President Dr. Kendra Boggess Vice President for Advancement Alicia Besenyei
Concord University Office of Advancement PO Box 1000 Athens, WV 24712 1-304-384-6311 Fax: 1-304-384-6017 advancement@concord.edu www.concord.edu
Chair, Concord University Foundation, Inc. Randy Price '85 Graphic Designer, Sr. Foster Sheppard '14 Staff Writer Sarah P. Dalton Director of Communications Amy Pitzer
The Concord University Magazine is published by the Concord University Advancement Office. A portion of the cost is underwritten by the Concord University Foundation, Inc. ADDRESS CHANGES Please contact Amy Pitzer at 304-384-5211 or pitzer@concord.edu
ON THE COVER: Ellie Thomas cheers on the Mountain Lions at Homecoming. INSIDE COVER: CU’s Homecoming football game packs Callaghan Stadium.
Features
In Every Issue
38 Freshman Convocation 40 Towers Grand Reopening 44 Homecoming 52 Town Social 56 Hall of Fame 66 In Memory
5 16 18 21 22 26 30 33 36 61 64 70 71
University News Beckley Update Beyond the Classroom Scholarship Spotlight Donor Spotlight Staying Connected Legacy Family Alumni Entrepreneur Heritage & Horizon CU Athletics Alumni Happenings Alumni Spotlight Class Notes
W
elcome to the Fall 2017 edition of the Concord University Magazine. As you enjoy this issue, I hope you will be reminded of pleasant and memorable times on campus, as a student, a staff member, a venerated member of our faculty or as an alumni. With so many successful events happening already this semester, I hope these pages can trigger sweet memories of times you shared on campus building relationships with new and interesting people while developing the knowledge and skills you would need after graduation. At the beginning of each academic year, our faculty assembles for institutional updates and it was my honor to address the group again this year sharing a theme of strength. I wanted to share with you, what I feel are just a few examples of Concord’s unwavering and sustained strength. Our strength is built upon the commitment that each faculty and staff member exhibits daily to ensure our ability to meet the challenges we face. It is critical to remember today that Concord has always been, and remains, a well-respected, high quality, regional public university, serving the needs of students from southern West Virginia, surrounding states, and many international locations. I tell those with whom I meet regularly that Concord is the bright jewel in southern West Virginia that educates, inspires, and welcomes diverse groups of faculty, staff, and students to serve the region while enhancing its culture. I hope that in reading this issue of Concord University Magazine, you will recognize those strengths, because we have so much to celebrate. In the past 4 years, Concord University Foundation’s net assets have grown by over $4 million, the Office of Sponsored Programs has over $7 million in active funding, versus $5 million four years ago and operating expenses have been reduced by $1.5 million between 2013 and 2016. While difficult, it was accomplished with the least possible impact on students, faculty and staff. The strength of this University is in its people and their resolve to find solutions to the challenges we face. We thank our facilities staff for the strength, enthusiasm, and the resolve they showed in seeing the Towers renovation project to completion, signifying the first major renovations and upgrades to the Towers since they opened in 1969. A new faculty member and several dedicated staff members spent much of the summer going above and beyond the call of duty acquiring some “used” studio sets and lights for an uprade of Concord’s Student News Set. Faculty and staff members like these exhibit the strength of this institution in working together to serve students. Concord was able to take advantage of The Boy Scouts service projects and they painted our entire stadium this summer. But to tell you the truth, none of it would have happened without the maintenance staff taking on the extra responsibility in a time when we are short on help. We continue to work with all our colleagues, alumni, Board members, legislators and students to guide the University to continued success as we seek to provide our region with high quality educations that will lead students to successful careers and lives upon graduation, This also demonstrates our strength as a change agent for the lives of all those who attend this institution. And finally, one of Concord’s greatest strengths is our alumni. We encourage you to continue to support Concord University via donations to our Foundation, through volunteerism, or just by simply attending events, sports and fundraisers. With your continued participation, Concord will remain a great strength in southern West Virginia.
Dr. Kendra Boggess, President 4 • Fall 2017
CONCORD UNIVERSITY WELCOMES NEW FULL-TIME FACULTY Concord University welcomed eight new full-time faculty members for the Fall 2017 semester.
In order from left to right, starting at the top row:
Dr. Marwa K. Abdel Latif comes to Concord from Blacksburg, Va. and has been named Assistant Professor of Chemistry. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Randolph College and a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech. Dr. Michael R. Bean, Jr. joins the faculty as Assistant Professor of Education. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Hampton University; a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University; and a Ph.D. from Capella University. He comes to Concord from Bedford, Ohio.
Dr. Darrick L. Brake has been named an Instructor in Sociology. Brake earned a bachelor’s degree from Adrian College; a master’s degree from Central Michigan University; and a Ph.D. from Western Michigan University. He comes here from Kalamazoo, Mich.
Ms. Courtney B. Ross joins Concord’s faculty as an Instructor in Sociology. She holds a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University and a master’s degree from Virginia Tech. She comes here from Wytheville, Va. Dr. Nina P. Slota comes to Concord from Aberdeen, S.D. and has been named an Assistant Professor of Psychology. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware and a Ph.D. from Graduate Center, City University of New York.
Ms. Shelly R. Stump is joining Concord’s faculty as Assistant Professor of Accounting. She earned a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree from Concord University and an M.P.A. from West Virginia University. She hails from Coal City, W.Va. Dr. John A. Swiger is Visiting Professor of Finance. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He comes here from San Antonio, Texas and has taught adjunct for Concord.
Dr. Alec T. Wagner joins Concord’s faculty as Assistant Professor of Chemistry. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech. He comes here from Salem, Va. Fall 2017 • 5
UNIVERSITY NEWS
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Ms. Brittany Keys Anderson '10
Mr. David A. Barnette '74 Chair
Dr. Sally J. Howard Faculty Representative
Mr. Richard Jarrell '84 Secretary
Dr. Brad M. Lane '02
Mr. Doug Maddy '69
Mr. William H. McKee Jr. '70 Vice Chair
Mr. Doug Moore '92 Classified Staff Representative
ORIGIN & MISSION
The Board of Governors was established in response to legislation by the State of West Virginia. In 2000 an interim Board of Governors was Mr. Brace Mullett '98 Mrs. M. Susan Rogers Ms. Catherina Santos in place. Effective July Student Representative 1, 2001, an institutional Board of Governors was established at Concord University as required by SB plan; demonstrating how the master plan will be used; developing goals and missions; and other items as (Senate Bill) 653 and SB 703. In general, the intent of SB 653 and SB 703 is to directed by the legislation. diversify and expand the economy of the state, increase According to West Virginia State Code, the Board the competitiveness of the state’s workforce and the of Governors is comprised of 12 people including availability of professional expertise by increasing the nine members appointed by the governor, a full-time number of college degrees produced to the level of the member of the faculty, a member of the student body national average and significantly improve the level of and a member of Concord’s classified employees. adult functional literacy. The Board of Governors’ powers and duties generally include: determining, For more information about the Board of Governors, visit controlling, supervising and managing the www.concord.edu/about-concord/boardofgovernors financial, business and education policies and affairs of Concord; developing a master 6 • Fall 2017
UNIVERSITY NEWS
BIO SNAPSHOTS Ms. Brittany Keys Anderson is the Principal of Whitethorn Elementary School in Bluefield, W.Va. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Concord in 2010 and a master’s degree from CU in 2012. She also holds an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University and is pursuing a doctorate degree. During the 20132014 school year, she was named Teacher of the Year at Memorial Primary and in 2015, she received the Exemplary Educator Award from RESA I. She lives in Athens.
Mr. David A. Barnette is Chair of the Board of Governors. A resident of Charleston, W.Va., he is an attorney with Jackson Kelly PLLC. A 1974 graduate of Concord, Mr. Barnette is former Chair, Vice Chair and board member of the Concord University Foundation. He received a master’s degree from Marshall University and a J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law. The West Virginia Bar Association presented him with a Certificate of Merit. He is on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Broadcasters Educational Foundation. Dr. Sally J. Howard serves as the Faculty Representative to the Board of Governors. She has been at Concord since 2003 and is a Professor of Political Science. She serves as faculty sponsor for student organizations and supervises the Minor in International Studies. She received her bachelor’s degree from The University of Houston, her master’s degree from Rice University and her Ph.D. from The University of Houston. She is a resident of Athens where she previously served as a member of the Athens Town Council. Mr. Richard Jarrell is serving the Board of Governors as Secretary. He is a 1984 graduate of Concord. Mr. Jarrell is the Owner/Operator of Chick-Fil-A in Beckley, W.Va. He joined Chick-fil-A in 1999 as an Owner Operator of the Chick-fil-A in Chantilly, Va. His recognitions include Best of Chantilly/Centreville
by Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce; Outstanding Mid-size Business for 2003 by Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce; and 2004 Chairman’s Award – Mount Vernon Lee Enterprises. He and his wife, Beth, have one daughter.
Dr. Bradley M. Lane is an optometrist and is an owner of Appalachian Eye Care and New River Eye Care. He earned bachelor’s degrees from Concord in 2002 and 2003 and a B.S. in Optics followed by a Doctorate of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. In 2016, he earned an MBA. A resident of Princeton, W.Va., Dr. Lane received the West Virginia Association of Optometric Physicians Young Optometrist of the Year award for 2013. He is a lifetime member of the CU Alumni Association and serves the Concord University Foundation as secretary. Mr. Doug Maddy is President/CEO of Visit Southern West Virginia. He lives in Fayette County, West Virginia. Mr. Maddy received a bachelor’s degree from Concord in 1969 and earned a master’s degree from Marshall University. He is a member of The West Virginia Society of Association Executives; the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce; the Fayette County Planning and Zoning Commission; the South Eastern Travel Association; and the West Virginia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. He and his wife, Billie Jo, have two sons. Mr. William H. McKee Jr. is Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors and a 1970 graduate of Concord. He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Concord University Foundation, and has a scholarship fund in his name in the Foundation. He lives in Charleston with his wife, Martha, and they have three children and five grandchildren. He is a Certified Financial Planner and CPA, and is a member with Arnett Carbis Toothman Wealth Advisors, LLC, and serves a consultant to the US District Court in Charleston, W.Va. Mr. Doug Moore is the Classified Staff Representative on the Board of Governors. A native of Mingo County, West Virginia, he serves as
the Information Systems Specialist – Librarian of the J. Frank Marsh Library. As a first generation college student, Mr. Moore earned a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Concord in 1992. Now entering his 21st year of employment at the University, he lives in Athens with his wife Debra, also a 1992 Concord graduate. His outside interests include photography, films and reading.
Mr. Brace Mullett is General Counsel and Senior Vice President of City National Bank and City Holding Company. A resident of Charleston, W.Va., he received a bachelor’s degree from Concord in 1998 and a J.D. from Washington & Lee University. Mr. Mullett is a Lifetime Member of Concord’s Alumni Association and is a recipient of the Young Alumnus Award. Among his many areas of civic involvement is membership in the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Legal Aid of West Virginia. Mrs. M. Susan Rogers is a resident of Hinton, W.Va. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a specialization in early childhood from West Liberty University. Her career as an educator has included being a classroom teacher in Elkins, W.Va. and in Wheeling, W.Va. She serves on Concord’s Strategic Planning Committee and participates in many campus activities and events. Active in educational groups as a teacher, Mrs. Rogers is currently involved in a number of community and civic organizations.
Ms. Catherina (Medaglia Goncalves dos) Santos is the Student Government Association representative on the Board of Governors. She is an international student from Brazil and is majoring in Political Science and Sociology. Her campus activities include serving as president of the International Students Club and vice president of P.A.D. Pre-Law. A senior, she is also a Bonners Scholar and is a resident assistant in the North Tower residence hall. Following graduation from Concord, she is planning to pursue a master’s degree in public policy. Fall 2017 • 7
UNIVERSITY NEWS
CALENDAR FEBRUARY 2, 2018 Groundhog Day Breakfast 8am FEBRUARY 23, 2018 U.S. Senator Joe Manchin Job & Resource Fair Erma Byrd Higher Education Center 11am – 2pm FEBRUARY 28, 2018 Founders’ Day Celebration Alexander Fine Arts, Main Theatre MARCH 3, 2018 Presidents’ Ball Beasley Student Center, Ballroom 7pm MARCH 30, 2018 Vietnam Veteran’s Recognition Day APRIL 19, 2018 Donor Appreciation Dinner University Point 6pm APRIL 24, 2018 The Carl S. Azzara Memorial Colloquium Wilkes Family Chapel, University Point 6pm APRIL 26, 2018 Concord University Foundation Roanoke Dinner The Shenandoah Club Roanoke, VA 6pm MAY 4, 2018 Award Winning Night with the CUAA
8 • Fall 2017
Blake Farmer Named Manager of University Advancement Blake Farmer has joined the staff of the Concord University Office of Advancement as Manager of University Advancement. In this position, he will be involved with institutional advancement and development programs including fundraising, planned giving, and identifying potential funding sources for projects at the institution. He will also assist in planning socials, special events and fundraisers for the Concord University Foundation. Blake received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a concentration in Marketing from Concord in 2017. He is a resident of Princeton, W.Va. While he was a student, Blake was involved in the Bonner Scholars Program, and served as President of the Rotaract Club and Chair of Community Service for Blue Key National Honor Society. He was a student recipient of the Presidential Excellence Award in 2017. “I’m very grateful to have been provided the opportunity to return to Concord University as an employee, working at an institution I have so much passion for with an excellent group of coworkers,” Blake said. “Concord has contributed greatly to my growth as an individual and I’m glad to give back to a place that has given so much to me,” he said. “I’m looking forward to serving Concord University and our area here in southern West Virginia.”
Max Sopher Named Interim Director of Alumni and Donor Relations
Max Sopher has been named the Interim Director of Alumni and Donor Relations in the Concord University Office of Advancement. In the position he will be responsible for planning and executing the campaign for annual gift support from all of the University’s constituents, including alumni. Also included among his duties is organizing special alumni activities and working with homecoming and reunion events. Sopher received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Arts degree from Concord in 2003 and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University in 2008. He brings a varied background to the position with experience in television, marketing, nonprofits and higher education. Most recently, he served as Grants and Contracts Assistant with the Concord University Research & Development Corporation. “My previous role on campus gave me the opportunity to be a benefit to Concord on a daily basis, but I believe that this new role offers me a unique opportunity to further my impact on the institution that I love,” he said.
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Fall 2017 • 9
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Concord Observes Patriot Day with Special Ceremony Concord University observed Patriot Day with a 9/11 remembrance ceremony on the morning of Sept. 11, 2017. The outdoor event was held on the lawn in front of Marsh Hall. Concord’s Student Veterans Association hosted the ceremony
with special assistance from the PikeView High School JROTC. Members of the Concord community attended along with guests from the community. The brief yet moving program featured remarks by Concord
Veterans Advocate Steven Kennedy. The JROTC presented the colors. Lieutenant Colonel Katie Mullins, a member of the JROTC, sang the national anthem. Concord University sophomore Victoria Schaefer played “Taps”.
Screening of WVPB Documentary Vietnam: West Virginians Remember Held at Concord
Concord University hosted a community screening of the West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) documentary Vietnam: West Virginians Remember on Sept. 15, 2017. The film was shown in the Main Theatre of the Fine Arts Center with members of the Concord community and general public in attendance. The one-hour documentary, written and produced by award winning WVPB Executive Producer Suzanne Higgins, features the experiences of five West Virginia combat servicemen. Per capita, more West Virginians served and more West Virginians died in Vietnam than from any other state. Vietnam: West Virginians Remember profiles the five veterans approximately 50 years after their service, examining their lives before the war, chronicling their experiences of combat, and allowing these men to reflect on the impact of those experiences on the rest of their lives – and the lives of their loved ones. WVPB was inspired to produce Vietnam: West Virginians Remember as a companion film to The Vietnam War, a Ken Burns’ Public Broadcasting Service series, Scott Finn, executive director of WVPB said. Vietnam: West Virginians Remember premiered on WVPB in September. 10 • Fall 2017
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Purple Heart Recipients Honored with Reserved Parking Recipients of a Purple Heart now have a special reserved parking space just for them at Concord University. The Concord University Veterans Association announces that the parking space will be permanently reserved for veterans who have received a Purple Heart. Concord University will join a small list of only 50 universities that offer this type of parking for veterans. This is one of the advancements Concord University is making to ensure a welcoming atmosphere for veterans. The reserved parking spot is located in the Callaghan Stadium parking lot, near the front entrance to the stadium. It is painted purple and marked with a sign. “I think that having a Purple Heart parking spot is very significant,” Concord University Veterans Advocate Steven
Kennedy said. “When you have a veteran who has sacrificed a part of their life and earned this prestigious award and then they come to Concord as a student or for an event and they see this parking spot, it will really make them feel appreciated.” “This sends a positive message to veterans, community members, and all people who come to Concord that we honor our veterans, and even in the summer months when visitors are here using our
recreation facilities, it shows we care about veterans,” stated Rick Dillon, Vice President of Administration & Associate Dean of Students. For additional information contact Steven Kennedy at kennedys24@mycu.concord. edu or 304-384-6300. To learn more about programming for veterans at Concord University visit www.concord.edu/ veterans/
Photographer Melvin Grubb Presents Program
Award-winning photographer Melvin Grubb visited Concord University on Oct. 17, 2017 with an exhibit of his photographs taken while he was serving in the United States Army during World War II. Grubb, a native of Bluefield, W.Va., also shared stories from his time in the military. He was drafted as an 18-year-old and served in the Pacific. The Concord University Student Veterans Association hosted Grubb’s visit to Concord. The program was held in the Marsh Library. Fall 2017 • 11
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Concord Students, Alums Assist with Summer Camp Concord University was well represented at the Royal Family Kids Camp of Princeton West Virginia this past summer. Fifteen CU students, along with several alums, served as counselors for the camp which was held July 1621, 2017. Thirty-one counselors and 36 staff members volunteered their week to serve at the camp. Each counselor had one or two children, ages ranging from 6-12 years old, who have been involved in the foster care system, abused, neglected, or at risk. The camp served 54 children this year from
the southern West Virginia counties of Mercer, McDowell, Greenbrier, Monroe, Summers and Lincoln. This was the 10th year of having the camp. The week was filled with a lot of fishing, swimming, arts and crafts, woodworking, recreational play and many other activities. Special events included water day, a Tea Party with special guest Miss West Virginia USA, a Royal Celebration Birthday Party where each child’s birthday was celebrated, outdoor movie nights, and a Glow Party.
Boy Scouts Paint Bleachers at Callaghan Stadium The bleachers at Callaghan Stadium received a facelift this summer thanks to the efforts of a group of Boy Scouts. The Scouts volunteering to paint the home side bleachers at the stadium were participating in the 2017 Arrow to the Summit Community Service Initiative in conjunction with the National Scout Jamboree held July 19-28 at the Summit Bechtel Reserve located in Glen Jean, W.Va. Their projects were identified and coordinated by the Citizens Conservation Corps. For several days different groups of Scouts were on campus working on the bleachers. Arizona and Minnesota were among the states represented by the volunteers. “One of the things we pride ourselves on is making our facilities look the best they can possibly look,” Kevin Garrett, Concord athletic director, said. “This will go a long way in 12 • Fall 2017
helping us meet this goal.” Garrett said painting the bleachers at Callaghan Stadium was “quite the undertaking” and he and the University are very appreciative for the work done by the Boy Scouts.
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Chess Club Part of Concord Activities in Beckley
Did you know that Concord is part of a chess club that meets at the Erma Byrd Center in Beckley? CU Instructor in History Keith Lilly explains how the Concord University Chess Club has expanded to include members of a Beckley based club to form the Concord University Beckley Chess Club. “Earlier this year, we joined forces with the Beckley Chess Club, which formerly met at the Raleigh County Public Library,” he said. The Concord University Beckley Chess Club meets at the Erma Byrd Center on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. During the upcoming spring semester, the club will meet on Thursdays. Lilly invites Concord students, faculty, staff and alumni to participate in club activities and play chess at the Erma Byrd Center. For individuals new to the game, Lilly says members will be glad to teach them how to play.
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“If you already know how to play, this is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the king of games,” he said. “Our members from the Beckley Chess Club are experienced tournament players and have so far been excellent mentors to some of our students. As a result, anyone wanting to learn more about openings, strategy, tactics and end game
concepts has that chance.” “The club now has affiliation status with the United States Chess Federation, which gives us the right to hold rated tournaments,” Lilly continued. “My hope is to get incoming students interested in rated chess.” “Some of us have participated in rated USCF tournaments through the West Virginia Chess Association. Members of our club have also visited the Charleston Chess Club,” he said. “A few of us participated in the WV Action Chess Championship on June 10, which was both a USCF and WV Chess Association event.” Participating in other tournaments and championships was also on the agenda for club members during the summer and fall along with a tournament sponsored by the club in the fall. For additional information contact Keith Lilly at rklilly@concord.edu or at (304) 384-5615.
We appreciate the photographs you share with us for possible inclusion in Concord’s magazine. To help us provide quality reproduction of photographs, we are offering the following guidelines for your information. Photographs need to be at least 300 dpi. Image file size needs to be at least 1mb per photo. Photos should be in jpeg format and taken with a camera and not a cellphone. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Advancement at advancement@concord.edu or 304-384-5258. Thank you!
Fall 2017 • 13
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Concordians Visit South Korea, Japan During Summer
The Manzos and CU students Alysan Miller and James Kemp visit with members of the Japan Alumni Chapter.
Concord students Alysan Miller and James Kemp spent 13 days in South Korea at Kangwon National University (KNU) and three days in Tokyo, Japan in June and July. Miller and Kemp joined other students from across the globe for the 13-day program. They attended daily classes on language, geography, economics, and politics. In addition, they spent an afternoon cooking Korean food, making pottery, and taking Tae Kwon Do lessons. Field trips to a temple for an
Moore Exhibits in Show for Veterans Mark Moore, an adjunct art instructor at Concord’s Beckley campus, had his work included in a national exhibition for veteran artists in October. Moore’s “Recycled in West Virginia: Relieve the Watch” was displayed at the 2017 Veterans Artist Exhibition during San Francisco Fleet Week. The exhibit was part of events scheduled by the San Francisco Fleet Week Association and was under the guidance of the Academy of Art University. The gallery of the Cannery, Fisherman’s Wharf served as the venue for the show. Moore is a Vietnam-era veteran of the U. S. Navy, having served 10 years of active duty. He retired from teaching full-time for Concord in May.
14 • Fall 2017
overnight stay, and the city of Seoul, were highlights. At the conclusion of this program, they traveled to Tokyo to join Professor and Mrs. Joseph Manzo, who were there to visit the Japanese College of Foreign Language (JCFL) and meet with members of the Japan Alumni Chapter. Current CU student, Aiki Kato, who was home in Japan for the summer, accompanied the Manzos to JCFL. Both Mr. Kato and Dr. Manzo made presentations about Concord to approximately 30 students. Aiki, an alumnus of JCFL, shared his experiences at Concord, which seemed to please and interest the group. Dr. Manzo presented a PowerPoint about the University. Hibiki Itagaki, a JCFL graduate, was one of the valedictorians of Concord’s May 2017 graduating class. A video of his address to the graduates had been previously sent to JCFL. Miller and Kemp toured Tokyo and visited the world’s largest fish market. Along with Dr. and Mrs. Manzo, they participated in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, and met with members of the Japan Alumni Chapter for a traditional Japanese dinner. Asked if they’d recommend the experience to other Concord students, both enthusiastically said yes.
Roar went to the Wohlfahrt Dinner Theatre in Wytheville, Va. July 21st to see the "Million Dollar Quartet" with Lynnis Hill and her husband Frank.
Concordians vacationing together in North Myrtle Beach, SC this winter. Shown from left to right, Bill Staples, Eva Gallione, Bob Gallione, Sue Staples, Ann Gebbia and Sal Gebbia. Dr. Joe Manzo and Jay White at Tunnel #3 at the DMZ, South Korea.
TAKE ROAR WITH YOU! Douglas Fowler '66 with Roar at Havana, Cuba harbor (left) Chuck Smith '66 with Roar at Colon Cemetery in Havana, Cuba (right)
Show us where you’ve taken Roar! Find your cut out of Roar on page 79 of this magazine.
Fall 2017 • 15
UNIVERSITY NEWS
BECKLEY UPDATE Criminology Students Participate in Conference, Community Activities Criminology Instructor Lori Pace and her students have participated in several activities this fall. Ms. Pace and 17 students attended the Handle With Care Conference in Charleston, W.Va. Sept. 27-29. The goal of this conference was to provide practical instruction, using current information, the newest ideas, and most successful intervention strategies to those professionals responsible for combating the many and varied forms of crimes against children. The conference was conducted for the sole purpose of providing training to people who work in the multi-disciplinary field of child maltreatment. This includes governmental or non-profit agencies in the fields of law enforcement, prosecution, 16 • Fall 2017
Students who attended the second day of the conference are, left to right, Carnella Davis, Tiffany Dillon, Ashley Calvert, Steffeny Hylton, Anastasia Garner, Instructor Lori Pace, and Hannah White.
child protective services, social work, children’s advocacy, therapy, and medicine who work directly with child victims of crime. The students attended keynote and breakout sessions on topics ranging from Trauma Informed Care to Empathic Verbal Skills for Deescalating Youth in Crisis. Andrea Darr, the Director of the Center for Children’s Justice and sponsor of the student’s
conference fees, presented the “Handle With Care” model to Ms. Pace’s class and members of the community on Oct. 17. Ms. Pace’s students also hung purple ribbons in downtown Beckley on Oct. 1 for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and sponsored a Chili Night booth for the Women’s Resource Center.
Erma Byrd Center
Holds 10th Anniversary Celebration
Dr. Peter Viscusi participates in the time capsule ceremony. (right) Dr. Susan Williams speaks at the 10-year celebration.
The Erma Byrd Higher Education Center in Beaver, W.Va. marked the tenth anniversary of its opening with a celebration on Friday, Aug. 4. Concord is one of the institutions offering classes at the collaborative campus. “Ten years ago, the Erma Byrd Higher Education Center launched with the groundbreaking goal of uniting the colleges and universities serving southern West Virginia in order to increase efficiency and better meet the needs of our communities,” Dr. Paul L. Hill, Chancellor of the Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC), said. “Today, the Center stands as the cornerstone to a vibrant campus featuring multiple facilities and offering classes to more than 1,000 students. The Center has become a hub to fuel innovation, promote economic development and expand access to higher education opportunities throughout the region.”
Beckley is on Facebook!
Government officials, students, college and university representatives, faculty and staff, and community members were among those in attendance at the celebration. Dr. Susan Williams, Beckley Director for Concord, offered remarks on behalf of the CU. Students attending the celebration were eligible to apply for one of 30 $1000 scholarships. Concord offered 10 of these scholarships and the winners were announced during a gathering at the Erma Byrd Center on Friday, Aug. 11. That same day a time capsule was buried that contained notes and memories from faculty, staff and students. Attendees at the Aug. 4 event were invited to submit items for the time capsule. Plans call for it to be opened in ten years on the Center’s 20th anniversary. Dr. Peter Viscusi, provost and vice president for academic affairs, represented Concord at the event.
Keep up with events, campus activities, volunteer opportunities and lots more at the Erma Byrd Higher Education Center. Facebook - Concord Beckley Student Services Facebook - Concord Beckley Office Fall 2017 • 17
BEYOND
By WILLIAM BAILEY Manager of Radio and TV Services
18 • Fall 2017
the classro
D
oom:
Communication Equipment Gets a Facelift here has never been a better time to study Communication Arts at Concord University. The program has grown over the years to include a new FCC regulated FM radio station, WVCU-LP, and a modern television station, Mountain Lion News. WVCU transmits on 97.7 FM while MLN can be seen on WVPublic at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays. This year Mountain Lion News, formerly WMLT, has added many new features and upgrades. To start with, the news set has been completely reconfigured to accommodate a new weather center and weather wall. The new weather center is to be utilized by students enrolled in Concord’s new Broadcast Meteorology emphasis. The industry standard MAX Weather System has been installed offering live, up to the minute, satellite and radar weather data. Students will now work with the same weather system found in many news stations across the country. Funding for the MAX Weather System was generously provided by the Concord University Foundation. The TV studio also underwent a complete makeover, adding a more contemporary on-air look. Upgrades include a new stone background with a mounted 60” flat panel monitor. Another flat panel monitor was added to the front of the news desk, as well as, a hanging studio monitor for production crew use. The desk and background were also outlined with LED lighting providing many different color options. In addition, over 1000 feet of new audio and video cable was installed providing new feeds for cameras, in-ear monitoring and microphones. Thanks to a generous donation from Suddenlink Cable, the cameras are now supported by gas filled pedestals and all of the old incandescent lighting instruments were replaced by new, more efficient, fluorescent lighting instruments. The new studio lighting operates much cooler and uses about 80 percent less energy. Fall 2017 • 19
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Concord’s television studio is also of work by Alvin White, Robert Hoffman and benefitting from the generosity of WVVA-TV. myself, but we want to give the students the Mountain Lion News received nine fluorescent best educational experience and we are very light fixtures from WVVA. proud of the new updates. The area is not only Next, the MLN control room was rearranged aesthetically pleasing, but the workflow will be for a more efficient work flow. The director’s much more ergonomic and efficient as well.” console was updated adding a wireless White is a media specialist with Concord’s microphone and wireless in-ear monitoring for Technology Services. Hoffman is an assistant the weather person. A larger flat panel monitor professor of Communication Arts. was mounted on the wall used for directing WVCU-LP 97.7 Athens is the newest radio the newscast, and a new producer station was station to hit the airwaves in southern West installed. Virginia. Concord University was granted a Finally, the supporting computer lab was low-power FM License May 11, 2015. WVCU also updated with the latest Adobe Creative broadcasts 24 hours a day seven days a software, Apple’s Final week and serves the Concord Cut Pro editing software community and surrounding and operating system. In areas. WVCU provides alerts addition, a soundproof and information in the event voice-over booth was also of an emergency, as well as, installed. a diverse yet fresh blend of William Bailey, Manager music, news, public affairs, of Radio and TV Services, and sports. Content can be We want to give the remarked, “It was a lot created by students, faculty, students the best staff, and community members. educational experience WVCU is administered by and we are very proud of Concord University’s Board of Governors and Technology the new updates. Services Department. WVCU is programmed and operated by Concord students and faculty of the Communication Arts Department. Being a member of the WVCU team provides invaluable experience for students and volunteers alike with a chance to work in a professional radio station environment. The experience also provides an introduction to the non-profit sector. Students can become a part of the WVCU team by signing up for relevant Communication Arts courses, or by joining the WVCU “Mt. Lion Radio” Club, a Concord based student organization. Faculty, staff and community members are welcome to sign up for a mentorship in order to become a volunteer. Volunteers may provide content as a live DJ, and/or show producer as well assist with music maintenance and more. Jessica Lilly, an adjunct instructor in Concord’s Department of Communication Arts, is the radio station’s faculty advisor. Students gain valuable experience in the updated television studio.
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SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT
CU Gap Fund Dedicated to Student Retention & Success A new fund established at Concord University is dedicated to providing small grants to undergraduate Concord students who have high unmet financial need or who find themselves in a financial situation that may lead to their dropping out of college. The Concord University Gap Fund has been created to help these students stay in school. The funds are housed in the Concord University Foundation and will be disbursed directly to students within five days of the receipt of a short application (if determined to be eligible and with relevant, allowable expenses). “A number of colleges and universities around the country are beginning to create such funds for students as college tuitions continue to rise,” said Dr. Sarah Beasley, Director of Retention. “Many of our students work one or more jobs just to make ends meet, so even a small, unexpected expense such as a car repair or a medical bill can be detrimental to their staying in school,” Dr. Beasley said. One national report on these new emergency/mini grant funds explains that the rising cost of a college education “often leaves students strapped for cash and without the financial resources necessary to succeed in school and cover their basic needs, such as housing and food. These students are living on the edge, and a financial emergency can derail their dreams of obtaining college degrees. The contemporary financial aid system may not be nimble enough to respond to the nature or urgency of a student’s financial emergency.” Concord staff, administrators and faculty are joining
the effort to support CU students by contributing to the Gap Fund. Work being done by the campus community includes assistance from the Classified Staff Council with fundraising projects. A silent auction and parking space raffle to benefit the Gap Fund were held during the employee picnic in June and the University’s Compassion Committee sold CU themed T-shirts with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the fund. Dr. Beasley appreciates the support of members of the campus community and their donations to the Gap Fund saying that these efforts “express to our students that we care and are committed to their success.” Alumni, donors and friends of Concord are also invited to contribute to this special way of helping CU students stay in school and complete their degrees. Dr. Beasley said that donations from these constituent groups are important and she thanks those who have already offered their support. To support the CU Gap Fund, make your donation to the Concord University Foundation, Inc. and write Gap Fund on the memo line of the check. Checks may be dropped off at the Office of Advancement in University Point on the Athens campus or mailed to Office of Advancement, Concord University, P.O. Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712-1000. Donations may also be made online at http://www.concord.edu/cufoundation/fhfo (please select CU Gap Fund from the drop-down box).
For additional information about the CU Gap Fund, please contact Dr. Sarah Beasley at sbeasley@concord.edu or 304-384-6298.
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Carl Azzara, band director, with the Marion High School Band.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT Carl Azzara '54 Remembered with Music Colloquium Endowment Concord alumnus’ legacy as a musician and an educator is being honored through a new fund held by the Concord University Foundation, Inc. The Carl S. Azzara Music Colloquium Endowment is dedicated to the memory of Carl Azzara ’54 for his lifelong passion and dedication to being pianist, musician and teacher. The intention of the fund is to provide educational opportunities in music for Concord students, faculty, staff and the community through professional presentations. Carl’s sons, Dr. Daniel Azzara and Dr. Christopher Azzara, explain why Concord was selected as the institution for the colloquium endowment and how they envision it being used. “Family and friends set this colloquium up in remembrance of our dad and his love of Concord,” Dan said. He said it was a way to “remember him and the contribution the University made to all of us.” Dan is the Alan R. Warehime Professor of Agribusiness and Director of 22 • Fall 2017
Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State. Chris is Professor of Music Education; Affiliate Faculty, Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media; and Chair, Music Teaching and Learning at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music. “I think that he really loved Concord College,” Dan said. “He found it to be the place where he started to understand what his career would be. It was a life changing point in his life.” At Concord Carl discovered that he wanted to focus his professional life on teaching, his sons said. Establishing the colloquium endowment is also a way to honor the enduring friendships their father started at Concord, they explained. Carl performed with the legendary Concord Commanders while he was a student and he developed lifelong friendships with his fellow band members. Dan and Chris said they grew up hearing about their father’s special friends and their mentor, William Caruth.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
“Dr. Caruth set the tone for his career and where he found on page 24. ended up,” Dan said. Carl Salvatore Azzara was born August 13, 1928 in Caruth was a member of Concord’s faculty and Yonkers, N.Y. to Charles Salvatore and Anna Beningasa directed the Commanders. Carl was among the Azzara. After graduating from Yonkers High School, individuals who helped establish a scholarship in Carl enlisted in the United States Army where he had honor of Caruth, their beloved teacher. the opportunity to play piano in the special services. Among the Commanders whose names were After serving his country, Carl was awarded a music household words for the Azzara scholarship at Concord University. brothers were Jim Calabrese, Al C arl graduated from Concord in Gasper, Tubby Arellano, Jack White 1954 and then accepted the position and Larry Zingale. of band director at Marion Senior In 2005 Carl Azzara and other High School in Marion, Va. While members of the 1950s era Concord in Marion, he spent summers at Commanders were honored with Indiana University in Bloomington, Family and the Golden Alumnus Award by Ind. completing his master’s degree. friends set up this the Concord University Alumni In 1960 Carl was awarded the colloquium in Association. “Young Man of the Year Award” by Chris outlines what they hope to the Marion Chamber of Commerce remembrance of our achieve through the colloquium. He to recognize his positive impact on dad and his love for said the colloquium will be a means students and the community. Concord. “to introduce ideas, in the spirit of After 10 years directing the what the University can do to start a band, Carl left Marion for new Dan Azzara dialogue about important topics.” opportunities in Fairfax County, He said he envisions the Virginia. In Fairfax County, Carl colloquium as a “forum” that will spent several years as the band “engage students” and offer a “great opportunity for director at Robert Frost Intermediate School. His learning”. career continued as high school counselor, guidance Chris is generously donating his time and talents director and assistant principal. Carl was chosen by to offer the first program for the Carl S. Azzara Music the superintendent to be a human relations specialist Colloquium Endowment on April 24, 2018 at Concord. to serve schools in troubled areas of the county. He Additional information on his presentation may be retired as the assistant principal/guidance director of Fall 2017 • 23
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Thoreau Intermediate School in 1983. After retirement, Carl taught computer skills and trained employees in both the private and government sectors. Carl was a member of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church and active in their CCD program. After moving to Reston, Va. he continued his faith journey at St. John Neumann Catholic Church where he played piano at Daily Mass, was active with the High School Youth Ministry Program and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. A lifelong pianist, musician and teacher, Carl played in the same trio for over 20 years and inspired others with his love of music. He enjoyed sharing conversation, spending winters in Florida, watching Dodgers and Nationals baseball, and traveling with his wife, Judy. Carl found great joy celebrating his 88th birthday to match the 88 keys on the piano. Carl passed away on March 23, 2017. He was preceded in death by his wife of 34 years, Judith Woolsey Azzara. Survivors include his children, Carl Daniel (Wendy), Michael Dennis (Cynthia), Christopher David (Lisa), Patrick Timothy (Paul) and Ann Marie Morasco (Robert); his stepson, Michael Sean Ryan (Shannon); and his grandchildren, Alexandra, Nicole, Kyle, Evan, David, Amy, Kristen, Anthony, Tyler and Molly.
CHRISTOPHER AZZARA PRESENTING INITIAL PROGRAM FOR MUSIC COLLOQUIUM
Dr. Christopher Azzara will offer the first program for the Carl S. Azzara Music Colloquium Endowment on April 24, 2018 at Concord. His presentation is entitled “Improvisation: Music Literacy that Goes Beyond the Page”.
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Carl Azzara performing with the Concord Commanders Jazz Band
Pianist, arranger, author, and educator, Christopher Azzara has made important contributions to advancing the understanding of creativity and improvisation in the music learning process. An innovator in the area of music teaching and learning, Dr. Azzara is Professor and Chair of Music Education and Affiliate Faculty of Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media at the Eastman School of Music. Teaching and performing internationally, he is the author of numerous articles, arrangements, and books, including “Developing Musicianship Through Improvisation”, “Creativity In Improvisation”, and “Jump Right In: The Instrumental Series (GIA)”. His arrangements for instrumental and vocal ensembles include A la nanita nana for choir and chamber orchestra or piano (Oxford), and Concert Selections for Winds and Percussion (GIA). His research and publications are concerned with meaningful relationships among listening, creating, improvising, reading, composing, and analyzing music in vocal and instrumental settings. Dr. Azzara’s work appears in journals such as the Journal of Research in Music Education, the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, the Music Educators Journal, Early Childhood Connections, and in The New Handbook of Research on Music Teaching and Learning (MENC/Oxford), and Oxford Handbooks Online.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
He performs as a soloist and in various ensembles, including the Chris Azzara Trio, and has played on and produced many studio and educational recordings. In Rochester, he performs with free-lance musicians, members of the Eastman School of Music Faculty, and members of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. An active teacher and clinician, he has presented and performed extensively throughout the United States, and in Canada, the Caribbean, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Japan, and Australia. He has presented clinics and workshops in a variety of settings, including TEDxRochester, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Carnegie Hall, and leading music schools in this country and abroad. Christopher Azzara is a native of Virginia and attended public schools in Fairfax County. After receiving the Bachelor of Music degree from George Mason University, he taught instrumental music in the Fairfax County Public Schools and performed as a pianist in the Washington D.C. area. He later received a Master of Music and a Ph.D. in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music. Prior to joining the Eastman faculty, Dr. Azzara was a professor at The Hartt School of Music, Dance, and Theatre of the University of Hartford, CT.
IMPROVISATION: MUSIC LITERACY THAT GOES BEYOND THE PAGE Improvisation in music is the spontaneous expression of meaningful musical ideas – it is analogous to conversation in language. Key elements of improvisation include personalization, spontaneity, anticipation, prediction, interaction, and being “in the moment.” Interestingly, we are born improvisers, as evidenced by our behavior in early childhood. This state of mind is clearly demonstrated in children’s play. When not encouraged to improvise as a part of our formal music education, the very thought of improvisation invokes fear. If we let go of that fear, we find that indeed we are improvisers. Improvisation enables musicians to express themselves from an internal source and is central to developing musicianship in all aspects of music education.
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THIS FEATURE CATCHES UP WITH FORMER FACULTY AND STAFF AND ASKS THEM TO UPDATE US ABOUT THEIR LIFE TODAY WHILE SHARING SOME MEMORIES OF THEIR DAYS AT CONCORD 26 • Fall 2017
APRIL PUZZUOLI
Professor of Early Childhood Education, Emerita
Background: Hometown, Education, Previous jobs, Family I was born in Bluefield, WV and grew up in Welch. I graduated from Welch High School. I earned a BS in Home Economics at WVU, attended Merrill Palmer Institute, and earned a MSHE in Child Development with a minor in Psychology at WVU. My EdD was in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Maryland.
My first husband, Lester Beavers, and I served in the Peace Corps in Colombia, South America. We worked as extension agents to increase protein in the diets of those we worked with. When I returned to the States, I worked as the WVU laboratory nursery school assistant while working on my master’s degree. Later, I was the Regional Training Officer with Head Start. I became the director of Project PUSH (Parents Understanding Students with Handicaps). That federally funded demonstration program grew to include area teacher training, regional training, developing and broadcasting a three hour credit course throughout the Appalachian Region. I taught psychology at Allegheny Community College (now Allegheny College of Maryland) in Cumberland, MD. I helped them establish a campus day care center. Concord allowed me tremendous support for adapting the educational early education program to a more viable curriculum, demonstration laboratory and interagency leadership in the state for young children especially those with special needs. One accomplishment that I am most proud of was working with the students to provide student financial support for the child development center.
My son, Kevin, and his wife, Kerstin, live in Dusseldorf, Germany. Kevin is a composer and co-owner of a yoga studio. He teaches and conducts yoga teacher training sessions.
His second symphony was performed by the Dusseldorf Orchestra in 2015. He has a new piece written for a children’s orchestra that was premiered in September 2017.
My sister moved in with me four years ago. At that time, we moved to Princeton.
How long did you work at Concord? What positions did you hold? What did you teach? I worked at Concord from 1982 until 2006. I taught Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. Additionally, I worked as Assistant Dean and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs supervising grant programs and coordinating accreditation preparations and visits. I authored and directed several state and federal grants dealing with quality programs for children, families, and early childhood teacher education. What did you find especially rewarding during your time at Concord?
Especially rewarding to me in my time at CU were associations with students in developing community programs to conduct developmental assessments, establish child development programs, and interagency coordination for children and families. This included the original grant to establish what became Community Connection for Mercer County. Colleague friendships have also been important to me. What is the best athletic and/or cultural event you have attended at Concord?
The most memorable presentation I attended was perhaps the one by Madeline Albright. It was impressive that this tiny woman held such power and wisdom. Other cultural events that stand out for me during my time with CU include hosting early childhood conferences with the assistance of students. Fall 2017 • 27
How many Presidents and Deans did you work under/with while at Concord? Dr. Med Freeman was President when Dr. Art Benson hired me. And, I had the pleasure of working with Dr. John Carrier, Dr. Jerry Beasley, and Dr. Dean Turner.
What offices did you hold, what committees did you serve on, and what organizations were you involved in while at Concord? What honors and awards did you receive from Concord? I served on the Academic Affairs Executive Council, Administrative Policies and Procedures Committee, Concord College Research and Development Corporation Board, Teacher Education Advisory Committee, and others. In the spring of 2005, I was recipient of the Linda Fink Service Award. Are you, and if so, how are you staying connected with students?
Facebook is my major way of staying in touch with former students and colleagues. We do bump into each other while shopping or practicing yoga. How are you involved in the life of the University today?
My main involvement with campus has been with international students. Being a host family for students from Belarus, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia has been a delight. I’ve been able to share with them my
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delight for scrapbooking, making greeting cards, and yoga.
Where do you live now? What are some of your activities, interests as a retiree? What hobbies, projects, community service, and civic organizations are you involved with now? While I loved living in Athens while at CU, I now enjoy being in Princeton. The major impact of the move was that I began a more active practice of yoga. That lifestyle change has significantly uplifted my life in mind, body, and spirit. A few years ago, I changed from primarily crafting scrapbooks to making greeting cards. I sell my greeting cards mainly among my friends. The Athens Book Club is my biggest supporter and half of those sales go to the CU Damaris Wilson scholarship. I’ve been very active in the New River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, in Beckley. Our lay-led congregation is a voice for the oppressed in our society. We have organized and participated in rallies for “Standing on the Side of Love.” Signs that we use include “Ban Walls of Hate”, “Words Matter”, “LGBTQ and Black Lives Matter”. We are currently beginning to provide campus ministry for WVU Tech.
Fall 2017 • 29
Susan and Chris and their two sons Dylan and Jordan.
30 • Fall 2017
usan Wilson Tuck says that because she waited a few years after graduating from high school to go to college, she was older than most of the other students. That wasn’t a problem for her at Concord, however, where she says she felt accepted. “It took me a few years after high school to be in a position to attend college,” she said. “I was a bit older than most of my classmates, but was really pleased that there were a number of non-traditional students in my classes as well. Some were much older, some like me were just a little older, but Concord was a very welcoming place for all of us.” Susan was born in Union, W.Va. and graduated from Union High School. She says that attending Concord expanded her horizons. “Going to Concord opened up a larger world to me. Growing up in a small rural community was wonderful in its own way,
but I had never traveled or met many people whose backgrounds and experiences were different from mine,” she explained. “At Concord, my professors had lived through the Holocaust, participated in the Civil Rights movement, and learning about those experiences from people who lived them made them much more real and made me want to learn more.” Susan studied Communication Arts at Concord and served on the staff of The Concordian. “At Concord, I spent a lot of time in the Fine Arts Building and being around so many talented and creative people gave me a great appreciation for the arts that I hadn’t developed before,” she Susan Tuck '87 and her husband Chris Tuck '90 during their Concord days (left) and more recently. said. “Because of that, it has always been important to nurture that Chris and Susan met at Concord. Susan explains appreciation in my own children, and to encourage how their paths crossed when they were both them to participate in music and theater in high participating in a scholarship fundraiser. school and college.” “As Alumni Director, I was tasked with organizing In recalling her time in Concord’s classrooms, an annual Phonathan, utilizing student groups to man Susan remembers her favorite professors. a phone bank where we called alumni to raise funds “As a student, two of my biggest influences were for scholarships,” she said. “Chris and I met when, on Dr. Ron Burgher and Dr. David Roth,” she said. the final night of one of the events, Chris volunteered “Though very different in their personalities and along with his fraternity. It was a very successful teaching styles, they both showed such enthusiasm event in every way.” for teaching and for learning. While I had many When Chris graduated from Concord, he and wonderful professors, Dr. Burgher and Dr. Roth in Susan moved to Lansing, Mich., where he attended particular made an impact on me.” the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. While they were Susan earned her bachelor’s degree in 1987. Along in Michigan, Susan worked as Director of Admissions with her experiences as a student at Concord, she also and later, Director of Student Resources, for has memories of being an employee on “The Campus Davenport College of Business. Beautiful.” She served as Director of Alumni Relations After receiving his J.D. from Thomas Cooley, Chris for Concord from 1987-1990. and Susan moved back to the New River Valley and “I was also very fortunate to serve as Alumni he opened a solo practice in Blacksburg, focusing Director under the leadership of Dr. Jerry Beasley, primarily on criminal defense. Susan serves as office who did so much to promote Concord, to raise funds manager in the law office. for scholarships, and to increase Concord’s footprint Among Chris’ notable professional experiences in the region,” she said. is his work in the case, Lilly v Virginia. Early in his Chris Tuck is a native of Blacksburg, Va. He career, he was appointed to represent an indigent graduated from Gateway Christian Academy and client on a capital murder charge. A key element of entered Concord College in the fall of 1986. Chris that case concerned the violation of the defendant’s majored in history and was involved in a variety right to confront his accuser, and resulted in the case, of campus activities. He was active in the theater, Lilly v Virginia, being taken up by the United States intramural athletics, and student government, serving Supreme Court in 1998. In a unanimous ruling, the as Attorney General of the SGA as a junior and as Court overturned the conviction and remanded the Ombudsman during his senior year. Chris graduated case back to Virginia for retrial. Even now, Lilly v from Concord in 1990. Virginia is frequently cited in cases where there are
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and Jordan is a senior at Concord studying Computer Science. Jordan was a three-year member of CU’s marching band, and is active in theater, where he has appeared in productions of “Oleanna,” “Crimes of the Heart,” “Animal Tales,” and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” among others. When asked what he likes about being a Concord University student, Jordan says that it’s “the people who I’ve met here at Concord.” Chris' father, David W. "Bill" Tuck
questions regarding a defendant’s sixth amendment right to confront an accuser. Chris is a member of the Montgomery-Radford Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar Association, and served on the board of directors of New River Valley Alcohol Safety Action Program. He is a board member of the Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society and in 2002 was named its Pro Bono Attorney of the Year. In 2009, he was named the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Guardian ad Litem of the Year for his work representing the interests of children in cases of divorce or parental-rights termination. Chris has always had an interest in politics, and in 2012 he was elected to the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. He was re-elected in 2016 and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. Chris was honored by the Concord University Alumni Association (CUAA) in 2014 with the Outstanding Alumnus award. Susan currently serves as a member of the CUAA’s Executive Council. Chris and Susan have two sons. Dylan is a graduate student at Virginia Tech in the Center for Public Administration and Policy, 32 • Fall 2017
I was a bit older than most of my classmates, but was really pleased that there were a number of non-traditional students in my classes as well. Concord was a very welcomeing place for all of us. Susan Tuck
“Despite not knowing anyone my first semester here, I’ve made great friends over the years. They have been the backbone of my college career,” he said. With Jordan as a CU student, the Tuck’s Concord legacy now spans several generations. Chris’ father, David W. “Bill” Tuck, attended Concord in the 1960s. Although he did not receive a degree from Concord, he went on to establish several businesses in the New River Valley which include rental property management and Tuckit In storage facilities. “He is still active in running those businesses today,” Susan said. Susan’s brother, Gary R. Wilson, is a Concord alum having graduated in 1982.
The Tucks live in the Montgomery County countryside near Radford, Va., overlooking the New River. “We don’t have a working farm, but do raise goats and chickens as a kind of hobby,” Susan explained. She says that an especially meaningful tradition for their family is their Tuesday Night Supper Club which they started nearly 20 years ago. “When our boys were small, we started inviting a small group of friends to our home every Tuesday night for a home-cooked meal. It was a way for me to meet new people since I was not from the New River Valley,” she recalls. “Over the years, the group has grown and it has become a regular part of our lives. I love to cook, and our group is a mix of friends, neighbors and family from all walks of life. We have had births, deaths, and weddings within the group,” she said. “Each week, we have anywhere from eight to 15 people. Our big event is our annual Thanksgiving dinner, when we have as many as 35 people show up with a dish to share.” Chris and Susan are also very dedicated to community service as volunteers. “Through the years, we were both active in volunteering with the various activities in which our boys participated,” Susan explained. “Chris coached rec league basketball for several years, and we were active with the Band Boosters and Chorus Boosters groups at Christiansburg High School. “Chris is very involved with various community activities through his role with the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors,” she added.
RON MARTIN '92 PUTS BUSINESS SKILLS TO WORK WITH SUCCESSFUL SUPERMARKET CHAIN collected for food pantries through the “20 Days of Giving”, Martin said. A winter coat drive and flood relief efforts are additional ways Grants Supermarkets assist neighbors in need. "Along with a philanthropic tradition, a butcher and the availability of fresh, local produce also help set the stores apart", Martin says. “Our meat department and our community involvement are our two distinctive factors,” he said. “We buy a lot of local produce. We work with a lot of local growers,” he added. Grants Supermarkets has received numerous awards and recognitions for community involvement in the areas in which stores are located. Among these honors are: 2017 WVVA Viewer’s Choice Award for best grocery store; 2009-2017 Bluefield Daily Telegraph Reader’s Choice Award for best grocery store; 2017 voted best grocery store in West Virginia by Popsugar readers; 2016 Bland County, VA Business of the Year; 2014 Princeton, WV Business of the Year; 2016 Tazewell County, VA - R.E. Dodson Business Award; and, 2015 Virginia Department of Health, Certificate of Excellence. Martin grew up in Mercer County and graduated from Princeton High School. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a concentration in Accounting from Concord in 1992. He continued his education in Morgantown where he earned a law degree from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1997. He then went on to work for Wisdom Media Group as senior vice president of business and legal affairs. Today, Hometown Grocery isn’t the only group that is benefiting from Martin’s leadership. In June of this year he was elected mayor of Bluefield, WV and began serving in August. Martin says this is his first time in public office. He currently lives in the city he serves, having been a resident of Bluefield for 17 years. Looking back to when he was a student at Concord, Martin said that being able to attend college with other individuals from the local area was significant. “I was from Princeton High School and was there with friends from high school,” he said. “We’re still friends today.” He said that strengthening those relationships is a valuable part of what Concord has to offer. While he acknowledges the University’s academic excellence, he goes on to say, “I think the community aspect is the most important thing.” That sense of community is what he believes makes Concord special.
ALUMNI ENTREPRENEUR
s president and co-owner of Hometown Grocery, LLC, Ron Martin is dedicated to bringing his customers a traditional shopping experience. “We want to be that hometown community store everybody grew up with,” he explained. In June of 2003, Martin teamed up with business partner Ronnie Cruey to form Hometown Grocery. They launched Ron Martin '92 the business with a store in Doran, VA. In 2008 Randall Grant joined Martin and Cruey as a co-owner bringing his store into the partnership. The Grant family’s legacy as grocers to the local area began in the 1940s. Today, doing business as Grants Supermarkets, Hometown Grocery has 16 locations in three states – West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. “It’s important for all of these communities to have choices available for shopping for groceries,” Martin said. Mercer County, West Virginia, is home to several Grants stores including locations in Bluefield, Green Valley, Princeton and just down Route 20 from Concord at the Athens Crossroads. Along with the business aspect of being an entrepreneur, Martin says “helping do things in the community” is what he enjoys most. He says that he and his business partners live in the communities they serve and are involved in the communities they serve. With community involvement and philanthropy key to the Grants Supermarkets philosophy, the stores sponsor fundraisers and other charitable activities on a regular basis. “We try to do an event every quarter, sometimes every month,” Martin said. Customers are invited to donate to the causes along with the owners of the supermarket chain. This year’s Spring March Gradness raised $20,000 for local students and their Project Graduation activities, Martin said, and support to the tune of $10,000 was collected for the Denver Foundation’s Always Free Honor Flight. An annual campaign at Thanksgiving time helps stock the shelves of local organizations like the Salvation Army and the Bluefield Union Mission for the holidays. “Thousands and thousands of pounds of food” are
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John Jessee is shown with three of his daughters on safari in Tarangire National Park in Tanzania. The daughters pictured from left to right are Laura, Sarah and Tricia.
HERITAGE
Professional Accomplishments and Community Involvement Highlight Career for John Jessee ’76 hen John Jessee completed his bachelor’s degree at Concord in 1976 and entered law school at Washington & Lee University, he admits he felt a bit intimidated at first by his Ivy League classmates. But that soon changed and he realized he was on a par with students from institutions such as Yale and Dartmouth. “I realized very quickly the education I received at Concord set me up perfectly to be able to compete against anyone,” he said. A native of Princeton, W.Va., John graduated from Concord summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree. For his exceptional academic record, he had the honor of serving as the valedictorian of his graduating class and delivering a valedictory address during the commencement ceremony. His quest for academic excellence continued at Washington & Lee’s School of Law, where he graduated Order of the Coif and magna cum laude in 1979. Jessee’s professional legal career began when he served as a federal law clerk for the Honorable Judge 34 • Fall 2017
John A. Field, Jr., Judge of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. In 1980 he entered private practice in Roanoke, Va. From 1980 to 1996 he was with Woods, Rogers & Hazelgrove (now Woods Rogers). He joined LeClairRyan in 1996 and continues with the Roanoke firm today. The focus of his practice for the past 25 years has been the defense of medical professionals. Trying cases in West Virginia and Virginia, Jessee has been involved in more than 100 medical malpractice trials including medical malpractice and health law related cases. Looking back on his Concord days, John mentions several campus activities that were among his favorites and that he “enjoyed the most.” One of these was being a member of the debate team. He recalled that traveling to competitions took them across the central and eastern United States. He was also involved with the theater department. “Don Quixote” was one of their productions, he remembers. Another highlight from his time as a Concord student was serving as the announcer for the marching band’s halftime performances at football games. What made this especially memorable, he said, was spending time in the press box with legendary
heritage & horizon
accounting professor and football announcer, Mr. Harry Finkelman. John said he was also “active in the student court” during what he describes as “a turbulent time” in Concord’s history that involved discussions about “who the president should be and the direction of the college”. His decision to attend Concord was influenced by his late sister, Mitzy Lawrence. Mitzy worked in the residence life office in a position akin to the dean of women, he explained. When asked what makes Concord special, Jessee replies that it’s “a combination of several things that make it unique.” Among these is the location of the campus in “a beautiful and isolated area” where students are “compelled to be involved” in activities and organizations, he said, “where the location brought everyone together in a very meaningful way”. He also acknowledges Concord’s “extraordinary faculty” adding that they were “diverse” and “dedicated” to their students. Jessee has served his alma mater as President of Concord’s Alumni Association and Chairman of the Concord University Foundation Board of Directors. In his duties leading the Foundation, he offered greetings on behalf of the organization at a Concord commencement ceremony. “Because of that, I was back on stage at graduation, revisiting decades later, and speaking at commencement,” he said. He also helps plan, support and host the Roanoke Dinner that is a fundraiser for the Concord University Foundation. “It’s a wonderful experience of bringing together local alumni,” he said. “I’m very excited we are doing it again.” He has hosted a reception for alumni at his home in association with the dinner. Jessee further supports the University with a scholarship for Concord students. He said he especially appreciates the handwritten thank you notes he receives from the students who receive the scholarship. Jessee has an impressive list of distinctions to his credit. Among these accolades are being listed among the Legal Elite by Virginia Business magazine from 2011-2014 for Civil Litigation and Health Law and recognized by Law & Politics magazine from 2006-2017 as a Virginia Super Lawyer in Personal Injury Defense: Medical Malpractice. Additionally, he has been listed among The Best Lawyers in America® from 2005-2017 in the fields of Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
and named the 2015 Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants “Lawyer of the Year for Roanoke, VA by Best Lawyers. Jessee’s professional affiliations and memberships include the Virginia State Bar, Virginia Bar Association, the American Inns of Court (Master) and Omicron Delta Kappa. His service to the Virginia Bar Association includes membership on the Judiciary Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the Boyd-Graves Conference. His community service and volunteer activities benefit a number of organizations. He has been president of Mill Mountain Theatre, Opera Roanoke, the Julian Stanley Wise Foundation and the Southwest Virginia Historical Society, for example. He said community involvement is something that was encouraged at Concord and it has carried over into his adult life. “At Concord there’s a lot of emphasis on getting involved,” he said, “so the natural thing to do is get involved in the community.” Jessee said a favorite pastime of his in years past was membership in the Rockbridge Hunt, a traditional fox hunting club. John and his wife, Shea, live in Roanoke where Shea works for Carilion Hospital. John’s family also includes four daughters. Sarah Jessee is a lawyer and practices with her father. Laura Livingston spent two years in the Peace Corps in Africa and is now attending graduate school in Wisconsin. Tricia Jessee graduated from Washington & Lee and currently works in Washington, D.C. Nicole Chaney is a student at the University of Virginia. Jessee said he enjoys traveling with his family and their journeys have taken them around the globe. Along with extensive travel in the United States, the Jessee family has also visited Mexico and Canada and locales such as Russia, Istanbul, Africa, Rome, Belize, Costa Rica and Athens, Greece. Educational adventures where he wanted to provide his daughters with an “understanding of where they came from” have taken them to “cradles of civilization” including to Egypt for a cruise down the Nile River.
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Jesse Call '07 photographed by Mattie Callahan
HORIZON
JESSE CALL '07 HELPING FIGHT HOMELESSNESS ON THE STREETS OF NASHVILLE esse Call is a housing advocate for people experiencing homelessness. He says that “moving a client into his or her new home” is especially rewarding. “There is nothing like seeing a person move back into, or sometimes for the first time into, their own home, or even smaller than that, seeing someone who realizes for the first time in years that someone else still believes in them,” he said. “Also, I am inspired by the way in which people experiencing homelessness almost always give up the very little they have to help someone else who isn’t as far along as them.” Jesse’s work takes him on the streets and into shelters across Nashville, Tenn., to help meet the dayto-day and ultimately, permanent housing needs, of the more than 4,000 estimated people experiencing homelessness. He manages a men’s supportive housing program at the Nashville Area Command of The Salvation Army and serves as a residential counselor for Park Center, which operates shelters and transitional housing programs for people recovering from mental health and substance abuse disorders. Jesse also routinely leads teams on cold weather street and encampment canvassing missions on the 36 • Fall 2017
coldest and most dangerous nights of the year. He first worked in Nashville as a journalist for the The Contributor, the country’s largest street newspaper. The publication provides a microbusiness opportunity for people experiencing homelessness to share their art and writings while selling copies of the paper for a profit. His monthly articles for The Contributor were internationally syndicated through the Street News Service and dealt with challenges experienced by people overcoming homelessness including such topics as discrimination, displacement through gentrification, exploitation, and government and community inaction. He also spent two years as coordinator of the education program at Room In The Inn. In this position he taught adults how to read, enrolled people in college and technical school, helped people work towards their high school equivalency degrees and provided daily classes on a wide range of topics designed to help people not only get off the streets but remember they were valued and human. This led Jesse to organizing the highly successful Starting Point resource fair which provided a oneday, intensive event with on site physical health, mental health, substance abuse treatment, education,
heritage & horizon
employment, financial, housing, government benefit, and humanities opportunities. He also worked as supervising housing case manager for Street Works, an agency helping to end HIV/AIDS in Middle Tennessee. Jesse is a native of Pocahontas, Va. He pursued a double major at Concord – Political Science and History – and minored in Legal Studies and PreLaw. He graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During his time at Concord, Jesse was part of a number of campus activities and organizations. He was involved in student government and student media and was a Bonner Scholar. He also worked in the Public Relations Office and was the student representative on the CU Board of Governors. He said that these opportunities outside of the classroom have been especially valuable to him professionally. “The best part of my Concord education was that it wasn’t limited to the classroom,” he said. “I was introduced to the concept of microenterprise street newspapers through service opportunities in Concord’s Bonner Scholars program during the Freshmen Service Trip to Washington, D.C. where we volunteered with Street Sense. “Bonner also gave me the opportunity to learn more about the policy issues that trap people in cycles of poverty and homelessness and create options for community organizations, governments, and everyday neighbors to take to making ending homelessness possible,” he said. “It was also through Bonner that I got introduced to my future employer, Room In The Inn, during an alternative spring break trip I organized,” he continued. “Through the Student Government Association and serving as student representative to Concord’s Board of Governors, I learned how to negotiate, compromise, draft policy, lobby and solicit support for important causes,” he said. He also says that his experiences with The Concordian and WCUR Radio as a student journalist and his employment in CU’s public relations and marketing office helped him cultivate important tools that he uses in his career today. Additionally, he was an Area Director and counselor for seven summers at SpringHill Camps, including while he was at Concord. Dedicated to serving others as a college student, Jesse served on two teams assisting with relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina. He was part of a Campus Crusade for Christ group and a member of a Bonner Scholars/SGA delegation.
He says that his time in New Orleans with the second team provided one of his best memories from his days as a Concord student. “After spending a hardworking day cleaning out someone’s home that had been completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina’s flooding in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, our Concord team all gathered together to get back in the vans to return to cots in a gutted out warehouse that served as makeshift sleeping quarters,” he recalls. “Instead of justifiably complaining about the tiredness, smells, bugs, or other conditions, one of the students simply asked the group, ‘can we pray?’ and the group spent a few moments being thankful for what we had and that we could help a little and lifting up those who had lived in the battered homes that surrounded us,” he said. Honors and awards that Jesse received at Concord include the Anne P. Crum Award (TRiO), Campus Impact Award (Bonner), William R. Skeat Award (SGA), Radio Student of the Year (CART), Outstanding Student in Journalism (CART), and Best News Coverage Award (CART). Jesse continued his education by earning a JD from Northern Kentucky University Chase College of Law in 2011. While he was in law school, he was honored with the Pro Bono Service Award; Lois Sutherland Award for Distinguished Achievement in Journalism; and Kentucky Intercollegiate Press Association Awards. When asked what motivates him in his work with people experiencing homelessness, Jesse says “knowing the need is a major factor.” “That is why I have been so thankful and such an advocate for service-learning opportunities like Concord has offered, and why I took a year off in law school to return to Concord to work as an AmeriCorps Volunteer In Service to America (VISTA), organizing and promoting servicelearning opportunities for all students, not just those involved with the amazing Bonner program,” he said. Jesse is a member of the AmeriCorps Alums, the Bonner Alumni Network, the Concord University Alumni Association, the Northern Kentucky Bar Association, and the Nashville Coalition for the Homeless.
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FRESHMAN CONVOCATION
CHRISTY MCGINNIS '04 OFFERS KEYNOTE MESSAGE eventeen years ago Christy McGinnis was a freshman at Concord. In August, she had the opportunity to address Concord’s incoming students for 2017 during the Freshman Convocation, sharing her advice – gained from her own experiences as a student – to help them make the most of their days on “The Campus Beautiful.” McGinnis earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Concord in 2004, graduating with honors. Joining BB&T shortly after graduation, she has enjoyed a successful career with the bank. Starting as a Relationship Banker, she has moved up the ranks gaining recognition along the way. She has served as a BB&T @Work Sales Officer and as a Merchant Sales Consultant for which she was recognized for her sales acumen and productivity. For the past four years, she served as a Business Services Officer and distinguished herself as a top producer and hard worker receiving the honor of the 2015 Best of the Best designation. Christy was 38 • Fall 2017
recently named BB&T Market President for the Charleston (West Virginia) Market. In her Convocation Message for the Aug. 14 afternoon gathering in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre, McGinnis encouraged the newest group of Concordians to “work hard.” “Spend your time getting to know your professors,” she continued. Referring to remarks by President Kendra Boggess earlier in the program, she added, “Like Dr. Boggess mentioned, they are going to be here to challenge you, but also to help you.” McGinnis explained that the relationships the students establish in college can benefit them later professionally. “Along the way, know that the relationships that you are building here will help you in your career,” she said. “I cannot tell you the number of times that I have reached back out to professors that I had when I was on campus that I’ve developed those relationships with to ask for advice in my career and to get to where I am today.” McGinnis also encouraged the freshmen to
“practice patience” and to “enjoy the journey.” “Be present while you’re here,” she added. “Be present with your professors. Be present with your fellow classmates. And, be present wherever you are. That means putting down the phone, that means not playing on Twitter or Instagram…Be present and get to know the folks that are around you.” “I look forward to following you through your career here at Concord University. I am excited to see what happens in 2021 when you walk across the stage and with that, I say congratulations and best wishes for a wonderful freshman year,” she said. The welcome was offered by Dr. Peter Viscusi, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Timothy Mainland, professor of music, served as Grand Marshal. In her Opening Remarks, Dr. Boggess said, “It’s a very exciting time to be a Mountain Lion.” She went on to say that “by getting your education, a four-year degree, you’re going to change the lives of people in your family, of your children, someday, of your whole family tree.” “This education that you obtain will open more doors for you and the higher you go, the more doors that will be opened,” she said. “Today, we want to formally induct you into Concord University,” Dr. Boggess told the incoming students. “In doing so, we’re going to try to provide you with a wealth of life-changing and life-deepening opportunities. The more effort and open mindedness you bring to the task, the more this remarkably rich culture will yield for you, though the full value of it may take decades for you to realize.” Dr. Sarah Beasley, director of retention, provided a snapshot of the Class of 2021 that was compiled from a survey taken during their orientation. She said that one of the questions the students were asked in the survey is “what you are most looking forward to at Concord?” “Many of you are most excited about meeting new people, new experiences and learning new things… but a lot of you are worried about fitting in,” she said. “One way to feel even more at home is to get involved in campus life, clubs or groups or volunteering,” she said. She also emphasized the importance that studying plays in the overall success of their college experience pointing out that Concord offers study groups, workshops on study skills, drop-in tutoring and 24/7 on-line tutoring to help students be successful academically. In conclusion Beasley said, “You’ll be successful at Concord if you work hard…if you ask for help… and if you learn strategies like study skills and time management and get involved. Remember you belong here at Concord.” Dr. Marjie Flanigan, vice president of student
affairs & dean of students, offered remarks on the Tree Planting Ceremony in honor of the incoming students of 2017. The ceremony was held on the lawn between the Fine Arts Center and the Carter Center following the convocation. “The Freshman Tree Planting has special significance as a Concord University tradition. For our first year students, it serves as a symbol for the roots you are forming as you begin your undergraduate journey and it establishes your special contribution to the campus,” Dr. Flanigan said. “Throughout your stay at Concord, you will witness the tree’s growth, much as the faculty and staff, along with your families and friends, will witness your growth,” she said. “It does not happen all at once, but gradually, and sometimes so subtly that we may miss the nuances of your changes.” “When you return to Concord as alumni, your tree’s height will serve as a reminder of your years here and your own growth and development – as a student, a professional, and as a person,” she said. “Your tree, the graduating class of 2021, is the Red Obelisk European Beech. According to the literature, your tree displays dramatic purple foliage each fall,” Dr. Flanigan explained. “This year’s planting completes a triangular tree-scape across the sidewalk from Fine Arts and the Carter Center. You should know that by planting the Red Obelisk, you are adding your special signature to ‘The Campus Beautiful.’” A portion of the program was devoted to having the newest Concord students learn the University’s alma mater. Dr. Kelly Hudson, assistant professor of music, explained that the alma mater is a “theme song and the song of appreciation for your school.” Assisted by the ConChords, Dr. Hudson went line by line and taught the song to the freshmen. The ConChords also sang the national anthem at the beginning of the program. Dr. Kipp Cortez, assistant professor of music, provided an organ prelude and performed the processional and recessional.
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TOWERS GRAND REOPENING C E L E B R AT I O N
oncord University marked the completion of extensive renovations to the North and South Towers residence halls with a Grand Reopening Celebration Sept. 13 -14, 2017. The two-day celebration included activities for students the evening of Sept. 13 and for faculty, staff, alumni and members of the community the following night. All events took place in the lobby of North Towers. Following an official launch of the renovation project in April 2016, work continued on the residence halls through the summer of 2017. “We are very excited that the Towers residence halls renovation can now be considered complete,” Concord University President Kendra Boggess said prior to the celebration. “Concord has steadily been updating its facilities and this project will provide us additional opportunities to better serve our students well into the future.” Dr. Boggess went on to outline the renovations made to the residence halls. “This project is the culmination of years of planning, development, and building construction work that has resulted in a freshly renewed exterior, air conditioned and well insulated interiors, with updated WiFi internet access as well,” she said. “The upgrades also included newly renovated floor to ceiling tiled bathrooms in each suite that will modernize the experience of residence life on campus for our students.” One of those students benefiting from the newly renovated residence halls is Catherina Medaglia Goncalves dos Santos, a Brazilian student at Concord. Catherina is a resident assistant in North Tower.
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TOWERS GRAND REOPENING
As the Student Government Association representative on the Concord University Board of Governors, Catherina helped cut the ribbon with Dr. Boggess to officially open the renovated residence halls during the community celebration on Sept. 14. “It was an honor to represent the student body and welcome the new Towers to CU,” she said. In her remarks at the ribbon cutting Catherina said she “talked about how important it is to feel at home when you are living far away from your actual home.” “I’m an international student and home is thousands of miles away so my room is the closest thing I have to a place I can call my own here in the United States,” she said. “I believe the residents are pretty happy with the renovations,” she added. “I have heard great things about it, especially regarding the fact that all rooms now have air conditioning and the whole Tower has wireless connection.” Dr. Boggess spoke on the meaning of home and the experience of living in a residence hall. “In searching the dictionary for a synonym for the word ‘home’, I found 110 instances. They included: abode, apartment, casa, condominium, cottage, dwelling, domicile, dormitory, place of residence: all of these words describe the place where you live. Though it is often humble, a home is important and ideally, a place where you feel safe, validated, surrounded 42 • Fall 2017
by or living in close proximity to those who care about you,” she said. “It is our hope that each of our student residents finds the newly renovated Towers buildings to be a place such as this, where they can make memories, friendships and relationships that last a lifetime.” Dr. Boggess also acknowledged the many individuals and groups who have made the renovations possible. “We have many people to thank for the completion of our Towers dormitory, particularly members of our Board of Governors who over a period of roughly eight years provided the leadership and vision to move ahead on the project. Their bold leadership has moved us in a very positive direction in renovating these buildings,” she said. Also participating in the program were Jody Driggs, Fred Pack and Martin Klapproth of Silling Associates. Based in Charleston, W.Va., Silling Associates is the architectural firm for the renovation project.
TOWERS GRAND REOPENING
The general contractor is Paramount Builders located in St. Albans, W.Va. The Sept. 14 program also included tours of renovated rooms in Towers, a performance by the Concord University Jazz Ensemble and a Business After Hours hosted by the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce and the Princeton-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce. Guests were invited to stay on campus for the Mountain Lions football game at Callaghan Stadium later that night. The student celebration on Sept. 13 featured an evening of fun and festivities. Highlighting the event was a microwave cooking demonstration by Vain Colby. Colby, who studied communication arts and theatre at Concord, showed the crowd of students how to prepare spaghetti and meatballs in a microwave. The meal, he said, could be made in a residence hall room. Serving up the completed dish, Colby offered the students an opportunity to sample the dinner. Colby is currently a manager for Grants Supermarket where he also works in advertising and serves as the grocery chain’s resident gourmand. Students had the chance to spin the prize wheel for generously donated items like T-shirts, linens and organizers for their rooms, and gift cards/ certificates for popular restaurants and the CU Bookstore. Colby also handed out giveaways to the students during his presentation.
“It is our hope that each of our student residents finds the newly renovated Towers buildings to be a place such as this, where they can make memories, friendships and relationships that last a lifetime.” Dr. Kendra Boggess Fall 2017 • 43
Excitement filled the autumn air on “The Campus Beautiful” for Homecoming 2017. The weeklong celebration, Oct. 9-14, offered fun and festivities for alumni, students, faculty, staff, friends of the University and neighbors in the community.
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HOMECOMING 2017
PARADE & BONFIRE Concord’s annual Homecoming parade is a popular campus and community happening. Each year, the Homecoming candidates and members of their respective organizations let their creativity shine as they display their theme-based floats, banners and costumes in the parade as part of the Homecoming Royalty competition. The parade was held the evening of Thursday, Oct. 12.
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After lining up at the Callaghan Stadium parking lot, the procession made its way through campus, then turned onto Vermillion Street, passed along the crowd lined roadway and concluded at Church Street. Joining the Homecoming candidates in the parade were campus groups, community organizations and businesses, media representatives, marching bands and other entries. After the parade, tradition continued with the bonfire in the Valley. Following the excitement of
the parade, candidates turned their attention to the Lip Sync contest held in the Carter Center main gym on Friday, Oct. 13. Billboards displayed around campus during Homecoming week were also judged along with the new philanthropy competition that was added for 2017. This community service project raised items for the CU food pantry with 3,476 items of canned food, toiletries, school supplies and non-perishable items collected.
HOMECOMING 2017
QUEST FOR THE CROWNS A huge tradition at Homecoming is the annual competition among student organizations for the Homecoming Royalty crowns. Each year candidates compete in various events with entries based on the year’s theme. “Modern Disney” was the theme for 2017. A popular vote cast by students is also part of the contest. Six teams representing 12 Concord student
organizations vied for the honor of being crowned the 2017 Homecoming Royalty.
ALUMNI EVENTS
Homecoming 2017 offered a variety of events for alumni to reconnect with friends, classmates and teammates. The Concord University Athletic Department held the seventh annual golf outing at Fountain Springs Golf Course in Peterstown, W.Va. on Oct.
13. The CU softball team and the men’s soccer team hosted alumni games as part of Homecoming festivities. Alumni and friends of the University gathered on the President’s House lawn the evening of Oct. 13 for a Friday the 13th After Hours. The event offered guests the opportunity to contribute to the Concord University Annual Fund. Activities continued on Saturday, Oct. 14 with a daylong agenda of Homecoming events.
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HOMECOMING 2017
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HOMECOMING 2017
TAILGATE & GAME DAY A beautiful autumn day with temperatures in the 70s provided the backdrop for Homecoming activities on Oct. 14. The CU Athletic Department inducted its 2017 Hall of Fame Class in a 9 a.m. ceremony in the Pais Fellowship Hall in University Point. (See page 57 for an article on the inductees.) The University Point lawn was the setting for a Homecoming
Brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The gathering featured live music and made-to-order omelets. Affinity tents, tailgates, and teas and other gatherings for sororities and fraternities were also part of the day’s agenda offering alumni the opportunity to reconnect with friends and classmates. The Concord University Alumni Association (CUAA) held a tailgate near the main gate of Callaghan Stadium. Nell Jeffries ’53 was among the alums assisting with the CUAA’s tailgate. “It’s a great spirit this
afternoon,” she said, “and great weather.” Nell said that she especially enjoyed “seeing older graduates and younger ones, too, as well as the camaraderie and friends that you make over the years.” Upbeat music and the sound of happy voices and laughter radiated from a nearby tailgate. CU Hall of Famer Katrina Terry ’91 was among the crowd gathered around the food laden tables. Katrina said that “getting to see all the good friends again”
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HOMECOMING 2017
makes Homecoming special for her. During her time at Concord, Katrina was a star student athlete excelling in volleyball. Fellow athletes from the early 90s joined Katrina at the tailgate. Legendary Mountain Lion football coach Tony Colobro ’48 was also back on campus for the Homecoming festivities. Surrounded by former players of his, he said, “I look forward to this day. It’s good to see them.” Jim White ’60 played football and ran track for the Mountain Lions. He said he enjoys “the camaraderie and talking about old times” with his friends at
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Homecoming. Recent graduate James Riley ’16 said attending Homecoming offered him the opportunity to “reconnect”. James spent time visiting with fellow Student Support Services and Upward Bound alums and staff at their tailgate. For Ashley Hay ’07 Homecoming is a time to support her sisters in Alpha Sigma Tau in the competition for Homecoming Royalty. As a student and as an alum, Ashley has been a regular at Homecoming each year. “I haven’t missed one,” she said. Ashley worked in the Alumni
Office while she was a student and assisted with Homecoming. She likes returning to campus for the big event and “seeing friends from when I was here,” she said. Cheering on the Mountain Lions at the annual Homecoming football game is another big part of the festivities. Alumni, friends and football fans packed the stands as Concord took on West Virginia State with a 1 p.m. kickoff. Although the Yellow Jackets took home the victory, Mountain Lion spirit still ran high.
HOMECOMING 2017
AND THE WINNERS ARE… The waiting was over at halftime when the much anticipated announcement of the 2017 Homecoming Royalty was made and the winners crowned in a coronation ceremony at the 50-yard line. Concord University’s 2017 Homecoming Royalty are Haruka Ishikawa from Kiyoseshu, Tokyo, Japan, representing the International Students Club and Osisioma Okorigbo from
Abuja, Nigeria, representing Phi Delta Pi. First runners-up are Sally Jo Dickerson from Danese, WV, representing Delta Zeta and Brooke Cline from Princeton, WV, representing Sigma Sigma Sigma. Second runners-up are Kayci Wine from Copen, WV, representing Nu Zeta Chi and Joshua Wayne Amos from Lewisburg, WV, representing Chi Omega Psi. Candidates who also competed for the 2017 crowns were Sam Stockton from Charleston, WV, representing Phi Sigma Phi and Parker Unroe
from Beckley, WV, representing Sigma Tau Gamma; Cameron McNeely from Scarbro, WV, representing Alpha Sigma Tau and James Frye from Strasburg, VA, representing the Geology Club; and Kaylee Taylor from Christiansburg, VA, representing Alpha Sigma Alpha and Bradley Flinchum from Lashmeet, WV, representing Tau Kappa Epsilon.
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31ST ANNUAL ATHENS-CONCORD TOWN SOCIAL he Athens-Concord Town Social filled the front lawn of Concord University with fun and festivities the afternoon of Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017. In its 31st year the Town Social featured craft and food vendors, business and organization displays and children’s games. Entertainment was provided by the Allen Smith Band and Margo and the Bluegills. Awards were presented to individuals that have enhanced the community and campus life of Athens and Concord University. The Town Social committee presented the following awards: Total Community Involvement, Tim Mainland and Maggie Jusiel; Elder
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Citizen, Virginia Henthorn; and Good Neighbor, Fatima Koraich. The Athens Lions Club presented the Citizen of the Year Award to Kristen O’Sullivan and the Beautification Award to Ronald and Belinda Putorek. Several scholarships were presented to Concord University students. Julia Fowler and Kevin Harrison each received an Athens-Concord Town Social Scholarship. Recipients of a Jean Beasley Memorial Scholarship are Kayla Blake and Kaysee Brabb.
ATHENS-CONCORD TOWN SOCIAL
TOTAL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AWARD
Tim Mainland and Maggie Jusiel
Dr. Mainland has resided in Athens and has been on the Concord faculty since 1978. He has been married to Maggie Jusiel for thirteen years. Both of them have been active in the Concord music department as well as at numerous venues in Mercer County. Dr. Mainland is professor of music, and has been director of the Artist Lecture Series and Fine Arts Division Chairman during his tenure. Along with his academic and administrative duties, he has also participated in music performances throughout the calendar year. Dr. Mainland teaches music composition and theory as well as performance on string instruments. Ms. Jusiel teaches woodwind instruments as an adjunct instructor at Concord and is a certified piano tuner for many in the Athens area. In the community, Dr. Mainland has played various roles over the years, including Sea Lions swim coach and a local storyteller in the county. As a couple, they currently perform banjo/flute duos at “Music in the Park” events, and many private events as well. Maggie helped with raising scholarship money at the O’Sullivan Run by playing introductory bagpipe music to fit with the Irish theme.
ELDER CITIZEN AWARD
Virginia Henthorn
Virginia Martz Jones Henthorn was born in 1932 in Duncansville, PA. She worked as a telephone operator after graduating from high school in 1950 and married Robert C. Jones in 1951. She and Bob moved to Pittsburgh, PA the next year where all four of their children – Robert Jr., Linda (Alvis), Paul and Paula (Best) – were born. The family moved frequently due to Bob’s career. Along with Pennsylvania, they lived in Wisconsin and West Virginia. In 1971 another transfer led them to Athens and Concord College. Virginia and Bob were active in Scouting and church youth groups. For the most part, Virginia was a stay-athome mom until her children were older. Bob passed away in 1981. Virginia moved to the house across from Concord’s campus in 1986 when she married her second husband, Don Henthorn. She gained three stepsons, Stephen (now deceased), Bruce and Charles, and their families.
Virginia worked at Pipestem State Park in several positions until her retirement in 1994 with 17 years of service. She has been a loyal member of Concord United Methodist Church for 46 years. As an avid quilter, she pieced and quilted by hand all of her many beautiful quilts. Virginia enjoyed volunteering at Concord while she was able. She has always been happy to see the students return in the fall and from any breaks. Life on her front porch greeting Concord faculty, staff and students, as well as citizens of Athens as they pass by, has always been a joy to her. Most of all, Virginia enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, her nieces and nephews, and her friends.
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ATHENS-CONCORD TOWN SOCIAL
GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD
Fatima Koraich
Fatima Koraich is owner of Moe’s Restaurant in Athens. Fatima holds dual citizenship in the United States and Morocco. She has resided in Athens since 2006, now with her two children Sarah and Ayman Seif. Moe’s Restaurant welcomes all to enjoy Mediterranean and American foods. While working more than full-time and raising her children, Ms. Koraich still takes time to be a good neighbor which is part of her Muslim tradition, she says. In her tradition, one not only cares for their “next door” neighbor but includes all those who reside within 7 houses in all directions from your own. All those within this jurisdiction, are treated like family. Therefore, Fatima has delivered food to those who are returning home from long hospitalizations. She has also shared her love of flowers with others who have been likewise hospitalized. She has truly been a Good Neighbor.
JEAN BEASLEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Kaysee Brabb 54 • Fall 2017
Kayla Blake
ATHENS-CONCORD TOWN SOCIAL
BEAUTIFICATION AWARD
Ronald & Belinda Putorek
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During the warmer months, hydrangeas, in varying colors, bloom along the side of the house. A birdbath out front is circled by lantanas which bloom all summer. For the holidays, the front yard is a celebration of decorations and lights. Ronald and Belinda’s home reflects each season in Athens offering a happy greeting to passersby.
- SARAH CAULKIN HOLROYD
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Ronald and Belinda Putorek have lived at 313 State Street in Athens for 14 years, and are still adding to their older home’s charm. When Belinda was small, she had a dream of having a yellow house with a white picket fence, and now she is living her dream. The front yard and porch of their property offer neat flower beds, a lovely snowball shrub, and a Dutch couple figurine. The backyard is equally lovely with a large pond under a pergola, surrounded by potted plants. The pond is filled with water from a cistern, and runoff from the pond helps to water a small garden.
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Kristen O'Sullivan Kristen O’Sullivan graduated from Athens High School in 1986 and Concord in 1990 with a Bachelor of Social Work. She received a MSW from WVU in 1991. As a career social worker, she spends even her non-working hours helping others. Last year Kristen completed a year of national service with AmeriCorps VISTA and is now working as the Director of Federal Programs for the WV Healthy Kids and Family Coalition. During her career, Kristen has focused on community youth development and poverty while directing a runaway and homeless youth shelter, running the Mercer County Teen Court Program, serving as Southern Regional Director for Catholic Charities WV, and providing alcohol and drug treatment services to youth. She teaches Grassroots Advocacy and Community Development at Concord, a course designed to build skills in students as they directly impact positive community change. Outside of work, she is an unpaid volunteer helping anyone or any place in need that her heart takes her. For instance, when flooding struck West Virginia last year, Kristen worked with WV Volunteers Active in Disasters in Charleston and delivered supplies to Summers and Greenbrier counties. Fall 2017 • 55
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all of Fame he Concord University Athletic Department inducted the 2017 Hall of Fame Class on Oct. 14 during a ceremony in University Point. The class is made up of six athletes: Drew Bailey (baseball), Jolysa Brown (women’s basketball), Megan Davies (women’s soccer), Dustin Greenwood (football and men’s track and field), Danny Lindsey (football) and James Smith (football), and one coach, Mike Cox (cross country and track and field). Beginning in 2017, the Concord Hall of Fame committee also voted to induct conference championship and/or NCAA Tournament teams into the Hall of Fame. The first two teams to receive induction are the 1954 Concord baseball team and the 1990-1991 men’s basketball team. The seven members of the 2017 Concord Athletics Hall of Fame class will match the largest since 2008 when six athletes and one coach were inducted that year.
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CU ATHLETICS
DREW BAILEY Perhaps the best relief pitcher in the history of Concord baseball, Bailey holds the career record for saves (21) and is tied for first in career appearances (59). Bailey’s 21 saves are 12 more than any other CU pitcher has for a career. He was a two-time All-WVIAC selection including a second-team performer in 2008. The hard-throwing right-hander is the only Concord pitcher to record multiple seasons of five or more saves after he surpassed five saves in 2008 and 2009. After three seasons of collegiate baseball, the Oakland Athletics selected Bailey in the 35th round of the 2010 MLB Draft. In three seasons at Concord, Bailey was apart of 91 wins.
JOLYSA BROWN A centerpiece to a school-record 22 wins for the women’s basketball program in 2011-2012, Brown became the first and only All-American in program history to-date during the team’s record-setting season. As a senior, Brown averaged 20.8 points and 12.1 rebounds per game during her Second Team All-American season in 2011-2012. Overall, Brown was a four-time All-WVIAC athlete after earning allfreshman that was followed by two All-WVIAC Second Team selections and an All-WVIAC First Team vote as a senior.
MIKE COX One of the most successful coaches not only at Concord, but in the WVIAC and now the Mountain East Conference, Cox is an 11-time conference coach of the year. In addition to the numerous conference championship athletes he coached in track and field, Cox guided 2016 Concord Hall of Fame inductee Shawnee Carnett to two Division II individual National Championships in 2011 and again in 2014 in the 800-meter run, the first national championships for Concord in any sport. The veteran coach has led the men’s cross country team to four conference championships since 2007 and the women’s cross country team to their first conference championship in 2010. One of Cox’s highest accomplishment was coaching the 2016 men’s cross country team to a berth at the NCAA Championships in Saint Leo, Fla., a firsttime feat for any cross country team in the WVIAC or MEC, regardless of gender. Along with Carnett, Cox has guided four other athletes to the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships in 17 years at Concord. 58 • Fall 2017
CU ATHLETICS
MEGAN DAVIES Davies and her teammate Leanna Neuner became the first two players in Concord women’s soccer history to earn WVIAC Player of the Year when both shared the honor at the conclusion of the 2006 season. In her career, Davies was a three-time All-WVIAC First Team selection (2005-07). During her playing days, Davies was a defender and helped the Mountain Lions gain consecutive shutouts in the 2006 WVIAC Tournament before narrowly falling to Wheeling Jesuit 1-0 in the championship game. Over the final three years of her career, Davies anchored a defense that recorded 24 shutouts, including 10 shutouts during her senior season. Davies also ranks first in games played in program history with 81.
DUSTIN GREENWOOD A dynamic two-sport athlete, Greenwood was just as successful on the track as he was on the gridiron. Greenwood was voted to the AllWVIAC First Team in 2007 after playing both quarterback and wide receiver as a senior. On the track and in the field events, Greenwood excelled becoming a two-time individual conference champion as he won the 110-meter hurdles and decathlon in 2008. One of Greenwood’s best events throughout college was the javelin throw. In the spring of 2008, Greenwood became one of five athletes under head coach Mike Cox to qualify for the NCAA Championship Meet after Greenwood met the standard and advanced to the national meet in Walnut, Calif.
DANNY LINDSEY After transferring to Concord for his final two seasons of eligibility, Lindsey left a strong legacy at CU. Lindsey is the only two-time AllAmerican in program history after he captured the honor in 1991 and again in 1992. As an offensive lineman, Lindsey helped pave the way for 15 Concord wins in two seasons. Lindsey was on the 1992 team that went 7-3-1 and advanced to the NAIA Playoffs before falling to Gardner-Webb in the first round. Lindsey was also a key to running back and 1999 CU Hall of Famer Chris Hairston’s record-setting season in 1992 when he rushed for 1,860 yards and 24 touchdowns, both single-season bests in CU football history.
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CU ATHLETICS
JAMES SMITH During his time at Concord, Smith not only excelled on the field, but was also outstanding in the classroom. Smith was a 1989 Second Team All-American and a two-time selection to the All-WVIAC First Team in 1987 and 1989. The offensive lineman was an Academic All-American at the conclusion of the 1988 season. Smith was a member of two WVIAC Championship teams in 1987 and 1989 in which the Mountain Lions had a combined conference mark of 12-0-1. By the winning the 1987 conference title, Smith and his teammates were the sixth CU team to play in a playoff game in school history.
1954 BASEBALL TEAM
1990-1991 MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
The 1954 baseball team was the first team at Concord to win a conference championship in any sport. One member of that team, Don Mikush, was inducted into the Concord Hall of Fame in 2002 as a two-sport athlete, playing both baseball and basketball from 1953-1956. Other members of the team include John Brant, Rudolph Hardy, Tom Karlo, Bill Fix, Edwin Taylor, Mario Ciarlo, Pete Koch, Tom Gentry, Tom Moses, Harry Krall, Stan Bienick, Bob Beckelheimer, Bill Cuthbert, Huey Miller, George McKelvie, Bob Fix, Cam Wiley, Vern Auvil, Jack Buckland and Frank Parker.
The 1990-1991 men’s basketball team, coached by 2015 Concord Hall of Famer Steve Cox, was the first CU team to win a NAIA or NCAA Tournament game in any sport. After winning the WVIAC Tournament Championship, Cox’s team erased a 1-0 deficit in a best-of-three series against West Virginia Wesleyan in the first round of the NAIA Playoffs to advance to the NAIA Tournament in Kansas City. Concord defeated Northern Colorado in the round of 32 before being knocked out by eventual national champion Oklahoma City in the NAIA Sweet 16. The team featured three eventual 1,000-point scorers, Todd Keffer, Todd Lusk and Ron Ward 60 • Fall 2017
as well as the school’s all-time assist leader Chuck Scott. Ward finished his career as the program’s all-time leading scorer (2,872) and all-time leading rebounder (1,416). Others on the team included Jason Eldridge, Scott Goins, Henry Lipscomb, Andre Nabors, Chris Pauley, Jim Pettus, Kevin Richardson and Tony Tooley.
CU ATHLETICS
MT. LION NEWS DR. BOGGESS NAMED PRESIDENT OF MEC BOARD OF DIRECTORS Concord University President Kendra Boggess has been appointed President of the Board of Directors for the Mountain East Conference (MEC). Concord University is a charter member of the MEC, an NCAA Division II regional all-sports league. Dr. Boggess serves on the board in her capacity as president of a MEC member institution. “I am looking forward to working with the Board of Directors to further the Conference’s dedication to the highest standards in intercollegiate athletic programming for our studentathletes both in competition and in the classroom,” Dr. Boggess said. “We are hoping to see growth in the number of teams and members in the Mountain East Conference,” she said. “In addition, we will be working toward full compliance with and understanding of NCAA Division II rules.” The Board of Directors of the Mountain East Conference sets policy for the Conference. CONCORD ATHLETICS ANNOUNCES NEW FACEBOOK PAGE
The Concord University Athletic Department has a new Facebook page. All news and releases from the athletic department will now be posted to https://www.facebook. com/CUMountainLions/ Concord fans can simply visit the page and press the “Like” button near the top of the page to get information about CU athletics at their fingertips
JOHNSON RETIRES AS GOLF COACH; AKERS, BLAKE TAKE OVER PROGRAM Concord University head men’s and women’s golf coach Will Johnson has retired from his position after 33 years of service to the school. Johnson spent the last six seasons leading the golf program at Concord where he had unprecedented success in that time frame. Johnson coached the men’s golf team to three conference championships in 2012, 2013, 2014. During the 2012 West Virginia Intercollegiate Conference Championship and 2013 Mountain East Conference Championship, the Mountain Lions had the tournament medalists in Stefan Labushagne and Evan Muscari. Additionally, Johnson coached the MEC Freshman of the Year, Samuel Berry, during the 2014-15 campaign. In total, Johnson coached five first team all-conference golfers on the men’s side during his tenure. Johnson had equal success guiding the women’s golf team. He coached three first team allconference performers in Marina Erice and Stephanie Peareth during both the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. This past year, Natalia
Jornet was the MEC Golfer of the Year and Freshman of the Year as she won all three MEC Tournaments including a comefrom-behind win at the MEC Championship in October. “Will has been a great asset to the athletic department and the entire Concord campus community and we will miss him,” Concord University Director of Athletics Kevin Garrett said. “We wish him the best in his years of retirement.” Some of Johnson’s other positions at Concord have included coaching women’s basketball from 1993-2000. Johnson also served as an assistant coach to Steve Cox on the men’s basketball staff from 1989-1993 and also a stint on Cox’s staff until becoming golf coach in 2012. Johnson was a member of the 1998 Concord University Athletics Hall of Fame Class after a decorated basketball career from 1976-1980 where he averaged 18.6 points and 12.1 rebounds per game for his career. Johnson is CU’s all-time leading rebounder in terms of average. Tesla Akers and Adam Blake were named to take over the CU golf program upon Johnson’s retirement. Akers and Blake are both familiar with the Concord athletic family as Akers serves as the women’s basketball assistant coach while Blake has the same title with the men’s basketball program. ' Fall 2017 • 61
CU ATHLETICS
A Princeton, W.Va. native, Akers is coaching the women’s golf team. Blake, who is starting his second season as an assistant to Todd May, has assumed the men’s golf coaching role. “I’m happy to have two familiar faces take over our golf programs at Concord,” Garrett said. “I know they will both do a great job, and I’m looking forward to them carrying on the success our golf programs have experienced in the past.” Akers becomes the first female to coach the women’s golf program in its history. Both coaches will continue to work with the basketball programs. HOMER K. BALL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISES FUNDS FOR CU STUDENTS Golfers headed to the golf course on June 9, 2017 to support a long-running scholarship fundraiser for Concord University students. Pipestem State Park’s 18-hole course was the setting that morning for the 28th Annual Homer K. Ball Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament. Ball, a Lerona, W.Va. native, graduated from Concord in 1948. He served as sheriff of Mercer County, West Virginia state senator and director of the physical plant at Concord. Ball was also an avid golfer. In 1991, the annual golf tournament benefitting Concord was named in his honor. After his passing in 2008, the tournament was renamed the Homer K. Ball Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament. Along with a morning of golf, the event also included lunch, awards and drawings for prizes.
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Golfers participate in the tournament at Pipestem State Park.
CU ATHLETICS
What is the Mountain Lion Club, Inc.? The Mountain Lion Club is the fundraising foundation of Concord University Athletics. Financial support from this organization provides for scholarships, facility upgrades, recruitment and retention of talented student-athletes and coaches, and other operating expenses.
Join the Club! JOIN the team that is building the foundation for a generation of champions. For more information and to see up-to-date Concord University Athletics News, please visit www.cumountainlions.com
Fall 2016 • 82
Keeping Up With Concord Social media has allowed people to keep in touch with individuals, groups and activities all across the globe and Concord is using some of these tools to keep its alumni connected to the University and each other. You can keep up with Concord through any (or all!) of the following outlets:
Facebook: Concord University Alumni Association, Inc. and Concord University
Snapchat: ConcordU1872
LinkedIn: Official Concord University page and
YouTube: CUCATVIDEO
Twitter: @CampusBeautiful and @ConcordUAlumni
the Official Concord University Alumni group
Pinterest: Concord University Alumni Association Instagram: ConcordUAlumni
We hope you will take advantage of each of these sites as a quick and easy way to keep up with Concord! Fall 2017 • 63
ALUMNI HAPPENINGS Homecoming Gathering at the Nostalgia Inn Friends gather at the Nostalgia Inn in Pipestem during Homecoming. Shown from left to right are: Eva Gallione, Gordon and Joyce Jones, Ellie and Jim White and Brenda and Erwin Farmer. | Submitted by Bob Gallione '68
SAVE THE DATE! An Award Winning Evening with the CUAA! MAY 4, 2018 - Awards Presentation - - Silent Auction Fundraiser -
- Musical Entertainment -
Concord University Campus Contact 304-384-6311 or alumni@concord.edu for details
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Alums Gather in Princeton for Pine Trees Summer Social
The Pine Trees Alumni Chapter gathered for a Summer Social on July 21. The event was held at the historic Fredeking home in Princeton. | Submitted by Deborah Gillespie '74
Sig Tau Golf Outing
Members of the Sig Tau Fraternity held a golf outing May 3-7 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The group plans to meet again the first week of May in 2018 and encourage all Sig Tau brothers to attend.
Back Row (L to R): Bob Rose '72, Stephen Annie '72, Lilliard Pitts '72, Marshall Parker '74, Bill Bertwell '73, Alex Castaneda '75, Jeff Boyles '78, Ronnie Wade Front Row (L to R): Chipper Rose '75, Craig Alterio, Ronnie Ball '72, E.R. Dickerson '72, Chico Mancuso, Paul Ward '73 | Submitted by Tom "Chipper" Rose '75 Fall 2017 • 65
JOHN DAVID SMITH
CONCORD UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF SOCIAL WORK
Professor of Social Work Dr. John David Smith died suddenly Saturday morning, October 21, 2017 from a brief battle with cancer. Dr. Smith’s involvement at Concord encompassed many levels ranging from academics to administration to alumni activities. He was a beloved mentor to students, a respected faculty member, a dedicated alumnus and a leader in higher education beyond Concord. His community involvement extended to the Town of Athens where he made his home. Born September 14, 1956 in Hinton, he was the son of the late David Elmo Smith and Mildred Parker Smith. John David was a graduate of Hinton High School and received his Bachelor of Social Work in 1976 from Concord College. John David valued education and was a life-long learner, going on to obtain a Master of Social Work from WVU in 1981, Master of Arts in Psychology from WV College of Graduate Studies in 1988, Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo, College of Law in 1991 and an LL.M. in Health and Administrative Law from DePaul University, School of Law in 1998. 61 • Fall 2016 66 • Fall 2017
John David returned to Athens, WV to become an Associate Professor and Director of the Social Work Program at Concord College. In 2001 he was named Chair of the Division of Social Sciences, and Professor and Director of the Social Work Program until 2005. At that time he assumed the responsibility of Professor and Director of the Social Work Program, Legal Studies and Pre-Law programs, Counseling Center, and the Public Service Initiative. In 2006 he was appointed as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, until 2009 at which time he served as Interim Vice President and Academic Dean. In 2010 John David was appointed as Vice President and Academic Dean until 2011 at which time he served as Professor and Chair of the Social Work Department, MSW Program Director, Director of Legal Studies and Pre-Law, Primary Investigator Public Service Initiatives, and Director of Appalachian Leadership and Education Fellows, positions he held until his death. John David was active on many levels in the community. He was serving as the Chair of the West Virginia Social Work Education Consortium. He also served on the boards of Southern WV Community Corrections, Governor’s Committee on Community Corrections, Concord University Research Corp., Mercer Co. Drug Court, Appalachian Area Agency on Aging, Concord University Alumni Association and was affiliated with various fraternities and honor societies. Previous board affiliations include West Virginia Developmental Disabilities, Hospice of Southern West Virginia, National Network of Social Work Managers, WV National Association of Social
Workers and various others. Over the course of his career, John David was honored by numerous agencies and organizations, as well as being named the Social Worker of the Year in 1995, NASW Region I. He also received the Hawey Wells Citizenship Award, Fraternity Alumni of the Year, Pi Kappa Alpha; Concord University Outstanding Alumnus award in 2010 and Alumnus of the Year in 2012. John David also served on the Athens Town Council since 2005. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his only sibling, Virginia Sue Smith McDowelle. Left to cherish his memory is his niece, Crystal Dotson, her husband Jack and their daughter Abigail, all of South Charleston, WV. John David also held dear extended family members and a long-time, very dear friend, Pam Hill of Scott Depot, WV. John David’s love and devotion to Concord University was evident to anyone who knew him. He leaves behind many friends, colleagues and students, current and former whose lives he has touched. John David was a caring and compassionate man who inspired the lives of numerous individuals over the years. He personified the values of his profession and once you met him, he left a lasting impression with his energy, vibrant personality and sense of humor. He was always eager to help anyone he could and loved his family dearly. He also had a love of animals and enjoyed the company of his two dogs, Rip and Charlie.
PATRICK JOHN DAWSON
CONCORD UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL DEFENSIVE COACH
Patrick John Dawson of Athens, WV, formerly of Vandergrift, PA, passed away unexpectedly on July 15, 2017. Pat was born to Jeanne Guerrera and David Dawson both of Vandergrift on June 4, 1985 in Pittsburgh. Pat played football for and graduated from
Greensburg Central Catholic High School in 2004. He then played football and graduated from The University of Toledo. After college he was an assistant football coach for Greensburg Central Catholic before accepting a position as a Graduate Assistant for the football program at Concord University. At Concord he quickly moved from a Graduate Assistant to Defensive Line Coach and finally Assistant head coach/Defensive Coordinator. To the family he left behind, he will always be remembered as the person who lit up the room and who relished being the “Baby” of the family for over 25 years until his cousin Ariana was born. He was lovable and funny. He was always good company. He was always fiercely loyal, especially to his mother. His loyalty was to his family, his friends, his fellow football coaches and the football players he coached, basically all
the people he loved. He is preceded in death by his grandparents Anne DeMichele Guerrera and Placido “Pete the Barber” Guerrera and his cousin David Guerrera. He is survived by his parents Jeanne Guerrera and David Dawson of Vandergrift. His brother Steven (Caity) Dawson of Madison, WI, his aunts and uncles Peter (Lesa) Guerrera of Sandusky, OH, Tom (Maria) Halusak of Lower Burrell, Michael (Marquitta) Guerrera of Greensburg, Anthony Guerrera of Vandergrift and Christine (David) Murray of Leechburg. He is also survived by his cousins James Guerrera of Northville, MI, Andrew Guerrera of Columbus, OH, Abby (Guerrera) Williams of Columbus, OH, Christian Guerrera of Westlake, CA and Matthew, Ariana and Althea Guerrera of Greensburg. He is also survived by many other cousins and friends.
Walter Emery Klingensmith, MD, passed away after a short illness on September 22, 2017. Born October 22, 1928, in Parkersburg, WV and raised in Athens, WV, he was the son of the late Ralph Ernest and Mary Emily Klingensmith. Walter was a graduate of Athens
High School, Harvard College, and Harvard Medical School and trained in Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. He married Betty Ann Olsson in 1953. Accompanied by Betty, he served a tour of duty as a surgeon and Captain in the United States Army, stationed in Vicenza, Italy. In the early 1960s they settled in Beckley to serve the citizens and miners of the region. He first worked in the Miners Hospitals and later at Appalachian Regional Hospital, the Beckley VA Hospital, Beckley Hospital and Raleigh General Hospital, serving as the Chief of Surgery at Appalachian Regional and Raleigh General Hospitals and as an active member of the Raleigh County Medical Society. He was in practice for over 30 years as a board certified general, vascular and thoracic surgeon with his longtime partner, Dr. Harry F. Cooper. Together they trained a number of surgeons who remain in practice in southern West
Virginia and the Appalachian region. He served on the Concord University Foundation Board of Trustees and served Woodrow Wilson High School athletics as a team physician. In addition, he was an avid musician, sports fan, gardener and dog lover. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty and five children: Sally (William) Hoff, Charles (Satoko), John (Erin Fraher), Daniel (Rebecca Klenk) and Mary (Doug Hanto); grandchildren: Will (Britt) Hoff, Susan Hoff, Maggie (Adam) Hopkins; Anna and Sara Maeve Klingensmith; Aaron Klingensmith; Tucker and Tenley Hall; great grandchildren: Billy, PJ and Ann Hoff; sister-in-law Barbara Klingensmith and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his older brother David C. Klingensmith and younger sister Mary Alice Thurston.
DR. WALTER KLINGENSMITH
FORMER CONCORD UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION TRUSTEE
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SUSAN LANDIS
BECKLEY AREA FOUNDATION DIRECTOR
Susan Stevenson Landis of Daniels, WV, passed away on Friday, July 14, 2017. She was born on April 3, 1943. The daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Clifford A. Stevenson, she attended schools all over the United States, graduating from Churchland High School in Portsmouth, VA. Susan earned her BA in Psychology from the College of William and Mary, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and completed her Master’s in Education at Old Dominion University and the University of Virginia. Upon graduation, she held various counseling and teaching positions before relocating to Beckley, WV, in 1963, where she later became the Manager of the Beckley Bone and Joint Clinic. Upon her arrival in Beckley, Susan became a very active member of the community serving on
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countless boards including: The Board of Directors of the Youth Museum of Southern WV, Past President of Woodcliff Garden Club, Board of Directors of the BeckleyRaleigh County YMCA, Chair of the Winterplace Junior Race Team, Officer of the Raleigh County Medical Auxiliary, and Friends of the Library, Board of Directors of Theatre of West Virginia, Board of Directors of the United Way of Southern WV, Beckley Rotary Club, Board of Trustees of Virginia Episcopal School, Trustee Emeritus, Mountain State University, Concord University Foundation Board of Directors and a member of the Board of Directors of the Beckley Area Foundation. Susan did not just serve on these boards, she worked diligently with every organization, exemplifying the true spirit of volunteerism. In 1994 Susan became the Executive Director of the Beckley Area Foundation (BAF); a position she held till her death. Through her position at BAF, Susan became an active member of The WV Consortium of Community Foundations, which is now WV Grantmakers, The WV Commission for National and Community Service, Leave a Legacy and Philanthropy WV. Susan was well known across West Virginia for her work with the arts. She was the Chair of the WV Commission of the Arts, a member of the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation Board of Directors, the Board of
Directors of the National Assembly of State Arts Associations and WV Public Broadcasting Board of Directors. Susan received countless awards throughout her life including: the Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce “Outstanding Community Service Award”, Theatre WV “Bravo Award” 1999, 2001 Charter Communications “Cool Woman Award”, 2002 and 2003 Beckley Rotarian of the Year Award and 2004 Paul Harris Award, 2005, Service Above Self award from the Beckley Rotary Club. Susan was recognized by President George W. Bush when he visited Beckley in 2004, for her hours of volunteer service exceeding 4,000 lifetime hours offered by the United States Freedom Corps and in 2002 The Beckley Raleigh County YMCA’s Spirit of Beckley Award. She is survived by her son Andrew Ellsworth Landis III (Sharon) and granddaughter Madilyn Rose PappasLandis of Boulder, CO. Additionally, Susan is survived by a brother, Clifford A Stevenson, and family of Athens OH. She is also survived by her “family of friends” and numerous cousins.
LEWIS D'ANTONI
CONCORD UNIVERSITY OLDEST LIVING ALUM
Lewis Joseph D’Antoni passed away on October 28, 2017 at the age of 103. Prior to his passing, D’Antoni was among the oldest, if not the oldest, known living alumnus of Concord. He was born in McComas, W.Va., December 31, 1913 to Andrea and Flora D’Antoni. He was the eldest of four children. He was preceded in death by his three younger siblings, Andy (Di), Olga, and Anna. In 1924, Lewis married the former Betty Jo Bailey. Lewis graduated from Mullens High School. He received a bachelor’s degree from Concord College in 1937 and a master’s degree from Marshall University. D’Antoni was a four-sport standout at Concord during the 1930s. He was named to the AllWVIAC First Team in basketball in 1936 and 1937. He was also selected to the All-WVIAC Second Team in football during his time at Concord. D’Antoni also lettered in track and field and tennis in college.
He graduated from Concord in 1937. Upon graduation from college, he began his teaching/coaching career in Pineville, W.Va. while playing D League professional baseball in the summers. In 1942, Lewis enlisted in the US Navy to serve during World War II. He served 44 months, 15 of those months in the Pacific, as a Lieutenant JG. Upon returning from the war, he resumed his career as a teacher/coach at Mullens High School. He coached in Ohio at Chesapeake High School from 1971-1982. Lewis retired in 1982. D’Antoni was a coaching legend at the high school level in West Virginia where he won the 1955 state basketball championship and 450 games in his career. When Mullens won the state title, D’Antoni received the first High School Coach of the Year Award from the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. He was inducted in the Mullens, Chesapeake, and West Virginia sports halls of fame and was distinguished as a charter member in the Concord University Hall of Fame in 1995. In 1992, 2010, and 2014, he was awarded the Distinguished West Virginian Award. While Lewis D’Antoni was a highly accomplished athlete and coach, he was also a teacher and high school principal. His greatest success came as a mentor/role model for young people and his community endeavors. He believed that sports, structured correctly, provide young people the right venue to develop into strong and
productive members of society. Lewis organized Little League and Babe Ruth in Mullens, the basketball summer leagues, and introduced marble tournaments in the area that produced a national champion. During the Mountain Lions 20112012 basketball season, D’Antoni appeared at the Carter Center for “Lewis D’Antoni Day.” At the event, D’Antoni had a book signing for his memoir “The Coach’s Coach” in which he shares the story of his immigrant Italian family and his life with sports. D’Antoni received an honorary doctorate from Concord in 2014 for his remarkable life and his exemplary accomplishments as a coach and an educator. Lewis was the recipient of many awards, but the one that gave him such delight was his hole-in-one, at age 90, played from the white tees at Twin Falls State Park golf course. His remark to someone when they congratulated him on the feat, “Well, it was about time.” Lewis is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jo. He is survived by his children, Kathy of Barboursville, W.Va., Lewis Joseph, II (Vanessa) of Barboursville, W.Va., Michael Andrew (Laurel) of Houston, Texas, Mark Bailey (Chelle), of St. Albans, W.Va., his grandchildren, Matthew, Andrew, Nicholas, Morgan, Michael, Bailey, Parker, Kennedy, and his 3 great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Jackson, and William. Lewis donated his body to science. The family will hold a celebration of his life in Mullens, W.Va., the town he loved, in the spring.
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Alumni Spotlight Alumni Spotlight features outstanding achievements of alums and is highlighted on CU’s website. The Alumni Spotlight archive is located at: http://www.concord.edu/advancement/alumni-spotlight
June 2017 - James Suroski '12 & Brandon Bennett '11 Concord was fortunate enough to have not one but two alums recognized for their outstanding service in the classroom. James Suroski was named Mercer County’s Teacher of the Year 2018 and Brandon Bennett was named the 2017 Raleigh County Teacher of the Year. Both alums were recognized during special ceremonies. Congratulations to both of these alums on their special recognitions!
July 2017 - Scott McClanahan '00 It’s not every day that you get to read about a Concord alum on the pages of Rolling Stone! We are proud of alums like Scott who are making a name for themselves in their field and wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors!
August - Joey Fama '11 Concord alum Joey Fama ’11 was recently featured by a local news media outlet for the national recognition he’s received for screenwriting. Joey’s script, “A New Sound” won Best Comedy Screenplay Under Twenty Pages and Second Prize in Best Science Fiction Screenplay Under Twenty Pages at the 2017 Northern Virginia Festival. We wish Joey continued success as he makes a name for himself in the screenwriting world!
September - Max Sopher We’d like to congratulate Concord alum Max Sopher on recently being named as the Interim Director of Alumni and Donor relations here at Concord! Max has been with Concord for a little over a year and is excited for the next step in his Concord career!
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Class Notes
ACHIEVEMENTS 1980s ______________ 1990s ____________ DEIRDRE CLINE ’86 is the first female to serve as superintendent of Wyoming County Schools. She grew up in the Wyoming County community of Matheny and graduated from Oceana High School. Cline earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Concord and a master’s degree in educational administration from the WVU College of Graduate Studies. She spent 15 years in the classroom teaching English in Florida and West Virginia. Her career as an educator also includes serving as an assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent.
EDDIE STARCHER ’91 is among four former White Falcon athletes inducted into the Wahama Hall of Fame in September. Starcher graduated from the Mason, W.Va. high school in 1987. He received three varsity letters in football and two in baseball. As a member of Wahama’s 1986 playoff team, he was also All-State and Little Kanawha Conference Honorable Mention. He was team captain for the Mountain Lions in 1990 and was also named All-Conference WVIAC that year. During the four years he played football for Concord, the team’s record was 30-9. The Mountain Lions also won three conference championships and earned two NAIA playoff berths during that time. Starcher is a 25year veteran of the West Virginia State Police. He graduated from the National FBI Academy in 2014.
MICHELLE (FLEMING) CAROLLA ’92 has released her first book. “The Light of The Dark” is a nighttime children’s book that helps little ones get to sleep. It’s available on Amazon.com at http://amzn. to/2wbxYH2 in paperback and on Kindle. Carolla is a Communications graduate. She continues to work in TV news. She received an MA from George Mason University and teaches communications part-time. She works as the main anchor in Madison, WI
Richko Receives Honorary Patriot Award
BARBARA BERG RICHKO ’72 is a recipient of the 2017 Honorary Patriot Award presented by the Seaford 9/11 Memorial Committee. Recipients of the award are nominated by the public and selected by the committee in honor of five Seaford High School alumni who were lost on Sept. 11, 2001: Tommy Haskell, Timmy Haskell, John Perry, Robert Sliwak and Michael Wittenstein. The award has been presented annually since 2002. Criteria for the award include making significant contributions to Seaford schools, the community or the 9/11 Memorial. Barbara has been a resident of Seaford, N.Y. for forty years and has served the community in a number of ways. She was a volunteer den mother for her son Eric, a softball and soccer coach for her daughter Kristy’s team and a swimming coach. She was a member of the Seaford Manor PTA, and the Seaford Middle/High School PTSA for more than 25 years. Professionally, she was a math educator for the school district and later a substitute and a long-term leave replacement at Seaford. She became a permanent faculty member in 1989. Along with teaching mathematics and physical education, she coached field hockey, track and field and volleyball. Her students excelled academically and her volleyball teams earned high school championships. Although retired, Barbara teaches mathematics to homebound students and she is the Secretary Treasurer of the Association of Retired Teachers of Seaford. She developed and supervised the middle school’s Friday Night Live Program and the Sports Night Program. Her community involvement and volunteer service includes Seaford American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Seaford Historical Society, Seaford Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Seaford Wellness Council, and Seaford HS 9/11 Memorial Committee. She is president of the LI Polish Legion of American Veterans Ladies Auxiliary. She has been named to the Carey High School Athletics Wall of Honor and the Seaford Coaches Wall of Honor. Barbara is also a recipient of the NYS Volleyball Officials Forty Years of Service award.
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Class Notes Scarborough Named Marketing Manager of Health System LINDA MCLAUGHLIN SCARBOROUGH ’87 has joined LewisGale Regional Health System in Salem, Va., as Marketing Manager. LewisGale Regional Health System is an affiliate of HCA, the largest medical corporation in the world. In this new role, Linda is responsible for the marketing functions for LewisGale Medical Center in Salem, LewisGale Hospital Alleghany in Low Moor, Va., LewisGale Hospital Montgomery in Blacksburg, Va., and LewisGale Hospital Pulaski. She most recently served as communications strategist for Anstey Hodge Advertising Group in Roanoke. Prior to joining that agency, she was the communications specialist for Hanover County Public Schools, just outside of Richmond, Va. Before relocating, she resided in Roanoke where she created the public relations department for Roanoke County Public Schools. Collectively, she has spent more than 20 years in marketing and public relations, beginning this portion of her career at the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. Before entering the public relations and marketing field, she was a journalist and weather anchor at five television stations throughout the eastern United States. This included being the health reporter for the NBC affiliate, WSLS-TV, in Roanoke, where she worked exclusively with LewisGale Medical Center covering daily health issues. Linda was involved as a volunteer with the Miss Virginia organization, assuming the responsibilities of public relations director for four years. In 2007, she started a freelance business, where she has provided voice-over services for video projects, radio and television commercials and telephone answering systems. Linda graduated from Concord University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in commercial art, advertising, and broadcast communications. where she lives with her husband, son and her special poodle. GREG SHUPE ’94 has been promoted to President of Pioneer Community Bank. He most recently served on the bank’s executive team as Vice President and Chief Credit Officer. Shupe graduated from the West Virginia Bankers Association School of Banking and is currently enrolled at Stonier Graduate School of Banking. He has more than 22 years of financial and banking experience. Headquartered in Iaeger, W.Va., Pioneer Community Bank serves southern West Virginia and also has branch locations in Sophia, War and Welch, W.Va. 72 • Fall 2017
ERIC RICHARDSON ’97 is the new boys basketball head coach at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, PA. He previously served as a top assistant for Cumberland Valley. He has also coached in Maryland. Richardson played forward the Mountain Lions when he was a student at Concord.
2000s ______________ ERIN P. ALLS ’02 has been recognized as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member in Real Estate by Continental Who’s Who. She is the Founder and Owner of Silicon Beach Homes which specializes in luxury residential
properties in New York and Silicon Beach. Along with clients from Los Angeles and New York City, her clientele also extends to international buyers and sellers. She received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Concord and participated in a New York Film Academy directing program. Her professional affiliations include membership in the Burbank Association of Realtors, the Beverly Hills Association of Realtors, the California Association of Realtors and the Real Estate Board of New York.
Class Notes
CHRISTOPHER S. TOLLIVER ’04 was named a School Support Officer for Guilford County Schools in North Carolina this August. In the position he will supervise a cluster of 12 schools/principals. Tolliver has spent his entire career in education with Guilford County Schools. He served as an elementary and middle school math teacher from 2005-2011. Tolliver was honored as the 2008 Teacher of the Year. Tolliver was an Assistant Principal at James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro from 2011-2014 followed by becoming the Principal of Eastern Guilford Middle School in 2014, a position he held until his most recent transition. He led Eastern Guilford Middle School to its highest gains in End of Grade testing and off of the North Carolina State Identified Low Performing Schools list. As a Concord student, he played on the Mountain Lions football team from 1999-2003. He and his wife, Bridgett, married on Nov. 20, 2016 and have two children, Aydan and Ayva. JESSICA LILLY ’07, representing West Virginia Public Broadcasting, and VALERIE SULLIVAN ’99, JESSICA SCHUELER ’09, TIM CARRICO ’17 AND LARRY MARRS ’03 of WVNSTV were nominated for regional EMMY Awards earlier this year. The nominations were announced in June by the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Both groups submitted entries dealing with the June 2016 flooding in southern West Virginia
that has been described as a oncein-a-1000-year event. Lives were lost and homes and infrastructure destroyed by the devastating floods. The entries were both submitted under the “News Special” category and chronicled the experiences of the communities and individuals impacted by the flood. Lilly and coworkers were nominated for “Inside Appalachia: West Virginia’s 1,000 Year Flood”. The WVNS entry was entitled “The 1,000 Year Flood: Helping Our Neighbors”.
as drum major. Austin takes over as band director at PSHS upon the retirement of 29-year veteran band director JULIA KADE ’79. Bolden was a student teacher with Kade.
2010s ______________
MEGAN THOMAS ’16 AND DAVID LANTER ’16 were married on May 27, 2017. They met at Concord where they both received a Regents degree with an emphasis in Music.
STEVEN J. BOWERS ’08 has completed his certification and is a licensed Financial Advisor with Sun Trust Bank in the state of North Carolina. Steven was previously a Personal Banker with Sun Trust Bank.
JOSH STEPHENS ’12 participated in the white coat ceremony at Emory & Henry College School of Health Sciences earlier this year. He is a member of the inaugural class of the doctorate of physical therapy program at Emory & Henry. Josh studied biology and athletic training at Concord and received a degree in interdisciplinary studies.
RANDI PAYNE NICHOLS ’13 and BRITTANY DAMERON ’11 presented at the Southern Regional Education Board High Schools That Work Staff Development Conference in Nashville in July. KIM CORTINES ’12 received an Excellence in Action Award for Outstanding Advanced Career Teacher. AMANDA FELDES ’12 and KATHERINE BRAGG ’15 also attended the conference. AUSTIN BOLDEN ’16 is the new director of the Princeton Senior High School Marching Tigers Band. While earning his bachelor’s degree at Concord, he was in the marching band and served the musical group
WEDDING
IN MEMORY 1930s ______________
MARY LAZENBY THOMPSON ’33: October 3, 2017. Born June 15, 1911 in Bluefield, WV she was a daughter of the late Robert E. Lazenby and Willie Blanche Dinwiddie Lazenby. Mary spent her early years living on Highland Ave., and later moved to
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Class Notes Bland Road in Bluefield. She attended Wade Elementary and Junior High. She graduated from Beaver High School in 1929 with honors. She attended Westhampton College (The University of Richmond) and graduated from Concord Normal School (now Concord University) in 1933. She briefly taught school in Grayson County, VA and rural Greenbrier County, WV. In the late 50s she opened the first cafeteria at Memorial Elementary School. Mary was a lifetime member of College Avenue Baptist Church where she was very active on many committees and as a Sunday school teacher. She was a passionate bridge player, enjoyed reading, cooking, gardening, going to the beach, and going on tours. She is preceded in death by her husband Carel H. Thompson, Sr. to whom she was married for 68 years, and seven sisters and one brother. Mrs. Thompson is survived by three sons: Carel, Jr. (Caroline), Jerry (Janice), and Ed (Ann), six grandchildren, ten greatgrandchildren and four great-greatgrandchildren.
35 years of service. She last taught at Oakvale Elementary School. She was a graduate of Athens High School and received her B.S. in Education from Concord College. She was a member of the Melrose Presbyterian Church in Princeton and a former member of Athens Chapter #33, Order of the Eastern Star. She was a resident of Princeton. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, James Lewis Wood; four sisters, Florence Mandeville, Agnes Skeens, Audessa Wright and Helen Harvey and four brothers, Willy White, Andrew White, Garland White and Grover White. Survivors include one son, Randy Wayne Wood and wife Kathy of Springfield, VA; three grandsons, Brian Wood, Daniel Wood and Patrick Wood and several nieces and nephews.
1950s ______________
1940s ______________
EDITH ARDELLA WOOD ’45: July 23, 2017. Born in Mercer County June 21, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Nicholas L. and Mary Lou Belle Griffith White. Edith retired from the Mercer County School System after
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GIPSIE LOUISE OXLEY LANE ’50: September 27, 2017. Born July 15, 1921 in Alpoca, Wyoming County, WV, she was the daughter of the late Robert Oxley and Vida Cook Oxley Bailey. She was happily married to the late Dr. Charles E. Lane, Sr. for 64 years. She is predeceased by all her siblings: Lucille, Harold, Elizabeth, Elbert, Thelma, and Robert. In only two years, Mrs. Lane earned an emergency teaching certificate from Concord College. Due to the teacher shortage during WWII, she began her teaching career in Mercer County. She taught in several schools, including
a one room schoolhouse, where she instructed grades one to eight. During the summers, she joined the Rosie the Riveter Corps. Working in a Pennsylvania defense plant, she tested the firing mechanisms of grenades destined for overseas. Given that the job was considered so dangerous, she performed it alone in a remote bunker. After the war ended, she continued to teach and she spent her summers completing her B.S.Ed. After her second child was born, she left teaching to become a full-time wife and mother. She accompanied her husband to Fort Meade in Maryland and to Fort Richardson in Alaska during the Korean War. When they returned to West Virginia, they made their home in Athens, in the house on West Broadway where her husband had been raised. She resided there until her death. While living in Athens, she was a member of the Athens Baptist Church and was the Superintendent of the Children’s Sunday School for many years. She also belonged to the Monday Night Bridge Club and was the last living member. Her family was her greatest joy. She was always available for her children. She treated each one as an individual and met their separate needs. She cooked three wonderful meals a day, every day. Often her children’s friends would appear, right at dinnertime, and there was always plenty to share. She loved her vegetable garden, and she especially enjoyed picking, stringing, cooking, and canning half-runner green beans. They were on the table spring through fall. Her chocolate layer cake was always a favorite and often requested at gatherings of family and friends. Holiday dinners were amazing events. She always had a positive attitude and good advice, even for adult children. She will be deeply missed. After her youngest child was in high school, Mrs. Lane went back to work in Dr. Lane’s dental office, where she served as full-time office manager. She was very successful in that role, and the patients loved her welcoming
Class Notes smile and her kindness. Mrs. Lane is survived by her children and their families. The children are Pam and Don Garner of Richmond, VA, Penny and Dr. Dennis Barbakow of Naples, FL, Pandy and Tom Stegmann of Atlanta, GA, Dr. Charles Lane, Jr. and Gina Saunders of Athens, and Thea and Scott Miller of Staunton, VA. Grandchildren include Jeff Garner of Richmond, Don Garner, Jr. of Burke, VA, Erica Barbakow of Atlanta, Alison Stegmann Turner of Atlanta, Carly Stegmann Hudelson of Savannah, GA, Jessica Lane of Washington, DC and Carolyn Lane Johnson of Roanoke, VA. There are four great-grandchildren: Haven Pacelli, Elizabeth, and Sawyer Garner reside in Richmond and Ellie Johnson is in Roanoke.
SARAH JO BROOKS WHITE ’50: October 9, 2017. Born May 10, 1930 at Mullens, she was the daughter of the late Wirt Taylor Brooks and Mildred Hazel Cahill Brooks. She was educated in Mercer County, graduated from Concord College, and retired from the Celanese Corporation in Narrows VA with more than 35 years of service. A resident of Easley SC, she was formerly of Princeton. While living in Princeton, she was an active member of the Kee Street United Methodist Church. While her health permitted, she enjoyed working crossword puzzles, watching birds, doing crafts and talking to her friends. Sarah Jo will be remembered for her loving, caring and warm personality. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Frank Jackson White. Survivors include her four children and their spouses: Ellen and David Giffin of Easley SC, Richard White of Princeton, Amy and Dean Marshall of Pembroke VA, Beth and Mikie Farley of Princeton. Additionally, she enjoyed 10 grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Angie and Lance Davidson, Matthew and Sarah Giffin, Taylor White, Zac Giffin, Luke Jackson and companion Elise Sawtelle, Lyndsey Jackson and fiancee Jeffrey Lantz,
Lauryn Marshall, Hunter Farley, Logan Farley and Sarah Farley. And, the sparkles in her eye were her three great-grandchildren: Tynsley Giffin, Giffin Davidson and Jackson Giffin. JANET MAE WORLEY SCOTT ’53: August 18, 2017. Born in Lester, WV August 1, 1932 she was the daughter of the late Millard Elmore Worley and Selina Mae Sanger Worley. Janet was a graduate of Athens High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Concord University. She taught math at Bluefield High School for one year before starting a family. She loved to entertain and fellowship with Christian friends from around the world and gladly opened her home to them. She also enjoyed traveling here and abroad. She was a resident of Beaver, WV. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by one son, Charles Christie Scott, Jr. and three infant brothers. Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Charles Christie Scott of Beaver, WV; daughters, Stella Mae Moon and husband Gary of Washington, WV and Ruth Ann Scott of Ashboro, NC; one son, Irving E. Scott of Casa Grande, AZ; one brother, Charlie Thomas Worley and wife Frances of Athens; seven grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren.
She attended and was a member of Sandlick United Methodist Church for over 60 years. Anna Lee received a bachelor’s degree from Concord College in elementary education and continued her pursuit of knowledge at Marshall University where she was awarded a master’s degree. She educated hundreds of young minds in both Mercer and McDowell counties with the majority of her thirty plus years teaching career having been spent at Anawalt. After retirement, Anna Lee simply enjoyed travel and time spent with family and friends. During this time, she continued her best jobs ever as treasured wife and mom. Her absence will not be forgotten because once Anne Lee was met, the encounter was most precious and memorable. Both her mother and father preceded her in death as did her first born child, Lee Anna, who lived on earth only three days. Anna Lee had three sister siblings June Poole, Ella Mae Staph and Francie Effler all whom preceded her in death. She is also preceded in death by a son-in-law Howard Russell Morris. Surviving Anna Lee is the love of her life for over 67 years Lance Ward Bowman; her daughter Jeanne Bowman Morris of Princeton; and son Barry Lee Bowman and wife Donna of Bluefield. Also left to cherish her memory are four grandchildren Kayla Marie Morris, Sean Russell Morris, Bariana Lyn Bowman and Barry Dalton Bowman. Anna Lee has two surviving sisters-in-law, both of Princeton and one brother-in-law of Winston-Salem, NC. There are a host of loving nieces and nephews to remember Anna Lee as well.
1960s ______________ ANNA LEE BOWMAN ’54: November 3, 2017. Anna Lee was born June 25, 1930 in Sandlick to the late Orbie Virgil Moye and Mary Ruth (Mamie) Surface Moye. She was a lifelong resident of the Sandlick vicinity.
ALDO A. DELCONT ’60: January 7, 2017. Aldo was born October 30, 1933, in Welch, WV. He served four years in the United States Navy during the Korean War aboard the USS Wisconsin. Aldo graduated
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Class Notes from Concord College with a degree in business administration and worked for the West Virginia State Government for 20 years. He was a resident of Xenia, Ohio. Aldo is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Rosa DelCont; two brothers, Mario and Renzo DelCont; sister, Theresa Limmer; and special greatniece, Josie Booth. Aldo is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary J. (Stewart) DelCont; sister-in-law, Mavis Wright (Joe); nephews, Alan Given and Mike Given; nieces, Donna Booth, Mary Beth Manoni and Joyce Ann Robinson; great-nephew: Aaron Given; and great-nieces, Elizabeth Booth, Madison Given, Jordan Given, Amanda Dickinson, Carrie Lowe, Chelsa Long and Brandon Denvy.
THOMAS HERBERT WELLS ’60: May 10, 2017. He was a graduate of Princeton High School and served in the U.S. Navy. Returning to the Princeton area, he attended Concord College, graduating with a business degree. He worked for the U.S. Government Accountability office in Washington, D.C. for 36 years. He was a resident of Roanoke, VA. Survivors include three sisters, Jeannette Wells Ryan, Patricia O’Neal, and Margaret Henderson.
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DONALD LEE SMITH ’68: September 3, 2017. Born May 6, 1946 at Rainelle, he was the son of the late Guy Smith and Phyllis O’Dell Smith. Don was a graduate of Richwood High School and Concord College. He was a retired medical technician with Princeton Community Hospital for more than 34 years. Don was a student of the Bible and a faithful member of Cornerstone Family Church where he served as an Elder. Don was an avid photographer and enjoyed people from all walks of life. He will be remembered as being a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a resident of Princeton. Those left to cherish his memory, his devoted and caring wife Elizabeth Jane Tabor Smith; children, Bridget Smith, Preston Young both of Princeton, Michael Young & wife April and their daughter Alexandra of Lexington NC; and his brother Winston Smith & wife Nancy of Mount Ulla NC.
ROBERT “BOBBY” CRAIG SNEAD ’73: July 13, 2017. Born April 28, 1945 in Richmond, VA, he was the son of the late Orlando Carter Snead, Jr. and Elsa Wells Jennings Snead. Bobby was a 1963 graduate of Princeton High School and a graduate of Concord University with a bachelor’s degree. He was a retired Pharmaceutical Representative for Amerisource Bergen with 35 years of service. Bobby was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest and had been a lifelong resident of Princeton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, George N. Jennings. Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Martha Jane Davis Snead of Princeton; two daughters, Stephanie Jane Hager and husband Wayne of Randleman, NC and Jaclyn Renee Murphy and husband Brent of Rock, WV; five grandsons, Michael Hager, Nathan Hager, Matthew Murphy, Logan Murphy and Ethan Murphy; one sister, Ann Warner of Fredericksburg, VA; one brother, Dr. Orlando Carter Snead, III of Toronto, Canada; and several nieces and nephews.
1970s ______________
ELLEN CARROLL BUTT ’75: September 30, 2017. Born January 12, 1952 in Bluefield, she was the daughter of the late Berry Miles and Maggie Henderson Miles. Ellen was a graduate of Northfork High School and Concord College. She was a high school teacher and retired from Mount View High School. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Princeton and a resident of Princeton. Ellen is survived by her
Class Notes college sweetheart and husband of 40 years, Warren L. Butt; her daughter, Katherine (“K.C.”/ “Casey”) Carroll Butt Wittekind and her husband Jared of Marietta, Ohio; sister, Scarlett G. Goosens of Powhatan and a brother, Otis S. Miles of Maxwellton; two nephews, Miles Goosens and Rusty Miles and two nieces, Sarah Murphy and Alice Hamilton.
1990s ______________
Bluewell; maternal grandparents, Joseph and Zenith White of Florida; maternal grandfather, David L. McNew of Bluefield; and her fur baby, Bubba Jake. In addition to her parents, those left to cherish her memory are the lovingly referred to as “Step Monsters” Teresa Winfrey of Princeton and Patty Charles of Bluefield; special cousin, David “Tuffy” McNew of Arizona; best friend, Tina Groves of Bedford, VA; a host of aunts and uncles; fur babies, Sookie and Cali; and numerous friends and co-workers.
Friends of Concord ______________
AMY LYNNE CAROSI ’93: June 19, 2017. Born June 11, 1972 in Bluefield she was the daughter of Diana Lynn McNew Carosi of Princeton and Richard L. Carosi of Bluefield. Amy was a 1990 graduate of Bluefield High School, a graduate of Concord University with a degree in Computer Science, and a 1996 graduate of Bluefield State College with degrees in Business and Nursing. She was formerly employed as a Registered Nurse working at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital with twelve years of service, Lewis Gale Hospital in Salem, VA, and Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winton Salem, NC. She was employed at Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg, WV and was a resident of Petersburg. Amy was a wonderful nurse and will shine forever. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Anthony and Geneva Carosi of
HELEN VIRGINIA BLANKENSHIP BALL: August 11, 2017. Born in Gary, WV on November 12, 1929, she was the daughter of the late B.H. “Monk” and Leta Cleo Covill Blankenship. Helen was a 16-year-old graduate of the 1946 Class of Princeton High School. She was also a graduate of Bluefield Business College. Her work years started as a secretary for the First Baptist Church in Princeton. She went on to serve as Office Manager for Lilly Land Co. During World War II, she worked at Celanese Corporation in Narrows, VA in the Coning Section making parachutes, and served in
the Civil Air Patrol as a plane spotter. Helen continued to work serving as secretary at the First United Methodist Church in Princeton. She married Homer Keaton Ball in 1956, moving to Athens where she helped in the family business, Ball’s Store. Helen became what she referred to as a reluctant politician as she supported her very political husband throughout his career. She served as State Chairperson for the American Rosie the Riveter Association honoring women who served in the war effort, walked in the Concord College Quest for Scholars, raising funds to establish the Concord College Foundation, creating scholarships. She was a very active member of the Concord United Methodist Church in Athens where she served in the Martha Pollack Circle and the United Methodist Women. While raising her family, she also worked as manager for the Par 3 Golf Course at Pipestem State Park, before she and Homer retired in the 1990s. She always kept busy with her church work, family genealogy, crossword puzzles, playing bridge, and attending her Princeton High School Class of 46 Reunion luncheons. In addition to her parents her husband, Homer K. Ball; daughter, Martha Jane Ball; one sister, Jean Price and three brothers, Edward, Robert and William Blankenship preceded her in death. Survivors include one daughter, Laura Jean Ball of Washington, DC; two sons, Gregory K. Ball and companion Elizabeth Ryan and Phillip B. Ball and wife Kathy all of Athens; two grandchildren, Martha Claire Ball and Jackson Henry Ball; sisters-in-law, Elba Blankenship of Apex, NC, Betty Blankenship of Princeton, and Madeline Hurt of Tazewell, VA; brother-in-law Jimmy Ball and his wife Drema Ball of Lerona, WV; and a large extended family.
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Become Become a FRIEND a FRIEND of of thethe J. Franklin J. Franklin Marsh Marsh Library Library at at Concord Concord University! University! The The Joseph Joseph F. Marsh F. Marsh Library Library formally formally opened opened onon November November 29,29, 1941. 1941. The The library library hashas grown grown to to over over 157,087 157,087 volumes volumes today, today, which which include include books, books, microfiche, microfiche, magazines magazines and and bound bound periodicals. periodicals. The The library library hashas been been and and continues continues to to bebe a vital a vital part part of of thethe educational educational program program of of Concord Concord University. University. “Friends” “Friends” areare comprised comprised of of members members who who recognize recognize thethe value value of of a quality a quality library library and and want want to to support support and and enrich enrich thethe services services provided. provided. Becoming Becoming a Friend a Friend is aisterrific a terrific way way to to bebe involved involved in your in your community community and and to to help help promote promote a love a love of of reading reading and and learning. learning. Your Your annual annual giftgift helps helps us us • Expand • Expand access access to to online online databases databases and and journals journals • Improve • Improve library library technology technology and and build build forfor thethe future future • Purchase • Purchase rare rare items items forfor special special collections collections • Sponsor • Sponsor readings readings and and lectures lectures forfor thethe benefit benefit of of thethe University University as as well well as as thethe area area communities communities You You cancan become become a ”Friend a ”Friend of of thethe Library” Library” byby sending sending your your annual annual contribution contribution to:to: Concord Concord University University Foundation, Foundation, Inc. Inc. Friends Friends of of thethe Library Library Fund Fund POPO Box Box 1405 1405 Athens, Athens, WVWV 24712 24712 OrOr byby calling calling 304-384-6266 304-384-6266
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Spring 2017 • 14
TAKE ROAR WITH YOU! We want to see you with Roar wherever you go! Cut out Roar, to the left, and take him on your fun adventures. Then, take a photo with our friendly mascot and send it to us so we can share with the rest of the CU alumni family!
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Concord University Office of Advancement PO Box 1000 Athens, WV 24712
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