BRYN ATHYN ALUMNI MAGAZINE | WINTER 2016
The Language of Transition: An Exploration of Final Words with Dr. Erica Goldblatt Hyatt B RY N AT H Y N A LU M N I M AG A Z I N E
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Dear Alumni, Friends and Supporters, Welcome to the inaugural edition of Bryn Athyn College Alumni Magazine. The College is in a “moving forward phase� with the addition of new fields of study, expanding enrollment and construction of new facilities while diligently building on the spiritual purpose of our New Church mission. We recognize the need to enhance our communications and interaction capabilities in order to better inform our community. We strive to strengthen our relationship with you, and as important members of our community we value your feedback; please feel free to email us with your comments at alumni@brynathyn.edu. You are also encouraged to visit the Bryn Athyn College website at www.brynathyn.edu for additional information about the College. We wish you the very best in this coming new year.
Brian Blair President, Bryn Athyn College
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CONTENTS
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Charter Day: Honor and Tradition Amanda Calamito: Planning for the Future Athletic Commissioning Service Science and Spirituality Throughout History: Swedenborg Book Expo Strong Start for the Nursing Program Room for More: New Residence Halls Foster Campus Community Summer Workshops at Bryn Athyn Our Glorious History - Ice Hockey at Bryn Athyn in 1921 Terrence Johnson: Going Pro Danny Triesler: Making his Dreams Come True Hannah Simons: The Art of Business In Memoriam: Sherri Cooper An Exploration of Final Words with Dr. Erica Goldblatt Hyatt Luke David: Service trip to Australia When Deer Text: The Bryn Athyn College Deer Study Baccalaureate Graduate Outcomes Alumni Milestones
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A MESSAGE FROM DAVE COOPER The Bryn Athyn College Alumni Association (BACAA) exists to represent alumni in a relationship with the College, and to help the College’s alumni and friends see where the College is headed, and why. The Association has been around for many years, but as Bryn Athyn College has grown, so have we. The College/ alumni relationship provides mutual benefits. The College needs its alumni, and the Alumni Association is here to help rally that support. We are friend-raising, and we want you to feel good about supporting the College with Dave Cooper your donations of good spirit, time, and resources. You are also the products of BACAA President this institution – the purpose for which it exists and the ambassadors of its use and success. The BACAA is dedicated to helping the College provide continuing benefit to you. The Alumni Association is given extraordinary insight into the administration and goals of the College. We participate as your representatives in strategic planning, career programs, scholarship development, and recruiting; and we have ready access all the way to the President’s office. With this insight, we can help steward the unique mission of the College. We have a growing population of alumni who have benefitted from the integrated civil, moral, and spiritual education; an experience that tends to create bonds that extend beyond a few years of living in the same community. The Alumni Association endeavors to support that bond in a variety of ways, for example: • Increasing levels of communication to help you stay engaged in the College with a true picture of what is happening here, and with an understanding of what the College offers to the world through its programs and its graduates. • Networking among alumni who are finding ways to apply the unique attributes of a Bryn Athyn education to their professions or other intentional life pursuits. • Career development that can bring talented and trustworthy graduates to your businesses and communities, and help young alumni find their calling. • Support of students and faculty to help advance the programs that are meaningful to us as individuals and groups. You can get involved in these initiatives today, and have a Please sign up or renew positive influence on the future of this institution. Start your membership! with membership in the Bryn Athyn College Alumni www.brynathyn.edu/alumni Association. For the last 5 years or so, we’ve had tiers of membership – it wasn’t always that way, so let me explain. Everyone who ever went to the College is automatically a member of the Alumni Association, and you’ll be included in our communications and events unless you tell us otherwise. If you are willing to support the operation of the Association with dues of $25/ year, we classify you as Active Members. There is also a lifetime membership for a donation of $500. These dues enable us to support alumni events like our Charter Day Open House, special events for students, and our new Alumni Association student scholarship. They also help us improve our administrative capabilities so we can maintain contact with you and provide you with information that represents the evolution of life after college.
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CHARTER DAY 2015 C harter Day 2015 was a beautiful weekend full of reminiscing and creating new memories for our current students as well as our returning alumni. Like so many Charter Days of the past, this year offered opportunities for worship and gratitude, celebration and connection, remembrance, and recommitment. Amidst the swirl of weekend events, the college was thrilled to build tradition through two of its unique Charter Day events: The Alumni Open House and Kite Day.
Outstanding Volunteer and Distinguished Alumnus Honored at the Alumni Open House
Dr. Matthew Mayer named Distinguished Alumnus
Mr. Hyland Johns named Outstanding Volunteer
College alumni gathered in the Brickman Center for the annual Alumni Open House. Attendees enjoyed stained glass demonstrations, a cappella music, and dances by current students. College President Brian Blair presented awards to the Distinguished Alumnus, Dr. Matthew Mayer, and Outstanding Volunteer, Mr. Hyland Johns. The Bryn Athyn College Outstanding Volunteer Award honors volunteers for their generous contributions of time and talent on projects and uses that benefit the College. Hyland Johns has served both the Church and the Academy for decades on boards, committees, task forces and fund raising assignments. Over many years, Hyland has provided Bryn Athyn College with inspiring leadership and insight that have been invaluable during both good and challenging times. He is one of the most helpful and reliable individuals you could ever imagine and remains a very active volunteer at the age of 90 years old. When it comes to devotion and love for Bryn Athyn College, you would be hardpressed to find anyone with more passion for New Church Education. The Distinguished Alumni Award honors Bryn Athyn College graduates who have achieved personal and professional success by practicing the values of New Church liberal arts education and by contributing to the communities where
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they live and serve. Matthew Mayer has a consistently impressive record, starting with his distinguished academic career at Bryn Athyn College and continuing through his postgraduate education at the University of Cincinnati - College of Medicine. He graduated with his Doctor of Medicine in 2005 and went on to conduct his residency at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where he specialized in pediatric medicine. Matthew currently practices pediatric medicine at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri and serves as Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. Taking care of children in need of medical attention is perhaps one of the noblest of callings, and as a Bryn Athyn College alumnus, Matthew has certainly carried on the principle of service and caring for others. The high caliber of his personal and professional character reflect the values that Bryn Athyn College holds dear, and we are proud to honor him as our 2015 Distinguished Alumnus.
Kite Day Kite Day has become a staple of the annual Charter Day festivities. It started with one of Dr. Kristin King’s brilliant brainstorms, as she was looking for an activity to offer our students and alumni after the Charter Day service and before the evening events. The idea manifested and became a collaborative effort amongst various members of the college community that has brought much delight to past and current students alike, along with their families and the wider Bryn Athyn community. Held on the College’s north campus at the site of the historic Pitcairn Airfield of the 1920’s, participants are invited to bring their own kite or buy one at the event. BAC education majors are on hand to help assemble and fly kites, as science and math professors run activities like drone flying and rocket launching. Historic photos and videos are also shared to illuminate the fascinating legacy of flight on that very land almost one century ago. An event organizer and participant, Dr. Allen Bedford, said: “Kite Day 2015 was a great success. At one point Eugene [Dr. Potapov] counted over 70 kites in the sky. What I love most about Kite Day is the smiles on people’s faces— young and old alike. It’s a great celebration.”
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AMANDA CALAMITO
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
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manda Calamito (‘17) is a great example of a Bryn Athyn student taking advantage of the myriad internship and job opportunities in the Philadelphia area. She is involved with not one, but two offcampus activities that together reflect the hybridized career path she has set for herself. Amanda aspires to be a lawyer for a professional sports team, and has gone about tailoring her college experience to this end. Amanda is a business major, taking a variety of courses from marketing to business ethics and accounting. She works as a student ambassador for the college, has served on Student Government, and has started her own community-service sorority, Kappa Delta Theta. With so much on her plate, she’s firing on all cylinders and honing serious organizational and time management skills. We caught up with her and asked to hear more about two of her off-campus involvements: an internship with Senator Pat Toomey, and a Job with the Philadelphia 76ers. With her career goals in mind, Amanda set out to gain experience in the field of law and in the world of professional athletics. Her first step toward a law-related internship was guided by Laura Nash, BAC’s Director of Experiential Education and Career Planning. Laura sent an email to the student body about internships with Senator Pat Toomey, and Amanda went ahead and applied. After interviewing, Amanda landed a spot in the
finance department and her first term with them went so well that Toomey’s office asked her to come back for another! Amanda is excited to have this exposure to the legislative branch of the U.S. Government, and hopes that her work with the senator’s office will lead her to the right contact as she takes further steps toward a career in law. To bolster the athletics side of her professional objective, Amanda certainly went for a slam dunk. As a college freshman she got her name on an email list that notifies recipients of jobs in the sports industry. One year later, after hearing about an opportunity as a game presentation crew member for the Philadelphia 76ers, she applied, interviewed, and got the position. As an employee with this NBA team, she helps organize and run game day events at the Wells Fargo Center. She’s the only female on the game presentation crew, and is excited to be a part of such a high profile organization. Thinking of her future, Amanda says “I think I can meet the right connection one of these days at one of the home games, since I’m at all of them.” With all of her on-campus activities, her job, and her internship, Amanda is setting herself up for success. The exposure she is gaining to the sports industry and the legal field is helping her shape and refine her plans as she progresses through her four years at Bryn Athyn College. It will be no surprise if in the next twenty years she is interviewing another Bryn Athyn College student to intern at her own law firm!
AMANDA’S NEW CHARITY ORGANIZATION Amanda’s community service club, Kappa Delta Theta, is geared toward young women. Their mission is to promote leadership and citizenship by participating in several community service oriented projects. The club has become involved in a few initiatives that benefit a number of causes, including: suicide prevention,
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preventing child abuse in America, helping women and children in need, and supporting Girl Scouts. Amanda says, “As a whole, I am super happy and proud of everything we have accomplished so far. We have made an impact not only on our campus, but in the surrounding community. Two things
that I am most proud of is our involvement with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and helping host/run the “Fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer” efforts for the Bryn Athyn College basketball teams. I am excited to see what is in store for the future of Kappa Delta Theta!”
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ATHLETIC
COMMISSIONING SERVICE contributed by THANE GLENN, CHAPLAIN MATT KENNEDY, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
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he Bryn Athyn College Athletic Department is excited to be launching a multifaceted spiritual life program for their student athletes. The first portion includes an “Athletics Commissioning Service” which was held on Sunday, November 8, in the Bryn Athyn Cathedral. The commissioning service was led by Rev. Dr. Thane Glenn, and his talk explored the real meaning of courage and whole-heartedness on and off the field. Each of the twelve intercollegiate athletic programs, representing 130 student-athletes, received a blessing to carry with them into the athletic season by Rev. Thane Glenn. He says “It was powerful to be able to speak to our athletes about how our spiritual mission might show up for them on and off the field. As chaplain, I look for opportunities to challenge our students to reflect on what a spiritual path might look like in their day-to-day lives. We talked about the kind of courage it takes to play the game for a higher win—for God and for our neighbors (whether they are on our team or our opponent’s). To be able to stand with our students in the blessing circle and pray with them was incredibly rewarding.” In conjunction with the Commissioning Service, Bryn Athyn Athletics will launch a new “Athletic Chaplaincy” program for our student-athletes. A team chaplain is a college community volunteer
who possesses both an understanding of Bryn Athyn College’s mission and values as well as a desire to be more involved in student life. The primary Chaplain Thane Glenn responsibility is to be performed the service present to a designated athletic team by forming positive relationships and providing personal and spiritual support to student-athletes. Rev. Glenn shared his thoughts on the chaplaincy program: “I think that to be able to connect with a spiritual mentor could make a huge impact on many of these students’ lives. Not only could it be a daily reminder of what it looks like to bring Bryn Athyn’s spiritual mission into their play, it could also open up a new dimension in their individual lives. All of us face struggles as we walk our paths, and for our athletes to know someone is there for them, pulling for them and offering them guidance-- that will be a blessing.” Team chaplains “walk with” student-athletes during their transformative journey by modeling core values, among them respect, integrity, and teamwork, in a manner that is authentic to the unique gifts chaplains offer as individuals.
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campus life STUDENT ATHLETE
CEREMONY PARTICIPANTS Michelle Bedford, ‘17 Women’s Lacrosse, Cross Country “The commissioning service was...a space for meditation, gratitude, and community. Spiritual initiatives like this enrich the student athlete experience by calling students to compete at a higher level of sportsmanship and allowing students to reflect on their dedication; not only to themselves and their sport, but also to their team and the college community.”
Graham Lermitte ‘16 Ice Hockey, Soccer “The commissioning service was a powerful, uniting experience. I was reminded that playing for Bryn Athyn College means I get to compete alongside my brothers not just to win games, but to be an ambassador for our school. We have the unique opportunity to achieve a “higher win” by taking the values we learn in the classroom and implementing them on the ice (field, court, etc.), and in our everyday lives.“
Travis McCurdy ‘16 Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Golf “Having a team chaplain provides another mentor or leader to the team. The chaplain is there to listen, communicate, or help in any way possible, and this creates opportunities for players to individually talk about any life situations that may be going on.”
The team chaplain role is designed to be one of encouragement, vision, and leadership. The team chaplain maintains a partnership with the head coach and coaching staff and provides a healthy and balanced perspective to team members by capitalizing on moments that offer learning opportunities and leadership lessons. Graham Lermitte, a Business/Psychology major, believes the initiative “will help teams to focus on the true meaning of courage, which is having the heart to do the right thing, even when it might not be easy... having a spiritual mentor in our corner will help us stay focused on what really matters.” The goal is to provide our students with a spiritual message each year at the Commissioning Service which can act as a touchstone for the teams as they practice, compete, and study together. With the help of the team chaplain, student-athletes will apply these messages on and off the court throughout the season. Finally, each season will conclude with an “Evening of Reflection” to examine how each student was able to apply the message. For more Bryn Athyn Athletics news, please check out www.brynathynathletics.com, Facebook, and Twitter.
SERVING WHOLE- HEARTEDLY At the heart of the athletic department’s strategic vision is the drive to bolster the mission of the college: to enhance students’ civil, moral, and spiritual lives, as well as to contribute to human spiritual welfare. One way the athletic teams support this mission is in contributing to a number of charities throughout the year. Serving a higher purpose brings teammates closer and benefits a variety of causes, some of which are listed here: Annual Food Drive for Ronald McDonald House
Thanksgiving dinners for Project HOME
The annual food drive helps gather items for Ronald McDonald House to support their families in need.
Thanksgiving dinner basket donations were collected to support Project HOME, a non-profit that empowers individuals to break the cycle of poverty through affordable housing, employment, health care and education.
Men’s Athletics support NO MORE campaign Bryn Athyn men’s basketball and soccer signed a “Father’s Day Pledge to End Gender Violence” in support of NO MORE, a public awareness campaign to end domestic violence and sexual assault in society by communicating positive messages about healthy masculinity and respect for women.
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Shooting For Sherri In honor of Sherri Cooper, the college basketball teams came together to raise money for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network through donations, raffle tickets and t-shirt sales.
Why D-III Week Student-athletes from every sport posted a public note about what it meant to play Division III sports at Bryn Athyn, expressing the values they have learned while playing sports here.
Women’s Lacrosse Sneaker Drive The women’s lacrosse team holds a sneaker drive each spring. Many boxes are filled and donated to those around world who are in need.
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SCIENCE AND SPIRITUALITY THROUGHOUT HISTORY by Lisa Childs
Dr. Reuben Bell
SWEDENBORG BOOK EXPO 2015 PRESENTATIONS Dr. Stephen Smith
Dr. Dan Synnestvedt
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ast Spring, Bryn Athyn College hosted an open-to-the-public Book Expo to celebrate and explore science, spirituality, and Swedenborgian theory throughout history. Hundreds of books of a vast variety were available and speakers were engaging attendees throughout the day. The theme of the Book Expo was spirituality as it weaves through ancient history, the sciences, philosophy, medicine, naturalism, abolition of slavery, child labor rights, covering new spiritual paradigms, envisioning the afterlife, Swedenborg’s works, and much more. Of course, one day at the Expo is only the beginning of reviewing this vast amount of history, intellect, and philosophy. Bryn Athyn College hopes to host this event again in 2016, as there is so much more to explore. The Book Expo was made possible by Bryn Athyn College, as hosts and supporters of this event, and by the funding of the Cole Foundation, Swedenborg Scientific Association and Swedenborg Foundation. The talks were rich in content, generating a high level of interest and excitement as networking added another important dimension to the event. The vast array of books was well appreciated, and each hour began a new talk, followed by a Q & A session. Talk videos are available on www.youtube.com, by searching “NCAP Swedenborg.”
For more information about the sponsors
Swedenborg’s Scientific Works and the Swedenborg Scientific Association (SSA) Rev. Dr. Reuben Bell, Doctor of Osteopathy, Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Director of Medical Humanities at the University of New England, President of Swedenborg Scientific Association (SSA) Swedenborg’s Influence on the Development of Osteopathy Dr. David Fuller, Doctor of Osteopathy, Phila. College of Osteopathic Medicine Author: Osteopathy and Swedenborg. The Gift. The Gift of Revelation About Life After Death, How Providence Works, And The Inner Meanings of The Word and How They Relate Directly To Our Lives Bruce Henderson, Editorial Page Editor for daily newspaper. Director of Development & Communication for ANC & GC. Editor: NCL. Author: Window to Eternity, Why Does God Let it Happen?, and late 2015: Seventh Seal.
Mentics, A Mind Modeling Method Dr. Stephen Smith, Mentics, A Mind Modeling Method by Rachel and the late Oliver Odhner Starting Science from God Ian Thompson, Ph.D. Theoretical Nuclear Physicist, Author: Starting Science from God, Philosophy of Nature and Quantum Reality, Nuclear Reactions for Astrophysics, Compound Nuclear Reactions and Related Topics (EaglePearlPress.com) Unmasking Naturalism: the “science wars” and freeing the spirit Dan Synnestvedt, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Philosophy, Bryn Athyn College, Editor: Faith and Learning, Editor and contributing author: The World Transformed The World Transformed 1700s and beyond Michael Hogan, Conference Chair: The World Transformed: 250 years later, Contributing author: The World Transformed
Materials are available on the mentioned websites, amazon.com and/or the Bryn Athyn Cathedral Bookstore. NCAP book catalogs can be obtained at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral bookstore or by emailing ncapbooks@gmail.com.
www.ColeFoundation.org www.Swedenborg-philosophy.org www.Swedenborg.com B RY N AT H Y N A LU M N I M AG A Z I N E
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Dean Allen Bedford and Jefferson University Dean Beth Ann Swan sign a Nursing Program articulation agreement.
A STRONG START for the Nursing Program
Wagner
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ince last February’s articulation agreement with Thomas Jefferson University College of Nursing, which provides a pathway for Bryn Athyn College students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Jefferson School of Nursing, BAC has seen a significant increase in applicants interested in careers in the health sciences. Currently, 15 students are enrolled in the program and next year’s entering cohort will likely be at least that number. The nursing program joins Bryn Athyn’s pre-med track to provide health-science interested BAC students with good options for pursuing their careers. The articulation agreement includes two program options: a Dual-Admission 2+2 Nursing Program for high school seniors who apply to Bryn Athyn College and Jefferson College of Nursing; and a Nursing Track 2+2 Transfer Program for students enrolled at Bryn Athyn College who desire to apply for transfer to Jefferson’s nursing program. The important difference between the two programs is that with the dual admission track qualified students have a guaranteed spot in both institutions. With the transfer program BAC students apply to TJU in their second year and are guaranteed admission to TJU if they meet the criteria and there are available spots. Dean Allen Bedford, who signed the agree-
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Synnestvedt
Lauryn Wagner, ‘13, is currently ment for BAC, credits attending Jefferson for a dual masters former president Kristin in Community Systems Administration King with making nursand Family Nurse Practitioner. She says “The academic expectations at BAC ing a strategic priority in made doing an accelerated degree program development, at Jefferson feel like a small feat.” and he credits Bryn She hopes to graduate with both masters in the summer of 2018. Athyn College graduAnnalisa Synnestvedt, ‘11, an ate Lauryn Wagner (‘13) Occupational Therapist at Thomas with helping establish a Jefferson Hospital, says “Bryn connection to Thomas Athyn College provided an excellent foundation in the critical thinking Jefferson. After receiving skills I needed to succeed. It not only her BS in biology from prepared me to think for myself and BAC, Lauryn enrolled in tackle challenging academic concepts, but also gave me a strong basis in TJU’s accelerated second ethics that I feel was an excellent baccalaureate nursing match for Jefferson’s focus on highprogram and excelled. quality, compassionate healthcare.” The faculty at Jefferson College of Nursing were impressed with Lauryn’s preparation at Bryn Athyn. Dean Beth Ann Swan of Jefferson College of Nursing told Dean Bedford that it is Bryn Athyn’s strength in the liberal arts and spiritual mission that make it a perfect partner with the health science programs at Thomas Jefferson University. Successful nurses require comprehensive academic and clinical education, along with a deep sense of calling and compassion. Bryn Athyn’s New Church liberal arts curriculum paired with Jefferson’s clinical training partner well in preparing future nurses.
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ROOM FOR MORE
Bryn Athyn College has been blessed to receive donations that will cover the complete cost of construction thanks to very generous donors who believe in the mission of the College. This financial support will enable Bryn Athyn College to meet its growth and development goals while also improving the institution’s operating margins.
New Residence Halls Foster Campus Community Bryn Athyn College will soon begin the construction of two new first-year residence halls which are slated to be opened for occupancy beginning next academic year (20162017). These buildings will have the capacity to house 82 students and will be placed next to the three existing suites (King, Gladish and Brock Halls). Each building will be built offsite using a modular construction method. The modules will then be moved to campus next summer where final installation and construction will occur. THE DIRECTOR’S TAKE Bryn Athyn College’s Director of Residence Life, Jennifer (Lindsay) Lucas, says that the new residence halls will bring a vibrant new space to our residence life community. She is pleased with the social opportunities that these buildings will encourage: “One of the most exciting parts is that their location will create a quad feel with the existing suites, providing students with a cozy outdoor space in which to congregate in the warmer months. The structure will also have a large community room for
the colder months where social events and spontaneous student gatherings can be held.” Jennifer also notes that the addition of residence halls obviously heralds an increase in student population at the school. She comments on how this will have positive broader impacts on the whole student body: “Simply increasing our resident student population will infuse the whole campus with energy. When students feel a sense of community by living on campus, they are more likely to invest in other parts of student life here and become student leaders. We look forward to providing that foundation for student success, as well as welcoming commuters to visit and gather at our social
events.” The construction of big, new buildings has a way of creating a buzz of energy, and current students, faculty and staff are all eagerly anticipating this new addition to the campus landscape. Jennifer noticed that even the relatively minor preliminary work done over Fall Break was causing a hum of enthusiasm among the students: “Excitement was evident in the resident students as they returned from Thanksgiving break to see that work had already begun! My staff has received many inquiries from students on the topic, ranging from questions about structure to staffing to construction. I take this as a good sign that students
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SUMMER WORKSHOPS
The new buildings will be constructed next to the existing suites.
BLACKSMITHING Forged Furniture | June 27 - July 1 Steel Repousse | July 11 - 15 Iron Casting | July 18 - 22 Forged by Design | July 25 - 29
MOSAIC Glass Mosaic | July 11 - 15 Architectural Mosaic | July 25 - 29
STAINED GLASS Glass Lamination | June 27 - July 1 Munich Style Glass Painting | July 11 - 15 Screen Printing on Glass | July 18 - 22 Stained Glass Conservation | July 25 - 29
STONE CARVING Cathedral Stone Carving | July 18 - 22 Architectural Stone Carving | July 25 - 29
The Summer 2016 Workshops at Bryn Athyn offer five-day intensives with nationally recognized master craftsmen. Classes are held in the Cathedral Stone Shop, the Bryn Athyn Forge and in labs of the Doering Center for Science and Research. Participants tour Glencairn Museum and Bryn Athyn Cathedral where they view both the preliminary drawings and models made by the original craftsmen and the medieval works that inspired them. Each workshop is $675 and includes materials and access to tools. Limited on campus housing may be available; please inquire. Contact Kenneth Leap: kenneth.leap@brynathyn.edu or 609-682-0456
FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO REGISTER, VISIT
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are invested in the improvement of our campus! While the construction phase will have some impact on their navigation of the residence hall areas temporarily, most of the work will be done when our residents are off campus, and a whole new structure will be there when they return in August. We plan to provide fun opportunities for our current students to get involved in the process, such as a ground breaking party with fun giveaways...stay tuned for that!” As Director of Residence Life at Bryn Athyn College for the past 4 years, Jenny is a proponent for on-campus living and sees many benefits to being a resident student. She lists deep bonding, the development of conflict resolution skills, and learning the value of being a responsible member of a community as just some of the things that resident students gain from living here on site. What excites her most about the new residence halls is how they support this experience for the residents: “On-campus living adds to the overall college experience in ways that are not always completely obvious, but are central to student learning. I am excited about the opportunity to provide this to more students. I can’t wait to welcome first year students into this new space! Is it August yet?”
The 1921 Bryn Athyn Hockey Team. Left to right: Harris Campbell, Sterling Smith, Rudolph “Rud” Schnarr, Richard Waelchli, Clarence Schnarr, Thomas Shriver (Team Manager), George Scott, Daric Acton, Werner Schnarr, John Fuller, Oliver Burnham, and Winfred Farrington. Front row center, kneeling: Theodore Doering. This remarkable team scored 95 goals, allowed only 9 goals, and won every game. After the season a leading Philadelphia newspaper wrote: “A team like Bryn Athyn’s present aggregation is one of the greatest advertisements that a school could have.”
A GLORIOUS HISTORY Ice hockey at Bryn Athyn in 1921 by Fredrik Bryntesson
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he Bryn Athyn College ice hockey team has enjoyed considerable success in recent years: league quarterfinals in 2012, league champions in 2013, and in 2014, the team made it to the league championship games. In 2015, the team finished first in the regular league season standings after winning every single game. This feat was followed by a successful campaign in the league playoffs that saw the team winning the 2015 championships with ease. And then, the icing on the cake: in February 2015 the team for the first time ranked #1 in the Atlantic Region of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division 3, and, in March 2015, finished fourth in the ACHA D3 Nationals tournament in Alabama. Ice hockey has been a staple of Bryn Athyn athletics for a long time. The current hockey program took its first baby steps in 1960, and then in 1967, when Brian Schnarr joined the faculty and took charge of the program, elevating hockey to a major sport at our institution. Several successful seasons followed
for the College team in the seventies: the 1972 league championship after an President Brian Blair and Brian undefeated season, third Schnarr at a recent college hockey place in the league in 1973, game. Brian Schnarr started the organized hockey program at the and semifinal appearances in college in the late 1960s. Apart the league playoffs in 1974, from directing the hockey program, 1975 and 1976. In 1977 the Brian Schnarr was also the head coach for the team between 1967 team won the regular season and 1982, and he co-founded the championship. In the 1980s, DVCHC hockey league in 1971 that the team again hit the top we still play in. He also organized the first men’s hockey practices/ ranks with a regular season teams in Bryn Athyn, was involved championship trophy in in the construction of a rink on 1988. The following year campus, and has played a big role in making hockey popular in our the team finished second community. President Brian Blair in the regular season, but was on a couple of Brian Schnarr’s lost in the semifinals of the teams in the early 1970s (so Schnarr was Blair’s coach back then). league playoffs. In the early 2000s the team reached the semifinals in the playoffs, and in 2005, Bryn Athyn became the DVCHC D3 invitational champion. And, as mentioned above, in recent times the team has surged and made statement
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Photos from the ANC Archives, and the Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto, ON
Werner Schnarr as captain for the Bryn Athyn team in 1921 (left), and with the 1924-1925 Boston Bruins NHL team (right).
after statement, leading all the way to last year’s Nationals tournament. The hockey program we have at the College and Secondary Schools is now in its 56th year, and the 2015-16 season marks the 49th season that we have had a team that represents the College. The sport is flourishing at the institution and in the community. But – and it may come as a surprise – hockey at Bryn Athyn actually goes back far earlier than 1960. It was played here in the early 1900s when College athletes participated on our Secondary School teams. The first game appears to have been played some 115 years ago in February 1901. One of the best athletics teams in our institutions’ history was the ice hockey team of 1921. The captain of the 1921 team, Werner Schnarr, is one of the most successful athletes to have ever attended Bryn Athyn. He later became a professional hockey player and was a member of the original Boston Bruins team that played in the NHL. Werner Schnarr is the only alumnus of the Boys’ School and Bryn Athyn College that has played professional hockey in the NHL. The early athletics teams at Bryn Athyn were often composed of players from the different schools of the Academy. The football team of 1920 is a good example as its roster included players from the Boys’ School, College, and Theological School, and its captain was college student Daric Acton. The 1921 hockey team featured twelve players, ten from the Boys’ School and two from the College. The team included Daric Acton, Oliver Burnham, Harris Campbell, Theodore Doering, Winfred Farrington, John Fuller, Clarence Schnarr, Rudolph “Rud” Schnarr, Werner Schnarr, George Scott, Sterling
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Smith, and Richard Waelchli. Thomas Shriver and Willard D. Pendleton were team managers and the team coaching staff appears to have been Frederick Finkeldey, Charles R. Pendleton and Donald F. Rose. Practice took place on the flooded tennis courts on campus that used to be located between Glenn Hall and Buck Road, and at the new indoor ice rink, the Ice Palace in Philadelphia. The team competed in the first ever High School Hockey League in the Philadelphia area. One newspaper wrote before the league started, With Werner Schnarr playing center and directing the play, and with three [actually four] other former Canadian players in the line-up, Bryn Athyn has the strongest team in the league. It will take a lot of class on the part of the other teams to stop the academy lads, for Schnarr alone is almost a team.
The season also included games against University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University, and it concluded with two games to decide the scholastic Pennsylvania State Champions. All the games were played at the Ice Palace, and remarkably drew a sizeable crowd from the Bryn Athyn community that made the trek to the Ice Palace to watch the games. Furthermore, the team’s success attracted considerable media attention from the Philadelphia newspapers. The team played its first two games without Werner Schnarr. On February 4, 1921, West Philadelphia was defeated by 5 goals to 1, after a natural hat trick by Rud Schnarr. A week later, the team returned to the Ice Palace where it overpowered Norristown 8-3. Oliver Burnham scored 4 goals in this game. Werner Schnarr was back with the Bryn Athyn team for the third league game against Norristown on March 1. With him in the line-up, Norristown had absolutely no chance. The game ended 24-0 in Bryn Athyn’s favor – a score that might be the biggest winning margin ever by a Bryn Athyn hockey team. Moreover, Werner Schnarr scored 15 goals in this game - a quintuple hat trick, which is a feat that might also be an all-time record in the history of Bryn Athyn hockey. Bryn Athyn played its second game against West Philadelphia on March 8 and won a hard fought game. West Philadelphia had a very good goalkeeper, Leroy Hauser, whose excellent work in the net saved West Philadelphia from a bigger defeat. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported: [T]he battle of sticks between him [Schnarr] and Hauser was one of the most exciting exhibitions ever seen in
an ice hockey game. Time after time Schnarr carried the puck like a shot down the ice towards the West Philly goal, only to have his shot lost by Hauser’s clever stopping. Schnarr finally got one through Hauser for the final tally of the game.
Bryn Athyn played its final league game against Swarthmore on March 11. The score was 24-2 in Bryn Athyn’s favor, and the team was crowned the first ever scholastic ice hockey champions in the Philadelphia area (a feat Bryn Athyn also repeated the following year). The press had noticed that the Bryn Athyn hockey team was on the same level as some of the University teams of the day. The Evening Bulletin wrote: “Bryn Athyn has one of the strongest school teams in the country and is on a par with some of the college [teams].” The confidence of Bryn Athyn in its team’s abilities is apparent as it was actively looking for games against teams from universities. A Bryn Athyn publication called The Bulletin of the Sons of the Academy explained: Strenuous efforts were made to schedule some games with University teams. This was found to be impossible; such teams had nothing to gain and everything to lose by risking their athletic reputations in our hands. However, through the courtesy of the managers of the Philadelphia Ice Palace and the coaches of their respective teams, two practice games were arranged with Pennsylvania and Princeton Universities respectively.
The first of these practice games game took place on February 18, when Bryn Athyn played the University of Pennsylvania. The game ended with a 6-0 win for Bryn Athyn. Two weeks later Bryn Athyn played Princeton University. The local community newsletter Bryn Athyn Post did its part to rally the Bryn Athyn community to come to the game: Bryn Athyn Academy will play Princeton University on Wednesday night Mar. 2nd…You may be interested to know that Bryn Athyn beat the University of Pennsylvania at hockey several weeks ago by a score of 6 to 0. This is a big score. Come Wednesday evening if you can. There will be no disappointments.
There were no disappointments. Again the Bryn Athyn crowd was treated to another win against an Ivy League University, as Bryn Athyn skated past Princeton by a score of 5-1. The successful 1921 ice hockey season culminated with the scholastic Pennsylvania State championship, in which Bryn Athyn faced an all-star team from the Pittsburgh schools that was coached by none other than McCormick who had been a member of the 1920 US Olympic ice hockey team. The championships series consisted of two games on March 25 and 26, 1921, at
Philadelphia Public Ledger wrote the following after the Bryn Athyn beat Princeton University 5-1:
the Ice Palace. The first When speaking of scholastic and collegiate game was a one-sided competition, one naturally uses different breaths. It is hard to connect the one with affair as Bryn Athyn the other, save the relation that the higher beat the Pittsburgh ever has to the lower. One follows the team 7-0. College other in the regular course of events; never do they come together. In other words, student Theodore the preparatory institution never meets Doering had a shutout the college in actual play. The scrubs of in the Bryn Athyn goal, the more advanced institutions may be scheduled by an ambitious high school, and Werner Schnarr but beyond that nothing can be done. scored all the goals for To pit youths of seventeen and nineteen Bryn Athyn. years against the more mature young men of the universities would seem idiotic. The second game With the preceding arguments in mind, was won by an even listen to this: The writer no more than a bigger margin as week ago saw an academy ice hockey team meet and defeat the varsity of a Doering had another college famous the world over. And the shutout performance boys did the trick with precision and éclat. as Bryn Athyn won Their victory resulted not from luck but from a planned system of attack, executed 13-0 to claim the with co-operation and supported by Pennsylvania State no little amount of individual brilliancy. hockey championship. The score was 5 goals to 1. Assuredly that banishes all thought of luck. Offensively, the Schnarrs scored all the goals: Werner nine, his brother Clarence three and cousin Rud one. The Pittsburgh Gazette Times summarized with the headline: Schnarr Family Too Much For Local Star [Team]. Bryn Athyn dominated the game completely and the Public Ledger wrote: Pittsburgh was outclassed all the way. During the second and third periods Pitt was entirely on the defensive, seldom taking the puck down the ice, being content to keep all six men on the defense and just shoot the puck back into Bryn Athyn territory… Bryn Athyn was the aggressor all the way. They played highclass hockey and left little doubt as to their right to the state title.
The incredible success of Bryn Athyn Hockey almost 100 years ago was exhilarating for the players and fans alike. Another energetic build around the sport at BAC is resurging, evidenced by the increased fan base and intensified fan culture. Just as devoted followers made the journey downtown to the Ice Palace in support of their boys in 1921, present-day BAC Hockey fans traveled all the way to Alabama in 2015 to cheer their team in the ACHA D3 Nationals. Strong BA youth and Secondary School hockey programs, along with BAC recruitment efforts and a higher profile reputation are attracting gifted athletes, and the college team is gaining momentum and reaching new heights. Knowing our rich history reveals that we’ve been standing on the shoulders of giants all along, and as we continue our climb, we nod to the greats that came before.
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Photo by Lars-Ă…ke Johansson
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Terrence has scored in 5 consecutive games and is ranked 2nd in the league in scoring efficiency.
alumni spotlight
TERRENCE JOHNSON GOING PRO
T
errence Johnson (‘15) is a Bryn Athyn College student who currently plays professional hockey for the Swedish team Vallentuna, based in Stockholm. A business and psychology major with a kind heart, a stunning work ethic, and considerable charisma, Terrence was perhaps best known on campus for his athletic prowess. Bryn Athyn College hockey not only benefitted from Terrence’s considerable speed and skill, but the program was undoubtedly enhanced by the leadership he provided throughout his college career. His talent and discipline have brought him to this exciting Scandinavian adventure, and when we caught up with him he let us in on what it’s been like to transition to playing professionally in a new country. ALUMNI MAG: How did you land a contract with a professional hockey team in Sweden? TERRENCE: I used to play for an organization called Team Maryland. During my last year with them we had a few Swedish people come to our program and I kept in touch with them through Facebook. Fredrik, one of the Swedish coaches from that program, remembered who I was and got me a spot. Of course I also had to send over highlight tapes and a resume, but if it wasn’t for Fredrik I would not be playing. I also received help and support from Danny Triesler (‘14), as he told me what he did to get his contract. Basically, I had to email every European team and league in existence-- a time consuming task, but it worked for Danny and it gave me hope. [BAC Head Hockey] Coach Burke was there for support. Having him there giving me encouragement amidst all my doubts kept me in a stable position to keep maximizing my effort to play professional hockey. ALUMNI MAG: How do you like living abroad? TERRENCE: Adjusting to life in Sweden was difficult at first, but things seem routine now. We are six hours ahead of the Eastern Time zone. Aside from the cost of living, one really great thing has been that the people of Sweden and my teammates all speak English and have been very
good with trying to understand my Swedish. ALUMNI MAG: What’s it like being away from your
friends, family, and the things from home you love? TERRENCE: I must say that skype, texting, and phone calls help. But there is nothing like actually seeing someone in person. There are no Chipotles or Chick-fil-A’s here, so that is heartbreaking in itself in terms of food. ALUMNI MAG: How did playing for BAC contribute to
your current hockey success? TERRENCE: Playing on the hockey team at BAC prepared me for this moment in a very different way than most would think. Yes, scoring goals and winning is fun, but that is not what prepared me for Sweden. Playing at BAC humbled me and showed me how to be an effective leader. Upon entering BAC I was not the most humble person you have ever encountered, but over the years that changed drastically. Once I learned what was needed of me as a student, hockey player, and community member, it was a change that I had to make for myself. That change is part of the reason why I am here today, with a big emphasis on humble pie. Being good at hockey only gets you so far, but if you want the full support of your teammates and others then you need to be open to constructive criticism and thrive from that.
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alumni spotlight
As a student-athlete at Bryn Athyn College, Terrence dodges Neuman defencemen on a breakaway.
ALUMNI MAG: Do you find that your academic, social
and spiritual experience at BAC has been useful to you, either as practical preparation or support in this new endeavor? TERRENCE: Yes I think having a broad experience at BAC is helping me a lot with my transition in Sweden. There is a lot of diversity and so many international students at Bryn Athyn. As a student it was interesting to ask them questions about where they came from and certain customs from their homeland. Now the roles have been reversed. I believe opening my mind spiritually at BAC has helped me become a better person and it helps me through certain situations that I have faced since moving to Sweden (not necessarily all bad things). Academically, my finance classes are really paying off. Being my own financial advisor here is helping me maintain a sound enough budget to support myself and pay my bills. Getting paid once a month really forces you to prioritize what is needed. ALUMNI MAG: What has been a highlight of your time
with Vallentuna Hockey so far? TERRENCE: The highlight of my year so far is scoring
my first professional hat trick. I never thought that it would happen, as I consider myself more of a passer than a shooter. But it was incredible knowing what I am capable of. ALUMNI MAG: What would you say to current and
future BAC hockey players who have dreams of playing professionally? TERRENCE: Don’t stop working. There is always someone out there better than you. You have to know that and let that fuel your desire to try and improve every day. Playing hockey in college is
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amazing but to play at the next level you have to literally be at the rink first and leave last. Work on your weaknesses until there are none, and then you improve on your strengths. Never be satisfied just because you may have had a good game or a good season. You always have room for improvement. Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, and the people that make the most of their time are the people to move on. ALUMNI MAG: Since graduating have you stayed in
touch with teachers and friends, and do you still feel like a part of the BAC family? TERRENCE: Yes! Matt Kennedy, Figge, Professor Bernhardt, Professor Williams-Hogan and many other faculty, as well as people from the community have been in contact and have sent words of encouragement before and during my time here. It means a lot to still have a connection to the school and community. I would absolutely consider coming back to BAC to help out as an alum, or at a camp, or in any other role. When I first saw BAC I never thought I would miss the “Little School on the Hill” as I do know. I am a proud alumnus! Thanks to all of his continuing hard work, Terrence has met with considerable success already in his professional career with Vallentuna. In his first four games, he tallied seven goals and two assists; no small feat for anybody, let alone a first-time professional athlete in the midst of acclimating to a new country. The following is an excerpt from a Swedish newspaper, translated by our very own Professor Bryntesson: One team that has recently made a significant climb upwards in the standings is Vallentuna Hockey. The team is probably so far the league’s biggest surprise,
alumni spotlight because their youth and relative inexperience don’t show at all in the games, and the wins against VisbyRoma and Åker-Strängnäs are nothing but impressive. The fast skater from the US, Terrence Johnson, has played a big part in Vallentuna’s success, since in the three games he has played for the team, he has scored no less than six goals [and has also had two assists]. The team is now fifth in the standings, and who would have thought that before the season started.”
BAC’s head hockey coach, Andrew Burke, shared his thoughts on how far Terrence has come. I am proud of Terrence’s wonderful achievement. He has worked extremely hard over the past couple
of years to position himself for this opportunity. Terrence’s work ethic has helped him make an easier transition into the pro style game. His skill has helped him make an immediate impact. Terrence plays the game the right way-- he is highly competitive and plays with passion, which makes him hard to play against. He was a wonder to coach because we knew what we were going to get from him on a nightly basis. Terrence matured and grew into a leader which helped grow our hockey program.
The college community echoes Coach Burke’s pride, and we are all excited to watch Terrence’s career progress in the coming years!
DANNY TRIESLER
Danny Triesler (‘14) signed a contract last summer to play hockey for the Swedish Division 3 club Sala HK. Danny used to be a captain at Bryn Athyn, and was an integral part of the teams that won the DVCHC championship in 2013, and reached the ACHA D3 Atlantic Region Regionals in 2014.
Sala is a town in south-central Sweden. Upon his arrival in September the local newspaper featured an article about Danny joining the team.
Danny played the preseason games with Sala HK, and on October 9 (fittingly on Charter Day) he played his first league game for his new club, a game in which he scored one goal. He has played seventeen league games so far, and in these games scored an impressive 10 goals and had 6 assists. Perhaps his highlight so far was a game on November 13 when he scored a hat trick and had one assist for a four point game.
Apart from keeping busy playing with Sala HK, Danny has also helped out with youth hockey practices in Sala, including working with the Sala Silver Bullets, a team for children with special needs. Alumni Magazine talked to the GM of Sala HK, Fredrik Brokmark, and he said, “Danny is a hard working player and a positive addition to our team. Of course it’s a big transition moving halfway around the world to play
Fredrik Brokmark, GM Sala HK
MAKING HIS DREAMS COME TRUE
Danny and Terrence played for the Lions together at BAC and now both play professional ice hockey in Sweden.
After visiting with Jane Williams-Hogan, Danny sent her a note: “It was so nice to see you again. Made me miss the old times terribly. My time at the college was the best time of my life. There will never be any place or experience that could top my time at BAC!
hockey, but I think he has managed that really well. Over here we play a different kind of hockey than you play in the U.S. Here the game features more passing and is a bit more tactical. Besides playing hockey Danny is also training our youth teams and teaching our younger school kids in the art of hockey. Our team is now chasing a place in the playoff rounds after Christmas, and hopefully we will make it. Our League, Division 3 Västmanland/Örebro, is at the moment one of the best in Sweden and its great to have Danny be a part of it.”
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alumni spotlight
HANNAH SIMONS The Art of Business
Hannah Simons (‘10) is a Bryn Athynbased entrepreneur who sells her products to stores across the United States, and online to a worldwide audience. In fact, this writer was in a remote town in the Big Sur area along the California coast a few years ago and happened to notice a breathtakingly delicate wooden stand displayed in a boutique. Upon further inspection of the beautiful piece and its label, it was discovered that it came all the way from the creative mind and talented hands of Hannah Simons herself. From iPhone stands to jewelry boxes to book ends, the smooth cherry wood and graceful carvings are signature elements to her work. We wanted to know a little bit more about her business, and she was kind enough to share some details with us: ALUMNI MAG: Tell us about your business…What do you do? How long have you been doing this? How did you learn the trade?
At the beginning of 2011 I launched my business, Hannah’s Ideas in Wood, at the Buyers Market of American Craft (now known as the American Made Show) - the largest American made trade show in the country. I design and create accessories made from solid cherry wood, sustainably harvested and local to Pennsylvania. Since the beginning of the business I’ve collaborated with my father,
HANNAH:
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alumni spotlight
Jonathan Simons (of Jonathan’s Spoons www.woodspoon.com), learning from his 35+ years of experience designing and making spoons. I work out of a studio attached to my home in Bryn Athyn. I have an online store through my website (www.hannahsideasinwood.com), through Etsy, and I sell my work to about 150 stores across the United States. ALUMNI MAG: What is it like owning and running a business? What are some of the challenges you face?
A lot of aspects of running my own business can be both a blessing and a curse. I love being able to create my own schedule, but it also means I have to keep motivated to get things done, and even if the clock says the day is over, I may still have more work to do. There is always more that I can learn, and more that I can do to help the business grow. I spend time researching how to effectively manage social media for small businesses, how to create a website, how to take better product photos, and the list keeps going. It keeps things interesting, and I like working on all aspects of the business. It can also be difficult to keep up with everything, and when things fall through the cracks, it’s my responsibility to sort things out.
HANNAH:
ALUMNI MAG:
Are there any new or exciting plans for the business?
This past summer I actually moved into a larger studio space in my very own house! It has allowed me to expand, and run more efficiently. Being able to more consistently keep up with the pace of orders means that I can begin to focus more time and energy on new designs.
HANNAH:
ALUMNI MAG: How do you think BAC helped prepare you for what you’re doing now? What was the most important thing you learned while at BAC? HANNAH: As a student I appreciated that the BAC community
encouraged students to think about who they wanted to be as whole people, not just what job they want to do. I’ve always loved the Swedenborgian teaching that religion is how you live your life - not just what you believe. I like maintaining those principles in my business. I do not have the personality to be a lawyer or a doctor, but I can help create things that are ethically made from start to finish, and add functional beauty to people’s lives.
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InREMEMBERING Memoriam faculty spotlight
SHERRI COOPER By David Cooper
T
he College community lost one of its own recently. Biology professor Dr. Sherri Cooper passed into the spiritual world at 11:23 P.M. on 11/23/2015. At her memorial service, the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Rose observed that her time came “when the hour met the day and the day met eternity.…” Dr. Sherri Cooper joined the faculty at Bryn Athyn College in 1999, mentored many students through their undergraduate research projects, and taught courses in biology, ecology, botany, limnology, and environmental science. She was promoted to associate professor and granted tenure in 2006. Dr. Cooper served as head of the biology major from 2001 to 2013, head of the mathematics and science division in 2009, and as chair of the science department from 2010 to 2013. She served on the Doering Center design committee and had a strong influence on the specifications for and layout of the science labs—spaces that facilitate collaborative research—and in 2009 she oversaw the
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science department’s move from Benade Hall to the new Grant R. Doering Center for Science and Research. Dr. Cooper came to Bryn Athyn following her PhD work at Johns Hopkins and research positions at the University of Maryland and Duke University. During this time, she established herself as a groundbreaking researcher in estuarine paleoecology. Her publications on diatom assemblages in estuarine sediment cores gained international attention in her field. Her work reveals the effects of large-scale changes in land use near major estuaries such as the Chesapeake Bay, going back in time by 500 or more years. Dr. Cooper brought to Bryn Athyn her passion for research and she forwarded Bryn Athyn’s research program in several ways. She began serving on the college’s research committee almost immediately upon joining the faculty and she chaired the committee from 2010 through 2013. She also
SHERRI RUMER COOPER RESEARCH FUND The Sherri Rumer Cooper Research Fund honors the vision and legacy of Dr. Sherri Cooper by supporting undergraduate science research at Bryn Athyn College. The fund focuses on three areas: • Support for undergraduate students engaged with science projects • Support for faculty members mentoring students or leading projects • Support for research expenses
served on the board of the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust (PERT) from 2007 through 2013. Through her joint affiliations with PERT and Bryn Athyn College (BAC) she established pathways for sustained research efforts by BAC faculty and students on PERT grounds. As chair of the research committee she enrolled BAC in the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) annual Higher Education Research and Development Survey, to highlight and track BAC’s work. She was a successful grant writer, obtaining research funding from external agencies at an impressive pace. While a faculty member at BAC Sherri collaborated with researchers at institutions such as Bowdoin College, Duke University, and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Dr. Cooper’s primary love as an academic was mentoring research students. In honor of her work and priorities, BAC and her family have established the Sherri Rumer Cooper Research Fund to support science research at Bryn Athyn College. We believe this fund will be instrumental in furthering faculty led undergraduate research, continuing to elevate the stature of Bryn Athyn College in the scientific community, and enabling our voice to be heard in broader discussions that consider the relationship between religion and science.
Dr. Cooper came to Bryn Athyn in 1999, after establishing an impressive record of paleoecology research at the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins, and Duke. Her publications on diatom assemblages in estuarine sediment cores brought her international attention and continue to influence scientific research in her field. At the college Dr. Cooper continued to conduct and publish research while developing a powerful and unique research program for undergraduates. Among her many contributions, she chaired the college’s research committee, established an annual student poster session for students in all majors, and guided the College’s joint research program with the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust. The Sherri Rumer Cooper Research Fund honors Dr. Cooper’s passion for faculty-mentored undergraduate research and continues the work she began. To make a donation honoring Sherri Cooper’s work and legacy, please go to www. newchurchgiving.org/bac and select Sherri Rumer Cooper Research Fund in the “Designation” dropdown menu or contact Susan Wright at 267-502-4895 or advancement@anc-gc.org.
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THE LANGUAGE OF TRANSITION AN EXPLORATION OF FINAL WORDS by Sasha Silverman
I
f you ask Bryn Athyn College students about their most impactful classes and favorite professors, you’ll no doubt hear references to the college’s Psychology Department Head, Dr. Erica Goldblatt Hyatt. If you’ve met her, you understand. With her bright eyes, engaging voice, and hair that reflects her creative streak (purple at the time of the interview) Goldblatt Hyatt exudes a zest for life. Her warm approachability balances her deep intellectual prowess, and shatters the old stereotype of the “boring professor.”
Goldblatt Hyatt’s passion involves exploring the delicate transition between life and death, while offering comfort and support to grieving families. And it’s not just about research; this professor truly practices what she preaches. In addition to earning a doctorate and two master’s degrees (in bioethics and social work) from the University of Pennsylvania, Goldblatt Hyatt has offered counseling in a wide range of clinical settings. At Johns Hopkins Hospital, for example, she worked with people who had brain tumors, as well as with their families, helping them prepare for end of life. At Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, as a clinical oncology social worker, she held the hands of dozens of young cancer patients, and spoke words of comfort to their grief-stricken families. She worked in the division of fetal surgery at
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faculty spotlight
Dr. Erica Goldblatt Hyatt has a MBE, MSW, and DSW from theUniversity of Pennsylvania. Over the course of her career, “Dr. E” has served as a hospital administrator, researcher, private therapist, and clinical social worker. Her specialties include death, dying, and bereavement, serious mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, and crisis intervention.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She worked with military veterans and others dealing with PTSD at University of Maryland Medical Center and Veterans Administration Hospital. She has watched many people die, and has experienced first-hand the sacred sphere that fills a room as someone passes away from this life. One of her most impactful experiences came while she counseled children with cancer and brain tumors. “The children’s resilience amazed me. Right up until those last moments, kids were kids. They were wise, and they were fun. You’d see these bald heads running around these hospital wards and they were just being children. It was inspiring. That job has always been close to my heart.” On Goldblatt Hyatt’s office wall hangs a lithograph of a poem and a drawing from one of these young cancer patients. “It’s a way of having her with me.” Goldblatt Hyatt said, “She changed my life. She was amazing. She was beautiful in so many ways. When radiation affected her hair, she shaved part of her head and grew a Mohawk. She was artistic. She was a photographer. She wrote poetry. She was wise. She was an old soul.” Goldblatt Hyatt worked with this young woman right up to her death and maintained a close relationship with the family. “One of the things I remember very well was that at her funeral, a hummingbird hovered over her casket. And it was like a sign from her that she was okay, and that she was free. Ultimately, as a result, I feel that she’s always with me and guiding the work that I do.” This memorable patient ultimately inspired
Goldblatt Hyatt’s first book, Grieving for the Sibling You Lost. Goldblatt Hyatt noticed that her patient’s younger brother struggled very much with his sister’s death. Goldblatt Hyatt explained, “When I looked to the research, I realized that there wasn’t a whole lot out there for teen siblings of cancer patients that had passed away.” When Goldblatt Hyatt went to complete her doctorate, she decided to focus on grieving teen siblings. A couple of years after finishing her dissertation, the leading selfhelp publisher, Goldblatt Hyatt’s first book is now New Harbinger available at www.newharbinger.com/ Publications, author/erica-goldblatt-hyatt approached her about writing a self-help book. They said, “It would be the first book of its kind. Are you willing to write it?” Goldblatt Hyatt said “Absolutely.” Within a year, she had written the book. Grieving for the Sibling You Lost is a self-help guide that starts off by teaching teens what grief is, and how it feels in the body. It then gives them concrete exercises and tips from evidence-based
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faculty spotlight
psychotherapy techniques that can help them cope One of the ways Goldblatt Hyatt has begun better after the loss of a brother or sister. to “dive into” the process involves studying The book has become available at various the words people use in that tender, vulnerable libraries and school guidance counselor offices stage right before death, and how they impact and seems to be making a difference. Hyatt said, caregivers’ distress during the dying process. At “Ultimately, you write a book not to make money Bryn Athyn College, Goldblatt Hyatt is heading up but to make a difference. If it touches one sibling’s an innovative research project where her team will life, and they feel that they are important, and that explore this question, and more. they matter, and they will be okay . . . that’s the She came to the project through the linguist reason I do it.” Lisa Smartt, who has found a number of categories So how did Goldblatt Hyatt end up at Bryn of terms and words people use at the end of life: Athyn College? Through a man who would one day metaphors, complex sentence structures, ideas become her husband: Will Hyatt. about being “transported”, light and darkness, While they were dating, Will said to her, “Your gathering belongings and going on a great trip, work with dying children sounds really interesting. and some other universal themes. Goldblatt Have you ever heard of Emanuel Swedenborg? He Hyatt explained, “It seems that, anecdotally, when wrote about what happens to children after they people die, they speak in these terms. As I tried die.” So Goldblatt Hyatt to understand this phenomenon started reading Heaven and better, I began to also wonder about While they were Hell. She loved it. As she what impact this has on caregivers explained, “It was these tender at the bedside, and how we can help dating, Will said depictions of children and those loved ones cope better, too.” to her, “Your how they are taken care of in Having worked with so many heaven. Something about it people at the end of life, Goldblatt work with dying struck me as so true.” Hyatt is very aware of the “strange, children sounds She added, “I can’t explain confusing, often nonsensical words really interesting. it. From a scientific perspective that people use before they die”. of course, there’s no evidence, She explained, “Ultimately I was Have you ever but it hit me very deeply and drawn to researching the words of heard of Emanuel I thought, ‘this is something the dying and trying to understand I want to know more about.’” what we might learn to help the Swedenborg? The more Swedenborg she living.” read, the more she appreciated Currently, Goldblatt Hyatt is the teachings. “They felt real and they felt authentic working to ensure that various Bryn Athyn student and I fell in love with them.” She added, “My interns are involved with this research. She said, skeptical brain still causes me to question, but “Students are so interested! It’s great. I’ve had spiritually I feel very connected to this religion and nursing majors, English majors, psychology majors, this approach.” interdisciplinary majors – everybody wants to get Goldblatt Hyatt believes that this is a topic involved in the project! So, we hope to have lots where more research and understanding can bring of interns. One right now, a psychology major, is comfort to those witnessing a loved one pass helping me comb the research and literature to see away. She explained, “Sometimes the experience of what else is out there on this topic. We expect to being in the presence of someone who’s dying feels have interns doing all sorts of tasks on this project, frightening. It’s a very intimate process. We might training them to take informed consent and code want to run away from it. I want to dive into it and qualitative data, and help us write academic papers. explore it. I think that if we push through our fear So there are a lot of ways that our students will be we can be like midwives, easing the transition of able to help out.” those who are going on to the next stage. I think Goldblatt Hyatt has been working to ensure we just need more research and education to help that protocol for the research project is finalized people feel more comfortable.” within the next academic year, and she is also
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exploring new partnerships and as the subject of the research is delicate, she is taking her time to adjust the research question and methods appropriately. Goldblatt Hyatt said, “Ultimately, we want to use this research to create trainings for hospice professionals. We also want to help individuals and families feel less afraid at the end of life. If we can help them decode the language of the dying, or let them know metaphors their loved ones might use, and how to speak to them, then our efforts will be worthwhile.” She added, “As a college, one of our purposes is to provide research that people can replicate and discuss and apply to other situations, and contribute to the scientific community. So we want to publish our work in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The best possible outcome for our students — if they’re interested in working in the field or in going to graduate school — is having their name on a peer-reviewed journal publication, so I’m hoping we can do that for them.” Goldblatt Hyatt brings all of her real-world experience to the classroom, where she helps engage students in practicing what they learn. For example, in a favorite role-playing classroom activity, various students take turns playing the therapist, while Dr. Goldblatt Hyatt (who fortuitously also has a background in theatre) plays the patient. Since she draws from actual case studies, the “patient’s” genuine complaints add poignancy to the exercise. By practicing on-the-spot counseling techniques, and also witnessing other students in their counseling efforts, the students hone their skills, and also see the variety of counseling styles. The students also enjoy her “Life Experiences and Prejudice” project where they interview people who have experienced various kinds of prejudice. Students get to learn about people from very different walks of life. Goldblatt Hyatt said, “It’s through that handson questioning and learning about another person’s life that they cultivate empathy and appreciation for those who’ve had different life experiences. They learn that if you can encounter someone with warmth, with empathy and with openness, then they’re going to open up to you and tell you their story. So my students ultimately learn how to elicit a
Dr. Erica Goldblatt Hyatt with husband Will, daughter Remy (8 months), and son Rhett (2 years).
narrative and how to get people’s stories, and really appreciate where another person is coming from.” Above all, Goldblatt Hyatt’s hands-on, lifebased approach helps students feel connected to their education. As Goldblatt Hyatt explained, “Bryn Athyn College is small, so I get to know my students individually as people. I learn who they are, what drives them, their backstory. We create a relationship that’s not just teacher-student, but also a guide and a friend. The education feels better. They feel invested because we care about them, who they are and who they want to be. We want them to go out in the world and do great things. ” Although she has worked in multiple settings, Goldblatt Hyatt loves teaching psychology at Bryn Athyn College. She said, “I love this job because my students are so willing to be challenged and to look at other perspectives. Sometimes they come in with a certain world-view, yet they are willing to open their minds.” She concluded “I have found that there is much we can take from our study of psychology at Bryn Athyn College to make the world a better place.”
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SERVICE TRIP TO AUSTRALIA by Luke David, ‘17
I
t all really started as a dream. Sure, I’ve always wanted to travel and volunteer, but if you asked me a year ago what I thought I’d be doing in July and August of 2015, my answer certainly would not have included digging through dirt in Australia, making some make-shift scaffolding with an Australian carpenter to fix a wall, driving through Australian countryside, visiting nursing homes, or petting a kangaroo (we also ate kangaroo burgers, but honestly, I wouldn’t recommend them.) And it really did start as a simple idea. I’ve always had a strong desire to travel and connect to different people, promote charity, and be useful. I also love the New Church and the ideas in the Heavenly Doctrines, so I finally decided to combine them all and take action. In my talks with Laura Nash [Director of Experiential Education at Bryn Athyn College] on how to pursue this, I joined forces with Alex Hyatt, a friend of mine who shares similar desires. With our combined brainpower, muscles, extraordinary good looks, and dazzling rhetoric, we worked with Laura and eventually secured a one-month volunteer mission to the New Church in Hurstville, Australia, where the minister, Todd Beiswinger, was excited to have us come over to help out. We even received funding for our trip from Charity Works which was
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an incredible blessing. That foundation made our dream a reality. Skipping along in time, we made the arrangements, packed, and flew out of JFK International Airport on July 13th, 2015. After about 30 hours of travel, including a nap on the floor of a Chinese airport, unrecognizable airline food, rerun after rerun of The Departed, and Alex rejecting all my airline music suggestions, we finally set foot in Australia. We had a terrific setup too. The Hurstville church society owns the house next to the church, which they let people stay in (like us). Todd and his wife, Jenn, lived in the other house next to the church, so we had a cute little family situation going on. For about the first week of our arrival, Alex and I were Zombies. And also old men. Jet lag laughed at us as we stared about with blank eyes and fell asleep by 10:15 pm. Eventually, thankfully, we acclimated. Okay, enough with the fun stuff. Let’s get to it. Our mission was threefold: 1. Tear down the church walls, rebuild, spackle, and paint them. 2. Establish an outdoor worship space for the congregation. 3. Connect with New Church families across the eastern side of Australia, and participate in opportunities of spiritual growth.
service project
A Thank You message from Rev. Todd Beiswinger
Todd hated those darn walls. If ever there was a moment of a minister facing off against his sworn enemy, it was Todd vs. those walls. They consisted of outdated, collapsing 70’s style wood paneling so we took a couple of weeks to restructure. With the help of our sensei, Ralph Horner, the handyman and carpenter of the congregation, we tore down the walls, gutted it all out, and cleaned up some rat nests and opossum hide-holes and general dirt. Then, we put in drywall, spackled the cracks, and painted. By the end, the church actually belonged in the 21st century! Our next physical project was the outdoor worship space. Norm Heldon, a surprisingly active elderly gentleman, maintained the gardens of the church for many years, though he hadn’t been able to recently. There was one section by a gazebo that was particularly overgrown, so Todd wanted us to weed it, level it, and lay down some sod so they could have church outside. With the fervor of big business bulldozing the rainforest, we attacked the overgrowth with zero mercy and immense zeal. By the end, I think we even surprised ourselves with how well it turned out. Sprinkled in between these labor projects, we shadowed Todd in his ministerial duties as he traveled and visited families who lived too far away to come to church every week. We met with a couple of people in nursing homes, spent time with families around the area, attended spiritual discussions in the city as well as a talk at the Swedenborg Center in New South Wales, and even drove out to Can-
I just wanted to...say how much I berra (about a 3 hour appreciated having Alex and Luke trip) to visit with a few here for the past four weeks. They different families there. were A+, top notch people who were great ambassadors for the New The generosity and Church and Bryn Athyn College. interest with which we They were easy to work with, did were received was such great work, were self-starters, polite, [and] considerate. ...I know the guys a blessing. They treated had a good time here, and I know us like one of their the congregation really enjoyed own, and Alex and I are having them. People have been very happy with the improvements on both extremely grateful the property...but that’s really more for their kindness. As of a bonus as far as I’m concerned. much as we impacted Mostly I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciated them, they touched our having Alex and Luke. lives right back in a very unique way. Additionally, Todd took some time to show us around the accessible parts of the country. We visited the city, saw some beaches, took road trips, ate at Hungry Jacks, went to a zoo (hence the petting of kangaroos), and took a long bike ride through the Australian bush with a church friend — among many other amazing adventures. I speak for both myself and Alex when I say that I truly cannot express the gratitude I feel toward all those who made this trip possible. As much as we were promoting charity and use and goodness, we received so much more than we gave. We were blessed by the opportunity to serve, create memories, join experiences, create joy, and be a part of something bigger than ourselves, something lasting, something that will be a part of us forever.
Charity Works is a service grant fund available to motivated young adults in the New Church community. Young adults with great ideas are encouraged to apply. Application forms can be found on their website, or you can email ncservicegrant@gmail.com. Applicants will be in contact with a mentor during the process to help ensure that submitted applications are strong and meet at least minimal requirements. The Charity Works Board members will meet within a month of submitted applications to either accept or deny service project funding requests. www.ncservicegrantfund.com B RY N AT H Y N A LU M N I M AG A Z I N E
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Fredrik “Figge” Bryntesson, Ed Higgins, and Eugene Potapov with their one-of-a-kind deer trap. The Deer Study is a collaboration between Bryn Athyn College and PERT, and funded by the Doering Research and Study Trust and Bryn Athyn College.
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WHEN DEER TEXT The Bryn Athyn College Deer Study by Sasha Silverman
L
ucy, Annalisa, Maya, Elizabeth, Joey and Jonathan. These lively, Bryn Athyn College research team members have never written a thesis paper, or even uttered an intelligible sentence, yet they add richness and vitality to the college’s math and biology programs. They send hundreds of text messages about their location throughout the day, yet they are not students. They are not even teachers-- they are deer. Nevertheless, they are “part of the research team family,” explains Dr. Ed Higgins, who serves as part of the college’s Deer Study team and teaches various science courses. These deer have unwittingly become an essential part of a ground-breaking study that has put Bryn Athyn College on the map, making headlines at ecology conferences, getting airtime on Canadian radio, bringing Bryn Athyn students to speak to senators, getting students to collaborate on articles in peer-reviewed journals, even bringing the head of the team – Dr. Eugene Potapov – to speak at Google headquarters. So what’s all the excitement about? What is actually happening? And how on earth do you get deer to send text messages?
HOW IT STARTED The first seeds of the now well-established Deer Study began back in 2006 when some students in Dr. Sherri Cooper’s biology class decided to research the deer population and overbrowsing in the area. The class was aptly named
“Environmental Science: Conservation Biology and Urban Deer Management,” and they conducted their studies in the nearby public woods and trails preserved by the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust (PERT). This work culminated with an oral presentation at the college entitled “Why Deer Management Needs to be Addressed.” Dr. Cooper’s work with the deer study and her contributions to Bryn Athyn College and the Science Department, have been instrumental in the success of the deer study and science programs at the college. In fact, she was instrumental in recruiting the scientist who is now head of the deer team. One of Cooper’s friends from the scientific community happened to be married to the internationally-known author, scientist and Arctic explorer, Dr. Eugene Potapov. Potapov had led research teams in the Arctic to study animal patterns, so Cooper invited Potapov to give her class a guest lecture about animal movement. The lecture went so well that when Cooper went on sabbatical in 2006-2007, she asked Potapov to substitute for her at the college. Potapov appreciated that the college had excellent research opportunities, thanks to the Doering Research and Study Trust, and he agreed. Potapov ended up becoming a full time professor, and over the last ten years, has worked with Dr. Sherri Cooper, Dr. Allen Bedford, Dr. Fredrik Bryntesson and Dr. Ed Higgins to further develop the Deer Study. Over the last decade—with continued support from Dr. David
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Dr. Eugene Potapov and Dr. Ed Higgins [pictured above] send a remote signal to open up William’s collar [pictured below] so it simply drops off him. Then, using a tracking device to locate the dropped collar. Once they retrieve the collar, they will reuse it on another deer (one of the collars has been reused over 12 times).
A 2007 Environmental Science class tracks deer during their weekly lab peorid. Left to right: Michael Conaron, Graham Lexie, Jennica Smith, Adolf Ollennu [holding the tracking device], India Wyncoll, and Stewart Chapin.
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Robertson and Brad Nyholm of PERT, as well as the dedication and effort of various Bryn Athyn College students—a study unlike any other has grown. At its most basic level, the study involves getting a team of trained students and professors to gather, often in the dark of the night, with flashlights, at a pre-set, first-ever internet-controlled deer trap. At the site, a couple of people from the group will hold the deer still enough to fit it with a GPS tracking collar, Eugene fits a deer with a GPS tracking and then let the deer go collar, and then lets the deer go free. free (the trapping is done under a license granted by the Pennsylvania Game Commission). Over the course of the next few months, through its GPS collar, the deer sends thousands of text messages that tell of its location (one text every five minutes). With a brilliant “mail to map” system conceived by Potapov, each deer has its own Google email account and blog, which send information to Google Maps and Google Earth. This system is so innovative that Potapov was flown to Google to present on this work. With this technology, the research team can watch how the deer moves, in real time, over a photo-realistic map of the terrain, providing an unprecedented amount of data. Students in the math and science classes then work with the data to make predictions and hypotheses, test them and draw useful conclusions, which in turn provide useful information to organizations such as PERT (Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust.) Dr. Fredrik Bryntesson, a member of the Deer Study team and Chair of the Science Department at Bryn Athyn College, explained, “The membersupported PERT is benefitting from this research. For one, it is a crowd-puller. People who walk the Pennypack Preserve are saying, ‘I saw a deer with a collar. Can you tell me more?’ We also put up peoplecounters (instruments that automatically count when people walk by) in the preserve, so now PERT can get information about where the deer go and how people move on their lands. That is data they wouldn’t have otherwise, and it is important for grounds management.” In addition, if PERT wants to increase or decrease deer density, they can use the deer tracking
research
Google Earth tracks Trevor who had a nice day traipsing around the Historic District.
analysis to help decide where to plant or cut down they felt the loss of their friend. vegetation. While the specific data around deer movement Some might ask, “Is this deer study humane?” have proven useful, the ramifications of this work It seems that it truly is. Over the past eight years, go far beyond simply tracking deer. As Potapov since the first deer the team trapped and studied, explained, “It’s not about deer, and it’s not about (and there have been over 50 in total) not a single hunting. It’s about bringing people, ideas and deer has been hurt during the trapping. In fact, technology together, and then pushing it to the some deer even return to the trap extreme.” The technological innovations to feed. Bryntesson explained, developed for the deer study perfectly With a brilliant “Our method is to learn more illustrate this model: “We can now use “mail to map” about the animal. While the this system and technology for making system conceived current management effort predictions about all sorts of things by Potapov, each sanctioned by the Pennsylvania like human behavior, weather, and even deer has its own Game Commission is essentially buying power.” email account and to cull the herd--in other words, In addition to the potential for harvesting the deer--we are world-wide impact, the actual handsblog, which send trying to add to the knowledge on experience has proven to be exciting information to by learning how the deer behave – even euphoric at times – for all those Google Maps and so that additional methods of involved, both students and professors Google Earth. management can be implemented.” alike. As Potapov put it, “Every day is Higgins added, “By looking at the exciting.” Higgins added, “You get to data, we can minimize the negative impact we have be a kid. You play in the dirt, and yet we’re also on the deer and the deer have on us.” He added that doing high level science and cutting-edge mapping the team gets to know the animal in an intimate techniques.” One of the most exciting aspects way. To the Deer Study team, the deer are not just involves the teamwork. As Higgins explained, “The statistics – they are living beings. “When you are students are side by side with their professors, holding the deer to put a collar on it, you feel the wrestling a deer at 3 am when it’s cold and muddy. deer’s breath on your hands,” Higgins explained, Everyone is needed when you trap a deer, so there “You feel the connection. This is not just some wild is no hierarchy. Fairly often the students are inside animal. The deer are our friends.” When one of the the trap (under the direction of Potapov), holding bucks, Christiano, got hit by a car on Halloween the deer down. We are handing them flashlights, night, the group members all expressed sadness – pulling the trap door up and down – we are assisting
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Allexx Atkins, Joe Grubb, Bracken Brown, Laird Klippenstein, and Mark Apedo present at the Society for Ecological Restoration International Mid-Atlantic Chapter Conference, held February 2010 at Rutgers University.
them. The students get to see another side of their professors, and they love that.” And it doesn’t stop there. “From then on, students can stay involved with faculty doing high level biological, mathematical and statistical data analysis.” This feature makes Bryn Athyn College truly remarkable. As Potapov pointed out, “Where else in the world would Allexx Atkins and Michael Rodgers you find undergraduate present research at a Mid-Atlantic students and professors Chapter of the Ecological Society of America working together in the meeting held April 2013 in Dover, DE. middle of the night to put a collar on a non-sedated deer? Nowhere in the world. Any other place would outsource the job to hired specialists, and use tranquilizers.” This unique collaboration continues from the hands-on work all the way to the scientific community, where, as Potapov said, “Our students get to collaborate with college faculty and PERT personnel. Together, we have co-authored a number of scientific presentations and papers. Our extensive deer tracking data set - which is the intellectual property of Bryn Athyn College - is used for research in both theoretical and applied fields, and importantly, as a tool for education.” Higgins’ eyes lit up as he explained, “I went
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Bracken Brown, Alex Rohtla, and Dallas Hendricks at The joint conference for the Mid-Atlantic Chapters of the Ecological Society ofAmerica and the Society for Ecological Restoration held March 2009 at The College of New Jersey
to my first conference last spring. To see one of our students with four or five scientists around him, and to see him telling them about his work . . . it’s a wonderful feeling.” Standout moments included the time when Michael Rodgers, a former Bryn Athyn College biology major (‘13), gave a presentation at Elizabethtown College to the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America. Now two years out of college, Rodgers still works with the Deer Study team on both trapping and data analysis. In addition, three students have coauthored papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals: Bracken Brown (Biology ‘11) who now teaches in Kempton, PA, Dallas Hendricks who is in Colorado, and Laird Klippenstein (Biology ‘11) who is now earning his PhD in Colorado. Many other students have presented posters or given oral presentations at scientific conferences. These students include Alex Rohtla, who now teaches at the ANC Secondary Schools, Allexx Atkins (Biology ‘14), and Ryan Landels who is currently a biology major. 1 Bryntesson and Higgins both credit much of the success of the program to the brilliance, humility and passion of Dr. Eugene Potapov. Bryntesson explained, “Eugene is so integral to this project. He can do the science and math, and he even welds the metal for the trap.” He added, “Eugene is a creative machine gun. He has come 1 For a complete list of Deer Study publications and presentations by BAC students and faculty and PERT personnel see: www.brynathyn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ Deer-Study-Presentations-and-Publications-2012.pdf.
research
BAC students and faculty have tracked the movements of
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4 articles in scientific journals and at 16 scientific in
conferences where they have
Potapov’s advanced math class presents research to legislators as part of an Undergraduate Research at the Capitol poster conference held March 2015 in Harrisburg. Left to right: Jodi Chapin, Ming Hui Jiang, Swan Kim, Eugene Potapov, Senator Greenleaf, Niraj Khatiwada, Phoenix Fritch
up with so many ideas to investigate, like, ‘How do deer react when PERT is open to humans? When and where do they cross roads? How do they react to vegetation management efforts, hunting, snow, wind, and moonlight?’ He has even created something called a ‘perceptual landscape’ where you can visually see at a glance where the animals’ favorite places are.” Best of all, Bryntesson and Higgins say that Potapov has no ego, but that he does this work because he truly enjoys it. Higgins said, “Eugene’s enthusiasm is infectious. He’s an Oxford-educated, internationally known guy, and he’ll still giggle. He comes out of the trap every time with a big grin on his face. It never gets old. It’s always different. I’ve never seen someone get so excited about that. It’s great for the students to see someone that excited about science.” Bryntesson agreed, “He’s a great role model. There’s no ego. There has been no anger or arguments. It works well. He uses us to our strengths. Little by little, we get more involved.” Higgins added, “He comes and knocks on your door, and pretty soon you’re on a walk around PERT with a tracking antenna checking on the study animals.” Higgins looks forward to the data analysis: “We now have lots of deer running around, and more data is coming in. Crunching numbers you see where the power is. Eugene has half a million data points of where deer go. What happens when it snows? Is there a kind of vegetation that they like? As the data points come in, you get to answer the ‘why?’ For example, we are already seeing that deer are using trails more than ever before.”
given
18 poster presentations and 6 formal talks.
The math students have benefited from the research as well. For example, in the Spring of 2015, Potapov had his advanced math class do research using the Deer Study data, which they then presented with Potapov at the Pennsylvania state capital to legislators including State Senator Stewart Greenleaf, and State Representative Thomas Murt. Bryntesson expressed his appreciation for the fun even in data collection. “As you gather data, it’s like you’re Lewis and Clark. You’re exploring new things and so many new possibilities. It would be awesome if through this, Bryn Athyn College could attract even more students who are interested in math and ecology, and want to be a part of this. This research enriches our lives and that of the students.” He added, “This is all about education. We’d love to keep it going. It’s what makes Bryn Athyn College such a cool place. We’re all working together.”
“As you gather data, it’s like you’re Lewis and Clark. You’re exploring new things and so many new possibilities” –Dr. Fredrik Bryntesson
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new developments
The graduating class of 2015 included 35 Bachelor of Arts and 13 Bachelor of Science recipients.
BACCALAUREATE GRADUATE OUTCOMES by Allen Bedford, Dean of Academics
T
he last two sentences of Bryn Athyn College’s mission statement read, “This education challenges students to develop spiritual purpose, to think broadly and critically from a variety of perspectives, and to build intellectual and practical skills. The ultimate purpose is to enhance students’ civil, moral, and spiritual life, and to contribute to human spiritual welfare.” While these worthy aspirations resist simple assessment, certain indicators that college graduates are living fulfilling, creative, resourceful lives that allow them to be generous, caring, and competent members of society may serve as reasonable measures that touch on these deeper goals. Bryn Athyn College has been tracking recent graduates’ outcomes and has identified three categories that represent institutional success: full-time employment in a degree-dependent position; continuing education at the graduate level; and “purposeful engagement.” “Purposeful engagement” includes activities other than employment or graduate school that the graduate is committed to doing by choice, such as stay-at-home parenting, working on an independent professional endeavor, volunteering, or traveling. Many institutions track graduates’ outcomes in terms of employment, and include both full-time employment in non-degree-dependent positions and part-time employment in this general category. Bryn Athyn reports its graduates’ employment outcomes broken into various categories and provides two composite outcomes. One composite outcome includes
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any form of employment and the other includes only full-time employment in a degree-dependent position. The graph shows the outcomes of the 150 graduates who earned their baccalaureates in 20102014 (we wait a full year to report the outcomes of the class and so the May 2015 graduates are not yet included). Going with the more inclusive composite, for three of the last five graduating classes 100% of the graduates have been employed, in graduate school, or “purposefully engaged.” Overall, 98.7% of the graduates in all five years combined are in at least one of these categories. Going with the more restrictive composite that counts only full-time employment in a degree-dependent position, attending graduate school, or being “purposefully engaged,” we find 86% of graduates in at least one of these categories. We include all recent graduates in these measures, though we have no information on two of them. We report as a combined group the percent of graduates who are unemployed or who have an unknown status. Only 1.3% of the 2010-14 graduates are in this combined category. These results compare well with those of other institutions. The Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW), Georgetown University, studies employment outcomes for college graduates and has produced several robust reports that anyone
OUTCOMES BY GRADUATING CLASS
Methodology: Information gathered on each graduate through direct contact or by information provided by the graduate through social media, or through employment announcements posted on the Web. Information updated on October 15, 2015.
interested in the value of a college education would find helpful. According to their November 2015 report “Sharp Declines in Underemployment for College Graduates,” nationwide, the underemployment rate of college graduates has fallen from a high of 10.2% in 2010 to 6.2% in 2015. Just before the recession in 2008 the rate was 4.8%. Meanwhile, the underemployment rate for people with a high school degree and no college has fallen from a high of 22% in 2010 to 13% in 2015. In 2008 the rate was just over 10%. The underemployment rate includes those seeking work who are unemployed and those who are employed part time but seeking full time work. The underemployment rate is typically twice the unemployment rate. According to the report, the national underemployment rate overall is 9.8% while the unemployment rate is 5.0%. The CEW report highlights the advantages of a college education in terms of employment outcomes and also provides useful benchmark comparisons for BAC. Our graduates’ outcomes are tracking well by these measures, though we have included only recent graduates in the measure. We would like to expand our reporting to include those who attended or graduated from BAC over the last several decades. Two important resources that help us see what our graduates are doing are LinkedIn and the Bryn Athyn College Alumni Association. If you attended Bryn Athyn College and have not already done so please consider establishing
a LinkedIn account Please help us! We would like and indicate on your to expand our reporting to inprofile your affiliation clude those people who attended with Bryn Athyn Color graduated from BAC over the lege and positions held last several decades, and to keep since college. This inour records up to date. formation in LinkedIn • Maintain an updated LinkedIn would help us keep up account: www.linkedin.com with you and report a • Join the Alumni Association: more expansive set of www.brynathyn.edu/alumni outcomes. Our alumni’s active membership in the Bryn Athyn College Alumni Association is also a great help not only in tracking graduates’ outcomes but also in connecting our current students with a network of helpful • Let us know your story: Contact 267-502-2474 people interested in or Ivy.Daum@brynathyn.edu our students’ success. In addition to reporting quantitative results, we would like to share stories about what our graduates are doing. Please let us know your story. Ivy Daum (BAC ’15) is the receptionist at the College Office and would love to hear from you. She can be reached at 267.502.2474 or Ivy. Daum@brynathyn.edu. B RY N AT H Y N A LU M N I M AG A Z I N E
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alumni milestones
Rachel (Gladish) Boyce
Chara Odhner
LOVE & MARRIAGE Rachel Buss (‘15) and David Steen (‘14) married on June 14, 2015 in the Bryn Athyn Cathedral. Rachel Gladish (‘14) and Tyler Boyce married on August 8, 2015 in the Bryn Athyn Cathedral.
Rachel (Buss) and David Steen
CAREER
BABIES
Dylan Odhner (‘09), Michaela Boyesen (‘14), Greg Synnestvedt (‘15) and Becca Uber (‘15) are teaching at the Academy of the New Church Secondary Schools. Amy Dwyer (‘14) moved to the US from Australia and is teaching 3rd and 4th grades at the Washington New Church School. Lauryn Wagner (‘13) started working for Revolutionary Home Health in April as a field RN. In November she was promoted to Field Supervisor. Tori Hallstrom (‘15) was recently hired by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. 38 | W I N T E R 2 0 1 6
Dustin Synnestvedt (‘15) moved to Colorado and started DK Arts, a stained glass, painting, and ceramic art business, in partnership with Kara Cowley. The pair trained under Bryn Athyn College’s Ken Leap, as well as internationally recognized stained glass artist Peter McGrain. Both these mentors helped them to develop their style in fused glass. For more images of their work, check out DK Arts on Facebook, or TheRealDKArts on Instagram.
Erika Pitcairn (‘13) and husband Brendan welcomed twin boys, Ronan Wyatt and Riley Flint on September, 17.
On August 22 Dylan Hendricks (‘07) welcomed daughter Anna Hendricks Apud, with wife Talis and son Samuel.
Cheryl Cooper (‘05) and husband Robin welcomed their third boy, Elliot James, on October 29, 2015. He was eagerly welcomed home by big brothers Durban and Hayes.
The Optimistic Onion
Micah and Tania (Buss) Alden
Micah Alden (’12) and Tania Buss (’14) married on November 28, 2015 in the Bryn Athyn Cathedral. In May Chara Odhner (‘06) became engaged to Mike Smith from Philadelphia, PA. An October 2016 wedding is planned.
July 3rd, 2015, was the opening day for The Optimistic Onion, a food truck owned and operated by Tony Griffin (’10) and his business partner, Duncan Herder. This mobile business makes its way around Denver, Colorado, roving from markets to breweries to festivals, and then back to some more breweries. This tasty truck has gained quite a following, and its popularity even earned it some airtime on a few of the Fox Network news channels in Denver as a featured food truck of the week. Luckily, the fame hasn’t gone completely to their heads, and Tony and Duncan remain committed to supporting good causes that they care about. Their involvement in fundraising efforts like those for Nepal earthquake relief and for a program called Zach’s Miracles keeps them grounded and connected to their local community while also achieving a farther reach and impact around the world. They also haven’t forgotten where they come from. In a nod to their roots, the cooks included a Philly cheesesteak taco on their summer menu, which was wildly popular. They have also
teamed up with other Bryn Athynbased entrepreneurs and now incorporate Bill’s Best BBQ and Mira’s Homemade Granola into the local, seasonal, from-scratch street fare on their menu. Even though The Optimistic Onion is serving its delightful food thousands of miles away, the concept of community remains a central part of the team’s mission. Building on the support of friends and family from home, the food truck is launching into great success as the owners continue to network and create more connections in the Denver area. Tony says, “This business is about community…and its purpose is to build more of it. We are very humbled by the support we’ve been given, and are going to ride it into 2016!”
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In the next issue:
Spirituality at Bryn Athyn The Athletic Program 40Enrollment | W I N T E R 2 0 Dynamics 16
“To feel the joy of another as joy in oneself, that is loving.“ DIVINE LOVE AND WISDOM 47