Celebrating Golden Memories and Golden Opportunities in Athletics There’s a certain kind of student who makes Roberts Wesleyan College such a special place. They know they have a message to share and a well of inner strength they have yet to fully discover. Perhaps you’re one. If you have boundless energy but might not know how to harness it. If you have lofty goals but need a path by which to achieve them. If you want to accelerate your learning to match the speed of your life. If you’re seeking higher education with a higher purpose, welcome to roberts.edu/higherlearning HIGHER LEARNING HIGHER { JENN SUHR } 20751_9_5x11_Ad_F.indd 1 1/17/13 4:35 PM 9.5”w x 11”h, 4C There’s a certain kind of student who makes Roberts Wesleyan College such a special ROBERTS TODAY place. They know they have a message to share and a well of inner strength they have yet The magazine for alumni and friends of Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern to fully discover. Seminary, Vol.36, No. 1, Winter 2013. Published by Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary, Perhaps you’re one. 2301 Westside Drive, Rochester, NY 14624-1997; All days, past and Phone 585.594.6500; Email [email protected]. The magazine is distributed free to alumni, parents, faculty, staff, friends and students. future, exist as part If you have boundless energy but might not know how to harness it. PRESIDENT of God’s grace and John A. Martin If you have lofty goals but need a path by which to achieve them. TRUSTEES redemptive purposes. John D. Cooke ’66 David W. Hughes George A. Kimmich ’63 If you want to accelerate your learning to match the speed of your life. Roy W. King, NES ’04 David M. Lascell Norman P. Leenhouts, Vice Chair If you’re seeking higher education with a higher purpose, welcome to Paul A. Lysander ’85 Duncan W. O’Dwyer Dwight M. (Kip) Palmer, Vice Chair Mary G. Perna, Secretary E. John Reinhold Mary D. Richards David B. Rinker roberts.edu/higherlearning David T. Roller Deborah K. Schmidt ’79 Robert E. Smith Terry R. Taber, Chair Steven E. Von Berg Caryl L. Wenzke NES ’04 Daniel D. Wolfe Mary A. Worboys-Turner, Vice Chair Coralie B. Hoselton, Honorary TRUSTEE EMERITI David C. Hoselton Ruth E. Simpkins FRM O THE PRESIDENT HIGHER LEARNING HIGHER PRESIDENT’S CABINET The quote above comes from Dr. Wayne Clugston’s husband, Rick, commit themselves to living for David Basinger – Dean, School of Professional Studies Jack Connell – Executive Vice President comments at the dedication of the new Crothers Christ. To us, Jenn’s story is more than incredible James E. Cuthbert – Sr. VP, CFO and Treasurer Clock Tower. This fabulous new addition to athletic success; it is a perfect illustration of our Nelson W. Hill – VP for Academic and Student Support our campus is a tribute both to the outstanding goal to aim higher — to aim at Heaven — and to Ruth A. Logan – VP for Administration Stanley C. Pelkey – Dean, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences leadership of Dr. and Mrs. Bill and Rilla Crothers glorify God in all we do. Robert Zwier – Sr. VP and Provost and to the remarkable generosity of Dr. and Mrs. Our Athletic Department, as much as our PUBLISHER Wayne ‘61 and Linda ‘62 (Williams) Clugston. Donna McLaren ’99 – Assoc. VP of Brand and More deeply, the clock tower is a tribute to the Department of Religion and Philosophy, is Marketing Communications faithfulness of God whose “grace and redemptive committed to the College’s mission: to prepare EDITOR purposes” have been evident on this campus for thoughtful, spiritually mature, service-oriented Kathy Merz nearly 150 years. people who will help transform society. I am GRAPHIC DESIGNER thrilled that we can share in these pages some Jessica Scribani ’09 One dimension of our shared history is the of our athletic stories — where we’ve been, and important role that athletics have played at the ways we are growing — particularly the new WRITERS Holly Britton Jennings ’00 Roberts Wesleyan College. Athletic competition arenas for competition with the move to NCAA Donna McLaren ’99 has long been a valued part of our life together, Division II competition. Katie Redmond Marsha Bolton Rivers ’96, NES ’04 as we strive to develop well-rounded graduates. Tom Rivers ’96 Through disciplined practice, skill-building and Success in these areas is a lofty goal. Now, competition, we are trained and equipped to more than ever, our perseverance and training PHOTOGRAPHERS Laura Ann Photography live better, healthier lives. Like most colleges, are crucial. May we be inspired to keep aiming Richard Harrison Bailey (RHB) we prize excellence in all of our pursuits — higher, and inspire our students to do the same. Mary Flaherty ’90 Island Photography including athletics. And may all the glory go to the Lord of Heaven Craig Melvin and Earth. Photo Run C.S. Lewis wrote: Aim at heaven and you will get Stegall’s Photography Tom Rivers ’96 earth ‘thrown in.’ Aim at Earth and you get neither. On a personal note, Kathryn and I have informed Matt Wittmeyer Photography Athletics can become merely a way of glorifying the Board that we will be finishing our service at Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern A special note of thanks to all those who individuals and human prowess – aiming at submitted personal photographs. earth. What does it look like for an athlete to Seminary at the end of the 2013-14 school year. “aim at heaven?” At that time we will have completed a total of CORRECTIONS Summer 2012 issue of Roberts Today - eighteen years at the College, twelve of them in One of the highlights of this past summer and the Presidential Office. More will be said about The Table of Contents on Page 2 contained incorrect page fall was watching one of our alumni become a this in a future issue of Roberts Today. numbers. All the numbers were off by 10 digits. The online version has been updated. gold-medal Olympian. Jenn Suhr vaulted into air, and into athletic history, setting records and A photo and caption of William Hays was displayed on { JENN SUHR } Page 13 instead of Steven Hays. The content of the article is wowing fans around the world. She has become in reference to Steven. All parties have been notified and our most famous alumnus, accepting her victory online versions have been corrected. with grace, character and generosity. Jenn has A photo of Wesley Skinner Jr. was displayed on Page 24 instead publicly acknowledged her Christian faith and John A. Martin of Wesley Skinner Sr. The Skinner family has been notified. the Roberts community that helped her and her President CICU Winter 2013 3 20751_9_5x11_Ad_F.indd 1 1/17/13 4:35 PM 9.5”w x 11”h, 4C JENN SUHR ’04 18 2012 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST CROSS – COUNTRY INSPIRING DOUBLE 22 COACHES OF THE YEAR 28 TEAMMATES 29 EDUCATION 4 ROBE RTS Today IN THIS ISSUE HaPPY NEW YEAR With each New Year, many of us desire to reach higher by {FROM THE PRESIDENT} obtaining new personal goals. 3 Whatever that aspiration is, it ignites new hope, new vision and, in the end, courage to raise the bar. Many times a new goal comes {CAMPUS TODAY} at Roberts by way of reflection on the past 6 — we look back to who we were and where we were, then we ask, “Where do we want to go?” With new goals come discipline, focus {TWO ScHOOLS | TWO DEANS} and endurance. 10 This is certainly true for athletes. They test their limits and demonstrate perseverance. Even the best athletes overcome difficulties to achieve their dreams. Their lives inspire and motivate others, like two-time Olympic medalist Jenn Suhr ’04 (Page 18), who exemplifies what it 16 {CAMPUS TODAY} at Northeastern means to reach higher, and Charlie Canon (Page 28), who made endless strides against all odds. Whether it is international or right here at home, athletes have an impact that is beyond measure. At Roberts, we created a new opportunity to share the impact that our {GOLDEN GLORY} Jenn Suhr ’04 students and alumni are having in their communities and the world by 18 launching Roberts Today Online at Roberts.edu/RobertsToday. Watch for references in this issue to read and learn more by visiting us online, and please be sure to visit us there throughout the year. { REDHAWKS TODAY} at Roberts As we move forward into this new year, may each of us be inspired 22 by the stories enclosed — to reach new heights, stretch beyond our boundaries and be called to a higher purpose. 26 {P S ORTS HISTORY} at Roberts Kate Merz Editor 28 {PS ORTS AND FAITH} at Roberts Due to space limitations, the College reserves the right to edit {ALUMNI TODAY} at Roberts submissions for space and content. We will determine the most 32 appropriate media, print or online, to share your news. Please submit news items to [email protected] Winter 2013 5 { C A M P U S T O D A Y } at Roberts H ONORING THE HANDS TYLER PRATT OF OUR PAST, PRESENT EARNS LETTER OF AND FUTURE COMMENDATION Dedicated on September 29, the Crothers On Friday, November 9, Gates Police Clock Tower, in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Bill Chief David DiCaro and Lieutenant and Rilla Crothers, is our newest addition James Van Brederode stopped by to the Roberts Wesleyan College campus. campus to present Roberts Wesleyan The Crothers served together on our campus College student Tyler Pratt, of Bergen, during Bill’s presidency from 1981 to 2002.