TH E MAGAZ I N E OF
Volume 59, No. 1
There is great power in giving. ed this idea: act daily. Many others have express imp its ess witn I E, D& at but , tion observa I’m certainly not the first to make that
receive. • St. Francis – For it is in giving that we to receive. than give to ed • Acts 20:35 – It is more bless a life. a living; what you give, however, makes e mak you get, • Arthur Ashe – For what you nd. arou es at goes around, com • From an unknown wordsmith – Wh y time we give, it’s Christmas. Dale Evans – Ever y time we love, ever from , rites favo • And one of my personal come from giving one’s all, as its forms, from the team victories that all in ng givi to nt ame test is e azin scholarships as told in our photo This issue of Forward mag the personal joy of providing student to er, cov our on in memory of his lly erfu pow so es James Pucci express family, has established a scholarship his with , who , one Vid eo Rom Dr. us below of 2012 Distinguished Alumn D&E community. Like all gifts, these ripple through the . one Vid letti Bio a Len na alum , wife to not only share but also to inspire eone – those lucky few who are able som from es com grams, facilities and sure trea or nt, tale Every gift of time, ” Here are just a few of the new pro es. eon “som our e hav to te una fort so and create through their gifts. We are this academic year: e sibl pos e mad e hav they s nce experie Nuttall Field in October osse field, dedicated as The William • The new AstroTurf soccer and lacr -of-the-art scoreboard new roof, ventilation system and state to student scholarships • The George A. Myles Pool with its ks at 847 students – than in large part – II WW e . sinc E D& at nt llme • The highest enro th in our visual and performing arts ter, which, in turn, is fostering grow Cen les My in Arts the of e hom • A vibrant new you for your dedicated alumni and friends. Thank such e hav to E D& at are we te una fort There is, of course, much more. How so. it ing mak part in
Michael P. Mihalyo, Jr., D.M.A. President
Dr. Romeo Vidone, '52, (center) retired, Saint Raphael Hospital and Yale University, with Board of Trustees Chair June Miles and President Mihalyo. He and his family are helping D&E science students today through the Lena B. Vidone Memorial Scholarship.
IN THIS
ISSUE
The Magazine of
Editor: Carol Schuler, Vice President for Development
Writers: Nanci Bross-Fregonara, Linda Howell Skidmore, Mary McMahon
Photographers: Sam Santilli, Nanci BrossFregonara, Heaven Dove, Wes Hendrix, Sabrina Martin-Vernon, Catherine Ritchie, Linda Howell Skidmore and Jessica Wilmoth.
08
The Language of Dance
About the Magazine
Finish the Field Campaign Committee Plays to Win
Forward magazine is published twice a year by the Office of Communications & Marketing. To subscribe or to submit your news, please send an email to schulerc@dewv.edu or write to Carol Schuler, 100 Campus Drive, Elkins, WV 26241.
The Mission of Davis & Elkins College
To prepare and inspire students for success and for thoughtful engagement in the world.
About the College
Davis & Elkins College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will practice equal opportunity in all aspects of its operation. Davis & Elkins College is committed to assuring equal opportunity to all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, family status, or sexual orientation in its educational programs, activities, admission or employment practices as required by Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended in 1991, the West Virginia Human Rights Act, and other applicable statutes. Inquiries concerning Title IX compliance should be referred to the College Title IX Coordinator. Inquiries concerning Section 504 compliance should be referred to the Vice President for Student Affairs. Inquiries concerning equal opportunity in personnel practices should be referred to the Director of Human Resources.
Davis & Elkins College Board of Trustees
John S. Moyer, ’86 William S. Moyer Cliff J. Neese, Jr., ’83 Eric J. Nilsen, ’82 June B. Myles, William W. Nuttall, ’70 Chair Richard C. Seybolt, ’63, Donald M. Robbins Ronald A. Rollins, Vice Chair M.D., ’57 Karen H. Berner, ’64, Henry W. Steinbrecher, Secretary Reginald Owens, Sr., ’83, ’71 William H. Sudbrink, ’59 Treasurer Joyce B. Allen Life Trustees Mark S. Barber, ’75 Carter Giltinan James Bialek, ’74 John H. Harling, ’53 Wendell M. Cramer, ’59 Thomas J. Martin, Peter H. Dougherty, ’75 D.D.S., ’50 D. Drake Dowler, ’69 David A. Rutherford Nancy Evans-Bennett, Dorothy H. Wamsley ’66 Joseph M. Wells, III David A. Faris, M.D. Kimberly M. Farry, Chair Emeriti M.D., ’85 Henry M. Moore Robert T. Gregory, ’59 Paul S. Stirrup, ’60 Charles E. Hill L. Newton Thomas, Jr. Bruce Lee Kennedy, Leonard J. Timms, Jr. II, CFA James S. McDonnell, III Michael P. Mihalyo, Jr.
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Bringing Back The Senator
Also...
On the Cover
James Pucci, a forward for the Senators, celebrates a goal in the team’s 6-2 win over Salem International in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference semifinals at Nuttall Field. A Davis & Elkins junior and native of Carrara, Italy, Pucci led all of Division II in goals (27) and points (65). He was voted G-MAC Player of the Week three times and Offensive Player of the Year, and Daktronics first team All-Midwest Region and second team All-American. He’s also on Major League Soccer’s top 10 list of college players.
12
2 Around Campus A Roundup of Happenings on the Hill
Curtains Up!
6 Pool Dedicated to George A. Myles
18
7 D&E Freezes Tuition for Current Students
20 Bill King: One Writer's Journey 23 Q&A with Sophomore/Junior Andrew Carroll
Hi!
24 Student Veterans Find a Home at D&E
26 Homecoming Photo Album 31 Athletics News 32 Spirit Squirrels Get Their Game On!
33 Cottrell New Lead for
Senator Men's Basketball
34 Alumni News & Events
16
Someone's Calling...
36 Alumni Notes 41 In Memoriam
©2014 Davis & Elkins College
Volume 59, No. 1
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AROUND CAMPUS
Happenings on the
hill!
Assistant Director of Development Support and Coordinator of Parent Relations Lisa Senic and students Shauna Damon, a junior from Mount Wolf, Pa., and Rob Orr, a senior from Hyndman, Pa., gather ingredients to prepare pepperoni rolls for Good Deed Day. The crew, along with other students and staff, assembled and baked 250 pepperoni rolls that were delivered to the Elkins Fire Department, Randolph County Emergency Medical Services, Elkins Police Department and Campus Security. Senic and Benfield-Vick Chaplain the Rev. Kevin Starcher coordinated Good Deed Day and hope to make it a monthly practice. Photo by Linda Howell Skidmore
Davis & Elkins College senior Churchill Davenport of Louisville, Ky., left, pumps up an air rocket as his classmates in Dr. Brian Moudry’s Physics I class, senior Ryan Finnegan of Elkins, W.Va., sophomore Trisha Higgins of Mannington, W.Va., and senior Caroline Bennett of Red Creek, W.Va., prepare to record figures to check the rocket’s altitude. Photo by Nanci Bross-Fregonara
Chris Young of Glasgow, Scotland, center, celebrates his December graduation from Davis & Elkins College and receives congratulations from D&E Assistant Director of Accounting and Head Golf Coach Alasdair Forsythe and International Student Liaison Lowe Del Aviles. Young was among approximately 40 students recognized at a ceremony for December graduates in Halliehurst. He is now part of the College's Development Team. Photo by Jess Wilmoth
In delivering the Phipps Lecture, Dr. Andy Johanson, ’63, third from left, shared his insight on “Lessons Learned From My Life as a Psychotherapist.” The lecture included two client case histories in which Johanson emphasized that each person has an individual healing pace. He explained that the therapy process is built on trust and respect. Johanson, who is also an ordained minister, has worked as a psychotherapist for more than 30 years. In 1995, he launched a fundraising campaign to endow the William E. Phipps Lectureship series in honor of the late professor emeritus of Religion and Philosophy at D&E. Members of the Phipps family attending the lecture are Phipps’ son, Charles, center, and Phipps’ wife, Martha Ann, fourth from right. Committee members who helped plan this year’s lecture are Professor of English Dr. Bob McCutcheon, left; Assistant Director of Development Support and Coordinator of Church Relations Tina Vial, second from left; Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Mary Shuttlesworth, third from right; Vice President for Development Carol Schuler, second from right; and President Dr. Michael Mihalyo, right. Photo by Linda Howell
Skidmore 2 | Davis & Elkins College Forward
Students Nicole Miller, a junior from Clairton, Pa., and Ty-Chon Montemoino, a freshman from Carrollton, Ga., enjoy lunch and conversation with alumnus and Trustee Reggie Owens, ’83, in Benedum Hall Dining Room. Photo by Jess Wilmoth
Davis & Elkins College students, staff and faculty don purple shirts to show their support for student Tyler Haddix’s last day of chemotherapy treatment. Haddix, a senior and resident assistant from Elkins, was diagnosed last April with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The D&E Student Nurses Association organized the support day and sold violet ribbons with proceeds going to the Davis Memorial Cancer Center in honor of Haddix. Photo by Sabrina Martin-Vernon
The student business organization Phi Beta Lambda recently opened Beta Bean Café in Booth Library in response to students’ desire for a campus coffee shop. Student-owned-and-operated, the business employs 13 D&E students and is managed by Phi Beta Lambda President Frank Cottrill, a senior from Parkersburg, W.Va. Recently, the family of the late Donna Stalnaker Brant presented a memorial gift in her honor to help support the Library and its new café. Photo by Linda Howell Skidmore
Shauna Damon, a junior from Mount Wolf, Pa., rappels from the Booth Library bridge as part of an exercise in Tom Tesar’s Climbing 114 class. Photo by Linda Howell Skidmore
The Davis & Elkins College float received the Parade Marshal’s Award in the Mountain State Forest Festival Grand Feature Parade. The “mini” Gatehouse was built to scale by members of the Division of Fine & Performing Arts. Photo by Linda Howell Skidmore
Around Campus
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AROUND CAMPUS
Bridget Eckhardt, a senior from Silver Spring, Md., performs a reading of Have You Filled a Bucket Today?, a play that offers a fun and effective way to address bullying. Playwright Ann Marie Gardinier Halstead visited campus and teamed with the creative dramatics class to present the play. Photo by Wes Hendrix
D&E Board of Trustees Chair June Myles, right, reads from the plaque for The G.T. ‘Buck’ Smith Presidential Chair as President-Emeritus Buck Smith and Joni Smith listen. The chair was dedicated in October during a Board of Trustees dinner. D&E President Dr. Michael Mihalyo is the first to hold the Chair. The plaque inscription reads: “The G.T. ‘Buck’ Smith Presidential Chair was established in 2013 by members of the Board of Trustees in honor of the College’s 13th President in appreciation of years of service from 2008 to 2013. It is funded with an initial commitment of $1 million from members of the Board of Trustees. In addition to supporting the President’s salary, the endowment provides discretionary funds for the President to underwrite initiatives that add to the distinctive quality of Davis & Elkins College.” Photo by Linda Howell Skidmore
Michael Paratore, second from left, a senior from Webster, N.Y., roasts marshmallows with his family Nick, Heather, Elaine and Paul Paratore during Family Weekend. Photo by Heaven Dove
Erica Rebinski performs during opening night at The Icehouse. Photo by Catherine Ritchie
Approximately 700 high school juniors and seniors from Randolph, Tucker and Pendleton counties visit the College Fair in The McDonnell Center. As part of the West Virginia Roadrunner Tour, 46 colleges, trade schools and military recruiters offered students information for furthering their education. Davis & Elkins College students and faculty worked the booth to provide prospective students with information. The College also paid for the high school students’ transportation, via county school buses, to the fair. Photo by Linda Howell Skidmore
4 | Davis & Elkins College Forward
Award-winning author Maggie Anderson shares ideas to consider as participants in her Poetry Writing Workshop prepare to write a description of their earliest memory. Anderson also presented a poetry reading and book signing. Anderson was the guest author for the Davis & Elkins College Writers’ Series in October. Photo by Jess Wilmoth
Dr. Bill King, right, congratulates Dr. Peter Okun on his retirement after 17 years of service to Davis & Elkins College at a celebration held in The Icehouse. The special event included the presentation of a framed photograph, live music by the Elm Street Alleycats and dozens of faculty and staff members, students and friends who came to wish Okun well. Photo by Nanci Bross-Fregonara
Davis & Elkins College students Jenna Gilmore, left, and Nicole Wyatt, both seniors from Elkins, work to eradicate Tree of Heaven on the hill behind Halliehurst and Madden Student Center. They were joined by members of the Potomac Highlands Cooperative Weed and Pest Management Agency Treatment Team as part of an ongoing project to control invasive plant species on campus. The students, both biology and environmental science/ sustainability studies majors, served as interns with the agency this summer and are certified in spraying and herbicide use. Photo by Nanci Bross-Fregonara
New students participate in the time-honored Matriculation Convocation Processional which serves as a welcome to the College community. Davis & Elkins welcomed 318 new students in the fall semester, bringing the fulltime enrollment to 847 students. This marked the fifth consecutive year of increased enrollment since 2008. Photo by Sam Santilli
Residents of Crestview Nursing Home in Jane Lew, W.Va., were treated to a concert by D&E Artist-in-Residence Jack Gibbons as a thank-you from students who completed their clinical rotations at the facility. From left are, standing, first-year nursing students Megan Hall of Webster Springs, W.Va., Katelyn Isner of Belington, W.Va., Mary Gibbons, of Elkins, Janice Miracle, of Greenwood, W.Va., Chandler Fitzwater of Fairmont, W.Va., Victor Agbai of Aba, Nigeria, Rebecca Canterbury of Logan, W.Va., and Nursing Instructor Lora Cruz. Seated with Gibbons is Amber LaBille of Indian Head, Md. The student group is one of four that worked in three-hour blocks during the fall semester. Gibbons’ concert included some of the most well-known songs of Gershwin, a shortened version of “Rhapsody in Blue,” a few pieces by Chopin and Scott Joplin, and his original composition “Musical Box." Photo courtesy Jack Gibbons
Around Campus
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Pool Dedicated to George A. Myles By Linda Howell Skidmore
K
indness and generosity are traits many associate with the late Randolph County businessman George A. Myles. Fittingly, the Davis & Elkins College Board of Trustees dedicated the College’s newly renovated swimming pool in his honor at ceremonies during Homecoming weekend. Just prior to Easter in 2012, a storm took down the roof overhang of the 38-year-old Hermanson Center. Engineering studies later revealed the inner steel structure of the roof was corroded, leaving no choice but to replace the entire roof and pool ventilating system at a cost of $891,000. To fund the project, a former member of the College’s Board of Trustees, and a current Trustee, each offered gifts totaling $300,000. Inspired by that generosity, Student Assembly, led by then-president Alex Torres, initiated a $200,000 challenge gift. The Raise the Roof Campaign was born, and resulted in gifts from 230 alumni, friends and foundations. Renovations include a new slanted roof and a ventilation system, digital pace clocks for lap swimmers, and renovations to the men’s and women’s locker rooms. In addition, The Inter-Mountain newspaper 6 | Davis & Elkins College Forward
provided generous support for a new stateof-the-art scoreboard. “I think my father would be very pleased if he knew what all has been accomplished, and especially what the students have done to make this happen,” Myles’ daughter, June Myles, who serves as chair of the College’s Board of Trustees, said during the dedication ceremony on October 18. Trustee Wendell Cramer, ’59, also spoke at the ceremony, praising George and June Myles.
President Michael Mihalyo presents Trustee June Myles with the George A. Myles Pool plaque during the dedication ceremony on October 18. Students, faculty, staff and members of the community gathered in the upper deck and alongside the pool for the celebration. Photo by Sam Santilli
County community spanned five decades, beginning in 1951 when he built a circular sawmill in Elkwater. A decade later he upgraded by building a bandmill on Beverly Pike. He was a founding member of the West Virginia Sawmill Operators Association, now known as the West Virginia Forestry Association, and served various organizations that supported the forestry profession and the wise use of natural resources. In 2005, he was posthumously enshrined in the West Virginia Hall of Fame. In the community, he served as a longtime director of Davis Trust Company, member of the YMCA Board of Trustees and was instrumental in building the Elkins-Randolph County Public Library.
“I worked with George for 45 years,” Cramer said. “He was kind and generous. He taught me a lot and helped me in my business. Now, June has done so many wonderful things, especially behind this project. The dedication of this facility is a commendation of all the things George did.”
The film “A Good Place to Work, Myles Lumber Company,” produced by the Augusta Heritage Center of D&E in 2008, features interviews from Myles’ former employees and serves as a testament to the fairness, honesty and integrity with which the Myles family operated their lumber business.
George Myles’ activities in the Randolph
Myles passed away in 1999.
Davis & Elkins Freezes Tuition for Current Students; Gives 4-Year Tuition Price Guarantee for New Students “We have long tried to make sure no student is denied the opportunity to attend D&E for financial reasons,” Mihalyo noted. “While the tuition ‘sticker’ price for new students will be somewhat higher than for returning students, the actual cost paid by each student is calculated on an individual basis. Through a combination of scholarships, student work, family contribution and, when necessary, loans, nearly everyone who is admitted and wants to attend D&E is able to do so. “Yearly tuition increases often make it difficult for families to plan,” he continued. “By freezing tuition for all returning students next year and locking in the tuition cost for four years for all new students, we are continuing to make a high quality, private college education affordable for our students and their families.”
T
D&E Executive Vice President Kevin Wilson noted that the decision to lock in tuition will further assist the Admission Team in continuing its strong recruitment process and the enrollment of top-notch students.
he Davis & Elkins College Board of Trustees announced “The D&E Admission Team is very excited about this announcement in January two key decisions regarding tuition for next and the opportunity for our current and future students, their parents, year: tuition will be frozen at the present level for all and the College,” Wilson said. returning students, Davis & Elkins College welcomed and the College will its largest ever entering class in guarantee tuition for four years for the “Our tuition guarantee represents September 2013. And the total class entering this fall. a considerable savings over what full-time enrollment was second In making the announcement, Board students and their families might only to the number enrolled in Chair June B. Myles commented, “Not have expected to pay over four post-war 1948. “We fully expect to only will all returning students not have open this fall with the largest fullyears, based on the national trend a tuition increase next year, but students time enrollment in our 110-year of ever-increasing college costs.” enrolling for the first time next Fall – history,” President Mihalyo said. who graduate within four years – will not have to worry about a price increase during their time in College.” D&E President Michael Mihalyo, added: “This means the tuition for entering students will remain level from the Fall 2014 through the Spring 2018 semesters. Our tuition guarantee represents a considerable savings over what students and their families might have expected to pay over four years, based on the national trend of ever-increasing college costs.” D&E Freezes Tuition
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The Language of
Dance By Linda Howell Skidmore
Emily Oleson is on a mission to teach people to connect across social divides through movement – and, she says, sometimes the connections happen within, defying one’s own expectations. As the director of the new dance program at Davis & Elkins College, she’s helping students combine that skill with the academic discipline they choose into a healthy, life-long engagement in dance. For Oleson, the path to a dance career opened rather unexpectedly. As a high school junior, she had an interest in theater and choir, but no clear plans for post- graduation, though she would be one of the high school’s valedictorians. “Before you get too impressed,” explains Oleson, “there were 12 students who all maintained above a 4.0 GPA throughout our high school career named ‘valedictorians’ – 8 | Davis & Elkins College Forward
they changed the rules after that year.” When her uncle, a professional dancer, choreographed Brigadoon for the drama club musical, she thought she should audition “just to be nice.” Then, Oleson says, “I discovered I could be really springy” – it was fun, and “somehow it made sense on a level that no other subjects had engaged me.” After the production she began searching for Scottish dance in her community and found an Irish step dance class. Still wanting to learn more forms, she decided to take a year off before entering college and take as many dance classes as she could in her hometown. A pattern emerged – studying dance in class and going out dancing for fun in social situations.
“I
“I was struck with the kinds of connections I could make with people in different dance communities – and then struck by how much people can say about themselves and their state of mind through movement,” Oleson says of how she learned to relate to others through dance. “Once you know someone or know a dance form well enough, watching it can feel almost like reading a book. Sometimes there are little inside jokes, sometimes profound revelations too deep for words; and sometimes it’s not necessarily what you say, but the fact that you’re having a conversation.” Oleson explains that there are also a lot of traditional dance forms that draw parallels with speech, such as Mike Seeger and Ruth Pershing’s documentary on traditional southern rural dance, Talking Feet.
I
“This idea of making small talk or being witty can give people a lot of ideas when they feel like they don’t know what to do,” Oleson says. “And eventually your movement overcomes those personal inhibitions that don’t need to be there to begin with.” With dance as her main focus, Oleson furthered her studies, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance with a Dance concentration from James Madison University. She then went on to teach and perform in Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. Together with her husband, Matthew Olwell, and close friend Meg Madden, she co-founded Good Foot
was struck with the kinds of connections I could make with people in different dance communities – and then struck by how much people can say about themselves and their state of mind through movement." – Emily Oleson Dance Company, a trio combining traditional dance forms of various styles into what they call “Trad Dance Theater.” In 2012, she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Maryland College Park. While in the Washington, D.C. area, she became an Artistic Director with Urban Artistry, a collective of artists pursuing urban dance, music, poetry and visual art. Oleson also has assisted the Coordinator of Dance Week at the Augusta Heritage Center for the past eight years. She notes that her first contact with Davis & Elkins was through Augusta’s youth scholarship. To date she has choreographed more than a dozen works, and last fall received a commission to direct The Meaning of Buck Dance at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on the Millennium Stage.
“Dancing helped me take ownership over my own learning,” Oleson says, explaining that now she wants to teach others in pursuit of a college education how to do the same. Introduced in the 2013 fall semester, the Davis & Elkins Dance Program offers three tracks – American Vernacular Dance, a pioneering new program that dignifies American social dance traditions with academic inquiry, a Contemporary/ Postmodern Dance track, and a Sustainable Dance track. Each of the three emphases speaks to three different goals, Oleson explains. For example, students can follow the Contemporary/ Postmodern Dance track to train to become a professional dancer, or they can select Sustainable Dance as a double major or to enhance another course of study. Overall, the program allows students to gain a broad knowledge and perspective of dance that reaches beyond the entertainment versus art dichotomy. Many of those skills learned in dance, Oleson explains, are valuable tools for career and life practices. “Learning a clarity of attention to one’s surroundings, a conscious and regulated intention to act, and then a direct commitment to move, those are the most important factors for a dancer of any genre – and ongoing skills for the rest of your life,” Oleson says. “You never stop working to become a better person, professional, etc., and dance, maybe any art, is a mirror of that. “Sometimes what comes into my ear and what comes out in my feet is ‘glitchy’ or interrupted, so I realize I’m really second guessing myself. That can be a metaphor for decision-making across your life,” Oleson says. “Some research suggests that rhythmic exercise may improve attention span, and improvisational social dance may ward off dementia and Alzheimer’s. Students are literally learning to think on their feet and that’s a good supplement to all their other learning.” Course work for the dance program will include theory and history, some of
which is focused on the legendary dancer, choreographer and anthropologist Katherine Dunham. A pioneer of folk and ethnic choreography trained in modern and ballet, Dunham’s technique reflects a fusion of many cultures, and will comprise a major influence in modern dance instruction at D&E. Adjunct Professor of Dance Laurie Goux was fortunate enough to study with Dunham in Chicago and has found that the technique provides a beneficial foundation for many dance forms.
“Dunham-inspired work fits this program so well because it embraces and combines elements of modern dance and ballet, but also Caribbean and African dance, which are extremely important influences in almost all American-derived dance forms,” Oleson says. Oleson and Goux, along with D&E alumna Becky Hill, round out the team of dance educators. Hill directs the clogging portion of D&E Appalachian Ensemble, a student troupe who performs traditional dance with accompaniment of the student string band. “The three of us make a nice combo who can serve a diverse group,” Oleson says. They are currently collaborating on an original trio piece for the first D&E Spring Dance Festival, scheduled for March 14-16. The festival will feature student performances in a free Friday night concert, and guest artists and faculty on Saturday evening, as well as workshops, lectures and social dances – all open to the public. While the D&E Dance Program explores diversity in style, students are likely to discover something new about themselves. “What you gain from any movement practice is a deeper knowledge of yourself,” Oleson says. “Dance is healthful: physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.” The Language of Dance
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Bringing Back
The Senator Newsprint Returns to Campus By Nanci Bross-Fregonara
Above left: Katelynn Hanek admits to spending a lot of time in The Senator office located in Albert Hall. The entire staff rarely meets so having a small area isn’t a challenge. All stories are turned in via email and the paper and yearbook are uploaded digitally. Above right: Nouna Anthony reviews the last issue of the fall semester with Julia Tenney, right, head photographer for Senator Media and Kelcie Mullins, understudy.
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n this age of everything digital, many newsrooms have fallen silent. But on a late weekend night on the D&E campus, Katelynn Hanek, sophomore, is working on a large Apple monitor adjusting the layout of the latest issue of The Senator. After a few year’s hiatus, an inkfilled, six-page broadsheet has returned to the College, thanks to some hard-working students
10 | Davis & Elkins College Forward
who are bucking the trend and bringing back the printed news. The Senator has returned. Every other week, 300 copies of the newspaper are delivered to campus and within moments, smartphones and tablets are set aside and the latest issue picked up. Nouna Anthony, a junior political science/ psychology double major from Charles Town, W. Va., serves as CEO of Senator Media, which includes not only the newspaper but the resurrected hard-cover yearbook. “For about five
to six years, there was no newspaper on campus and we wanted to bring it and the yearbook back,” Anthony said. “For a few years, only an online version of the yearbook was available. We just felt that we wanted a real yearbook. It is so important, especially for alumni,” Anthony said. “These are the people we will remember forever.” So she and a band of others decided to tackle both. “We didn’t realize what we were getting into,” she laughed. Hanek, who is officially the CEO “understudy,” is an English major from McHenry, Md., who
likes to write. But she is learning page layout, management, and the persnickety dynamics of running a paper with an all-volunteer staff – just by working closely by Anthony. Neither student had hands-on newspaper experience, so it has been a trial by fire.
one of the few on staff who had some writing experience having taken a journalism class in high school. Harris laughs when Hanek suggests that she is the “appeaser in the group” – making sure the large staff of writers and photographers, with all their personalities, is happy.
“Whew,” Anthony remembers. “The first issue of the paper took us three eight-hour days to put together and we were really nervous because our names were on it. But it was so exciting to see it come off the press: We were dancing!” Now it takes them only a few hours to lay out the paper, but they estimate they spend about 15 hours a week on each issue . Thankfully they sync well together. While Anthony is doing a Semester Abroad in London this semester, Hanek will take over as CEO and Holden Easterbrook will slide into the understudy role. It is a well-thought-out strategy.
The Senator Media office, snuggled away in a section of the Writing Center, is a far cry from
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Senator Media has managed to attract over a dozen students to the yearbook staff and 20 students for the newspaper. Kaylee Harris, a biology major from Drewryville, Va., who serves as yearbook understudy, smiles when she says Anthony is “very good at recruiting.” Harris is
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“We wanted to make sure there was continuity,” Anthony explains. So one person trains the next, and so on and so on. There is also a synergy between the two publications which grew out of Anthony being roommates with Rebecca Wright, the yearbook editor. They had four out of five classes together last fall and easily laugh about how people never see them apart. Additionally, a photo staff takes pictures for the paper and yearbook.
The first issue of the paper took us three eighthour days to put together and we were really nervous... but it was so exciting to see it come off the press: We were dancing! – Nouna Anthony, CEO of Senator Media
the smoke-filled room with sloppy desks and wads of paper billowing out of trash receptacles of the past. There are nicely decorated deadline calendars on the walls and neat orderly pen cups on the desks. Everything is done on computers, stories are turned in via email and pagination is completed on a large screen monitor. While older Senator alumni may be jealous of the ease with which papers can be put together these days, Anthony says she and the staff have received many supportive comments from former newspaper staff members. “Alumni have been so excited to see this come back,” she said, “and they are amazed at the technology!” Even the yearbook is created totally online, Wright explains. No more reduction wheels, halftone screens, hard copy. Everything is uploaded to the yearbook publisher and the photos, of course, are all digital. The campus community has been supportive of both publications. Anthony says the only negative feedback the newspaper received was when there was a story on cafeteria food (always the most contentious issue on any college campus) and dining staff was disheartened by the result. “We felt so terrible,” she says. “We didn’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings.” So they apologized. Times have certainly changed for The Senator when it comes to story choice. Anthony suggests that things are looser than in the past when everything was reviewed by a faculty member before going to print. “The old paper was ‘censored’ in a way; it had to be approved. Now we aren’t. But to be honest, there’s not much to complain about here on campus.” While the old Senator news may have covered Vietnam, the biggest national story today’s Senator has covered was the government shutdown last fall. The members of this media foursome are all talkative, enthusiastic and hard-working, which doesn't surprise Anthony. “I feel like the College is really recruiting extroverts,” she says. “That’s the wonderful part of D&E; anyone can get involved with anything.”
Kaylee Harris, back, and Rebecca Wright review some yearbook pages before uploading them.
Although Anthony is now off campus, she is proud of The Senator come-back. She loved writing for it and being CEO. “I think journalism is something I want to get into. I loved being able to orchestrate the whole thing.” Despite the long hours and occasional computer glitches, she says it has been worth it. This semester The Senator will expand to full color with advertising. “The whole thing is very rewarding,” she says. “That’s my pay.” Bringing Back the Senator | 11
Finish the
Field Campaign Committee
Plays to
Win By Linda Howell Skidmore
12 | Davis & Elkins College Forward
D
avis & Elkins Trustee Bill Nuttall, ’70, knows teamwork and soccer better than most. A goalie for the Senators’ 1968 and 1970 NAIA National Championship teams and now the owner of Golden Viking Sports, his career has traversed professional and collegiate fields as a player and coach, the business side of managing the sport on a national level, and play-by-play coverage of ESPN’s inaugural soccer broadcast. Nuttall’s athletic achievements have earned him honors in halls of fame throughout the country, including his
alma maters, D&E and Brandywine Junior College, the NAIA, his high school and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. His professional honors have gained the attention of national media. And a facility named in his honor last fall will serve generations of soccer and lacrosse players poised to carry his spirit of teamwork into the world. Davis & Elkins College and soccer have a long history that links the
relationships formed among the players with their successes both on and off the field. So it was no surprise that former players from various decades delivered success when Nuttall and fellow Trustee Hank Steinbrecher, ’71, called on them for a fundraising venture. Fueled by what Nuttall terms “a winning mentality,” members of the Finish the Field Campaign Committee
Finish the Field
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Vintage photo of the 1968 Davis & Elkins College NAIA National Championship team. D&E Archive Photo
dedicated themselves to weekly phone meetings and networked with other D&E soccer alumni.
In all, more than 130 former players worked toward the goal of raising the $600,000 necessary to replace the soggy grass field with an allseason AstroTurf surface. “It was very gratifying because we all worked hard as a group,” Nuttall says. “That all adds up to a beautiful facility that makes us all very proud.” The Committee included J. Adam Baumgardner, ’06; Erik D. Christie, ’88; Nicole “Cole” Dant, ’11; Craig “Rudy” Eppright, ’73; William D. Glenn, ’69; Nils A. Heinke, ’73; Douglas “Doug” A. Homer, ’93; Gary Horvath, ’62; Ray K. LaMora Jr., ’74; Kathleen “Kate” M. McArthur, ’09; William “Scotty” Smyth, ’72; Paul S. Stirrup, ’60; Charles A. Straw, ’70; and Sean E. Walle, ’94. Nuttall also cites President Emeritus ‘Buck’ Smith as a force behind raising funds. “He did a tremendous job in finding us the big donors. This field would not have happened without Buck’s support and guidance.”
Bill Nuttall gets a hug from Joni Smith as she reads the Nuttall Field plaque inscription. Photo by Sam Santilli 14 | Davis & Elkins College Forward
Two of those donors were so touched by the Committee’s efforts that they generously
You always have a special bond with a team because you spend so much time together. It creates a different dynamic that carries over into our day-to-day lives and our careers." – Bill Nuttall
offered large contributions – with the stipulation that they remain anonymous. Smith and his wife, Joni, were therefore charged with deciding on a name for the field by basing the selection on the person who best symbolizes the teamwork and dedication behind the campaign. Nuttall Field was dedicated during Homecoming Weekend on October 19. At the ceremony, Nuttall said he was “humbled, honored and undeserving” of the recognition, a statement he echoed in a subsequent interview. In both instances he emphasized that the Finish the Field Campaign Committee and other soccer alumni who “rallied around for a common goal of making a better facility for our soccer and lacrosse players” were the ones who made the vision a reality. Nuttall also is reluctant to accept credit for leading the charge. Instead, he turns back the clock to his years at D&E saying he applied lessons he learned from Coach Greg Myers, the man who led the Senators to two NAIA national championships in 1968 and 1970, and national runner-up in 1969.
Soccer Federation as general manager of the U.S. national teams for the 1994 World Cup. Fellow teammate Hank Steinbrecher was the Secretary General and CEO of the US Soccer Federation who Nuttall reported to. Through the years, Nuttall has stayed in touch with his teammates and was assistant coach to Myers at FIU.
Two of those donors were so touched by the Committee's efforts that they generously offered large contributions – with the stipulation that they remain anonymous.
“You always have a special bond with a team because you spend so much time together,” Nuttall says. “It creates a different dynamic that carries over into our day-to-day lives and our careers.” Nuttall has made a life and career out of soccer. He spent three seasons playing in the American Bill Nuttall prepares to present a Chilean National Team jersey to Nils Soccer League and three seasons Heinke at the Friends of Senator Soccer reunion in 2004. During the in the North American Soccer reunion, Heinke, a native of Santiago, Chile, received a FOSS Lifetime Achievement Award. More than 100 FOSS members and their families League. He later coached at attended the reunion. FOSS Archive Photo Florida International University and for the professional Fort Lauderdale Strikers. He moved on to become A core group of 25 to 30 athletes from the 1968, the director of player personnel for the Dallas 1969 and 1970 teams also have remained in close Sidekicks and then was hired by the United States contact, Nuttall explains. They’ve connected
Coach Greg Myers along the sidelines in 1969. D&E Archive Photo
with four generations of D&E soccer players through Friends of Senator Soccer (FOSS). The organization promotes fellowship among D&E men’s and women’s soccer alumni, friends and current students, and preserves the legacy of the soccer tradition and provides resources. In 2008, FOSS honored the 1968 and 1970 NAIA National Championship teams and Myers with a Lifetime Achievement Award for their historic accomplishments. It was those team members and others who wanted to return their gratitude to the College. “We all owe so much to D&E,” Nuttall says. “We’re very blessed that we had these years on campus and all that we learned. We wanted to show our appreciation.” By passing on that team spirit, current and future athletes will benefit not only from a new field, but also from the abilities it can help produce. Nuttall says the state-of-the-art facility creates a new culture for the soccer program and showcases to recruits just how special D&E really is. “A winning tradition generates a whole different mentality among players,” Nuttall says. Already there’s been evidence of that. In wrapping up the 2013 season, the Lady Senators claimed the first-ever Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championship title, while the men’s team came just one goal short of claiming the same victory. Finish the Field
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Hi! finds herself in a conversation with someone familiar with the southern coalfields, her voice spreads out like molasses into a southern drawl. “Hearing these stories keeps me coming back each night.”
Someone's
Calling By Nanci Bross-Fregonara
O “It’s all about connecting with alumni: The stories they lived, we are living now.” – Rebecca Canterbury
ne rarely equates “working the phones” with having fun, but when you hear the excited chatter going on during D&E’s annual phone-a-thon on the top floor of Halliehurst, you can tell what the priorities are. “Oh, my gosh,” one student called out. “That was my best conversation ever.” And her delight was not simply about fundraising. Several nights a week, for four weeks each semester, a dozen students participate in the College’s phonea-thon – fueled by M&Ms, pop and a love of listening. “I always tell my kids,” as Wendy Morgan, Director of Alumni Engagement and Support and phone-a-thon coordinator, affectionately calls the students, “it’s all about engaging with alumni and making those important connections.” Which is precisely why the students, who came out on a cold Wednesday
16 | Davis & Elkins College Forward
night in December, enjoy what they do. “A friend of mine asked me why I would ever want to ‘tele-market’ and I told them I love it,” said Rebecca Canterbury, a sophomore nursing student from Logan, WV. “It’s all about connecting with alumni: The stories they lived, we are living now.” “One gentleman I talked to had the winning touchdown after WWII and another had travelled all around the world,” she said. Rebecca explained that she always finds a connection with former nursing students, tennis players (she’s a member of the D&E tennis team) or even folks who have a coal mining connection. Whenever she
Surprisingly, when you hear the ease of conversation Rebecca now has with her contacts, picking up the phone did not come easily in the beginning. Phone-a-thon students go through training with simulated phone conversations just so they know what to expect. But even with that help, Rebecca said she was “sweating bullets – I was so nervous.” Declan McGill, a junior physical education major from Leeds, England, admits that it isn’t nervousness that makes some of the calls challenging but rather his strong
Student phone-a-thon callers celebrate a successful fall session. Shown are, first row, Laurel Panell, Wyatt Hill, James Pucci and second row, Justin Redmon, Wendy Morgan, Marshall Grogg, Declan McGill, Carla Deam, Dan Savory, Rebecca Canterbury, and Anna Borofsky. Not pictured - Trenton Bailes and Wongel Belihu. Photo by Nanci BrossFregonara northern England accent. “Half the time,” he jokes, “it’s a struggle to be understood.” Declan is one of four
Senator men’s soccer players who work at the phone-a-thon, so once a soccer connection is made, he really enjoys himself. But he also says, “I feel like I’m able to give back to the D&E community by doing this.” Fellow soccer player James Pucci, a junior sports management major from Carrara, Italy, also admits that he has a few challenges with his Italian accent. “One person didn’t believe I was from D&E, so I had to get Wendy on the phone to tell him I really was. But he gave me a pledge!” James gets excited by a good call and on a recent night he had a 20-minute telephone conversation in Italian. “I love doing this, especially when I talk to alumni who came here in the fifties and sixties. They have the best stories! I love D&E and am thankful to be here. So it feels good to do this.” For many of the students, a good call is measured by those connections they made. Anna Borofsky, a sophomore criminology student from Denver, Colo., laughed when she recalled a conversation with an older alumna who admitted she sometimes got in a little trouble when she went to school here. “She lived right here in Halliehurst,” Anna said excitedly. Imagining former students, some now in their seventies, causing mischief may have been more difficult before having the phone-a-thon conversation, but not anymore. “I just like learning about the history of the College and talking with former students. Some of the older alumni really seem to like talking with us. One woman wanted to make sure I called her back so we could talk some more.” “I tell the students it’s important for alumni to turn their love of the College into support of the College,”
“The callers have learned to share the fact that a gift can be anything, from $5 to a 401K. We always say: One gift. Any size. Every year. It all counts.” – Wendy Morgan, Director of Alumni Engagement & Support
Wendy said. “The callers have learned to share the fact that a gift can be anything, from $5 to a 401K. We always say: One gift. Any size. Every year. It all counts.” Wendy knows it can be discouraging for students when alumni don’t pick up the phone or when someone is curt. “I always remind them to not let someone else's bad day become your bad day,” she said. Her positive attitude has a powerful influence on the students and her personal relationship with so many alumni makes her a BFF during phone-a-thon. Throughout the evening, several people wanted to say hello and then get right back on with the student. “When they call a person that happened to have been a former phone-a-thon caller, then it’s really special," she said. It is also very significant that some of the young callers are donors themselves, Wendy explained. “They are in essence saying, 'I believe in the
College. I believe in the education I am receiving. I’m also a donor.'” Lauren Panell, a junior elementary education major from Northern Virginia, pointed out that it is not just alumni telling her stories that is so rewarding, but also having them “genuinely interested in what I was doing. One couple talked with me for over an hour, two on the same line. They asked what I was doing and what my career plan was. It was great.”
Rebecca Canterbury, a sophomore nursing student, enjoys talking with alumni, especially nursing graduates.
In the middle of all these conversations, much needed funds are pledged. A dry erase sign board with a thermometer gauge and goofy faces helps with motivation, although it rarely seems necessary. It was all about the stories: a future wife met, a prank played in Hallie, the radio station in the '60s. “I tell the students it’s not just for the ‘ask’ that they are calling,” Wendy said. “It’s for the listen.”
D&E students will be calling alumni this spring. Don’t miss your opportunity to catch up and find out what’s new at D&E.
Someone's Calling
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Arts & Entertainment
More Than You Can
Curtains Up!
D&E Presents New Arts Series for Year-round Entertainment
By Linda Howell Skidmore
From charming Sunday afternoon classical music performances to a high-energy Christian rock concert and a live West Virginia Public Radio Christmas show, Davis & Elkins College’s inaugural Arts and Entertainment Season has created a stir on campus and within the community.
“It’s very exciting to have that much energy in the arts happening on campus,” says Myles Center for the Arts General Manager Beth King, who organizes performances and works with other campus groups to help plan their presentations. Initiated in late summer 2013, the Arts Series is the vision of D&E President Mihalyo, who has a strong background in the arts. An accomplished keyboard artist and teacher, he previously served as chair of the Division of Fine Arts at Brevard College in North Carolina and as a musical director for various productions. It’s that appreciation for the arts that Mihalyo hopes to share with others. “This is a region that is very rich and diverse in its creation and presentation of the arts in all forms,” Mihalyo says. “D&E has one of the nicest
18 | Davis & Elkins College Forward
facilities in the region – an approximate 1,200-seat auditorium. So, it just makes sense for the College to be a provider of a variety of arts.” The inaugural Arts Series season, now past its halfway point, has featured an eclectic selection of entertainment, and King says she has seen success in terms of performance attendance and patron satisfaction. Just before Christmas, D&E was one of only three sites in the state to host Bob Thompson’s Joy to the World when West Virginia Public Radio took the jazz show on the road for the first time in its 21year history. Earlier in the season, two Grammy Award winners – bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley and contemporary Christian band Switchfoot – drew large crowds to Myles Center for the Arts Harper-McNeeley Auditorium. The College also
played host to a near sellout crowd for the Elkins/ Randolph County YMCA fundraising concert featuring “American Idol” winner Phillip Phillips, and continued its long-term relationship with the Mountain State Forest Festival as the venue for rock and country shows. Other performances in the auditorium featured the Washington, D.C.based dance collective, Urban Artistry, which showcased hip hop, salsa and breakdance, among other forms of American Social Dance. King notes: “People loved Ralph and thought it was great that we had a bluegrass pioneer of that caliber performing here. They also really appreciated it that we offered a contemporary Christian group, and they were very excited over Urban Artistry because they don’t get a chance to see something like that here.”
King Leads New Arts & Entertainment Enterprise
Institution Traveling Exhibits. In addition, she coordinated a school outreach program, wrote numerous grants and directed two yearly fundraising drives to support the activities. At the RCCAC, she also worked as arts coordinator, class coordinator and visual arts teacher.
By Linda Howell Skidmore In her new role as General Manager of Myles Center for the Arts, Elizabeth “Beth” King brings a wealth of experience in promoting and supporting the arts to Davis & Elkins College. In addition to coordinating the new Arts & Entertainment Season, King is collaborating with the D&E Division of Fine and Performing Arts, Office of Student Life, Campus Activities Board and Office of Academic Affairs to plan and present an annual calendar of performances. She also researches, writes and submits grants in support of D&E arts and cultural events. From 2005 until coming to the College in the spring of 2013, she served as the executive director of the Randolph County Community Arts Center, where she created and developed an arts and music education program serving more than 600 students yearly; scheduled and recruited a roster of more than 25 music and arts educators; organized a yearly concert series featuring 20 to 28 acts; and organized 12 art exhibits per year including three Museums on Main Street / Smithsonian
Not all of the acts perform in Myles Center. Musicians, as well as speakers, have presented their works throughout campus. Historic Halliehurst provided an intimate venue for the classical Recital Series. The Montclaire String Quartet and D&E’s Artist-in-Residence Jack Gibbons played there on Sunday afternoons, while the Phipps Lecture Series and the British National Debate Team kept discussions lively on two weeknights in November. The Icehouse, too, has continued its tradition of hosting touring acts. Gaining admittance to any of the performances comes with ease through a new ticketing system put into place last fall. Not only can patrons buy tickets online, but a new official box office inside the Myles Center allows for reservations by phone, email and purchase in person. Staffed by a crew of four students and managed by
King is an adjunct art instructor at D&E, a position she has held since 2002. She also served in the same capacity at West Virginia Wesleyan College from 2003 to 2004. Her other teaching experience includes elementary art teacher and county fine arts coordinator for the Jackson County school system in Jefferson, Ga., from 1989 to 1996. King earned her Bachelor of Journalism degree in advertising and photographic design in 1987, Georgia Teaching Certification in 1989 and Bachelor of Fine Arts in art education in 1991 from the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga. King is married to D&E Chair of the Division of Humanities and Professor of English Dr. Bill King.
King, the D&E Box Office stays busy throughout the day, securing reservations and preparing for performances, and then opens to the public two hours prior to show time. The students help process ticket orders, usher at shows, greet and work with the public, and distribute performance promotional materials. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to take part in all facets of productions and presentations,” Mihalyo says, explaining that they learn practical and useful skills. “They do everything, from provide technical assistance to management and they get an opportunity to work with professional artists and their contracts that specify a number of needs,” Mihalyo adds. Currently, the Box Office is taking orders for
spring productions including Gaelic Storm on March 21 and flutist Nina Assimakopoulos with pianist Carol Beal and mezzo-soprano Hope Koehler on April 27. Plans for the 2014-2015 season are already in the works. King says people can look for a similar format with a continuation of the intimate Recital Series at Halliehurst, four to six groups with a broad appeal and additional performances by Gibbons. The College hopes to add more entertainment offerings in the summer, Mihalyo says, because “that may attract people to Randolph County when travel is a little easier.” To keep up to date on performances at Davis & Elkins College, visit www.dewv.edu/artsentertainment. Curtains Up!
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By Nanci Bross-Fregonara
English professor Bill King remembers the moment when he knew he would become a writer. It was a creative writing class in eighth grade and the teacher explained to her students that they could just write about whatever they wanted. “Up until then, I thought kids were supposed to be seen, not heard, and here was someone telling me to observe the world and write about it. I couldn’t believe it,” he says.
pernicious form of cancer that rocked the core of his world and threw him down physically. As a very significant if not ironic result, his poetic voice has become stronger. “Although I would never wish something like this on anyone, it has changed me.” When he was diagnosed with cancer last fall, immediately after Hurricane Sandy, King was on a semester-long writing sabbatical. The following nine months were spent on the nauseating roller coaster of chemo and undergoing surgeries. For his students and friends who had sent words of encouragement, hundreds of containers of food, or spent quiet hours at his side during the toughest period, a significant moment occurred at a poetry reading last May when King announced: “I’ll be back in the fall, damn it.” The room erupted in heart-felt
King enjoys the fact that many of his classes, such as this literature For King, that was almost a lifeclass, are small enough that they can all just sit around a table. changing moment. “It was not an assignment or profound lecture,” he recalls. “It was just having someone point out the power to see things differently.” Since that moment applause. King has done just that. Taking small moments, scenes or conversations His recovery has meant long hours in a Lazy-Boy-type chair—looking and expanding them until they are kneaded into tight, descriptive poems out a living room window towards a holly tree and bird feeders in his front that have now been published in several creative writing journals. yard. “I had much more concentrated time to write,” King says. “It was very There have been a few detours down this writer’s road. As an therapeutic.” He got together with Doug Van Gundy (a fellow poet), every undergraduate at the University of Georgia, King majored in journalism two weeks and made deadlines to have poems completed. “I’m just lucky with the notion that he would become an advertising copywriter. It was that I love to write. What if my passion was swimming?” he says. still writing after all, he believed. But just when he was about to start his first job writing advertisements for a country radio station, he had a change “In many ways I feel blessed that I had that opportunity to reflect and discover what and who is important to me. You can tell yourself to do this, of heart. “I just couldn’t do it,” he admits and that summer he pursued a but until something like this happens, we don’t. I didn’t, anyway,” he said. master’s degree in creative writing at the University of Georgia, which “It’s been a good thing.” would be followed by a Ph.D. in Literature. Decades later, he finds himself sitting in a window-filled corner office surrounded by books and artwork He admits, however, that walking up the three flights of stairs to his Albert from former students and his children. A professor doing the two things he Hall classroom those first few weeks was almost overwhelming and he loves: Teaching and writing. even questioned his determination. “Most people don’t go back to work for a year after having the type of surgery I had. The first part of the semester I During the last year, King has been battling an extremely rare and 20 | Davis & Elkins College Forward
Because two horses lifted their heads beneath an apple tree at the top of the hill and snorted During one of his visits to campus last year, King participated in a poetry reading in May at which he declared that he would be returning to campus in the fall to teach. Photo by Nanci Bross-Fregonara
thought: Uh-oh, I’ve made a big mistake,” he says. But he came back strong: teaching two classes and was named Chair of the College’s newly designed Division of the Humanities. “I appreciate that people are not treating me differently. They are basically saying they have faith in you,” he says. This spring his course load is up to three classes, he has newly written poems submitted for publication consideration and, he says, he is feeling good. King still writes the bi-weekly poems with his friend, laughing that some are definitely better than others. But what he is most proud of are ones published last year and of having the recent opportunity to present his poems at a conference in Atlanta where he was a featured reader along with Georgia State Poet Laureate Judson Mitcham. King’s poem, “On a Highway: Mingo County, WV” was printed right next to Mitcham’s in the new issue of Flycatcher Journal. “That meant so much to me,” he says. In addition to “On a Highway,” “The Pond” and the “Crow Addresses the Mythmakers” were published in the 2012 edition of The Southern Poetry Anthology and several poems will be published in XCP: Cross Cultural Poetics and Connotation Press. King hopes to complete a manuscript of his recent poetry this year. “I’ve spent time arranging poems and even finding poems that I wrote when I was 16, my son’s age. It’s been really cool for him to see what I was writing at his age.” His poetry has evolved thematically, fluctuating from pastoral (“The Pond”), to political (“How to Destroy a Mountain”), to personal (“Going Down the Hall, On a Gurney,” “On Birds’ Nests, Gourds, and Chemo Brain: A Letter”) which reflect what he’s been going through.
Partially because he is going through the process of picking and choosing his own best works, this last semester he had his students do the same. They created a publication that consisted of four to five pages of the best poems by each student, chosen by the students themselves. “They had to work collaboratively on this,” he said. “They were all like co-editors of a journal. Before, writing the piece was the end of it. Now they are looking at everyone’s work and picking out the best. Then they’ll have a public reading. It becomes more than just an academic process. We are looking at why we write poetry and telling them what you do outside the classroom is as important as in the classroom.” He also sees his teaching evolving. “I know in the last five years I’ve become more empathetic to the students’ lives. Their success has to do with their physical and mental state and it affects their engagement in the classroom. I feel that an important part of what we do here is being in tune with their inner life. If we don’t offer that support or if they don’t have it – it will change their lives. You need to show how you are open to them.” Perhaps he is more in tune to the notion of holistic teaching because of his own personal journey. King admits that this past fall semester he felt like he was almost starting over. There were students he didn’t know, since he had been gone for a year, but it was more than that. It has been a year that changed him. King is thankful for all the support he has received from all levels of the College, from President Emeritus 'Buck' Smith to President Mihalyo and students, both past and present. He has reconnected to dozens of them this past year; many of whom have written about the impact King has had on their lives. “We have all been working together on this journey – just how you would function at home. You have to give as much as you take,” King says. “I’ve been given a lot here and I want to give back.”
I waded across the creek slipped beneath the barbed wire that stitched the hem of old man Warner’s field and rowed my arms through late summer grass before stepping out of the field and into the rut on the other side the horses had made to gorge on sweet green apples spotted with mold It was from beneath the apple tree that I first saw old man Warner’s pond pushing clouds along the earth and that is when I first saw everything that was between here and there the smell of clover and carrion the snap of grasshopper wings the sudden cross of a redtail blown sideways and circling , watching everything below even the bullfrogs flopping and turtles sliding into dark water I walked full round twice not knowing what I had found nor that this was the first of a thousand future leavings of which I still can never tell anyone where or why I am going
Bill King The Southern Poetry Anthology Texas Review Press 2012
Bill King: One Writer's Journey
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Be that
someone.
with Andrew Carroll Zen and the Art of juggling…
To suggest Andrew Carroll exudes energy is an understatement. A quasi-sophomore/junior from Bunker Hill, W.Va., Andrew is an English major with a minor in Education. He is constantly juggling his love of philosophy, religion and art with running. And photography. And politics. He’s the type of person who exhausts you conversationally, but excites you with his potential. Everything seems punctuated with exclamation marks and footnotes. Currently in his second year at D&E, Andrew has made his mark on campus – on the cross-country team, heading sessions during Winter Term, coediting the College’s literary journal, Aurora, hunting down mysterious darkrooms, and leading the Student Education Association. And note to self, he does not need coffee. First things first. You graduated from Musselman High School, a large high school in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle that has 1,600 students. How did you choose D&E? When I was looking for schools, I didn’t want to go to a large research institution. I wanted a place with an undergraduate focus that at most had 4,000-5,000 students. I had a few dream schools that I applied to, but after I visited D&E I had a good feeling I couldn’t escape. I held onto that good feeling all year and when I made my final choice I had no question that I would be heading to D&E. It seems that with all your interests, finding balance can be somewhat elusive. What drives you to explore other things? I’m not put off by unfamiliar things and it’s hard for me to really zero in on what I truly enjoy because I tend to be interested in just about everything. I’m glad I had a lot of credits coming in, because instead of graduating early I have freedom to explore topics that interest me, but are unrelated to my major. This semester I’m studying Ancient Greek. It’s been an extremely challenging but rewarding experience. Having the opportunity to take in the New Testament along with other great ancient texts in their original language is sublime. I value the ability to take in these texts through my lens and not through anyone else's. There’s a certain vindication in knowing that, for once, you’re taking in the word directly.
Story and Photos By Nanci Bross-Fregonara
So I’ll continue to let curiosity guide my learning. During the Phipps Lecture last year, Dr. Clooney said, “Curiosity is a holy thing.” Ever since then I’ve latched onto that idea and made it certain in my own learning and also in how I plan to teach in the future. So teaching is in your future? That’s what I really want to do. I’ve always had an affinity towards sharing knowledge with others. So it was a natural choice when I decided to become a teacher. I was called to teach. When I graduate, I’ll be certified to teach English from 5th grade through adults. I decided to get certification to teach English because it’s the place in the public school where ideas come into play the most. Where creativity mixes with history and students can be given the space to try on ideas and build the critical thinking skills that are essential to living. I know that you enjoyed last winter’s Democracy symposium, so somehow I think you have more plans. Sometimes I think I’d like to get a Masters of Divinity or even an MFA in Creative Writing. I’ve even thought about running for public office. When I was getting ready to graduate from high school there was a state delegate seat opening up and I thought, I could do that. . . go to college in Charleston, take a few classes at a time. But then I thought of how long it would take to finish. I’ve always been interested in politics – an interest that was further intensified by Boys’ State, Youth and Government and some really great teachers in high school. So when I heard what our topic was for the First Year Symposium I was pretty excited. So despite that love of politics, what has influenced you here to study English? In order to teach the secondary level, you major in your content area and then minor in education. So I became an English major. I think I would be even if I weren’t planning on teaching. I was impressed by Dr. Osborne and Dr. McCutcheon when I met them at the open house I went to as a prospective student. Then, as I learned more about the other faculty I realized that in studying English I could surround myself with people I could really learn from and that’s what I’ve done. Whether examining place and material culture with Dr. Osborne, discussing elements
of modern European drama that appear in pop culture with Dr. Okun, exploring what tools writers used to express the divine with Dr. McCutcheon, learning how to aid others in their writing with Prof. Mazzolini, or realizing the importance of a title with Dr. King. I feel at home surrounded by this eclectic group of professors who, though different, complete a gestalt. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I usually ask a random question that I think of before I meet the person I’m interviewing. I think this one will be appropriate for you: If you could run for ruler of the universe what would your platform be? That’s funny because I’ve thought about running for office before. I suppose my platform would be: avoid foreign entanglements, have sound currency and allow maximum personal freedom. You can tell I’m definitely a libertarian. So let’s bring it down a notch to state representative…My biggest priority would be education reform. I believe West Virginia could make some very bold choices and become a leader nationally in education if as a state we are willing to take that risk. I think in education we need more options. When I see students struggling in the schools, I often realize that though the student made some mistakes there are countless ways that schools fail to serve students. In order to serve all students better, we have to throw out the paradigm we currently have for education and explore what our options are. Whether moving back to a model of community schools, gender segregated middle schools, providing an early route out of high school to tech school, or charter schools. I believe that we have to keep all options on the table and make bold choices. Some ideas won’t be successful, but others will and we can’t let our fear of new methods bind us to a system that many believe is fundamentally flawed. We also have to improve the quality of teachers and make sure they are valued and empowered to do their job. Sounds great! Whatever I do in life, I hope my interacting with individuals empowers them to realize the power and value of their voice and their story. Once someone learns that, nothing can stop them.
Q&A with Andrew Carroll
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Student Veterans Find aHome at D&E
“At D&E, I was immediately taken in by the personal interest that everyone has for the students, the family-like atmosphere, the camaraderie and the sense of belonging.”
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– Mark Lanham
“At D&E, I was immediately taken in by the personal interest that everyone has for the students,
24 | Davis & Elkins College Forward
By Linda Howell Skidmore
tudent veterans have traveled the world, and they can choose nearly any place in the United States to further their education. But there’s a reason they select Davis & Elkins College. The transition from military life to civilian life is challenging, student veterans say, but that change comes with ease at D&E and gives the servicemen and women a new place to call home.
the family-like atmosphere, the camaraderie and the sense of belonging,” says Mark Lanham, a senior from Elkins who served 24 years in the U.S. Marine Corps Infantry and retired at the rank of Master Sergeant E-8. “D&E goes above and beyond in its efforts to make a veteran’s transition to civilian life and returning to school as smooth as possible.” James Zimmerer, a senior from Cabins, W.Va., who spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, echoes Lanham’s sentiments.
Davis & Elkins Student Veterans Association Color Guard members are, from left, Bradley Bennett, a senior from Elkins; Mark Lanham, a senior from Elkins; and Christian Gorrell, a junior from Belington, W.Va. Photo by Linda Howell Skidmore
Davis & Elkins College Veterans Liaison Officer Debbie Larkin presents Student Veterans of America D&E Chapter President Jonathan McGee with a D&E Veteran license plate frame during the Veterans brunch in August. McGee, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, is a freshman living in Elkins. Photo by Linda Howell Skidmore
“D&E makes it very easy by taking care of all the [veterans benefit] paperwork, and that's what I was looking for," Zimmerer says. "Plus, it has that small town vibe, and it’s nice to meet other veterans because they understand what you’ve been through.” In lauding the College for its military friendly atmosphere, Lanham and Zimmerer are quick to point out the special efforts of Veterans Liaison Officer Debbie Larkin, whom Lanham describes as “more like a mother to all of us than an administrator.” Zimmerer says it was Larkin’s efficiency that made him decide to enroll at D&E without ever visiting the campus. While stationed in Hawaii, he researched colleges in West Virginia on the Internet and sought information from those that offered a major in sport management. “Debbie kept in contact with me,” Zimmerer says. “She was the best VA representative I talked to.” Larkin refers to her Veterans Liaison Officer role as a “passion,” one that ignited in 2010 when she attended a symposium conducted by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Office of Veterans Education and Training Programs. The talks focused on the needs of
student veterans and their families, including medical issues and the transition from military culture. “It was life-changing because it built a fire in me,” Larkin says, recalling how she made a quick phone call to then-President ‘Buck’ Smith during a break in the conference to tell him she had ideas for expanding the College’s veterans services. The veterans program started that fall during orientation weekend with a welcome brunch for student veterans and their families. It has since grown to include the formation of the Student Veterans Association, for which Larkin serves as advisor and Lanham as co-advisor. The organization offers a vehicle for student veterans to interact with one another, participate in Collegesponsored events and join the efforts of community veterans organizations. A veterans lounge in Halliehurst allows a place for student veterans to study and socialize.
community who notice the College’s efforts at helping student veterans. Two national organizations have lauded D&E as well. Recently, D&E was named one of the “Top Schools” in Military Advanced Education’s 2014 Guide to Military Friendly Colleges & Universities. Also, for the fourth consecutive year, D&E is among the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country to be included on the Military Friendly Schools list. Presented by Victory Media, the designation recognizes educational institutions that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students, and ensure their success on campus. Larkin credits these successes to the all-around support from the campus community. “The program here has been so strong because of the support from 'Buck,' President Michael Mihalyo, the trustees, and faculty and staff, many of whom are veterans,” Larkin says. The strength of the program is likely to play into the College’s future, Larkin explains. Citing federal statistics that show a large number of military personnel will join civilian ranks in the next few years, Larkin anticipates a growth in the student veteran population from those who are seeking the support and attention given at D&E. And, she adds, she’s ready to provide the service.
Within the last couple of years, SVA constructed a paintball course on campus and members volunteer their time at the facility to teach students leadership and teamwork skills. In other cases, the student veterans serve as role models to younger “It helps to know students by speaking in you're providing the their classes to bring a first-hand perspective best possible service to various study topics. to these men and In addition, the group’s Color Guard – comprised women because of Lanham, Bradley they deserve it.” Bennett and Christian Gorrell – provides a – Debbie Larkin, D&E ceremonial unit for Veterans Liaison Officer college functions. Within the Elkins community, the SVA participates in functions sponsored by H.W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3647. They’ve donated funds and time to Toys for Tots, Wounded Warrior Program and the All Veterans Memorial, among other organizations. The SVA also hosts a Veterans brunch on Veterans Day for campus and community veterans. It’s not just the students and the campus
Larkin, who for several years also worked in the College’s Office of the Registrar, recently transitioned to a new position on campus – director of development operations. She was happy to learn that she could keep her duties with the student veterans in her new position. “It’s probably the best part of the job,” Larkin says. “For some reason that piece has stood out just a little bit more.
“It helps to know you’re providing the best possible service to these men and women because they deserve it,” Larkin says. “It’s rewarding to the point that there aren’t words to describe the satisfaction you get from knowing you help.” To connect with Debbie and D&E’s StudentVeterans programs, please email larkind@dewv.edu or call Debbie at 304-637-1983.
Student Veterans Find a Home at D&E
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HOMECOMING
Photo
Album! Mike DiMario, ’60, and Priscilla ‘Pat’ Weaver DiMario, ’59, enjoy the President’s Reception in Myles Center for the Arts. Photo by Sam Santilii.
Corky Weaver Felber, Gary Baer and Susan Baer reminisce during the Class of 1963 reception. Photo by Sam Santilli
D&E Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Philosophy and Chair of the Religious Studies and Philosophy Department Dr. Bryan Wagoner delivers the Thomas R. Ross Chair in History and the Humanities Lecture. The lecture, titled “Narrative Inquiry and a Global Religious Ethic,” called into question the validity of certain methods of the philosophy of history and ethics. Photo by
Linda Howell Skidmore
D&E Coordinator of Parent Relations and Assistant Director of Development Support Lisa Senic, ’90 and ’03, congratulates the Alumni Baseball Team on a game well played. From left are, kneeling, Tripp Staley, Andrew Taylor, Anthony Ragos, Brent Winden, Josh Lopez, Bryan Maus, Will Bell and Jarad Winder; standing, Ryan Miller, Ryan Flanagan, Blake Rogers, Wayne Startt, Scott Sanders, Greg Kiewitt, Cory Keesee, Matt Barr, Mike Mroz and assistant Coach Mike Miller. Photo by Roger McCarty
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Celebrating their 50th reunion are members of the class of 1963, from left, seated, Judy McColly Reich, Carolyn Black Dougall, Barb Frank Warren, Sandy Moore Rudnick and Corky Weaver Felber; standing, Bob Wood, George Creed, Bob Gracey, Len Rudnick, Dick Seybolt, Andy Johanson and Gary Baer. Photo by
Sam Santilli
Reggie Owens, ’83, Candace Mitchell, ’85, David Kirby, ’83, and Dina Banda Dye, ’83, reconnect at the Class of 1983 Alumni Reunion. Photo by Sam Santilli
D&E Director of Alumni Engagement and Support Wendy Morgan and Jo Ann Post Barlow share a laugh at the 1904 Society and Heritage Society Breakfast. Photo by Linda Howell Skidmore
Homecoming Photo Album
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HOMECOMING
Photo
Album! D&E Trustee Mark Barber, ’75, visits with Dr. Gloria Payne after his presentation of the McDonnell Chair in Business and Economics lecture. The McDonnell Chair honors Dr. Payne. Photo by Jessica Wilmoth
Gathering for a group shot from the Alumni Softball Game are, from left, front row, Autumn Appleby, Alanna Jones, Kayla Whoolery, Makayla Fama, Lisa Kliger-Morales, Cheryl Hennessey, Mallory Wishard, Kaitlyn Daugherty, Amber LaBille, Chelsie Stover and Amanda Serafini; back row, Samantha Smith, Darbie Catalfamo, Corinne Carrington, Chelsea Graham, Samantha Davis, Leann Parliman Thomas, Michele DeBerry, Diane Mancin, Michele Linder, Samantha Crabtree, Ashley Dove, Katelyn Norton, Kaylee Krietz and Danielle Norton. Photo by Sam Santilli
D&E Associate Professor of Biology and Chair of the Biology and Environmental Science Department Dr. Michelle Mabry, right, delivered the S. Benton Talbot Chair in the Natural Sciences and Nursing Lecture titled “A Brief History of Women in Science.” Here, Mabry is greeted by Chair of the Division of Nursing Dr. Carol Cochran, who holds the Talbot Chair, next to a portrait of Dr. Talbot. Photo by Nanci Bross-Fregonara
Len Rudnick, ’63, and Director of Alumni Engagement and Support Wendy Morgan display a gift from the Class of 1963. Photo by Sam Santilli
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Attending the Tedford Choir reunion are, from left, seated, Barbara Frank-Warren, Barbara Tedford, Sydney Tedford, Phil Holt and Pat Konhaus; standing, Diane Mullis, Tom Mullis, Dick Bendy, Susan Baer, Joanne Person Bendy, Gary Baer, Carolyn Black Dougall, Charles Best, Judy McColly Reich, Giles Wright, Bonnie Cook Krum, Lee Haring Creed, George Creed and Fred Konhaus. Photo by Linda Howell Skidmore
Members of the NAC are, from left, first row, Larisa Schwartz, Amanda Monroe, Michele DeBerry, Ray VanArsdale, Casey Zahn, Robin Rybczinski, Laura Constantine and Greg Kiewitt; middle row, Sue Nilsen, Debbie Payne Fragale, Rachel Montgomery, Jon Certo, Director of Alumni Engagement and Support Wendy Morgan, Catherine Engleman, Maribeth Robenholt, Karen Scherling, Rob Beckwith, Student Assembly President Agustin Ochoa and Larry Hunt; back row, David Kirby, Brian Anderson, Janet Toth, Chris Ferzoco, Dave Blaszczak, Cory Toth, Flint Engleman, Bill Turner and Craig Hamilton. Not pictured is Barry Greene. Photo by Sam Santilli
Members of the 2013 Homecoming Court presented during the Homecoming Dance are, from left, Freshman Princess Olivia Hudok of Huttonsville, W.Va., Freshman Escort Ryan O’Connell of Goodyear, Ariz., Sophomore Princess Taylor Fealy of Ellamore, W.Va., escort Hasika Wijegunawardan of Clarksburg, Md., Junior Princess Rhiana Bruce-Lyle of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Junior Escort James Pucci of Carrara, Italy, Senior Princess Amanda Serafini of Blasdell, N.Y., Senior Escort Zach Hanshaw of Chloe, W.Va., Miss D&E Alison Bogar of Ontario, Canada, and Mr. Senator Churchill Davenport of Louisville, Ky. Sophomore Escort Scotty Leach of Olympia, Wash., was unavailable for the ceremony. Photo by Sam Santilli
The Hybrids, Karl Hilbert, ’89, Darcy Carter, ’92, and Jeff Hewlett, perform in the Icehouse. Not pictured, Robert ‘Flipper’ Avondo, ’88, and Sandy Edwards, ’88. Photo by Heaven Dove
Homecoming Photo Album
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College Honors Alumni during the
Annual Homecoming Banquet and Awards Ceremony The Tower Award The Finish the Field Campaign Committee was selected as the recipient of the 2013 Tower Award in recognition of the members’ devotion to the College in working toward the goal of raising necessary funds for the synthetic soccer/lacrosse field. Attending the award presentation are, from left, seated, President Emeritus ‘Buck’ Smith, committee member Paul Stirrup, committee co-chair Bill Nuttall, President Michael Mihalyo and committee member Gary Horvath; standing, committee members Adam Baumgardner, Bill Glenn and Sean Walle, committee co-chair Hank Steinbrecher, and committee members Charlie Straw, Nils Heinke, Scotty Smith and Doug Homer. Photo by Sam Santilli
The Distinguished Alumna Award Dr. Virginia “Ginger” Bowman Rich, ’74, displays her 2013 Distinguished Alumna Award and receives congratulations from her husband, Steve, left, and Joni and President Emeritus ‘Buck’ Smith. Rich is the president and owner of Rich Equine Nutritional Consulting, a company that specializes in working with private breeding farms, boarding facilities and horses in race training. She also helped develop the Equine Sciences Program at Colorado State University and is a frequent contributor to equine publications. Photo by Sam Santilli
The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award Joel Richardson, ’10, right, recipient of the 2013 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, is congratulated by D&E Associate Professor of Business Administration Harry Henderson. Richardson is the platoon leader and Officer Candidate school support staff for the 197th Regional Training
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Institute of the West Virginia Army National Guard in Kingwood, W.Va. He spent a year of active duty with his National Guard Unit in support of Operation New Dawn and earned a Masters in Business Administration from West Virginia University. Photo by Sam Santilli
Soccer
The Davis & Elkins athletic programs opened a new era in the fall of 2013, making the transition from the now defunct WVIAC to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. The conference move also left the Senators in a regional change for NCAA purposes from the Atlantic to the Midwest.
Kelsey Richards
The D&E soccer teams made a splash in their first season of G-MAC competition. The men’s soccer team earned the G-MAC regular season title, and the women notched the conference tournament championship. The women’s team started 3-7-1, but reeled off nine straight victories—capped by a 2-1 overtime victory against Ursuline to win the conference tournament title—and finished with a record of 12-7-1. Senior Alison Bogar earned first team all-league recognition after scoring five goals during the 2013 campaign. Laia Dordas, Ashley Winkelspecht and Maggie Fry garnered second team all-conference honors. The team will return nine starters for the 2014 season, after the graduation of Bogar and Kristen Turschmann.
The Senator men began the season 0-3-1 before posting a 12-1-1 mark over their final 14 contests, including an 8-1 record in league play to earn the top spot in the regular season and hosting rights for the G-MAC Tournament. D&E and Cedarville played to a 0-0 draw after 110 minutes in the championship, setting the stage for the penalty kicks, in which the Yellow Jackets won the league title 4-3. Junior James Pucci earned Daktronics AllAmerican honors after leading Division II in goals (27) and points (65). The Carrara, Italy native was named G-MAC Offensive Player of the Year. Dan Savory garnered G-MAC Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Davis & Elkins graduates Bastien Catrin and Malcolm Kenlock from the 2013 squad, but will return nine starters in 2014.
The women's soccer team clinched the conference tournament title by defeating Ursuline in overtime, 2-1.
Cross Country
Volleyball
The Davis & Elkins men’s cross country team placed third at the G-MAC Championship and finished 25th at the NCAA Midwest Regional. Tommy Boone, Wes Anderson, Matt Zorn, P.J. Louzy, Zack Hanshaw, Churchill Davenport and Gerald Furby ran in the regional. The D&E women’s cross country teams ran fifth in the G-MAC Championship. Ellen Cantaral, Amber Abbott and Rebecca Verbonitz all qualified for the Midwest Regional.
Golf
The Senator golf team claimed the team title at the Ohio Valley Invitational, while registering runner-up finishes in the Cedarville Invitational and The Challenge at Mystic Rock. Sophomore Sebastian Bendsen garnered low-medalist honors at The Challenge. D&E notched 11th out of 33 teams in the Midwest Regional in Chicago, Ill. The spring portion of the golf season opens on March 22 at the Saginaw Valley Invitational.
Sebastian Bendsen
The Senator golf team claimed the team title at the Ohio Valley Invitational, while registering runnerup finishes in the Cedarville Invitational and The Challenge at Mystic Rock.
The volleyball team saw a four win improvement from last season under second year head coach Ashley Pappas. The Senators finished 2013 with a record of 9-23. Casey Bannon, Kelsey Richards and Callie Updike earned G-MAC honorable mention honors. The Senators were led by freshman Alexis Mourier who posted 262 kills on the year. Richards was the lone senior on the 2013 volleyball squad.
Be sure to get all the results and recaps on SenatorNation.com, you can also follow us on Twitter @SenatorNation and like us on Facebook to stay up to date with all athletic activities at Davis & Elkins.
Athletics
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Spirit Squirrels Stephen and Henry greet fans at women’s home basketball games. Photo by Linda Howell Skidmore
Spirit
Squirrels
By Linda Howell Skidmore
“Henry” and “Stephen” certainly stand out in a crowd; the pair of grey and white Davis & Elkins College Spirit Squirrels dressed in bright red T-shirts bearing their names make the most of the attention they attract. Officially known as spirit ambassadors, the squirrels are part cheerleader and part comedian, sharing their antics and enthusiasm for the College on and off campus. The Spirit Squirrels were an initiative of Student Assembly as a way to “give students a fun way to get involved at the games,” says Shane Jones, a senior from Beverly, W.Va., who serves as manager of the squad. Davis & Elkins Vice President for Student Affairs Scott Goddard emphasizes that the Senator remains the College’s mascot, however students expressed a need for more school spirit at athletic events. “Davis & Elkins College will always be known as the Senators,” Goddard says. “What was decided by [student] vote was to have spirit squirrels – due to the large number of squirrels on campus – 32 | Davis & Elkins College Forward
serve as jesters at athletic competitions and assist a student as Mr. Senator.” The squirrels marked their first “birthday” this fall. In that short time, they have taken part in the Mountain State Forest Festival Parade of Children and Grand Feature Parade, Night on the Town, and every home basketball game, along with other special campus events. “It’s really tied the students into the community,” Jones says. “Kids come running up to hug them or shake their hands.” At a recent home basketball game, the Spirit Squirrels led a relay clothing challenge race with two teams of students, and another contest in which students competed to see who could blow a ping pong ball across the court. “The community really enjoys this because it’s something fun and they can look forward to what
we’re going to do next,” Jones says. Three students take turns donning the costumes. Jones manages the squad of Jenna Hanifan, a senior from Elkins who serves as squad president, Gregory DuLac, a junior from Queenstown, Md., and Corey Kaechele, a junior from Bethel, Conn., and equipment manager Chris Krizan, a sophomore from Bethel, Conn. Jones is also in charge of ordering promotional merchandise, and planning, producing and choreographing the halftime shows. The crew works with Assistant Director of Development Support and Coordinator of Parent Relations Lisa Senic for planning events. The students were chosen for the roles following three rounds of auditions. Candidates are asked to present their own crowd-rousing routine, perform with their choice of props, and learn a dance. Jones says he’s recruiting more students to get involved with the squad and plans another round of try-outs in the spring. Both he and DuLac agree that participation in the squad is rewarding. “It’s a lot different to be in a costume,” DuLac says. “It’s a lot of fun, and it puts a smile on my face even though you can’t see it.”
Cottrell New Lead for Senator Men’s Basketball
C
By Philip Fetty, Sports Information Director
hris Cottrell assumed leadership of the Davis & Elkins men’s basketball program in May – with a priority on changing the culture – and, so far, he’s had tremendous success.
Cottrell has blended stand-out returners Devin Miller, Brian Dixon and Juwan Strothers with a nine-man recruiting class to spur a new winning culture in Elkins. The Senators opened the year 6-2, the best start for a D&E team since 1998. D&E went 7-4 prior to Christmas break, only the second time since 1998 that the program has been above .500. The seven wins is the most since ’98.
Cottrell joined Davis & Elkins with 10 years of experience in college coaching at the NCAA Division I and II levels and has spent the last five seasons assisting Lincoln Memorial University Coach Josh Schertz as they built one of the best basketball programs in the Southeast Region. Cottrell has been a part of Chris Cottrell assumed leadership of the four consecutive 20-win seasons and Davis & Elkins men’s basketball program in LMU has advanced to the NCAA May – with a priority on changing the culture – Tournament the past three seasons.
and, so far, he’s had tremendous success.
During Cottrell's time at LMU, the Railsplitters set numerous South Atlantic Conference and school records, including: overall wins (27), single-season winning percentage (90%), consecutive wins (22), and consecutive conference wins (14). This past season, LMU finished 25-6 and advanced to the South Atlantic Championship game and the Southeast Regional Semifinals. Prior to Lincoln Memorial, Cottrell served on the coaching staff at Division I High Point University, starting as a student assistant coach before being promoted to the program's first-ever Graduate Assistant Coach. While at High Point, Cottrell was also involved in setting the school's record for NCAA Division I wins in a single season, with 22 wins, a record that stills stands after the 2012-13 season. Cottrell earned a degree in history, graduating in 2007 from High Point University. He completed his master's degree in sport management in 2009, also from High Point University.
Cottrell New Lead for Senator Men's Basketball
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REGIONAL & ALUMNI REUNIONS
Photo
Album! Celebrating memories of football at D&E this summer. Front Row L-R: Leonard Howell, ’59, Elkins, WV; Lee Levering, ’58, Citrus Springs, FL; George Triplett, ’56, Elkins, WV; Don Beek, ’62, Chesapeake, VA. Back Row L-R: Don Strosnider, ’60, Charleston, SC; Dave Vandenbergh, ’59, Elkins, WV; Alby Phillips, ’59, Stafford, VA; Gerald Rinehart, ’56, Elkins, WV; Gerald Lawrence, ’61, Elkins, WV; Fred Fincken, ’62, Harwinton, CT; Dick Brown, ’61, Elkins, WV and Boynton Beach, FL; and Tony DeMatteo, ’62, Frederick, MD. Not Pictured: Bob Gracey, ’63, Wheeling, WV; Dick Walden, ’51, Elkins, WV; and Don Rice, ’51, Elkins, WV. Christmas in New York City – On December 15 alumni and friends came together for lunch at the Atlantic Grill near Lincoln Center, followed by a concert with D&E’s own artist-in-residence Jack Gibbons at the Kaufman Music Center. Shown here, enjoying the festivities are Scarlett and John ‘Jack’ DeBease, ’76; Wendy Cunningham Morgan, ’12, Director of Alumni Engagement and Support; Tom, ’83, and Susan Rhymer Plantier, ’83. Other D&E friends at the concert included Kathy Howard, Gerry Lockwood, ’57, his friend Marion, and several other family members; Cindy Allasia; Mary Gibbons and Carol Schuler, Vice President for Development.
During a trip to Arizona in September, Wendy Cunningham Morgan, ’12, right, visited with Sandy Moore Rudnick, ’63, and current student/men’s soccer team standout Cameron Rivera’s grandfather Don, mother Lynda Philpot, and younger brother Trey; and Len Rudnick, ’63, at the restaurant Vero Amore.
September 10th, found alumni and friends at RigaTony’s in Tempe, AZ. Those attending were Bob Doyle, ’70, and his wife Sherry; Mike Judge, ’74; Becky Tacy Lothes, ’87, her daughter, Tabbi, and friends, Samantha ‘Sam’ and Jazmine; and Hux Madaheim, ’62, and his wife Paula; and Joseph ‘Chuck’ Janecek, ’57, and his wife LaVonne.
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On September 14, the Pacific Coast Brewing Company was the place to be in Oakland, CA with President Emeritus Buck Smith and Joni; Larisa Draeger Swartz, ’00, and her daughter Shannen; Carol Hermanson; Randy, ’80, and Kathy ‘Tigger’ Hermanson, ’82; Elizabeth McCord, ’02; David Roberts, ’68, and Gail Simpson; and Dwain and Wendy Cunningham Morgan, ’12.
Raleigh, NC, found alumni and friends enjoying dinner and a special screening of Angel’s Perch, a film set almost entirely in the historic logging town of Cass, WV. Those in attendance were: Vicki Lunde Rodriguez, ’78, and her husband Noel; Paul Stirrup,’60, and wife Karen; Drake Dowler, ’69; Allie Johnson Maples, ’82; Karen Herpich Melling, ’87, and her husband Rick; Pat Little Tabler, ’53, and her husband Jim; Gary Knutson, ’76, and his wife Gail; Don ‘Bud’ Bender, ’63; Steve Simmons,’76, and his wife Claire; Betsy Dunnegan; Rob, ’83, and Judy Ciocca Fenton, ’85; and Wendy Cunningham Morgan, ’12.
and marketing from D&E in 2008. After graduation, he moved to New York City to further his acting career. While he’s appeared in several off-Broadway productions, the majority of his career has evolved in film and television. Most recently, he’s been seen in “True Crimes” on Discovery Channel, “Mysteries at the Museum” on Travel Channel and commercials for ESPN Monday Night Football and CNBC. This summer
he filmed Discovery ID’s third season of “Deadly Sins” and an episode of “Redrum,” a murder re-enactment series that aired on Investigation Discovery in January 2014. The TIME magazine cover for “The Childfree Life” was shot on July 19 on Atlantic Beach, N.Y. “We had great fun working together and lots of laughs,” Jones says of the photo session. “The energy was right up there with the sun.” He’ll soon grace another magazine cover, Outdoor Life, which was shot on July 24. Last year, he was cast for a photo spread featuring Linda Evangelista in Vogue Italia.
Man of the Year 2008 Graduate Lands Cover of TIME The man on the cover of the August 12, 2013, issue of TIME magazine is a Davis & Elkins College graduate. Just recently, he was identified as a “West Virginians Who Rock” by West Virginia Living magazine.
During his four years at D&E, Jones performed in College productions as MacDuff in “Macbeth,” Froggy in “The Foreigner,” Hal Carter in “Picnic,” and various roles in “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” He was also a member of the Senator Soccer Team and was featured in D&E marketing materials.
Benjamin Jones, a former resident of Weirton, W.Va., received his bachelor’s degree in hospitality Regional & Alumni Reunions
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Save the Date!
details to be announced. This event is open to all friends of D&E, their spouses and friends. Even if you don't play golf, join us to enjoy the beaches and other local entertainment. Visit the Alumni Events section of our website for more information and to learn how to reserve your spot!
D&E Master's Golf Outing and Vacation – Brunswick Plantation, Calabash, NC March 29 – April 1
Join us for four rounds of golf at Leopard's Chase, Lion's Paw, Panther's Run and Tiger's Eye. Cost: $393 includes all green fees, carts, lunch and four nights lodging at Brunswick Plantation. Pricing is based on four golfers per two bedroom unit or two golfers per one bedroom unit. Price will be reduced if you don't play golf. Daily match for bragging rights! Wine and dine as you see fit in Calabash or Myrtle Beach. Cocktail party and group dinner
Athletic Banquet – April 26 National Alumni Council – April 25-26 FOSS Reunion – April 25-27 Déjà vu Festival – May 2-3 Homecoming 2014 – October 17-19 Summer Reunion 2015
A Note About Notes...
Thank you to the many alumni who submit notes for publication in Forward magazine. We enjoy sharing your news, both in these pages and on our website. If you have a note, please complete and return the form below, or email your note to morganw@dewv.edu.
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Please publish this Alumni Note in the Davis & Elkins College Forward magazine in print and online. Name: Maiden name:
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Check out these D&E Alumni Groups: California Bay Area Alumni Chapter Carolinas Alumni Chapter Delaware Valley Alumni Chapter Florida – Suncoast Alumni Chapter Florida – Orlando Area Alumni Chapter Friends of Senator Soccer Indiana Alumni Chapter Maryland Alumni Chapter New York Metro Area Alumni Chapter Nursing Alumni Council Ohio Regional Alumni Chapter Tri-State Alumni Chapter (Western PA, Northern WV and Eastern OH) Virginia Alumni Chapter West Virginia Alumni Chapter
ALUMNI NOTES 1939 Pauline Ruddle Harman, Franklin, WV, celebrated her 95th birthday on August 2. Happy Birthday Pauline! 1943 Our very own Dr. Gloria Marquette Payne, Elkins, WV, was honored during the opening ceremony of the 2013 Mountain State Forest Festival for 67 years of voluntary service on many committees. Dr. Payne began volunteering for the Forest Festival as a page in 1945. Along the way, she hosted dinners for governors and senators, and a luncheon for then-Vice President Hubert Humphrey in Benedum Hall in 1966. She also served on many committees and contributed her time and talent.
Congratulations to Dr. Payne for many years of service to the Mountain State Forest Festival. Here, she is honored during 2013 Opening Ceremonies. Marjorie A. Gibson Miller, Boulder Creek, CA, celebrated her 85th birthday on September 24, and is happy to be alive and enjoying her close family and friends. She is currently reconnecting with her best college friends and has really enjoyed the phone visits and written correspondence. Marjorie writes, “some of my fondest life memories are of my college days at Davis & Elkins. As we grow older, it is those sweet memories that sustain us and keep us going. I am thankful to have attended such a wonderful College.”
1951 In August, Okey E. Chenoweth, Oakland, NJ, was honored by the Board of Education for the Glen Rock School District with the first-ever position of Poet Laureate. With the symbolic laurel wreath placed on his head signifying a poet laureate, Okey was also presented with a plaque that will be hung in his old classroom which has now been officially named for him. During the special ceremony, Okey was moved by a number of his former students who came to pay tribute to his contribution and personage as a drama teacher and “living legend” at Glen Rock. One such testament is a video produced by former student Jane Steuerwald, a 1970 Glen Rock High School alumna and current professor of Media Arts at New Jersey City University. The profile, titled "Don't Waste the Day: A Portrait of Okey Chenoweth," can be accessed on YouTube. After 41 years of teaching at Glen Rock High School, Okey retired in 2002. He then began teaching at Bergen Community College, Paramus, NJ, where he teaches “Introduction to Theatre” and “Speech Communication,” and at William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ, where he works with teachers.
They invite classmates to contact them at their new address: 20 Pine Lake Terrace, River Vale, NJ 07675. Phone number (201) 690-6462. 1960 Jack C. McDonald and his wife, Pat, are excited for the upcoming year – they have five grandchildren going off to college! Jack and Pat live in The Villages, FL.
Good friends exploring China – Vicki Schell, ’70, and Rose Mary Isner Johnston, ’69. See 1970. 1967 Norman J. Pingley, Istachatta, FL, was recently inducted into the Randolph County Athletic Hall of Fame. Norm was the co-captain of 1960-61 Beverly High School basketball team, which garnered a 19-3 record, captured a district championship and finished runner-up in the area tournament. He was the second-leading scorer of the team and was named to the All-Tournament defensive team. Norm offered words of wisdom to parents in the audience in regards to helping their children pursue their interests, athletic or otherwise, when he said, "Every moment you put into working with your son or daughter will result in you being repaid tenfold. Always give them an opportunity to play." 1968 Dennis W. Fricke, Fairfax, VA, loves spending time with his five grandchildren, ages 1 through 6. He also enjoys summers in New England and during the winter, Canaan Valley, WV, for crosscountry skiing. At the 2013 annual convention of the Orders and Medals Society of America (OMSA) in Milwaukee, WI, the Board of Directors awarded Charles H. Potter, II, Silver Springs, MD, the OMSA Medal for helping the annual auctions "become the success they've become."
Gail Rabold Witwer and her second-grade class. See 1971. William L. Jones has fond memories of happy days spent among beautiful people at "dear 'ole D&E." Bill and his wife, Mary, live in Phoenix, AZ. 1954 Anton A. Sinisgalli and his wife, Dalia, are now living in Israel. 1957 Robert "Bob" Miserentino and his wife, Sue, Hampton, VA, are enjoying good health. As they are getting ready for the fourth quarter of life, they have been updating the household kitchen and Bob is “squeezing” in a project to complete the Hampton Virginia Church's 225th history recording. 1958 1958 Frank M. Mele and his wife, June, have moved.
1961 Norma Lee Veazey Lent and her husband, Jim, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 10, 2013. They have been blessed with two children, a boy and girl; and five grandchildren, two boys and three girls. Norma and Jim live in Keyser, WV. 1963 Stephen W. Locke married his longtime companion of 49 years, Norton A. Gerard, on August 24, 2013, on the island of Martha's Vineyard, MA. They now reside in Covington, LA. 1966 Nancy S. Walker Caparulo, Galway, NY, writes that New York had an “Elkins autumn”' full of color, the smell of wood smoke and the distant hum of chain saws.
1969 After 40 years in Eastern Shore banking, William “Buck” W. Duncan, Easton, MD, retired as President/CEO of Talbot Bank. Retirement was soon followed by the appointment as President of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation and appointment as Commissioner of the Easton Utilities Commission. 1970 This year, Carol Dapp Farringer, Greensboro, NC, has been blessed with two great-granddaughters. This past summer, Dr. Vicki Schell, Pensacola, FL, and Rose Mary Isner Johnston, '69, San Diego, CA, spent three weeks exploring China.
Alumni Notes
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ALUMNI NOTES 1972 In September 2012, Kathleen "Kathy" Brusso Fisher, and her husband, Matthew, Pt. Pleasant, PA, celebrated the marriage of their son, John, to his bride, Jeni.
Kendall Brooke Ward, daughter of Richard and Krista M. Cunningham Ward. See 2006.
William “Bill” Turner, Arlington, VA, was elected as an at-large member of the American Library Association and named chair of the Policy Monitoring Committee. Bill is also a volunteer at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and recently received a pin for 25 years of service.
1971 Risa Ruth Sheeler and her husband, James, keep busy with work and travel as they have five children and 10 grandchildren all living in three different states. Risa and James live in Hudson, OH. Christopher E. Spade has retired as principal of Tse Yi Gai High School near Cuba, NM. Chris and his wife, Linda, are now residents of Naples, FL. He would love to hear from any alumni in the Fort Meyers-Naples areas at christophspade@hotmail. com. In March 2011, William “Bill” C. VanBrunt retired after 39 years working in the reinsurance part of the insurance industry. And, after living in the Detroit, Chicago and upstate New York areas, it was time to move away from the severe winters. In July 2011, Bill and his wife, Joan, moved to East Tennessee where they built their retirement home. They have settled in and are enjoying the people and the area. The Smoky Mountain National Park is very close and one of their favorite places to visit. Bill also enjoys spending time in his workshop making furniture and wooden toys. After 42 years of teaching, Gail Rabold Witwer, Ephrata, PA, retired from the Cocalico School District. Gail credits her great professional career to the wonderful education she received at D&E, "for helping me find my professional niche." In 1970, Gail was the Alpine Queen of WV and the TKE Sweetheart – today her most favorite title is “Nana.”
Congratulations! Matthew, Jeni, John and Kathy Brusso Fisher, '72. See 1972.
1978 Nettie G. Bright Lipscomb, Parsons, WV, retired in 1998 to care for her husband prior to his passing away. In 2002, Nettie remarried to Jennings Randolph Lipscomb. Nettie enjoys volunteer work at Cortland Acres, the Tucker County Senior Center and for her church, Sycamore Grove Church at Bull Run, in Tucker County. In 2011, she was honored for her years of volunteer service with a plaque in the Tucker County Hall of Fame. 1981 William Welsh, Vienna, VA, is the editor of Military Heritage magazine published by Sovereign Media/Homestead Communications. The bimonthly magazine offers in-depth stories that examine the entire history of warfare from ancient to modern times. Bill earned a B.A. in history from D&E studying under Dr. Thomas R. Ross and Dr. Nelson Bard. He writes that a winter semester spent abroad studying Elizabethan England in London and Oxford under Dr. Bard's guidance furnished him with a strong foundation for his new job.
1974 Mary "Mickey" E. Owens, Fishers, IN, is still working for Roche and traveling to Germany and around the U.S. She would love to hear from classmates at mary.owens@roche.com. 1975 After 35 years of teaching and coaching field hockey and golf, Diane C. Birkbeck is retired. Di lives in Ventnor City, NJ, and enjoys spending time with family, traveling and many community events on the Jersey shore. 1976 Michael A. Waugh, Canvas, WV, is a natural resources police officer with the WV Division of Natural Resources. 1977 Larry Zwickel, Howell, NJ, is still working at Arnold Steel Company and running Cowboy Larry's Wild, Wild West Show every weekend.
Future D&E soccer player, Caleb Marcus Larkin. See 2006 and 2012. 1983 Martin D. Allen, Sylvania, OH, is in his 29th year with HCR Manor Care in Toledo, OH. Jane F. Polcen, Bowie, MD, retired from U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps in 2008. She returned to school, earning a Master of Arts from St. John's College in 2011 and a Master of Laws from the University of Maryland School of Law in 2012. Karen L. Wilmoth, Elkins, WV, is excited to announce the arrival of her second granddaughter, Ashlynn Mae White, March 10, 2013. Ashlynn joins big sister Kayleigh and mom and dad Stephanie and Matt White of Morgantown, WV. Bill Fisher, '87, Paul Ogrinz, '84, and Charlie Ammann, '84, during a fishing trip off the coast of Maine. See 1984.
38 | Davis & Elkins College Forward
A July wedding at Snowshoe - Taylor Moore; Janelle Adams Storm, '05; Ceason Ranson, Darrell Withrow and Brenda Moore Withrow, '04, Kendra Hersman, and Laura Zubreski. See 2004.
Logan Thomas Melson. See 2000.
Rebecca T. Morris. See 2000. 1984 A-Sig brothers Paul A. Ogrinz, Colesville, NJ, Charles 'Charlie' Ammann, Yarmouth, ME, and William 'Bill' Fisher, '87, Conyngham, PA enjoyed a fishing trip off the coast of Maine this past summer. 'Life has been good to us all!'
1987 In 2012, Michael H. Kaelin Jr., Raleigh, NC, was named senior vice president and chief financial officer for RTI International. Mike is responsible for managing RTI's corporate financial requirements and institute-level financial risks. In addition, he is responsible for ensuring finance, contracts, proposal, and procurement services are delivered effectively and efficiently to support research operations. Mike has been with RTI since 2007 bringing with him 25 years of financial management experience, including vice president of finance for Raleigh-based Misys Healthcare Inc., and a number of senior financial positions in companies such as Channel Master and Productivity Point International, and Coopers & Lybrand. He also serves on the boards of Magellan Charter School and Solutions-IES, a womenowned engineering firm in North Carolina.
born at the Fairfax Women's Center in Fairfax, VA, weighing 8 pounds, 10 ounces, and was 23 inches in length. He joins two brothers, Justin Allen Melson and Ethan James Melson, and sister, Katelyn Renee Melson. Proud grandparents are Connie and Johnny Casto of Valley Bend and Thomas and Debbie Melson of Berkeley Springs. Rebecca T. Morris, Marshall, NC, recently appeared in the November 4, 2013, episode of Fox's Sleepy Hollow. She also appeared in Equity Theatre Flat Rock Playhouse's production of The Three Musketeers, adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig. This show ran through November 2013.
Diane S. Mancine is a licensed optician with the family business, Mancine Optical. Diane is still living in Cherry Hill, NJ, and loves to travel. 2000 At 1:55 a.m. on July 22, 2013, Allen, ’01, and Irene Rader Melson of Montclair, VA, welcomed Logan Thomas Melson. Logan was
1985 For the past 29 years, Shaun Green, New Britain, CT, has been head coach for the Blue Devils men’s soccer team at Central Connecticut State University. On September 28, 2013, he celebrated his 250th career win. During a recent ceremony, Shaun was recognized as the Northeast Conference (NEC) Coach of the Year for the second time in the last three seasons, with the first in 2011.
Celebrating their eighth wedding anniversary, Kirk and Amanda B. Yeargan Monroe. See 2002. 2002 In June, Amanda B. Yeargan Monroe and her husband, Kirk, spent a week in Wisconsin visiting family, the Milwaukee Zoo, the Packers football stadium and museum, and picking strawberries. They celebrated their eighth wedding anniversary on June 25 with a night of baseball when the Milwaukee Brewers played the Chicago Cubs. Amanda and Kirk live in Midlothian, VA, and she enjoys hearing from other classmates – Facebook or email kiandamonroe@verizon.net. Congratulations to Justin, '04, and Cristin Gallagher Terry, '02, Elkins, WV, on the birth of daughter Kaitlin Erica Terry. Baby Kaitlin was born February 27, 2013, weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces. She joins brothers Dom and Caleb.
Granddaughter of Karen L. Wilmoth, Ashlynn Mae White. See 1983. Alumni Notes
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ALUMNI NOTES 2004 On July 6, Brenda L. Moore, Sandyville, WV, married Darrell Withrow at Snowshoe, WV. D&E friends, Travis, '05, and Janelle Adams Storm, '05, Hilliard, OH and former volleyball coaches Doug Williams, Elkins, WV, and Wayne Hart, Elkins, WV, joined in the celebration. Brenda was a member of the first D&E volleyball team and played all four years. For the past eight years, Brenda has continued with her love of the sport as the Ripley Middle School volleyball coach, and is a Title I teacher in Jackson County.
Joshua, ’10, and Amanda R. Chadwick Larkin, ’06, Elkins, WV, are the proud parents of Caleb Marcus Larkin, born July 18, 2013. 2008 Amber Spencer Rupp and her husband, Nathan, Strasburg, VA, are delighted to announce with lots of love the arrival of their little pumpkin, Spencer Alan Rupp. Spencer was born on October 25, 2013, at 8:18 p.m., weighing 10 pounds, 1 ounce, and measuring 23 inches long.
Robert “Robbie” E. Sullivan, III, and his wife, Emily, announce the birth of their son, Robert Emmett Sullivan IV. Emmett was born April 24, 2013. Robbie, Emily and baby Emmett reside in Richmond, VA. 2006 On May 6, Krista M. Cunningham Ward, and her husband, Richard, Elkins, WV, and big brother Kolton Blake welcomed Kendall Brooke. Kendall weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces. Kolton and Kendall are also the nephew and niece of Ashley R. Cunningham Shaffer, ’12, Elkins, WV.
The Fannon family – Matt, Julie and baby Rowen. See 2009.
Forest Service research forester and lead author on a published study, used a different approach in analyzing the data. “This study, ‘European Settlement-Era Vegetation of the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia’ is extraordinary in its combination of historical documents and scientific method,” commented Michael T. Rains, Director of the Forest Service’s Northern Research Station, upon publication. “It is not every day that our work is aided by colonial America surveyors.”
Getting to Know the Forest through the Trees Thomas-Van Gundy, ’89, ties current research to ‘witness trees’ of the past What type of trees were in the forests that covered today’s Monongahela National Forest before settlers and loggers changed the landscape? That is precisely what Davis & Elkins alumna Melissa Thomas-Van Gundy (pre-forestry, '89) has researched using old deeds and “witness trees.” Long before GPS units and satellites, witness trees were part of the only available technology in early land surveys and were used to mark the corner or near-corner of a parcel. By identifying the witness trees, deeds and grants not only documented transfer of ownership, but also the tree species existing at the time land changed hands. The use of old deeds is not a new technique in forest research, but Thomas-Van Gundy, a U.S. 40 | Davis & Elkins College Forward
Thomas-Van Gundy and her colleague, Michael Strager of West Virginia University, found what they expected: that species composition before European settlement varied by ecological area. Overall, however, white oak was the most common species across the study area followed by sugar maple, American beech, American chestnut and chestnut oak.
A new bundle of joy, Spencer Alan Rupp. See 2008. 2009 Matt Fannon and his wife, Julie, are the proud parents of daughter Rowen Katherine Fannon. Baby Rowen was born January 18, 2013. Matt is the head women’s soccer coach at Wittenberg University. They reside in Springfield, OH. 2012 Deborah “Deb” Larkin and her husband, Steve, Mabie, WV, welcomed three new grandchildren to their family in 2013, bringing their total to five: Delevan Cunningham Larkin, Esther Seonha Dyck, Sylas Waldron Larkin, Caleb Marcus Larkin and Elijah Michael Dyck.
Thomas-Van Gundy said. “While an individual surveyor may have had a favorite species to use, he could only choose from the species present at that particular corner, so while there may have been human bias, witness trees still represent the composition of forests in the study area.” This publication is not the last one planned. Thomas-Van Gundy, who works in research and development for the Forest Service at the Timber and Watershed Lab in Parsons, W.Va., plans to use the witness trees to compare the current forest to the past and to describe sites where American chestnut witness trees were located, which should be useful in restoration efforts. Two other studies have been published based on the witness tree data, one describing sites where red spruce witness trees were located and the other using the witness trees as indicators of past fire regimes.
“We already had a general idea of what species existed prior to European settlement,” Thomas-Van Gundy said. “Our purpose was to uncover greater detail of the early forest and expand the usefulness of historic documents in recreating forests of the past.”
Forest Service scientists at the Lab in Parsons work to provide management guidelines to sustain and enhance the ecological and economic function and value of Appalachian forests. The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of the present and future generations.
While the report aimed at gaining insight into forest composition in eastern West Virginia in the early years of the United States, it also unearthed a small detail about the original surveyors: they really knew their trees. “It’s evident that the surveyors had broad knowledge of the common trees in this forest and identified many of them by species,”
The report is published by the Forest Service’s Northern Research Station as General Technical Report NRS-101 and is available online at: www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/41448. The other studies mentioned are available online as well at: www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/42805 and www.nrs. fs.fed.us/pubs/43747.
IN MEMORIAM
T
he individuals listed below include members of the D&E family whose passing we have learned about within the last several months. We remember them here on behalf of all alumni and friends of Davis & Elkins College.
Alumni
1945 1948 1950 1951 1953 1955 1957 1958 1959 1962 1965 1965 1972 1974 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1982 1986 1988
Doris E. Dye Kelly, December 10, 2013 Ernest Bazzle, August 28, 2013 Frances Nelson Weese, October 17, 2013 James B. Coyle, February 25, 2011 Edward T. Peck, September 26, 2013 Peter J. Prinzivalli, July 22, 2010 Norman B. Peretti, December 7, 2013 Charles I. Poe, September 15, 2013 Kenneth A. Deegan, July 2, 2013 Gary W. North, October 29, 2013 Julia Ann Kenyon DeLisser, December 12, 2013 Harley Barbara Sandford Wright, October 14, 2013 Marcia A. Glover, October 3, 2013 Paul E. Rodeheaver, July 15, 2013 Eleanor D. Frazee, November 20, 2013 Paul Rocker, March 10, 2010 Patrick W. Bayer, October 2, 2013 Clarence G. McLaughlin, November 21, 2013 Linda L. Hogue Elbon, April 12, 2013 Marguerite C. Cicale Roland, April 13, 2013 Fannie E. Chenoweth, November 23, 2013 Michael J. Halad, September 24, 2013
Buck Harless Former Trustee
James Howard "Buck" Harless, 94, of Gilbert, W.Va., passed away January 1, 2014. A member of the Davis & Elkins College Board of Trustees from 1985-1989, he was born October 14, 1919, in Taplin, W.Va. Soon after his birth, his mother died of pneumonia, and he was taken in and raised by his mother's sister and her husband, in Gilbert. When he was young, he was given the nickname "Buster." It was later that he came to be known as Buck Harless. He attended Gilbert public schools and graduated high school in 1937. A child
1988 1989 1991 1998
Claudia C. McKay Jorgensen, October 26, 2013 Eleanor J. Roy Skidmore, November 4, 2013 Marsha J. Snider, November 19, 2013 Neil L. Moore, October 25, 2013
FRIENDS & FAMILY
Betty Lee Parrack Brady, November 2, 2013 Former Student Ronald 'JR' L. Collins, September 15, 2013 Former D&E Employee Wanda M. Hart Dean, November 2, 2013 Former Student Dr. Barbara S. Goldberg, May 19, 2013 Former Adjunct Professor James 'Buck' H. Harless, January 1, 2014 Former Trustee Dr. Philip A. Lewis, March 7, 2013 Former Trustee Cyril 'Jim' J. Price Jr., September 29, 2013 Former Student Jae M. Spears, March 16, 2013 Longtime Friend of the College Dr. Donald R. Vosburgh, September 7, 2013 Former Professor, 1955-1957
of the Great Depression, he yearned to attend college but was unable to fulfill that dream for lack of money. On February 25, 1939, he eloped with his high school sweetheart, June Montgomery, who died in 1999. In the early years of their marriage, he worked at Red Jacket Coal Corporation, first as a laborer and later in its engineering department. In 1947, he was offered an opportunity to own a one-third interest in a small sawmill and later bought out his partners. This was the beginning of what was to become International Industries, Inc., a collection of diverse companies with a worldwide imprint. In 1966, Georgia Pacific Corporation purchased his lumber operations making him a multimillionaire at age 47. Rather than retire, he began to operate sawmills in South America. In the 1970s, he entered the coal business in southern West Virginia. He also added multi-state manufacturing and real estate businesses to his enterprise family. Even though he oversaw wide-ranging business interests, he served his church, community and state with dedication and commitment.
Michael Halad, '88 Former Faculty
Michael John Halad died of cancer on September 24, 2013, in Atlanta, where he was on the faculty of The Lovett School. A professor of Technical Theatre for Davis & Elkins College from 1994-2002, he was a mentor to many D&E students. He was born October 4, 1965, and earned a B.A. and a B.S. from Davis & Elkins as well as a master's in scenic design from West Virginia University in 1993. As a scenic designer and technical director, Michael worked with several professional theaters across the country. At The Lovett School, he taught technical theater in the Upper School and worked extensively with both the Middle and Lower School drama and musical programs.
Gary North Former Trustee
Gary W. North, '62 a member of the Class of 1962 and a College trustee from October 1984 to June 1995 and June 2002 to June 2011, passed away Tuesday, October 29, in Leesburg VA. He was 74 years old. He was born in Schenectady, New York, on June 24, 1939, and graduated from the public schools in Walton, New York. After graduating from D&E, he was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force and served four years active duty, and then worked as a civilian for the Air Force. He also worked for Raytheon Corporation before signing on with the U.S. Geological Survey, where he served for more than 30 years. North was active in the International Mapping Society and the National Council for the Boy Scouts of America. He was a very active D&E alumnus and, in addition to serving on the Board of Trustees, he was elected Emeritus Life Trustee in October 2011.
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