A M AG A Z I N E F O R A LU M N I & F R I E N D S
Record Freshman Class Largest Freshman Class in 30 Years Drives Change
New Growth Charlotte Campus Opens and New Project Begins
Pfeiffer Forward President Keith's Work and Vision
Athletics Updates on the Falcons
what’s inside freshman class drives change 3 total eclipse 4 new charlotte campus opens 5 albemarle center in development 6 breland doesn't follow a script 7 the shifting life of susan abulhawa 9 alumni updates 11 pfeiffer forward 13 faculty and academic updates 17 falcons in wonderland: homecoming 21 athletics 23 monte sherrill: winning teams 25 class notes 27 hurricane: assisting with healing 33 upcoming events 35
EDITOR Kenneth E. Russell, Ph.D. ’88
MANAGING EDITOR Brian Luckett
DESIGNER Gary Veazey
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Scott Carlberg Jo Ellen Newsome '93, '13 Cindy Benson Jenna Gulledge ’12 Jeremy Zalacca Becky Scott Pfeiffer magazine is produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications and 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 704-463-3034 or email advance@pfeiffer.edu pfeiffer.edu
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President ’s Message
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Message from the president What a difference a year can make! Pfeiffer University continues to rise and grow to new heights while holding true to our beloved traditions. With the vision of Pfeiffer’s board of trustees and senior leadership, Pfeiffer has completed numerous major projects while continuing to move forward with groundbreaking advances. If you were to visit the Misenheimer campus today, you would find the Merner Center renovated as the new Welcome Center, housing the admissions and financial aid offices; a completed Emily Prudden Park in front of the Administration Building (page 13); and the largest freshman class Pfeiffer has seen in 30 years. These advancements, combined with new faculty and academic achievements (page 17), have generated an excitement on campus that continues to develop new opportunities and a stronger Pfeiffer Pfamily. In addition to all of the gains made on the main campus, the Charlotte Campus move to 1515 Montford Park, directly across the street from the former location, is fully complete (page 5). This state-of-the-art campus has already been recognized as a modern facility for a 21st-century education and will continue to assist with growing Pfeiffer’s graduate and adult degree completion options moving forward. To stay on the leading edge of high-demand academic programs, Pfeiffer has also embarked on opening a new advanced Center for Health Sciences in downtown Albemarle. This facility, which will house graduate-level health science programs, will feature modern healthcare technology and will provide local clinic services to the community. While Pfeiffer continues to make advancements in capital projects and academic offerings, our strong community and Pfeiffer spirit endures. The true difference maker is the support from alumni and friends, just like you. As we continue to embark on these life-changing developments, I hope you will continue to show your support and continue to make a difference.
Colleen Perry Keith, Ph.D. WIN TER 2 0 1 7
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Driving Change
Freshman Class Drives Change “Office Hours.” Remember them? They are becoming obsolete as students leverage technology in their academic life. Students and Pfeiffer are transforming. Pfeiffer’s freshman class grew by 29 percent this fall and these students bring continued change in the way they interact with faculty.
“Incoming students have an expectation they will get an answer to a question or concern immediately,” said Dr. Christopher Boe, professor of education. “My classes are much more interactive than they once were,” said Dr. Juanita Kruse, professor of history. She says that may be, in part, because of her: “At 64 I find I may say just about anything, which many of my students seem to find amusing.” A fast and connected academic environment is a buffet of information for hungry minds. “This year’s incoming students are more interested and interesting. Students are not afraid to ask for what they want and need. They have a wider array of interests,” said Dr. Tracy Espy, provost/vice president for academic affairs. High-touch is an increasingly important part of Pfeiffer student success. Caroline Sawyer, director of internships and career planning, manages the way students prepare for work. “We start developing students on day one. Finding their interests. Setting goals. We want them to be successful here and throughout their careers,” she said. Sawyer builds real-life bridges to the workplace. She arranges mock job interviews, communication skill building, potential employer meetings, time with civic leaders, and much more. Her once-a-month workshops build student skills in financial literacy, networking, dress-for-success, and other personal development essentials. Sawyer links people together. She brings potential employers to campus and takes students to workplaces. If you are a business owner, she wants to talk with you about helping students with these skills. (pfeiffer.edu/careerservices) But some constants are just that – constant. Said Kruse, “Forgive me, but I’m a history professor, and medieval adults said almost exactly the same things about young people that adults say today.” Boe provided the most important constant in a Pfeiffer education: “You have to help them grow into adults; you cannot expect that they already are or that they will magically transform between the sophomore and junior years. It takes mentoring, nurturing, support, and feedback.”
Eclipse
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T tal Eclipse
Our departments banded together for lessons in history, science, and culture to explore the ways people perceive the eclipse. - Dr. Laura Reichenberg
Thanks to Pfeiffer faculty members, the 2017 eclipse in August was a learning experience for more than 500 students and community members. “Our departments banded together for lessons in history, science, and culture to explore the ways people perceive the eclipse,” said Dr. Laura Reichenberg, visiting assistant professor of biology. On campus, glasses, telescopes, pinhole devices, and even live-streaming in the chapel delivered the celestial experience to the crowd. Dr. Doug Hume, associate professor of religion, led a group of students to upstate South Carolina to experience the eclipse in its totality. “We drove four hours each way for what is usually a 2¼ hour trip. In spite of heavy traffic, the two minutes of totality were worth the entire trip.” Hume had a reason for making this big effort: “My goal was to provide students with a sense that learning can and should be infused with wonder,” he said. One of the students remarked after the eclipse: “During totality, I didn’t notice or hear anything at all except the sun being covered by the moon and the corona. Only later, when I listened and watched the video I made, did I realize that I was shouting with excitement at the top of my lungs!” “We all walked away with a profound sense of wonder,” said Hume.
We all walked away with a profound sense of wonder. - Dr. Doug Hume
“It’s interesting to think about the ways a solar eclipse can be seen from so many perspectives. I have blinders on just for science sometimes,” said Reichenberg. “The University really rallied together for this.”
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Charlotte
New Charlotte Campus Opens On October 20, Pfeiffer hosted the grand opening and ribbon cutting for its new Charlotte campus. Faculty, staff, students, and locals joined the celebration as a new era began for the University. Pfeiffer is the anchor tenant for a high-rise called 1515 Montford Park, south of Uptown Charlotte, just off Park Road and across the street from the former Charlotte campus. Students using the Charlotte facility are largely professional individuals pursuing graduate degrees, completing their studies there, or visiting in conjunction with online classes. The new Pfeiffer campus boasts a smart corporate look, complete with modern amenities and state-of-the-art
technology. The 26,000+ square foot campus has classrooms, library space, a marriage and family therapy clinic, student lounge space, and administrative offices for the University. Pfeiffer’s new campus design also places an emphasis on community engagement with flexible spaces and meeting rooms. To that end, campus space is available on a rental basis for the public. Need premium, convenient meeting space in Charlotte, or know someone who does?
Visit pfeiffer.edu/charlotte for details.
Interested in being a part of the Charlotte or Albemarle projects? Learn more about naming opportunities: advance@pfeiffer.edu WI NTE R 2 0 1 7
Albemarle
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Albemarle Center in
Development The Pfeiffer University Center for Health Sciences in Albemarle is in the final stages of development. The 41,000 square foot facility will include intensive care and emergency room simulation labs, simulated operating theaters, and clinic space in addition to meeting rooms, lecture halls, classrooms, and office spaces; it represents a new and exciting direction for Pfeiffer. The Center for Health Sciences will focus on how to provide healthcare to rural communities, including Pfeiffer’s native Stanly County and the surrounding area. President Colleen Keith said, “Pfeiffer will house two graduate health science programs in downtown Albemarle, a move that will bring more than 200 graduate and professional students, faculty, and staff into the downtown area.” The Center will also drive economic activity to the local area. Stanly County Commission Chairperson, Jann Lowder, said the project can “be a catalyst for additional investment and job creation. Additional activity and students living in close proximity to the campus will create more demand for retail, dining, entertainment, and cultural events.”
Design of the Center takes its inspiration from the city’s downtown and Pfeiffer’s Misenheimer campus architecture. The goal is to blend with the city while speaking to Pfeiffer’s history as well as its future, a future strengthened and secured with the addition of this new facility. WIN TER 2 0 1 7
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Breland
Coleman Breland , Doesn t Follow a Script “Everything comes back to a story.” Spoken like a good English major. “[It was the] perfect major for me,” says Coleman Breland. “When you major in English, you have to invent your career. My tools are words; they’ll never be obsolete,” he says. “Words are powerful. One sentence can start a war, end a relationship, or complete a deal.” Breland ’79 is president of Turner Classic Movies, FilmStruck, and Content Experiences for Turner. He leads new content strategies inside and outside the traditional TV ecosystem. Since Breland is president of Turner Classic Movies, we asked what three films he recommends, and why. (Remember, everything comes back to a story): To Kill a Mockingbird: “An entire year of ethics can be taught from this film. The scene of Atticus on the courthouse steps tells a story of character,” says Breland. The Hollywood Reporter said of the movie, “It opens into the real world ... Make-believe can be fled. Reality must be faced.” Harvey: “This film runs with your imagination,” says Breland. Jimmy Stewart, as Elwood P. Dowd, says: “Years ago my mother used to say to me ... ‘In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.’ Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.” Dowd’s quirk is a friend, an invisible six-foot rabbit. Casablanca: “A phenomenal story. Two people whose time was always off. Life gets you here and sends you there. And the scenes in Rick’s Cafe have a wonderful atmosphere,” says Breland. TCM says, “Casablanca embraced ... ‘invisible style’ ... creating a seamless, lush universe that gradually envelops the audience.”
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His work is an adventure, helping orchestrate the changes from traditional TV viewing habits, to technology advancements, and the proliferation of On-Demand viewing platforms and use of social media. Turner currently reaches 80 percent of American adults each month across television, digital, and mobile devices. The ultra-competitive media industry is now Breland's everyday encounter. "We can't get locked into a mindset that the status quo stays for long," says Breland, whose current portfolio reflects a future-forward approach. For instance, check out: • Turner Sports' ELeague augmented reality programming; a blend of content and live gaming experience. •
FilmStruck, a direct-to-consumer product (no cable channel necessary) comprised of curated art-house, independent, and foreign films. Says Breland, "We grow the involvement for our fans."
• CNN’s The Update is a Snapchat show with a rundown of news created with mobile devices in mind. • CNN Airport Network, a condensed news package, catches an estimated 235 million people in gate areas of almost 50 U.S. airports. Managing content for networks is the ultimate career for Breland. So what advice would he give new grads pushed into the real world? Get tough. “Learn how to breathe underwater. Things won’t always go your way; keep swimming.” Get to work. “If you know the industry you want, start working in it as soon as you can. Make contacts.” Be grounded. “Don’t ever judge yourself by your zip code or title on your business card. That makes you lazy.” Most of all, Breland says when he interviews job candidates he asks, “What makes me want to work beside you? I look for work ethic and passion. Do you communicate that to me?”
“At Pfeiffer, I became a better writer. Dr. Griffin Campbell pushed me hard on structure, grammar, and content.” - Coleman Breland ‘79
Coleman Breland, a Pfeiffer English major, diligently sharpens his tools - words - and reinvents his career every day. He doesn’t follow anyone else’s script. “At Pfeiffer, I became a better writer. Dr. Griffin Campbell pushed me hard on structure, grammar, and content.” Pfeiffer was “small, nimble, and scrappy,” Breland recalls. A perfect fit! Breland was helped along his journey to Misenheimer by two of his teachers at Charlotte’s Carmel Academy, Richard Harris ’69 and Edward Kelly ’68, who spoke fondly of Pfeiffer. “After high school, I wasn’t looking for a big university. I wanted to know professors, have an experience.” Photos courtesy of Universal Pictures, Photofest and Turner Classic Movies.
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Susan Abulhawa
The Shifting Life of
Susan Abulhawa The Pfeiffer motto “Beyond Boundaries” applies to Susan Abulhawa ’92 in a way that may seem unusual. As a biology major at Pfeiffer, she went on to become a doctoral student at the University of South Carolina Department of Biomedical Science. Single motherhood spurred a change of course for Susan, and she left the program to work as a researcher in the pharmaceutical industry after earning a master’s degree in neuroscience. Susan’s life is marked by such directional shifts. Abulhawa was born to refugees of the 1967 Six-Day War. “My family, which had lived in the same village east of Jerusalem for at least 800 years, and owned large swaths of cultivated land and olive groves, became penniless overnight. My parents ended up in Kuwait.” She came to the United States at the age of 13, where she eventually ended up a foster child in Charlotte, North Carolina. By 2002, Susan had a successful career as a scientist, but that did not stop her from
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“I would write all day. I mortgaged my house as much as I could and went into massive debt to keep writing.” - Susan Abulhawa ’92 choosing to shift her life onto a completely different career path. Abulhawa had always been a politically engaged individual. Her political activism gained greater intensity, however, when she went back to visit Jerusalem in 1999 following an eighteen-year absence. It would be another three years before she would leave science to write her first novel. In 2002, Abulhawa was one of the first eyewitnesses to the immediate aftermath of a massacre in the Palestinian refugee camp of Jenin. “Being there changed my life.” “I would write all day. I mortgaged my house as much as I could and went into massive debt to keep writing.” The resulting novel, entitled Mornings in Jenin, received literary acclaim and was translated into 28 languages. Book tours and literature festivals took her all over the world, throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. Since then, Susan has continued her literary success with The Blue Between Sky And Water published in 2015 in addition to other writings and works. “It has been quite a ride,” she says.
Alumni Updates
MBA Grad Drives Individual and Team Success
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Wanting to Serve
Ron Garrow '94 is a people-person in every sense of the phrase. He is chief human resources officer for 22,000 associates at Belk, a chain of 293 department stores in 16 states. He is also a Pfeiffer MBA grad who leveraged the Charlotte Campus as his academic home base. Garrow led human resource functions at MasterCard, Wachovia, and Bank of America prior to Belk. He’s been in the middle of big changes in HR. “I started when it was called ‘personnel’ and was transactional: silos of benefits, compensation, and training. Now HR is at the table to get business where it needs to go in strategy, structure, and skills or organizations,” said Garrow. “We show up as one HR team for the company.” HR is still changing, too, maybe more than ever. Garrow sees several trends. First, a world view. “It’s about talent everywhere,” he says. “The world is small, and not just about your backyard anymore. Companies must grab skills and capabilities wherever they reside.” He cites issues such as the Dreamers immigration framework, Brexit, and changing border regulations as issues that HR professionals have to know and manage. Second, generational understanding. “We have four, sometimes five, generations in the workplace. Each has something to teach and learn.” He knows firsthand. Garrow participated in a reverse-mentor program at MasterCard. New entrants and long-term professionals were paired up to learn about each other. “Phenomenal,” Garrow said. “I learned what I needed to do differently to help Millennials.” Third, new connections to education. “Traditional education values will be challenged. How do we partner with high schools and universities? In some areas a four-year degree will be important and in some, an associates’.” Continuous personal development is essential. “I see value in working for a few years, then going for an advanced degree. Time in the workforce is an advantage. A professional can also apply learning real-time in business.” That is exactly what Garrow did with his Pfeiffer degree. Finally, artificial intelligence. It sounds like a tech topic, not HR, but Garrow said, “AI and robotics will change workplace skills. Jobs will be redesigned, and training will be different. It becomes a story not about replacing people but helping them adapt.” He said this is the modern counterpart to the Industrial Revolution, with data management, customer relations, and distribution as some areas that could see big changes. Pfeiffer helped Garrow learn to analyze and adapt, to identify and pursue success in people development. “Pfeiffer is a great hometown school. Committed professors, quality education, personal attention, and a connection to others in the community all make a difference.”
Brandon Garren '16 is someone you hope you won’t have to meet while he’s on the job; he serves as a probation and parole officer with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. “It’s a different way to help others,” he said of the job. “Some people may have made a genuinely big mistake in their lives, and I can help them turn around.” Outside of his work, Garren exemplifies the positive attitude, warmth, and integrity of the Pfeiffer family. He was raised in Henderson County, south of Asheville, North Carolina, and lives there today. Service is a family tradition for Garren; his dad is a firefighter and his mom, a nurse. Garren credits Dr. Heather Burkard, head of Pfeiffer’s criminal justice program, with unlocking his interest in the profession. About his career, he said, “If you look for something exciting you can find it; you never know what you’re walking into each day.”
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Alumni Updates
Arts Experience Re-imagined The North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) is a nationally distinguished museum, and a Pfeiffer graduate has been the leader who helped put it on the map. In October, Larry Wheeler ’65, the museum’s director, was named to the City of Raleigh Hall of Fame for his tireless dedication to the arts. The Raleigh News and Observer dubbed Wheeler, “The godfather of the Triangle’s cultural boom.” And for good reason. Wheeler became museum director in 1994 and quickly started reinventing the arts experience. “We are a community gathering place with a 160-acre park,” he said. Aside from visual arts, visitors have access to educational seminars, book clubs, food, music, film, youth events, and even space for business and social events. Asked what piece was a catalytic work for the museum, Wheeler cites a mid-1990s acquisition of a contemporary work by German artist Anslem Kiefer. The untitled work is oil, acrylic, emulsion, shellac, lead, charcoal, and straw on a canvas-mounted photograph, with stones, lead, and steel cable on three canvasses. “It is a triptych of somber grays and tans. The deeper you go the more you can find in it,” said Wheeler. Pairing up with Ebony magazine in late 2017 the NCMA explored fashions for African-American women. That’s a different window on the arts, and aligns with Wheeler’s advice: “Always pay attention to the artists in your midst. What does it represent? What are the changing natures of artists and their toolboxes? What new technologies and materials are used?” The NCMA’s contemporary collections have increased substantially. Wheeler led the effort that secured 29 Rodin sculptures, the largest repository of Rodin’s work in the American South. Wheeler retires in 2018, but this Pfeiffer grad’s presence will be felt at the museum for decades to come.
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Brian Freeman '07 Selected to Lead County Healthcare System Brian Freeman ’07 is one of many Pfeiffer graduates who are ensuring high quality medical care in our region and beyond. Freeman, an MHA graduate, has been named president of Carolinas Healthcare System Stanly, serving Stanly County and based in Albemarle. “Community hospitals have unique medical needs,” said Freeman. They have to be equipped to handle the same medical complexities experienced in metropolitan markets. Additionally, they are tasked to understand and overcome the challenges associated with health and lifestyle choices in multigenerational rural communities. Diet, smoking, and other key lifestyle choices can easily be transferred from generation to generation. “It is our responsibility to ensure our community has the knowledge to make informed decisions.” Add to this the challenge to attract medical professionals to a small town, and Freeman keeps busy while serving his region.
It is our responsibility to ensure our community has the knowledge to make informed decisions. - Brian Freeman ’07
Even though rural healthcare is different from healthcare in other places, one tenet remains unchanged: staying focused on solutions is critical. Carolinas Healthcare System uses a leadership tool called “Connect to Purpose” to stay focused on their solutions. It’s about the patient, and every Connect to Purpose starts with an example from teammates about the way they have served a patient. “It keeps us closely linked with the reason we are here,” Freeman explained.
Prudden Society
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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 leveraging other 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: community.pfeiffer.edu/planned-giving
John C.H. Lefler ’66, Philanthropy Advisor 704-463-3039 | john.lefler@pfeiffer.edu WIN TER 2 0 1 7
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Pfeiffer For ward
Forward
Pfeiffer Forward is a cross between an ideal, a plan for the future, and a State of the Union address. What began as only an idea has blossomed into an invigorating mantra for Pfeiffer. It revolves around four central tenets: Pfeiffer is Rising, Pfeiffer is Growing, Pfeiffer is Innovative, and Pfeiffer is Home. These core ideas about the values of the University are now at the heart of every decision President Colleen Keith and her team make for the future. Pfeiffer Forward is both the new goal and the new standard for the University, and to that end, we’d like to show you what we’ve been accomplishing. Pfeiffer is Rising: State-of-the-Art Facilities Exciting changes are underway at Pfeiffer! President Keith’s priority for capital projects is the implementation of dynamic and innovative technology—positioning Pfeiffer as a great place to learn, live, and work. To achieve this, we’re bringing in new technology designed to connect Pfeiffer’s campuses, operations, and student services, all of which are vital to Pfeiffer being a competitive choice for undergraduate and graduate study.
Charlotte Campus Our new Charlotte campus opened this summer at 1515 Mockingbird Lane, directly across the street from our familiar Park Road location. As the anchor tenant of this newly renovated, state-of-the-art, LEED-certified building, we remain a vital part of Charlotte’s Montford Park community and continue offering a convenient and leading-edge site for
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our graduate, certificate, and degree completion programs. Joining the campus is the counseling center for our nationally ranked Marriage and Family Therapy program, which was previously located separately.
Misenheimer Campus President Keith’s broad vision for a welcoming campus and invigorated spirit of hospitality emerged even before her arrival. The first university leader in nearly a decade to live full time in the President’s House, she is an integral part of Pfeiffer’s energetic campus life. Practical and hands-on, President Keith has jump-started large and small improvements to a number of campus facilities that are heightening the experiences of students before and after they enroll. The first stop for prospective students and their families is The Pfeiffer University Welcome Center, new home for the Offices of Admissions and Financial Aid. Described by
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President Keith as the place where “prospective students first envision themselves as Falcons,” the center and its staff welcome guests to the Pfeiffer Pfamily. The Delight and Garfield Merner Center was renovated through a generous gift from the Class of 1968 and a grant from The Cannon Foundation, Inc.; it was recently dedicated at Homecoming 2017. (pictured above) Additional updates are elevating the experience of students after they arrive. Wireless internet technology now extends across campus, including the athletic fields and Gibson Lake House, for reliable, 24/7 connectivity. New equipment in the Knapp Health and Fitness Center (pictured above), provided by gifts from The Cannon Foundation, Inc. and the Knapp family, are enhancing their health and wellness efforts, as well as those of faculty and staff. Most visible to current students is a new, state-of-the-art IT Help Center, centrally located on the main floor of Stokes Student Center. This facility provides students with accessible, on-the-spot assistance with all their computer and technology needs. The IT Help Center and its adept and student-friendly staff provide frontline evidence of the digital transformation underway at Pfeiffer. In addition, Emily Prudden Park was dedicated at Homecoming this past fall. This tranquil park, which surrounds the iconic statue of founder Emily Prudden, honors donors who have bequeathed gifts of $100,000 or more to Pfeiffer. It was funded
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by generous gifts from Ben (’68) and Carol Williams (pictured above) and Richard (’54) and Peggy Sloan.
Center for Health Sciences An expression of its commitment to extend the boundaries of the Misenheimer campus further into the region, Pfeiffer announced in 2016 an expansion into neighboring downtown Albemarle for its first Stanly County-based graduate-level programs. Two graduate health sciences programs are currently in development and scheduled to begin in the next few years, pending accreditation. These programs, with their focus on rural health and the Albemarle locale, are projected to stimulate the local economy in the form of new housing for graduate students and others, restaurants, and retail. To maximize outcomes, President Keith worked closely with officials from Stanly County and the City of Albemarle to identify the property for a new health science facility. Soon to be under construction, the four-story health sciences facility will include classrooms, a care clinic, administrative offices, and library space featuring technology that puts students on the forefront of the health sciences. Also on site will be the county’s first cadaver laboratory for pre-clinical training. As a result of these changes—and more to come—Pfeiffer University is capturing the attention of motivated students and accomplished scholars. State-of-the-art facilities help continued on next page WIN TER 2 0 1 7
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signal a quality undergraduate or graduate experience, a message that is resonating as Pfeiffer continues to rise under President Keith’s leadership.
Pfeiffer is Growing: Attracting new (and more) students to the Pfeiffer Pfamily Recognizing that Pfeiffer University offers an educational experience that is unmatched at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, President Keith has made enrollment the university’s highest priority. Through visionary leadership and the hard work of our top-notch admissions team, Pfeiffer’s efforts are getting results and more students are choosing Pfeiffer.
Traditional Undergraduate This fall, we welcomed the largest freshman class at Pfeiffer in nearly three decades. Almost twice the number of students will start their journey at Pfeiffer this year due to President Keith’s decision to make enrollment the institution’s leading priority. President Keith knows that getting the right students to campus to see for themselves everything Pfeiffer offers is vital for making the university a top choice for their undergraduate home. First, we had to identify the kind of students who are most likely to thrive at Pfeiffer. Then we focused on connecting with a greater number of those students who prefer a small, distinct campus that offers the opportunity to connect personally with faculty and coaches. We also looked for students who want to stretch “Beyond Boundaries” academically, spiritually, and professionally, and created multiple opportunities for them to visit the Misenheimer campus and see that Pfeiffer is affordable. Driven by a new direction and determination to bring the right students to the Pfeiffer Pfamily, the admissions team has demonstrated the value of, not only a Pfeiffer education, but the entire Pfeiffer experience to prospective students.
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Their hard work paid off, as campus visits by prospective students increased by over 204 percent and total attendance at Accepted Student Day increased by 215 percent last year. As the cost of higher education is often the primary factor in a student’s college decision, President Keith made it a priority to invest $3 million in institutional and need-based aid, aiming to attract high-performing students. This commitment has already made a difference: the collective weighted GPA for the incoming class has risen noticeably to 3.5, and the incoming Honors Program cohort is the largest in the program’s history.
Degree Completion and Graduate Programs A renewed commitment is also evident for degree completion and graduate programs, as Pfeiffer is remaining true to its roots while also embracing advanced technology and modern education. Based in Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham, Pfeiffer’s focus on a 21st-century education for professionals and adults has caught the attention of the local communities through campus growth, partnerships, and graduate success. The opening of the new state-of-the-art Charlotte campus brings new and expanded opportunities to connect with the community and provide options to adults looking for flexibility as they continue their education and advance their careers. With these new developments, graduate and degree completion programs continue to see an increase in prospective students and community interest. A centerpiece of the enrollment effort for these programs is Pfeiffer’s Partnership Program, which allows employees of partner businesses, organizations, and community colleges to take advantage of a 20 percent tuition discount. Supporting Dr. Keith’s goal to provide educational opportunities to support and sustain a highly skilled workforce in the region, the expansion of the partnership program has been a priority. As a result, this program is growing rapidly—nearly 25 key
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employers in Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham and Stanly County are currently participating. Large corporations such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo, along with local and regional companies, are seeing the benefit of providing this education resource to their employees. Enrollment growth essential for a thriving university, and these efforts remain a priority as we continually draw more people—from more places— into the Pfeiffer Pfamily.
Pfeiffer is Innovative: Driving a Digital Transformation It’s no longer sufficient to simply create or administer data— instead it’s vital to know how data are consumed, as well as how it can be amplified and shared. At the center of Pfeiffer University’s ability to teach, conduct business, and connect with others is state-of-the-art technology and a digital transformation that is revolutionizing the overall Pfeiffer experience. To push Pfeiffer forward, President Keith is making bold decisions that will transform the technology landscape at Pfeiffer. As we rebuild the university’s technology infrastructure to prepare us for the future, we do so heralding Ralph Waldo Emerson’s statement, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” With no intention to turn back, Pfeiffer has started a journey toward permanent technology culture change and transforming the way technology is shared and consumed.
ways and learning to interpret data, not merely generate reports. With greater capability to interpret information and knowledge, Pfeiffer offers a unique and insightful experience for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners. Supporting Pfeiffer’s technology goals and its excellent IT team—now known as Digital Transformation and Technology (DTT)—are its partnerships with Cisco/Meraki, Presidio, Ricoh, and more. Promoting partnerships (not just vendor relationships) and investing in the Pfeiffer community is yielding positive results, many of which have come as part of the technology plan, in addition to other results that surprise us when we open ourselves to unexpected “a-ha!” moments as we work or even collide with others. In a matter of months, overall progress includes the installation of new fiberoptic cable at the Misenheimer campus (pictured above), which stabilizes Pfeiffer’s core network and will enable high speed connections with the new Albemarle campus currently under development. In addition, Pfeiffer has introduced IPTV (Internet Protocol Television), which delivers television content over computer networks rather than through traditional satellite and cable television formats, not only improving the quality of television on campus but creating the ability for programming of all kinds to be viewed on any device, any time, from anywhere on campus.
Engaging expert partners
The Center for Digital Transformation
Last fall, President Keith asked Dr. Ken Russell, a 1988 Pfeiffer graduate, former trustee, and respected technology, social ideation, and organizational change leader, to return to his alma mater as vice president of digital transformation and chief information officer. He quickly assessed Pfeiffer’s overall technology needs and, together with President Keith and the university’s leadership team, articulated a vision that is making possible the effective and dynamic leveraging of technology by students, faculty, and staff at all campuses and for online learning anywhere.
Moving Forward
Dr. Russell’s approach is defining Pfeiffer’s digital transformation. He is bringing to life the notion that our data “are screaming,” and it’s time for us to listen. Specifically, “listening” in new
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Because the real value in knowledge and information is with their sharing, Pfeiffer has established the Center for Digital Transformation, which will regularly convene technology leaders from across the globe and invite them to exchange groundbreaking knowledge with one another and the general public. The Center will provide unique learning opportunities for students, amplifying their Pfeiffer experience. With this addition, the Center positions the university as an ambassador for high-tech, transformational, and life-changing participatory experiences. With the transformation underway, Pfeiffer is creating a digital foundation with the ability—and agility—to grow and respond in a rapidly changing world. At the same time, continued on page 20 WIN TER 2 0 1 7
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Updates
Faculty & Academic Updates Carrie DeJaco, associate professor of biology, has made a learning lab of Misenheimer’s Falcon Trail, part of the Carolina Thread Trail. The goals are to teach environmental science and eradicate invasive species. “This is the ideal project to incorporate into my Intro to Environmental Science curriculum,” says DeJaco. “The class practiced plant identification and took out a ton of invasive plants. It’s experiential learning at its finest.” Ashley Oliphant, assistant professor of English, authored Hemingway and Bimini: The Birth of Sport Fishing at the End of the World. The book’s launch party was at Ernest Hemingway’s house in Key West. Says Oliphant, “Hemingway was a co-founder of the International Game Fish Association. Hemingway’s innovations with tackle and technique, and his progressive views on conservation, have been important to the sport.” The Pfeiffer Writing Center on the Misenheimer Campus opened September 2017. Megan Keaton, assistant professor of rhetoric and composition leads the Center and a staff of current students, who assist their peers in the new collaborative space. Marilyn Sutton-Haywood, dean of arts and sciences, professor of biology, has been elected as Treasurer for the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education. Her board term ends in 2019. Pfeiffer Youth Theological Institute (YeTI) is a two-week summer experience for high school students who want to be servant leaders and learn more about God’s call on their lives. Its first year was 2017, with 23 students participating. The program demonstrates activities involved in the ministry that are not behind a pulpit. Over two weeks, students put faith into action through hands-on learning and community service and engaged in a daily rhythm of prayer and worship. YeTI participants choose one of three cohort learning sites: 1) Asheville, North Carolina, to serve in the WI NTE R 2 0WINTER 17 18 2015
Haws Creek community with Pfeiffer partner, the Missional Wisdom Foundation. 2) Washington, D.C., to study and serve with Wesley Theological Seminary. 3) Charlotte, North Carolina, to study and serve with Pfeiffer University’s sports ministry partners. Information about the 2018 YeTI session can be found at pfeiffer.edu/yeti Kevin Taylor, assistant professor of religion and practical theology, will publish his third book, Christ the Tragedy of God: A Theological Exploration of Tragedy. It will explore important topics in Christian theology by linking them to themes in tragic works: sacrifice, sin, everyday reality, rebellion, order, and performance. The new book will be out by the end of 2018. Taylor, also an ordained United Methodist pastor, co-hosts Theology Cast, a podcast about pop culture, theology, church history and teaching. It is available on iTunes and at www.theologycast.com. Virtuous Friendship: The New Testament, Greco-Roman Friendship Language, and Contemporary Community is a book being completed by Douglas Hume, associate professor and chair of the Department of Religion. The book will tap contemporary issues such as race, age, social media, veterans’ re-entry to society, and disabilities. The book is expected to be published in late 2018. Zen and the Art of Business Communication, a book by Susan Luck, professor of business, was reviewed in the August 2017 Project Management World Journal. Luck also recently finished a ten-month coaching and consulting project and training for Carolinas HealthCare System. A criminal justice collaboration between Pfeiffer and Stanly Community College produced its first graduates in May. Pfeiffer is the first university in North Carolina to create a course of study that includes the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) test. “All sworn officers, whether or not they have a college degree, must complete and pass BLET as a requirement for employment. For students enrolled in most undergraduate criminal justice programs, this means they must wait an additional 6-12 months
Updates
after graduating to begin earning a paycheck while they complete BLET,” said Dr. Heather Burkard, associate professor of criminal justice. Pfeiffer’s grads are eligible for work as officers immediately. Matt Belles, assistant professor of education, ended a stint in November on the board of the North Carolina Association for the Advancement of Health Education (NCAAHE). The NCAAHE promotes the advancement of health and health education, and those professionals, through various services and support. Ana Smith, assistant professor of economics, taught at Princeton this summer. She was one of only five educators chosen by the Junior State of America, a nonprofit that prepares advanced high schoolers for responsible leadership. The position is offered by invitation only. Smith taught college-level macro-economics. Smith also took five Pfeiffer business students to the national Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) business competition in Anaheim, California. Three of the students had top 10 finishes in their competitions. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) granted initial accreditation to the business programs at Pfeiffer in August 2017. ACBSP accredits business, accounting, and business-related programs to promote continuous improvement and recognize teaching excellence. Dr. Kelli Fellows, associate professor of business administration, has been named interim director of graduate business programs. Dr. Fellows will lead the development of new opportunities for the program and students. Pfeiffer University’s division of education hosted 237 elementary students in Misenheimer at seven STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) camps this summer. Students from regional school districts came to the camps, which included topics such as Forensic Science (one activity was an all girls-overnight), Chemistry and Forensic Science, Chemistry, and Dissections. Information about the 2018 camps will be posted on the Pfeiffer website.
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Pfeiffer’s teacher education program has placed 92% of its 2016-17 graduates. Of the students teaching, all but two are in North Carolina near Stanly County. Since 2012, Pfeiffer’s teacher education program has graduated 158 undergraduate and graduate-level prepared teachers. Dr. Jim Gulledge, director of academic support services and assistant professor of developmental studies, has released a novel titled A Poor Man’s Supper. Gulledge credits his inspiration to his large Southern family and life near Misenheimer. He has his doctorate of ministry and says the book title alludes to communion. He teaches a Pfeiffer course about C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien every other year. Raushan Gross, assistant professor of business administration, has several items submitted or accepted in his research about innovation and strategy. Most recently, “Exploring the Moderating Impact of Absorptive Capacity on Strategic Thinking, Innovative Behavior, and Entrepreneurial Orientation at the Organizational Level of Analysis" is part of the Journal of Management Policy and Practice. This study assesses how externally acquired knowledge is, or is not, assimilated, exploited, and commercialized in companies, and how it affects their entrepreneurial culture. Angela Kern, associate professor of education, was a presenter of Literacy Development During the Summer Months: One Initiative’s Results. She spoke at a regional conference of Delta Kappa Gamma, a multi-national honor society that promotes professional and personal growth of women educators. Dr. Chris Atwater has been named director of Pfeiffer’s Sport Management programs. In addition to assuming leadership of the undergraduate program, Dr. Atwater will develop a graduate sport management program. Dr. Atwater was previously an associate professor at George Mason University.
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Updates
This past spring, accreditation was renewed for the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT) program, Raleigh-Durham campus, by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). The program, which has sites in Charlotte as well as Raleigh-Durham, has received national recognition as one of the 50-most-affordable MMFT programs in the U.S. Drawing students from across the country, it serves in particular North Carolina’s Piedmont region and is one of only a few accredited MMFT programs offered in North Carolina. The Master of Health Administration (MHA) program, which has the largest HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION alumni group in the Carolinas, was rated line Programs in 2016 as the #1 online MHA program Best On 2017 in the country. To further enhance student offerings, the program added an Upsilon Phi Delta Honor Society chapter. The inaugural class, inducted on July 22, includes nearly 100 students and faculty members, with alumni eligible to apply next year. MASTER’S IN
Reconnect. Network. Give. The Falcon's Nest Pfeiffer's Online Community Helping you connect with your Pfeiffer Family.
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Pfeiffer’s Honors Program welcomed 24 members to the incoming class for Fall 2017—the highest initial enrollment in the program’s history. These exceptional students, who make up a vibrant Living-Learning Community through the Honors Residential College, focus on individual and group research and plan next year to present at the Southern Regional Honors Association Conference and—for the first time—National Honors Association Conference. Pfeiffer’s Nursing program shines bright with an 85 percent completion rate as a direct result of small class sizes, one-on-one mentoring, and teaching methods as compared with 40-50 percent for other programs in the region. Furthermore, 91 percent of all eligible nursing students over the past two years passed the North Carolina Licensing Examination (NCLEX) on their first attempt, with most securing jobs before or within weeks of graduating.
community.pfeiffer.edu
Pfeiffer For ward
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continued from page 16 President Keith knows that at the heart of the university’s technology infrastructure are people, and the ultimate goal for students is a relevant and innovative learning environment that boosts their ability to thrive in a constantly changing landscape. When students choose Pfeiffer, they can be confident that no matter where the future leads them or their chosen field, they will be trained as savvy interpreters and communicators of knowledge with the skill to adapt to new technologies and ways of accessing information throughout their entire lives.
Pfeiffer is Home: A holistic approach to living, learning, and serving on campus A tradition is much more than a long-standing habit. It has to be cherished, believed, and nurtured with a purpose. When Dr. Colleen Keith arrived at Pfeiffer University as president, she found a tradition that needed to shine again. Of all the strategic initiatives, new building projects, and innovative programs that President Keith has championed, one Pfeiffer tradition has remained at the core of her work: a personalized education that encourages strong core values, lifelong learning, and personal growth. By invigorating Pfeiffer’s commitment to a holistic education, which includes robust experiential learning opportunities, updated curricula, and student development, President Keith has prioritized making Pfeiffer University home to all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community.
A visible president One of Dr. Keith’s very first decisions after she was named president was to re-open the President’s House on the Misenheimer campus and live there. Students, faculty, and staff immediately felt the impact of having President Keith on campus. From walking the family dogs with her husband Barry, to eating dinner with students in the dining hall, and cheering on each of the Falcon sport teams; her presence has made the Pfeiffer experience feel personal again. As a result of new momentum and energy on the Misenheimer campus, pioneering and updating student development initiatives has come to the forefront. The traditions and allure of Pfeiffer have once again become evident, from the daily interactions with students to the growth they experience in the classroom. Through updated curricula, the Pfeiffer Journey program, and new student groups, Pfeiffer is staying
true to—and further committing to—preparing servant leaders through personal development inside and outside of the classroom.
The Pfeiffer experience Beginning with the Fall 2017 semester, Pfeiffer expanded its undergraduate experience by incorporating Pfeiffer Life, a co-curricular aspect of the Pfeiffer Journey program. Pfeiffer Life will bridge classroom study, along with life at Pfeiffer University and in the world, by having multiple programming categories. Students will also be able to engage in micro-credentialing opportunities that demonstrate their capabilities in the different programs. Pfeiffer Life, incorporated with the Pfeiffer Journey, will be phased in to replace the university’s previous cultural credit program. To further the undergraduate growth for students outside of the classroom, Pfeiffer is expanding living-learning communities by adding a criminal justice community. In addition, students can engage on campus via increased service opportunities provided by the Francis Center for Servant Leadership and Faith Formation. The Pfeiffer community has participated in local service opportunities and has grown over 400 pounds of produce for local food banks to date! Misenheimer is not the only Pfeiffer campus renewing and increasing student engagement. Graduate and adult students have many of the same opportunities as undergraduate students, in addition to student groups specifically for them. Pfeiffer’s Master of Health Administration (MHA) program recently installed an Upsilon Phi Delta Honor Society chapter, offered through the Association of University Programs in Health Administration.
Tradition renewed The student experience has always been at the core of what makes Pfeiffer unique and personal. Through personal relationships with faculty, a tightknit campus community, and engaging opportunities, Pfeiffer has provided a holistic educational experience. President Keith’s drive to imagine and develop new opportunities while honoring Pfeiffer’s traditions has created a growing university equipped to continue producing graduates ready to serve and make an impact throughout the world.
As you can see, the Pfeiffer Forward approach has kept everyone at every campus very busy. Students are reaping the benefits of improved technology and facilities, faculty are engaging more with their curricula, new campuses are being completed, and many more opportunities are on the horizon. At Pfeiffer, we build community, and with our central tenets of Rising, Growing, Innovation, and Home, we will continue building community far into the future. WIN TER 2 0 1 7
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Homecoming 2017
Falcons in Wonderland: Homecoming 2017 Over 500 alumni and guests attended Homcecoming 2017 on Sept. 22 and 23. Dawn Harwood Allen ’81 received the Distinguished Alumni Award, and Alejandra Buchanan Miller ’03 and Dr. Marissa Shuffler Porter ’04 received the Presidential Merit Awards. Emily Carella, director of undergraduate admissions, and her son, Zach, who brings the Freddie
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the Falcon mascot to life at university events, were presented the “Beyond Boundaries” award. Emily Prudden Park, provided through generous gifts from Ben (’68) and Carol Williams and Richard (’54) and Peggy Sloan, and the Welcome Center, made possible by the Class of 1968, were dedicated over Homecoming weekend.
Homecoming 2017
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Want to relive Homecoming 2017 or see more photos? Visit community.pfeiffer.edu/hc18 The Sports Hall of Fame banquet took place Saturday evening as Pfeiffer athletics inducted Terrence Baxter ’01 (basketball), Rick Blackwood ’70 (baseball), Eliot Campbell ’72 (tennis), Mike Downs ’83
(baseball/basketball), Shannon Reid ’03 (basketball) and the 2004 baseball team and retired the women's basketball jersey of Hall of Famer Nancy Scoggins Janas ’81.
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Athletics
Men's Sports
A.J. Clark
Defeated #1 Mount Olive 9-2
in the first round of the Conference Carolinas Tournament.
7
Players on the Academic All-Conference Team
Second Team All-Conference
John Elwood, Zach Scudder Jordan Eckard
100
th
Career Win by Head Coach Dusty Blake
4 -Top Five finishes as a team in 2016-17.
135
Nathan Bull’s two-day total at the King Invitational was the best mark in program history and led him to the top finish at the tournament. The team two-day total of 554 is also a program record.
Zach Weaver
set the top mark for best three-day total with his 204 at the David Ross Intercollegiate. Weaver had six top-10 finishes on the season and was named First Team All-Conference and team MVP.
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Josh Wilhoit
Third Team All-American by Basketball Times and Conference Carolina’s Player of the Year.
broke a Pfeiffer indoor track record in the 3000 meters with a time of 9:16.77.
Season Title
Jeremy Currier
Captured first Conference Carolinas regular season title and advanced to first NCAA Tournament since 2005.
named the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Southeast Regional Coach of the Year and Conference Carolina’s Coach of the Year
1
Matt Chavers
st National
First Team All-Conference ·Conference championship in the hammer throw with a toss of 50.89 meters, program and Conference Carolinas meet record. ·Program record in the weight throw with a distance of 16.57 meters
Ranking
since 2007 and were ranked as high as No. 22 in the nation
Scoring Leader
Pfeiffer led all of NCAA Division II in scoring (104.3ppg), total steals (391), forced turnovers (725), and turnover margin (+10.4) while breaking 11 Pfeiffer school records.
Brad DePue
All-Conference
named to Academic All-Conference team
A.J. Clark and Andrew Guerrero - First Team Mike Smith – Second Team Josh Calhoun – Third Team
1st Career Victory
Head Coach Tony Faticoni
Axel Woerner
Named Second Team All-Conference
4
Elvis Mendoza
selected to the USA South All-Sportsmanship Team
th Straight Appearance
in the Conference Carolinas Tournament
Bjorn Barwinski
earned Conference Carolinas Player of the Week honors
Bjorn Barwinski Axel Woerner Thomas Hubble David Weir Academic All-Conference Team
44 Assists in Single Season Most by Freshman & Ranked 4th in program history
223
Myles Dalton-Steinhardt & Dillon Malloy
in a Single Season by Mike Moorehead Fourth in Team History
Jared Nelson’s
named to the Academic All-Conference team
Saves
Athletics
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Women's Sports
12 Goals
1,000th Career Assist
Freshman Cayci Eaton’s 12 goals in a single season are tied for seventh most in team history.
Olivia Nelms
Katie Anne Wilson earned her 1000th, career assist against Meredith on Oct. 11 becoming just the sixth player in program history to accomplish that feat.
82 Saves
Goalkeeper Kaley Hyatt’s 82 saves are the 10th best total for a single season.
Academic All-Conference
Kaley Hyatt
USA South All-Sportsmanship Team.
Brittany Blackburn and Katie Anne Wilson.
Sportsmanship
Kylie Spencer ran the fastest time in the history of Pfeiffer women’s cross country at the Queen City Invitational. Spencer’s time of 18:33 was a 5:58 minute mile.
First
Conference Carolinas regular season title since 2000 and ranked as high as No. 2 nationally.
All-Region
Sydney Poole and Pennell named Second Team All-Region.
Monte Sherrill
named Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year
Rachel Crowder named the Conference Carolinas Softball Scholar Athlete of the Year.
All-Conference
Makenzie Pennell, Rachel Crowder and Chandler Walker - First Team Kiana Millsaps, Bailey Sherill and Caitlin Christian - Second Team
Records
Olivia Nelms - First Team Mylene Petitpas - Second Team
All-Conference
Second straight first place finish at the conference tournament, named First Team All-Conference and the team MVP. Meghan also earned a share of the Conference Carolinas tournament championship with a score of 144.
Kylie Spencer came in first place out of 68 runners at the Monarch Cross Country Invite, with Cassidy Hooper finishing fourth and Megan Miller placing six, giving Pfeiffer three of the top six finishers at the meet. Spencer, Hooper and Miller finished third, fifth and 11th respectively at the Maryville College Cross Country Invite.
Second Straight
Olivia Nelms, Alison Webb and ShaNisha White.
Meghan Holbrooks
Top Finishers
Finished the season with a program-best 46 wins and an .852 winning NCAA Southeast percentage. Regional.
Academic All-Conference All-Conference
The women's volleyball team was named by Conference Carolinas its Messick Sportsmanship Award winner.
Fastest
46 Wins
Conference Carolinas Player of the Year for the second time in her career. Overall record of 65-7 and a 39-2 mark in conference action. Nelms was also named Pfeiffer Female Athlete of the Year
Pennell set the single season record for batting average (.392), hits (68), slugging percentage (.653), total bases (113) and runs batted in (57). Vada Blue Sherrill tied her own record for most runs in a season with 58 and also tied the single season record for doubles with 15.
Molly O’Friel - First Team Josie Lent - First Team Ally Unkenholz - First Team Meagan Bourque - Second Team Emily James - Second Team
Academic All-Conference Paige Bonds, Emily James, Kylie Lode and Molly O’Friel were named to the Academic All-Conference team.
79 Points
Ally Unkenholz’s 79 points in a single season ranked her fourth in team history.
Meg Pritchard
· Conference Carolinas Women’s Basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year · Second Team All-Conference · Third in conference in scoring · 18th player in program history with 1,000 career points · Ranked eighth on all-time points list with 1,182.
Alison Webb
won Conference championship with throw of 39.28 meters, a new program record. The fourth individual championship in school history.
Record
The 4x800 meter team of Kylie Spencer, Jayde Kemp, Cassidy Hooper and Megan Miller broke the school record with time of 10:25.00.
Academic
Kemp, Ketchum and Allison Lindsey named Academic All-Conference.
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Sherrill Winning Teams
Monte Sherrill Cooks Up Winning Teams
What makes a great women’s softball team? “It’s like a big ole’ bowl of soup. Meat and potatoes and small things like salt and pepper,” said Monte Sherrill ’87, head coach of the conference champion Pfeiffer Falcons.
Sherrill cooks up award-winning softball. But how? Practice. “We have the toughest practices anywhere,” he said.
“A lot of repetition. Time on task, building reflex. A lot of college players get 50 swings a day. We’ll get 300.”
Teamwork. Sherrill gave an example: “A rundown can involve
all nine players. It’s a complex drill. We started with rundown practice for three hours, they didn’t master it, so we did it again the next day. It’s ironic because it is a small part of the game but our players have to pay attention to details.”
Education. “We learn about each kind of play. They understand it, not just play it. Our kids want to know the why instead of me blurting out instructions. Empower them physically and mentally.”
Selection. “I recruit players who are Division I and II quality
and like a small town setting. They find their niche.” Sherrill builds loyalty. Six of his former high school players are now Falcons. “They enjoy the hard work and the stability of their team.” WI NTE R 2 0 1 7
Sherrill Winning Teams
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Two of Sherrill’s student-athletes are very well-known to him: daughters Bailey and Vada Blue. “I’m ten times harder on my daughters than anyone else,” said Sherrill. Vada had the opportunity to play at other schools, but chose Pfeiffer. She plans to be a physical education teacher. Bailey intends to be a journalist. Sherrill says he got his love for the game from the legendary Pfeiffer baseball coach, Joe Ferebee, and at a recent game Sherrill put his hand on Ferebee’s shoulder and pointed to his team and said, “This is all because of you, Coach.” WIN TER 2 0 1 7
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Class Notes
notable accomplishments 1960s
1980s
Bobby Griffin ’62 was inducted into the North Carolina Bar Association's General Practice Hall of Fame at its 119th annual meeting, in June. Inductees are outstanding members of the legal profession whose careers have served as models for lawyers in the general practice of law. He is a partner of Clark, Griffin & McCollum, in Monroe, NC.
Jay Laurens ’85, former director of career services and internships at Pfeiffer, is the new executive director for AMBUCS, a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities. Each year, members in over 150 AMBUCS chapters across the country donate nearly 3,500 Amtryke therapeutic tricycles and support 260 scholarships for students studying for a career in physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech language pathology and hearing audiology. Laurens will oversee operations and ensure all nationwide programs are supported from the AMBUCS Resource Center in High Point, NC.
Oscar Patterson ’67 received the title of Professor Emeritus recently by the University of North Florida, in recognition of significant contributions in the areas of teaching, research, and service. He served UNF as professor and chairman of the Department of Communication and Visual Arts and as chairman of the Department of Communication for almost a decade. Patterson received this portrait as a retirement gift. Ben Williams ’68 received the Carolyn C. Adams Award in 2016, from Turning Point. The board of directors recognized his extraordinary public and private support and contributions that have made possible the organization's programs, developed to serve the victims of violence and abuse in Union County, NC. 1970s Beverly Wall Clark ’75 was re-elected, in November, for a fifth term as a town commissioner in Zebulon, NC. She has served the community since 2001. After nearly 20 years with Wake County Public Schools, Clark now works as an office administrator for Olde Heritage Builders. David Melton ’76 was named the 2016-17 John Wesley Clergy of the Year at Reinhardt University, in Waleska, GA. His involvement with the university's United Methodist Golf Outing for nearly 24 years and his dedication and commitment to furthering higher education and United Methodist Church teachings earned the recognition. He has served as minister of Dunwoody (GA) United Methodist Church for over 20 years. Rusty Knox ’79 was elected mayor of Davidson, NC, in November. He is a realtor and broker with Allen Tate Realtors, a well-known singer-songwriter with The Rusty Knox Band, and a community activist and volunteer.
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Bill Dusch ’88 MBA was elected mayor of Concord, NC, in November. He has served on many city boards and community organizations and, in 2017, was awarded the Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce Duke Energy Citizenship Award for community service. Dusch is the co-owner of Technologies Edge, a company that offers managed IT services to the private and public sector. Ellen Brewer Blue ’89, ’04 MSEE has been recognized as 2017 Principal of the Year for Stanly County Schools. She has also been named the new principal for Albemarle Middle School. Most recently the principal at Richfield Elementary School, Blue first served during her 28 years in education as a teacher and curriculum coach at East Albemarle Elementary School. Jeff Childress ’89 has been promoted to associate athletic director for athletic development at Catawba College, in Salisbury, NC. He has coached and worked for the college for 20 years, as an assistant athletic director and men's and women's tennis coach. He will be working with the Chiefs Club, to increase active membership and promote Catawba athletics. 1990s Jerry Shelby ’90 MBA has been elected to the Salisbury, NC, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center Wall of Honor for his many years of leadership and community service. Past recognition includes Outstanding Young Community Leader in the state of Ohio, Ohio state, and Nation Jaycee, Outstanding Senior Citizen in the state of North Carolina, Governors Award for Volunteer Service, and NCAARP first Legacy Award. Shelby has received the highest awards presented by the Jaycees (JCI Senator Award), by AARP (Andrus Award), and NCSCA Ernest Messer Award, and he is in Limestone College's Alumni Hall of Fame for Service to Community. Shelby is an advocate for victim rights, judicial reform, the elderly, the disabled, and the disadvantaged.
Class Notes 28
Ann McLawhorn Wilson ’90 MBA has been named director of finance for the David H. Murdock Research Institute, located on the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis, NC. Previously, she served as finance director for Rowan and Cabarrus counties as well as Mecklenburg County's behavioral health services, and as CFO for both Fisher Corporation and Piedmont Behavioral Healthcare, now Cardinal Innovations Healthcare. Jan Corriher-Smith ’93, ’00 MBA has joined Catawba College as director of continuing education for the Ketner School of Business, developing short-term classes and seminars for regional employees in a variety of fields. She had been the director of customized training and development at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College for the past 14 years. Christine Rodocker ’93 has been promoted to vice president of distribution and consumer marketing for the cable TV network INSP. During her career at INSP, Discovery Communications and MTV Networks, she has initiated and executed partnerships with a variety of media, trade, and consumer organizations including Soles4Souls, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Vogue, and Saks Fifth Avenue. She also piloted the successful VH1 Save the Music campaign. Tina Haithcock Cline ’96, director of human resources for the City of Kannapolis, NC, has been elected to serve as an officer on the board of the North Carolina chapter of the International Public Management Association for Human Resources. She has served as HR director in Kannapolis for 22 years. David Lanham ’96 was recognized as 2016-17 Athletic Director of the Year by the Maryland State Athletic Directors Association. He is director of athletics at Severna Park (MD) High School. Jonathan Leonard '99 MBA has been promoted to fire marshal for the Charlotte Fire Department. Both of his sons, Sgt. Paul Leonard and 2nd Lt. Scott Leonard, serve in the US Army.
2000s Jennifer Grubb Warren ’00 was honored during the inaugural Boone (NC) Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards luncheon, in May, which recognizes emerging leaders. She is serving her 11th year as the executive director of the Western Youth Network, increasing fundraising through grants, sponsorships, and creative programming that enables WYN to invest resources in youth outreach during the pivotal 5th-10th grade years. Keith Pettus ’01 MBA has joined Wells Fargo Private Bank, in Charleston, SC, as an investment strategist. With more than 18 years in the financial service industry, he was previously a portfolio manager at Bank of America. Kristen McVerry ’02 is the nurse educator at MedStar St Marys Hospital in Leonardtown, MD. She oversees the Vizient Nurse Residency Program and all educational needs for the hospital’s RNs and nurse technicians. She received her MSN degree, in education, from Kaplan University in February 2017 and has been certified in Nursing Professional Development since 2016. John McNeil ’04 has been named head baseball coach at Cox Mill High School in Concord, NC. He previously coached 11 years at East Rowan (NC) High School, as the varsity baseball assistant, junior varsity baseball coach, and golf coach. Machelle Sanders ’04 MHA was named by Governor Roy Cooper in early 2017 to lead the North Carolina Department of Administration, the agency that serves as business manager for state government. In September, she was appointed to the Board of Directors of pharmaceutical company Novan, Inc. Sanders has 29 years of experience in quality control, quality assurance, manufacturing operations, and general management from numerous positions in the biotechnology field. She held senior leadership positions with Biogen from 2007-16 and previously worked at Perdue Pharmaceuticals and Akzo Nobel. Kelley Wheat-Rivers '04 just celebrated her 7th anniversary at Liberty Hospice where she works as a chaplain. Dan Wheat-Rivers '03 is in his 4th year with XiOnline. They welcomed their daughter, Emma Rose, to the family on December 15, 2015, and just moved into a new home in Wilmington, NC.
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Class Notes
(continued) Lori Ruff ’07 graduated from Liberty University in 2016, with an MBA-HR degree and was recognized in the top 20% of business students at the university, by Delta Mu Delta. She moved from chief branding officer to senior vice president for membership with the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), as the organization launched a new division focused on colleges and universities. ALPFA hopes to grow their student collegiate chapters from 160 to 500 by the end of 2018. Frank Brinkley ’08 MBA is the new police chief at UNC School of the Arts, in WinstonSalem, NC. He previously served as a major with NC State University's police department and was its acting chief in early 2017. Brinkley has 15 years of campus law-enforcement experience and more than 4,600 hours of law-enforcement training and education. Scott McCarver ’09 MHA has been named chief operating officer for the Vanderbilt University Adult Hospital. He is responsible for providing operational oversight of professional and ambulatory departments, clinical service lines, and the Patient Care Centers and Institutes residing within the adult inpatient enterprise.
To be included in next year's Class Notes, please submit all information by October 3, 2018.
2010s Diamond Staton-Williams ’10 MHA was elected, in November, as the first African American woman voted to the Harrisburg, NC, town council. She is a nurse and director of the Ambulatory Care Management department at Carolinas Healthcare System. Ruth Ayala-Carmona '11 MHA is teaching in Taiwan. Her two-year contract at Taiwan Theological College culminates in June 2018. JD Lamm ’13 is the new head men's and women's golf coach for West Virginia Wesleyan College, in Buckhannon, WV, and the Lady Bobcats just finished their season as the runner-up team in the Mountain East Conference Championships. He previously worked as assistant golf professional at the Old North State Club in New London, NC, and assistant golf coach for Pfeiffer, from 2013-15. Travis Walls ’13 founded and operates two North Carolina companies in the combustible petroleum filtration and reclamation service industry. Carbon Fuel Services, LLC operates regionally, while National Fuel Service Corporation is multi-national and provides sales and service in all 50 states, southern Canada, and numerous Caribbean countries. Katherine Athens ’14 is the new assistant women's lacrosse coach at Saint Francis University, in Loretto, PA. She began her coaching career with a three-year stint at Messiah University where, during her time, the team won three conference championships in three seasons. She was a four-year starter, three-time team captain and three-time NCAA All-American at Pfeiffer.
a new TRADITION BEGINS Beginning with the 2017 Convocation ceremony, Pfeiffer started a new tradition of having the incoming freshman class and the graduating class escorted at their respective ceremonies by the class that walked in their footsteps 50 years prior.
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Russell Challenge
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IT STARTS
AT
HOME
THE RUSSELL CHALLENGE DOUBLE YOUR DOLLARS and JOIN THE CLUB! Dr. Kenneth ('88) & Ann Queen ('87) Russell Will Match Your Gift DOLLAR for DOLLAR if:
Step 1: You make a gift to Pfeiffer by December 31, 2017 that is a minimum of $50 and more than your largest gift last year (July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017).
Step 2: That’s it. That’s all you have to do!
How much? Well, that’s up to you, but as long as your gift meets the criteria, it will be DOUBLED! Using the match, join a club or society (annual donations above $1,000) and you also receive a #PfeifferIsHome t-shirt as a special thank you!
Here’s how:
You can check your giving history by logging into community.pfeiffer.edu , then clicking “My Giving History.” Give online at community.pfeiffer.edu/home. You can set up a recurring gift into monthly amounts with payroll deduction or credit card charge!
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Alumni News
weddings
Terrence (’01) and J'Fai Baxter May 21, 2016
Nick (’11) and Rachel deBos-Haigler January 7, 2017
Garrett (’12) and Chelsea Snyder Dranichak July 29, 2017
Cary (’14) and Kim Grant (’13) Flythe December 9, 2012
births
Rainn Daisy October 6, 2017 to Terrence (’01) and J’Fai Baxter
Beauregard Benson May 14, 2017 to Keith and Cathy Benson (’02) Laws
Caleb Clark June 17, 2017 to Joshua and Brenna Clark (’06) Landrum
Felicity Jane July 5, 2017 to Craig (’11) and Sophy Shore
Sadie Liane September 22, 2017 to Allan (’11) and Rachel Taylor
Kennedy Marie November 1, 2017 to Kevin (’12) and Katie Roberts Allen
Olivia Paige April 11, 2017 to Michael (’12) and Audrey Remkus (’12) Benson
Cameron James September 16, 2017 Desmond (’13) and Jamie Taylor (’16) Harrell
Gavin Staton June 25, 2017 Brandon (’13 MHA) and Tiffany (’16 MBA) Johnson
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Chase (’17) and Elizabeth Bishop Saunders October 14, 2017
Alumni News
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passings Maxine Selle Earnhardt ’33 Nellie Moore Hill ’38 M. J. Barger ’41 Jeanne Harris Allen ’42 Cleo Vaughn Winkler ’42 Ramelle Lowder McDonald ’43 S. Ramelle Lowder McDonald Annual Scholarship Emily Prudden Heritage Society Margaret Johnson Newport ’44 Alice DuBose Reagan ’44 Maurice Blevins ’46 Sam Johnson ’46 Frances Jackson Boone ’47 Joy Cannon Beyer ’48 L.B. Eller ’48 Clynton Ratliff ’48 Merle Kluttz Stephenson ’48 Boyce Caudle ’49 Norwood Cheek ’49 Audrey Verline Redwine Edmondson ’49 Rev. Mary Houk ’49 Ruby Hendley Murray ’49 Dr. Glenn Watson ’49 Olive Poore Epperson ’50 Harold Jenkins ’50 Ted Ridenhour ’50 Buck Swaringen ’50 Rev. Jim Armstrong ’51 Jim Cockerham ’51 Rev. Cecil Myrick ’51 Pauline Bullard Locklear ’52 Rev. Dr. Bill Quick ’52, ’72 (Hon.) William Kellon Quick Endowed Scholarship Emily Prudden Heritage Society
Dale Sechriest ’53 Horace Miller ’55 Roy Talbert ’56 Jim Kearns ’57 Roger Morris ’57 Sandra Gordon Hall ’58 Shirley Pegram King ’58 Louis Leal ’58 Blake Deal ’59 Margaret Pinion ’59 Donald Zimmerman ’59 Harvey Brooks ’60 Rev. Bill Faggart ’60 Dr. Jim Wentworth ’60 Wayne Beachum ’61 Laura Semones McGee ’61 Joe Russell ’61 Dr. Dolan Hinson ’62 Tom Runge ’62 George Skomsky ’62 Emily Prudden Heritage Society Patricia Greene Wilkins ’62 Edward Clapp ’63 Dr. John Langley ’63 Hilda M. and John W. Langley Endowed Scholarship Emily Prudden Heritage Society Robin Clark Morris ’63 Roberta Clark (’63) and Dr. James E. (’63) Morris Endowed Scholarship Ann Stone Fifield ’64 Darrell Barbee ’65 Jim Lawrence ’65 Rosa Linda Russell Talbert ’65, ’96 MCE Jim Krause ’66
Jerry McSwain ’66 Daniel Neuschafer ’66 Patricia Humphries Scott ’66 Dr. Marianne Bumgarner-Davis ’67 Gail Sherrill Knox ’68 Andy Shepard ’68 Bob Engebretsen ’70 Jack Hewins ’71 Jack Hesley ’73 Don McFerrin ’73 Perry Duke ’74 Brenda Barringer Kimrey ’74 Dick Mitchem ’74 Domenick Castaldo ’77 Don Frey ’77 Becky Dabbs Phillips ’80 Ken Konschak ’81 Ron Jones ’91 MBA Lisa Wike McKinney ’96 Patricia Buraglio ’01 MSOM Steven Kidd ’08 Charlotte McKenzie-Pope ’08 Daniel Morehead ’16 Dalton Edwards ’19
faculty, staff and friends Ruth Beeson Clarence E. Beeson Memorial Annual Scholarship Emily Prudden Heritage Society Joyce Blankenship Former Administrative Assistant Dr. Joe Echols Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Rev. Bill Faggart ’60 Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Social Work
Bud Goodman ’92 (Hon.) Former Supervisor of Maintenance Dr. Lane Graham Assistant Professor of Special Education Rosa Jeffries ’85 (Hon.) Former Dining Services Attendant Anne Keeney Former Trustee Ruby Mason ’82 (Hon.) Former Director of Financial Aid
Gene Pickler ’71 (Hon.) Former Economics Professor Webb Scrivnor Former Music Professor Larry Watson Valda H. and T.H. Caudle Memorial Endowed Scholarship
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Assisting with Healing
Assisting with Healing A trio of hurricanes - Harvey, Irma, and Maria - devastated parts of the U.S. in the fall of 2017. In the midst of the recovery efforts, Pfeiffer graduates are working to help those affected. Catie Smith '11 is one of them. She works at the First Presbyterian Church of Houston, a congregation of several thousand members. The homes of sixty families in the church were flooded. In her regular role at the church, Catie develops curricula, putting her English education major from Pfeiffer to good use. After Harvey came to town, however, Catie’s job became drastically different. “I was on one of the teams that cleaned out homes and ripped out drywall. We had more than 200 people on teams just the first weekend after the storm,” said Catie. The relief efforts are continuing full-steam, even well after the storm. Now, during the recovery, another real-life application of her work has emerged. “We walked for blocks surrounding members’ homes, helping everyone who needs it – not just members,” she said. Catie knows it is going to be a long healing process: “We want normal again, but can’t get it yet.” Below, right Catie Smith volunteers in Houston.
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Upcoming Events
Mark your calendar
upcoming events
2018
Feb. 11, 2018 Events Plus Dinner Series “A Valentine Musical” Featuring Pfeiffer students, faculty, staff and alumni Stokes Community Room Tickets: community.pfeiffer.edu/events-plus April 8, 2018 Events Plus Dinner Series “Travel Through North Carolina and Beyond” Featuring Jason Frye, travel and food writer for Our State Magazine Stokes Community Room Tickets: community.pfeiffer.edu/events-plus April 13, 2018 Friends of the Library Spring Author Luncheon Featuring Kristy Woodson Harvey Tickets: community.pfeiffer.edu/fol May 12, 2018 Graduation Members of the Class of 1968 will escort graduating seniors and welcome them as the newest members of the Pfeiffer University Alumni Association. Contact: advance@pfeiffer.edu May 14, 2018 Keith Crisco Memorial Golf Tournament Contact: advance@pfeiffer.edu August 31, 2018 Opening Convocation Members of the Class of 1972 will escort entering freshmen into the ceremony, and will return to campus during their 50th reunion year to escort these students of the Class of 2022 into graduation. September 28 & 29, 2018 Homecoming 2018 This is a busy weekend in the Piedmont of NC. Make your room reservations early! Information: community.pfeiffer.edu/hc18
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Office of Advancement P.O. Box 960 Misenheimer, NC 28109
pfeiffer.edu