Concord University Magazine Spring 2021 by Concord University

Magazine Spring 2021

FALL 2020 COMMENCEMENT PATRICIA SPARKS SCHOLARSHIP BECKLEY-RALEIGH COUNTY FOUNDATION DINNER

From The President As we continue to move through a pandemic that we all thought would be behind us by now, I am incredibly grateful for where Concord University is standing one year later. Our faculty, staff, and students rose to every challenge, adjusting how they operated to continue moving forward. Because of this dedication, our institution not only persevered; it has recognized opportunities for growth. To meet the ever-changing demands of our region and beyond, we are working to expand Concord’s curricular offerings to better prepare our graduates for additional career opportunities. We’ve developed accelerated three-year BS programs for health pre-professional medical majors, redesigned our communications major to include new courses to prepare students for diverse multimedia job opportunities, and are further exploring expansion into allied health programs, currently some of the fastest growing careers nationwide. Our MBA program is entering its final phase of approval on the national level, so we are hopeful that this master’s degree will be available in the coming year. Change is on the horizon, and we are looking towards it with anticipation. This has been a difficult year in many respects, but the resilience of the Concord University family is timeless. For nearly 150 years, this institution has overcome many obstacles to maintain its mission of service to this region, and it will continue to do so in the years to come. Thank you for being an integral part of that tradition. Sincerely,

Kendra S. Boggess, Ph.D. President

CONTENTS

President Dr. Kendra Boggess Vice President for Advancement Alicia Besenyei

IN THIS ISSUE

Chair, Concord University Foundation, Inc. Jack White ‘61 MAGAZINE STAFF: Director of Communications Amy Pitzer Staff Writer Sarah M. Pritchett Creative Services Manager Jacob Carden '18 Contributing Editors Sarah L. Turner '98 Blake Farmer '17

49 55

Andy Rollyson ‘05

Benjamin Hatfield ‘07 Megan Root ‘07

FEATURES

EVERY ISSUE

Fall 2020 Commencement

University News

Lt. Crook Memorial Scholarship

Alumni Happenings

Pathways Scholarship

Alumni Spotlight

Patricia Sparks Scholarship

60 Athletics

MOVED RECENTLY? NEED TO UPDATE YOUR INFO?

Beckley-Raleigh Co. Foundation Dinner

Class Notes

Fill out the Alumni Contact Information Update form under the Alumni tab! concord.edu/advancement

In Memory

Peace Pole Unity March

SUBMISSIONS: Please contact Amy Pitzer at 304-384-5211 or pitzer@concord.edu

ON THE COVER:

Spring arrives on “The Campus Beautiful.”

The Concord University Magazine is published by the Concord University Advancement Office. A portion of the cost is underwritten by the Concord University Foundation, Inc.

Email: advancement@concord.edu Mail:

Office of Advancement PO Box 1000 Athens, WV 24712-1000

Phone: 304.384.6311 Fax: 304.384.6017

UniversityNews Chemistry Awarded Equipment Grant

Concord University’s new microwave synthesis reactor is being utilized for laboratory teaching and research.

The chemistry program at Concord University has been awarded a $20,000 grant from West Virginia Science and Research. The funding was used to acquire and install a microwave synthesis reactor. This instrument allows students to accelerate chemical reactions using microwaves. “The newly acquired microwave synthesizer will be used extensively for laboratory teaching and research in introductory through upper-level chemistry courses,” stated Dr. Rodney Tigaa, Assistant Professor of Chemistry. “For example, laboratory experiments involving chemical reactions that will typically take hours to occur can now be accomplished with the instrument in just a few seconds to minutes. This will allow ample time for students and faculty to focus on the reaction mechanisms and key concepts involved in the experiments, as well as problemsolving,” he said. “The instrument will enhance the laboratory experiences and education of CU students by providing them with opportunities to conduct microwave chemistry research and gain knowledge/skills that will be beneficial for technical careers,” Dr. Tigaa said. “This could lead to the recruitment of more CU students to STEM graduate programs.” Dr. Tigaa served as the lead investigator and author of the grant proposal in collaboration with Drs. Alexander Rupprecht, Hong Yin, and Darrell Crick. The chemistry program at Concord University is housed in the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences and prepares students for careers in science, health, and pharmacy.

For additional information on the chemistry program, please click here.

PHOTO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES We appreciate the photographs you share with us for possible inclusion in Concord’s magazine. To help us provide quality reproduction of photographs, we are offering the following guidelines for your information. Photographs need to be at least 300 dpi. Image file size needs to be at least 1mb per photo. Photos should be in jpeg format and taken with a camera and not a cellphone.

If you have questions about guidelines, please contact the Office of Advancement at jcarden@concord.edu or 304-384-5258. Thank you!

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

Class Projects Benefit Gap Fund and Campus Food Pantry

Collection boxes for food pantry donations

Students in the online Organizational Communication class at Concord University completed projects during the fall semester that are benefiting other CU students. One group of students organized a food drive for the on-campus food pantry while another group held a fundraiser for the university’s Gap Fund. The activities were part of a class project completed within the course in order to practice skills of group socialization, team decisionmaking, leadership, and conflict/crisis management. “The project is designed to do good for a local cause while giving students hands-on experience in organizational communication techniques,” stated Dr. Cory Williams, Professor of Communication Arts and instructor of the course. Projects were completed before Thanksgiving and the results were presented on Dec. 3 to the class via Zoom. Students wrote an essay about their experiences working with the project as their final exam. “For an online class in the middle of the pandemic, I have been very impressed with the results this class has achieved,” Dr. Williams said. “They have helped a lot of people with their hard work, and in the process I hope they learned about virtual communication.” CU student Megan Phelps served

as the organizational leader for the food drive. She reports that her group’s efforts resulted in “780 – 1,000 individual donations such as canned goods, nonperishable food, and personal hygiene products” being collected through campus and community donations. Collection boxes were set up in the residence halls, the Student Center, the Administration Building and the Rahall Technology Center, she says. Boxes were also placed in several locations in the Athens/Princeton area. “Our priority for this fundraiser was to raise as many donations as possible in the least amount of time,” Megan explained. “We officially began our project on Nov. 1 and ended it on Nov. 20.” When considering the various aspects of working on the project, Megan explains that “the successful outcome” is a highlight for her. Concord’s Academic Success Center established the food pantry in the fall of 2016 after researching college student food insecurity and finding it to be a growing problem on campuses across the country. The purpose of Concord’s food pantry is to assist CU students who may not always have the resources to buy food or other essential items. It is located in the Rahall Technology Center and is currently operated by the Office of

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

Veteran Services. Each year, a food drive competition among student groups at Homecoming helps in a major way to restock the pantry. Dr. George Williams, CU’s veterans advocate, said he appreciates the students in the Organizational Communication class and their “amazing job at collecting donations.” “With Homecoming events canceled, we were concerned that we wouldn’t have sufficient donations, as the pantry is as important in these difficult times as it has ever been,” he said. “However, thanks to the hard work of this group we are in really good shape. I’ve been working for three straight days sorting and storing the massive inventory.” The Gap Fund project was successful as well. Trevor Darago served as director for this fundraiser. He explains that his group raised money for their project by hosting two virtual trivia nights via Zoom. “Sports Trivia” took place on Nov. 9 and “Throwback Trivia” was hosted on Nov. 16. “Along with these events, we set up a promotional table in the Student Center where we took up cash donations,” he said. The Gap Fund provides small grants to undergraduate students at Concord who have high unmet financial need or who find themselves in a financial situation that may lead to their dropping out of college. “Concord’s motto is ‘Come to Learn. Go to Serve.’” stated Dr. Sarah Beasley, Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students. “These students clearly have taken this to heart as they raised much needed funds for our Gap Fund to support their peers who encounter financial emergencies. We are so grateful for their initiative and generosity.” In addition to helping his fellow CU students and developing skills through the class, Trevor said he learned a valuable lesson in the process. “In this time of disconnect »

UNIVERSITY NEWS

and stress, I truly learned how important connection and socialization is. Connection is not an asset, it is a necessity,” he said. Trevor also appreciates the positive experience he shared with his classmates. “I enjoyed guiding a group of people who were so willing to work together,” he said. “We not only learned the content, but we created a positive and welcoming environment to learn in.”

Donations in the food pantry.

Tradition of Outstanding Educator Preparation Continues The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation announced that Concord University’s Educator Preparation Program earned full accreditation for seven more years. “We are so proud of our students and our programs. We know that amazing educators graduate from Concord and go on to do incredible work with children and families in southern West Virginia and beyond. This accreditation ruling means that our national accrediting body agrees,” said Dr. Andrea Campbell, Director of Teacher Education at Concord University. Many individuals are a part of, and benefit from, Concord University’s Educator Preparation Program maintaining national accreditation status. Within the past year, Concord University recommended professional teacher or administrative licensure for 48 individuals. The vast majority of these graduates are already employed by local school districts as elementary, secondary, or special education teachers and some are serving as principals, reading specialists, or county level administrators. Concord University was founded upon teacher preparation and looks forward to continuation of service within the education community. “There has never been a more challenging time to be an educator, however, time and time again we see and hear what incredible things our alumni have been able to do for their students, communities, and families. We cannot take credit for their amazing work, but to know we had a

Education students assemble a bulletin board.

small part of establishing their professional foundation is extremely rewarding,” Dr. Campbell said. Concord University’s Educator Preparation program continues to offer educator preparation for aspiring Elementary, English, Music, Science, Social Studies, Special Education, and Wellness (PE/Health) teachers, as well as administrators and reading specialists. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in other content areas that are interested in becoming a teacher may be eligible for the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program to obtain a teaching license.

For more information about Concord University and its Education programs, click here.

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

Collegiate Recovery Program Offers Peer Recovery Support Services

Brandon Whitehouse

Concord University is one of seven higher education institutions that make up the West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network. The Network is an innovative partnership, offering peer recovery support services on the campuses of these schools, helping students who identify as being in recovery build a support network and recovery community. This project is supported by federal State Opioid Response funding, which originates from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Brandon Whitehouse is the Collegiate Recovery Coach at Concord. “I am a person in long-term recovery with four years of sobriety. I am a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist with the state of West Virginia. I have been working with peers in recovery for over 10 years and have battled with addictive behaviors all my life. I have the experience of being a college student and falling prey to my addictions and unfortunately was forced to drop out due to my addiction and lack of

support,” he said. “I am here to help students that identify as being a person in recovery build a recovery community, find a support system and provide peer to peer services,” he said. “I will advocate for students in recovery and provide resources to any student at Concord. I am here to break the stigma for people in recovery with education, training and workshops.” A Collegiate Recovery Community offers support to students who are in recovery from any kind of addiction and/or mental illness, including but not limited to, substance use, eating disorders, sex addiction, or depression. This community will assist in each individual’s unique recovery, encouraging autonomy, providing support, increasing academic success, and offering a safe space on campus to process, grow and reflect. During the spring semester, Concord’s Collegiate Recovery Program, along with the Collegiate Peer Recovery Network, hosted a number of informational/educational

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

events on campus. They partnered with agencies such as Community Connections, Southern Highlands Community Mental Health, Jobs for Hope and Ascension Recovery Services to bring a variety of resources, assistance programs and educational information to students, faculty and staff. Events were held in the Ground Floor Lobby of the Student Center and offered awareness, action and training information on topics such as Harm Reduction, Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Nutrition/ Wellness and Stigma Free Day National Collegiate Recovery Day was observed on April 15 with an informational fair at the gazebo outside of the Student Center. For more information contact Brandon Whitehouse at: bwhitehouse@concord.edu or 304-800-6118. Information is also available on Facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/CRNWV and https://www.facebook.com/ CollegiateRecovers and on Concord’s website here.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Concord Charlie Makes Prediction Pandemic Style CU Groundhog Roots for an Early Spring Although Concord’s Groundhog Day Breakfast wasn’t held this year due to the pandemic, Concord Charlie was determined that his tradition of calling the forecast would continue. When it came time for CU’s infamous weather prognosticator and President Kendra Boggess to have their annual discussion about the weather, the two Concordians took to Zoom. Dr. Boggess then announced Charlie’s prediction in a video message that went live on Groundhog Day (Feb. 2) and was shared across social media. The news media picked up the announcement distributed by Concord’s PR department and Charlie made the airwaves and headlines locally, across the region, and even as far away as Tennessee! So what did this determined little groundhog have to say about the length of winter on “The Campus Beautiful”? As he didn’t see his shadow the morning of Feb. 2, he predicted an early spring! According to Groundhog Day lore, if the groundhog sees his shadow the morning of Feb. 2, six more weeks of winter can be expected. An early spring will be on the way if he doesn’t see his shadow. “Charlie and I talked as we always do, but this time we spoke over Zoom,” Dr. Boggess reported in the video. “We hadn’t had a substantial snow storm and couldn’t remember the last time we had a large get-together. While he likes to stay hidden, Charlie knows most of the Concord University family are ready to be together again. “Charlie can’t make pandemic predictions, but he did say that we can look forward to an early spring this year and when the weather breaks and we feel safe being together again,

I hope to see you all on campus for future events.” The Concord Charlie tradition was originated in 1978 by the late Professor R.T. “Tom” Hill. As chairman of both the geography department and the Appalachian Studies program at Concord, Hill started the Groundhog Day Breakfast as a means to celebrate a bit of Appalachian heritage and highlight the program. Like Concord Charlie, Dr. Boggess was eager to keep the tradition going. “Traditionally, we would all be gathered on campus, enjoying one another’s company and a huge breakfast,” she said in her message. “Like most events post-Covid-19, virtual is our only option. I can hardly wait till next year, but until then, some traditions must be upheld. Concord

Charlie is one of them.” ‘“The Campus Beautiful’ has endured many changes in the four decades since this breakfast started. We will continue to change, to grow and to serve the community that depends on this institution, but we will always remain rooted in our traditions. We can only move forward if we stay mindful of where we began,” she said.

The President’s report on her conversation with Concord Charlie may be viewed here.

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

Founders Day Recognition Goes to Employees for ‘Excellence’ during Pandemic President Kendra Boggess awarded her annual Presidential Excellence Award to every employee of Concord University this year, a departure from tradition that the president felt was necessary. The decision was made in response to the overwhelming determination, flexibility, and devotion to duty exhibited through the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, the awards are given in conjunction with Concord University’s Founders Day, celebrated each year on Feb. 28. As the university remembers the pioneer spirit that founded the institution, the president recognizes employees that exhibit qualities similar to Concord’s founders – persistence, dedication, and a willingness to go above and beyond what is required for the betterment of the school and its mission. After the tireless efforts exhibited

by so many staff and faculty throughout the pandemic, President Boggess felt there was no way to narrow down recipients. “The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the university to continuously make adjustments to how we operate so that our students, faculty, and staff are able to work while remaining safe,” stated President Boggess. “Without the contribution of every department and employee, we would not have been successful, and I cannot express my appreciation enough.” One plaque to commemorate the award is being placed alongside past winners in the Joseph F. Marsh Library, and the name of each employee was part of a display in the case located outside of the dining hall in the Student Center. As a more personal token of her appreciation, Dr. Boggess also treated

This year’s Presidential Excellence Award honors all Concord employees.

all Concord faculty, staff and auxiliary staff members to a grande cup of their favorite Starbucks beverage from the campus location.

Faculty and Staff Receive COVID-19 Vaccine Faculty and staff of higher education institutions in the state have had the opportunity to receive vaccines for COVID-19 as part of the West Virginia COVID-19 Vaccination Program. Employees of the state’s colleges and universities have been included in Phase 1-D of the program. Concord faculty, staff, administrators and auxiliary staff were given the opportunity to be vaccinated as part of Phase 1-D. Concord is not requiring employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Sarah Beasley, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, reports that as of late March 2021 “just over 275 people” had received the vaccine at Concord. She says that the campus vaccination program started at the end of December 2020 and was set to be completed on April 22, 2021. The last round of the first doses was completed on March 25, 2021, she says. Dr. Beasley had the monumental task of coordinating Concord’s receipt and distribution of the vaccine. “We feel so fortunate that we’ve been able to provide the vaccine on campus to make campus safe,” she said. “We’re one step closer to returning to some type of normalcy.” CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

Dr. Beasley acknowledged the efforts of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission in working to see that higher education employees were included in Phase I. Initially, the state did not provide for students at colleges and universities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. One exception, according to Dr. Beasley, was for health sciences students involved in clinical rotations and this included athletic training students at Concord. Now, however, with the vaccine being made available to the student population, Concord opened up several vaccination events to students. Dr. Beasley said that Concord students are being encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, but that being vaccinated is not a requirement. Along with inviting students to on-campus events, she said the University is also making students aware of community vaccination events. The vaccines were administered in the Student Center Ballroom. Along with Dr. Beasley, other Concord personnel involved in the program were Dr. David Campbell, Director of Medical Services, and members of the Student Health Center Staff including Ruthie Rhodes, Physician’s Assistant; Jennifer Stull, RN; and Amanda Cecil, LPN.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Dr. Boggess Addresses Students for International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month Department of Business Recognizes President’s ‘leadership and commitment’

Dr. Susan Robinett, Chair of the Department of Business, left, presents Concord University President Kendra Boggess with a plaque in recognition of her “leadership and commitment” to the institution.

President Kendra Boggess spoke to a group of students in March about her experiences as a first-generation college student and the various stops on her career path. Her presentation, The Journey to Success and Leadership: No GPS Can Chart the Course, was held in observance of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. Concord’s Department of Business and the University’s Diversity Council collaborated to host the event which was held the morning of March 4. Dr. Boggess offered her remarks via Zoom and in-person to students assembled in a socially-distanced classroom in the Rahall Technology Center. “Everybody has a journey,” Dr. Boggess said as she began her talk. She said her decisions regarding her education and professional moves were based on “faith, family, country, and the world in which I was growing up.” Dr. Boggess encouraged the students to pursue their dreams. “Do something you love doing,” she said. “Surround yourself with people you like being around.” She recalled that as a young woman, she was told her career options were basically limited to being a secretary, nurse or teacher. In her particular situation, she was expected to work in the family business – a small butcher shop that grew into a very successful large gourmet food market. Her earliest jobs, she said, included popping corn in a movie theatre, selling handbags and hosiery at a retail store and assisting her family in their business. Along with learning that these jobs weren’t for her in the long-term, Dr. Boggess said they also showed her the value of work. “No matter what job you have…you are learning about being on time…you are learning about a work ethic,” she told the students. “Working hard is valuable. Work…It gives

you purpose!” Kendra Boggess admitted to the students in the audience that a college degree wasn’t initially in her plans. Neither of her parents had attended college, and she says she didn’t receive much encouragement at school to further her education. While she was a member of the National Honor Society in high school and considered herself “bright”, and someone who “loved learning…especially loved reading”, she recalls, “I didn’t want to go to college.” Her mother, however, insisted otherwise, and told her, “You’re getting a degree. You’re going to go to college, period!” She started her educational journey at a local community college in Florida where she and her family lived. After earning an associate degree, she attended the University of Florida in Gainesville for her bachelor’s degree. “I finished with a business education degree,” she said. She would go on to earn a master’s degree and her doctorate from Virginia Tech. Her marriage to architect Ted Boggess brought her to West Virginia. The future university president began her career at Concord when she was invited to teach a business class. She accepted the offer and discovered that she enjoyed the college classroom setting and interacting with students. “I loved teaching that class! This is really fun!” she remembered thinking. With this step, she began her more than three decades long association with Concord and her progression through the academic and administrative ranks. As a member of Concord’s faculty, she went on to serve as Faculty President and as the Chair of the Division of Business for 13 years, and then advanced to the Associate Dean position. From there, she was tapped to be the Interim Vice President and Academic Dean, Interim President and eventually President of the University, an appointment that she accepted in 2014. Dr. Boggess explained that what she enjoys most about being President of Concord University is her involvement with students. “You guys are the best part of this place,” she said. Dr. Susan Williams, Director of the Beckley Campus and Professor of Marketing, introduced Dr. Boggess at the beginning of the symposium. At the conclusion, Dr. Susan Robinett, Chair of the Department of Business and Professor of Business, presented Dr. Boggess with a plaque of appreciation on behalf of the Department for her “leadership and commitment to the Concord University community” and in “honor of International Women’s Day 2021.” SPRING 2021 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Celebrating Black History Month: Former BOG Chairperson Elliot Hicks Keynotes Event

Elliot Hicks

Former Concord University Board of Governors Chairperson Elliot Hicks was the featured speaker for an on-campus Black History Month event the afternoon of Feb. 4. Mr. Hicks is a West Virginia attorney and business owner. His presentation took place in the main auditorium of the Fine Arts Center and was livestreamed via YouTube. President Kendra Boggess offered welcoming remarks and introduced

the speaker. She described Mr. Hicks as “an esteemed member of the Concord family” and “a scholar, a leader, and a very good friend to our campus”. She then introduced Dr. Michael Bean, Concord’s Director of Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion. “I’ve had a great opportunity to get to know attorney Hicks over the past three months and we have had some great conversations and not only has he helped me in my profession, but he has helped me educationally as well,” Dr. Bean said to further introduce the speaker. In his presentation, Mr. Hicks spoke about his own personal and professional journey. He said he set his sights on law school in the 9th grade, inspired to take this path by renowned lawyers and civil rights

leaders Thurgood Marshall and Charles Hamilton Houston, and a fellow Charleston resident and attorney, who he describes as “a person who had done a lot for civil rights in West Virginia and in Charleston.” He said their contributions “made me want to be a lawyer”. “To see that you could do good and do well was awfully important to me in making that decision,” he explained. “I saw that there are things that you can do by the things that you know, by the people that you’ve become acquainted with to really help your community. And that’s what I wanted to get into the practice of law for, to try to help my community, to try to make things better.” Mr. Hicks also spoke about West Virginians and their experiences with diversity. “There aren’t

many people of color who have grown up in West Virginia with the small population of minorities that we have,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that people here don’t get to understand exactly what diversity is.” “One of the things that I’ve applauded Concord for is doing the hard work to introduce diversity here,” he said. He commended the University’s leadership in bringing international students to campus and the area. With people from other countries here, he said, groups can “interact and learn from each other”.

Mr. Hicks’ entire presentation is archived and may be viewed on YouTube here:

Keeping Up With Concord Social media has allowed people to keep in touch with individuals, groups and activities all across the globe and Concord is using some of these tools to keep its alumni connected to the University and each other. You can keep up with Concord through any (or all!) of the following outlets:

Facebook: Concord University Alumni Association, Inc. and Concord University Twitter: @CampusBeautiful and @ConcordUAlumni

LinkedIn: Official Concord University page and the Official Concord University Alumni group CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

Snapchat: ConcordU1872

Instagram: ConcordUAlumni

We hope you will take advantage of each of these sites as a quick and easy way to keep up with Concord!

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Concord Honored Among the Best Statewide and Nationally Concord continues to add to a growing list of recognitions. Online offerings, health promotion on the graduate level, and programming in fine arts and education are all spotlighted in recent accolades received by the University. Concord has been honored among West Virginia schools and on a national level.

Master of Education Program Honored by U.S. News & World Report

Concord University’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) program has been named in the 2021 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings. Concord is tied at 144 among the 317 programs listed in the Best Online Master’s in Education Programs. Of the three West Virginia institutions appearing in this category, Concord has the second highest ranking. “Our Master of Education program

is made up of outstanding students, faculty, and staff,” said Dr. Andrea Campbell, Director of Teacher Education at Concord University. “Concord graduate students meet rigorous admission criteria and continue to perform high academically while holding full-time positions within public schools. Concord faculty are experienced, knowledgeable, and caring while our staff go above and beyond day in and day out to help

our students succeed. It is because of these factors that our program stands out as one of the best.” Institutions were ranked by U.S. News & World Report based on engagement (30 percent), expert opinion (20 percent), faculty credentials and training (20 percent), services and technologies (20 percent), and student excellence (10 percent).

The Master of Arts in Health Promotion program at Concord University has been recognized among the best programs in the nation by Intelligent.com. Concord is ranked #3 by the online resource on its list of the Top 40 Master’s in Health Education Degree Programs for 2021. Additionally, CU has been named the “Best Online Program” among the honorees and is the only West Virginia college or university to be recognized. For the rankings, Intelligent.com assessed 173 accredited colleges and universities across the United States with the best 40 making it to the top picks list. The programs selected for this honor have each been evaluated on factors such as course strength, flexibility, faculty, reputation and cost. “Our top picks for the best Master’s in Health Education Degree program are affordable, respected, and flexible,” states Intelligent.com Concord has also received high marks among West Virginia schools in PLEXUSS 2021 Global Rankings. The report recognizes Concord among the

state’s best schools in several areas of undergraduate programming. These rankings include # 2 Best in West Virginia Offering Fine Arts Programs; # 3 Best in West Virginia Offering Elementary Education Programs; and # 3 Best in West Virginia Offering Secondary Education Programs. Additionally, Concord is ranked #34 out of 68 schools in the nation on the PLEXUSS Best Secondary Education Schools list. These rankings

are for undergraduate 4-year colleges and universities offering a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. PLEXUSS says that these rankings are based on data from the Department of Education and from “reputable ranking sources”. “We looked at key factors such as graduation rates, admissions yield, program popularity, and student retention rate,” their website states.

Master of Arts in Health Promotion Saluted by Intelligent.com

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

Concord Business Challenge Goes Virtual for 27th Competition Princeton Senior High School Wins First Place Overall

The Concord University Department of Business hosted the 27th Concord Business Challenge (CBC) virtually this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Business Challenge is designed to give high school students an opportunity to test their business knowledge base. This popular oncampus event is normally held every year in October, however the October 2020 competition was rescheduled as a virtual activity for March 2021. For this virtual event, students completed the challenge exams online at their high school. Participants competed in a variety of business academic competitions for first, second and third place individual awards including accounting, business communications, finance, economics,

computer applications, hospitality, management, marketing, and business math. In addition, all participants competed to earn either a $4,000 or $1,000 scholarship. The 12 scholarship winners were selected based on their Business Challenge scholarship examination performance. The two students scoring the highest on the exam qualified for up to a $4,000 scholarship, to be awarded over eight semesters, when they enroll full-time at Concord University. The remaining 10 scholarship winners will each receive a $1,000 non-renewable scholarship when they enroll full-time at Concord University. Each scholarship winner must meet admissions criteria established by the University for entering freshmen. The Admissions Office will be the primary administrator of the awards. More than 100 West Virginia juniors and seniors representing seven schools from across the region were registered to compete. Participating schools include: Bluefield High School, Fayette Institute of Technology, Independence High School, Monroe County Technical

Center, Nicholas County High School, Pendleton County High School, and Princeton Senior High School. Overall winners are First Place, Princeton Senior High School; Second Place, Pendleton County High School; and Third Place, Independence High School. Winners were announced during a virtual awards ceremony held the morning of Thursday, April 1, 2021 emceed by Dr. Susan Robinett, Chair of the Department of Business, with faculty announcing the challenge winners. In addition, Dr. Kendra Boggess, President, and Mr. William Allen, VP of Enrollment Management, also addressed the participants. The ceremony was broadcast live via Facebook and livestreamed on the Concord YouTube channel.

To view an archived copy of the awards ceremony click here. To see a list of the scholarship recipients and the individual winners in the challenge exam competition please click here.

Stay informed about happenings at CU! Complete the Contact Information Update online at: apps.concord.edu/forms/view.php?id=22384

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

Concord Student Among Finalists for WV Collegiate Business Plan Competition Concord University junior Briana Parsons and her teammate Reggie McIver, a freshman at Marshall University, were finalists in the West Virginia Collegiate Business Plan Competition. Their team was one of ten teams that advanced to the final round, with nearly 100 entries entering the competition. They competed with their business Retro Rollers that features a multi-rink skating rink and instructors to help those who wish to learn the sport of roller skating. Parsons is a native of Charleston, WV. She is majoring in biology and

sociology. Also a Charleston native, McIver is majoring in business marketing. “We are all so proud of this team and how well they have worked together across disciplines and

universities,” stated Dr. Angela Addair, Director of Entrepreneurial Studies at Concord University. “It’s always an exciting time.” Finals for the competition were held virtually on April 16, 2021.

Concord Esports Wins Call of Duty Tourney Championship

Members of the championship team from left to right are Andrew Thompson, Zachary Roney, Jamie Nickell, and Chase Daffron. Not pictured is Niko Thibeault.

Concord Esports captured a major win during the fall Call of Duty competitive season. CU’s Call of Duty Maroon Team took first place in the Tespa Fall Collegiate Cold War 4v4 tournament. The victory earned the team a total

of $7,500 which will be split between five players. Players on the championship team are Captain Jamie “Megatron” Nickell, a junior from Lewisburg, W.Va.; Bennett “ReDChase” Daffron,

a sophomore from McKenzie, Tenn.; Andrew “Crooked” Thompson, a junior from Prince George, Va.; Zachary “Trauma” Roney, a sophomore from Virginia Beach, Va.; and Niko “Paralyxsis” Thibeault, a sophomore

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from Waterford, Conn. CU Esports Head Coach Austin Clay reports that Concord dropped only three maps in total during the tournament with a final score of 3-1. “Thanks to our sponsor HyperX for helping to supply us with great headsets that helped us take this win,” he said.

Since beginning competition in the fall of 2019, Concord Esports has made a mark as a powerhouse in national collegiate play. Concord University holds the distinction of being the first public college or university in West Virginia to offer varsity esports to its students. For additional information about

esports at Concord University, please visit www.concord.edu and click on Student Life, then Esports.

Click here to visit the Concord Esports page!

Mass Communication Revamps Program: Telling Stories in a Digital Age By Cory Williams, Chair of the Department of Mass Communication Concord University is always in a state of change, but perhaps no program has changed more over the past five years than Communication. We have expanded and then condensed our emphases, retooled courses to focus on an ever-changing communication landscape, streamlined our Theatre program, made tough decisions about core curriculum, and changed our name to the Department of Mass Communication. This process culminated into a full-fledged degree overhaul this past August when Provost Edward Huffstetler brought together a group of faculty and staff from across campus to take the Communication Program fully into the new digital age. We are proud to announce two new degree opportunities for students: the on-campus major in Multimedia Communication and the online major in Digital Professional Communication. As Dr. Huffstetler noted, “The program revisions that resulted in the new Multimedia Production major and the new Digital Professional Communication major were the culmination of many months of work on the part of a group of interdisciplinary faculty representing Communication Studies, English, Journalism, Radio and TV Broadcasting, Graphic Design, and Marketing.” With such a diverse group, Dr. Huffstetler stated, “I was impressed with the genial collaboration on the part of this interdisciplinary group of faculty who were able to set aside proprietary issues and turf disputes in order to place their focus where it ought to be – on the students and what they will need as they enter these dynamic and everchanging fields.” The committee created a curriculum that uses the department’s current strengths in technical know-how and message creation and applies them more robustly in areas such as social media and digital presentations. The end result is that we have several strong new classes that take the principles of classic persuasion and refresh them for the modern day – Aristotle would definitely approve. »

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Concord’s Mountain Lion News Studio

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A New Kind of Broadcasting

The new major in Multimedia Communication reflects the fact that the modern communication student must do a wide variety of things very well. It is not enough to just create videos. Promotion, web design, social media messaging, and writing skills are pivotal to success in today’s communication field. With this in mind, the courses in the new programs are designed to focus on writing, marketing, digital media, and editing skills in new and innovative ways. One of the additions to the Multimedia Major was an increased focus on visual communication. Kevin Bennington, Professor in the Graphic Design program noted how, “Graphic Design is pivotal to Communication Majors because it shows how we communicate with specific styles of typography and visual elements. Adding a few graphic design courses to our Communication Degrees makes sense in today’s job market.” Photography, graphic design, and web design are all options in the updated program. Another new course is Digital Storytelling where students will learn about the narrated nature of media messaging. We all know the value of a true, well-sourced story. This class investigates how to package a story on TV, the news, online, or in other formats. Lindsey Byars, one of the members of the Degree Revision Committee, will be teaching the class this fall. “From my early career as a TV news producer to my more recent position as the Communications Liaison for Concord University – with some freelance writing tossed in for fun – I have experience with storytelling and persuasive messaging. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my diversified experience with CU students.” Social Media Production is another pivotal addition. Today’s work world requires knowledge of Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and so many other important social media platforms. Using them

iMac Classroom

New radio console in Concord’s radio station, WVCU

effectively requires reflection: What makes audiences on those platforms tick? How does a message go out effectively? What content is appropriate and noticeable? How can we maintain ethical boundaries in the modern media landscape? The Social Media class is devoted to these questions. With this course being online, it opens up a whole new group of students who could potentially take the course.

Online Opportunities

Student needs are changing and the Communication Department is changing with them. The new

online major in Digital Professional Communication is a program for the student who wants to work in the media, loves online formats, and desires skills in editing, writing, video production, and design skills. This program is perfect for someone in the workplace who would like to go back to school. It is also a great fit for the athlete whose busy travel schedule makes it difficult to find classes at a specific time, or for the commuting student who is unable to come to campus. Our goal is to prepare students for a career communicating through various online media formats. We do that in a variety of ways.

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Marketing is a huge part of the new online program. The additional courses in advertising, promotion, and sales will help students with the business side of online communication. We also added a course in Digital Presenting that teaches presentation skills specifically for formats like Zoom, Microsoft

Teams, and YouTube. This helps students create great messages while learning principles specific to online formats (e.g., mute your cough, don’t bounce on your office chair, frontlighting is important, no running ceilings fans, etc.) Of course being online requires the same commitment to quality that

our department has always had. We will continue to offer great courses in Interpersonal Communication, Intercultural Communication, Persuasion, and Communicating in Organizations. Now this content will be online to reach a wider group of students.

Academic Program Update

New Developments Offer Exciting Course of Study Options Several exciting developments in academic programs at Concord are being announced. Students will now have the option to study for a career in the increasingly popular esports industry or move through their coursework for the allied health and medical fields at a more rapid pace. Revamped programs in the Department of Mass Communication provide up-todate skills and training for the ever-changing broadcasting field and communicating in the digital age.

Three-Year Degree Programs Offered for Medical and Allied Health Pre-Professional Majors

The accelerated three-year degree pathways now available at Concord University can help students move into professional studies sooner than traditional four-year undergraduate programs. Focusing on select majors, these pathways are designed for students eager to complete their bachelor’s degrees as soon as possible in order to continue their professional studies beyond an undergraduate degree. Currently, Concord University offers these accelerated pathways in a variety of majors that may lead to further study in preparation for medical and allied health professions. Programs currently designed for an accelerated threeyear bachelor’s degree pathway at Concord University include: • • • • • • • •

Biology (Biomedical Sciences emphasis) Biology (Organismal and Field emphasis) Biology (Pre-PA or PT emphasis) Chemistry (concentrating in Biochemistry or Professional Chemistry) Chemistry (concentrating in Pre-Pharmacy or Clinical Lab Science) Environmental Geosciences (concentrating in Public Health, Society and Environment) Health Sciences (Pre-Professional Studies) Psychology (Pre-Professional track)

These programs, considered collectively, provide a substantial launching platform to many areas of postgraduate study in the medical and allied health fields. Following is a partial listing of the fields in which Concord’s three-year graduates could continue their study and eventually be credentialed: Audiology, Biomedical Research, Dental, Ecology, Environmental Science, Genetic CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

Research, Genetic Counseling, Medical Doctorate, Molecular Biology, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Orthotics, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician’s Assistant, Podiatry, Prosthetics, Public Health, Public Health Administration, Psychology, Psychological Counseling, Resource Conservation, Speech Pathology, and Veterinary Medicine.

Esports Focus of Interdisciplinary Degree

Since entering the esports arena in 2019, Concord University has become a powerhouse in this increasingly popular competitive sport with Concord Esports teams competing – and winning – on the national collegiate level. Now, esports is the focus of an interdisciplinary degree being offered by the University. “The Interdisciplinary Studies Esports program enables students to combine concentrations from either HR management or general management with other disciplines such as advertising/graphic design, multimedia production, digital communication, marketing, art, or another discipline of their choosing that will fit their future career goals,” stated Dr. Kathryn Liptak, Associate Provost and Interim Dean of the College of Professional and Liberal Studies. “The program also introduces the students to esports in general, the esports industry, and enables them to complete an internship in esports during their senior year,” she said. Dr. Liptak explains how individuals from across campus collaborated to develop this exciting program. “An interdisciplinary group of faculty and staff that included representation from Business, Sports Management, Advertising/Graphic Design, Multimedia Production, Computer Science, and Concord’s Esports coach met throughout the fall and early spring semesters to tailor the BS in Interdisciplinary Studies degree program for students who are interested in directing, producing, coaching, managing, and/or marketing esports,” she said. “By adding this interdisciplinary degree for esports, Concord is opening the idea of college to more students who may have felt college did not have something for »

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them,” stated Austin Clay, Concord Esports Head Coach. “Now students can take their love of gaming and esports to the next level and work toward a degree that will allow them to work in a field they love.” “Also, by doing this we have connected the competition side of esports with the business world which will only help improve the esports industry,” he said. While already working with students on the competitive side of esports, Clay said he is looking forward to expanding

his responsibilities. “I am excited to help these students find themselves a place within the esports industry,” he explained. “I will be helping these students in an advisor’s role and will be teaching some of the esports classes as well.” He said that adding the esports degree focus “will only improve the esports program that we already have on campus.”

Dr. Jacob Womack Performs Piano Classics for Faculty Recital

Dr. Jacob Womack, the Dr. Joseph F. Marsh Endowed Assistant Professor of Music at Concord University, presented a recital for the Concord community and general public the evening of Tuesday, March 9. The program featured popular and well-loved piano classics such as Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Chopin’s Minute Waltz, Mozart K. 545, and more. This is Womack’s second recital that highlights the most popular piano pieces in the classical and jazz repertoire. Dr. Womack is a native of Beckley and studied piano with John Yurick during middle and high school. He attended WVU and Penn State University after graduating from

Woodrow Wilson High School in 2003. Womack is also a former prize winner in the West Virginia Intersection of Jazz and Classical Piano Festival in both the jazz and classical categories, and in the Carnegie Hall First Stage competition. The live performance took place in the Alexander Fine Arts Main Auditorium on Concord’s Athens campus. There was no admission charge. The audience was asked to wear masks and seating was marked in the auditorium to promote social distancing.

To enjoy Dr. Womack’s concert, please click here:

Dr. Jacob Womack

Senior Theatre Major Directs One-Act Play War Letters

Family, love and loss are the makings of a powerful play that depict life on the home front during World War II. War Letters is a short, one-act play directed by Concord University senior Theatre major Karissa Bowden for her Capstone Project. This poignant play brings a tear to the eye and a sense of family within. It was presented on Zoom the evenings of March 12 and March 13 to the Concord community and general public at no charge. War Letters is an historical play written by J. Robert Wilkins and produced in cooperation with Pioneer Drama Service. It is the story of a grandmother, mother, and son whose

family member goes off to fight in World War II. The family left at home must deal with his six-month absence, each facing the reality of separation privately. Through correspondence and letters, the audience becomes privy to their fears, their hopes, their anticipation and ultimately their sorrow. His wife, Karen, must take charge of the household and the family for the first time in her married life. Lillian, his mother, is haunted by the memories of losing her own husband in war. His son, Mark, struggles with her bitterness regarding his father’s absence. This drama powerfully depicts not only the sacrifices made by »

Play Director Karissa Bowden as Violet Bicks in It’s a Wonderful Life.

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soldiers but also by their families. War Letters stared Lisa Coburn as the soldier’s mother Lillian, Melinda Goda as his wife Karen, and Cole Reed as his son Mark. Funding for this performance has been provided in memory of Alice Todaro by her family. Alice worked as a civilian for the U.S. Army for 20 years. Her duty stations included Guantanamo, Okinawa and Kaiserslautern, Germany. Alice’s family feels that this play is a fitting

memorial to their mother. Bowden, who is from Union in Monroe County, presented War Letters as her Capstone Project. A Capstone Project, or internship, is completed by a senior approaching graduation. It is a culmination of their studies and helps them to demonstrate their proficiency and knowledge. Karissa has been active in the Theatre and Music Departments at Concord University. She participated

in Choir as well as a number of plays including Godspell, Arsenic and Old Lace and performed as Violet Bicks in It’s a Wonderful Life. She also starred in Little Women in the role of Amy March. In addition, she is an officer in Alpha Psi Omega, the national Theatre honorary society, where she served as the Secretary and the representative to the Student Government Association. Karissa is also a member of Nu Zeta Chi sorority.

Theatre Honor Society Presents Classic Play Tartuffe

Kristen Knight, Zack Brittingham and Karissa Bowden rehearse for the play Tartuffe.

Tartuffe is a classic play by Renaissance comedic playwright, Moliere. Concord University’s chapter of the national honor fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega, performed this play about a foolish man who is duped by a religious con man. The play has been edited for modern times by Concord University senior, James Wilburn Jr., who also served as the producer and co-

director of the show. Performances were presented on Alpha Psi Omega’s YouTube and Facebook the evenings of April 1, 2 and 3. All showings were free and open to the public. Tartuffe is a comedic play, written by Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, or more commonly known as Moliere, about family connections and the power deceptions and false beliefs have over it. The father of the house has been

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charmed by a charlatan that claims to be a “man of God” while this man secretly is lusting after the father’s wife. His family and friends try to bring him out of his delusion, but that only creates a bigger rift in the family dynamic. Will he listen to his family, or shall he lose everything to his newly found beliefs? Tartuffe was directed by Concord University students James Wilburn Jr. and Cameron White. Wilburn is from Van in Boone County, and White is from Lerona in Mercer County. Wilburn produced the play to fulfill his capstone requirements for graduation. Wilburn also stared as the lead character, Tartuffe. He was joined by Ross Cline who played the role of Orgon, the fooled man and, and Sloan Young, who played Orgon’s wife, as well as other Alpha Psi Omega’s members. The show was funded by a grant from the national offices of Alpha Psi Omega. The project was filmed for streaming by White and other communication arts and media majors and set for release on Facebook and YouTube. The performance will stay posted on the YouTube channel.

Click here to view the full performance on YouTube!

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The Little Women Project Celebrates Louisa May Alcott’s Classic Novel This spring, Concord University presented The Little Women Project, a series of performances and presentations celebrating the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott. Concord faculty have collaborated on The Little Women Project to explore both the novel and the time in which it was written. It is a unique, interdisciplinary project involving several academic departments at the University. Little Women, written by Louisa May Alcott, follows the March family, consisting of four daughters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy; Marmee, their mother; and Mr. March, their father, who is currently serving as a Union chaplain in the Civil War. It is not until the girls meet Laurie, a young boy who lives next door, that they realize they’re nearing the end of their adolescence and becoming young women. This story of life’s challenges highlights true ambition and the strength of womanhood. The Little Women Project was created by Concord University Theatre instructor, Karen Vuranch, who was excited to honor the classic story in the CU community. “The Little Women books were an important part of my adolescence,” stated Vuranch. “I think they are timeless and celebrate strong, wise women.” Vuranch went on to say that the author, Louisa May Alcott, was an inspiration to her. “Alcott created a career for herself when few women were able to do that, she was a Civil War nurse and involved in the suffragette movement. We can learn so much about American history from this story,” she said. The project began on March 18 with a presentation by Concord University history instructor, Keith Lilly, discussing how the Civil War shaped the Mountain State. Then, Concord University Theatre performed the play production of Little Women on Zoom. Performances took place March 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. with a Sunday matinee, on March 28, at 2 p.m. Funding for the play performance has been provided in memory of Alice Todaro by her family. Little Women featured performances by Hannah Gates as Jo, Melinda Goda as Meg, Skyler McCallister as Beth, Karissa Bowden as Amy, Lisa Coburn as Marmee, and Lix Conrad as Hannah, the family cook. Concord senior Hannah Gates embodied the beloved author, Louisa May Alcott in a living history performance the evening of Thursday, April 8. Gates is a resident of Princeton and is a Theatre and Broadcasting major at Concord. Each senior in the program completes a Capstone project that gives them real world experiences in their major field of study. Hannah’s project had two areas of emphasis. First, she thoroughly researched the historical character Louisa May Alcott for her living history performance. Following her monologue, she answered questions in character and then she broke character to answer questions as a scholar.

Hannah Gates, a resident of Princeton, creates a living performance of Louisa May Alcott.

Cast members of Little Women shown during a Zoom rehearsal are, top row, left to right, Hannah Gates as Jo, Melinda Goda as Meg, and Skyler McCallister as Beth. Bottom row, left to right, Karissa Bowden as Amy, Lisa Coburn as Marmee, and Lix Conrad as Hannah, the family cook.

The second aspect of Gates’ Capstone was to create a short, documentary video about Louisa May Alcott, similar to a TV news story. That video piece was presented on Thursday, April 15 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. A community discussion led by CU professor, Dr. Amberyl Malkovich followed. Finally, Hannah Gates’ immersion in studying the character Louisa May Alcott has been enhanced when she starred as Jo March in the performance of the play Little Women. Dr. William Williams, Professor of Education, created lesson plans for area teachers relating to the project. Middle and high school teachers were sent lesson plans that gave the teachers information and activities to teach Civil War in West Virginia, the Suffragette Movement and Louisa May Alcott. Teachers and students were welcome to attend the Zoom performances and, in addition, plans called for recording them in the classroom. All of The Little Women Project events were open to the Concord campus community and the public free of charge and took place on Zoom. SPRING 2021 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

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Concord Celebrates 55 Years of Welcoming International Students Concord University marked its 55th year of welcoming international students to campus on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. Concord was granted permission on that date in 1965 to accept international students by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. Since the first international students arrived on “The Campus Beautiful”, Concord and the Athens community have benefitted from the cultural, social and economic contributions made by these students. “Fifty-five years ago, the administration of Concord College made the decision to create and support an inclusive, diverse and educationally rich learning environment,” said Nancy Ellison, Director of Multicultural Affairs. “Since then, hundreds of international students have called Concord home, sharing their cultures and providing international perspectives that have enriched the lives of all of us.” The Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange 2020 Fact Sheet ranks Concord fifth among West Virginia’s colleges and universities when it comes to international student enrollment. Concord’s international students come from a wide variety of places and bring with them an equally wide variety of experiences. According to data provided by Concord’s Institutional Research, 67 international students representing 27 different countries were enrolled for the Fall 2020 semester. Among the countries represented are: Argentina, Ethiopia, Finland, Ghana, Hungary, Ivory Coast, Nepal, Netherlands, Rwanda, Sweden, United Kingdom, Venezuela and Vietnam. For Fall 2019 – prior to the COVID-19 pandemic – 92 international students were enrolled at Concord from 33 countries including: Albania, Bahamas, Belgium, Cameroon, Canada, China (Hong Kong,) Dominica, Germany, Japan, Peru, Portugal,

South Africa, South Korea, Spain and Ukraine. The financial contribution made by Concord’s international students to the university’s budget is significant. According to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, this contribution, based on an analysis of the 2019-2020 academic year, totals $3 million. This places Concord sixth among the state’s institutions of higher learning when looking at benefits from international students, the report says. Concord’s international students contribute to campus and community life in a variety of ways. They are enthusiastic participants in Homecoming activities each year with representatives of the International Students Club having won the Homecoming royalty crowns on a number of occasions. The annual International Banquet is a popular event with CU students, faculty and staff, as well as the Athens and surrounding communities. International students serve as hosts for this culturally rich event, preparing dishes from their home countries and entertaining with traditional dances in costumes from their respective

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homelands. Through the years, Concord’s international students have visited local schools to share their cultures with the children. Their visits are appreciated by the students and teachers alike. “Concord is thrilled to celebrate 55 years of welcoming students from around the world to ‘The Campus Beautiful,’” stated Dr. Sarah Beasley, Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students. “Our international students continue to enrich both the campus and Athens community by sharing their cultures, stories, and experiences.” Concord’s international students have a strong track record of excelling academically, and following graduation, being successful in their careers. Zornitsa Umlenska is among the international graduates who have had the honor of being a valedictorian of their class. Zornitsa earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 2001 while maintaining a 4.0 average in her double majors of finance and accounting. She says that she has benefitted academically and »

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professionally from being introduced to the diverse backgrounds of her fellow international students while she was attending Concord. “I got to meet people from a lot of countries at Concord,” she said. “I feel that the exposure I had at Concord...gave me more international awareness.” Zornitsa has used that global perspective in furthering her education and in several of her career roles including with her current position of fraud policy manager with Bank of America. After graduating from Concord, Zornitsa went on to earn an MBA in International Business with a second specialization in Foreign Affairs from The George Washington University. She acknowledges how the support she received from Concord faculty and staff – from mentoring to scholarships – has been valuable to her. “At Concord so many people helped me,” she said. Originally from Bulgaria, Zornitsa now lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. with her husband, Alex Cockcroft, who is also an international CU alum, and their dog, Rory. Linh Pham attended Concord as an international student from Vietnam. She treasures the welcoming nature of her roommate and the fun times she shared with other international students. “One of my best experiences at CU was living in the dorm with

American students,” she said. Linh says her roommate “helped me a lot while I was at CU.” “She took me to different places and showed me a lot about American culture and heritage. My international friends always cooked something on the weekend and we usually teased my roommate and introduced her to different kinds of food. For the holidays, I went to her house and her parents were very nice and welcomed me,” she said. “Those weekends will never fade in my memories at Concord,” Linh said. “It was hard to be away from home, but at Concord, I always felt I had a second home.” “All of the professors at CU were very helpful and always were there for me,” she explained. “Without Concord, I don’t think I [would have gone] far like this in my career.” Linh received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Concord in May 2011 and has since earned a Master of Finance from Harvard University. She currently lives in Hanoi and is a founder of the Princeton English Center, a college consulting firm with 15 employees. The center helps students from Vietnam apply to attend college in the United States, offering test prep among its services. Although she is a native West

Virginian, Lauren (Lambert) Stevens joined the International Students Club when she was at Concord. “I realized that I had an affinity for other cultures...and languages,” she said. Being part of this organization offered Lauren many opportunities, but one that was especially significant was helping prepare her for her own experience of being a guest in another country. Lauren spent three years following her graduation from Concord in 2011 teaching English in China. She said that being around her international friends and classmates at Concord taught her about the “cultural fatigue” that can occur when learning to navigate new and different customs and cultures. “Everything can be different,” she said, from the language to the food. Back in southern West Virginia, Lauren has continued her association with Concord’s international students by serving, along with her husband, as host parents for students during Thanksgiving and Spring breaks. They open their home to students who aren’t going home for the breaks so they’ll have a family to be with when the residence halls close. “It’s a great experience,” Lauren said. “It’s a really great way for people in our area to learn about other cultures and make friends.”

News Briefs from the Department of Social Sciences

Dr. Jim White, Professor of Political Science, continues to serve as a faculty expert in the area of election-related issues. Since November, he has been interviewed by WVVA-TV nine times and has appeared on the station’s In Focus program.

Lobbying, Legislative Advocacy Focus of Panel Discussion The Student Government Association and the Political Science Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha, moderated the Legislative Advocacy and Lobbying Panel Discussion on Feb. 24, 2021. This event provided students with insights and suggestions for interacting with state legislators.

Three speakers appeared on the panel: Seth DiStefano, Rick Wilson, and Jason Huffman. DiStefano is the policy outreach

director at the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. Wilson has been director of the American Friends Service Committee WV Economic Justice Project since 1989 and is a contributing columnist for the Charleston Gazette-Mail. Huffman serves as the Americans for Prosperity West Virginia State Director.

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DR. BECKLEY MICHAEL DINNER BEAN

Pick a Seat. Just for You.

Sarah Lively Turner, '98 Director of Alumni & Donor Relations

To purchase seats or for more information, visit

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FALL 2020 COMMENCEMENT

Fall 2020 Class Honored During Virtual Ceremony “While we’re unable to celebrate your graduation in our typical way, your accomplishments have not been diminished in any way,” President Kendra Boggess said in her welcoming remarks for Concord’s 22nd Fall Commencement. Dr. Boggess welcomed members of CU’s Fall 2020 graduating class, along with their families and friends, to a virtual ceremony that went live on YouTube and Facebook at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12. The virtual format was used instead of having an in-person gathering due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (The ceremony is archived on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=TTK978Zh1oU.)

Click here to view the ceremony!

“You’ve accomplished this milestone under extremely challenging circumstances, and I am proud of every one of you. Today is a time to celebrate all that you’ve done and all you will continue to do as you become Concord University alumni,” Dr. Boggess said. As she spoke later in the program, the President offered words of advice and encouragement to the graduates. “It’s wise to remember that hard work and persistence are two of the most important keys to success. Those alone will take you far,” she said. “Set your mind to a goal, to a dream, to a mission, and love that mission. Believe in what you’re doing.” “Remember to pay it forward,” she continued. “Take with you the gifts of service, kindness, patience, the willingness to help others and encouragement that each of you received while here at Concord and show that to others throughout CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

your lifetime. Take with you the heart of ‘The Campus Beautiful’ and share it with others.” “We are proud of you, Mountain Lions,” she said. “We send you with the best of wishes and pray that all your dreams come true.” Jessica Lynn Davidson of Bluefield, W.Va. is the valedictorian of the Fall 2020 class. Davidson received a Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude. She majored in Studio Art. “I am beyond happy to represent those of us graduating in the rollercoaster of a year that has been 2020,” Ms. Davidson said as she began her valedictory address. She went on to contrast Concord’s traditional commencement ceremony with the virtual event for her class. “Instead of being in a sea of black flowing robes and swishing tassels, most of us are probably having the unusual experience of watching our own commencement from the comfort of our homes,” she said. Recognizing the fortitude of her classmates, Ms. Davidson said, “If I was limited to just one word to describe the Class of 2020 here at Concord University, it would be ‘resilient’.” “In just one year there have been natural disasters, intense political and social issues and of course the unwelcome visitor of a worldwide plague,” she said. » “This year has been chaos, but do not dwell on the negativity, even though it seems to be all around us,” she encouraged her classmates. “Good has come out of this year. Educators, healthcare workers and essential workers have gotten the admiration they deserve. Families were brought closer together, literally and figuratively. And, many people have gained a new level of value for the small everyday moments in the lives of people around them.”

While thanking family, friends and faculty for their support and assistance throughout the challenging year, Ms. Davidson expressed her appreciation to her classmates. “I also want to thank you, Class of 2020, for doing your part to keep everyone safe. While we did not get the standard graduation ceremony, we may have saved lives by having an alternative ceremony,” she said. As she concluded her remarks, Davidson said, “I encourage you all to toss your caps into the air from wherever you are at currently and celebrate your accomplishments thoroughly. You have earned it. Thank you and congratulations, Class of 2020!” The commencement ceremony recognized candidates for graduation from the College of Professional and Liberal Studies which includes the Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education and Master of Social Work as well as the Department of Business, Department of Mass Communication, Department of Humanities, Department of Fine Arts, Department of Education, and Department of Social Work and Sociology. Also recognized were candidates for graduation from the College of Science, Mathematics, and Health which includes the Master of Arts in Health Promotion, Department of Biology, Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, and the Department of Social Sciences. Candidates for graduation for the Regents Bachelor of Arts degree were also recognized. Among the 183 applicants for graduation in the Fall 2020 class, 44 graduate candidates and 139 undergraduate candidates meeting requirements for graduation were honored. Fifty-four individuals graduated with honors and five received field honors. Five veterans were among the candidates for graduation. Along with West Virginia, states represented by the candidates for graduation include California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington. The countries represented include Bermuda, Ethiopia, Finland, Ghana, Hungary, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. Each graduate had the opportunity to submit photographs for a personalized slide that was shown as their name and degree were announced by Dr. Edward W. Huffstetler, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Susan Robinett, Department Chair and Professor of Business, served as Grand Marshal. Greetings from the Concord University Board of Governors were delivered by Mr. David Barnette, chair of the Board of Governors. Dr. William Williams, faculty president, offered greetings on behalf of the faculty. Greetings from the Alumni Association were brought by Mrs. Julia Ann Pauley, president of the Alumni Association. Ms. Taylor Carter, president of the Student Government Association, delivered greetings from the Student Government Association. Faculty and staff shared congratulations with the graduates through video messages.

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FALL 2020 COMMENCEMENT

Davidson Named Valedictorian Jessica Lynn Davidson of Bluefield, W.Va. is the valedictorian of the Fall 2020 class. Davidson received a Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude. She majored in Studio Art. Jessi describes her reaction when she learned she had received the honor of being the valedictorian of her class. “I was very surprised and happy when I got the call that I was the valedictorian,” she said. “I’ve always worked hard but I truly didn’t expect my hard work to pay off in such a big way. It was and is a satisfying feeling.” Along with leading her entire class academically, Jessi says she is also honored to represent two specific groups of students. “To be the valedictorian means a lot to me because it allows me to represent both homeschoolers and art majors in a positive light. As a former homeschooler, people once questioned the atypical way in which I was educated and as an art major, there are always naysayers,” she explains. “So I am honored to represent these two groups of people and to hopefully show that hard work pays off.” Looking to the future, Jessi discusses her personal plans along with her educational and professional goals. “After graduation I plan to go straight into the work force before getting married next summer,” she says. “The future right after that is a little more uncertain for me. However, I would love to either be teaching art, beginning my master’s degree in art, or both.”

Jessica Lynn Davidson

Master’s Especially Meaningful for Chase Williams It’s a big accomplishment for anyone to earn a master’s degree. For Chase Williams, reaching this milestone is especially sweet. Along with all of the classes, projects, studying, research and other hard work that are the norm for graduate studies, Chase added the extra challenge of having cerebral palsy. Chase received a Master of Social Work as a member of the Fall 2020 graduating class. Family and friends helped Chase celebrate with a special graduation event on Saturday, Dec. 12, the day of CU’s virtual commencement ceremony. Members of the Crab Orchard Baptist Church, located in Raleigh County, hosted a graduation drive-through for him. Decked out in his cap and gown, he watched from the steps as well-wishers drove past honking their horns in celebration. Chase adds his master’s degree to the Bachelor of Social Work, Cum Laude, that he received from Concord in 2019. As a Beckley resident and a Concord Beckley student, Chase took advantage of the classes offered by CU at the Erma Byrd Center. He plans to put his degrees to work helping others. Chase Williams

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ALUMNI HAPPENINGS

A Salute to an Educator Arthur Raymond Ellard, Jr.

For nearly 150 years, Concord has been dedicated to training teachers. Since the early days as Concord State Normal School, then Concord State Teachers College, followed by Concord College, and now Concord University, this institution has provided future educators with the skills and knowledge they need to be competent and successful in the classroom and other academic settings. For one Concord graduate, this setting just happened to be a prison. As an employee of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Arthur Raymond Ellard, Jr. served as both a teacher and an administrator in a career that spanned two decades and took him to five states. He continued his service into retirement as a contract employee. Thor Richmond, who gained Mr. Ellard as a grandfather after marrying into the family, shares how this now 90-year-old gentleman inspired him on his own educational journey. “Mr. Ellard has devoted his life to education and has inspired many friends and family to further their education. After joining his family and getting to better know him, I too was inspired to further my education and graduated from Concord in 2016,” Mr. Richmond said. A native of West Virginia, Arthur Raymond Ellard, Jr. was born on March 10, 1931 in Greenbrier County at his family home in Alderson. He graduated from Alderson High School in 1949 and in 1950, began his service with the military. While he was drafted by the Marine Corps, he opted to enlist in the Air Force instead. During the Korean War, he was stationed in Korea as part of the Material Command squadron. After completing his military service in 1956, Mr. Ellard enrolled at Concord College that same year. By attending summer classes, he was able to complete his studies in

Arthur Raymond Ellard, Jr.’s Air Force Portait 1950

three years and graduated in 1959. The first years of his career as an educator took him to Smoot High School, located in the Greenbrier County community of Smoot. He taught English and history classes there from 1959 until 1961. Then, in 1961, he switched gears and became a correctional officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. With the move, he began a career with the BOP that included working in the agency’s education department as a teacher. As Mr. Ellard worked his way up through the education department, he was transferred to institutions in the following locations: Petersburg, Va., Natural Bridge, Va., Eglin, Fla., Washington, D.C., Terre Haute, Ind., and Springfield, Mo. He ended up in Atlanta, Ga., where he became the Regional Education Administrator for the Southeast Region overseeing educational programming in nine institutions. After completing 20 years of federal service and retiring in 1983, he moved back to his family home in Alderson – where he continues to live today – and became a contract employee at the Federal women’s prison in Alderson. He worked there as a test administrator assisting inmates with completing their GED program until 2000. He and his wife, Almeda, were married in 1957 and they will soon be celebrating their 64th anniversary. They have one child and two grandchildren. Thank you, Mr. Ellard, for your service to your country and as an educator!

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Sorority Sisters Team Up to Host JOY Social

A trio of sorority sisters is spreading cheer at the retirement community where they now live. Joyce Gregory Buchanan, Ellen Maples Knight, and Nancy Jo Pettrey Moore, all members of the Omicron Chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority at Concord, host a JOY social each week for fellow residents of The Havens at Princeton. Dedicated to philanthropy as members of the sorority in college, they are continuing that commitment to community service today. The popular JOY social includes devotions, music, snacks and a good opportunity for the residents of the assisted living facility to spend time socializing. The gathering is on The Havens’ calendar every Saturday from 2-3 p.m. and is held in the activity room. Lisa Dicker, Director of Community Relations, says their willingness to volunteer and put on the weekly activity has been especially meaningful during the pandemic since guests and volunteers haven’t been able to visit The Havens. Lisa explains that the social had its beginnings about two years ago with Joyce and was held twice a month on Saturdays. Nancy and fellow Havens resident Carol Blankenship joined Joyce as hostesses and the JOY social was born. While JOY is a fitting description of what the gathering brings to residents, it is also a creative intertwining of letters from Joyce’s, Carol’s and Nancy’s names. The ladies have since welcomed Ellen to their team. Ellen and Nancy were in Alpha Sigma Tau together at Concord; Joyce, a bit earlier. Along with being sorority sisters, these three lovely ladies are also retired teachers. Joyce earned a bachelor’s degree in science from Concord in 1952 and taught at Tazewell High School. Originally from Bluefield, W.Va., she moved to The Havens from Bluefield, Va. She likes to write and enjoys sharing her original work and creative displays at the socials. She said she also enjoys “getting to socialize with others and sharing her brother’s homemade food (cookies).” Nancy earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Concord in 1954. She is originally from Princeton and moved to The Havens after most recently living in Matthews, N.C.

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Pictured left to right are Nancy Jo Pettrey Moore ’54, Ellen Maples Knight ’55 and Joyce Gregory Buchanan ’52.

Nancy taught 3rd and 4th grades in Indiana and Illinois and at Glenwood in Mercer County, West Virginia. She said she enjoys “sharing a period of worship and fellowship, especially for those who are not able to attend outside services.” This spring, the ladies held a Palm Sunday observance as part of their JOY programming. Ellen served as president of Alpha Sigma Tau for two years while she was at Concord. Originally from Beckley, she graduated in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. She taught at Mount Hope in Fayette County along with Oakvale and Glenwood schools in Mercer County. She was already living in Princeton prior to moving to The Havens. Ellen has added her talent for playing the piano to the JOY socials. Along with enjoying the opportunity to socialize at the gatherings, she says that she is “thankful that she is able to share her musical abilities.”

ALUMNI HAPPENINGS

McNair Scholars Program Fulfilling Mission Ph.D. Recipient Shanequa Smith Spotlighted Concord University’s McNair Scholars Program receives funding from the United States Department of Education to provide services to socioeconomically disadvantaged students at Concord, Bluefield State College, and West Virginia State University who aspire to earn graduate or professional degrees. In 2006, Shanequa Smith accepted an invitation to participate in the McNair Scholars Program through Concord University. As a non-traditional junior double majoring in Business Administration and Economics, Ms. Smith knew the McNair Program would increase the likelihood of her attending graduate school; however, she had no idea it would ultimately change her life. Ms. Smith’s McNair research experience gave her the skill set and confidence to look beyond the undergraduate degree she received from West Virginia State University (WVSU). Marshall University’s master’s program in Counseling soon became her next objective. As a recipient of the Concord/Marshall University Graduate Assistantship Program, she received an application fee waiver, a renewable tuition waiver, and a stipend. “Not needing additional student loans to continue my

schooling and support my family was an answer to my prayers,” she says. In 2010, Ms. Smith earned a Master of Arts in Counseling. This accomplishment set the stage for the final leg of her academic journey: the road to her Ph.D. West Virginia University’s doctoral program in Human and Community Development was an ideal vehicle for her to explore her passion for improving community engagement. Her dissertation took a phenomenological approach to understanding the perceptions and experiences of community members who participated in a two-year service learning project, with the goal of sharing lessons to improve university-community engagement relationships and practices. She received her Ph.D. in May 2019 giving her the honor of being the first Concord University McNair Scholar from WVSU to earn a doctorate. Dr. Shanequa Smith lives in the Charleston, W.Va. area and currently works with community members and institutions to strengthen equitable and collaborative relationships. As a Restorative Practitioner and owner of Imperial Business Services, LLC, she focuses on dismantling systematic oppression. Dr. Smith feels “blessed to use her education and religious/social convictions” to help others in need. Concord University’s McNair Program is currently recruiting scholars from Bluefield State College, Concord, and West Virginia State University. If you’d like more information on the Program, please contact the McNair Office at (304) 384-5153 or lkarnes@concord.edu.

Concord Phi Sigs Hosting 60th Anniversary Celebration This Fall Save the Date! October 1 - 2, 2021 The Concord Phi Sigma Phi/Epsilon fraternity is planning to hold their 60th Anniversary celebration the weekend of October 1-2. Alumni leaders have a weekend of activities planned to commemorate this milestone for the chapter. For details on the weekend please contact John Lecco '79 at jlec@carolina.rr.com

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ALUMNI HAPPENINGS

Concord Oral History Project Starting This Summer

The CU Advancement Office has partnered with Publishing Concepts, Inc. (PCI) to launch a new and exciting project for the University! Concord Conversations, which kicks off this July, will focus on collecting stories from alumni like you in your own words. These stories will be preserved in a book

that celebrates the impact Concord has had on your life. We look forward to hearing your Concord Conversations and hope that you will share your story with us. Please contact the Alumni Office at alumni@concord.edu or 304-384-5348 with any questions about this project.

Find Our Magazines

ONLINE! Look for past issues of the Concord University Magazine on issuu at:

issuu.com/concord.university

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DECEMBER 2020

Alumni Brittany Puckett ‘07 Congratulations to Concord alum Brittany Puckett ‘07 on recently being elected Prosecuting Attorney for McDowell County, WV! This is a position that has been a goal for the McDowell County native ever since she decided to pursue a career in law and that goal became a reality during the November 3 election. We wish Brittany the best of luck as she takes on this new role! To read about Brittany’s journey to the position and what she hopes to accomplish in this role, click here:

JANUARY 2021

Becky Payton ‘96 Congratulations to Concord alum and Athens native Becky Payton ’96 on recently being selected as the winner of the 2020 Joan E. D. Kushnir Teacher of the Year Award for Adult Education by the Virginia Association for Adult and Continuing Education (VAACE)! Becky is a teacher and career coach at the Thomas Jefferson Adult Career Education Center of Piedmont Virginia Community College, located in Charlottesville. We are proud of alums like Becky who are truly making a difference in the lives of others!

FEBRUARY 2021

To find out more about Becky’s work in the adult education field and her journey from Athens to Charlottesville, click here:

Scott Noble ‘13 Congratulations to Concord alum Scott Noble for starring in a film that was featured during the 2021 Sundance Film Festival! Noble plays the role of Dennis in the film “First Date”, a comedy directed by Manuel Crosby and Darren Knapp. We are proud of Scott for such an outstanding accomplishment! To read about how he made it from The Campus Beautiful to Sundance, click here:

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Alumni MARCH 2021

Lindsey Reed Byars ‘03 This month we wanted to feature Concord alum and employee Lindsey Byars for recently having not one but two books published in which she is a contributing writer! “Unmasked: Reflections on Virus-time” is available on Amazon in Kindle format and “Humans in the Wild: Reactions to a Gun Loving Country” is also available in Kindle and paperback format on Amazon. Both books were released this past fall and have pieces written by Lindsey in them. Lindsey has worked on campus in the President’s office since December 2018 and is currently working on a Master’s degree through Harvard University. Congratulations to Lindsey on having her first pieces published!

APRIL 2021

Candace Justice ‘05 Congratulations to Candace Daniel Justice ’05 on recently being named the Community College Faculty Member of the Year by the Tennessee Board of Regents! Justice is the director of instructional design and associate professor of English at Walters State Community College, located in Morristown, TN. She is the first Walters State faculty member to receive this honor which was presented during a virtual ceremony on March 25. To read the full release about her recognition, click here:

Do you have old photos from your college days? We would love to see some of the tasteful photos from your time at the Campus Beautiful. You could see them in a future edition of the Concord University Magazine.

You can email your submissions: jcarden@concord.edu Or mail your photos and we will return them.

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Mail to: Attn: Amy Pitzer Concord University Office of Advancement PO Box 1000 Athens, WV 24712-1000

FOUNDATION

Lt. Aaron L. Crook Memorial Scholarship Established

Lt. Aaron L. Crook

A new scholarship for Concord University students honors the life and service of a fallen police officer. The Lt. Aaron L. Crook Memorial Scholarship has been established by the Concord University Foundation in memory of Lt. Crook, a Bluefield, W.Va. police officer killed in the line of duty in May 2017. The scholarship honors his memory and dedication to his family and the community he served. Lt. Crook was born in Summers County, W.Va. Following graduation from Pipestem Christian Academy, he received a degree in Criminal Justice from Bluefield State College. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for six years and joined the Bluefield Police Department in February 2008. Lt. Crook was a husband and father of two. To be eligible for the Lt. Aaron L. Crook Memorial Scholarship, a Concord student must be a child of a first responder (EMT, paramedic, firefighter or police officer) and must be a resident of Mercer or Summers counties. “We are grateful to be able to offer this scholarship opportunity to Concord students in Lieutenant

Crook’s memory. Through the generosity of his family and friends, the scholarship recipient will get financial help he or she needs while honoring Crook’s legacy,” said Alicia Besenyei, Vice President for Advancement. Friends and family of Lt. Crook and the local community held fundraisers to fund the scholarship. A conversation between friends Erica Morgan and KD Coleman on an early morning run inspired their efforts to honor Lt. Crook’s life and remember his family. “KD and I were running partners when she lived here, and usually we would meet up in the mornings for a run, and just talk about life,” Morgan said. “Shortly after the accident, it hit both of us really hard. I think being moms and wives, it hit a deep nerve. I mentioned one morning that I wished there was something we could do for them. KD knew the family, and together we collaborated with Aaron’s Mile,” she said. The first Aaron’s Mile – Memorial Walk and Police Challenge was held at the Bluefield City Park in October 2017. In September 2018 the event moved to the Princeton City Park. “We all participated in a one-mile memorial walk. Then, there was the option for the Police Challenge. The Police Challenge is a 75-yard pursuit chase, sit up and push up test, and many other obstacles along the course, followed by a 1.5-mile run,” Coleman said. “The first year we had a wonderful turnout and had a great time celebrating his life,” she said. “After speaking with many first responders in our area, we learned that they needed help with funding their children’s college tuition. With that knowledge, the second year the Board made the decision to use the funds to set up a scholarship for the children of

first responders in his name.” “Having been part of this event was truly an amazing experience for us both” she said.

Students interested in applying for the scholarship need to fill out the online application here: https://apps.concord.edu/ forms/view.php?id=335741 Additional information about the Lt. Aaron L. Crook Memorial Scholarship is available at: www.concord.edu/aaroncrook If you would like to donate to this fund, please visit www. concord.edu/donate Be sure to click Lt. Aaron L. Crook Memorial Scholarship from the Designation drop-down menu.

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FOUNDATION

Maier Foundation and Concord University Foundation Renew Partnership for Pathways Scholarship The Maier Foundation and the Concord University Foundation have renewed a partnership that provides the Pathways Scholarship to Concord students. The scholarship is geared towards retention efforts with the goal of helping students finish their degree programs. Established in 2016 at Concord, the Pathways Scholarship was first awarded to CU students for the 2016 – 2017 academic year with 35 students each receiving $2,000 scholarships. To date, 175 students have been assisted through the scholarship program and $350,000 has been distributed. Over the last five years, the scholarship was made possible through a 2:1 challenge grant. The Maier Foundation provided 50 percent of the $60,000 matching funds raised annually by the Concord Office of Advancement through donor contributions. The new partnership is a dollar for dollar match with the Maier Foundation matching the CU Foundation’s $60,000 annual amount of donations. Through the partnership, $100,000 will be distributed as scholarships each year and $20,000 will be placed in an endowed fund for future use. For the 2021 - 2022 academic year, the Pathways Scholarship will be offered to 50 students. They will each receive a $2,000 scholarship, with $1,000 awarded per semester. “The Maier Foundation’s primary mission is to support higher education for West Virginia students,” stated Brad M. Rowe, President of the Maier Foundation, Inc. “Our board was excited to fund need-based scholarships to support talented students at Concord University. In a time of increasing college costs, private scholarship support is critical to increasing college access.” “We are thrilled to be able to renew this partnership with the Maier Foundation and offer even more students a scholarship to keep them in college. So many students will drop out because of finances. It is always exciting to offer students an opportunity to help alleviate some of the burden associated with tuition. We can’t thank the Maier Foundation and the private donors involved in this enough,” said Alicia Besenyei, Vice President for Advancement. “The Pathways Scholarship program has been an

amazing opportunity for students on our campus,” stated Dr. Sheila Womack, Director of Student Success. “We have seen great success among the recipients of our first four cohorts, with 87 recipients earning degrees and several more still working towards theirs. The success rate of these students is well above our institutional average, and goes to show that helping students meet their financial needs goes a long way towards their academic success. “We are grateful that our students have this opportunity and excited to continue the program with the generous support of the Maier Foundation,” she said. Students applying for the scholarship must complete an application and meet the following criteria:

• Recipient must be a rising or current Concord University sophomore, junior or senior. • Recipient must be a West Virginia resident. • Recipient must have a minimum 2.0 Concord University cumulative GPA. • Recipient must have financial need as determined by the Concord University Financial Aid Office. • Recipient must have a completed FAFSA on file for the next academic year.

For additional information, please visit https://www.concord.edu/pathways. More information is also available by calling 304-384-6311. Contributions to the Pathways Scholarship fund are appreciated and may be made by visiting www.concord.edu/donate and clicking Pathways Scholarship on the Designation drop-down menu.

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FOUNDATION

Patricia Sparks Scholarship Established for Future Educators A scholarship for Concord University students pursuing a degree in education honors the life and service of a dedicated teacher. The Patricia Sparks Scholarship has been established through the Concord University Foundation in memory of Patricia Ruth Sparks by her husband P. Bruce Sparks. The scholarship is for Concord students pursing a degree in education who are from McDowell and Wyoming counties in West Virginia. “Teaching was the most important thing in Pat’s life after her relationship with God and her family,” Mr. Sparks said. “When she was teaching, the student learning experience was always the most important thing to her whether she was teaching kindergarten, 5th grade or college students.” “Given the cost of education and the low pay for teachers today, I wanted to give some future teachers the opportunity for a scholarship to help with their education expenses. I personally would not have been able to get my college education without the help of the scholarships I received and wanted to honor Pat’s memory and her dedication to teaching by helping future teachers pay for their education,” he said. Bruce Sparks said his wife generously spent her own money to help students succeed in the classroom. “She spent what she earned while teaching on things for the classroom and the students to give them the most up-to-date learning materials. Therefore, I felt she would want to help future teachers as much as she possibly could with their education,” he said. “When we announced she had cancer, she received correspondence and encouragement from kids she had taught 40 years ago,” he said. “As the cards and letters arrived, I realized how much of an impact she had on the

Patricia Ruth Sparks

students she worked with during her teaching career.” Pat and Bruce Sparks both graduated from Concord. “Pat and I met at Concord while we were students,” Mr. Sparks said. “We had a great time attending fraternity functions and engaging in the activities on campus.” “We both felt we received great educations at Concord that helped us throughout our careers. During

our 41 years of marriage, we often talked about how much we enjoyed our college experience and were grateful to all of the friends we made at Concord,” he said. Staying involved in the life of his alma mater, Mr. Sparks has served on the Board of Directors for Concord’s Foundation and as the board’s President. He encourages other alumni to become involved with the University and give back so that »

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FOUNDATION

future students can benefit. “Until I was asked to be a member of the Concord University Foundation Board, I did not realize how important the Foundation is to helping finance the education of students,” he said. “All of us who were fortunate enough to get a college education realize the sacrifice our parents and others made to help us pay for our education. I encourage every person that received a degree from Concord to get involved in support of the University.” “Everyone has something they can give back to the current students and the University. Students today need to see and hear how they can succeed

with their education. As graduates of Concord, we can help today’s students understand they don’t need a degree from an Ivy League school to be successful,” he said. Patricia Ruth Sparks was born Oct. 26, 1956 in Bluefield, W.Va. and was the daughter of the late Cecil Morgan and Evelyn Morgan. Pat graduated from Welch High School, earned her B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education from Concord, her master’s degree from WVU, and completed the doctorate program at WVU in Curriculum and Instruction. She taught public school in Beckley, W.Va. and at North Elementary in

Morgantown, W.Va. She was also an Academic Mentor for the WVU Football Program. Pat was a resident of Morgantown, W.Va. and was a member of First Baptist Church in Morgantown. She passed away on May 27, 2018. She is survived by her husband, P. Bruce Sparks; son, Philip Bruce Sparks II and his wife, Kaitlin Nicole Sparks; daughter, Kristie Morgan Sparks; grandchildren, Michael Alexander Sparks and Matthew Joseph Sparks; and sister, Beverly Wyatt. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her brother, Gary Morgan.

Pat and Bruce Sparks

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FOUNDATION

Beckley-Raleigh County Foundation Dinner Supports Annual Fund

J.R. Martinez

The Beckley-Raleigh County Foundation Dinner took place the evening of April 22, 2021 at The Resort at Glade Springs. The dinner was originally scheduled for Nov. 5, 2020, but was postponed due to the worldwide pandemic and federal and state guidelines in place at that time. Proceeds from the Beckley Dinner contribute to the Concord University Foundation’s Annual Fund, which supports student scholarships and campus improvement projects. Motivational speaker J.R. Martinez joined the gathering live via Zoom for the keynote address. A burn survivor, Army veteran, actor, New York Times best-selling author, and winner of Dancing with the Stars, Martinez shared his journey through his inspirational presentation

“Facing Adversity with Optimism and Resilience”. His first inspirational talk took place in a recovery ward with a fellow burn patient. Since that initial encounter, J.R. Martinez has traveled the world speaking with troops, as well as non-profits, universities, and a number of Fortune 500 companies. A special scholarship spotlight highlighted the Jonathan Powell Scholarship which has been established for Concord students. The Jonathan Powell Hope Foundation and Tim and Melissa Powell of Princeton, W.Va. established this scholarship in memory of the Powell’s son, Jonathan Powell. Jonathan lost a courageous battle with Neuroblastoma in October 2002 when he was four years old. Knowing firsthand the challenges

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FOUNDATION

C O N C O R D U N I V E R S I T Y F O U N D AT I O N , I N C .

faced by families with a child battling cancer, Tim and Melissa set up the foundation in Jonathan’s name to aid families struggling financially as they care for their loved ones. In the spirit of the foundation’s work, the new scholarship at Concord is dedicated to assisting childhood cancer survivors, or parents or siblings of a childhood cancer survivor or cancer victim financially as they pursue a college degree. The Honorable Omar Aboulhosn ’89, a member of the Jonathan Powell Hope Foundation Board, spoke about Jonathan Powell and why his parents started the Foundation and the purpose of its work. He introduced the Powells and Mr. Powell offered remarks. Tim and Melissa Powell then presented a certificate to Concord student Davion Green, the first recipient of their scholarship. Davion shared a brief story about losing a close friend at a very young age. A special thank you is extended to the individuals and organizations who, through their generosity, helped make this evening possible. Premier Sponsors are Donnie ’79 and Linda Holcomb; Dr. Michael ’80 and Terri ’81 Muscari; and Andy Paterno ’70. Patrons of the Foundation include Aramark, The Ethel Bowen Foundation, and QLabs. Alicia Besenyei, Vice President for Advancement, welcomed guests and introduced the featured speaker. Blake Farmer ’17, Manager of University Advancement, introduced President Kendra Boggess who provided remarks on behalf of the University. The Allen Smith Band provided entertainment during dinner. “We’re thankful for the support of our sponsors and their dedication to supporting Concord University and our students,” Farmer said following the dinner. “Students were well represented

Left to right: Davion Green, Melissa Powell, and Tim Powell

Left to right: Dr. Michael Muscari, Terri Muscari, Linda Holcomb, and Donnie Holcomb

at this year’s Beckley Dinner – Bonner Scholars, ALEF, football, men’s basketball, Tri Sigma, cheerleading, veterans, and student workers were in attendance, many of which benefit from scholarship support so it’s great to have them in attendance at CU

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Foundation events,” he said. Information about contributing to Concord’s Annual Fund or donating to or establishing a scholarship is available by contacting the Concord University Foundation at foundation@ concord.edu or 304-384-6067.

Concord Holds Unity March, Dedicates Peace Pole Monument Two events promoting peace and unity brought various Concord University constituent groups together on the Athens campus the afternoon of April 20, 2021. The Unity March and Peace Pole dedication celebrated diversity while encouraging acceptance and mutual respect. “It shows that we are standing up for peace and solidarity…that we are a peaceful community,” stated Dr. Manjunath Burdekar, assistant professor of Psychology, just moments before he and Concord University President Kendra Boggess led the march through campus. Dr. Burdekar spearheaded Concord’s efforts and chaired a planning committee consisting of students, campus representatives

and community members based on his experience sponsoring peace pole projects on other campuses. The procession of students, faculty, staff, alumni, emeriti officers, community members and University officials started at the Jerry and Jean Beasley Student Center and concluded at the peace monument site located between the Administration Building and the Fine Arts Center. Fellow Concordians joined the marchers there for the Peace Pole dedication ceremony. Dr. Burdekar explained to the group gathered around the three newly installed peace poles that they are “internationally recognized symbols”. The words “May Peace Prevail on Earth” are written on them in different

Dr. Manjunath Burdekar

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languages. Among the 24 languages appearing on Concord’s monument are French, Bulgarian, Hebrew, Swedish. Latin, Cherokee and Spanish. “These languages represent the diversity that exists on this campus,” Dr. Burdekar said. The late Sharon Griffee, who was a resident of Athens, was recognized posthumously for her contributions to the project and her commitment to peace. A tree is being planted in her memory on campus at University Point, and one

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of the 10 trees being planted on the African continent as part of the Peace Pole project will remember her. Another tree for Africa honors Dr. Elizabeth Roth, who currently teaches English at Concord, and one will also recognize the University. The Unity March and creation of an event shirt that mirrors the languages and message on the Peace Poles were coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in fulfillment of the Diversity and Equity grant awarded by the Higher

Education Policy Commission in July of last year. President Boggess supported the project and its mission, and the University Foundation assisted in purchasing the Peace Poles. “Concord celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion among our students, faculty, and staff. The Peace Poles are a visual reminder that this university is committed to creating an environment where all respectful, individual voices are welcomed,” Dr. Boggess said in an earlier statement.

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ANDY ROLLYSON

Andy Rollyson ’05 Offers Hope to Home State Through Non-Profit James Andrew “Andy” Rollyson had dreams of helping his hometown community, and even pondered how he would go about it if he had a million dollars. However, this Summers County, West Virginia native, according to his own admission, isn’t a millionaire. But that hasn’t stopped Andy. When he turned his vision of a better life for Summers County residents into the focus of a leadership course project, the Hinton Hope Foundation was born. Now living in Los Angeles, Andy explains that a number of years ago he was enrolled in the Landmark Self Expression and Leadership Program. He thought of home – and how he could be a leader in bringing about positive change there – when it came time for him to work on his project. “I always wanted to do something for my home state and where I grew up,” Andy explains. He began creating the blueprint for a grassroots organization that would help counteract the economic and

social ills plaguing Summers County and its county seat, Hinton, problems like a declining population, the low income of many residents, students dropping out of high school, drug abuse and drug related crimes. The creative juices began flowing and Andy’s vision started taking shape. “One day I was sitting at my computer…I just had all of these ideas,” he remembers. “It happened very quickly.” He enlisted the help of some folks back home in West Virginia and put out an appeal for suggestions on Facebook. Laura Lilly, who is now the foundation’s assistant executive director, took off with the project. “Laura had ideas and she brought in other people…single moms, young people…,” Andy said. With Andy in Los Angeles and his fellow organizers in Summers County, the messages flew between the West Coast and West Virginia. “We all communicated over

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Facebook. I was here in L.A., leading it all,” he explained. “They were doing the actual work on the ground.” Andy and his team came up with ideas for community outreach programs and events, ways to create more jobs for the area and avenues to bring renewed hope and revitalization to the town of Hinton and the surrounding area. Their vision became reality with the establishment of the Hinton Hope Foundation in the fall of 2013. The non-profit organization received 501c3 non-profit status during spring of 2014. Since that time, with Andy as its executive director, the foundation has launched a variety of successful projects. One of the premier activities for the Hinton Hope Foundation is Hinton’s Got Talent. This successful outreach project is a local version of the popular talent competitions America’s Got Talent and American Idol. Held annually since 2014, the event has been put on hold during the »

ANDY ROLLYSON Photos by Sara Beth Mattis

Hinton’s Got Talent Youth Winners 2014

COVID-19 pandemic. Andy said Hinton’s Got Talent originally started as a contest for kids, but an adult category has since been added. It’s a venue where contestants “showcase talent, mostly singing and playing an instrument”. He explains that competing gives people the motivation, encouragement and opportunity to succeed. With something positive to work toward, they make better life choices. “The goal underneath is to give people something to work for … recognition…They put their mind on that and succeeding…not pills and drugs…focus on what they can do…” he said. Performing for Hinton’s Got Talent has opened the door for a number of contestants. They’ve gone on to other competitions, produced CDs, performed in larger venues – including Nashville – and appeared on television. Andy recalls the thrill of having a

packed house for the first show and knowing the community was behind their efforts. “It sold out!” he said. When local talents take the stage, their family members and neighbors want to see them perform and that boosts attendance, he said. Proceeds from the event go toward college scholarships for Summers County High School students. Andy said the awards can be as much as $1000 and are a big help for the students with books and other expenses. The Second Chance Prom, held in 2015, is another successful event. “We did it as a fun idea for those people who may have missed their prom or would like to go to the prom again,” Andy said. “Most of the attendees were 30 years old all the way up to a couple senior citizens. It was at the restored McCreery Hotel and Conference Center in Hinton. Quite a beautiful venue.”

Foundation fundraisers have helped fund the purchase of chairs for the Summers County Memorial Building and special events have focused on drug awareness and other important topics. The Hinton Hope Foundation is also dedicated to looking after the daily needs of residents. During the pandemic, for instance, volunteers have delivered groceries to senior citizens and others who have difficulty getting out. The organization’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hintonhope) is filled with salutes to veterans, first responders, law enforcement officers, and others for their service. Appeals for help and encouragement are posted there for residents facing major health issues or other concerns. “We try to do a lot. We do keep very active,” Andy said. “We like to get things done.” Several exciting undertakings are on the Hinton Hope »

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Second Chance Prom - Photo by Andy Rollyson

Foundation’s long-term project wish list. The Mountain Gold Ginseng Cultivation & Festival is one of these. The project’s aim is to boost the economy of southern West Virginia by encouraging local residents to cultivate ginseng, a plant that grows naturally in the Appalachians. The ginseng farmers could then tap into the Asian market where the highly sought after plant is valued for medicinal purposes. “The Chinese love and cherish… West Virginia grown ginseng. It’s gold to them,” Andy said. He explains that the area could potentially benefit in several important ways from the ginseng project. Farmers who grow it could have their own business and cultivating the crop could “provide constant income” for them. The area would be able to “keep the rural land” as this type of enterprise “preserves the land”. The ginseng project is a dream for

now that according to Andy, hinges on grant funding, legislation, and government regulation. “The goal now is to put the word out and get people interested,” he said. Down the road, if the ginseng project takes root, the festival, as an offshoot, could further help the economy. The annual event would offer ginseng growers an opportunity to sell their crops, Andy explains. Such a festival, he said, would “bring people to town, bring Asian buyers to town.” Area businesses would benefit as well by the increase in tourist traffic. An “end goal” he said, would be to “bring a lot of tourism and tax dollars” into the area. The Summers County Cookery is another project that could bring an economic boost to the area. Andy explains that organizers envision purchasing a structure and building a kitchen where local produce would be used in recipes from area residents to make canned goods like jams, jellies

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and blackberry preserves. Marketed as made in West Virginia, these products could be sold online and through grocery distributors. Andy says the cookery would function as a public co-op and “members get a piece of the profits”. Along with being able to help his home county, Andy says his association with the Hinton Hope Foundation’s volunteers is also especially rewarding. “They come up with a lot of ideas and really do work super hard to execute the ideas,” he said. “I’m all the way in Los Angeles and these folks are right there in Summers County. So, I rely on them to come help address needs, what would work etc. They do a great job.” Andy grew up in Nimitz, W.Va., a community in Summers County near Hinton. He attended Summers County High School where he was involved in theatre and was a member of the school newspaper staff. »

ANDY ROLLYSON

He graduated from high school in 2000 then set about earning his bachelor’s degree from Concord. Andy graduated from CU in May of 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts degree with an emphasis in theatre. Spending a lot of time on the stage, Andy’s impressive list of Concord theatre credits includes: Cinderella (ensemble); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lysander); Under Milkwood (various characters); Naomi in the Living Room (John); When You Comin’ Back Red Ryder (Stephen “Red” Ryder); Romeo and Juliet (Paris); Grease (Doody); Oleanna (John); Cabaret (Cliff Bradshaw); and Extremities (Raul). Andy says that some of his fondest memories from his Concord days revolve around his friends and the theatre. “I’m still in touch with most of those people,” he said. “I miss rehearsals and live performances.” He specifically remembers how much he enjoyed the annual Communication Arts banquet. “It was

kind of like the small town Academy Awards. The theatre kids always dressed in some kind of theme,” he recalls. As for favorite classes, he says, “I really used to love these 402G specialized theatre classes. I was able to do accent reduction classes and things like that. Those were very useful and fun.” Spanish classes also top his list of favorites and are proving useful today. “I live in L.A. and travel so the Spanish has been particularly helpful,” he explains. Andy was an officer with Alpha Psi Omega, the honors theatre fraternity, and a representative in the SGA. He said he usually carried 20+ hours per semester and worked on the weekends. Andy’s hard work and dedication paid off and he was honored with several awards. He says he received an award in 2001 for a Broadcast Journalism project as well as the Communication Arts Theatre award. He was also named to Who’s Who

Among Colleges and Universities. Right after graduating from Concord in 2005, Andy headed to the West Coast and has lived in California since then. He currently lives in the West Hollywood section of Los Angeles. With the move, Andy continued to pursue his passion for acting. “For a few years I pursued the acting thing. It’s a rough lifestyle here in the epicenter of entertainment. You have to have tough skin, a resilient outlook, and a knack for selfpromotion. You really do just have to keep at it. The self-promotion is my biggest weakness,” he admits. “I did some short films and things like that. Nothing major,” he says. “It was all good fun.” “I would love to do some live theatre once this pandemic is over,” he adds. “I think my outlook on acting and art in general these days is different. I want to do it because I enjoy it, not because I must succeed.” To help perfect his skills, Andy attended the Baron Brown Studio, »

A packed house at Hinton’s Got Talent

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an acting studio in Los Angeles. He said the experience of studying there had a profound impact on him. “It’s an intensive 2-year program based on the Sanford Meisner acting technique,” he explained. “If you want to sharpen your craft and learn about yourself then go here. I can honestly say that it changed my life.” “I graduated in 2010 and Oliver Stone was our guest speaker,” he said. Looking at the studio’s list of alums shows that Andy is in good company as a graduate. “Some noted names who have come out of here are Mariska Hargitay from ‘Law and Order SVU,’ Halle Berry, Justin Hartley from ‘This Is Us,’ just to name a few,” he said. Along with pursuing his love of theatre, Andy has worked an interesting mix of jobs since being in Southern California. “I’ve tried it all,” he says. “I have an active mind and like to keep busy.” “I’ve been a photographer – I still do that on the side. I’ve worked as a manny, as a writer, as a waiter,

bartender, telemarketer,” he says running through the list. He’s also the property manager for the building where he lives and has been a music agent for a small L.A. agency for nearly 14 years. “We represent artists from around the world and get them booked at venues across North America and Europe. We even book in West Virginia at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, the Chuck Mathena Center in Princeton, Mountain Stage in Charleston and more,” he explains. Andy says his current work in the music promotion business has taken a hit during the pandemic. That being the case, he’s had to draw upon some of the same resiliency he admires in residents of his home state to earn a living. “I’ve had to pivot and branch out. In 2020 I learned bookkeeping, I worked as a ranch hand in Malibu – yes, there are farmlands in SoCal – I cleaned apartments, I did some graphic designing, built websites, traded stocks...,” he says.

“I was very fortunate to be able to thrive in a time when most people were out of work and struggling,” he says. “I think growing up in West Virginia under conditions where you always had to be creative really gave me strength during this time. So for that I’m very thankful.” Beyond work and his creative and volunteer pursuits, Andy enjoys being out in the natural world, a passion he carried with him from West Virginia to California. “I grew up in Nimitz on a farm and there was lots of wide open spaces,” he said. “In many ways I like being alone and hiking down in the woods. I can be a hyper person and the woods really ground me.” Now, he heads outdoors to explore the landscape and terrain offered by California. “Exploring California in general is one of my favorite things to do. We have forests, beaches, deserts, rivers, mountains, lakes, grasslands, skiing... it’s a big state and I’m always finding some new place to go and explore,” he said.

Hinton Hope Foundation Volunteers

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Benjamin Hatfield ‘07 Professional photos taken by Dave Green

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BENJAMIN HATFIELD

Career in Law Leads Benjamin Hatfield ’07 to Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Benjamin Hatfield knew he wanted to be a lawyer from a young age. “I can track it early to career days in elementary school,” he says. “I picked early and it never really wavered.” “I was always focused on the destination.” Today, with a law degree and a decade of experience practicing law, Hatfield has just embarked on a four-year term as Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney. He was elected in November 2020, unseating a 20-year incumbent, and sworn in on Jan. 4, 2021. At 35 he is considered “one of the youngest elected prosecutors in southern West Virginia history.” Ben is a native of Wyoming County, West Virginia. “I grew up in a hollow called Turkey Creek, technically Marianna, (W.Va.),” he says. This community is seven miles west of Pineville, the county seat. Although he comes from what he considers “humble beginnings”, the first 10 years of his life spent sharing a single-wide with his parents and three siblings were “absolutely some of the happiest times” he says. “It was really great,” he says recalling the closeness of a “tight family” who enjoyed being together. He remembers the fun family time they shared playing cards and other games. As a child, he was surrounded by the love and

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encouragement of his parents, Shirley and Ronnie. “They made growing up very easy. They gave me the environment to succeed,” he said. Ben attended Pineville Elementary School and graduated from Wyoming East High School in 2003. He arrived on “The Campus Beautiful” in the fall of that year and began working toward his bachelor’s degree. He double majored in Political Science and Geography and double minored in Legal Studies and Sociology. He was president of Blue Key Honor Society and held various positions with his fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon. Putting his interest in government into action, Ben served as Attorney General of the Student Government Association. A highlight for Ben during his time at Concord was traveling with a group of fellow students and professors on one of the University’s now legendary study abroad trips. Dr. Joe Manzo and Dr. Jim White led their visit to London in the summer of 2004 where they studied “International Relations and Comparative Government” through Schiller International University. Ben said they took classes during the mornings and went on field trips in the afternoons and evenings. Weekends were devoted to traveling across Great Britain with excursions to Scotland and Wales.

BENJAMIN HATFIELD

“What an experience!” he says. Reflecting on his studies at Concord, Ben says that the late John David Smith was “one of my biggest mentors”. He also acknowledges the contributions of Dr. Manzo, Dr. White, Dr. George Towers and Dr. Sally Howard. “I had a lot of great people in the Social Sciences Department,” he explains. Ben recently reconnected with one of these faculty members, Lori Pace, over a Zoom meeting for the Women’s Resource Center’s STOP/SART (Sexual Assault Response Team). Their association goes back to the first semester of Ben’s freshman year at Concord. Ben says that Ms. Pace was his instructor for an intro to sociology course that just happened to be his second ever college class. He recalls that he had Dr. White for his first class and then Ms. Pace later in the week for the second class on his schedule. This semester, he was back in Lori Pace’s classroom as a guest speaker via Zoom. Ms. Pace interviewed her former student about his law school education, career path and current position as Prosecuting Attorney. Their recorded conversation has been posted for viewing by students in her Crime & Justice Systems, Criminology, and Reentry & Recidivism courses. Ben graduated from Concord in the spring of 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude. He left the familiar surroundings of southern West Virginia in the fall of 2007 and headed to upstate New York to study law at Syracuse University College of Law. While he applied to and was accepted at a number of law schools, he chose Syracuse because the allure of big city life drew him to New York. At the time, he thought attending school and eventually living and practicing in a large metropolitan area was the lifestyle for him. »

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Although he had felt comforted by the familiarity of home as a Concord student, he wanted to leave small town West Virginia and trade it for something larger and totally different at this stage in his life. He set about earning his degree and making his mark in law school and as an attorney in this new environment. His activities and honors in law school included serving on the national appellate team and receiving the Syracuse University College of Law pro bono service award. In his third year of law school, he served as a student attorney for the College of Law’s Office of Clinical Legal Education. Functioning as an actual law office, this setting offers students the opportunity to complete practicums in a variety of areas including children’s rights and family law, criminal defense, elder and health law, and disability rights. The students gain valuable experience and their clients receive assistance that they may otherwise have unavailable. Hatfield explains that the opportunity is comparable CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

to an internship or residency and that student attorneys “actually have cases, but are supervised.” He considers this an especially valuable aspect of his time studying at Syracuse as the experience provided him with a “marketable skill”. “I got to go work under licensed attorneys and essentially practice law for a year of law school,” he said. “It taught me not just academic knowledge, but how to apply it in the job setting.” In their Zoom interview, Lori Pace asked her former student to explain to her class the value of “that level of practical experience”. “It’s everything. It’s absolutely everything,” Ben responded. “I would encourage students to get internships, shadowing opportunities, even if it means doing it for credit, doing it for free.” Along with gaining practical experience, Ben said students can find out if the career they’ve chosen is something they really want to be doing for the rest of their professional lives. “It’s a very good way to take a small »

BENJAMIN HATFIELD Coach Ben with daughter Allie’s U4 soccer team at the YMCA

digestible bite of that career and see if you want to apply it to your entire life.” So that future graduates of his alma mater might gain career experience, Hatfield said he is open to the idea of having Concord students do internships in his office. During his conversation with Lori Pace, Ben also shared his impressions of Concord with the students and what he believes makes the University special. “The campus itself really gives you a traditional college feel…It’s a beautiful campus,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for someone to get that extremely traditional big college feel on a small campus with people that you will find will care about you more because of that closeness and proximity, that southern West Virginia charm…that we all tend to care about people I think a little more than some other regions geographically.” Ben discovered that it was this same charm that would draw him away from New York and eventually land him back at home. After earning his law degree in 2010, he remained in Syracuse to work for the law firm of Anelli Xavier, PC. However, Ben discovered that living and working in a large city wasn’t for him after all. He missed the friendliness and sense of community he valued in West Virginia that he says he just couldn’t find in New York. He realized he wanted to

return to the “Mountain State” to continue his career and raise his family. He began researching job opportunities in southern West Virginia and ended up securing a position as an assistant public defender with the Public Defender Corporation of the 10th Judicial Circuit. He worked in this capacity for nearly four years, then opened his own practice in Beckley. His next career move, a couple years later, saw him take a job as an assistant prosecutor in the Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney’s office, the same office that he now oversees. He would go on to work for the law firm of Farmer Cline & Campbell PLLC as a civil litigation attorney. But, Ben found out this wasn’t the best fit for him professionally. While he says Farmer Cline & Campbell is a “great firm”, he went on to say, “I missed the work I was doing as an assistant prosecutor.” “My professional happiness had taken an aside,” he said. With the support and encouragement of his wife, Megan, and his parents, Ben says he decided to run for the office of prosecuting attorney. Along with his love of law, Ben says, “I was always interested in politics.” Now, as the Prosecuting Attorney, Hatfield is the chief law enforcement officer for Raleigh County. He handles most of the major felonies for his office in the courtroom » SPRING 2021 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

BENJAMIN HATFIELD

Ben and Megan Hatfield and their daughters Maryann (8), Lacey (2), and Allison (6) Photo taken by Karen Akers

and oversees a staff of more than a dozen employees in the Beckley based prosecuting attorney’s office. These include eight assistant prosecuting attorneys, five support staff members, and two interns. He says that a member of the West Virginia National Guard is stationed in his office and that a special investigator for the prosecutor’s office works there as well. Hatfield says that as Prosecuting Attorney, he is working to bring about positive change in several key areas. One of these, he explains, is to “update the information technology in this office” as it relates to “how we are digesting and processing information on criminal offenders”. He is also dedicated to more efficiently handling the major criminal docket currently before the prosecutor’s office. Another area in which Hatfield sees a need for improvement deals with the habitual offender act and how it is used in sentencing of repeat felony offenders. Additionally, he wants to speed up the processes for children moving through the foster care system. He says these children should have a sense of “permanency” in their lives “whatever the end result is – whether they are returned to their homes or are placed for adoption.” During his legal career, Hatfield has been affiliated with a number of boards and organizations including serving as CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Public Defender Corporation of the 10th Judicial Circuit. He has also added several honors to his resume since graduating and entering the profession of law. His accolades include being named to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 under 40 and the Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys Under Age 40 by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys. Ben and his family currently live in the Grandview area of Raleigh County. Megan Hatfield is a middle school math teacher at St. Francis de Sales School in Beckley. Ben and Megan have three young daughters: Maryann, 8, Allison, 6, and Lacey, who is 2 ½. While Lacey will join her older sisters in these activities when she is a bit older, Ben says Maryann and Allison take gymnastics and dance lessons and play soccer through a program at the YMCA. Their dad is their soccer coach. As a family, Ben says they enjoy outdoor activities and taking weekend trips. They’re big fans of “traveling and hiking” with National Parks among their favorite destinations. To document their travels, the Hatfields are busy collecting National Park Passport Stamps. “We’ve hiked in a bunch of the National Parks,” Ben says.

Photos by Annaliesa Casson

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MEGAN ROOT

Megan and daughter Caroline feed Clover the calf

Megan Root ’07 Brings Southern Hospitality to Cowboy Country One spring morning recently, Megan Root was up at her customarily early hour, going about her routine on the ranch. On this particular day, her chore list included working with a wee calf, trying to get it to eat. The process of bottle feeding in half pint increments was tedious. The little girl couldn’t nurse her mother and wasn’t too keen on the bottle Megan and her children gently, yet persistently, offered her. Still they patiently kept at the task. While Megan belonged to 4-H growing up in Princeton, W.Va., she says her experiences with the organization were more focused on developing leadership and public speaking skills than on the “livestock oriented” program her children are enjoying in California. But now, living and working on the family owned ranch that she and her husband, Josh Root, operate in Macdoel, Megan has become an old hand at caring for animals and other chores, like putting up hay. “I’ve taken to it like a duck to water,” she says. Megan Harvey attended Princeton Senior High School where she excelled academically and immersed herself in activities and organizations. “I was involved in everything…soccer, drama, show choir, Madrigals,” she says. Her membership in 4-H also kept her busy. She graduated in the Top Ten of her class, coming in CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

at a very respectable #5. For achieving this honor, she presented a speech during graduation ceremonies for the PSHS class of 2003. When it came time to select a college, Megan followed in her mother’s footsteps and chose Concord. Her mother, Anne Harvey, graduated from Concord and taught elementary school for more than three decades. While she was very busy in high school with extracurricular activities, Megan says she didn’t become involved in campus life to a great extent at Concord. Along with carrying a full academic load, she also held down three jobs, she says, and, as a commuter, she wasn’t on campus as much as someone living in a residence hall. A recipient of the Promise Scholarship, Megan started out in Education, then switched her major to Communication. She eventually ended up in Interdisciplinary Studies, focusing on Exercise Science and Health Promotion. Megan says that Dr. John Baker, who taught English/ Literature, was one of her favorite professors. “He helped me enjoy the literature and what’s beyond the pages you are reading,” she says. “I was very grateful that I encountered him and took his classes.” She appreciates his kindness and the time he took to help her perfect and fine-tune her assignments. “I saw the fun and beauty in writing,” she says. »

MEGAN ROOT

Josh and Megan Root

She also appreciates the contributions Dr. David Campbell and Dr. Eloise Elliott, whom she considers a “role model”, made toward her major area of study. Megan says she “loved” Dr. Campbell’s classes and that although he expected his students to work hard, he also made the experience enjoyable. “He made it fun,” she says. “He didn’t want us to slack. Dr. Campbell wanted us to try hard.” During her senior year, Megan completed an internship with a state children’s health initiative. She worked with children in Boone and Logan counties, encouraging physical activity and other healthy options. “I really liked that. It was fun,” she says. While Megan wasn’t involved in athletics at Concord, she did win a prestigious running award as a student. One spring, she entered the David S. Roth Memorial 5K Run and ended up being the top female finisher, crossing the finish line ahead of the young women on CU’s track and cross country teams. Coach Mike Cox was so impressed with her performance that he invited her to run for Concord. Although it was an honor to be asked, the offer didn’t fit into her plans and she declined. Megan explains how she got the competitive edge to win the race. With a keen interest in running and dedication to fitness, she combined her study time with keeping in shape. »

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MEGAN ROOT

“Between classes, I would get on the treadmill,” she recalls. “I would just study and run.” All of that studying paid off too, as Megan graduated magna cum laude from Concord in Spring 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. Josh Root grew up on the California ranch he still calls home. He completed two tours of duty in Iraq with the U.S. Marine Corps and also spent time stationed at Camp Lejeune. And, he was best friends with Megan’s older brother. He returned to Macdoel after his military service, and when his father became ill and passed away, running the family’s ranch transitioned to him. Megan first met Josh in July 2006. When a “chance meeting” brought them together, Megan says she “knew instantly” he was the one. Following a whirlwind courtship, they were married on June 4, 2007 at a “little white church out on Pisgah Road.” The newlyweds then hit the road driving cross country to California and Megan’s new life on the ranch. She remembers Josh telling her: “It’s not a job. It’s a lifestyle.” Megan says that when she tells folks back home she is living in California, they have visions of glamorous, sunny Southern California and the Los Angeles area. But that isn’t the case. “We’re in cowboy country,” she explains.

Macdoel is a rural, sparsely populated ranching community in northern California near the Oregon border. At an elevation above 4200 feet, Megan describes the terrain as “high mountain desert”. To put the size of her community into perspective, Megan says Macdoel has a post office and a gas station. “The closest Wal-Mart is 45 minutes away.” The population is around 500. Dorris – 15 miles to the north – is a bit larger with 900 or so residents. Businesses include a deli, gas station, two convenience stores and a Mexican restaurant. The communities are situated in Butte Valley with the famed, ice topped volcano, Mt. Shasta, nearby. Located within this beautiful landscape, the Josh Root Ranch specializes in making hay, the alfalfa variety. Basically, they grow it and bale it, sell it and haul it. Megan explains that their businesses are like a triangle with three specific operations. “We grow our own alfalfa,” she says. “My husband brokers hay for feed stores, fancy horses and cattle ranches.” Josh Root also owns a California Hay Truck and delivery service. He’s known to get up early and hit the road to make deliveries with his 80-foot long rig, a Peterbuilt semi and two pull trailers. All total, Megan and Josh own around 500 acres of »

Alfalfa waking up from dormancy

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MEGAN ROOT

land. Megan says that when compared to other operations in their area “we’re small size”. “Small fish in a big pond.” Looking at the alfalfa production side of their enterprise, Megan says that 315 acres of the ranch are dedicated to growing the crop. They get three to four cuttings per year with the hay season in their part of the country running from June through September and sometimes continuing into October. The hay is put up in two sizes of bales – the smaller ones weigh 130 pounds and the larger ones come in at 1500 pounds. With a dry climate, Megan explains that irrigating the alfalfa crop is key to its survival, growth and success. She says they start irrigating in May and may need to continue into October. Another 200 acres of their property is devoted to pasture land. Megan says their house is “set back on 20 acres” where the road dead ends. Here, they have a barn, pasture and a riding arena. The Roots raise beef cattle, along with chickens and goats. Megan says she enjoys sharing some of the “southern hospitality” she learned back home with her friends and neighbors now that she is out west. “We love to have people over.” When the Root family heads to community gatherings and get-togethers, Megan likes to fix something with a southern flavor to add to the spread on the dinner table. One of her specialties is a West Virginia staple. “I’m always requested to bring pepperoni and cheese rolls at a branding,” she says. Looking beyond their 500 or so acres to additional family land nearby, Megan says, “The homeplace is leased out to strawberries.” She explains that the area where they live is “one of the top places in the world to grow strawberries.” But, don’t expect to see ripe, red berries in the fields there. The Butte Valley’s contribution to the strawberry industry is to cultivate plants in one stage of their journey to becoming fruit bearing. The berries ripen in the hotter parts of California, but not before the plants thrive in the chill offered by the Macdoel area. Thanks to those chilly temperatures, Megan says she never packs away her sweatshirts. Megan admits she has learned a lot about the alfalfa/hay business since arriving on the ranch as a newlywed back in 2007. “I didn’t know anything,” she says of her first days there. But her knowledge and experience have increased with each passing year. Now she can hold her own with more seasoned ranchers when it comes to discussing the appropriate hay for horses, or the nutritional value best suited to dairy cows. “It’s a fine science,” she says. “I’ve learned so much from Josh from him being

in the mix for so long,” she explains. When discussing her role as a woman in agriculture, Megan says, “I’m not an anomaly out here per se.” While other women are involved in farming and ranching, they may not be to the extent of Megan, however. She’s committed to walking the fields, checking the irrigation system, inspecting the bales. On top of that, she also does the bookkeeping for their enterprises and has a say in how they are run. “I enjoy working in the fields as well as driving and working on the equipment. I love being in agriculture,” Megan says. “There have been more times than not, that I have had to work the job of a man, 12 hours in a 1500’ irrigation ditch, days where I am walking and picking rocks out of the field as we prepare to put new ground into production, fixing something on equipment without Josh’s help because he isn’t around and the job needs to get done.” “Best of all for me, I love working with my best friend Josh - who just so happens to be my husband,” she says. Megan says that she and Josh are partners in their business. “We make decisions together. I am in every decision of the business.” One major decision that they’ve had to make is whether to grow their operation. Megan says they’ve reached a point where they could expand their farming or hay truck »

Lorelei gives Duke his meal

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MEGAN ROOT

The Root Family, from left, Isaac, Josh, Lorelei, Megan and Caroline

business. In deciding not to take that route, they looked at the situation from a special perspective. She says they had to “take the world’s glasses off” and ask: “What do we want our life to look like? What does the Lord want?” Megan’s Christian faith is strong and she has great trust in God’s provision for her needs. “We don’t take for granted the water and wind,” she says. “It’s a testament to the Lord. It’s not in Josh and I’s hands.” “You learn that you have to rest in the faith…that He will provide,” she says. As she contemplates the rewards of living and working on the ranch, enjoying nature and a task completed come to mind. “It’s so rewarding for me to be outside in the Lord’s beauty,” she says. “There’s something very real about it when you are doing something with your hands…really good about it when you see something from beginning to end.” Megan and Josh have three children: Isaac, 11, Caroline, 9 and Lorelei, 6. “Our kids live a wonderful life,” Megan says. “Wholesome” is how she describes the family’s lifestyle on the ranch. The children love to run through the alfalfa fields, their mom says, and play in the barn surrounded only by dirt and their imaginations. They are also learning firsthand about their family’s business and the hard work and rewards associated with growing, baling and distributing alfalfa. Isaac is raising livestock for 4-H and Caroline enjoys CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

horseback riding. The entire family counts camping as a favorite pastime. “We love to camp with our kids,” Megan says. Spending time together as a family is important. “We all like to be together,” she says. When she first moved to California, Megan worked as a teacher’s aide at an area school. Now, she homeschools her children and is involved in their local homeschool group. “I am a teacher for the home school community,” she explains. “I have my own class.” In the area of community service, she says she is often invited to serve as a judge for regional Future Farmers of America events and debate competitions. She is a children’s worker at the church she attends with her family. Megan also volunteers her time assisting with projects for a local non-profit cemetery. Along with designing their yearly newsletter and sending out letters requesting donations, she serves as the location coordinator for the Wreaths Across America program. “Since the inception of it in our community, I have been in charge of the yearly ceremony and handling all the laying of the wreaths,” she says. “We are a donation only type of organization, so we work extra hard to be able to pay for all the wreaths to lay on the veterans’ graves in the cemetery. My family has also taken on putting out all the flags on every veteran’s grave for any holiday.” “I am very patriotic with my father, uncles, brothers, and my husband all being military. This is something I do extra because it's near and dear to my heart,” she says.

This article was compiled by Wes McKinney ‘13 in the CU Sports Information Office.

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ATHLETICS

After a long break in competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mountain Lion athletes and coaches enthusiastically took to the court, field and track and got back in the action during the Spring 2021 semester. CU teams and players have had some milestone moments this spring, racking up honors and awards along the way. Some of these accolades are spotlighted here.

Concord Stuns #4 West Liberty in 91-83 Upset Win

Malik Johnson

The Concord University men’s basketball team upset the nationallyranked fourth rated Hilltoppers of West Liberty, 91-83, Jan. 20 in a Mountain East Conference contest at the Carter Center. The Mountain Lions (3-2) survived 22 turnovers against WLU’s (4-1) pressure defense, and a 14-0 run from the Hilltoppers in the closing stages of the game to pull off the upset. It marked the third time in six seasons that Concord has upset West Liberty at the Carter Center – all coming with WLU being ranked in the top five nationally. Up 80-64 with 4:04 left in the contest after senior guard/forward Malik Johnson hit a triple, the Mountain Lions watched WLU score 14 unanswered points to trim the CU lead to 80-78 with 1:39 remaining. However, Concord calmly sank six consecutive free throws to regain an 86-78 advantage 45 seconds later. After a West Liberty three-pointer on the ensuing possession, Concord put the game away as junior guard Seth Brown and junior forward Mohamed Bundu combined to make four straight at the foul line. The game featured seven lead changes – all in the first half. Down 34-31 with seven minutes left before halftime, the Mountain Lions were able to finish the opening 20 minutes

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

on a 14-4 run to lead 45-38 at the break. Seven different CU players scored during the closing surge to finish up the first half. West Liberty cut the Concord lead to one possession three different times in the first eight minutes of the second half, but a 26-12 run over an eight-minute stretch helped secure the 80-64 lead at the 4:04 mark. Johnson pumped in a career-best 25 points on 8-for-10 shooting. Bundu finished with his first career doubledouble as he posted 22 points and 14 rebounds. Coming into Wednesday night, the Largo, Md. native had only scored 12 points over the first four games of the regular season. With 11 points in the first half, Brown posted his first career game in double figures with 15 points. The 83 points scored by West Liberty are the fewest by a Hilltopper team in a regular season game since Dec. 11, 2019 when Charleston held WLU to 73 points – a span of 19 games. Additionally, Concord was able to hold West Liberty 30 points under its season average of 112.8. CU did it by limiting the Hilltoppers to 44.4 percent (28-for-63). On the offensive end, Concord shot 29-of-53 from the field (54.7 percent) and was a sizzling 61.9 percent (13-for-21) in the second half. In the upset, the Mountain Lions outrebounded West Liberty, 3326, and held WLU to 10 offensive rebounds – 9.5 below its season average.

ATHLETICS

Women’s Basketball Picks up Largest Win in History with Division II The Concord University women’s basketball team finished the first quarter on an 18-0 run and never looked back as it downed Alderson Broaddus, 95-54, Feb. 3 in a Mountain East Conference game at the Carter Center. The 95 points were a season best and the 41-point win was the largest margin of victory for Concord since joining Division II in 1994-95. With CU (5-4) holding a 14-10 advantage just after the first media timeout of the game, Concord begin to pull away from the Battlers (4-5). Senior forward Riley Fitzwater started the run with back-to-back layups, then sophomore guard Jazz Blankenship got into the action as she scored 14 straight points for the Mountain Lions including a running bank shot down the right side of the lane as time expired in the first quarter. Alderson Broaddus was able to get the lead under 20 just once in the second quarter as senior guard Keely Lundy assured the momentum belonged to CU at halftime, burying a three-pointer to stretch the lead to 51-27 at the break. After being held to 19 points in the second quarter, the Mountain Lions recorded another 30-point period in the third. Similar to the first period, the Concord bench led the way with 22 of the 30 points. Freshman guard Maddie Ratcliff scored all 11 of her points in the third while sophomore guard Ashton Funderburg chipped in six. Concord led by as much as 43 points in the fourth quarter before settling for the 41-point win. As a team, the Mountain Lions shot 46.2 percent (30-for-65) while canning 9-of-20 three-pointers (45 percent). Blankenship and Lundy each hit three three-pointers with Lundy’s first-quarter three-pointer being the 100th of her career.

Riley Fitzwater

Jazz Blankenship

Maddie Ratcliff

Keely Lundy

Defensively, CU held the Battlers to 29.5 percent (23-for-78) and 14.8 percent (4-of-27) from three-point range. Fitzwater posted game highs in both points (18) and rebounds (14) for her seventh double-double of the season. The Glenville, W.Va. native

also had seven blocks. Fitzwater and Ratcliff were joined in double figures by Blankenship’s career-high 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Three more players – junior guard Maggie Guynn, Lundy and freshman guard Jaisah Smith – finished with nine points.

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ATHLETICS

Fitzwater Named All-American Senior Riley Fitzwater of Concord’s women’s basketball team has been named an AllAmerican by two different organizations. Fitzwater was voted to the Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association (D2CCA) All-American Second Team. She earned Honorable Mention All-American from the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association (WBCA). With the honors Fitzwater becomes the second player in program history to earn AllAmerican with the first being Jolysa Brown (2008-12). During the 2021 season, Fitzwater averaged a double-double for the fourth straight season as she scored 20.6 points and collected 12.2 rebounds per game. Additionally, Fitzwater led Division II in field-goal percentage and blocks per game during her senior season as she shot 68.1 percent from the floor and swatted away 4.5 shots per contest. Fitzwater racked up 13 double-doubles in 16 games which is tied for fifth most in Division II. With just the Division II Elite 8 left to play, Fitzwater was 15th in scoring and seventh in rebounding. Fitzwater recorded three 30-point games during the season, including tying her singlegame career best with 34 points in a win over No. 17 nationally-ranked Glenville State.

Riley Fitzwater

Weitzel Named Athlete of the Week Senior Jason Weitzel of the CU men’s track & field team was voted as the Mountain East Conference Athlete of the Week for the week of April 5. Weitzel shared the honor with Davis & Elkins’ RJ Weiford. Weitzel earns the weekly honor after winning the 1,500-meter run at High Point with a time of 3:56.33. He missed breaking his own school record in the event by less than a second. However, the Athens, W.Va. native did run the fastest time in the 1,500-meters for an MEC athlete this season. This recent honor marks the fifth time in Weitzel’s career that he has earned MEC Track & Field Athlete of the Week. CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

ATHLETICS

Concord Starts Fast, Defeats West Virginia Wesleyan, 52-14

Taking a long dormant football team to the field in a very abbreviated spring season, Concord head coach Dave Walker etched a strong victory into the record books in his first appearance at the helm of the Mountain Lions. Walker was officially introduced as CU’s 20th head coach Dec. 23, 2019, after winning 304 games and eight state championships at Martinsburg High School in Martinsburg, W.Va. For Walker’s first win, CU defeated West Virginia Wesleyan 52-14 in Mountain East Conference action at Cebe Ross Field in Buckhannon on March 27 with junior quarterback Jack Mangel logging a record-setting performance. Mangel tossed five touchdowns on the afternoon to tie a program record, becoming the first quarterback to pass for five scores since Brian Novak had five touchdowns at West Virginia State in November 2016. It was the sixth time in program history a five-touchdown passing game has occurred. The 52 points scored by Concord marked the first 50-point game for the program since Nov. 5, 2016 against West Virginia State. The first CU touchdown came when Mangel found freshman wide receiver Jarod Bowie for an 18-yard touchdown on Concord’s first drive of the day. After an interception from junior defensive back Marcellus Saint gave the Mountain Lions a short field, senior Dillon Howie

capped an 18-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge late in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Mangel hit three different receivers for touchdown scores – Bowie, freshman wide receiver Teddy Marshall and senior wide receiver Tywan Pearce. Bowie’s touchdown covered seven yards, Marshall’s went for 15 and Pearce’s scoring play was for 27 yards. At halftime, Concord led West Virginia Wesleyan, 357. Mangel and the CU offense responded to an early third-quarter score by Wesleyan as it scored on the first play of the ensuing drive. Pearce hauled in a pass in stride to complete a 60-yard scoring play at the 11:57 mark. The final CU score of the afternoon came on a 59-yard rush by freshman running back Darius Smith in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter. Mangel finished the day by going 24-for-36 for 310 yards and five touchdowns. Pearce had 10 receptions for 148 yards and two scores. Marshall had a 100yard receiving day with five receptions. Bowie hauled in seven passes for 57 yards and two scores. Aided by the 59-yard touchdown rush, Smith ran for 102 yards on the day on just 11 attempts. As a team, Concord forced three turnovers. The Mountain Lions outgained West Virginia Wesleyan, 408-224.

Jack Mangel

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc with sports and Concord football is no exception. Due to the pandemic, CU’s fall 2020 season transitioned to spring 2021.With their March 27 contest against West Virginia Wesleyan, the Mountain Lions took to the gridiron for the first time in 504 days with their last game coming Nov. 16, 2019 in a narrow defeat to Wheeling, 27-20. Also owing to the pandemic, the recent game with Wesleyan would end up being CU’s one and only time in competition for spring 2021.

Dave Walker

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ATHLETICS

Softball Sweeps MEC Weekly Honors The Concord University softball team collected both the Mountain East Conference Pitcher and Player of the Week Awards for the week of March 29. Sophomore pitcher/ outfielder Josie Brewer was the MEC Pitcher of the Week while junior third baseman/ outfielder Sarah Thompson was the MEC Player of the Week. Brewer went 2-0 in three appearances during the week with an ERA of 1.13 in 12.1 innings that included 16 strikeouts. The Pulaski, Josie Brewer Va. native started the week by pitching a complete game (five innings) against Bluefield State in which she struck out a career-best 10 batters and allowed one run on two hits. In a relief appearance at West Virginia Wesleyan, Brewer notched four strikeouts and gave up just one earned run in 5.1 innings to pick up the win. She finished the week with two scoreless

Sarah Thompson

innings of relief at Davis & Elkins, and helped CU run its win streak to six games. Thompson, a native of Prince George, Va., hit .578 during the 6-0 week for the Mountain Lions. She had two home runs, drove in nine runs and collected three doubles. Additionally, Thompson had at least one hit in all six games, and finished with multiple

hits in four of six contests. In game two against Bluefield State, Thompson had her first career game with two doubles in a 9-1 Concord win. She was responsible for both runs in a 2-1 victory at WVWC, including a goahead, two-out single in the top of the ninth. She capped the week with her first career grand slam in an 11-3 win at Davis & Elkins.

JOHNSON INKS DEAL WITH CFL’S WINNIPEG Concord University football AllAmerican Jeremiah Johnson (201317) has landed his fourth professional contract. Johnson, a four-time All-Mountain East Conference selection, has signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the 2021 season. The Baltimore, Md. native has previously spent time in the pro ranks with the Indianapolis Colts as well as the Salt Lake Stallions of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) and the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL. In five games with the Roughnecks in 2020, Johnson tallied nine

tackles, three pass break-ups and one interception before the rest of the season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Johnson joins a Blue Bombers squad that went 11-7 in 2019, winning the Gray Cup – the CFL Championship. Along the way, Winnipeg upset the top two teams in the CFL, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The 2020 CFL season was canceled due to COVID-19. Winnipeg starts preseason games May 28 with the regular season slated to get underway June 10 against Hamilton in a rematch of the 2019 Gray Cup.

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

Jeremiah Johnson

ATHLETICS

CU Athletics Highlights Images of the Decade

To celebrate the most memorable moments in Mountain Lion athletics during the past 10 years, the Concord University Sports Information Department has taken a look back at the past decade (2010-2019/20) in a short video presentation. The top student-athletes, coaches and moments have been highlighted in these clips, beginning with 2010 and running through the 2019-20 school year.

The video can be viewed here!

MEN’S BASKETBALL STAFF PARTICIPATES IN ANNUAL SUITS AND SNEAKERS WEEK

Coach Todd May

Concord University head men’s basketball coach Todd May, along with assistant coach Trent Howard, participated in the annual Coaches vs. Cancer Suits And Sneakers event when CU hosted Frostburg State at the Carter Center Jan. 30. Coaches vs. Cancer Suits And Sneakers ® Week (January 25-31,

2021) is a nationwide event that unites coaches across the country to raise funds and awareness about the fight against cancer and promotes the American Cancer Society as a source of inspiration and hope for those facing cancer. While coaching games during the week, coaches wear sneakers with their game attire as a

visible reminder of their support of the American Cancer Society. In addition, Coaches May and Howard also participated in the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits And Sneakers T-Shirt Challenge. Proceeds from the sale of this specially designed Suits And Sneakers shirt go back to the Coaches vs. Cancer program of the American Cancer Society and will specifically support childhood cancer awareness through the American Cancer Society’s Gold Together campaign. This campaign raises funds to support childhood cancer research, services and awareness, and cancer prevention efforts targeting children. The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The program empowers basketball and other athletic coaches to save lives from cancer by leveraging their community leadership to raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society.

For more information on Suits And Sneakers Week, visit coachesvscancer.org.

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Class Notes

ACHIEVEMENTS

1970s ____________

Sisters Nesta Wickline Logan ’74, ’75 and Marsha Wickline Eaton ’98 are

proud Mountain Lions. “Marsha and I have enjoyed very rewarding careers because of the education we received at Concord College,” Nesta says. “We credit God’s guidance which directed us to Concord and His guidance which allowed us to receive our career degrees.” “We both are proud to tell others that we received our degrees from, at that time, Concord College,” she says. Nesta first received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology then completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology. She says she “enjoyed approximately 41 years in my profession of Medical Technology as the manager of the Summers County ARH Laboratory.”

McClintic Pens Autobiography

She also served as manager of the Medical Imaging and CardioPulmonary Departments. Nesta married Robert Logan, Jr. in 1989. They reside in Ballard, W.Va. Marsha Wickline Eaton received a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She began her teaching career at Macy McClaugherty Elementary/ Middle School in Pearisburg, Va. She also taught GED classes through New River Community College. She enjoys working with her students and teachers. Marsha married Gary Eaton, of Rich Creek, Va., in 2006. He passed away in 2017.

Brenda Harshbarger ’78 has

been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators. “Inclusion in the Top Professionals series is an honor limited to individuals who have demonstrated leadership and achievement in their industry and occupation,” states Marquis Who’s Who on their website. Among the factors used to select honorees are “a professional’s years of service and unique contributions”. Brenda is

being honored for her “dedication, achievements, and leadership in mathematics and special education.” A Mercer County (W.Va.) educator with more than 30 years of experience, Brenda has been honored as Teacher of the Year and is known for working with teams of students in competitions and Olympiads. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education from Concord, magna cum laude and a Master of Arts in Special Education, summa cum laude, from Marshall University.

2000s ___________

Robby Moore ’03 was

commissioned by Lafayette Flats in Fayetteville, W.Va. to create a piece for their main entrance that serves as the boutique vacation rentals’ 2021 West Virginia Art Fund purchase. His mixed-media work “Make Yourself at Home” incorporates silk fabric, acrylic paint, marker, thread and yarn. Measuring approximately 6.5’ wide by 5’ tall, it is the largest piece in the collection. Robby is the executive »

Robert B. McClintic ’79 is announcing publication

of his first book “Two Dimes a Day” by Christian Faith Publishing. He says the autobiography is “focused on faith, family, and education.” After graduating from Concord, Robert taught Social Studies and Physical Education at White Sulphur Junior High for nine years. He also coached football, basketball, and track for both boys and girls. He earned a master’s degree in Education Administration and went on to serve as principal at several Greenbrier County schools. He was named Director of Secondary and Vocational Education for Greenbrier County Schools in 2006. His retirement in 2009 was short-lived as he was “immediately recruited” to serve as principal at Covington (Va.) High School. He spent five years there then retired for a second time. Robert has been married to his high school sweetheart, Nellie, for 55 years. “We were blessed with four children and now have 15 grandchildren and one great-grandson,” he says. CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

Class Notes director of the Beckley Art Center.

Rasman Walker ’08 opened a

State Farm Insurance office in Beckley earlier this year. He grew up in Ronceverte and played football for the Mountain Lions.

2010s ___________

Carrie (Honaker) Neese ’12

has recently been named Music Director at Ronceverte Presbyterian Church. Along with her duties at

the church, Carrie is also the music teacher at Lewisburg Elementary School. Previously, she served as the Director of Music at Lewisburg United Methodist Church and pianist at McLean Presbyterian Church. Her family includes her husband, Cory, and their son, Owen.

Larry Thompson ’13 has been

named the head football coach for Parkersburg Catholic High School. He is the 13th person to hold this position. Larry played for the Mountain Lions and earned a physical

education degree from Concord. After graduating from CU, he became the head coach at Mount View High School in 2014 then went to Wyoming East for the 2019 season. Just prior to joining Parkersburg Catholic, he was the wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator at Lab High School, located on the campus of Louisiana State University.

Ice Castles Internship Takes Nick Kostenko to Colorado

When it comes to internships, Nick Kostenko ‘20 should get an award for “Most Unusual”. This recent Concord graduate spent time last winter at the Dillon Ice Castles, learning among other skills the fine art of ice sculpting. Located in Dillon, Colo., 70 miles or so west of Denver, this spectacular frozen wonderland is one of four Ice Castles across North America. Professional ice artists hand-place hundreds of thousands of icicles to create the award-winning A mountain lion roams the Dillon Ice Castles. attraction that ends up containing up to 25 million pounds of ice. Visitors bundle up to experience its beauty and magic among the tunnels, slides, fountains, thrones and sculptures, all made more enchanting by colorful LED-lights. Nick explains how he landed this very frosty opportunity. “One of my friends from guiding on the New River is a manager here and he’s been trying to get me to come out for a few years now,” he said. “With COVID making things more remote, it gave me an excellent excuse to ski bum in Colorado and have a once in a lifetime experience Nick’s creations include a mountain lion and other critters. building something as magical as an ice castle.” He goes on to discuss the creative process involved in crafting the ice sculptures, something that relies on a chainsaw and other implements. “We use ice blocks 40”x20”x10” for carving and other projects. I started out playing with half blocks turning them into a bear, an ermine – kind of like a Colorado weasel – and a rattlesnake. The bear wasn’t so hot but as time has gone on my carvings have improved,” he said. One of his creations that has special ties to home caught the attention and praise of Dr. Susan Williams who says Nick was one of her Beckley RTM (Recreation and Tourism Management) students. Thinking of Concord, he included a mountain lion among his frozen menagerie. Nick graduated in Fall 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management, cum laude. He is from Beckley.

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Class Notes

Hiromi Kowata Seeing Successful Career as Athletic Trainer Athletic training has proven to be a good fit for Hiromi Kowata '12 as a profession. She is currently an athletic trainer for Ritsumeikan

University in her native Japan and has a leadership role in the Japan Athletic Trainers’ Organization (JATO). However, when Hiromi began her studies at Concord, she originally had other plans for her major instead of athletic training. “I actually started with Sports Management Interdisciplinary instead of an Athletic Training major, since teachers in Japan discouraged me to major in Athletic Training. They told me I would fail in the Athletic Training major because I am not good at scientific fields,” she recalls. “So, I took both Business and Athletic Training classes during my Hiromi (in the red shirt) joins fellow athletic trainers at the 2019 World Federation of Athletic Training first year at Concord, but at the end of the first year, the Director of Athletic Training, Dr. Joe Beckett, told me ‘why don’t you try taking the & Therapy (WFATT) World Congress held in Japan. The congress was hosted by Japan Athletic Trainers’ exam to enter the athletic training program? You can do it!’” Hiromi Organization (JATO) and WFATT. says. “Taking Athletic Training classes, I became more interested in Athletic Training and the words from Dr. Beckett pushed me forward to pursue the program.” She heard those encouraging words “you can do it” again and again while she was a Concord student. “All teachers, staff, and friends at Concord kept encouraging me to try things that I never thought I wanted to try because of lack of confidence in accomplishing [them]. Everyone close to me just kept telling me ‘You can do it!’ Those are still the key words to me up to this day,” she says. Hiromi is originally from Kamakura city, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. She currently Hiromi Kowata lives in Kusatsu city, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. She graduated from Concord in May 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and went on to earn a Master of Science in Health Sciences and Kinesiology with an Athletic Training Concentration from Georgia Southern University. Additionally, she is Athletic Trainer Certified (BOC-ATC). Hiromi was a member of the International Students Club at Concord. She said she especially enjoyed “interacting with friends from various countries.” When asked what she thinks makes Concord a special place, she enthusiastically replies, that it’s the “people.” “Staff, teachers, friends, people in the community, etc…every single person related to Concord makes Concord a special place,” she said. “All the people I met at Concord are so friendly, thoughtful, and always here to help me.” It’s this same friendliness of the Mountain Lion community that cemented her decision to attend Concord. “The biggest reason that I chose to go to Concord was Dr. Steve Rowe and Mrs. Sharon Rowe. They visited Japan when I was trying to make decisions on which schools to go. Instinctively, I decided to go to Concord because they were extremely nice and warm-hearted,” she says. At Ritsumeikan University, Hiromi has worked with all of the sports teams with the exception of rugby and the American football teams with full-time athletic trainers. With the track and field team, she has “closely worked with the long distance runner team that is one of the most competitive teams nationally”. As a Vice Secretary of JATO she has a variety of responsibilities. She helps coordinate events, facilitates communication between departments and board members, and updates membership information. She also puts her language abilities to work by translating documents from Japanese to English and vice versa. She says that the purposes of JATO include promotion of athletic training and educational activities as well as promoting the official recognition of the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC) certified Athletic Trainers (ATs) (BOC Certified ATs) in Japan. The organization is dedicated to improving academic knowledge and practical skill levels in athletic training. Hiromi is also a member of the medical science committee for the Osaka Basketball Association. (OBA) She said that in this capacity, she is involved in “assisting in conducting medical checks on basketball players of all ages and competing levels in the Western region in Japan.” CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

Class Notes

IN MEMORY 1940s ____________ VIRGINIA O. KOZAK ’41: January

4, 2021. Carmen Virginia Orton Kozak was born on August 13, 1920, in Herndon, WV. She was the second child and second daughter born to Rollie S. and Velma Tucker Orton. After moving from Herndon and Maben, her parents settled in Matoaka, WV. From a young age, Virginia took piano lessons on her family’s Baldwin baby grand piano. Because Virginia learned so quickly from her older sister, she was moved a year ahead in school, and graduated from high school before turning 17. In high school, Virginia participated in many activities, including school government, theatre and athletics, playing girls basketball and cheerleading for the boys basketball team. Virginia majored in Music Education, with a minor in English at Concord. She participated in many extracurricular activities, including school government, Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, and several music groups where she played trombone, violin and piano. Additionally, she was also president of Concord’s chapter of the national education honor fraternity of Kappa Delta Pi. The summer before her Junior year, Virginia spent an extended time studying with hundreds of other to-be music teachers from across the country, at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. In her junior year, Virginia’s picture was one of nine finalists entered in a nationwide contest published in the Look

magazine for the “most beautiful college co-ed in West Virginia.” Virginia won with over two-thirds of the votes, earning her the honor of becoming Queen Morgan the Fourth, to oversee the annual Tomato Festival, held in Berkley Springs, WV. Virginia graduated from Concord with the second highest honors in her class, as Magna Cum Laude, second only to her long-time friend and college roommate. After graduation, she was hired by Mercer County Schools to teach in Montcalm, as a music teacher for seventh to tenth graders. In 1943, Virginia was accepted into the music program of Columbia University Teacher’s College in New York City. While in a conducting class, editors for the Parade Magazine were searching for a graduate student who would be the most photogenic for a featured article. Virginia was chosen as the subject of this published four-page pictorial article. While in New York City, Virginia corresponded with several of her former Concord professors, including her former math and music professor, Andrew Kozak, who happened to be stationed in the U.S. Navy, near New York City. This correspondence eventually led to a meeting, which eventually led to a first date, in the city’s large Riverside Baptist Church. By December of 1944, they announced their engagement, and were married on April 7, 1945, in Matoaka. Since Andrew remained in the Navy for several years, their first homes were near his areas of assignment, living first in Wickford, RI and then in Berkley, CA. Virginia continued to teach in the public schools of Valley Stream, Long Island, and Oakland, CA, where she taught Music and English. For the war effort, Virginia also worked in the Quarter Master Core. In 1946, after returning from the West Coast, Andrew and Virginia relocated in Athens. Initially, Virginia again taught choral and instrumental music in the Spanishburg and Matoaka schools, including first through twelfth grades.

During their summers, they came to State College, PA, where Andrew was continuing to work on his Doctorate (completed in 1952). In the early 1950s their children, Margaret and Richard, were born, after which they built and purchased their first home, on Faculty Hill. In 1958, Dr. Kozak accepted a position with Penn State University as an Assistant Professor in the College of Education, moving his family to State College, where they remained for over 55 years. In the early 1960s, Virginia was employed as a substitute music teacher in the State College Junior High. She was a member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church (since 1959), participating in The Friendship Class, Circle 6 and being the director of Junior High Education. Virginia volunteered for the Red Cross, playing the piano for the monthly birthday party at a retirement community which she continued doing even into her 80s. She was a member of the State College Women’s Club and volunteered as a cashier in the gift shop of Centre Community Hospital. Over the decades, she was especially skilled at playing Scrabble, and enjoyed reading biographies or books by her favorite authors, Billy Graham and Mauve Benchy. In June of 2014, Virginia moved into Elmcroft Senior Living of State College. There, she continued her love of playing hymns and old standards on the piano. In August of 2020 Elmcroft put together a wonderful 100th Birthday Outdoor Celebration for Virginia, including over 500 balloons, multiple posters with old magazine and college pictures of Virginia, a collection of musical instruments she had played, and a large car parade. She also received over 100 birthday cards, all of which helped her to feel very well celebrated. In the eyes of the many who love her, she will always be a most beautiful, Christian Southern belle. Virginia was predeceased by her parents, her husband (1986), her nephew Mark Feuchtenberger, her sister Elizabeth O. Feuchtenberger, »

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Class Notes and her “beau” of 20 years, Charles A. Ross. She is survived by her two children, Margaret C. Kozak (Sherry Slaterbeck) of State College, PA, and Richard A. (Denise) Kozak of Hacienda Heights, CA; two grandsons, Brian R. (Sophia Seto) Kozak of Irvine, CA, and Christopher R. Kozak and Melissa Horgan of Huntington Beach, CA; two great granddaughters, Chloe Lia Kozak of La Puente, CA, and Kira Jade Kozak of Irvine, CA; and her sister’s children, Douglas, John, Betse and Rollie Feuchtenberger.

Ruth Mayberry Elmore ’46:

January 25, 2021. She was the third daughter of the late Mona Poff and The Reverend Z.F. Mayberry, and was only days away from celebrating her 94th birthday. She was born on February 6, 1927, at the Methodist parsonage in Independence, Virginia, while her father was the pastor there. In her early years, the family was transferred to southern West Virginia, where Ruth grew up and spent most of her life. Ruth graduated with the Matoaka (WV) High School Class of 1944, and studied at Concord Normal School receiving her teaching certificate with a major in music. Her professional career included instruction in public school, teaching piano lessons, and working for the Sanitary Board in Princeton, from which she retired after 25 years of service. In addition to her talents in music, sewing, quilting, and cooking, Ruth was blessed with a remarkable singing voice. Her melodies honored those at weddings, funerals, church services, and civic events over the decades. She was a member of Concord Methodist Church where she participated in the choir for many years, and was active in numerous church functions, including as a Lay Leader. Ruth was a past member of the Rock Chapter of the Eastern Star,

and of the West Virginia Federation of Democratic Women. She was a resident of Keswick, Virginia, formerly of Athens. Ruth was a loving, kind, and generous person who adored her family. In addition to her parents, two sisters, Mary Mayberry Shoda and Margaret Mayberry Weatherford, preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Jim Elmore and wife Jan, grandson Seth, and stepgranddaughter Genevieve, all of the Charlottesville area. Also left behind to share memories of a life well lived are her brother, James S. Mayberry, Sr., nephew Pastor Scott Mayberry and wife Lynn, all of Athens; niece Lynn Mayberry Hanchock and husband Don, of Princeton; and, grandnephew Dr. Dustin Hanchock and wife Jessica and their children, Kayleigh, Bryson, and Trenton, and grandnephew Todd Hanchock, all of Nashville, Tennessee.

Mary Jo Knouff '48: April 15, 2021.

She was preceded in death by her parents, L.C. and Bircie McCommack Thompson; her sister, Mildred Thompson; and her son, Mark Janey. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, George Knouff; her stepchildren, Jerry Knouff (Heidi) and Kathy Knouff Barley (David); her grandchildren, Lauren Janey Jones (David), Claiborne T. Janey (Christie), Morgan Janey McGee (Dustin), Jay Knouff, Tessa Knouff Surber (Greg), Scott Levinson, and Alec Levinson; and seven greatgrandchildren. Mrs. Knouff was born in Mullens, West Virginia in 1925 to Luther and Bircie Thompson. She graduated from Concord College and later worked as a teacher in Montana; it was there that she learned to fly and turned a love of flying into a career that took her to a distinguished position in the Federal Aviation Administration in Washington D.C. She developed and implemented a plan for Aviation Education in secondary schools that

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eventually led to her receiving the Frank G. Brewer Award for Excellence in Aviation Education. In her capacity with the FAA, Mary Jo spearheaded many workshops and seminars on her specialty, culminating in leading a delegation to Moscow, Russia to promote Aviation Education. This was her 50th year as a member of the Ninety-Nines, an organization of women pilots. Mary Jo was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother; a member of Blacksburg Christian Fellowship; and a resident of Blacksburg, Virginia.

Barbara Rose Clarke Plummer ’48:

January 20, 2021. She was born on March 7, 1927 in Elkhorn, WV. She was affectionately known as “Buddy” by her family and “Babs” to her friends over the years. Her life’s joys included gardening, the company of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her dog and cat companions, playing Bridge with the ladies (in Athens, Bluefield and Bramwell), reading voraciously and living a simple, peaceful life. She encouraged the younger generations to be creative, to think independently and to nurture and respect nature. Barbara and her husband Bob had four children, Marc, Chris, Erica and Robin. She was especially proud that her four children obtained 10 advanced education degrees in the fields of Fine Art, Psychology, Chemical Engineering, Business, Nursing and Anesthesia. She had graduated from Concord as a Chemistry major herself. She was widowed in 2011, when her spouse, Robert D. Plummer passed due to cancer. They had taken on a remarkable act in raising their greatgranddaughter, Akira, from infancy to the age of four, starting when “Buddy” was 76 and “Bobboo” was 79. She was able to remain in her home as »

Class Notes she wished and was cared for by her grandson Jordan Damewood and his wife Danielle. She is survived by her son Chris, and daughters Erica and Robin; grandchildren, Eleanor, Kathryn, Sean, Amanda, Jennifer, Eric, Alaina and Jordan; and, greatgrandchildren Gabriel, Akira, Jude, Josie, Jett, Emma, Lilian, Abbi, Elliott and Adrienne.

1950s ____________

Naomi Dainese Selvey ’50:

October 20, 2020. Known as Dain by her loved ones, she was born on August 13, 1927, daughter of the late Raymond and Capitola Nunn. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Bob of Richmond, Va.; her daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Chris Seward of Kitty Hawk, N.C.; two amazing grandchildren, August Seward and Garland Seward of Kitty Hawk, N.C.; two sisters, Faye Fortner of Pulaski, Va. and Doris Rees of Roanoke, Va.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Dain was a graduate of Concord College and was a lifelong learner and teacher, earning her master’s in Library Science from Virginia Tech while in her 40s and working full-time. She was an employee of the Fairfax County Public School system throughout much of her career in education. One of her greatest joys in life was her grandchildren and she often recalled many funny and endearing stories of the years she spent babysitting them when they were little. She had a heart of gold and loved her family fiercely with all of her being. She is so missed and lives on in our hearts.

Norma Jean Riggs Smith ’52: January 14, 2021. Norma was born in the coalfields of Slab

Fork, West Virginia on November 21, 1931 to the late Oakley Riggs and the late Eva Kade Riggs. When she was five years old she and her parents moved to Lorton Lick Road, where she lived the rest of her life, on land purchased by her Kade grandparents in 1918. She was raised with numerous aunts and uncles and many cousins whom she loved. She still kept in touch with some of them. Norma graduated from Bramwell High School in 1949 and Concord College. She taught school for 24 years at Sagamore, Mora, Ceres, Bluewell and Montcalm before retiring. She loved teaching and always said that teaching a child to read was one of her greatest blessings. Norma met and married George Alfred Smith in 1951. He was her soul mate and the love of her life. Alfred introduced her to her Lord and Savior and in 1958 she was baptized. They, along with their family, worshipped at Pine Grove Church of Christ for 50 years until Alfred passed away in 2006. Norma is survived by a son, Mark Allan Smith and wife Julia and a daughter Valerie Lynn Bailey and husband Barry. Two granddaughters Brooke Bailey and husband Joel Gattoni and Jill Kirby and husband Brandon Kirby. She also has one great- grandson Jack Kirby. One of God’s greatest gifts to her was her family and her friends.

Hester Mae Forren Noble ’53: January 9, 2021.

Born March 24, 1931 in Monroe County, West Virginia she was the daughter of the late Tolliver Forren and Mary Murdock Forren. Hester was a member of Johnston Chapel Baptist Church in Princeton, WV. She graduated from Concord College and was a retired school teacher, having taught in Greenville, Ballard and Peterstown, WV. Hester was an avid sports fan, especially enthusiastic about WVU football. Formerly of Ballard, WV, she was a

resident of Princeton, WV. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Lewis Noble, and two brothers, Homer Forren (Grace) and Kenith Forren (Robbie). Hester is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Shannon Noble, of Princeton, WV, as well as nieces and nephews.

Ruth Webb Hawley ’54:

December 5, 2020. Born February 19, 1919 at Junta in Summers County, she was the daughter of the late Robert M. and Josephine Harvey Webb. Mrs. Hawley was a teacher for 37 years, having taught elementary education in Raleigh and Wyoming counties. She graduated with a B.A. degree from Concord College in 1954. She also attended Marshall University and West Virginia University. Mrs. Hawley was a lifetime member of the West Virginia Association of Retired School Employees. She was a member of the Pineville United Methodist Church. A resident of Pineville, Mrs. Hawley was very active in her community. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward D. Hawley, her daughter, Ann Ellen Hodges, six brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her son-in-law, Henry H. Hodges of Wardensville; grandson, Jonathan Hodges and his wife Magnolia of Gore, VA, granddaughter, Carolyn Mayes and her husband William of Grovetown GA; five great grandchildren, Trinnon, Halibel and Thalia Hodges, Gabriel and Scarlett Mayes.

Donna Jean Harvey Cook ’55:

February 13, 2021. Born March 20, 1921, in Simon, WV, she was the daughter of the late T. H. and Bertha Hill Harvey. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Concord and devoted her life to teaching. She was a »

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Class Notes faithful member of Nicholasville United Methodist Church in Nicholasville, KY. She is survived by a sister, Karen Kelsay of Lexington, KY and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Cook was preceded in death her husband, Col. Richard H. Cook and a brother, Robert C. Harvey.

Robert Phillip Perry ’55: December

18, 2020. Born in Athens, WV December 16, 1933, he was the son of the late Thomas Jefferson and Mabel Osborne Perry. Robert was a retired educator last working as a professor in the Computer Science Department of Bluefield State College and currently holding the title of Professor Emeritus. His impressive academic career began with graduation from Athens High School. He earned his B.S. degree in Education from Concord College and continued his education at the University of Virginia earning his master’s degree in Education in 1960, majoring in Mathematics and Physical Science. Robert earned scholarship grants for both his undergraduate and graduate studies. For seven years he taught Physics and Math at Bluefield High School before becoming a Space Sciences Lecturer for NASA. He lectured to a wide variety of audiences and made numerous radio and television appearances for NASA before starting his work at Bluefield State College. In 1972 Robert successfully converted a “King Midget Vehicle” from gas operated to electric. He also enjoyed making space presentations at various area schools and sailboat racing at Smith Mountain Lake and Claytor Lake. He was a resident of Princeton. In addition to his parents, his wife, Mildred Joan “Joyce” Surface Perry; one son, Robert Lee Perry; two brothers, James Perry and Walter Perry; and two sisters, Rebecca Miller and Ramona Williams preceded him in death. Survivors include one daughter, Janette J. “Joann” Worrell

of Princeton; six grandchildren, Valerie Shrader, Christina Lantz, Joseph Crigger and wife Amanda, Kaila Crigger, Bobby Jo Perry and wife Kathy and Timmy Perry and wife Ashley; eight great-grandchildren, Krystan Shrader, Blake Skeens, Kaitlyn Lantz, Andria, James “J.J.” Crigger, Autumn Crigger, Easton Perry and Paisley Perry; two sisters, Lois King of Zeeland, MI and Betty Jean Duffey of Florida.

Ralph Edwin “Bo” Godsey ’56: November

23, 2020. Dr. Godsey was born on February 21, 1932, in Bluefield, West Virginia at St. Luke’s Hospital, to James Ernest Godsey and Ruth Irene Robertson Godsey. Dr. Godsey was predeceased by his wife, Brenda Phelps Godsey; his parents; and his brother, James Godsey. “Doc” – as he was affectionately called by family, friends and patients alike – attended Bluefield’s Beaver High School, where he excelled in academics as well as in football, basketball and baseball. He achieved statewide recognition in sports, being named to the all-state baseball and basketball teams. Bo’s athletic talent led to scholarships to Bluefield Junior College and Concord College, where he earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Chemistry. He then attended the Medical College of Virginia (MCV), where he received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1958. Encouraged by the faculty at MCV to apply to the medical school there, Bo was accepted into the Medical College of Virginia School of Medicine and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1962. After completing an internship at JohnstonWillis Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Godsey moved to Crewe, Virginia to begin a 35-year practice as, essentially, the only medical doctor in town. In the early years of his medical

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practice, “Doc” would make house calls after completing a full day of seeing patients at his office in Crewe. He quickly developed a reputation as an outstanding “country doc” with gifted diagnostic skills while serving not only those in Crewe, but many from surrounding counties. In addition to being an exemplary medical practitioner, Dr. Godsey was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. His love of sports stayed with him throughout his life. He coached Little League Baseball in Crewe for many years, leading teams to win several state championships, thus earning multiple trips to the Dixie Youth League World Series. He enjoyed skeet shooting, golfing, slalom water skiing and piloting model airplanes. Dr. Godsey was also a member of the Crewe Country Club as well as the Arrowhead Gun Club. He was a resident of Burkeville, Virginia. One of Doc’s greatest joys was his love of animals. Throughout his life, Dr. Godsey had many cherished pet animals, including Saint Bernards, Great Danes, English Pointers, an array of cats and one small Toy Poodle. As he faced the sunset of his life, one of his most fervent wishes was to be able to be at home on his beloved farm where he could watch and hear his “pet cattle.” His wish was fulfilled. Dr. Godsey is survived by daughter, Kelly Godsey Lattanzi of St. Louis, Mo.; daughter, Jody Ann Godsey Stargardt of Richmond, Va.; stepson, Michael D. Mason of Powhatan, Va.; stepdaughter, Lisa M. Parson, Green Bay, Va.; and several step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.

Ross Edwin “Cotton” Jeffries ’57: February 8, 2021. A native of

Greenbrier County, West Virginia, Ross spent most of his adult life in Roanoke, Virginia, moving to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2016 to be closer to his beloved family. He was the youngest son of Elbert and Polly Jeffries. Ross was predeceased by »

Class Notes the love of his life, Janet Lee Meador Jeffries. College sweethearts, they married shortly after graduation from Concord College and celebrated their 60th anniversary on May 24, 2017. Janet passed away on May 31, 2017. Friends and family often commented that they had never seen a couple more devoted to and in love with each other than Janet and Cotton. Ross is survived by his two children, Ross E. Jeffries Jr. and his wife, Dawn, and Jane Jones and her husband, Dean, all of Charlotte, North Carolina. Ross loved Dawn and Dean as if they were his own children. He is also survived by seven grandchildren who loved and admired their “Cotton”, Rebecca Jeffries and her husband, Laszlo Szocs, Mason Jeffries, Ross E. Jeffries III, Jane Jeffries, Tanner Jones and his wife, Kristen Jones, Nathaniel Jones and Sarah Grace Jones. He is also survived by his brother, John Jeffries and his wife, Elta, of Fort Worth, Texas. Ross was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Rebecca Lynn Jeffries, and his parents. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Joan Jeffries Burns, and brother, Charles Jeffries. Ross retired in 2000 from Boxley Materials Company, a construction materials company, having a successful career in many different roles, including Chief Financial Officer, head of Strategy, and head of Operations. Ross also worked at Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern in the mid-1970s. Ross was a devout Christian, and spent time every day reading his Bible and in prayer. Every meal and trip started with a prayer, and Janet and Cotton prayed together daily their entire marriage. Each time one of his children or grandchildren said goodbye to him, Cotton always gave them a kiss and said “Be careful”. Ross was a kind and gentle soul, who loved to talk and visit with friends, neighbors and family. He had an easy smile and twinkle in his eye, especially when he laughed. He had many interests, including golf, daily walks, reading, crossword puzzles, carpentry

and “fix-it” projects. He taught his family the importance of love, faith, learning, and persistence. For many years he served as Treasurer and usher at South Roanoke United Methodist Church. While working, he was active in Virginia and national organizations associated with the aggregates and quarrying businesses, holding leadership positions in both. He and Janet were active members of the Concord University alumni organization, and volunteers with many organizations, including the Ronald McDonald House in Roanoke.

Betty Walthall Draper Gates ’59: March 26, 2021.

Born in Bluefield, VA December 15, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Wilbur Robert and Lena Brewer Walthall. She was a graduate of Princeton High School. She attended West Virginia University where her brother, Jimmie, was a star athlete before returning to Concord University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Education. Betty continued her education earning her Master’s degree from Marshall University and taught in the Mercer County School System at Kegley and Bluewell elementary schools. After marrying Walter Gates, they moved to Ashland, KY. In Ashland she continued to teach in the Russell County Independent School System until her retirement in 1985. Betty returned to Princeton in 2005 from Ashland, KY where she made her home for 43 years. Betty was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ashland, KY and the Princeton Presbyterian Church after returning to Princeton. She remained active for several years in her church and as a volunteer at Princeton Community Hospital where she enjoyed knitting caps for newborns. In her early years Betty was proud of working as a supervisor at Maidenform, Inc. in

Princeton before starting her career in education. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Gates and two brothers, James “Jimmie” Walthall and Earl “Shug” Walthall. Survivors include two sons, Dr. Stephen “Steve” Draper of Lexington, KY and William H “Bill” Draper and his wife Debbie of Princeton; five grandchildren, Jennifer Rivituso and husband Joe, Allison Draper, Kathryn May and husband David, Ashley Draper and Stephanie Noland and husband Josh; five great-grandchildren, Garland May, Jack Rivituso, Stella Rivituso, Valerie Noland and Alex Noland.

1960s ____________

James (Jimmy) Earl Blevins, Jr. ’60: December

12, 2020. On September 24,1938, Jimmy was born in Freeman, WV, to James Earl and Beatrice Hall Blevins. In 1956, Jimmy graduated from Bluefield High School and enrolled in Concord University. While at Concord, he excelled academically and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree. Upon graduating from Concord, Jimmy went on to receive his master’s degree in education from The University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. Driven to serve as a guidance counselor for the public school system, Jimmy completed a guidance fellowship through Boston University in 1970. Being well trained and positioned to excel in his field, Jimmy used his education and talents to serve as a guidance counselor for over 40 years in Montgomery County, Maryland schools. During his career, Jimmy touched the lives of countless students throughout the Washington metropolitan area. While he greatly enjoyed the metropolitan area and the friendships he had formed, upon retirement in 2003, he returned to »

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Class Notes Bluefield to help care for his aging mother and to be close to his family. He remained active in Bluefield where he was a member of the United Methodist Church and on the board at Three Springs Farm Village. He was a beloved brother, uncle and devoted friend. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by special friend, Dennis Vela, and sister, Eleanor Gail Minnix. Survivors include sisters, Dorothy Bowman and husband Fred of Bluefield, VA and Raye Diane Goins and husband Jack of Bluefield, VA; and brother Charles Blevins and Betty of Bluefield, WV. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and special cat, Lara, who stayed by his side during his final days.

Dr. Terry Tabor ’63: March 17, 2021.

Survivors include wife, Joyce; daughter and namesake, Teri Rae Stevens and son-inlaw, Russell Stevens; oldest and devoted granddaughter, Ashley Leigh Ann Stevens – of whom he was extremely proud and loved dearly; his youngest daughter, Leigh Ann Bronson (Frank) and three children, Max, Jake and Sydney, of Ft. Collins, CO; one remaining uncle, Perry Cunningham (Betty), and several cousins living in Roanoke, VA; his sister-in-law, Margarite Spanogle of Lookout Mountain, GA, as well as numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved and with whom he felt very close. Terry was born in Maybeury, WV, July 17, 1941 and moved to McComas, WV, as a baby. There he grew up until his parents, Arnold M. Tabor and Frances E. Cunningham Tabor, moved to Princeton, WV, when he was in the 8th grade. After graduating from Princeton High School in 1958, where he was his junior and senior class president and a four-sport letterman in football, basketball, baseball and track and field, he attended and graduated from Concord College. He was on the track and field team in college,

throwing the discus for the duration of his time there. He met his wife, Joyce Vinson, at Concord and they married on December 21, 1963. Upon her graduation in May 1964, they moved to Knoxville, TN, where he earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in Education from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Terry’s beloved University of North Florida is the reason he came to Jacksonville in 1972 as a founding faculty member. He knew it would be a rewarding opportunity and for 35 years, it certainly was that for him. He loved teaching first in the College of Education, then in the College of Health. Getting his doctorate in Exercise Physiology afforded him the chance to teach students about a great love of his life – healthy living! Terry was literally president of almost every group or organization to which he belonged throughout his life and played every sport he could play. He most enjoyed teaching/coaching young children all his life – starting out as a young teen coaching little league sports in his community, and continuing as his own children played numerous sports. He not only coached his children, he even coached his oldest grandson, Max, in little league basketball. He, Joyce and their daughters lived in Orange Park, FL, for just shy of 50 years and were fortunate enough to have made many wonderful friends.

Lula Belle Green ’65:

December 30, 2020. Born March 26, 1944 in Cool Ridge, WV, she was a daughter of the late Delbert Neely and Wanda Lilly Neely. Mrs. Green was a graduate of Concord College and was the owner of 20/20 Enterprises. She was a resident of Bluefield, VA. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Don Green and one brother, Roger Neely. Survivors include her son, Todd

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Green of Bluefield, VA; brother, Denzil Neely and wife Joyce of Florida; sister, Barbara Steele and husband, John of Tennessee; and sister-in-law, Sandy Neely of Lewisburg, WV.

Joan Roberta Largent Smeltzer ’65:

January 2, 2021. Born February 8, 1943 in Christiansburg, Va., she was the daughter of the late John J. and Bethel McKinney Largent. Joan earned her B.S. degree from Concord College. She was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority. Joan earned her master’s degree in Education at West Virginia University. Throughout the years, she taught at Martinsburg High School, Potomac State College of WVU, Hagerstown Community College, Lord Fairfax Community College and Shenandoah University. She was a resident of Martinsburg. Joan enjoyed working and gardening at the family farm in Hampshire County and she had a special love for cats. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Ronald L. Smeltzer; her daughter, Lynne Smeltzer; and her brother, John R. Largent and his wife, Kay.

R. Talmage “Tam” Mallory ’68: February

7, 2021. Tam graduated from Triadelphia High School in Wheeling WV in 1964. He was a 1968 graduate of Concord College and later went on to receive a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from West Virginia University. During his time at Concord College, Tam co-founded Concord’s first Intra-Collegiate bowling team and competed twice in the NAIA Bowling Championship in Kansas City, MO. His passion for bowling remained even after college. He became a member of the State »

Class Notes House Mixed Bowling League in Charleston, WV and continued to bowl for many years. Tam was a retired Rehabilitation Counselor in the Admissions Department of the West Virginia Rehabilitation Center in Institute, WV (now closed). He was a resident of Charleston. He is survived by wife Linda; son Eric of St. Cloud FL; daughter Heather Curtis, son-inlaw James Curtis and grandson Odin Curtis of New Market, MD.

Roger Paul Mooney ’69:

November 29, 2020. A resident of Whitby, West Virginia, he was born on June 13, 1947. He was the son of the late Ivan Bernard Mooney and the late Rita Dell Callahan Mooney. Roger graduated from Stocco High School in 1965. He continued his education at Concord University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. The following year (1970) he graduated from Radford University with a degree of Master of Arts. Filled with a passion for knowledge, he graduated from The University of Sarasota in 1989 with the Degree of Doctor of Education. Dr. Mooney was a pillar in the Mental Health Community. He was a well-respected and published psychologist. He helped a countless number of people while working at the Behavioral Science Center at BARH for 10 years and at Raleigh Psychiatric Services for 30 years. He was a professor at local colleges where he was well respected by colleagues and students. While Dr. Mooney was a dedicated worker, his number one priority and true passion was his family. He was a loving husband to his wife Debra for 42 years. Together they had one son Matthew; he was Rogers pride and joy. One of the happiest moments in his life was seeing his son become a father. His two grandchildren put the biggest smile on his face and filled a space in his heart he did not know

was empty. He navigated the world with love, humbleness, and gratitude. He will always be remembered for his kindness that touched so many lives in the community. Roger is survived by his wife, Debra Ann Russell Mooney; his son, Matthew Ivan Mooney; daughter-in-law, Leslie Ann Mooney; his grandchildren, Lincoln David and Olivia Ann Mooney; his sweet loving dog, Stella; his sister, Lou Annie Howell and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Mooney; brother, Thomas Riley Mooney and sister, Catherine Lewis.

Larry James Peck ’69: February 6, 2021.

Larry was born in Princeton, W.Va., to John Hudson Peck and Marjorie Kathryn Bird Peck. He graduated from Athens High School and Concord University and received a master’s degree from George Washington University. Larry served in the U.S. Army as an analyst at the Pentagon for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel. He moved to Tennessee in 1976 to work for the University of Tennessee Research Center, then later the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He retired from Science Applications International Corporation in 2008 and was a resident of Knoxville. Larry achieved Master Class in sporting clays. He cherished his ongoing friendships, made in both his professional and personal life. Family and friends will remember Larry for his strength of character, wisdom, generosity, dry wit, and sound judgment. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Karen Peck; children, Sean and wife Holly of Knoxville, Todd of Philadelphia, Tenn., Natalie and fiancé Jay Sprenz of Knoxville; grandchildren, Karagen and Jacob; sister-in-law, Rosie, nephew Jeremy and wife Angie, great-nieces, Sydney and Addison; all of Athens, W.Va.; and former wife, Claudia Balthrop of Oak Ridge. In addition to his parents, his

brother Gerry Peck precedes him in death.

James (Jim) Samuel Romeo ’69: January 10,

2021. Jim was born and raised in Sophia, WV, though he made Kingsport, TN his permanent residence. He obtained a degree in medical technology at Concord College. Subsequently, he was employed as the laboratory manager at Lincoln County Hospital in Fayetteville, TN. He also specialized in microbiology at King Faisal Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Jim later worked at Indian Path Hospital in Kingsport and retired from Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, VA. During his time as a laboratory manager he was published twice in laboratory medical journals. He was a member of Saint Dominic Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Jewel Romeo of Sophia, WV. He is survived by his wife Penny Romeo; his two daughters, Toni Romeo and life partner Drew Fischer, and Amy Herron and husband (son-in-law) Joshua Herron; his granddaughters, Olivia and Sophie Herron; and only sister, Debbie Romeo Martin of Midway, WV. In his retirement years, Jim enjoyed building furniture for loved ones, fishing and time with his family.

1970s ____________

William F. Graham, Jr. ’70:

January 27, 2021. He was the beloved husband of 46 years to Amelia “Amy” R. (Magill) Graham. Bill was born and raised in Somerville, a son to the late William and Rosalie (Murphy) Graham, Sr. At the age of 14 the Graham » family relocated

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Class Notes to Northborough, MA. Shortly after graduation from Northborough High School, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served his country honorably. Upon his return home to Northborough he enrolled in Concord College where he earned his BS in Accounting prior to being awarded an MS in Taxation from Bentley University. He became licensed in Massachusetts as a Certified Public Accountant and worked 27 years within the Wyman Gordon Company’s accounting department. For many years after his retirement from Wyman Gordon, Bill drove a school bus for the Northborough school system. With a deep connection and appreciation for nature Bill could be found outside in any season, trying new activities with his family. Skiing, whitewater rafting, Bill would be up for anything which brought adventure and a chance to spend time with his beloved family. Bill especially enjoyed hiking and as part of the High Pointers, challenged himself to conquer many of the peaks in New England and beyond. Family and friends will remember Bill for the kind and empathetic ways in which he looked after others. He was a longtime active member of Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Northborough where he served as an Eucharistic Minister and active supporter of its Young Neighbors in Action youth group. Those who were lucky enough to have known Bill were always touched by his respectful demeanor and chivalrous behavior toward everyone he met. In addition to his wife Amy, Bill is survived by his two sons, William F. Graham and his wife Sarah of Arlington and Patrick G. Graham and his companion Hayley Rosen of Hailey, Idaho; his five grandchildren whom he adored, Liam, Ayla, Piper, Gus and Bergen; his six siblings, Virginia Flagg and her husband Bob of Northborough, Judy Lizotte and her husband Al of Westborough, Richard Graham of Midlothian, VA, Steven Graham and his wife Victoria of N. Scituate RI, Barbara Sullivan and her

husband Bob of Mesa, AZ, and Rosalie Brady of Austin, MN; a brother-inlaw, John Magill and his wife Barbara of Naples, FL; and many nieces and nephews.

Robert Thomas Westwood ’70: February

19, 2021. He was born October 12, 1946 in Wheeling, WV to Felix Edward Westwood of Wheeling and Doris Esta (Fetty) Westwood of Core. Rob grew up in Kensington, MD. He loved sports and played football, basketball, and track at Albert Einstein High School, from where he graduated in 1965. He is one of the founding members of Albert Einstein High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He is the only member to be inducted twice, once as an athlete and once as a founder. Rob received a basketball scholarship to Bridgewater College in VA and Concord College in WV. He was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity while at Concord, and continued those friendships throughout his life. Rob graduated in 1970 with a BA in History, Political Science, and Education. He was teaching Junior High School in Leonardtown, MD, when drafted into the U.S. Army (Vietnam War) 1970-1972. He played for the U.S. Army’s All Star basketball team. Rob moved to Morgantown in 1972 where he attended graduate school at WVU, studying political science. Rob continued to play basketball with the same group of friends in Morgantown well into his 50s. Rob bought a piece of land outside of Morgantown on a handshake in 1978 and built his home. He started Westwood General Contracting in 1978 and continued his business until January of this year. He was married to Brenda Munson on March 20, 1982. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 39 years, his children Rebecca (Brad) Bodkin, Amy

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(Chris) Harp, and Robbie Westwood, his brother Felix Westwood of Woodbine, MD., and many cousins and friends. One of his greatest joys in life was being PopPop to Adaline, Aubree, and Willie Thomas. He loved his dogs and animals through the years. His favorite song was Tom T. Hall’s Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine.

Linda Lee White Renzi ’71: December

23, 2019. Born September 6, 1942 in Princeton, WV, Linda was the daughter of Conley L. and Girlie M. (Kade) White. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter, brother Robert White and niece Connie White. She is survived by her husband Joe Renzi; sons Ned and wife Cheryl, Murrysville, and Joseph and wife Leanne, Meyersdale, and grandchildren Nicole, Matthew, Hayley and her husband Shawn Baer and Lydia. Linda was a graduate of Princeton High School, Princeton, WV and also a graduate of Concord College, where she was a three-time Outstanding Female Athlete while competing in track, basketball, softball, gymnastics and swimming. She taught Health and P.E. at Richland High School for 30 years, where she led the girls’ volleyball team to seven PIAA State Championships and five runner-up finishes. Her Richland girls’ volleyball teams claimed 25 District 6 titles and 28 league and conference crowns. She led Richland High School boys’ volleyball team to seven District 6 championships and led the Richland girls’ basketball team to more than 500 wins and coached a Lady Rams javelin thrower to a PIAA state championship in 1975. The Richland girls’ volleyball program won its first of four straight state championships in 1983 (1983 to 1986) and won gold in 1996, 1999 and 2000. She was named head coach of the »

Class Notes Pitt-Johnstown women’s volleyball team in 2005 after spending the 2002 and 2003 seasons as an assistant coach and the 2004 season as the interim head coach. In nine seasons, she led UPJ to a 136-119 record. She was named West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) Coach of the Year in 2012 as UPJ went 18-8 overall and 10-4 in the conference and inducted into the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1995. In 2002 she was inducted into the Cambria County Area Sports Hall of Fame and later was a member of their selection committee. She was a member of the PIAA Board of Directors as the Girls Athletic Representative and a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Benscreek. She was a resident of Davidsville, PA. In her spare, time Linda enjoyed baking and cooking for her family and being with her grandchildren and watching them in their many activities.

Mary Elizabeth Logan Boone ’72: July 5,

2020. Born on April 11, 1950, in Morgantown, WV, she was the daughter of the late Robert Logan and Ruth Steringer Logan. A graduate of Concord College with a degree in education, she was an elementary school teacher in West Virginia for over 40 years. During that time, she touched the lives of many children with her enthusiasm for life and ongoing pursuit of learning. Mary’s kindness and compassion graced the lives of everyone who knew her. She was a dedicated mother and grandmother who loved spoiling them every chance she could. An active supporter and volunteer in both the Greenbrier County Girl Scouts as well as in 4-H, Mary was awarded the title of a 4-H All Star for her many years of dedicated volunteerism and service. She always

treated all the children who were under her care as if they were her own. There were many times that she would use her own resources to cover the costs for school trips and other things so that children could have the full experience without the worry of being able to afford it. Mary did so many things behind the scenes to help others, never asking for recognition. Mary is survived by her husband of 47 years Dale Boone, daughters Kathleen Olivera and Melissa Torres and her husband Ruben, brother Robert Logan Jr. and wife Nesta, as well as her youngest brother David Logan. Mary was blessed with five grandchildren: Brandon, Kaitlyn, Abigail, Sofia and Evelyn who will miss her tremendously.

Linda Lou Lusk Brown ’73:

December 28, 2020. She was born on February 9, 1947 in Herndon, WV, a daughter of the late Curtis Paul and Margaret Ellis Lusk. She graduated from Oceana High School, earned her bachelor’s degree from Concord College and her master’s degree from West Virginia University. Linda was a former teacher at Road Branch Grade School and Oceana Middle School. She was a member of both the NEA and The Club. Linda loved laughing, telling stories and spending time with her family and friends. She particularly loved hearing from former students and was very proud of the impact she had on so many lives. She was also a huge Mountaineer fan and rarely missed a game. Linda was a resident of Oceana. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband Dorn Eugene Brown; and a brother Greg Lusk. She is survived by a son Keith Brown and wife Tammy of Jesse; a daughter Michelle Brown and husband Mike Moore of Oceana; a brother Larry Lusk and wife Barbara of Niceville, FL; four grandchildren

Molly Moore, Zoe Moore, Peyton Brown and Julie Brown; Club members Deloris Browning, Kathy Stowers, Betty Powell and Nora Waggoner; and a host of other loving family and friends.

Nancy Joyce Baker ’74: January

3, 2021. Born November 23, 1952 in Mullens, WV, she was a daughter of the late James Gillespie and Phyllis Tennant Gillespie. She was a graduate of Concord College, a school teacher for McDowell County Public Schools for 38 years, a member of the Teachers Association, and a member of the Princeton Church of God. She was a resident of Bluefield, WV. In addition to her father, Nancy was preceded in death by her brother Timothy Gillespie. Those left to cherish Nancy’s memory are her husband, Calvin C. Baker of the home; step-daughter, Alisa Christian and husband, Brian of Elkin, NC; brother, Jerry Gillespie of Rainelle, WV; sister, Betty Gillespie of Georgia; and three step-grandchildren.

Donald Frederick Mock Jr. ’74:

March 11, 2021. Born February 17, 1952 in Hinton, he was the son of Margie E. Cooper Mock of Hinton and the late Donald F. Mock, Sr. Freddie was a 1970 graduate of Hinton High School, where he served as the student body President. He played football, basketball, and baseball and was a member of the 1968 AA state football championship team. He graduated from Concord College with a BS in Business Administration and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. While at Concord he lettered in football and baseball and during this time was also an amateur boxer. Freddie’s devotion of athletics transferred into coaching and officiating. He coached youth sports teams in Summers County for »

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Class Notes many years including Little League Baseball, midget league football and elementary basketball as well as officiating sporting events throughout southern West Virginia. Freddie also trained local amateur boxers in the area throughout the 1970’s and early 1980’s and served as an assistant football coach at Summers County High School in the late 1990’s. He took great interest in developing and mentoring youth in their athletic endeavors and remained very close with many of the players he coached by offering guidance and support. He maintained his love of sports his entire life and was a passionate fan of the New York Yankees and the West Virginia University Mountaineers. Freddie enjoyed hunting, horseback riding and spending time at the Mock family farm. Additionally, he was a longtime member of the Hinton Elks Lodge #821 and valued fellowship at Willowwood Country Club. He especially cherished spending time with family and close friends sharing stories and special memories. Freddie spent over 30 years in the banking industry, working in various commercial, mortgage and consumer lending roles at First National Bank of Hinton and Greenbrier Valley National Bank in Alderson, as well as World Finance Corporation in Nashville, TN. He retired to Rome, GA where he resided since 2018. Freddie was a positive influence on many people and was beloved by his family. Besides his father, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce Carte Mock; a special brother-in-law, Mark Woodrum and step-son, Nick Harris. Besides his mother, survivors include his wife, Faye Mock; a son, Donald F. Mock III and wife Juli of Charleston, WV and a daughter, Mollie Mock Kaufman and husband Craig of Morgantown, WV; three granddaughters, Haydon and Harper Mock and Roe Kaufman; two sisters, Sandra Yost (Lance) of Pt. Pleasant, WV and Donna Pivont (Ray) of Hinton; step-son, Todd Harris (Stephanie) of Adairsville, GA; two

step-daughters, Candice and Christa Harris, both of Nashville, TN; five step-grandchildren, Hannah, Blake, Alexandria and Christopher Harris and Madelyn Wright; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, along with Freddie’s special canine companion, “Fancy”, also survive.

1980s ____________

Donna Calfee Wikle ’80: December 12, 2020. Born June 17, 1957 in Bluefield, she was the daughter of the late Donald Calfee and Nancy Robinette Calfee. Donna was of the Christian faith having accepted the Lord at an early age. Through many years of sickness, her faith in God never wavered. Donna was a graduate of Bluefield High School and Concord College. She worked for Attorney James Satterfield, Flat Top National Bank, and Bluefield College. Donna enjoyed crafts, especially making scrapbooks and greeting cards. Her greatest joy was being Nona to her precious grandchildren. She was a resident of Princeton. Survivors include her husband, Stan Wikle; son, Brian Wikle and wife Kara of Bluefield; grandchildren, Charlotte Grace Wikle and Henry James Wikle; and sister, Debbie Faw and husband Jon, and their son Gavin, of Pearisburg, VA.

Rev. Harry “Earle” Arthur, Jr. ’81: December

5th, 2020. He was born March 19, 1945, to Harry E. and Rita Simms Arthur in Charleston, SC. Earle was a 1963 graduate of William Byrd High School in Vinton, VA. He entered the Army in October 1963. He obtained the rank of Specialist 4 (E4), and

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

served as a radio operator and Army Band member. While stationed in Germany, he received the National Defense Service Medal. After leaving the Army, he moved to West Virginia, where he obtained degrees from Concord College, Bluefield College and United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Earle never found a musical instrument that he could not play. He played in a Bluegrass Gospel Band for a time and taught numerous individuals music. Earle played the accordion and sang for some time at Roma 3 in Princeton. He worked several jobs prior to becoming a minister with various United Methodist Churches throughout West Virginia – Steelton UMC, St. Johns UMC, Rosemar UMC, Lindside UMC and Mullens UMC. He retired in June of 2016, but the Lord was not done with him. In 2019, Rev. Arthur began teaching Sunday school and witnessing to residents and staff at Summers Nursing and Rehab Center. As a resident, Earle continued his ministry to the residents by reading the Bible to them, conducting church services, and praying with them. These roles continued in various forms before and during the COVID pandemic until his health failed him. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two infant sisters and a sister, Jorla Jean Markham. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 35 years, Margaret Ferne Ford Arthur; three step-children, Daniel Harris (Lydia); Naomi Okes (Craig); David Harris (Melissa); two grandsons, Caleb and Joshua Okes; two granddaughters, Emily Harris and Sarah Okes; and one brother Jimmy Joe Arthur (Nona) and numerous nieces and nephews. »

Class Notes

1990s ____________ Laura Anita Farmer ’95:

December 18, 2020. Born July 24, 1972 in Princeton, she was the daughter of Laurel and Donna Farmer of Rock. Laura was a 1990 graduate of Matoaka High School, a graduate of Concord College and graduate of Bluefield State College where she was on the 2000 President’s List. She worked at Princeton Community Hospital and Bluefield Regional Medical Center as a registered nurse for more than 20 years. She was of the Pentecostal faith and was a resident of Rock. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her fiancé, Kevin Browning of Lashmeet; one sister, Donna Mills and her husband Wayne of Reese Harmon Ridge; one brother, Jason Farmer and his wife Tracy of Reese Harmon Ridge; and eleven nieces and nephews.

2010s ____________

Charles Edward Fowler ’10: April 3, 2021. Born January 14, 1963 in Princeton, he was the son of the late Charles Lane Fowler and Carol Harris Fowler Thompson. Charles attended Mercer County schools in his earlier years. He was a graduate of Fork Union Military School in Union, VA and also a graduate of Concord University with a Business degree. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps with eleven years service and was a retired Security Guard. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a stepson, Kevin Shawn Dunn. Survivors include his wife, Debra Whittaker Fowler

of Princeton; one daughter, Keara Dunn and companion Zach O’Dell and her daughter Nora O’Dell all of Princeton; two stepchildren, Thomas Lee Dunn of Princeton and Patricia Ford and husband Toma of Oakvale; and several grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

Kayleena Danielle Blankenship Lounsbury ’16, ’18: April 25, 2021.

Born November 7, 1993 in Logan, WV, she made her presence known for 27 short years by her infectious personality, boisterous laugh, and giant smile that would light up a room. If you were one of the many people that Kayleena loved, you often had no doubt as to the extent of her feelings. She loved fiercely and stopped at nothing to make sure those in her life knew. From the students she taught, to the people she met in each stage of her life, love was in abundance. She knew from an early age that she was destined to be a teacher. She dedicated herself to pursuing higher education to advance her students, in recent years, completing a Master’s in Education – Reading Specialist from Concord University and was working toward a Doctorate of Education from Grand Canyon University. Several excellent mentors set her on a path for her life’s work. She spent eight and a half years in classrooms at Iaeger Elementary School in McDowell County, WV, and Calusa Elementary School and Cypress Elementary School in New Port Richey, FL. In each of those classrooms, Kayleena let her love and passion for education and writing shine. The minds she molded will go on to change the world. She lived her life as an educator following the same motto: “Be diligent in believing that what we do in the classroom could possibly echo for a lifetime in the heart of a student.”

We will continue to see those echoes for many generations to come. She loved to teach her students to write because she was a born writer. From an early age, she kept notebooks and journals full of her writing – her thoughts, poems, short stories, plans and dreams – all tucked away in the pages of her books. She loved the beach, and after moving to Florida, could often be found there, tanning, and maybe watching for dolphins. She was also madly in love with her husband, Cooper. In the few short years that she knew him, their love for each other was obvious to anyone around them. She was at home with him wherever they were. Their love produced a beautiful baby, Macie Lynell – a perfect baby, who followed her mother to their Heavenly home. Her greatest goal was to become a mother and she saw that come to fruition in Macie. Even before her birth, Kayleena was a wonderful mother to her daughter. She lived her life to the fullest and was so incredibly happy. Like the love she gave, Kayleena was loved by so many in return. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Everette Monroe and Melva Mounts Tiller, her maternal aunts, Belinda “Jeannie” Angle, and Jowana Kennedy, and her paternal grandmother, Evelyn Blankenship, and her loving cousin, Tyler Hatfield. In addition to those lucky enough to call her friend, those left to grieve her passing include her beloved husband, Cooper Lounsbury, of New Port Richey, FL; her parents, Audie and Stephanie Blankenship of Hanover, WV; her sisters, Melva Brianna Blankenship of Hanover, Ashlee (Jarrett) Cline of Wharncliffe, WV; two amazing nieces, Reagan Kinlee Davis and Kaybrie Reece Cline, both of Wharncliffe; her paternal grandfather, Homer Blankenship, of Browning Fork, WV; her loving inlaws, Glenn and Robyn Lounsbury of Castleton-on-Hudson, NY; her sistersin-law, Sarah Lounsbury and Kaitlyn Lounsbury, of Castleton-on-Hudson, NY; and a host of special friends. »

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Class Notes

Friends of Concord ____________ David Wesley Knight: February 20,

2021. Born in Keystone, WV on September 14, 1935 he was the son of the late John Mack and Elizabeth Muriel Terry Knight. David was a graduate of Beaver High School in Bluefield, attended Concord University, and graduated from West Virginia University School of Law. He worked in private practice for several years before being elected as Mercer County Prosecuting Attorney, a position he

served in for 21 years. David was then appointed by Governor Gaston Caperton as Circuit Court Judge where he served for 12 years. For the following years, with Senior Circuit Court Judge status, he filled the bench when needed in several courts in West Virginia. David was an avid golfer and enjoyed regular games at Fountain Springs Golf Course in Monroe County with a variety of playing partners through the years. He and one of his golfing partners played nearly every course in North Carolina. He was a 60+ year member of the First United Methodist Church in Princeton where he faithfully attended and taught Sunday School for several years. He was a resident of Princeton. In high school and college David enjoyed acting in drama

Sharon H. Griffee

classes. He also performed with the Summit Players several years ago. There are some who believe his acting abilities may have contributed to his success as Prosecuting Attorney. David was also noted as the Family Historian following his mother’s lead. In addition to his parents one grandchild, Brandon Albert Robinson and one sister, Patricia Ann McGough preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Ellen Mae Maples Knight of Princeton; three children, Terry Andrew Knight and wife Anissa Marie of Winston-Salem, NC, Tamara Ellen Knight Robinson and her husband John Wayne of Rupert, WV, and Christopher Todd Knight and his wife Stephanie Dawn of Princeton; twenty-three grandchildren, twenty-one »

Friend of Concord

Sharon H. Griffee, a dedicated friend to the Concord campus community and her neighbors in Athens, passed away on December 19, 2020. She was born to the late Harold F. and Helen Thorsen Smith, Sept. 17, 1938 in Davenport, IA, moving to Pueblo, CO with her family at the age of 14. She graduated from Centennial HS, Pueblo in 1956 and received an associate degree in accounting in 1958 from Pueblo Jr College (now CSU-Pueblo). In 1960 she received a BA degree in teaching from Colorado State College (now University of Northern CO) in Greeley. She graduated from NMSU, Las Cruces, NM with an MA in reading education in 1981. She taught one year in Pueblo, CO, followed by 27 1/2 years in Las Cruces, NM, first as a third grade teacher then as a reading teacher before retiring in 1995. She enjoyed teacher exchange programs to Copenhagen, Denmark, the country of her ancestors, and to Darlington, England. She and her husband, Galen “Griff” O. Griffee, were married in Pueblo, CO on Aug. 13, 1960 after meeting on the ski slopes, a passion for both of them. In 1961 they moved to Las Cruces, NM for Griff to attend NMSU. They resided there until 2003 when they moved across country to Athens, WV to be near their two daughters and their families. Sharon is now survived by her daughter, Karen H. Griffee, (Rodney Klein) of Athens and grandchildren Haley Augustson, (Alex Feith) of Dover, DE, Sophie, Hunter, and Maya Klein of Athens, and Mattie Antone, of California. She is also survived by a niece, Stephany Smith and a nephew, Geoffrey Smith and their families both of California and son-in-law, Joseph Antone. She was preceded in death by her husband, Griff, in 2017, her brother, Arlyn Smith, in 2019, and her daughter, Cynthia Griffee Antone, in 2020. Her five grandchildren were the joy of her life and responsible for keeping her “young” and up to date on life’s adventures. Sharon was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church, ELCA, Beckley, WV. She had been a member of AAUW Book Club, CU Chapter, and an active member of the Athens/Concord Town Social Committee for many years. Travel was her passion, and she was eager to go at a moment’s notice. She and Griff traveled to all 50 states, many of them by motorhome. She liked visiting other countries but especially enjoyed her times in Scandinavia. More recently, her iPad was a lifeline to the world. CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

Class Notes great-grandchildren; sister Katherine Lee “Kitty” Williams of Bluefield, sister-in-law Celia Parker of Coolridge, WV, brother-in-law Bill McGough of Lutherville, MD, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Genevieve Moore:

December 26, 2020. Born September 11, 1932, in Ozone, Arkansas, she was the daughter of the late John Charles Rollins and Nellie St. Clair Rollins Farley. Genevieve was raised in Pipestem then moved to Princeton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Willie Jones and John Willard Moore, a step-great-great-granddaughter, Sasha Johnson and two brothers, Robert Rollins and Stewart Lilly. After receiving her high school diploma, Genevieve worked at Maidenform for 19 years and then Concord University for 9 years. She loved the Lord and was a member of Shawnee Baptist Church and a resident of Spanishburg. Genevieve enjoyed gardening, mowing/yardwork, bird

watching and spending time with her family. Left to cherish her memory, her daughter, Cleda Gay Hensley and husband, Steve, of Spanishburg; one grandson, David Saunders and wife Kim, of Jacksonville, NC; three step-grandchildren and her caregiver, Brenda Adkins, of Princeton, Vicky Singleton husband David, of Sanford, NC, and Missy Elliott of Jacksonville, NC; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Lilly, of Marion, VA, Linda Rollins, of Princeton, and Beulah Jones, Columbia, SC; ten step-greatgrandchildren; ten step-great-greatgrandchildren; and special friends, Ranae Pedneau and Darell and Sharon Rutrough.

Autumn Lee Ward: December

27, 2020. Born November 12, 1987 in Lewisburg, WV she was the daughter of Anthony Taylor and Rhonda Hartwell Taylor of Keatley Springs. Autumn was a 2006 graduate of Summers County High School. She was formerly employed as a paralegal at the law offices of Joseph Aucremanne in

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Hinton, Roop Law office in Beckley and John Mize and Mingo Winters Law offices in Beckley. She was also employed by Summers County ARH Clinic. Most recently, Autumn was employed with Right at Home Healthcare from their Princeton office. Autumn enjoyed crafting and being outdoors on her farms, but most importantly, she loved being a mommy. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter and sister and had brought joy and warmth to all who knew her. She will be missed by her entire family, friends and community. Autumn had been attending Tempa Baptist Church at Tempa, WV. She was a resident of Upland. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Ann Taylor and maternal grandparents, Bill and Libby Hartwell. Besides her parents, survivors include her husband who she had been with 17 years, and married to for the last 10, Donald Ray Ward, Jr., who is an employee of Concord; two daughters, Mallory Rae Ward and baby Emersyn Grace Ward; one brother, Clinton Taylor of Pence Springs, WV; paternal grandfather, Jay Taylor of Hinton, WV; father-inlaw, Donald Ward Sr. of Pipestem and mother-in-law, Donna McManaway Ward of Spanishburg, WV; sister-inlaw Autumn Ward, who had given her a niece and nephew and sister-in-law Katlin Ward, both of Pipestem, WV. Several uncles, aunts and cousins survive, including a special cousin, Devon Ransbottom; and also many special family friends including Debra Grimmett.

Mail: Concord University ATTN: Office of Advancement P.O. Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712. Email: advancement@concord.edu

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THEODORE L. “TED” KESSINGER ’56

VETERAN, COMMUNITY SERVANT

ROBERT BROWN SAYRE

the late John Leslie Kessinger and Macie Keatley Kessinger. Ted was a graduate of Athens High School and a graduate of Concord University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was a U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant serving in the Korean War. He was a former schoolteacher with Mercer County schools with ten years of service teaching at Princeton High School and Matoaka High School. Ted was retired from Mercer County Bank with 28 years of service. A resident of Athens, he was a member of Concord United Methodist

DONOR, FRIEND OF CONCORD

Church, Past President of the Athens Lions Club, and served on the Athens Town Council. He was also a member of Concord Masonic Lodge #48 AF & AM and Royal Arch Masons #26. Survivors include his wife Anne Calfee Kessinger of Athens; one son, Ted L. Kessinger and wife Tracy of Princeton; three daughters, Linda Maria Hurst of Sandlick, Brenda Lu McCormick of Princeton, and Terri Jean Kessinger of Speedway; six grandchildren; one sister, Nell Jeffries and husband Phil of Speedway and his canine companion “Gypsie”.

Robert Brown Sayre, a longtime supporter and friend of Concord University, passed away on April 7, 2021. Born on April 5, 1932 in Beckley, West Virginia to Floyd M. Sayre and Winifred Lynch Sayre, he was a proud member of the Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1949. He graduated from West Virginia University in 1953 with a B.S. degree and then enrolled in law school there, earning a law degree in 1957. After being drafted while in law school he served as a First Lieutenant, United States Army as an advisor to the Chinese National Army on Taiwan.

After law school he returned to Beckley to join his father and brother in the practice of law with the family firm. He continued in active practice until 2014, a total of fifty-seven years. In 1962 he married Margaret Robertson James who survives him. Robert was predeceased by his parents, two brothers Truman L. Sayre and Floyd M. Sayre, Jr. and two infant children, a stillborn son in 1963 and 11-day old Robert B. Sayre, Jr. in 1967, and two brothers-in-law William A. James III and Dr. Charles A. Beasley. Always very active in community affairs, he served as president of the Beckley Area Foundation, Beckley Rotary Club, the Raleigh County Historical Society, Friends of the Raleigh County Library, Raleigh County Bar Association and the Flat Top Lake Association. He represented the New River Gorge National River as a member of the National Park Service Mid Atlantic Regional Council for several years. He was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church while living in Beckley and transferred his membership to Grace Episcopal Church after moving to Lexington. Having served as District Governor of Rotary International District in

1995-1996, Robert was an avid supporter of Rotary clubs in both Beckley and Lexington. He was a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1966 to 1967. He was a fellow of the West Virginia Bar Foundation, past president of the Raleigh County Bar Association and a member of the West Virginia Bar. Serving as a judge on the West Virginia Court of Claims 2004-2011 was his final service in the legal profession. He is survived by his wife Margaret, a daughter Frances Sayre (Marc Beyer) of Santa Fe, NM, a son Dr. William J. Sayre (Melissa) of Lexington, five grandchildren William R. McLean, Matthew C. Dewitt, William J. Sayre, Jr., Isabella (Ella) M. Sayre, Lillian B. Sayre, two stepgrandchildren Ava and Stelly Crocker, one brother Graham E. Sayre, one sister Frances Beasley, one brother-inlaw John B. James, three sisters-in-law Nora Sayre, Ruth Sayre, Mary James, several nephews and a niece. Robert was a kind, loving and generous man devoted to his family and the practice of law and would want to be remembered as one who left the world a better place by having lived in it.

Theodore L. “Ted” Kessinger, a dedicated community member and friend, passed away on December 2, 2020. Born November 29, 1931 in Welch, WV, he was the son of

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MARILYN L. LACKEY ’59

FORMER CONCORD ALUMNI DIRECTOR, PROFESSOR AND ADMINISTRATOR Marilyn Louise Lackey passed away January 24, 2021. Born August 1, 1935 in Welch, WV, she was the daughter of the late Earle and Helen Louise (Roberts) Wood. Marilyn earned her bachelor’s degree at Concord College in 1959 followed by her master’s degree from Virginia Tech. She taught public school, but the majority of her career was at Concord where she served as alumni director, a professor, and an administrator in the education department. After retiring, Marilyn moved to

MICHELE MARIE FARLEY ’73

Michele Marie Farley, a former Education professor at Concord, passed away on January 23, 2021. Born in Brooklyn, NY on February 10, 1951, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Salvina “Sally” Pepe Fischetti. Michele was a 1969 graduate of Central Islip High School in Central Islip, NY. She was of the Catholic faith. Following high school, she moved to Athens, WV to attend Concord University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education and was a member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority. She continued her education earning her master’s degree from Marshall University and her Doctor of Education degree at Virginia Tech.

Myrtle Beach, SC where she lived for more than 30 years. Marilyn loved her family, cooking, and hosting gatherings for loved ones and spending her summers traveling with her grandchildren. Survivors include her son, William L. Lackey of Charleston, WV; granddaughter, Nicole (Zach) Dowling of Timnath, CO; grandson, William (Ashton) Lackey of Myrtle Beach; and great grandchildren, Kate, Alston, and Jameson Dowling and Lawton and Oaklyn Lackey. Marilyn was preceded in death by her son, Michael.

FORMER EDUCATION PROFESSOR

After graduating from Concord, Michele worked for the Mercer County School System while completing her education. She last taught at Glenwood School in Princeton, WV before accepting positions to split time as a Professor in the Education Departments of Bluefield State College and Concord University. After a few years in Vermont at Green Mountain College in Poultney and the Ludlow School System, she returned to Bluefield State College from where she retired in 2011. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling and challenging her family in pinochle and friends in back alley – mostly winning! She dedicated countless hours of service on the Boards of Women in Search of Empowerment “WISE” and the Center for International Understanding. Additionally, she was involved in the Bluefield Elks Lodge #269, writing grants to benefit the community, including many events supporting initiatives for local youth. She was a resident of Bluefield. Survivors include her husband, Kenneth J. “Ken” Kormendy of

Bluefield; one daughter, Samantha Alterio of Indianapolis, IN and Ken’s daughter Marisa Kormendy of Charlotte, NC; two sisters, her twin, Elizabeth “Liz” Aldi and her companion Mike Tate of Los Angeles, CA, Bonnie Rodriguez and husband Peter of Ballston Spa, NY; four brothers, Gary Fischetti and wife Valerie of Hauppauge, NY, Samuel Fischetti of Central Islip, NY, Louis J. Fischetti and wife Carrie of East Northport, NY and James G. Fischetti and wife Veronique of Medford, NY; and thirteen nieces and nephews.

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CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

Become a FRIEND of the J. Franklin Marsh Library at Concord University! The Joseph F. Marsh Library formally opened on November 29, 1941. The library has grown to over 157,087 volumes today, which include books, microfiche, magazines and bound periodicals. The library has been and continues to be a vital part of the educational program of Concord University. “Friends” are comprised of members who recognize the value of a quality library and want to support and enrich the services provided. Becoming a Friend is a terrific way to be involved in your community and to help promote a love of reading and learning. Your annual gift helps us • Expand access to online databases and journals • Improve library technology and build for the future • Purchase rare items for special collections • Sponsor readings and lectures for the benefit of the University as well as the area communities You can become a ”Friend of the Library” by sending your annual contribution to: Concord University Foundation, Inc. Friends of the Library Fund PO Box 1405 Athens, WV 24712 Or by calling 304-384-6266

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TAKE ROAR WITH YOU! We want to see you with Roar wherever you go! Cut out Roar, to the left, and take him on your fun adventures. Then, take a photo with our friendly mascot and send it to us so we can share with the rest of the CU alumni family!

Sarah Turner with Roar at Joshua Tree National Park, CA.

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

Concord University Office of Advancement PO Box 1000 Athens, WV 24712

S AV E T H E D A T E !

HOMECOMING OCTOBER 9TH, 2021

While we plan to host an in-person Homecoming, the state of the COVID-19 pandemic could cause a change to a virtual event. 88

SPRING 2021 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE Events will be posted on www.concord.edu/homecoming as plans are finalized.