Spring 2023 - The Talon

Central Methodist University

TALON Spring 2023

Bob Courtney’s Impact:

Leading CMU’s transformation through survival, progress, and the future

THE MAGAZINE FOR EAGLE ALUMNI

The Never-Ending Cycle of Central Icons

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he timeline of band directors at Keith House, to Skip Vandelicht, to the next Central Methodist University has generation and beyond. seen more than a few eras led by icons Skip isn’t the only longtime member of of the craft. Starting with K.K. Anderson the Central faculty to say goodbye this year, for almost four decades, to Ken and Nancy though. Dr. Mozaffar Rahmatpanah, also Seward, to legends like Paul Montemurro and known as “Coach Moz,” received professor Keith House, Central has never been short on emeritus status after serving for decades talent at that position, and the identity of our as a soccer coach and professor of physical great institution comes from the reputation education. of the Swinney Conservatory Coach Moz’s love of and as much as anything else. dedication to Central were This spring we said nothing short of impressive. farewell to the latest in this He loved this place so much line of iconic contributors that he lived here, away to the band with the from his wife and children retirement of director Roy in Irvine, California, for most “Skip” Vandelicht. A Central of the year before making a Methodist alumnus himself, mad dash back to his family Skip was obviously the right during breaks in the academic man for the job when he calendar. started in 2007, thirty years His dedication and efforts Dr. Roger Drake, President after graduating. were not for naught, either.

Since then, Skip has led Coach Moz deserves a lot hundreds of students, in countless concerts, of credit for running an excellent soccer parades, and performances that have earned program, even back before the college was awards and recognition for himself, the band, in a position to invest as much in sports as and for Central. Skip is now a Hall of Famer we do now. I think the fact that people still twice over and has more than earned his call him “Coach” years after he managed the reputation as one of the best music educators team really says something. It puts him in the in the state of Missouri.

Central athletics pantheon.

The students he has taught and mentored And whether it’s true or whether it’s have gone on to become successful teachers lore, there are great stories about his athletic and directors, continuing the legacy from ability as a soccer player, sniping water

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bottles off the top of the goalposts like Wyatt Earp at the O.K. Corral. I always meant to ask him if that was a true story; sometimes legends are best left as legends.

There’s no doubt that Skip and Coach Moz are retiring as two of the most recent icons of the Central faculty and that they will be missed, but when people retire from CMU with the contributions these men have made, with the lives they’ve changed, it isn’t a time to be remorseful about their departures. It’s a time to celebrate.

At the same time that these wonderful people are retiring, there are perhaps new legends being born. There are opportunities for the next impactful people to step in, and while their replacements may not have yet been chosen at the time of this writing, a new chapter in Central’s story is already beginning with the addition of Dr. Melissa Mace as the new vice president for enrollment management.

I wouldn’t be surprised if 30 years from now, people are writing about her in the same way. We’re always rebirthing legends at Central. There’s no way we will ever run out of them.

CMU Senior Staff Dr. Roger D. Drake, President Dr. Rita Gulstad, Provost Brad Dixon ’07, Vice President for Student Life

Central Methodist University

TALON Spring 2023 Magazine

Chad Gaines, Vice President for Technology and Planning Dr. Melissa Mace, Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Bill Sheehan Jr., ’84, Executive Vice President Julee Sherman, Vice President for Finance and Administration

Talon Staff Joe Waner, Director of Marketing and Communications 660-248-6629 | jwaner@centralmethodist.edu Emily Kesel, Editor Assistant Director for Marketing and Communications 660-248-6684 | ekesel@centralmethodist.edu Katie Bedsaul Media Content Coordinator 660-248-6391 | kbedsaul@centralmethodist.edu

Celebrating Commencement...................................................................... 4 Mace Named VP for Enrollment Management............................................ 10 The Drake Decade.................................................................................... 12 Bob Courtney Cultivates Success............................................................... 14 Brad Bryan Lives Out His Calling................................................................ 16 Vandelicht Celebrates Retirement............................................................... 18 Alumni News & Notes............................................................................... 24

Rachel Moore Assistant Athletic Director / Director of Athletic Communication 660-248-6358 | rmoore@centralmethodist.edu

Stutzer Succeeds with the ‘Central Way’..................................................... 36

Deanna Cooper ’15 Director of Development 660-248-6397 | dcooper@centralmethodist.edu

Women’s Basketball Flirts with Greatness.................................................... 49

Stasia Sherman Director of Alumni Engagement 660-248-6239 | ssherman@centralmethodist.edu Alissa Watkins Director of Annual Giving 660-248-6683 | awatkins@centralmethodist.edu

Contributing Writers: Mary Lay, Rev. Bill O’Neal, Keagan O’Riley ’23, Scott Queen, and Andrea Waner

On The Cover: Bob Courtney poses outside Puckett Fieldhouse before giving the commencement address at the spring 2023 graduation ceremony.

Photo by Joe Waner

Ashby-Hodge Gallery News....................................................................... 40 Winter, Spring Sports Wrap-ups................................................................. 45 Brown Named Head Football Coach......................................................... 50 Coach for a Day, Memories for a Lifetime.................................................. 52 Hairston Hall of Fame Induction................................................................. 54 Upcoming CMU Events:

Athletic Auction .............................................................................. July 14 St. Louis Alumni Social at Missouri Athletic Club – West location .......................................... August 10 Ashby-Hodge Gallery Fall 2023 Show ....... August 27th – November 9th Homecoming ...................................................................... October 27-29 Visit www.centralalumnievents.com for more information Corrections: The Talon staff would like to apologize for an error in the last issue of the Talon.

On page 27 of the Fall 2022 issue, Wallace Jacobs Turnage, Jr.’s name was misspelled. We are truly sorry for this oversight and are thankful for his understanding.

Our Mission: CMU fosters a diverse and caring community, empowering students to become lifelong learners, committed to academic excellence, prepared to engage in a complex world.

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(front) Diana Granados, ’23, (back) Marina Alonso, ’23

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2023 commencement speaker, Bob Courtney.

Celebrating the Spring Class of 2023 Central Methodist University, along with a lively crowd

in Puckett Fieldhouse, celebrated the graduation of 231 students at the 2023 Spring Commencement on May 13.

Graduates earned their master’s, bachelor’s, and associate’s degrees through years of hard work and dedication.

(left to right) - Maureen Hennessy, Nathan Wren, Michael Watts, Jacob Keller, and Mackenzie M. Duey

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Former Board of Trustees Chairman Robert Courtney was the featured speaker and outlined his pillars of success for the graduates and guests. Courtney, not a Central graduate himself but a great contributor to the success of the University, emphasized the importance of family and community as one makes their way in the world after college.

Courtney was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in recognition of his contributions to the University. Later in the ceremony, retiring band director Roy “Skip” Vandelicht, ’77, was also honored for his years serving his alma mater and the Swinney Conservatory of Music.

As is tradition, three students were recognized as the top award winners at the commencement ceremony, with Brad Dixon, vice president for student life, presenting the awards.

Katelyn Kiser of Kansas City was named the Victoria Award recipient. The award is given in memory of Victoria Beecroft Cutter and awarded annually to a graduating student who, in the opinion of faculty and students, has best demonstrated dedication and the principles of Central.

Kiser graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biology.

Tate Hanners of Marble Hill was this year’s Human Relations Award winner. This honor was established by Martha Smith Luck and awarded for the first time in 1953 to honor the student showing the most promise in human

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1) Human Relations Award recipient Tate Hanners, Selecman Achievement recipient Peyton Schafer, and Victoria Award recipient, Katelyn Kiser 2) Caroline Walker 3) Maddison Cook, and Ashley Grotzinger 4) Front to back: Clay Galloway, Ashley Grotzinger, Darius Rich, and Nicholas Wheeler 5) Rodney Melton, Anthony Johnson, and Mujahid Camel

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relations and human adjustment.

The award is given annually to a student who “attempts to develop the ability to get along with others – the ability to understand the other fellow and develop liaison techniques in the area of human relations and understanding.”

Hanners was a chemistry major while attending Central and graduated summa cum laude.

Finally, the most prestigious award – the Selecman Award – was bestowed upon Peyton Schafer of Hermann. The award was established in 1957 by Bishop Charles C. Selecman, a former student at Central and bishop in the United Methodist Church. He requested that the award be presented to the student who has displayed the following characteristics to an extraordinary degree: good citizenship on the campus, scholarship, religious leadership, moral and spiritual qualities, and outstanding achievement.

Schaefer was also a biology major and earned a Bachelor of Science on the day, graduating summa cum laude.

Central is proud of its award winners and all its graduates who were added to an extraordinary group of alumni.

6) Professor John Flanders as CMU Graduate Marshal 7-8) Graduates show off their graduation caps 9) Autumn Rivera, Leah Johnson, Leianya Massenat, Natalia Shpegel, and Jaicia Canady 10) Isiah Studer 11) Emily Stantorf, Savannah Kidoo, and Cora W. JohnsonWoessner 12) Keagan O’Riley 13) Ja’Sean Northington 14) Roy “Skip” Vandelicht, ’77

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Achievement Awards Spring 2023 Accounting Excellence Award — Exavier Coburn Outstanding Senior in Accounting Award — Ashlee Godier ACDA National Student Choral Award — Nathan Wren Alpha Epsilon Delta Anatomy Award — Samantha Doisy Alpha Epsilon Delta Harold L. Momberg Award for the Outstanding Pre-Med Student — Peyton Schafer Alpha Epsilon Delta Physiology Award — Grace Wilkinson American Nurses Association Award — Tracey Elmeer Fessler Banking and Finance Excellence Award — Zachary Severns Dr. Robert Barker Award for Excellence in Sociology — Kaycey Mejia Noble Emmett Baskett Scholarship in Business Award — Kelena Oots Beta Beta Beta Outstanding General Biology Students Lauren Bissen Kyle Smarko Clyde and Hazel Blattner Mathematics Award — Kylie Avery Dr. Richard T. Bond Mathematics Award — Jayklin Smith General Business Award (Business Administration) — Marina Pereira Alonso Outstanding Senior in Business Award — Madeline Wieseman Herman C. Byrd Award — Hannah Bailey CMU Biology Alumni Award — Addison Massey Communication Department Student Media Award — Ja’Sean Northington Criminal Justice Excellence Award — Rachel Rodawald R. Paul Drummond Memorial Award — Mariah Nichols Estill Entrepreneurship Award — Diana Granados Gentry Estill Award for Total Business Excellence — Tom Irion Susan Estill Award for Total Business Excellence — Jayklin Smith Gamma Sigma Epsilon Excellence Award in General Chemistry Lydia Elder Abigail Michael Gamma Sigma Epsilon Excellence Award in Organic Chemistry — Carter Hawkins Dr. Joseph E. Geist Prize in Performing Arts — P. Rob Brown Lisa Powell Goessling Merit Scholarship — Celine Witt David Goodwin Award — Casey Brooks Chester E. Hanson Outstanding Computer Science Award — Joe Heffron The Judge Andrew Jackson Higgins Award for Excellence in Pre-Law Studies Mackenzie White Martin C. Harral Memorial Music Award — Makenzie Sisney Hern Award for Excellence in Religious Studies — Kara McQuerrey Hickman Award for Music — Maureen Hennessy The Keith House Band Fellow — Casey Brooks Inscape Poetry Award — Shaynlin Smith Inscape Fiction Award — Emily Millstead Inscape Creative Nonfiction Award — Seth Kirby Inscape Photography & Art Award — Alexia Sprick Nancy Thompson Jones Gem Award — Anna Pendergrass Dr. Glenn R. Joyce Memorial Award — Dillan Lembke Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Award — Dillan Lembke Martin E. Kooi Excellence in Communication — Gregory Adams Martin E. Kooi Excellence in Theatre Arts — Emily Myler Mike Magyar Fine Arts-Leadership Award — Emily Myler Excellence in Management Award — Tiago Swart Future Marketing and Advertiser Award — Mohammed Nyaoga Marketing and Advertising Excellence Award — Jayden McGrew The General Lewis M. Means Award for Excellence in the Study of Political Science — Caitlyn King The Missouri Federation of Music Clubs — Dalton Myler Professor Paul A. Montemurro Award — Austin Schaedler

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MTNA Student Achievement Recognition Award — Connor Rich Dane Nelson Memorial Award — Jake Keller Dr. Niels C. Nielsen Outstanding Chemistry Student Award — Carter Hawkins Outstanding Nurse Clinician Award Tyler Dorman Dillon Grayson Outstanding Nursing Scholar Award — Hope Webb Pannier, Cavanaugh and Robb Excellence in Education Award — Trenton Byers Dr. Larry J. Peery Award for Excellence in Physics Cater Hawkins Yenne Schepers Pennacle Award — Cody Chavers Dr. Jerry Priddy Mathematics Award — Lydia Elder Phi Mu Alpha Honor Award — Connor Rich Phi Mu Alpha Scholastic Award — Austin Schaedler Pi Gamma Mu Award for Scholastic Excellence — Mackenzie White Excellence in Psychology Award Elisabeth Clary Blythe McLelland Glenn C. Riegel Student Science Award — Jayklin Smith Sarah Rutherford Prize — Tessa Maidens W. D. Settle Memorial Music Education Award — Josh Derendinger Seward Award for Excellence in Band — Mike Watts Ken and Nancy Seward Band Fellow — Makenzie Sisney Shallenburger Accounting Principles Excellence Award — Evan Workman Sigma Alpha Iota Collegiate Honor Award — Jessica Arnold Sigma Alpha Iota Scholastic Award — Jessica Arnold Sigma Epsilon Pi Mark Ferenc Csongradi Odmund Bautista Alessandro Lacerti Ashley McGovern Brooke Teeter Tate Hanner Joseph Hamblen Emma Bushnell Joseph Heffron Elisabeth Clary Katelyn Kiser Olivia Browning Isaiah May Laura Riesenbeck Mason Parker Jessica Arnold Peyton Schafer Austin Schaedler Hope Webb Jacob Keller Mikayla Kinkead Jennifer Durbin Mackenzie Duey Mackenzie White Luther T. Spayde Award — Mason Sickler T. Cecil Swackhamer/Kenneth L. Burres Award — Fatima Garikayi Swinney Conservatory Outstanding Freshman Award — Matt Hamilton Swinney Conservatory Outstanding Musician Award Sofia Burks Sarah King Swinney Conservatory Super Hero Award Tambria Wilson Jaskson White Theta Alpha Kappa Britt Dush Lyna Williams-Whitehead Fatima Garikayi Theta Alpha Kappa Undergraduate Achievement Award Lyna Williams-Whitehead Helen Puckett Thogmorton Award for Excellence in Music — Danny Eckhoff George P. Vogt/O.A. “Berre” Robinson Prize for Outstanding Philosophy Essay — Britt Dush

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Mace Named VP of Enrollment Management Joins Central from Missouri Western

BY EMILY KESEL

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entral Methodist University has found its new vice president for enrollment management, and she could not have been more excited to get started. Dr. Melissa Mace began work in her new role on May 15.

“I am very excited and appreciative of this opportunity to become a member of the Central Methodist family,” said Mace. “I don’t take this role lightly at all, and I am pouring my heart and soul into this position.”

Born in St. Louis and raised in Springfield, Mace has a long history in higher education. She received a bachelor’s degree from Drury University before going on to earn a master’s in student affairs in higher education from Missouri State University. Finally, she attended Maryville University of St. Louis for her doctoral work, earning a Doctor of Education in higher education leadership.

Throughout her career, Mace has worked her way up through the ranks at four institutions of higher education – Missouri State, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Maryville, and Missouri Western State University, where she recently served as vice president for student affairs and enrollment management.

“I really enjoy working in higher education,” she said. “I wouldn’t do anything else.”

Mace’s experience and enthusiasm are qualities that made her the ideal candidate for the VP role at Central.

“We are excited for the opportunity to bring Dr. Mace into the team

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at Central,” said Dr. Roger Drake, president. “We’re happy to have her on campus and add her years of experience in higher education to the senior staff.”

Mace says she is excited to get to work with President Drake and the rest of the leadership team at Central, noting that all involved are knowledgeable and seasoned, with the necessary experience for handling tough situations.

“That’s critically important because situations are going to come up, and it’s how you handle them that makes all the difference in the world,” she said. “It’s what allows an institution to pivot well when those situations arise.”

Mace is also happy to be working with the rest of the enrollment management staff and coming together to continue to make Central the best it can be.

“What I want to do is get to know the people and understand the systems,” she said. “I want to understand where I can plug in and how we can move the institution forward.”

Outside of her work responsibilities, Mace says she enjoys hiking, playing disc golf and pickleball, and that she looks forward to playing on the pickleball courts on campus. Her spouse, Amy, is a high school teacher, and her daughter, Rachel, is a therapist.

Sheehan Named Executive VP

BY EMILY KESEL

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entral Methodist University alumnus and vice president for advancement and alumni relations, Bill Sheehan, was named executive vice president, adding to his list of accomplishments at his alma mater.

In a statement to the campus community, President Roger Drake wrote that Sheehan will have executive decision-making authority in his new role, and his actions will carry the same weight as if they came from the office of the president. Issues related to academics, faculty governance, and the curriculum will remain under the full purview of the provost, Dr. Rita Gulstad.

“I am so happy that three years ago, Bill Sheehan decided to come home,” said Drake. “He was a young leader on this campus as dean of students, and his father was a faculty member of note, so Bill is poised to contribute significantly to the leadership of Central Methodist in the years to come.”

Sheehan is also grateful for the opportunity to continue his contributions to the university that has been a cornerstone of his life.

“I am thrilled to be a part of CMU at such an exciting time, and I am honored to be taking on this new role,” said Sheehan, who graduated from Central in 1984. “The trust placed in me by Dr. Drake and the leadership team is humbling, and I feel blessed to be contributing to the incredible legacy that we are building upon at Central. Working with our students every day as they prepare for their futures is a privilege, and I am grateful to be a part of that process.”

Having led the advancement team as vice president since his return in early 2020, Sheehan’s experience and love for Central has helped cultivate relationships between alumni and the University. Sheehan has spent more than 25 years in the field of higher education development, previously working at Culver Stockton College, Westminster College, the University of Missouri, and Columbia College.

Sheehan and his wife, Wendy, also a Central alumna from 1987, currently reside in Fayette.

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BY ANDREA WANER

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own a dirt road in rural Appalachia, dotted with fewer than a half dozen houses, CMU President Roger Drake fell in love.

He didn’t fall in love with the music and performance that came to be a defining characteristic of his personality, nor did he fall in love with his wife, Judy (the pair have lovingly been called “master relationship builders”) – that came later. No, Drake fell in love with one of the most foundational institutions of an American childhood; he fell in love with the bookmobile from his local public library.

“It might have been the greatest day of my childhood,” Drake said of the bookmobile’s appearance near his family home. “For me, it could have been the Beatles.”

He remembers being an average student initially, going through the motions of school life. His parents had no more than an eighth-grade education between the two of them and 10 children to raise. He joked with his parents that a classmate on the bus could spell the word “elephant,” but he doubted he could even recognize one if he saw it. But all of that changed in a moment Drake likened to fortunate hardships, a concept outlined by author Malcom Gladwell.

The idea behind fortunate hardships is one of fortitude, of experiencing strength in adversity, of finding unexpected outcomes in undesirable circumstances. At seven years old, Drake found himself in a fortunate hardship that would shape the rest of his life.

After a ruptured appendix sent 7-year-old Drake to the hospital, he spent several months under the care of his physicians. And with nothing but time on his hands and the textbooks his brothers brought home, Drake read everything he could. When he emerged from recovery, he returned to school not as the middling to average student he once had been, but as a stellar standout amongst his peers.

“I had nothing else to do but learn,” Drake explained. “It was truly a pivotal point for me. Growing up the way we did, you don’t think about how well life can turn out. If you are hungry and can’t afford food, or are sick and can’t afford to go to the doctor, success isn’t really something you think about.”

That mentality, plus a heart for educating the brightest of the poorest, pushed Drake along a path in pursuit of making higher education accessible to all. Prior to being named president of Central Methodist University in 2013, Drake served in many roles in academia, including nine years as vice president of administration and finance at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky, and vice president for business affairs at Lees College in Jackson, Kentucky.

Drake considers his first few days, weeks and months at CMU a little like winning the lottery, much of which he credits to his predecessor, Dr. Marianne Inman.

“Dr. Inman left me a strong institution that did not have immediate, pressing needs,” Drake explained. “Most new presidents go to campuses in crisis; that’s usually why presidencies open. But not Central. I will be forever thankful to the board and Dr. Inman for providing the on-ramp for success.”

During Drake’s first 60 days as president of CMU, he focused on meeting people where they were, which included meeting with nearly every trustee – in-person, at their homes and businesses.

The CMU board of trustees is made up of nearly 40 professionals and experts in their fields, many Central alumni. Among these many introductory meetings was one with future chairman of the board, Dr. Robert “Tad” Perry, a former member of the South Dakota House of Representatives and retired executive director of the South Dakota Board of Regents.

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“Dr. Drake was an exceptional candidate for the presidency at Central Methodist,” Perry said. “He is unique as a leader of higher education institutions with his strong business and financial background, his strong sense of who he is as a person, and with an extraordinary sense of humor.”

Perry, a ’65 Central Methodist graduate, served as chair of the CMU board of trustees for seven years. When asked about the challenges and accomplishments Drake has faced over the last decade while at the helm of the institution, Perry pointed to enrollment, capital improvement projects, institutional finances and the challenges of innovation. During Drake’s tenure, the institution saw record enrollment at a time when other institutions struggled to achieve growth. Several critical buildings on campus saw increased attention and planning, such as the construction of the Thogmorton Center for Allied Health and the renovation of Stedman, Clingenpeel, and Assembly Halls.

He went on to credit Drake’s adept leadership skills for the implementation and subsequent success of Digital U, Central Methodist’s innovative approach to technology and the evolving academic landscape.

“His accomplishments over the last 10 years reflect his strong leadership,” Perry explained. “During my professional life, I worked with 27 institutional executives and their relationships with their governing board. In working with a board, Roger Drake is truly among the very best of institutional executives with whom I have worked.”

When people visit CMU, they often refer to an unnamed, intangible quality about campus – an “it factor” of sorts. Drake sees it, too. While other higher education institutions struggle to keep the doors open and keep students engaged amid the changing educational landscape, Drake assures that CMU never will. He believes the board, faculty and staff that keep CMU running are also the reason why the campus is such a special place.

“This place becomes a part of your DNA. The culture of CMU lives in the collective memory of the people here. I’ve never experienced anything like the institutional identity that exists at Central,” Drake stated.

He went on to explain that the “standards aren’t lower” at CMU, but that the “delivery methods are superior.” Drake credits the healthy reserves, programs of excellence, and sustainable competitive advantages among the ways that ensure CMU rises to the challenge of a complex industry.

“We have faculty here that could teach anywhere they wanted to, and yet they choose to be here,” he explained. “In business, they take people and make money. In higher education, we take money and make people. A lot of the stuff we do makes no financial sense, but it makes human sense. It makes people sense. At CMU, we position people for a better life.”

When reflecting back on his professional accomplishments and unlikely trajectory, Drake remembers where everything began in rural Appalachia. He sees himself in many of the students who have crossed his path. Anyone from the low-income student from a small rural community, to Arnold Mukisa, a ’20 CMU graduate, who learned to be a computer programmer at the public library with 30-minute sessions on a dial-up computer in Kampala, Uganda. He remembers his oldest brother, at a family reunion, asking “Rog” if he “still worked for some college or something.” All of it, a journey full of luck and chance encounters.

Current CMU board of trustees chair Nancy Peacock, ’82, sees Drake’s leadership as foundational to the success of the many students who have called CMU their alma mater.

“I feel very lucky to be able to work in a complementary role with him as chair of the board of trustees,” Dr. Peacock explained. “He works tirelessly to engage with our alumni and donors, connecting them to the noble cause of lifting up other human beings and providing students with a chance to earn a college degree and move into the world and live a life they wouldn’t have dreamed about without this educational experience.”

After a decade with CMU, this is the longest that Drake has remained at a job in his professional career. He continues to see the mission of CMU as the thread that has consistently held the campus together since its inception in 1854. Though he is grateful to receive praise for the success of the institution, Drake places credit on the people who choose to spend their time living, learning and working at CMU. “Way too much emphasis tends to be on the CEO of an organization,” Drake explained. “I would suggest that there are tons of people who make a greater difference to the students day in and day out than whoever sits in this seat. These folks change more lives in a month than I will in a career, and they do it with a servant’s heart.”

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1) Dr. Drake and Judy Drake in the 2022 Homecoming parade. 2) Dr. Drake speaks at the spring 2023 commencement ceremony. 3) Dr. Drake presents the President’s Medal to J.B Waggoner, ’91. 4) Dr. Drake speaks to students at the President’s Picnic in 2021. 5) Brianna Walker, ’16, with Dr. Drake. 6) Dr. Drake plays the keyboard at the 2022 Athletic Auction.

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Cultivating Success: Bob Courtney’s Visionary Leadership and Legacy at Central Methodist University

BY ANDREA WANER

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ormer Board of Trustees President Bob Courtney remembers his time at Central Methodist University in three phases: survival, positioning for progress and planning for the future.

Despite not being an alumnus of CMU, Courtney decided to join the then-Central Methodist College board of curators in 1994, after a nudge from fellow church member and longtime CMU curator Louis Bailey. The standing of the University at that time was unsteady at best. He remembers board members advocating on behalf of the institution in order to gain access to much-needed credit to keep the doors open and the lights on. He watched closely as President Marianne Inman shored up the foundation of CMU and shifted the focus from survival to one of progress.

In 1997, Courtney and other members of the board began to see solutions to the back-end problems that had plagued the institution.

The governing body was able to concentrate on investing in the campus’s beloved – but aging – physical structures. Under

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Courtney’s guidance, CMU renovated the five-story co-ed residence hall, McMurray Hall, and secured $35 million for a capital campaign to construct the Inman Student and Community Center. All moves aimed to position the institution for greater progress.

In May 2004, the body voted to change the institution’s name from Central Methodist College to Central Methodist University, signaling the growth in graduate and extended studies programs the school would use to increase student recruitment and retention while strategically planning for the future. Among the strategic planning sessions the board undertook, came the origin of CMU’s most prescient investment – Digital U. “I remember sitting in a meeting and asking the group, including Dr. Inman, ‘What if we spent $200,000 to improve our information technology infrastructure?’” Courtney recounted. “Dr. Inman gasped. But we needed to move [the institution] into the online educational space.”

Opposite page: Bob Courtney and his wife, Becky Courtney. Above: Bob Courtney receives recognition as Trustee Emeritus by the Board of Trustees, presented by Dr. Nancy Peacock, ‘82, and Dr. Roger Drake in April. Right: Bob Courtney accepts an honorary degree at the spring 2023 commencement.

Courtney’s vision for CMU was well ahead of its time. The institution had recently secured funding for a fiber optic loop around campus, ensuring quality internet access for its students.

Courtney wanted to take that initiative one step further. He wanted to provide students with the tools they needed to grow their educational outcomes in the digital era. He wanted every student to have an iPad of their own to use in their classes.

The board and key staff and faculty members from CMU met with Maryville University, which was already seeing success from its own digital program. Courtney remembers the group getting three-fourths of the way through the Maryville presentation before they all agreed, “We’re doing this.”

“It changed the manner in which we could educate young people,” Courtney said of the Digital U rollout in 2017. “This move has been very important to the security and future of the University.”

It was the investment and rollout of Digital U that allowed students to continue their education without much interference after the CMU campus closed its in-person classes amid COVID-19 concerns.

“We didn’t have any choice but to send them home,” Courtney explained. “The biggest issue was access to quality internet services in smaller communities, but the success of our students during the pandemic was a byproduct of [Digital U].”

At the spring 2023 commencement ceremony, Courtney provided the commencement address. His speech spoke of the “pillars to a fulfilling life.” He detailed four areas he believed to be instrumental in one’s success: family, personal profession, industry, and community.

“My thought was if I could set goals to achieve some level of success or satisfaction in each of those areas, the result would be a meaningful life,” Courtney explained.

He went on to outline how the four pillars influenced his life.

First, from marrying and losing his first wife, then marrying his second wife, Becky, and loving a blended family, to navigating

tremendous grief and finding gifts of resiliency and hope. Then from the United States Army to a successful businessman. Next, from a small business with five employees to an international sale and more than 60 employees. And, finally, from a loosely Catholic upbringing, to advising former bishop of the Missouri United Methodist Conference, Robert Schnase.

CMU President Roger Drake credits Courtney with the institution’s successful weathering of an uncertain time in American college education.

“He has played some of the most pivotal roles in periods of positive transition for Central,” Drake said. “He has given, sacrificially, as a non-alum in a lot of ways. It was a special day when Bob Courtney was attracted to get involved with CMU. One of the better days this college has experienced.”

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CENTRAL ALUMNUS LIVES OUT HIS CALLING

BY REV. BILL O’NEAL

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n the corner of North 7th Street and Wilkes Boulevard in Columbia sits an older, unassuming brick and mortar church that looks like a small castle. Although it’s 9 a.m., the homeless community has been gathering in the parking lot since sunrise, awaiting their turn to go inside for assistance. Admittedly, the neighborhood is not prime real estate, as many consider this “the other side of the tracks.” This is Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church, home of Turning Point Ministries, and the pastor is Central Methodist alumnus Rev. Brad Bryan, ‘04.

The church’s website states, “Turning Point, a United Methodist

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ministry, welcomes the help of those in our community no matter their religious or non-religious affiliation. Our mission is to promote and restore dignity and hope among Columbians who are facing the possibility of housing crisis or who are currently experiencing homelessness.”

The hope and prayer of this ministry is that a significant change will occur in the lives of its clients. What makes this ministry unique is that it fills a very specific need by removing the implicit bias caused by not having a mailing address.

“When you’re homeless, no one can find you because you don’t have a mailing address, and when you don’t have a mailing address, getting a simple minimum wage job is extremely complicated, so it’s harder to step up than we know,” said Bryan. “We provide an address, which empowers our clients to work with the Social Security Administration, Health and Human Services, the courts,

Opposite: Rev Bryan, ’04, stands in the Wilkes Blvd. UMC sanctuary. Top left, Rev. Bryan shows off the dedicated mailroom that Wilkes offers to those in need. Bottom left, services at Wilkes are often lively, with modern songs starting out each service. Bottom right, Rev. Bryan accompanies the band by playing the drums.

and getting other forms of identification like birth certificates and driver’s licenses.”

It takes a team of five outstanding staff members to facilitate Turning Point’s other services, like important document storage, shower and laundry facilities, sock exchange, temporary storage for personal belongings for up to 60 days, internet and telephone access, employment and housing information, and prayer and Bible study. Clients are able to meet with caseworkers, tutors, life coaches and mentors.

“The staff’s goal is to move folks out of homelessness,” said Bryan. “In fact, I don’t want to see anyone come back for our services because that means they are on the mend.”

Bryan’s service to his community goes hand in hand with his upbringing, and, in turn, with his connections to Central Methodist. His grandfather, Methodist Bishop Monk Bryan, often preached during chapel and was a favorite keynote speaker at Central graduation. His aunt also graduated from Central in the 1950s, so he was familiar with the college. Bryan had an interest in the field of religious studies, and it just so happened that the department of philosophy and religion offered a chance to earn a full scholarship to Central.

While he was here, he was taught and inspired by professors whose influence stayed with him to this day, including O.A. Robinson, Darryl Jeffries and Ken Burris.

“I took [Burris’s] New Testament, class and we never made it out of the Gospels,” said Bryan. “He was in-depth, detailed. We stayed in the book of Mark for three months!”

Bryan also recalls experiencing a significant moment in history while at Central, and being able to process it with others in chapel.

“I will never forget 9/11,” he said. “The news channels were playing on the TVs all over campus. We needed comfort.

We wondered how this could happen. We no longer felt safe. It

happened to be Tuesday, so we all went to chapel. The praise band played music. Rev. Dennis Harper, our chaplain, and Rev. Daniel Hilty, the pastor of Linn Memorial UMC, spoke words. It was just a space to sit with what happened. It was a very significant moment.”

It was moments like that, as well as his time serving as a student pastor at St. Paul UMC and Lewis Chapel, that led Bryan to realize he wanted to one day lead a church congregation, even though he came to Central with the belief that he would become a religious studies professor. The congregations at the traditionally Black churches especially helped him experience raw, authentic worship.

“They poured their hearts out. They helped me to see what it means to be an outward-focused church,” said Bryan. “Worship lasted hours. I remember one particular Sunday that I had been awarded the Victoria Award for exemplifying the ideals of the institution, but since church always ran over, I ended up being late to the award presentation.”

Now that Bryan is an ordained elder in the UMC, he has been appointed to a number of good, healthy churches. Yet, he loves where he is now, at Wilkes Boulevard UMC. It’s not what would be defined as traditionally “healthy,” but he likes to encourage authenticity. In switching from a church restart to a mission church, Bryan’s organization asks what the community needs rather than asking how they can get people in the doors. And that starts with letting people do what they need to do.

“Just about every Sunday, I say, ‘If you want to snore in the corner because you’re tired, and that’s what you need, then do it.

You’re welcome here,’” Bryan said.

Editor’s note: Since the writing of this article, Rev. Bryan has been reappointed to the Keystone Church in the Kansas City area. Wilkes Boulevard UMC will continue to serve the people of Columbia.

Spring 2023 | The Talon 17

Retirement Will Be Vandelicht’s New Job A

BY SCOTT QUEEN

s he began his final semester at Central Methodist University in January, longtime band director Skip Vandelicht, ’77, was getting teased for not having much of a retirement plan. He said it consisted of following his grandchildren’s sporting events.

But little did those who teased him know that he has a detailed plan. And it involves traveling next spring to Jupiter, Florida for a taste of St. Louis Cardinals spring training.

Vandelicht’s love of baseball and the Cardinals has gone on for decades, “but I never really got the chance to go to spring training.

I’ve wanted to do that for so long.”

The fascination with spring training germinated over 20 years ago when he and a few CMU alumni had the opportunity to have lunch with Cardinals manager, Tony LaRussa.

18 The Talon | Spring 2023

Vandelicht clearly remembers LaRussa telling him and his buddies about a young rookie named Albert Pujols who “might just make the team” that year.

Pujols went on to be a star and is now headed for the Hall of Fame. Likewise, Vandelicht became one of CMU’s stars. Heading into retirement, he is himself already in two halls of fame – those of the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) and Missouri Bandmasters Association (MBA).

Vandelicht’s retirement plan will rival his work schedule. He and his wife, Melody, will solidify their role as star grandparents. He’ll continue to serve on the Fayette School Board, will mentor young teachers, do clinics with bands, and do some judging in both marching and concert band areas.

One might think that when the final days

of the semester peeled off the calendar, the significance of no longer being a band director would sink in. It did.

“I truly love what I do, and I want to continue to give back to the profession when I retire,” he said. “And I want to hopefully be a mentor to other teachers like so many have been for me.”

He’s often thought about the legacy of the great Central band directors who have gone before him. Now, he gets to join that line of greatness.

“It’s not lost on me what I’ve been able to be a part of here,” Vandelicht said. “I’ve been a part of this place in some way, shape, or form for 50 years.

“I guess it will really sink in when I am outside on that first day the band is practicing and I hear them. That’ll be a little weird.”

Vandelicht’s simple goal all these years has been to “leave this place better than I found it. I think I’ll miss the kids the most.”

Time for the Vandelichts will be more than filled with a CMU student, Zane Rice, who has lived with them for several years, as well as their children, Matt Vandelicht and Adrian Stumbaugh, and their grandchildren’s sports and band performances. Two grandkids started band this year. And yes, Vandelicht already has been called to help with that.

“They think it’s kind of cool that I know about it,” he laughed. “And I have to tell them it’s my job.”

Vandelicht has done his job well, through all those years at Fayette High School and at Central. In fact, he fits nicely into the “beloved” category at CMU, along with legends like Keith House, ’49, the dean of Missouri band directors.

“Within the environment Skip has created, students have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, fortify their work ethic, and be part of a community of scholar-musicians who often feel more like a family than a group of classmates,” said Dr. Dori Waggoner, ’92, dean of the Swinney Conservatory and chair of the Fine Arts Division. “Like many of the great directors who came before him, Skip set high expectations for his students, then helped them rise to the occasion.”

Opposite page, Roy “Skip” Vandelicht, ’77, faces the crowd at his last performance in Linn Memorial. Top left, Skip with his wife, Melody. Top right, Skip conducting at spring ’23 graduation.

Middle left, Skip at Band Day, 1983. Middle right, Skip receives the 1990 “Young Alumni Award.”

Bottom right, Skip receives an award for his years of services at Central.

Spring 2023 | The Talon 19

Isaac Lippert, ’18, is all smiles as he works with marine life at Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach.

Alumnus Is First to Artificially Inseminate a Shark

BY SCOTT QUEEN

J

ust a few years ago, Isaac Lippert, ‘18, was spending much of his time in Stedman Hall as a marine biology major. He was making occasional visits to Professor Greg Thurmon’s, ’77, home for a hot meal, and generally enjoying his life as a college student.

Now he’s married to his high school sweetheart, CMU alumna Lauren Lippert, ’20, and he recently made international news as part of a team that successfully completed the artificial insemination of a shark.

Lippert, who works for Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, said the sand tiger shark that was born is named Rip, and he is doing very well.

“He was born March 24 and has grown significantly and was in a tank with some other species, but we had to separate him,” Lippert said.

Rip realized he was a shark and started taking some nibbles out of his neighbors.

Lippert said Rip is in an offsite area now where he is carefully fed and monitored, and will eventually be moved into the shark tank at the aquarium where the staff can tell his story.

Lippert is proud of his 20-person husbandry team, veterinarians, and researchers, but said the monumental accomplishment didn’t get quite the publicity he and his bosses thought. Nevertheless, they are thrilled with the “monumental birth” and the chance to sustain their own shark population.

He said he is also proud of is alma mater and influence from his professors and classmates.

“Central is a close-knit place,” he said. “Greg and Barb Thurmon came to my wedding. There’s a proud legacy in marine biology at Central. Memories are created, and we’re all prepared so well for the next step. I know I was. I wouldn’t have been able to do all this without Central.”

20 The Talon | Spring 2023

View from a microscope of the first division of the developmental stages of a fertilized sea urchin egg.

Professor Greg Thurmon, ’77, demonstrates SCUBA techniques during Marine Biology Day.

Looking down at the oral side of a sea urchin.

Marine Bio Day Returns

BY EMILY KESEL

C

entral Methodist University’s Marine Biology Day was held on April 14, providing high school students with a close look at what life is like for a marine biology student.

Registration on the day was followed by a brief introduction to faculty and staff and a short campus tour. After the tour, attendees split into groups to begin their dive into the world of marine biology at CMU. In the Marine Bio Lab, visitors had a chance to participate in a hands-on sea urchin and oyster lab. Meanwhile, Professor Greg Thurmon led a lesson on SCUBA at the campus pool. During the day, visitors also heard from a panel of current Central students about their experiences in the field of marine biology both inside and outside of the classroom.

“I hoped that students would come and get to see the life of a marine biology student,” said admissions counselor Emma McQueen, ’20. “I hoped that [this experience] helped them decide if they wanted to come to school [at CMU] or be a part of the marine biology community.”

Students who decide to study marine biology at Central Methodist get to visit exotic locations, become SCUBA certified for life and gain critical hands-on experience in a high-demand field of study. Marine Bio Day is a chance for students to learn more about this rapidly growing major and scholarship opportunities for the program.

A mud crab found on a oyster used in the lab.

Spring 2023 | The Talon 21

Hackman Named 2022 Perry Fellow ‘Honored’ to Join Elite Group

BY EMILY KESEL

P

rofessor Sally Hackman believes that one of the most important aspects of teaching is to show the students how passionate you are about what you do. And for Hackman, the 2022 winner of the Carolyn, ’66, and Tad Perry, ’65, Fellow Award, none of that passion has waned in the 23 years she’s spent at Central Methodist University.

“I think letting students know that you love what you’re doing is the first step,” she said. “They know when somebody doesn’t like what they’re doing, and so letting them know you love what you’re doing is important.”

Whether she’s filling in with the business division to teach classes or leading her own division as the director of professional education, Hackman’s love for being in the classroom and working at Central shines through. It’s a relationship that began more than two decades ago, when she was encouraged to apply for a teaching position in the business department. Hackman went on to teach business law, management, and finance for 13 years and “loved every minute of it.”

But around 10 years ago, the professional education position opened up, and with a little encouragement from others, Hackman applied and was selected for the position. Now she is the head of the division in charge of training the next generation of teachers at every level.

“It’s interesting because, when I taught in the business division, I really felt like I used my education background because I was a teacher,” she said, “and now I’m in an education position, and I really feel like I’m using my business background because it’s very administrative.”

While she is responsible for that administrative work on a day-to-day basis, Hackman and the education staff are constantly working hard to give their students everything they need to be successful once they have their own classrooms. They emphasize student-centered, engaged learning – tactics to keep students engaged and interested, beyond simply lecturing about content or methodology.

22 The Talon | Spring 2023

“We want to teach them how we want them to teach,” said Hackman, “and we definitely want to show them what they need to do to be a successful teacher.”

In this day and age, with burnout high among teachers at the elementary and secondary levels, showing the education students what they need to know can sometimes mean facing them with some hard truths. But Hackman and the faculty know that these lessons are just as important as any others when it comes to training future teachers.

“We want to have a balance between a realistic job preview and also reminding them about the passion,” she said. “We talk about what’s out there; we don’t want anybody to be surprised. But we also talk about how to deal with that, and we spend time talking about burnout and rejuvenating yourself and work-life balance, and those things really affect everyone in every career, not just teaching.”

Hackman knows firsthand how those aspects can affect all kinds, having worked in numerous different roles with students of various majors throughout her time at Central. She has been an advisor for the Sigma Pi Alpha social sorority, an instructor for CMU 101, and an academic advisor for up to a hundred or more students during some semesters. She also served as the faculty athletic representative for about 10 years, working with every transfer student athlete to come to CMU and keeping teams apprised of which student-athletes were eligible and ineligible to play.

Throughout all these interactions, along with her time in the classroom, Hackman has been making lasting connections with students for more than two decades – connections that remain memorable even years later.

She cites a recent instance in which she was recognized at a high school basketball tournament by a coach who happened to be her student 20 years ago, and another in which the parents of a student she met with on their campus tour remembered her four years later at their student’s graduation.

It all goes back to the small, intimate nature of Central, where students and faculty have the chance to get to know each other and change each other’s lives. Those are the connections Hackman thinks about when she looks back on her success as a teacher.

“I’ve had a lot of great students, some that went on to be top people in companies,” she said. “But it’s not about everybody who’s the top of the company. It’s about people who, I think, made a life for themselves that they wouldn’t have had, had they not come here.”

Hackman herself may or may not have made the same life for herself had she not stayed at Central so long, but it’s undeniable that the University is engrained in her family’s lives. All three of her children came to Central, and they’ve been part of her experience all along – an experience that, to Hackman, has “just flown by” thanks to all the students and staff she’s worked with over the years.

“I love the small size.

I know a lot of students. I know them by name, I know what sport they play, and when I see them at Subway, I know who they are,” she said. “I really love that about Central. You have that connection with anybody across campus.”

The Carolyn and Tad Perry Fellow Award goes annually to a faculty member who has demonstrated a genuine commitment to student experiences, growth and achievement, beyond normal teaching and mentoring engagement.

I really love that about Central. You have that connection with anybody across campus.

Unnviks Journey Forward Together

BY DEANNA COOPER, ’15

C

entral has a history of bringing couples together for a journey in life together, and today’s students are no different – only perhaps their paths may begin much farther apart. Grace Stumbaugh Unnvik, ’21, and Marius Unnvik, ’21, met at St. Paul’s Lutheran High School in Concordia, Mo. Their journeys, however, began a little over 4,000 miles apart.

Grace grew up in Concordia with her parents and three brothers.

Her mother and father instilled a strong work ethic and were her biggest supporters throughout her college volleyball and academic career. She transferred to Central from a small community college after one semester and instantly loved campus and the proximity to her hometown. An All-American Eagle volleyball player, Grace majored in professional writing and publication, worked in the writing center, and was an editor of Inscape magazine.

Her favorite experience, though, was her internship with the CMU marketing department. Central has always maintained a healthy reputation for great mentors, and there were three who Graced looked up to: Ryan Woldruff, Kavita Hatwalkar and Scott Queen.

“I came into college very unsure of myself and what I wanted to do, but they supported and encouraged me, and taught me many invaluable lessons,” Grace said.

During her Central career, Grace would earn many accolades as an Eagle volleyball player and publish numerous articles for Central’s bi-annual Talon. After graduating, Grace taught elementary school in Fayette and currently in Fayetteville, Ark. She loves her classroom of students and clearly embraces her new career.

Marius was born and raised raised on the island of Askøy, just outside of Bergen, Norway. He transferred to Central after former

head volleyball coach Allison Jones-Olson offered him a position as a manager on the team. Double majoring in history and psychology, with a minor in philosophy, he became a dedicated member of Psychology Club and Honors Program. He feels “extremely grateful” for his mentors, Doctors Richard Bradley, Elizabeth Gold, Jacqueline Anson, and Travis Smith.

In the summer of 2021 after graduation, Marius worked at Great Circle in Columbia with at-risk children and families. He had the honor of being accepted to a combined MA/PhD Fellow program for experimental psychology at the University of Arkansas, with an ultimate goal of professorship.

Both Grace and Marius earned consistent Dean’s List placement throughout their time at Central. Marrying during the summer of their senior year, they returned to campus for their final coursework and graduated in December 2021.

They wouldn’t forget their alma mater, returning to Central for their first Homecoming after graduation, and they look forward to returning to many more. Aside from intellectual pursuits, both enjoy soccer, volleyball, the outdoors, art, music, hiking, and traveling.

This summer will be particularly special, as Grace and Marius will be able to return to Norway and visit family for the first time in several years – thanks to the lifting of pandemic restrictions and the receipt of a long overdue green card.

Their paths began a half a world apart, but together they are on a fantastic journey as life-long learners with a passion to contribute to the world around them.

They no doubt will continue to represent the “Central experience” well, in life and career.

Spring 2023 | The Talon 23

A Note from Alumni Board President

Alumni News & Notes

Hello alumni friends and family, I hope this note greets you in good tidings! The CMU Alumni Board of Directors has been discussing many CMU alumni events. We have been exceeding attendance expectations and receiving wonderful feedback for our alumni socials.

Most recently, we had more than 350 Central alumni and friends purchase tickets for our CMU Day at Busch Stadium. We have several upcoming alumni social events that you will not want to miss! Please be watching your emails for updates on these events and to get your tickets. I have personally attended every alumni social, and it has been wonderful reconnecting with alumni and making new memories.

The biggest and most exciting event we are looking forward to is 2023 Homecoming on October 27-29. The CMU Alumni Board of Directors and I are planning another outstanding Homecoming weekend! The Distinguished Alumni Award ceremony will be held on the Sunday of Homecoming. We will get the opportunity to honor and celebrate an exceptional group of Central Methodist alumni. This ceremony is a very heart-touching event and a terrific way to close Homecoming weekend. The honorees share memories filled with love for their alma mater, which fills the room with pride and admiration for Central.

Our connection and love at CMU are strong.

As always, I look forward to seeing you and wish you the very best.

More than 100 alumni and students attended the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference social on January 26 at Tan-Tar-A Conference Center. At the end of the evening, alumni and students from Sigma Alpha Iota and Phi Mu Alpha joined together in song.

1970s

Chris Lincoln, ’72, was awarded the Jim McKay Award and was inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame.

1980s

Beth McCune Whitaker, ’82, received the Kemper Award with the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Tony Whiston, ’84, will be the boys and girls high school basketball coach for the 2023-2024 season with the Keyetsville School District.

Kenny Wyatt, ’84, was named the Class 2 Boys Basketball Coach of the Year by the Central Missouri Media All District Basketball and KRES Boys Coach of the Year.

Go Eagles!!!

Sincerely,

Julie Parrish, Class of 2005 President, Alumni Association Board of Directors

24 The Talon | Spring 2023

Tina Heisterberg Sutherland, ’86, is the principal at St. Paul Lutheran School in Sedalia.

1990s

Christy Smith, ’95, was selected as the district Teacher of the Year and elementary grade level and kindergarten center Teacher of

the Year with the Poplar Bluff School District.

Nicole E. Long Rader, ’99, published the book “Teaching Fear: How We Learn to Fear Crime and Why It Matters.”

Erica Harris Doxley, ’99, was chosen as The Teacher of the Year at John E. Codwell Elementary. She is a second grade teacher.

2000s

Darren Dean, ’01, released his latest book, “Roads,” a novel about a teen’s fight to survive in rural Missouri. It is his fourth novel and fifth book overall. Dean has also had multiple short stories accepted for publication, including “Tomorrow Is a Long Time,” published in an anthology inspired by the works of Bob Dylan.

Martin C. Hauck, Jr., ’03, was selected as the 2023 USA U17 Greco Roman Wrestling World Championship Team Coach.

Brandy Momot Pratt, ’04, is the president of Bristol Advanced Illness Management.

Dr. Katherine “Katie” Chancey, ’05, is the chief of staff with Horton Discovery Animal Hospital in Columbia.

Salum Stutzer, ’05, is the director of facilities and operations with Francis Howell School District.

Zebadiah T. Wallace, ’12, is the principal of Ozark Elementary School starting in the 2023-2024 school year.

Amanda Linneman, ’17, is the Advancement Information Specialist with Stephens College

Matthew T. Vandelicht, ’07, became a partner with Miller, Bales & Company, P.C.

Pat Pyle, ’13, is the assistant principal with Smith-Cotton Junior High School in Sedalia.

Abigail Schapira, ’18, is an admissions representative with Missouri Valley College.

Jesse Oswald, ’08, will be the principal at East Elementary School in Jefferson City.

Kyle Stoecklein, ’13, is the Holden Middle School principal.

Miguel Paredes, ’09, is the director of athletics with Kansas Wesleyan University.

Tara Sanchez, ’16, is the athletic trainer with Texas Christian University women’s basketball and rifle teams.

Kalani Pihana, ’18, graduated from Logan University College of Chiropractic, earning her Doctor of Chiropractic degree. She is working with Vibrant Living Chiropractic in Frontenac and Festus, with plans to open her own practice in New Franklin in the future.

2010s

Eric P. Reigelsberger, ’11, is the athletic trainer for the Miami Marlins.

Aaron Shockley, ’12, coach of the Columbia College Rocket League team, won the school’s first ever national title in Esports and led the team to become the second ever team from the western conference to ever win the national title in CRL history.

Dillon Yung, ’16, will be the Pilot Grove High School and Middle School head boys’ basketball coach for the 2023-2024 school year.

Have some good news you want to share?

Matt Dickman, ’17, is the video coordinator for women’s basketball with St. Louis University.

Mackenzie Hustead, ’17, is an admissions counselor with Central Methodist University.

Send us your special news, and we’ll share it in an upcoming issue of the Talon.

Spring 2023 | The Talon 25

In Memoriam

1930s

Jessie White Schell, ’38, of Jefferson City, Mo., died March. 23, 2023.

Mary F. Holland Doescher, ’39, of Rapid City, S.D., died Feb. 18, 2023.

1940s

Mary Eleanor Warford DuBois, ’43, of Fairlawn, Ohio, died April. 20, 2023.

Kenneth L. Martin, ’47, of Normandy Park, Wash., died Dec. 7, 2022.

Patricia A. McGlothlin Miller, ’48, of Katy, Texas, died June 8, 2022.

1950s

Adele Bradley Barnett, ’50, of St. Louis, Mo. died April 5, 2023.

Leland Basil Womack, ’50, of Rolla, Mo. died May 1, 2023.

Dana Chenoweth Greb Lyne, ’51, of Lee’s Summit, Mo. died Aug. 24, 2022.

Donald Paul Brown, ’52, of Groton, Conn. died Nov. 7, 2022.

Ellen Galatas Schroeder, ’52, of Estes Park, Colo. died Jan. 3, 2023.

Gail D. Hughes, ’53, of Lawrence, Kan. died Jan. 21, 2023.

Gwendlyn Gaty Kleinschmidt, ’53, of Elgin, Ill. died Dec. 6, 2021.

Jerry D. Statler, ’53, of Cape Girardeau, Mo. died Feb. 21, 2023.

John H. Holt Jr., ’54, of Vestavia Hills, Ala. died Aug. 25, 2022.

George A. Luther, ’55, of St. Louis, Mo. died Nov. 1, 2022.

Stephen G. Johnson, ’56, of Springfield, Mo. died Feb. 18, 2023.

William H. Kroeger Jr., ’56, of Empire, Mich. died Jan. 8, 2022.

David A. Lyon, ’56, of Chesterfield, Mo. died Jan. 28, 2023.

Carolyn Sanford Newburn, ’56, of Kansas City, Mo. died Aug. 4, 2022.

James D. Blackburn, ’57, of Birmingham, Ala. died Nov. 25, 2021.

Mariam S. Foreman Blackburn, ’57, of Birmingham, Ala. died March 9, 2022.

Wayne B. Byington, ’57, of Chamois, Mo. died Nov. 17, 2021.

Robert J. Harris, ’57, of Columbia, Mo. died Feb. 11, 2023.

26 The Talon | Spring 2023

Shirley Held Rinderknecht, ’57, of Marion, Iowa died Nov. 21, 2022.

David L. Dimond, ’58, of Fayette, Mo. died March 26, 2023.

Glenn P. Hall, ’58, of San Antonio, Texas died Feb. 28, 2023.

Sandra A. Brauss Neas, ’58, of Bolingbrook, Ill. died Jan. 25, 2023.

Virginia McKee Weiker, ’58, of Fayette, Mo. died Jan. 27, 2023.

Richard Foster Moreland, ’59, of Pittsburgh, Pa. died Jan. 4, 2023.

Duane Ray Sterling, ’59, of Warrensburg, Mo. died Jan. 22, 2023.

Samuel D. Yankee, ’59, of Kansas City, Mo. died June 26, 2021.

1960s

William V. Ayres, ’60, of Fayette, Mo. died March 1, 2023.

James Lee Eckhoff, ’60, of Rogersville, Mo. died Dec. 22, 2022.

Judith Estes Mounter, ’60, of Seneca, S.C. died Jan. 19, 2023.

Judith A. Schuster, ’60, of St. Louis, Mo. died March 2, 2022.

Alan Fred Strickler, ’60, of Surprise, Ariz. died June 16, 2022.

Sue Joslin Brown, ’62, of Broomfield, Colo. died Sep. 25, 2022.

Marvin E. Caldwell, ’62, of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. died Dec. 31, 2022.

Mary Anne Estes Herrick, ’62, of Janesville, Wis. died Dec. 16, 2022.

Carol A. Joyce, ’63, of Golden Valley, Minn. died Nov. 30, 2022.

James William Kennedy, ’63, of Taylor, Ark. died March 20, 2022.

Leslie A. Abersold Euler, ’65, of St. Joseph, Mo. died Dec. 2, 2022.

Keith Austin Gabbert, ’66, of St. Charles, Mo. died Dec. 2, 2022.

Keith Lee Aschinger, ’67, of St. Louis, Mo. died March 16, 2023.

Marie Oldham Scheiter, ’67, of Washington, Mo. died March 18, 2023.

Paul Stephen Szopa, ’67, of Columbia, Mo. died Feb. 3, 2023.

David Neal Turnbull, ’67, of Shawnee Mission, Kan. died Nov. 11, 2022.

Ronald Oliver Bolm, ’68, of Kansas City, Mo.

died Dec. 31, 2022.

E. Thomas Orear Jr., ’68, of Sedalia, Mo. died Jan. 9, 2023.

Frank P. Blakemore II, ’69, of Chillicothe, Mo. died Dec. 9, 2022.

1970s

John Raymond Bernhardt, ’71, of Columbia, Mo. died Nov. 13, 2022.

Gary K. Miller, ’71, of Roseville, Calif. died Sep. 16, 2022.

Jack D. Parscale, ’71, of Lebanon, Mo. died March 10, 2023.

Nina Kristine Wingate, ’71, of St. Charles, Mo. died Dec. 10, 2021.

Craig L. Bennett, ’72, of Kansas City, Mo. died March 23, 2023.

Marilyn H. Myers, ’73, of St. Louis, Mo. died May 7, 2023.

Kenneth Talley, ’73, of Gastonia, N.C. died Oct. 10, 2022.

Paul Stanley Little, ’74, of Carthage, Mo. died Nov. 4, 2022.

Joyce Lea LaDuke Hoskins, ’75, of Jefferson City, Mo. died Jan. 25, 2023.

Royal Dale Spellbrink, ’75, of Independence, Mo. died Feb. 8, 2023.

Lane S. McCutcheon, ’76, of Fayette, Mo. died March 6, 2023.

1980s

John E. Schultz Jr., ’80, of Columbia, Mo. died March 9, 2023.

Edward Phillips, ’82, of Fayette, Mo. died Feb. 22, 2023.

Ronald Paul Dempsay, ’84, of Littleton, Colo. died April 2, 2023.

Margaret E. Murray Quinn, ’87, of Chillicothe, Mo. died Dec. 13, 2022.

Kristine Anderson Best, ’89, of Fayette, Mo. died Nov. 28, 2022.

1990s

Jacklyn Potter Adkison, ’91, of Jefferson City, Mo. died April 7, 2023.

Eric William Moore, ’96, of Macon, Mo. died Dec. 6, 2022.

Tracy Ann Blake Becker, ’98, of Rolla, Mo. died Dec. 4, 2022.

Jeffry Paige, ’98, of Centralia, Mo. died March 7, 2023.

Barbara J. Hahn, ’99, of Park Hills, Mo. died Feb. 16, 2023.

T. Tennille Langdon, ’99, of Boonville, Mo. died Nov. 27, 2022.

2000s

Diondre Fulton, ’01, of Florissant, Mo. died Dec. 7, 2022.

Debra J. Brick, ’02, of Chillicothe, Mo. died March 23, 2023.

Pamela L. Brais, ’09, of Bloomfield, Mo. died March 21, 2023.

2010s

Cindy Lou Vaugh, ’11, of Festus, Mo. died April 23, 2023.

Joshua Antoinne Vaughn, ’12, of Fulton, Mo. died Feb. 4, 2023.

CMU Friends, Former Faculty, Staff John Alan Bellefeuille of Boonville, Mo. died Jan. 18, 2023.

Nancee Byington of Chamois, Mo. died Jul. 17, 2021.

Irene C. Ruhl Carr of Chicago, Ill. died April 8, 2022.

Harlan Cole of New Franklin, Mo. died April 10, 2023.

Lewis Cole of Neosho, Mo. died Feb. 10, 2023.

Edie A. Criner of San Jose, Calif. died Sep. 15, 2022.

John A. Ditto of Kansas City, Mo. died March 9, 2023.

Joyce Gorrell of Belpre, Ohio died April 5, 2023.

Cathy Halferty of Unionville, Mo. died April 5, 2023.

Lance Herrick of Janesville, Wis. died Feb. 1, 2022.

Joe Huckins of El Paso, Texas died Dec. 29, 2022.

Herbert M. Ingham of Blue Springs, Mo. died Feb. 6, 2023.

Janice L. Korte of Liberty, Mo. died Dec. 18, 2022.

William B. Kountz Jr. of Columbia, Mo. died Oct. 17, 2022.

Emily Kreisler of Independence, Mo. died March 29, 2023.

Judy LaTurno of Kirkwood, Mo. died Oct. 12, 2021.

Lawrence R. Oliver of Springfield, Mo. died May 6, 2023.

Gary K. Rees of Jane, Mo. died March 16, 2023.

Peter M. Soens of Farmington, Mo. died Jan. 4, 2023.

Carl D. Walker of Union, Mo. died Nov. 27, 2022.

Jerry S. Weis of Manhattan, KS died Aug. 6, 2022.

Robert Wilhoit Jr. of Fayette, MO died Dec. 4, 2022.

Robert P. Williams of Florissant, MO died Sep. 20, 2021.

D

r. John A. Bellefeuille, 50, of Bullard, Texas, died on Jan. 18, 2023, in Tyler, Texas. Born October 24, 1972, John grew up in Chelsea, Vermont, son of Steven W. Bellefeuille of Chelsea, Vermont, and Susan Anthony Bellefeuille of Tunbridge, Vermont. He

D

r. Bob Harris, born on Jan. 20, 1935, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Millard and Lucille Harris, passed away Feb. 11, 2023. He grew up in Piedmont, Missouri, and was an only child.

Bob enjoyed playing with his train sets in a playhouse built by his parents behind their home. He actively helped his parents at their store, T.W. Harris & Son, in Piedmont.

He attended Piedmont public schools, where he excelled in basketball and played the saxophone in the band. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Methodist University in 1957 and played saxophone in local rhythm and blues bands to support himself during college.

Continuing his education, Bob attended medical school at the University of MissouriColumbia, where he met his beloved wife, Jerena “Jerry” Lee Arthur. They married in 1961 and resided in Columbia for 61 years. Jerry worked with Bob as a scheduler and manager in his medical practice. Bob became a highly respected figure in the medical community, serving as one of the longest practicing physicians in Boone County and one of the longest practicing

attended Chelsea High School and Ithaca College in New York, graduating in 1994 with a B.S. degree in chemistry. John received his master’s degree and Ph.D. in chemistry from Texas A&M University, Bryan, Texas, in 1999. In 2006 he was offered an associate professorship at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri, and over the next 15 years he was a vibrant member of the faculty, teaching chemistry and advising hundreds of students until the end of 2021 when his health prevented him from continuing.

John devoted his life to learning and teaching. Dr. John Bellefeuille is survived by his father, Steven Bellefeuille; older brother, Andrew, and sister-in-law, Jan Bellefeuille of Whitehouse, Texas; younger brother, Nathaniel Bellefeuille, of Oakland, Tennessee; niece, Kathryn Bellefeuille, and nephews, William and Henry Bellefeuille. pediatricians in the state. He founded Boone Clinic Pediatrics and later worked as the senior pediatrician at Tiger Pediatrics.

His dedication to children extended beyond his medical practice. He served on the Columbia Public Schools Board of Education from 1981 to 1990, including a term as board president from 1984 to 1986.

He actively supported the establishment of the Partners in Education program within the Columbia Public Schools.

Outside of his professional life, Bob authored two children’s books, enjoyed cheering for the Tigers and Cardinals, and loved antiquing with his wife.

Among his numerous awards and honors, Bob received the Distinguished Alumni Award from CMU and the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Missouri Medical Alumni Association. He also received the Missouri Child Advocacy Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Humanitarian Award from the University of Missouri International Center for Psychosocial Trauma. In 2017, “Inside Columbia” magazine recognized him as one of “The Como 100 Who Have Shaped Columbia” in the Health Care and Medicine category. At the age of 83, Bob received the “Columbia Daily Tribune” Reader’s Choice Award as “Best Pediatrician” in 2018.

Bob’s greatest devotion was to his family.

He is survived by his wife, Jerry; his son, Jeff, and his wife Katie Perry Harris, and their children Grace and Ted. His daughter Julie Harris Shaw, her husband Stuart, and their children Jack and Caroline also cherish his memory.

Spring 2023 | The Talon 27

CMU Events:

Columbia Alumni Social at Bur Oak Brewery – May 11, 2023

Stacy Menees, ’08; Tanna Niemeier; Julie Parrish, ’05; and Mackenzie Wells, ’10

Rebecca Harbison, ’77; Cam Levett, ’17, Paden Kleinhesselink, ’16; and Martha Kleinhesselink, ’18

Tim and Gay Litteken, ’88

Kylie Tillman, ’19; Drew Tillman, ’19; Greg Thurmon, ’77; Sean Pridgeon, ’08; Barb Thurmon, ’02; and Preston Ary, ’18

Beth Whitaker, ’82, and Susan Stegeman, ’84

Anne Ziegler, ’20, and Christian Morris

28 The Talon | Spring 2023

Tim Jackman, ’81

New head football coach Dave Brown

More photos from the 2023 Columbia Alumni Social: https://www.flickr.com/photos/194562910@N02/ albums/72177720308229624

CMU Day at Busch Stadium – May 21, 2023

Mark Dempsey, ’85, and Kathy Dempsey, ’86

Katie Cheshire; Cindy Coleman; Terry Coleman; and Josh Whitener, ’12

Jill Royce Tatum, ’86; Susan Hardy Mills, ’83; and Lisa Berry, ’86

Richard Byfield and Rachel Byfield, ’20

Lauren Smith, ’15, and Daniel Smith

Susan Hardy Mills, ’83; Jayne Layden; Larry Layden, ’83; and Jacque Knight Richmond, ’83

More photos from CMU Day at Busch Stadium: https://www.flickr.com/photos/165662066@N06/ sets/72177720308469565/

Spring 2023 | The Talon 29

Stock photo for illustrative purposes

Central Participates in Second Chance Pell Experiment

BY KEAGAN O’RILEY, ’23

F

irst launched by the U.S. Department of Education in 2015, the Second Chance Pell experiment provides need-based Pell Grants to people in state and federal prisons, allowing them to pursue postsecondary education while incarcerated. Colleges and universities selected to take part in the program partner with federal and state penal institutions to enroll incarcerated students in educational and training programs. According to the Vera Institute of Justice, since its implementation, the Second Chance Pell Experiment has enrolled more than 17,000 people, and students have earned more than 4,500 certificates.

Central Methodist University was invited to join the program in spring 2022 and has since made an agreement with the Missouri Department of Corrections to provide inmates with the chance to earn college degrees at five Missouri prisons, including Moberly, Tipton, Boonville, and Algoa correctional centers as well as Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center. Currently, students can pursue a business degree at the associate or bachelor level by taking courses offered through an online learning management system. Students access this online system by using tablets provided to them by the Department of Corrections.

CMU faculty teach and interact with students, answering questions through the learning management system. In addition, staff regularly visit the facilities to hold study halls, advise, and assist with career services.

“Students are eager to learn and are actively engaged in classes,” noted Dr. Rita Gulstad, CMU provost. She further explained that when students commented on their courses, they found the range of classes helped them to realize their goals, to build confidence in themselves, to overcome writing fears, to discover previously unrealized leadership skills, and much more.

Missouri Department of Corrections director Anne Precythe, in her role as president of the National Correctional Leaders Association, has

30 The Talon | Spring 2023

been a vocal advocate for the Second Chance Pell Grant expansion for years and has praised Central’s involvement with the program.

“We are excited to partner with Central Methodist University in expanding higher education access for Missourians involved in the criminal justice system,” said Precythe. “As key components of the reentry process, prison education programs directly advance our broader goal of ensuring better outcomes for people returning to our communities after incarceration, improving their lives, and making Missouri safer.”

Central is one of 200 schools across the country able to participate in this program, which aims to give incarcerated individuals the tools they need for a fresh start upon reentry into society. Postsecondary education programs in prison are proven to reduce the rate of recidivation, with participants 48 percent less likely to recidivate than those who do not.

Other benefits of such postsecondary education programs can be seen in increased employment rates and increased wage rates for participants after their release.

Access to education programs like the Second Chance Pell Experiment opens opportunities for incarcerated individuals looking to better themselves and enhances their ability to be productive members of their communities. Not only do these programs increase the employment and wage rates of participants after their release, but prisons with college education programs also tend to report less violence within their walls.

When considering Central’s future involvement in providing these postsecondary opportunities to incarcerated individuals, Gulstad explained that Central will work to keep these opportunities open and available to students.

“With the sunsetting of the Second Chance Pell program,” said Gulstad, “CMU will continue under the new experiment and plans to transition to the new Prison Education Program of the Department of Education.”

Dr. Gil and Ruth Fleer met at Central in 1951 but didn’t begin to date until their second year. Both would live full lives in the service to others through ministry and education. To meet either of them was to have known them always. They were a beloved couple at Central and no doubt anywhere they traveled. Gil passed away in 2020 and Ruth continues to live in Bentonville, Ark. A visit with her is a wonderful reflection on lives well lived. The Fleers held Central close to their hearts and were passionate about the opportunity of education and the impact it provides in one’s life. An opportunity they held so much passion for, they chose to include Central in their estate plans. When asking Ruth if it was okay if we shared their story and planned giving intentions, she immediately replied, “Of course, please do!” Their gift isn’t about them, it is truly about the benefit of another and sharing life opportunities through education. Join the many CMU friends and family who have shated their legacy at Central.

Consider sharing your own legacy at Central!

For more information contact Deanna Cooper Director of Development for Advancement and Alumni Relations dcooper@centralmethodist.edu | 660-248-6397

Spring 2023 | The Talon 31

32 The Talon | Spring 2023

Moss Talks on Bingham’s Early Days in First Ever Geist-Yancey Lecture

BY KEAGAN O’RILEY, ’23

C

entral Methodist University’s first ever Geist-Yancey Lecture on Fine Arts saw guest speaker Patricia Moss, an accomplished art historian, speak on native Missourian George Caleb Bingham’s contributions to art in a talk titled “The Early Days of Bingham in Missouri as an Artist.”

Moss began her lecture with a curious observation. Despite being lesserknown than some of the other artists of his time, when the Metropolitan Museum of Art created their timeline of art history, Bingham was selected to represent all of 19th century North American art. Moss moved on to talk about the artist’s early life as a cabinet maker’s apprentice and his views on art.

Moss explained that Bingham approached art as not just a medium for expressing what is seen by the human eye, but an expression of something more. She quoted from Bingham, who stated that “in painting a portrait, for instance, [the artist] should not be satisfied with giving a true delineation of the form and features of the subject. . . but in addition to these should impart to his work the soul of his sitter.” This mentality was apparent in Bingham’s many portraits that would later earn him his recognition as an artist.

According to Moss, Bingham’s career in art can be traced back to 1834, when he began working as a portrait painter. Moss remarked that right from the start, Bingham’s style was different from other portrait-makers of his time.

“All these portraits are considered to be monumental,” Moss said.

“Monumental in the sense that [the subjects] have a presence while they’re seated there in the painting.”

Other artists who painted portraits during Bingham’s time, Moss explained, had a style that “flowed across the canvas,” unlike Bingham who gave his subjects a bold aura that demanded attention and recognition.

Moss followed the evolution of Bingham’s portrait painting across central Missouri, pointing out the earlier artistic experimentations he used on his subjects’ backgrounds as well as the sitters themselves. This included perspective, colors, poses, and even shadows.

Towards the end of the lecture Moss remarked, “It’s the authenticity [of Bingham] that I think resonates with people for 200 years.” She then wrapped up the lecture with a Q&A session with the audience.

Originally from the Kansas City area and known as “the Bingham Lady,” Moss has been systematically locating more than 70 of Bingham’s “lost” portraits for over two decades. Moss, who has degrees in philosophy, history, and art, has helped curate the Bingham Bicentennial Exhibit at the Historic Truman Courthouse in Independence. She is also currently working on a book about the heir of George Caleb Bingham and is looking forward to releasing it soon.

Moss was happy to have been the speaker for the inaugural GeistYancey Lecture, stating, “I think the world of Joe Geist and [the late] Tom Yancey. I didn’t know them well, but they both are such fine people who changed the world through who they are. They affected so much at CMU but from what I know of them, it’s the way they helped individuals. It’s like a pebble in a pond – the ripple effect.”

The Geist-Yancey Lecture on Fine Arts series was made possible by Dr. Joe Geist and Tom Yancey, ’54. Geist and Yancey were the co-founders of the Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art, which now features gallery rooms named in their honor. Through this lecture, Geist hopes to provide a lasting legacy of their endless pursuit of furthering the pillars of higher education and the arts.

The entirety of Moss’s lecture can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/ manage/videos/811424621

Spring 2023 | The Talon 33

Cohen Explores Harry Potter and Religion in Fleer Lecture

BY KEAGAN O’RILEY, ’23

C

entral Methodist University saw author and religion enthusiast Dr. Signe Cohen come to campus to present her talk on “The Missing Room at Hogwarts: Harry Potter and Religion” for the 2023 Fleer Lecture.

Central’s Dr. Kevin Carnahan, professor of philosophy and religion, introduced Cohen as the featured speaker for the night, remarking on her background in Asian religion studies and interests in popular culture and religious diversity in Missouri.

Cohen began the lecture with an intriguing observation about the Harry Potter series. Among all the fantastical additions Hogwarts possesses that normal boarding schools don’t, there are a few things she found absent in the school of witchcraft and wizardry that would be normal to see at regular boarding schools. Among these Cohen listed math, English or language curriculum, physical education, and a chapel of any kind.

“We never hear, in any of the novels, about anyone going to church, to mosque, or to temple,” Cohen noted. She went on to add that, “Hogwarts students do get time off for Christmas and Easter every year, but there is little religious content in the Christmas celebration.”

Aside from a few mentions of Christian holidays like Christmas or biblical quotes on gravestones, Cohen pointed out that the novels appear to be free from the influence of religion. While acknowledging this apparent lack of religion, Cohen argued that there are indeed religious

34 The Talon | Spring 2023

elements throughout the series that manifest through symbolism.

Cohen explained that when looking at religious figures such as Jesus or Buddha, parallels can be found in the main protagonist of the series, Harry Potter. Likewise, the antagonist, Lord Voldemort, can be seen as the representation of the Christian devil or as a representation of the Buddhist view of human nature and suffering. The professor went on to describe many other instances of religious symbolism throughout the seven-book series before wrapping up the lecture with a Q&A session.

Cohen is an associate professor of religious studies at the University of Missouri. Her published work includes Text and Authority in the Older Upanishads, The Upanishads: A Complete Guide, and articles on subjects that range from Buddhist robots to alchemical themes in the Harry Potter novels.

The Gil and Ruth Fleer Lecture Series on values-based education is sponsored by the late Dr. Gilbert Fleer, ’55, and his wife, Ruth, ’58. Fleer was an assistant professor of religion at Central from 1959-65. He then spent many years counseling young adults in unconventional settings as a United Methodist counselor. The Fleers’ strong support of leadership training led them to fund the Gil and Ruth Fleer Fund for Excellence in Values-Based Education at CMU. The entirety of Cohen’s lecture can be viewed at https://vimeo. com/815515040.

Boyd Addresses Evolution and Human Nature in Perry Lecture

BY KEAGAN O’RILEY, ’23

T

he Dr. Thomas A. Perry Faith & Science Lecture at Central Methodist University funded by Dr. Garth and Cheri Leigh brought Dr. Craig Boyd to campus this spring, where he spoke on “Evolution and Narrative Ethics: A Way Forward?”

Boyd’s talk was preceded by a short introduction on the history of the Perry Lecture series, given by CMU alumnus Garth Leigh, ’61.

Boyd was then introduced by Central’s Dr. Kevin Carnahan, professor of philosophy and religion.

To begin his lecture, Boyd detailed his experience traveling to Florence, Italy, where he visited the tomb of Galileo Galilei. While there, he overheard a tour guide repeat some common myths about the famous astronomer and physicist to their tour group – including his inventing of the telescope and his torture by the Catholic Church. Boyd then raised an important point: Stories change depending on who tells them.

Boyd led into his discussion on evolution by outlining four alternative ways of approaching or thinking about human nature in relation to evolution. These major alternatives, as told by Boyd, are the Conformist, the Resister, the Maximizer, and the Transformer views.

Conformers, Boyd explained, see evolution as “fundamentally selfish” and a “war of all against all.” Morality in a Conformer’s view would see the weak “purified” from the population which, as Boyd pointed out, is rather a barbaric sense of morality. Resisters, on the other hand, see evolution as the competitive all against all, but believe human behavior is selfish and that morality is the “means by which we resist our worst impulses.”

Boyd then introduced something called memes, which are cultural equivalents or parallels to biological genes passed on from generation to generation and serve as the “means by which we resist our worst

impulses.” Boyd pointed out a flaw in the Resister views on evolution and the existence of memes. If evolution is purely competitive, then what explains the existence of a mechanism for resisting selfish behavior?

“It’s self-contradictory,” Boyd argued. “You can’t have these memes that are encouraging compassion and kindness when the whole process is a struggle for existence.”

Boyd moved on to discuss the third view of evolution, the Maximizer, which sees evolution as both competitive and cooperative. Morality in the Maximizer view of evolution is the evolved principles for prosocial behavior. But then a question remained: What separates human morality from, say, primate morality?

The last alternative Boyd touched on, the Transformer view, also sees evolution as both competitive and cooperative, but it explains morality as “normative prescriptions” and human nature as having a “sense of justice.” Boyd went on to discuss the difference between intelligence and reason – two major factors of determining the difference between animal and human nature. He ended the lecture by explaining that, while animals may have intelligence, they don’t have the ability to reason like humans and, therefore, have no sense of justice. To wrap up the lecture, Boyd held a short Q&A session with the audience.

The namesake of the Perry Lecture series, Dr. Thomas Perry, served 20 years as chairman of the English department at Central. He also served as chair of the Division of Literature and Languages and chair of the honors program. He sponsored Scribblers and Scrawlers, a club for aspiring creative writers, hosting and entertaining them monthly at his home. Perry is the late father of Tad Perry, ’65, former chairman of the board of trustees at CMU.

Spring 2023 | The Talon 35

factor in his life.

When asked how he found Central, Stutzer stated, “Central found me.”

At the end of his high school football career, he was being recruited by several institutions at various levels of NCAA and NAIA, but with only two years of play under his belt, he knew that bigger schools were more likely to sign athletes with greater longevity of experience on the field. He received a call from Coach Greg Purdum’s staff and after an independent visit to campus during the holiday season, he accepted an offer to play for the Eagles.

Stutzer’s original intent was only to stay at Central for a year and then transfer to a larger program, but after a successful freshman season and a coaching change, he found himself with an opportunity to step up outside his own perspective and help Coach Merle Masonholder build a great team. It would prove to be a pivotal life choice – Central became Stutzer’s home, and he would become part of a nationally-recognized defense with an offense to match. Stutzer became a three-time All-American safety along with racking up national and conference athletic awards, all while maintaining a presence on the dean’s list.

Off the field, many mentors left an indelible mark on Stutzer’s life during his time at Central, including the professors that pushed him the hardest.

“Everything I achieved academically, I earned,” he said, recalling faculty members such as Jack Healy, Ken Oliver, Jeff Webster, Dean Keeling, O.A. Robinson, and others. “Even today, I think of the communication elements I learned from [Dr. Healy] . . . Professionally, they really elevated me to think analytically as I do today.”

Stutzer also names some impressive people as his professional mentors and influences. He cites former Philips Petroleum CEO and Central Hall of Honor member Glenn Cox ’57 as an example of fortitude and intelligent perspective.

And he remembers conversations with former CMU trustee RG Kirby that have influenced his outlook years later.

The “Central Way” exemplified by all these influences has stayed with him, and the values and character that go along with it is a defining part of Stutzer’s career. Even as a student, his desire to “just be a good person” was recognized by his peers, earning him the Humanitarian Award, which still hangs on his wall to this day.

“I wish the same for my children,” said Stutzer. “[I tell them to] just be a good person and treat those around you with respect.

Really cherish and live this value.”

Now a mentor in his own right with plenty of advice for current Central students – “take a calculated risk, develop a work ethic, and never turn down an opportunity” – Stutzer knows that even though he has achieved so much, there is still more to be done.

“It is hard to believe I’ve accomplished all that I have in a relatively short time, but I still have far to go,” he said.

Stutzer Continues to Succeed with the ‘Central Way’

BY DEANNA COOPER, ’15

W

alking into any setting where Salum Stutzer, ’05, is at the helm, there is an immediate sense of the proverbial “tight ship” – mutual respect, integrity, efficiency, a pleasant sense of calm and forward direction. One can be assured that there will be new ideas and an intelligent vision, a logical, detailed approach where goals are set and objectives will be achieved. Above all, there will be 100 percent dedication.

It’s this work ethic that helped the Central Methodist University alumnus earn the title of director of facilities and operations for the Francis Howell School District in St. Charles, Missouri.

Effective July 1, Stutzer will begin in his new role, moving from his previous position as the director of facilities and purchasing for Independence Public Schools, where he served a successful and innovative run and accomplished tremendous achievements for the district.

Stutzer was born in Arusha, Tanzania, on the west coast of Africa, where he experienced “a global society environment with a multitude of people, cultures, and religions” at an international school. He and his family moved to Independence, Missouri when he was 11, and he lived out his remaining childhood there along with the rest of his seven siblings. Family remains a significant

36 The Talon | Spring 2023

Answering the Call: Gibson Works Toward Full Ordination

BY REV. BILL O’NEAL

O

n June 11, in the St. Charles Convention Center, Rev. Katilyn Walker Gibson, ‘17, was presented by the Board of Ordained Ministry as a provisional member in the United Methodist Church. As a provisional member, Gibson will serve under appointment

by Bishop Bob Farr while gaining experience in ministry, with the hope to be approved for ordination as an Elder in Full Connection.

Although Gibson is now three-quarters of the way through the process, she has been working toward this point in her vocational career for several years.

Her call into ministry happened during the summer between her sophomore and junior years in high school, as a youth delegate to the Missouri Annual Conference. She was a part of the youth choir for the ordination service and while listening to the Bishop Robert Schnase speak about his call to ministry and the little ways in which he had volunteered around the church, Gibson felt God saying, “Does this sound familiar?”

That night she accepted her call to ministry. From there she followed her call to Central Methodist University, where she experienced a wide variety of different ministries in which she eagerly served, helping to confirm her call to pastoral ministry.

When Gibson started searching for colleges during her senior year in high school, the pastor of her home church, Rev. Lynn Quist, encouraged her to look into CMU. The pastor’s daughter, Chrystal Quist, ‘09, had recently graduated from Central Methodist. Gibson liked what she heard, so she scheduled a campus visit. The moment she got out of her vehicle, she felt like she was home, and knew that was where she was meant to be. After touring the campus and learning about the religion and church leadership program, she decided it was the best place she could be to help prepare for her call to ministry.

Central Methodist was indeed the beginning of her formal biblical education, as it equipped her quite well in the filed of academic Bible study required for sermon prep and seminary. Undergraduate work at CMU awarded her a great love of discovering the context in which scripture was written. CMU also taught her about looking outside of her own experience and to envision how others might read and interpret

scripture, making a lasting impression on how she practiced pastoral care.

Gibson credits her alma mater with laying the foundation on which most of her vocation is based.

“The personal experience I got from having teachers who not only knew who I was, but actively helped to support my ministry in and outside of the classroom, has had a great impact on my personal life, but also a model for which I have in my own teaching as I lead,” she said.

Community at CMU is what Gibson loved most about her time at Central, as she enjoyed many different opportunities to try new things and meet different people, both in and outside of the classroom.

“I had more opportunities at CMU than I would have experienced, had I gone to any other university,” Gibson said.

There was so much to offer, from hands-on experience in her field of ministry, to the one-on-one mentorship she received from professors Daryl Jefferies and Kevin Carnahan. Gibson also took part in Sigma Alpha Iota women’s music fraternity, which was not a part of her academic work but created lasting friendships. Not only has the communal experience gone beyond her time at CMU, but it has also assisted her with her vocational work today.

Gibson also has advice for current and prospective CMU students.

“Don’t be afraid to branch out and be a part of groups, even if it might not match your degree area,” she advised. “Also, don’t be afraid to ask your professors questions about their experiences in the field you are studying. You will learn more than you can imagine, so long as you are willing to ask questions. When you need it, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

In my own experience, all of my professors were willing to help when I was struggling.”

Gibson would love to see a continued connection between CMU and the Missouri Conference of the UMC. Getting to be a part of CMU changed her life, so she wants to discover new ways to connect the university with local churches and to help provide a way to empower and encourage people to follow their call into ministry in a place where they, too, will be supported and encouraged.

Spring 2023 | The Talon 37

Sandra Wald with Carrie Strodtman

Emily Elliot

Alexia Sprick

Mason Sickler

Keagan O’Riley, ’23

Innovation Awards Presented Faculty, Students Earn Prize Money

Dr. Kevin Carnahan with Carrie Strodtman

BY EMILY KESEL

T

he winners of the 2022 Innovation Awards at Central Methodist University were recognized on December 7 at the regular faculty meeting, highlighting the outstanding projects put together by Central’s faculty and students. Awards were presented by Carrie Strodtman ’03, associate professor and director of digital learning.

This year’s faculty winners, each receiving $250 in prize money, were Dr. Ryan Woldruff, Dr. Kevin Carnahan, and Sandra Wald. The top student award of $150 went to Alexia Sprick, while Emily Elliot, Angela Dixon, Mason Sickler, and Keagan O’Riley each won $50.

The awards were designed to recognize projects that utilized Central’s Digital U innovation to represent a creative way to engage students and promote critical thinking and new ways of looking at problems, namely using iPads and virtual reality.

Woldruff, associate professor of English, submitted a project in which groups of students were to pitch an original tabletop role-playing game.

The assignment put the students’ creativity, world-building, writing, and teamwork to the test in multiple stages. One of the winning student projects came from this assignment as well – O’Riley’s submission of an original game titled “The Merge.”

Carnahan’s assignment gave students a chance to reflect on a virtual reality experience. As a professor of religion and philosophy, Carnahan wanted students to reflect on issues such as freedom, moral standing, and

38 The Talon | Spring 2023

Ryan Woldruff with Carrie Strodtman

perceptions of the self as it related to VR. Wald, assistant dean for First Class and dual credit, also utilized VR for her students’ assignment. Class members were given the chance to use Digital U equipment to take a virtual tour of the annex where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II and the Holocuast. They then reflected on the tour and answered questions, considering both the tour and other literature they’ve consumed about the subject.

Student projects varied as well, with participants submitting art, comics, and videos, all taking advantage of Central’s Digital U technology.

To learn more about the Digital U advantage, visit https:// centralmethodist.edu/academics/digitalu/index.html.

‘Coach Moz’ Retires from Teaching

BY EMILY KESEL

A

fter 40 years at Central Methodist University as a coach and professor, Dr. Mozaffar Rahmatpanah retired this spring, earning emeritus status for his dedication and service to the university.

“Coach Moz,” as he has been affectionately known on campus and throughout the Fayette area, became the head men’s soccer coach

at Central in 1983 and spent 23 years in the role before focusing on teaching physical education full-time in 2006. While his teams recorded an overall record of 158-197 during his time on the touch line, Rahmatpanah was instrumental in building up the program that would go on to win back-to-back NAIA national titles just over a decade after he handed over the reins. He was also instrumental in establishing the women’s soccer program at Central.

A native of Iran, Rahmatpanah played soccer throughout his life, including in high school and in college. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Teacher Training College in Iran before coming to the States to further his education. He earned a master’s degree from Western Illinois University and a doctorate from the University of Missouri. It was during that doctoral study that he was recruited by former Central athletic director Dr. Jim Luetjen to coach the Eagles.

Throughout his years of coaching, the team grew in both size and success, and Coach Moz was eventually honored with the Champions of Character Award in 2007. He was an embodiment of the Champions of Character program and its five core values: respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership, and sportsmanship. He brought those same values into the classroom as a professor of physical education, helping to guide students on their path to achieving their goals.

Coach Moz was also notably the “undisputed champion of badminton” on campus for more than 30 years, holding an annual tournament in which he routinely defeated dozens of students challenging his reign.

Rahmatpanah continued to be a mainstay at CMU soccer games after transitioning to the classroom, and even now that he is retiring from teaching as well, that is not likely to change.

Spring 2023 | The Talon 39

Gallery Celebrating 30 Years Show Runs Until July 20

BY EMILY KESEL

T

hirty years ago, the Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art opened its doors in the lower level of Smiley Library, on the campus of then Central Methodist College. After three years of work, from fundraising to collecting to renovating, the space opened for the first time with a gala on October 29, 1993.

This year, to celebrate the 30th anniversary, the Gallery opened a show in its current home in Classic Hall. Many things have changed over the last three decades for the Gallery, but the tradition of honoring American artists on the Fayette campus has certainly not waned.

The anniversary show features many of the same works that were included in that first show, all from the collection of Dr. Lawrence Ashby, ’42, and his wife, Loretta. The collection of around 150 works was donated to the Gallery, establishing the permanent collection which now features more than 1200 pieces in total.

“We started with the Ashby collection, and it’s just grown and grown,” said Dr. Joe Geist, registrar of the Gallery and co-founder, along with the late Tom Yancey. “We now have a board of 16 people and 30 docents, and we’re always continuing to grow.”

The donation of the Ashby collection and the work of Geist and Yancey were crucial steps in getting the Gallery up and running, but none of it would have been possible if not for the other half of the institution’s namesake, the Hodge family. Dr. Robert, ’42, and Anna Mae Besgrove Hodge, ’44, helped provide the primary funding for the Gallery, along with the Central class of 1943, as a celebration of the class’s 50-year anniversary in 1993. From there, it was a long process to finally establish the Gallery in Smiley Library, but it has all been worth it as the collection and the recognition have continued to amass.

40 The Talon | Spring 2023

Top left, “Today and Tomorrow,” acrylic on masonite, by Robert MacDonald Graham Jr. Bottom right, “Moonlight Scene,” oil on board, by Briger Sandzen.

Right, “Enter Coronado,” oil on board, by Briger Sandzen.

“[The Gallery] has gone from the ground up and become this gem,” said Tyler Pierson, curator. “It’s grown into this wonderful opportunity to bring communities into the university, and it’s very exciting to continue to see it grow.”

While the Gallery and the permanent collection have continued to grow and prosper, the anniversary celebration goes back to the start, with original pieces of the Ashby collection on display from the end of April through the middle of July. Geist and Pierson utilized all three rooms of the Gallery and the lobby to display as many of the 150 Ashby pieces as possible. The collection includes a number of media, including oil paintings, lithographs, drawings, and acrylics, representing the work of 45 different artists.

Many of the pieces on display feature the American Regionalist style, popularized by Thomas Hart Benton. His work and that of several of his students – Fayette native Roger Medearis, Daniel Celentano, Charles Pollock, Robert MacDonald Graham Jr., Earl Bennett, William Kautzman, James Duard Marshall, Jackson Lee Nesbitt, and William W. McKim – will be featured in the show. Other featured artists from the collection include Birger Sandzen, Charles Banks Wilson, Federic Remington, Aaron Bohrod, Frederick Shane, and Randall Davey.

All these artists and more are on display for the anniversary show until July 20. The Gallery will be open from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Appointments to see the show can also be made by calling 660-248-6304. The Gallery is located on the first floor of Classic Hall on the Central Methodist University campus in Fayette.

Ashby-Hodge curator and adjunct professor, Tyler Pierson

Pierson Steps into Curator Role

BY EMILY KESEL

A

fter graduating from Doane University in Nebraska, Tyler Pierson had two possible paths ahead of him. He was a double major in art and psychology and says he thought he would take the latter path, but less than four years after earning his undergraduate degree he’s firmly in the art world, having joined the Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art as its new curator this past winter.

Pierson has been working at Central Methodist University as an adjunct professor since the fall semester and has continued to teach drawing, but he has hit the ground running as the new curator and is looking forward to all the job will have in store.

“I am very excited about this curatorial job because I get to work

directly with art,” he said. “And I get to work with people that love the arts. It’s essentially an excuse for me to talk about art for eight hours a day. Who could ask for anything better?”

It’s no surprise that Pierson is so passionate about his new opportunity at the Gallery, given his personal history with art. He says he began drawing when he was two years old and never stopped creating. After being encouraged to learn more about the subject and take art classes he “fell in love with it,” and that love continued through his time at Doane and led him to applying for art schools. He eventually attended the University of North Dakota, earning a master’s in fine arts and gaining experiences that would shape his passion for art even further.

Pierson found his love for teaching art at UND and worked for the school’s collections department, which ran multiple art galleries on campus. He is excited to get to bring his knowledge and experience from those opportunities to the Ashby-Hodge Gallery, where his first projects have involved redoing the inventory for the permanent collection and working on ways to bring the collection to the public in a digital form.

Aside from that work, Pierson has been enjoying spending time talking about the current show in the Gallery and learning from the cofounder and registrar, Dr. Joe Geist.

“Working with Dr. Geist has been very exciting. He’s so prolific in everything he’s done and he’s wonderful,” said Pierson. “He is incredibly knowledgeable about everything in the arts. I’ve learned a lot from him, and I’m going to continue to learn so much from him.”

As for Pierson’s life outside of his work, he is still heavily involved in the arts, working on pieces for a show at a gallery he’s a part of in Nebraska. When he’s not focused on his own work or getting to know his new home in central Missouri, he enjoys the cinema and live theater.

Pierson’s work can be found on his website, tylerpiersonart.com, or his Instagram page, @tylerpiersonart.

Humanities Conference Returns to Campus

BY KEAGAN O’RILEY

A

fter being put on hold for three years due to COVID-19, Central Methodist University’s Humanities Conference was back this spring for its 10th annual event. Central’s Humanities Division held the conference on Wednesday, April 19, and the event saw six panels of CMU students present a range of academic works created in their classes, such as research papers, memoirs, poetic forms, and even a collaborative workshop on creative world building.

The day’s schedule included presentations on memoirs “Shifts”

by Sydney Jones, “The Good People” by Ashley McGovern, and “Bones” by Anna Valencia, as well as student-created poetic forms the “Mockingbird,” the “Glass Hour,” the “Scrabelle,” and the “Vanguard,” with both panels moderated by Dr. Kavita Hatwalkar.

A panel of students also spoke on their experience learning Hebrew during their presentation “When God Uses Italics: Benefits of Knowing Biblical Hebrew,” moderated by Dr. Daryl Jefferies.

Papers on Viking Sagas, which covered topics such as “Masculine and Heroic Identity” and “Women and Power,” were discussed during a panel moderated by Dr. Travis Johnson; and papers on theology, broaching topics such as “Controversies Concerning Sacraments,” were presented during a panel moderated by Dr. Kevin Carnahan. To wrap up the day, a student-led world building workshop moderated

by Dr. Ryan Woldruff saw members of the audience collaborate in groups to create new worlds, scenarios, and stories.

The 11th annual Humanities Conference is tentatively scheduled to take place next year on Wednesday, April 17.

Top left, Sarah King, ’23. Top right, Kara McQuerrey; Britt Dush, ’23; and Lyna Williams-Whitehead, ’23. Bottom, Keagan O’Riley, ’23; Emily DeCoske; and Duke Newsted.

Spring 2023 | The Talon 41

Bryan Adams, men’s basketball GA, with Luke Green

Assistant track coach Tevin Riddle helps a student master the art of how to tie a tie.

Career Closet Benefits Many

BY MARY LAY

S

ixty-three ties tied in two hours! On March 13, the James C. Denneny Jr. Career Development Center hosted a tie tying event and 63 students participated. Coaches Kenny Anderson, Tevin Riddle, and Bryan Adams, along with Brad Dixon, vice president for student life, instructed students on how to properly produce a double Windsor and more.

The tie tying event was made possible by donations to the newly reopened Career Closet. The Career Closet is a donationbased program where students can pick out interview-appropriate attire at no cost. Students are allowed to keep the items they choose. Since reopening, the Career Closet has been a valuable resource to many students who need professional clothing for student teaching, job interviews, and career expos.

“The Career Closet reduces some of the stress of an interview by removing the worry of professional attire, allowing the student to focus on highlighting their talent and skills,” said Mary Lay, director of the Career Development Center. “Students’ faces light up when they know that they have professional clothing to wear to an interview.”

The Career Closet is currently accepting gently used professional clothing, including jackets, ties, shirts, blouses, skirts, dresses, pants, belts and shoes. Donations may be dropped off at the Career Development Center, Room 209 in the Inman Student and Community Center on the Fayette campus, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment.

42 The Talon | Spring 2023

Kenny Anderson, right, director of track & field/cross country, helps a student.

63 ties

tied in less than

2 hours “Students’ faces light up when they know that they have professional clothing to wear to an interview.”

Back row, J.B. Waggoner, ’91; Dori Waggoner, ’92; Melody Vandelicht; Skip Vandelicht, ’77; Connor Sanchegraw, ’22; Madalyn Bartholomew, ’22; Chuck Dale, ’79; Keith Ruether, ’86; Larry Floyd, ’67; Lynn Seward Fryer, ’83; and Fred Paddock, ’69. Middle row, Ellen Hahn Vince, ’81; Jane Lammers Hicklin, ’80; Lisle Moore, ’67; Dani Moore, ’68; Laura Ruether; Ed Lammers, ’78; Steve Seward; Ann Ley; Peggy Paddock; and Bob Hansen, ’67. Front row, Bill Sheehan, ’84; Janet Bennett, ’69; Larry Bennett, ’69; Kelley Head, ’81; Larry Jackson, ’82; Beth Jackson; Dee Hansen, ’69; and Bob Hansen, ’67.

Steve Steward

Skip Vandelicht, ’77, conducting the band.

Concert Kicks Off Band Tour Weekend

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Lynn Seward and Steve Seward present the 2023 Seward Band Award of Exellence to winner Mike Watts, ’23.

he Central Methodist University Concert Band, under the direction of Prof. Skip Vandelicht, ’77, presented the second annual Seward Legacy Concert on Sunday, March 5 in the sanctuary of Linn Memorial United Methodist Church. This concert is the “home” tour concert and preceded the band’s annual tour of Missouri from March 9-12.

The inaugural Seward Legacy Concert featured the dedication of the endowments in honor of Ken, ’51, and Nancy Seward, ’52, which were generously donated by Lynn Howard. Beginning this spring, the concert will not only honor the Sewards, but all of the directors in the rich Central Methodist band history. About 30 alumni and friends came together on Saturday, March 4 for dinner at Emmet’s and continued into Sunday with lunch and campus tours. The weekend ended with the CMU Concert Band presenting its Tour Kick Off Concert, where the 2023 Seward Band Award for Excellence winner was announced. This year’s Seward Band Awardee was Mike Watts, ’23, who received a $10,000 award.

Spring 2023 | The Talon 43

44 The Talon | Spring 2023

The women’s wrestling program had its best season in program history in 2022-23, as the team finished inside the top 10 in the country at the inaugural NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Championships in Jamestown, North Dakota. Leading the way for the Eagles all season was 116-pound grappler Caitlyn Thorne. After not appearing in the individual national rankings for the first two polls of the season, Thorne landed in the top five nationally in the 116-pound weight class in each of the final five rankings, climbing as high as No. 2. Thorne won the program’s firstever individual conference championship at the Heart Championships in Oskaloosa, Iowa Caitlyn Thorne in February. She rode that momentum into the national tournament, where she earned the No. 2 seed in her bracket. Thorne would post a 4-0 record through the 116-pound bracket, en route to solidifying a spot in the national finals. She faced off against No. 4 seeded Camille Fournier of Texas Wesleyan in the championship, earning a decisive 10-0 tech fall victory to become the program’s first-ever NAIA National Champion.

Altogether, Thorne outscored her opponents 48-8 at the national tournament. She finished the year with a 26-3 record and was one of five NAIA All-Americans to represent Central on the national stage. Joining Thorne as All-Americans were Jaycee Foeller (2nd, 191 pounds), Caitlyn Davis (4th, 155 pounds), Skye Realin (5th, 130 pounds), and Hannah Hall (7th, 116 pounds). Head coach Brieana Delgado was tabbed as both the Heart Conference and NWCA NAIA Women’s Coach of the Year for her work with the program. Central finished the championships with a seventh-place finish and, at one time, had as many as 10 grapplers ranked nationally.

Photo credit Alex Maida Photography

Donald Griffin

The CMU men engineered a remarkable turnaround under first-year head coach Sam Schmitz. The 2022-23 campaign saw the team receiving votes in the national polls during the regular season, including four individuals nationally ranked. During the postseason, Central boasted its highest finish at the conference championships, earning a fifth-place standing in one of the toughest wrestling conferences in the country. Altogether, seven wrestlers reached the top four of the conference, including four podium finishes. Highlighting the conference tournament for CMU were Donald Griffin and Colton King, who were named the Heart Newcomer and Heart CoFreshman of the Year respectively. In addition, five Eagles punched their tickets to the NAIA National Championships in Wichita in mid-March. The postseason concluded with the first two NAIA All-Americans in program history in Griffin (4th, 157 pounds) and Elijah Hynes (8th, 197 pounds) and a top 15 finish at the event.

Spring 2023 | The Talon 45

James Jordan

Under first-year head coach Matt Sherman, ’10, the Central Methodist men’s basketball team finished 2022-23 with a 17-12 overall record, which included a 14-8 record in conference action. Coach Sherman earned his first career win as head coach in the season opener, as CMU defeated Friends University 107-88 on November 3 in Olathe, Kansas. Highlighting the season was an eight-game win streak from January 19 - February 11.

Graduate guard James Jordan was tabbed as the Heart Newcomer of the Year and earned an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American nod.

CMU baseball finished the regular season with a 33-15 overall record and a conference mark of 23-7. Central claimed its second regular season conference championship in the last three years and earned a spot in the NAIA National Tournament for the seventh consecutive year. Graduate transfer pitcher Alan West made history by throwing just the second no-hitter in program history against Benedictine College on April 2. For his performance, West was named both the Heart Conference and NAIA National Pitcher of the Week.

The Eagles swept the Heart Major Awards, as Robbie Merced was named the Heart Player of the Year, West earned Pitcher of the Year, and Nate Breland was Coach of the Year. Altogether, Central boasted nine Heart All-Conference selections. CMU finished the year ranked No. 25 in the country and hosted an NAIA National Championship Opening Round for the first time on the newly renovated Estes Field.

Dayana Montenegro

46 The Talon | Spring 2023

Alan West

The CMU outdoor track & field program continued its impressive campaign, as the women won the Heart Outdoor Conference Championship for the first time in program history in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It also completed the championship sweep for the women, as they took home the team title during the indoor season. CMU boasted six individual conference champions, and, as a result, Head Coach Kenny Anderson was named the Heart Women’s Outdoor Coach of the Year. He was also named the USTFCCCA South Central Women’s Outdoor Regional Coach of the Year. The CMU men earned a podium finish with a third place standing at the conference championships. It marks the third-straight year the men have finished in the top three. Altogether, Central qualified 18 athletes for the NAIA Outdoor National Championships in Marion, Indiana in late May. At the National Championships, the women posted a 14th place finish and produced four NAIA All-Americans. Freshman Gizel Clayton ran the 100m hurdles in a program record of 13.38 seconds, finishing as the NAIA National Runner Up and earning All-America status. Fellow freshman thrower Baylee Beard placed sixth and seventh in the hammer throw and shot put respectively, breaking both school records and earning All-America status in each event. Sophomore Renee Finke rounded out the All-America honors for the Eagles, finishing fifth in the high jump.

Photo credit: Steve Miller Photogeraphy

Chad Coburn

CMU men’s golf picked up two team tournament wins in the spring, winning both the William Woods Spring Invitational and the Missouri Valley Spring Inviational. The Eagles posted a thirdplace finish at the Heart Conference Tournament Championship, which included top five finishes for both Luke Truter and Chad Coburn. Altogether, five Eagles earned Heart All-Conference honors including Truter, Coburn, Aaron Teece, Matias Baccola, and Tomas Lopez Mazzalay.

The CMU women’s golf program finished the spring season with four top three tournament finishes, including a second-place finish at both the Missouri Valley Spring Invitational and the William Penn Invitational. The Eagles posted a fourth-place finish at the conference tournament in early May, highlighted by a top 10 finish from Sarah Krenowicz. Freshman Mechelle Vermillion was named to the Heart AllConference team for her play during both the regular season and Heart Tournament Championship.

Under third year head coach Kenny Anderson, the Central Methodist track & field programs posted another solid showing during the indoor season. The CMU women repeated as Heart Indoor Conference Champions, while the men improved one spot to fifth place. For their efforts, Coach Anderson and George Robinson were named the Heart Women’s Indoor Coach and Assistant Coach of the Year. In addition, Coach Anderson was tabbed as the USTFCCCA NAIA South Central Regional Women’s Indoor Coach of the Year for the second straight season. Central continued to roll into the NAIA National Championships in Brookings, South Dakota in early March. On the women’s side, the Eagles posted an eighth-place team standing out of 55 teams which included nine NAIA All-Americans, the most in a single championship in program history. Junior Dayana Montenegro was the NAIA national runner-up in the 600m run, while Yanira Paninka placed third in the 3000m race walk.

With a young squad in 2023, CMU softball continued its impressive run from previous seasons, boasting a final record of 42-12 and a 21-5 mark in conference play. Central claimed its second straight Heart regular season championship and remained hot entering the postseason.

CMU swept the conference tournament in Baldwin City, Kansas, winning each game by an average of 8.5 runs per game. Junior outfielder Kelena Oots was tabbed as the Heart Player of the Year and Coach Pat Reardon the Heart Coach of the Kelena Oots Year. Freshman pitcher Jordyn Ball was a welcome addition to the pitching staff, as the Fayette native boasted a 10-2 overall record in conference play.

She threw a perfect game against Peru State College on Aprill 22 and, for her efforts, was named the Heart Conference and NAIA National Pitcher of the Week.

Altogether, Central garnered eight Heart All-Conference selections. In addition, CMU jumped to No. 15 in the final national poll, earning the No. 1 seed in the Henderson Bracket of the NAIA National Championship Opening Round in Tennessee. The Eagles went a perfect 3-0 in the bracket, capped with a 6-4 victory in 10 innings over host school Freed-Hardeman. The win clinched the Eagles’ fourth-ever NAIA World Series berth in Columbus, Georgia. At the final site, Central knocked off conference foe Baker University in the opener, before falling in their next two games to close the season.

This year, the guard leapt out of their comfort zone on the football field. CMU Winter Guard took the floor in their first competitive season with the Mid-Continent Color Guard Lillian Miller Association. Their program, “Outside Looking In,” featured the song “I’m Still Here” from Stereo Avenue.

The team earned fourth, first, and sixth place rankings during the season. The team is directed by Caryn Jeffries, ’13, with additional assistance from Matt Fohn, ’20.

Spring 2023 | The Talon 47

Photo credit: Steve Miller Photography

The Central Methodist Eagle Envy dance team took part in the NDA Dance National Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida in April. CMU competed in two divisions beginning in the Dance Spirit Rally Open Division competition. CMU opened with a preliminary performance, posting a score of 87.8 to sit in second place going into the finals. The Eagles improved upon their performance score in the finals with a score of 90.325, finishing in second place. Central also competed in the Hip Hop NAIA Division, posting a preliminary score of 84.7714 to finish just short of a finals appearance. The Eagles ultimately finished fourth.

Under first-year head coach Kennedy Wingbermuehle, the Central Methodist Competitive Cheer program took on the NCA Cheer National Championships this past April in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The Eagles competed in both the prelims and finals of the Advanced Small Coed NAIA Gameday Division. CMU posted a preliminary score of 83.8148, followed by a finals score of 84.8611 to finish in fourth place.

48 The Talon | Spring 2023

CMU Cheer team

Leah Johnson

Leianya Massenat

Daryna Bachkarova

CMU Women’s Basketball Flirts with Greatness

BY RACHEL MOORE

I

n undoubtedly the greatest season in program history, the Central Methodist women’s basketball team put on a show for its fans and the rest of the NAIA in 2022-23. The Eagles, who fell one game short of the NAIA title game in 2021-22, had their sights set on returning to the big stage to garner the program’s first-ever national championship.

Central started out the season with a bang on Halloween night, defeating Haskell Indian Nations University 94-61 in the season opener.

This victory marked career win number 750 for head coach Mike Davis, ’83. The team then rattled off a program-best 34 wins in a row to stand 35-0. Along the way, the Eagles swept both the Heart regular season and conference tournament titles with a perfect conference tally of 22-0.

The Eagles started the year just inside the NAIA top 10 at No. 9 of the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Top 25 poll. They then climbed to No. 4, and ultimately No. 2 as the bi-weekly rankings progressed throughout December and January. Central would not be denied however, as the Eagles soared to No. 1 in the final ranking of the year, the first No. 1 ranking in program history.

Central entered the national tournament as the only undefeated team in the country, standing 32-0. After defeating Haskell for the third time this season in a very physical first round battle, the Eagles squared off against upset-minded Dakota Wesleyan in the second-round championship March 8 on the hardwood floors of Puckett Fieldhouse.

A raucous crowd of both fan bases watched as CMU negotiated a gutsy 57-53 victory and advanced to the Round of 16 in Sioux City, Iowa.

Central rattled off two more victories over Texas Wesleyan and Marian, advancing to the Fab Four and sealing a rematch with defending NAIA national champion Thomas More. The Eagles came up short against the Saints, ending a stellar season just one game shy of the national title game.

The Eagles finished the year with a 35-1 record and a multitude of accolades and honors. Leianya Massenat and Daryna Bachkaorva were named to the NAIA National All-Tournament First and Second Teams, respectively. Additionally, the trio of Massenat, Leah Johnson, and Bachkarova earned NAIA First, Second, and Honorable Mention All-America honors for their play in 2022-23. Massenat was also named the Heart Conference Player of the Year: Zutorya Cook, Defensive Player of the Year: Coach Davis, Conference Coach of the Year; and Camden Levett, Assistant Coach of the Year.

One of the most remarkable feats of the year was accomplished by the trio of Massenat, Bachkarova, and Johnson, each reaching 1,000 career points in their third seasons playing for CMU. Massenat and Bachkarova reached the lofty plateau within a single game of each other, January 25 against Benedictine College for Massenat, and January 28 for Bachkarova against Missouri Valley. Johnson tallied her 1000th career point against Thomas More in the national semifinals.

The trio became the 17th, 18th, and 19th players in program history to reach 1,000 career points.

Spring 2023 | The Talon 49

Dave Brown Named the Next Head Football Coach of Central Methodist University

BY RACHEL MOORE

C

entral Methodist Director of Athletics, Jeff Sherman, ’83, announced the hiring of Dave Brown as head coach of the Central Methodist football program in February.

Coach Brown most recently served five years as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for NCAA Division II Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo. “Coach Dave Brown was identified early on as person who could lead our program,” said Sherman.

“His success and experiences at numerous institutions are impressive. He possesses a strategic mind, coupled with leadership attributes and the ability to build relationships and recruit. In addition, he has attracted an impressive coaching staff to help elevate our program and create a culture of success both on the field and off.”

“It’s an honor to be entrusted with the Eagle football program,” said Brown. “I’m looking forward to building a program with people of high character who are relentless competitors, and who are excited to come to work every day. People you can be proud to have represent Central Methodist University.”

In 2019, Missouri Western’s offense averaged 41.5 points and 446 yards per game. In that same season, the Griffins made their second consecutive appearance in the Live United Bowl, where they defeated Henderson State University, 35-15. Missouri Western would finish the year with a 9-3 overall record.

Brown came to MWSU after two seasons as the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Colorado State-Pueblo. In two seasons with the ThunderWolves, Brown was part of two RMAC CoChampionships along with seeing the offense head towards the top of the conference. His quarterbacks completed better than 59 percent of their passes and threw for nearly 4,500 yards and 37 touchdowns.

Prior to his two years at CSU-Pueblo, Brown was hand-picked by John L. Smith to be the offensive coordinator at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. At Fort Lewis, Brown helped the team to its best season in eight years with an offense that ranked second in the RMAC. He came to Fort Lewis after six years at the University of Nevada under Head Coach Chris Ault. Brown helped Colin Kaepernick become the only player in NCAA history to throw for 10,000 yards and rush for 4,000 in a career. Brown was instrumental in the implementation and development of the pistol offense at Nevada and later installed the same offense at Portland State.

Brown’s coaching career began at his alma mater, Central Missouri under Head Coach Willie Fritz in 2001. During his time in Warrensburg, the Mules posted a 43-13 record, won the MIAA and appeared in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

He also coached one season at Portland State, helping the Vikings lead the Big Sky Conference in rushing and improving their offensive output by more than 95 yards per game.

Brown’s father, Paul, is a longtime high school coach in the Kansas City area with head coaching stints at Turner, Bishop Miege and Basehor-Linwood.

Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education at Central Missouri and master’s degrees from both UCM and Nevada.

50 The Talon | Spring 2023

Coach Brown’s Coaching Staff

Lee Tenenoff Line Backers Coach/Recruiting Coordinator

Keith Willis-Auger Special Teams Coordinator/Wide Receivers

Mark Konopka Offensive Line

Tevin Lakes Defensive Coordinator/ Defensive Backs

Shawn Simmons Graduate Assistant

SID Moore Named to CSC 30 Under 30 List

BY CMU ATHLETICS

C

entral Methodist Assistant Athletic Director and Director of Athletic Communications Rachel Moore was announced as a member of the inaugural College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) 30 Under 30 class on Nov. 30, 2022.

As a youngster Rachel was drawn to sports, as were her mother and grandmother. She played all recreational sports offered by her local Parks and Rec Department but was drawn most to basketball.

By the start of middle school, the Excelsior Springs native joined a club basketball traveling team, playing in the Central Rivers Basketball Association in Kansas City.

Moore said,” Prior to the start of my senior year of high school, after I finished my summer club competition, I told the coach I wouldn’t play my senior year. While my basketball mental aptitude kept pace with my expectations, my physical tools seemed to have peaked. It looked like I had reached my adult height, and I came to the realization that my skill sets and abilities needed to be applied in a slightly different way. My long-term future in sports was going to need to be in management.”

The search for a sports management program eventually led her to Baker University with its ties to the Heart of America Conference and the NAIA. After graduation with a bachelor’s in sports administration and a master’s in sports management under her belt, Moore started her professional career with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in South Texas. A year later she returned to the Heart and begin her journey with Central Methodist as an assistant athletic director.

“At the beginning of my third year here at Central, I got an odd call

in early September from the Heart Conference office asking to verify my age.” She was unaware she was being nominated for the inaugural 30 Under 30 class, for which she was ultimately selected.

The recognition honors up-and-coming strategic, creative, and digital athletics communications professionals throughout the CSC membership.

Candidates are considered for selection based on achievement in one or more areas such as professional success, impact on their athletic department, and service to CSC. Moore is one of four National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics representatives from across the country in this year’s inaugural class.

“To be recognized as a CSC 30 Under 30 honoree is extremely gratifying to me,” stated Moore. “I attribute a great amount of my success to the mentorship and guidance from other industry professionals who helped me when I was just a raw rookie. Someone once told me we are in the world of athletics to serve the student-athletes. I’d like to thank all of those athletes who have allowed me the privilege to cover them, to tell their stories, and document their achievements with pen and camera.

They are the reason I do this job and enjoy it so much!”

Moore is about to complete her third year at Central Methodist, where she is responsible for the athletic communications coverage for all of CMU’s varsity sports programs. As an assistant athletic director, Moore has increased her mentoring activity, having hired and trained two graduate assistants, and multiple student workers while also providing lectures in the classroom to sports-oriented classes.

During her first two years with the Eagles, Moore helped elevate the sports information department in numerous areas including social media, website streaming, and the Central Athletics Mobile App. This past year, the app reached as high as No. 6 in the country for fan engagement, which includes all divisions of college athletics.

For her efforts in 2021-22, Moore was selected by her peers as the 2022 Heart of America Athletic Conference Sports Information Director of the Year. In 2021-22 alone, Moore covered seven conference championship teams, and 18 national tournament appearances, including three NAIA National semifinalists, and 25 NAIA All-Americans.

Of more than 100 nominations submitted, this year’s class of 30 members was selected from four different levels of competition, including 17 NCAA Division I members, four Division II members, three Division III members, four NAIA members and two from Canadian institutions.

Spring 2023 | The Talon 51

Coach for a Day, Memories for a Lifetime

BY DEANNA COOPER

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he annual CMU athletic auction supporting CMU athletics offers a variety of items to bid on for a great cause. It also offers a fun opportunity to enjoy a moment to engage and inspire. The Coach for a Day auction offerings have become a fun time of intense, competitive bidding and camaraderie at the event and an even greater opportunity for alumni to engage, inspire, and share with some incredible CMU student athletes on game day. Two opportunities to become women’s basketball coach for a day, sold for $2500 each at last summer’s auction, going for far more than expected and for a great cause.

CMU trustee Kathy Vieth, ’66, from Denver, affectionately known as “Coach K,” got to live her dream day on the court with a deep personal meaning. Since Title IX had not yet been passed and women’s sports did not exist during her time at Central, participating in women’s basketball was not even a consideration. But her Coach for a Day experience allowed her to finally participate with the team in an extra special way.

Vieth experienced a broad professional career with IBM as an

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international vice president and feels that Central truly prepared her for her corporate career. Other careers would see her as a partner in an upscale mortgage lending business and currently with AgeWell, MD in Denver. Vieth lived the trials of a woman in the corporate world, breaking new ground for others with a visceral determination.

The opportunity to share a moment of time and inspiration with the outstanding CMU women’s basketball team couldn’t have been more meaningful. Of course, “Coach K” specifically selected the Missouri Valley game for her debut on the court. The experience would be a special highlight and one she will never forget. The win was icing on the cake!

Fayette native and fellow bidder Janet Jacobs, ’77, shared the opportunity to coach and check an item from her own bucket list.

Knowing it was going to be a such a great season, she wanted to be a part of the incredible success of such a great team.

Jacobs brings forth a long-time family legacy of four generations at Central and equally deep involvement and ardent passion for the

2023 Athletic Auction Friday, July 14, 2023

Janet Jacobs, ’77, (back row, second from the left) celebrates with the women’s basketball team after their win against William Penn.

Fayette community. Her sister, Julie, played and also coached at Central and surrounding areas. Janet’s father, Lew Wallace Jacobs III, was a devoted fan of the sport, keeping stats and notes from every game from his very own seat on the top row of the bleachers, providing him a full view of the entire court.

An enthusiastic supporter of the Fayette and Central communities, Jacobs is also a CMU trustee and serves as president of the multigenerational family business Commercial Trust Company.

For Jacobs, the pressure was on after Vieth claimed a win on her day of coaching, and coming in with anything short of a win of her own wasn’t an option. Both coaches and the stellar Eagle women’s basketball team would ultimately snag fantastic wins, as the team pulled out a victory with Jacobs on the sideline for the final regular season game at Puckett Fieldhouse against William Penn.

The Coach for a Day for the men’s basketball team was Charles Alexander, a freshman at Fayette High School. The Alexander name is another with a long local history and deep ties to Central. His parents, Rick, ’03, and Shelby Alexander, ’97, are both CMU graduates and his sister, Virginia Clair, is a current CMU cheerleader.

Age clearly has no limits with this unique auction item, and Charles had the opportunity to take in a fast and furious game coaching the team against Missouri Valley.

Each coach brought great insight and additional fanfare and fun to game day. If you wish to be the next Coach for a Day, be sure to attend the 2023 CMU Athletic Auction on July 14 at Puckett Fieldhouse.

5:30 p.m. Check-in and silent auction

6:30 p.m. Dinner 8:00 p.m. Live Auction

For more information on purchasing tickets, donating an auction item, or hotel room blocks, please visit www.one.bidpal.net/cmuauction23 Questions: Contact the Office of Advancement at 660-248-6260 or advance@centralmethodist.edu

Scan here or go to https://bit.ly/3IYehtB to reserve your seat Spring 2023 | The Talon 53

Jeff Sherman, ’83; Alex Nichols; Charles Bently Jr., ’73; Gene Williams, ’79; Travis Day, ’97; Nate Breland, ’06; Justin Gerald, ’10; Ross Fulton, ’69; Lee Brumitt, ’81; and Richard Schultz, ’56

Central Methodist Inducts Eight into Hairston Hall of Fame

BY RACHEL MOORE

T

he Central Methodist Department of Athletics welcomed seven individuals and one team as the newest members of the Hairston Hall of Fame on Saturday, Jan. 28.

The Hall of Fame honors the outstanding accomplishments of CMU athletes, coaches, administrators, and teams and recognizes significant contributions to the University’s athletics programs.

This year’s Hall of Fame Inductees include Charles Bentley Jr., ‘73; Nate Breland, ‘06; Travis Day, ‘97; Kate Fulton, ‘13; Justin Gerald, ‘10; Alex Nichols; Gene Williams, ‘79; and the 1955-56 men’s basketball team.

Charles Bentley Jr. built a perennial power as the head boys’ basketball coach at Harding High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

During his 34 years as a coach, Bentley compiled a career record of 651-155, which included nine state championships. He took over the program prior to the 1977-78 season, winning a state title in his first year as coach. From 1983-87, Bentley’s programs won five consecutive CIAC Class L Championships. In addition to his duties as the basketball coach, Bentley also served as the head track & field and cross-country coach as well as a physical education teacher at Harding. During his time at the helm of Harding, Bentley coached both John Bagley and Charles Smith, who would go on to have careers in the NBA. Prior to his coaching career, he was a member of the men’s basketball program at CMU, where he served as a team captain.

Nate Breland played for the CMU baseball program from 2003-06, serving as one of Central’s top offensive weapons for the better part of his four seasons. During his time with the Eagles, Breland was a Heart All-Conference selection four times, three times as a catcher and once as an outfielder. He was named to the Heart First Team All-Conference and All-Region First Teams as a senior. Upon finishing at CMU, Breland owned several career records including hits (241), at-bats (646), and

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runs scored (211), with two of those records just recently being broken.

As it stands today, Breland’s name can still be found in the top 10 of nine different CMU baseball career records.

Travis Day played for two seasons on the men’s basketball team before graduating from the university in 1997. During his time with the Eagles, Day set the single-season program record for rebounds with 388 during the 1995-96 season. He was a two-time Heart First Team AllConference selection and is considered the best rebounder in program history. In just two seasons with Central, he eclipsed 1,000 career points to become the 21st member of the 1,000-point club. Day was named the 1997 Estes Award Winner, which is given to a senior athlete on the basis of scholarship, spirit, ability, leadership, citizenship, and moral and spiritual qualities.

Kate Fulton was a four-time NAIA All-American and five-time conference champion in the high jump in track & field. She placed third at indoor nationals in 2011, fifth in 2012 and 2013 and fifth at outdoor nationals in 2011. She set the school record in the high jump with a mark of 1.68 meters as a sophomore in 2011. Altogether, Fulton qualified for nationals every season she competed in. In addition, she competed in the long jump, javelin, and the 4x400 relay during the conference championships. Fulton graduated from CMU in 2013 with a degree in biology and a minor in criminal justice.

Justin Gerald played multiple positions throughout his career with the Eagles football program including running back, wide receiver, and return specialist. He was a three-time Honorable Mention AllAmerican and a four-time Heart All-Conference performer, primarily as a return specialist for the Eagles from 2005-08. He was consistently ranked nationally in yards per punt return, climbing as high as No. 4, averaging 16 yards per return during his junior season. The 16 yards

per return was also good enough to lead the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

Alex Nichols completed his ninth year as head men’s soccer coach in the fall of 2022.

Coach Nichols built a soccer power at Central, having compiled a 153-30-13 overall record in those nine seasons. Nichols led the Eagles to back-to-back NAIA National Championships in 2018 and 2019 and has twice been named the NAIA National Coach of the Year. In the last four seasons, Nichols has led Central to four Heart Regular Season and Tournament Championships, including four straight NAIA National Tournament Semifinal appearances from 2018-2021. At the end of the 2022 campaign, Central pushed its undefeated streak at home to 46 games, with their last home defeat coming in November of 2018. Altogether, Nichols coached 56 Heart All-Conference selections and 27 NAIA All-Americans.

Gene Williams played for the Central Methodist football program from 1975-78 as a wide receiver. During his final two seasons with the Eagles, Williams was a part of one of the most lethal passing attacks in the country, a team that set national records in 1977, averaging 383.7 passing yards per game in only an eight-game schedule. He finished his junior year with 44 receptions for 853 yards and five touchdowns. His 107 receiving yards per game were good for second on the team and sixth in all the NAIA. Williams improved upon his junior season accomplishments with 46 catches for 1,080 yards, good for No. 4 in the country. In 1978, he joined teammate Steve Luetjen in becoming the first two receivers in school history to record over 1,000-yard receiving seasons.

The 1955-56 men’s basketball team, led by head coach Richard Brumitt, posted a 20-4 record to win the MCAU Conference Championship. The team, at the time, became just the fourth to win at least 20 games in school history. Team members include Elbert Haenssler, Jerry Linneman, Don Williams, Jim Snell, Charles Leonard, Foster Sadler, Bob Morgan, Ronald Hampton, William Meyer, Ron Gulley, Duane Sterling, Don Hammelman, Tom Crews, Wally Crawford, Dallas Wetzler, Dennis Eckert, Donald Slater, Don Spalding, Dick Schultz, Bob Schnatmeier, Jerry Cantlon, and coach Richard Brumitt. Lee Brumitt, ’81, son of Coach Brumitt, represented his father and the team at the ceremony.

In addition to the induction ceremony, the inductees were also recognized in between the men’s and women’s basketball games against rival Missouri Valley College.

CMU Baseball Recognizes 1970s All-Decade Team

BY RACHEL MOORE

T

he Central Methodist baseball program welcomed back and honored 14 of the best players from the 1970s as members of the 1970s All-Decade Team. It marks the first All-Decade team recognition in the history of the program.

The ceremony took place in between CMU’s Saturday doubleheader against Benedictine College on April 1.

The members of the 1970s All-Decade Team include starting pitchers Bob Gould, ’79, Brad Brinkman, ’75, Doug Frevert, ’78, and Charlie Brown, ’78; relief pitcher Gene Williams, ’79; outfielders Bill Lankford, ’76, Dave Stoll (deceased), ’75, and Rick Rhodes (deceased), ’78; third baseman Jim Holtwick (deceased), ’76; shortstop Steve Kline, ’77; second baseman Rusty Pape, ’77; first baseman Bob Bishop, ’78; catcher John Kurtz, ’76; and utility player Rex Curran, ’78.

Of the 14 players that were recognized as All-Decade team members, 11 were part of the program’s first-ever Heart Conference Championship in 1975. That team was enshrined into the Hairston Hall of Fame in 2009.

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1854 Society Central Methodist University’s 1854 society recognizes those who support the Central Annual Fund by giving $1,000 or more in a fiscal year (July 1- June 30).

Members of the 1854 Society affect every aspect of Central and contribute directly to the experiences and success of each student.

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