FORWARD TH E MAGAZ I N E OF
Volume 63, No. 1 | Spring 2018
June Myles Leads with a Creative Edge
Robotics Club Makes Impression with 3-D Creation
Student Bagpipe, Dance Group Continue Tradition of Scottish Heritage
LETTER from the PRESIDENT Dear D&E Alumni and Friends, A builder will attest that any structure must have a solid foundation. The same is true of a College. In this issue of Forward, there is a central theme that emerges, and it is simply that Davis & Elkins College is strengthening its roots and traditions. Built upon a solid foundation established over the past 114 years, we continue to plan and grow to serve the needs of the students of today and tomorrow. As I walk the D&E campus, its rich history and tradition is readily evident. From the iconic mansions and buildings, to the many historic markers and plaques bearing the names of College leaders, there is a tangible feeling of connection with generations that have understood the sacredness of the grounds and the essential nature of the mission. As we look to a future of new academic and co-curricular programs, our history and past successes inform the nature and direction of our growth. In these pages you will see tangible examples of D&E’s growth and our tenacious connection to our rich heritage. I offer three examples. First, the new nursing simulation lab strengthens our ties with Davis Memorial Medical Center, a long-standing partner and pillar in the Randolph County community. Next, the addition of the new competitive Pipe and Drum Corps, along with Highland Dance, opens new recruiting opportunities for programs that have long been a staple of the region and the College. Finally, the recent re-dedication of the Paull Art Gallery returns this facility to its intended purpose and strengthens our long-standing commitment to the arts, both on campus and in the area. The cover story focusing on our outgoing Chair of the Board of Trustees June Myles is another example of our heritage influencing our future. An Elkins native who now calls Connecticut home, June has quite literally invested herself in Davis & Elkins College and the community of Elkins for her entire life. While she has been very generous with her philanthropic support of the College, she has also chosen to provide leadership through the Board of Trustees to ensure the institution is positioned for success and financial stability for the generations of students to come. The recently dedicated Myles Gate, serving as the entry to the College, is the literal path that students follow to arrive at D&E and fulfill the mission “to prepare and inspire students for success and for thoughtful engagement in the world.” June is the embodiment of the rich history and the promising future of Davis & Elkins. The historic Secure the Future campaign is nearing its completion on June 30. This $100 million effort, made possible by the generosity of Jim McDonnell’s $25 million matching gift, has recorded more than 5,600 donors to date. Every gift and every giver serve as an affirmation of a rich heritage and a promising future for this unique college nestled among the West Virginia mountains that has transformed lives for 114 years, and will continue to do so for generations to come. With warmest wishes,
Chris A. Wood President FACEBOOK.COM/DAVISANDELKINS
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FORWARD
in this
ISSUE
THE MAGAZINE OF
Editor: Linda Howell Skidmore Writers: Ben Dishong, Linda Howell Skidmore, Dr. Bryan Wagoner and Jess Wilmoth
Photographers: Nick Altman, Ben Dishong, Dana Marzolf, Sam Santilli, Linda Howell Skidmore, Rosemary Thomas, Josh Triggs, Jess Wilmoth, Chris Young
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About the Magazine
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 skidmorel@dewv.edu or write to Linda Howell Skidmore, 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.
Davis & Elkins College Cabinet Chris A. Wood, President
Jamie Joss, Athletic Director
Scott D. Goddard, Vice President for Student Affairs
Robert J. Phillips, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Robert O. Hardman II, Vice President for Business & Administration
Rosemary M. Thomas, Vice President for Enrollment Management & Institutional Advancement
Davis & Elkins College Board of Trustees June B. Myles Chair William W. Nuttall, ’70 Vice Chair David H. Morrison, ’79 Secretary Reginald Owens, Sr., ’83 Treasurer Joyce B. Allen Mark S. Barber, ’75 James Bialek, ’74 Elaine Christ Wendell M. Cramer, ’59 Peter H. Dougherty, ’75 D. Drake Dowler, ’69 Nancy Evans-Bennett, ’66 Robert T. Gregory, ’59 Bruce Lee Kennedy, II, CFA James S. McDonnell, III William S. Moyer
Eric Nilsen, ’82 Donald M. Robbins Rev. Edward J. Thompson Chris A. Wood
Life Trustees Karen H. Berner, ’64 Carter Giltinan John H. Harling, ’53 Thomas J. Martin, D.D.S., ’50 David A. Rutherford Dorothy H. Wamsley Joseph M. Wells, III
Chair Emeriti Henry M. Moore Paul S. Stirrup, ’60 L. Newton Thomas, Jr. Leonard J. Timms, Jr.
Davis & Elkins College, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the West Virginia Human Rights Act is an equal opportunity institution that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, gender identification, or genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, admission to and enrollment with the College, including, but not limited to, recruitment, selection, hiring, placement, transfer, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination, educational policies, admission policies, financial aid, scholarship and loan programs, housing, athletic and other College-administered programs and activities. Inquiries regarding Title IX and/or 504 compliance and the filing of a complaint should be referred to the College's Title IX/Section 504 Coordinator or Deputy Coordinators. ©2018 Davis & Elkins College
02 Commencement 2018 ON THE COVER
Board of Trustees Chair June Myles reminds seniors there’s always a gateway back to Davis & Elkins College with Myles Gate at the corner of Randolph Avenue and Sycamore Street. Clockwise from left are art students Jonathan Gabel, Zoe Craig, Ella Hinton, Whitney Timbrook, Melody Bowman and Molly Peterson, and Myles with her dog, Ziggy.
June Myles Leads with a Creative Edge Robotics Club Makes Impression with 3-D Creation
02 COMMENCEMENT 2018 04 NEWS AROUND CAMPUS
A Roundup of Happenings on the Hill 12 Q&A WITH MEGAN AUGUSTINE
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13 FEATURE Choir Lends Note to Life Lessons June Myles Leads with a Creative Edge 16 I GIVE BECAUSE...
Kings Believe in D&E's Mission, Community Role Evans-Bennett Loves D&E 18 GIVING
Caboose Comes Around Again with a New Perk Citizens Bank Makes Sounds of Success 19 ATHLETICS Senator Spotlight
Senators Welcome Ellinger and Kelly to Lead Programs Sports Round-Up Women's Golf Joins Athletic Roster Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees Olympian Chris Hammer Tabbed to Start Women's Triathlon Program
24 PAST GATHERINGS & UPCOMING EVENTS
12 Q&A with Megan Augustine
26 ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES 30 REMEMBERING 32 PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS 33 THROWBACK FORWARD Spring 2018
Volume 63, No. 1
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COMMENCEMENT 2018
The Rev. Dr. Kevin Starcher asks graduates what they plan to do with their “one wild and precious life.”
Katharine Manor can't wait to receive her diploma.
Grads Hear How Love Will Carry Them Through Life By Linda Howell Skidmore Every life is filled with beauty and tragedy, and because there is only one chance to make it a success, it must be surrounded with love, the Rev. Dr. Kevin Starcher advised the Davis & Elkins College Class of 2018. The former Benfield-Vick Chaplain, known to students as “Rev. Kev,” returned to campus for Commencement Weekend, delivering the address to the 184 graduates, reflecting on the past they had shared and guiding them toward the future that awaits.
“For many of you, we were able to walk together and we learned about life and love,” Starcher said recalling his years working in ministry with the students. Through their lives and the natural surroundings of the campus, he saw much beauty, he explained. In his efforts as a first responder with the Elkins Volunteer Fire Department, he saw much tragedy. The two dissimilar aspects of life are inevitable, he reminded the graduates. The title of his address, “Defining Success for Your One Wild and Precious Life,” was borrowed from a line in the poem “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver. “‘Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?’,” Starcher asked quoting the last line of the poem. “You only get one shot at this. At the end of the day we all die a little too soon.” In between should come what each deems as success, he explained.
D&E President Chris A. Wood congratulates Valedictorian Meaghan Eyler, left, and Salutatorian Emily Coffman. 2 | DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE Forward
“In America, we tend to identify success with wealth. You have made an investment here and you will earn more than those without a college degree,” Starcher said, cautioning, that money does not always equal success or happiness.
Nurses’ Pinning speaker Dr. Mary Dolansky tells graduates the Florence Nightingale lamp is indicative of how nursing shines a light on life.
“Sometimes the poorest among us are the most blessed,” Starcher said. “So, consider the things that matter. The only thing I find that matters is the concept of love.” Asking the graduates to explore the forms and depths of love, Starcher encouraged them to love all those who love them, to love their enemies and to love themselves. “To everyone who loves you, love them back. If you don’t, you will regret it. Experience the goodness of life,” Starcher advised. “Love your enemies. If we don’t live together as brothers, we will die together as enemies. Love yourself. Your body is an incredible miracle.” Starcher also told the students to live without fear and remember that God is always with each and every one of us.
Students share peace before entering the Baccalaureate Service.
Instructor of Theatre Ruth Humphrey gives a thumbs up to theatre education and English graduate Jennifer Armstrong.
Students make their way across the Claude King Davis Memorial Plaza to the Baccalaureate Service.
Baccalaureate speaker Jud Hendrix delivers his remarks “You Will Be a Bowl” as Curator of Special Collections Mark Lanham, ’14, finishes a piece of pottery. The Platform Party prepares for Commencement. From left are, Director of Alumni Engagement and Support Wendy Morgan, ’12; Vice President for Enrollment Management and Institutional Advancement Dr. Rosemary Thomas; Vice President for Student Affairs Scott Goddard; Athletic Director Jamie Joss; Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Rob Phillips; Vice President for Business and Administration Bob Hardman; 2017-18 Student Assembly President Lee Wittekind; Commencement Speaker the Rev. Dr. Kevin Starcher; D&E President Chris A. Wood; Trustee Mark Barber, ’75; Board of Trustees Chair June Myles; Board of Trustees Treasurer Reginald Owens Sr., ’83; 2018-19 Student Assembly President Maddy Brown; and Trustees Elaine Christ; Nancy Evans-Bennett, ’66; and Wendell Cramer, ’59.
Brett Metheny, Issa Mouafo and Vladimir Milosevic make it a point to show their enthusiasm for the Commencement Ceremony.
For more photos visit www.flickr.com/ davisandelkins. Commencement 2018
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NEWS AROUND CAMPUS
Paull Gallery Returning to its Origin By Linda Howell Skidmore The Paull Gallery on the second floor of Myles Center for the Arts has returned to its origin as an art exhibit venue. Recently upgraded with new flooring, directional lighting and a fresh coat of paint, the facility was re-opened with a celebration featuring the work of former Elkins resident Susan S. Johnston. Paull Gallery was dedicated in 1977 to honor the generous contributions of the Paull family. Celeste W. Paull made her first gift to Davis & Elkins College in memory of her husband, Samuel O. Paull, and another generous gift to
Both the College and the community will benefit from the reopening of the Paull Gallery as a wonderful venue for sharing the talents of area artists. – Chris A. Wood
the College through a provision in her estate that was received in 1966. The late John J. Paull, nephew of Celeste Paull and a member of the Board of Trustees at Davis & Elkins College from 1963-1965, added to the family contributions through his estate as well. Since the dedication, the space has been used for various social events, workshops and exhibits.
MAKING A GARDEN GROW Upward Bound Assistant Directors Kate Dillon, left, and Alison Shields were among the 20-plus faculty and staff members and 73 students who rolled up their sleeves to help beautify the campus by planting flowers, pulling weeds, raking leaves and spreading mulch for the annual Beautification Day.
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“Both the College and the community will benefit from the reopening of the Paull Gallery as a wonderful venue for sharing the talents of area artists,” D&E President Chris A. Wood said. Davis & Elkins College Chair of the Division of Creative Arts and Associate Professor of Art Michael Doig says use of the Paull Gallery will grow to include exhibits from students, faculty and community members.
“It’s a good opportunity to celebrate the arts and for the College to collaborate with area artists by giving them some exposure in a gallery show,” Doig said. “For our students, it gives them a space for their senior showcase, some general shows of their work and maybe even some solo shows, which in turn will give them experience in putting together an exhibit of their own.”
The reopening of Paull Gallery was celebrated with a reception and watercolor exhibit by Susan S. Johnston, a former resident of Elkins and one of the founding members of Artists at Work. Marking the occasion are, from left, Dr. William N. Johnston, First Lady Lisa Wood, Susan Johnston and President Chris A. Wood, who welcomed guests from the campus and area communities.
A collection of Johnston’s paintings titled “A Forest Festival” in honor of Elkins, Davis & Elkins College and the beautiful mountains and forests of West Virginia graced the walls for the inaugural reopening exhibit. Johnston’s husband, Dr. William N. Johnston, is the former vice president for development at D&E and served as president of Wesley College in Dover, Delaware, from 2008-2015. Now retired, the Johnstons live in Friendsville, Maryland. They have two grown children and three grandchildren.
Night on the Town Celebration Welcomes Everything D&E By Linda Howell Skidmore A new storefront along Davis Avenue in downtown Elkins is not coincidentally named Everything D&E. The shop is filled with Davis & Elkins College commemorative items, a few artifacts from The Stirrup Gallery, student and alumni artwork, delectable signature desserts and D&E’s new select coffee blends – a sampling of everything D&E. D&E’s presence in downtown is the result of a partnership between the College and Elkins Main Street. The two entities are sharing a space next door to the soon-to-be revitalized Tygart Hotel. First Lady Lisa Wood, who spearheaded
the concept and efforts to open Everything D&E, said offerings at the shop will continue to grow throughout the summer and fall. “As my husband likes to say often, ‘What’s good for D&E is good for Elkins. And vice versa: What’s good for Elkins is good for D&E,’” Wood said. “We have long term goals of partnering with Elkins Main Street and the downtown businesses to offer programs and support utilizing our students, faculty and staff. We are excited about this partnership and what it means going forward.”
Students Elijah Cordle of Raven, Virginia, and Steven White of Fredericksburg, Virginia, will man the shop as community liaisons and good will ambassadors for D&E. Everything D&E made its debut with an open house as part of the D&E Night on the Town, Elkins Main Street First Friday event in May. The evening attracted campus and community members for music, pony rides, games and the Augusta Heritage Center’s monthly square dance.
TWIST AND TURNS OF THE PLOT The Davis & Elkins College Division of Creative Arts presented “Hedda Gabler” as its spring theatre production. The classic drama by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen was performed in partnership with D&E’s Office of Counseling and Wellness to raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention and wellness programing. Rehearsing a scene are, from left, foreground: Jamey Perrine as Mrs. Elvsted, Shannen McClure as Hedda and Robert Fields as Mr. Lövborg; and background, Matthew Weintraub as Jorgen Tesman and Denise Folley as Judge Brack.
News Around Campus
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D&E Celebrates Fields of Faith Faculty, staff and students joined with neighboring institutions Alderson Broaddus University and West Virginia Wesleyan College to share their Christian faith in the powerful interdenominational outreach event, Fields of Faith. It was sponsored by Davis & Elkins College Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) as part of a national celebration that brings together community worship and prayer. “We held this event to bring the Glory to God and to spread the Word of God to the community and those on campus,” said Alicia Roth, FCA past president. The gathering in The McDonnell Center included music of praise, faith discussion groups, prayer and spiritual uplifting, as well as student testimonies on how faith guides their lives. The inaugural event at D&E was the only Fields of Faith hosted in West Virginia.
Theatre Department Presents "Oklahoma!" Students and community members took audiences back to the turn of the century in four performances of the classic American musical “OKLAHOMA!” through special arrangement with R&H Theatricals. The production was the first at D&E for Assistant Professor of Theatre Bridget Rue Esterhuizen, who directed and produced the play, and the first ever to be performed at the Augusta Dance Pavilion. Esterhuizen said she chose the pavilion because the space is associated with music, dance and community – the three fundamentals of “OKLAHOMA!” The cast performed to sold-out crowds who said the musical left them smiling.
Appalachian Ensemble Joins Davisson Brothers Band At Déjà Vu Members of Appalachian Ensemble joined the Davisson Brothers Band on stage for their hit “Po Boyz” and a rendition of “Country Roads” during Déjà vu. Appalachian Ensemble is featured in the band’s “Po Boyz” video.
Phi Omega Mu Sorority Chartered as Only Collegiate Chapter Of General Federation Of Woman’s Club The Phi Omega Mu sorority made history as the first-ever collegiate chapter of the General Federation of Woman’s Club, giving them the name The Collegiate Department of the Woman’s Club of Elkins. In a ceremony at Hearthstone, 25 members were initiated. Since forming in 2017, the local sorority has partnered with the Woman’s Club of Elkins. D&E’s First Lady Lisa Wood carried the partnership a step further by contacting GFWC Headquarters in Washington, D.C., to see if collegiate departments could be sponsored, chartered and recognized as part of this strong national and international sisterhood. To develop a charter, Wood worked with then-Chief Operating Officer Dr. Rosemary Thomas, who is now D&E’s vice president for Enrollment Management and Institutional Advancement. Wood and Thomas, both with generations of connections to GFWC, reached out to local leaders and members to help advance the process. The sisters of Phi Omega Mu Sorority are honored to be part of GFWC West Virginia and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs because of their collaboration and support from the Woman’s Club of Elkins. 6 | DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE Forward
Student Bagpipe, Dance Group Continue Tradition of Scottish Heritage By Linda Howell Skidmore The Scottish heritage of the West Virginia Highlands will soon be more prevalent in the area with the establishment of the West Virginia Highlanders of Davis & Elkins College Grade V bagpipe band and the Davis & Elkins College Highland Dancers. The two new competitive and performance student groups will complement long standing traditions in Elkins and offer scholarships of up to $5,000 per year. Both groups share more than one tie to the College. At the backbone are the West Virginia Highlanders of Davis & Elkins College, a pipe and drum band made up of community members who represent the College and Elkins throughout the nation, and the West Virginia Highland Dancers, a competitive Scottish Highland dance group that was founded and is directed by D&E alumna Katy Dillion, ’03. Members of Grade V will share the same MacLeod of Lewis Scottish plaid and perform in parades and other special events along with the West Virginia Highlanders of Davis & Elkins College. In addition, they will compete at regional Highland festivals and games, and learn more about piping and Scottish traditions. Patrick McKay, an admission counselor at D&E and
Ellie McCutcheon has been studying Highland Dance since elementary school. This fall, she will instruct the D&E Highland Dancers.
drummer in the Highlanders since 1997, said students for both groups have already been recruited for the fall 2018 semester. “I’ve noticed the competitors are getting younger,” said McKay, who came up with the idea for forming a student competition band. “Every time I would see these young people out there pursuing their passion I would always think D&E would be the perfect environment for them to learn and practice and go on to compete.” McKay tags D&E junior Bryan LaFollette as an example. The High View, West Virginia, resident has been studying bagpipe since age 10 and is now the Highlanders’ pipe master. Needless to say, the College’s affiliation with the band was part of his reason for attending D&E. “It’s good to pursue your love for piping because it can take you a long way in life,” LaFollette said. “At the core of everything, though, is your education, and D&E really stands out with the great resources to keep you on track while you pursue your passion.” The opportunity to continue performing or competing in Highland dance after high school is an incentive for many who have put years into the practice, Dillon says, adding that there are few colleges and universities in the United States that offer such a program. An assistant director of the Davis & Elkins College Upward Bound program, Dillon will serve as adviser to the D&E Highland Dancers. “I think this is a wonderful opportunity for dancers who have put so much work into achieving the levels of competition,” said Dillion, who became West Virginia’s first certified Highland dance teacher in 1998 while she was still in high school. “My main goal has always been to spread my love of Highland dance and to get more people involved.” The first to sign on as D&E Highland Dancers are two of Dillion’s long time students – Eliana “Ellie” McCutcheon, a certified Highland
Bryan LaFollette, a D&E junior, has been playing bagpipes since age 10. He was recently named the pipe master of the West Virginia Highlanders of Davis & Elkins College.
Dance Teacher, who will serve as the group’s instructor and Charlotte Layman, who competes at the premier level. “Highland dance has not only developed me into an athlete, but it has more importantly shaped me into the person I am today,” said McCutcheon, a recipient of a full, four-year Senator Leadership Scholarship. “When I decided on attending Davis & Elkins College I was eager to start my journey. However, when the idea of starting a competitive Highland dance group became reality, I realized that my dreams were coming true. I can’t wait to be a part of this wonderful opportunity of being a Davis & Elkins College Highland Dancer.”
For additional information on scholarship opportunities for the Davis & Elkins College Highland Dancers or West Virginia Highlanders of Davis & Elkins College Grade V, call Admission Counselor Patrick McKay at 304-637-1325 or email admission@dewv.edu.
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NEWS AROUND CAMPUS
Simulation Lab Lets Nursing Students Practice Their Skills D&E, Davis Medical Center Partner for Risk-free Learning Environment By Linda Howell Skidmore
While none of these “patients” are human, their conditions and the care they are given are real to Davis & Elkins College nursing students who gain hands-on experience in The Center for Advanced Clinical Learning. The simulation lab, located on the campus of Davis Medical Center (DMC), allows students and the hospital’s nurses to learn and practice in a realistic and risk-free environment. Davis & Elkins College and Davis Health System built on their decades-long partnership of training students in various health care fields by creating the learning lab as a shared educational space for students and practicing nurses. The lab consists of individual units – an emergency room, pediatrics and examination
room – each furnished with the same medical supplies and equipment used in DMC’s clinical settings. The “patients” are interactive mannequins that replicate humans of different ages and genders, and some can be programmed to display their current physiological status, as well as normal and abnormal heart, lung and bowel sounds, on computer monitors.
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D&E nursing student Anna Gallup checks the blood pressure of a patient in the simulation lab.
“The simulation laboratory gives students the opportunity to provide care to simulated patients in a variety of scenarios. They will encounter patients in high stakes, low frequency situations. It is in the ref lection that learning occurs,” said D&E Professor of Nursing Dr. Denice Reese, a Certified Health Simulation Educator who serves as D&E’s simulation Using the SimPad is a big advantage. lab coordinator. “It makes for a deeper learning experience It makes the scenario very realistic and they’ll be better prepared with the clinical instructor playing a when they encounter these part and the students interacting with types of patients in the clinical setting.” the patients as if they are alive.
– Dr. Denice Reese
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Millie is a little cantankerous. She’d rather be out walking with her friend instead of lying in a hospital bed. Bobby is frightened. His mother had to step out to run some errands, leaving him alone in the hospital for the first time in his life.
From outside the room, Reese runs the simulation experience by observing the students and controlling the mannequin’s conditions and voice response using a SimPad Plus provided with the generous support of Davis & Elkins College Trustee Joyce Allen. “This technology continues to make the scenario more realistic,” Chair of the D&E Division of Nursing Threasia Witt said. “For just as a patient’s condition can change quickly, so too can the condition of the simulated patient change quickly through the use of these hand-held devices.” The device, the size of a mini-tablet, is capable of allowing Reese to change the mannequin’s core vital signs. It is also equipped with a Simulation lab mannequins replicate humans of different ages and genders, giving students experience in a variety of medical scenarios. D&E nursing students Anna Gallup, left, and Sarah Riffey comfort the fears of a young patient.
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microphone so Reese can simulate the mannequin’s voice to respond to questions students ask the patient. To add another layer of realism, she can record and import the voices of other people to match the mannequin’s age. Educators in the D&E Division of Nursing also create other scenarios that involve not only the “patient,” but the surroundings and other events that could occur in a real medical situation. “Using the SimPad is a big advantage,” Reese said. “It makes the scenario very realistic with the clinical instructor playing a part and the students interacting with the patients as if they are alive. The more realistic it is, the more it’s like what they will encounter in real life. It’s also some of the most fun teaching I’ve ever experienced.” Seniors Anna Gallup and Sarah Riffey say they value the experience in preparing them for clinical rotations and their future careers. Gallup hopes to work in the missionary field and eventually as a flight nurse, while Riffey plans to be on staff in the DMC Emergency Room. “It gives us hands-on learning in situations that we will encounter,” said Gallup of Fredericksburg, Virginia, who is also an emergency medical technician working toward her paramedic license. “It’s very realistic in how the scenarios play out, just
like they would in real life. You think you know how everything is going to go, then one thing that changes makes everything change. That’s what can and does really happen.” For senior Sarah Riffey of Elkins, learning in a simulated environment allows her to concentrate on refining her skills without having an instructor at her side leading the way. “You can focus more on your patient than your professor and that lets you put into practice what you know, and work through the situations to build your competence,” Riffey said. Learning and enhancing skills in a simulation lab isn’t just for students. At DMC, the lab benefits practicing nurses, many of whom are D&E alumni. “One of the many benefits of having a simulation lab on the Davis Health System campus is we can train both proactively and reactively based on almost any scenario,” said
Sport Science Programs Expand with Community and Corporate Health Major By Linda Howell Skidmore As careers in the health and wellness fields continue to expand, Davis & Elkins College is offering a new course of study to prepare
students to follow their passion in the future job market. Beginning in fall 2018, the College will offer a major in community and corporate health. Chair of the D&E Department of Sport Science Dr. Mary Ann DeLuca says the new major supports the exercise science, physical education and sport management programs in place at the College while having a focus on health. “The major in community and corporate health is cross-curricular,” DeLuca explained. “Students will take classes in nursing, psychology and business, in addition to health and sport science.”
Associate Professor of Nursing Melissa McCoy, right, shows nursing students Kathern Keith and Katelyn Keller a monitoring system that will display a patient’s vital signs.
Davis Medical Center Director of Education Brenda Mason. “If our health care providers or students encounter a problem or scenario and would like to reconstruct it, we take that problem into the sim lab and create it. By doing this we can work together to find the right solution. Having The Center for Advanced Clinical Learning allows us to meet our patients' needs more confidently and effectively.”
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in community and corporate health can expect to work in various health-related fields such as a health and fitness specialist, health and wellness coordinator, facilitator of a corporate wellness program, health educator in a community or public health setting or administrator of a community health program. The major also opens the door for graduate study in a clinical field. D&E Sport Science Instructor Amanda Larkin, who was instrumental in developing the new major, explains that students will have the opportunity to build their passion for health and wellness into a career. “Graduates who work in these fields bridge the gap between the general public and health care professionals,” Larkin said. “For example, a doctor may tell a patient to lose weight, but not offer a program or support for that. Individuals working in community and corporate health can help inspire change in wellness and help people lead healthier lifestyles.” News Around Campus
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NEWS AROUND CAMPUS
Robotics Club Makes Impression with 3-D Creation By Linda Howell Skidmore The new Davis & Elkins College Robotics Club doesn’t place an emphasis on teaching. Instead, the members share and expand on their knowledge of mathematics and computer science to reach one big goal, says club founder Ricard Castan. Outcome: Goal met. Goal exceeded. Less than a year into their formation, the club competed on the international level with a robot they designed and built. They came away with accolades from the judging panel and a close shot at third place.
Robotics Club founder Ricard Castan, left, makes some final adjustments to the club’s robot, Mariner 10, as Jereomy Ayers works on code.
the students – Castan, Jereomy Ayers, Caleb Enriquez, David Magda, Owen Hott and Blake Williams – they also picked up team-building skills and enjoyed camaraderie. All of which might have to do with spending so much time together outside of class with their focus sharp on one common endeavor.
Ayers took charge of writing code to make sure the robot responded to commands, and Magda, Hott and Williams chipped in on various tasks.
The road to the Mercury Remote Robot Challenge at Oklahoma State University wasn’t easy. It came with trial and error, anticipation of meeting deadlines and, most importantly, learning through research as the students put in literally hundreds of hours moving their project from an idea to a tangible and functioning device.
In the contest field, the robot traveled along a 24-inch wide track. Along the way, it picked up a piece of wood and deposited it in another area, and traveled over a bridge and through a tunnel before sprinting to the finish.
While Castan and Ayres made the trip to Oklahoma with the robot in tow, Enriquez manned the controls from his computer at D&E leading the robot through the course.
“The judges were very impressed with the robot chassis being 100 percent 3-D printed and with “I am overjoyed with this outcome, and As competitors, the students were required all of our own electronics work,” Stauber said. the students have a lot to be proud of,” said to design and implement a robot capable of “We would have had enough points to place Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Physics and completing a variety of tasks while under the us third in the competition, in a field of about Computer Science Dr. Renaud Stauber, who is control of an operator located at least 50 miles 100 teams from all over the world, but failed to also the club’s adviser. from the competition site in Stillwater, Oklahoma. complete the course in the allotted time.” While the competition produced a sense of Castan designed the robot and made the chassis The experience fueled the future for Castan and accomplishment and new found ideas for completely of 3-D printed materials with his vision for the Robotics Club. equipment purchased by the College’s “We exceeded our first-year expectations,” Student Assembly. The electronic components, too, were made in-house. Castan said. “We learned how other people designed the same robot in different ways, and After putting in hundreds of hours of how to improve for next year by learning from work building their robot, members of our errors.” the Davis & Elkins College Robotics Club were ready for competition. From left are, Ricard Castan of Falling Waters, West Virginia; Jereomy Ayres of Franklin, West Virginia; Caleb Enriquez of Denton, Maryland; and the club’s adviser Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science Dr. Renaud Stauber.
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The next year also holds other ideas for the club – partnering with students from Colombia, South America, to compete in a prestigious NASA-sponsored competition, and possibilities of hosting a robotics competition at D&E and working as mentors for students at area secondary schools.
Morrison Shares Insight at Faith & Public Policy Seminar, Public Talk By Linda Howell Skidmore and Dr. Bryan Wagoner Gathered around a 20-foot long table in the dining room of the Morrison-Novakovic Center for Faith and Public Policy on a snowy March evening, students listened intently as their guest lecturer detailed the theories of a theologian whose works penned more than 60 years ago were applied to current political circumstances. Leading the talk was Davis & Elkins College alumnus and Trustee David Morrison, ’79, who shared his insights into the writings of Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971). Tracing Niebuhr’s writings from the early years to what is considered his masterpiece – the 1952 publication of “Irony of American History” – Morrison explained the evolution of the theologian’s concepts as they related to the world of politics and war. Morrison’s public presentation on Niebuhr was the middle-point of a week-long visit to a seminar-style class, “Faith and Public Policy,” the first course in the College’s new minor by the same name. The minor was established with the support of Morrison and his wife, Phebe Novakovic, allowing students to explore ethics, religious diversity, comparative politics, sustainability and a capstone course, focusing specifically on the intersections and ambiguities of faith and public policy. The other two lectures focused on Augustine of Hippo (354-430) and the just war tradition, with reference to both Augustine and Niebuhr. The concerns of both Augustine and Niebuhr were shaped by the problem of evil and the challenge of free will. Augustine is a key bridge from the classical to the medieval world, and he is the most important Christian thinker concerning just war. Niebuhr’s own response to World War II, which he called Christian Realism, extends the just war tradition, and Morrison showed how this has been misinterpreted by neoconservatives. While much of the just war conversation focuses on justifiable reasons for entering into war, and criteria by which war should be waged, the conversation is largely silent on the key third area: criteria for justice and peace after war, according to Morrison. “Niebuhr reminds us that the human
proclivity for justice makes democracy possible, while unjust human realities make democracy necessary,” said Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies and Director of the Morrison-Novakovic Center for Faith and Public Policy Dr. Bryan Wagoner. “Morrison reminded us that morality and politics require responsibility, and that justifications for war are not the same as just war. For most students, the ‘war on terror’ has encapsulated the majority of their entire lives. The realization that the U.S. has never articulated criteria for an end to this conflict was sobering.” The Faith and Public Policy seminar will be taught at least every other year. The inaugural seminar focused on three themes: inequalities in mass incarceration, just war and torture. Morrison’s week-long visit and series of lectures came in the middle of the course, as the Faith and Public Policy seminar transitioned to just war. Wagoner noted the timing of Morrison’s visit was pivotal to student learning and helped bridge the topics covered in the course. In tying together faith and public policy, Morrison explained that “politics is nothing more than a reflection of human nature,” with both pros – the will to survive – and cons – self-interest. In such, nations sometimes “pretend to be God” by imposing their beliefs on others in an effort to remain the strongest. As an example, he cited the United States’ decisions to extend democracy to the world which in many cases has resulted in military entanglements, the most recent of which have stretched on for years.
Wagoner Releases Book By Linda Howell Skidmore Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Philosophy Dr. Bryan Wagoner has authored a new book, “Prophetic Interruptions: Critical Theory, Emancipation, and Religion in Paul Tillich, Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer, 1929-1944.” In the work Wagoner compares the early religious socialist work, of German-American philosopher and theologian Paul Tillich with the early Critical Theory of the so-called Frankfurt School. The book represents Wagoner’s extensive research beginning with his doctoral studies at Harvard University and includes research done in archives in Frankfurt and Berlin, Germany and in the Harvard Tillich archives. “Prophetic Interruptions” includes as an appendix the first English-language translation of a key essay by philosopher Theodor Adorno concerning philosophical anthropology in the Nazi era. Over the past three years, Wagoner has heavily revised the work for publication, with key assistance from three D&E students – Kaia Kater-Hurst, ’16, Sabrina Poessl, ’16, and Emily Coffman, ’18 – who were centrally involved in editing, revision and translation.
Studying Faith and Public Policy are, from left, front row MacKinzie Smith, Jenna Burnett and Emily Alexander; standing, Dakota Peak, Ester Bolmenaes, Carson Crawford, David Morrison, ’79, Molly Peterson and Abbagayle Peterson.
The book was also the focus of a panel discussion among Wagoner and other scholars at the American Academy of Religion and North American Paul Tillich Society meeting in Boston, Mass. “Prophetic Interruptions” is available from Amazon and Mercer University Press. News Around Campus
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with Megan Augustine
Big Things Come in Small Packages By Jess Wilmoth Megan Augustine might be small in stature, 5’2” to be exact, but she’s doing big things. To give you just an idea of everything she’s involved in at D&E, if you ask her when she finds time to relax, the answer is “Summertime.” If she’s not at track practice, she’s at choir practice. If she’s not at choir practice, she’s in the gym working out or fitting in a meal or in a classroom or backstage at the theatre or planning the next Black Student Union event. And that’s just how she likes it. Looking forward, she shows no signs of slowing down, but let’s back up and find out how she got to where she is today. You’ve lived in a few different cities. Tell us about “home.” I was born in New Orleans. That’s my hometown. All of my family members live there, and I’m a very family oriented person. I love to be with my family. We moved to Florida because my dad was in the Navy. Then, we moved back to New Orleans and then to Georgia. Georgia is where I grew up. But, this past October, we moved back to New Orleans. That’s home for me. I feel like New Orleans is one of the best places to be. It’s lively and you can never get tired of it.
got into an acting program, Usher’s New Look. I did that for almost half a year and I was going to do another term. But, my friend Azaria Green got offered a track scholarship at D&E. The program was just beginning and Coach Myers needed more girls, so he asked her if she knew anyone wanting to run and she asked me. I didn’t believe her. I didn’t think he would just give me a scholarship. I hadn’t run in the past year. I wasn’t in shape. But I told her she could give him my information. He emailed me and said, “I saw your times and I’m really interested.” I was shocked, and I did miss track. After I graduated it was like a part of me was missing. I asked if I could come in the next two weeks so I could gather my life together. He said, “We actually need you this Saturday.” And that was the same week I got the offer! So, I had to drop everything, pack everything and I left for West Virginia. Ever since you arrived at D&E, you’ve been busy! Let’s start with being on stage. You’re a theatre arts major and a member of the choir. When did you first become interested in performing? I was born to be a performer. That’s what my parents say. I remember my dad and mom telling me that they’d be watching a movie and I would say the lines before they would be said on screen. I’ve been performing ever since I can remember. When I was young my mom would play Beyoncé in the car and I would try to sing over her. So we would have singing battles. I just love performing.
From the Big Easy to a small town in West Virginia – how did you end up at D&E? I get this question all the time. I graduated from high school in 2015 and I took a year off because I wanted to be with my family, help out. And, honestly, I wanted a break. I had a job, and then I
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When did you decide that you want your love of performing to be your career – to go from the small stage to the big screen? When I was 9 or 10 years old, I was in a pageant at the mall. They gave feedback for every contestant and they said I should be in acting classes. So, I went to classes and it kind of just
stuck with me. I think I was meant to do it. I’m in love with this field. I don’t know what route this is going to take me, but I want to be an actress or I might get into the directing field or be behind the scenes. I just love the theatre, acting, movie environment. In the meantime, you’ve started an amazing new role on campus. D&E’s Black Student Union was revived this year, and you’re a founding member. What made you want to get involved? I didn’t know there was a Black Student Union back in the day. When I first got here, I felt almost out of place in a way. With Black Student Union, we’re trying to educate and help the community and reach out. And it’s for everybody. We’re not discriminating against anybody. We have three ancient African symbols that mean unity, leadership and perseverance. That’s what BSU is all about. I wanted to be a part of something big. I feel like with my role [on the e-board] it’s taught me to be a leader. We’ve talked about theatre and choir and BSU, and you’re also on the track team. Why do you think being on all of these teams is so important? There’s that saying, “team work makes the dream work.” Being on a team, all of these teams, has helped me get out of my shell more, and in some cases it’s helped me step up to become a leader. Each of the teams – choir group, theatre group, Black Student Union, track – over the past two years they’ve become my family, especially since I live 13 hours away from my real family. Sometimes I get homesick and it’s good to know I have them with me by my side. They’ve been a big help to me. The Amazing 8 [the track team nickname], all of them, they’re like my little sisters. Love them.
FEATURE
Choir Lends Note to Life Lessons By Linda Howell Skidmore The angle of late afternoon sun sends its rays through the stained glass at Robbins Memorial Chapel as the Davis & Elkins College Concert Choir assembles for rehearsal. What happens in the next 50 minutes has as much to do with life as it does with joining in song. “We’re making music, but we’re learning a little bit about life and how to function in the world,” said Director Liz Marshall-MacVean. Sometimes with just one passage in, MarshallMacVean calls for a do-over, asking one section to lend a stronger support or piano accompanist Donna Baroudi Huffman offers suggestions for smoother transitions. Other times, part of the session doesn’t involve singing. Instead, as a group they discuss the text of what they sing, making an interpretation of its meaning.
That bonding, as performers and peers, is an experience that senior Patrick Christ says helped him build confidence.
“Being a part of the D&E Concert Choir has been a very grand and wonderful part of my D&E career,” said Christ, who Choir teaches us humility and to admits he was a little nervous when he first joined the group as a sophomore. think of the group's wellbeing as “Thanks to the concert choir I’ve well as our own. We don't all have learned that one should never be the same musical experiences. The ashamed of or shy about one’s talent as a singer and Liz and Donna have done variance in backgrounds teaches such a phenomenal job at making me us to help lift those around us and the confident singer I am today.”
reach for our goals. – Junior Jamey Perrine
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junior Jamey Perrine of Rock Cave, West Virginia. “We don't all have the same musical experiences. The variance in backgrounds teaches us to help lift those around us and reach for our goals. It's a unifier of students from all majors and walks of life.”
Even when a rehearsal really gets going, Marshall-MacVean calls out with reminders. “Make sure you pay attention to your posture.” “I want to see your eyes when you’re singing.” The advice is all about direction, leading the students to present themselves in their best form with the utmost confidence – a lesson that carries them from rehearsal, to stage, to life. While students’ roles in the choir are as diverse as their backgrounds, each makes a serious effort at helping one another achieve. “Choir teaches us humility and to think of the group's wellbeing as well as our own,” said
For Perrine, a psychology major, traveling with the Choir and President Chris A. Wood for performances at churches throughout the state opened yet another opportunity beyond college.
The Concert Choir started the academic year with new, red robes – another confidence builder, Director Liz Marshall-MacVean explains.
While rehearsal and performances add to the students’ confidence level, behind the scenes students are cultivating friendships that resemble the closeness of family. Road trips have the students texting one another making sure they’re up and ready on time. An end of the fall semester Christmas party has the Choir celebrating in the Fellowship Hall of Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church. Sitting around the fireplace with a Christmas tree lit, for one evening they call it their “home.” “I’m really going to miss our graduating seniors,” Marshall-MacVean said. “I feel good, though, about sending them out with some life lessons in confidence and showing respect for others.”
“President Wood helps us to make connections with different people all over the state,” Perrine said. “Last year when we were performing at a church in Huntington, I met a man whose wife works with a graduate school's psychology department that I'd been considering. This group really helps us to find those connections for the future.” Patrick Christ and Jamey Perrine say the Concert Choir has been a big part of their lives at D&E by helping them learn to work as a team and shaping them for the future. Feature – Choir Lends Note to Life Lessons
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FEATURE
June Myles Leads with a Creative Edge By Linda Howell Skidmore All across the Davis & Elkins College campus the name Myles is prevalent. Myles Center for the Arts, Myles Ahead Track, George A. Myles Pool and now – officially – Myles Gate.
Her love for the College and all that it offers led Myles to accept an appointment to the Board of Trustees nearly two decades ago. It was her creative spirit, though, that carried her beyond service. Now ending her term as board chair, Myles leaves behind more than a legacy and just might be thinking of her next step.
THE SOMBER EARLY YEARS TRANSFORMED TO A BRIGHT FUTURE It was almost 20 years ago when Myles joined the Board of Trustees. It was a period many saw as bleak and Myles describes as somber. Enrollment was declining and debt was mounting for the private college with only two sources of income, tuition and donations. Sharing a common thread of leadership are, from left, 2017-18 Student Assembly President Lee Wittekind, Chair of the Board of Trustees June Myles and 201819 Student Assembly President Maddy Brown.
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Folks may not realize that the skills, such as creativity and problem solving taught through art, transfer to other disciplines... Likewise, students learn ‘to see.’ – June Myles
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The facilities are the result of not only the generosity of Trustee June Myles, but something deeper in the essence of the Elkins native who – luckily for D&E – has the desire to share her love for art and culture with the hope that others embrace creativity in ways they may not have considered.
Since then, D&E has overcome its predicament, gaining a solid financial foundation and attracting more students. “Thanks to much hard work by the various administrations and some generous donors, we have no debt,” Myles said. “That is almost unheard of for a small, private liberal arts college. Now, as the College is poised at the apex of celebrating the success of the $100 million Secure the Future campaign, behind the scenes has been the creative girl from Elkins with ideas clicking away and solving dilemmas the unconventional way. “Soon we will celebrate the success of our Secure the Future campaign, reaching the goal of $100 million,” Myles added. “That, too, is unusual for a college of D&E’s size. As good as that sounds, estate gifts represent much of that $100 million, so the College will likely not realize that money for 20 or more years. In the interim, we have boilers on their last f lame, roofs that leak, an elevator President Chris A. Wood reveals a plaque that will be placed at Myles Gate in honor of the dedication of Board of Trustees Chair June Myles.
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that is nonfunctioning, sidewalks that are deteriorating. In other words, we have a lot of deferred maintenance that needs attention.” Those projects will begin taking shape this summer.
MYLES GATE – THE GATEWAY TO DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE The first time Myles met former D&E President Buck Smith, they went for a drive. As they passed the half-cylindrical Elkins Tire Company building on Randolph Avenue, Smith noted the “For Sale” sign and mentioned he had called to inquire the price. “That planted an idea,” Myles recalled. Myles looked further, imaging how the area would look minus the building. “Halliehurst and Graceland are beautiful icons for D&E, but they were offset,” Myles explained. “D&E needed a street level presence. That corner, the major thoroughfare through town, could provide the gateway the College lacked.”
Her vision was that of a green area that would welcome out-of-towners and community members alike to the campus of Davis & Elkins College. Planning the space was fun, she says, but the excitement came with the structuring of Myles Gate – the name which is now inscribed on a plaque revealed to her surprise as part of the 2018 Commencement Ceremony. Landscaped with boulders from Laurel Mountain, flowering trees, vintage-style lampposts and a Davis & Elkins College marker, the area has one distinctive crown handpicked by Myles – The Crow and The Acorn sculpture she purchased in Connecticut. “‘Mighty oaks from little acorns grow’ resonates as does the crow, a very smart bird,” Myles said. “It is among the most intelligent of animals with the ability to solve problems, make tools and consider future events. Both sentiments seem appropriate for a liberal arts college with a mission to prepare students for a thoughtful engagement in the world.”
MYLES CENTER FOR THE ARTS – WHERE CREATIVITY ENSUES In 2012, the air conditioning system in HarperMcNeeley Auditorium ceased to operate. Replacement was the obvious solution, but Myles saw a greater need beyond providing summer visitors with comfort and, together
creative process – the same one she applied to solving problems in the building that now bears her name.
“The seating was shabby at best. The sound system was inadequate,” she said, adding that the bathrooms had never been accommodating to the public.
“Facilities do not make a program. When started, there were 16 students taking an art class. This year, there were 160 taking art classes with 36 declared majors,” Myles said. “Michael Doig and faculty have built a very fine creative arts program.
“I believe that bathrooms are a reflection of an institution’s care and hospitality,” Myles explained. “I wanted special bathrooms, so I scouted and photographed toilets in museums, restaurants and Grand Central Station for bathrooms with eye appeal.”
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The College adds a cultural dimension to the quality of life we enjoy. It brings new ideas and new people with other experiences and talents.
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Whitney Timbrook, left, shows Board of Trustees Chair June Myles some of the ceramic pieces included in the exhibit for her senior project.
with architect Michael Mills, rolled out a plan.
– June Myles
Renovations to the auditorium – and the bathrooms on the main floor and upper level – met Myles’s expectations. Yet there was more where she could lend her inspiration and, in turn, open a creative process for years to come. On the lower level is where it would begin. “Having taken several Augusta workshops in the basement, I knew it was a dreary space,” Myles said. “Working with the architect, we developed a footprint for a bona fide painting studio, ceramics studio with kilns, print lab, computer lab and faculty offices, along with a lounge and space to exhibit students’ work.” The newly designed space couldn’t alone result in Myles’s vision for a program that teaches the
“Folks may not realize that the skills, such as creativity and problem solving taught through art, transfer to other disciplines,” she said. “Likewise, students learn ‘to see.’” Later, she and Mills went to work redesigning the lobby and a few office spaces into an open, inviting area she named The Joni and Buck Smith Arts Forum. After renovations to the swimming pool area, the facility was named after Myles’s father and Elkins businessman, George A. Myles.
D&E – A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE ELKINS COMMUNITY D&E has always played a big role in the community, directly and indirectly. Giving back by investing her treasures and talents is a way Myles says she can help enhance the area’s future. “The College adds a cultural dimension to the quality of life we enjoy,” Myles said. “It brings new ideas and new people with other experiences and talents.” Reflecting on her time growing up in Elkins, Myles points out that some of her childhood friends are the children of D&E faculty. “Those are friends I would not have known if it were not for the College,” Myles explained. “I expect that most everyone has a neighbor or friend with a D&E connection. Many enjoy the pool, the running/walking track, the musical programs and other events. I would really love to see more folks participating in campus activities and, likewise, support the College. Elkins would be a different town without D&E.” June Myles has served on the Board of Trustees with three D&E Presidents. From left, visiting with former President Buck and Joni Smith; presenting a chair to former President Michael Mihalyo; and celebrating Commencement with current D&E President Chris A. Wood. Feature
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Because... I GIVE
Kings Believe in D&E’s Mission, Community Role By Linda Howell Skidmore
For Dr. Bill King, the reason for giving mirrors the reason he teaches English at D&E. “I believe in our mission which to me helps foster compassionate hearts and minds with the creative and critical skills to not only succeed in the world, but to make it a better place,” Bill King explained. Beth King, director of the Augusta Heritage Center of Davis & Elkins College and general manager of the Myles Center for the Arts, says it’s also important to support the College for the role it plays beyond campus.
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I believe in our mission which to me helps foster compassionate hearts and minds with the creative and critical skills to not only succeed in the world, but to make it a better place.
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Davis & Elkins College – what it stands for and its positive effects on the community – means a lot to Bill and Beth King. Both are College employees and have given to various funds consecutively since 1998.
– Bill King
“I feel that the College brings so much to
Evans-Bennett Loves D&E
By Linda Howell Skidmore Hardly a day goes by that Trustee and alumna Nancy Evans-Bennett, ’66, doesn’t think about Davis & Elkins College and all that it’s added to her life. What she gives back for all she’s received comes in the form of faithful contributions. “There are so many reasons why I love this place,” Evans-Bennett said ref lecting on her time as a D&E student 500 Nancy Evans-Bennett, ’66, began her freshman year at D&E in 1962 and received her Half Century Club medallion from President Chris A. Wood in 2016. She said next year, in 2019, she will have been associated with D&E for half of its lifetime.
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the local community. Whether it is a lecture, debate, play, concert or one of the many Augusta events during the summer, all of these things make our community such a rich place to call home,” Beth King said. “Both the College and Augusta have had a huge impact on our family, our children.” While the Kings agree their gifts “aren’t big,” they emphasize that it’s the giving – not the amount – that’s important. “It doesn’t matter if you give $50 or $500. It is just important to support the College and all it brings to our community,” Beth King said.
miles away from her home. “I got a fabulous education and we had wonderful professors who invited us to their homes. They were four very happy years, I made great friendships and I think I found my voice here.” As a teacher in secondary schools and now higher education, Evans-Bennett has lived in five countries throughout her career. Yet she’s never lost touch with her college friends and has visited campus three or four times a year for the last 20 years. She sends letters to her classmates several times a year keeping them up on the happenings at D&E, and makes a plea for them to give to the place that got them started. “Take a look at how we got here,” EvansBennett said. “There really should be a giveback – even if it’s in a small way – to the place that helped us through our formative years.”
NOW is the time.
. . . to supply scholarship assistance to students like Matthew who, by becoming an accountant, will help his clients make their community a better place to live and work. . . . to offer academic support to students like Allison who will become a nurse. She will care for her patients with confidence and competence because of the education she is receiving at Davis & Elkins College. . . . to provide the support needed in today’s ever-changing, technologydriven society for students like Lauren. Lauren will become a teacher, working with special needs children to provide them every opportunity for fulfilling lives. . . .to cheer on Senator Nation Athletics and student-athletes like David who will work in robotics and, ultimately, with NASA if he achieves his dream.
Your gift today will help Secure the Future for the generations of Senators yet to come.
Visit our website, www.dewv.edu and click on ‘Giving Online’ to make your gift by June 30, 2018, or drop your check in the mail using the enclosed envelope. And, remember, every gift for every purpose in every amount will be doubled thanks to the McDonnell family challenge!
You’re Invited !
Help Us Celebrate the Successful Conclusion of
Throughout the Day Saturday, June 30 Fun, Food, Music with the Davisson Brothers Band and Fireworks
I Give Because...
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GIVING
Caboose Comes Around Again with a New Perk By Linda Howell Skidmore How is it that a vintage caboose made its way to campus and evolved into a gourmet coffee shop? Long story short – it was a fixture for years on the back campus, made its rounds of ownership and, after being refurbished, was returned. The short version, though, doesn’t do justice to all that occurred. When the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Caboose C2504 was retired, the railroad gave it to the College. Later, when construction was underway for Gates Tower, the College
gave the caboose to Elkins railroad enthusiast James Schoonover. After repairing the car, Schoonover gave it to Elkins resident Sid Gillispie, who along with Davis & Elkins College Trustee Joyce Allen, decided to return it to its home. It arrived special delivery from J.F. Allen Company just after Christmas. Throughout the spring there were hours of planning and implementing the redesigned space the caboose occupies, coordinating and installing infrastructure, creating a new landscape, preparing signage, designing an interior floorplan and determining a menu.
The Caboose Café is almost ready to go serving more than the regular cup of Joe. Three signature blends are unique to D&E.
Now, it’s on track – literally – to operate as The Caboose Café. Located next to Lake Tolstead, the caboose is set to become the campus’s most unique spot for socializing, grabbing a quick lunch to go or relaxing on the deck with gourmet coffee. Signature blends – Mountain Mist, The Senator and The Undergrad – are unique to Davis & Elkins College. Coffee may be the mainstay, but there’s much more on the menu board including pastries, panini and salads. Expected to open on a limited basis during the summer, it is planned that The Caboose Café will be full-service with the start of the fall semester.
A crane from J.F. Allen Company lowers the caboose into place where it awaits its new purpose on campus.
Citizens Bank Makes Sounds of Success Senator men’s and women’s basketball teams, along with coaches and D&E administrators, joined with Citizens Bank of West Virginia employees to celebrate improvements to the sound system in The McDonnell Center. The $30,000 gift from Citizens included stateof-the-art acoustic treatment systems, a new amplification system, digital signal processing, new cabling, microphones and controls. In addition, the above-the-f loor speakers were adjusted and tuned.
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“Davis & Elkins College is grateful to our corporate friends at Citizens Bank of West Virginia for their continuing support of our students and their commitment to being a strong community partner with education,” said Davis & Elkins College President Chris A. Wood. “The McDonnell Center is not only home to D&E athletic events, but also countless events for the community at-large. Nathaniel Bonnell and Citizens Bank represent the type of philanthropic spirit that makes our community such a wonderful place to live and work.”
This is the second time Citizens Bank has partnered with the College for additions to The McDonnell Center. As part of the Centennial Campaign, the bank’s gift enabled the College to purchase a scoreboard for the athletic facility.
SENATOR
ATHLETICS
D&E Honors Student-Athletes with DESPY Awards The Davis & Elkins College women’s cross country team came away with the top student-athlete award, the Senator Cup, after earning the highest number of points in the four pillars of excellence. The recognition was one of many presented at the annual DESPY Awards Ceremony. In competing for the Senator Cup, teams earn points in each of the four pillars: Education, cumulative grade point average; Engagement; community service hours per student-athlete; Character, demonstration of high character in all facets across campus; and Competition, a team’s conference finish. The women’s cross country team achieved 13 total points for all four pillars to take the honor. Members, all West Virginians, are Madeline Brown of Hedgesville; Reba Cutright of Buckhannon; Kirsten Gateless of Flatwoods; Danielle Haynes of Berkley Springs; Lavania
Senators Welcome Ellinger and Kelly to Lead Programs By Ben Dishong Two new coaches will be at the helm to lead established sport programs beginning in the fall semester. Matt Elinger was selected as head coach of the Senator men's soccer program,
The Senators Men’s Soccer team won first place in the Competition Pillar for the 2017-18 season. The award is based on a team’s conference finish and weighted on the number of teams in their respective sport.
Lemasters of Stonewood; Jennifer Parsons of Parkersburg; Olivia Underwood of Beverly; and Skylee Watson of Elkins. Additional winners of Pillar Awards were Education Pillar, women’s tennis; Engagement Pillar, women’s swimming; Character Pillar, women’s basketball; and Competition Pillar, men’s soccer. Additional awards presented were: Female Academic Athlete of the Year, Allie Lapallo, softball, of Richmond, Virginia; Male Academic Athlete of the Year, Kyle Seago, lacrosse, of Earlysville, Virginia; Joe Carroll Leadership Awards, Alicia Roth, basketball, of Oakland, Maryland; and Mads Kaiser, soccer, of Toenisvorst, Germany; Female Freshman Athlete of the Year, Samantha Kirk, track and field, of Harrisville, West Virginia; Male Freshman Athlete of while Tommy Kelly has been named head coach for the women’s lacrosse Matt Elinger Tommy Kelly program. Ellinger comes to D&E after serving as the associate head coach at Utah Valley University since 2013. He also has spent time as head coach of the men's soccer club team at the University of Utah, and as the creative services manager and head coach for the Real Salt Lake.
Women’s cross country team members Jennifer Parsons, left, and Maddy Brown, right, are congratulated by Anna Gallup on winning the Senator Cup.
the Year, Pedro Gaspar, swimming, of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Female Athlete of the Year, Aliyah Dukes, basketball and track and field, of Clemson, South Carolina; and Male Athlete of the Year, R.J. Weiford, cross country and track and field, of Winfield, West Virginia.
Ellinger completed his bachelor's degree in graphic design and marketing at Flagler College. He also holds his U.S. Soccer 'A' License. Prior to joining the Senators, Kelly was a member of the coaching staff at Slippery Rock University for the last five seasons. Kelly earned his master’s degree in criminal justice in 2015 and his bachelor’s degree in safety management in 2012, both from Slippery Rock University where he also was a member of the men’s basketball team.
Athletics
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ATHLETICS MEN’S SOCCER
RECORD: 14-3-4 (11-1-2)
• No. 4 seed in NCAA National Tournament. Advanced to second round. • G-MAC Championship Runner-up • G-MAC Freshman of the Year: Rafa Moreno • G-MAC All-Conference First Team: Rafa
• United Soccer Coaches Division II All-Midwest Region Second Team: Rafa Moreno, Tim Staerz • United Soccer Coaches Division II All-Midwest Region Third Team: Friedrich Peter • CoSIDA Academic All-District Team: Friedrich
Peter, Pablo Salvador Lopez
• Conference Commissioners Association All-Region Award: Friedrich Peter, Pablo
Moreno, Friedrich Peter, Pablo Salvador Lopez, Tim Staerz Salvador Lopez • G-MAC All-Conference Second Team: Mads • Pablo Salvador Lopez finished the regular Kaiser, Hedi Mehnaoui season with 12 assists, fifth best overall in • G-MAC Athletes of the Week: Hedi NCAA Division II Mehnaoui, Rafa Moreno, Friedrich Peter, Pablo Salvador Lopez, Tim Staerz (2x) WOMEN’S SOCCER • United Soccer Coaches Division II All-Midwest RECORD: 1-12-3 (1-10-3) Region First Team: Pablo Salvador Lopez WOMEN’S TENNIS RECORD: 7-9 (5-2)
• G-MAC All-Conference First Team: Laura Fermosel and
Elise Simon • G-MAC Athlete of the Week: Laura Fermosel MEN’S TENNIS RECORD: 3-15 (1-7)
• G-MAC Freshman of the Year: Obert Matthew Mulyadi • G-MAC All-Conference First Team: Obert Matthew Mulyadi • G-MAC All-Conference Second Team: Andrew Shand • G-MAC Athlete of the Week: Obert Matthew Mulyadi MEN'S TRACK & FIELD
• G-MAC Athlete of the Week: Daniel Jarrell • Ninth place finish (out of 12) at G-MAC Indoor Championship • Tenth place finish (out of 12) at G-MAC Outdoor Championship WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD
• G-MAC All-Conference Third Team: Samantha Kirk • G-MAC Athlete of the Week: Samantha Kirk • Ninth place finish (out of 13) at G-MAC Indoor Championship • Eighth place finish (out of 13) at G-MAC Outdoor Championship GOLF
• Second place finish at Glade Springs Tournament, Wally Edgel DII West Virginia Invitational and West Chester Invite • Seventh place finish at G-MAC Fall Invitational and G-MAC Championship
20 | DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE Forward
MEN'S LACROSSE RECORD: 0-12 (0-7) WOMEN'S LACROSSE RECORD: 3-13 (2-10)
• G-MAC All-Conference Second Team: Gabby Fagan, Casey Johnson • G-MAC All-Conference Honorable Mention: Samantha Cozzolino MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
• First place finish at Route 33 Cup • Sixth place finish (out of 12) at G-MAC Championship • Twelfth place finish at NCAA Midwest Regional Championship, highest finish on record • NCAA Division II Men’s All-Academic Individual:
David Magda
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
• Sixth place finish (out of 13) at G-MAC Championship • Twentieth place finish at NCAA Midwest Regional Championship, highest finish on record • NCAA Division II Scholar Team of the Year WOMEN'S ACROBATICS & TUMBLING RECORD: 0-5
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 D&E.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
SOFTBALL RECORD: 15-20-1 (10-9-1)
RECORD: 7-19 (5-15)
• All-Conference Honorable Mention Team: Rickenjee Bellevue • G-MAC Athlete of the Week: Edmund Parker • Edmund Parker scored 43 points against Clarion University, the third-highest scoring output in G-MAC history since the 2012-13 season • Kevin Simpson set a new G-MAC record for three pointers, scoring 34 points overall (10 three pointers) against Alderson Broaddus University
• G-MAC All-Conference Second Team:
Allie Lapallo
• G-MAC All-Conference Honorable Mention Team: Brittany Wade • G-MAC Athlete of the Week: Allie Lapallo
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RECORD: 11-17 (7-15)
• G-MAC All-Conference First Team: Aliyah Dukes • G-MAC Athlete of the Week: Aliyah Dukes • Aliyah Dukes set D&E single game records for points (43), three pointers made (11) and three-point field goal percentage (.687). Dukes' 11 three pointers tied the G-MAC record and NCAA Division II record for the season. Dukes' 43 total points matched a single-game scoring total for the second most points in G-MAC history and season high in the NCAA Division II for the season. • Team record set for most three pointers (22) in a single game.
BASEBALL RECORD: 11-34 (4-21)
• G-MAC All-Conference Second Team:
Maxx Mahon, James Turnbull
• G-MAC All-Conference Honorable Mention:
Chase DeGrood, Austin Main
• G-MAC Athletes of the Week: Arman Lakhani,
Maxx Mahon, Robbie McKinney
WOMEN’S SWIMMING RECORD: 4-4
• G-MAC Athletes of the Week: Vitoria
Issaho dos Santos, Kenya Paiz MEN’S SWIMMING
RECORD: 6-1 WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL RECORD: 10-21 (8-10)
• G-MAC All-Conference First Team:
Sasha Johnson
Women’s Golf Joins Athletic Roster By Ben Dishong Director of Athletics Jamie Joss has announced the addition of women's golf as the 23rd varsity sport offering at Davis & Elkins College. The Senators plan to open competition in the 20182019 academic year with at least five studentathletes competing in events during the fall and spring semesters.
• G-MAC Freshman of the Year: Pedro Gaspar • G-MAC All-Conference Second Team: Ricard Castan, Pedro Gaspar, Parker Giles, Javier Sanchez • G-MAC All-Conference Third Team: Gavin Burnham, Chris Carter, Kamren McKinney-Lyons,
Kalvin Spells • G-MAC Athletes of the Week: Pedro Gaspar (x2), Javier Sanchez • College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America Scholar All-America Team
“We appreciate the support of the College to offer more opportunities for female student-athletes as our female population continues to grow on campus,” Joss said. “Adding women's golf allows young women from the state, across the country and internationally to further their competitive golf careers, while receiving the outstanding education Davis & Elkins College has to offer.” Like the men's program, women's golf will train at area facilities, as well as use the Seybolt Indoor Golf Academy, a year-round training facility which includes a practice putting green, driving
cages and a golf simulator that provides strategic video analysis. The women's golf season will feature several tournaments each semester, including the Great Midwest Fall Invitational in September and the Great Midwest Championships in April. With the addition of Davis & Elkins College to the women's golf membership, the Great Midwest will have 11 programs competing in 2018-2019.
Athletics
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ATHLETICS
Six Inducted into D&E Athletic Hall of Fame By Ben Dishong Davis & Elkins College paid tribute to six of its top alumni athletes with induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame. The 2018 class is tied for the largest group of inductees since the inception of the Hall of Fame in 1974. Selected for the honors were Peter Bezzini, ’56, Lonnie Fansler, ’83, Andrew Gallopo, ’54, Alfred Dale Peters, ’32, Michael Redman, ’78, and Erin Smulski Wolling, ’98. The Hall of Fame members were honored with a special plaque, and a duplicate will be on display in the Hilda and Robert R. Butler Lobby of The McDonnell Center. Bezzini lettered in cross country and twice in basketball after coming from Beckley Junior College where he was the second leading scorer in the country at a junior college. In two 22 | DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE Forward
seasons with the Senators, he scored 1,119 points with 510 in the 1954-55 season and 609 in the 1955-56 season. In both seasons he was the second leading scorer for Davis & Elkins, finishing his career as a 49 percent shooter from the field. He also amassed 462 total rebounds, averaging 19 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game. For his collegiate career, Bezzini scored a combined 2,279 career points while in Beckley and Elkins. He was named to the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference AllConference team for the 1954-55 and 195556 seasons. Following his graduation from D&E with a degree in physical education, Bezzini became a successful business owner, running Peter’s Furniture in Manchester, Connecticut, and is now retired. Fansler, a native of Elkins, is a four-year letter winner for the Senators baseball team. He was a staple at the shortstop position from 1979 to 1982, starting all four years for the Senators. Hitting over .300 for his career, Fansler helped lead the Senators to a 90-33-2 record
Davis & Elkins College Athletic Director Jamie Joss, left, congratulates 2018 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, from left, Michael Redman, ’78; Lonnie Fansler, ’83; Erin Smulski Wolling, ’98; and seated, Peter Bezzini, ’56.
during his time at D&E, including the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Championship in 1980, as well as three WVIAC North Division Titles. Fansler was a two-time All-West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference FirstTeam selection. In his senior year, he hit .477 with five homeruns and 25 RBIs, and was named Davis & Elkins’s Athlete of the Year. After graduating with degrees in marketing and management, Fansler continued to live in Elkins, where he was a successful restaurant owner and worked in the lumber industry. Gallopo was inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously. He was a member of the baseball, football and basketball teams at D&E under coaches Bud Shelton, Ace Federovitch and Press Maravich. A four-year starter and two-year captain in center field, Gallopo was known as an exceptional hitter and fielder during his time
in Elkins, and was recognized by the 50th Anniversary of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, being named to the All-Time Team for baseball. In basketball, Gallopo was a threeyear letterman and played a pair of seasons as a starter for the Senators. During the summer following his freshman year, Gallopo helped lay the foundation and brick for Memorial Gymnasium on the front side of campus. After graduating with a degree in business, Gallopo went on to become a successful home builder in New Jersey. He passed away in 1991.
Redman is a four-year letter winner for the Senators cross country team. A three year captain for D&E, Redman became the first D&E cross country athlete to ever qualify for the National Championships, earning a spot in the NAIA Nationals in Salina, Kansas, in 1975 and qualifying again in 1977.
Redman was named the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Runner of the Year in 1977 after Andrew Gallopo, ’54. three victories, including in the WVIAC Individual Championship. He also was a two-time All- West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Peters also was inducted into the Hall of Fame Conference First Team selection. posthumously. He was a First Team All-State player all four seasons – 1928-29, 1929-30, After graduating with a degree in 1930-31 and 1931-32 – for the Senators in physical education, he joined the West basketball at the end of the Scarlet Hurricane era Virginia Adidas Road Racing Team for under Cam Henderson. two years in 1978 and 1979. He then The leading scorer for D&E all four seasons, Peters finished his career with 1,379 points, helping the Senators to a 78-14 record, including three West Virginia State Championships in 1930, 1931 and 1932. He was later named to the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. After graduation, Peters earned his master’s degree from Marshall University. He was a successful high school coach and educator for eight years and then worked in the insurance industry. He passed away in 1958.
Women’s Triathlon at D&E is First in State By Ben Dishong West Virginia’s first women’s triathlon program is set to take shape at Davis & Elkins College as competition begins this fall with at least five student-athletes competing and plans to eventually expand the team roster to 16. Olympian Christopher Hammer has been named head coach of the new program.
went on to earn his master’s degree in safety engineering from West Virginia University in 1979.
Redman is currently the director of Hawaii Operations, and is responsible for successful business relationships and business development in Hawaii. He is also a member of the Honolulu Metro Lions Club Charter, where he has served in various capacities since 2009, including as president.
Wolling was a member of the Senators women’s basketball team, playing 103 games in four seasons, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98. She is the creator and only member of the 1,000-Point and 1,000-Rebound Club for women’s basketball at D&E. She finished her career with 1,426 points, which is third all-time for the Senators, as well as 1,075 rebounds, the only member in women’s basketball history at D&E to surpass the 1,000-rebound mark. Wolling averaged a double-double for her career, finishing with 13.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per contest. She is third all-time with 59 career blocks, and ninth all time with 139 steals. A three-time All-West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Conference Team honoree, Wolling was named the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Female Scholar Athlete of the Year as a senior in 1998.
After graduation with a degree in communications, she went on to earn her master’s degree in corporate communication from Duquesne University and is currently a senior proposal writer at Exela Technologies. She served as a deacon at her Alfred Dale Peters, ’32. church, Beverly Heights Presbyterian, for three years, and currently coaches fifth- and sixthgrade girls in basketball.
The NCAA named triathlon an emerging sport for women in 2014. The designation gives programs a 10-year window to demonstrate sustainability as a NCAA sport. The varsity season, which is composed of three regional qualifiers and the Women's Collegiate Triathlon National Championship, features sprint-distance races covering a 750-meter open water swim, draft-legal 20-kilometer bike, and 5-kilometer run. Hammer joins D&E after competing as a USA Paratriathlon National Team member since 2013. He also has competed as a paralympian in the last two Olympics, London in 2012 and Rio in 2016.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and secondary education and a master’s degree in physical education: sports and recreation administration. As the recipient of the Legacy Scholarship through the United States Olympic Committee Tuition Grant Program, Hammer is working toward his Ph.D. in sport and exercise psychology at the University of Utah. He also holds Level 1 coaching certifications from USA Triathlon and USA Track & Field. The addition of the women's triathlon program is being made possible through a $70,000 USA Triathlon Foundation Women's Emerging Sport Grant distributed to select NCAA membership institutions to develop, implement and sustain women's triathlon programs at the NCAA varsity level.
Athletics
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PAST GATHERINGS & UPCOMING EVENTS
Florida was the place to be during the week of February 26 to March 3, as alumni and friends gathered for seven D&E events in six days for fun, food and fellowship! 1
First stop … the Tamoka Brewing Co. in Port Orange where Ellen Mills Smith, ’69; Bill Mather, ’70; Marquita DeLorme Anderson, ’67; Ed and Linda Keller-Zierold, ’69; Mike and Jane Morgan, and Gary Benson, ’73; joined First Lady Lisa Wood, Senior Director of Institutional Advancement Cathy Nosel and Director of Alumni Engagement and Support Wendy Morgan,’12, for an evening of great conversation and food. Next …
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5
Up the coast we go to Sarasota’s Ed Smith Stadium for a picnic and baseball game as the Baltimore Orioles take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Joining Chris and Lisa Wood, Rosemary Thomas, Cathy Nosel and Wendy Morgan, ’12, were David Messinger and Marlys Miinch; Kathy Cordero Hultquist, ’68; Rob Beckwith, ’67; Ed and Linda Keller-Zierold, ’69; Bob and Nancy Douglas; Paige McNeil, ’14; Connie and Brian Whelan, ’76; Jan and Pete Dougherty, ’75; Joe Whelan; David Rutherford and Pat Margulis; Pam and David DeFratus; and John Olivo, ’74. After the O’s take the win, we are off to Lakeland.
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Ft. Myers was our next stop and the Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant provided a perfect spot for dinner and a beautiful sunset. Joining President Chris and Lisa Wood were Paige McNeil, ’14; Bob and Dottie Herring Wamsley, ’61; Earl Shaffer, ’66; Mark Barber, ’75; Sandy Grahame; Linda Cross; Arlene and Dick Seybolt, ’63; Lyla and Len Howell, ’59; Ruth Lynn and Gary Schoonover; Ric Cathie, ’65; Bob, ’67, and Ann Baird, ’88; Linda and Chris Spade, ’71; Stew Macsherry, ’66; Vice President for Enrollment Management and Institutional Advancement Rosemary Thomas; Cathy Nosel; and Wendy Morgan, ’12.
Frescos in Lakeland provided the perfect venue for a wonderful lunch with good friends. Joining President Chris and Lisa Wood, Rosemary Thomas, Cathy Nosel and Wendy Morgan, ’12, were Joy and Marion Brady, ’49; Frank Kittle, ’56; George Buschman, ’58; Cindy and Jan Smith, ’66; Alana Minear; Barbara and Dick Huggins, ’60; and Jim Douglas, ’64. Frescos in Lakeland provided the perfect venue for a wonderful lunch with good friends. Joining President Chris and Lisa Wood, Rosemary Thomas, Cathy Nosel and Wendy Morgan, ’12, were Joy and Marion Brady, ’49; Frank Kittle, ’56; George Buschman, ’58; Cindy and Jan Smith, ’66; Alana Minear; Barbara and Dick Huggins, ’60; and Jim Douglas, ’64.
The final stop on D&E’s Florida 2018 tour with alumni and friends was in The Villages at the Nancy Lopez Country Club’s Legacy Restaurant. Those attending were Peggy and Gary Murphy, ’60; Rick and Alice Murachanian Norford, ’53; Gus, ’71, and Carol Cliff Bruno, ’71; Dianne and Lee Levering, ’58; Jack McDonald, ’60; and Carolyn Cattrell Girvin, ’66. What a wonderful way to end a perfect trip!
24 | DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE Forward
UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS
2
Save the Date for These Upcoming D&E Events!
Batter up in Port St. Lucie at First Data Field for a special treat in the Mets Sky Suite for great food and baseball as the New York Mets took on the Houston Astros. Joining us were Steve, ’93 and Karen Cadwallader Wilkens, ’94, and Terry and Preston Thomas, ’71. Following an Astros win, we are off to …
June 16, 2018 Virginia Alumni Chapter
Tour of National Mall with Bill Turner, ’73, and dinner at the Georgetown Banquet Room at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge, Arlington, Va.
3 Fort Lauderdale Country Club in Plantation where we were welcomed by David Simms, ’85; David Duffy and Amy Ouellette, ’96; Becca Bryan, ’85; Shauna Damon, ’15; Connie SayreBahnsen, ’64; Dick, ’61, and Sue Ellen Russell Brown, ’64; LuElla “Sunny” Everett Rutherford, ’56; and Ron Seiler. Following a delightful evening with good friends, Lisa, Cathy and Wendy headed across Alligator Alley to the Suncoast.
So, what’s up next? Check out the upcoming events page on the D&E website. D&E is coming to your area soon and we look forward to seeing you!
June 30, 2018 – Secure the Future Campaign Celebration, Elkins, W.Va. October 12-14, 2018 – Homecoming
Alumni Chapters
For other events in your area, be sure to check the D&E website for these Alumni Chapters and Groups:
California Bay Area Alumni Group Carolinas Alumni Chapter Delaware Valley Alumni Chapter Florida Alumni Chapter Indiana Alumni Chapter Highlands Alumni Chapter Maryland Alumni Chapter New York Metro Alumni Chapter Ohio Regional Alumni Chapter Tri-State Alumni Chapter (Western Pa., Northern W.Va. and Eastern Ohio) Virginia Alumni Chapter West Virginia Alumni Chapter Friends of Senator Soccer Nursing Alumni Council
THIS JUST IN! On May 19, Robin White Rybczynski, ’86, took the lead for a fun-filled day aboard the Frostburg Flyer. Traveling from Cumberland, Md., to Frostburg, Md., for a scenic train ride and tour of the Thrasher Carriage Museum, and then back to Cumberland for a tour of the Allegany Museum, our group ended the day at City Lights American Grill & Bar for wonderful conversation and dinner. Those attending were Robin and fiance, Buddy Dickens; Patty and Kevin Holmes, ’81; Joan Larkin Huke, ’60, and grandson Brandon; and Dwain and Wendy Morgan, ’12. Then, on June 3, alumni and friends in the Delaware Valley attended a Reading Fightin Phils baseball game and picnic in Reading, Pa. Many thanks to Karen Kober Brown, ’84, and Beth Headley Robenolt, ’82. More details on this event and others will be coming in the next issue of Forward. Past Gatherings & Upcoming Events
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ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES 1951 Miriam Reed Holt, Scotia, N.Y., is enjoying life. She especially enjoys her friends at church, but most of all she enjoys seeing her family when they get together. Miriam shares, “D&E helped me to become who I am today.” 1952 Norman J. Hobbie, Cranford, N.J., is happily teaching public speaking at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Florham Park, N.J. It’s a beautiful campus with enthusiastic students – what could be better?
It’s been awhile since we’ve heard from you…
1954 E. Martin “Marty” and Frances “Fran” Villee Blendermann, Gaithersburg, Md., met each other at D&E and married after graduation. They share, “D&E holds a special place in our hearts.”
Please publish this Alumni Note in the Davis & Elkins College Forward magazine in print and online. Name Maiden name
Class Year
Proud grandparents, George R. Triplett, ’56, and Norma Jean Rector-Triplett, ’56, at the signing of their grandson George to Princeton University. See 1956.
Here is my news:
Photo enclosed?
Yes
1956 George and Norma Jean RectorTriplett are very proud of their grandson George Triplett. In January, young George was hand-selected to be the punter and place kick holder for the Blue squad during the Blue-Grey All-American Game played at Ever Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla., and televised on ESPN3. George now prepares to take his record-breaking football career as punter and kicker at Elkins High School to Princeton University, a Division I Ivy League institution. George is the son of Jeff and Silvia B. Triplett, '08. All reside in Elkins, W.Va.
No
Please update my records: Current Address Email Phone 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 above, or email your note to morganw@dewv.edu. Sending photos? Just mail your prints or disk, or email your photos to our alumni office. If you are sending a digital photo, it should be 1 MB or larger. Please remember to use
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Cell HIGH RESOLUTION settings on your camera or cell phone. Unfortunately, we are unable to use low resolution images. Send all materials to:
Davis & Elkins College Alumni Office 100 Campus Drive Elkins, WV 26241 or email morganw@dewv.edu by September 1, 2018 for the Fall 2018 issue. FACEBOOK.COM/DAVISANDELKINS
1959 Dick and Kay Woodward Royster, ’62, have moved and are now enjoying life in Williamsburg, Va. 1961 J. P. “Trish” Bethany, West Indies, Grenada, recently celebrated her 80th birthday by performing a “Swan Song” concert on April 8 at St. George’s J.P. “Trish” Bethany, ’61, retired from public performance with a “Swan Song” concert. See 1961.
Nancy Evans Bennett, ’66, Jim Messersmith, Dr. Jennifer Tesar and D&E education students. L-R, Jim, Zandra Kelley, Lauren Cain, Tori Louk, Victoria Kyle, Nancy, Charity Lower, Kelsey Arbogast, Hannah Evans and Dr. Tesar. See 1966.
University. The audience numbered close to 350 people and included fellow artists, fans, past students and well-wishers who came out to celebrate and pay tribute to Trish’s long and illustrious career as she sang her swan song and retired from public performances. Trish began her singing career at the age of 12 and was a member of the Tedford choir. She moved to Grenada in the 1970s, and since that time has impacted the lives of many as a teacher at The Anglican High School and Westmorland Secondary School, through her paintings and various roles in community organizations across Grenada. Trish’s Swan Song featured some of Grenada’s biggest names in music such as Randall Robinson, Philomena La Qua, Francis Urias Peters and Friends and David ‘Peck’ Edwards with their renditions of various popular arias, folk and Caribbean melodies. Happy Birthday Trish!
2017 was a year of travel for James Hill and wife, Joan, Oak Ridge, N.J. Among their travels was a cruise of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao), before the Caribbean hurricanes; a tour of Mackinac Island, Mich.; Riviera Maya, Mexico; Italy and Hawaii. The weekend of October 14, Jim and Joan traveled to Bethany Beach, Del., for an annual Christmas Day dinner for the congregation. They also enjoy traveling, Alpha Sigma Phi reunion at the home of Helen and and in November took a trip of a lifetime Ron Stevens, ’71. Also gathering for the reunion were A-Sig brothers Jim Keller, ’67, Herndon, to The Holy Land! Eight amazing days filled with adventure and awe, doing and Va.; Rich Frome, Millsboro, Del.; Pete Brown, seeing things they had only heard about! ’69, Leonardtown, Md.; Mark Anderson, ’70, Arlington, Va.; Dave Coombs, ’71, Hot Springs Walking in the footsteps of Jesus, seeing where Village, Ark.; Rich Green, ’70, Wooster, Ohio; and how He lived, and listening to the Biblical scholars was “Amazing, simply amazing.” Nonnie Neal Hines, ’70, Cary, N.C.; Greg Judge, ’70, shares, “The experience was totally extraordinary Kent, Wash.; Tim Smith, ’73, Pasadena, Md.; and Charlie Straw, ’70, Tijeras, N.M. beyond words!”
1966 Nancy Evans Bennett and husband, Jim Messersmith, Morristown, N.J., attended the West Virginia Science Teachers Association 2017 Conference with D&E education students and Associate Professor of Education Dr. Jennifer Tesar. The conference included an academic session led by Messersmith and a session called “EDUZOO” that focused on programming for teachers and students. D&E students attending 1962 were Zandra Kelley, Ronald Wilt is a retired Marcy Gilbert, Charity teacher and coach. Along with Lower, Lauren Cain, playing a lot of golf, Ron enjoys Tori Louk, Victoria Kyle, deer hunting with his bow and Kelsey Arbogast and hunting pheasant. Ron and Hannah Evans. Nancy his wife, Sandy, split their time and Jim look forward between Wilmington, Ohio, to calling these D&E D&E education students Zandra Kelley, and wintering in The Villages, students colleagues in a Fla. They have four children and Marcy Gilbert and Charity Lower meet one of few years! the ambassador animals at Oglebay Resort 13 grandchildren. Good Zoo during the W.Va. Science Teachers David R. Van Metre, Association 2017 Conference. See 1966. 1963 Dumfries, Va., shares This year, David and “All is well here and Madeleine “Maddy” Truesdell Hiester, everyone is healthy.” Dave’s granddaughter Grace Rockwall, Texas, will celebrate their 55th is 12 years old and a beautiful dancer. Dave says wedding anniversary. Congratulations! she gets that from her grandmother, the late Sarah “Jan” Spinks Van Metre, ’69. 1965 Winona “Nonnie” Cameron Owens and her husband, Bruce, are enjoying life in Crossville, Tenn. where they are active in their Methodist church. Bruce is in the choir and on the finance committee, and Nonnie is in charge of special events including potluck dinners, the summer ice cream social for the community, and the
1968 This past summer, Dennis W. Fricke made his third drive across the country visiting several beautiful national parks. Dennis shares it is an experience everyone would probably enjoy doing at least once. He also enjoys spending time with his six grandchildren.
1969 Robert “Bob” Murdock writes that after 32 years of service with the U. S. Air Force and 10 years as director of the Office of Military Affairs for the city of San Antonio, Texas, he is now retired and “life is great!” Bob and wife, Ann, live in San Antonio, Texas. 1970 Carol Dapp Farringer retired in April 2016 from Bank of America after 30 years in Greensboro, N.C. After moving back “home” to Pennsylvania, Carol now volunteers at the local animal shelter and lives in Mechanicsburg. 1972 Last year was a big year of change for Thomas Allen and wife, Carol. After living most of his life in Manhasset, N.Y., Tom and Carol moved to Kennett Square, Penn., to be closer to their two (and soon to be three) grandchildren. They are enjoying their new surroundings very much and, “frankly, don’t miss the congestion of Long Island!” But, they do miss their many friends. Their plans for 2018 include the wedding of their younger daughter, the arrival of their third grandchild, and a river cruise trip in Europe.
Bethany Beach, Delaware - Alpha Sigma Phi brothers Jim Keller, ’67; Rich Frome, ’68; Pete Brown, ’69; Mark Anderson, ’70; Dave Coombs, ’71; Rich Green, ’70; Neal Hines, ’70; Greg Judge, ’70; Tim Smith, ’73; and Charlie Straw, ’70. See 1968. Alumni News and Notes
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ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES Dean Heinzman, ’83, Earleville, Md.; Jeff Taweel, ’80, Wilmington, N.C.; Rob, ’83, and Judy Ciocca Fenton, ’85, Wilmington, N.C.; Wendy Buhrendorf Mickunas, Chapel Hill, N.C.; Rob and Dina Banda Dye, ’83, Monroeville, Pa.; Jennifer Liveright Murphy, Stanardsville, Va.; Debbie Pavlovic Reichart, ’84, St. Petersburg, Fla.; Bonnie Bull O’Brien, ’83, Glenmoore, Pa.; Alliene Johnson Maples, ’82, Raleigh, N.C.; and Lisa Newton Garris, ’82, Leland, N.C.
Good friends! Nils Heinke, ’72; Paula Hepler Heinke, ’78; Anita Norton Smyth, ’69; Scotty Smyth, ’72; Ruth Ann Steinbrecher; Beth Mitchell Nuttall, ’71; Bill Nuttall, ’70; and Hank Steinbrecher, ’71. See 1972.
1985 For the past 15 years, Rebecca “Becca” Bryan has been a resident of southern Florida, currently living in Ft. Lauderdale. She is employed as a marketing content writer with Aquatic Systems, a lake maintenance and management company. Becca also contributes wildlife-related articles for the National Geographic Voices blog, and has been published in the USO On Patrol magazine, Veterans Enterprises and other local publications. This winter, Becca was pleased to meet President Chris Wood and First Lady Lisa. She enjoyed sharing stories about Graceland Hall before it was renovated.
In December, a very special D&E reunion took place when Nils and Paula Hepler Heinke, ’78, Elkins, W.Va., hosted Bill, ’70, and Beth Mitchell Nuttall, ’71, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Ruth Ann and Hank Steinbrecher, ’71, Tucson, Ariz.; and Scotty and Anita Norton Smyth, ’69, Bristol, Conn., at their Chilean home in Costa Cachagua. The group had a wonderful time taking leisurely walks, visiting several wineries and the cities of Valparaíso and Santiago, and, of course, playing plenty of golf !
1973 After 35 years of selfemployment as a land surveyor, Donald L. “Don” Teter, Monterville, W.Va., is now teaching at Fairmont State University as an assistant A precious baby girl! Kinsey professor of surveying.
1981 In April, Debbie Payne Fragale, Zionsville, Ind., and several D&E friends and classmates were in Myrtle Beach, S.C., for their annual D&E reunion and golf weekend! Those attending for fun in the sun, several rounds of golf, and a great time were: Dana Peirce, ’83, Ambler, Pa.; Dan McNamer; Mark Taylor; Bobby Bernard, ’83, Charlotte, N.C.; Richard Lovenberg, ’83, Chocowinity, N.C.; Kathy and Ray VanArsdale, ’80, Calabash, N.C.; Greg Brown, Sugar Grove, Ohio; Rich Reese;
Substance abuse affects not only the individual, but their families as well. Children who live in homes where substance abuse is present are especially at risk developmentally, socially and in a number of other ways. Nearly three decades ago, Julie Wood Merchant, ’81, decided to make a difference in these children’s lives by creating a program that steers them along a positive path. As founder and now director of Kids Like Us (KLU), Merchant, of Frederick, Md., leads the innovative school and community-based program for an underserved, high-risk population of children whose lives are directly impacted by familial substance abuse. Her efforts and successes were recognized in September when she received the 2017 National Exemplary Award for Innovative Substance Abuse Prevention Programs, Practices and Policies from the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors.
1988 Michele D. “Bear” DeBerry and wife, Shanna, Chestnut Hill Cove, Md., welcomed a baby girl, Kinsey Louise DeBerry, on October 3, 2017, at 11:41 a.m. Kinsey weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 20 ¼ inches.
The honor, presented at the National Prevention Network conference in Anaheim, Calif., recognizes quality substance abuse prevention efforts from around the country including effective and exemplary programs, practices, policies and other initiatives.
Great times and great friends! Back row: Dana Peirce, ’83; Dan McNamer; Mark Taylor; Bobby Bernard, ’83; Richard Lovenberg, ’83; Ray VanArsdale, ’80; Greg Brown, ’81; Rich Reese; Dean Heinzman, ’83; Jeff Taweel, ’80; Judy Ciocca Fenton, ’85; Rob Fenton, ’83; Wendy Buhrendorf Mickunas, ’81; and Rob and Dina Banda Dye, ’83. Front row: Jennifer Liveright Murphy, ’81; Debbie Pavlovic Reichart, ’84; Debbie Payne Fragale, ’81; Bonnie Bull O’Brien, ’83; Kathy VanArsdale; Alliene Johnson Maples, ’82; and Lisa Newton Garris, ’82. See 1981.
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Merchant Recognized with National Honor
1986 Jason and Colleen Stevens Sugarman live in Englewood, Colo., and are looking forward to the arrival of their first grandchild. Jason works for United Educators and Colleen works for Sling TV.
Louise DeBerry. See 1988.
William W. “Bill” Humphreys and wife, Laura, have moved to “semi-retirement” in Santa Fe, N.M. After 15 years as Chaplain at PC(USA)-related Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis., Bill is enjoying being a tutor for AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination). AVID is a nonprofit organization that changes lives by helping schools shift to a more equitable, student-centered approach.
Julie Wood Merchant recipient of the 2017 National Exemplary Award for Innovative Substance Abuse Prevention Programs, Practices, and Policies.
The multiyear, multi-strategy KLU program is offered by the Frederick County Health Department in partnership with Frederick County Public Schools at no cost to families. Selected fourth-graders participate in a weekly 12-session program led by a KLU counselor and school counselor. The same group of students continue in similar sessions once or twice a month through eighth grade, receiving targeted and developmentally structured information, skills and support. A new pilot program allows some students to participate through 12th grade. During the 2016-2017 school year, KLU's community outreach resulted in more than 1,800 fourth-graders receiving prevention education and the opportunity for referral into the school-based program, which included 189 youth in 35 groups at a total of 24 elementary, middle and high schools.
2004 Jeremy Golston is now living in Jemez Springs, N. M. and working with the Santa Fe National Forest. During his travels from W.Va. to N. M., he met a flight attendant who happened to be the daughter of Bob Gregory, Anita Jones, ’11, and Nathaniel Bonnell, ’03 (fourth and fifth from the left, respectively) ’59. Jeremy was with President Donald Trump during the tax reform roundtable discussion in White also amazed to Sulphur Springs, W.Va. See 2003. meet another D&E graduate, Karl 2003 Buermeyer, ’80, working just two-doors down Nathaniel S. Bonnell, Montrose, W.Va., from his office! What a small world! president and CEO of Citizens Bank of West Virginia, received an 2012 unexpected email and Congratulations to phone call from the White Andrew Taylor House with an invitation and Ashley to join President Donald Dove, ’15. They Trump for a tax reform were married on roundtable discussion. October 7, 2017 And, on April 5, Nathaniel and now reside and mortgage processor in Mathias, W.Va. Anita Jones, ’11, Elkins, Ashley has followed W.Va., joined President her dreams of going Trump, state officials and home to teach other business leaders in 4th and 5th grade White Sulphur Springs, students at East W.Va., before an audience Hardy Early Middle of several hundred people School and coach to share their stories. At softball for East first, he did not think the Hardy High School. invitation was for real, but Andrew works for soon realized it was when Valley Proteins, Inc. they received follow-up in Linville, Va. Congratulations! Andrew, ’12, and Ashley Dove Taylor, calls and instructional ’15. See 2012. emails. Nathanial stated, In January, Dwain “This is an honor for and Wendy Cunningham Morgan, Elkins, Citizens Bank to be recognized by the president W.Va. were blessed with the of the United States for our investment in our arrival of two new grandsons, staff, and the customers and communities we Grant Milton Cunningham, serve.” He shared with President Trump that the born January 18, and Bergen employees are the heart and soul of what makes Ryan Martin, born January Citizens successful. 23. Baby Grant joins big sister Mikenna, age 2, children of Casey and Jacquelyn Cunningham, Morgantown,
W.Va.; and baby Bergen is the son of Ryan and Katie Cunningham Martin, Decorah, Iowa. 2014 A beautiful ceremony took place in Halliehurst on March 17 when Tyler J. Pratt married Rebecca D. “Becca” Martin. Joining the couple on their happy day were several D&E friends including Alex and Kim Howell McCumbers, Morris C. Davis. See 2014. Juneau, Alaska; Elizabeth “Izzy” Dejean, Manchester, Md.; James Bohon, ’13, Montrose, W.Va.; Erik W. Johnson, ’15; Crystal Bible, ’13, Elkins, W.Va.; Holly and Chris Racine, ’08, and their daughter Teegan, Charleston, W.Va.; Dwain and Wendy Morgan, ’12, Elkins, W.Va.; Shawn Stover, Elkins, W.Va.; and Michele Mabry, Elkins, W.Va. Tyler and Becca live in Huntington, W.Va. Originally from Pineville, W.Va., Morris C. Davis has returned to Elkins as the first associate attorney for Nestor Law Office. Morris graduated from WVU College of Law in 2017 and will be concentrating on family law. 2015 Fulfilling a lifetime dream, Lakota R. Jonese, Greenbank, W.Va., graduated from Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va., on November 18, 2017. Congratulations to Second Lieutenant Lakota Jonese! Marine Corps Officer, Second Lieutenant Lakota Jonese and family – sisters Makeia Jonese, ’18, and Kachine Jonese, Lakota, and parents Cheryl and David Jonese. See 2015.
“...and they lived happily ever after." Tyler and Becca Pratt with Ruby and Elric. See 2014.
Alumni News and Notes
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REMEMBERING
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 1948 1949 1950 1951 1951 1951 1951 1952 1952 1952 1955 1956 1956 1957 1958 1959 1959 1960 1960 1960 1961 1961 1961 1961 1962 1963 1965 1969 1969 1969 1971 1972
1978 Harold M. Bayuk, date unknown 1979 Debra P. Ware Goodwin, Alma M. Crosier Campbell, February 5, 2018 December 13, 2017 Edith G. Harper Harman, February 7, 2018 1979 Robert M. Razzano, February 23, 2014 1979 Emmy Juhnke Sanford, August 14, 2017 Louis A. Lucia, November 6, 2017 1982 Kimberly D. Linhares Heath, Robert "Bob" Simpson, February 21, 2018 September 21, 2017 1982 William T. "Tom" Tuesing, Frank A. Hedrick, January 15, 2018 January 26, 2018 Betty Cunningham Newman, 1989 Janet L. Ridgway Haugen, March 31, 2018 March 24, 2018 1990 Sandra K. Summerfield, Warren R. Reid, January 17, 2018 December 3, 2017 Robert L. "Artie" Shaw, 1995 Barbara A. Workman Badgett Douglas, November 18, 2017 April 8, 2018 John Sytch, October 18, 2017 2002 Dennis E. Calain Sr., November 17, 2017 Donald G. Albasi, April 1, 2018 2010 Anna Marie Stem, 2016 John M. Nehrebecki, April 7, 2018 Helen L. Cutright Robinson, FRIENDS & FAMILY December 22, 2017 George D. Beecham, January 13, 2018 John R. Lisko, September 19, 2017 Former student Harold Alan Bayuk, 2013 Borden T. Brady, November 24, 2017 John M. Klembara, December 15, 2017 Former student Robert E. Hullstrung, December 3, 2017 Fletcher Bright, December 25, 2017 Friend of Augusta Marie E. Webster Wade, December 8, 2017 Jon P. Crowell, January 26, 2018 Alfred L. "Al" Reid Jr., December 30, 2017 Former faculty Andrew L. Snelson, December 27, 2017 Earl J. "Mutt" Delaney, January 25, 2018 Former student William M. Bohlke, April 12, 2017 Carol J. Duttweiler Fisher, February 22, 2018 Fred L. Fox, November 27, 2017 Former student Jean F. Scott Lawrence, Richard W. "Bill" Hawkins, March 23, 2018 February 13, 2018 Robert W. "Bob" Hanson, January 28, 2018 Former student Clyde W. Hoffa, February 5, 2018 George A. Robertson, April 8, 2016 Former student Shirley M. Sanders, December 14, 2017 Katherine "Katy" Elkins Kelley, November 6, 2017 Robert P. "Bob" Sommer Sr., Granddaughter of Senator Stephen B. and Hallie Elkins September 29, 2017 Joan R. Louk, October 7, 2017 John B. Slorah, December 22, 2017 Former employee Patsy Javins Linger, July 6, 2017 Judith S. McCauley, February 26, 2018 David J. Vivian, December 23, 2017 Former faculty Edward C. Purinton, November 4, 2017 Tessie G. Phares Northrup, October 12, 2017 Robert V. Sackett, March 1, 2018 Former student Ann E. Stanley Snyder, Gerlean M. Schoonover, March 5, 2018 December 18, 2017 Former employee Elizabeth "Betsy" Allen McNally, Judith A. Malcolm Taylor, September 27, 2017 March 12, 2018 Former student Rita C. Peoples Smith, March 3, 2018
HARRY G. HENDERSON
Associate Professor of Business Emeritus Harry G. Henderson, associate professor of business emeritus, died peacefully at age 73 on Sunday, March 18, 2018, at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center. Henderson joined the Davis & Elkins College faculty in 1992 as assistant professor of business, was promoted to associate professor of business in 2004 and was awarded emeritus status upon his retirement from the College in 2017. He was wellloved in his role as teacher, mentor and adviser for hundreds of D&E students during his 25 years at the College. In 2014, he received the Lois Latham Award for Teaching Excellence, a prestigious honor voted on by faculty, staff and students. Prior to working at D&E, he enjoyed a distinguished 26-year career as an officer in the United States Navy and graduate of the Naval Academy. The family has set up a memorial donation to be made to D&E soccer, a beloved pastime of Henderson.
PAM SWECKER
Former Housekeeping Staff Member
Pam Swecker, a retired member of the Davis & Elkins College housekeeping staff, passed away on Friday, January 19, 2018. She had been in declining health for many years. Her husband, John, graduated from D&E in 1975 and daughter, Jessica, in 2008.
This photo of Ed McFarlane should have been included in the Fall 2017 issue of Forward. The photo that did appear was inadvertently placed.
To include the passing of an alumni, friend of the College or former employee in the next edition of Forward, please call Director of Alumni Engagement and Support Wendy Morgan at (304) 637-1341 or email her at morganw@dewv.edu.
See more "then and now" photos posted on D&E Facebook!
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JOHN W. DOANE
Former Trustee
The Rev. John W. Doane, a former member of the Board of Trustees, died September 10, 2017, at his home in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was 88. In the early 1950s, he and his wife, Marian, worked for the Presbyterian Foreign Missions to help refugees from the Eastern Bloc. He later pastored churches in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Doane served on the Board of Trustees from 1966 to 1974.
MARY MARGARET MORRISON
Associate Professor of Library Science Emerita Mary Margaret Carroll Woodward Morrison, associate professor of library science emerita, died peacefully Sunday, December 3 at age 95. Morrison graduated from Davis & Elkins College in 1944 and later earned a master’s degree from West Virginia University. She joined the Davis & Elkins College faculty in 1962 as periodical librarian. Throughout her career at D&E she served the library in various administrative capacities including assistant head librarian and acting head librarian. In 1965, she was appointed assistant professor of library science, promoted to associate professor of library science in 1971 and awarded tenure in 1976. Morrison retired in 1988 after serving the College for 26 years and was awarded the status of associate professor of library science emerita in May 1988. She was also active in D&E College Aid. Her granddaughter, Dr. Jennifer Riggleman, serves as assistant professor in sport science at D&E.
BARBARA CARTER
Former Office Manager
Barbara Spencer Carter, a retired member of the campus community, passed away at the age of 93 in Irvington, Virginia, on Sunday, April 1, 2018. A member of the D&E family for 18 years, Carter served as office manager for the Admissions Office from 1974 until her retirement in 1992. She was also an active member of the Elkins community and served as president of the General Federation of Women’s Club of West Virginia Her husband, Nick, also served the College as bookstore manager for many years.
ROBERT P. IRONS
’42, Former Trustee
Dr. Robert Price Irons Sr., an alumnus with the class of 1942 who later served on the Board of Trustees, died Wednesday, November 15, 2017, at the Benjamin Borden Health Center from complications of Parkinson's Disease. He was 97. A native of Elkins, he earned a degree in chemistry at Davis & Elkins College and his medical degree at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. Irons served on the Board of Trustees from 1961 to 1963.
SIDNEY HAMILTON TEDFORD
Former Professor of Music
Sidney Hamilton Tedford, former professor of music, died at age 91 on Saturday, March 3, at the Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center in Elkins. Tedford served as professor of music at the College from 1959 through 1970. In addition to his academic responsibilities, he served as the director of the College choir as well as the choirs at Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church and Grace Episcopal Church in Elkins and college-community choruses that performed Handel's "Messiah" (1961-1969 and 1974) in Elkins. His Davis & Elkins College A Cappella Choir toured annually in West Virginia and the Eastern states. Among the instrumental groups in which he played were the Elkins Baroque Trio (violin, flute and piano) in the 1960s and the Tanner Trio (oboe, violin and flute) in the 1980s and 1990s. He sang for a time with the Clarksburg Madrigal Singers, developed madrigal singing groups in Elkins, and taught Elderhostel courses and gave programs to senior citizens groups in West Virginia. His wife of 60 years, Dr. Barbara W. Tedford, retired from D&E as an English professor. Remembering
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PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Faculty, Staff Make Professional Strides GAGE LEADS WORKSHOPS AND GRADUATE SEMINARS IN CHINA Assistant Professor and Director of the Outdoor Recreation Management program Dr. Rick Gage completed an appointment as an invited scholar at Central Rick Gage China Normal University (CCNU) in Wuhan, China. As part of the program, Gage taught a twocredit graduate seminar class on Mountain Destination Tourism, led a sustainable development workshop for students, faculty and government officials, and consulted on a massive agricultural tourism development project. He also co-authored three manuscripts that will be submitted for review to the Annals of Tourism Research. The project was a follow-up to Gage’s workshop on sustainable tourism development last year at CCNU and grew out of his longtime association with Dr. Gim Gong, former head of the CCNU Tourism Management program and director of the Wuhan Branch of the China Academy of Tourism. Gage has been invited to return to CCNU this summer to help launch an additional research project on tourism development and community empowerment in rural mountain villages.
LANHAM NAMED TO STATE ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Davis & Elkins College Curator of Special Collections Mark Lanham has been appointed to the West Virginia Association of Museums board of directors. Selected as a member of
Mark Lanham
32 | DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE Forward
directors-at-large at the organization’s annual conference in March, Lanham’s term runs through 2020. The board is responsible for enhancing communications within the museum community and educating museum members on restoration and preservation and keeping them abreast of current standards and activities on a national scale. As curator of special collections, Lanham serves as restorer, preservationist, cataloger and tour guide of The Stirrup Gallery. Lanham holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sustainability studies from Davis & Elkins College and served 23 and a half years in the United States Marine Corps Infantry. A native of Elkins, he is a member of the West Virginia Association of Museums and the American Alliance of Museums.
FALLETTA ACHIEVES LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR DESIGNATION Director of Counseling and Wellness Services Margaret Emanuel Falletta has achieved the designation of Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) from the West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling.
Falletta earned a Master of Science degree in mental health counseling from Capella University in 2015 and graduated summa cum laude from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2007.
POSEY EARNS MASTER’S DEGREE IN NURSING Davis & Elkins College Assistant Professor of Nursing Valerie Posey recently earned a Master of Science degree in nursing. Her Valerie Posey capstone research project was titled “Concomitant Infusion of Isotonic Solutions with Chemotherapy: Does it Decrease the Risk of Phlebitis?” Last spring, Posey was awarded one of two scholarships from the West Virginia League for Nursing to complete her MSN at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, W.Va. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Fairmont State University, where she was the BSN graduate of the year, and an Associate of Science degree in nursing from Davis & Elkins College.
Margaret Emanuel Falletta
To obtain a LPC in West Virginia, individuals must hold a master’s degree in counseling or related field from an accredited institution and pass the National Counselor Exam. They are then issued a provisional license and are required to complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience. As the director of counseling and wellness services at D&E, Falletta provides individual counseling services to students as well as prevention and outreach programming that promotes mental wellness and a healthy campus community.
Posey joined the D&E faculty in 2013 as an adjunct clinical instructor and was appointed to her current position in 2015. Prior to her teaching career, she worked as a Registered Nurse at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport, W.Va., from 2010 to 2013. At D&E, Posey teaches disruptions in health, introduction to nursing and nutrition. In addition to teaching, Posey is certified in chemotherapy biotherapy from the Oncology Nursing Society and practices at WVU Medicine United Hospital Center in Bridgeport, W.Va.
THROWBACK
FORWARD The club concluded their final luncheon with a sparkling grape juice toast proposed by Club Vice President Tina Vial, right. “In honor of the College Aid Club’s rich history and vital ministry spanning more than eight decades, we lift our glasses in gratitude and joy for a job well done! Hear hear!”
College Aid Dissolves After a History of Service to D&E By Linda Howell Skidmore
T
he College Aid Club of Davis & Elkins College and the Class of 2018 likely shared a similar sentiment at the close of the spring semester. For both it was the bittersweet feeling that comes with any marker in life’s timeline. Graduates were leaving the environment they called home for at least the last four years. College Aid, the group of women who had served as town and gown ambassadors, was ceasing operations after more than 80 years of service to D&E. “For everything there is a season. When seasons change, something else is birthed,” said D&E Assistant Director of Development Support and Coordinator of Church Relations Tina Vial, who served as the club’s vice president. As their last official act, the club signed over its funds to the College for the Pauline O’Kernick Nursing Scholarship. With one final project in process of completion – updating wallpaper in the second floor ladies’ lounge at Halliehurst – members were encouraged to continue to seek other ways to support the College as individuals. The decision to dissolve wasn’t easy, but had become necessary. The recent dwindling
membership was the result of societal changes that had finally come full circle, member Arlena Straw explained.
“Young women today are career women so they don’t have time to do these sorts of things,” Straw said. “A lot of organizations are disbanding because they don’t have enough members to carry on their projects.” The small group of women who remained active in the club gathered for their farewell meeting in Graceland. Over lunch they reminisced about the events they coordinated and exchanged bits of history from the generations that had come before them. According to the booklet “College Aid Club of Davis & Elkins College History 1935-2002,” the group was organized in 1935 to form a social link between the people of Elkins and the College faculty and their families. In the early years, the club took on a two-year project to repair and redecorate Halliehurst. The group conducted fundraisers – bridge parties, a cake walk and dances – to pay for renovation materials. They hosted various events such as the annual May Day buffet supper and the College Drama Club performances. By the mid-1940s, membership had grown to 171 and the club shared its successes by pledging $100 to the College’s “Forward at Forty” campaign.
The late 1940s saw what the booklet describes as one of the club’s most outstanding activities. “Breakfast in Hollywood,” a take-off of a popular radio program of the time, drew such a large gathering of guests that local police sent the club a letter warning them they had violated the state fire laws. Another highlight was a style show presented by Watts-SartorLear department store of Clarksburg with members modeling fashions including a $5,000 mink coat. The club raised hundreds of dollars in the 1950s to help with construction of Martin Field House and purchase additional furnishings for Halliehurst and small items for Graceland. They continued the tradition throughout their history of sponsoring an annual project on campus such as replacing curtains or tiles for Halliehurst and providing flowers for campus landscaping. Elkins resident Judy Guye-Swanson joined College Aid in 1964. When the group dissolved its charter, she was the longest serving member. Among her favorite memories were the annual receptions for the newly crowned Queen Silvia of the Mountain State Forest Festival. “After the Coronation, everyone would come to Halliehurst and the Garden Club would provide all the decorations,” Guye-Swanson said. “It was really very nice.” While the club’s contributions varied over the years, D&E President Chris A. Wood acknowledged each of them as important to the College. “It strikes me that everything that we are about to do today to move the College forward is built on the foundation of the past,” Wood told the group. “I think every project, every relationship that has been strengthened since 1935 has made a difference.”
Throwback Forward
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