The Presidency of Jonathan C. Gibralter 2006-2015
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VOL 27 NO 2 SPRING 2015 The Frostburg State University Magazineprofile The Presidency of Jonathan C. Gibralter 2006-2015 After Nine Years of Leading Frostburg State University, President Gibralter Is Moving On CCIT to be Named for Gira 3 | A World of Involvement 14 | Homecoming Scrapbook 26 From the President: Reflecting on My Time at FSU It seems almost unimaginable that, after nine years as president ing through the middle of Baltimore by an alum who saw of Frostburg State University, this will be my last edition of my Bobcat license plate frame. The list goes on and on. FSU Profile. My time at Frostburg has been the most professionally alumni are all over the country and the world, in every occu- rewarding of my career, and I will be very sorry to leave. When pation, and they all tell a version of the same story. That story Laurie and I arrived in Frostburg in 2006, I will admit it was a always starts with these words: “I owe everything I have to huge adjustment for us. We moved here from Farmingdale State Frostburg State University. I wouldn’t be who I am today College in Long Island, N.Y. We built a house here; we attended without FSU.” many events on campus, This edition of Profile will certainly speak of accom- including plays, dance plishments during my tenure at FSU. These achievements, recitals and concerts. We including the “bricks and mortar” accomplishments, are attended many President’s important, but that legacy is not what gives me the most Concerts and loved hearing pride. What has truly meant the most to me has been getting the Chamber Choir under to know our students. I always enjoyed my time with them. the leadership of Dr. Karen I worked closely with the President’s Leadership Circle and Soderberg-Sarnaker. We the Student Government Association. I was directed by Mass went to Homecoming events Communication majors making “Down to Earth With Dr. and galas together. G” for FSU TV3. I was made an honorary member of Phi We also met alumni and Mu Alpha, a music fraternity. I felt so much pride attending became acquainted with students’ art exhibits, plays, concerts and recitals, watching this community. We got them compete athletically, and walking the track with them to know so many alumni during Relay for Life. It was a pleasure just working out next from so many generations, to them in the fitness center or sitting and talking with them even some who attended in the Lane University Center. FSU in the ’40s and ’50s, My priority first and foremost has been the quality of these like “The Boys” from the students’ education and the lives they would come to lead. ’60s, the baseball alumni I want them to leave FSU remembering it for the fine aca- from the ’70s and even the demic institution that it is. From my very first day on cam- alumni whom I first knew pus, I always gave our students the message that my door as students. I had the great was open to them. They took advantage of that, and I have privilege to bestow honorary learned so much from them over these years. The students Doctor of Humane Letters who attend FSU are some of the finest young people I have degrees to two great friends met. Kindness, generosity and intellectual curiosity define of FSU, Woodward D. Pealer them. I always want them to remember that FSU is the place and W. Dennis Thomas ’65. where they got their start. “What has truly meant I was particularly glad to be I am going to miss FSU and will cherish my time here. It able to present this degree has meant the world to me, and I only hope that people feel the most to me has to Dennis shortly before he I made an impact. Certainly, my time in Frostburg had a passed away, as his guidance profound impact on me personally. For that I will be forever been getting to know and friendship had an impact grateful. I will always be a proud Bobcat. on me that will truly never the students.” be forgotten. Sincerely, This has been one of the greatest privileges of my life – not only to know so many alumni, but to consider many as friends. I have met CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, Broadway actors and actresses, Hollywood producers, NASA astronauts, members of the Maryland General Assembly, business people, Dr. Jonathan C. Gibralter, President teachers, nurses, medical professionals and guidance counsel- ors. I’ve been stopped in parking lots throughout Pennsylvania, P.S. I hope Frostburg State University alumni will remain in touch with me after I start Washington, D.C., and Maryland. I was pulled over while driv- at Wells College in Aurora, N.Y., in July. My email address will be [email protected]. Please recycle me or pass me on to a friend! FROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY: ONE UNIVERSITY. A WORLD OF EXPERIENCES. profileVol. 27 No. 2 Spring 2015 18 PROFILE IN DEPARTMENTS LEADERSHIP In recognition of President 2 NEWS Gibralter’s nine years of • Stepping Up for Vets accomplishments, Profile presents • New VP for Advancement a reflection on some of these • Ice Bucket Challenge achievements, as well as thoughts • Wedding Staged in PAC from former students and others to illustrate what cannot be • Marcellus Shale Listening Project expressed in lists or data. • Composter Completes the Cycle • Calculations in the Cloud • House of Cards • SOFI Recognized • Staff Awards for Excellence Beth McMurtrie from The Chronicle of Higher Education and President Gibralter were interviewed by Gwen Ifill on • Duncan Wins Fantasy Award PBS NewsHour about high-risk drinking. • Shah Honored as Mentor • Bao Wins Board of Regents' Award 3 CCIT TO BE NAMED FOR PRESIDENT GIRA 8 ALUMNI NEWS • Byars' Connection Brings Vilanch to Campus “My predecessor had the dream that, thanks to the efforts of hundreds of individuals over the last eight years, evolved into the incredible Center for • High-Profile Classroom Observers Communications and Information Technology,” said President Gibralter. • Dukes a Rising Star • Get to Know New Board Members • Hayes Elected to House of Delegates 9 REFLECTION AT THE CROSSROADS • Riggleman Back in the Bigs • Starting Them Young When a career in professional baseball didn’t pan out, Keith Voelker ’73 learned that God had other plans for him. • Kuhn Inducted Into Soccer Hall of Fame • Celebrating Decades of Friendship 12 FOUNDATION NEWS • Old Main Society Spotlight: Coach Irwin 13 “BUCKET LIST” SCHOLARSHIP • Lauren Weller Sidorowicz Scholarship Alums who entered Frostburg as “raw public school students” with a • New Named Funds drive to succeed have achieved one of their goals with the Tyrone and Sandy Wyche Adams Scholarship, supporting students facing similar 22 SPORTS challenges to theirs. • Student-Athlete Advisory Committee • Return to "The Rock" 14 A WORLD OF INVOLVEMENT • Fall and Winter Wrap-Up The FSU student experience builds on academics through real-life • Fazenbaker Wraps Up Stellar Career practice. Students and alumni recount how their time with Student and Community Involvement programs has made a world of difference. 28 CLASSNOTES/MILESTONES • Books by Alumni • Calendar of Events 22 BUILDING SOMETHING TO LAST • Swimming Team Family Reception After 18 years as a member of Towson University’s football coaching staff, John Donatelli ’88 has been able to “build something that will 30 IN MEMORIAM hopefully last for the following generations.” 32 THE LAST WORD 1 FROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY: ONE UNIVERSITY. A WORLD OF EXPERIENCES. CAMPUS profile Vol. 27 No. 2 SPRING 2015 NEWS John Short, Jr., VP for University Advancement and Profile is published for alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff of Frostburg State University. FSU Stepping Up to Serve Veterans and Military Students CCIT to Be Named in Honor of President Emerita Gira Executive Director of the FSU Foundation President As more men and women who have served in the military are transitioning to civilian life, The Center for Communications and Information Technology John Short Appointed Jonathan C. Gibralter growing numbers are headed to college and graduate school, and FSU is stepping up to find new (CCIT) will be named in honor of President Emerita Catherine Vice President and Chief of Staff and better ways to serve those who served us. Gira in a ceremony on Sunday, May 3. Approved by the University Vice President for Advancement Stephen Spahr Following the retirement of longtime counselor and coordinator of Veterans Services Pat System of Maryland Board of Regents at their February meeting, John Short, Jr., who was associate vice president Deasy, the Veterans Services Office was restructured and a full-time veterans services coordinator the naming honors Gira’s 15 years of service to FSU and her distin- Editor for Development at Albright College in Reading, Pa., was hired. The new coordinator, Danielle Dabrowski, has 10 years of experience serving veteran Liz Douglas Medcalf guished career in higher education. is the new vice president for University Advancement and military students. “My predecessor, Dr. Catherine Gira, had the dream that, and executive director of the FSU Foundation, Inc., Profile Design “I am focused on building an awareness on thanks to the efforts of hundreds of individuals over the last eight Colleen Stump overseeing all fundraising operations and alumni campus for our student veterans and helping For the fourth straight year, FSU was named to years, evolved into the incredible Center for Communications and programs for the University. Additional Design them to acclimate to the campus commu- G.I. Jobs’ Military Friendly Schools list, which honors Information Technology,” said President Gibralter. “Frostburg State Melissa Martz ’95, SCI Impact nity,” Dabrowski said.