Volume 15 Number 1 Winter 2003 profileThe Frostburg State University Magazine HOMEGROWN HERO Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Capt. James A. Graham, ’63 lee teter inside: Frostburg State or Frostbite Falls 14 What does Bullwinkle Moose™ have to do with FSU? Millions of TV viewers recently found out. See “Noted and Quoted.” ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ profile Vol. 15 No. 1 Winter 2003 TM Vice President for University Advancement Gary Horowitz Associate Vice President/ Director of Alumni Programs The Beall Papers Colleen Peterson The official documents of Editor 16 Ty DeMartino U.S. Senators J. Glenn Beall Contributing Writers Sr. and J. Glenn Beall, Jr. Liz Douglas Medcalf, staff writer have come “home” to Frostburg Sara Mullins, staff writer Chris Starke, Sports Information and are now part of the Beall Jack Aylor, FSU Foundation Archives in the FSU Ort Library. Becky Coleman, ClassNotes Kerri Burtner, Alumni/Parent Programs Leatrice Burphy, intern Graphic Design Colleen Stump, FSU Publications Ann Townsell, Homecoming scrapbook Photographers Ty DeMartino “Grounds” for Action Liz Douglas Medcalf An alumna “woke up and smelled Mark Simons 19 the coffee” when she paid back a 50-year-old “loan” to purchase a Profile is published for alumni, parents, friends, campus java urn. faculty and staff of Frostburg State University. Editorial offices are located in 228 Hitchins, FSU, 101 Braddock Road, Frostburg, MD 21532-1099. Office of University Advancement: 301/687-4161 Office of Alumni Programs: 301/687-4068 FAX: 301/687-4069 Frostburg State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity institution. Admission as well as all policies, programs and activities of the University are determined without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or handicap. And the Band “Rolled” On FSU is committed to making all of its programs, When Cyclophonica, a new art from services and activities accessible to persons with 18 Brazil combining music, physics and disabilities. You may request accommodations through the ADA Compliance Office, 301/687- On the cover: bicycles, made its U.S. debut on the 4102, TDD 301/687-7955. Reflections by Lee Teter, copyright Vietnam FSU campus this past fall, onlookers Frostburg State University is a constituent institu- tion of the University System of Maryland. Veterans of America, Chapter 172 experienced “music on the go.” ○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Where to turn ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 3 MAILBAG u Letter from Alumni Association President u Kudos to Profile u Clarification u Palace Theater memories u Call for Compton Hall recollections 5 VIEWPOINT uUSM Chancellor addresses budget 6 NEWS u University applicants rise u Ancient plant fossils A Hero’s Story u FSU receives $383,709 federal 20 Capt. James A. Graham (Class of ’63) valiantly gave grant u his life for his country in Vietnam and was awarded Sloop Institute the Congressional Medal of Honor. Those who knew u Center for Children and Families him remember the man who was a hard worker, a strict u Foundation/donor news solider and a friend until the very end. Plus: Alcohol awareness education, ribbon cuttings, remembering 9/11, faculty, staff and student honors ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 32 CLASSNOTES u Close-up: Don Fry (Class of ‘77) named president of the Greater Baltimore Committee u Close-up: On the Road with Tony McComas (Class of ‘98) of the Outdoors Channel u In memoriam u Alumni news and events 40 SPORTS Swamp Things u Two named to Hewlett Packard 29 A professor’s award-winning book on swamps All-America team has inspired an original composition from u Bobcat Hall of Fame recipients world-renowned Dance Alloy. u Fall recaps u Regent’s Cup 44 FINAL WORD u Homecoming 2002 scrapbook editorial ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ number of offices. We estimate ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ want to assure our readers that the that our state appropriations will University will manage the chal- Dear Friends, have fallen by about 12 percent lenge prudently, as we were able over the next 18 months, even as to do in 1991-1992, and that the we serve more students. education our students receive will We are pleased to present to demic reputation; major aca- One consequence of reductions continue to be among the finest you another edition of Profile, demic programs received national in state appropriations is inevita- available to them in the state. recently converted from newsletter ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ accreditation; and a number of bly an increase in tuition to help On a more positive note, I in- to magazine format. We have new programs were initiated, minimize the negative effects on vite you to read the good news in been gratified by the response to building upon our historic our academic programs. On Jan. this issue about many exciting this publication by our readers strengths as an institution. Now 23, the Board of Regents ap- things going on here. Our faculty and trust that you will find this we are faced with a challenge not ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ proved a 5 percent tuition increase continue to distinguish themselves issue to be as interesting as its pre- unlike the one we faced in 1990- for the current semester, and tu- and to win accolades not only decessors. Special thanks go to our 91. Let me put our situation into ition for next year is certain to regionally and nationally, but in- media relations and advancement some sort of perspective. ternationally; our students con- staffs for their superb work. During the current academic tinue to excel not only As you doubtless know, these year, a hiring freeze has been im- academically, but in their dedica- are difficult times for higher edu- posed, our budget has been re- tion and service to the commu- cation institutions, not only in duced by approximately 6 per- nity; our athletic program Maryland, but in most states. Fol- cent to date, and another reduc- continues to reflect the philoso- lowing the recession of the early tion of significant magnitude is phy of Division III schools, that 1990’s, when state appropriations imminent. In a recent article in our athletes are student-athletes; for public institutions in the state the Washington Post, Steve Hill, and our alumni continue to bring fell by approximately 20 percent, director of the non-partisan honor to their alma mater. Enjoy a slow but steady recovery took Maryland Budget and Tax Policy the articles, and trust that there place, especially during the years Institute, points out that per- Dr. Catherine Gira will be much more good news to 1993-2002. Major investments student support in Maryland’s share in the months and years were made in capital building public higher education institu- rise. The exact amount will be ahead. projects, including, at Frostburg, tions is “more than 20 percent determined in large measure by the extensive renovation of lower today that it was in 1990.” the budget passed by the General Sincerely, Gunter Hall, which reopened last Budgets grew during the rebuild- Assembly in March or April. We fall, and the construction of the ing years, but so did student en- will make every effort to secure new $33 million Compton Sci- rollments. In fact, Maryland financial aid for our most needy Catherine R. Gira ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ence Center, which will open this continues to see dramatic in- qualified students. President spring. During this same period, creases in the numbers of students Despite the sobering fiscal situ- enrollments grew, even as admis- graduating from high school and ation in which we find ourselves, I sion standards were raised consid- seeking admission to our institu- erably; faculty grew in both tions. Similarly, applications from ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ numbers and aca- transfer students continue to rise. Our challenge, then, is to maintain the level of excellence we have achieved during the past We’d love to hear from you... decade, even as we serve a grow- Please direct letters to: ing student population. The hir- Editor, Profile ing freeze, which next year will Frostburg State University result in 22 lost positions, im- 101 Braddock Road pacts support areas essential to Frostburg, MD 21532-1099 maintaining that excellence: posi- Or you can email us at: [email protected] tions in the library, the counsel- ing office, financial aid, the Be sure to include your address and graduation year! health center, housekeeping ser- vices and clerical support in a write us 2/PROFILE mailbag Keep Em Coming! ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Feast (“Crab Feast at Thomas Farm”) ...My congratulations and just made me smile! He captured the gratitude to the writers and editors essence of just how wondrous, of Profile magazine. The recent issue special, joy-filled and important From the President of the FSU Alumni Association… was packed with articles that were (and both irreverent and sacred) are very interesting and quite the friendships that were forged by Dear Alumni and Friends, informative. I really enjoyed reading our Frostburg experience. All one Believe it or not it is now 2003! I trust this letter finds each of you in it and discussing it with other has to do is look around during that good spirits and anticipating a prosperous new year. As president of the alumni. Keep ’em coming! annual magical summer weekend Frostburg State University Alumni Association, I have been invited to Bob Grimm and you can just feel the love, care, contribute to this publication and consider it a privilege to do so. Profile Class of ‘66 compassion, teasing and the joy. We is the primary communication link between the University and its Millersville, Md. are so blessed. And it all began in alumni and friends and I would like to personally acknowledge the staff that far away mountain State for so successfully introducing its new look and format. This is truly a ..I wanted you to know how College —just up the road from much I enjoy Profile magazine and quality publication and a reflection of a quality institution.