nkumagazineSpring/summer 2016 // vol. 1, No. 2

RICH BOEHNE IS

GIVINGHE STRUGGLED AT NKU BEFORE LIGHT FINDING HIS PATH. NOW THE E.W. SCRIPPS CEO SHINES A LIGHT FOR FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS.

STUDENTS FIND PHOTOS FROM THE NKU’S DANGEROUS FIRST RACIALLY COOL COURSE LEVELS INTEGRATED CATALOG OF LEAD SCHOOL WILL MAKE YOU WISH IN NEWPORT, KY SOIL. IN THE U.S. YOU WERE HERE.

// PAGE 10 // PAGE 22 // PAGE 28 nkumagazine Support NKU! Look for this giving icon throughout the magazine for ways to support the NKU departments and programs you care about, CONTENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2016 or log on now to givenow.nku.edu. Thank you! SPRING/SUMMER 2016 VOL. 1 // NO. 2

EDITOR BRENT DONALDSON ’05

ART DIRECTOR DIONNE LAYCOCK ’90

PHOTOGRAPHER TIMOTHY D. SOFRANKO

PUBLISHER ERIC GENTRY Vice President for University Advancement KELLY L. MARTIN Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications CHRIS COLE COOL COURSE Director of University Communications CATALOG CONTRIBUTORS MIKE ANDERSON JAYNA BARKER CAROL BEIRNE KELSEY BUGENSTOCK ’16 RYAN CLARK ’10 CHRIS COLE ’99, ’04, ’09 GAVIN COLTON ’16 28 BRIAN HACKETT SHARYN JONES WILLIAM LANDON AMANDA NAGELEISEN ’04 MELISSA POWELL

FEATURES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FRANK A. BIRKENHAUER ’92 PAGE PAGE PAGE President JIM CUTTER ’81 Past President 14 22 28 JESSICA JOHNSTON ’99 Vice President THE LEADING LIGHT FINDING GRACE IN TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL TOM WIEDEMANN ’90 How do you go from struggling AMERICA’S DARKEST HOUR Innovative and challenging President-Elect first-generation college student A photographic look at programs are why NKU is MICHELLE MCMULLEN ’15 Director of Alumni Programs & Councils to president, chair, and CEO of artifacts unearthed at the site consistently ranked among the one of the nation’s largest TV of a pre-Civil War racially top universities in the nation by CORRESPONDENCE NKU MAGAZINE and digital news companies? integrated grade school—the Forbes. But a handful of classes OFFICE OF MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS AC 701 Just ask Rich Boehne. first of its kind in the country. in particular turn conventional 1 Nunn Dr. teaching methods on their Highland Heights, KY 41099 heads. PHONE (859) 572-6948 WEB MARCOMM.NKU.EDU EMAIL DEPARTMENTS [email protected] NKU MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED BY THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 4 NORSE NOW 32 OFFICE OF MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS AT NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY Around Campus 5 FOR ITS GRADUATES, DONORS, AND FRIENDS. MYSTERY PHOTO 36 COPYRIGHT 2016 NKU anthropology alumnus Nick Thaxton (’15) bags artifacts from the foundation AROUND THE HORNS 6 NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY of the Parker Academy school house—the first fully-integrated school in the United NKU 360º 8 COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, CONCERNS? States. During an ongoing series of archeological digs on the site, NKU faculty, stu- NKU News 10 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! EMAIL US AT dents, and volunteers unearthed many of the artifacts presented on page 22. NKU Athletics 12 [email protected]. 22 Christine Roush joins the 1000-point club for the Norse. Page 13 2 nku mAGAZINE // table of contents spring/summer 2016 3 [ AROUND CAMPUS ] BIOFEEDBACK Kevin Smith, a senior biology major, studies the histology of human organ tissue in BIO 426, Mammalian Anatomy and Physiology.

STAY GOLD

You may remember that the last issue of NKU Magazine introduced a complete redesign for the publication—including a name change. Recently, that issue of the magazine was recognized A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT with two prestigious international awards, for both print and the NKU Our campus has been busy since the printing of our high school to college. Magazine app. first edition ofNKU Magazine last Fall. Our students You can also read about a Newport soil study have been working on innovative undergraduate and that partnered students from our environmental The print version took home the graduate research in our classrooms and communi- Hermes Creative Award Platinum, ties, and the entire Northern Kentucky community Our commitment to diversity as well the Communicator Awards has rallied to advocate for additional state funding among our student body, faculty, Gold Award for Excellence; while for our University. and staff is a central goal of our the NKU Magazine app won the Our cover story explores NKU’s impact upon five-year Strategic Plan. Since the Hermes Creative Award Gold and Rich and Lisa Boehne, and the impact they will launch of the plan in 2013, the the Communicator Award Silver. have on a new generation of our students through a number of bachelor’s degrees generous $1 million gift to provide scholarships for conferred to underrepresented Both the Hermes Creative Awards first-generation students. minority students has grown by 37 and the Communicator Awards Rich and Lisa met at our University, and they percent. are international marketing and began their pursuit of a dream here. Rich is now communications competitions, chairman, president, and CEO of The E.W. Scripps sciences program with journalism students to composed of top-tier professional Co., and incoming chair for our Board of Regents. unearth dangerous levels of lead in the yards of judges from organizations such He says his journalism adventure began the first local residents. The study is an excellent example as Conde Nast, Coach, Disney, time he walked onto our campus and into a learning of the kind of transdisciplinary work happening at The Ellen Degeneres Show, Estee environment that enabled his career. NKU. Scientists often struggle to tell their stories Lauder, Fry Hammond Barr, MTV Like so many of our students—about half of our in interesting ways. Journalists often struggle with Networks, Wired, and Yahoo! incoming freshmen each year—Rich and Lisa faced the science behind the news. Working together, unique challenges as the first members of their they learned from each other and produced more family to attend college. Through their generous impactful results. support, we will be able to ensure that our students can succeed and achieve their dreams. Best wishes for a fun and productive summer. Earlier this year, our new Black Alumni Council Got a question? Email us at was created to serve African-American graduates [email protected]. and help support African-American students (pg. 11). It gives alumni an opportunity to gather, stay connected, give back, and help students by support- Geoffrey S. Mearns ing programs such as NKU ROCKS, which helps President first-year African-American students transition from

4 nku mAGAZINE // president's message spring/summer 2016 5 AROUND Here are just a few of COMMUNITY IMPACT the ways NKU students 16 YEARS OF THE MAYERSON STUDENT PHILANTHROPY PROJECT have given back to their THE TOTAL AGENCIES FUNDED TOTAL CLASSES INVOLVED TOTAL STUDENTS INVOLVED community through the Mayerson Student HORNS 331 216 3,200 Philanthropy Project.

NKU 360⁰ 08 poisoned soil 10 black alumni council 11 $ 1000 partnering with adidas 12 on the rise in d-I 12 for STRAY ANIMAL 1 CARE 40 meet coach whitaker 13 Say hello to Macy Hamblin, the CUSTOM DOLLS + Horizon League's 2015-16 HAND-SEWN Player of the Year. CURTAIN FOR CLOTHES [ PHILANTHROPY ] STAGE SHOWS 2004-05 2012-13 LEARN BY GIVING 2015-16 NKU’s Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project has invested $1 million in community 33,000 CRAYONS agencies. // By Jayna Barker For the last 16 years, Northern Kentucky University has taken pride 2004-05 in its commitment to community engagement through the Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project, which launched in 1999 as a way to teach students about philanthropy in hopes they would become lifelong stewards of their communities. Since then, more than $1 million has been invested in community organizations and agencies. Here’s how it works: Students are required to identify a need in the 10 community and determine which nonprofits in the area are working NEW to fulfill that need. Most classes receive between $1,000 to $2,000 and 70 award smaller grants themselves. Some classes use an indirect model, 800 in which students work with the donor to guide the donation. SERVICE E-READERS Over the years, NKU’s professors have found new ways to incorpo- reached 550 students FAMILIES rate service learning into the classroom across numerous disciplines. spentHOURS painting walls and “The quick measure of the project is the money invested: over FED constructing clothes racks $1 million in 16 years,” says Mark Neikirk, executive director of the Scripps Howard Center for Community Engagement. "That's impres- Data provided by the sive, but other numbers tell a fuller story. The percentage of students 2015 Mayerson Student 2009-10 2013-14 2011-12 whose eyes are opened to community needs is consistently high. So Philanthropy Annual Report. is the percentage of students who learn their course material more thoroughly because the philanthropy component was added to a class, connecting classroom theory to real-world issues and need.”

6 nku mAGAZINE // around the horns spring/summer 2016 7 AT [ NKU 360º ] [ NKU 360º ] AT

UPCOMING EVENTS

JUNE 8-26 "The Star Spangled Girl," Stauss Theatre. This comedy follows the lives of Andy and Norman, two young men living in San Francisco in 1966 who are struggling to make a living publishing a not-so-popular magazine. A love triangle forms when Sophie, an all-American girl and self-described “religious follower of Sports Illustrated,” moves in next door. For more information, visit commonwealth.nku.edu. INTRODUCING NKU'S NEW PODCAST JUNE 25 ALUMNI AWARDS Black and Gold Safari, Cincinnati Ask NKU is a new monthly podcast that invites the finest academic Zoo and Botanical Garden. Join minds at NKU to share their knowledge about any number of subjects fellow alumni, faculty, and staff at the with you in a fun, engaging, relatable way. The professors and faculty Each year, the NKU Alumni Association recognizes Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden who appear on the show have spent years amassing a wealth of for the annual Black and Gold Bash! highly specialized knowledge, and we invite them into our studio on distinguished graduates for their contributions to Enjoy animal encounters, appetizers, campus to distill all of that information to you, for free! You can find a scavenger hunt, a photo booth, all episodes on Soundcloud, iTunes, or on our website, and recom- the University, their community, and society. This balloon artists, and more. Tickets mend topics or send your own questions or suggestions to are $25 each and include all-day [email protected]. year’s Alumni Awards Celebration was hosted in admission to the zoo, parking, and event activities. To purchase tickets, CAMP TIME, February in conjunction with NKU’s homecoming visit supportnku.nku.edu. activities. Congratulations to this year's recipients! JULY 6-24 "Some Enchanted Evening," Stauss Theatre NKU STYLE OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS AWARD Re-live the best of Rodgers & There are kids' camps galore available this summer that will test young Garren Colvin ’96, Haile/US Bank College of Business Hammerstein’s music all in one night. President & CEO St. Elizabeth Healthcare This musical revue includes musical students’ logic, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. No theatre classics from from "Carousel," DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD "Cinderella," "The King and I," matter what your children's interests—from science, to sports, to art, and John Wagner ’73, Haile/US Bank College of Business Oklahoma," "South Pacific," and many others. For more information, visit beyond—there is a camp adventure for all tastes. Former Vice President, Labor Relations, Kroger commonwealth.nku.edu. OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS AWARD JULY 16 CINSAM SPORTS YOUNG REMBRANDTS David Spaulding ’06, Chase College of Law Jeff Dunham, BB&T Arena The Center for Integrative Sports fans in grades 1–12 can Young Rembrandts partners with Manager of Business Development and Legal Affairs, Turner With many handcrafted sidekicks, the Natural Science and Math- learn the fundamentals of volley- local schools, and community HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLLEGE OF INFORMATICS Construction Company wildly popular and internationally ematics hosts a variety of ball, baseball, soccer, and basket- centers to teach art to young acclaimed comic/ventriloquist Jeff summer camps for 3rd-12th ball this summer from late June students from ages 6–12. This Calling all Informatics alumni, faculty, friends, and fans! Join us this Dunham is sure to entertain. Watch grade students that focus to early August. Students can summer, Young Rembrandts will October when we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the College of FACULTY/STAFF STRONGEST INFLUENCE AWARD Walter, Achmed, Bubba J, and Jose on science, technology, meet new friends, increase skills, be teaching art lessons ranging Informatics and the 5th anniversary of Griffin Hall. The College Michele Day ’08, College of Informatics Jalapeno take over the stage. For more engineering, and mathemat- and make memories. For more from fashion design to anime of Informatics has much to celebrate, having garnered national Lecturer and Student Media Adviser, NKU info, visit thebbtarena.com. ics (STEM)-related topics. info, visit nkunorse.com/camps. cartoons. June 16 to July 23. For recognition in areas ranging from media/journalism and mobile app Through July 29. For more more info, visit communityconnec- development to cybersecurity. Stay tuned for more information about info, visit cinsam.nku.edu. tions.nku.edu. the upcoming anniversary celebration.

8 nku mAGAZINE // around the horns spring/summer 2016 9 [ NEWS ] AT Support transdisciplinary research by visiting [ NEWS ] AT givenow.nku.edu.

Schwarz received in 2013, environmental science students were able to measure lead levels in the sample area’s soil through handheld machines called X-ray fluorescent (XRF) analyzers. XRF analyzers have the capability to quantify lead onsite, rather than having to send the samples to a lab. While the analyzers provided a great convenience, that didn’t make the project easy.

Homeowners for the test sites were given the results, along with precautions to take regarding the level of lead contamination found in their yard.

One of the greater challenges for the inter-department col- laboration was the element of timing. According to Schwarz, the pace of science—when compared to journalism—is “glacial.” Day recalls that the NKU journalism student working [ ALUMNI ] on the project, Kevin Schultz (now a Hearst Journalism Fellow at the San Francisco Chronical), was anxious to start getting reactions to the results when the science students hadn’t even A NEW CHAPTER been to the research sites yet. “It took some time to adjust,” Day says. “The experience gave us a better understanding of the mindset of the scientist, but we were also trying to keep FOR NKU ALUMNI the priorities of the journalist.” The collaboration gave the Introducing NKU's Black Alumni Council scientists a different perspective, as well. “Scientists struggle to find someone to tell their story in an Northern Kentucky University’s alumni network is growing: for the first time, there is interesting and impactful way,” Schwarz says. “Incorporating now a Black Alumni Council to serve and support the University's African-American journalism into the study was a logical step.” graduates and students. Homeowners for the test sites were given the results, along “There was a lot of need and interest among African-American alumni to gather, with precautions to take regarding the level of lead contamina- to stay connected, to give back, and to help create opportunities for African-Amer- tion found in their yard. ican students,” says Council president Crystal L. Kendrick (’97), a former member ILLUSTRATION BY DIONNE LAYCOCK “Those of us who worked on the study benefitted from the of the NKU Alumni Council. Other officers include Jeffrey Jordan (’96), Bradley [ RESEARCH ] fact that NKU has a really good reputation within the commu- Dickerson (’12), and Patrice McCollough (’12). nity,” Schwarz says. “When we’re doing these kinds of projects The creation of the Black Alumni Council comes at a time when NKU’s student in the community, we have to be careful that we respect that body is the most diverse in University history. GETTING THE DIRT reputation, recognizing that it is an important relationship, but “We are proud to welcome the Black Alumni Council to our network of alumni also a fragile one.” councils and associations, which works to connect alumni, strengthen relationships, Collaborative effort finds dangerous levels of lead in Newport// By Kelsey Bungenstock According to the students’ findings, urban soil lead is and celebrate the University and our alumni community,” says Michelle McMullen, patchy and widespread, but intensive sampling and spatial Director of Alumni Programs & Councils. THANKS TO A COLLABORATIVE STUDY between Northern Kentucky Enquirer. modeling can help predict patterns of lead-contaminated soil. NKU’s African-American alumni community is on the rise: from 1997 to 2011, University journalism and environmental sciences majors, some The collaboration was a follow-up to a 2012 USA Today investi- Schwarz says that she and her students have continued sam- the number of bachelor’s degrees conferred to underrepresented minority students, Newport, Ky., residents now know if the soil in their yards contains gative report of how industries contribute to lead contamination of pling around the northern Kentucky and Cincinnati region, and including African-Americans, grew by 202 percent. potentially harmful levels of lead. soil in the environment in urban and rural settings. The NKU Center have presented their findings to the Northern Kentucky Sierra Following the launch of the University’s 2013-18 strategic plan, Fuel the Flame, NKU science students, working with assistant professor Dr. Kirsten for Integrative Natural Science and Mathematics (CINSAM) provided Club and the Kentucky Academy of Science. the number of bachelor’s degrees conferred to underrepresented minority students Schwarz, tested eight residential sites near the former location of a funding for students to begin field-testing and reporting early last year. Day says that the experience could lead to future journal- has grown by 37 percent. Increasing diversity among the student body, faculty, and lead smelter plant in Newport. NKU student media advisor and journalism lecturer Michele Day, ism projects involving science. She and Schwarz are part of staff is a central goal of the strategic plan. After the students collected and analyzed multiple measurements along with Schwarz and student Emily Keener, discussed the transdis- a transciplinary group of NKU faculty who have proposed “The University has done a phenomenal job of recruiting African-American at each site, they found that 38 percent of the samples exceeded 400 ciplinary project in a presentation on campus. creating a collaborative to fund research and communication students from across the region and the state, and it has made diversity inclusion a parts per million (ppm), the EPA’s recommended maximum level for “Lead-contaminated soil is a much broader issue than just the on environmental issues. priority,” Kendrick says. “We are proud to join and support those efforts.” children’s play areas. Additionally, 99 percent exceeded 100 ppm— communities that are living adjacent to old industrial sites,” Schwarz “If we get funding for our next project, we’ll be more Kendrick says the Black Alumni Council plans to support student success the EPA’s recommended maximum for urban gardening. says. While past studies have focused on industrial contributions to prepared for the challenges of collaborating with people who programs such as NKU ROCKS, which helps first-year African-American students Then-journalism student Kevin Schultz worked with the scientists lead contamination in soil, there are other important sources of lead see the world in different ways,” Day says. “It takes time to make the transition from high school to college. The program features a strong to understand the testing process—and­ then mined public records in cities, such as lead-based paint and gasoline. understand each other and to build that trust.” peer and faculty/staff mentoring component, and 77 percent of ROCKS students and interviewed officials and residents to produce a news article, Thanks to funding provided by CINSAM as well as a National “Transdisciplinary collaboration is hard,” Schwarz says, “but return for their sophomore years. For more information, contact Michelle McMullen: “In Newport, lead lingers and lingers,” published in The Cincinnati Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation Grant that it’s worth it.” [email protected]. —Amanda Nageleisen

10 nku mAGAZINE // around the horns spring/summer 2016 11 AT [ ATHLETICS ] [ ATHLETICS ] AT Support our Norse Athletics programs by visiting givenow.nku.edu. Athletics 1000-POINT CLUB Partners Christine Roush Jalen Billups Tyler White with NOVEMBER 21, 2015 JANUARY 9, 2016 FEBRUARY 6, 2016

adidas NKU SAW THREE PLAYERS join the prestigious 1,000-point club during White joined the club in a comeback win over Milwaukee on Feb. the 2015-16 season, as Jalen Billups, Tyler White, and Christine Roush 6, finishing with 1,114 points overall, scoring in double-figures in six of each reached the milestone. his last seven games. Billups, as he did so often during his career, recorded his 1,000th Roush crossed the threshold early in the season in a win over point on a monstrous two-hand dunk in a game against Wright State Marquette on Nov. 21, and went on to finish eighth on NKU’s career on Jan. 9. He finished his career with 1,185 points and 599 rebounds, scoring list with 1,439 points. —Mike Anderson one of just 10 Norse to amass 1,000 points and 500 boards.

In February, Northern Kentucky WHITAKER JOINS THE UPRISING University and adidas agreed to make Meet the new head coach for Norse women’s basketball the Portland, Oregon-based company Camryn Whitaker, welcome to Kentucky.” the official athletic footwear, apparel, Norse Nation. Prior to her coaching stint at and accessory brand of the Norse Whitaker takes over the Norse Kentucky, Whitaker was an as- [ RIVALRY ] through the 2020-21 season. women’s basketball program after sistant coach at the University of Ken Bothof, NKU’s director of serving as an assistant for the na- Dayton for three seasons, where athletics, says adidas recognizes tionally-ranked Kentucky Wildcats she helped lead the Flyers to a that NKU is on the rise and will have last year, helping guide UK to a 79-18 (.814) overall record and [ D-I ] success in Division I. “Not only does Sweet 16 appearance. 42-4 (.913) Atlantic 10 mark. this partnership allow us to remain ATHLETICS SERVICE INITIATIVES “I am delighted to welcome Whitaker is originally from true to our core values," he says, "but REACH DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Camryn to Norse Nation,” says Cynthiana, Kentucky, where HORIZON SHINES BRIGHT it helps elevate our profile among the Northern Kentucky University she was a standout player at Division I landscape.” After recording more than 2,100 hours of community service in the Director of Athletics Ken Bothof. Harrison County High School, The partnership with adidas entire 2014-15 season, this year Northern Kentucky University’s 250+ “As I have gotten to know more garnering USA Today honorable FOR NORSE ATHLETICS perfectly aligns with three of NKU’s student-athletes surpassed 2,500 hours by mid-March. about Camryn over the last two mention and core values: student-athlete well- NKU’s community service initiatives were highlighted by an eight- weeks it became clear that she is second-team IN AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON MAY 11, 2015, on Northern Kentucky University’s campus, NKU President being, brand awareness, and fiscal day mission trip to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Nine stu- the right fit to lead our women’s all-state Geoffrey S. Mearns accepted an invitation from commissioner Jon LeCrone to join the Horizon League responsibility. dent-athletes from four different teams hosted a four-day sports camp basketball program. Camryn not accolades. in all sports effective for the 2015-16 season. The Horizon League recognized that NKU—in both aca- Northern Kentucky will outfit all that served more than 130 kids per day. only has a great basketball IQ, she —Bryan demics and athletics—is on the rise. The Norse proved that in its first year in the league. 250+ student-athletes in each of its College of Informatics professor Larry Travis teamed up with has also excelled in recruiting and McEldowney By all accounts, the Norse exceeded expectations in their first year as members of the Horizon 17 intercollegiate athletics programs assistant baseball coach Dizzy Peyton to coordinate the mission trip developing her student-athletes League. Women’s soccer, men’s soccer, volleyball, women’s basketball, and men’s basketball all sur- from head to toe with adidas apparel, through Nicholson Christian Church. on and off the court. Combining passed their preseason rankings and advanced to postseason play in the Horizon League championships, equipment, and accessories beginning “Michel Marte, a pastor in the Dominican Republic, said one of the those elements with her ties to where women’s soccer, men’s soccer, volleyball, and women’s basketball each advanced to the semifinals. July 1. It also aligns the Norse brand things he would like to see was having a baseball team to connect peo- Kentucky and Ohio make her the Individual accolades in the fall and winter included 21 all-league or all-freshman honors, three all-tour- with one of the premier athletics ple in this area to the mission,” Travis says. “Baseball is their national right coach for NKU.” nament accolades, and six academic all-conference honorees. apparel companies in the world. sport, so that was kind of the highlight, but several of the athletes did a “I am extremely grateful that Women’s soccer player Macy Hamblin added to NKU’s postseason highlights after being named the Through the agreement, adidas one-day soccer camp, a volleyball camp, as well as basketball.” President [Geoffrey] Mearns and Horizon League Player of the Year and earning a nomination for national player of the year as just a will also assist with an annual Women’s soccer player Sami Rutowski was grateful to be able to Ken have given me this incredible sophomore. In women’s basketball, the season was one to remember for the Roush sisters, Christine and fundraiser and create partnership share the experience with her fellow student-athletes. opportunity to lead the Northern Courtney, who etched their names into the record books at NKU. Christine finished as the eighth-highest opportunities with retail outlets to “Seeing people that I run into every day in the Athletic Department Kentucky women’s basketball scorer all-time at NKU with 1,439 points, while Courtney’s career field-goal percentage of 50.9 percent align the apparel worn on the playing grow and experience something completely new was great. Coming team,” Whitaker says. “NKU has ranks her 12th on NKU’s all-time list, as NKU posted its 33rd-consecutive winning record. fields by NKU’s student-athletes, back here, we all have that bond after spending a week together and such a rich history filled with many The reduced travel time has also paid dividends. Northern Kentucky’s 250+ student-athletes posted coaches and administrators to what connecting not only with the kids, but with each other on a different great accomplishments and I look a 3.24-combined GPA, setting a new program record. It was also the third-straight semester with at least fans can purchase. level,” Rutwoski says. “I’m definitely doing it again next year and I forward to continuing that success a 3.2 GPA and ninth-straight above 3.0. ­—Bryan McEldowney —Bryan McEldowney hope I can bring more teammates.” —Melissa Powell in this next chapter at Northern

12 nku mAGAZINE // around the horns spring/summer 2016 13 THE LEADING LIGHT RICH BOEHNE STRUGGLED AT NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY UNTIL HE FOUND HIS PATH. NOW HE SHINES A LIGHT FOR OTHERS TO FIND THEIR WAY. // By Brent Donaldson

HE WAS STANDING AT THE EDGE OF THE Who knows. Maybe everything would have ROEBLING SUSPENSION BRIDGE, over been fine. His friends walked away unscathed the rail, hanging on, looking down at the muddy from their adventure. But maybe not. Maybe Ohio River. Rich Boehne and his two friends were Rich wouldn’t have gone on to overcome his maybe skipping classes that day. He can’t recall, difficulties in school, or meet Lisa, or rise to the but it wouldn’t have been surprising. top of The E.W. Scripps Company. Who knows. At heart, Rich Boehne is an adventurer. He Calculated risk. has a sixth sense for calculating risk, and at 18, If you talk to Rich Boehne and his family, he takes a lot of them. his NKU classmates, his friends and colleagues, Looking down again. Logs and debris careen they paint a picture of paradoxes about the man. past the stone towers. His two friends jump, one Complex and simple. Humble and powerful. A after the other, finally hitting the water nearly man who struggled with early failures, stayed 100 feet below. Rich’s heart pounds. To jump or steady and calm, and today leads one of the not to jump. Calculated risk. largest television and digital news companies in Finally, a decision: Maybe this is one jump the country. This is Rich Boehne’s story, told by I’m not going to make. He steps back and retreats those who know him best. from the bridge.

14 nku mAGAZINE // rich boehne Fall/winterspring/summer 2015–16 2016 15 RICHARD ALBERT BOEHNE grew up in a modest home on OPPOSITE LEFT: After Rich and Lisa OPPOSITE RIGHT: Rich and Lisa in the Grant St. in Fort Thomas, Kentucky Like many children of the 1960s and graduated from NKU in 1981, they early 1980s. The couple met in class at early ’70s, Boehne’s formative years were occasioned by the era’s profound both landed jobs at local community NKU, but didn’t hit it off right away. “He social and cultural turbulence. By the age of 12, Boehne was a voracious journal newspapers. Rich moved on was a mess,” Lisa says. “I was always consumer of the news, reading two papers per day, daily documents of to the Cincinnati Post in 1985, around dressed like I was going to work, and he racial injustice, cultural upheaval, political corruption, and war. But away the same time Lisa began working as a was always wearing overalls with one from the hard news, at home in Fort Thomas with his sister, Mary, and his communications staffer at NKU. shoulder hanging down.” parents, Thelma-Jean and Albert, Boehne lived a happy and stable life.

Thelma Jean Boehne (Rich Boehne’s mother): I just have to tell you the good things, don’t I? He was a good boy; he liked to work. Boehne struggled to stay focused at school. After one too many false When he was about 13 he started working at the YMCA as a volun- starts, he was kicked out of the University, moved back and forth between teer, helping with day camps and things like that. I don’t know that he Kentucky and Florida for four years, and returned to NKU with a renewed liked to work around the house too much, but he did like to work at sense of purpose. He straightened out his GPA and served as a writer for The the Y a lot. Northerner during a banner period for the paper. It was also a period that He didn’t like to read until the fifth grade when they got into histo- pulsated with the anti-establishment zeitgeist—a period exemplified by the “WHEN WE GOT MARRIED, WE WERE ry. Even those little books in grade school, “Dick and Jane.” He didn’t 1976 Academy Awards, where All the President’s Men raked in four Oscars. like them at all. He liked the real stuff. He wasn’t interested in reading WORKING FOR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS about Dick and Jane. Rich Boehne: I struggled in school, a little bit early on and then MAKING $8,000 EACH. BUT THIS WAS Rich Boehne (’81, president, chair, and CEO of the E.W. definitely in high school and college. I think now they would probably THE POST-WATERGATE ERA, SO A LOT OF Scripps Company): The Boehne side of my family was from Ger- diagnose me with some sort of attention deficit disorder. I struggled PEOPLE WEREN’T GETTING JOBS BECAUSE many and England. My father [Albert Boehne] worked for American terribly to get things from my head onto the paper. I struggled until I JOURNALISM WAS KIND OF FLOODED. WE Laundry Machinery in Norwood for 40-plus years. They made the old reached my mid-20s and got to better know my learning style. And at WERE JUST HAPPY THAT WE HAD STEADY one-hour Martinizing machines—“fresh as a flower in just one-hour.” that point school became easy, but until that point it was very difficult. JOBS IN OUR FIELD.” Huge commercial dry cleaning equipment. My mother, from Grants I’ve learned and learned the hard way. I got into a defeatist spiral. LISA BOEHNE Lick out in the country, comes from a farming family. At NKU, I wouldn’t go to class. It doesn’t make sense to go to Red I was raised with a grace-and-mercy approach to life, rather than River Gorge on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and not to class. But one that believes that what you need is hard knocks to make you for some reason it did. That was a problem. tough. A very “last shall be first,” Southern-Baptist kind of upbringing. I had horrible grades. I think the technical term is that I flunked Servant-leaders were the examples that I saw. Kindness and respect. out—a couple times. I can’t remember what my grade point average ing. Or strange; one or the other. there. People like Rich and Gary Webb and Tim Funk and others went My father is unbelievably patient, and I inherited his patience. You can’t was, probably a point-eight-nine or something. NKU had the wisdom Lisa Boehne: The first year (at NKU), Rich started making these com- on to pretty distinguished journalism careers. outlast me in a negotiation. I can just wait. You can’t work me up. And to decide that it would be best if I left for a while. I came back in the ments all the time about my hair, because my hair was kind of a big deal Corky Johnson (’80, former editor of The Northerner): It that is very much from my father, who is 96 and still the same way. spring semester of ’79 and met Lisa in class. for all of those years. It was blond, and I was spraying it all the time. took me six years to get through Northern because I was working on Thelma Jean Boehne: We were easygoing and he never really At that point I made very good grades, pretty much all A’s, and Back then, you could smoke in class, and there were a bunch of three newspapers. I was at the [Cincinnati] Post on the weekends. I needed any disciplining. He got one spanking when he was a boy. I was I did the things I couldn’t do at 18 or 19 and into my early 20s. I Vietnam vets in class who would wear their army coats in sit in the was working at The Northerner, but then I would quit school for awhile, in the basement doing the laundry, and he threw all of the clothespins followed my GPA like a meter, watched it each semester, and the back and smoke. And Rich would come in and walk up to them and and then I’d go back to school. A lot of us were dropping in and out on the floor. I told him to pick them up and he never did. And he got a moment I could get my GPA to the acceptable number I applied for say, “You better put your cigarettes out. Lisa’s about to come in, and [of NKU], but on the other hand there was a seriousness to it. As a swat. It wasn’t much, but I have always regretted it. graduation. you don’t want to set her hair on fire.” It was pretty funny. student, you want to get practical experience and be out there doing Rich Boehne: I was 12 in 1968, so in essence I grew up watching the Lisa Boehne (’81): Rich had a rocky NKU experience and left and And so that went for on for a while where he was making these stuff. A lot of us did. 6 o’clock news, which was the Vietnam War. And then the assassina- went to Florida for a couple of years. So, I had been at NKU two comments. But Rich is just a really sweet guy, even though he can be And that was the question: whether you get a degree, or whether tions that ran through that period—Martin Luther King and Bobby years, and all of the sudden Rich shows up with his flip flops and his a smart-aleck. Then we started actually dating, right when summer you don’t get a degree. Look at Carl Bernstein. We all came out of the Kennedy—and then the Democratic Convention, Woodstock, racial tan, and bleached-out blond hair from being in Florida. And I thought, started our junior year. If you would have asked anyone, there’s no Watergate era, and he didn’t have a degree. It was a time of asking, tensions. We lived through all of that. I came home from school when “This is interesting.” way people would have thought we were dating. He was about as what was journalism? Was it a vocation? Was it professional? What Kennedy was assassinated. During the Cuban missile crisis, I stood He was a mess. I was always dressed up like I was going to work, casual as you can be and still be dressed. In the winter, he wore socks was it? around watching adults crying and wondering what the heck was going and he was always wearing overalls with one shoulder hanging down. and flip flops. You could see in class that [Rich] kind of had it figured out. He was to happen. In school I did the drills of hiding under my desk in case the So I would say we were both intrigued at the beginning, but not love at Rich Boehne: I always tell people that Lisa passed up George maybe more… erudite? I just remember his stuff being more polished. bomb dropped. There were crackers and big green drums of water in first sight. I didn’t know where he was coming from with his flip flops, Clooney to go out with me, and what that literally means is that she Dr. Michael Turney (Rich’s former professor and former our elementary school basement. Current events during that time were and he didn’t know where I was coming from [being dressed up]. He walked past George on campus to meet me. George just happened to chair of the communication department at NKU): Rich was incredible, and I think that is what drove me towards journalism. was constantly asking if I was going to work. be standing outside the University Center when she walked by. But it’s somebody who I think struck a number of professors as a pain in the Rich Boehne: Lisa was very attractive and fun. She had the same pro- a great line, isn’t it? ass, but I never felt that way about him. He was feeling his oats as a fessional passions and similar family upbringings. Evangelical families. Rick Dammert (’81, former editor of The Northerner): It was young man. He was confident, cocky, but also very laid back and very Her family is from Rockcastle County (Ky.), and they had a little plumb- Rich’s second time around [at NKU] and he was a couple of years old- casual. AFTER GRADUATING from Highlands High School in Fort ing business. Very similar Appalachian migration kind of families. er than me. And that was very evident in his demeanor—he was very [Before he left for Florida] he wasn’t a good student because he Thomas, Boehne enrolled at NKU in 1974. Both he and his soon-to-be wife, Outwardly, we were very different. I was wearing bib overalls and cool; he was very calm, calculated. He took things at ease. And he was didn’t apply himself. But he was very smart. He was serious about Lisa, who attended NKU on a Presidential Scholarship, were first-genera- a dirty T-shirt and flip-flops, and she was very well dressed. But in the funny and very intelligent. journalism, but he didn’t care about the academic side. He wasn’t tion college students. After graduation, Lisa Boehne was quickly hired as a most important ways, we are a lot alike. I used to write her notes and Particularly my first couple of years at NKU when I was a freshman interested in the history of mass media and how it evolved throughout journalist, and later as a communications staffer at NKU. drew pictures on them. I think she found me, probably, kind of intrigu- and a sophomore, there were a lot of very serious journalism students the decades. He wanted to be out there doing journalism, not studying

16 nku mAGAZINE // rich boehne spring/summer 2016 17 OPPOSITE LEFT: Rich Boehne served LEFT: Rich and Lisa are greeted by as a writer for NKU’s student newspa- crooner Tony Bennett after a free, per, The Northerner, during a banner Scripps-sponsored concert in Cincinnati. period for the publication. Numerous writers of the era, such as Boehne, Gary Johnson, Debbie Cafazzo, and Tim Funk, would go on to prominent journalism careers.

OPPOSITE RIGHT: Rich and Lisa Boehne on graduation day, 1981. In ad- dition to graduating on the same day, with the same major, the Boehnes both found work at community newspapers immediately after graduation.

In 2000, the board of Scripps came to Ken Lowe and I and asked, “Would you all like to run the company?” Which was just stunning. Particularly stunning to a whole lot of other people in the company. RICH BOEHNE HAD PROVED HIS METTLE as a business “Oh my God, you’re going to let Ken Lowe be the CEO of the compa- and Wall Street reporter, but an unexpected change was coming. From its ny, and make Rich Boehne the executive vice president—the number inception in 1878, Scripps had been a privately-held company. But 110 years two?” But we had some board members who looked at us [and said], later, in June of 1988, the company went public with its initial Class A com- “These guys are entrepreneurial, and they are still young, they have a mon stock offering on the New York Stock Exchange—a place with which long runway. Media is going to go through a lot of changes.” Now its Boehne was well familiar from his reporting. A few years later, the company 2016. I’m the chair and the CEO of (The E.W. Scripps Company) and would launch the cable network Home & Garden Television (HGTV), the Ken Lowe is chair and CEO of (Scripps Networks Interactive). Sixteen brainchild of Ken Lowe, Boehne’s friend and coworker. Soon after they years later, we are still doing it. purchased and expanded Food Network. Other cable channels and internet Nathan Smith (outgoing chair of the NKU Board of Re- businesses followed. The rapid expansion into cable TV brands preceded gents): I think Rich is one of those people, he doesn’t want to have it. These are the days shortly after Watergate and the Pentagon Papers. issues on Wall Street—drugs, insider trading, the separation of Main Scripps’ 2008 split into two separate companies: Scripps Networks Interactive the air of a CEO. He doesn’t want to be Mr. Boehne, or CEO Boehne. These were current stories. Rich believed that journalism had a respon- Street and Wall Street. I loved it. No one wanted to be a business writ- (SNI), focused on the lifestyle cable brands, and The E.W. Scripps Com- He wants to be Rich, and he always treats people with the utmost re- sibility to hold government accountable. He was passionate about it. er, and I had enough of a business and math background that it didn’t pany, focused on news and journalism through television and the internet. spect, and really values and appreciates the people who work for him. intimidate me. I thought it looked like a good opportunity. Throughout a period of tectonic shifts in media industry—not to mention the Mike Philipps: Rich is not a guy who wants you to know how smart We had a great managing editor at the Post, a guy named Steve Great Recession of the late-aughts—it was Boehne’s steadfast leadership that or important he is. He doesn’t have the CEO’s ego, but don’t ever Fagan, who is still around. He said, “Look, I know what you’re thinking. launched his rise. underestimate him. He’s very bright and knows what’s going on around RICH AND LISA GRADUATED FROM NKU with bachelor’s Covering business is writing about things going up two percent or him, and he’s probably about six questions ahead of you. degrees in communications/journalism in 1981. They married that same year down two percent.” He said, “It’s not. These are [stories] about jobs, Rich Boehne: In 1988, the parent company [of the Post], Scripps, Rick Dammert: You don’t often hear about CEOs dropping out [of and each took jobs working for local weeklies. and about how some people are going to eat, and some are not. Some called and asked if I would consider coming to the corporate side college] and then coming back. He’s extremely down to earth even to By 1985, Boehne had experience at both the Post and as a part-time people are going to pay their mortgage, and some are not. You need to and help them become a public company. I had written a story about this day. He doesn’t forget anybody, and he doesn’t act like he’s above reporter for the Cincinnati Enquirer. That year he accepted a full-time job write adventure stories, and I need to be able to hear the music in my Scripps once before and I wasn’t sure if it had made or ruined my anybody. You don’t see that trait in a lot of people who have reached with the Cincinnati Post, and climbed to new heights at the paper’s parent head when I’m reading your stories.” I thought, “I’ll do that.” I was fat career. But apparently someone [Larry Leser, then CEO] had enough his position. company, Scripps. It was a period that would also mark the birth of the and happy at the top of my career as a business reporter and covering respect for the way I did the story and thought, “Well, Rich covers Wall Kim Williams (Scripps board member since 2008): Rich began Boehnes’ two sons: Luke in 1987, and Jake in 1989. Wall Street. Street for the company, why don’t we ask him about being a public his career as a journalist, and so he’s taken that and has led E.W. Mike Philipps (former president and CEO of the Scripps company?” Scripps through a period of very traumatic issues for the industry. Lisa Boehne: When we got married, we were working for community Howard Foundation): When [Rich] was a brand new reporter work- So that is when I moved to corporate office and focused for years When E.W. Scripps spun off the [cable] networks business and was newspapers making $8,000 each. But this was the post-Watergate era, ing on the business desk of the Cincinnati Post, I think what impressed building Scripps on Wall Street. I was manager of investor relations. left with what I would characterize as the traditional media business- so a lot of people, even in our class of 1981, weren’t getting jobs be- people about him as a young man was that he did his homework. They were a hundred-year-old family company and had no notion of es—both the newspapers and the television stations—it coincided cause journalism was kind of flooded. We were just happy that we had When he went to go interview somebody, he probably knew a lot of being public. A company that never told anyone anything for a hundred with the financial crisis and with the rapid decline in classified adver- steady jobs in our field. the answers to the questions before he even asked them. And I think years now has to tell everyone everything. So someone had to build the tising. When things were very challenging toward the industry, it would Rich Boehne: I started as a reporter at the Cincinnati Post in early that practice has followed to this day. relationships with shareholders and Wall Street analysts that knew the have been easy to focus on the minute issues without looking at the 1985. I did several different things. I had come up in weekly newspapers, Rich Boehne: I used to tell our editors at Scripps that when the paper industry, and I knew and had quoted a lot of them. broader picture and what we had to do in order to be successful. so when I walked into the Post, I covered a beat, but if an editor was out lands in the yard, people need to look out at it like it’s flopping around I took a pay cut to go to the corporate side. I had a good guild job The other thing is—and I think this speaks more broadly of Rich I could draw up pages. I had been a manager so I had a lot of tools. out there. Like you’re almost afraid not to go get it. It is out there at the Post, but I looked and thought “There is a big company here, and and who he is in terms of his focus on vision and the mission of E.W. Then I took a spot on the business desk, this would have been may- breathing. And that is the way that I found it every day, an enterprising this is interesting stuff.” I was trying to build my career, so I would take Scripps—during those periods of difficult conditions for the industry, be 1986 or ’87, covering mostly capital markets. I wrote a lot about the adventure that arrived every afternoon. on anything risky. he continued to focus on the need to invest in quality journalism. This

18 nku mAGAZINE // rich boehne spring/summer 2016 19 OPPOSITE LEFT: Rich Boehne walks TOP RIGHT: Katerine Ruckle, senior art across a bridge on his farm in Morning history major ONCE IN A View, Ky. MIDDLE RIGHT: Delrico Hill, junior GENERATION middle grades education major First generation students BOTTOM RIGHT: Amanda Boden- face unique challenges. bender, 2015 elementary education One student fought homelessness major and depression. One dodged gangs to avoid violence in the streets. Another struggled as a single mother to raise her infant basis, I often would bring up Rich and point to him as an example. The daughter. dream C student who was not taking school seriously, but something Not all stories of first generation snapped and he became interested. What he has grown into, what he students at Northern Kentucky has done for Scripps, and what he has done for the community and University are this dramatic, of especially for Northern, is incredible. It’s wonderful. course. But for the nearly 50 percent of all NKU incoming freshman who are the first in their family to attend college­, THIS PAST APRIL, the Radio Television Digital News Foundation the obstacles they face can be awarded Rich Boehne its First Amendment Leadership Award. Among the extremely challenging. five others who received awards that night in Washington D.C. were Jason As first-generation students Razaian, the Washington Post journalist who was recently released from Iran themselves, Rich and Lisa Boehne after being held in captivity for more than a year; and Tom Brokaw, longtime stepped up to help students face anchor of the NBC Nightly News and all-around journalism legend. A these challenges when they created number of Boehne’s colleagues in the industry spoke that night about his the Boehne Family First Generation contributions to the field. Boehne was honored, but in typical fashion, down- Scholarship in 2012. played the award. To be eligible, applicants must be a degree-seeking student with Brian Lawlor (senior vice president of Scripps broadcast a minimum GPA of 3.0, as well division): Rich is the perfect CEO for Scripps. Because Scripps has as a minimum ACT score of 23, or was at a time when the competition was cutting costs wherever they Thankfully for us, there are many ways our graduates support NKU. always been, from the day it started, about giving a voice to the little SAT score of 1050. Of course, the had to. This focus on the need to produce quality journalism, and Some alumni give back through service to the University, while others guy. Our responsibility is to be the defender of the little guys. applicant must be a first-generation remain true to the mission of E.W. Scripps, is really another hallmark enhance our reputation through professional and community service. Gary Pruitt (president and CEO of The Associated Press, student. of Rich. And of course, many support their alma mater directly through where Boehne serves on the board of directors): Rich, first “NKU gave me chances when philanthropy. But Rich and Lisa Boehne are exceptional—they con- and foremost, was a journalist. And he’s still a journalist today. He others wouldn’t,” Rich Boehne says. tribute to the University generously in all three respects. We are so also happens to be CEO. But he’s a journalist. Sticking up for the right “It was just a fantastic environment. EARLIER THIS YEAR, Rich Boehne and the Scripps Howard Foun- grateful to them. of the people to know, and not being intimidated by the rich and the To me, the value of a high quality, dation donated $1 million to the Boehne Family First Generation Scholar- Nathan Smith: The University, being a younger institution, has not powerful and the strong. I think what Scripps is showing is that you affordable education… How do you ship fund, first established at NKU in 2012. The gift is the latest contribution had a lot of alumni who are in the upper echelons of the business can be a strong successful thriving business and still pursue strong go from where I was to chairman to the University from the Boehnes, which also includes Rich’s roles on world. And it’s very easy for people to find themselves, when they first amendment rights and values in journalism. That’s Rich’s great of a company in one generation? It NKU’s Board of Regents, volunteer work with students, and the hiring of work in the industry he does or that I do, who like to say, “Oh, I went contribution. was thanks to an affordable, high dozens of NKU student interns and alumni at Scripps. to Swarthmore.” And Rich and I love to tell everybody, “Oh? We went Ellen Weiss (vice president and bureau chief at Scripps quality public education.” to NKU.” Rich represents Northern’s coming of age, its growing up. Howard News Service): Let’s face it: newsrooms are a pain in the If you would like to learn more Rich Boehne: We could have put the money in our pocket, but we And Rich is very proud of that, and proud of the institution that he ass. They make trouble. They make things uncomfortable. And in this or make a contribution to one owe the university so much. When I walk around on campus today, attended. shifting media landscape, it could be much easier to focus on the prof- of the many scholarships that I see students who are there who, as Geoff Mearns says, come to Lisa Boehne: NKU gave Rich a second chance—they took him its than on the mission. But that is not how Rich Boehne runs Scripps. foster student success, please visit campus carrying their dreams. We’ve done fine. I hope it’s not the last back after not having a great track record. And then Scripps straight You feel Rich in your head saying, Go there. Make it matter. Make it count. financialaid.nku.edu/scholarships. money we give the University. up offered him a job from reporter to corporate. Obviously, if you Ken Lowe (chairman, president, and CEO of Scripps html, or call (859) 572-5143. Everyone in (our) journalism classes at NKU, those were all hard are ranking our life, then those two [events] are key to anything we’ve Networks Interactive): He’s never forgotten what it was like to working, entrepreneurial, blue collar, no-sense-of-privilege kind of achieved. be in the role of reporter. In the course of getting the facts, if he has students. It was just a fantastic environment. To me, the value of a And for me, they kept me in town. I might have been off some- to blow some stuff up, yeah, he’ll do that. Because at the end of the high quality, affordable education… How do you go from where I was where and not had the life I’ve had at all because of that scholarship. day, Rich is about battling injustice and getting to the truth. If we To learn more or make a contribution to to chairman of a company in one generation? It was thanks to an It was definitely a God thing all the way around with the school. We’re had to have one individual, in the entire history of E.W. Scripps, that one of the many scholarships that directly affordable, high quality public education. very much indebted and we love the school because of that. embodies the slogan of “Give light and the people will find their way,” support our students, please visit financialaid.nku.edu/scholarships, Geoff Mearns (president of Northern Kentucky University): Michael Turney: When I was still advising students on an active it’s Rich Boehne. or call (859) 572-5143.

20 nku mAGAZINE // rich boehne spring/summer 2016 21 HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH FINDING GRACE PARKER ACADEMY POST- 1832 LIBERTY HEAD PENNY CARDS. The text on the bottom card → Note the hole in the coin, perhaps for sewing into clothing for traveling or use as reads: "The Old Parker Academy, Cler- a charm for good luck. Most of the historical period pierced coins in archaeological montville, O., where Gen. U.S. Grant, sites were charms and the property of Africans or African Americans. IN AMERICA’S Gen. Corbin and other distinguished DISCOVERY DATE: May 2015 people attended school." LOCATION: Foundation of the men’s dormitory DARKEST HOUR DISCOVERED BY: NKU students NKU unearths history at the first fully integrated school in the United States // By Dr. Sharyn Jones, Dr. Brian Hackett, and Dr. William Landon // Photos by Timothy Sofranko

AS RACE RELATIONS IN Mr. Parker and his wife, Priscilla, teachers came from across the his students, fighting tirelessly DANIEL PARKER, traveling THE UNITED STATES founded a small school in New country and as far as Europe, for their civil, educational, and minister. He and his wife Priscilla continue to be strained by Richmond, Ohio. The Parker joining runaway slaves who’d religious rights. Later, many of founded the Parker Academy in 1839. factors affecting social and eco- Academy was the first school of escaped the South. These those students would go on to This daguerreotype dates to 1848. nomic equality, it’s important to its kind in the United States to former slaves were taken in by help turn the tide against slavery, LOCATION: From the Parker Academy remember that even one person offer fully integrated classrooms the Parkers and given access serving in Colored Regiments Archive. Part of the Margaret McDiar- can make a difference. open to all races, religions, and to an education free from racial in the Civil War. Many went on mid family collection. James Parker did just that. genders. The small college pre- prejudice. to become successful business And he did it at a time when paratory academy was a beacon Of course, not everyone owners and farmers in our circumstances were far worse— of light and tolerance during one shared the Parkers’ world view. region and beyond. PRISCILLA PARKER, the true in the years leading up to the U.S. of America’s darkest hours. The school was raided by “slave “The Parkers and a small founder of Parker Academy. This am- Civil War. The Parkers dedicated their catchers” seeking to reclaim group of like-minded visionar- brotype photograph (printed on glass) In 1839, as the issues of lives to using a classical liberal students, who they viewed as hu- ies, changed our region and our dates to about 1850. race and freedom divided the arts education to build equality man property, back to the planta- nation for the better, and their LOCATION: From the Parker Academy nation and pushed it toward the in their classrooms and their tions from which they’d fled. Mr. example rings as true today as Archive. Courtesy of Margaret McDiar- greatest conflict in its history, community. Abolitionists and Parker defended his school and ever,” said Dr. William Landon, mid and family. CONTINUED ON PG. 24

22 nku mAGAZINE // parker academy Fall/winterspring/summer 2015–16 2016 23 CONTINUED FROM PG. 22 chair and associate professor of history at Northern Kentucky University. HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Beginning last summer, HANDMADE CLAY MARBLE, likely a child’s toy, ca. 1830-1860. Its Landon and colleagues Dr. presence supports the idea that children and perhaps runaways were housed at the Sharyn Jones and Dr. Brian Parker Academy. Hackett led a partnership DISCOVERY DATE: May 2015 between NKU and the National LOCATION: Foundation of the men’s dormitory Underground Railroad Freedom DISCOVERED BY: NKU student Center to excavate the Parker Academy site. The Freedom Center is in the process of creat- ing a permanent onsite exhibi- tion on the Parker Academy. For the ongoing archaeo- logical excavations that began last spring, NKU history and geography students and faculty are joined by their anthropolo- gy peers as well as those from the NKU graduate program in public history. Together, for the first time in an academic setting, they are examining the extensive Parker family archive. In another first, Drs. Jones, Hackett, and Landon are working to mentor Dr. Peggy Brunache, a postdoc- toral scholar from Scotland who FRAGMENT OF A DOLL’S FACE. This item is porcelain, likely recently received Ford Founda- imported from Germany, ca. 1860. tion funding to visit NKU and DISCOVERY DATE: May 2015 the Parker site over the next year. Location: Foundation of the men’s dormitory Brunache will collaborate with DISCOVERED BY: NKU students the Freedom Center and contin- ue Parker site excavations, lab work, archival work, and public outreach for the project. CONTINUED ON PG. 26

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH A LETTER WRITTEN TO THE PARKER ACADEMY PARTIAL CLAY PIPE BOWL, by Colonel perhaps dropped during construction of Henry Corbin, a white officer stationed with the 14th U.S. Colored Infantry. As a the men’s dormitory in 1842. This pipe is graduate of the Parker academy, Corbin was asked to return to be a guest speaker likely from the Point Pleasant pipe works at a reunion of graduates. In this letter, Corbin declines the invitation, but writes located approximately one mile away that he thinks highly of the academy and speaks fondly of the experiences he had from the Parker Academy. there. He writes about the patriotic spirit that took over the school, complete with DISCOVERY DATE: May 2015 cheers and marches, when the students heard about Fort Sumter. Corbin also talks LOCATION: Foundation of the men’s sadly of his classmates who died in battle and now lay in “graves dug by traitors.” dormitory He states that he has no love of the South and the “evil they brought to the earth.” DISCOVERED BY: NKU students After the war, Corbin stayed in the army, rising to the rank of Adjutant General—the army’s highest ranking officer. Corbin was the Commanding General of the United States Army during the Spanish American War, the Philippine Insurrection, and the Boxer Rebellion. “GRAVES DUG BY TRAITORS.” COLONEL HENRY CORBIN

24 nku mAGAZINE // parker academy spring/summer 2016 25 HHHHHHHHHHH REFRAMING SMALL, INTRICATE METAL BUTTON with dog DIFFERENCES and puppies. This item is likely from a Parker Academy’s inclusive child’s coat or shirt, ca. 1840-1850. approach to education con- DISCOVERY DATE: May 2015 tinues at Northern Kentucky LOCATION: By the foundation of the University, which embeds a schoolhouse framework for addressing diver- DISCOVERED BY: NKU students sity, inclusion, and equity into its mission and operations. At NKU, the model is known as “inclusive excellence.” NKU strives to attain inclu- sive excellence by preparing all students to live, work, and flourish through engagement in an increasingly multicultural and globalized community. These conditions allow all members of HHHHHHHHHHH the NKU community—irrespec- VARIETY OF SHOT AND tive of identity, background, or BULLET CASINGS recovered institutional position—to thrive. from around the Parker Academy school In August, 2014, President house and men’s dormitory. These Geoffrey Mearns appointed Dr. items suggest that both hunting and Kathleen Roberts the first senior conflict may have been part of daily life advisor to the president on at the academy. The large shot in partic- inclusive excellence. “In order to ular may indicate that it was necessary be truly inclusive,” Mearns said, to defend the Parker ideals of freedom “we must expand diversity to and equality; these items were found in include gender, religion, culture, the doorway to the school house. sexuality, geography, socio-eco- DISCOVERY DATE: May 2015 nomic status, and political LOCATION: Men’s dormitory and and philosophical beliefs. We school house must also ensure that everyone, DISCOVERED BY: NKU students irrespective of these character- istics, has an equal opportunity to be heard in our governance processes, because including CONTINUED FROM PG. 24 different perspectives leads to “THIS COMBINATION complexities our nation faces better decisions.” of hands-on archeological today. “As much as anything else, A LETTER WRITTEN BY PRISCILLA PARKER IN 1847, Roberts sees inclusive experience, archival training, we’re learning about true change addressed to her “beloved brethren and sisters” who were members of a church excellence as a widening of our HHHHHHHHHHH historical interpretation and agents. The Parkers had a vision association in “Mount Virginia.” Parker implores the readers to consider their posi- worldviews—an expansion of preservation, and in-depth for their community and in the tion on slavery, and discusses her complex feelings about the impending Civil War. A FRAGMENT OF A SLATE our sense of self—and much research, offers students from face of great obstacles and “As the day is fast approaching when we must all stand before the judgment FOR WRITING. → Note the ruled of her work revolves around our region and the across the resistance, they built bridges that seat of Christ. Why should we fear to speak to each other about the great sin of lines where the handwriting would teaching others to develop the country a unique opportunity to forever changed the course of oppression that has not only crept into many of the churches, but stalks abroad have gone, this would have been espe- capacity to appreciate differ- experience history in real and history. One person can make a at noon day with shameless front declaring it is of God appointed origin… I cially helpful for someone who did not ences. “When we engage in new impactful ways,” Landon says. difference, and there is no better do not think we give that clear and pointed expression of our conviction of the know how to read or write. A student behaviors, our brain default is to Perhaps more importantly, proof of that than the Parker sin of slavery that the times require. I am not satisfied that we clear our own would gain skills by practicing on this recoil—fight or flight,” Roberts he says, students are gaining Academy.” shirts tho I very much fear we have not done this of the blood, of these crushed just as students use paper today. The says. “I’m asking people to enter a better understanding of the and bruised ones. I want to send out a voice that will sound in thunder tones item likely dates to the 1850’s. a space of uncertainty for a wherever there is an oppressor to tremble or a slave to suffer. We have declared DISCOVERY DATE: May 2015 longer period of time. I see it as before the world that we are Christ’s people, and that He has made our spirits LOCATION: Found behind the school a vision and practice where di- free from the bondage of sin and death. Then why should we fear to make an house and men’s dormitory versity, equity, and inclusion are expression against this vile bondage that subjugates thousands of our poor DISCOVERED BY: NKU students reframed as vital to an outcome brethren and sisters soul and body to the evil dominion of a fellow mortal.” of institutional excellence.”

26 nku mAGAZINE // parker academy Fall/winterspring/summer 2015–16 2016 27

P P BAD BLOOD COURSE: SPB 200, Rivalry and Rituals: International Sport INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Joe Cobbs When the Cincinnati Bengals bungled the AFC wild-card play- off game against the Pittsburgh Steelers last year, it was a partic- ularly crushing blow for Bengals TOOTOO COOLCOOL fans. Not only was the loss ugly and self-inflicted, it was against the Bengals’ most reviled rival. Sports are, of course, all about competition, but rivalries take com- petition to a new level. So, what does it mean to be rivals? And what influence do rivalries have not only on players and teams, but on the fragile psyches of devoted fans? Dr. Joe Cobbs and his students study the political, sociological, psychological, and cultural factors that influence athletic competition in his Sports Business course, Rivalry and Rituals. HIST FORFOR SCHOOLSCHOOL In his class, Cobbs welcomes a wide range of majors to the course to enhance discussions and insights. He often partners with other 309 THE COOLEST CLASSES ON CAMPUS ARE AS FUN AS THEY ARE CHALLENGING. departments to offer different perspectives on sports rivalries. By JAYNA BARKER // ILLUSTRATIONS BY DIONNE LAYCOCK “We use the socially prominent context of international sports to examine cultural development, influence, and conflict within and across persons and geographic boundaries,” Cobbs says. “As a whole, Without the ingenuity and discoveries of teachers and conventional teaching methods on their heads. Classes that pair pop these elements are very important for sports business profession- P P P P P P P P P P P P Think about it: P P P P P P P P P P P P professors, where would we be as a society? We count on the creativity culture with critical thinking, or connect human cultures through the als—and really any global citizen—to understand, specifically because and dedication of professors and researchers to prepare each new gen- deconstruction of a single meal. of their influence on event management, public relations, marketing eration for a better future. At Northern Kentucky University, innovative We scoured the course catalog to find a few examples of these -un strategy, and facility security.” CHEW ON THIS and challenging programs are why we produce the best graduates, and conventional courses. The kind of classes that make you want to come COURSE: HIST 309, World History in a Dozen Meals why NKU is consistently ranked among the top universities in the nation back to school. The classes that not only sound cool—Harry Potter? INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Jonathan Reynolds by Forbes. Board game design? Sign me up!—but also provide new ways of teaching NRS NO DUMMIES HERE Too often, the lessons of history are used to highlight differences be- NKU’s course catalog is filled with classes that challenge and enlight- and thinking about the world. 339L COURSE: NRS 339L, Clinical Reasoning I tween cultures. A few years ago, award-winning NKU history professor en. But if you look hard enough, you’ll find a few classes that truly turn INSTRUCTOR: Gina Fieler Dr. Jonathan Reynolds set out to change that. All he needed was a Imagine it’s your first day on the job as a nurse in a community clinic. good meal. MEDIA MARVELS You grab your first patient’s chart and visit his bedside. You tell him His course, Around the World in a Dozen Meals, incorporates the COURSE: HNR 303, Super Men and Wonder Women you’re going to take his vitals and begin taking his blood pressure. history, culture, and food choices of regions across the world, and tops INSTRUCTOR: Andy Miller Suddenly the patient goes into cardiac arrest. What do you do? it all off with a freshly made meal at the end of each class. You’ve probably noticed that superheroes have taken over Hollywood. High-risk medical situations like this happen every day in the Here’s how it works: students examine human culture and history They’ve also commandeered the entertainment, toy, and fashion indus- nursing simulation lab at NKU. Here, students are able to learn basic through a dinner seminar during the semester, alternating roles each tries through comic books, television, T-shirts, socks, mugs, glassware, and complex skills in a hands-on environment and apply real-world week and taking turns leading discussions on regional, national, or eth- posters, keychains, and pretty much any consumer product you can advanced care in a safe space. nic history. They also study the ecological or environmental history of imagine. The lab, designed as a functional modern clinic, is home to many a meal’s ingredients, and the social aspects of the processes by which While superhero branding may seem superfluous, their popularity classes in the College of Health Professions—including Gina Fieler’s the meal is produced. isn’t hard to explain. Today, we all need to heroes we can count on, Clinical Reasoning I course. The course requires students to assess In the end, Reynolds wants his students to develop a greater under- enemies we can identify, and wars we can win. varying medical conditions and disorders in real patient case studies. standing of the variety and complexity of human cultures. Students discuss these themes and study our modern fascination The students then transition to the simulation lab to provide for that “I have a couple of big goals for the class,” Reynolds explains. “One with superheroes in Andy Miller’s honors course, Super Men and patient—in this case a mannequin programmed by professors who can is to get students to realize that what we think of as ‘national cuisines’ Wonder Women. In it, Miller asks students to dive into the superhero respond in real time to the decisions students make during the simu- are really very modern things. It’s not like French and German and phenomenon to study their impact and popularity in American culture. lation. Students participate in a debriefing after each simulation where Chinese foods have always been a certain way. Quite to the contrary, Students discuss superhero behaviors and their consequences, how they can receive feedback on their decisions. they are very much a result of modern exchanges and cultural devel- they relate to American culture, and how the representation of super- “When students come into the lab, they’re no longer students,” opments. Second, I want students to realize that every time they eat, HNR hero women in comics has evolved in recent years. Fieler says. “They function as medical professionals, whether they’re a they are experiencing world history. When you eat a bite of chocolate, 303 “Why do these larger-than-life characters have such an appeal to all nurse, respiratory therapist, or radiologic technician. There is a pretty you are actually tasting a history that spans from Central America to of us?” Miller asks. “Do these iconic characters step in as a substitute big gap between theory and practice. We can create any learning situ- Southeast Asia, and which involves events as unpalatable as the Atlan- for mythology in our society? We’re looking at American culture in a ation in the simulation lab. They learn more this way—the experiential tic slave trade and colonialism." different way, and it’s amazing.” learning piece helps them retain more information.”

28 nku mAGAZINE // cool course catalog spring/summer 2016 29 PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP PP

LAW HABEAS CORPUS SWK THE GREATER GOOD 858 COURSE: LAW 858, Facts, Storytelling, 565 COURSE: SWK 565, Compassion, Empathy, and and Persuasion Forgiveness INSTRUCTOR: David Singleton INSTRUCTOR: Diane Wright A well-told narrative is the most powerful tool a lawyer can use. As It’s not always easy to be compassionate. All of us carry experienc- humans, we’re hardwired to communicate (and thus make sense of es and presumptions that might make it challenging to accept and the world) through telling or listening to stories. But when it comes to respect others without judgment. the courtroom, stories are less about the storyteller and more about Diane Wright’s Compassion, Empathy, and Forgiveness class puts the listeners—the jury. recent research to the test and calls for students to apply those chal- David Singleton, professor of law at NKU, teaches this mindset lenges to their own professional and personal lives. in his Facts, Storytelling, and Persuasion course. The class focuses Wright asks students to perform a random act of kindness or com- MIN on how to pull a jury into the narrative of a story. Singleton uses a passion each week throughout the course. Students aren’t required to real-life, high-profile case to engage his students and asks them to step spend money or put themselves at risk, but instead make a difference APARECIUM 394 into the shoes of defense lawyers by using facts to develop a powerful in the lives of the people they encounter on a daily basis. Over the COURSE: ENG 302, Literature and Film THE GAME OF LIFE narrative. For the first three or four weeks of the class, students pore course of weeks, the numbers add up, and students log hundreds of INSTRUCTOR: Dr. John Alberti COURSE: MIN 394, Board Game Design over the facts—police reports, videotaped statements, and evidence. acts of kindness—big and small—by the end of the semester. Many people in their 20s or early 30s bookmarked the end of childhood INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Alexis Pulos But the facts are only a small building block in the defense’s story. One of the bigger assignments in the course requires each student with J.K. Rowling’s final Harry Potter novel in 2007. Anyone who read the When it comes to our free time, a lot of our fate is determined by a “We spend so much time in school thinking about the law—which is to write an objective letter using the four steps of non-violent commu- books—or went to each midnight screening of all eight films—grew up roll of dice, the flick of a spinner, the cards we’re dealt, and where the important and does matter—but it’s not why we win,” Singleton says. nication. The letters won’t be mailed but are addressed to someone with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. At NKU, students can relive that magic chips fall. While mobile and platform gaming may attract all of the “Cases are not decided based on law, by and large, but on emotions whom students might have a difficult relationship with, such as a through Harry Potter on the Page and on the Screen, a literature and film buzz, contemporary tabletop games are still an entertainment staple in that come from those facts.” partner, roommate, boss, or family member. course taught by Dr. John Alberti. most households. Once students have developed their theory of defense, the rest “It’s about taking a moment to take a breath and put yourself in a In the class, students spend their time immersed in the world of Dr. Alexis Pulos’ Board Game Design course teaches traditional of the course is spent putting that theory into practice. Students are place where you will be able to engage that person with compassion, wizardry, analyzing the book series and their respective film adaptations. game design by examining two basic questions: What is a game? And asked to practice storytelling in ways that could help throughout the empathy, and respect,” Wright says. “It’s a challenging thing. We talk But the core of Alberti’s class focuses on the themes presented in each what rules need to be in place for it to work? trial—jury selection, opening and closing statements, cross-examina- about compassion a lot, but when the rubber hits the road, it’s not novel—faith, morality, death, love, and failure. Working in groups and individually, students use that framework tion, etc. always easy. A lot of students have said it’s the most powerful assign- Ultimately, Alberti wants his students to think critically about the eth- to fix existing games, create their own, and find ways that information Singleton wants his students to spend time thinking about how ment they’ve encountered.” ical lessons the books and films present and how those lessons influence can be layered to create complex systems. Students learn how the they can weave a fact-based defense theory with supporting emotional The best way to learn something is to teach it, right? Students take our own decision making processes. discipline of informatics requires them to think critically about context. themes. time to develop their own program model in which they teach a target- “Stories are more than just entertainment,” Alberti says. “They are how Pulos tries to teach his students how to use the design process as a “Once you’ve done that, everything else falls into place,” Single- ed population about compassion, empathy, and forgiveness. we organize our understanding of the world, our values, and what con- metaphor in their daily lives. ton says. “The principles of everything you do in the trial have to be Wright hopes that students tune into their lives in a different way stitutes a meaningful life. For millions of young readers around the world, “Game structures teach us something about the world around us,” governed by your case theory. If you don’t have the ability to figure out and that when they are confronted with difficulty in their life—whether the Harry Potter experience has been a profound part of growing up and Pulos says. “They teach you how to be a critical thinker in complex sit- what story you’re going to tell, you’re not going to win your case and it’s professional or personal—they will be able to approach situations finding a place in the world. In the class, we engage students in a discus- uations—to be aware of where we are, and what moves we can make be an effective advocate for your client.” with more consideration and kindness. sion of how and why these novels and movies have had such a powerful and can’t make. They require us to ask how we make intelligent moves impact on us, enriching our experiences of Harry Potter and also increas- and meaningful interactions.” ing our understanding of the role of art and culture in our lives.”

why fun matters Sure. Some of us will be skeptical about “fun” college courses and most and push ourselves the hardest when we engage with material may even question the value they lend to a student’s overall education. that we have a deep personal connection to. I teach an Honors class Dr. John Alberti, professor of English and director of the English on feminist punk rock and women’s protest music, and the final department at Northern Kentucky University, politely disagrees. Alberti assignment is a creative project. In the spirit of punk rock, I encourage sees nothing wrong with classes that allow students to study creative people to consider writing and performing a song, and some do—along­­ concepts that might track with a traditional career path. with blogs, ’zines, art projects, even costume design. The day of the ONE NKU PROFESSOR OFFERS HIS TAKE ON "I think it's both interesting and a little sad that we have come presentations are always the most emotional and amazing days of the UNCONVENTIONAL, INNOVATIVE CLASSES AND THE to think that education needs to be unpleasant or that a learning year. Students still tell me how that experience affected their lives, experience can't be fun and challenging at the same time,” Alberti made them more confident, and had a positive impact on their other RESEARCH THAT PROVES THEY’RE WORTH TEACHING. says. “On the contrary, all the evidence suggests that we learn the coursework.”

30 nku mAGAZINE // cool course catalog spring/summer 2016 31 NORSENOW for taking a movie—such as Ocean’s 11—and bish the old St. John’s Unitarian church on reproducing the movie poster with faces of Elm Street in Over-the-Rhine, where Heuser their friends on it. opened a popular club and event center Support NKU’s College of Informatics “We would take a day, like the Sunday called The Transept. by visiting givenow.nku.edu. before Labor Day,” he says. “School would “We want to be involved in any events that be closed on Monday, so all of the students feature Cincinnati, either directly or indirect- would be looking for something to do that ly,” Heuser says. The company’s bottom line Sunday night. We’d choose a bar and market has increased 20 to 30 percent each year, he the event and we’d get a great turnout.” says, and they are currently up 30 percent They’d create flyers and walk the streets, over the last fiscal year. papering cars and dorm rooms with the Heuser's success stood out to his pro- information. fessors and to the leaders at his alma mater. His hobby turned into a full-time job And that led to a personal meeting last year when, after graduation, Heuser worked his between Heuser and NKU President Geof- contacts to land a marketing gig with local frey Mearns. “It was a great feeling knowing restaurant owner Jeff Ruby. By 23, Heuser you went to a university and 15 years later had opened his own nightclub, Club Clau, a you have the opportunity to contribute your popular nightspot in Over-the-Rhine. Over skill set to enhance the university experi- the next 10 years Heuser went on to open, ence,” Heuser says. operate, and sell two additional bars before Recently, AGAR collaborated with NKU going through a bit of a transition. Athletics to develop strategic concepts that “When you become the older guy in the resulted in the creation of the men’s and bar, that’s the time to get out,” he says. women’s basketball hype videos, as well as In 2009, at age 30, he started AGAR, the integration of the Gjallarhorn into pre- an agency that helps create “experiences” game athletic ceremonies. The videos, and around brands. Named for the “red base in especially the Gjallarhorn (the giant horn a petri dish that allows organisms to grow,” associated with Norse mythology, not the AGAR specializes in experiential marketing video game weapon), were created to instill and brand development. new traditions in Norse Athletics and the “We create immersive experiences,” University for years to come. AGAR’s website says. “We take an authen- “We’re really excited about what’s going tic and holistic approach to consumer and on at NKU,” Heuser says. “I was fortunate brand relationships. Through our multiple in- enough that because of NKU, I was able to teractive and engaging touch-points we unite enter the professional world with no debt, brands with their audience and the audience and it was so important to me. With no debt, with their brand.” I was able to fail—and fail many times—be- With 14 full-time employees based in fore I had success. I was able to add to our Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, economy versus graduating with massive LIFE OF THE PARTY AGAR now features clients like TriHealth, student loans and being forced into the debt Toyota, Procter & Gamble (AGAR manages column of our economy. Josh Heuser’s AGAR takes the art of celebration to new heights the company’s community sponsorship dol- “I mean, I was able to throw parties and lars), and Cincinnati staples like Lumenocity, get paid for it,” he continued. “Ultimately, I ack in the day, when Josh Heuser so good, in fact, that he does it for a living. the Flying Pig marathon, and events at think NKU has set me up for success.” (’01) was throwing parties in area Sort of. Fountain Square. The company helped refur- —Ryan Clark bars, it never really crossed his “It’s funny—I never wanted to join a mind that within a few years he’d fraternity,” says Heuser, an Independence, Ky. haveB a private audience with the president native. “Then I started playing flag football Salsa on the Square: In 2014 AGAR helped But such is the beauty of life. parties. That’s what I was good at.” Procter & Gamble gather enough people on Josh Heuser, now 37, is a graduate of Heuser and his Tau Kappa Epsilon broth- Fountain Square to break the Guinness Book of NKU, as well as an entrepreneur, an expert ers became known for their themed parties. World Records record for the largest number of marketer, and most of all, someone who still Yes, they could organize a Ladies’ Night or a people salsa dancing at one time. knows how to throw a darn good party. He’s Halloween party, but Heuser became known

32 nku mAGAZINE // NORSE NOW spring/summer 2016 33 NORSENOW FLYING INTO HISTORY Retired Northern Kentucky University nursing professor Beverly Reno participates in first-ever Women’s Honor Flight.

hen Beverly Reno was invited to participate in the first-ever Women’s Honor Flight last September in Washington D.C.,W she didn’t know what to expect when her flight landed at Dulles. Within 24 hours, Reno had received the honor of a lifetime. Reno—a retired Northern Kentucky University professor—joined more than 100 female veterans from the tri-state area in a flight from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport last year to visit the PHOTO BY PATRICK McCUE Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. During that trip, they visited many other war LIGHT A COLLECTOR’S DREAM memorials, including the Tomb of the Un- CompleteSet’s Gary Darna turned his lifelong hobby into a career known Soldier. Reno was one of four women to place a wreath on the unidentified soldier's orthern Kentucky University grad in April 2012 while they were both students grave that day. THE WAY Gary Darna waited almost two in NKU’s INKUBATOR program. They “I didn’t realize how big of an honor it decades to buy the R2-D2 Pepsi launched their beta site in May 2013 after was until the day it happened,” Reno says. cooler he’d been eyeballing since they won the Cincinnati Innovates compe- “The ceremony was unbelievable—the YOUR GIFT COULD MEAN he wasN 11 years old. He drove hundreds of tition and received a $10,000 grant from people who showed up—it was overwhelm- THE DIFFERENCE. miles to Pennsylvania to retrieve it, disas- CincyTech. ing and beyond anything you could ever semble it (to fit in his car), drive it home, and Their turning point came in 2014 when imagine.” The nursing department was located in two Did you know? Planned giving at NKU has piece it back together. Darna and Rump raised $650,000 through Reno enlisted in the military in 1957 as an houses—faculty offices in one house and lab never been easier. In fact, in 2015, the U.S. Darna’s passion for collecting started with Velocity, a Louisville startup accelerator officer when she was 20 years old after she in another. Congress passed a law that allows IRA owners one Star Wars figurine and has transformed program. They grew their team, launched an graduated from Sisters of St. Joseph School A lot changed in the near three decades into a functioning business, CompleteSet, an iPhone app, and expanded their audience. of Nursing at the University of North Dakota. Reno was at NKU. 70 ½ and over to make a gift directly from online, “shoppable” knowledge base where But for Darna, it’s more than just about She served as a stateside nurse during the “It boggles my mind to look at NKU now,” their IRA to the NKU Foundation, tax free collectors can digitally document collectors' the numbers in the archives. Vietnam War from 1959–1961. Reno says. “When I got here, all that existed (up to $100,000). Another bonus? items they have and want in one central “What is so meaningful about what we’re Reno didn’t originally have plans to was the science building and Nunn Hall.” This gift counts toward your required location. CompleteSet users hail from more building at CompleteSet is that there’s a story end up in the Greater Cincinnati area. Her Since retiring in 2003, Reno splits her time annual minimum distribution. than 45 countries. behind many of the things the collectors husband, Jack—a singer and host in country between properties in Florence, Kentucky, “There are people in countries we’ve never own,” Darna says. “What they’re really music radio—traveled all over the country and Bonita Springs, Florida. She plans to be visited—people who speak languages we collecting isn’t objects—it’s memories that during his career before settling down in be home this summer when her family will For more information, don’t even understand—who are using a remind them of a person, place, or time in northern Kentucky. When she first became a receive a plaque on behalf of her husband, contact Julie Dials at product we built,” Darna says. “It’s an amaz- their life. It’s great being able to build some- nursing professor at Northern Kentucky Uni- who passed away in 2008 and was inducted (859) 572-6062, or ing feeling.” thing people care about and interact with.” versity in 1975, NKU was only seven years into the Country Music Radio Hall of Fame in [email protected] Darna met his co-founder, Jaime Rump, —Jayna Barker old and had approximately 5,000 students. February of this year. —Jayna Barker

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The filename for this photo is “cafeteria.” And back in the day at NKU, textures of the food-like objects that dropped from them? What other that’s exactly what this was. Published in the 1973 edition of the NKU thoughts or memories strike you about this vintage image from the yearbook, Polaris, the photo shows the “lunch rush” in a nondescript dawn of NKU? There’s an interesting story or two here that’s just hallway somewhere on campus (anyone remember where?), filled with waiting to be told. Help us tell it! Email your suggestions, thoughts, and busy students and faculty and staff. Can you identify these hungry answers to [email protected]. patrons? Do you remember the vending machines or the tastes and