Faculty Scholars Elevating the classroom experience
Historically Significant
A gift of substance
Q&A
NCAA Division III
Falcon Club
Ready for basketball season
Athletics
Team & individual records WINTER 2016
A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS
what’s inside new graduate programs faculty scholarship student internships phi beta lambda historical gift alumni partnership district superintendent homecoming athletics division III q&a class notes featured alumni upcoming events residence halls facelift
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EDITOR Susan Messina DESIGNER Gary Veazey CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Cindy Benson Amy Bunting Erica Norris Burroughs ’04 Jenna Gulledge ’12 Brian Joura Jeremy Zalacca Pfeiffer magazine is produced by the Office of Advancement, with support from the university community. We welcome your feedback about this issue as well as what you’d like to see in future issues. Please email advance@pfeiffer.edu or call 704-463-3040 To change your mailing address, contribute to Class Notes or be removed from this mailing, call 704-463-3074 or email advance@pfeiffer.edu pfeiffer.edu
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ABOUT THE COVER Dr. David Hollar, Dr. Dawn Lucas, Dr. Jason Emory and Dr. Vinson Sutlive are just a few of Pfeiffer’s faculty members leading their fields in terms of research and other scholarly endeavors. For the full story, see page 10.
Established in 1885, Pfeiffer University is a globally engaged, regional university distinctive for its transformational undergraduate experiences and leadership in professional and graduate programs that fill demonstrated needs on its campuses in Charlotte, Misenheimer and Raleigh, and online. Vested in its history as a United Methodistrelated university and propelled by an innovative faculty and staff, Pfeiffer prepares its students for a lifetime of achievement, scholarship, spirituality and service. Pfeiffer University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Pfeiffer University! After nearly six months as Pfeiffer University’s tenth president—and living at the president’s residence on the Misenheimer campus—I can say unequivocally that I understand why so many of you love Pfeiffer. Its rich history, commitment to students and presence in its communities make everyone extraordinarily proud to be affiliated with the university. Getting to know members of the Pfeiffer family at events throughout North Carolina and beyond and observing the enthusiasm of students and faculty, I firmly believe that Pfeiffer’s best days are ahead. To assure long-term success, my first-year plan includes securing the institution’s financial footing, growing enrollment for both undergraduate and graduate programs and deepening the already high-quality scholarship that defines Pfeiffer. Academically, Pfeiffer is preparing to offer two new graduate programs at the Misenheimer campus: occupational therapy and physician assistant (page 5). These programs will bring adult students to Stanly County to live, study and work. Their presence—combined with the intention of local business owners to grow the area’s economy and a newly passed local ordinance that will allow for the expansion of services offered by restaurants and bars—is sure to contribute meaningfully to the sustainability of the region.
president’smessage
Message from the president
You’re likely aware by now that Pfeiffer Athletics has applied for membership in NCAA Division III (page 26). Presuming our acceptance, Pfeiffer will begin a four-to-five year transition from Division II to Division III participation, a move that comes with a number of exciting benefits that will allow our student-athletes to be students first. Coaching staffs, faculty and the board of trustees look forward to the transition as the Falcons will be among impressive company with the highly regarded academic institutions that compete successfully at this level. Finally, Pfeiffer’s Charlotte-based programs will move to a new home as the Park Road property, which has served our graduate and adult degree completion programs for 20 years, has been sold and will close by the conclusion of the current fiscal year. This decision provides Pfeiffer the freedom and capacity to enhance programs and facilities at all campuses, strengthening our position as a competitive option for prospective students and faculty. An announcement about new space in the Queen City is forthcoming.
President Colleen Perry Keith and Barry Keith at home with Pepper and Stump.
With that, the recent addition to our executive team of Robert Fuzy, vice president for advancement, and Christopher Parker, vice president for enrollment management (page 4), due to arrive in January, only strengthen Pfeiffer’s foothold in fundraising and admissions, two of the vital cylinders that make the institution’s engine run. We welcome them and hope you have a chance to meet them soon. From the Keith family to yours, all the best for a happy and healthy 2016.
Colleen Perry Keith, Ph.D.
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Pfeiffer expands its reach with partnership program The Pfeiffer Partnership Program, recently implemented to introduce corporations and nonprofit organizations to Pfeiffer’s value, offers specialized academic programs and financial incentives with a shared understanding of furthering the educational attainment of partners’ employees.
Companies that are currently participating includes Albermale-based Monarch; South Atlantic Healthcare Alliance, a multi-state collection of over 20 hospitals and medical centers; and Williamson’s Chapel United Methodist Church.
“The goal of Pfeiffer’s Partnership Program is to develop a common interest in the educational development of workforces so they are able to remain competitive within a global environment,” said President Colleen Perry Keith.
“These partnerships provide a win-win for all involved,” said David Boisvert, vice president for enrollment management. “They serve to enhance the overall level of professional expertise in the region while putting our brand in front of groups and individuals who may not have considered us previously.”
The programs are available in a variety of formats, including seated, online and with on-site cohorts. Pfeiffer’s corporate and nonprofit partners receive a discount on tuition for employees.
For more information about Pfeiffer’s Partnership Program, contact the office of enrollment management, admissions@pfeiffer.edu.
Pfeiffer welcomes Robert Fuzy and Christopher Parker to lead Advancement and Enrollment Management President Colleen Perry Keith recently made two new additions to her leadership team: Robert Fuzy, vice president for advancement, and Dr. Christopher Parker, vice president for enrollment management. “Bob and Chris will lead two important aspects of strategic and everyday operation at Pfeiffer vital to the institution’s growth and market presence,” she said. “Bob, whom I’ve known for years, and Chris, whom I’ve met recently, complement entirely the collective experience and institutional knowledge Robert Fuzy that exists on the president’s cabinet; we are thrilled that they are on board to advance Pfeiffer’s mission.” Robert Fuzy arrived Aug. 1 and assumed responsibility for directing institutional fundraising operations and overseeing alumni affairs, marketing and communications, and grant writing. At Spartanburg Methodist College, where Fuzy led a $15 million campaign, and Furman University, Clemson University, Newberry College and Indiana Institute of Technology, where he directed major gifts and created campaign plans and strategy, he developed
expertise in building relationships in higher education environments. Additional experience in philanthropy, private secondary education and the private sector helped him develop particular strengths in campaign leadership, overall fundraising and staff development. Dr. Christopher J. Parker joins Pfeiffer in January 2016 to lead Pfeiffer’s recruitment efforts for all undergraduate and graduate programs at campuses in Misenheimer, Charlotte and Raleigh as well for online/distance learning. Having Dr. Christopher Parker led several administrative functions for his current employer, Patrick Henry Community College, Martinsville, Va., Dr. Parker supervises the entire process for local, regional, national and international recruitment. Prior positions were at Longwood University, Farmville, Va.; Richard Bland College, Petersburg, Va.; Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va.; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.; and Halifax County Public Schools.
“Bob and Chris will lead two important aspects of strategic and everyday operation at Pfeiffer vital to the institution’s growth and market presence.” - President Colleen Perry Keith 4
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According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare industry is projected to add 15.6 million jobs during the decade 2012-22, leading hiring for all industries and occupations.
expert care in any setting, particularly in communities that are frequently underserved by the healthcare industry.” The introduction of the physician assistant program is scheduled for spring 2020, making those who enter Pfeiffer in fall 2016 to pursue related majors eligible to apply when they graduate. A site visit by The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant is planned tentatively for February 2019 in advance of program initiation.
The majority of these positions will require postsecondary education. To address the need for trained professionals to fill them, especially in rural communities where residents often have to travel long distances for basic and specialized “These new graduate programs represent a medical services, The occupational Pfeiffer University complete paradigm shift for Pfeiffer.” therapy program, is in the process of scheduled to launch in introducing two new - Dr. Tracy Espy, provost and VP for academic affairs May 2017 (pending the graduate programs program’s candidacy to train physician status), will offer an assistants and occupational therapists. interdisciplinary approach that integrates health sciences, “These new graduate programs, in addition to preparing students for in-demand industry jobs, represent a complete paradigm shift for Pfeiffer,” said Dr. Tracy Espy, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The introduction of students seeking master’s degrees at our residential campus in Misenheimer illustrates an institutional commitment to training healthcare providers who are qualified to deliver
academicupdate
On the horizon: New graduate programs to meet growing demand for specialized healthcare services
psychology, child development and more—and prompt a new level of investment by Pfeiffer in healthcare-related technology. Upon completion, graduates will be qualified to apply for doctoral programs in occupational therapy. A search is underway for program leadership. Start up for both programs is provided by private foundations.
Licensed Teachers: Achieve your career goals with Pfeiffer’s graduate programs in Education Practice what you teach when you enroll in our programs designed specifically for working adults. With our cohort model, you will work, learn and network with the same classmates from beginning to end. M.S. in Education (MSE) Entirely online/semester hours 3 concentrations: Elementary Education, STEM and Special Education M.A. in Teaching/Special Education (MAT-SPED) Seated evening courses or hybrid format Phase I/25 semester hours Phase 2/12 semester hours For more information, contact Dr. Christopher Boe, christopher.boe@pfeiffer.edu or visit pfeiffer.edu. Accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction
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Faculty Update Dr. Duane Aagaard (Sports Management) and Prof. Matt Belles (Education) made several presentations, individually and jointly, at the 2015 North Carolina Alliance for Physical Education, Recreation, Dance and Sports Management National Conference, Winston-Salem. They include “Faith on the Field and in the Classroom,” “New Tech in Dance,” “Online Health Education and Service Learning” and “Mental Health and Your School.” In addition, Dr. Aagaard presented “Advocate vs. Defender: The Role of Athletic Administration and Coaches in the Midst of Student-Athlete Misconduct,” 41st Conference of Sport and Values, Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development, Neumann University, Philadelphia. Dr. Aimee Bellmore (Human Services) presented “Psychopaths at Play: Toxic Organizational Leaders Hiding in Plain Sight,” Southern States Communication Association Annual Convention, Tampa, Fla. In May, she was invited to teach at Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou, China, where she presented “Intergenerational Gestures: An Examination of Behavior and Meaning in the United States and China,” and “Mental Health and Counseling: Comparisons between the United States and China.” She also serves as a reviewer for the journal Criminal Justice and Behavior. Dr. Heather Burkhard (Sociology and Criminal Justice) presented criminal investigations, crime scene investigations and evidence-processing techniques to Cabarrus County Schools. Professor Deborah Burris (Communications) served on a panel that discussed “Career Paths in Communication Studies,” Carolina Communication Association, Charleston, S.C. In addition, she co-presented with colleagues Dr. Dawn Lucas (Education) and Robin Listerman (Academic Affairs) “Mentoring Moments: Strategies for Meeting the Needs of 21st Century Student Advisees,” National Academic Advising Association’s 39th National Conference, Las Vegas, Nev.
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Dr. Ann Crutchfield (Education) presented “Centers for Dummies: Scheduling Your Day,” North Carolina Conference for Teachers of Mathematics, Greensboro, and “Using Technology to Teach Art Concepts to Gifted Learners,” National Association for Gifted and Talented Conference, Baltimore. With department colleagues Dr. Angela Kern and Dr. Laura Lowder, she presented “I’m Done With My Work, Now What?,” “Engaging Diverse Learners through Arts Integration” and “Blogging to Build Conceptualization and Self-Efficacy among Gifted Learners” for North Carolina Association of Gifted Teachers, Winston-Salem. Dr. Jason Emory (Chemistry) participated in the UNC-Charlotte Chemistry Department Seminar Series, Microfluidic Platforms: Realization of Field-Deployable Analysis. Dr. Kelli Fellows (Business Administration) published Risk and Crisis Communication: Creating a Strong Foundation for Effective Action, Denmark: Bookboon Ltd. She also has submitted for publication a chapter titled “Upping the Ethical Ante: Exploring the Interplay of Smoker Identity and IMX in CVS Pharmacy’s “Let’s Quit Together Campaign” for Integrated Marketing Communication Series, New York, N.Y., Simon and Schuster, which she adapted for presentation at the Integrated Marketing Communication Conference, Wilmington, N.C. Dr. Dane Fisher (Biology) and Dr. Laura Lowder (Education) received a grant from The Alcoa Foundation to create and implement week-long summer STEM camps for 100 Stanly County K-12 students. In collaboration with Dr. Laura Hudson (Biology), Dr. Fisher is presenting a genetics workshop titled Project GENES to more than 300 area high school students over a three-year period for the purpose of sparking interest in science careers. Dr. Rashaun Gross (Business Administration) published “Human Capital Investment Theory and Theory of Reasoned Action: The Influence of Organizational Training on Employee Turnover,” International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, United Kingdom, Vol. III, Issue 2; “A Global Outlook on Executive
Dr. David Heckel (English) was named a North Carolina Ready for Success Alignment Fellow. Dr. Caroline Hohensee (Health Admin.) co-authored a chapter titled “Child Obesity and Epigenetics” in a book edited by Dr. David Hollar (Health Admin.), Epigenetics, the Environment, and Children’s Health Across Lifespans, New York: Springer (2015, in press). Also contributing a chapter to this book is Dr. Elisa Melvin (Health Admin.); it is titled “Children’s Exposure to Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs: Long Term Outcome. Dr. Hohensee made two scientific presentations with department colleague Dr. Carol Vogt (Health Admin.), “Childhood leukemia disparities,” UNC-Charlotte, Inaugural North Carolina State Representative Beverly Earle Health Disparities Conference, and “Disparities among childhood leukemia diagnoses: A retrospective analysis of the 1973-2010 SEER data set,” International Symposium on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Baltimore. Dr. David Hollar (Health Admin.), published with Pfeiffer graduate Jennifer Lewis ’13 MHA, “Heart age differentials and general cardiovascular risk profiles for persons with varying disabilities,” Disability and Health Journal, 8, 51-60, 2015, and “Evaluating the interface of health data and policy: applications of geospatial analysis to county-level national data,” Children’s Health Care, 2015 (online before print). He served as editor for Epigenetics, the Environment, and Children’s Health Across Lifespans, New York: Springer, and presented “Spatial dependence of risk factors impacting health disparities in the National County Health Rankings: Informing policy for effective interventions,” 2014 International Symposium on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Baltimore.
American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences annual conference, Las Vegas, Nev. He serves as a reviewer for the journal Management Research Review. Dr. Laura Hudson (Biology) co-authored “Soybean Seeds: A Practical Host for the Production of Functional Subunit Vaccines,” BioMed Research International. Dr. Douglas Hume (Religion) co-authored “Gospel Essays, Frontier of Sacred and Secular,” Review of Biblical Literature; authored the forthcoming “You Will Fill Me with Joy in your Countenance,” Ecclesia and Ethics: Moral Formation of the Church (New York: Bloomsbury/T&T Clark); and served on a panel to discuss Eric Douglass’ Reading the Bible Ethically, Southeastern Commission for the Study of Religion. In addition, he was awarded a NETVue New Program grant to sponsor faculty retreats focusing on vocation.
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Compensation: A Comparative Exploration,” International Journal of Management Sciences and Business Research,” Vol. 4., Issue 31-38; and “Measuring the Triple Bottom Line Sustainability Performance: A Theoretical Framework,” British Journal of Business and Management Research, 2(1).
Dr. Angela Kern (Education) presented “Math is Not Just A, B, C or D!” and co-presented “Technology Beyond the Calculator,” North Carolina Council for the Teachers of Mathematics, Greensboro. Dr. Rosalie Kern (Psychology) co-presented “Personality Doesn’t Matter, It’s Looks: Attractiveness and Social Media,” State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors Conference, Raleigh. Dr. James Liest (Health Admin.) presented “Promoting a Healthy Self Responsibility and Leadership to Shape the Future,” 2015 Clergy Health Institute, Lake Junaluska, N.C. Dr. Laura Lowder (Education) co-authored “Graduate Students’ Reflections on the University of Florida’s Hybrid Doctor of Education in Educational Technology,” TechTrends on Hybrid/Online Doctoral Programs in Educational Technology.
Dr. Christopher Howard (Business Admin.) presented “The Role of Character in Leadership Formation,”
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Faculty Update (continued) Dr. Dawn Lucas (Education) presented “The Effects of a Service-Learning Introductory Diversity Course on Pre-Service Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Teaching Diverse Student Populations,” Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Savannah, Ga. She co-presented with Dr. Angela Kern (Education) “Teachers as Leaders: Strategies for Positive Leadership Skill Development,” Kappa Delta Pi International Convention, Orlando, Fla. Dr. Susan Luck (Business Admin.) co-presented “The Right Tools for Mass Instruction,” Distance Teaching and Learning Conference, Madison, Wis. With department colleague Dr. Anne Murray, she presented “Engaging Students via Online Discussion Boards,” Interdisciplinary Symposium: Entrepreneurship in Higher Education, Litchfield, S.C. And her presentation to the Association of Business Communicators 2014 annual convention, “Let Favorite Assignments Ring: Sharpening Communication Tools and Self & Career Development Selections,” is published in Business & Professional Communication Quarterly, vol. 78, no. 2. Dr. Randall McClure (English) co-authored “The Next Digital Scholar: A Fresh Approach to the Common Core Standards in Research and Writing,” American Society for Information Science & Technology Monograph Series, Medford, N.J., which was a finalist for the 2014 USA Best Book Awards, Education/Academic category. He also authored the forthcoming Laramie in Recension: Principles and Standards for the Postsecondary Teaching of Writing for the 21st Century, Parlor Press. Dr. Patricia Meyers (Religion) has been accepted to Theta Alpha Kappa National Honor Society. She presented “Because Our Children Are…Creative Bible Teaching and Learning,” National Children’s Ministry Forum, Little Rock, Ark. She also serves as writer and editor for Newsline, the publication for Christian Educators Fellowship and has authored “Grounding Deacons in a Thin Place,” Deacon E-Newsletter. Dr. Ashley Oliphant (English) presented “How to Craft Engineering Literature Assignments: A Quick Demonstration,” 2014 Student Success in Writing Conference, Savannah, Ga., and co-presented with department colleague Dr. Marissa Schwarm “High-Tech,
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Low-Tech and No-Tech: Approaches to Teaching the Rhetorical Triangle, 2015 Student Success in Writing Conference, Georgia Southern University. With Dr. Rosemary Minyard (Business), Prof. Matthew Belles (Education) and Enoch Park (Distance Learning), she presented “Finally!: A High-Impact Service-Learning Pedagogy in Online Courses,” 2015 North Carolina Campus Compact Pathways to Achieving Civic Engagement Conference, Elon University. Dr. Nur Onvural (Economics/Finance) co-presented “Identifying Key Factors Underlying the Improved Ability of the Social Security Institution of Turkey in Providing Universal Health Insurance,” American Public Health Association annual conference, Chicago. In January 2016, she will co-present with Dr. Barnett Parker and Dr. Jon Martin (both Health Administration) “Improving MCH Delivery Systems Utilizing SBU, Lean and Value-Added Perspectives,” Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs 2016 annual conference, Washington, D.C. Dr. Sanggon Nam (Health Admin.) has co-authored “Gender, Nativity and Disability in Older Mexican Americans,” Journal of the American Geriatrics Society and published “Medical Conditions, Obesity and Lower Body Function in Mexican Americans 75 and Older,” Austin Journal of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome, 1 (1) and “Obesity and Asian Americans in the United States: Systematic Literature Review,” Osong Public Health and Research Perspective, 4 (4). He serves on the editorial board for Austin Journal of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome. Dr. Barnett Parker (Health Admin.) published A Patient-Based Methodology for the Planning of Rural Primary Health-Care Facilities (in press), Scholars’ Press, OmniScriptum GmbH & Co. KG, Saarbrucken, Germany. He served as guest editor for The Scientific World Journal, special issue on optimization and decision science. While on sabbatical, he conducted research involving the design of innovative strategies for the delivery of educational services within challenging/asymmetric environments with an international emphasis on Myanmar and a domestic emphasis on smaller, regional institutions of higher learning. In summer 2015, he directed a seminar in Naples, Italy, titled “Structuring and Writing Manuscripts for Publication in Scholarly Journals: Adding Value to the Scientific Literature,” Universita degli Studi di Napoli
Dr. Marissa Schwalm (English) has published “Dog,” Hot Metal Bridge, Pittsburgh. Dr. Ali Sever (CIS) published “An Inverse Problem Approach to Pattern Recognition in Industry,” Applied Computing and Informatics, vol. 11, issue 1. Dr. Ana Smith (Business Admin.) presented “Income Inequality and Self-Rated Health, An Instrumental Variable Approach,” Midwest Economic Association, Minneapolis and Missouri Valley Economic Association, St. Louis; and “Public Policy and Economic Freedom,” Liberty Fund, Arlington, Va.
Dr. Marilyn Sutton-Hayworth (Arts & Science) presented “Becoming a Leader on Campus,” Council of Independent Colleges Department and Division Chair Workshop, Spokane, Wash. In addition, she was re-elected to the board of the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education. Dr. Carol Vogt (Health Admin.) serves as senior editor, “Wellness Niche,” for the newsletter of the Allied Health Division. Dr. Susan Wilkie and Dr. Laura Bryan (Marriage and Family Therapy) co-presented “Getting Your Speed Up: Revisions in the 2015 AAMFT Ethical Guidelines,” at the state convention of North Carolina Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.
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Federico II, Department of Civil, Building and Environmental Engineering, Doctoral Program in Civil Engineering Systems.
Global collaboration among faculty and students: The German-American Alliance When Dr. Susan Luck, professor of business administration, and Dr. Stephanie Swartz from the University of Mainz, Germany, teamed up to create an international learning opportunity for their students, they found themselves a few months later presenting at the Association of Business Communication (ABC) annual conference in Seattle, a meeting that provides communications practitioners and educators a forum for sharing best practices with their colleagues worldwide. The two professors had merged their separate Organizational Communications courses for four weeks, during which students were divided onto international teams and required to interact to create parts of the class’s project, a case study on the Reebok merger. The experience, titled The German-American Alliance, culminated in a three-hour live international video conference for students. “Presenting at the ABC conference represented the gold standard for us,” said Dr. Luck. “Dr. Swartz and I knew from the onset that our collaboration could potentially make a difference for our professional counterparts.” Students’ initial fears—the Germans about their language skills; the Americans about being perceived as “ignorant Americans”—subsided after an introductory Skype session, which led to a “just do it” approach. In the end, the opportunity to practice intercultural communication and
negotiation, use digital media in a global context, and exercising project management and problem-solving skills led the list of positives for the students. “Taking the time to learn about different cultures firsthand has helped me communicate more efficiently in my native country,” said Pfeiffer MBA student Ashley Johnson.
A collaboration between Dr. Susan Luck, business administration, and a colleague in Germany culminated in an international video conference for students from both countries.
Dr. Luck and Dr. Swartz emphasize the importance of synchronized agendas and tasks, debriefing after each step, and technical support as factors vital to success with this type of international teaching and learning collaboration. Interest in the project’s outcomes has been expressed by the American Journal of Diversity for future publication, plus Pfeiffer intends to explore ways to replicate and build on the project to apply to a possible exchange program. For more about the ways Pfeiffer faculty and students are engaging in original scholarship, see page 10. WINTER 2016
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Strengthening our strongest point Faculty scholarship boosts teaching and learning
“The research, scholarship, and creative endeavors for our faculty enable them to create classroom experiences that reflect the best practices within the discipline and prepare our students for future challenges.” - Dr. Mark McCallum, associate provost and professor of biology
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s an institution devoted to teaching, Pfeiffer University is invested in enhancing the classroom experience so students succeed on many levels. A strategy implemented three years ago to increase support for faculty scholarship for this purpose is paying off: The number of faculty engaged in research and other scholarly endeavors has increased by 70 percent and more students are participating in their professors’ scholarly work, providing them hands-on experience in solving real-world issues and problems.
their teaching, as well as contribute to Pfeiffer’s commitment to providing opportunities for practical experience for every student.”
Faculty scholarship takes many forms, including research, publishing and presenting at discipline-related conferences. Frequently, private foundations and other funding sources are able to help cover the costs of faculty members’ projects. Dr. Jason Emory, second from right, and students Eli Bostian, Samuel Barker and Brae At Pfeiffer, where 90 percent of faculty Buster, are exploring new ways members are involved in scholarly to diagnose disease and treatment effectiveness. activities, a number of small but important institutional grants are available annually to help cover the “Research and other scholarly costs of data collection, travel and related items. pursuits are key to supporting Pfeiffer’s scholar-practitioner “Grants are an extension of faculty scholarship,” said Dr. Espy. model of teaching and learning,” said Dr. Tracy Espy, provost “Making resources available to support a relevant curriculum is and vice president for academic affairs. “They provide faculty a priority.” the opportunity to keep up with their fields, which informs
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“It’s a low-cost, noninvasive way to give timely feedback on treatment effectiveness, allowing physicians to customize treatment plans rapidly,” he said. “Potentially, it can spark a powerful advancement for patient care.” Several of Dr. Emory’s students are participating—and taking a leading role—in this research. “My goal is to provide students with the same excitement about science that I felt as an undergraduate,” he said. “This allows them to become independent researchers and creative problem solvers.” Similarly, Dr. Vinson Sutlive and Dr. Sherri Adams, exercise science faculty, are working with Milton Rose Scholar and exercise science major Vivian Doerr to determine whether a new, noninvasive method of collecting blood lactose data correlates with the current standard, finger prick method. Blood lactate is an important marker often used during exercise to determine an athlete’s fitness level. Fueled by a Quality Enhancement Plan grant from Pfeiffer, the team will use a treadmill testing protocol to determine subjects’ maximum heart rates. Each subject will be tested by both standard and new methods. If a correlation exists, a new and easier way of gathering this data will become available. “This is Vivian’s first research project,” said Dr. Sutlive. “She will be involved in all aspects, including gaining Institutional Review Board approval, subject recruitment, data collection, analysis and reporting.”
Dr. Vinson Sutlive is one of several internal researchers working to find new and safer ways to collect blood lactose data.
“This allows students to become independent researchers and creative problem solvers.” - Dr. Jason Emory, assistant professor of chemistry
Dr. David Hollar, health administration, is a leader in determining the ways the cardiac health of people with disabilities may be compromised.
Beating the CDC to the finish line Dr. David Hollar, assistant professor, health administration, and Jennifer Lewis ’13 MHA have been collaborating since Jennifer was enrolled in the Master’s of Health Administration program to determine heart age differentials and cardiovascular risk profiles for persons with disabilities. Their work aligns with—and actually precedes by a year—a report recently released by the Centers for Disease Control that determined that persons with disabilities are significantly more at risk for secondary conditions that contribute to cardiovascular disease. Their findings were reported in January 2015 in Disability and Health Journal. Although Ms. Lewis, who worked for Novant Health as a business analyst while enrolled at Pfeiffer, has relocated to work in a similar capacity for the University of Southern Mississippi, she and Dr. Hollar continue their work. She recently was promoted to compliance coordinator, a role instrumental in the accreditation process related to the university’s extensive, multistate internship programs.
cover story faculty scholarship
Putting research to work Dr. Jason Emory, assistant professor of chemistry, received start-up funds from Pfeiffer for research on Point-of-Care Testing (POTC) for diagnosing disease and monitoring treatment outcomes in real-time. In other words, he’s working on ways to diagnose diseases and monitor changes in condition at a patient’s bedside, eliminating the time waiting for answers from a lab.
“Input from graduate students who possess a high degree of natural curiosity, attention to detail and ability to analyze can be invaluable to the overall quality of a project,” said Dr. Hollar.
Jennifer Lewis ’13 (MHA), got her start as a researcher as a Pfeiffer graduate student and is using her experience in an academic environment.
Ms. Lewis encourages undergraduate and graduate students interested in research to speak up—and be willing to do “grunt work” such as data entry that may seem unimportant but has tremendous value to the long-term viability of a project.
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(continued) “You never know where your next opportunity will come from,” she said. “Research provides networking access to people and jobs that otherwise would not be available.”
in National Harbor, Md. The process was so successful that 11 of 11 Pfeiffer abstracts were accepted, the highest number of any university in the Southeast.
Beyond the classroom = Better classrooms Leading by example is Dr. Dawn Lucas’s default—as she researches ways to incorporate positive leadership strategies into training for pre-service teachers and school administrators. Knowing that for new teachers to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to make leadership their default in the classroom, she herself must “go beyond the textbook.”
“The colloquia serve as important components of faculty scholarship, particularly with our focus as a teaching, research and service university,” said Dr. Hollar. “They are available for all faculty to highlight personal scholarship and fields of interest–and can encompass any topic, including art, literature, music and more.”
As dean of Pfeiffer’s division of education, Dr. Lucas is committed to learning and applying all she can about the ways positive leadership affects communities, schools and classrooms—and sharing what she discovers. This fall, she conveyed best practices with school leaders at the annual conference of education honor society Kappa Delta Pi in Orlando, Fla., an opportunity made possible by a Lucile Cornetet Award for Education. Her presentation, “Teachers as Leaders: Strategies for Positive Leadership Skill Development,” was designed to demonstrate how to apply immediately the strategies presented. Several Pfeiffer colleagues and students attended the conference as presenters and participants. “The conference was amazing,” said education major Elizabeth Deeck. “In addition to learning new skills, we had a chance to share with educators from around the globe what we’ve learned at Pfeiffer.”
Dr. Dawn Lucas, second from right, and students and colleagues from the division of education, participated in the 50th annual conference of education honor society Kappa Delta Pi. They are Melinda Athay, Dr. Angie Kern, Emily Stallings, Elizabeth Deeck and Dr. Christopher Boe.
Faculty meet via videoconferencing to exchange information and offer feedback about ongoing scholarship.
Dr. David Hollar, Dr. Nur Onvural and Dr. Jon Martin credit participation in faculty colloquia for their success with presentations being accepted for conferences.
Collegial support for positive outcomes Faculty are supporting one another in their research, publishing and presentation endeavors through a Faculty Research Colloquium, which brings them together monthly in a supportive environment to share progress and exchange ideas for next steps in their scholarship.
In 2014, Dr. Hollar introduced the Faculty Research Colloquium as he and colleagues from the Master’s of Health Administration program were preparing abstract presentation proposals for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Health Disparities Conference 12
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Connected by videoconferencing and Adobe Connect, faculty at all three Pfeiffer campuses use the colloquia. Since the first meeting of two professors, sessions have grown to include up to 15 faculty members. Taking advantage of colleague support Dr. Nur Onvural, professor of economics and finance, participates frequently in the research colloquia. Over the past several months, the ability to bounce ideas off others and gather feedback led to two presentations with her colleagues at the 2015 annual meeting of the American Public Health Association (APHA) in Chicago. “Identifying Key Factors Underlying the Improved Ability of the Social Security Institution of Turkey in Providing Universal Health Insurance,” reported on an exploration and analysis of the ways a country’s health system is being reformed to improve health outcomes. The research, undertaken as an extension of a class project of Arif Varhan ’15, MHA, who since graduating has returned to work as an inspector for the Social Security Institution of the Republic of Turkey, is quantifying healthcare outcomes that will affect the direction of universal health coverage for an entire nation.
“Including students in research expands their horizons and exposes them to alternative opportunities,” said Dr. Onvural. “For teachers, it makes us better because we can include our process and findings in our lectures.” Together with colleagues from the Raleigh-Durham campus Dr. Barnett Parker and Dr. Jon Martin, Dr. Onvural also presented “Improving MCH Delivery Systems Utilizing SBU, Lean and Value-added Perspectives,” at APHA, also refined through the research colloquium process.
In the U.S., five percent of workers are employed in science and engineering fields, yet they are responsible for more than 50 percent of sustained economic expansion (source: U.S. Department of Labor). Furthermore, the world’s scientists and engineers, 40 percent of whom resided in the U.S. three decades ago, are now dispersed globally, leaving the U.S. with only 15 percent of the total. These statistics illustrate an urgent need to develop a stronger workforce of experts in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) if the U.S. is to remain a leader in worldwide technological innovation. One important strategy for meeting this demand is to engage young people in high-quality STEM learning opportunities in elementary, middle and high school. Pfeiffer biology professors Dane Fisher and Laura Hudson understand this—and are doing their part to introduce students from three North Carolina high schools to advanced science topics in a sustained way with a goal to ignite their interest in STEM careers. With funding from The Burroughs Wellcome Fund, a private, independent foundation located in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, Dr. Fisher and Dr. Hudson have initiated Project GENES (Genetics Education for the Next Era of Science), a science immersion opportunity for 9th and 10th graders. Over the course of three years, a total of 360 students from Independence High School and Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology in Charlotte and Gray Stone Day School, located on Pfeiffer’s campus in Misenheimer, will engage in hands-on investigations as part of DNA technology modules delivered by Dr. Hudson and Dr. Fisher, Pfeiffer student mentors and their classroom teachers. “Getting lab equipment into the hands of students who haven’t been exposed to sophisticated science gear fuels their interest and builds their confidence,” said Dr. Hudson. “After just one session, several of the kids inquired about the science majors available at Pfeiffer.” In addition to after-school programs at the high schools, Project GENES will support an all-day Saturday symposium in April at Pfeiffer to include guest speakers and poster sessions by Pfeiffer students. In June, Pfeiffer will host a weeklong summer camp for ten students from each participating high school, where they will delve deeper into experimentation and have the opportunity to design a personalized camp experience that matches areas of individual interest. “Project GENES provides an opportunity for motivated high school students to differentiate themselves when it comes to college applications and career considerations,” said Dr. Fisher,
Biology professors Dr. Laura Hudson and Dr. Dane Fisher are sparking interest in STEM careers among students at three high schools through Project GENES.
educationexcellence
Inspiring and developing tomorrow’s science and technology experts
Ninth and tenth graders from Independence High School, Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology and Gray Stone Day School (pictured above) are engaging in hands-on genetics study beyond the scope of their high school curriculums with the guidance of Pfeiffer faculty and students, including Meagan Thompson ’16 (standing, bottom right), a Gray Stone aluma.
director of Project GENES at Pfeiffer. “Letting them know that they are three or four science classes away from being able to do cancer research energizes them and keeps their interest high.” Dr. Laura Lowder, assistant professor of education, is serving as the project’s evaluation coordinator and is designing a framework for gathering data to determine outcomes over the program’s three year span. Elements to be measured are students’ science content knowledge, interest in science and interest in STEM careers and changes from year to year. For more information, contact dane.fisher@pfeiffer.edu.
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Learning by doing: Summer internships inspire and offer direction Experiential education is a distinctive hallmark of the Pfeiffer experience. These hands-on, educational opportunities take many forms, from sports management students learning to execute special events in Charlotte to nursing students rolling up their sleeves on medical mission trips to Honduras to education students attending professional development conferences to see firsthand the latest developments in K-12 classrooms. Perhaps the most recognizable form of experiential learning is internships. “Students learn many valuable lessons while in college and come away with experiences to last a lifetime,” said Jay Laurens, director, Office of Career Services and Internships. “Students and parents expect students will graduate with the skills to compete in a global job market; internships are a great way to gain those skills.” The Office of Career Services and Internships currently places approximately 80 students each year in academic and non-academic internships. Partnerships with dozens of area businesses allow Laurens and students to work hand-in-hand to craft internships that advance the students along their preferred career paths. Without a doubt, Pfeiffer interns are learning on the job—and making a positive impression on their employers, often being invited to continue their internships during the academic year or hired permanently. “Two of our three summer 2015 interns (see profiles below) were from Pfeiffer University and we couldn’t be more pleased,” said Laura Foor, director of marketing, Charlotte Regional Partnerships, which recruits interns from across the state. “They came eager to learn and with a desire to make a positive impact on our organization. In a word, they’ve been fantastic. In fact, we’ve just renewed our commitment for spring 2016 to two Pfeiffer interns who joined us this fall.” Here’s a look at how several Pfeiffer students spent the summer of 2015: From Russia to Misenheimer to Charlotte Kate Galichenko came to Pfeiffer from Russia to swim competitively. Although her athletic ambitions were sidetracked with the discontinuation of the swim program, Kate has made tremendous progress in regard to career development thanks to her internship. A member of the business
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management and leadership 3/2 MBA program, Galichenko worked last summer conducting research and analysis for the marketing and business development team of the Charlotte Regional Partnership (CRP). Her work touched many industries, including aerospace, energy and IT. “I felt like I was part of something important,” she said. Through her internship, Galichenko confirmed that she prefers business development to research. And the CRP was so impressed with her work that her employment was extended through the remainder of 2015. Illuminating a true calling Bethany Hagopian is a psychology and history major on target to graduate in May 2016. A member of Pfeiffer’s honors program, Hagopian interned this summer at Duke University Hospital, working in the clinical psychology department. There she was on a team that created the Durham Children’s Evaluation Clinic and the Database Website for Clinicians. “The best part was learning from everyone there and the knowledge I was able to access,” she said. Prior to her internship, Bethany wasn’t sure of a specific career direction but now she knows she wants to be a clinical psychologist. First is graduate school, and she’s considering Georgia State University, Boston University and UNC-Greensboro. Perhaps the best part of her internship experience is hearing that after graduate school, the door is open for a return to Duke. On the straight and narrow Rachel Klein grew up in a military family and came to Pfeiffer from Honolulu. A psychology and criminal justice double major set to graduate in May 2017, Klein interned at the Stanly County District Attorney’s office, where she was exposed to diverse people and situations as well as a variety of law enforcement positions. She dealt with traffic tickets, domestic violence incidents and DWI cases.
organization. Pfeiffer interns have been fantastic! We look forward to hosting more of your students.” - Laura Foor, director of marketing, Charlotte Regional Partnership “It was eye-opening in a good way,” said Klein. “Not everything in the courthouse is as it appears on TV. You don’t grasp it until you see it day-in and day-out. You really need to see it, even if just for a day.” Klein enjoys an action-filled environment and is considering a career as a police officer. Anticipating another internship in summer 2016, she’s hoping for a position with the State Bureau of Investigation in Stanly County. Academic rigor and research Dillon Malloy, a health and exercise science major, is on the men’s lacrosse team. A member of the honors program, he was one of just 25 undergraduate and graduate students accepted to the rigorous Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte summer research program. Malloy reviewed research articles, attended presentations, participated in data collection and completed a research project titled, “The Use of Volume Targeted Non-Invasive Ventilation to Improve Exercise Tolerance in Ambulatory Individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.” After graduating in May 2017, Malloy intends to apply to physical therapy graduate programs. “My internship was pretty great,” Malloy said. “I had never done professional research before. I’ll be using what I learned from now on.” High achievement rewarded After Jimmy Molina graduated high school in Bogota, Colombia, at age 16, he took a break to consider next steps. Six months later, he was awarded an athletic scholarship for tennis at Pfeiffer. He will graduate in May 2016 at age 21 after completing the 3/2 program with an MBA.
Always a high achiever, Molina was involved in several local summer internships, all of which contributed to his career decisions. In addition to a research post with Charlotte Regional Partnership (CRP), he interned with First Bank in Richfield and found time to work on the tennis facility at Old North State Club. With valuable lessons learned with each employer, he discovered an appreciation for finance and intends to pursue investment banking as a career, with entrepreneurship a long-term goal.
studentachievements
“They came eager to learn and with a desire to have a positive impact on our
“It doesn’t matter what you do in life; you need to know how banks work,” he said. Weighing options Communications and psychology major Kim Ramirez worked last summer with the Rowan County Courthouse Mediation Center, where she was supervised by Pfeiffer alumna Cynthia Seaforth ’02, teen court coordinator, Conflict Resolution Center, Inc. Together they worked with minors who had been arrested toward mediation’s goal: all parties come to an agreement so that a trial and criminal records can be avoided. After Ramirez and Seaforth worked out an agreement with clients, they would present it to the district attorney to get approval and avoid a court case. “My internship inspired me to know that this is what I want to do,” Ramirez said. “I got lots of hands-on experience and I feel like I fit in the courtroom.” Ramirez’s introduction to mediation came from her Conflict Transformation course at Pfeiffer. The course included visits to the Rowan County courthouse, where the class sat in on mediations, ultimately inspiring Ramirez’s internship choice. If you are interested in offering an internship to a Pfeiffer student, please contact Jay Laurens, director, Office of Career Development and Internships, jay.laurens@pfeiffer.edu.
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Taking care of business: Phi Beta Lambda students build transferable skills and confidence The value of applying classroom learning to real-life situations is demonstrated in a number of ways, including through on-your-toes competition for business students and others who are members Pfeiffer’s student chapter of international business honor society Phi Beta Lambda (PBL). Phi Beta Lambda is the university-level extension of Future Business Leaders of America, available at high schools across the U.S. Its mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs, including competition at the local, state and national levels in a variety of business categories where students compete through timed testing and impromptu, case-study-based presentations. At Pfeiffer, students prepare all year, progressing to North Carolina state competition in April, and nationals in June. This past summer, 18 Pfeiffer students who placed at the top of their respective events in statewide competition went to nationals in Chicago where they were among the country’s 1,600 best and brightest future business leaders to vie for the opportunity to win more than $81,000 in cash awards for their chapters. Pfeiffer’s team brought home national honors in economics analysis and decision making, business sustainability, parliamentary procedure, microeconomics, macroeconomics, website design and contemporary sports issues.
“The opportunity to be challenged in this way is absolutely invaluable and has given me a lot of confidence going forward with my career choices,” said Victoria Jackson ’18, who along with teammate Jesse Printer ’18 took first place in economic analysis and decision making. A double major in business management/leadership and accounting, Victoria plans to sit for the CPA exam immediately after she graduates and later earn a graduate degree.
Pfeiffer’s Phi Beta Lambda chapter succeeded at state- and national-level competition in 2015; they are preparing to do so again in 2016.
Victoria Jackson and Jesse Printer, now sophomores, brought home first-place trophies for economic analysis and decision making from national competition in Chicago.
“For me the most valuable aspect of PBL membership is teamwork,” said Jesse, also majoring in business management/ leadership with aspirations for a marketing career. “No matter where you are or what you do, you’ll always end up working in a team setting–so learning collaboration and interpersonal skills are crucial.” Although PBL’s focus is business, the organization is open—and relevant—to students of all majors. Faculty advisor Ana Smith, assistant professor of economics, also relies on faculty members from a variety of disciplines, computer science, accounting and communications to name a few, to help students prepare for competition. “The success of the organization depends not only on intelligent and motivated students but also committed faculty who are willing to devote time outside the classroom as mentors and to keeping students on track with deadlines,” said Dr. Smith. “The process and results are extremely gratifying; watching them compete and come off the stage with a proud ‘we nailed it’ smile makes it all worthwhile.”
Support Pfeiffer’s student organizations Like all student organizations, Phi Beta Lambda must raise funds to participate in and travel to a variety of career development and related activities throughout the academic year. This year, to cover costs associated with the events outlined above, PBL must raise $25,000 for state and national conferences.
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To make a tax deductible contribution to the PBL team— and support other student organizations as well, visit http://community.pfeiffer.edu/studentorgs. To learn more about student organizations and their contributions to the student experience, visit http://www.pfeiffer.edu/student-life/student-organizations.
Throughout his life, Dr. Herron was committed to uplifting members of his congregation by connecting them to higher education and scholarship opportunities. An accomplished scholar, he devoted his retirement not only to finding and marking slave gravesites in Mecklenburg County to protect them from destruction by developers but also researching and fully documenting nine generations of the Herron family back to the 1790s and Isaac Herron, a Mecklenburg County slave owner. Upon Dr. Herron’s death in June, Dr. Miller decided to donate her father’s exhaustive collection of research materials to Pfeiffer, “Likeminded ministers including a 4’x5’ family in key geographical tree with entries for 408 areas who had broken family members, and away from the General a number of related Baptist Convention photographs, including and formed the one taken during the Progressive National March from Selma to Baptist Convention Montgomery of her were instrumental in father and Dr. King that sharing information is signed by the iconic with their communities civil rights leader. about events such Vernease Herron Miller’s donation of her father’s historic photographs, “Since I arrived at Pfeiffer as the March on archives and genealogical research will be included in a special in 1999, I’ve seen the Washington and the exhibition to be curated by Pfeiffer University’s library in 2016. university evolve from March from Selma to an institution that did Montgomery in the not recognize Martin Luther King’s birthday to one that days before email and social media,” said Dr. Miller, who is honors his memory through community service and dean of Pfeiffer’s applied health sciences division. “Through observing the holiday,” said Dr. Miller. “In addition, my this organizational structure, my father, who represented father’s genealogy project represents a detailed example the greater Chicago area, became a lieutenant in Dr. King’s of high-quality scholarship that chronicles our social and movement. intellectual history and should be maintained for future “Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, this secondary generations. As I preserve his work, I also chronicle my leadership group marched directly behind Dr. King and Pfeiffer journey.” other well-known national leaders such as Ralph Abernathy As a teenager in Joliet, Ill., Vernease Herron Miller was aware to a degree that her father, Rev. Dr. Vernon Herron, a Baptist preacher, was involved in an effort with other African American pastors to open a dialogue about social justice with an aim to shift society’s thinking about race in America. It was only after the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in April 1968—news that she heard on the radio and broke to her parents—that she fully understood her father’s vital role in the Civil Rights Movement and his close relationship to Dr. King.
historicalgift
A gift of historical significance
and Jesse Jackson; nobody knew their names but they were crucial to the success of the movement.”
“To acknowledge our ancestors means we are aware that we did not make ourselves, that the line stretches all the way back, perhaps to God; or to Gods. We remember them because it is an easy thing to forget: that we are not the first to suffer, rebel, fight, love and die. The grace with which we embrace life, in spite of the pain, the sorrow, is always a measure of what has gone before.” - Alice Walker, American author WINTER 2016
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Pfeiffer Alumni Partnership: Good to the CORe Former roommates join forces to give at-risk teenagers a new chance When friends and roommates Anthony DeNino ’89 (business administration) and James Barbee ’90 (sociology and criminal justice) graduated from Pfeiffer, they headed different directions— Anthony to the corporate world on his home turf in New York and Jim to Chapel Hill to pursue a human services career in state government and nonprofits. Over the years, Anthony’s expertise in sales, marketing and customer service grew while working for a variety of large and small corporations. Several years ago at a sales meeting, he was challenged to prepare an impromptu speech to “pump up” his team and discovered a talent and passion for public speaking. After adding regional motivational speaker to his sales role, Anthony eventually struck out on his own to concentrate primarily on motivational speaking. His firm, CORe-Creating Our Reality™, focuses on helping people understand how the power of the mind and their choices help shape their lives.
ways they might join forces led to a three-year collaboration during which they created The CORe Project©, a 7-14 week self-esteem program based on CORe’s principles, designed to make a positive impact on the lives of troubled teenagers. “Research indicates that first-time nonviolent youth offenders have a high chance for complete rehabilitation under the right circumstances,” said Jim. “By integrating The CORe Project into an existing effective community-based program, the likelihood for completing the program increases and the chance of repeat offending decreases.”
One example of such a community-based program is teen court, which offers first-time nonviolent offenders an alternative to the juvenile court system. Youth offenders who admit to their charges undergo an informal judicial process overseen by an actual judge or attorney, with jurors and other court agents who are teen volunteers trained to Meanwhile in the Tar Heel State, decide their peers’ sanctions. Jim earned a master of public In several North Carolina administration degree from counties, participation in The UNC-Charlotte and graduated CORe Project is available as a from Duke University’s nonprofit sanction. The CORe Project is management program and the also making a difference in the Thomas K. Hearn Center for Alamance-Burlington school Creative Leadership. As a leader system where it was implemented in the field of juvenile justice recently at the district’s alternative Jim Barbee ’90 and Anthony DeNino ’89 have combined and youth violence prevention, school for students facing © their strengths to create The CORe Project , a self-esteem he spent 15 years with the N.C. disciplinary action. program for at-risk teenagers. Department of Juvenile Justice Both Jim and Anthony cite & Delinquency Prevention their Pfeiffer experiences when (now the N.C. Department of defining their career and life Public Safety), served as youth Learn more at CreatingOurReality.com choices. In fact, Jim applies gangs specialist for the United Pfeiffer’s strong sense of Way of the Greater Triangle and community and its supportive created five nonprofit youth-serving agencies. Now a researcher environment to developing research-based youth violence for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of prevention models statewide. Anthony, who now lives in Social Work and UNC Injury Prevention Research Center, he Mint Hill, N.C., refers to Pfeiffer’s emphasis on service. serves as center coordinator for the N.C. Academic Center of “I do what I do to have a lasting and positive influence on Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention. anyone I can,” he said. “That’s what Pfeiffer is all about.” Their worlds re-converged when Jim invited Anthony to speak at a volunteer event in Robeson County. Discussion about the
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Rev. Laura Hubbard Auten ’87 installed as UMC Uwharrie District Superintendent On Sept. 20, at Henry Pfeiffer Chapel on the Misenheimer campus, Rev. Laura Hubbard Auten ’87 was installed as superintendent, Uwharrie District of The Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church (WNCCUMC), a post she assumed on July 1. She was appointed and installed by Rev. Larry M. Goodpaster, bishop, WNCCUMC. Rev. Auten most recently served as pastor of Maylo United Methodist Church, A number of Rev. Auten’s colleagues, Catawba Valley District. Throughout including James Leslie Burroughs III, pastor, her career, in addition to a number of St. Luke UMC, participated in the worship congregation appointments, she has service and her installation. been a leader of the missional network of churches in Gastonia, N.C., and instrumental in the engagement of several churches with the Warlick School, an alternative school in Gastonia. After graduating from Pfeiffer, she earned a master of divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington D.C., in 1990.
Who are district superintendents? District superintendents are elders in full connection appointed by the bishop to the cabinet as an extension of the superintending role of the bishop within the annual conference through the same disciplines and in accordance with their responsibilities designated in the Book of Discipline under the supervision of the resident bishop. From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church-2012
By virtue of her position, Rev. Auten will serve as a member of Pfeiffer’s board of trustees. As such, she has expressed interest in connecting the Uwharrie District to Pfeiffer and introducing students to the exploration of call and vocation. “My experience at Pfeiffer enriched my call to ministry,” she said. “From academic preparation in Christian education and religion courses to opportunities to serve and lead in student government and field education, my understanding of God’s call was strengthened. I give thanks to God for how Pfeiffer has been and continues to be a place where students can explore vocation and call to Christian ministry.” Among Pfeiffer alumni present at the installation ceremony was Rev. Dana McKim ’82, minister to the university, whom she met as a ministry intern in the 1980s during Rev. McKim’s first appointment at Matton’s Grove United Methodist Church, Gold Hill, N.C. “What an amazing journey it has been for my intern, colleague and friend to become my district superintendent,” said Rev. McKim. “It is gratifying to know that among the reasons she was chosen for this position is her commitment to missions, which was informed in part by her student experience at Pfeiffer.”
Rev. Laura Hubbard Auten ’87 preached at Henry Pfeiffer Chapel as she celebrated her installation as UMC Uwharrie District superintendent with Rev. Dana McKim ’82, minister to Pfeiffer; Rev. Sherri Barnes, associate director of university and church relations and associate pastor of The Village Church; Rev. Larry M. Goodpaster, bishop, WNCCUMC; and Rev. Stephanie Hand ’06, WNCC church vitality specialist, as well as President Colleen Perry Keith. WINTER 2016
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Homecoming 2015: A Day to Celebrate and Remember On October 2 and 3, Pfeiffer alumni braved the elements to celebrate the passage of another great year in Pfeiffer’s history during Homecoming 2015. The inaugural Black and Gold Gala on Friday evening provided a warm and inviting backdrop for milestone reunion groups to reminisce about their years together in Misenheimer. Live entertainment and a silent auction topped off the festivities. Saturday’s events included the luncheon gathering of the Junior College, Falcon Zone and lunch under the tent, along with KidZone and a volleyball game in Merner Gym. A.
Homecoming Queen Senior Janna Featherstone was crowned 2015 Homecoming Queen. Janna is a member of the cross country team, in the Honors College, majors in biology and plans to attend medical school.
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Volunteers Uconda Dunn ’06 MSICL, John Howard ’10, Lourdes Silva, Teena Mauldin ’09 and Tomy Aldridge ’75 made the day run smoothly.
C. LAX reunion Men’s lacrosse alumni gathered for a quick game and catching up in the Falcon Zone. 20
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D. Silent auction Buddy (’69) and June Gaither participated in the excitement of the silent auction. E.
Junior College luncheon Enjoying the Junior College luncheon were Barbara Yelton Ridenhour ’55, Edna Perryman Johnson ’50, Dr. Lee Kinard ’50, Barry Keith, Dr. Colleen Keith, Burgess Presnell ’50, Peggy Broadway, Al Broadway ’50, Louise Chapple and Tinnie Chapple ’57.
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50th Reunion Group Dr. Jaime Doxsey ’65, Bob Brietz ’65, Jim Fagan ’65, Gordon Hill ’65 and Dr. George Thompson ’65, ’90 (Hon.) celebrated at the Black and Gold Gala.
G. Reminiscing Bob Reasso ’73 reminisced with Larry Groves ’66 during the gala. H. Junior College Dr. Lee Kinard ’50 addressed Junior College graduates. I.
Balloon pop Students Bailey Holshouser and Taylor Phillips assisted Twyla Kidd ’14 with a balloon pop fundraiser on Friday night.
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Annual Alumni Awards Duane Dunston ’97 was named 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient; David Miller ’04 was Pfeiffer’s first Presidential Merit Award recipient.
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Asburys Chairman of the board of trustees Chip (’78, ’87 MBA) and Mary Clodfelter (’76) Asbury showed their Pfeiffer spirit at the inaugural Black & Gold Gala.
L. Friendly bidding Warren Knapp ’66 and Dennis Causey ’74 started a friendly bidding war for silent auction items. M.
50th reunion luncheon Members of the class of 1965 celebrated at the 50th reunion lunch: Dave Cotten ’64, Gail Harrison Cotten, President Colleen Keith, Dr. George Thompson, Charles Emerson, Kim Covert Emerson ’68, Jim Fagan, Gordon Hill and Bob Brietz.
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Sponsors David (’05) and Rebecca Beaver represented gala sponser Uwharrie Bank. Pfeiffer thanks Uwharrie Bank, Bear Insurance and the Village of Misenheimer for their generous support of Homecoming festivities.
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Alumni Board 2015 Presidential Merit Award recipient David Miller ’04 and his wife Ale Buchanan Miller ’03 caught up with alumni board president Kim Tenenholz Brown ’04 and her husband Jeffery Brown.
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Photo booth fun Les “Snake” Roberts, Stephania Hyatt Cude ’72 and Dave Gianferante ’72 took home keepsakes from the photo booth.
Q. Photo bomb President Colleen Keith and Barry Keith were photobombed by Dr. Russ Sharples ’75. R.
Photos with friends Dave Gianferante ’72, Michelle and Bob (’73) Reasso, Bob (’65) and Jane Cashion (’68) Brietz had fun at the photo booth.
S. Gourmet Guests at the Black & Gold Gala enjoyed an assortment of gourmet foods and desserts prepared by Sodexo.
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athletics2015 Lighting up the night September 26 marked an historic event for Pfeiffer Athletics. That night, the Falcons competed in their first-ever night home games as the men’s and women’s soccer teams hosted Lees-McRae College under newly installed lights on “The addition of N.E. Lefko Field.
“Historically, our student-athletes missed some late afternoon classes so they could practice during daylight hours,” said President Colleen Perry Keith. “The addition of lights offers flexibility in regard to practice and game times— lights offers flexibility and makes it possible for community members and in regard to practice and game times– alumni to attend games in the evening, boosting and makes it possible for community the Falcons’ home field advantage.” members and alumni to attend games
As the sun went down during the second half of the women’s match, the lights came on for the first time, sparking a scoring surge for the Falcons. Over Following the installation in the evening, boosting the Falcons’ the game’s final 30 minutes, at N.E. Lefko Field, home Pfeiffer scored four times for Pfeiffer’s lacrosse home field advantage” en route to a 5-1 victory teams as well as soccer, over the Bobcats. Later, construction began on - President Colleen Perry Keith under a night sky, the men’s lights for Joe Ferebee team took the field against Field (baseball) and Lees-McRae in a rematch of Jack Ingram Field (softball). the 2014 Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship. Those facilities are now fully lit and ready for official night A hat trick by Nathan Regis led to the Falcons’ won 4-0 victory. games in spring 2016.
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On Dec. 4, the Pfeiffer University department of athletics inducted three new individual members and one team into the Sports Hall of Fame. New inductees are Danny Carver ’67, Marsha Long ’91, Mark McKnight ’79 and the 1964-65 men’s basketball team. “We are extremely excited about the 2015 Sports Hall of Fame class,” said Jack Ingram, director, Sports Hall of Fame Committee. “Danny Carver, Marsha Long and Mark McKnight were outstanding athletes in basketball and baseball; the 1964-65 men’s basketball team, coached by Hall of Fame member Francis Essic, was the first Pfeiffer basketball team to win 20 games in a season.” Carver, who played basketball from 1963-65, had a distinguished career and was named to All-Conference, All-District and All-Tournament teams. Carver’s 19.3 career points per game ranks fourth in Pfeiffer history and his .610 career field goal percentage ranks him fifth all-time. He also ranks sixth in career rebounds per game at 9.8 and his 314 total rebounds in 1964-65 is the eighth highest total for a single season. Long was a multi-sport athlete in the late 1980s, concluding her career in 1991. A member of the basketball, volleyball and tennis teams, she excelled particularly in basketball. Long was an All-Conference and All-District performer and is fifth in program history with 1,514 career points. Over the span of her career, Long averaged 15.1 points per game and shot .530 from the floor. Her 413 career free throws are the third highest total ever and 830 career rebounds rank fourth in Pfeiffer history. Long holds the record for highest field goal percentage in a season as she shot .709 in 1990-91. McKnight was an infielder on Coach Joe Ferebee’s most successful teams of the 1970s. For his career, McKnight posted a .292 batting average and scored 99 runs, while stealing 27 bases and driving in 75 runs. During his senior season, McKnight batted .315 and led the team with 200 at bats. McKnight was named to the All-District, All-District Tournament and All-Conference Tournament teams. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers and continued his involvement in baseball by serving as a major league scout for more than 25 years.
“Inductees
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Pfeiffer’s Sports Hall of Fame inducts newest class
represent a long tradition of athletic excellence at Pfeiffer.” - Bob Reasso’73 VP for Athletics
The 1964-65 basketball team finished with a 21-9 record and never lost by more than seven points. In a competitive Carolinas Conference, Pfeiffer finished second and averaged 74.7 points per game. Danny Carver led the team with 20.6 points and 10.5 rebounds per game and three other players averaged double digit scoring. “This class represents a long tradition of athletic excellence at Pfeiffer,” said Bob Reasso ’73, vice president for athletics. “They are more than deserving of this tribute.” 1964-1965 Men’s Basketball Team
Danny Carver ’67
• 21-9 season record • Finished second in conference • Averaged 74.7 points per game • Four players averaged double-digit scoring
Honored from the 1964-65 men’s basketball team were Joe Barnes, Larry Lentz, Danny Carver, John Miller, Calvin Lawson, Benny Merrell, Harold Williford, David Sherill and Billy Wynne.
Marsha Long ’91
Mark McKnight ’79 WINTER 2016
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Bob Reasso ’73 achieves career milestone with 400 wins Pfeiffer finished the regular season as the only team in Division II men’s soccer with a perfect record. Positioned for five consecutive weeks as the top-ranked team in the nation, the Falcons were prepared for their second straight NCAA bid. To top it off, Bob Reasso ’73 became the 40th coach in NCAA history to amass 400 career victories. “It’s not about wins and losses, it’s about people. The most rewarding part is seeing my players grow and become men,” said Reasso, who had the uncommon experience to achieve the 400-win milestone at the university he attended as a studentathlete. “Coming full circle as an alumnus makes it so much more meaningful.”
guide men’s soccer at Division I Rutgers University, where in 1983, his second season and fourth as a head coach, Rutgers finished with a record of 17-1-2 and a winning percentage of .900. In 1990, Reasso was named National Coach of the Year as he took Rutgers to the National Championship game before falling to UCLA, a team it had defeated in the regular season, on penalty kicks.
“It’s not about wins and losses, it’s about people. The most rewarding part is seeing my players grow and become men.”
When Reasso returned to Misenheimer in 2013 from his most recent post at Husson University, Bangor, Maine, the Falcons were recovering from a 1-15 season. Two years later they made their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
“When I started coaching, I never imagined this level - Bob Reasso ’73 of satisfaction,” said Reasso. 2015 NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year Reasso began his coaching “It’s been a great ride and I career at Nasson College in Springvale, Maine. In two seasons, owe it all to my players, assistant coaches and family. Without Reasso compiled a 14-10-5 record. Just eight years after completing them, none of this would be possible.” a Hall of Fame playing career at Pfeiffer, Reasso was hired to
Men’s volleyball enjoys best season in program history
team to do so—the team showed up on the American Volleyball Coaches Association Top-15 poll at season’s end. The Falcons finished the season with a 21-4 record (17-1 for Conference Carolinas play). They tied the university record for most wins in a season and collecting most consecutive wins (11) on their way to the NCAA Tournament where they lost to eventual national champions Loyola-Chicago in the first round. “I was delighted with the success of the men’s volleyball team last year,” said Athletics Director Bob Reasso. “Paul Lawson did a great job with the team and we expect them to have a great season this year, too.”
The 2015 men’s volleyball team had a tremendous year, winning both the regular season and Conference Carolinas Tournament championships as they earned Pfeiffer’s first-ever NCAA Volleyball Tournament bid. Earning a national ranking for the first time in its history—marking the first Conference Carolinas 24
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At the conclusion of last season, the Falcons said farewell to senior David Specian, who holds Pfeiffer records for most career assists, career assists/set, service aces, most assists in a game, most aces in a game and most assists in a single season. In 2015, in addition to leading with 11.82 assists/sets, Specian was named for the second consecutive year to First Team All-Conference and was awarded Conference Carolinas Men’s Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Within a four-day period, two Pfeiffer soccer all-time goal scoring records were crushed. On Oct. 24, senior Aaliyah Jackson became the women’s leader in career goals as she scored her 40th point. Four days later, junior Nathan Regis broke the men’s scoring mark with his 50th goal in his 56th career match. Jackson started her career as the Conference Carolinas 2012 Freshman of the Year, leading the Falcons with 12 goals. The first two goals of her career came in a 2-1 victory against Carson-Newman and she never looked back. Over the next two seasons, Jackson was named All-Conference and is certain to earn a spot again this year. She finishes her career with 45 goals scored.
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Soccer scoring records for Jackson and Regis
Regis started his Falcon career in exciting fashion, scoring the first goal on Sept. 9, 2013 and being selected All-Conference. During his sophomore season, Regis led Conference Carolinas with 19 goals and was named second-team All-American. This season he led the #1 ranked Falcons to a perfect regular season record and established both the single-season and all-time records for Pfeiffer in goals. In the first round of the Conference Carolinas tournament, he scored his 23rd goal of the season, breaking David Smith’s mark of 22 set in 1965. That brought his career total to 52 goals, three ahead of Robert Hinch’s great year. Regis still has one more year of eligibility to add to his career totals.
Triolo drafted in first round of National Lacrosse League Former Pfeiffer attackman/long stick midfielder Mike Triolo was selected by the Buffalo Bandits in the first round of the National Lacrosse League draft. Triolo becomes the second Falcon drafted in the first round as Bob Hope was taken with the seventh overall pick last year. “Mike was a tremendous player for us,” said Head Coach Jason Lange. “He had a great work ethic and great enthusiasm for the game. Most important, he was a team player who would do whatever the team needed to ensure victory. We are very proud of Mike and are excited to follow his career.” After making the switch from long stick midfielder to attackman during his senior season, the 6’7” Triolo was named Second Team All-Conference. The Toronto native finished eighth in the league with 46 points and fifth with 23 assists. For his career, Triolo recorded 44 goals, 38 assists, 82 points and 81 caused turnovers.
Mike Triolo and the Bandits open the 2016 season on Jan. 9 when they host the Calgary Roughnecks at the First Niagara Center. WINTER 2016
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Q&A
NCAA DIVISION III
Pfeiffer University recently announced its application to compete as an NCAA Division III institution, after which reaction by alumni—on social media, by email and in person—ranged from positive to negative. Since his return to Pfeiffer in 2013 as vice president of athletics and head coach for men’s soccer, Bob Reasso ’73 has thoughtfully evaluated Pfeiffer athletics. When President Colleen Perry Keith arrived in July, she and Bob began looking at the bigger picture of athletics in relation to a new overall vision for the university. After researching Divisions I, II and III, they advocated for Division III membership, a position that is shared by the board of trustees and faculty. Here, President Keith and Coach Reasso discuss a move from Division II to Division III and the reasons it makes sense—for our student-athletes and Pfeiffer. Why is Division III a good fit for Pfeiffer? Bob Reasso: I’ve coached teams in Division I, II and III all over the country. Since the moment I arrived at Pfeiffer, I recognized an alignment with Division III and that it might be the best choice. This is based on our size, facilities, budget and overall approach to educating students, athletes and non-athletes alike. Pfeiffer’s growing strength is a focus on educating the whole student—making sure each has an academic experience that provides time and opportunity for internships, study abroad and campus leadership, the stuff that today’s employers are very clear about when they make hiring decisions. Colleen Perry Keith: Bob’s referring to Pfeiffer Journey, a program for all students implemented a couple of years ago and around which the academic core now revolves. One of its most critical components is experiential learning, which requires all students to complete career-based internships as part of their graduation requirement. As the program has progressed, we’ve discovered that student-athletes from majors that require clinical hours or specific types of internships are having a hard time fulfilling those due to the year-round practice schedules and lack of off-seasons that are prevalent with Division II athletics. Some students are squeezing in clinicals during their holiday breaks, a time when they should be recharging their batteries. With Division III, specific off-seasons allow students to schedule internships and other activities in ways that assure they graduate on time. As we step up our academic game to meet the demands of Pfeiffer Journey—a program 26
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available only at Pfeiffer—and attract high-quality students who may or may not be athletes, we have to restructure the ways we do certain things. What do you say to criticism that this decision is “all about money?” BR: Budget is one factor in this decision. But in a way that would probably surprise a lot of people because switching to Division III won’t actually save Pfeiffer money. What it does is allow us to allocate the same dollars in different ways across the institution. Right now, excellent student-athletes are recruited in accordance with Division II guidelines, with athletics scholarships that cover most or all of the cost of a Pfeiffer education. This consumes the majority of available institutional aid, leaving comparatively little for great students who are not athletes and deserve academic merit scholarships. This model, which has been in place for almost two decades, is simply no longer sustainable. In fact, we’ve learned from the NCAA that a number of Division II schools nationwide are considering a similar move because it’s clear that building enrollment based on athletics no longer works. Brevard College, which is just south of Asheville, announced last spring that it has done so for reasons that are similar to Pfeiffer’s. CPK: With a high percentage of our student body receiving substantial athletics scholarships, it’s not possible to offer comparable support to non-athletes and we’re losing them to schools that can provide what they need and deserve. To achieve the recommended balance to sustain support for all students, we’re aiming for student-athletes to compose
How will a switch to Division IIII solve this problem? BR: It’s no secret that Division III schools do not offer scholarships specifically for athletics. That said, student-athletes who are good students will qualify for academic awards. Scholarships will be available for all students—defined as merit and needs-based aid rather than athletics support. More students of all kinds will be able to choose Pfeiffer more equitably. CPK: Plus Pfeiffer will finally be able to provide each team with a competitive operating budget, something our athletics department, currently the lowest funded in Conference Carolinas, has been unable to support. This would minimize the annual fundraising that teams conduct to raise money to supplement the team budget. We’ll be able to take better care of our student-athletes, assuring a high-quality student-athlete experience. What will happen to the scholarships of current student-athletes? BR: All current student-athletes will retain the scholarships promised to them through what is expected to be their senior year—something students and parents were told when the announcement was made. In fact, nothing at all will change for juniors and seniors as the transition to DIII is scheduled to begin in fall 2017—with the process expected to be complete by fall 2019. Freshmen and sophomores will keep their scholarships during the transition. What kind of schools will the Falcons compete against with a switch to Division III? CPK: If Pfeiffer is accepted to Division III and a new conference in the southeast—decisions that will be made within the coming weeks and months—we will likely face competitive teams from high-quality independent, liberal arts schools similar to Pfeiffer from the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia and adjacent states. BR: NCAA Division III comprises 450 colleges and universities nationwide, primarily in the Northeast and Midwest with a growing presence in the South. Most DIII schools are highly regarded for academics as well as athletics. A few well-known examples are Amherst College in Massachusetts, Catholic University, Washington, D.C., Emory University in Atlanta, and most of the SUNY schools in the New York State university
system. More locally, North Carolina Wesleyan, Greensboro College, Ferrum College and Methodist University are on the list. We’d be in good company and will be regarded as on par with these schools athletically and academically, which should help with recruiting institution-wide. We envision a more robust Athletics department with solid budgets and improved facilities. The decision seems so sudden. What’s the rush to switch to DIII? BR: This is something that made sense to President Keith when she arrived in July. The NCAA requires us to share the information first with our student-athletes, followed by faculty and staff. The same day, we informed parents, alumni and the general public. Highly competitive athletics has always been a part of the Pfeiffer tradition—and that has looked different throughout our history. In the past, the Falcons have played in various leagues and conferences, including the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics until 1995, with field hockey and wrestling preceding our other teams to the NCAA. Movement among leagues and conferences is very common among Divisions I, II and III. It’s one change among many included in President Keith’s vision for Pfeiffer, which is taking shape against a rapidly changing higher education landscape. Division III fits Pfeiffer’s needs and profile now and in the years to come—and sets us up for a positive future. Is it different from when many alums—myself included—went to Pfeiffer? Sure. But like all successful, dynamic institutions, Pfeiffer is responding to a changing environment with open mindedness and flexibility.
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one-quarter to one-third of the total student population. It won’t happen overnight, of course. To drive home Bob’s point, last summer we lost 32 excellent incoming, non-athlete freshmen who had sent deposits to Pfeiffer because they decided last-minute to enroll elsewhere. When I reached out to the students or their parents to inquire why, the consistent theme was a combination of academics and scholarship support. They got better offers from schools whose academic programs provide what they are looking for—even though they were positive about Pfeiffer’s facilities and curricula.
CPK: As Bob said, this change is just one of several designed to support the goals mentioned, significantly strengthen Pfeiffer’s financial position over the coming years and preserve its tradition of outstanding academics and competitive athletics. Among these are updating several of our liberal arts degree programs, a move designed to improve student retention; implementing two new health science graduate programs in Misenheimer, bringing adult students to live and work in the area; developing creative summer camp programs that broaden awareness for Pfeiffer; expanding our recruitment footprint up the east coast and into the Midwest as well as becoming more intentional about the recruitment of international students; and selling our Charlotte property and relocating that campus, which will free up funds in general. We hope that alumni and friends of Pfeiffer get behind our intention to enroll more general students than student-athletes, better fund high-interest undergraduate academic programs and improve support for athletic programs—all for a stronger Pfeiffer. For answers to additional questions about Pfeiffer’s decision to apply for NCAA Division III status, please contact President Colleen Perry Keith, colleen.keith@pfeiffer.edu or VP for Athletics Bob Reasso, bob.reasso@pfeiffer.edu. WINTER 2016
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Falcon Club ready for basketball season During Homecoming weekend, The Falcon Club unveiled the completed second phase of its mezzanine renovation, revealing updates that will assure a one-of-a-kind game day experience for members. Renovations include installation of an extended VIP seating platform; 32 leather reclining seats with embroidered Falcon logos donated by Herman (’64) and Eddie Stone (Stone Theatres); a tempered glass viewing wall in the seating area; and a private, members-only entrance from the main doors of Merner Gym. Phase one, supported by Rick (’69) and Lourdes Knapp and the Knapp family, was completed in 2014.
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A limited number of Falcon Club seats remain available for annual reservation. To join the Falcon Club or reserve your personalized seat, visit http://gofalconsports.com/falcon_club/falcon_club.
notable accomplishments 1960s
1980s
Sandy Strope Hill ’60, a former newspaper editor living in Charlotte, N.C., has published Kate & Delia: Secret Threads. In this sequel, the new friends struggle to resolve old issues raised in Tangled Threads, Hill’s first book. All of her novels are available online.
Leonard Fairley ’81 has been selected by the N.C. Conference Capital District as its nominee to be elected a bishop in The United Methodist Church. He is the superintendent of the Capital District and formerly served, from 2005-12 as superintendent for the Rockingham District. Elections will take place in July 2016.
1970s Jeff Richards ’74 traveled to Kiev in May to teach a church history course at Kiev Regional Bible College in Vyshneve, Ukraine. This was his fourth trip to KRBC and the Church of the Gospel, a Ukrainian Baptist church also located in Vyshneve, where he preached during worship services and spoke at the college’s graduation ceremony. Jan Brittain ’77 was named Lake Norman’s Woman of Will in December 2014. She is senior pastor at Williamson’s Chapel UMC in Mooresville, N.C., one of the largest congregations led by a woman. Married to Cecil Donahue ’77, she is also a Pfeiffer University trustee.
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Matt Knight ’83 was attending Thrillerfest 2015 (a writer’s conference in New York City), when he met Cathy Kimrey Breeden ’69. Matt lives in San Francisco and Cathy lives in Wilmington, N.C. Laura Hubbard Auten ’87 is the new district superintendent for the Uwharrie District of the United Methodist Church Western North Carolina Conference. She had served as pastor of Maylo UMC in the Catawba Valley District since 2008 and has been a leader of the missional network of churches in Gastonia, N.C. 1990s David Lee ’92 has been named head baseball coach at Watauga High School, Boone, N.C. In 14 years as a varsity baseball coach, Lee’s teams have won 263 of 396 games, a .664 winning percentage. His record includes eight consecutive
Rann Paynter ’92 has been named president and CEO of the Michigan Bankers Association. He previously served as executive vice president of the Virginia Bankers Association and held similar leadership roles with the North Carolina Bankers Association. James Battavio ’96 has been promoted to the rank of captain in the Bridgeton, N.J., police department. He has served as a lieutenant in both the department’s Patrol and Criminal Investigation Bureaus. Larry McGuire ’96 earned the RE/MAX 100 Percent Club Award for 2014, received by fewer than 23 percent of all affiliates. He has earned this award consecutively each year since 2008 and is ranked in the top 100 agents in North Carolina. He served as the 2013 president of Central Carolinas Association of Realtors. Duane Dunston ’97 is assistant professor of cybersecurity at Champlain College, Burlington, Vt., as well as adjunct instructor, information assurance at Pfeiffer. His interests and experience in risk management, security education, and using technology to promote social change have also led him to advocacy work with the issue of human trafficking, specifically developing technologies to facilitate the identification of trafficked victims. More information about the You Have a Voice app can be found at www.champlain.edu. 2000s Karen Kluever ’01 MCE, an ordained UMC Deacon, recently traveled to Padina, Serbia, with current Pfeiffer MAPT student Brent Crimm and others on a mission trip to build a meeting facility at the UM church there. Karen and Brent are pictured here with the church’s pastor, Janko Sjanta; Brent is holding a car battery that provides power for the drill. Dusty Mason ’02 MSL recently received the 2015 Gold’s Gym President’s Award, at the corporation’s 50th anniversary convention in Dallas. His company, Carolina Fitness Group, Inc., owns three Gold’s Gym clubs in North Carolina (Albemarle, Harrisburg and EpiCentre-Uptown Charlotte) and one club in Rock Hill, S.C. Brandon Turner ’02 was named head golf pro, Pinewood Country Club, in Jan. 2015. The former Pfeiffer University coach led the men’s and women’s golf teams, 2005-08. David Miller ’04 was chosen as one of the Charlotte Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 in 2015. In its 22nd year, the CBJ’s award program recognizes young professionals who are making major strides in their careers and having a positive impact on their communities. David is a partner at Powell
Financial, Inc., in Cornelius, N.C. He is also a board member and treasurer of The Kuykenstrong Foundation, a Pfeiffer Falcon Club board member, a past member of Pfeiffer’s alumni board, and a mentor for East Carolina University’s business school. Lyndsey Boswell ’05 has signed a four-year contract extension as High Point University’s women’s lacrosse head coach. She founded the program in 2009 and has guided the team to four conference titles and two NCAA tournament appearances. She has also earned Coach of the Year accolades from the NLC (2011) and the Big South (2014) during her tenure.
classnotes
regular season conference titles (2004-11) at West Stanly High School and Richmond Senior High. A veteran of the Army National Guard, he served in Iraq from 2003-04.
Matt Gianferante ’05 passed his general pediatrics board examination in Nov. 2014, earning his board certification as a pediatrician. He is now a fellow in the pediatric hematology/ oncology service at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Md. Evelyn Rowe ’06, a social studies teacher at West Stanly (N.C.) High School, was recognized in June as the 2015 Veterans of Foreign Wars’ North Carolina Teacher of the Year. The recognition is for a teacher who advocates citizenship in and out of the classroom. Joy Greear ’07 MBA/MHA has been named president and chief operating officer of the yet-to-be-built Novant Mint Hill (N.C.) Medical Center. Construction of the hospital is scheduled to begin late in 2015 and completed in 2018. She is currently VP of professional and support services for Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, having worked for Novant for more than 20 years. Mike Riley ’07 MBA/MHA has been named president and chief operating officer for Novant Health Huntersville (N.C.) Medical Center. He previously served as president of Novant Health’s orthopedic hospital. Josh Tester ’07 joined First United Methodist Church in Asheboro, N.C., in April 2015, as community life minister/ worship leader. His main focus is the contemporary worship service. Josh previously served at Weaverville (N.C.) UMC as director of Christian education and youth ministry, and at Central UMC, in Denton, N.C., and Bethel UMC, in Midland, N.C. He is married to Pfeiffer classmate EB Reiter who also works at FUMC Asheboro, as children’s minister/ senior adults minister. Pearl Burris-Floyd ’08 MHA was named CEO, Gaston (County) Regional Chamber of Commerce in May 2015. A former Gaston County commissioner and state representative, she co-chaired Governor Pat McCrory’s transition team and served as senior advisor to Aldona Wos, N.C. Secretary of Health and Human Services. She is on the CaroMont Health Board of Directors and was most recently elected by the N.C. House of Representatives to a four-year term on the UNC Board of Governors. Kara Kluttz ’09 has published The Issues of Life, Book One, available from authorhouse.com. The book is about “coming to terms with your past as a means of adjusting to your present circumstances... how events and assumptions can color and change people in unforeseen ways.” WINTER 2016
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classnotes
(continued) Liz Carlton ’10 has released her second book, Chivalry’s Code, a continuation of her first fantasy novel, The Royal Rogue. She works as a full-time copywriter and author, and has written for several local, national and online publications, including AMP Magazine, Hails and Horns and eBella magazine. Her books are available through local retailers, online bookstores and Kindle. Gabby Riggs Shepherd ’11 and her husband James Shepherd ’11 perform as Fields of Grey, playing acoustic alternative and folk music around Stanly County and the surrounding area. The duo provided Saturday entertainment at Pfeiffer’s Homecoming in October. Gabby works with the Stanly County Department of Social Services as a child protective services social worker.
Brittany Cox ’13 has been named girls’ basketball coach at West Forsyth High School, in Winston-Salem, N.C. Pfeiffer’s third-leading all-time scorer, she spent the first two seasons after graduating as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Campbell University. Matt Effinger ’14 was sworn in as patrol officer for the Lexington (N.C.) Police Department in July. While at Pfeiffer, Effinger completed an internship with the department and then received basic law enforcement training after he graduated. The first in his family to work in law enforcement, he is now serving in his hometown. Lindsay Sisco Jordan ’15 is a pottery instructor at The Enrichment Center, in Winston-Salem, N.C., where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities participate in programs designed to empower and enrich their lives. Prior to accepting this position, she was an instructor at The Arc of High Point (N.C.).
weddings
Matt and Savanna Culp (’14) Forrest Oct. 11, 2014
Steven (’14) and Olivia Stofira (’14) Beaver Jan. 24, 2015
Allan (’11) and Joshua and Catie Thomas (’11) Smith Rachel Haselden Taylor May 23, 2015 May 30, 2015
Kane (’12) and Taylor Lee (’15) Hathcock June 27, 2015
Levi and Carolyn Mueller (’05) Hargrove Oct. 11, 2015
births
Camryn Grace Nolan James and Nov. 8, 2014 Penelope Rose to James and March 19, 2015 Amy Rabon (’09) to Jerry and Stephanie Quinn Marotto (’10) Zunino
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Robert Jeremiah Avery Elizabeth March 26, 2015 May 13, 2015 to Josh and Brenna to Matt (’04) Clark (’06) and Marissa Landrum Shuffler (’04) Porter
Breah Austin Aug. 13, 2015 to B.J. (’10) and Brooke Saunders (’09) Harris
Alexander Dean Nov. 5, 2015 to Matthew (’09) and Sarah Cruthis (’10) Underwood
Moises Nov. 20, 2014 to Salvadore Avila and Rocio (’09) Avila-Ramirez
Edith Matthews Fullenwider ’39 Audrey Hawkins Gowing ’40 Ginny Ball Seeger ’40 Mary Ramsey Snellings ’42 Buck Wagoner ’42 Nancy Clayton Meeks ’43 Raleigh Hartman ’44 Sara Courts McClure ’44 Frances Harmon Whitley ’44 Katherine Middleton Barlowe ’45 Laura Brower ’46 Maggie Queen Campbell ’47 Betty Rogers McDaniel ’47 William Hinson ’48 Jim McDuffie ’48 Howard Nance ’49 Alice Hodge Shepherd ’49 Joe Sherrill ’49 Ed Small ’49 Jo Ann Williams Barringer ’50 Tom Hart ’50 Bill Selvey ’50 Robert Huntley ’51 Clarence Gadd ’52 Thomas Lander ’53
Bernard Cascio ’55 Bob Lippard ’55 Dennis McDaniel ’55 George Moose ’56 Bernice Roscoe Kluttz ’57 Claude Thomas ’57 Larry Kiser ’58 Harold McNeill ’59 Joann Padgett Blanton ’60 Joseph Daniels ’60 Marion Swann ’61 Keith Frick ’62 Annette Wagoner ’62 Ina Griffin ’64 Joe Martini ’64 Warren Elliott ’65 Bob Tyson ’65 Alan Witten ’65 Jane Brady Rule ’66 Beth Marley Denton ’67 Mitzi Tomaini Proctor ’67 Larry Mabry ’68 Edna Winberry ’68 Mike Driver ’69 Charles Litaker ’69
Charles Schubart ’69 Clay Tom Carpenter ’70 Ken Rhyne ’70, ’10 Jennifer Flynn Rymell ’70 Judy Hash ’72 Martin Shinn ’73, ’75 Sue Earnhardt Rhodes ’75 Patti Edwards ’76 Libbie Hambleton ’76 Tony Randall ’76 Laura Odom Shropshire ’76 Carol Ellis Clement ’77 Noemi Ledbetter ’80 Randy Harris ’88 Debbie Watwood ’89 John Byrd ’90 Walter Draper ’92 MBA Horace Jenkins ’92 MBA Kim Calabrese ’94, ’98 MBA Theresa Scott ’01 MSOM Barbara Earnhardt ’06 Lyndell Ingram ’06 MHA Gay Rhyne ’14 MHA
classnotes
passings in 2015
especially noteworthy Dr. J. Griffin Campbell ’65 (Hon.) Professor Emeritus Julius F. Campbell Endowed Scholarship
Edith M. Fullenwider ’39 W. Harry Fullenwider Endowed Scholarship
Clay Tom Carpenter ’70 Clay Tom and Julia H. Carpenter Endowed Scholarship
Vera Gebhardt ’75, ’91 (Hon.) Former Director of Alumni Affairs
Frank Davis Cannon Foundation J.E. Fisher, Jr. Fisher Family Endowed Scholarship David Fisher Ford ’58 Former Trustee
Ralph M. McAlister Trustee Emeritus Anne McLean Memorial Endowed Scholarship Ralph and Caldwell McAlister Endowed Scholarship Dr. Nancy McLaurin Professor Emerita
Howard T. Nance ’49 Former Trustee Bill Rinehart Joetta and Bill Rinehart Endowed Scholarship Katrina Sells Former Switchboard Operator Mildred W. Swicegood James M. and Mildred W. Swicegood Memorial Endowed Scholarship Alan Witten ’65 Former Trustee
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alumnifeatures
Alumni Feature: Nellie Moore Hill ’38 Born in 1918, Nellie Moore Hill ’38 is one of Pfeiffer University’s oldest living alumni. The eldest of the four Moore girls, each of whom attended Pfeiffer, Nellie was the first woman from her rural North Carolina community to attend college. After graduating in 1938 from then Pfeiffer Junior College, she transferred to High Point College to receive a bachelor of science degree in home economics in 1940. The following year, she attended East Carolina University to complete an additional year of vocational training in home economics. Nellie taught school and worked as a staff assistant with the YMCA\USO for four years before marrying and having two children. When her children, Charles and Edeth, began school she returned to teaching from 1958 until 1971. After they graduated from high school, Nellie felt the call to serve farther from home. She joined the Peace Corps and served in the Eastern Caribbean, specifically Grenada, 1971-73. After returning home, she was employed as a social worker in adult home services until 1985. Throughout her life, Nellie has been active in her local community of Vanceboro, assisting her church, Vanceboro Christian Help Center, Vanceboro Rescue Squad Auxiliary and other civic organizations. In 1957, she received the Vanceboro Citizen of the Year award. Over the years Nellie’s connection with Pfeiffer has remained firm and constant. Although weather and health concerns kept her away from the annual Junior College Luncheon at this year’s Homecoming,
Nellie Moore Hill ’38 (right) attended the Junior College Luncheon at Homecoming 2014 with Bill Selvey ’50, Sara Yarberry, Ralph Yarberry ’49, and Betty Yelton Burrage ’50. Nellie has been an avid attendee of Pfeiffer events. She once said, “I’m so thankful for the privilege of my experiences of Pfeiffer. It was because of that foundation that I have had and do have a rich, full and good life.”
Recruitment program connects alumni to prospective students Each received an alumni recruitment manual, a guide that Have you ever wanted to recommend Pfeiffer to a high school student but didn’t know how to go about it? Do you have a includes an explanation of the needs and expectations of desire to share your Pfeiffer experience with prospective students? today’s college students and information about current Pfeiffer The Pfeiffer Recruitment Program, available through the office University programs. of enrollment, makes it “The level of commitment is up to possible for alumni to do the alumnus—some simply want just that. “Alumni are among the most effective to feel comfortable suggesting “Alumni are among the Pfeiffer as an option to a candidate ambassadors for Pfeiffer.” they meet at church or the most effective ambassadors supermarket; others have the for Pfeiffer,” said David - David Boisvert, VP enrollment management time and interest to represent Boisvert, vice president for Pfeiffer at college fairs or other enrollment management. venues,” added Boisvert. “The Pfeiffer Recruitment Program provides them the opportunity to offer information Alumni from all class years and from all geographic regions of about Pfeiffer, share stories about their success, and engage in the United States are encouraged to consider ways they can best conversation that relates to the aspirations of today’s college help their alma mater. To learn more and request information students.” about the Pfeiffer Recruitment Program, email the office of Developed with the insight and encouragement of Warren (’66) and Fran Knapp (’80 Hon.), the Pfeiffer Recruitment Program kicked off at Homecoming with a meeting of interested alumni. 32
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enrollment management: admissions@pfeiffer.edu.
1974 Dinner Rally and resolved then to do something of While Pfeiffer’s students move forward in pursuit of academic value. In a sense, this scholarship is a fulfillment.” success, graduation and securing their place in the world, many of Pfeiffer’s alumni and friends work quietly to ensure Following her husband’s death, Mrs. Swicegood entered a the continuation of scholarship and programmatic support career as the first female insurance agent for Nationwide for the institution. Through the Emily Prudden Insurance Company, Winston-Salem, N.C. Heritage Society, more Through regular than 180 members correspondence with have made a lasting “We attended Pfeiffer’s 1974 Dinner Rally Pfeiffer, a tenacious spirit provision for the and love for her family university through and resolved then to do something of value. were documented, always a planned gift. Most In a sense, this scholarship is a fulfillment.” with mention of a desire notable are those who to fulfill the duties of her new have chosen to make - Mildred Swicegood calling and details of her Pfeiffer the beneficiary children’s and grandchildren’s of their last gift, leaving accomplishments. When an enduring legacy Mrs. Swicegood passed away in August, Terry amended for future generations of Pfeiffer students through their estate. the scholarship’s title to recognize his mother’s significant Supporting scholarships through the contribution and love for Pfeiffer. university endowment Through a bequest, Mrs. Swicegood made her final gift to In the 1970s, Mildred Swicegood and her son, Rev. Terry Swicegood ’66, established the James M. Swicegood Memorial Scholarship in memory of their loving husband and father. The fund supports students who are interested in full-time Christian service and exhibit promise of success in academics as well as financial need.
“Pfeiffer extended vital scholarship assistance to our son as an undergraduate student in addition to providing him with a marvelous education in a warm atmosphere,” said Mrs. Swicegood when the scholarship was first established. “We attended Pfeiffer’s
alumnifeatures
Leaving a Legacy: The impact of planned giving on Pfeiffer and our students
Pfeiffer to ensure the endowment she stewarded for four decades would continue to grow and provide for today’s students. In addition, Terry and his wife, Barbara, directed memorial gifts from friends and family to the scholarship and have chosen to allocate an additional portion of their inheritance from Mrs. Swicegood’s estate to the James and Mildred Swicegood Memorial Scholarship. To learn more about endowed funds, please visit https://community.pfeiffer.edu/endowments-scholarships.
How do I become a member? Alumni and friends of Pfeiffer University may join the Emily Prudden Heritage Society by including Pfeiffer in their estate plans or utilizing several types of planned giving instruments to support the university’s initiatives. For more information about gift options, creating an estate plan or notifying Pfeiffer of an estate plan, please visit https://community.pfeiffer.edu/planned-giving or contact John Lefler ’66 at john.lefler@pfeiffer.edu, 704-463-3039. WINTER 2016
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donorreport
fiscal year 2015 by the numbers July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015
2,745
CONTRIBUTED:
$3,648,419
DONORS
OUR DONORS By Dollars Given Foundations 43% Alumni 25% Friends 22% Businesses/Organizations 6% Religious Organizations 4%
$
THANKS TO YOU... ALUMNI DOLLARS GIVEN
+ 51% students receive financial aid from the University
9/ 10
$
Resulting in the GREATEST Alumni Giving Total in Pfeiffer’s HISTORY
Welcome to our new donors!
501
students completed
Student callers engaged in
Service Hours
conversations with alumni, family & friends
2,720 25,000
Learn more about the impact of your gift in our Annual Honor Roll of Donors at https://community.pfeiffer.edu/2015DonorReport 34
WINTER 2016
upcomingevents
Mark Your Calendar Upcoming Events 2016 Contact (unless otherwise noted): Amy Bunting, director of alumni and special events 704-463-3165, amy.bunting@pfeiffer.edu. Feb. 14 6 p.m. Events Plus Dinner Series Featured: Dr. Robb Dunn “Exploring the Mysteries of the Human Heart” Stokes/Community Room Tickets: $40 per person Contact: carol.may@pfeiffer.edu
April 11 11 a.m. Friends of the Library Annual Spring Luncheon Featured author: Dr. Elliot Engel Misenheimer Campus Stokes/Community Room Tickets available Feb. 2016 Contact: erica.burroughs@pfeiffer.edu
April 8 - 10 6 p.m. Pfeiffer Choral Reunion Misenheimer Campus Visit www.pfeiffer.edu for more information.
April 22 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. What the Truck! Boone Circle, Misenheimer Campus Food trucks from River Wild on Wheels, Birdsong Brewery and other craft breweries, and dessert trucks.
April 10 6 p.m. Events Plus Dinner Series Featured: Kevin Donalley NFL veteran, sports analyst, motivational speaker Stokes/Community Room Tickets: $40 Contact: carol.may@pfeiffer.edu
Sept. 30 - Oct. 1 Homecoming 2016 “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” For more information, visit pfeiffer.edu.
New Campus Partner Pfeiffer University is glad to welcome back Coca-Cola as we partner to bring a refreshing experience to your time on our campuses. Look for purchase locations throughout our buildings and use cash or credit to SHARE A COKE with your favorite Pfeiffer family member!
WINTER 2016
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Non-Profit U.S. Postage
PAID
Misenheimer, NC Permit No. 000
Office of Advancement P.O. Box 960 Misenheimer, NC 28109
pfeiffer.edu
Creating spaces for today’s student needs: Residence hall common areas revitalized Thanks to the generosity of Warren (’66) and Fran (’80 Hon.) Knapp and their collaboration with Klaussner Furniture in Asheboro, N.C., students returned this fall to discover new furnishings being delivered on move-in day to the historic parlors and sitting rooms in Washington, Cline, Merner and Rowe Halls. New items include couches, chairs, coffee and end tables, large study tables, rugs and lighting. “Our goal was for Pfeiffer students to have a comfortable, inviting area in their dorm to meet with friends to socialize or gather for a study group,” said Fran. During the summer as the project took shape, the Knapps worked with Pfeiffer’s staff to determine student needs and shared news of the project with Klaussner executives. After touring Pfeiffer’s campus with Julia Wittenberg, wife of Klaussner CEO, Bill Wittenberg,
Fran and Warren met with the couple to review their impression of the project’s direction. “The Wittenberg’s vision included bringing together Pfeiffer University, a North Carolina college; William Magnum, a North Carolina artist and designer of all the tables and chairs; and Klaussner, a North Carolina furniture company,” she continued. Mr. Wittenberg offered the services of Klaussner’s design team and promised a discount on final pricing. Installation took place over two days during new student move-in, which generated excitement not only among the students but also parents. “Several parents told us that their residence halls looked nothing like this when they were in college,” Fran said. “Perhaps this helped make it just a little bit easier for parents to say good-bye. If so, we accomplished more than we had planned.”