G WINTER 2012
GENEVA
MAG A Z I NE
all things new
Eugene “Gene” Jannuzi ’36
1915-2011
A lifetime resident of Beaver Falls, Gene always had a close connection with Geneva College. He even held a job maintaining the campus tennis courts as a teenager. In 2009, Gene noted, “The college has been a part of my life for so long. I always knew the people—the administration, the staff, the professors—and associated with them in other pursuits.” The Great Depression didn’t deter Gene from pursuing a degree after high school. “With the help of my older siblings I scraped together the enormous sum of $100, a semester’s tuition at Geneva College,” he wrote in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Gene thrived at Geneva, preparing for a productive life. Upon graduation, he taught at Beaver Falls Junior High School, where he met Margaret Moltrup. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Gene enlisted in the U.S. Navy, participating in the North African Campaign, invasion of Sicily and D-Day. World War II deterred the couple’s wedding, but not their love, which spanned a marriage of 57 years. Following the war, Gene worked as a reporter for the Post-Gazette, and then became the CEO of Moltrup Steel. A gifted writer and novelist, Gene continued submitting to the paper following his retirement. Gene shared his passions, resources and steadfast commitment to Christian education with Geneva’s students. Gene and Margaret’s generosity includes renovating the tennis courts, contributing to the Veteran’s Plaza and establishing a unitrust to support their giving legacy after death. For his excellent service and deep dedication, Gene was awarded the “Life G” in 1983. To explore ways you can impact students’ lives through Planned Giving, visit geneva.edu/give or contact the Office of Planned Giving at 724.847.6516 Gene was a prolific writer throughout his life, and you can read some of his work by visiting geneva.edu/jannuzi_articles.
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WINTER 2012
CONTENTS
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I N T HI S ISSUE
24 14
IN EVERY ISSU E
12
The Right Thing
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Lifting Voices to the Lord
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From the President
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A Commitment to Excellence
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Geneva Across America
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In Brief
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Playing For Keeps
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Mission in Moscow
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In Motion
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Sharing the Good News
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Partnering for Change
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In Service
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Class Notes
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In Conclusion
Geneva Magazine is published two times per year for Geneva College alumni, donors, students and parents. It showcases the college and its constituencies as they strive to fulfill the college’s mission. Opinions expressed in Geneva Magazine are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the editorial review board or the official position of the college. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Please send your correspondence to editor@geneva.edu or Geneva Magazine, Geneva College, 3200 College Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 15010.
On the Cover: William G. EDITOR Greg Wise ’95 “Jerry” Thompson (ADCP ’04, DESIGNER Kristen Lang MSOL ’07) visits one of the bee EDITORIAL REVIEW BOARD yards of Lee Miller of Beaver Dr. Todd Allen ’91 Valley Honey. See “Lifting Voices to the Lord,” page 20. Ann Burkhead ’91 Dr. Ken Carson ’79 Missy Davis Jolynn Frey Larry Griffith ’85 Dr. Suhail Hanna Cheryl Johnston Dave Layton ’88 Rebecca (Carson ’85) Phillips Tom Stein ’86 Van Zanic ’93
G from the president
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
(“Sharing the Good News,” page 18),
the new creation has come: The old
who brings physical and spiritual
has gone, the new is here!”
healing to the people of Ecuador as a
2 Corinthians 5:17
medical missionary; Jerry Thompson (ADCP ’04, MSOL ’07) (“Lifting Voices
We live in a fallen world—the result of
to the Lord,” page 20), who hopes to
Adam and Eve’s first sin and mankind’s
accomplish kingdom work through
consequent sinful nature. But God
his new business venture; and those at
wonderfully provided the way to be
Geneva who work with the citizens of
reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ.
Beaver Falls to restore and revitalize the
And we, as new creatures in Christ, are
city (“Partnering for Change,” page 28).
called to be agents of reconciliation in the world, looking forward to the day
In honor of these stories of change,
when our King will return and restore
a new logo and look for the magazine
all things. Until that day, we are to be
created by Graphic Design Manger
about the work of sharing the good
Kristen Lang debuts this issue. We
news of redemption, performing acts
hope you enjoy the updated design,
of kindness for those in need, and
along with the articles and news about
using all of our talents and resources
the Geneva College family, presented
to glorify and enjoy the Lord.
within these pages. May they be a blessing to you, and may the Lord
The articles found in this issue of
continue making “all things new”
Geneva Magazine, “All Things New,” are
through the people of Geneva.
accounts of renewal, innovation, and positive change worked in and through the lives of Geneva’s students, faculty,
In His Service,
staff, and alumni—like Toby Perkins ’97 (“The Right Thing,” page 12), who came to know Christ as a student and sought
Kenneth A. Smith ’80
to set a positive example for the youth
President
he coached; Dr. Melissa Nieves ’85
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G in brief
CAMPUS NEWS
The Student Center receives a facelift Most Geneva College alumni remember the Student Center’s notorious turquoise exterior panels and passé decor. With the exception of renovations to the Brig, the building has not undergone many changes inside or out since being opened in 1965. Because of this dated appearance, Geneva decided to make significant improvements to the building during the past summer. The Student Center’s exterior was updated with a new, tan paint scheme, eliminating what Provost Dr. Ken Carson described as “the ’60s George Jetson look.” Other improvements included the addition of a new conference room, a wood-paneled entranceway created by Geneva carpenter Rick Fleischer, and new carpet and furnishings in Skye Lounge. “The lounge is a lot more comfortable now,” according to junior student ministry major Bethany Kiehl. “The couches are wonderful, and I’m really excited for the fireplace to be lit, because then it will be the best place to study on campus.” In addition, $75,000 was invested in the Fitness Center for refurbishing and equipping the facility with new treadmills, exercise machines and televisions. “I really like that there are now more machines accessible,” said senior communications major Monica Miller. “I’ve noticed a lot more students going down there now. People are really taking advantage of the new equipment.” This project was made possible through the hard work and dedication of many people at Geneva, including Associate Vice President of Operations and Human Resources Tim Baird, carpenter Rick Fleischer, Purchasing Director Nancy Graham, Physical Plant Director Jeff Lydic, Assistant Director of the Physical Plant Paul Pishioneri, electricians Tom Turney and Ed Waskiewicz, and all the members of Physical Plant. During the Student Center’s grand opening at the beginning of the fall semester, Executive Vice President Larry Griffith noted, “This renovation is about students, about making a difference in their quality of life Purchasing Director Nancy Graham and carpenter Rick Fleischer were instrumental in designing the Student Center’s new look.
at Geneva.”
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Kudos DR. TODD ALLEN, Professor of Communications, presented “Dig a Hole and Bury the Past in It: Commemorating the 1811 Louisiana Slave Revolt” at the 97th Annual National Communication Association Convention. DR. RALPH ANCIL, Professor of Economics, presented “Questioning the Margin: Using Averages and an Extended Break-Even Analysis to Find Optimal Solutions” at the Pennsylvania Economic Association’s annual meeting. The paper was accepted for publication in the peer-reviewed journal Pennsylvania Economic Review.
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Board restructuring
By June 2012, Geneva College will be implementing changes to its two boards, the corporators and trustees. These changes
DR. DAVID CHE, Professor of Engineering, presented “Manufacturing Engineering Curriculum Renewal in a General BSE Program,” co-authored with Geneva’s David Clark and Tom Magnone, at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Midwest Section Conference.
have been approved by the board of corporators in response to
DR. THOMAS COPELAND, Associate Professor of Political Science and Humanities, edited and contributed to Drawing a Line in the Sea: The 2010 Gaza Flotilla Incident and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books).
The board of corporators, which is the legal owner of Geneva College,
DR. DIANE GALBRAITH, Adjunct Professor of Leadership Studies, had her paper, “Academic Integrity: Implications for Human Resource Management” accepted for presentation at the 2012 International Academy of Business Disciplines 24th Annual Conference and for publication in the Business Research Yearbook.
recommendations made by a taskforce chaired by Dr. Calvin Troup ’83. The taskforce was comprised of corporators, trustees and members of Geneva’s administration.
is moving from 22 members to 12 members. In addition, the board of corporators will no longer elect any of their own members. Instead, all members of the board will be appointed by the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA). The board of trustees will also see a reduction in the number of its members. In recent years, there have been as many as 34 members of the board of trustees, but now there will be only 21. “Importantly, six of the corporators will also serve as trustees,” said President Kenneth A.
DR. ROMAINE JESKY-SMITH, Professor of Education, published a review of Subtracting with Sebastian Pig and Friends on a Camping Trip in Teaching Children Mathematics. She also recently completed the PA Department of Education (PDE) ESL certification program, enabling Geneva’s education program to meet the latest PDE requirements for teacher candidates in the area of teaching English Language Learners. DR. JAMES MATTA, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Counseling and Human Services, co-authored the chapter “Retraining and Second Careers in a Declining Job Market” in Career Development in Higher Education (Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing).
Smith. This will bring better cohesion between the two boards and, it is hoped, raise the effectiveness of both boards and, in turn, the overall effectiveness of the college in fulfilling its important academic mission. Restructuring has been discussed in one form or another for nearly 10 years. “One of the reasons for this is to bring the church and the college closer together. If you’re paying any attention at all to what is going on the political world these days, the Christian community is more and more under attack,” said Dr. Smith. There is reason to think that colleges with close church connections will be more likely to successfully argue for religious exemptions to various federal and state regulations and
DR. ERIC MILLER, Associate Professor of History, co-edited Confessing History: Explorations in Christian Faith and the Historian’s Vocation (Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press), which was a finalist for the 2011 Lilly Fellows Program in Humanities and the Arts Book Award. DR. LEO SALGADO, Adjunct Professor of Leadership Studies, had his article, “How a Christian Worldview Defines Strategy” accepted for publication in The Journal of Biblical Integration in Business. DR. JOHN STANKO, Adjunct Professor of Leadership Studies, published The Faith Files, Volume Two: Paul’s Epistles (Dauphin Island, AL: Evergreen Press).
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laws as they touch on matters of faith and Christian practice. One of the first actions of the task force, which began meeting in 2006, was to set forth five goals for any restructuring effort. They are to advance and strengthen the relationship between the RPCNA and Geneva College; enhance the fundraising performance of the college; reinforce and protect the core mission of the college while pursuing excellence; create context for research and development-type leadership; and strengthen the collaboration between the boards and committees.
G in brief
Geneva welcomes new faculty
Kyle Breneman, Assistant Professor and ReferenceInstruction Librarian
Anthony Comer, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Engineering
Matt Fuss ’94, Ph.D. Candidate, Assistant Professor of Business
Mario Oyanader, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Engineering
Gordon Richards, D. Sc. (ABD), Associate Professor of Business
Lori Wynn, Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Head Women’s Basketball Coach
For more information, visit geneva.edu/faculty.
A new look for Turbo Geneva College’s tornado mascot, Turbo, has recently been restored and given a fresh look. The Geneva College Student Union (GCSU), which is in charge of the mascot, had originally considered having the costume professionally cleaned; however, because of its size, this option was not feasible. Carrie Havranek, a local costume maker, volunteered to help in the restoration process, and she built a new design for Turbo that will be more easily maintained. Senior class president Kylie Gardner helped initiate Turbo’s restoration. “Turbo is crucial to school pride,” she said. “Everyone loves Turbo, so to re-do his appearance was a little nerve-racking because he is so loved. But his renovation is great. The updated look makes Turbo more modern while preserving the tradition, which, to me, is what Geneva is all about.”
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HOMECOM 6
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1 The Golden Tornadoes get ready to take on the St. Vincent Bearcats. 2, 17 Alumni Luncheon 3, 12 Local musicians perform. 4, 19, 20 25-Year Reunion, Class of ’86 5 New Song Reunion–35 years 6 Homecoming King and Queen: Kyle Potter and Sofia Payson 6
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7 Assistant Dean of Adult and Continuing Education Dr. Ralph Phillips ’96 is interviewed by the local media. 8, 9, 11, 13, 15 Geneva alumni, their families and members of the local community enjoy the College Hill Festival. 10 Men’s and Women’s Soccer Reunion 14 Tennis Reunion
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MING 2011 9
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U min F B o to the
16 Geneva’s SAE Baja vehicle 18 Geneva men’s soccer versus Washington & Jefferson President Ken Smith presents the Distinguished Service Award to Wendy (Schwedler ’91) Allman (21) and Joyce Lynn ’61 (22).
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A c C e K m ho
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G in motion
BY VAN ZANIC ’93
athletic news
“WORTH THE WAIT” The four-year National Collegiate Athletic
Association (NCAA) Division III provisional phase seemed as though it would never end for Geneva College and the Golden Tornadoes’ athletic department. After playing a full conference schedule in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) for the last four years with no post-season prospects, the Golden Tornadoes finally got their chance this past fall—and made an immediate impact on both the conference standings and post-season play. Geneva College offers a total of 15 intercollegiate athletic programs, with seven competing during the fall months. This busy three months for Golden Tornado athletics culminated with their first-ever conference championship, an amazing post-season run through the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national tournament and, ultimately, a trip to the school’s first national NCCAA championship game since the men’s basketball team advanced in the spring of 2001. While there was much excitement and achievement in every program this past fall, two programs in particular stand out for their impressive 2011 campaigns. The women’s volleyball team achieved a 17-1 conference record, earning the right to host the conference title match. The Golden Tornadoes made good on this opportunity by capturing Geneva’s first PAC title with a victory over Bethany College to advance into the NCAA Division III national tournament. Geneva saw its post-season run end with a hard fought, five-set match in a first-round loss to Heidelberg, but not before posting a single-season record for victories with a 27-9 record. Sophomore setter Deanna Briody was named Conference Player of the Year, while the coaching tandem of Wendy Smith and Curt Conser secured Coach of the Year honors. On the same day that the women’s volleyball team was celebrating its conference title, the
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History Made in First Year as Full Member of NCAA Division III
men’s soccer team was facing disappointment
selections on the PAC All-Conference team.
performance with his ninth-place finish in a
after a 3-2 loss to Thomas More in the conference McCracken also received NCCAA first-team All-American honors. title game. The championship loss, however, was
time of 27:50.
far from the final chapter written by the men’s soccer
It was a long wait for Geneva College to become
team. The Golden Tornadoes put together an
Geneva’s football team put a rough season in the
officially eligible as a member of Division III and
incredible post-season run through the NCCAA
rearview mirror with victories in each of its final
the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. With the
regional and national tournament that ended in
two games. After cruising past Thiel in the home
fall season in the books, the initial campaign as
the national championship game.
finale, the Golden Tornadoes defeated Westminster
a member of the PAC will go down in history as
23-10 in the season finale. It was Geneva’s
one that few people will soon forget. With its first
Geneva defeated Houghton and Malone to
fifth win over Westminster in their last six games.
conference championship trophy sitting proudly
advance to the school’s first national tournament
Geneva’s quarterback duo of Zack Hayward and
in Metheny Fieldhouse, and an NCCAA national
since 2001. As the only non-scholarship team
Rocco Colavecchia was impressive all season long,
championship runner-up plaque close by, the
and seventh seed in the eight-team field, Geneva
with both quarterbacks receiving PAC All-Conference
prospects for the future of Geneva College
shocked many with victories over second-seeded
honorable mention recognition. Defensive lineman
athletics will only be bigger and better. But the
Palm Beach Atlantic and third-seeded Judson to
Kevin Miranda was named to the PAC All-Conference
fall of 2011 will be a pretty tough act to follow.
advance to the title game. A late second-half goal resulted in a 2-1 loss to top-seeded California
second team with a team-leading five sacks and eight tackles for loss.
Baptist, but not before the Golden Tornadoes had earned the respect of the entire field—
Like all of Geneva’s athletic programs, the
and the entire Geneva community.
Geneva cross country teams have been competing in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference for the past
The men’s soccer team ended its season with a
three years. The 2011 season was the first that
16-6-3 overall record, which was good enough
Geneva’s men and women would have their
for the third most single-season victories in school
results count at the PAC Championship meet.
history. Senior Jake McCracken scored 15 goals,
Both teams finished fourth overall at the PAC
including one in each of Geneva’s national
meet, with five women and three men placing in
tournament matches, and he was named the
the top 25. Emily Hoobler led the women
tournament’s most outstanding offensive player.
runners with a 20th place finish, while Nick
McCracken and Jeb Nash were each first-team
Edinger posted a second-team All-Conference
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G in motion
BY VAN ZANIC ’93
athletic news
The Definition of Success What defines a good coach? Many would argue it’s all about the wins and losses, while others would point to having a hand in helping develop athletes to their full potential. At the college level, there are many variables that can define success as a coach. However, when you are coaching college football in Western Pennsyl-
“We have outstanding young men come through Geneva and it is a true blessing to have the opportunity to minister to them on a daily basis.”
vania, it’s hard not to worry about the numbers on the scoreboard. For the past 19 years, Geneva College has enjoyed having the same head coach stand on the sidelines on Saturdays in the fall. That man has built an indelible legacy of success both on the scoreboard and in the hearts of the student-athletes he has led. Geno DeMarco ’84 has coached more football games than any other man in the 120-year history of Geneva College football. The way he has maintained the consistency to remain successful during the past two decades is really quite simple. DeMarco uses his many years of experience and puts his trust in his Lord and Savior. DeMarco was born to be a head coach. But it wasn’t until the opportunity presented itself in 1992 that the former Geneva College linebacker had the chance to act upon his natural calling. DeMarco started his collegiate career at BaldwinWallace and then played three years with the Golden Tornadoes in the mid-1980s. He was chosen as one of Geneva’s all-time top players. After an impressive career, which included being named Geneva’s first-ever Academic All-American, DeMarco began selling pharmaceuticals while also serving as an assistant football coach with the Golden Tornadoes. Following the 1992 season, DeMarco’s predecessor and former coach Gene Sullivan retired after 17 seasons. DeMarco was given the opportunity to fill some very sizeable shoes and, though initially reluctant, began what would become the most impressive coaching
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tenure in school history. Three times in the 1990s, Geneva won conference titles. Six times since taking over as head coach, DeMarco has led the Golden Tornadoes to NCCAA Victory Bowl titles. He has won numerous Coach of the Year honors and accumulated more victories than any Geneva football coach before him—all the while maintaining a program that produces individuals who have time and again proven to be men of integrity. As far as DeMarco is concerned, you can throw all the records away and put all the awards in the closet. While he has proven to be one of the most competitive coaches to ever roam the Geneva sidelines, success has never been solely about victories for him. In fact, DeMarco would trade any one of his 100+ victories to have just a chance to lead a player to Christ. He has enjoyed many victories on the field, but DeMarco has also seen victories come in the way of transforming student-athletes during their time in the program. Story after story can be told of young men who were given an opportunity to play football at Geneva and wound up having their lives transformed. Never one to take credit, DeMarco is quick to recognize his assistant coaches with leading the program to success through the years. But the truth is that his assistant coaches are only as good as the man in charge.
The 2011 season will not be remembered for
both on the high school and college levels. A true
Tornadoes suffer just their fourth losing season
success on the field; however, on graduation day,
testament to the impact that DeMarco continues to
in 19 years. While DeMarco and his staff
a total of 23 football student-athletes will walk up
have on the youth of Beaver County and beyond
will never settle for mediocrity, don’t judge this
on stage to accept their diplomas from Geneva
is the fact that former Geneva players are scattered
program solely by the numbers on the score-
College. For Geno DeMarco, there is not a
across the high school and college playing fields
board. Because in the game of life, when it
prouder moment than watching these student-
every weekend. Ask any one of those coaches
comes to Geneva College football, there is
athletes finish their academic journey and begin
why and how he became a football coach, and
great victory. Just ask the hundreds of players
the next phase of their lives armed with love,
undoubtedly the answer will sound something
that have had their lives changed because of
commitment and a desire to achieve success,
like, “Coach DeMarco had an amazing
the love of Geno DeMarco.
both in and out of the football arena.
impact on my life.”
Over 75 of DeMarco’s former players have
As another Geneva College football season
entered into the coaching ranks themselves,
came to an end, DeMarco watched the Golden
Scoreboard Honors JEFF SANTARSIERO, Men’s Basketball Head Coach, won his 250th game on December 7, 2011, becoming just the second coach to do so in the long history of Geneva College men’s basketball.
WENDY SMITH and CURT CONSER, Women’s Volleyball Co-Head Coaches, were named Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Coaches of the Year for 2011.
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Th e Ri ght Th i n g By Debbie (Melone ’78) Hanes
Doing the right thing is more important than doing things right. It’s a philosophy that Toby Perkins ’97 believes in. And it’s an idea he learned about at Geneva. Toby arrived at Geneva expecting to be part of the college soccer team. What he didn’t expect was that his experience on the team would lead him to make a faith commitment to Christ. “My first year was a challenge,” says Toby. “It was eye opening. I was more of a ‘non-traditional’ Geneva student upon arrival. I hadn’t come from a background that was similar to Geneva’s focus.”
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Through the influence of people on the team, Toby developed a new Christian life focus and was ultimately honored as valedictorian of his class as well as being named a soccer All-American. The “right thing” philosophy is something Toby says he saw demonstrated across the board in his classes. “Geneva professors try to relate ethics and Christian principles. It makes you think more about what you’re trying to do and what you should do from a professional standpoint.” With a B.S. in Finance from Geneva and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, Toby has worked for PPG Industries for nearly 15 years in a variety of roles. He was recently promoted to Director of the SAP Competency Center, coordinating PPG’s $2 billion transition to new SAP software systems. His team coordinates work among a number of groups, including financial controls, materials management, sales distribution, plant maintenance, production planning and data analysis. If that sounds like an awful lot of coordination and teamwork, it’s a role that Toby’s been practicing for since his college days. “A lot of what has helped me in my career stems back to Geneva and, in particular, to Professor Dan Raver, who emphasized the importance of doing the right thing,” he says. One of the right things that Toby has done is coaching the Pittsburgh Strikers-Under 18 soccer club since 2003. He wanted to provide the same kind of positive influence for those kids that he experienced as a student-athlete at Geneva. So how has he helped his players keep their own lives in balance? “A sport is a microcosm of life,” he says. “In a team sport, you’ve got to accomplish a goal while working with others. But at the end of the day, it’s still a sport. I think that’s a key message.” “A lot of student-athletes put more emphasis on athletics,” adds Toby. “But you’re not going to be doing that forever. You’ve got to keep that in perspective.”
But athletics has indeed played a positive role in shaping Toby’s life—from his faith commitment to his approach at work. ”I’ve learned a lot about life and myself on the field,” he says. “Sports are a great outlet. Working alongside teammates is a great learning opportunity. You sacrifice for friends and do things for teammates. But it has to be framed in the bigger picture of life.” Reflecting back, Toby feels Geneva was definitely the right decision for him. “There are so many positives … the small class size and professors who care. They not only know their academic fields, but they present a Christian viewpoint. Being taught not just what to think, but how to think was a huge part of my experience.” And about those kids he started coaching in 2003? “Most are now off to play in college themselves,” he says. Toby’s message on the importance of life beyond athletics obviously got through—the team earned an impressive 3.8 grade point average under his coaching. “I’ve gotten a lot of personal satisfaction in watching how they’ve developed as people,” he says. With a young family and increasing work responsibilities, Toby has recently stepped out of his coaching role as his young team members are now walking into their own futures. Like many Geneva alumni, Toby has also maintained relationships with friends from Geneva days. One of those ongoing connections is with Jake Hjemvick ’99, a fellow soccer teammate. Jake recently went on a Christ For the City International mission trip to El Salvador, where he coordinated soccer activities for youth. When he heard about the trip, Toby looked around and realized there was something positive that he could do with the soccer gear he’d accumulated over the years. So he gathered up jerseys and hundreds of dollars worth of equipment and shipped it off to El Salvador. It will no doubt expose a new generation of youngsters to a game that has helped shape Toby Perkins’ life and career. Doing the right thing truly does make a difference. G
Toby and his wife Kelly (Barry ’97), live in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. They have three children: Cameron, Kilian, and Liam.
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A Comm i t m ent t o Ex cellence
Dr. Esther Meek
was the recipient of the Excellence in Scholarship Award, an honor bestowed by her fellow academic peers and faculty members. Along with being a philosophy professor at Geneva,
by M o nica M i l l e r ’12
Dr. Meek is the author of Longing to Know: The Philosophy of Knowledge for Ordinary People and her most recent book, Loving to Know: Introducing Covenant Epistemology. Loving examines Meek’s innovative covenant epistemology, “a fresh approach to knowing that overcomes fundamental dualisms which thwart our life, work and Christian discipleship, which takes as its paradigm the person’s redemptive encounter with Christ.” Her goal was to make this idea approachable to more than just those who are philosophically minded. “Philosophy should be accessible for everyone,”she explains. Dr. Meek’s approach to covenantal epistemology isn’t just left to her books, but is also discussed in her classrooms. She loves her Christian Understanding of Life classes and notes that they have helped her develop her work. “Many Geneva students have weighed in on this conversation.” Her future projects include composing a condensed version of Loving. Most of her writing is done during the summer, when she enjoys working from the comforts of home with her laptop in view of a window: “I like to blend housework and homework.”
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During Academic Convocation each fall, select members of the Geneva College faculty are honored for Excellence in Scholarship and Excellence in Teaching. In 2011, philosophy professor Dr. Esther Meek and Bible professor Dr. Terry Thomas were recognized for their dedicated service to the students of Geneva and their contributions to their fields, the teaching profession and Christian higher education.
One of the greatest achievements for professors is learning that they have made an impact on their students—academically, spiritually and personally.
Dr. Terry Thomas
was the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award. “I was grateful to hear that students felt that they had experienced significant learning in my classes,” he says, “I think that’s what all teachers want to hear.” His favorite class to teach is How to Read the Bible. This class is usually taken by first-year students and helps them develop the skills to read and discern God’s word. “Once a student takes responsibility for their own learning, teaching is easy,” he says. “Students who want to learn, who see their education as a calling to faithful service before God, will seek out what they think they need. At that point, you hope that what you’ve prepared for class will be helpful.” Providing a warm and open environment in and out of his classes is very important for Dr. Thomas—or “Terry,” as he is called by many of his students. This award makes it apparent that many students appreciate the time which he has invested with them: “I’m grateful to work at a place like Geneva where I get to work with a talented and dedicated faculty and staff who share this vision and work hard to help students become good students.” G
“I was grateful to hear that students felt that they had experienced significant learning in my classes. I think that’s what all teachers want to hear.” 15
By Amanda ( K A Ska l avich ’0 6) Flinner Successful business owners discover needs in the marketplace and find unique ways to fill those needs. J. Everette Pearsall ’87 discovered a need, but it wasn’t in the marketplace. He found a way to fill it, but not with a product.
Everette is in the business of making role models. He’s made it his mission to empower the underprivileged kids of today to be the successful, upstanding adults of tomorrow. “I just wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I didn’t do everything that was within my power to pave a way for a better life for tomorrow’s youth,” he says.
In 1989, he followed his heart by forming the National Alliance of African American Athletes (The Alliance) with a group of supporters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The non-profit organization uses athletics to spread messages of empowerment for youth all over the country through programs like football camps, basketball camps, baseball clinics and SAT programs. The Alliance uses these opportunities to inspire students to dream big, work hard and become fruitful, well-rounded individuals. Everette, who also created Everedy Sports Consulting, says his own path to becoming a well-rounded individual started at Geneva College. At 17 years of age, he was determined to find three things in a college—a Christian worldview, a great football team and a stellar education. Geneva had all three. On this not-too-big, not-too-small campus, Everette found the individual attention he craved from his professors and the freedom to exchange ideas with like-minded students. Now, he looks back on his liberal arts education and appreciates how all the pieces fit together to form a solid foundation. “Geneva really puts you in an environment where you’re challenged outside the classroom just as much as you are inside the classroom,” he says. Shortly after graduating from Geneva with a business degree, Everette began encountering young men who needed just such an environment. “African-American males really are in dire straits right now. They really have a big target on their backs in terms of the chances to succeed,” he explains. As Executive Director of The Alliance, Everette always thought if he could save just one underprivileged kid, it would be worth it. Then, he wondered, why stop at one? “The vision is to really be able to have a very strong impact on the communities at large, so that regardless of your race you can benefit from the stories of these young men,” he says. These influential stories are told through the Alliance’s annual Watkins Award, named for late co-founder Franklin D. Watkins, which honors African-American young men who excel as athletes, as students and as servants of their communities. The top 1,000 senior athletes throughout the country are in the running, but it isn’t their athleticism that gets them to the final five—it’s their character. Candidates must complete what Everette calls a “robust package” of paperwork: a thousand word essay, academic transcripts, and at least three references from individuals representing sports, school and the community. “There are great athletes who have 4.0 GPAs, and we hope others will pattern themselves after them. We’re trying to
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For more information about the Alliance, visit naaaa.com.
Everette with the Watkins Award Class of 2010.
highlight these athletes and present them in a positive light. These are good people, and we’re rewarding them for being good servants to their communities,” he explained in an ESPN interview. The Alliance doesn’t skimp on the rewards. After being picked up by limousines, the finalists are flown to Los Angeles where they attend a Teen Summit football camp to interact with past Watkins Award winners and to help inspire hundreds of kids from the area. They stroll the red carpet to a black-tie dinner in their honor and view professional highlight videos of themselves with an audience of African-American celebrities and NFL stars. Although only one is chosen to receive the coveted award, it’s not over for the finalists yet. The Alliance hosts a lavish dinner for each finalist, along with 25 guests, in their hometown where they receive a plaque, a ring and the opportunity to present a scholarship in their name to a student from their high school. The Watkins Award isn’t just another trophy. It’s a symbol of hope, of hard work and of responsibility. It’s a promise to remain a respectable role model for the next round of dreamers and to uphold their values in all areas of life. As a result, the alumni roster is an impressive one. In the span of two decades, many Watkins alumni have made it to the professional level in sports, while others have earned doctorates and master’s degrees. But, as they learned from the Alliance, athletics and education aren’t mutually
exclusive. Just ask Myron Rolle, who is both a 2008 Rhodes Scholar and a rising star in the NFL. Although the honorees have come a long way since competing for the Watkins Award, they’re never too far from the Alliance. When alumni members aren’t sharing their inspirational stories at youth programs, Everette is often cheering them on at their games. “I continue to support them and let them know that they continue to have a responsibility with the Alliance and the rest of their alumni,” he says. Plus, the former Geneva football player just loves sports. This, coupled with his passion for outreach, spurred Everette to create Everedy Sports Consulting as a way to offer sound guidance to athletes and their families. “One of the things I’ve always said is when you make a bad decision from a business perspective, you lose money … but if you’re set for life, you’re in a position to give back with your money, your time and your spirit,” he explains. Giving back is an important concept in the Pearsall household, where Everette teaches his own three children to be servants to those in need. “We have family rituals around the holiday— going down to soup kitchens and feeding the homeless and things like that—which continue to let my kids know that, however fortunate they’ve been in their lives, there are folks who need a helping hand,” he says. Through the Alliance, Everette is building an institution of helping hands that he hopes will keep reaching out. “What drives me at the end of the day is to really give a tireless effort toward ensuring that the Alliance is continued and will continue to be used to change lives in the future.” G
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Sharing t h e o o d ews By Amanda ( K A Ska l avich ’0 6) Flinner
“There are so many others in this world that God has picked to be His own. They are just waiting for someone to bring them the good news. How could I not go and tell them!” Melissa Nieves ’85 wrote in Message magazine, an Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE) publication. Before she decided to become a full-time medical missionary in Ecuador, Melissa always supported missions—she prayed for missionaries, she offered financial support, she listened to their testimonies. But Melissa had a secret. “I always thought missionaries were weird people,” she laughs. Melissa had trouble understanding the concept of missions, envisioning far-off places without running water and electricity, a world apart from family and friends. She could never imagine herself working in the far-flung corners of the earth. Definitely weird. Then she actually learned what overseas missions were all about at an annual ABWE medical conference. As she listened to testimonies from Christian doctors that worked all over the world, God moved her heart. “Grown men, accomplished surgeons, were standing in front of us crying. Just telling us how the Lord has used their practice of medicine to bring people to Christ just really touched me and I thought, ‘Wow, these aren’t weird people, these are wonderful people,’” she remembers.
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Melissa’s own road to becoming a doctor began at Geneva College, a school she chose for its Christian education. She wanted to be prepared both educationally and spiritually before she entered the secular realm of medical school. “Just having a solid biblical foundation for the study of science really helped me when I went to medical school … to look at the human body and how it functions as a truly beautiful, designed organism that God created,” she says. As a Philadelphia native, Melissa was familiar with sprawling universities rather than tight-knit campuses like Geneva. But for a school so small, it was big on education. “The class sizes were an advantage, actually, because you could have closer interaction with the professors and get help when you needed it; you weren’t sort of lost in this big university,” she says. After graduating from Geneva with a degree in pre-medical science, Melissa earned her medical degree at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She knew she wanted to use her skills to bring people to Christ, but she imagined it would be in her own inner-city community in Philadelphia, not overseas. “When I decided I wanted to study medicine, I really went out with the intention of coming back to that same community that I had come from and applying what I had learned,” she says. As a child of Puerto Rican parents, Melissa grew up within a largely Hispanic community and recognized the need for bilingual and Hispanic medical care. She found her perfect match at Esperanza Health Center, a Christian facility that offers holistic, bilingual and bicultural health care services to these communities in Philadelphia.
Continued on page 23
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L i f t i ng Vo ices t o the Lo r d
By G r e g W i s e ’ 95
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“I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.” Proverbs 8:12 (KJV) Throughout long careers as a unit commander with the Ohio State Patrol and an instructor at Kent State University, as well as touring as a motivational speaker and working in a recording studio,William G.“Jerry”Thompson (ADCP ’04, MSOL ’07) certainly learned firsthand the vital importance of taking care of his voice.After all, it can be difficult to convey orders, teach a classroom full of law enforcement students or inspire an audience with a scratchy throat and tired vocal chords. And in his Ohio recording studio, called Listen, Jerry heard many vocalists try to perform with worn-out voices. Often, he noticed, the singers would come in with some type of home-brewed remedy of dubious origin to try and soothe their throats. All of this led Jerry to wonder,“What can be done to safely and naturally restore the voice?” The answer—a new drink designed to prevent vocal fatigue and irritation—came to him through a brainstorming exercise taken from a book recommended by one of his professors in the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) program. “During finance class, Dr. Michael Mullas spoke a lot about business and where new business ideas come from,” explained Jerry.“He referred to the book Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques by Michael Michalko, and I was doing one of the brainstorming exercises from this book, writing down ideas without evaluating them, when I wrote down ‘Vocal-Tea’.”
As Jerry describes the process, though, some extensive prompting from his wife was required before everything clicked into place. “It wasn’t until a few weeks later when my wife, Beatrice, was looking at what I had written and questioned what all the words were—specifically what Vocal-Tea was,” said Jerry.“I explained to her how people always come into the recording studio with some homemade concoction to take care of their voices and wondered, ‘How do they know what they are making is good for them? Moreover, after all this time, why hasn’t anyone bottled something just for that purpose?’” The idea still didn’t quite hit the mark, however. “My wife responded, as only a wife can say to her husband,‘Jerry, did you hear what you just said?’And I said, as only a husband can respond to his wife, ‘What?’” After a few more frustrating exchanges, the light bulb finally turned on for Jerry.“That was the official launch of what is now called VOCAL,” he said.“My wife and I began to do some research, ordering in various ingredients and making some blends at home. After testing them on friends and family with some great results and feedback, we kept moving the process forward until we are where we are today.” That process led Jerry to becoming the category originator of the voice care market in the multi-billion dollar beverage industry. The product he came up with was VOCAL,“the original, all natural vocal beverage intentionally formulated to soothe, refresh and restore your voice.” Both the Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCP) and MSOL program at Geneva helped prepare Jerry academically and spiritually for this new venture. Jerry credits his experience earning a bachelor of science in human resources through the ADCP for inspiring him to pursue his graduate degree from the MSOL program.“Because of how the instructors of the ADCP handled the program, with the integration of faith, it truly was the catalyst for me to continue and complete the MSOL,” he said. Jerry held a leadership position within the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and “the completion of the MSOL program in conjunction
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with that provided me with the foundation for the business,” he said.“I recognize that if the foundation of the business is shoddy, everything that follows will eventually crumble. Moreover, completion of the MSOL program has clearly helped me understand and be prepared to function effectively in a position of leadership.” In addition, the integration of faith present in all of his classes at Geneva strengthened Jerry’s resolve to place Christ at the center of his endeavors:“I would have to say I truly recognize that I am a Christian first, who happens to be an entrepreneur. I believe we were created in the image of God, by God, for a specific purpose within His redemptive plan. Subsequently, God has imparted within us a divine purpose—the current pursuit of VOCAL is not just to amass wealth, but to support the kingdom of God where and how God leads.” VOCAL is more than just a tasty beverage, according to Jerry. He describes the drink as “a functional product designed for the voice, and as we move forward, functionality will be the primary focus.You will often hear my team say,‘What Gatorade is to sports,VOCAL will be to the voice.’ I truly believe the impact of VOCAL will mirror that of the success of Gatorade.” Currently, two flavors of VOCAL are offered—VOCAL Success, which is honey lemon, and VOCAL Harmony, which is honey peppermint—and plans are in place to soon offer new flavors.The product is now available in an increasing number of health and natural food stores, and is beginning to be sold in music stores as well. VOCAL has even recently become an official product of the renowned New York Vocal Coaching School. Also, studies have shown that the use of pure natural honey, one of the main ingredients in VOCAL, can be beneficial for patients undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy for the treatment of mucositis, a painful inflammation of the mucous membranes. Part of Jerry’s strategic plan is to develop relationships with organizations like the Cleveland Clinic to provide a private label version of VOCAL for these patients, and a medical study is pending at the First Dayton Cancer Center. So, what’s next on the horizon for Jerry and VOCAL? “Ultimately, we look to support events that will honor our heavenly Father. Everything VOCAL has become and will grow to be, to God be the Glory!” G For more information, visit livevocal.com.
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“ There are so many others in this world that God has picked to be His own. How could I not go and tell them!”
Continued from page 19 While she was fulfilling one calling over a period of 18 years, God was preparing her heart for another, starting with a short-term mission trip with her church to Ecuador. The country and its people ignited such a passion for missions in Melissa that she couldn’t wait to go back. And she did go back—six more times. “Each time I go back, it’s different … a different experience, a different person that I meet that kind of just renews in me that fire that says I need to get here soon so I can start doing the work,” she says. There’s plenty of work to do. “Our biggest challenge is that a lot of people don’t understand what it is to really be a Christian or understand salvation by grace. They don’t understand that it is a gift from God,” she explains. Presenting the Gospel in Ecuador can be tricky business, especially in the form of evangelical Christianity.
Melissa’s own biggest challenge, however, is actually getting to the field. Economic instability has forced several churches to cut back on missions’ budgets, making it harder for aspiring missionaries to garner financial support. Melissa hopes to make it to Ecuador by the spring of 2012, but she’ll need 100 percent of the support to send her there. As of November, she reached 66 percent, but she’s not worried. “God can do anything, so once we have a good solid team backing me up in prayer, I know that things will go smoothly after that,” she says. After all, He‘s been with her every step of the way.
“In Ecuador, evangelical Christianity is seen almost like a cult,” Melissa says, making it difficult for a church-planting team to draw in visitors. But where there is a spiritual need in Ecuador, there is also a physical need due to limited health care. By setting up medical clinics, Melissa’s team hopes to fulfill both. “What we want to do is really teach people how to be healthy in their whole body, through whole-person health care … to be able to bring them to be truly healthy in every aspect—spiritually, emotionally and physically,” she explains.
“I’ve seen how God has used every little experience I’ve had, every part of my education and everything He’s taught me through it to bring me to this point to really understand what it is to use everything that He’s given us to serve Him with the purpose of seeing people come to Christ.” Indeed, how could she not go and tell them?
G
To find out more about Melissa’s missions work, visit abwe.org.
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by Jonathan Ingraham (MAHE ’13)
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Miss i on i n Moscow An old Russian folk tale tells the story of a farmer who grows a turnip so large that he cannot pull it out of the ground himself. He enlists the help of his wife, his children and every animal on the farm, but only when the smallest mouse pitches in is the turnip finally uprooted. Christopher and Caitlin (Zeiset ’10) Olshefski ’09 aren’t farmers, but they can see themselves in this story. As teachers at Hinkson Christian Academy (HCA) in Moscow, they make it possible for missionaries and other Christian families to work in the city by providing their children with a stable educational environment.The Olshefskis may not be the ones tugging on the turnip, but they are part of the effort. “All the missionaries here have a goal of spreading the gospel of Christ. Chris and I are not planting a church, evangelizing to university students or leading Bible studies with new believers. However, our work at Hinkson Christian Academy (HCA) makes such work possible for other missionaries in Moscow. We may not have a strong gift of evangelism or of church leadership, but God has gifted us with the ability to teach, and we’re blessed to know that even this gift can be used to spread his gospel.” HCA was established in 1991 to provide quality education for the children of Christian missionaries and other Christians working in Moscow. Many of the students at HCA have lived in various countries, speak multiple languages and know that
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they could leave Moscow at any time without more than a week’s notice.While these students are gifted in their knowledge of the world around them, they often lack a sense of belonging. “‘Home’ is a concept that is difficult for these third-culture kids to understand,” Caitlin explains.“At school, we try to help the students find a safe place that they can depend on. Sometimes, missionary kids can have an extremely difficult time, and this can have negative effects on their understanding of Christianity. Our hope and, we feel, our calling is to work hard to help the kids discover who they are in Christ and to encourage them to cling to Him no matter what.” Chris moved to Russia in 2009 to teach the high school English classes at HCA, and Caitlin joined him after their wedding the following year. She started out working as the school’s secretary, but was hired this year as the middle school English teacher. In addition to their teaching responsibilities, the Olshefskis have become involved in the HCA’s small theater program, something they both enjoyed as Geneva students, and are leading this year’s school play. Chris also tutors a Korean student after school, and Caitlin attends a weekly service project at the local orphanage. “We love HCA and its mission, and see how God is making our calling and purpose here more clear,” Caitlin says. “All the teachers here work in so many different areas of ministry surrounding the cultivation of their students. Life is harsh in Moscow, and we often feel worn out, but we look at the students and know that God has work for us here!” The teachers at HCA are considered missionaries themselves as they raise their own salaries instead of being paid through the school. Caitlin and Chris work through a mission organization called Resourcing Christian Education International, which connects teachers to missionary schools all over the world and helps them manage their fundraising and finances. Chris and Caitlin are supported by friends, family and churches in the United States, keeping in touch through Facebook,
by J e nny ( B ow e r ’0 5) P ich u r A
email and, whenever possible, face-to-face visits.Their donors provide everything they need to live and work in Moscow, but the Olshefskis still need to broaden their financial and prayer support.They are particularly praying for church congregations and more individuals to partner in their mission. Now in their second year as missionaries and a married couple, the Olshefskis have learned to rely on God more than they ever have before.“We’ve learned how precious prayer is,” Caitlin says.“I’ve never been so thankful for all that God provides.‘Thank you that I had change for that bread!’‘Thank you that I remembered that Russian word!’‘Thank you that I made it home without slipping on the ice!’We are much more thankful for the little things now that we know how hard it is to go without them. Life seems richer here because it’s easier to be grateful for every big and little thing.” Caitlin never imagined that God would use her—as a secretary and as a teacher—to help proclaim his gospel on the mission field. And as other Geneva students and grads search for God’s call on their own lives, her encouragement to them is this:“If you feel inadequate, that’s because you are. Depend on God to show Himself through you.There is nothing He can’t use in you, and He probably will use it all. No matter what the gifts are that God has given to you, do not underestimate how He will use them to His glory.” G For more information on Resourcing Christian Education International, visit rce-international.org.
“ Depend on God to show Himself through you. No matter what the gifts are that God has given to you, do not underestimate how He will use them to His glory.”
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Many students at Geneva College strive to be a vital part of the Beaver Falls community, working with their neighbors to bring about positive change in the city. And whether it’s through participation in campus-wide service projects like “Our Town,” living and learning in downtown’s City House, or working together with Tiger Pause Youth Ministry, stories of these efforts show that when individuals come together to accept this challenge, their accomplishments can truly change lives and bring glory to the Lord. Guidance for many of the college-sponsored mission and service opportunities is provided through Geneva’s Center for Faith and Practice (CFP). Missy Davis,Assistant Director of the CFP, attests to the tremendous value of this collaboration with the city’s residents:“The biggest thing that we try to emphasize is the partnership, so we try to find people in Beaver Falls who are already doing good work and come alongside them.”
“The best thing about working alongside members of the community is the relationships you build.” Gwen Ward ’12, Student Union President One way that the CFP facilitates these efforts is through the Students in Service (SIS) program.Through this program, student interns from Geneva work with existing service entities in Beaver Falls, providing assistance and coordinating the involvement of student volunteers.An SIS intern works with Providence Home Care Center, arranging visitation and other activities to serve the residents. Another helps Habitat for Humanity with construction opportunities. SIS interns also facilitate students who want to help with Tiger Pause, or work in the Social Action program, the Center for Creative Arts Expression or T.R.A.I.L.S. Ministries. The CFP also begins each year with “Our Town,” an event through which many Geneva students spend a day serving different churches or community organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Pine Valley Bible Camp, Lutheran Services and others. Missy explains,“The idea is twofold: we want to introduce students to Beaver Falls and talk about shopping locally to support our neighbors, and also help them understand what it means to be a citizen of a new place. That embodies more than service.” In addition to CFP-sponsored activities, some students take advantage of the opportunity to get involved in the Beaver
10 28
Falls community through City House, an off-campus housing option associated with Geneva and directed by alumna Wendy Van Wyhe (MAHE ’04). “City House is a living-learning community, not a service project,” says Wendy.“We’ve located ourselves in a very diverse, but traditional, neighborhood in downtown Beaver Falls because we think it offers a context for deep learning for students here. Each year we’re challenged to think about how the scriptures inform where and how we live in light of this context.” At City House, the hope is for students to embrace the life of their neighborhood.Wendy explains,“We ask students to become familiar with neighbors and the work of local churches and organizations by serving at a soup kitchen, the art center in Beaver Falls,T.R.A.I.L.S. Ministry, Providence Care Center, the library or Tiger Pause.” Through both the CFP and City House, Geneva students support the stated goal of Tiger Pause Youth Ministry, which is “to make a Christ-centered change in the lives of at-risk youth in Beaver Falls as well as the surrounding Beaver County area ... through programs which directly address the scholastic, relational, physical and spiritual needs of the community.” This ministry, which was founded in 1988 as a Geneva College outreach program, is today an independent community-based organization directed by Geneva alumnus Matt Nance (ADCP ’08). “You can’t go down the street and not meet somebody who has been touched by Tiger Pause,” says Matt.The programs offered through the organization include after-school tutoring, boys and girls discipleship groups, job training, a furniture bank and much more. All of these opportunities to serve the Beaver Falls community allow students to fulfill Geneva’s mission of “developing servantleaders, transforming society for the kingdom of Christ.” Through this service, students learn what it means to be a vital and productive part of the community and, most importantly, share the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ with their neighbors. G
in service
Doug Bradbury By Julia Schademan ’13
“What do Haitians have going for them?” This is the question
even the way they gather water. He encouraged his students to dig
that Doug Bradbury ’87, professor of student ministries at Geneva
deeply into the culture, not only so they would learn about Haiti, but
College, struggled with while preparing for his most recent mission
so they would also fall in love with it.
trip to Haiti. The answer, he realized, is that Haiti is so much more than an island suffering from terrible poverty and natural disaster—
“The biblical idea of education, yada in Hebrew, means to have
it is also a place of exotic cooking, beautiful native music and
knowledge of something, in order to take responsibility for it and take
amazing community.
care of it. You truly ‘know’ something when it finds expression in how you live your life. This is the core concept of transformational living.”
“God has blessed Haiti with so much, and we wanted to remind the Haitians of what they have,” Doug explains. “Don’t get me
Doug and the students spent three weeks in Haiti staying with Haitian
wrong, they need a lot; but they also have a lot going for them.”
families and in school houses. Living in Haiti is a huge adjustment for American students, so Doug stressed the importance of being adaptable
Doug has been travelling on mission trips to Haiti for over 25 years.
while on the trip: “If you do not remain flexible, Haiti will break you.”
His first trip was as part of a team of Geneva students in 1985, and that experience made a lasting impact on Doug’s life. He went on to
The students spent their time working with the Haitian people and put-
become a cofounder and member of the board of directors of Haiti
ting the heart for service they developed at Geneva into practice. They
H2O, a non-profit organization based in Pittsburgh, PA. Haiti H2O
prepared meals and spent much of the day performing simple daily
leads short-term mission trips and partners churches in the United
tasks—such as carrying water for planting trees in the mountains—
States with Haitian churches, pastors and communities for the purpose
which took hours. Sunday remained a time for rest and worship.
of initiating enduring, positive change in troubled areas of the world. With few resources, Haitians make the most of what they do possess. And Doug hopes to impart his love for Haiti on the Geneva students
And this created an experience for the students that was everything
who accompany him. Teaching through experience is what Doug
Doug hoped it would be. “Haiti provides us with an experience to be
believes is one of the best ways to learn, so he strives to make the
fully alive. We have the opportunity to be present with Jesus, because
mission trips a time for them to explore, understand and embrace
he said ‘whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you
native Haitian culture.
did not do for me.’” This is the most valuable part of a mission trip for students—leaving their own culture and stepping into someone
Before the trip, Doug spent weeks with students studying Haiti and its
else’s world, in order to embrace the example of Jesus Christ.
people—their language, their cooking, the art of basket weaving …
For more information about Haiti H2O, visit haitih2o.org.
29
G class notes
Class Notes are now available on geneva. edu. Visit the site to learn about fellow classmates. Submit an update so they can stay connected with you.
1962
Rev. Marion Strain is living and serving in Nairobi, Kenya.
1971
Karen (Purdy) VanZwieten and her husband Jim founded and operate Life Restoration Partners, a 501(c)(3) organization working primarily in the African country of Zambia.
1982
Rev. Dave Carver recently published I Will Hold My Candle and Other Stories for Christmas, a collection of 15 of his favorite stories that he has written for his congregation each Christmas Eve. Dave and his wife visited South Korea in October, where Sharon lectured at Duksung University and Dave preached in several churches.
1992
Natalie (White) Austin and her husband Raymond celebrate the birth of their third son, Matthew Joshua. Matthew was born on April 12, 2011. He joins brothers Aiden and Asa.
1985
Dr. Annette E. Merlino returned to Honduras for a two-week mission trip in May 2011, Dressed in their Geneva gear, cousins Charli along with her daughter, Leia, and 10 University of Pittsburgh dental students. Dr. Merlino Kate and Milly are the granddaughters of celebrated her 21st anniversary by completDaylelynn (Teaford) Davis. ing a century (100 miles) on her bicycle.
1975
1977
Stephen Catanzarita recently became Chief Financial Officer at Corbus in Dayton, OH.
1978
Ann (Kolterman) Dunkerton received a Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Clarion University of PA on May 7, 2011. Ann is working at Bradford Area Christian Academy.
1980
William F. Horosz Jr. married Valerie on February 11, 2011. His children Will, Victoria and Peter attended the event. Bill and Valerie reside in Riverview, FL.
Melissa Nieves has worked at Esperanza Health Center as a family physician for the past 18 years. She is now raising support to move to Ecuador as a full-time medical missionary with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE). She will be joining a church planting team in Ecuador and hopes to open a Christian health center near Quito, Ecuador in the near future. See “Sharing the Good News” on page 18.
1986
Steve Martin was recently hired as Senior Manufacturing Engineer at New Brunswick – Eppendorf in Enfield, CT. He is responsible for supporting New Brunswick’s Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer-focused factory production. He is very excited to be a part of New Brunswick’s future opportunities in the field of biotechnology.
1987
Dr. George A. Auger was recently hired as an adjunct professor at Sherman College of Chiropractic, based in Spartanburg, SC. He is teaching Spinal Biodynamics to firstyear chiropractic students. He continues with a full-time chiropractic practice.
1988
Shana (Mann) Milroy -See Milroy 1992
1990
William S. Sacks married Tanya Sacks on June 18, 2011.
30
Sam and Kathy (Johnson ’93) MacDonald announce the birth of their daughter, Makenzie Elizabeth, on February 22, 2011. She joins siblings Victoria and Colin.
Craig Milroy was promoted to Lieutenant for the Colorado Springs Fire Department on September 15, 2011. He, his wife Shana (Mann ’88) and their four children live in Colorado Springs, CO.
1993
Wendy (Hampton) Densmore was married to Gary Densmore on October 8, 2011 on Captiva Island, FL. Kathy (Johnson) MacDonald -See MacDonald 1992
1994
Samuel Blair (MAC ’98) was recently promoted to Director of Spiritual and Bereavement Services at Gateway Hospital. He is currently completing his third unit of CPE and is writing an online blog, “The Chaplain’s Journal”, viewable at www.hospicechap. wordpress.com. Sam and his wife Tannis (Brown, MAC ’97) reside in Gibsonia, PA.
Dwight C. Snowden (ADCP #036) has been working on a doctoral degree for his latest educational pursuit. On May 31, 2011, the University of Phoenix conferred on him the Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership after he completed his coursework and dissertation, “The Relationship Between Leadership and Job Satisfaction in Call Centers in the Electric Utility Industry.” Dwight resides with his wife Theresa in Canal Winchester, OH.
announce the birth of their daughter, Avery Christine, born September 28, 2011. She joins big sister Aubrey.
announce the birth of their son, Noah Michael, on October 10, 2010. He joins his big sister Abby, and big brother Caleb. Nick is teaching English at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, where he also coaches baseball.
1995
Steve Sinka and his wife Lisa are celebrating the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth, who joins brothers Steven and Matthew.
1996
1999
Shannon (Jones) Dewar -See Dewar 1998
Rev. William Fleming Sr. (CUTS) was installed as the pastor of The New Greater Straightway Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA.
Kevin Miracle (ADCP #111) recently began working as the Manager of Simulation Services at UPMC WISER Institute.
Paul Jarr married his wife Vanessa on October 23, 2010. Paul was recently promoted to Major in the United States Marine Corps. Paul and Vanessa are residing in Hubert, NC.
Mike Walker began a new position as the Associate Pastor for Youth and Families at Faith Bible Fellowship Church in Harleysville, PA on November 1, 2011. He, his wife JoAnna (Rebman) and their daughter Emma are serving in the Harleysville community.
2000
Christina (Huwalt) Shaffer and her husband Budd welcome their son Preston into their family. Preston joins older sister Ellie. The Shaffer family is residing in Pittsburgh, PA.
2002
Michael J. and Wendy L. (Ferguson) Mallek announce the birth of their daughter, Madison Grace, born on March 29, 2011. She joins sister Sarah Abigail in Greenville, PA.
Tammy (Beck) Rosenfeldt See Rosenfeldt 2001 Rachel Wilson is pictured here in northern Ethiopia, where she travelled during March and April of 2011. Rachel resides in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Caryn (McClain) Platt and her husband Chris welcome son Stephen into their family. The Platt family is living in Fremont, CA.
Seong Whan Hyun presented his doctoral dissertation, “Job the Unfinalisable: A Bakhtinian Reading of Job 1-11,” at the University of Sheffield, England in July.
1997
John Kubichek and his wife Amy recently moved to northern Virginia. John has obtained a supervisor position at a Washington, D.C. CPA firm. He will be auditing nonprofit organizations and conducting forensic accounting engagements.
1998
Brian and Shannon (Jones ‘99) Dewar
2001
Faith (Noack) Burchfield received the Award for Continuing Education (ACE) through the American-Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) in June 2011. The ACE award is given to speech/language/hearing professionals who earn 7.0 ASHA continuing education credits in 36 months. Faith and her husband Benjamin are living in Lititz, PA with their son Braden. Nick and Tammy (Beck ’00) Rosenfeldt
31
Patricia Tinkey (MAHE) received her Doctorate of Education in Instructional Leadership from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, in December 2010. Her dissertation research was on “Student Perceptions of Faith and Learning in the College Foreign Language Classroom.” She is an associate professor in the Modern Language and Education Departments at Grove City College.
2003
Teresa (Bagamery, MSHE ’05) and Landon Clark (MSHE ’05) announce the birth of their daughter, Caden Hadley, on August 1, 2011.
2005
Justin J. Lambright graduated in May 2011 with his Ph.D. in mathematics from Lehigh University. His dissertation is titled “A Generalization of Kazhdan and Lusztig’s R-Polynomials.” He is now an assistant professor of mathematics at Anderson University in Anderson, IN. He and his wife Randi N. (Spaulding) just moved to Anderson, IN.
Police Department as a patrolman, and recently received a commendation letter from the Mayor of New Castle. Angelica (Kryston) Kisiel married Edward Kisiel on March 4, 2011. The newlyweds are living in Strongsville, OH.
Rachel (Sproul, MSOL) married John Michalko on June 4, 2011 in Washington, PA. Rachel also served as the Manager of Online Marketing Communications for Geneva at the time of her wedding.
Karen (Aiken) Marando and her husband Aaron are pleased to welcome their daughter, Laney Adel, into their family. Laney was born on Sept 3, 2011. The Marando family is living in Akron, OH.
Melissa M. (Swearingen) and Jason D. George announce the birth of their daughter, Blake Marie George, born on June 21, 2011. They reside in Murrysville, PA. Esther (Holler) Hardy and Jenny Porter ’04 in Garmisch, Germany. Esther is currently living in Germany with her husband Ben, who contracts with the military.
Lisa (Cammarata) Umali was recently named Walmart’s Regional Human Resources Senior Manager for Pennsylvania. Russell V. (MAHE ’06) and Bethany (Canzanella) Warren announce the birth of their son, Asher Michael, born on June 13, 2011. He joins his sister Olivia Corrine in Beaver Falls, PA.
2004
Jacob Gleason (MAHE) and his wife Holly welcome their son, Elliott Paul, born on October 11, 2011. Elliott joins his siblings Elijah and Anna at the family’s home in Zanesville, OH. Jenny Porter-See Hardy 2003
32 28
Cassandra (Vallozzi) and Randy Rockinson announce the birth of their daughter, Everly Wynter, born on May 25, 2011. They reside in Duvall, WA.
Mark and Vicki (Miller) Schow recently moved to China, where they will live for two to three years while Mark works as part of the startup team testing equipment/systems for a nuclear power plant that is under construction. Vicki is writing her dissertation for a Ph.D. in sociology, while also watching their 15-monthold daughter Elli. Just prior to moving, Mark earned his Master’s in Engineering Management from Northeastern University in Boston, and also passed the P.E. exam to earn his professional engineering license.
Laurie (Sicurella) Scheidle and her husband Joshua are celebrating many exciting events in their lives. This past winter they purchased their first home in Perryville, MD, they both received licenses to practice clinical 2007 Amy (Johnson) Antol was married to psychology in MD, and they are expecting Drew Antol on June 4, 2011. Members of the birth of their first child. the wedding party included alumni Lauren (Sarvis ’08) Cunningham, Elizabeth Dr. Melanie R. Yergeau graduated in (Snyder ’07) Bost, Alicia (Blystone June 2011 with a Ph.D. in English from The ’08) Adams, and Chelsea (Herdt ’08) Ohio State University. She is now an assisDawson. Mr. and Mrs. Antol are now living tant professor of English at the University of in New Castle, PA. Michigan. She resides in Ann Arbor, MI with her husband Richard A. Lyons.
2006
Christian Hauser recently graduated from the University of Phoenix with an M.S. in Administrative Justice and Security. He is working for the Southwest Mercer Regional
Elizabeth (Snyder) Bost was married to Todd Bost on September 24, 2011. They are living in Carnegie, PA. Laura (Zimmovan) and Ryan Cerbus announce the birth of Gregory Reuben, on May 27, 2011. Ryan is Geneva’s Graphic Design and Video Coordinator.
is currently working in the Theatre Department at Geneva College.
Christian J. and Regan E. (Gunnell ’12 Rafetto were married on June 18, 2011.
Tyler Kepiro was married to Becky Kepiro on August 20, 2010. They are living in Lancaster, PA.
2011
Hilary (Chickering) Martel -See Martel 2007
2009
Laura (Fischer) Cooper was recently hired as the kindergarten teacher at Rhema Christian School in Moon Township. She, her husband Matthew and their son Caleb reside in Baden, PA. Laura (Meyers) Furtado was hired as Development Researcher at Geneva College.
Kyle and Chelsea (Yarger) Harrington are pictured here with the traveling tornado towel in Connemara, Ireland.
Adam Martel recently became the youth pastor at Grace EC Church in Kutztown, PA. He is excited for God to work through him in the church. Adam and his wife Hilary (Chickering ’08) are expecting their second child in April 2012. Jenna L. Shenk received her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in June 2011. Dr. Shenk graduated with Honors as a Sigma Sigma Phi and AOA member, and received recognition as a Distinguished Scholar. She will complete her medical internship at Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis, OR. Much of the last four years has been spent serving medically underserved populations in rural Virginia and international communities in the Dominican Republic, Kenya and post-earthquake Haiti.
Josh Gmys was hired as the Coordinator of Alumni Affairs in the University Relations and Institutional Advancement Department at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Tyler and Julie (Lohmann ’09) James were married on September 18, 2010. Julie
Seth and Nancy (Gladfelter) Kuhns were married on July 23, 2011. Nancy is working as an Administrative Assistant for Joni and Friends, Greater Philadelphia. Abbie Whalin was hired as an Events Coordinator at Geneva College.
2012
Regan E. (Gunnell) Rafetto -See Rafetto 2010
FRIENDS
Julie (Lohmann) James -See James 2008
2010
Aaron and Anneliese (Daniluk) Agresta were married on July 1, 2011. The newlyweds are living in Covington, LA, where Aaron is working at Athletic Republic in business development.
2008
Laura E. (Seyler) Bisping announces her marriage to Joseph Bisping. They reside in Cowansville, PA.
Lauren Zanker was recently hired as a Human Resource Assistant for the United States Office of Personnel Management. Lauren is living in Zelienople, PA.
G. Florence (Faris) Blackwood and her husband Zach are celebrating the birth of their first child, Felicity Elinora, born on October 29, 2011.
Elizabeth “Betty” Asche Douglas, a beloved faculty member of Geneva for many years, shares that since July 15, her painting Bridge of Sighs has been on display at the Greensburg Art Center. Betty won an award in the History Through Art exhibition sponsored by the Southwestern PA Council for the Arts for this painting, which is based on the experience of a central character in August Wilson’s play, Jitney. The historical element is the fabled bridge between the Allegheny County Courthouse and the former county jail, designed by trailblazing 19th century architect Henry Hobson Richardson. Kristen (Miller) Lang, Graphic Design Manager at Geneva College and designer of Geneva Magazine, was married to Derek Lang on October 15, 2011. The newlyweds are living in their first home in Daughtery Township, PA.
Brian Jensen (MAHE) and his wife Sara welcome their son, Levi Arnold, on July 18, 2011. Brian is now serving at Geneva College as the Director of Student Leadership Development and the Coordinator for Student Retention.
Photos appear within or after the corresponding class note.
33
G class notes
In Memoriam
30s
Ruth K. (Kuhl ’33) Boyer on June 1, 2011 Dr. Anna M. Coleman ’33 on July 10, 2011
Charlotte E. (May ’48) Rodwell on November 14, 2011
50s
Wayne A. Scherz ’59 on August 9, 2011
60s
Donald R. Chewning ’61 on August 18, 2011
Elizabeth H. (Gilmore ’37) Dennison on June 24, 2011
Charles P. Levinger, Jr. ’50 on July 6, 2011
Robert D. Hawk ’61 on June 25, 2011
Beulah Mae (Ewing ’37) McCormick on June 14, 2011
Dr. John E. Metheny ’50 on September 15, 2011
Betty M. (McEldowney ’61) Kirkpatrick on July 23, 2011
Wilmer R. Piper ’37 on July 30, 2011
Edgar M. Shields ’50 on July 30, 2011
Dr. George O. McDade, Jr. ’62 on November 18, 2011
Paul A. Rossomme ’39 on October 23, 2011
Ferdinand J. Thull ’50 on June 29, 2011
Sophie C. (Kraus ’63) Gust on July 19, 2011
Edwin “Ned” R. Weeber ’39 on October 18, 2011
Wayne E. Delchambre ’52 on June 21, 2011
Frank J. Trgovac ’63 on October 21, 2011
40s
Lester M. Hartman ’52 on July 17, 2011
Norma “Jean” (Collar ’65) Fair on October 25, 2011
Dr. C. Richard Owen ’52 on June 14, 2011
Bronislaw M. “Brownie” Wrona ’65 on July 21, 2011
Lois (Farley ’53) Dailey Crain on March 9, 2011
George R. Jackson ’66 on August 14, 2011
Lasca L. (Barbee ’55) DeSocio on October 20, 2011
John C. Allingham ’67 on October 10, 2011
Alexander Louise “Lou” Demeter ’56 on June 9, 2011
W. Scott Schimpf ’68 on February 12, 2011
Albert S. Keul ’56 on June 18, 2011
Elizabeth A. Hutcheson ’69 on October 16, 2011
Helen E. Workley ’41 on July 28, 2011 Marie E. Snead ’43 on May 25, 2011. Marie worked for Geneva’s McCartney Library from 1952-62. Frederick R. McCammon’44 on October 2, 2011 Marion E. (Hays ’45) Brooks on June 30, 2011 Marilyn G. (Martin ’46) Pastrick on September 15, 2011 Margery J. (Dodds ’47) Simpson on October 4, 2011 Dr. Kenneth E. Thompson ’47 on October 30, 3011 Raymond W. George ’48 on August 25, 2011
34
Margaret “Jane” (Houlette ’48) McMillion on June 8, 2011
Lester R. Wagner ’56 on October 12, 2011
70s
Vivian J. (Ziegel ’70) Banyas on September 6, 2011
Beulah “Bea” V. Jean (McHattie ’57) Gilkey on June 12, 2011
Verna G. Otto ’71 on June 25, 2011
Paul D. Fronko ’58 on September 16, 2011
Joan E. (Oppelt ’71) Venn on July 7, 2011
Peter J. Madgar ’72 on November 1, 2011 Robert K. Marburger ’74 on August 3, 2011 John W. Daquila, Jr. ’76 on November 18, 2011 Anthony P. Funari ’78 on November 26, 2011 Burleigh Keller ’78 on September 30, 2011
Friends
Inclusion of all items in Class Notes is up to the discretion of Geneva College, in accordance with the Community Standards of the institution.
Ken McFarland on October 28, 2011. Ken is Jean (McFarland ’78) Carson’s father, and father-in-law of Geneva Provost Dr. Ken Carson ’79.
To share your news, visit www.geneva. edu/class_notes and click on “Update Form.” High-resolution pictures of at least three megapixels in size may be submitted in JPEG format. You may also mail your news and photos to GENEVA COLLEGE, Office of Alumni Relations, 3200 College Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010
Bonnie K. Dawson on June 12, 2011. Bonnie retired from Geneva in 2001 after working in the Business Department as a secretary for 12 years.
Rev. John M. McMillan on November 14, 2011. John served on Geneva’s Board of Corporators from 1966-69 and from 1974-77.
80s
Evelyn P. (Wain) Rapp on August 20, 2011. Both Evelyn and her husband William were involved with the construction of the Rapp Engineering Center at Geneva College.
90s
Clara Lou (Gates) Rhodes on August 26, 2011. Clara, along with her husband, worked for many years on campus.
00s
Dr. Paul E. Smith on June 13, 2011. Paul retired as an Emeritus Professor at Geneva. He was an English Professor at Geneva from 1966-2005. See “In Conclusion” on page 36.
James “Jay” D. Dallet ’80 on July 19, 2011
Sharron J. (Davis ’90) Betz on August 25, 2011
Nolan T. Swetye ’08 on September 29, 2011
The Rapp Technical Design Center—A Decade of Innovation The Rapp Technical Design Center is named in honor of William Rapp; his wife Evelyn, who died August 20, 2011; and their daughter Beverly ’73. The Rapp family’s significant contributions helped make the addition of the facility in 2002 possible, and for a decade, the center has been providing students a unique facility where design work can be taken from concept to prototype. Along with the renovation of the Science and Engineering Building, the addition of the Rapp Center in 2002 expanded space for the engineering department by more than 50 percent. “The Rapp Center is indispensible for the engineering department as it provides valuable lab space for student hands-on projects and senior designs,” notes Associate Professor of Engineering Dr. David Che. space for students to work on major projects such as the Solar Splash In addition to housing a machine shop, wind tunnel, robotics lab and
boating competition and the Society of Automotive Engineers’ (SAE) Baja
computer design center, this 8,000 square-foot facility provides enough
vehicle completion.
G in conclusion
From the June 18, 2011 Paul Smith Memorial Service presentation by Emeritus Professor of English Dr. Ann Paton
design. Some of us are seers of possibilities but clueless about how to realize them. Others are doers and pavers of the way. Paul could both envision a goal and figure out how to get there. We saw it time after time: the smith, working to bring form out of chaos, to take what was amorphous and give it shape. Our Smith was a scholar, constantly deepening and broadening his great store of knowledge. That ongoing learning was informed by his great heart for minorities and his passion for justice. Always an advocate for women and for women authors, he became in his latter years an equally staunch advocate of Native American literature and culture. Thus our Smith modeled for us how
“When we grew cold, and our spirits were ashen, we would go to the smithy, where Paul the Smith’s steady, cheerful fire warmed us to the task once more.”
to practice our craft in the service of the Kingdom. The smith must be patient and wise—patient and wise enough to let the form emerge, rather than impose his will upon it. This patient wisdom was one of Paul’s notable characteristics. Our Smith was truly collegial: always a leader, never a manager. While much of the important Smith-work
for the department and for the college was expressed in documents, finally the most important Smith-work was not paper but people.
Dr. Paul Smith
Finally, the smith is the keeper of the flame. When we grew cold, and our spirits were ashen, we would go to the smithy, where Paul the
(1938-2011)
Smith’s steady, cheerful fire warmed us to the task once more.
In biblical usage, a name is not just a moniker; it sums up the whole
I have said that a smith is a maker. That was a deliberate choice of
person, all of the attributes; when we call on the name of the Lord we invoke all that God is. My wordplay on Smith came to me as an insight into a rare instance when the name really did encapsulate the whole person, the Paul Smith whom we knew and loved. What does it mean to be a smith? Think of the smith-words you know: coppersmith, goldsmith, silversmith. A smith is a maker of
words. Paul and I shared an interest in early literature, in my case medieval and in his, Renaissance. We both knew that until the Romantic Movement of the 19th century, no writer would have claimed to be creative. Chaucer and Shakespeare would have cocked a quizzical eyebrow, Milton and Bunyan would have fixed you with a baleful glance, if you had referred to them as creators. They always identified themselves as makers. They
beautiful and useful works, which in the hands of a skilled
knew that there is only one Creator, and that the rest of us are simply
craftsman, rise to the level of art.
makers, doing what we can with what we have been given. Paul, our Smith, always knew that he was a maker in the service of the Creator.
36
To make something true and beautiful, the smith must have in mind
His calling was from God. His groundedness was in the Lord.
a design—a vision of what may be—and the skill to execute that
His wisdom began in reverence for God.
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8 Student & Alumni Networking Event 16 Festival of Faith & the Arts— Composer Dr. Shawn Okpebholo
22
GVALS—C.S. Lewis expert Tom O’Boyle
March
3-12 Spring Break, Quest Trips 21-22 J.G. Vos Memorial Lecture— Dr. Dan Doriani ’75
23-24 Genevans Spring Concert 24 Genevans Reunion 28 Geneva Women Green Tea, Scholarship Appreciation Dinner
31
Casting Crowns Concert at Consol Energy Center
April
5-9 Easter Break 12-13 GVALS—Author Stephen Catanzarite
14
Founders Day, Big Band Jazz Concert
May
3
National Day of Prayer Breakfast, End of spring semester
5 8
Commencement May@Geneva session begins Check the calendar at
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