the board of directors at Talbot create a statue of Abraham Lincoln in honor of his speaking here,” Hospice in Easton, Md. says Maribeth Graham ’55, vice president of the society. The society’s 100 members also include Ben Graham ’52 and Martha Hibbert Boice ’53.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Neal Bozentka ’81 Chuck Nider ’07 Kevin Hinkle ’94 Keith Rozanski ’99 Alumni Interfraternity Alumni “W” Association Denise Sabo Brenner ’00 ouncil Representative Representative Lana Rucks ’95 Alumnae Panhellenic C Council Representative Elizabeth Long Downey ’06 Martha Nunn Lewis ’83 Dan Sharpe ’06 Joni Manos Brown ’78 Vice President Anne Lynde ’78 Samuel Smith ’96 Sarah Bruno ’10 Fred Evans ’68 Ann Muenster-Nuiry ’73 Mary Beth Sommer ’88 Kristen Cemate ’06 Erin Flynn Jonathan Noble ’06 Sue Struna Subel ’69 Faculty Representative Thomas Tatham ’56 Vicki DiLillo Bob Gordon ’88 Hillary Panas Pember ’85 Faculty Representative Sheila Fagan Plecha ’84 Drew Thawley ’97 Candace Griffith ’09 President Bernie Vendlinski ’03 WINTER 2016-17 | 39

Charlene Dwyer Davis ’68, Michael van der Veen ’85 was an attorney at Bayard Law in DEBUNKING (MORE) JOURNALISM MYTHS selected for the 2016 Super Wilmington, Del., has been Lawyers list, a rating service of named to the 2017 edition of the W. Joseph Campbell ’74 outstanding lawyers. He was notes published the second edition CLASS Best Lawyers in America list. also elected to the Board of of his book Getting It Wrong: the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Richard Shale ’69, author of Debunking the Greatest Myths in Association. several books and articles on American Journalism (University pop culture, gave a presentation of California Press, 2016). The Eugene Clayton Mowry IV ’86 on July 16 as part of the William new edition covers the first was a speaker at the fifth annual Holmes McGuffey Historical Space and Satellite Regulatory Kennedy-Nixon debate in 1960 Society Memories of a Lifetime Colloquium on Oct. 20. Clayton lecture series. and the “Napalm Girl” photo from is president of Blue Origin, an the later years of the Vietnam aerospace manufacturer and War. Campbell is a three-time spaceflight services company. 1970s Pulitzer Prize nominee and is a Nancy Frank ’71 was a featured full-time tenured professor in Laura Baker Campbell ’87 left artist at OWU’s Ross Art Museum American University’s School of her two-decade tenure as a during its equine-themed exhibit Communication. literacy specialist with the private, “A Show of Horses” in September. national nonprofit Motheread Inc., last summer to work as executive Wendie Malick ’72 was featured assistant to the Chancellor at in the October/November edition Anne Kleindienst ’76, a Lansden “Sandy” McCandless the North Carolina School of of Cowgirl magazine. shareholder with the national law III ’79 joined First Bank as vice Science and Mathematics, the firm Polsinelli, has been selected president, commercial loan officer nation’s first public residential Clay Small ’72 published his for inclusion in Chambers USA. for Midwest Commercial Banking. high school focused on science, first novel, Heels Over Head, Chambers is considered the technology, engineering, and available on Feb. 7, 2017. leading legal industry ranking Chester West III ’79 was math. She is enthusiastic about organization in the world. awarded the Silver Beaver Award her next professional chapter Nancy Talanian ’72 was a Kleindienst practices in the areas by the Laurel Highlands (Pa.) in an educational environment featured artisan at the Whately of health care and business law in Council, Boy Scouts of America, whose alumni loyalty and campus Historical Society Fall Festival. the firm’s Phoenix office. on June 14. The Silver Beaver remind her of her days at OWU. She has been making pottery for Award is the highest honor a more than 20 years. Gregory Moore ’76 is Hearst local council can bestow on its David Mangus ’87 was Visiting Professor of Professional registered adult leaders. selected as the 2016 Raytheon Tom Cole ’73 was inducted into Practice at the University of Massachusetts STEM Teacher of the City of Toledo Athletic Hall of Colorado, Boulder. 1980s the Year. Fame on Nov. 7. Douglas Kennedy ’77, an Robert Hanna ’81, an attorney Christopher McComish ’87 David Janson ’73 won the attorney at Roetzel & Andress at Tucker Ellis LLP, was selected is executive vice-president, 400-meter national championship LPA, has been named to the 2017 for inclusion in the 2017 edition of personal banking, and co-head in the 65-69 age bracket at this edition of the Best Lawyers in the Best Lawyers in America list. of North American Specialized year’s USATF Track and Field America list. Sales for BMO Harris Bank. meet in Grand Rapids, Mich. Jeffrey Long ’82 is a member Thomas Rosenberg ’77, an of the College Football Playoff Marcella Kane Williams ’87 Joseph Costabile ’76 was attorney at Roetzel & Andress selection committee. graduated from Duquesne installed as the 224th president LPA, has been named to the 2017 University with a doctorate of of the Medical Society of New edition of the Best Lawyers in Byron Pitts ’82 presented Nursing Practice degree. Jersey. America list. “How I See It Now: My Remarkable Journey from Bruce Anderson ’88, whose Matthew Hamlin ’76 was Michele Wolf ’78 has a law office Illiteracy to Nightline” at Miami father taught philosophy at OWU appointedTITLE to TO the Texas COME Health in Oakland, Calif., and had been a University Regionals’ annual for many years, is program chair Services Authority Board of judge pro tem for San Francisco Harry T. Wilks Distinguished of Political Science and Directors. Superior Court since 2013. She Lecture Series on Sept. 14. Pre-Law Adviser at Florida currently sits on the bench in Civil Southern College (a tier-one Paula Kalamaras ’76 is the Discovery and Juvenile Traffic Amy Chesher Pelicano ’84 liberal arts core institution author of the book The Mystery Courts, and acts as a settlement is director of development in Lakeland, Fla.) and Miller of the Lone Wolf Killer: Anders judge in unlawful detainer cases. for Bethany House Services, Distinguished Professor. He was Behring Breivik and the Threat Wolf’s legal practice involves an organization that assists also appointed the Dr. Sarah D. of Terror in Plain Sight, about protecting victims of catastrophic homeless and at-risk families with and L. Kirk McKay, Jr. Endowed the tragedy of the 2011 Norway personal injury accidents, housing stability and long-term Chair in American History, attacks. employment discrimination, and self-sufficiency. Government, and Civics. sexual harassment. Robert Kestner ’76 is chairman Michael Piatt ’88 was named of the BakerHostetler law firm the new boys basketball coach at in Cleveland, which recently Milton-Union High School in West celebrated its 100th anniversary. Milton, Ohio.

2 40 | OWU Class Notes

1 2 3 4

9 10 11

1 | Toledo gathering of friends women to hold the positions, following Virginia Fairhurst Keller ’81, and her in the footsteps of Brenda Gable ’15, 6 | Up close and personal with husband Steve hosted a small alumni Rachel Vinciguerra ’14, Kate Raulin ’12, U.S. tennis stars gathering at their home in Perrysburg, and Kelsey Ullom ’14. Ohio Wesleyan Jeffrey Ryan ’86 is senior director for Ohio on Nov. 2. Pictured from left to connected with Pwoje Espwa (“Project USA Team Events for the United States right: Tom Palmer ’69, JB Rorick ’78, Hope”) through alumnus Doug Dittrick Tennis Association and was in Rio with President Rock Jones, Tom Brooks ’75, ’55, who has been influential in operating the U.S. tennis team for the 2016 Summer Suzanne Rorick ’80, Kelli Winston ’93, the facility. Olympics. He is pictured here with U.S. Susan Palmer, Virginia Keller ’81, tennis star Serena Williams. Tim Zorn ’74, Thomas Winston ’92, 4 | ’62 classmates reunite Thomas Fairhurst P ’75, ’79, ’81, and For the third year in a row, classmates 7 | Freyermuth-Steines wedding Steve Keller. from the class of 1962 reunited in Rhode Julie Freyermuth ’01 was married to Island in August. Pictured from left to Mark Steines on Aug. 20 in Los Angeles. 2 | Bishops bond over golf right: (back row) Bob Wright ’62 and The wedding was a surprise to guests, In June, a group of alumni gathered Ward Ellsasser ’62, (front row) Linda who thought they were attending a in Colorado for an annual golf outing. Collins ’62, Anne Foresman Ellsasser fifth anniversary party for the groom’s Pictured here in front of an OWU blanket ’62, Carol Cramp Schubert ’62 and Enid Hallmark Channel TV show, Home & (from left): Rick Schaal ’60, Nancy Parkinson Ford ’62. Family. Reynolds Schneider ’64, Patsy Belt Conrades ’63, Jon Hillegas ’60, and 5 | Pi Phi gathering brings Bishop 8 | Kinzer-VanMeter wedding George Conrades ’61. spouses together Adrianna “Anna” Kinzer ’11 was married Pi Phis from the 1950s keep in touch with to Jeremy VanMeter on May 14 in 3 | A tradition of service at frequent reunions at scenic locations Delaware, Ohio. Joining in the celebration Haitian orphanage around the country and through an were, from left to right: Kelsey Kerstetter Lizzy Wynne ’16 (left) and Emma annual newsletter. Several Pi Phis and ’12, Kristen Kalinowski ’11, the groom Sparks ’16 are serving as volunteer their spouses met in Charlottesville, Va., and bride, Marisa Jones ’11, Sophie coordinators for the Pwoje Espwa for a “Road Scholar” program, including Rosenthal ’12, and Katie Hurley ’12. orphanage in Les Cayes, Haiti. Sparks sightseeing, fun and laughs. From left to and Wynne represent the third straight right: Jerry Ritter ’56, Jack Batty ’59, Jim round of OWU Kappa Alpha Theta Eickhoff ’58, and Bob Stevens ’58. SPRING 2016 | 41

5 6 12 7 8

12 13 14

9 | Janca-Feliz wedding 11 | Sig Ep fraternity brothers catch up 13 | Alumni gather for roundtable Katherine Janca ’07 married Luis Feliz Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity brothers Matt Palmer ’79 hosted an OWU alumni on July 17 in Las Terrenas, Dominican gathered at the home of Mike Newcomb roundtable on Aug. 30 as part of the Republic. ’73 in September. Future gatherings Columbus Foundation’s Big Table initiative. are in the works, and other friends are Palmer is co-founder and president of 10 | Alumnus supports event to enable welcome. Email Don Slobodien ’75 the Joseph Group, a premier capital local veterans at [email protected] to be management firm in Columbus with a Rocco Donnino ’84 is founder of Cow included. Pictured from left to right: (front focus on wealth and financial planning. Harbor Warriors in Northport, N.Y., a row) Mike Newcomb ’73, Don Slobodien Pictured from left to right: Farooq Busari nonprofit organization that has donated ’75, Brad Zimmerman ’75, Chris Martin ’10, Dr. Alice Simon, Wendy McCall more than $235,000 to local and national ’75, Dick Fowler ’75, (middle row) Roger Johnson ’74, Vernita Johnson ’95, Valorie veterans organizations since its inception Krohn ’75, (back row) Fred Schill ’75, Schwarzmann ’81, Kelly Burns, and Matt in 2012. Its mission is to honor and Jon Peterson ’76, and Jeff Wagner ’75. Palmer ‘79. help veterans who were wounded as a result of Operation Iraqi Freedom and 12 | Swary-Hanak wedding 14 | Friendship on the high seas Operation Enduring Freedom by raising Tyler Swary ’13 married Laney Hanak On a recent cruise, OWU alumni and Phi funds and awareness and enlisting on June 10. Swary is in his fourth year Gamma Delta brothers Hugh Pace ’74 and community support. Sept. 9-11 was teaching sixth-grade science and social Dave Spence ’58 met and discovered their Cow Harbor Warrior Weekend, an event studies at Napoleon (Ohio) Middle School. common university and fraternity roots. organized to thank and help veterans He is the defensive coordinator for the A new friendship evolved on a ship in the to advance past their injuries. The Napoleon Wildcats and also coaches Baltic. organization housed and hosted 12 post- eighth-grade basketball and junior high 9/11 wounded veterans and their families track. He lives in Napoleon with his wife for three days of appreciation, recreation, and two dogs, Kylo and Kobe. Joining and celebration. Donnino (right) is in the celebration were (from left): Clint pictured here with Bobby Henline (left), Saunders ’13, Hayley Cook ’14, Nick an Iraq War veteran, and Tim Scherer Ziegenbusch ’13, Megan Bachelder ’13, (middle), a Gold Star father whose son Ericka Reese ’13, Tyler Sheetz ’13, Paul was killed in action in Iraq. Murphey ’13, Tyler Swary, Matt Staveski ’10, Justin Segal ’14, Lauren Janowicz ’15, Brandon Cannon ’10, Chris Demecs ’14, Rebecca Overbeek ’14, and Seth Swary ’14. 42 | OWU

Tomiquia Moss ’99 is the chief James Westfall II ’04 was Trevor Jones ’08 received the 1990s of staff to Mayor Libby Schaaf in featured in the Sept. 22 issue of Tom Patton Award for Excellence Christopher Clark ’90 was Oakland, Calif. Columbus Alive magazine for his at the Ameriprise Top Advisor appointed to the Georgia Board work as a bartender at St. James Conference, recognizing a of Corrections by Gov. Nathan Maggie Smith-Beehler ’99 is the Tavern in Columbus. financial advisor who provides Deal. author of the poem Good Bones, outstanding service to his which went viral in the aftermath Kristen Hajduk ’05 is a fellow community and clients. Caroline King Powers ’90 of the Orlando nightclub shooting in the International Security was appointed to the board of in June. Program at the Center for Summer Quesenberry ’08 was trustees for Child Abuse Listening Strategic and International named head basketball coach at Mediation (CALM). Studies in Washington, D.C. Lourdes University in Sylvania, 2000s Ohio, just the third in school Reginald Fields ’92 was Carrie Schiffer Allman ’00 was Brian Small ’05 joined the history. appointed to the Central State honored with the Allegheny Bucknell University men’s University board of trustees. County (Pa.) Exemplary Employee lacrosse staff as an assistant Hilary Holmes Cessna ’09 Award last month, recognizing coach. joined the Manchester, N.H., Kelly Gordon ’92 was named her efforts to start a training office of Bernstein Shur, one of director of the School of Fine Arts program at the county Office of Emcet Tas ’06 has joined the northern New England’s largest at Concordia University in Texas, the Public Defender for new hires World Bank’s Young Professional law firms. where she also serves as director and experienced attorneys. Program (YPP) in Washington, of Theatre and co-director of the D.C. The YPP is the World Bank’s Ashlie Britton Plants ’09 Honors Program. Michael Jordan ’00 is a regional most competitive recruitment joined Shaker, a company that business consultant at Symmetry program, which prepares a develops recruiting technology, Elizabeth Kanne Miller ’92 is Partners, LLC, an investment select group of professionals as a member of its Design-Build deputy head of GEMS Nations advisory firm. age 32 or younger for top team. Plants is an industrial- Academy. technical and leadership roles in organizational psychologist. Tyler Stillman ’00 is athletic international development. In his Casey Wilson ’93 is senior director at Firelands School new role, Tas will participate in pastor at Centenary United District in Lorain County, Ohio. a two-year leadership program 2010s Methodist Church in Granville, while working on cutting-edge Gretchen Croll ’10 graduated Ohio. Vincent McGinniss ’02 has research and policy issues in the in 2015 from the University of become board certified in Facial field of economic development. Illinois at Champaign-Urbana Trent Collier ’96, an attorney at Plastic Surgery. with a masters in Library and Collins Einhorn Farrell PC, was Nicholas Stull ’07 presented his Information Science. She is named to the “2016 Michigan Salman Syed ’03 is co-founder exhibition of paintings titled “Lap working as a research and Super Lawyers” list. and CEO of Arccos Golf, which Lanes Closed For H20 Fit Club” information operations specialist 1 sells a GPS and stat tracking at 934 Gallery in Columbus in at Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe Chris Masters ’96 is associate system for golfers. August. in Canonsburg, Pa. director of communications for the Big Ten Network. Rebecca Hinkle ’04 is managing Elizabeth Davis ’08 joined Jeremy Horne ’11 was featured director for the Performing Arts McDaniel College as director in the September issue of Alpha Mayank Pandya ’97 joined School at Bergen Performing Arts of international and off-campus Sigma Phi’s Tomahawk magazine UnityPoint Clinic–OB/GYN– Center in Englewood, N.J. programs. as a frequent donor to the Mulberry in Muscatine, Iowa, as fraternity. an OB/GYN.

ALUMNA FIGHTS PESTS IN THE FUNNY PAGES Abbey Powell ’96 is a public affairs specialist for the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, working with plant biologists, entomologists, policy experts, and regulatory officials to promote their mission of safeguarding American agriculture and securing safe U.S. agricultural trade. “Yes, I talk about bugs all day!” Powell says. “But I’m also here as a ‘change agent,’ as OWU expects their grads to be.” Powell is changing the conversation about invasive pest issues, and she’s doing so in unexpected ways. In fact, she has been re-created as a cartoon character in the nationally syndicated “Mark Trail” comic strip. Named “Agent Powell,” her character has raised awareness about the Emerald Ash Borer beetle, as well as imported red fire ants. As both an employee of the USDA and as “Agent Powell,” she believes the conversation is an important one. “Each year, invasive species cost the United States about $120 billion. Since they originate from other countries and have few or no real natural enemies here, they can quickly spread.” Pictured here, she holds a picture of an edition of The Washington Post comics page in which she is featured, as well as a mug featuring the comic strip. WINTER 2016-17 | 43

Marie Krulewitch-Browne ’11 Ethan Baron ’11 was married to Joe Rosato ’06 and Demaris Marian Boyd Eanes ’41, of received the Jewish Federation Ellen Freedman on Aug. 20. Rosato welcomed daughter Cincinnati, June 15, at the age of of Cincinnati’s Jewish Innovation Norah Ann Rosato on May 23. 96. She was predeceased by her Funds to produce a Jewish and Also celebrating are uncles husband, Edwin Eanes ’41, and is Israeli Arts and Cultural Festival Births Jamison Dague ’08 and survived by son Michael Eanes in Cincinnati next year. Anthony Rosato ’09. ’64. She was a member of Delta 1980s Gamma sorority. Cody Morrison ’11 is a Robert Albrecht ’80 and his Meghan Feran Sexton ’06 chiropractor at Leaf Chiropractic partner Kelsey welcomed son welcomed son Cooper Joseph Elinor Selby Garriques ’41, of & Wellness Center in Delaware, Bryon Timothy Albrecht on June Sexton, on Aug. 3. Also Aurora, Colo., June 27. She was Ohio. 6. celebrating are aunts Katherine predeceased by her husband, Feran Lindamood ’03 and Sarah Theodore Schaible ’40, and was Christian Kissig ’13 is a lab Feran Ayers ’00. a member of Kappa Alpha Theta chemist at Columbia Chemical. 2000s sorority. Previously, he served as a Patricia Gray McCarthy ’01 and Brittany Coale ’07 welcomed research technologist at the Michael McCarthy ’01 welcomed son Robert William Bourassa, on Marian Schlabach Ramlow ’41, Cleveland Clinic. son Gray William McCarthy, on July 9. Also celebrating are aunt of La Crosse, Wis., Aug. 7, at the June 23. Also celebrating is aunt MaryEllen Coale Krapf ’05 and age of 96. She was predeceased Elizabeth Spragens ’13 was Christine Gray Sellitto ’99. grandmother Sharon Smithey by two sisters, Anne Schlabach named Macon (Tenn.) County Coale ’72. Burkhardt ’37 and Margaret High School head girls soccer Katie Hollidge Nelson ’01 and Schlabach Dalzell ’38. She coach. her husband Chris welcomed Dana Reznik Gerken ’07 and her was a member of Alpha Xi Delta daughter Emily Ann Nelson on husband, William, welcomed twin sorority. William Thieman ’13 was named July 1. Emily joins big brothers sons, Walter “Wally” Timothy and girls tennis coach at Olentangy Andrew and Ben. Harris “Harry” Gregory, on Aug. 4. Florence Shultz Nash ’42, of Sun Liberty (Ohio) High School. City Center, Fla. Aug. 9, at the Morgan Johnson Vihlidal ’03 Liz Urmston Boham ’08 and age of 95. She was predeceased Dre White ’14 was named varsity celebrated the birth of son Logan Garett Boham ’08 welcomed son by a sister, Dorothy Shultz Stone boys basketball head coach at Thomas Vihlidal, on June 20. Robert Owen Boham, on Sept. 16. ’34. Please see a longer version Ada (Ohio) High School. Also celebrating is grandfather of this obituary online at owu. Joel Poetker ’56. Wesley Perkins ’09 celebrated edu/magazine. Matthew Hunter ’15 is a sports the birth of son Luke James performance coach at Athletic Nicholas White ’04 and Perkins, on July 11. Janet Malloy Tompkins ’42, of Lab, a sports performance and Kimberly Holbrook White ’05 Bismarck, N.D., June 10, at the fitness training center in North welcomed daughter Julia White, age of 95. Carolina. on Aug. 28. In Memoriam Robert Owen ’43, of Centerville, Cody Kent ’15 published a study Kelsey Wright Chin ’05 1930s Ohio, July 2, at the age of 95. He with the late OWU professor Jed welcomed daughter Lyla Chin, Sarah Spencer Patton ’36, of was a member of the OWU Tower Burtt linking feather-degrading on Sept. 28. Also celebrating is Upper Arlington, Ohio, Sept. 21, at Society and Delta Tau Delta bacteria to damaged plumage on grandfather David Wright III ’76. the age of 102. She was preceded fraternity. wild birds for the first time. in death by her husband, Richard Clint Evans ’05 and Stephanie Patton ’36, and son John Patton Janet Henthorn Wolf ’43, of Nhi K. Amy Nguyen ’15 is the Schroeder ’08 celebrated the ’67. She was a member of Delta Denville, N.J., July 17, at the age owner of A Taste of Vietnam, a birth of son Brody David Evans, Delta Delta sorority. of 94. She was a member of restaurant that recently opened on Aug. 24. Also celebrating is Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. in Worthington, Ohio. grandfather James Schroeder Ailene Meyers Utz ’39, of ’60. Weatherly, Pa, Sept. 30, 2015, Charles Bettinger Jr. ’44, of Evan Lee ’16 was recognized as at the age of 98. She was Charleston, W.Va., July 3, at the FC Cincinnati’s most improved Benjamin Norris ’05 welcomed predeceased by her husband, age of 93. He was a member of player for the 2016 season. son Otto Benjamin, on Sept. 27. David Utz ’39, and was a Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. member of Delta Gamma sorority. Dan O’Brien ’05 celebrated the Virginia Collier Penrose ’44, of Marriages birth of Quinn Hamilton O’Brien Woodland, Calif., July 25, at the on July 25. 1940s age of 94. 2010s Eleanor “Sue” Kneen Hudson Justin Blackburn ’06 was Kevin Johnson ’06 welcomed ’40, of Sebring, Ohio, July Leon Havre ’45, of Orlando, Fla., married to Elise Guimont on son Connor Michael Johnson, on 6, at the age of 97. She was July 9, at the age of 92. He was Sept. 24 in the Cathedral of Saint June 24. predeceased by two brothers, predeceased by his wife, Nancy Patrick in Charlotte, N.C. John Kneen ’37 and Charles Quillen Havre ’50, and was a Korry Lee ’06 celebrated the Kneen ’49. She is survived by two member of Alpha Tau Omega Michael Alcock ’08 was married birth of daughter Kenzie Faye children, Douglas Newton ’69 fraternity. to Rachael Cobb on May 21. Lee, on June 27. and Ann Newton ’67. She was a member of Delta Gamma sorority. Hilary Curry ’10 was married to Beverly Ann Harrell on Aug. 24, 2015. 44 | OWU Class Notes

Dorothy Ham DeVault ’46, of Mildred Bair Brydon ’52 of Glen Laurence Kimble Jr. ’54, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, July 8, at 1950s Ridge, N.J., March 28, at the age Davis, Calif., June 3, at the age the age of 91. She was a member Raymond Cheseldine ’50, of of 89. of 85. He was preceded in death of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. Bonita Springs, Fla., June 29, at by his father, Laurence Kimble the age of 86. He is survived by Ivan Fraser ’52, of Silver Lake, ’28, and is survived by a brother, Barbara Crew Long ’46, of a son, Raymond Cheseldine III Ohio, Aug. 1, at the age of 86. He Robert Kimble ’55. He was a Medina, Ohio, July 5, at the age ’79. He was a member of Beta is survived by his wife, Dolores member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon of 90. She was predeceased Theta Pi fraternity. Deist Fraser ’53, and was a fraternity. by her mother, Mary Chandler member of Alpha Tau Omega Crew 1917, her husband, James Harry Gill Jr. ’50, of Houston, fraternity. Edwin Lee ’55, of Coshocton, Long ’48, and a brother, Malcolm Aug. 26, at the age of 92. He was Ohio, Sept. 29, at the age of 83. Crew ’48. She is survived by a a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Lois Kolyer Gregory ’52, of He was preceded in death by a daughter, Elizabeth Long Lavallo fraternity. Peachtree City, Ga., Aug. 13, at brother, Edward Lee ’55, and is ’77. She was a member of Alpha the age of 85. She was a member survived by a sister, Eloisa Lee Gamma Delta sorority. William Bangham ’51, of Bay of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. Amick ’58. He was a member of Village, Ohio, Sept. 21, at the age Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Dorothy Johnson Ferguson ’47, of 88. He was predeceased by Jane Stuntz Jager ’52, of of Fort Wayne, Ind., July 14, at the his parents, Norman Bangham Newbury, Vt., June 3, at the age Patty Kline Shuster ’55, of age of 90. She is survived by a 1919 and Mary Dickerson of 84. She was a member of Lucasville, Ohio, July 8, at the son, John Ferguson ’71, and was Bangham ’21, and a sister, Alpha Delta Pi sorority. age of 82. She was preceded a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Elizabeth Bangham Temple ’44. in death by her mother, Helen sorority. He is survived by a daughter, James Lynsky ’52, of Rossmoor/ Millar Kline ’22, and is survived Kristen Bangham Newcomb Los Alamitos, Calif., March 20, by her husband, John Shuster Marthella Mizer Burrows ’48, of ’78. William was a member of Phi at the age of 89. He is survived ’53. She was a member of Pi Beta Bellevue, Fla., Aug. 31, at the age Delta Theta fraternity. by his wife, Shirley Underwood Phi sorority. of 89. Lynsky ’55, and was a member George Barker ’51, of of Sigma Chi fraternity. George Skipper ’55, of Hal Fausnaugh ’48, of Rocky Greensboro, N.C., Sept. 14, at the Bentleyville, Ohio, Aug. 14, at the River, N.C., July 16, at the age of age of 89. He is survived by a Joe Slone ’52, of Lexington, Ky., age of 82. 90. He was predeceased by his sister, Helen Barker Dimlich ’55, Aug. 8, at the age of 86. He was mother, Ruth Tarr Fausnaugh and was a member of Sigma Phi a member of Phi Gamma Delta Yvonne Sutton Eder ’56, of Fort ’21, and is survived by his wife, Epsilon fraternity. fraternity. Myers, Fla., June 24, at the age of Agnes Park Fausnaugh ’51, a 82. She was a member of Kappa sister, Ann Fausnaugh Burke Ruth Ice Cornish ’51, of Fort Ruth McAfee Fenton ’53, of Port Alpha Theta sorority. ’58, and a grandson, Perry Collins, Colo., July 22, at the Charlotte, Fla., on June 9, at the Obee ’06. Hal was a member age of 87. She was a member of age of 84. She is survived by a Beverly Schroeder Allison ’57, of the OWU Board of Trustees, Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. brother, William McAfee ’56, of Greeneville, Tenn., Aug. 21, at Tower Society, and Beta Theta Pi and was a member of Chi Omega the age of 81. She was preceded fraternity. Janet Guinn Gerlinger ’51, of sorority. in death by her mother, Vera Bermuda Village, N.C., Sept. McQuillin Schroeder ’25, and Janet Hughes Sitterle ’48, of 6, at the age of 87. She was Marion Lightfoot ’53, of her sister, Shirley Schroeder Greenfield, Ohio, Aug. 10, at predeceased by her husband, Arkansas City, Colo., Sept. 10, at Kersten ’51. She is survived by the age of 89. She is survived R.A. Gerlinger ’50, and was a the age of 85. He was a member her husband, James Allison ’56, by a son, Robert Judkins ’72, member of Chi Omega sorority. of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. and was a member of Chi Omega and was a member of Alpha Chi sorority. Omega sorority. Shirley Russell Jacot ’51, of Nancy Bernard Miller ’53, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, July 20, at Reynoldsburg, Ohio, June 23, at Diane Turner Breese ’57 of John Vutech ’48, of Columbus, the age of 87. She is survived by the age of 84. She was preceded Toledo, July 4, at the age of 81. Sept. 4, at the age of 93. He was a sister, Miriam Russell Conley in death by her husband, Carl She was predeceased by her a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. ’59, and was a member of Chi Miller ’52, and was a member of husband, David Shaffer ’57, and Omega sorority. Alpha Chi Omega sorority. was a member of Delta Gamma Selene Elliott Butters ’49, of sorority. Dublin, Ohio, Sept. 27, at the Daniel Ransom ’51, of Orchard Thelma Cook Sparks ’53, of age of 89. She is survived by a Park, N.Y., July 18, at the age of Upper Arlington, Ohio, July 12, at Ralph Eisnaugle ’57, of grandson, Andrew Stock ’17. 87. He was a member of Beta the age of 84. She was a member Columbus, Sept. 30, at the age Theta Pi fraternity. of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. of 81. He is survived by his wife, Betty Bruner Farrier ’49, of Nancy Quinn Eisnaugle ’57, a Provo, Utah, Sept. 22, at the age Jack Allen ’52, of Seven Lakes, Martha Bowman Ebeling ’54, son, Jeffrey Eisnaugle ’83, and a of 89. N.C., June 22, at the age of 87. of Oakwood, Ohio, Aug. 2, at the brother, Edmund Eisnaugle ’69. He is survived by his wife, Mary age of 84. She is survived by her He was a member of Phi Gamma Harry Kane ’49, of Williamsburg, Mayer Allen ’53, a son, Douglas husband, Harry Ebeling ’54, and Delta fraternity. Va., June 13. He is survived by his Allen ’81, and a brother, James was a member of the OWU Tower wife, Jean Sayre Kane ’48, and Allen ’68. He was a member of Society and Pi Beta Phi sorority. was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. fraternity. Class Notes WINTER 2016-17 | 45

Melvin Vulgamore ’57, of New Susanne Lautier Ullrich ’62, of Robert Henry Ross Jr., a former London, N.H., Aug. 12, at the Port Orange, Fla., and Warren, 1970s faculty member, Aug. 25, 2016, at age of 81. He is survived by a Conn., Sept. 22, at the age of 76. Chester Lehmann ’71, of the age of 100. daughter, Allison Vulgamore She is survived by her husband, Bethlehem, Pa., July 20, at the ’79. Walter Ullrich ’62, and was a age of 67. He is survived by his Freda Russell, of St. Charles, IL, member of Delta Gamma sorority. wife, Jean Dobbins Lehmann Sept. 19, 2016, at the age of 89. Eleanor Kirk Achtermann ’58, ’76, and was a member of Tau Freda joined the OWU staff in of Lancaster, Pa., Sept. 6, at the Marilyn Abel Boyer ’63, of Kappa Epsilon fraternity. 1960 as secretary to the president. age of 80. She was a member of Manhasset, N.Y., July 18, at the She retired in 1989 after working Alpha Delta Pi sorority. age of 74. Linda Silling MacDonald ’71, of for four presidents and serving as New York City, Nov. 6, 2015, at secretary to the Board of Trustees. Algerdas Cheleden ’58, of Marianne Ruple Gardner ’64, of the age of 66. She is survived Glendale, Calif., June 6, at the Willoughby Hills, Ohio, Aug. 16, at by a brother, Michael Andrew age of 79. He is survived by his the age of 74. She is survived by Silling ’74. She was a member of Friends wife, June Miller Cheleden ’58, her husband, George Gardner Pi Beta Phi sorority. Martha Easton, wife of the late and was a member of Kappa ’64, a daughter, Abigail Gardner Loyd Easton, professor emeritus Sigma fraternity. ’94, and a brother, F. William Kenneth Hay ’74, of Klamath of philosophy at OWU, July 6, at Ruple III ’69. She was a member Falls, Ore., June 1, at the age of the age of 100. David Kennedy ’58, of Lorain, of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. 63. He is survived by a brother, Ohio, Sept. 26, at the age of 83. David Hay ’76. He was a member of Chi Phi Dennis Orphal ’64, of Sympathy to fraternity. Pleasanton, Calif., Sept. 8, at the Dana Dow Schuler ’75, of Thomsa Stewart Haas ’56 for age of 73. Cincinnati, Sept. 6, at the age the death of her husband, Michael Heningburg ’59, of of 63. She is survived by her Dennis Haas, on Jan. 18, 2016, Silver Spring, Md., Aug. 23, at the Susan Thomas Kirby ’65, of husband, Gregory Schuler ’74, at the age of 81. The magazine age of 78. He was a member of Winston-Salem, N.C., June 26, at and was a member of Pi Beta Phi apologizes for an error that Beta Sigma Tau fraternity. the age of 73. She is survived by sorority. appeared in this note in our her husband, Alan Kirby ’65, and fall magazine. Patricia Nittskoff Naylor ’59, of three children, Jill Kirby Podolan Suzanne Lee ’78, of New York Hemet, Calif., Sept. 3, at the age ’92, Philip Kirby ’96, and City, July 21, at the age of 60. She D. Eugene Garrison ’57 and of 79. She was a member of Pi Matthew Kirby ’93. She was a was a member of Kappa Kappa Ruth Garn Garrison ’57 for the Beta Phi sorority. member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Gamma sorority. death of their daughter, Elisabeth sorority. “Lisa” Ann Garrison, on July 7, 1980s 2016, at the age of 55. 1960s Mark Holzapfel ’66, of Key West, Steven Dinardo ’85, of Basil Pessin ’60, of Renfrew, Fla., Aug. 9. He was a member of Catherine Jones Mercer ’74 Philadelphia, June 22, at the age Ontario, May 28, at the age of 77. Sigma Chi fraternity. for the loss of her father, Joseph of 52. He was a member of Phi He was a member of Beta Sigma Jones, on Aug. 9, and her Kappa Psi fraternity. Tau fraternity. Charles Meyer ’67, of Etowah, mother, D. Jeanne Jennings Tenn., July 27, at the age of 71. Jones, on Aug. 18. Ruth Mason Richissin ’60, of He was a member of Sigma Chi Elizabeth Schnipke Tankovich ’86, of Delaware, Ohio, Sept. 6, at Coshocton, Ohio, Sept. 12, at the fraternity. Sloan White ’78 for the loss of the age of 75. age of 78. She was a member of her mother, Elizabeth White, on Gamma Phi Beta sorority. Eric Peterson ’67, of Port Sept. 18. Elizabeth’s late husband Monmouth, N.J., Aug. 19, at the 2010s Eugene was a longtime English John Day ’61, of Wilmington, N.C., age of 71. He was a member of professor at OWU. May 27, at the age of 78. He was Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Alexander Razzolini ’10, of Jackson, Wyo., Aug. 30, at the a member of Alpha Tau Omega Amy Seaman Fredrick ’79 age of 28. fraternity. Gail Oakley ’68, of San for the death of her mother, Francisco, Aug. 16, at the age of Kathryn Dively Seaman, on Brian Whalen ’61, of Grand 70. She was a member of Gamma April 7, her 94th birthday. Rapids, Mich., June 21, at the Phi Beta sorority. Faculty/Staff age of 76. He is survived by a Gerald Fry, a 10-year veteran of Cynthia Ross Polayes ’79 for the son, Daniel Whalen ’08. He Robert Wheale ’69, of Bonita the OWU admissions office, June loss of her mother, Sue Ross, on was a member of Kappa Sigma Springs, Fla., July 12, at the 28. May 26, at the age of 83. fraternity. age of 69. He is survived by a brother, Kirk Wheale ’66, and Ralph Hickson, who worked Sandra Riggs ’62, of Janesville, was a member of Phi Kappa Psi as an electrician and assistant Wis., June 17, at the age of 75. fraternity. superintendent of buildings and She was a member of Delta Delta grounds for OWU for 37 years, Delta sorority. Aug. 27, 2016, at the age of 93. 46 | OWU Class Notes

IN MEMORY WE WANT TO HEAR OF PROFESSOR FROM YOU! KIM LANCE Please email your news Dr. Kim A. Lance, a to [email protected]. 28-year member of the You can also submit your Chemistry Department news to: at Ohio Wesleyan Attn: Class Notes Editor University, passed away OWU Magazine Ohio Wesleyan University suddenly on Nov. 3. Mowry Alumni Center Lance began 61 S. Sandusky St. teaching at Ohio Delaware, OH 43015 Wesleyan in the fall of 1988. Over the years, Include your name and class he was awarded several year as well as a daytime phone number, should we teaching honors, improved countless student also worked at the state need to reach you. Photos including the Sherwood lives both in and out of wrestling tournament for Dodge Shankland Award the classroom,” said OWU are welcome. Submissions many years. may be edited for space. for the encouragement President Rock Jones. Lance was born on of teachers. He became In his personal life, Lance April 11, 1960, in Wooster, the fastest-promoted was a baseball fanatic, Ohio, to James D. Lance faculty member in first as a youth ballplayer, and Naomi Myers Lance. The deadline for receiving University history, and later as a youth coach, After graduating from Class Notes and Faculty serving as chair of the umpire, rules interpreter, Waynedale High School Notes submissions for the Chemistry Department and, for many years, in 1978, he attended Spring 2017 OWU Magazine before earning tenure. commissioner of the Great the College of Wooster, is Feb. 3, 2017. His research in Lakes Summer Collegiate graduating in 1982. He inorganic chemistry, League. He was an avid was the first member of his published in several Cleveland Indians fan. family to attend college. He journals, continued Lance was also very earned a Ph.D. in chemistry until his death. He was involved in wrestling, from Ohio State University not only a passionate having been a top-level in 1988. teacher but also a caring wrestler in his youth. As Lance is survived mentor and friend to his a teenager, he was the by his mother, Naomi students and colleagues. first state wrestling placer Myers Lance; brothers As a researcher, from Wayne County, Ohio. Gail (Janice) Lance and Lance sought to find a Later in life, he was a loyal Mitchell (Barbara) Lance; catalyst that would purify supporter of the Delaware his wife of 28 years, Judith water and leave nothing Hayes High School wrestling R. Maxwell; sons James harmful or negative team — often driving team and Paul; daughter Marie, behind. “I believe that members to off-season and numerous nieces and in many ways he himself events, as well as helping nephews. was a catalyst, a positive to found the team’s Mat agent of change, who Backers Association. He

Former students of Kim Lance remembered him fondly on Facebook. Kathryn Kin ’14 One time I had a question for Dr. Lance and he said that it may have been easier to explain in person. Since the assignment was due the next day, he met me at the Tim Horton’s at 10 p.m. just to help me understand. He was passionate about his students and it Are you an artist, showed. Tammy Moseley Fitzsimmons ’00 His presence will surely be missed among both students or do you know an and faculty/staff. My condolences to his family in the wake of this loss. I’ll never forget the alumnus/a who is? morning he showed up for class dressed in a ratty t-shirt and pants. He’d come straight from If you would be interested the birth of his child and hadn’t had time to change. That’s how dedicated he was: even though in showing your work he’d not had a bit of sleep, he refused to cancel class. Dr. Lance will be missed. Jeffrey Barrett Donaldson ’04 Dr. Lance was incredible. I was a student with minimal at OWU, please email science background; I’m a physician now. His encouragement and engaging teaching kept me Tammy Wallace ’02, going even when it was a tough slog, and now I do actually use chemistry every day. Assistant Director of the For more on Dr. Lance or to share your own memory, visit our Facebook page. Ross Art Museum, at [email protected] WINTER 2016-17 | 47

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AT OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY OFFICERS OF THE BOARD Thomas R. Tritton ’69 | Chairperson John Milligan ’83 | Vice Chairperson

COACH HONORED POSTHUMOUSLY The late Richard “Dick” DeHaven ’60 was honored on Sept. 16 when Millikan High School in Long Beach, Calif., rededicated its football stadium to him, celebrating his championship-winning tenure as head coach of the football team. The tribute marked an emotional evening for many of his former players, who remember with deep TRUSTEES AT LARGE LIFE TRUSTEES fondness the formative role Richard Alexander ’82 William Blaine Jr. HON ’89 DeHaven played in their Nicholas Calio ’75 Jean Fitzwater Bussell ’69 lives. Doreen DeLaney Crawley ’91 George H. Conrades ’61 As a member of Belinda Brown Fouts ’73 Patricia Belt Conrades ’63 the OWU football team, Daniel Glaser ’82 Evan Corns ’59 DeHaven’s contributions Edward Haddock ’69 Douglas H. Dittrick ’55 were also legendary. As Carol Hilkirk Latham ’61 Andres Duarte ’65 his dear friend Roger Jack Luikart ’71 William E. Farragher ’49 Lockwood ’60 puts it, “The man was the Todd Luttinger P ’10 P ’13 Lloyd Ferguson ’62 personification of the Kevin McGinty ’70 Robert W. Gillespie ’66 ideal student-athlete: Gregory Moore ’76 Maribeth Amrhein Graham ’55 humble, shy, appreciative, Colleen Nissl ’72 Michael Long ’66 loyal, caring, dedicated, C. Paul Palmer ’96 Jack McKinnie ’54 hardworking, sincere, Thomas Palmer ’69 Phillip J. Meek ’59 fun. Dick’s dad, Jeff, Frank Quinn ’78 Carleton P. Palmer III ’64 who coached football in George Romine Jr. ’67 Kathleen Law Rhinesmith ’64 Sandusky, and his mom, Timothy Sloan P ’13, P ’16 Helen Crider Smith ’56 Cora, instilled in Dick a Katherine Boles Smith ’71 James D. Timmons Sr. ’61, P ’92 sense of purpose (Dad) and a sneaky sense of humor Kara Trott ’83 (Mom) that integrated FROM THE OHIO WEST CONFERENCE perfectly with Dick’s TRUSTEES FROM Jeffrey Benton personality.” Roger adds THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION that DeHaven’s marriage Jan Baran ’70 FROM THE OHIO EAST CONFERENCE to Bette Lockwood ’61 is Rick Doody ’80 Robert Hickson ’78 further testament to the Jason Downey ’02 steady and balanced life Emma Drongowski ’16 From the Other United Methodists Conferences he lived. Indeed, his family Peter Eastwood ’91 Myron F. McCoy ’77 was a source of true joy Sally Christiansen Harris ’76 for him, and he took great Craig Luke ’85 pride in his three children, Michael McCluggage ’69 their spouses and his Jacob Miller ’14 grandchildren. Pictured (from left): Dick, Roger, Cynthia O’Neill ’81 and Bette. Anand Philip ’00 Ibrahim Saeed ’15 Ken Sternad ’77 48 | OWU The Final Word

By Martha Park ’11 hen people warned cheeks, trudging back to my me it would be dorm where my roommate’s cold in Delaware, Ohio, closet was fi lled with down I must have shrugged it jackets, waterproof boots, off . I must have assumed and thick scarves. the winters in Delaware By the next winter, I’d would at least resemble stocked up on the same big, the winters I’d experienced puff y coats everybody else growing up in Memphis. was wearing, the ones I’d I know this not because I seemed to think I wouldn’t remember it, but because need. I wore long underwear I moved to Ohio Wesleyan like it was my job. I dried my University as a freshman hair before I left my room. with the same three pairs I bought extra gloves and of wool socks and the earmuff s and I drank gallons fl imsy coat I’d always worn of hot tea. I fi gured it out. on what I thought were But that isn’t the moral particularly cold winter days of the story. This is: My fi rst at home in Tennessee. I Ohio winter gave me an must’ve thought this winter inkling that I had come from wardrobe would do the job somewhere else, a place just fi ne. demonstrably diff erent from In Memphis, the Delaware, Ohio. I began summer heat starts to slack to see that my hometown off in late September and might be as unusual for early October, and people some people as Delaware take to the streets for the was for me. And then I fi rst time after months spent began to wonder about my in the air-conditioned indoors. But in Ohio, background, my childhood as a preacher’s that fi rst semester, the sudden chill of October “My fi rst Ohio winter daughter, moving every few years from one spoke not to the slow tempering of summer gave me an inkling church-owned parsonage to the next. Maybe but to something else: Winter was coming. that story would be as new to some people Only I didn’t know it — not really — not yet. that I had come from as Ohio winters were to me. I went home for Thanksgiving and That fi rst Ohio winter taught me that I Christmas, and by the time I came back for somewhere else, a carried stories of another place, another life. the spring semester, things had changed. In place demonstrably I began, in very small steps, to see my own the morning I would shower and braid my story objectively, and to appreciate it for the long, damp hair, expecting to let it air dry as it different from fi rst time. I began, in other words, to become did at home. Instead, I left my dorm and, after a writer, because seeing the individual details walking for a couple minutes, was surprised by Delaware, Ohio.” that make a place or a person distinct is the what felt like a log that had gotten snagged, —Martha Park ’11 fi rst step to any compelling, believable piece somehow, on the hood of my coat. My damp of writing. That winter reminded me that each braid had frozen solid before I’d reached the academic side of of us comes from somewhere, and that these places are wrapped campus. up in who we are, in ways we might not even recognize until One morning in February, walking up Rowland Avenue into a we fi nd ourselves facing down a sudden gust of wind and walk biting wind, my face sort of froze, starting with my chin. The frigid into it, headlong. air pushed tears from my eyes, and then — by some combination Martha Park was the spring 2016 Philip Roth Writer-in-Residence at of bewilderment and homesickness and the pure, freezing cold, Bucknell University. before I knew it — I was full-on crying, the tears freezing to my

What are your snowiest memories at OWU? Share with us at [email protected] or tweet to @OWUAlumni. The Final Word

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(Front row from left) Anna Schlueter ’17, Emily Lee ’17, (second row, from left) Katie Worland ’17, Trasina Diazmunoz ’17, Natalie Wynne ’17, Claire O’Keeffe ’17, and (top) Kelly Schade ’17 at the football game during Homecoming and Family Weekend Oct. 8.