Wright State University CORE Scholar Wright State University Magazine Office of Marketing Spring 2021 Wright State University Magazine, Spring 2021 Wright State Alumni Association Wright State University Foundation Follow this and additional works at: https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/wsu_magazine Part of the Mass Communication Commons Repository Citation Wright State Alumni Association , & Wright State University Foundation (2021). Wright State University Magazine, Spring 2021. This Magazine is brought to you for free and open access by the Office of Marketing at CORE Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Wright State University Magazine by an authorized administrator of CORE Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Wright StateMAGAZINE THERE IN SPIRIT As the reality of hosting basketball games with the continued onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic set in late last fall, Wright State’s athletic department had a fun idea. Anticipating capacity limitations, but knowing the Raider community, it was important to fnd a way for Raider fans to still be able to show their support during basketball season. In November, Wright State launched the Nutter Center Virtual Sellout campaign. Fans purchased large-scale cardboard cutouts of themselves or a loved one that were placed in seats behind the home and visiting benches during women’s and men’s basketball games. Some of the “fans” behind the bench have featured small kids, fans making silly faces, and even fans’ dogs. Proceeds from the campaign support student-athletes and assist the athletic department to address its budget defcit as a result of COVID-19. THERE IN SPIRIT As the reality of hosting basketball games with the continued onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic set in late last fall, Wright State’s athletic department had a fun idea. Anticipating capacity limitations, but knowing the Raider community, it was important to fnd a way for Raider fans to still be able to show their support during basketball season. In November, Wright State launched the Nutter Center Virtual Sellout campaign. Fans purchased large-scale cardboard cutouts of themselves or a loved one that were placed in seats behind the home and visiting benches during women’s and men’s basketball games. Some of the “fans” behind the bench have featured small kids, fans making silly faces, and even fans’ dogs. Proceeds from the campaign support student-athletes and assist the athletic department to address its budget defcit as a result of COVID-19. FROM THE PRESIDENT CONTENTS PRESIDENT Susan Edwards, Ph.D. PRESIDENT AND CEO, WRIGHT STATE Changing it up UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION R. Scott Rash Without a doubt, the 2020–21 academic INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT year has been unlike any other in Wright Bill Bigham State’s history. I believe strongly that with EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALUMNI RELATIONS every challenge comes opportunity. To Greg Scharer frame the experience in a positive light, it DIRECTOR OF MARKETING is true that, this year, change was in the air. Mark D. Anderson ’09 In a year where the literal date (2020) has EDITOR 9 Nicole L. Craw become a punchline to punctuate anecdotes DESIGN of particular challenge, Wright State has Amanda J. Earnest-Reitmann changed for the better, despite the deluge of ASSISTANT EDITORS disruption and division 2020 brought. Andrew Call Ron Wukeson ’78 We have endured operating through COPY EDITOR a global pandemic that pushed much of Katie Halberg ’12 our learning to remote operations and CONTRIBUTORS awoke fear, anxiety, and confusion as we all Sarah Cavender ’20 Lisa Coffey struggled with how to keep ourselves and these challenges through great operational Jessica Graue ’04, ’09 loved ones safe. We have witnessed painful change and sacrifce, but also by holding Alan Hieber ’16 Micah Karr ’19 reminders of the persistence of racial steadfast to our greatest priority—educating Bob Mihalek inequity and injustice in our country. We’ve our students. Kim Patton 18 39 Sarah Ravits seen racial unrest and demonstrations in In this issue I hope you’ll choose to learn Shirley Tucker ’89 our communities that have challenged more about how Wright State Raiders Jane Wildermuth Chris Wydman ’94, ’97 our neighbors and communities to stand and Lakers are pushing to change their PHOTOGRAPHY together against all forms of racial violence communities by looking forward. Like FEATURES DEPARTMENTS Erin Pence and intolerance in promotion of equity, Wright State, these are alumni who have an Chris Snyder inclusion, and social justice. unwavering commitment to diversity and 5 CAPTURE SPECIAL THANKS TO Trough all of this, we changed in many inclusion, but, more broadly, are attracted 6 CAMPUS HEADLINES Seth Bauguess ’13 10 A space odyssey Rob Boley ’99 ways for the better. We had to. But in others to attacking social problems head-on. Engineer Lindsay Aitchison ’11 is supporting NASA’s next trip to the Moon 7 BRAGGING WRIGHTS Amy Jones ’06 we remain unchanged for the better. Our Tey engage in growing their compassion in 2024 by designing new, state-of-the-art spacesuits. Kathy Kuntz 9 THROWBACK Brooke Johnson Leppla ’05, ’11 commitment to preserving the health and attitudes of respect and appreciation 39 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Elaine Pruner and safety of our students and employees toward others. Tey acquire new skills to Cristie Scharer 40 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Dave Stuart ’04 has never changed, but delivering on that efect the changes they want to see in their 14 Going for the gold 42 FAREWELLS Wright State Alumni Association Board priority took a diferent turn because of communities. Tey are actively working to Clinical and sport psychologist Cody Commander ’10 supports the mental Wright State University COVID-19. Our commitment to inclusive create a society that promotes inclusiveness, 45 CLASS NOTES Foundation Board health of Team USA athletes as they pursue their Olympic dreams. excellence has never been stronger and now equity, and justice for all. 48 FROM THE STACKS it’s bolstered by our common experience Tey are our students, employees, and of the anti-racism and social justice alumni who are committed to advancing 22 No small feat This is a publication of the Wright State movement. the common good, both on and of our Dayton couple Martha Conkel Nghiem ’16 and her husband, Tung took University Foundation and the Wright In the last issue I shared with you how campuses. Tey are the changemakers. Tey ON THE COVER Cover art is titled State Alumni Association for the alumni, a huge leap of faith to buy a historic Dayton gem—the St. Anne’s Hill Faces of Courage, by alumna and donors, and friends of Wright State our faculty, staf, and students adjusted to are examples for us all. Wilhelmina house. visual artist Shirley Tucker ’89. University. remote delivery of classes during the early She said of her inspiration behind Submit information, comments, months of the pandemic. I also shared Best wishes, the piece, “COVID, poverty, loss and letters to: some examples of how some of our students 26 Te changemakers of jobs, unemployment, racism, Wright State Alumni Association and alumni were thriving in their roles as Sue Edwards, Ph.D. discrimination—all those things 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway How we can learn from our Black alumni, faculty, staff, and students who frst responders at COVID hotspots across President are affecting our community and Dayton, Ohio 45435 the country. I write to you today proud of are working to actively create change in their communities by fghting country right now.” 937-775-2620 0 @WSUPrezSue racism and injustice. [email protected] how our university continues to respond to 2 WRIGHT STATE MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 WRIGHT.EDU/ALUMNI 3 FROM THE PRESIDENT CONTENTS PRESIDENT Susan Edwards, Ph.D. PRESIDENT AND CEO, WRIGHT STATE Changing it up UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION R. Scott Rash Without a doubt, the 2020–21 academic INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT year has been unlike any other in Wright Bill Bigham State’s history. I believe strongly that with EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALUMNI RELATIONS every challenge comes opportunity. To Greg Scharer frame the experience in a positive light, it DIRECTOR OF MARKETING is true that, this year, change was in the air. Mark D. Anderson ’09 In a year where the literal date (2020) has EDITOR 9 Nicole L. Craw become a punchline to punctuate anecdotes DESIGN of particular challenge, Wright State has Amanda J. Earnest-Reitmann changed for the better, despite the deluge of ASSISTANT EDITORS disruption and division 2020 brought. Andrew Call Ron Wukeson ’78 We have endured operating through COPY EDITOR a global pandemic that pushed much of Katie Halberg ’12 our learning to remote operations and CONTRIBUTORS awoke fear, anxiety, and confusion as we all Sarah Cavender ’20 Lisa Coffey struggled with how to keep ourselves and these challenges through great operational Jessica Graue ’04, ’09 loved ones safe. We have witnessed painful change and sacrifce, but also by holding Alan Hieber ’16 Micah Karr ’19 reminders of the persistence of racial steadfast to our greatest priority—educating Bob Mihalek inequity and injustice in our country. We’ve our students. Kim Patton 18 39 Sarah Ravits seen racial unrest and demonstrations in In this issue I hope you’ll choose to learn Shirley Tucker ’89 our communities that have challenged more about how Wright State Raiders Jane Wildermuth Chris Wydman ’94, ’97 our neighbors and communities to stand and Lakers are pushing to change their PHOTOGRAPHY together against all forms of racial violence communities by looking forward. Like FEATURES DEPARTMENTS Erin Pence and intolerance in promotion of equity, Wright State, these are alumni who have an Chris Snyder inclusion, and social justice. unwavering commitment to diversity and 5 CAPTURE SPECIAL THANKS TO Trough all of this, we changed in many inclusion, but, more broadly, are attracted 6 CAMPUS HEADLINES Seth Bauguess ’13 10 A space odyssey Rob Boley ’99 ways for the better.