BIG THINGS AND SMALL PLACES
Often Do Add Up
UNION COLLEGE • SUMMER ’11
Commentary Editor/Designer Missy Frederick, ’91
Photography Missy Frederick, ’91 Denise Hoover Melissa Newman, ’08 Jay Stancil
Contributors Carrie Bistline, ’09 Missy Frederick Melissa Newman Kassandra Patterson, ’12 Jay Stancil UNION is published by the offices of College Communications and Annual Giving-Alumni Relations for alumni and friends of the college.
Mailing Address Union College 310 College Street, Box 7 Barbourville, KY 40906
Alumni Office Melissa Newman Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations (606) 546-1226
E-mail alumni@unionky.edu editor@unionky.edu
Web Addresses www.unionky.edu www.ucbulldogs.com Events, activities, programs and facilities of Union College are available to all without regard to race, color, marital status, sex, religion, national origin, disability or age. Union College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges to award degrees at baccalaureate and master’s levels.
Reprint Policy UNION encourages reprinting of materials contained herein. Permission to reprint may be obtained by contacting the Office of College Communications.
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A college presidency is a brief, limited though wonderfully nuanced season in the long 132-year life of Union College. I have advised the Board of Trustees that I plan on retiring from the presidency on June 30, 2013, and that the search for Union’s 18th president should begin what typically is an 18-24 month process. At that time it will be 10 years since the Board of Trustees invited me to serve as president and 28 years since my visit to the campus and interviews with President Jack Phillips, Miss Pat, Ed Black, Milton Townsend, Warren Robbins and many others who generously welcomed me and who exemplified the character of service to Union so well. Theirs was an easy invitation to accept. Higher education has changed a great deal across recent years. The options for access to college study have increased. The influence and role of the federal government has deepened. Changes in the economy, higher education funding, financial aid and new areas of study are signs of this changing context. The profile for a president to best serve Union in 2013 and beyond will be quite different from what it was in 2003. The process of shaping this profile, determining what Union needs in leadership, meeting candidates and continuing to implement the new board-approved 2020 Strategic Plan should prove to be a most invigorating time. Union is a fetching and compelling story. The opportunity to study and be part of a small college community is one of those enduring and transforming American adventures. The Union faculty and staff strive to make it such each day. When we gathered as a new administration in 2003 to consider this challenge, no one flinched. Many fine examples of individual and team effort mark our recent trail and assure that Union programs and experiences remain distinctive, challenging, caring and transformative. If you have been away from the campus for a while, you will be surprised. The Union campus is a beautiful place to be. Chloe Rose, now 5 and the first child to grow up in Baldwin Place, is building wonderful memories of nooks, college friends and special events in and around Baldwin Place and other campus haunts. The Board of Trustees is active and has just seated seven distinguished alumni as new board members. The Trustee Spouses group has just placed more park benches and had many young strong trees planted to eventually replace the older canopy trees on the front green. All academic accreditations are current and in good order; new programs are being designed and launched. Enrollments have been at record levels. Strong financial stewardship is creating fresh opportunities. Advancement is working toward a major gift initiative. Buildings continue to be rehabilitated and repurposed. Intercollegiate athletics continues to draw notice as exemplary model. Campus activities are at strong profile. And Union continues to work intentionally toward remaining affordable. There is much interesting, important, even historical work for us to do these next two years as we continue to build strength at Union and prepare to welcome a new president. You are invited to join me in the best ways alumni and friends can support and sustain Union: visit and stay in touch with us; recommend and send prospective students to meet us; continue your prayer support; provide financial support for students as you are led and able; and inform us about job and internship opportunities for students. We hope to see you at homecoming this year, October 14-16. It continues to be a high privilege to serve Union. Thank you. Ed de Rosset President
Association Officers President Ron Sell, ’69
President-Elect John Dodd, ’89
Secretary Beverly Carr Bradway, ’81
Treasurer Darren West, ’99
Director, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Melissa Newman, ’08
Union College President Edward D. de Rosset
Vice President Advancement Denise Wainscott, ’74, ’77 MA
Alumni Trustees Class of 2011 Don Calitri, ’64, ’65 MA Robert Dunaway, ’86 Donald Jones, ’79
Board of Directors Class of 2011 Brittany Carter, ’07 Alessandra Tavolini, ’06, ’08 MA Harry Yates, ’66 Luis Prior, ’01 Rachel Lewis-Rapier, ’98 Adam Patin, ’00 Barbara Trevor, ’63
Class of 2012 Carrie Bistline, ’09 Rose Brown, ’64 Tom Posey, ’92, ’02 MA John Dodd, ’89 Tim Saunders, ’04
Class of 2013 Jessica Baker, ’10 Chuck Conley, ’64 Jack Downey, ’66 Pete Green, ’91 Taryn Jacobus, ’05, ’08 MA
UNION
a l u m n i m a g a z i n e
SUMMER ’11
FEATURES
COVERSTORY
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Almost Famous
For a group of guys in the late 90s, mixing boredom with creativity led to more than just producing amature videos.
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132nd Commencement The year’s flagship event featured keynote speaker Aaron Thompson, Ph.D., of Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary Education.
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Considering a Core Value
Student realizes that finding the proper mentor is essential in making good on the promise to be a lifelong learner.
DEPARTMENTS
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On Campus Union People Union Athletics Association News
Congressman Hal Rogers visits campus with a veiled purpose.
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Connections Class Notes At Last
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on campus
SNAPSHOT Dan Covington, Union’s only faculty member in a cast of students, played the main antagonist in the spring production “Twelve Angry Jurors,” a mixed-gender version of “Twelve Angry Men.” He brought unyielding intensity to the stage in his role of a juror who refuses, regardless of the evidence placed before him, to open his mind to the possibility of reasonable doubt. As the play progresses, it becomes clear that his anger and closed-mindedness are fueled by events in his personal life. He ultimately exposes himself as a sad, broken man just before changing his attitude and his decision, sparing a young man from the death penalty.
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Board of Trustees approves strategic plan The Union College Board of Trustees voted unanimously at its April meeting to approve the college’s strategic plan, which has been a work in progress for more than a year. The final version included revisions based on recommendations submitted by Union’s faculty and staff, who offered feedback at the board’s request following their October meeting. According to board Chair Paul Isaacs, after the edits are made to the final draft, all Union personnel will be provided both
an electronic and hard copy of the document. The next step is monitoring the implementation of the plan, which will require a committee’s close scrutiny. “Although I am convinced that it is a good plan,” Chair Isaacs wrote in a memorandum to Union personnel, “any plan is only as good as its implementation. This committee will be charged with reporting on progress in implementing the plan to the trustees and the entire college community at each trustee meeting.”
Additionally, the committee will facilitate annual public discussions of their findings. Isaacs will soon appoint committee members from the Board of Trustees, administration, faculty and staff. The strategic plan will take Union College through 10 years of progress and development. There are six strategy areas: employee development, student development, commitment to region, campus beauty and facilities, financial stability and academic development.
Robert Stivers II Aquatic & Wellness Center opens this fall The ground-breaking ceremony for a new wellness center in Barbourville brought a buzz of excitement that quickly faded when the shovels weren’t swapped for heavy equipment. But now, more than five years later, the buzz is back in a big way. Following about 10 months of construction, The Robert Stivers II Aquatic & Wellness Center, a project managed and owned by Union College in conjunction with Knox Partners, is tentatively scheduled for an early fall grand opening. The
center will feature an Olympic-size swimming pool. Terry Jackson, the executive director of the center, reported to the Union College Board of Trustees during their meeting in late April that, while construction is a few weeks behind schedule due to inclement weather, progress is still moving along. Phase one of the center should be complete by the end of August, and a grand opening will be scheduled at a date shortly thereafter. Located off campus in Barbourville
Award-winning artist joins the faculty, exhibits work Dal Macon, who joined the faculty this year to teach art history and humanities, allowed Union College to host an art exhibit this spring featuring a selection of his oil paintings. Throughout April and May, Macon’s “Intimate Light: Landscape and Interiors” was on display in the glass cases throughout Sharp Academic Center on campus. Macon is a realist painter who describes his “Intimate Light” collection as “a parallel in intimacy between outside and inside, although each painting is its own project of form, theme and feeling. Each is an
individual response to a single scene and an individual initiative in capturing the scene’s image.” Macon’s paintings consist of rich, detailed landscapes and interior views. Because he paints only when the light and conditions are right, each painting requires several years to complete. He draws attention to light striking a wall or leaves, and shadows playing against curtains, a tablecloth or dappling trees. “Intimate Light” was recently displayed and reviewed favorably at the Ann Tower Gallery in Lexington, Ky., as well as at the B. Deemer Gallery in Louisville, Ky. Macon has been awarded several prizes in juried exhibitions and was recently featured with 14 other Kentucky artists in the Kentucky Educational Television series “Looking at Painting.”
where Barner Lane and Third Street meet, the center will eventually house much more than just a pool. It will also include a therapy pool, cardiovascular equipment and weight training machines, all features that will be added in future project stages. The facility will serve all people—not just the college community—and will offer several services, such as swimming lessons, lifeguard certification, therapeutic rehabilitation, fitness training, summer camp programs and competitive swimming, just to name a few.
Staley Lectures feature Martin E. Marty
Renowned author and theologian Martin E. Marty speaks one month after his initially scheduled visit to campus as guest speaker for Union’s Staley Distinguished Christian Scholar Lecture series. Snow and ice prevented his arrival in February, but he took the podium on a rescheduled date in March. His message, entitled “Building Cultures of Trust,” is part of a lecture series that brings Christian scholars to campus to speak about the role of spirituality in the lives of students and community members. UNIONALUMNI • 3
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He’s a difference maker President Ed de Rosset makes a difference. Just ask U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers. During a reception at Sharp Academic Center in late April, just on the heels of the Redbud Festival, Rep. Rogers expressed thanks to local citizens for their help in making the festival such a success. Rep. Rogers thanked Union College for hosting the Redbud Festival and appeared to be making his closing remarks. Before he left the podium, however, he made a surprise presentation by asking President de Rosset to step forward and receive the Hal Rogers Difference Maker Award. “I want to thank you, Ed, for all the work you do,” Rep. Rogers said. “It is evident that you set Union’s compass right, and it is right on course.” He went on to say that President de Rosset has been an “ambassador for high quality education.” Rep. Rogers was introduced by Barbourville Mayor David Thompson, who also introduced Miss Redbud Trails Queen, Lauren Rose, who stood at the podium as President de Rosset accepted his award.
Union’s Teacher-Leader program is up and running Union is now enrolling candidates for the new Master of Arts in Education: Teacher-Leader program, which was state approved in early March. The Teacher-Leader program replaces other masters programs in the state that have now been closed for elementary, middle and secondary education. Those who are currently enrolled have until January 31, 2013, to complete their programs. Those who have been grandfathered in, however, need not be concerned about experiencing pitfalls in required coursework. “The college will provide for them through to completion,” says President Ed de Rosset. The program is designed to prepare its master’s in education candidates to become field-based researchers examining educational practices that increase student achievement. Through the Teacher-Leader program, 4 • UNIONALUMNI
candidates are prepared to lead their classrooms in several ways: through assessment-driven approaches for curriculum and instruction; through clinical experiences that reflect current research, including in Professional Learning Communities; through Response to Intervention teams; and through integration of emerging technologies. As part of the Teacher-Leader design, Union College has formed agreements with multiple school districts across the state to provide diverse learning opportunities, including clinical placements for its Teacher-Leader candidates. Current Union College master’s programs in reading and writing, special education, and all Rank I programs are not affected by the Teacher-Leader program. Kentucky’s Education Professional Standards Board, the governing body for postsecondary teacher preparation pro-
grams, approved Union’s Teacher-Leader program at its March 7 meeting. During the meeting, the board noted Union College as being “a role model of collaboration with EPSB to develop its TeacherLeader proposal” and applauded Union’s “efforts to include career and college readiness development within its program structure.” Union officials hope to use this recent approval as a springboard toward future growth. “Union College continues to explore new program areas that people in our region are interested in and need,” says de Rosset. “We hope to offer an Educational Specialist program in the near future.” Union has now completed its full reaccreditation process for all programs, including the Teacher-Leader master’s program.
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Union welcomes new board members At the April Board of Trustees meeting, Union College seated six new members and one veteran. A 1958 Union College graduate, William (Bill) H. Ball, Jr., from Browns Summit, N.C., served the board from 1977 until he moved his status to trustee emeritus in 2008. He returned in April as an active board member. Bill, who is married to Elizabeth (Libbie) Viall Ball, retired from the Internal Revenue Service in 1996. Brian Barnhill earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Union in 1992 and his Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1996. Brian and his wife, Suzanne, own and operate Barnhill Pediatric Dentistry in Corbin, Ky. Dr. Marcetta York Darensbourg is a native of Artemus, Ky. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Union College in 1963 and a doctorate in inorganic chemistry from the University of Illinois. She presently serves as the director of the Marcetta Y. Darensbourg Research Laboratories at Texas A & M University, where she is also a distinguished professor of chemistry. Dr. Barbara Head earned her Bachelor of Science degree in sociology and social work from Union in 1972 and her
doctorate in social work from the Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville. Dr. Head is an assistant professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Program for Palliative Care and Chronic Illness. The Rev. Jack Johnson, an ordained United Methodist clergy person, earned a bachelor’s degree from Union in 1969 and received his graduate degree in theology from Boston University. Since 2006, the Rev. Johnson has served as executive director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches in Boston. Dr. Sonya Jones is a professor in the University of Kentucky’s Honors Program. She is also the president and CEO of The Jones Educational Foundation, and spiritual director for the foundation’s Slate Branch Retreat Center in Somerset, Ky. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Union in 1969 and her doctorate in religion, culture and literature from Emory University. John Moffett earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and biology from Union College in 1972 and his Master of Business in finance from the University of Kentucky. He presently serves as manager for research and development for EON-US in Louisville, Ky.
Chair Paul Isaacs, ’66, and President Edward de Rosset gather with five of the seven new members of the Board of Trustees who were approved in October’s meeting and seated this spring. From left: Chair Isaacs; W. Brian Barnhill, ’92; Barbara Anderson Head, Ph.D., ’72; Sonya L. Jones, Ph.D., ’69; John W. Moffett, ’72; William H. Ball, Jr., ’58, who returns to the board after moving to Trustee Emeritus status for two years; and President de Rosset.
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Mary Alice Lay honored for 50 years of service Each May at the Faculty and Staff Recognition awards presentation, Union College employees are recognized for various accomplishments, including benchmark years of service. This happens every year, but never has a 50-year career been celebrated until now.
Thomas McFarland, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs, congratulates Mary Alice Lay for 50 years of service to Union.
Mary Alice Lay, who first came to Union as a home economics instructor in 1961, has served the college in several capacities, working 50 uninterrupted years with the exception of a one-year sabbatical in 1969. Prior to joining the faculty, Ms. Lay earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Kentucky. She later continued her studies through a National Science Fellowship in Nutrition at the University of South Dakota and through travel study in Europe through Indiana State University. From 1978-1983, Ms. Lay stepped aside from her faculty duties and became Union’s director of alumni affairs. It was during this time that she completed another graduate program, receiving her Rank I certificate from Union in 1980. In 1985, she returned to the faculty to serve as associate professor of education, the post she still holds today. This is not the first time that Ms. Lay’s dedication to the college has been recognized. Most recently in 2007, the Board of Trustees awarded her an honorary degree, the Doctor of Humane Letters. The presentation was made during the spring convocation service in January. UNIONALUMNI • 5
U N I O N P E O P L E
Brendon D. Miller, ’92
Brendon is serving his third term as Breathitt County attorney in Jackson, Ky., his hometown. Prior to being elected in 2003, he served as assistant county attorney in Breathitt, Lee, Owsley and Estill counties and has been the contracting official for the Kentucky Division of Child Support Enforcement in Breathitt County since 2000. He maintains his private law practice and is currently general counsel for Citizens Bank & Trust Co. of Jackson. Aside from work and family, Brendon’s passion is golf. He personally designed, built and financed his own golf course, Sugar Camp Golf Club, which opened for play in 2005, bringing recreation and tourism to Breathitt County. Brendon and his wife, Elizabeth, have two sons, 6-year-old Evan Darrell and 4-year-old Carson Everett. Passion for Law & Golf: I really enjoy being county attorney and trying to make Breathitt County a better place. Golf is simply the best way you can spend your spare time–a real character builder. Greatest Union Lessons: Graduating cum laude, and on time—with a business administration major and double minor while playing football for four years and baseball for two years—taught me the values of time management, responsibility and selfdiscipline. ... Union Mentors: Former football coach Matt Ballard instilled confidence. As a freshman, I became the starting punter for the Bulldogs and then for the following three years both the punter and kicker ... and Coach never doubted my abilities, which led to me making two game-winning field goals my senior year and becoming Union’s first ever First-Team All American and All Mid-South Conference as a punter for two years and kicker for one. (Dr. Pam Hensley Shay) was instrumental to my success in business studies, being a wonderful and understanding teacher to learn from. Gratitude for Success: My parents are the reason for all the success I have achieved. I have been so fortunate to have had their support and guidance. ... Elizabeth, Evan and Carson are very understanding of the sacrifices it takes to do everything our family does. A loving family is essential, and I definitely have that. Good Advice to Live By: You don’t have to be the smartest ... person to obtain success; hard work, perseverance and having character will bring you success.
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Steve Poteete-Marshall, ’80
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Steve is pastor of the Walnut United Methodist Church of the California-Pacific Annual Conference. He is chair of the conference HIV/ AIDS task force, which provides education about the disease and sponsors five Strength for the Journey retreats for men and women living with HIV/AIDS. He is also co-dean for the Orange County/Long Beach Strength for the Journey retreat. Steve and his wife, Linda, have two daughters. The younger has a rare chromosome syndrome, and as a family they participate in the 18th Chromosome Registry. Steve enjoys photography, golf, writing poetry, working in his “man cave” (a workshop behind the garage) and talking online with friends from Union. Passion for Ministry My grandparents were very active in the church I grew up in. My parents met in the youth group there. This gave me a desire to help others, a passion to follow God’s spirit and call. I am especially mindful of those who have been labeled as “less than” by others. Having a special needs daughter has given me the insight to treat others as persons ... who are valuable in God’s sight. Greatest Union Lessons: I was a preministerial canidate, so I was primarily focused on taking as much religion and philosophy as I could. When I went to seminary at Boston University School of Theology, I had already taken Hebrew and Greek and had been to Israel. Combined with working as a student pastor at the Barbourville United Methodist church and preaching at the Campground United Methodist Church my senior year, I was richly prepared for graduate school. Union Mentors: Dr. Robert Matthews took a personal interest in me. I was his student assistant, and I absorbed as much as I could from him. Dean Mays and Doris Mays were both influential, and my coaches, Larry Inkster and Don Lawson, were great at getting the best out of their players. Allan Green, Pat Dontchos and all those who worked with music and drama were a great part of my experience there. Both campus ministers, Rev. Ray Gibson and later Rev. Quentin Scholtz, served as role models for me. Gratitude for Success: I consider my Union days such an important part of who I am today, and what I strive to achieve. I am so pleased that through Facebook, many of us have been back in touch. Good Advice to Live By: As John Wesley said: Do good; do no harm; stay in love with God!
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BIG THINGS Can Happen in small places
By Carrie Bistline, ’09
When a group of guys in the late 90s mixed boredom with creativity, they produced more than just videos that kept dorm residents entertained; they also created for themselves a niche that has helped shape their lives and form a brotherhood of Union College celebrities.
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“THE TRAVIS DAVENPORT SHOW” The place: Lakeside Dormitory
CAST & CREW OF FAME
The figures: a group of industrious, clever, bored, college boys The goal: to entertain; to be a part of something A Union College student plays ping pong in the student center
until it closes. Then, he snacks on a bag of chips in his room. He opens a textbook to study but isn’t in the mood. He opts for television. He flips through the channels, then turns the TV off and tosses the remote aside. It’s 2 a.m. He hears laughter down the hall. He pulls on a sweatshirt and goes down to investigate.
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The noise is coming from room 308, Travis Davenport’s room. He walks down the hall and stops outside the open door. A few
guys are playing with a video camera. One is mock-interviewing another, who is pretending to be the President of the United States. He joins in, and the newest member is inducted. This scenario was a familiar one in the late 90s, when a group of guys and their impromptu videos became known across campus and beyond as “The Travis Davenport Show.” Their fearless leader? You guessed it: Travis Davenport. No scripts. No rules. Minimal planning. “We began ‘The Travis Davenport Show’ my junior year, and it was an immediate hit around the dorm,” says Travis. “The show consisted of myself, Toby Ruth, Tommy Ruth, Kevin ‘Rex’ Winchester, Michael Fred Cooper, Schaeffer Tolliver, Pete Brooks and others who added their expertise to the program. The very first thing we ever recorded was a documentary about Lakeside Residence Hall and its inhabitants. Most people showed their true colors. We did not let anything stand in our way of being funny, even though there were those who accused us of going too far. But there were many others who wanted more and more.” One of the more popular episodes was created by the “The Travis Davenport Show” crew and a few new members who formed “The Claw,” a group that teamed up for homecoming competitions and pranks. This collaboration brought the talents of John Keabler into the mix, and the result was a comic, off-beat satire on dorm life. This episode, “The 12 Days of Lakeside,” sung to the tune of “The 12 Days of Christmas,” got rave reviews and instantly expanded their celebrity status beyond campus—at least slightly—as their show was aired a few times on Barbourville’s local television station. Their creations served not only as something to pass the time, but also to entertain and share ideas. Union College and the “Travis Davenport Show,” for all involved, served as a platform, a foundation. After their time Opposite page: Four of the eight notable cast/crew members of “The Travis Davenport Show,” circa 1996. From left: Tommy Ruth, ’99, ’07 MA; Travis Davenport, ’97; John Keabler, ’95 NG; and Toby Ruth, ’98.
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at Union, some left that platform to pursue unrelated dreams. For some, that platform served as a springboard, launching them in the direction of performance and creativity.
Travis never took up acting or show business.
Recently, however, he began posting old episodes of “The Travis Davenport Show” on Facebook, and many of his friends encouraged a comeback. For him, the show goes on in his own living room. He shared the beloved videos of his college days with his nine-year-old daughter, Arianna, who was an instant fan. Together, they occasionally carry on “The Travis Davenport Show,” interviewing each other acting in roles such as Lady GaGa, played by the blond-wigged Arianna, or the phony rap star T-Rav, played by the hooded, chain-wearing, sunglassesdonned Travis. Many of these episodes, as well as the original ones, have been placed on YouTube, where many an old Union acquaintance occasionally stumbles upon them.
For Pete Brooks and a few others...
from “The Travis Davenport Show,” that platform offered opportunities to perform beyond the late-night antics. He and several others started bands—alternative rock and southern/ country—on campus. Pete was the drummer. They performed many times at the campus coffee shop, the student center and other events such as Earth Day. After two years at Union, Pete transferred to George Mason University. “After leaving Union, I played in bands on and off through college and after graduation. Nothing formal, just getting together and improvising,” says Pete. “I am currently looking into starting something here in Georgia this summer. I have found some guys who share the same interest in music as me, and we have talked about getting together and seeing what comes up. “Acting is something that I have just recently started to think about. I have done several projects at work and have kicked around an idea of taking an acting class in the summer through a local theater in Marietta.”
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For Tommy Ruth, Union and the show served as a launch pad.
He was a linchpin on the show, and after graduating, he returned to Union as student life director and once again used his talents in performance to entertain student audiences. In the meantime, he was involved in a number of activities that kept him on stage. In addition to performing in a southern/country rock band with his twin brother Toby, Pete and a few others, he has also been involved in theater. He has played major and minor roles in productions at the Union College Little Theatre, Berea Arena Theatre, Public Theatre of Kentucky and with Purchase Players in Mayfield, Ky. The shiniest gold star on his resume to date is his debut as a featured extra on an episode of “CSI: New York.” Is he satisfied with this glimpse of fame? Not a chance. “It was fun,” says Tommy. “When I get a guest star role, I’ll be excited!” Tommy recently moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. He works as a valet, does freelance work for a videoediting company and many other small jobs to stay afloat. He is currently auditioning for roles in commercials, waiting for a chance, a firm kick-start that gets the engine turning. “It’s a process, and I’m OK with that,” he says. “I’m just glad to be out here.”
John Keabler dabbled in a little of everything at Union.
He attended from 1994-95, and during this time, he took part in a few episodes of “The Travis Davenport Show,” was a significant member of “The Claw,” joined the southern/country rock band with Pete, Toby, Tommy and the others and spent a little time in Union’s theater. He transferred to and graduated from Western Kentucky University. Today, John is still plunging ahead in the entertainment business in New York City where he now resides. He has met great success over the years since leaving Union, and has built an impressive resume. He co-starred on an episode of NBC’s “30 Rock,” and was a guest star once each on ABC’s “All My Children” and Bravo’s “Straight Drag.” John has also starred in the feature films “Faith, Love and Whiskey,” recently filmed on site in Bulgaria and New York City, and “Keep the Party Going,” and in short films “The Redeemer,” “Platform Philosophy” and “Will the Circle
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What is the common factor?
Each of these men found his inspiration at Union, and each has found, at some point, his way into the spotlight. “I’ve attended six universities across this country and nowhere have I found a more eccentric, a more exuberant and a more brilliant collection of teachers than I have at Union,” says John. “They made me question everything. They simply laid the foundation for doubt. They would say, ‘Oh, you think that way. Well, you know, Sartre thought this and St. Augustine said this... interesting.’ And “...nowhere have I found way, then they just walked away knowing that little doubt nugget was buzzing in your brain. I met a more eccentric, this discourse everywhere—from the dean to the a more exuberant dishwasher. I have lived in seven states. There is no place like Union.” and a more brilliant “I was very fortunate. There were great people to collection of teachers help me find my way,” says Tommy. “Dr. (Rebecca) Pettys and Dr. (Christine) Marley helped me sharpthan I have en my acting and my production sense. Alumni at Union.” like Anne Reed and Tom Faxon gave me a sense of direction. But the biggest thing Union gave me was the confidence that I could do anything I wanted, John Keabler but I had to find that on my own. Union can give you the tools, but the decision to use them is up to you.” Attending a small school in a small town forced them to create their own fun in a big way that led to accomplishing even bigger things. They quickly learned the value of creative outlets and entertainment. And with some well-directed ingenuity and self-reliance, “The Travis Davenport Show” launched these men, in one way or another, into the world of show business, where they are each being paid well: some with money and others with personal fulfillment. To the world, perhaps, they are almost famous. But to Union, they already are. U Today, the four featured cast/crew members continue to entertain audiences either at home, on stage or in front of a camera. At right, from the top: Pete Brooks, Tommy Ruth, Travis Davenport and John Keabler.
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Commencement exercises were
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held on Saturday, May 7, in Robsion Arena, where 325 new graduates constituted the college’s 118th graduating class. Dr. Aaron Thompson, senior vice president for academic affairs for Kentucky’s Council of Postsecondary Education, addressed the Class of 2011, stressing the importance of self-assessment and innovative thinking in following a lifelong path of success. Union conferred upon Dr. Thompson an honorary degree,
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Flag bearer Aaron McCollum, ’12, leads the processional from Legacy Walk into Robsion Arena.
Dr. Christine Marley-Frederick, Excellence in Teaching Award winner The Rev. Ronald S. Sell, Alumni Association president
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The Rev. Rebecca S. Curry Baccalaureate speaker
I love the liberal arts, and I love the higher education institution that can live up to that mission. Union has done that, has done it superbly and has done it in these mountains that I love. Aaron Thompson, Ph.D. Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Council on Postsecondary EducationUNIONALUMNI • 13
CIRCLES VOICES
CELEBRATING PEOPLE Chelsi Deweese
INTEGRITY Nathan Beckley
RESPONSIBILITY Jonathan Shaw
CHARACTER Rachel Millsop 14 14 •• UNIONALUMNI UNIONALUMNI
LEARNING Sheena Williams
ENGAGEMENT Sarah Dunaway
SPIRITUALITY Madison Peterson
During baccalaureate on the eve of theircommencement,sevengraduating seniors spoke briefly, each on one of the Union College core values represented by CIRCLES, an acronym thatwasintroducedtothemwhenthey first became Union students. The following morning, they were unitedonceagaintohearthespeeches, move their tassels and traditionally make their way, as Union College’s newestalumni,throughthegauntletof well-wishers . Opposite page: Daniel Moody processes down Legacy Walk with the 2011 graduating class. Right: Valedictorian Rachel Millsop leads her class through the gauntlet. Bottom left to right: Maisie Insko; Jeremy Agbomi and Chris Bethel; Brittany Pridemore Mills and Matt Warren.
UNIONALUMNI • 15
JOURNEY BY KASSONDRA PATTERSON, ’12
Kassondra Patterson is a 22-year-old junior from Sevierville, Tenn., majoring in mass communications. She was asked to contribute a feature story about the importance of lifelong learning. Along the way, she grew to believe that the secret lay in finding the right mentor. And in discovering this, she found her own. This is her story. 16 16• •UNIONALUMNI UNIONALUMNI
A
painted window in the front
parlor of the Shambhala Meditation Center inspires
curiosity and quiet respect from its onlookers. Depicting the Great Eastern Sun, its most prominent detail is a bright yellow orb that glows with diffused light and subtle warmth emanating from its natural counterpart.
When I first saw it, I didn’t want to break my gaze. Its beauty was obvious, but that’s not what made me want to linger there; it was more about the way it made me feel. I wanted to study its meaning and somehow benefit from the enlightenment it had to offer. As it turns out, the lure to this beautiful work of art is normal. The Shambhala Buddhists believe that the Great Eastern Sun symbolizes the expression of human goodness, gentleness and openness, a triad of traits depicting spaciousness. But they take it a step further by “following” the Great Eastern Sun in their personal journeys to contribute to an enlightened human society. The journey could end as the Sun goes down, but the Great Eastern Sun never sets. The individual must choose to constantly follow its well-lit path. I went to the Shambhala Meditation Center in Lexington, Ky., and learned the significance of the Great Eastern Sun’s imagery while on assignment to observe one of Union College’s newest trustees and 1969 graduate, Dr. Sonya Jones, as she taught a world religions course. Union felt it fit to honor Dr. Jones, not because of her new distinction in leadership, but because she has demonstrated great passion for lifelong learning, a tradition that Union College takes seriously enough to include in its core values. I witnessed it in action that day at the Shambhala Meditation Center, where Dr. Jones led discussions and offered information to her students, who hurriedly took notes. This scenario is fairly typical except for one defining detail: No one in the class was younger than 50. Victor Meenach, a 1970 graduate of Marshall University, was an active participant in class that day. Victor isn’t working
toward an advanced degree, and earning scholarly honors doesn’t interest him. He is interested, rather, in knowing more about things that intrigue him. He’s not unique in this respect. There is a large and expanding community of adults, 50 years of age or older, who are eager to broaden their knowledge base on a myriad of subjects. The Bernard Osher Foundation, which offers Dr. Jones’s class and many others, is designed specifically for people like Victor. Most of these students hold at least a bachelor’s degree, yet there are no prerequisites. There are also no final exams or assessments of any kind, and professors aren’t on the payroll. They all show up—professors and students alike—simply because they want to. They are lifelong learners. Along with her Osher classes, Dr. Jones also teaches traditional college students. In addition to her responsibilities as professor in the Honors Program at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Jones accepted an invitation to be a Union College Distinguished Alumni Scholar this spring. I had the pleasure of being in her traditional class for a course I couldn’t resist: “The Holy Spirit: An Exploration of the Sacred Energy in the World’s Religions,” which covers much of the same content she presents to her Osher class. World religions courses aren’t required for my major, but I knew it was a must-take class to continue absorbing the knowledge she extends experientially. The students who gather at the Shambhala Center share my sentiment. “It wasn’t just any class, but this class in particular, that appealed to me,” Victor says. Apparently, he’s not alone. Appealing to many, the course filled up within a few hours of registration opening. A waiting list was started, which generated so many names, an additional section of the class was offered. The second class quickly reached capacity and led to yet another waiting list. Dr. Jones was happy to meet the demand. “The Holy Spirit as she appears in all the world religions is one of my major interests, and I never tire of leading discussions which deepen our knowledge of the great, universal energy,” she says. From experience, I can vouch that Dr. Jones
UNIONALUMNI • 17
shares an arresting enthusiasm with her students, both traditional and nontraditional. This energy is not a product of happenstance. Rather, she attributes it to several key influences: her Methodist foundation, her study of Siddha Yoga as well as Shambhala Buddhism and her Union College mentor, Dr. Frank Merchant, who pushed her to succeed and to continue her education. The impact he made on her life was so profound, in fact, she launched and sponsored The Dr. Frank Merchant Scholarship at Union, endowed in 2010. “Dr. Frank Merchant and the English department at Union are due a debt of gratitude for their positive influence on my life and work,” Dr. Jones says. “Dr. Merchant, in particular, turned a bright young woman who was more interested in partying with the MOB, writing poetry and agitating for peace into a serious scholar.” Could it be that Dr. Jones is to me what Dr. Merchant was to her? My story is still evolving and is now in the early chapters, but I can feel the impact she has made on my life. She first made an impression on me when she spoke at the homecoming banquet in 2010 as an Educators’ Hall of Fame inductee. As I listened to her speech, I could tell she was not just a woman of scholarship; she was a woman of great wisdom, and someone I should listen closely to. As if on cue, it was then announced that she would be teaching the world religions course that I’ve 18••UNIONALUMNI UNIONALUMNI 18
been discussing here. Later, I learned of the opportunity to visit the Shambhala Meditation Center as the semester’s end was approaching. About a week prior to the visit, she presented the same content to my class at Union that she was due to deliver that day at the Shambhala Center. I was excited nonetheless. I was particularly eager to observe this class because of the spiritual energy I was bound to pick up on, considering the venue. Upon walking through the front door, Dr. Jones greeted me and asked me to remove my shoes, as is the Buddhist custom, and we toured the house before students arrived. It was during this tour that she introduced me to the Great Eastern Sun, the calming effect of which set the tone for the hour that followed and provided stark contrast to the campus classrooms to which I had been accustomed. I learned only a few new things from the content she presented that day, but I discovered many new things about Dr. Jones, most notably her keen audience awareness. What I found most impressive was that she is able to take one block of information and present it in two entirely different ways to separate student groups. Her traditional college classroom approach is more assessment-driven. Because we had exams and papers to turn in, she lectured in the traditional sense, and we took notes. To help us retain that information, she shared
Lifelong Learning Opportunities available nationwide Opportunities abound for nontraditional stu-
personal anecdotes. She shared personal stories with the group in Lexington, as well, but on a much deeper level. At one point during the class, she shared with students personal experiences from her spiritual journey. She encouraged discussions and questions from both classes and allowed the older learners to guide where the discussions or questions might lead. Dr. Jones gave a part of herself, to different degrees, to students in both classes to help each one succeed according to his/her own definition of success, whether it be earning a specific grade or knowing enough about a subject to gain personal growth. The students at the Shambhala Center made commitments to be lifelong learners. Dr. Jones, who committed herself to the same concept years ago with the encouragement of her mentor, is helping each of them fulfill it. I have gained inspiration by being her eager student. So the answer is yes. Dr. Jones will be my Dr. Merchant, and serve as my mentor while I continue my journey toward becoming a lifelong learner. Along the way, I’ll eventually define my personal success, whether it’s an advanced degree or soaking up knowledge solely for self-fulfillment. Whatever the case, a love for learning will guide me like the symbolic Sun that refuses to set, so that I may choose to forever follow its well-lit path. U
dents who are interested in learning just for the joy of it. The Bernard Osher Foundation, for example, currently funds 117 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes on university campuses nationwide, with at least one program in each state. While some Osher students enroll to hone career skills, the vast majority of the senior students— many of whom have retired or are approaching retirement—are there to be lifelong learners. Programs and coursework vary at each Osher Institute, but they must all adhere to certain criteria. As defined on the Osher Foundation’s Web site, requirements are: • Programs are non-credit • Programs are developed for adults who are at least 50 years old • Programs must have university connections and support • Programs must have robust volunteer leadership • Courses must be intellectually stimulating The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute’s first endowment was awarded in California in 2001, and a national expansion began the following year. For a complete list of Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, as well as course information and other details, visit www.osherfoundation.org. Road Scholar, formerly known as Elderhostel, Inc., is another organization that offers adult learning opportunities. Though the program name has changed, the tag remains appropriately the same: “Adventures in Lifelong Learning.” Dr. James Garrett of Union’s English department has been involved in this program for several years. “As part of Lincoln Memorial University’s Civil War (Road Scholar), I perform three or four times a year at Pine Mountain, usually on a Wednesday night,” Dr. Garrett says. “My program consists of traditional Civil War music combined with occasional readings from period and contemporary sources. The entire program lasts around 75 minutes.” For more information, go to www.roadscholar. org. U UNIONALUMNI UNIONALUMNI••19 19
U N I O N AT H L E T I C S
Micher receives 2011 ITA/Arthur Ashe Award Union junior Bartos Micher received the 2011 ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship at the awards banquet at the NAIA Men’s and Women’s Tennis National Championship Tournament in Mobile, Ala., on May 16. Micher is described by his coach and teammates alike as a father figure to the team and is extremely respected for his strong leadership. This is merely an extension of how this German native conducts himself off the court. An avid local volunteer for area youth, campus and tennis-oriented activities, Micher also provides leadership to his team and classmates when it comes to academics. A member of the Dean’s Honor Roll, this junior has maintained a 3.78 GPA through three years, serving as both a tutor and educational role model. In addition to Micher winning the national award, three other Bulldogs garnered ITA East Region honors. Senior Nicolas Ernst was named the ITA East Region Senior Player of the Year, sophomore Pierre Vernin is the ITA East Region Player to Watch, and Roscoe Moonieyan is the ITA East Region Assistant Coach of the Year. As the governing body of collegiate tennis, the ITA promotes both the athletic
Junior Bartos Micher, winner of the ITA/Arthur Ashe Award, is a leader on and off the court.
and academic achievements of the collegiate tennis community. The ITA, which is comprised of nearly 1,700 men’s and women’s varsity coaches representing over 1,200 institutions, administers numerous regional and national championships and the Campbell/ITA College Tennis Rankings for over 20,000 college varsity student-athletes at the NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and Junior College levels.
The ITA also has a comprehensive awards program for players and coaches to honor excellence in academics, leadership and sportsmanship. The Bulldogs advanced to the second round in the NAIA National Championship Tournament and ended the year with an 18-6 overall record.
Bulldogs put together strong run The Union baseball team put together one of its best seasons in program history, narrowly missing returning to the AvistaNAIA World Series. Finishing with a 48-12 overall record, the Bulldogs tied the program record for most wins in a season while setting the record for best winning percentage at .800. Union captured the Appalachian Athletic Conference regular-season championship with a 19-2 league mark, ending the regular season ranked No. 8 in the NAIA. Union advanced to the 2011 NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round as No. 1 seed in the Kingsport, Tenn., bracket. However, the season ended there as the Bulldogs fell 4-2 to secondseeded Faulkner (Ala.) in the final game. Several Bulldogs collected AllConference honors, including junior 20 • UNIONALUMNI
Brandon Hedrick, earning Pitcher of the Year honors, and Bart Osborne, Coach of the Year. For Hedrick, this was the second year in a row he received the award while it was Osborne’s first. Joining Hedrick on the All-Conference Team were senior relief pitcher Koby Hearn, junior third baseman Joe Engle, junior shortstop Cory Perreault and sophomore first baseman Tyler Brake. Perreault and Brake also made the Gold Glove Team, and senior Tim DeVito, senior Steve Scheelk and junior Drew Chamberlain landed on the Academic AllConference Team.
Junior Brandon Hedrick is named All-Conference Pitcher of the Year.
U N I O N AT H L E T I C S
Bulldog Beat Men’s Basketball
In 2010-11, the Union College men’s basketball team reached heights it had not reached in decades, as the squad went on a Cinderella run through the Appalachian Athletic Conference men’s basketball tournament to clinch a bid in the 2011 NAIA National Tournament in Branson, Mo. Led by second-year head coach Sean Gillespie, the Bulldogs finished 16-16 on the year, and won the program’s first conference tournament title since the 1971-72 season. On Feb. 28, they defeated Reinhardt (Ga.) 68-67 in the finals of the AAC Tournament. Union entered the league tournament as the No. 4 seed, having not won more than two games in a row all season. However, the Bulldogs put together their first threegame winning streak to win the tournament. Union opened at home against No. 5 Bluefield (Va.), beating the Rams for the first time since 2006 with a 79-71 decision. Union then knocked off top-seeded Milligan (Tenn.) 74-71 to advance to the title game, guaranteeing Union a spot in the National Tournament for the first time since 1968. There, the Bulldogs fell to the tournament’s number-one seed, Walsh, 8159 in a first-round match up. The Bulldogs were led all season long by sophomore Turrell Morris, who was named both an NAIA Third Team AllAmerican and the Co-AAC Player of
the Year for his effort on the season. The Columbus, Ohio, native ended the season leading the AAC in points per game (18.4) and rebounds per contest (10.58).
Softball
The Lady Bulldogs, led by second-year head coach Danny Fish, finished 23-28 on the year, bowing out on the third day of the AAC tournament to end their season. Union was led by senior Falon Catalano, who led the team all year at both the plate and in the pitching circle. She ended the year batting .340 with three homeruns and 35 RBIs, while posting a record of 10-5 in the circle with an ERA of 1.53. Catalano also tossed two no-hitters this season and fanned 149 batters. For her efforts, Catalano was named the AAC Softball Player of the Year, a first in program history.
Golf
The Union men’s and women’s golf teams, led by fourth-year head coach Eric Wyrick, each garnered top-five finishes at their respective AAC end-of-the-year tournaments. The women’s team placed third at their event, with sophomore Kayla Horn leading the way after finishing in a tie for third overall in the individual portion of the tournament. Horn earned All-AAC First Team honors, while freshman Brit-
The Union College men’s basketball team celebrates their first conference tournament title since the 1971-72 season and their advancement to the NAIA National Tournament in Branson, Mo.
tany Zins earned All-AAC Second Team honors. The men’s team finished fifth in their tournament, with All-AAC team honors going out to three Bulldogs: junior Josh Dyer, sophomore Keith Tooley and freshman Garrett Bradley.
Track and Field
Union freshman John Luther captured the men’s Most Outstanding Athlete Award at the AAC Outdoor Championships, held at Sidney Smallwood Track. As a team, both Union men’s and women’s teams finished second overall at the meet. Luther paced the men’s team, resetting the conference record books with his performance in the shot put. He posted a final throw of 45 feet, 7.25 inches, which shattered the AAC record in the event (13.24 meters). He also Freshman John Luther’s recordbreaking performance lands him placed second in the Most Outstanding Athlete the discus with a Award. throw of 129 feet, 8 inches. Both marks were new school records in their events. Meanwhile, Jaquan Holland captured the 400m dash after crossing the finish line 49.11, while Steven Carron placed second in the 100m dash with a time of 11.25 and third in the 400m hurdles in 1:05.56. Finishing off the performances of note for the Bulldogs was Issac Kangogo, who finished third in the 1500m in 4:13.11. For the women, Naudine Coulson took the 400m hurdles with a time of 1:11.48, a new school record, while the 4x100m relay squad finished first overall after finishing in 53.85. In the field events, Coulson was second in the long jump with a leap of 14 feet, 4 inches, while Maddie Peterson placed second in the discus with a throw of 114 feet, 8 inches.
UNIONALUMNI • 21
ASSOCIATIONNEWS
Phi Mu Alpha crest displayed proudly again During Homecoming 2010, the reunion group of music and theatre alumni began prowling around their alma mater in the Fine Arts Building on Union’s campus. Through a secret door in the men’s restroom near the foyer of Conway Boatman Chapel, a treasure was found. Up those spiraling iron stairs and into the belfry, they climbed to the place they once gathered when they were Union students many years ago. Union alumna Roberta Taylor, ’79, gasped when she saw it. She then put her hand on the Phi Mu Alpha wooden crest hanging on the wall and said, “This is proof—proof that we were all here.” On the final day of homecoming, the UC Music and Theatre reunion group came to the chapel with one request of Melissa Newman, Union’s alumni director: to make sure nothing happens to that crest. The Union College music department was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Union’s Phi Mu Chapter was installed at Union College on March 7, 1965, and stayed active until March 11, 1983. Membership required that the college have a music major. When Union no longer carried that major, the music department had to give up its membership. Active during a period of time when the fraternity accepted co-ed membership, the Phi Mu Chapter initiated 88 Union men and women as Sinfonians. With the help of Dr. Tom McFarland, ’69, former Sinfonian and vice president for academic affairs; Dr. V. Gay Gandy, assistant professor of music; and Dr. Rebecca Pettys, professor of theatre, Union’s alumni director was able to bring the crest out of the belfry and display it proudly once again in the hall of the Fine Arts Building. A bronze plaque will be attached to the crest that will read, “Union College Phi Mu Chapter 1965-1983.” A formal dedication of the plaque will take place during Homecoming 2011. Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is the oldest and largest music fraternity for men. Started on Oct. 6, 1898, at the New England Conservatory in Boston, Mass., the fraternity has stretched across the country with more than 500 chapters having existed and over 130,000 initiated members. For over a century, Sinfonians have considered this their purpose: “The Object of this Fraternity shall be for the development of the best and truest fraternal spirit; the mutual welfare and brotherhood of musical students; the advancement of music in America and a loyalty Three music and theatre alumnae from the UC Music and Theatre reunion of 2010 returned this spring to to the Alma Mater.” see the Phi Alpha Mu crest displayed in the Fine Arts Building. From left, Jaqueleen Sellards, ’79; Roberta Taylor, ’77; and Sandy Hash Keys, ’79.
22 • UNIONALUMNI
ASSOCIATIONNEWS
Union-educated teachers featured in book about one-room schoolhouses Celebrated Kentucky author Dr. Lynwood Montell found much of the content for his new book, “Tales from Kentucky One-Room School Teachers,” at Union College. Dr. Montell came to campus during spring 2009 to meet with Union College alumni who either taught or attended school in a one-room schoolhouse, the focus of his new book. All but one of the chapters include stories from Unioneducated teachers who remember fondly the “days of slates, chalk and alphabet primers,” as quoted from Dr. Montell’s book jacket. Union College alumni included in the book are Joyce Buchanan, ’61, ’81 MA; Daphne Goodin, ’57, ’70 MA; Georgia Lloyd, ’56, ’81 MA; Pat McDonald, ’60, ’66 MA; Laura Stacy, ’66, ’70 MA; and Bige Warren, ’86 MA. Irma Gall is also
included in Dr. Montell’s book. She is a longtime friend of the college who is most noted for her lifetime of work at Lend-AHand Center in Knox County.
“Tales from Kentucky One-Room School Teachers” includes stories and anecdotes from former Kentucky teachers surveying the social, cultural and educational heritage that Kentucky lost when its one-room schools closed. Dr. Montell describes the book as not only a celebration of a simpler time but also as a way to highlight the differences between today’s schooling methods and those of the past. The collection covers topics such as teacher-student relationships, lunchtime foods, students’ personal relationships, and, of course, the challenges of teaching in oneroom schools. Dr. Montell is the author and editor of more than 20 books. “Tales from Kentucky One-Room School Teachers” is published by the University Press of Kentucky.
Dr. Lynwood Montell met on campus with local teachers whose stories are included in his book. Each teacher was presented with a framed print featuring the book’s front cover. From left: President Ed de Rosset; Joyce Buchanan, ’61, ’81 MA; Laura Agnes Stacy,’66,’79 MA; Dr. Lynwood Montell; Irma Gall; Georgia Lloyd, ’56, ’81 MA; and Sharon McDonald, who accepted on behalf of her husband, Pat McDonald, ’60, ’66 MA. UNIONALUMNI • 23
ASSOCIATIONNEWS
Union College takes Oz theme for students, alumni
MOB and cheerleaders to reunite for Homecoming 2011 Homecoming 2011 is one of several campus events this year with a theme inspired by “The Wizard of Oz.” The festivities are scheduled for Oct. 14-16 and will be promoted with a logo featuring a yellow-brick road along with the words “There’s No Place Like Homecoming.” As a way to combine resources, ideas and promotions, the alumni office, student life and admissions have taken the concept of synergy and applied it to Union’s yearround events for both students and alumni. “Off to See the Wizard” is what prospective students have been greeted with during summer orientations. That theme spins off into a fun and informational day of finding out what Union has to offer academically, athletically and socially. “For students, the timeless story of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is relevant,” says Jerry Jackson, dean of enrollment. “It’s symbolic of the journey students take in finding their new home.” “There’s No Place Like Homecoming,” of course, is a calling out to alumni to visit their alma mater. “It’s perfect,” says Melissa Newman, alumni director. “There really is no place like home, and our alumni truly feel that family connection from their time here as students and want to come back.” This year’s reunion classes are all ending in 6 and 1. Letters will be going out during July and August, and the formal schedule will go out at the end of July. Homecoming will include event staples
like the Friday afternoon golf scramble, the 50th reunion on Friday night, Tent City on Saturday before the football game and the Saturday night homecoming banquet. Some homecoming highlights are: MOB reunion The MOB reunion is being headed-up by former MOB members Doug “Rabbit” Bowman,’73, and Eddie Frazier, ’00. Events include a special tailgate during the football game with the formal reunion later that night. The MOB began in 1966 and continued through the early 80s, with another startup in the late 90s. This reunion will be the first time in 45 years many group members have seen one another and will include most of the original 13 members.
Cheerleading reunion The UC Cheer Reunion is coordinated by Penny Mills, ’00, and is the first of its kind in homecoming history. Cheerleaders across all generations are invited to reunite on Union’s campus for a Friday night dinner and to be recognized on the football field during halftime. Penny has also been working to create a cheerleading scholarship. Watch your mailbox or visit www.unionky.edu/advance for details. For more information, contact Jessica Bergman at jbergman@ unionky.edu or 606-546-1639. The Shoe Tree A new tradition celebrating Union College couples will begin in the form of a tree – a shoe tree, to be exact. Union College couples should bring one shoe each for the tree. The laces will be tied together and thrown by the couple over a limb.
Union College Retired Family seeking members In the words of retired English professor Dr. Connie Danner, “If you have ever changed a light bulb, typed a letter for the president, taught a class as an adjunct or were on full-time faculty or staff and are now retired, you are part of the Union College Retired Family.” In an attempt to keep in touch with all employees who have made footprints on Union’s campus, the alumni and president’s offices have been working to locate 24 • UNIONALUMNI
all former employees who are now retired. This charter group, the Union College Retired Family (UCRF), will meet for the first time during homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 15. Dr. Danner, acting chair of the group, was happy to help UCRF in the initial planning stages. “Let’s not allow ourselves to lose track of Union’s retired family, letting them pass without a Union College connec-
tion,” she says. “Remember Allan Green, Gordon Marigold and Frank Merchant? Wouldn’t it have been wonderful if we could have kept in touch with these great educators?” The purpose of UCRF is two-fold. First, Union would like to help former faculty and staff keep in touch with one another; and second, the college wants all past employees, regardless of where their careers have taken them, to feel connected
ASSOCIATIONNEWS
Leave your Stespean on the shelf Look online to find your Union memories That old Stespean you want to look at isn’t in the top of the closet, the bottom drawer or in the back of the book shelf where you thought you saw it last. Where on Earth could it be? Finally, you find it – dusty, with pages yellowing. If only you had a photo scanner, you could upload those memories and share them on your favorite social networking sites: Facebook, MySpace or that funny blog you put together. It’s getting late, so you decide you’ll do it another time. The next time you look for that yearbook, it will be much easier to find. You’ll find it on your computer, your electronic tablet and even your Kindle. After years of wishing all those Stespeans could be archived for easy access, the alumni office is happy to announce they finally are. Through a collaborative effort with Union’s Weeks-Townsend Memorial Library and the Alumni Association Board, those precious Stespeans have a permanent home on Union’s bookshelves and online. Library staff rolled out the finished product at the Alumni Association’s spring meeting in early April. Tara Cooper, director of library services, began looking into digitization of local materials like Union’s yearbooks in 2007. At that time, the cost and lack of electronic storage space made it impossible. The Mass Digitization Collaborative was established to assist LYRASIS (library network) members with their digitization needs. As part of this effort, LYRASIS joined with the Open Content Alliance,
to Union. President Ed de Rosset sees, among other things, how this group can help shape the college’s future by preserving the story of its past. “Sometime in the near future I hope that Union can launch a project to tell Union’s story since 1979, the date that our most recent history was published,” says President de Rosset. “Much has changed at Union in that 32-year interval, and many of the leading voices that shaped and sustained
Billie Daniels, ’10, library circulation manager, looks through the new Stespean Live site.
which supports free and open access to cultural heritage materials. This project is funded by the LYRASIS membership and is supported in part by a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, support that has Union’s alumni director, Melissa Newman, both excited and grateful. “When I first started here, we had workstudy students scanning yearbook pages for us when they had free time,” Melissa says. “It was cumbersome, to say the least, and in the past two years we only had five completed. This is a dream come true for any alumni director. It’s exciting to be able to finally provide this for our former
students and those interested in Union’s history.” Special features allow users to copy and paste pictures to their personal computers. Several formats are supported: pdf, EPUB, Kindle, Daisy, full text html and DjVu. Visitors can either scroll down pages manually or turn pages virtually with a mouse click. The site also features a read option which allows users to hear the text read to them as they look through the pages. Stespeans online can be accessed through Union’s website at www. unionky.edu/alumni, then click on Your Stespean Live.
that era are silent now. Beyond the prospects of spending enjoyable hours together around a most favorite topic and in gatherings with other Union family members, the Union College Retired Family initiative is worthwhile for some excellent reasons, especially for the opportunity to share and collect story detail. I look forward to sitting in with this group and extend an invitation to join us.” Because the college has employed so
many valuable people who started their careers at Union but ended them elsewhere, the membership requirement does not stipulate that the person be a Union retiree. To learn more or to share information, please contact Melissa Newman in the alumni office at 606-546-1226 or alumni@unionky.edu.
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C O N N E C T I O N S
Events&Gatherings Inaugural Alumni Basketball Weekend
Louisville young alumni gathering
The Union College alumni relations office and the men’s and women’s basketball programs worked together last winter to host the first Union College Alumni Basketball Weekend. A Friday night alumni game–women first, then men–gave basketball alumni an opportunity to hit the hardwood at Union one more time to commemorate the great times they had as basketball team members when they were students. Saturday included lunch and recognitions on Union’s basketball court in Robsion Arena between the men’s and women’s regular-season games.
Basketball alumni–Lady Bulldogs
Front row, from left: Veronica Henry, ’03; Anna Ewing, ’04; Amy Shields, ’01; Tiffany Vice Zettler, ’03; Courtney Payne Oliver, ’03; Terra Keith Childers, ’04; Allison Fowler, ’08; Susanna Todd, ’09; Carley Blankenship, ’10; Jessica Baker, ’10; and Becki Woodworth, ’06. Back row, from left: Lady Bulldog Basketball coach Tim Curry; Khristina Abner, ’07; Amanda Vance, ’04; Tonya Denny, ’02; Jackie Pennington, ’01; Shanica Jackson, ’00; Union College President Ed de Rosset; Carrie Bistline, ’09; Brooke Smith-Sanders, ’10; Andra Jones Butler, ’06; Ashley Lunsford, ’10; and Tabitha Terrell Frederick, ’06.
Jessica Terry Bergman, ’98, Union’s major gifts officer, and Matt Bergman, ’99, host a Christmas party for young alumni in the Louisville area. The party carried an ugly sweater theme as a fun element. Front row, from left: Jessica Terry Bergman; Penny Mills, ’00; Adam “Rudy” Patin, ’00; Matt Bergman; Tracy Tarullo Simpson, 00; and Michelle Yorgy, ’98. Back row, from left: Brian Strunk, ’09; Rocky Rapier, ’98; Chris Beggs, ’00; and Rachel Lewis Rapier, ’98.
Harlan County gathering
Basketball alumni–Bulldogs
From left: Bob Koehler, ’57; Jack Early, ’48; Joe Karr, ’86; Donnie Looper, ’74; Aaron Troutman, ’05; Ken Meibers, ’70; Ernie Trosper, ’55; and Doug Logan, ’68. 26 • UNIONALUMNI
Melissa Newman, Union’s alumni director, hosts an alumni event at the new Harlan County High School for Harlan area alumni and friends. From left: Alexa Bowman, ’93; Bob Howard, ’85 MA, ’92 RI; Union student Franchesca Jones; Roy Baker, ’73, ’78 MA; Union student Jacqueline Bengie; John Dodd, ’89; Vicki Prince, ’00; Shirley Dodd; Thomas Saylor, superintendent, Harlan County Schools; and Megan Bowen, Union College graduate enrollment counselor.
C O N N E C T I O N S Phonathon 2011 It’s for U!
We’ve got a winner!
Students celebrate a successful Phonathon 2011, which began Feb. 14 and continued through Feb. 24. Students called alumni from all over the country and asked for their support for the Student Impact Fund. Front row, from left: Dominic Scheele, phonathon manager; Melissa Newman,’08, alumni director; and Jacqueline Bengie. Back row, from left: Brittany Harris; Whitney Cochran; Kassondra Patterson, phonathon manager; Cassy Kost, phonathon manager; Steven Young; Debra Rigney; and Franchesca Jones.
Lynn DeVoe, ’65, of Bridgeton, N.J., uses her new iPhone while traveling in London. On Phonathon’s opening night, her name was drawn from several alumni who entered the first smartphone contest.
Baseball Alumni Day Alumni Baseball Day 2011 included, front row from left: Betty Hale; Jeree Koehler, ’56; and Glenna Burton, ’58, ’69 MA. Back row, from left: Melissa Newman; Larry Inkster,’72, ’73 MA; Bart Osborne, Union’s head baseball coach; Larry “Rex” Hale, ’58; Bob Koehler, ’57; Tim Saunders, ’04; Don Burton, ’57, ’68 MA; and President Ed de Rosset.
Bell County gathering Bell County, Ky., alumni gather for a spring event. Front row from left: Clinton Taylor, ’49; Billie Jean McDade, ’46, ’72 MA; and Willene Black with her granddaughter. Back row, from left: Steve Black; Jeanie Burkette, ’01; Brandon Archer; Melissa Newman; Gino Onofrietti; Bethany Philpot; Nettie Philpot, ’11; and Michaela Philpot.
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C O N N E C T I O N S Kentucky Derby Festival gathering Pre-race pasta
The Derby Dawgs
The Union Derby Dawgs, a group of alumni, friends, students and staff who participated in either the full or half marathon, gather for a finish-line photo. Front row, from left: Jamirae Hammons, Jerry Jackson and Jessica Bergman. Back row, from left: Jared Hirtz, John H. White, Matt Bergman, Allison Fowler, Nate Peyton, Tommy Reid, Steve Loverso and Missy Frederick.
Pulaski County gathering
Louisville area alumni and those running in the Derby Festival miniMarathon and Marathon gather at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Louisville, Ky., for an evening out before the big April 30 race. Front row, from left: Melissa Newman, ’08, alumni director; Jamirae Hammons, ’04, ’06 MA; Jessica Bergman, ’98, major gifts officer; Shawn Spoon, ’12; Jerry Jackson, ’90; and Missy Frederick, ’91. Middle row, from left: Milton Perry, ’64; Alice Fugate; Jared Hirtz; Carol Schultz Comer, ’64; Tommy Reid, ’98 MA; Rose Brown, ’64; and Bob Brown ’63. Back row, from left: Jack Early, ’48; Nancy Early; Patrice (Schutte) Lux, ’73; J. Scott Lux; Don Fugate, ’66; Steve Loverso, ’11; Nate Peyton, ’10; John H. White, ’89; Matt Bergman, ’99; and Brian Strunk, ’09.
Pulaski County alumni meet for a springtime gathering. From left: Megan Belcher; Dr. Aaron Belcher, ’04 (and their son Hayden); Dr. Sonya Jones, ’69; Emily McClanahan; Tonia McClanahan, ’98; and Melissa Newman.
Football Alumni Day
Former players gather at Burch-Nau Field just before the spring game for their annual alumni flag football game. Front row, from left: Patrick Kallendorf, ’07; Terry Young; Chris Murphy, ’07; David Hammer, ’07; Patrick Burke, ’08; Stanley Niece, ’01; Bobby Wolfe, ’03; Phil Russell, Jr., ’00; Phil Russell, ’85; and Chaz Martin, ’87. Back row, from left: Melissa Newman; Clayton Brown, ’95; Pete Greene,’89; Jake Kallendorf, ’08; John Dodd, ’89; John Luttrell, ’88, ’09 MA; Chris Bethel, ’11; Rick Proffitt, ’90; Greg Thomas, ’89; Chris Crawley, ’88; Johnny Carreker, ’89; Vince Turpin, ’89; Jeremy Napier, ’99; and Tommy Reid,’98 MA, Union’s head football coach. 28 • UNIONALUMNI
June 30 Deadlines: th
Whose name will be missed? SOLDIERS & SAILORS TRIBUTE WALL Last Chance
Gifts for the Soldiers & Sailors tribute wall will be accepted through June 30, 2011. Due to overwhelming requests for additional names to be placed on the Tribute Wall, we decided to do a second and final engraving. Honor a soldier with a gift of $25.00 or more given in his or her name. Service men and women need not be Union College alumni. The name of the soldier that you honor will be placed on the Tribute Wall in the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Gymnasium. All funds will be used to help restore Soldiers & Sailors as a living tribute to our military personnel and as a firstclass intramural center. Contact the Office of Advancement, 606-546-1659, to honor your loved one today.
HONOR ROLL OF DONORS JULY 1, 2010 — JUNE 30, 2011 There is still time
There is still time to be included in the next “Honor Roll of Donors.” Any gift to the College will count. We don’t want to close our books without you! Consider giving to the annual Student Impact Fund. These gifts complement funding from other sources. Gifts to this annual fund go where the needs and opportunities are the greatest, with scholarship aid being a priority.
GIVING ONLINE IS EASY.
Go to our secure website, www.unionky.edu/advance, or call 606-546-1659. UNIONALUMNI • 29
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Volunteer efforts recognized
KCEOC President Paul Dole with Doris Moore
KCEOC President Paul Dole with Charley Green Dixon
Charley Green Dixon, ’85, Doris Moore, ’64, and Kevin Randall Smith, ’06 were all recognized for their volunteer efforts in their respective communities during the 2010 Volunteer of the Year program initiated by KCEOC Community Action Partnership. The 2010 program was called “Helpful Hands, Hopeful Hearts.” Charley Green, county attorney for his hometown of Knox County, Ky., created a program for youth called “Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs.” The program is administered
through Kentucky’s Operation UNITE program. Doris Moore is a lifetime educator, having taught school in her community of Whitley County, Ky., most of her career. Doris was recognized for her work with a backpack program that feeds over 600 children each week in the Corbin (Ky.) City School District. Doris also assists in helping children 6 years old and up with reading and comprehension. Kevin, a graduate student at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of
KCEOC President Paul Dole with Kevin Randall Smith
Public and International Affairs, was recognized for his efforts in his hometown of Laurel County, Ky., in founding Young Professionals of Eastern Kentucky. President Ed de Rosset attended the ceremony to congratulate all three Union College graduates. KCEOC President and CEO Paul Dole, ’74, presented each with a plaque commemorating their “Helping Hands, Hopeful Hearts” recognitions.
Tri-County Women of Distinction
Ramona Davis
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Ramona Davis, ’98 MA, and Diana Mills, ’75, ’78 MA, were both recognized as 2010 Tri-County Women of Distinction, an honor given by the Times-Tribune in Corbin, Ky. Ramona, who is principal at Corbin Middle School and part-time faculty for Union College’s education program, teaches a science method class to elementary education students. Ramona was given the Women of Distinction award for her three-year effort in making Corbin Middle School the number one middle school in Kentucky and for her tireless efforts in making the educational experience exceptional for her students. Ramona also coached her school’s Science Olympiad team, which won state titles in 2004, 2006 and 2008. Diana, who is Union College’s prospect researcher and grant writer, is also a retired teacher and librarian from the Knox County (Ky.) School District. Her love of books didn’t end when she stopped teaching and caring for her school’s library; she merely discovered another outlet. Diana now fights illiteracy and promotes a love for reading by coordinating Writers’ Row, a popular part of Knox County’s annual Redbud Festival. Writers’ Row features as many as 30 authors each year and provides an excellent opportunity for readers and writers to come face-to-face for candid interactions.
Diana Mills
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’50
Marvin Crane, ’59, was featured Dec. 17, 2010, on StoryCorps on National Public Radio. During the program, Marvin spoke to his granddaughter about how he met his wife, Marijuna (Golden), ’59, while he was in college.
’70 F uture B ulldogs John Desparrois, ’73, is the regional director for Catholic Charities Diocese of Camden, N.J. For the past 21 years John has been providing family services to Cumberland and Salem counties in New Jersey at two family services and community centers. He and his wife, Margo, live in Elmer, N.J.
Olivia Marie Hatfield was born to Josh and Jennifer Hatfield, on Sept. 23, 2010. Jennifer is a Union College wellness instructor.
Payne named head coach Josh and Jennifer Hatfield welcome Olivia Marie, born in September.
Raegan Joyell Howard was welcomed into her new family by her parents Preshus (Doolin) Howard, ’98, and Billy Howard.
Steve Payne, ’90, has been named Tennessee Tech’s head coach for the men’s basketball program. Prior to this appointment, Steve was the associate head coach for the Golden Eagles team. During the past year, Steve, who was named the 2011 Top Assistant Coach in the Ohio Valley Conference by FoxSports.com, headed the Golden Eagles on two Ohio Valley Conference road trips and guided the team to three wins in four games. In his nine years with the Golden Eagles, Payne has helped Tech post 149 wins and two of the program’s five 20-win seasons, hitting that mark in 200203 and again this past winter. Steve was recognized in July, 2009, as one of the Top 25 mid-major assistant basketball coaches in the nation. Steve stepped forward, taking a major role in directing the day-to-day operations of the Golden Eagle program during former head coach Mike Sutton’s recovery from Guillain-Barre` Syndrome. Prior to his arrival at Tennessee Tech, Steve was the acting head coach at Frank Phillips Junior College in Borger, Texas. He was also an associate head coach for four years under Happy Osborne at Georgetown College in Kentucky. While at Union, Steve was director of player development, which included the coaching of two NAIA All-Americans. He also coached at Knox Central High School in Barbourville, Ky.
Gina and John Rotkvich welcome Hayden Michael, born in October.
Brayden Christopher Talley was born on September 9, 2010, to Leigh (Logan) Talley, ’03, and husband, James Talley.
Leigh and James Talley welcome Braden Christopher, born in September. Preshus and Billy Howard welcome Raegan Joyell into her new family.
Piper Cheryl Roland-Shive was welcomed into her new family on December 10, 2010, by her parents Marc Roland, ’88, and Scott Shive. Hayden Michael Rotkvich was born on October 13, 2010, to Dr. Regina (Liford) Rotkvich, ’01, and husband, John Rotkvich.
Marc Roland and Scott Shive welcome Piper Cheryl into her new family. UNIONALUMNI • 31
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’80
’00
Malena Logan Jones, ’82, is now retired from 27 years in education and is living in Mountain City, Tenn., with her husband, Dr. Stephen B. Jones. The Joneses enjoy outdoor activities in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Barter Theatre in Abbingdon, Va.
Leigh Logan Talley, ’03, is a therapist for a home health agency in Louisville, Ky. She and her husband, James, a second-grade teacher, have welcomed a new son, Brayden Christopher. The family lives in Louisville.
Kelly Combs, ’88, has taken a new position as a full-time missionary with Athletes in Action. Kelly is a basketball specialist using basketball as a platform to share the teachings of Jesus Christ in an international forum.
I n M emoriam
Keep Your Union Family
“In the Know”
Steven Rogers, ’05, accepted a position with
Alumni
William Stewart, ’38 November 24, 2010
Gloria (Dezarn) Lowe, ’79 September 11, 2010
Robert F. Tatro, ’70 August 4, 2010
John Lunsford, ’50 November 14, 2010
Ernest Taylor, ’40 October 1, 2010
Homer Masingil, ’62 November 12, 2010
Janice (Turner) Westbrook, ’56 November 14, 2010
David Mills Sr., ’67 December 30, 2010
David Gardner Whiteman, ’65 June 11, 2009
Gary Duane Mills, ’72 February 13, 2011
Ken Wolfersberger, ’68 October 26, 2010
Amme (Whitfield) Morgan, ’73 December 28, 2010
Faculty & Staff
Rickey Pack Sr., ’73 November 25, 2010
Dr. Peter Aberger January 3, 2011
David Passamonte, ’56 December 30, 2010
Rev. Dr. Donald W. Durham March 12, 2011
Susie Ana Parker, ’41 March 17, 2011
Dr. Joseph Ralston Henderson December 18, 2010
Oma (Thompson) Greene, ’52 December 23, 2010
Betty Pope, NG October 23, 2010
Dr. James Ingleheart November 7, 2010
Richard Lee Hagy, ’75 March 17, 2011
Earnie B Prewitt, ’55 December 23, 2010
Professor John Jones February 18, 2011
Marquetta Louise Hoskins, ’92 April 1, 2009
Edith (Hubbard) Reid, ’60 July 12, 2010
Charles Rolland Bartle, ’37 February 13, 2011
Bob D. Buchanan, ’58 March 19, 2011
e-mail: alumni@unionky.edu
Sherroid “Sherry” Darlene Cornett, ’79 January 19, 2011 Elijah Avery Daffron, ’01 September 5, 2010 Lillian B. Davis, ’54 February 20, 2011
phone: Melissa Newman 606-546-1226
Lynne (Johnson) Davis, ’71 December 31, 2010
NEW Classnotes Deadlines:
Clifford “Bill” Evans Jr., ’75 March 12, 2010
C orrection Tom Buddenhagen, ’71, should have been listed in the Tower Club in the Honor Roll of Donors for fiscal year 200910. We apologize for this error. 32 • UNIONALUMNI
Daniel Vickers, ’09, married Rebekah (Love) Vickers on July 31, 2010.
Sarah (Wilson) Lawson, ’40 January 18, 2011
Web: unionky.edu/Alumni/ AlumUpdate.asp
Dec. 31, 2011 for the spring-summer 2012 issue
M arriage
Doris Safriet, ’63 October 7, 2010
Alice (Blakeman) Brooks, ’38 November 7, 2010
June 30, 2011 for the fall-winter 2011 issue
Jason Reeves, ’06 MA, ’08 RI, earned an Ed.D. in educational leadership and policy analysis from
the University of the Cumberlands. Jason was also inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society and served as a student representative for the Southern Association of Colleges review team.
Ruby Kirby, ’60 July 19, 2010
W. Arvil Allen, ’50 September 16, 2010
Contact Alumni Relations
mail: Alumni Relations Union College 310 College St. Box D-7 Barbourville, KY 40906
the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission in Columbia, S.C. He is an interpretive park ranger at Saluda Sholas Park, which is a park designed to promote environmental education and outdoor recreation opportunities for the citizens of Columbia.
Raymond “Ray” Ernest Giron Jr., ’64 February 11, 2011
We’re about to uncover something.
A
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But first, you should know a few things. Four Union College presidents ago, in a ceremony on the front lawn of campus, folks gathered to witness the burial of a time capsule. It was decided that the capsule would remain untouched for 50 years. That was 49 years ago. Eugene “Jody” Branstutter was there. He stood outside Centennial Hall, along with President Mahlon Miller and guests, and watched as dirt covered the vault for its first of many underground days. Now, with the scheduled exhumation drawing near, we’re leaning on Jody to tell us exactly where to start digging. As assistant superintendent of buildings and grounds, it was his business to know. And even though he is 82 and has been retired for over 20 years, his memory still serves him—and us—quite well. “I’m going to mark where the capsule is,” Jody said as he faced College Street from Centennial Hall and hammered a stake into the ground beside Legacy Walk. “It’s about four feet from here.” He pointed at the stake and then motioned toward Speed Hall. This means the vault is probably lined up with the sign that identifies Centennial Hall, a structure that Jody refers to as simply the Classroom Building. When Jody first came to work at Union in 1946, the Classroom Building was one of only four structures on campus. The president’s office was there, and students met for chapel services there, too. And, of course, that’s where classes were held for the 50 or so students who attended. The day he came to mark the spot on the front lawn, Jody brought along with his hammer and stake a hand-written note he composed to document how campus has grown since he first met her. He has seen buildings go up as well as come down; he has seen structural renovations and the expansion of both our property lines and our enrollment. Jody has watched the evolution of Union College and continues to look at her with awe and pride. When we break out the shovels in 2012 to uncover some fragments of Union’s past, we hope Jody will accept our invitation to once again stand in front of the Classroom Building as we celebrate an era of growth and progress. He has, after all, been instrumental in preserving and revealing it. UNIONALUMNI • 33
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UNION COLLEGE
2011