T H E
C ARTHAGINIAN A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF CARTHAGE COLLEGE
SPRING 2016
J-TER M 2016
History’s concrete demands Beauty and brutality collide to shape Europe’s lasting identity
Also in this issue:
Serving Those Who Serve
carthage giving day 2016
day one.
one day.
huge impact.
the year it all began.
carthage giving day: april 7, 2016
donors needed to meet our goal
1847 184/7
1847
$200,000 is on the line for Carthage. Be one of 847 people to make it possible. Get a sneak peek into the action at carthage.edu/givingday and follow it on social media using #redandready.
On April 7, celebrate Carthage with alumni near you. Check out event locations at carthage.edu/givingday/events.
IN THIS ISSUE Feature Articles
SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE
12
Besties at the Pinnacle All-Americans Karen Chin ’16 and Emily Heuermann ’16 share chemistry on and off the volleyball court.
THE CAMPAIGN FOR CARTHAGE: PRIORITIES
internships and experiential learning
16
War, Unfiltered Using veteran interviews, the verbatim play ‘Afghanistan/Wisconsin’ loses nothing in translation.
19
20
An Uncorrected Wrong Student groups search for African-Americans denied GI Bill benefits.
To Our Heroes’ Health Alumni like PTSD service dog trainer Amy Pishner ’08 use their diverse skills to support service members.
Civilization ‘on a knife’s edge’
26 carthage.edu
From the beaches of Normandy to the landmarks of London, J-Term in Europe illustrates people’s ability to alter the precarious course of history.
24
Mission 2.0 Carthage serves as veterans’ base as they prepare to deploy in new civilian capacities.
1
IN THIS ISSUE Departments
THE CARTHAGINIAN Volume 95, Number 2
4
Faculty Notes
8
On Campus
Carthage College combines an environment of reflection and self-discovery with a culture of high expectation so our students uncover and ignite their true potential. A four-year, private liberal arts college with roots in the Lutheran tradition, Carthage has a prime location in Kenosha. The campus, an 80-acre arboretum on the shore of Lake Michigan, is home to 150 scholars, 2,600 full-time students, and 400 part-time students.
Professor Jennifer Madden was picked to develop a new master’s program in business design and innovation.
Installed to Lutheran studies professorship, Andrea Ng’weshemi brings knowledge of African influences.
Carthaginian Editorial Team Vice President for Communications
40 48 Page From the Past Class Notes
Dana Moore
Molly O’Shea Polk
Alumni share milestones in their careers and families.
Contributing Writers Managing Editor Mike Moore
Design & Art Direction
Reverberations from the distant World War I battlefields were felt at Carthage.
Johanna Heidorn ’13 Steve Janiak Kim King ’06
Photographers
3 7 41
Production
Tom Applegarth Christopher Bennett Dana Ehrmann ’15 Mike Moore Danelle Orange Louann Schoenberg Emmy Schwerdt ’19 Tyler Strohl ’16 Elizabeth Young
Karen Chin ’16 Brittney DeMik ’17 Johanna Heidorn ’13 Matt Thome ’17
President’s Message
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Reflections from Pastor Kara
David A. Straz Jr.
Notes from Lauren Hansen
President Gregory S. Woodward
Vice President for Institutional Advancement Evelyn Buchanan
CMYK
2
Spring Carthaginian 2016
Transparent PMS
For More Information The Carthaginian Office of Communications 2001 Alford Park Drive, Kenosha, WI 53140 262-551-6021 • editor@carthage.edu
Lend us your strength
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Bound for greatness, all hands on deck
A
s I travel around the country meeting Carthage alumni, a common thread in these introductions and conversations continually strikes me: Carthaginians want to give back. Alumni are grateful for the experiences they had while on campus, grateful for the education and mentoring that propelled them into full lives and rich professional pathways, and grateful for the many friends from Carthage who are still part of their daily lives. These feelings are all part of the many benefits that come from being a member of the Carthage family. My interactions with alumni are happy, positive, and deep with emotion, usually led by feelings of gratitude. There are about 19,000 of you now, a number that is growing rapidly as the bigger classes of the past decade or so add significantly to our pool of graduates. Can you believe it, 19,000? That’s a big family! I believe it is time to draw the chairs around the kitchen table, sip a nice, warm beverage on this chilly Wisconsin day, and have a family talk. No, it is not about a move to a new location, or a call for help, or any kind of crisis. It is simply this: Carthage sits on the brink of true greatness, and it is time for all of us to help push it to the next level. What do I mean by “true greatness?” I mean this is a college that has matured to a point where it is ready to join the first rank of private liberal arts colleges in the United States. I mean this is a college that has been so unwavering in its commitment to excellence that our graduates are establishing themselves as leading citizens across the country while enjoying productive and satisfying lives. I mean this is a college that has demonstrated almost unparalleled prominence in its sector
carthage.edu
through unbelievable success in enrollment, education, and fiscal strength. If you have not heard me say this before, get used to it now: Carthage provides an undergraduate learning experience and transformational environment that is absolutely second to none in higher education. Over the past 43 years, I have personally attended, taught, lectured, or worked at about a dozen outstanding educational institutions across the country, from the Ivy League to big state universities to small, private colleges. From this experience, I can tell you that nobody does undergraduate, residential, liberal arts and professional education better than Carthage. Let’s return now to that family talk around the table. How can our family help push us to the next level? What can you do, as I wrote in the last issue — one grateful alum at a time — to elevate the College just a little more? When one talks about giving back, it is often in the context of time, talent, and treasure. Some of you have been and will continue to be in a position to share your treasures with us, and for that we are deeply appreciative. Some of you may grow into that philanthropic position as your own lives unfold, but, along the way, the College can just as thankfully use your time and your talents. We need our alumni to enhance the learning experiences of our undergraduates in ways that only you can provide. Here are some of the many powerful activities in which you can give back to your alma mater. Some are memberships in special groups, some involve direct contact and mentoring for our students, and some are single events that could benefit from your time and talents.
• M entor a student through the Student Alumni Association Mentor Program • B ecome a social media ambassador and share your enthusiasm for Carthage with your network • G et involved with or start a new regional chapter in your area to provide an opportunity for alumni near you to get together • C reate or advertise a job or internship in your office for Carthage students • Reach out to your classmates and friends to encourage them to attend an event or get involved with a Carthage initiative All of these activities are directed at the educational and professional success of our students, and I can promise you that the reward in these efforts always goes both ways. I know you will get as much out of the experience as the students will. It is always inspiring to see your own efforts transform lives, while it is certainly gratifying to give back to a cause as noble and excellent as our special college. Write to alumnioffice@carthage.edu and the new adventure will begin! I can’t promise an instant role for you, but we will work diligently to find just the right avenue for your time and talents. So finish your tea or coffee, take the dog for a walk, and think about how you can become even a better member of our family. For all Carthaginians, true greatness will be our reward. In gratitude and friendship,
Greg Woodward
3
FACULTY NOTES
Updates on faculty and staff achievements
Master of the innovators Looking to start a master’s degree program in the burgeoning area of business design and innovation, Carthage is handing the keys to a leading expert — one who’s already in the fold. Jennifer Madden, an assistant professor of management and marketing, will direct the effort. The College recently submitted a formal proposal for a 10-month, 39-credit program to its accrediting agency. If it’s approved, students could enroll as early as fall 2017. Carthage modeled its proposed Business Design and Innovation sequence on award-winning programs at universities such as Gothenburg (Sweden), Aix-Marseille (France), North Carolina State, and Case Western Reserve (Cleveland) — Prof. Madden’s alma mater. Even Stanford and Johns Hopkins offer elements of it. Design, in this context, doesn’t mean graphic design. Instead, Prof. Madden explains that it signifies a creative approach to problem solving — one that’s especially valuable in business. “This would be great for any grad student’s skill set, finding creative ways to manage the complexities in life and work,” she said. “Business is so complex, we don’t have the luxury to think just Point A to Point B.” Prof. Madden learned that the hard way. Working in economic redevelopment in Detroit earlier in her career, she admittedly became so engrossed in the day-to-day tasks that something bigger — namely, the collapse of the housing market — blindsided her. “You can do a really good job, but if you don’t understand the interconnections, you could be
4
caught by surprise,” she said. Determined to fill in those knowledge gaps, she went back to school and completed a Ph.D. in management, with a focus on designing sustainable systems. As a consultant, Prof. Madden’s successful grant proposals brought in nearly $9 million for nonprofit organizations over the past year. Thomas Kline, vice president for strategic initiatives and continuing studies, noted that executives are increasingly embracing the designcentric mindset. A cover story in the September issue of the Harvard Business Review illustrated this trend. “Carthage is excited to be at the forefront of this movement, while preparing students for a host of career options after graduation,” Mr. Kline said. Feedback from graduates and a consultant’s report revealed a demand for a graduate business degree at Carthage, and faculty and administrators have spent the past couple of years evaluating the options. The Faculty Senate endorsed this concept at its October meeting. Market research showed this would be a relatively unique master’s offering in the region. That gives Carthage the potential to stand out in a market that’s already “flooded with less focused MBA programs,” according to an initial report from business faculty members. Now in her second year teaching at Carthage, Prof. Madden is eager to introduce others to the
principles she has used to help the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Since most professions require some level of business acumen, she believes a Business Design and Innovation program would have broad appeal. Students of any undergraduate major would be welcome. Plus, officials say design and innovation mesh naturally with the College’s emphasis on cultivating graduates who can think critically, solve multifaceted problems, and lead cross-functional teams. A mix of new and existing professors, all with practical experience, would teach the classes. “Professor Madden, an expert in the field, and our other world-class business faculty can provide students with an incredible learning experience that builds upon the strengths of our liberal arts curriculum,” Mr. Kline said.
Spring Carthaginian 2016
FACULTY NOTES
Two scores for selflessness in annual awards While introducing English professor Alyson Kiesel as the winner of Carthage’s 2016 Distinguished Teaching Award, Professor John Isham assured the audience that only one person alive would scoff at the choice. True to form, she did. Calling her selection “ridiculous,” Prof. Kiesel might just have been playing along. But the reaction jibes with what colleagues and students admire about her. Prof. Isham, last year’s recipient, called her “a meticulous perfectionist” who’s forever chasing her “unbelievably high standards”. Devoted students who follow her from class to class describe Prof. Kiesel with adjectives like candid, selfless, witty, and dedicated. Specializing in 19th century British literature, Prof. Kiesel has taught at Carthage since 2011. Last year, higher education website NerdScholar chose her for its “40 Under 40” list of the nation’s most inspirational young professors.
Faculty/Staff Notes Douglas Arion, professor of physics and astronomy and professor of entrepreneurship, was elected as a fellow to the American Physical Society (APS). Founded in 1899, APS annual inductions are limited to 0.5 percent of the total membership in the society. Prof. Arion was included in this year’s class “for groundbreaking work towards improving the educational impact of the physics degree by promoting the widespread adoption of entrepreneurship training and mindset within the discipline.”
Greg Baer, associate professor of modern languages, and Temple Burling, associate
The presentation came during the College’s annual Spring Gathering on Feb. 1, when EVS technician Chris Weinfurter also accepted the Distinguished Staff Award. Mr. Weinfurter came to Carthage in 2010. Primarily working the day shift in the H. F. Johnson Center for the Fine Arts, he eagerly tackles any other tasks needed for scholarship competitions, athletic events, and other special campus happenings. “Those are the things that give me energy,” he told the audience. Staff Council member and previous Distinguished Staff winner Chris Grugel gave the introduction. He said Mr. Weinfurter was an easy choice, as nominators painted a picture of a man “with a craftsman’s attitude of detail and perfection,” a contagious work ethic, and an evergreen smile. Mr. Weinfurter has worked in all kinds of settings. But this job means a lot more to him than a paycheck. “The product is people,” he said afterward. “That’s so unique.”
University of Southern California titled, “Happy in the Life to Come: 400 Years of Cervantine Afterlives.” Prof. Borden spoke on film adaptations of the classic novel “Don Quixote” before a special screening of a film produced by actor James Franco, who also spoke at the conference. Prof. Borden also shared the stage with director and “Monty Python” troupe member Terry Gilliam during a similar conference at the University of Iowa.
years of experience from the University of Findlay in Ohio, Xavier University in Cincinnati, and, most recently, Ohio Wesleyan University. She is a regional director of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators in Higher Education, the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession.
Peter Dennee ’86, associate professor of
received a $10,000 grant through the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium to fund student work and travel to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, over the summer. They’ll develop protocols to search for bacteriophage in samples returned from the International Space Station. Two other Carthage faculty members received WSGC grants: Lisa Anderson-Antle, visiting professor of nursing, who was awarded $10,000 to study a potential treatment of osteoporosis; and Brant Carlson, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, who got $6,000 to support Carthage’s first participation in the RockSat-X sounding rocket program.
music, and the Carthage Women’s Ensemble performed at the 2016 Biennial Conference of the North Central Division of the American Choral Directors Association in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Eduardo Garcia-Novelli, associate
professor of physics and astronomy, biology, and Great Ideas, received a $10,000 Group Study Visit Grant from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for their J-Term study tour Representations of Germany’s Past. See related story on page 26.
professor of music, spent a week as a resident conductor in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in January. He guest-conducted two concerts with the Chamber Choir and taught two seminars for students at the Ljubljana Academy of Music.
Matthew Borden, associate professor of
of student life and dean of students, came to Carthage in February. Ms. Goldsberry brings 25
Spanish, presented during a conference at the
carthage.edu
Kimberlie Goldsberry, vice president
Andrea Henle, assistant professor of biology,
5
continuing studies at Carthage
As a Carthage adult, professional, or graduate student, you will gain the knowledge and distinctive skill sets you need to take the next big step in your professional life. Carthage offers professional development opportunities including continuing education for teachers, personal enrichment, and a paralegal program, in addition to graduate studies in education and social work.
learn more carthage.edu/ocs Information Sessions | Career Services | Financial Aid | Veteran Opportunities CMYK
Transparent PMS
KARA BAYLOR
Laura Huaracha, associate professor of communication and digital media, was invited to exhibit her work at the Foundations in Art: Theory and Education Conference. Prof. Huaracha’s work will be part of an exhibit called “Inspiration: Foundation.” The exhibition runs through April 2 at Monmouth College in Illinois.
Perry Kivolowitz, assistant professor of computer science, received an NVIDIA award worth more than $5,000, as Carthage was named a GPU Education Center. The College receives access to hardware, software, NVIDIA experts and educational resources in the emerging field of parallel programming. Only one other university in Wisconsin has been given the designation.
Jan Owens, associate professor of management and marketing, won second prize at the national Direct Marketing Association/Marketing EDGE Jacobs & Clevenger Case Competition. Prof. Owens co-authored the pair of sports marketing case studies, titled, “Kentucky Speedway: Getting a Checkered Flag with Customers,” and “What's in a Name? Marketing the Redskins Brand.”
Sandra Siira, director of human resources, began her duties Jan. 25. Ms. Siira comes to Carthage from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, where she has been the director of human resources since June 2014. Before that, she had leadership roles with FedEx, Allen-Edmonds Shoe Corporation, and technology firm Magnetek.
Thomas Van Dahm, professor emeritus of economics, will have an original composition for recorder ensemble published by the American Recorder Society in early 2017.
carthage.edu
Piecing together a historic puzzle In November 1989, I was a sophomore at Luther College. My main concern that fall semester was making friends. My freshman year, I had suffered from an extreme case of shyness — so much that, during the fall semester of my sophomore year, other students asked if I was a transfer student, because they had no memory of me being on campus the year before. Needless to say, when the Berlin Wall came down that month, I was not paying attention to that major world event. Honestly, East Germany had been a country my whole life, so I really didn’t understand that Germany had not always been divided. There was so much I didn’t understand at that time about World War II and the Cold War that followed. Now that I have gone to Berlin for a J-Term study tour covering Martin Luther, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and the turbulent times of Germany, my understanding of that piece of history has grown immensely. I know there is much more to learn, and much that I will never fully understand. I believe the learning that I continue to do, along with the 17 students and my teaching partner on the tour, Professor Rom Maczka, will be enhanced by the fact that we stood in places with historical significance. Before departing, we watched the docudrama “Conspiracy” about the meeting at the Wannsee House, where leaders in the Nazi government put forth what they called “the Final Solution to the Jewish Question.” On our second full day in Berlin, we traveled on the wonderful public transit to the Wannsee House. It is now a museum that tells the story of what happened there and its impact on Germany and all of Europe.
It was there that we learned Hitler was democratically elected on the platform to dismantle democracy and make Germany great again. It was there that I was reminded, in the most powerful way possible, that none of us can be passive in our political system.
Experiencing the Wannsee House, then the concentration/labor/death camps that carried out the evil plan, then seeing the wall that cut off East from West, helped me to connect the dots of history in a deeper way than I ever could have by simply hearing about it in a classroom or reading a book. I was thankful that I was able to have the classroom learning/teaching experience. Then to have the chance to witness what we learned come alive was truly priceless. The trip was amazing, and the students who took the course soaked up every moment and every experience. There is so much more to tell, and I haven’t even touched on the Luther pilgrimage of our time in Germany. That will be another time, another article. Peace,
Rev. Kara Baylor Campus Pastor
7
ON CAMPUS
A glimpse of what’s happening in the Carthage community
Eye on Christianity’s southern shift Raised in Tanzania, newly installed Lutheran scholar saw trend up close Professor Andrea Ng’weshemi’s journey to his new position as the Jerald C. Brauer Chair for Lutheran Studies at Carthage began in East Africa. He was born and raised in Geita, a town near Lake Victoria in northwestern Tanzania — a religiously, socially, and economically diverse nation. He’s the oldest of six in a close-knit family. “We lived a very simple life,” Prof. Ng’weshemi said. “My parents did not own a lot of material stuff, but life was always full of joy and fun.” He fondly recalled creating handmade toys for his siblings and spending countless hours playing soccer with neighborhood friends. Soccer balls were scarce, so they improvised. “Sometimes we would make balls out of lint and cloth rugs,” he said. “I share these stories with my children every time we gather. That way, my childhood experience lives on.” Carthage officially installed him Oct. 30. Provost David Garcia, the College’s chief academic officer, welcomes the expertise this new hire brings. “At this time, there are more Lutherans in Dr. Ng’weshemi’s native Tanzania than there are in the United States. As a scholar of Lutheran studies and a member of our Religion Department, Dr. Ng’weshemi brings a fresh and timely focus on Christianity in the global south,” Provost Garcia said.
8
In his installation address and a recent interview, Prof. Ng’weshemi talked about the changing face of Christianity and its implications for Lutheran studies. Sixty-two percent of today’s Christians, he said, are from the global south (Africa, South America, and Asia). Plus, African countries are experiencing the fastest growth of Lutheranism, with about 13 million of the world’s 72.3 million Lutherans now living in Ethiopia and Tanzania. Behind that expansion, he said, are rapid population growth, translation of the Bible and liturgies into local languages, and the spread of Christianity through local religious leaders and agencies rather than foreign missionaries. With their experiences of poverty, persecution, exile, and refugeeism, Africans relate to the biblical story, Prof. Ng’weshemi said. Belief in the existence of evil spirits connects biblical and traditional African worldviews. In Africa and other southern regions, he said churches also tend to have charismatic leaders who are mission-oriented. That appeals to the poor and disenfranchised. Religion there is not considered a separate institution; it’s a way of life. Churches in the region are involved in schools, water and medical facilities, and social justice efforts. “Churches have a holistic approach,” Prof. Ng’weshemi said.
“They are concerned with the total human being — providing healing of mind, body, and soul.” Raised as a Lutheran, he made many Catholic, Anglican, and Muslim friends while attending high school in a town 200 miles from home. After looking into other denominations “out of curiosity,” his desire to pursue a vocation in his lifelong faith deepened. Prof. Ng’weshemi earned a Bachelor of Divinity from Makumira University College in Tanzania and was ordained in the Lutheran tradition. While serving as a university pastor, he was drawn to teaching religion at the college level. “That way, I would be able to assist young adults find meaning and purpose in life, discover their gifts,
and develop a sense that each human being has an obligation to make a meaningful contribution to the world,” he said. In the 1990s, the journey took him to the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, where Prof. Ng’weshemi earned a Master of Theology and a Ph.D. At the time, no institution in Tanzania offered advanced studies in religion and theology, so he had to go to Europe or North America. Before coming to Wisconsin, he held campus pastor and faculty positions at colleges in Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. At his installation ceremony, Carthage also honored the late William Lazareth, the first professor to hold the Brauer chair. Building on a gift from Bill and Doris Niemann, the Board
Spring Carthaginian 2016
ON CAMPUS
Tracing our spirit’s source How well do you know Carthage’s fight song? of Trustees established the professorship in honor of Jerald Brauer ’43. A church historian for four decades at the University of Chicago Divinity School, he served on the board during Carthage’s move to Kenosha and was elected trustee emeritus in 1990. Besides teaching general religion at Carthage, Prof. Ng’weshemi lends his intimate knowledge to such courses as Global Christianity, Jesus Beyond Christianity, Liberation Theology, and History of Christian Thought. He explained that, to maintain relevancy, churches in the global south have embraced new interpretations of faith that sometimes “look very different from the traditional North American and European interpretations.” Immigrant Christians bring diverse backgrounds and are likely to retain their cultural and religious values and identities. He said African Lutherans tend to be conservative with a high view of biblical authority, a common trend in Christianity on that continent. “It’s time to engage with these new Lutherans,” Prof. Ng’weshemi said. Although the differences between African and American Christianity seem obvious to him, he said, “the reality of the matter is I now live and work in this culture. I may have my own opinions on certain things, but I respect the ideas, decisions and choices of others.”
carthage.edu
If you’ve been to a home athletic event, you might be able to hum the music. At football games, the Pep Band plays it after every Red Men touchdown. But can you recite the lyrics? If so, give yourself a hearty pat on the back as a true Carthaginian. Don’t feel like a lesser alum if you couldn’t. Until the College recently started to print the words on game programs, few in the crowd knew they could sing along. As Carthage’s director of bands, Professor James Ripley wants to tap into the collective alumni memory bank. Leading an effort to restore and revise the fight song, he’s interested to learn more about its origin and tradition. Music student Angela Barone ‘16 of Antioch, Illinois, spent time last summer using software to restore the fight song to its original composition from the 1960s. “It has the same tune,” she said. “However, I made a few stylistic changes to the song to make it come alive.”
Prof. Ripley noted that the adjustments were needed because the music became oversimplified over time. “Her work over the summer was to take all of the original parts, correct some of the inconsistencies between articulation, rhythms and notes, and then work to rearrange some of the parts to place them in a more reasonable register for performance,” said Prof. Ripley, who is on sabbatical during the spring semester. Here’s what they know: The song was composed by Paul Karvonen and arranged by Merrill Brown, both members of the Carthage music faculty during the campus transition from Illinois to Wisconsin in the 1960s. The 1978 Driftwood yearbook indicates freshmen attended a mini-course to practice the “immortal” fight song. What else do you remember about the song? Please contact Prof. Ripley at jripley@carthage.edu to share your memories.
carthage fight song We've gotta fight, fight, fight For Carthage. We've gotta fight to win this game; Fight for Alma Mater for our College fame. We've gotta fight, fight, fight For victory. We've gotta score and score And score And make our Red Men victorious, Our champions forever more.
9
ON CAMPUS
This ‘Great Light’ measured in more than lumens All three performances of Carthage’s 2015 Christmas Festival “sold out” — tickets are free but must be reserved in advance — from Dec. 4-6. For those who couldn’t make it to campus, here’s a recap in numbers.
10
3,773
Combined attendance at the three performances
Spring Carthaginian 2016
1,057
Viewers watched the live performances or replay on the Carthage website (doesn’t include those who watched live via YouTube)
carthage.edu
347
Students performed, staffed, or volunteered
11
Festival’s rank on national list of Best College Holiday Events (from Best College Reviews)
11
ATHLETICS
Highlights from the court, field, track, pool, and course
all-american
12
Spring Carthaginian 2016
Emily Heuermann ’16 and Karen Chin ’16 have never had chemistry together. In the classroom, that is. Emily has taken chemistry courses as a neuroscience major, while Karen’s coursework has centered on graphic design. But the two Carthage seniors have more than made up the difference on the volleyball court. Their chemistry has been an invaluable component of the women’s volleyball team’s success the past four seasons, and this past season in particular. After sharing the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin regular-season title, the Lady Reds kept the conference tournament championship all to themselves. The senior duo propelled the team to the Final Four, finishing with a 35-8 record and falling just one match shy of the NCAA Division III championship game. In the process, each of them broke a major school record. Emily, playing the outside hitter position, became the all-time Carthage leader in kills with a nice, round 1,800. Karen, a setter, finished her career with 5,262 assists. Topping a long list of accolades, the American Volleyball Coaches Association voted both players onto its All-America team — Karen to the first team, Emily to the third team — and Karen took home the CCIW Player of the Year award for the second time.
carthage.edu
Oh, and they’re best friends, too. The social aspect of volleyball is what initially drew this dynamic duo onto the court. Karen says it’s where she’s always met friends, and Emily found volleyball’s constant team involvement appealing. “One person can’t win a volleyball game,” she said. “It takes three players involved in each play, and that is part of what I love.” They often made up two of those three players throughout their Carthage careers. Karen set the ball for the assist, allowing Emily to go for the kill. As that special connection strengthened over the years, the pair became attuned to each other’s playing style and personality. Each would rather discuss the other’s strong points than her own. Karen says she had confidence in her teammate from the get-go. “I knew that if I gave her the ball at game point, she would put it away,” she said of Emily. Karen added, “She has a way of speaking to our teammates and getting everyone to have the same mindset.” Emily described her setter as passionate and successful. “There is nothing that makes her happier than waking up on game day,” Emily said about Karen. She should know. They’ve been roommates throughout college. Head coach Leanne Ulmer has a unique perspective on how the two have grown the past four years, with talent, competitiveness, and goals already bonding them. “For Karen, she had to come out of her comfort zone a little and take more of a vocal role,” Coach Ulmer said. Over time, Karen did that, and many took notice. “She celebrated every point and had the best reactions to great plays by her teammates.” With Emily, the 14-year Carthage coach noted a different approach. “Emily doesn't show a lot of emotion on the court, but she is very intense and a fierce competitor,” Coach Ulmer said, yet the love
for her teammates always shined through. “Emily would be the one doing karaoke on the long bus rides and never minded putting herself out there for the team.” In turn, Emily’s teammates put themselves out there for her when her hometown of Washington, Illinois, was devastated by tornadoes in fall 2013. While Emily’s own home was not damaged, her mind was with many friends whose homes were. One day, she noticed her teammates wearing T-shirts that read “Washington Strong”. They had seen Facebook fundraisers for the shirts and bought them to show their support. “It was just a reminder of the class act girls I play with and how they would have looked for a way to help, no matter where the tornado hit,” Emily said. Poised to graduate this spring, the two seniors have been reminiscing a lot about their friendship, volleyball, and the intersection of the two. “It was awesome to have my best friend on the court with me, because in the game of volleyball it’s a mental game,” Karen said. “To know that Emily had my back every single point and every single game, I played with more comfort and confidence.” After completing a J-Term photography internship, Karen plans to hunt for a job in that field or graphic design. Emily is picking from a handful of three-year doctorate programs in physical therapy, ultimately hoping to put her neuroscience major to work in a hospital setting. “Volleyball was definitely the foundation to our friendship,” Emily added, “but, from there, I think we realized that we were bound to be friends either way.” Coach Ulmer summed up what they’ve meant over the past four seasons. “They have been terrific representatives of Carthage and our volleyball program,” she said. “They have been involved in so many aspects of Carthage academics and life, and they will be missed by all of us.”
13
ATHLETICS Men’s Soccer
Red Men grab first NCAA win The Red Men reached a major milestone in fall 2015, winning their first NCAA Division III tournament game. Carthage beat Ohio Northern University 3-2 in the first round at Ada, Ohio. The run ended in the second round with a 3-1 loss to Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Carthage finished 12-8-1 and earned the NCAA berth by winning the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin tournament. The National Soccer Coaches Association of America named Carthage’s Steve Domin one of six Wisconsin coaches of the year. It’s the second time he has received this honor. Giles Phillips ‘19 received the CCIW Newcomer of the Year award and earned multiple awards from the National Soccer Coaches Association: Division III AllCentral Region first team, All-Wisconsin first team, and as one of two Wisconsin defensive players of the year. Shane Reilly ’16, who moved from the midfield to the back line for the last onethird of the season because of teammates’ injuries, was recognized as the NSCAA Wisconsin Sportsman of the Year for his respect for the game, his teammates, and his opponents.
Women’s Water Polo
Coffman hired as head coach
Student-athletes step up service The Student Athlete Advisory Committee started 2016 with a charge to community service. SAAC comprises representatives from all 24 of Carthage’s varsity athletic programs and meets twice each month. The concept is mandated by the NCAA, but Carthage student-athletes have expanded its reach beyond the campus. This winter, SAAC members went to the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha with a big surprise. They donated 52 backpacks for children in need. This donation freed up the club’s own funds so it could provide school supplies to the children, as well. The group also volunteered at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Racine and Kenosha Counties Christmas dinner and hosted Special Olympics workshop events, a Soles4Souls holiday shoe drive, and a 3-point shot contest for Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. The two SAAC advisors on campus, Director of Athletic Operations Chris Barker and women’s swimming and diving head coach Beth DeLaRosby, help the executive board to identify and organize service opportunities. More are coming this spring. “The students come up with all of their own ideas. Beth and I don’t stop them; we want their creativity and passion,” Mr. Barker said. “I believe the senior members felt it was their time to step up and make SAAC their own.” Board member Lillian George ‘16, who competes in track and field for the Lady Reds, has spawned many ideas for service.
SAAC members and coaches gave out 52 backpacks to kids in need Jan. 8 at the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha.
“I think I have definitely become more serviceoriented throughout my time at Carthage, especially after going to Nicaragua last year for J-Term,” Lillian said. “At the end of the trip, we left some of our stuff for the people we stayed with. I realized we have so much, and it was an eyeopening experience. I know some athletes have a bunch of old tennis shoes, so that’s where the idea for Soles4Souls came in.” Youth groups are a favorite. SAAC president Kevin Plazak ’16 said athletes on the committee consider themselves role models to young fans who attend their events. Kevin, who competes in both track and field and cross country, noted that coaches nominate athletes for their “leadership, commitment to their program and to Carthage, and their desire to make a difference in the community.” So you could say service is built into the group’s DNA.
Laura Coffman became the fifth head coach in program history. She was the head coach at the Gilman School in Baltimore from 2008 to 2011. She was the first female varsity head coach in the all-boys independent school's 117-year history. A Chicago native, Coach Coffman is a member of the 1999 Illinois Water Polo Hall of Fame class. She competed with the Team USA Women's Senior National Team. She takes over for Andy Bax, who led the Lady Reds from 2012 through 2015.
14
Spring Carthaginian 2016
CATCH YOUR RED MEN AND LADY REDS at your desk, at home, or on the go!
No matter where you are in the world, stay connected with Carthage Athletics. Watch dozens of free live video streaming events all year on your television, computer, smartphone, or tablet.
Check team schedules at gocarthage.com
F E AT U R E S T O RY
SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE FE AT U R E S TO RY
War, in the words of those who fight it
R
ather than summoning dialogue from a muse to fill her script, playwright Laurel McKenzie ’16 collected direct quotes from service members and their spouses whose lives have been impacted by the longest war in American history.
16
A sniper going through post-traumatic stress disorder. A chaplain who struggled with issues of sexual identity. A soldier who helped husbands to connect with wives and children thousands of miles away. The experiences of these and many others coalesced into a narrative that simultaneously represented the numerous positive and negative feelings that inevitably arise from a life in the military. Directed by theatre professor Martin McClendon, “Afghanistan/ Wisconsin” premiered on campus in September. But what made this production so unique was the touring, as the Theatre Department brought performances to public venues around the state — including one at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison. Judges selected the play for performance at the Kennedy Center’s American College Theater Festival Region III celebration in Milwaukee in January. There, the cast earned the Regional Certificate of Merit for Excellence in Performance — Ensemble award.
Spring Carthaginian 2016
An artistic outlet What started as a series of interviews became a sort of therapeutic release for the veterans who were interviewed — including some on campus. “I felt respected and heard by Laurel and Martin,” said U.S. Navy veteran and Carthage social work major Kai Loberg ’16. “Opening up as much as many of us did can definitely evoke feelings of self-consciousness and just omni-directional wondering. I felt free to lay out my experiences, and so I did. They really brought out candid, heartfelt sharing.” In addition to giving an interview, U.S. Army veteran Lawrence Gums ’17 worked with actors to make the play as accurate as possible. He felt that seeing the play multiple times helped him surface emotions he was holding in. “I was forced to remember things and work through them,” he remarked. “Seeing the play over and over again and working with the actors made me acknowledge things. It gets easier, but it’s still something to deal with.” While the entire performance drew emotions to the surface for both performers and the audience, perhaps the most emotional aspect came after the play. “The talk-back is almost like a third act of the play,” Prof. McClendon said. “We’ve had parents of veterans explain that they didn’t understand why their son or daughter was distant and wanted to be alone when they returned from duty say that they’re going to call immediately and apologize for not at all understanding what they were going through. We’ve even had a parent of a fallen soldier stand up and just say ‘Thank you.’ There’s often tears shed during the talk-back, and it’s profoundly emotional and extremely rewarding.”
carthage.edu
Sweating the details The play took form during Laurel’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience, with Prof. McClendon as her faculty mentor. “I just wanted the play to be more real and honest, and to give their stories justice,” the theatre and history major said. “I saw a play at the American College Theater Festival that dealt with the conflict but was completely fictional. I wanted to give veterans the opportunity to let the general public know about their experience.” After compiling more than 40 hours of interviews on tape, Laurel spent the rest of her summer crafting that content into a two-act play. She considered what would play narratively on stage in front of an audience. “One thing I absolutely didn’t want was for the play to just turn into talking heads giving monologues to the audience,” Laurel remarked, “so I used their examples of things that happened to them to create dialogue and create interaction among the other actors.” The actors, who were cast before the play shifted to the verbatim approach, threw themselves into their roles. They went through 12 weeks of U.S. Army physical fitness training and worked with Lawrence to get minute aspects of their characters down pat. Actors learned the correct way to hold weapons, and
17
F E AT U R E S T O RY
SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE FE AT U R E S TO RY
costume designer Kim Instenes created uniforms that perfectly resembled what the veterans wore. The attention to detail even extended to the proper way to stand, something the veterans learned immediately at boot camp. “It was very important to me that everything in the play be as accurate as possible,” Lawrence said. “If I noticed something, even something as small as a drill sergeant’s cadence being off, I’d let them know about it. I was in the Army, so if it involved another branch, I would go and research it.”
“ T hey showed mastery of their craft. It was uncomfortable and visceral and jagged on the edges...”
18
Beyond the stage A lot of plays have a certain shelf life. They’re rehearsed, performed, and then ended. This one will live on in a variety of forms. The “Afghanistan/Wisconsin” script will be made available royalty-free and will even be adapted and performed at Laurel’s high school in Appleton, Wisconsin. The recordings of the veterans will be archived at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum to serve as an oral history of the conflict and its impact on soldiers from the area. One of the project interviewees, openly gay military chaplain Col. Karis Graham-Oliphant, visited campus to elaborate on her own feelings of exclusion. As part of a packed itinerary, she gave a talk titled, “Why Fit In When You’re Meant To Stand Out?” where she encouraged students to be themselves — even if that goes against social norms. The play continues Carthage’s run of success in the Kennedy Center competition. Since 2010, six Carthage productions have been chosen to participate in the regional theater festival. “It’s a high honor to be selected to go, and we don’t take that lightly,” said Prof. McClendon. “Dozens of schools from around the Midwest submit productions, and only five to eight get selected every year. You don’t end up at KCACTF by accident.” The project also served as a fundraiser and has raised more than $2,300 for three organizations: • Team Rubicon, which teams military veterans with first responders to provide rapid disaster relief • Wisconsin-based Custom Canines, which trains and provides service dogs at no cost for veterans coping with post-traumatic stress disorder • Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin, which distributes household necessities to veterans in their new homes The finished product mirrored Kai’s own memories. He sees lasting value in the verbatim project. “It was surreal seeing my recollections, normally always quiet and only in my own mind, being shared so vividly and clearly in a way that otherwise would not ever happen,” he said. “The whole Theatre Department absolutely nailed it,” Kai continued. “They showed mastery of their craft. It was uncomfortable and visceral and jagged on the edges in order to give the audience a strong sense of the experiences, thoughts, motivations, highs, lows, the ordinary, the extraordinary. What they captured would be rare and invaluable, in my mind.”
Spring Carthaginian 2016
F E AT U R E S T O RY
SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE
Students work to honor nation’s broken promise
R
eturning home from battle after World War II and the Korean War, some African-American veterans found the GI Bill’s promise of access to a college education to be hollow. Researchers have compiled disturbing evidence that discrimination in government and higher education prevented some black service members from taking full advantage of those benefits. The scope of those denials remains unclear. Were 500 veterans shut out, or more like 50,000? That’s where two student organizations at Carthage picked up the trail. Together, the campus chapter of Black Student Union and United Women of Color intend to close in on that answer. And, ultimately, the students would like the findings to help right a historic wrong. They recently contacted the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies, asking for help in identifying the victims and verifying their claims. For their part, 10 BSU members are combing through existing research and court documents, before moving on to personal interviews. The groups want to compile a database of black veterans in Wisconsin who missed out on the GI Bill’s educational perks. Professor Sandie Bisciglia, Carthage’s director of diversity, and Visiting Professor of Education Michele Hancock will advise them. It could take several years to complete the
carthage.edu
database. In support — and as a challenge to other colleges to follow suit — Carthage President Gregory S. Woodward pledged to offer an extra Multicultural Leadership Scholarship to a descendant of one such veteran. The students even met with a Wisconsin state representative to share their plan and suggest possible legislation down the road. Six members from Carthage revealed their ambitious project in November at the National Black Student Union Conference. The enthusiastic response caught the attention of BSU president Briyanna Sanders ’17, considering the attendance skews toward larger universities. “A lot of people were shocked,” she said. The idea came from “Waking Up White” by Debby Irving, a book Prof. Bisciglia read and discussed with BSU members. The topic hit home for Briyanna, whose dad served in the U.S. Air Force for roughly 20 years. An article in the Winter 1994-95 issue of the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education noted that, two years after the GI Bill’s passage, “only one-fifth of the 100,000 blacks who had applied for educational benefits had been registered in college.” That could mean many things, but Prof. Bisciglia has connected enough dots to fear the extent of the discriminatory damage. “We know that it happened,” she said. “We now want to verify it officially.”
Six Carthage students attended the National Black Student Union Conference in November, where they presented plans for the ambitious GI Bill project. Photo courtesy of JB and Janet Elzy, National Black Student Union.
19
F E AT U R E S T O RY
SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE FE AT U R E S TO RY
Their areas of expertise are vastly different, but they share an ultimate goal: to improve the lives of the men and women who return from battle.
Heroes’ holistic health
20
Fall Carthaginian 2015
Valor K9 Academy owner Amy (Glunn) Pishner ’08 explains the elaborate process needed to prepare service dogs to support veterans.
Meet a few of the Carthaginians who are working to ease that adjustment. Of course, some wounds often run deeper than physical wounds. Each of these alumni addresses a different element of veterans’ health.
emotional AMY (GLUNN) PISHNER ’08 Owner, Valor K9 Academy
Born on an Air Force base in Wyoming, Amy (Glunn) Pishner ’08 found her mission at age 8. She just didn’t realize it until much later. That year, her family adopted Lady, a border collie mix. Considering a previous owner had abused Lady, the dog came with more responsibilities than filling a food dish and taking walks. “Lady and I worked together every single day to rebuild her trust in people and boost her confidence,” Ms. Pishner said. “We trained in obedience, agility, and tricks training for contests and show-and-tell at school. I also used her to help train the neighbors’ dogs. “The bond I shared with Lady ignited my passion for dogs and dog training.” She let that passion simmer while studying Spanish and international political economy at Carthage and swimming for the Lady Reds. Graduation led to unique opportunities, first as an English and economics teacher in Ecuador and later in intelligence operations for the U.S. Air Force. continued on next page
carthage.edu
How long does it take to train a PTSD service dog? It takes anywhere from 6 to 18 months. Although many clients volunteer their own pets, only a small percentage of those dogs possess the necessary temperament and abilities to be trained as a service dog. In those cases, Valor works with the individual to find and train an animal that fits his or her needs. What dog breeds are best-suited for it? Any breed or mixed breed can be trained; however, the most common breeds used in service dog work are German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, poodles, and poodle cross-breeds such as Goldendoodles and Labradoodles. What can a PTSD service dog do for its handler? Here are a few of the commands the dogs are trained to perform: • Disrupt emotional overload: The dog uses tactile stimulation, usually by licking the handler’s face. For overloads that occur in school or the workplace, a large dog is trained to stay within reach of handler at all times while a small dog is trained to sit in the handler’s lap. Petting the dog is a relaxation technique.
on lights, bring the television remote (TV provides visual and audio stimuli), fetch a beverage or medication, or even initiate a game of tug-of-war. A dog also is trained to apply deep pressure by lying against the handler’s abdomen or chest, producing a calming effect. • Wake up partner for work or school: The dog is trained to respond to the alarm clock by jumping on the bed and licking handler’s face. The dog also can be trained to respond to an internal alarm clock to wake up handler at a scheduled time. •C rowd control or panic prevention in public: Trained to brace itself against the handler, a dog also can be taught to circle the handler repeatedly to keep people at a safe distance and to “watch my six” by standing behind the handler to provide a feeling of safety. •F orestall fear of hidden intruders: Trained to listen and remain on alert, the dog also can search the house before the handler enters, and to turn on lights before the handler enters the room.
• ‘ Break the spell’ during night terrors, hallucinations, or flashbacks: The dog usually nudges the handler or barks until the handler acknowledges. If that doesn’t work, the dog is taught to turn
21
F E AT U R E S T O RY
SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE FE AT U R E S TO RY
Lady still tugged at her thoughts. Stationed in Goldsboro, North Carolina, for five years, Ms. Pishner spent her free time helping at the animal shelter and fostering dogs for a local rescue group. When she completed her Air Force commitment, the road ahead was brightly lit. Ms. Pishner used her educational benefits from the Post-9/11 GI Bill to earn dog trainer certifications and started Valor K9 Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She and her husband, Justin, recently moved to Spokane, Washington, where the training facility is dedicated in memory of Lady. Another trainer continues to staff the facility in Chattanooga. Ms. Pishner trains dogs (and their owners) for all kinds of purposes. Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injuries make up about one-quarter of her worldwide clientele. Disturbed by fellow service members’ struggles with the transition to civilian life, she cites statistics suggesting as many as 22 American veterans commit suicide each day. “Knowing that my work is playing a small role in helping veterans is incredibly rewarding,” Ms. Pishner said. So is watching the impact get multiplied. One client was moved to start a nonprofit in Georgia that matches dogs with veterans, and another became a volunteer trainer at her local shelter. Being bilingual does nothing to bridge the language gap with a Spanish water dog. But Ms. Pishner constantly draws from the lessons she took from her secondary education classes and especially as the head of the Carthage chapter of foreign language honor society Alpha Mu Gamma. “Being president of an organization taught me how to lead large groups of people, organize events, delegate responsibility, and speak confidently in public,” she said. “Those skills follow me today as I teach group classes, host fundraisers for local nonprofit animal rescue groups and run a multistate business.”
22
spiritual REV. DANIEL L. GARD ’75, PH.D. Deputy Chief of Chaplains for Reserve Matters, U.S. Navy
During his 28 years as a military chaplain, Rev. Daniel L. Gard counseled service members in some of the most emotionally challenging settings imaginable. He was there for recovery operations in Washington after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He was there for Operation Iraqi Freedom. More recently, he was assigned to Guantanamo Bay. Rev. Gard’s experiences solidified his view that spiritual guidance is critical for the armed forces. Like the helicopter pilot who grappled with how to explain his job to his family after a girl the same age as his daughter was killed in an operation. Or the crew that found a Pentagon staffer’s body at his desk, where his wife’s “I love you” instant message went unanswered. “Not only is it a constitutional right of service members and families to have the free exercise of religion, it is vital to ensure their readiness,” Rev. Gard wrote. “We ask much from those who serve and put them in challenging spiritual situations. In a different but equally important way, spiritual guidance is as needed as medical, physical, psychological and military skills support.” Although they’re noncombatants, chaplains go where the troops go — to “kneel in the mud,” as one of his sailors memorably phrased it. That, along with the promise of confidentiality, helps chaplains to earn the trust of sailors and soldiers. They do their best to offer a soothing word, but that’s not always possible. “At times all one can do is listen, shed a tear with another and pray together that God’s peace will replace the turmoil of our circumstances,” he wrote. Rev. Gard, who in civilian life serves as the president of Concordia University Chicago, has transitioned from a pastoral role in the military to a facilitator. He helps to lead 500 chaplains and enlisted religious program specialists who minister to those in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
Spring Carthaginian 2016
occupational
science and policy BRAD WIPFLI ’02, PH.D.
Staff Scientist, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences Brad Wipfli never served in the military, but his service to the military is considerable. He’s involved in SERVe, or the Study for Employment Retention of Veterans. The study seeks to improve personal and family health among Oregon veterans and increase their job retention. Unemployment rates for veterans were double the national average for the civilian population in 2014. Mr. Wipfli said some have a hard time keeping a job when they return from deployment. A main goal of the project is to train supervisors to better support veterans in the workplace. “I see what I’ll call a social injustice,” Mr. Wipfli said, “and I see a way I can help that’s fitting in my work structure.” Led by principal investigator Leslie Hammer, the team also is researching the toll that widespread unemployment takes on veterans’ families — especially children. It’s one of the first significant efforts to study the reintegration and employment of the armed forces. Mr. Wipfli’s training puts him in position to help rectify an untenable situation. Systems are in place to ensure service members’ jobs are in place when they return from deployment. Helping them to keep those jobs as they deal with the long-term effects of that deployment is where society lacks. “There’s really no good training for supervisors to accommodate some of the changes veterans might face when they’re returning to work,” he said. The study runs through 2018. Mr. Wipfli and colleagues expect to start publishing their findings in the next few months. For more information, visit servestudy.org.
carthage.edu
STEVEN FRENK ’05, PH.D.
Senior Service Fellow, National Center for Health Statistics Since 2013, Steven Frenk has worked at the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Hyattsville, Maryland. His work on the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey inspired him to conduct research on veterans’ health. Using data from personal interviews and physical examinations, NHANES assesses the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States. Mr. Frenk’s unique approach could provide a more complete picture of veterans’ health than other studies that rely solely on data from Veterans Health Administration patients. The payoff? He believes policy makers could use that information to design better health policies and programs for veterans. Last summer, Mr. Frenk published an article in the journal Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety based on NHANES data. He found that, since 1999, veterans are using psychotropic medications such as sedatives and anti-depressants at a higher rate than the civilian population. Is that good news or bad news? To answer that question, Mr. Frenk’s next study will analyze “whether higher use is due to veterans having more mental health problems or better access to health care via the health insurance benefits they receive.” The Carthage alumnus refuses to engage in turf wars. To spur collaboration, he organized and chaired a session at the 2015 National Conference on Health Statistics that highlighted groundbreaking veterans’ health research at several federal agencies.
23
F E AT U R E S T O RY
SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE
On to new ZACHARY PAUL ’16
T
his spring, 46 enrolled Carthage students are receiving educational benefits through the different veterans’ programs. Some are spouses or children of those who served, but often the veterans themselves come to kick-start bold plans for their post-military careers. Meet a few of these Carthaginians as they describe where they’ve been and how their service in the armed forces shaped where they’re going.
Major: Accelerated Certification for Teachers program Served: Enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2009, worked in the
JP FLORES ’17
ODESSA TORREZ ’17
Major: Graphic Design Served: Six years in the Marine Corps Reserve; deployed from 2009 to 2011, he spent 10 of those months as a military police officer in Afghanistan Determined to do his part, JP had to “beg, borrow, and steal” for the chance to deploy. He provided security for a towing crew in the war zone, suffering various injuries that ended his plan to be a military lifer. Unready for re-entry, he had to be coaxed off the bus in Wisconsin. Faith and family finally prodded JP to search for a new purpose, and Vocational Rehabilitation funds covered all of his expenses at Carthage. Unable to grip a pen, he relied on classmates’ notes and professors’ slides. Design avoids those limitations and fits his fastpaced mind, while filmmaking on the side offers him an escape.
MIKE LACKNEY ’17
Major: Biology Served: 26 years in the U.S. Navy as a Corpsman, enlisting in 1986 and retiring in 2012 as a senior chief petty officer Mike Lackney is taking prerequisite courses so he eventually can earn a Master of Science degree and become a physician assistant in the civilian workforce. In 17 years as an independent duty corpsman, the Navy’s forerunner to physician assistants, he spent much of his time in uniform as a one-man medical shop with little personnel support. Mike earned a bachelor’s degree in health care administration during his service in the Navy. After countless duty stations together, he and his wife likely will move again once he completes his academic checklist.
24
security forces as a gate guard and patrol dispatcher Zachary didn’t join the military to travel. He didn’t join for adventure. He joined for the G.I. Bill. Previously from Zion, Illinois, he always planned to return to the region and knew he wanted to teach. The Air Force’s renowned quality of life allowed time for school and work, and Zachary earned a bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy. Job security led him to pursue certification in special education at Carthage while he fulfills the student-teaching requirements at a middle school in nearby Racine, Wisconsin. He expects to complete the ACT program this summer.
Major: Political Science (concentration in International Relations)
Served: A total of 19 years in the U.S. Army, now attached to a reserve unit at Fort Sheridan, Illinois; deployed to Iraq in 2004-05 as a dental hygienist, participated in five humanitarian deployments to Central America, and taught hand-to-hand combat techniques With a military career that has ranged from cleaning teeth to teaching personal defense, Master Sgt. Odessa Torrez embodies the interplay between hawks and doves. At 5-foot-4, she uses MMA-style techniques to take down 200-pound guys. But she also has seen that humanitarian acts — even scraping plaque — can help to befriend a nation, yielding an ally down the road when conflict is unavoidable. Odessa hopes to find work at the U.S. Department of State or the FBI. She came here after realizing that her understanding of the larger world, and the effects of policy, fell short. “I felt like Carthage provides a really strong base for being an intellectual,” she said, “and not just getting a degree.”
Spring Carthaginian 2016
missions BRIAN KRAGH ’16
Major: Mathematics Served: Eight years in the Marine Corps as a meteorological and oceanographic analyst; deployed to Kosovo, twice to Iraq, and to Kyrgyzstan during the Afghanistan war His forecasts helped officers as high-ranking as generals decide whether missions should proceed. But Brian felt even more stress later, monitoring storms at 30+ PGA Tour events each year — although safety came first, “nobody wants to watch Brian the weather guy interviewed” instead of the star golfers. Blocked from advancing in meteorology without a degree, he switched gears. With his Navy wife stationed in Illinois — they met as running partners in Afghanistan — Brian warmed to Carthage’s proximity and intimate feel. Transferring credits from a Rhode Island community college, he enrolled in 2014 and is eyeing a career in actuarial science.
“ I enjoy being around the younger kids. It’s helpful to be in tune with what’s important to them. That’s going to influence me in my career.” — Brian Kragh ’16
carthage.edu
25
Of monsters and marvels Human capacity for bravery, brutality, and beauty on display in Europe
THE CAMPAIGN FOR CARTHAGE: PRIORITIES
internships and experiential learning
I
t is impossible to stand on Pointe du Hoc and not think about the moon: the violent collision that led to its formation, but mostly the beating it received in the 4.5 billion years since. The pummeling from asteroids, meteoroids, and comets that left its surface scarred by craters. Impact after impact after impact. Pointe du Hoc? “It’s like the moon, with grass,” says Carthage history professor Eric Pullin, as he and 20 students survey the bombcratered cliff rising 30 meters above the English Channel. On June 6, 1944, 225 U.S. Army Rangers scaled the rocky cliff to capture and neutralize a German battery, as more than 50,000 American troops fought on the Normandy beaches below. In the months leading up to D-Day, Allied planes had rained bombs on Pointe du Hoc, smashing German gun pits, damaging concrete casemates, and gouging deep craters in the earth. The bombardment forced the Germans to move many guns inward before the D-Day invasion, which saved countless lives and helped the Allies turn a crucial corner in their fight against Nazi Germany. “We really have no idea how close they came to winning the war,” Prof. Pullin says. “Perhaps there were as many as 9,000 casualties on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. It was a tremendous bloodbath for the Americans, but also a great victory.” “Seeing it in person,” says Hannah Becher ’17, “you can imagine what D-Day was like and how emotional it was. You can imagine the chaos that happened that day.” The cratered landscape starkly contrasts to the man-made majesty of the days before. Not 24 hours earlier, the students stood inside Notre Dame Cathedral and marveled at what thousands of hands built over 182 years. They posed for photographs in front of the Eiffel Tower, and admired the sculptural reliefs carved into the Arc de Triomphe. Days before that, they had seen London’s Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the elaborate mazes of the London Underground. They had toured the British Royal Navy light cruiser HMS Belfast, and examined World War II planes on display in London’s Royal Air Force Museum. Every stop so far had told a story of incredible vision, planning, and artfully precise execution — human ingenuity realized in every archway, tunnel, beam, bolt, and stained glass window. Pointe du Hoc presents a twist on the story. Here, thousands of hands, incredible planning, and precise execution resulted in a drastically different kind of man-made landscape — one necessitated by the horrors of a terrible war.
Big Ben Many believe the nickname refers to the Elizabeth Tower, the Great Clock, and the Great Bell within the tower, but it actually just refers to the bell. It rang for the first time in July 1859 but cracked a few months later. Big Ben was turned a quarter turn, the hammer replaced with one of a lighter material, and a small square was cut into the bell to keep the crack from spreading. Big Ben has struck ever since. Notre Dame Shannon Cadagin ’17 admires one of three stained glass rose windows in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Construction of the cathedral began in 1163; the dedication took place almost two centuries later, in 1345.
25
24 28
Normandy American Cemetery
Pointe du Hoc
Brilliant white Lasa marble crosses and Stars of David mark 9,387 graves in the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, located on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach. The cemetery was built on the site of the temporary American St. Laurent Cemetery, which was established by the U.S. Army two days after D-足Day. The Normandy American Cemetery, dedicated in 1956, consolidated 10 temporary cemeteries the U.S. had established in the region. After the war, families could decide whether to leave their loved ones in Normandy or bring them back to the United States. Sixty percent of families opted to bring their loved ones home.
Pointe du Hoc rises 30 meters above Utah Beach to the west and Omaha Beach to the east. The Germans had heavily fortified the cliff, so disabling the German gun battery was critical to the success of the Normandy invasion. The cliff was intensely bombed by the Allies in April 1944 and again leading up to D-足Day. On June 6, 1944, 225 U.S. Army Rangers scaled Pointe du Hoc to battle the Germans. Only 90 rangers were still fighting when the relief force arrived two days later.
Spring Carthaginian 2016
THE CAMPAIGN FOR CARTHAGE: PRIORITIES
internships and experiential learning
Studying the human impact on the world’s landscape, for better and worse: That is J-Term at Carthage. Study tours connect the dots between lecture and life, making history palpable for the hundreds of students who participate in study tours every year. For the students who traversed Europe in January 2016, it was an eye-opening look at marvels, masterpieces, and monsters. “People really get hammered by truths that they never had before,” says religion professor Romwald Maczka, whose study tour Luther, Bonhoeffer, and Germany’s Turbulent Times took students to see sites important to the Reformation, but also to three Nazi concentration camps. “Their perspective on humanity is just transformed.
Last week, they were just happy people going around. This week, they’ve realized that all of civilization is on a knife’s edge. “It can disappear” — he snaps his fingers — “like that.” The purpose of J-Term isn’t to horrify. It’s to embolden students to stake their claim in the world, to realize their place in history, and to deeply absorb the impact human decisions have on the Earth and its people. “My own feeling is that students start to think about war as something that is very real, painful, ugly, and dirty,” says Prof. Pullin, leading the World War II study tour for the second year. “Mostly I want them to realize that World War II is the greatest cataclysm of the 20th century. It shapes
absolutely everything in international history since 1945.” After Pointe du Hoc, the group heads to Omaha Beach, and then to the Normandy American Cemetery. There, students walk solemnly among the white marble crosses stretching in every direction, perfectly aligned, not a corner out of place. They pause at headstones for soldiers from Wisconsin; for Robert and Preston Niland from New York, two brothers killed a day apart during the Normandy invasion; and for those never named: Here rests in honored glory / a comrade in arms / known but to God. Taking in the 9,387 graves, a student comments, “These are the people who saved the world.”
“In the United States, we prefer history to be a happy story, even when it isn’t always. In Germany, there are so many unhappy stories that they can’t be swept under the carpet. They have to be acknowledged.”
Nazi Concentration Camps All of the professors who led history-focused study tours in Germany in January 2016 included a visit to at least one Nazi concentration camp. Dachau (pictured) was the first concentration camp in Germany. The trench and barbed-wire fence were part of the camp’s “security” measures. The camps’ “crematorium” buildings brought many students to tears. The Nazis called the facility the crematorium, but “this is not a crematorium,” said Buchenwald tour guide Julia Treumann. “A crematorium is used for burial. It has honor. Here, they just wanted to get rid of the corpses. It had nothing to do with dignity, or honor, or respect. They just dumped the ashes in the forest like garbage. It is not a crematorium.”
carthage.edu
29
Berlin Wall The East Side Gallery in Berlin is a 1.3-Âkilometer section of the Berlin Wall. In 1990, 118 artists from 21 countries painted this section to express the joy widely felt at the wall’s fall. This act previously would have been allowed only in West Berlin.
24 30
Spring Carthaginian 2016
THE CAMPAIGN FOR CARTHAGE: PRIORITIES
internships and experiential learning
reclaim. rebuild. “The glorious heights of great culture and the depths of great terror.” Saving the world is an ongoing endeavor. Perhaps there’s no better place to acknowledge this reality than in Berlin, a city constantly confronting its past as it seeks to right its future. The capital of Germany has been rebuilding for decades — first, after so much was destroyed during World War II; and still today, after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and reunification in 1990. Carthage professors Gregory Baer and Temple Burling teamed up in January for their study tour Representations of Germany’s Past: Berlin, Dresden, and Munich. Supported in part by a grant from the Federal Republic of Germany through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the course aims to examine how stories of German history are told by its buildings, objects, places, and people, and how those stories have changed over time. Explains Prof. Baer: “What we’re trying to do, and what the German program at Carthage tries to do, is help our students understand all of Germany’s past: the glorious heights of great culture and the depths of great terror, and how that is part of an ongoing dialogue with modern day Germany.” Take the Reichstag, one of the study tour’s first stops in Berlin. Like many German landmarks, the Reichstag has a complicated history. Completed in 1894, it housed the parliament until 1933, when it was severely damaged in a suspicious fire a month after Adolf Hitler became chancellor. Hitler blamed the communists and used the fire to seek, and gain, emergency powers. The building was riddled with bullets and mortar fire in World War II, and triumphantly captured by the Soviet army during the Battle of Berlin in 1945. It sat in ruins for decades, receiving a partial restoration in the 1960s. After the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990, famed British architect Norman Foster
carthage.edu
led a major restoration and renovation — one that preserved the building’s layers of history, including its war scars. Today the Reichstag is a symbol for German democracy, housing the German Bundestag (parliament) and drawing 2 to 3 million visitors each year. Inside, visitors can see walls damaged by bombs and bullets, and graffiti scrawled by the Soviet soldiers, exquisitely incorporated into its design. “The Reichstag is a really great example of how Germans embrace the whole spectrum of their history in ways that are just unimaginable to Americans,” Prof. Baer explains. “Can you imagine if you went to the White House and they had a section where the walls were burned, and it said, ‘This is where the British burned the White House during the War of 1812’? And the fact that they have Russian graffiti inside the parliament building of their country, from the soldiers who occupied their country, and it’s been purposefully preserved in this beautiful modern building. I love how they were able to combine tradition and innovation.” Another example is the current refugee crisis. Last year, Germany accepted the largest number of asylum-seekers of all European countries; nearly 500,000 Syrian refugees fled to Germany in 2015. “The reason Germany and [German chancellor] Angela Merkel are so insistent that the country be open to refugees is a direct result of the fact that Germany expelled and murdered millions of people in World War II,” Prof. Baer says. “The Germans decided in a very intentional way that they were going to be a country of asylum after that. Now they have to face up to the reality of people taking them up on that generosity. German history is being confronted with world events in a really difficult way.” “This course,” Prof. Baer continues, “was intended to help students see those intersections between the past and the present as places where there can be agonizing decisions that have to be made, or where new light can be shed on both the present and the past.”
The Reichstag Building The Reichstag building in Berlin attracts 2 to 3 million visitors every year. The building underwent a major restoration in the 1990s to repair extensive war damage and preserve artifacts like the signatures of the Soviet soldiers who stormed the building near the end of World War II. Neues Museum Professor Temple Burling talks with students about the renovation of Berlin’s Neues Museum, which suffered extensive damage during World War II. A $250 million, 11-year renovation put the building back together. Aiming to conserve, rather than reconstruct, its architects used every remnant of the original building possible, painstakingly piecing together pieces of wrecked columns, bulletpocked walls, and crumbling brick. They filled in the gaps with clean, modern design.
Stumbling Stones As you walk along the sidewalks of Berlin, you may come across small, raised brass squares embedded in the cobblestone. The work of artist Gunter Demnig, these Stolpersteine (“stumbling stones”) memorialize Holocaust victims by placing their names in the pavement in front of their last address of choice. There are more than 50,000 Stolpersteine throughout Europe.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe T. J. Gaertig ’18 walks through Berlin’s Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. The memorial, designed by New York architect Peter Eisenman, features 2,711 concrete slabs (“stalae”) arranged in a grid pattern on gently sloping ground. The slabs vary only in height, getting taller as one walks deeper into the memorial. Built just a block from Brandenburg Gate, the memorial’s location was controversial, Professor Gregory Baer says: “To have the memorial to this horrible part of German history just a block from what could be described as the center of Berlin was a very controversial thing. Within layers of history, there is often controversy, debate, and misunderstanding.”
24
THE CAMPAIGN FOR CARTHAGE: PRIORITIES
internships and experiential learning
Syrian Refugee Shelter Carthage students volunteer at a Syrian refugee shelter and distribution center organized by Moabit hilft (“Moabit helps”) in Berlin.
respond. “If somebody’s about to drown, we send a ship. We are supposed to send ships.” To facilitate that understanding, Prof. Baer lined up a volunteer opportunity with the organization Moabit hilft (“Moabit helps”) at an emergency refugee shelter in Berlin’s Moabit district. He and six students spent a day sorting and distributing donated clothing to the refugees. Most did not speak English or German, so the students learned quickly to communicate without words. Gestures alone were enough to indicate the shelter’s rules of one coat per person, one pair of shoes. “The hardest part was seeing children without shoes and in the cold,” says Alexandria Egolf ’18. “Today was one of the coldest days, and so many kids came in without jackets and without shoes. “I wanted to volunteer because they’re human,” she continued. “If I was torn out of my home and had to move to another country, I would hope that someone would be
carthage.edu
willing to help me.” The students were able to talk with fellow volunteers. “All of the people working at the center are volunteers,” Prof. Baer says, explaining that Germans typically don’t volunteer the way Americans do. “Every American high school kid can tell you five different things that they volunteered for, but for Germans, that doesn’t have the same level of value. There’s more of a reliance on the government to do the things we think of as being done by volunteers. The fact that these initiatives in Berlin are run entirely by volunteers really speaks to the commitment at the grass-roots level to support these refugees.” Moabit hilft spokeswoman Christiane Beckmann explains why. “All of these people are very homesick. They don’t want to be here,” she says. “They want to be in their country, in their homes, with their families and their belongings.” Giving them a warm jacket, shoes, soap, and some money is the very least the rest of us should do, she says emphatically. “People
should know how blessed they are, how lucky they are, just because of where they were born. … If somebody’s about to drown, we send a ship. We are supposed to send ships.” Professors Baer and Burling also led the students in visits to Brandenburg Gate and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, as well as the Deutsches Historisches Museum and the Neues Museum — two buildings that, like the Reichstag, were recently renovated to incorporate, not cover up, battle scars. “Berlin is a city of contrasts, and it continues to be very intentional in the ways that it presents its past, but doesn’t shy away from controversy either,” Prof. Baer says. “In the United States, we prefer history to be a happy story, even when it isn’t always. In Germany, there are so many unhappy stories that they can’t be swept under the carpet. They have to be acknowledged. “I think Berlin is being really innovative in how it rebuilds. It’s not shying away from the controversy. It’s acknowledging and looking forward.”
33
THE CAMPAIGN FOR CARTHAGE: PRIORITIES
internships and experiential learning
retell. “To me, it’s holy ground. … It’s one of the most moving places on the planet I’ve ever been.” Anyone who has been on a J-Term study tour with Carthage knows that much of the learning happens between scheduled stops on an itinerary. Questions are answered on the subway between stations. Debates are forged over dinner. Impromptu lectures are delivered between museum floors. Prof. Pullin? He’ll grab a mic on the motorcoach they’re using to travel around France, Belgium, and Germany. At one point, he pops up to ask if anyone knows why Gen. George S. Patton, perhaps the best known general of World War II, wasn’t present for D-Day. When the students shake their heads, he tells them a story: “General Patton distinguished himself in North Africa by realizing the Americans were not ready to fight the Germans,” he begins. “He became obsessed with instilling discipline and order into his soldiers, and he would not tolerate anything that smacked to him of cowardice or an unwillingness to serve.” While visiting an American hospital in Sicily, Gen. Patton encountered a soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Prof. Pullin continues. “Patton was so astounded by the fact that this man admitted to having shell-shock that he started slapping him. He slapped him repeatedly.” This scene played out a second time in another hospital. “Eisenhower says to him, ‘You may be my best general, but you’re a public relations nightmare.’ So Patton was put in charge of FUSAG (First U.S. Army Group), which was basically a Hollywood set. It was cut-out cardboard tanks. He was in command, literally, of an imaginary army just to fool the Germans. It was an intelligence success, but nothing made Patton madder. He had no role in D-Day other than to command an imaginary army because
24 34
he had slapped soldiers in the hospital.” Prof. Pullin also uses the mic to set the mood for the sights they are seeing. Anyone who knows him knows he forms a fast, fun rapport with his students. Jokes are constant. Droll voices, spot-on impressions, amusing monikers? Yep, you’ll get those too. “He’s hilarious,” says freshman Lizzie Wenzel ’19. “He makes me want to take a history class on campus with him. Everyone says he makes class fun, even if it’s really hard.” But coming face to face with the realities of World War II is really hard. Prof. Pullin easily shifts from silly to serious; the mood is always exactly what it needs to be. “I’m going to prattle at you again for a minute; my apologies,” he jokingly warns before the next motorcoach mini-lecture. “A few of you have taken my classes before, and you know that I would argue that World War II is the single defining moment of the 20th century. “We’re about to go to the Omaha Beach Memorial and then the American cemetery. Of the five beaches, Omaha was the bloodiest. It’s a historical accident that some of Germany’s best troops were on the beach at Omaha on the day of the invasion. The German troops at Utah, Gold, Juno, and Sword were, in many cases, auxiliary troops. They weren’t trained as well and didn’t have the same fighting spirit. When the Americans hit Omaha, they faced a group of soldiers who were among the best trained in Germany. You had Americans who had never seen combat hitting the beaches and fighting some of the German Army’s best troops.” Historians estimate there were more than 3,600 casualties at Omaha Beach on D-Day alone. “Like a concentration camp, a Civil War battlefield, or the slave prison at Elmina, Ghana, to me, it’s holy ground,” Prof. Pullin tells the students. “The American cemetery
is actually on American soil; the French were very generous in giving it to us because so many Americans gave their lives here. I just want to echo: It’s one of the most moving places on the planet I’ve ever been.” His goal, always, is to make every stop personal for the students. Making it personal makes it stick. “The theme that draws the concentration camp, the cemetery, the HMS Belfast together is simply that every individual story of every individual person in the war matters,” he says later. “I really believe there’s an emotional component to learning history. I don’t think that you can appreciate the suffering, the sacrifice, the cruelty, the barbarity of human history simply by reading about it in books or even watching videos. “When you look at the sheer cliff of Pointe du Hoc, you’re forced to realize how genuinely incredible that feat was. And when you stand in the gas chambers or look at the ovens of Dachau, it personalizes history in a way that I don’t think text or images can ever do. “Students often ask me questions like, ‘Why didn’t the Jews resist?’ or ‘Didn’t they see it coming?’ or ‘Didn’t the British realize that appeasement would only embolden Hitler and the Nazis?’ And the answer is ‘No, they didn’t.’ … “The point is, we don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. History needs to teach us a sympathy for the past, and a sympathy for the people who made decisions in the past.” And then it needs to inform the decisions of the future. “You can move forward without looking in the rearview mirror, but you would be a fool to do so,” Prof. Pullin says. “Especially in a democracy where we are required to participate as citizens, it’s foolish not to have a sense of what’s behind us.”
Spring Carthaginian 2016
A Teaching Moment History professor Eric Pullin talks with his students at the Utah Beach D-Day Museum in Normandy. Behind the group is an original B-26 Marauder, one of only six remaining examples of this airplane worldwide.
More Online Read more and see photos from 2016 J-Term study tours in Europe at carthage.edu/jterm: World War II, led by Professor Eric Pullin Representations of Germany’s Past: Berlin, Dresden, and Munich, led by professors Gregory Baer and Temple Burling Luther, Bonhoeffer, and Germany’s Turbulent Times, led by Professor Romwald Maczka and Campus Pastor Kara Baylor Paris: A Capital Experience, led by Professor Pascal Rollet
carthage.edu
35
THE CAMPAIGN FOR CARTHAGE: PRIORITIES
the science center
the carthage fund
The new Science Center advances Carthage’s commitment to innovative science education and close research collaboration between faculty and students.
The Carthage Fund supports critical areas of campus, including financial aid, athletics, and student research.
Graduates in the natural sciences doubled in the past decade, along with the percentage of incoming students who intend to major in those areas. In disciplines from biology to computer science, faculty have brought preeminent educational and research programs to campus. That excellence demands a facility to match. Reflecting the success of the campaign’s silent phase, the Science Center opened for classes in September. Naming opportunities still exist throughout the facility.
endowed scholarships
These operating dollars are immediately available, which arms the College with the flexibility to respond to challenges and opportunities as soon as they arise. Leaders stressed that growing the fund is necessary to assist the more than 90 percent of Carthage students who rely on some form of financial aid. Competitors, financial markets, and influential college ranking publications also monitor the annual fund as a barometer of any college’s health.
internships and experiential learning
Already offering nearly 190 endowed scholarships, Carthage seeks more benefactors to help attract and retain highcaliber students from all walks of life.
Citing professional, cultural, and personal benefits, Carthage aims to make these forms of experiential learning accessible to a much broader segment of students.
These investments are professionally invested, ensuring that each donor’s values and legacy is permanently intertwined with the College’s success. Many choose to honor their family members, friends, or professors.
• Internships: Students with internship experience enter the job market with a leg up, and many employers offer only unpaid or low-paying positions.
This is the first step in a long-term plan to boost the Carthage endowment. Ultimately, campaign chair Jeff Hamar ’80 estimates the pool must grow five to 10 times larger to match the College’s aspirations.
• Study Abroad: Programs link academics to cultural reality and foster independence. Last year, 234 students took a J-Term study tour. •R esearch: The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience pairs students with faculty sponsors to pursue original research, scholarship, or creative work.
how to take part For more information about making a gift of stock, capital assets, charitable gift annuities or bequests, contact Evelyn Buchanan, vice president for institutional advancement, at 262-551-2196 or ebuchanan@carthage.edu.
campaign.carthage.edu 24 36
Spring Carthaginian 2016
THE CAMPAIGN FOR CARTHAGE: PRIORITIES
internships and experiential learning the carthage fund
Wanted: Internship partners for long haul
endowed scholarships the science center
New grant gives initiative a head start Awarded a grant worth nearly $350,000, Carthage is looking to establish longterm internship programs with at least 80 businesses and nonprofit organizations in southeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois. Under a pilot program, Carthage twice before received the Career Ready Internship Grant from the Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation. This grant expands that pilot program. Carthage placed 32 eligible juniors and seniors in paid internships for the spring semester, thanks to the Great Lakes award. The Kenosha Area Soccer League, a nonprofit organization that offers recreational soccer competition for youths and adults, has taken on two of them. The College has a direct link to the KASL — actually, two. Roger Koessl ’98 is the league president, while his son Ryan ’10 is the treasurer. They see this as a chance to give back to Carthage in return for the experiences the College offered to them. “I was an adult learner working full time plus going to college, and Carthage really helped me obtain a college degree and still have family time,” said Roger, a computer instrument technician at We Energies, adding that the College “gave me a world perspective on cultures and how
carthage.edu
important it is to support your local community.” Internships with Snap-on Inc. and “Big Four” accounting firm Deloitte played a huge role in Ryan’s college experience. An accountant with the Racine Unified School District, he hopes KASL can provide a similar pipeline to careers for current students. The interns will help with uniform inventory and tracking, streamline registration, secure sponsors for an artificial turf soccer field, design a new logo, and plan events. With just one full-time employee, the
Koessls said KASL otherwise wouldn’t be able to tackle most of those tasks. Nearly 200 internship opportunities will be created over the three-year period. The grant pays qualifying students $12 per hour for internships that otherwise would be unpaid or unavailable, but Carthage and its partners must assume an escalating portion of the cost to keep the program sustainable beyond 2018. Interested employers should contact Career Services at internshipgrant@ carthage.edu or 262-551-5959. Any prospective partners are welcome, but internship positions suitable for students majoring in the sciences or English are especially welcome. For more information, go to carthage.edu/career-ready
37
THE CAMPAIGN FOR CARTHAGE: PRIORITIES
internships and experiential learning
Lead detector in the pipeline While civic leaders practiced damage control in Flint, Michigan, Carthage chemistry professor Janice Pellino and her students took a more proactive approach against lead poisoning. They’re working to build a biological sensor that can detect lead in toys and other solids, which ultimately could lead to a home testing kit. The project began in 2014, as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience. Known on campus as SURE, the program pairs small groups of students with faculty mentors to work on a new or developing line of research. Since then, a series of students have identified a configuration of genes that can sense lead and bind to it. This spring, a new
group of researchers is trying to harness a protein that can turn blue when that lead sensor is triggered. Prof. Pellino said they do this essentially by “chemically gluing” together a sequence of genes. The water crisis in Flint drew national attention to the danger of lead contamination, but corroded pipes aren’t the only source of concern. Although it’s been banned in American-made products since the 1970s, lead often is still found in newly imported toys and jewelry. Why the lingering allure of lead? It’s cheap. “Most countries have regulations, but there’s no enforcement of them,” Prof. Pellino said. Even here in the United States, she
said, legal levels are set much higher than pediatricians believe to be safe. Studies suggest even low levels of exposure to lead can cause kids to develop learning disabilities. Janet Haro ’18, a chemistry major from Mundelein, Illinois, worked on the SURE project last summer. It was a good fit with her pre-pharmacy concentration. “I liked the idea of potentially helping people in a way that’s health-related,” she said. The testing kit would come in the form of a swab. Prof. Pellino said this method is designed to reduce false positives and, more importantly, false negatives. It wouldn’t be the first one on the market, but it could be the first one that’s more reliable than a coin flip.
mark your place in Carthage history Granite walkways paved with commemorative bricks lead to sidewalks that connect the entire Carthage campus. Names of alumni and friends of the College are etched in sections of these attractive walkways. By purchasing a brick, you too can celebrate the Carthage spirit and mark your place within this eminent learning community. Have your name etched in granite and show your Carthage pride to future generations. For more information, contact the alumni office at 800-551-1518 or alumnioffice@carthage.edu.
carthage.edu/give/bricks
24 38
Spring Carthaginian 2016
J-TERM PHOTO CONTEST Every year, students send in amazing photos for J-Term, so we wanted to reward them with a contest. The three photos below won for best encapsulating the essence of J-Term at Carthage.
Samantha Johnson ’18 Class: Life and Politics: Surviving Socialism and the U.S. Embargo in Cuba Caption: Taken in Trinidad, Cuba, at sunset
Emily Wild ’17 Class: Biodiversity, Brains, and Behavior Caption: Student Carson Combs, swimming above the coral reef in Honduras
Brandt Johnson ’16 Class: Religion and Society in Modern India Caption: One evening, our group decided to take a stroll at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India. I noticed a Sikh gentleman who seemed to be praying or meditating. I snapped this shot as the sun was setting.
carthage.edu
39
CLASS NOTES
Alumni share milestones in their careers and families
2016 Beacon Award winners Join us April 30 to honor these six alumni The Alumni Council will honor Carthage graduates from four separate decades at the third annual Beacon Awards reception Saturday, April 30. Classmates, friends, and other alumni are welcome to attend. The event begins at 6 p.m. in the Todd Wehr Center and includes a reception, dinner, and the awards presentation. Cost is $25 per person, with proceeds benefiting the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. To reserve a place, please visit carthage.edu/alumni/ calendar or call 800-551-1518 by April 15. The 2016 Beacon Award recipients are:
Dieter Jedan ’69 In November 2014, Dieter Jedan, Ph.D., was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. It’s the highest honor Germany bestows for political, economic, social, and spiritual services. A political refugee in West Germany during the Cold War, Mr. Jedan is a strong supporter of international education who chaired the Department of Global Cultures and Languages at Southeast Missouri State University for 20 years.
Michelle B. Serpe ’71 In April 2015, three Kenosha women’s organizations gave Michelle Serpe, Ph.D., the Susan B. Anthony award for contributions as an educator, artist, activist, and advocate. The award recognizes Ms. Serpe’s efforts to advance equality for women. An educator and businesswoman for more than 40 years, she previously received the Living Legend award from the Mahone Foundation for “commitment on behalf of education and the celebration of children and family.”
40
Wayne Thompson ’78
Vivian Adhiambo Onano ’14
Professor Wayne Thompson, Ph.D., received Carthage’s Distinguished Teaching Award in March 2014. After attending Carthage in the 1970s, he joined the faculty in 1998 and teaches sociology and criminal justice. Prof. Thompson and his students coordinate the Carthage Office for Research and Evaluation Services. Specializing in the social dimensions of religion, he’s a frequent guest on Wisconsin Public Radio.
In October 2014, UN Women appointed Vivian Adhiambo Onano to its Global Civil Society Advisory Group. The panel advises the executive director of the United Nations offshoot on ways to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. Ms. Onano also works as the community and partnerships manager at Africa 2.0 Foundation. In May, she delivered the keynote speech at a special session of the United Nations General Assembly.
David C. Wiers ’98
See aBeacon complete biography of each 2016 recipient
C AR THAGE
David Wiers’ company, Satori Energy, was recognized as a leader in the deregulated energy industry by the two most highly regarded independent surveys. The Electricity Professionals Association voted Satori the 2015 ABC (aggregator, broker, or consultant) of the Year, while the Energy Research Consulting Group ranked the company No. 1 in overall supplier satisfaction. Since 2003, it has saved clients $140+ million in energy costs. Mr. Wiers also founded two nonprofits to uphold the integrity of deregulated electricity.
Patrick Cairns ’99 In April 2015, industry publication Chain Store Age named Patrick Cairns one of the “10 under 40” rising stars in retail real estate. As senior manager of real estate development at Kohl’s Corporation, he has located more than 100 store sites. Credited with more than 10 million square feet of retail acquisitions and leases in shopping centers across the United States, Mr. Cairns still draws from analytics skills he gained through his geography coursework at Carthage.
at carthage.edu/alumni/beacon-award
ABOUT THE BEACON Beacon AWARD C AR THAGE
For centuries, beacons have lit the way for humanity. Countless generations have used them to guide ship captains and pilots in their travels and to warn residents of impending danger. Their power exists in their brilliant light — a beam that can pierce the murkiest fog and reach the outermost regions of the land. In that spirit, the Alumni Council created the Carthage Beacon Awards to recognize alumni who provide light to their communities. The Carthage Beacon Award honors each recipient for one specific accomplishment, act of service, professional or personal achievement, event, or program. The College is proud to recognize these alumni, whose actions illuminate those around them.
Spring Carthaginian 2016
LAUREN HANSEN
Mentoring connection flourishes I decided to write my column for this Carthaginian issue from favorite place on campus: the cafeteria. As I sit overlooking calm Lake Michigan waves, there is fresh snow on the ground and the sun is shining brightly. How did I become so blessed to work at a campus this beautiful? Although we have one of the most gorgeous colleges across the country, something draws me deeper. Beyond the lake and trees and colors, I am in awe of the beauty of the people. The hearts of the people — our Carthage community — are what truly take my breath away. Recently, I have been inspired by our alumni mentors. Last year, we piloted our student/ alumni mentor program. Students opted into the program and were paired with alumni volunteers who shared their majors or interests. They met once a month. I want to share one of the stories with you. Emily Kuhn ’99 and John Shearer ’17 began their mentor-mentee relationship last fall. “We just clicked,” said John, a marketing and public relations major from Gurnee, Illinois. “As soon as we started talking, she had such a positive, open mind about the whole experience, and that was great motivation for me. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and give her input, and that was really important. It wasn’t one of those, ‘Oh, what do we talk about now?’ Instead, it was, ‘Oh, we’re running out of time.’” Emily draws from extensive experience as a project manager in government, handling everything from budgets to technology adoption.
She lives in Madison, Wisconsin, so they met virtually — via Skype, phone calls, and emails. “Having a mentor there to say, ‘Hey, it’s OK; relax and just know it will work out,’ is so helpful,’” John said. “Having that support system is really good. You can talk about your social life at Carthage or even the smallest things. It’s a great program.” As they continued to learn more about each other, Emily offered him a marketing internship to create and market a new mobile app. “Soon after I started mentoring John via Skype, [my husband] Sam and I were talking about making a nonpartisan candidate app after I struggled at the polling booth in 2014,” said Emily. “I was a new mom and didn’t have time to research candidates like I did in the past. I wanted an app for that!” So did 92 percent of people 18 to 74, as John found out while doing a market research survey. He had an idea: As people research candidates on the app, they can select the best candidate in each race and then see a summary of their choices at the end. “When you go to the voting booth, you can open your app and the list of candidates you are voting for are right there for you. Your entire ballot is right there,” John said. Through his internship, John has been responsible for designing the survey, marketing flyers, and many publications for the 1myVote app, which has more than 500 downloads. “It has been great to see John add experience
to his resume,” Emily said. “I enjoyed sharing my work experience, and in return I gained insight to tech usage by younger users to create a better product. I hope that other Carthage alums take advantage of the mentor match, share their experience and knowledge, and potentially gain insight for their businesses, as well.” As technology continues to advance, Carthage is taking the mentoring program completely virtual. Of course, mentors who live locally are welcome to see their students in person, but it has been neat to watch alumni living hours and states away connect with current Carthage students. “It was amazing that we never had to meet to get that strong relationship,” John said. “We had never met each other until Homecoming this year, and we had already done so much with the app and through the mentor program last year. That was the coolest thing.” Interested in becoming an alumni mentor? Visit carthage.edu/alumni/volunteer to learn more.
Joyfully yours,
Lauren Hansen ’10 Director of Alumni and Parent Programs lhansen@carthage.edu 262-551-5816
Learn more about staying connected, upcoming events, and ways to give back at carthage.edu/alumni.
carthage.edu
41
IN MEMORIAM 1945 Charles L. Wendorff
1958 Tatsuo Kobayashi
1978 Karla J. Nygren
Tulsa, Okla., Jan. 22, 2016
Lihue, Hawaii, Sept. 25, 2015
Marinette, Wis., Jan. 3, 2016
1949 Mary Louise (Schroer) Bowman
1962 Larry R. Bohn
Douglas B. Simpson
Grand Rapids, Mich., Jan. 22, 2016
Woodstock, Ill., Nov. 21, 2015
Louise (Cohen) Goldstein
1963 Rev. Paul E. Flesner
Silver Spring, Md., Oct. 2, 2015
Betty J. Ippensen Augusta, Ill., Dec. 4, 2015
Rosabel Rasmussen Springfield, Ill., Jan. 12, 2016
Kathryn J. Reynolds Maumee, Ohio, Jan. 9, 2016
Mary Ellen Ridenour Mt. Morris, Ill., Dec. 24, 2015
1950 Marie E. (Knipple) Maharg Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 5, 2015
George Victor Main Kenosha, Nov. 23, 2015
Rev. Albert Nyland III
Wheeling, Ill., Jan. 1, 2016
Indian Rocks Beach, Fla., Oct. 23, 2015
1981 Kathryn “Kay” (Rotkis) Cottone Racine, Wis., Dec. 2, 2015
John Kenneth Knutson
1987 Lori J. Mueller
Dallas, Nov. 19, 2015
Loves Park, Ill., Jan. 9, 2016
1964 Ruth Irene (Kolberg) Newton
1990 Susan Renee Cullen
Powellton, Ill., April 8, 2015
Kenosha, Dec. 15, 2015
1965 Eleanor “Anne” Meyer
1992 Nancy McKillen
Dallas, Nov. 6, 2015
Waukegan, Ill., Nov. 27, 2015
Susanne (Koos) Rasch
1997 Lisa M. Johnson
Naples, Fla., Oct. 15, 2015
1967 John W. Wetterling Stronghurst, Ill., Dec. 29, 2015
Pleasant Prairie, Wis., Oct. 20, 2015
1951 Ramon L. Gonzalez
Moline, Ill., Nov. 13, 2015
Cincinnati, Oct. 28, 2015
Manistee, Ill., Nov. 3, 2015
1970 Marguerite Wilson Best
Winona H. Campbell
Oliver Dean Hodney
Kenosha, Dec. 14, 2015
1952 Rev. Andrew P. Gresko
Mt. Pleasant, Wis., Nov. 30, 2015
Los Angeles, Nov. 17, 2015
Otis Leonard Hammel Bridgeport, Ill., March 7, 2015
Marianne Hansen Boulder, Colo., Dec. 16, 2015
Rev. Lenwood Monte Ames, Iowa, Oct. 31, 2015
1954 Charles A. Hildreth Grapevine, Texas, Oct. 28, 2015
Richard J. Louck Pittsford, N.Y., Oct. 29, 2015
1956 Dorothy G. Goos
1972 Marjorie A. Smith Kenosha, Oct. 5, 2015
1973 James E. McCullough Ingleside, Ill., Aug. 6, 2015
Pittsburg, Kan., Nov. 4, 2015
Charles D. Denton Salem, Wis., Nov. 12, 2015
Frank Leslie Goffe Racine, Wis., Aug. 3, 2015
Mary I. Hegemann Waterford, Wis., Dec. 11, 2015
Ola Mae Johnson Steven Michael Lewakowski
1975 David J. Marshall
James A. Miller
Libertyville, Ill., Dec. 14, 2015
Arlington Heights, Illinois, married Dec. 5.
John Forrest Courter
Venice, Calif., Nov. 24, 2015
Nicholas Stokovich
Roy Carlson and Dale (Tiedemann) Ropinske –
Whitewater, Wis., Oct. 9, 2015
Geneva, Ill., Oct. 23, 2015
Edelstein, Ill., Oct. 4, 2015
1964
John M. Buyniski
Meridian, Miss., Jan. 6, 2016
1974 Bruce A. Ponx
is still teaching juggling at the Chautauqua, New York, Boys & Girls Club summer program, 20 years after retiring from Florida State University. Don is the Better Balance instructor at Chautauqua and the Tallahassee (Florida) Premier Health & Fitness Center, and he also has taught Road Scholar classes on balance. Don and his wife, Patsy, just celebrated 60 years of marriage.
Carthage, Ill., Oct. 9, 2015
1968 Mark W. Behrens
1971 Stanley A. Ginkowski
Don Rapp – Morton, Illinois,
Friends of the College Ronald E. Burling
Fishers, Ind., Oct. 10, 2015
Oswego, Ill., Jan. 29, 2016
1950
Kenosha, Nov. 5, 2015
Mary Frances Sevick Kenosha, Aug. 22, 2015
The Carthage Old Timers Group held its annual reunion in September at Coachman’s Golf Resort in Stoughton, Wisconsin. The attendees, graduates from the Illinois campus in the early 1960s, traveled from far and wide to meet and leaf through yearbooks and photo albums. Group members include Bud Wolf ’62, Bob Halsey ’62, Denny Carr ’62, Bob Vietmeier ’63, Bob “Red” Reimers ’61, Doug Donoho ’63, Dan Wachholz ’60, Jack Blaydes ’63, Mike Taylor ’60, Wendell Olson ’60, and Jim Douglas ’62.
Saskatoon, Canada, Dec. 28, 2015
See full obituaries at carthage.edu/alumni/inmemoriam/
Spring Carthaginian 2016
IN MEMORIAM 1965 The Class of 1965 celebrated its 50-year reunion on campus over Homecoming weekend. The committee, consisting of Peter Greenlimb, Jay Maher, Malcolm Mitchell, Jim Nelson, Loren Semler, John Sladek, and Al Van Maren, embarked on a yearlong fundraising effort that brought the endowed Class of 1965 Scholarship to a total of $91,942. This scholarship will benefit student recipients for many years and is a fitting legacy to this great class.
national Run Smarter Award for Best Case Management Initiative. For the past 15 years, he has been employed by the Austin Independent School District. He is also a national data expert with the Council of the Great City Schools in Washington. Mike still maintains an active musical career as a trumpeter and arranger, performing most weekends throughout central Texas.
1974
1971
Christopher M. Miller – Rochester, Minnesota, will launch his first book, “Saints I Have Known and Buried: Tributes That Help Define Their Legacy and Sermons for Their More Difficult Funerals.” It is a compilation of funeral tributes, sermons, and resources he wrote and delivered — mostly over the last 10 years. They are intended especially for faithful lay people and for new pastors.
1972
Loren Swakow – Des Plaines, Illinois, reports that Sept. 12 was a reunion of sorts for him and fellow alumni who lived on the third floor of South Hall (now Madrigrano Family Residence Hall) in 1970-71. Loren welcomed Rick Holden ’73, Mark Kuzich ’74, and Fred Genthner ’74 to his son's wedding in Iowa City, Iowa. Among the spouses pictured is Linda (Stahl) Holden ’74.
1977
Kerry Hays – Greendale,
Mike Thomas – Austin, Texas, was a featured speaker at the international Laserfiche Empower 2015 conference in Anaheim, California. There, he received the
carthage.edu
Wisconsin, recently was recognized as the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Employee of the Month for his efforts in a flash flood that hit Roaring River State Park on July 7. Kerry made a crucial decision to ignore historical precedence and evacuate more than 200 campers when the river was still two feet below flood stage. Thanks to him and his staff, the flood caused no injuries and minimal loss of property.
Donald M. Michie Professor Emeritus Donald M. Michie, part of the Carthage family for more than 50 years, passed away Feb. 1 at age 81. He continued to teach in the English Department until the end. Just days earlier, Prof. Michie had wrapped up the J-Term course Interpreting Literature. He joined the faculty in 1965 and earned the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1972-73. He co-organized the first Carthage trip to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario in 1967, which grew into an annual tradition. Prof. Michie worked administratively as dean of the College for a decade before returning to the classroom in 1996. After retiring in 2000, the urge to teach brought him back in 2007. As news of his death spread, tributes flooded in from current freshmen to 1960s alumni. “He lived each day like the first,” Marisa Monbrod ‘19 said at a campus memorial service. Prof. Michie and his wife, the late Mary Alyce (Downing) Michie, established the Downing/Michie Scholarship to support Carthage students. Among his surviving relatives are two children, Mike Michie ’88 and Amy (Michie) Parrish ’90, and granddaughter Olivia Parrish.
Odelle M. Leonard A longtime educator who established two scholarships at Carthage, Odelle M. (Monte) Leonard ’71 passed away Dec. 6 at age 83. She lived in Greenfield, Wisconsin. Mrs. Leonard’s teaching career spanned 37 years at school districts in Rockford, Illinois, and Kenosha. She traveled extensively, spending time in more than 60 countries for pleasure and missions. She created one scholarship in her own name and the Ralph S. Leonard Scholarship in honor of her late husband, a 1951 graduate who became Carthage’s first vice president for church relations and established the Torchbearer program. The endowment supports students who pursue theology or education. Carthage’s main campus entrance is named the Leonard Entryway in their honor.
39 43
CLASS NOTES
Glen Prasser – Cincinnati, retired Jan. 31 after seven years as CEO of Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. The physician group, which is the 16th-largest in Greater Cincinnati, has practically doubled in size since Mr. Prasser became chief executive.
Lee Zimmermann – Wauconda, Illinois, joined True Value Company as its senior product merchant in April. In October, he was appointed to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary national staff as division chief for course development. Lee and his wife, Beth, also are celebrating the birth of their newest grandson, Finn, in April 2015.
1979
Steve Farwig – Kohler, Wisconsin,
1988
Amberly Farber – Reedsburg, Wisconsin, is employed by Renewal Unlimited in Portage, Wisconsin, as a family advocate home visitor for Sauk County’s Head Start Program. She is still singing and playing her 12-string guitar whenever possible. Amberly lives with her elderly parents to assist them.
1990
Linda (Kieckhafer) Ashmore – Sheboygan, Wisconsin, was named vice president of corporate communications for Rambus Inc., based in Sunnyvale, California.
1992
is now the director of major and planned gifts at the University School of Milwaukee.
1982
1983
Eric Peterson – Snellville, Georgia, is a new grandpa. His daughter Erica gave birth to a boy, Raymond Eric Boggs, on July 5.
1987
Debra (Florek) Cooper – Firestone, Colorado, and Daniel Cooper married Aug. 21 in Firestone.
44
Tyler Johnson – Oswego, Illinois, attended the presidential State of the Union address in Washington, in recognition of his heroic efforts on New Year’s Day. A sheriff’s deputy in Kendall County, Illinois, he rescued a woman when her car went off the road and into a retention pond. “With air temperature wind chill readings of -1 and water temperatures just above freezing, Deputy Johnson entered the water, swimming to the vehicle in an attempt to rescue the driver and sole occupant. After several attempts, he was able to break out the rear window of the vehicle, and extract the driver from the car,” a statement from the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office read. Deputy Johnson was invited to the State of the Union as a guest of U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren of Illinois, who called him “a hero and servant to our community, putting his life on the line to protect our residents.”
2006
Wayne Cramer – Ingleside, Illinois, and his wife, Susan, founded Andean Aid, an organization that fights poverty and helps children throughout Venezuela and Colombia. So far, the organization has opened 10 Help and Hope Centers and a Christian school.
2005
Rev. Daniel Ross-Jones – Palo Alto, Christine L.B. (Buntrock) Selby – Naperville, Illinois, recently published a resource book titled, “Chilling Out: The Psychology of Relaxation.” Christine has two other books under contract, one on eating disorders and another on the “Health At Every Size” approach.
1993
Cara (Marcinkus) Obrochta – Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, earned a second master's degree, in teaching and learning, from Concordia University Chicago in June.
California, has been quite popular among Carthaginians looking to tie the knot, presiding over seven weddings since 2012 that involve Carthage alumni. The most recent wedding took place in Racine in November, as he wed Bryan Chung ’08 and Chynna (Hay) Chung. An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, Rev. Ross-Jones has preached across the United States and New Zealand. He began officiating weddings for his friends from Carthage, but that has expanded — especially within Delta Upsilon International Fraternity. “Within the DU chapter, it has been joked that I’m the official wedding officiant for a particular window of time,” said Rev. RossJones. “I love doing weddings generally, and it's always that much more meaningful as a pastor to be involved in officiating a ceremony for people with whom you have a connection through the faith tradition as well as beyond.”
Spring Carthaginian 2016
CLASS NOTES
1998
Tim Pulizzano – Kenosha, a former standout Carthage pitcher who went on to win 210 games as manager of the semi-professional Kenosha Kings, was inducted into the Wisconsin State Baseball League Hall of Fame on Jan. 30.
2002
Link. Share. Win. Do you love Carthage? Do you love prizes? If the answer to those questions is yes, become a Carthage Social Media Ambassador!
Emily (Nielsen) Kammerer – Madison, Wisconsin, and her husband, Brett, announce the birth of a daughter. Hazel Mae Kammerer was born on Oct. 22, joining big brother Leo, 2.
Tara (Richmond) Shilts – Hoffman Estates, Illinois, achieved a promotion to senior lead consultant with Jamberry, a growing Direct Selling Association company. Peggy Buehler ’03 and Katy (Huberty) Smith ’02 are also on her Jamberry nail wraps team.
2007
The College has started a new program that makes it easy for you to share Carthage content with the world and earn points toward prizes in the process.
Get started carthage.edu/connect/ambassadors/ Signing up is easy. Head to the Ambassadors page, link whatever social media accounts you’d like, and then get sharing. Share some of your favorite #carthageviews from around campus, or just pass along Carthage news to your friends. No matter what, you’ll earn points, and the more points you have, the bigger chance you have to win prizes.
Ashley (Vail) Lipka and Ryan Lipka ’06 – Racine, Wisconsin,
Get out there and start sharing, and let the world know how great Carthage is!
welcomed baby boy Theo on April 24, 2015. He weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce, and measured 20 1/4 inches.
carthage.edu
45
CLASS NOTES
2008
Joseph Brellenthin – Rossville,
2009
John Rzeplinski on Aug. 10 in Milwaukee.
Cody Taylor (M.Ed. ’14) – Kenosha, married Jessica Bischoff on Sept. 5 in Milwaukee. Andrew Sinnen ’08 was the wedding officiant, while Max Zbilut ’07 was the best man. Cody works in the Office of Admissions at Carthage.
2010
2014
Stephanie Cain – Denver, has
Illinois, married Brian Willenbring '10 of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, on March 14, 2015, in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, with the Rev. Debra Clark officiating. Their wedding party included Katie (Larson) Mennecke, Kyle Andrasteck, Glenn Knuth, and Stephen Schreiber – all from the Class of 2010. Karlie teaches second grade. After graduating from Medical College of Wisconsin in May, Brian began his emergency medicine residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
been selected as a 2016 Code for America fellow. She will work as a member of the New Orleans team to promote economic development opportunities.
2011
Brian Boehm – Sarasota, Florida, was named the Florida regional manager of Dragonfly Pond Works. He will oversee the company’s new expansion into four cities in Florida.
Wisconsin, has joined the Milwaukee office of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C., where she is a member of the firm's litigation practice group.
Kayla Carey – Kenosha, received an Encore Award from the Racine Unified School District. Her fourthgrade class had the highest level of academic achievement at West Ridge Elementary School in Racine, Wisconsin.
Desiree Gonzalez – Chicago, will work with the Goodman Theatre on the newly commissioned production “Another Word for Beauty.” She will be the understudy for two roles in the show, working alongside established Chicago artists.
2015
Bree McMahon – Appleton, Wisconsin, married Sean Hornyak ’10 on Sept. 5 in Appleton. The bridal party included three other Carthage grads: groomsman Kevin Newman ’12, usher Klayton Reed ’12, and bridesmaid Tess Beltran ’12. Thirty other Carthage alumni, as well as Professor Laura Huaracha (Bree’s advisor) helped them celebrate the start of their new adventure.
Lisa Anderson – Kenosha, won $40,000 in technology for Kenosha’s Lincoln Middle School as a state winner in Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow contest, which is designed to raise interest in STEM subjects. While student-teaching, Lisa and her students studied the effects of road salt on the environment. They are now one of 15 national finalists, vying for a chance to win $120,000 in technology for the school.
Kim (Deal) Weston – Evergreen Park, Illinois, and her husband, Andrew Weston, announce the birth of their daughter, Jessa Grace Weston. She was born July 7.
Keith M. Motycka – Mundelein, Justin and Katie (Duke) Sebens – Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, welcomed son Carson Walter Sebens on Nov. 27.
46
Andrew Brown ’10 on May 24. Other Carthage alumni in attendance included Kristin Dahlman ’12, Brendan Connolly ’11, Stephen Vogt ’10, and Bradley Urias ’10.
Karlie Willenbring – Shabbona,
Angela B. Harden – Dousman,
Illinois, was one of “30 Under 30” members selected for the Learning 2015 program in Orlando, Florida, last November.
of Manchester in England since September 2014. She has returned to Wisconsin and is now job hunting.
Kathryn (Szczesniak) Brown – Hoffman Estates, Illinois, married
Georgia, and his wife, Holly, announce the birth of their son John Robert Brellenthin, who was born July 4 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Chaz and Suzie Rzeplinski – Kenosha, welcomed son Archer
2012
2013
Katarina McGuire – Monroe, Wisconsin, reported she will receive her Master of Science in innovation management and entrepreneurship after studying at the University
Rebecca (Miller) Devitt – Racine, Wisconsin, married Joshua Devitt on Jan. 2 in Milwaukee. They now live in St. Louis.
Spring Carthaginian 2016
Be involved from wherever you are in the world.
Carthage
connections
ways to connect: • Mentor a Carthage student • B ecome a Social Media Ambassador • O ffer an internship or job to a student
• S tart or join a new Carthage regional chapter • R each out to your friends and attend Carthage events
Learn about all alumni volunteer opportunities at carthage.edu/alumni/volunteer or
contact Director of Alumni and Parent Programs Lauren Hansen at lhansen@carthage.edu or 262-551-5816.
PAGE FROM THE PAST
A slice of Carthage history from the Staubitz Archives
Ripples from the Great War World War I is known for trench warfare and famine, and it still is one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. Four million Americans joined the military effort in Europe. While the war didn’t directly affect civilian life in the United States as much as life in the European theatre, student life in Carthage, Illinois, shifted dramatically. Even before the U.S. entered the war, the feeling of a world under siege had begun. In 1916, students participated in an “efficiency week,” encouraging classmates to practice better personal habits like moderation in eating and tea and coffee drinking. Although they did it in part to celebrate a minor anniversary of the College, a report in the Carthage Collegian suggests it also reflected the anxiety that a loss of civic virtue may have contributed to the war. As the student editor wrote, “We looked upon the European Civilization as one which … would stand the test of time” and asked the question, “Is America firm, built upon high standards and justice? …Truth, honor and Industry?” The war had an effect on speech, as well. In 1917, a student named John Ivan Peter was asked to apologize officially to the faculty and to disavow a speech he gave to the Cicero Literary Society called “Is America Honest?” on the grounds that it was disloyal to the United States. This was quite serious at the time. Not only did he apologize to the College, all three literary societies, and other attendees, but also he was forced to reaffirm his “Complete loyalty to the Government of the United States and its purpose to defeat Germany.” Students were allowed to enlist in the military. The faculty noted, however, that studies were also a patriotic service to the country.
In addition to societal pressure to enlist, the military also wrote articles advertising the advantages of each branch. One from the Navy Auxiliary Board offered Merchant Marine members officer training after a competitive test; anyone who didn’t get into officers’ school These photos of the Student Army Training Corps at Carthage were taken automatically was promoted. This during World War I. would’ve been an excellent option for educated young men. Faculty, too, did their part. In March 1918, Professor Earl Lambert was transferred — probably to the front, although the Collegian was unsure. Prof. Lambert survived the war and continued to teach at Carthage until at least 1933. While complaints about food were common on campus, alumni and students had nothing but praise for military food. One student, Edward Hedrick, reported that his dinner was “T bone steak smothered in onions, butter beans, white bread, oleo, coffee, French fried potatoes, and pumpkin pie.” considered part of the family and to give them a In the same letter, he describes being trained bit of security should their spouses die in combat. by several French officers who came from the Sophisticated machinery has replaced horses, front to instruct them on heavy artillery, used and many women today fight alongside their male extensively by the French at the front. Part of the counterparts. Yet, for those supporting the troops 339th Regiment, Mr. Hedrick’s unit used guns that from afar, war can seem just as remote as it did weighed around 20 tons. during “the Great War.” His artillery unit, however, was the only one As women temporarily became the majority of in his camp that did not move its guns by horse. students at Carthage, they traded the occasional That combination of technologies was not joke about the new gender disparity. One account uncommon during the First World War. was given in the 1917-18 Crimson Rambler: Most students knew someone who had Dorothy Barnett: “I hate to see everybody have enlisted, even if they hadn’t done so themselves. to go to war — but, after all, it will be only the big, Unable to enlist directly, a number of women tall ones who are picked out.” had spouses who went to war. War weddings Beatrice Muhler (interrupting): “Yes, and that is came semi-regularly, allowing these women to be the worst of it.”
Explore the rich history of Carthage at carthage.edu/library/archives
48
Spring Carthaginian 2016
86
Carthage has launched the public phase of a $35 million fundraising campaign to position the College as a regional and national model.
The Science Center
The Carthage Fund
Internships and Experiential Learning
Endowed Scholarships
Our excellence in the natural sciences demands a facility to match.
Internships are a critical component of a student’s education in an increasingly competitive job market.
The Carthage Fund provides operational support for critical areas of campus, including financial aid, athletics, the arts, and undergraduate research.
Scholarships provide access to deserving students who otherwise would not be able to take advantage of a Carthage education.
Visit the campaign site to see how investing in these areas will open new doors of opportunity for the next generation of leaders.
campaign.carthage.edu 262-551-5703
carthage.edu 800-551-1518
Upcoming Events
2016 Carthage Soccer Camps
April 3
April 29-May 1
Alumni Event: Bucks vs. Bulls, with Pregame Dinner Buffet
Spring Family Weekend/ Celebration of Scholars
April 7
April 30
Carthage Giving Day
Beacon Awards
April 14
June 11
Campaign for Carthage: Chicago Reception
Six Flags Great America
Session I Girls Resident/Commuter — June 19-23 Boys and Girls Jr. Kickers — June 20-23 Session II Boys Resident/Commuter — June 26-30 Boys and Girls Day Camp — June 27-30 Boys and Girls Jr. Kickers — June 27-30
Boys and girls ages 9-18
Session III Adult Camp Getaway — July 1-3
For complete information and a brochure, call Steve Domin at 262-551-5930 or go to carthage.edu/soccercamp.