Chieftain Fall 2007
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...the Future of McMurry THE ALUMNI MaGAZINE OF MCMURRY UNIVERSIT Y THE ALUMNI MaGAZINE OF MCMURRY UNIVERSIT Y FROM THE PRESIDenT F A L L 2 0 0 7 Dear McMurry Alumni and Friends: As you receive this issue of the Chieftain, McMurry’s maturation that is so important a part of the McMurry Featured Stories Class of 2011 is on campus and is becoming fully Experience—that’s inspirational! engaged into the McMurry Family. It’s always an exciting And here’s another reason why we’re excited about the of the time when the energy level of the future! The witness of alumni kingdom our lives steps up…a new school who are “products” of the McMurry 4 Bishopcurrency Dan E. Solomon, Bishop-in- Residence, explores McMurry’s year, with the presence of new Experience cannot be denied. They relationship with the United Methodist church. and returning students, provides know the impact of a nurturing higher that energy pulse. One can only education experience. In them you see imagine with excitement how the that leadership, excellence and virtue coming year will unfold. were cultivated by a caring and engaged Gerri and I are now into our campus community. Through them we The deans of McMurry’s six academic schools discuss their perspectives sixth year at McMurry. Neither are all better equipped to imagine the 8 on McMurry’s future in relation to their respective disciplines. Also, meet of us could have imagined how possibilities that lie before McMurry stand-out students in each school and their plans for the future. the McMurry Experience would students of today…and tomorrow. How impact us. But it has! From the could we not share the excitement of moment we arrived, the McMurry these alumni featured in this Chieftain? campus, the McMurry mission… And we imagine a bright Capital Campaign Leadership Spotlights and the McMurry Family have future because of our friends. We are Meet four of the many men and women who will lead McMurry into 22 its Capital Campaign. conspired to make our first five inspired by friends who share our years most fulfilling. But more passion for McMurry and its students. importantly, the McMurry Family Friends, whose sense of service has inspired us to make the next and commitment to the McMurry Letter from the President. 2 Published by the Letter from the President. Inside Cover five years the best years of our lives. mission, energize us. They clearly see the role McMurry McMurry University Office Athletics Update. 30 And here’s why! We are excited by the opportunity University will play in shaping the future…and want to of University Relations DevelopmentAthletics Update Corner. .. 32 McMurry has to shape the future of our students. And take part in enabling that future. They inspire us with Box 938 McM Station Friends & Family . 3334 through them, we can only imagine how McMurry their conviction! Abilene, Texas 79697 HomecomingClass Notes. 2007. Photos . .. 3438 University will shape the future of our region…and the Enjoy this Chieftain. And take the time to get to ©2007 ClassFriends Notes We’ll. Miss. .. 3944 future of our nation. As you walk across campus, or visit know some of the folks, members of the McMurry with the students in this Chieftain, you’ll quickly come Family, who inspire Gerri and me. I am confident they’ll Contributors Steve Crisman to share the enthusiasm with which Gerri and I look inspire you like they inspire us…they’re shaping the Jan Boles Greeley Myers ‘93 MCMURRY PR PESIDENTRESIDENT and andOFFIC OFFIERS CERS forward to the future. The leadership provided by the future! Steve CrismanGary EllisonKyle Robarts deans and faculty of our six schools sets a grand stage Gary EllisonSheila KittsDr. ‘01 John H. Russell Dr. John H. Russell Lisa Williams for the intellectual preparation for that future. And like With Warm Regards, Dale Evers ‘82Melissa LindvilleJames Shelton PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS Greeley Myers ‘93 their predecessors, McMurry’s deans and faculty serve Dr. Paul Fabrizio Bishop Dan E. Solomon ‘58 Dr. Beverly Lenoir Steve Crisman as living templates for the social, physical and spiritual Amber GilbertKyle RobartsNancy Smith ‘79 VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Dr. Perry Kay Haley-BrownDr. John H. RussellErin Stevens ‘06 Erin Stevens ‘06 Dave Voskuil John H. Russell, President Sheila Kitts ‘01 Dr. Christina Wilson VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT Brad Poorman Dr. K.O. Long Dr. ‘70 Christina WilsonDr. Gary Wilson MANAGEMENT VICE PRESIDENT FOR INFORMATION & Support SERVICES Cover Photo by Amber Allen “Whatever you imagine Can one day come to be……” In a higher education institution, you expect to find a laboratory for the mind…. A place where the possibilities are only limited by the creative ideas of visionary leaders, the energy and courage to explore the unknown and the belief and trust in the people who can make dreams come true. “There are dreams to awaken, Roads to be taken….” McMurry University is constantly evolving into such a place where the emphasis is on developing the potential, dreaming and planning for the future. In this issue of the Chieftain, we ask you to Imagine with us, to share in our vision. The world is open to our students, and their preparation for a world without boundaries should likewise be unfettered by limitations. “There are worlds filled with treasure, “There are miracles waiting, Time without measure, So keep concentrating To learn whatever you may need to know.” And I promise you that if you do…. As we journey toward our centennial celebration in 2023, McMurry is poised and prepared to move out of the realm of idea incubation Whatever you imagine can come true….* into dream realization. This issue of the Chieftain is dedicated to the birth of a grand dream and a future reality of a McMurry University unsurpassed in academic excellence, and dedicated to graduating generations of enlightened and humane leaders for tomorrow. As alumni and friends, we invite you to join us as we imagine McMurry’s *“Whatever You Imagine”, role in making dreams come true. words and music written by Wendy Moten 2 M C M urr Y U niversit Y the ofcurrency thekingdom f United Methodists were to bishop dan e. solomon mint a coin it would have bishop-in-residence “knowledge” on one side and “vital piety” on the other. These words were given to us by Charles Wesley in a hymn he Iwrote for the opening of Kingswood School—the first education effort of the early Methodist movement in 18th Century England. “Our heritage reflects a passion for informed mi nds and faith-formed hearts.” M C M urr Y U niversit Y “ B o t h the of the kingdom c h u r c h a n d currencyOur heritage reflects a passion for informed such lively and formative fashion. minds and faith-formed hearts. Such “currency of the McMurry students come from their communities c a m p u s a r e kingdom” represents an important investment that of origin into a community that is inclusive and equips persons to help the world become a place of affirming. From first year student orientation through a l i n k e d i n a healing and hope. myriad of campus organizations and activities, students Moving toward its centennial in 2023, McMurry experience a family of caring and encouragement that m u t u a l i t y is even now in the right place and the right time to pushes them toward academic excellence and shepherds leave the imprint of “knowledge and vital piety” upon a them in leadership development and servant ministry. o f m i n i s t r y generation of students who are yearning for deepened “Knowledge and vital piety” are not only spirituality in companionship with academic excellence. imprints on the coin of our heritage—each one reflects w i t h o u t Taking its mission seriously has led McMurry to launch the substance of a life anchored in the kind of “essential the “Shaping the Future” campaign. As a result of currency” needed to be morally, spiritually and w h i c h the successful completion of this visionary endeavor, intellectually solvent in these fractured times. scholarships will be funded for discipleship training, “These are the times that try men’s (and women’s) e a c h mission outreach endeavors, interdisciplinary learning souls” is an apt description of this era, as well as the opportunities and expanded religious life experiences. one in which it was written. Whether or not McMurry w o u l d be Whether it is direct scholarship assistance students can live in these “trying times” with clarity of or the building of facilities in which learning will purpose, sensitivity to the needs of others and a grasp of d i m i n i s h e d be enhanced, McMurry students are worthy of the the intellectual insights needed to function effectively, generous investment of financial resources by all who depends, in great measure, upon McMurry faculty, i n v i ta l i t y cherish moral values and academic excellence. When staff and students being united in the cultivation of individuals and foundations participate in the “Shaping “leadership, excellence and virtue in every student every a n d the Future” campaign, they can be confident that their day.” There is an abundance of evidence that McMurry is funds are helping to shape a generation of students succeeding in shaping students to shape a future worthy relevance.” whose intellectual achievement is combined with service, to be lived.