Castleton Magazine | Spring 2021

SPRING 2021

MAGAZINE

UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION interim president DR. JONATHAN SPIRO

As I sit down to reflect on the past year and the dramatic experiences of the Class of 2021, the opening words of Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” come to mind (because a familiarity with great literature is one of the fruits of a liberal arts education): “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times … it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

We do not need to dwell right now on the manifold reasons why the past year has been “the worst of times.” But I do think it is salutary to reflect on the fact that it was also “the best of times” and that the amazing response by the Class of 2021 to the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic made it a season of “light” and “hope.”

From the very beginning, our seniors made the courageous decision to implement our safety protocols, and to continue implementing them, month after month. In fact, they agreed to endure hardship, loneliness, and frustration in order to protect their friends, their families, and the Castleton community. In sum, they embraced the Castleton Way — no: they embodied the Castleton Way — as no class in history has before.

And now, thanks to your actions, we are emerging from the darkness. As you graduate, you face a world where you possess a university diploma; the vaccine is spreading; the economy is rebounding; and the American population feels hope for the first time in over a year. Most importantly, you now know that you can face — and overcome — any challenges that lie ahead.

So, on behalf of everyone at Castleton University, I say thank you.

And bear in mind that whatever the future may bring, you can be absolutely certain of one thing: 50 years from now, everyone here at Castleton will still remember and praise the extraordinary Class of 2021.

provost DR. TOM MAUHS-PUGH director of human resources JANET HAZELTON chief budget and finance officer LAURA JAKUBOWSKI chief technology officer GAYLE MALINOWSKI ’95 dean of enrollment MAURICE OUIMET dean of students DENNIS PROULX ’87 associate dean of advancement JAMES LAMBERT

ALUMNI AND DEVELOPMENT data specialist LIZ GARSIDE ‘04 alumni relations coordinator CARRIE SAVAGE director of development & alumni affairs COURTNEY WIDLI ‘13 MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS director of athletic marketing & communications THOMAS BLAKE ’17 director of creative services JANE MACOMBER FOLEY communications coordinator ELICIA PINSONAULT ‘12 director of design KATE RICHARDS

please send updates to ALUMNIOFFICE@CASTLETON.EDU please send comments to: COURTNEY WIDLI

DR. JONATHAN SPIRO interim president

62 ALUMNI DRIVE • CASTLETON, VT 05735 (802) 468-1241 • COURTNEY.WIDLI@CASTLETON.EDU

published by THE OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT printed by VILLANTI PRINTERS

FACEBOOK.COM/CASTLETONEDU

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@CASTLETONEDU

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ACROSS:

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Senior Spotlight

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Castleton Has Taught Me

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Undergrad to Graduate

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Top 10 News Stories

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The Class of 2021

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Alumni

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Celebrating Spartan Women

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ACROSS: 5. More than thirty-five _____ are currently represented by the Castleton student body.

7. The last name of Castleton’s fourth woman President.

9 The Castleton _________ was founded in 1865.

10. Home to the Castleton University Archives collection.

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Now & Then

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Athletics

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Castleton Crossword

16 .“Castleton our _____ raised, ever mindful of those days...”

17. The _______was established in 1988 to honor outstanding athletes, coaches, and teams.

20. The Battle of ______ was fought 7 miles north of Castleton.

23. SGA is an abbreviation for Student ______ Association.

27. Name of the hats worn by the Castleton Athletic Bands.

28. The perfect venue to host a Spartan wedding on campus is the Castleton _____.

29. The ______ published its first issue in 1951.

30. Castleton University is the _____ higher education institution in Vermont.

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CASTLETON UNIVERSITY CROSSWORD

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CASTLETON MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

1. The campus library was named after what former US President?

2. Castleton’s school colors include white, black, and our signature 343 _______.

3. The iconic alumni _____ greet guests as they enter campus.

4. What is the name of the house that holds the Castleton sculture and painting studios?

5. The Castleton tradition performed as both a freshman and senior.

6. Popular local mountain and ski resort.

7. Castleton mascot.

8. Castleton University is one of _______ institutions that make up the Vermont State Colleges System.

13. Former name of Castleton’s radio station.

18. The course that introduces students to the liberal and performing arts.

19. Located just fifteen minutes from campus is the picturesque Lake _______.

21. This area is used as a private performing theatre space for small ensembles, plays, and rehearsals.

22. This public trail runs through campus.

24. Oldest building on campus.

25. Which campus dorm is rumored to have paranormal activity?

26. Noted Vermont architect and craftsman of the historical Granger House spiral staircase.

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11. Author of the Castleton anthem and alma mater.

12. What is the name of the rare vintage telescope that lives in the CU observatory?

14. Name the annual Women’s Ice Hockey fundraiser to support breast cancer research.

15. Which campus building houses a solar array on its roof?

Senior Spotlight At Castleton, we often tell students to make a difference here before they make a difference in the world. The Class of 2021 has done just that. Their accomplishments at Castleton tell us they are going to make an immediate impact in our world – just as they have done in our small corner of Vermont. The Class of 2021 is filled with inquisitive scholars, determined leaders, curious world travelers, driven entrepreneurs, and passionate volunteers. This class is artistic, athletic, and ambitious. They are problem solvers and team players. They are Spartans.

4 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY

Cydney Krone On Cydney Krone’s wall in her off-campus apartment hangs a poster with a man in a suit and tie, and a woman in a white dress, with colorful letters that pop against the bright blue sky in the background.

The poster reads, “Vermont is for Lovers.”

The poster is for a 1992 docudrama with the same name, but that’s not why Krone has it on display. For her, it’s more of a reminder of her experience at Castleton and the people she’s met along the way.

Krone came to Castleton from Los Angeles, California, to study musical theater. She’s also a dance minor.

“I’ve always done performing, ever since I can remember. It all started at Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles,” she said. “It’s always been my passion. Being on a stage, dancing, any sort of thing with the arts. It’s always been a choice that I’ve made. I went to a performing arts middle school, and then I did performing arts in high school, so it’s always just been such a part of my life. Our whole family is full of artists.”

David Malinowski David Malinowski has always loved Disney. When Malinowski had the chance to complete a five-month internship, he jumped at the opportunity.

“I can’t pin an exact moment I learned of the Disney College Program. I’ve always loved Disney and learned of the program early on in my life,” Malinowski said. “I wanted to participate in the Disney College Program because it offered me the opportunity to work in a Fortune 500 company and provided a great resume enhancer. Plus, it’s Disney World, of course, I wanted to see what it’s like.”

The Disney College Program is a national internship program that provides students with valuable, on-the-job experience working at Disney parks and resorts. Participants also participate in college coursework during their experience.

Malinowski was part of the custodial teams at Hollywood Studios and Epcot, based in Orlando, Florida. In this role, he was responsible for maintaining the pristine appearance of the parks. During his internship, he lived in an apartment complex provided by Disney with other program participants.

When Krone was looking at colleges, she knew she wanted to get out of her comfort zone and the city. Castleton checked off all of the boxes.

“My greatest takeaway from the program was both the friendships I gained and my newly appreciated love for small towns,” he said.

“I wanted to go to a place where the weather was different than I’m used to. Because in California, where I live, it’s like 63 degrees every day, pretty consistent. So I knew I wanted to go to a place with snow. I really wanted to go somewhere I didnt know a single soul,” she said. “Honestly, the first thing that attracted me to Castleton was the name. I was like, ‘Castleton, that sounds so prestigious. That sounds so cute.

Castleton University.’”

The experience made Malinowski appreciate the quieter lifestyle at Castleton.

KEEP READING CYDNEY’S STORY AT:

KEEP READING DAVID’S STORY AT:

CASTLETON.EDU/CYDNEY

CASTLETON.EDU/DAVID

“I was not a fan of living in such a busy area of the country, people always coming and going in a rush, no small-town amenities like in Castleton that I took for granted all my life,” Malinowski said.

MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 5

Patrick Lucey Patrick Lucey has always felt at home at Castleton. It only took one visit to campus during accepted students day for the senior, who is studying History, to make the decision to become a Spartan.

A self-described “underachiever” in high school, Lucey took advantage of opportunities to get involved in the Castleton community. Lucey, who is originally from Barre, Vermont, is the current president of the Student Government Association and a former SGA delegate, a member of International Club, a Phi Alpha Theta National Honor Society member, and is a regular name on Castleton’s dean’s list.

At Castleton, Lucey discovered not only more about himself, but also those he was living and learning with.

“Some of my favorite memories in the past four years were late nights with friends, doing homework late, finding something relatable while we venture higher education together.

I also really enjoyed the memories of being part of various clubs here at Castleton. I made some lifelong friends that I will be forever grateful for,” he said.

Being in a welcoming, respectful, and supportive community was important for Lucey when considering colleges. He found that at Castleton. He found that in his friends and teammates, as well as in faculty and staff.

“Faculty and staff have helped me prepare for my life after Castleton by being mentors and life coaches, even if they did not intend to be,” Lucey said. “I really appreciate two people in particular: my advisor Dr. Adam Chill, and Matthew Patry, director of student activities. These two gentlemen have engrained a lot in me these past four years, changing my life for the better. It would be unfair if I did not mention them as part of me being successful here at Castleton.”

Raynolds Awusi At Castleton, students are often encouraged to make a difference here before making a difference in the world. Raynolds Awusi took that advice to heart, finding opportunities to become involved in initiatives that he cares about, particularly those relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“My favorite thing about Castleton is the ability to stand up for things you believe in,” he said. “There are people around Castleton who are willing to not only listen to your concerns, but help in finding a solution for those concerns.”

Awusi, who was born in Ghana and raised in Germantown, Maryland, began his academic career at Southern Vermont College before transferring to Castleton. The Management major chose Castleton, in large part, to how easy the University made transferring his credits, allowing him to stay on track for graduation. He also liked Castleton’s small class sizes and the ability to connect with professors one-on-one.

“In the beginning, I felt a bit lost because I was new, but as I began to know people, I started to really enjoy Castleton,” he said.

Awusi has been leading the efforts to form an official NAACP chapter on Castleton’s campus, which he expects will be approved this summer. He was instrumental in the raising of the Black Lives Matter flag on campus last year. These, he says, are some of his favorite memories from his time at Castleton.

Awusi also serves as a Student Government Association delegate and as a representative on Castleton’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. In his collegiate career, he also participated in a number of sports, including soccer and track.

He credits Castleton faculty and staff with mentoring him and preparing him for life after Castleton.

KEEP READING PATRICK’S STORY AT:

KEEP READING RAYNOLDS’ STORY AT:

CASTLETON.EDU/PATRICK

CASTLETON.EDU/RAYNOLDS

6 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY

Brooke Rubright Brooke Rubright started her college journey out of state, but after her first year, she knew she wanted to come home. Rubright is originally from Salisbury, Vermont, a small town located about 30 minutes away from Castleton’s main campus.

“I wanted to continue a degree in Graphic Design and had a really good feeling about the direction Castleton was taking their program,” she said. “The sense of community I felt while touring the campus and interacting with current professors and students solidified my decision. Castleton University provided me the opportunity to study interests of mine, while being less than an hour from my home.”

Rubright came to Castleton as a graphic design major. During her first semester, she added a second major in Media & Communication, concentrated in Public Relations with a minor in Creative Marketing.

“This is something I had never pictured myself enjoying, but I found that I loved to write and help others share their stories,” she said.

This passion led Rubright to explore a variety of courses, internships, and clubs, including the Castleton Content Lab, a group of students working to assist local organizations with their creative needs. As a junior, Rubright interned with Rutland Economic Development Corp. After a merger with Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce, she was offered a parttime position as the organization’s communications assistant.

She’s also participated in classes, like Professor Dave Blow’s community journalism course, that have provided Rubright the opportunity to have her stories published in local publications like the Addison County Independent and the Rutland Herald.

Adrianna Maher As a junior in high school, studying abroad upended the direction Adrianna Maher saw her life going in. After returning home to Burlington, Vermont, her previous plans no longer seemed appealing. As a junior at Castleton, a study abroad experience helped focus her goals back home.

“Studying abroad is required of students in the Global Studies program. It was something I had been looking forward to since beginning at Castleton,” Maher said. “I had studied abroad in high school and was ready to do it again. The experience was incredible. I credit a lot of my recent growth as a person and a student to it.”

The Global Studies major, who is double minoring in Political Science and Media and Communication, headed to Morocco in January 2020 to spend the semester studying abroad – or, at least that was her intention. The Coronavirus Pandemic forced Maher to return home early, but the change of scenery presented opportunities for quiet introspection.

“Early on, I learned I was far behind my peers there in drive and general knowledge,” she said. “It was there that I realized I had become complacent at college and in my life. At Castleton, I was getting straight A’s, and I was doing what I thought was a great job. Surface level, I was, however, I never took control of my own life. I wasn’t absorbing the information I was being taught, and I wasn’t seeking out more knowledge on my own. I wasn’t doing enough to meet my own aspirations; I was just getting by.”

Maher likes to say that Castleton, and college in general, gives you a foundation; however, you have to build the house.

“Morocco was the start to this journey, but it’s a never-ending one,” she said.

KEEP READING BROOKE’S STORY AT:

KEEP READING ADRIANNA’S STORY AT:

CASTLETON.EDU/BROOKE

CASTLETON.EDU/ADRIANNA MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 7

Castleton Has Taught Me ...

We asked faculty, staff, students, and alumni to relfect on their time at Castleton and share what they learned.

“how to teach with greater compassion. As an overachiever myself, I have not always had the greatest level of patience for a student who is not like me. I have always had to work hard to hide my impatience and have not always been good at doing so. But then, I got to know our authentic and brave students better, and learned just how amazing each is and can be in their own very important ways. I learned to listen and trust more. All of this has made me a better educator, and frankly, I think a better person.”

MARYBETH LENNOX-LEVINS associate professor and sport management program coordinator

“how to be independent and manage time!”

“that I can make a big impact in my community. This is a place that values service, welcomes new ideas, and fosters positive change.”

MICHAEL TALBOTT

professor and chair, media and communication department

“strength, resilience, and leadership.”

MARK NOBLE ’89

“comparison kills creativity.”

MATTHEW LEVINS ‘16

“to stand up for what I believe in even when the odds are stacked against me.”

JOSEPH KINNEY ’24 LEXIE GRENIER ’22

8 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY

“even during this most challenging time in our lives, the Spartan community will put aside their personal wants and needs in order to do what is best for the students we serve. This example of sacrifice will go a long way in setting the standard for service in our students’ future lives.”

JOHN O’CONNOR HEAD MEN’S SOCCER COACH

“that life has so much more to offer when you expand your comfort zone.”

“how to thrive.”

ASHLEIGH HOFFER ’24

“the Castleton Way!”

RILEY PHILLIPS ’22

LIZZI COTA ’13

“the importance of community engagement.”

“the significance of small communities.”

BRIAN SMITH ’07 ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT MANAGER & EVENTS FACILITATOR

BROOKE RUBRIGHT ’21

“that community matters.”

TONY VOLPONE head football coach

“Castleton has taught me the importance of continued learning and a growth mindset. We – students, faculty, staff, and administrators, etc. – all learn together each and every day. Not just by sitting in a classroom or on a Zoom class. We learn from each other. We learn from the diverse experiences, expertise, and perspectives that we each bring to the table.

We learn from textbooks, current topics, performances, workshops, clubs, committees, etc. We respect each other.

What brought us all together is the opportunity to continue to learn and grow, and working together, Castleton provides a safe space for all of us to do that.”

“motivation!”

BETHANY SPRAGUE

BEN THOMPSON ’23

office manager, castleton center for schools

MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 9

KATIE FEENEY

AARON SMITH

MAX TEMPEL

Undergrad to Graduate School There are many reasons Castleton students choose to continue their education beyond a bachelor’s degree. It is well documented that a person’s earning potential increases with their level of education. Castleton’s graduate programs provide an affordable, flexible opportunity for working professionals to continue their career while earning their master’s degree.

These Castleton alumni found success as undergraduate students at Castleton and chose to continue their education at their alma mater.

Max Tempel ’20 is balancing work and an MBA Max Tempel came to Castleton University as a transfer student, and he decided to stay for a while.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Media and Communication concentrated in Public Relations and a Marketing minor in 2020, Tempel chose Castleton to continue his education by pursuing a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Leading Organizational Change.

Tempel, who now lives in Averill Park, New York, is currently working full-time for Northwestern Mutual as an associate financial advisor. He chose to continue his education at Castleton because it offered affordability and convenience.

“I have always had an end goal of achieving the MBA. It is the prestige business degree, and I felt it would put me on another level,” Tempel said. “When looking into MBA programs, I picked up on that Castleton had one of the best tuition rates in the country for an MBA. I also noticed that Castleton ran its program fully online, and courses were eight-week blocks. This offered a very time-effective and cost-effective opportunity to continue my education.”

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Finding a flexible solution to pursue his MBA was important because he had to balance full-time work with his studies and a remaining year of eligibility on the wrestling team. The endeavor has been well worth it.

“Graduate school has broadened my knowledge of the business field, and my classmates have changed my perspective on things in many ways,” he said.

Katie Feeney ’19 is choosing Castleton for the third time Katie Feeney felt at home the first time she stepped foot on the Castleton campus. That welcome feeling has encouraged her to stay for not just one – but two master’s degrees.

Feeney graduated Magma Cum Laude with a degree in Sport Management and a Marketing minor in 2019. She then became a graduate assistant for the Sport Management program and is graduating with her master’s in Athletic Leadership. She will continue at Castleton once again in the MBA program.

“My undergraduate experience prepared me in many ways for my graduate school success. The Sport Management Program has an amazing balance of classroom learning and hands-on experiences we refer to as service-learning hours,” Feeney said. “This balance allowed me to grow as a passionate student and as a young professional with years of experience in the sports industry even before graduation.”

Feeney said she continued her education with Castleton’s master’s in Athletic Leadership because the program is unique, close-knit, and personal — even when 100% online.

She recommends that graduating seniors seek a way to distinguish themselves from the crowd. For her, that meant continuing her education.

ABBY MAYO FRONT ROW, SECOND FROM RIGHT

“In general, pursuing that next step in your education or even with certifications is the way to go. … I also advise for seniors, alums, and current students to start networking with other Castleton alums that work in the same field as you. ... My transition to graduate school has been seamless, thanks to my undergraduate education at Castleton,” Feeney said.

Aaron Smith ’18 finds confidence in his Castleton Education Even a four-year college athlete and star student can use someone in their corner. For Aaron Smith, that person is Marybeth Lennox-Levins.

“We are lucky enough in this Athletic Leadership program to have a coordinator and professor like Marybeth. She strives every day to help us and her undergrad students be set up to find employment in the sport industry,” Smith said. “Having someone like her in my corner gives me all of the confidence in the world to apply to any job that I feel is within reach.”

Smith grew up in Middlebury, Vermont, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration with Coaching and Business minors from Castleton in 2018.

Now, Smith is a graduate student in the Athletic Leadership program. He said that the fully-online schedule of the Athletic Leadership program fits into his busy schedule, making it a convenient option.

“We have professors in this program who work collectively to provide students with the best experience in post-graduate education,” Smith said. “The program does not have inperson classes or set class Zoom meetings like an undergrad program. The workload is manageable, but challenging, and gives any student a full scope of how every area of an athletic department runs.”

Smith highly recommends that graduates continue their education.

“To someone who is looking into the idea of graduate school, I would say that if you can find a program that continues your

“Castleton’s community is kind, accepting, and hardworking. I feel seen and heard in my community in a way that is unique to our campus.

I can get involved anywhere, learn anything, and be supported when the going gets hard.” education to absolutely go for it. If you have an opportunity to become a graduate assistant somewhere, it is an experience that one shouldn’t pass up,” he said.

Abby Mayo is executing her plan Getting a master’s degree from Castleton was always part of Abby Mayo’s plan as a student in the Kinesiology/Pre-AT + Master of Athletic Training program, which allows students to complete their bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years.

“I was drawn to healthcare to help people and stayed at Castleton because Castleton helps me. My connection to Castleton has a lot to do with the community and how much support those in it have given me,” she said.

The main difference she has found between graduate and undergraduate courses is that the topics covered become much more focused and advanced.

“We take specific classes with our advising professors, then get to apply many of the skills we learn in the classroom to our clinical placements,” Mayo said. “We’ve become a tight-knit group since beginning the Master’s program.”

Mayo is grateful to the many people in the Castleton community who have helped her achieve academic success.

“My favorite thing about Castleton is the way our community feels. It’s like its own little world in a small town. I’ve lived in Vermont for 17 years, and I feel like Castleton is my favorite place in the whole state,” Mayo said. “Castleton’s community is kind, accepting, and hardworking. I feel seen and heard in my community in a way that is unique to our campus. I can get involved anywhere, learn anything, and be supported when the going gets hard.”

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CASTLETON’S GRADUATE PROGRAMS, VISIT:

CASTLETON.EDU/GRADUATE MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 11

top

10 Castleton News Stories from the Past Four Years Here’s a roundup of the top stories at Castleton University during the Class of 2021’s time at Castleton.

Preston Garcia Earns $300,000 Research Grant (2018) Associate Professor of Biology and Biology Program Coordinator Dr. Preston Garcia secured a competitive research grant through the National Science Foundation, which funds his research through 2021.

The grant, titled “RUI: Collaborative Research: Understanding the role of a modified phosphotransferase system and a unique two-component signal transduction system in regulating gene expression,” is under the direction of Dr. Garcia at Castleton, in collaboration with Dr. Catalina Arango Pinedo at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. The collaborative grant total amount is $560,082, with $252,071 going to St. Joseph’s University and $308,011 going to Castleton University.

Olivia Duane Adams ’84 Named to VSCS Hall of Fame (2018)

President Wolk Presents Final Convocation Address (2017) Castleton University opened the 2017-18 academic year with Fall Convocation as a standing-room-only crowd of more than 500 students, faculty, alumni, and staff members joined President Dave Wolk for his annual State of the University address in Casella Theater.

President Wolk welcomed the packed theater back to campus for the beginning of his 32nd and final semester at Castleton, urging all in attendance to “choose love.”

“We are and will always remain the small university with the big heart, with high expectations for students and staff, the university that helps students to transform themselves, the university that, with the help of its students, is transforming itself. And the university that has transformed me,” Wolk said.

12 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY

Olivia “Libby” Duane Adams became the fourth Castleton graduate to be inducted into the Vermont State Colleges System Hall of Fame. Adams earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Castleton in 1984 and became the co-founder of Alteryx, Inc., a global leader in the data analytics industry headquartered in Irvine, California, in 1997. Adams now serves as chief advocacy officer at Alteryx.

Two Nights with Twiddle to Benefit Scholarship Fund (2019) Twiddle came home for backto-back nights at the Paramount Theatre in Rutland, Vermont, to create and fund a recurring scholarship at Castleton University through the White Light Foundation, the band’s partner nonprofit organization.

Killington Program Approved

by NECHE (2019) Castleton University received notice from the New England Council on Higher Education (NECHE) that it is approved to operate at Killington Resort. The University now offers an accelerated bachelor’s degree in Resort & Hospitality Management delivered under a cooperative education model. Castleton opened a satellite campus in Killington for students in the program. Castleton also opened a campus in Bennington to deliver its bachelor’s degree in Nursing in partnership with Southwestern Vermont Health Care.

Castleton Skiers Lauded for Heroism (2019) Racing down the mountain in the giant slalom, Babson College’s Victor Wiacek was nearing the crest of a hill that would send him into the final half of the course when one of his skis came loose in a turn and slid across his thigh, causing a deep laceration in his left leg and severing an artery. Castleton students Kylie Mackie and Linn Ljungemo were acting as gatekeepers at the point where Wiacek went down, and sprang into action immediately upon seeing him crash. Both Spartan skiers are first-aid certified through Castleton’s e-care class.

Castleton Receives $2.25 Million Federal Education Grant (2019) Castleton University received a $2.25 million Title III grant from the U.S. Department of Education under the Strengthening Institutions Program. The funds, awarded over five years, support new initiatives designed to improve student success, address student needs, and bolster the University’s persistence and completion rates. The University will focus on developing a digital learning commons, providing additional resources for institutional research, upgrades to classroom technology and infrastructure, and more.

History Made! Women’s Alpine Claims First-Ever USCSA SL National Championship (2020) The Castleton University women’s alpine ski team made history, winning the slalom title at the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association’s National Championships at Whiteface.

More than 700 Students Earn Dean’s and President’s List Honors in Spring (2020) Castleton was proud to announce the 700-plus President’s and Dean’s List recipients for the spring semester of the 2019-20 academic year. To qualify for this honor, students named to the President’s List must maintain full-time status and achieve a grade point average of 4.0, while members of the Dean’s List must maintain full-time status and achieve a grade point average of at least 3.5.

New Telepresence Classroom Improves Castleton’s Ability to Connect (2021) Castleton University can now virtually connect its campuses and provide an improved active learning environment with its new telepresence classroom.

Through telepresence instruction, Castleton can extend its in-person instruction to remote sites and off-campus students. The telepresence classroom uses high-definition cameras, installed in both the front and rear of the room, allowing distance learners to see both the instructor and their classmates.

MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 13

Class of 2021

14 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY

MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 15

Alumni

For most Castleton graduates, as their student experience draws to a close and they round out the last of their academic credits, they are left with mixed emotions: feelings of sadness surrounding parting ways with friends who have become like family over the past few years, uncertainty as they navigate a competitive and unpredictable job market, and anxiety as they prepare to enter a new phase in their lives.

However, I want to remind you that as one door closes, another one opens.

While your time as a student at Castleton winds down, your journey as a Spartan alumnus is just beginning. Being a member of the Castleton alumni community permanently bonds you with the more than 20,000 talented and like-minded individuals who bleed 343 Green. The relationships forged, lessons learned, and confidence gained are things that you will carry with you far beyond the footprint of our campus, and will guide you as you embrace new endeavors and challenge yourself to reach new heights.

In the pages that follow, you will have the opportunity to read a variety of Spartan alumni stories. Stories of success, stories of perseverance, stories of love, and stories of pride, service, passion, and accomplishment. Each of these stories share a common theme of the possibilities afforded by a transformative Castleton education.

The opportunities in front of you are endless. You have made a significant difference here on campus, and in the hearts and minds of so many of our Castleton faculty, staff, alumni, and your fellow students. Now go out and make a difference in the world. Wherever life takes you next, remember, once a Spartan, always a Spartan!

Courtney Widli ’13 Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

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Service of a Spartan Phillip Modesti ’90 From his father, who found himself in the United States by way of Rome, Italy, and his mother, a stateless refugee from Romania, Castleton alumnus Phillip Modesti ’90 learned the value of service to one’s community at an early age.

“I grew up in a family that was about helping others,” he explained. “My parents were both immigrants that came to the US with very little. As they established themselves, they always gave back to those in need.”

Modesti’s service to his country began in the Marine Corps Reserves while a Communication student at Castleton.

Shortly after graduating, he was called to active duty after receiving a call that his unit would be deploying to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield. During the ground war in Kuwait, he was a tank gunner on the M60A1 Main Battle Tank for B Company, 8th Tanks, 4th MARDIV (2nd MARDIV). They remained deployed from November 1990 to May 1991 and were the first tanks through the minefield for the 2nd Marine Division and the last Marine Corps tank unit to leave Kuwait.

Serving a total of 10 honorable years, Modesti has received the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat ‘V’ and other personal awards of recognition, however, his dedication to helping others does not end there.

Honoring both the early lessons of civic-mindedness from his family and his distinguished service career, Modesti established the first independently funded scholarship for United States veterans at Castleton University in 2021. The Phillip Modesti Scholarship will be awarded annually to deserving Castleton student veterans who are currently serving in the reserves, guard, or have served in the United States military with first preference given to those with verified combat service.

“I am proud of where I am today. I have a great wife and two awesome daughters with all the basic needs of life, so if I can give back and help others, I would like to do that,” said Modesti, who also served on the board of directors for a veterans transitional home, Homes for the Brave, in

Connecticut, along with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association CT 31-2, whose motto is Vets Helping Vets.

“This scholarship is an extension of giving back in another way to those who are or have served in the United States military,” Modesti said.

Modesti now oversees the Global Medical Education for Hologic’s Breast & Skeletal Health Division as Senior Director in Danbury, Connecticut, and works primarily with radiologists and surgeons to improve the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Having established his professional career and family life, he continues to look for ways to honor his family’s legacy and inspire others to give back.

MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 17

Celebrating Spartan Women Castleton alumnae near and far are making an impact in their local communities, as well as on both a national and global level. Their contributions include advancements in the healthcare industry, expanding educational opportunities for students, drawing attention to civic-minded causes that help those in need, building intricate networks to ease communications channels and improve workflow at large-scale organizations, and more. Our four outstanding featured women have risen to become talented professionals in their field, and we are so proud to call them Spartans.

18 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY

“Castleton University is a very special place. It was the gateway to a life and career I could have never expected.”

An Alumna with Impact Carol Ryan Surface Ph.D. ’87 Psychology alumna Carol Ryan Surface Ph.D. ’87 currently serves as the chief human resources officer for Medtronic, an award-winning global leader in healthcare technology.

“Our company improves the lives of two people every second,” Surface explained. “If you know someone with a pacemaker or diabetes, or who has had surgery, it is very possible that a Medtronic product or therapy has touched their lives.”

also serves as vice chair of the HR Policy Association. She was recently recognized for her achievements and awarded the highest honor in the human resource profession, as she was elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources (NAHR) in 2020.

“What has always motivated me – personally and professionally – is the ability to have an impact on people’s lives.

I especially feel a responsibility to give back to my profession since my career has been guided by wise counsel from many people, starting at Castleton,” she said.

In her current role, she holds the responsibility of leading the human resources strategy for the company’s 90,000+ employees worldwide. Additionally, she provides leadership for philanthropy and Medtronic Labs and serves as the board chair of the Medtronic Foundation.

Surface’s introduction to the intersection between her interest in psychology and business first took roots when former Castleton professor Dr. Curt Bartol suggested she take his course in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.

Learning with Loren

“Castleton University is a very special place. It was the gateway to a life and career I could have never expected,” Surface expressed. “Attending Castleton turned out to be one of the most pivotal experiences of my life.”

Loren Sapphire Kelly ’96 has been teaching in a Nursing program at the University of New Mexico College of Nursing for more than nine years, focusing on public health and community engagement.

Before joining Medtronic in 2013, Surface held the position of executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Best Buy Co., Inc. She also served in a series of human resources leadership roles at PepsiCo International.

“I love teaching and working with students while fostering their aspirations to become future nurses,” she said. “I see myself as more of a facilitator of learning in partnership with the students so that we are learning together.”

“If I had known that a career in Human Resources would take me to more than 60 countries, including living and working outside of the U.S. for seven years, then maybe I would have aspired to work in this field all along,” she said of her career, which has provided her the opportunity to live and work in Hong Kong, Dubai, and various locations around the United States.

In addition to her responsibilities at Medtronic, Surface

Loren Sapphire Kelly ‘96

Kelly’s position gives her the independence to be creative in how she designs and teaches her courses.

“I have the opportunity to be part of many collaborations and partnerships. I’ve been able to lead clinical experiences in global health in Kenya, Mexico, and Costa Rica,” she said. “One of my favorite experiences is taking students twice a year for a two-week rural health clinical practicum at Navajo Nation in Chinle, Arizona.”

MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 19

Kelly’s appreciation for traveling and providing health care in rural settings began when she was a student at Castleton during a community health rotation. There, she spent several days working alongside a nurse – driving on dirt roads and making home visits – doing wound care and providing education to patients.

“I loved the freedom and autonomy of that role,” Kelly said.

“That experience opened my eyes to rural health and made me see the role of the community health nurse in going out into the community and enabling people to remain in their homes and maintain their lifestyle.”

After earning her degree from Castleton and working locally for a few years, Kelly and her husband, James – a fellow Nursing program alumnus who graduated in 1998 – traded in Vermont’s mountain views for the red rock vistas of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Kelly worked as a traveling nurse during her first few years out west. This experience, she said, deepened her regard for rural medicine.

“Working in the ICU with patients from rural and marginalized communities, who were coming in with chronic and often preventable conditions, made me aware of the social determinants of health and the health disparities faced by so many individuals and communities,” Kelly said.

In addition to her passion for teaching and health care, Kelly has had a lifelong love of singing and performing.

When Carnegie Hall celebrated its 100th anniversary, she had the opportunity to perform with the Masterwork Chorus. Currently, she sings soprano with Quintessence, a choir in Albuquerque that performs concerts throughout the year, including a summer choral festival.

Always looking for new ways to engage with the public in her career, Kelly is about to embark on another phase and is starting a program to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

“Nursing has been a far more personally and professionally gratifying career than I ever imagined. When I graduated from Castleton, I didn’t know exactly what area of nursing I would end up in,” she said. “Everything unfolded and my skills and experiences all built upon one another so that my career evolved with a great variety of experiences and settings from a teaching hospital to the pueblo.”

Making a Global Impact Ariel Delaney ’07 Ariel Delaney has the unique experience of interacting and collaborating with the largest private foundation in the world on a daily basis. As senior program coordinator for the financial services for the poor team at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Delaney’s devotion to advancing the work of global nonprofits is a driving force for her career. Having worked for smaller nonprofit organizations dependent on fundraising for their survival in the past, she now finds joy in helping fund them.

“I love working with small, first-time Gates Foundation grantees that have not received major funding before but are passionate about the work they are doing,” she said.

When Delaney graduated from Castleton in 2007 with a degree in Communications, concentrated in Journalism, her goal was to become a foreign correspondent, traveling the world reporting the truth and exposing injustice.

While serving in an internship at WCAX in Burlington, Vermont, Delaney found herself missing the philanthropy work she had previously engaged in and made a professional career shift by joining the Peace Corps. She knew then she could have a deeper impact.

“I hadn't thought about working in the nonprofit world as a career until I served as a Peace Corps community health volunteer in Morocco,” she explained. “It was an eye-opening experience. I ended up applying for a grant in collaboration with local leadership to refurbish a well to bring clean drinking water to part of the village.”

Delany’s first successful grant was a rewarding experience, which led her to enroll in the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University to learn the theoretical background for working in development. She received her graduate degree in sustainable international development and went on to accept philanthropic roles at international organizations including Grounds for Health in Ethiopia and Nicaragua and Planned Parenthood.

“It’s been an exciting ride and I have learned so much in all the contexts I’ve worked in,” she shared. “There is no linear

20 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY

career path. You have to take the bumps, ride the waves, and be willing to take roles that help you learn but may not ultimately pay the bills.”

Delaney now lives with her husband and daughter in Lake Stevens, Washington. She has found a meaningful way to make a deep impact on many lives, including the world's poorest, as she manages an investment portfolio worth $60 million with the mission of expanding the availability of affordable and reliable financial services, serves as deputy director of Malaria Partners International, and has a role on the board of the Philanthropic Education Organization.

“Castleton and Vermont are small portions of the world. It takes courage to go beyond what you know,” she said. “The world has so many possibilities. Try not to let the fear of the unknown prevent you from a new experience.”

company’s senior executives. Her duties include helping to drive message alignment and providing strategic internal and external communication support for the Electronic Systems sector’s seven business areas, spanning commercial and defense markets, which employ more than 15,000 people across 26 sites in the United States, United Kingdom, and Mexico.

The company atmosphere is amongst one of the most cherished aspects of her job, which she states brings together a strong sense of collaboration, mentorship, continued learning, community engagement, and creative freedom.

“I am lucky to be surrounded by such talented and dedicated people every day. People with diverse perspective and backgrounds who come together to solve some of our customers’ toughest problems. It gives me energy and purpose to feel part of something bigger,” she said.

Throughout both her personal and professional journey, Flewelling has remained a lifelong learner, adding new skills to her toolbox and constantly drawing inspiration from those who are most important and influential to her, including her parents, fiancé, family, friends, and co-workers.

Conquering Communication Ali Flewelling ‘11 It was the fast-paced environment, ever-changing atmosphere, and ability to make a difference that drew Castleton alumna Ali Flewelling ‘11 into a career in business communications. As a communications business partnerships manager at BAE Systems, a global aerospace and defense company based in Nashua, New Hampshire, the Vermont native embraces the challenges of each new day in the office and has built a thriving career that spans multiple industries.

“My company does meaningful work protecting our nation’s service men and women. We have a purposeful mission that drives many of us to put our best foot forward each day,” explained Flewelling, who has been with the company for just over four years. “It’s a place where, if you raise your hand and have a good idea, people will listen, support you, and give you a chance to prove yourself.”

In her role, Flewelling leads a team of executive communications professionals who serve as trusted advisors to the

“A lot of that comes from my family and my upbringing. Both of my parents were educators, and they always supported me and encouraged me to explore the things that interested me,” she explained. “They let me figure things out on my own, let me fail, and taught me lessons along the way, something I now try to do with my school-aged stepson.”

At the end of the day, it is the culmination of Flewelling’s various Castleton experiences as a Media and Communication major that have helped prepare her for life post-graduation. From her dedicated professors who found unique ways to instill pride, drive, and excitement in her as a student and the diverse curriculum that provided her with an abundance of life skills, to the hands-on experiences of local freelancing writing and internship opportunities, she credits her time as a Spartan for laying a solid foundation for her continued growth.

“Castleton prepared me for success as a communications professional by exposing me to all facets of communication during my degree program, including those that were outside my comfort zone,” she said. “Castleton truly lived up to its ‘small college with a big heart’ motto and just felt right. It felt like home, and it still does today.”

MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 21

Meet the Rudloffs From Castleton, Vermont, to Las Vegas, Nevada

Robert and Laurie Rudloff, Class of 1980, first locked eyes as freshmen on the eve of Valentine’s Day at a campus gathering in Adams Hall in 1977. Now, more than four decades and three children later, the two northeasterners, who hail from Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Brandon, Vermont, have collectively built a thriving family, home, and professional career in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“The education we received at Castleton gave us invaluable, practical life skills,” Robert said of the couple’s shared Spartan experience. “It was a great fit.”

Robert launched his career in the gaming industry as an internal auditor in 1980. He landed his first interview at a casino company – the Golden Nugget Atlantic City – before even receiving his Castleton diploma, and has been making a name for himself within the internal auditing and fraud examination sector ever since.

“I was very intrigued by the gaming industry,” said Robert.

In 2003, he joined MGM Resorts International, one of the world’s leading casino gaming, hospitality, and entertainment companies, and now serves as the senior vice president of internal audit, where he leads a 100-person team across a variety of national and international locations. His responsibilities include performing financial, operational, information technology, anti-corruption, and gaming regulatory compliance audits.

“It’s our responsibility to make sure that we are operating in accordance with government regulations, policies, and procedures. We are also looking for opportunities to improve 22 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY

Bob and Laurie Rudloff ‘80

“The education we received at Castleton gave us invaluable, practical life skills.” the business from an operational and efficiency standpoint, as well as manage the company’s ethics hotline,” explained Robert, whose casino industry experience now spans 40 years. “My accounting degree was a great foundation for my current work.”

In addition to his professional duties with MGM, Robert was inducted into the IIA American Hall of Distinguished Audit Practitioners in 2015 and currently serves as a member of the Audit Committee International Association of Gaming Advisors.

Laurie’s passion for both learning and teaching has been a driving force for her personal and professional endeavors.

After earning a degree in Education at Castleton, she spent a brief period working in a faith-based school team-teaching general studies to first grade students in southern New Jersey before taking on her true calling.

“The most important thing to me was being a mother. I have always wanted to be a mom and we were blessed with three sons,” Laurie said. “I made sure that I met their needs and that they each reached their potential.”

Raising her children has been one of her greatest accomplishments and brings Laurie a constant stream of joy, especially with the addition of two grandchildren. She is also an active volunteer in her local community and large church parish, serving more than 6,500 families.

Despite several out-of-state relocations and her family’s crosscountry move to Las Vegas, Laurie’s Green Mountain roots and memories remain an important aspect of her identity.

“Vermont, and my little town of Brandon, are so important to me,” she said, adding that she and Robert recently purchased a home on Lake Bomoseen to better experience all that the state has to offer. “They are a part of who I am.”

Both Robert and Laurie emphasized the importance of continued learning in and out of the classroom. The two agreed that their Castleton journeys allowed them to grow as a couple and individually.

“I can go back to things I have been able to do successfully in my career, and I can tie a lot of them back to things that happened at Castleton, both in the classroom and outside of the classroom,” Robert said. “It’s what you, as a student, put into your educational experience that makes a difference.”

TO READ MORE ABOUT THE RUDLOFF’S, VISIT:

CASTLETON.EDU/RUDLOFF

Lights, Cameras, Sports Scott Favalora ‘93 As a director of over 25 years at ESPN, Castleton alumnus Scott Favalora has covered just about all of the most in-demand broadcasted sporting events on television and still finds a daily burning devotion to his field of work. Orchestrating and coordinating the behind-the-scenes action for College Game Day Football and Basketball, the NBA Finals, the SportsCenter Tonight shows, the World Cup, and event boxing are just a few of his long-standing career highlights.

“I am still passionate about directing after all these years,” Favalora explained. “I can also invest in my staff who have the same love for the work.”

Following his graduation from Castleton in 1993, Favalora used the interpersonal skill set he acquired in the Communications Department to turn an internship into full-time work at the independent television station WTWS in New London, Connecticut. Soon after getting a taste of working in television, he found himself starting a dream position at ESPN as a technical director.

“Ultimately, the director can create, document, and do the storytelling,” he said. “Having a creative impact is what I enjoy the most.”

Favalora tried his hand at directing local news at WBAL in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1998, but quickly longed for and returned to his first love, directing sports. Favalora spent the next 15 years at ESPN working his way up through the management chain and now oversees the Studio Directing Department. In his position, Favalora currently leads a 125-person team located throughout Bristol, Connecticut, Los Angeles, California, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

“My group includes 16 managers, directors, associate directors, project managers, lighting specialists, and stage managers,” he shared. “In addition to that, we oversee the Studio Design and Development Team, which oversees scenic and some technical installation. I lead a very talented team of creative individuals whose ultimate goal is to give direction that impacts live studio programming.”

Looking back on his success with thoughts of advice for those wishing to pursue a similar career path, Favalora reaches for lessons he learned on the Castleton campus.

“Treat people with respect and push the envelope,” he advised. “People respond to both of those traits.”

MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 23

Now & Then Celebrating the life-long friendships that bloomed at Castleton.

Homecoming 1968 George Williams ‘71 • Preston Lawrence ‘71 • Jerry Lloyd ‘72 Mike Gilbert ‘72 • Larry Orr ‘71 Homecoming 2010 Larry Orr ‘71 • George Williams ‘71 • Nancy Pitcher Gilbert ‘72 Mike Gilbert ‘72 • Jerry Lloyd ‘72

Top Photo 2019 Jay Sullivan ‘88 and Patricia Gagnon ‘88 and John Durkee ‘85 Middle Photo 1992 John Durkee ‘85, Deborah Dow Wilson ‘88, Beth Buckley Miller ‘88, Patricia Gagnon ‘88 and Jay Sullivan ‘88

24 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY

Bottom Photo 1988 Beth Buckley Miller, Patricia Gagnon, Deborah Dow Wilson, and Kimberly Desso-Dembele

Elise Hussa ‘15 Stephanie Sylvester Beauregard ‘15

Left Photo: 2020 Righ

Lily (Derbyshire) Clark ‘13 Jennifer Martel ‘13 First Photo: 2013 Second Photo: 2020

Heather (Patterson) Faass ‘10 Stephanie (Kopko) Coen ‘10 Nicole (Kondziela) Mastroeni ‘06

Mariah O’Hara ‘16 Bekah (Jensen) Town ‘17

Emily Newman ‘16 Colleen Kunz ‘16

Blake Hart ‘16 • Seth Wilmott ‘17 Andrew Meister ‘18

Elicia Pinsonault ‘12 • Samantha Newton ‘12 Left Photo 2012 • Right Photo 2020

ht Photo: 2011

Jake Rick ‘10 Ashley Rick ‘10

Gary Quinn ’60 Mary Quinn ’60

Meg Karb‘08 Jason Bullett ‘05 Amy Kittredge (Yandow) ‘07

Leah Van Buren ‘14 Michelle Rossman ‘14

MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 25

Finding the Right Fit at Castleton When Max Tempel graduated high school, he wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to do. He had been recruited by Spartan head coach Scott Legacy to join the first-year wrestling program for the 2016-17 season, but Tempel felt unsure about his future as a wrestler after a grueling high school career and decided to stick close to his home town of Averill Park, New York.

His college days started at Siena College, but he quickly realized that it wasn’t a good fit for him, so he transferred to Hudson Valley Community College to finish out his freshman year.

“Sometimes it’s tough to really know what you want at 18 years old,” Tempel said. “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do or where I wanted to be, so I ended up going to Siena for a semester because it was close to home. I got about halfway through the fall semester and looked at myself in the mirror and really felt like I wasn’t in the right place.”

At that point in time, Tempel had the itch to continue his wrestling career in college and began to train once more for the sport he loved so much. Word got around to Coach Legacy, and the Spartan head coach reached out to Tempel to let him know that there was still a spot on the roster for him if he was interested. That gesture meant a lot to Tempel, proving the character of Coach Legacy and the program he was working to build.

“I really liked Coach Legacy and the coaching staff at Castleton out of high school, but I just decided at that time to not continue with wrestling and I think I regretted that a little bit,” Tempel added. “For me it meant a lot when Coach Legacy reached back out because he didn’t forget about me, and I knew that they did a lot of really 26 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY

impressive things in that first year as a program. Castleton felt like the right fit the year before, but I just wasn’t ready to wrestle at the time.”

Tempel’s decision to choose Castleton was reinforced immediately, as he set a program single-season record with 46 victories in his first year on the mat to earn a spot on the NEWA All-Rookie Team. He followed the impressive debut season up with 33 wins in each of his next two seasons, giving him 112 wins through just three years — second most in program history. Tempel added six more wins in his senior season in 2021, going a perfect 6-0 during a COVID-shortened season to put his career mark at 118-29.

Beyond accumulating victories on the mat, Tempel was a three-time all-region honoree and is one of just three wrestlers in program history to qualify for the NCAA Division III National Championships. He was also named to the New England Wrestling Association’s All-Conference Teams three times. Despite all the accolades, Tempel was hopeful that he would have one last shot in 2021 to reach his goals on the national stage. That hope was taken away with the cancellation of the NCAA championships and the news that Castleton would not be able to travel to the alternative event put on by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

“I knew that things with this season were going to be tough, but I always remained hopeful that it was going to work out,” he said. “I worked really hard in preparation, and it was tough to hear [that we couldn’t go] knowing that I put in all the time and I wasn’t going to get a chance to go out one more time and try and reach some of those goals that I’ve had since I was a little kid.”

After some time to reflect, Tempel has come to terms with the way the 2021 season came to a conclusion.

“I’ve realized now that sometimes you’re not always going to get that storybook ending that you wanted,” he said. “I don’t regret a second of my preparation or my training because I know that it’s shaped me into who I am, mentally and physically. Even if I never get to be called an All-American or a National Champion, I know I’m going to be able to take a lot away from my career.”

Tempel’s accolades become more impressive when you realize how involved he was off the mat. He was a three-time member of the NEWA All-Academic Team and a threetime NWCA Scholar All-American. He was also named to the Dean’s List five times. In his first semester at Castleton, he joined the Student Government Association as the SGA

“Castleton is a really great place. The people make the difference here. I’m really grateful that I got to spend some time in my life here and I’ll never forget it.” secretary before later being named the SGA vice president of academics. Tempel was also a community advisor on campus, earning the SGA Community Advisor Award in 2020 for his devotion to his role. He also received the Student Life University Service Award, given annually to students who have made outstanding contributions to Castleton through their participation in various extracurricular activities.

In his senior season in 2021, Tempel worked full-time remotely as an associate financial representative for Northwestern Mutual while simultaneously balancing coursework in Castleton’s MBA program and his wrestling schedule. He landed the job after a mentoring program put together by Coach Legacy connected him with a former collegiate wrestler and current Wealth Management advisor, Matthew Herrington. Tempel took an internship under Herrington in 2019 and performed so well that Herrington offered him full-time employment upon graduation.

Tempel has one more season of eligibility left after the NCAA granted a blanket waiver for student-athletes due to the impact of COVID-19. While he hasn’t committed to using that season of eligibility, he also hasn’t committed to hanging up his singlet quite yet. Regardless of whether Tempel exercises his final year of eligibility on the mat, he is thankful for his time at Castleton and cherishes the opportunities that he had both as a wrestler and as a student.

“Castleton is a really great place,” he said. “The people make the difference here. I’m really grateful that I got to spend some time in my life here and I’ll never forget it. Not only am I thankful for the wrestling program that got me here, but I’m thankful for all the people that I met along the way.”

MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 27

FANS IN THE STANDS No matter the circumstances, fans of Castleton University athletics rally to support the Spartans. Throughout COVID-19, things have been no different.

When the Castleton hockey teams returned to action in January, fans were not permitted to attend the games, so the Spartan faithful banded together to fill the stands of Spartan Arena in a way that was COVID compliant — with cardboard cutouts.

Prior to the Castleton women’s ice hockey home-opener several dozen fans submitted their photo and made a donation to the University to secure their spot in the stands to support the teams. By the end of the season, over 130 fans had a seat at Spartan Arena, netting more than $10,000 for the Castleton ice hockey programs.

“We were very excited to be able to offer this opportunity to our fans,” said Associate Dean for Athletics and Recreation Deanna Tyson. “The Spartan community continually shows up for our student-athletes and this year has been no different, despite the difficult circumstances.”

28 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY

LEADING THE TEAM

SHARING STATS OF THE COACHES BEHIND SPARTAN SPORTS

Bo McDougall | Men’s Lacrosse | Years at Castleton: 10

BO McDOUGALL

Alma Mater: St. Lawrence ‘06 | Conference Championships: 2 | Career Record: 87-65 Fun Fact: McDougall was an assistant coach for the Castleton football team from 2011-13 Last Five Seasons: Year Wins 2020 0 2019 5 2018 10 2017 10 2016 11

Losses Notes 4 Season shortened due to COVID-19 12 First season in Little East Conference 8 NAC Runner-up 9 NAC Runner-up 7 NAC Runner-up

Chris Chapdelaine | Women’s Soccer | Years at Castleton: 16

CHRIS CHAPDELAINE

Alma Mater: Castleton ‘02 | Conference Championships: 5 | Career Record: 177-112-21 Fun Fact: Chapdelaine also coached Castleton’s softball team from 2012-14 Last Five Seasons: Year Wins 2019 10 2018 7 2017 11 2016 7 2015 12

Losses Ties 10 0 12 0 8 2 8 6 8 0

Notes Won first LEC Postseason contest Made LEC Postseason in inaugural year in league Won NAC Championship Made NAC Postseason 9-0 in NAC regular season

Chris Eder | Men’s & Women’s Alpine Skiing | Years at Castleton: 18 Alma Mater: Green Mountain College ‘98 | Regional Championships: 9 Team National Championships: 1 | Individual National Championships: 6 Fun Fact: Eder was named USCSA National Coach of the Year in 2020

CHRIS EDER

Last Five Seasons:

TIM McAULIFFE

RooCarkdie

Year

Men’s National Championship Results Women’s National Championship Results

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

2nd SL, 4th GS, 3rd Overall 2nd SL, 4th GS, 3rd Overall 2nd SL, 4th GS, 3rd Overall 4th SL, 3rd GS, 3rd Overall 5th SL, 8th GS, 7th Overall

1st SL, 2nd GS, 2nd Overall 2nd SL, 2nd GS, 2nd Overall 2nd SL, 3rd GS, 3rd Overall 6th SL, 7th GS, 7th Overall 5th SL, 7th GS, 6th Overall

Tim McAuliffe | Women’s Ice Hockey | Years at Castleton: 1 St. Michael’s ‘13 | Career Record: 6-7-1 McAuliffe joined the Castleton women’s hockey program as head coach for the 2020-21 season and made an immediate impact, guiding the team to a 2-1 win in his first game behind the bench. Later in the season, McAuliffe’s Spartans defeated in-state rival and perennial powerhouse Norwich for just the second time in program history.

First Season: Year Wins Losses Ties 2020-21 6 7 1

Notes Limited games due to COVID-19 MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 29

Pop Culture Highlights The past four years have brought us highs and lows. Here are some of the pop culture favorites that got us through, in Castleton and beyond.

Top Songs 2017: SHAPE OF YOU ED SHEERAN 2018: GOD’S PLAN DRAKE 2019: OLD TOWN ROAD LIL NAS X 2020: BLINDING LIGHTS THE WEEKND

Top Movies 2017: Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi 2018: Avengers: Infinity War 2019: Avengers: Endgame 2020: Bad Boys for Life

Top Books 2017: Wonder 2018: Becoming 2019: Where the Crawdads Sing 2020: A Promised Land

Word of the Year 2017: Feminism 2018: Justice 2019: They 2020: Pandemic 30 CASTLETON UNIVERSITY

Top TV Shows 2017: The Walking Dead 2018: The Big Bang Theory 2019: The Big Bang Theory 2020: NCIS

Top Video Games 2017: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2018: Red Dead Redemption 2019: Resident Evil 2 2020: Animal Crossing: New Horizons

MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 31

20.

18.

16.

13.

21.

22.

11.

4.

14.

23.

17.

9.

5.

24.

5. More than thirty-five _____ are currently represented by the Castleton student body.

7. The last name of Castleton’s fourth woman President.

9 The Castleton _________ was founded in 1865.

10. Home to the Castleton University Archives collection.

ACROSS:

7.

1.

25.

2.

29.

28.

27.

26.

8.

15.

12.

10.

6.

11. Author of the Castleton anthem and alma mater.

12. What is the name of the rare vintage telescope that lives in the CU observatory?

14. Name the annual Women’s Ice Hockey fundraiser to support breast cancer research.

15. Which campus building houses a solar array on its roof?

30.

19.

3.

FIND THE ANSWERS AT: CASTLETON.EDU/CROSSWORD-SOLVED

1. The campus library was named after what former US President?

2. Castleton’s school colors include white, black, and our signature 343 _______.

3. The iconic alumni _____ greet guests as they enter campus.

4. What is the name of the house that holds the Castleton sculture and painting studios?

5. The Castleton tradition performed as both a freshman and senior.

6. Popular local mountain and ski resort.

7. Castleton mascot.

8. Castleton University is one of _______ institutions that make up the Vermont State Colleges System.

13. Former name of Castleton’s radio station.

18. The course that introduces students to the liberal and performing arts.

19. Located just fifteen minutes from campus is the picturesque Lake _______.

21. This area is used as a private performing theatre space for small ensembles, plays, and rehearsals.

22. This public trail runs through campus.

24. Oldest building on campus.

25. Which campus dorm is rumored to have paranormal activity?

26. Noted Vermont architect and craftsman of the historical Granger House spiral staircase.

DOWN:

16 .“Castleton our _____ raised, ever mindful of those days...”

17. The _______was established in 1988 to honor outstanding athletes, coaches, and teams.

20. The Battle of ______ was fought 7 miles north of Castleton.

23. SGA is an abbreviation for Student ______ Association.

27. Name of the hats worn by the Castleton Athletic Bands.

28. The perfect venue to host a Spartan wedding on campus is the Castleton _____.

29. The ______ published its first issue in 1951.

30. Castleton University is the _____ higher education institution in Vermont.

ACROSS:

CASTLETON UNIVERSITY CROSSWORD

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID VILLANTI

62 ALUMNI DRIVE CASTLETON, VERMONT 05735

MAILED FROM 05401

A Lasting Tribute DEDICATE A BRICK IN THE ALUMNI COURT At the entrance of the Castleton Pavilion the patio is comprised of beautiful bricks, each inscribed as a lasting tribute to those who share a piece of Castleton history. Individual bricks can be inscribed with an alumni name, the name of a loved one, or a soon to be graduate for $100 each with all proceeds going toward student scholarships.

LEARN MORE AT:

castleton.edu/legacybrick