Spring 2014 - The Talon

TALON

SPRING 2014

THE MAGAZINE OF CENTRAL METHODIST UNIVERSITY

To Alumni and Friends of Central Methodist University Since starting my service to Central Methodist University on July 1, 2013, the first academic year has now flown past. As I think back about the hope and promise that I held for my new position, my first year was even more rewarding and fulfilling than I had imagined it would be.

While I had read many accounts indicating that Central is a “special place,” one cannot truly understand that designation until one lives the Central Experience.

It was a joy to watch our campus wake up and come alive this spring. As the grass began to grow greener and the trees began to bloom, it seemed as if God was giving us the second wind that we needed to finish the academic year in strong fashion. Our students seemed to have a little extra bounce in their step when traveling across campus after the spring renewal.

This spring has been an exciting time here at Central. Within one weekend, we celebrated our distinguished alumni, we held our spring meetings of the Board of Trustees, and I was inaugurated as president. Each of these events would warrant a weekend in its own right. To do all three in one weekend was glorious, enjoyable, and tiring—in seemingly equal proportions.

The next weekend held great promise for our graduating seniors. As everyone expected, the Puckett Field House was filled to overflowing with parents, family, friends, and honored guests of the Central Methodist community.

Commencement is that time when we can watch with pride as the newest editions of Central alumni leave this place to make a difference in the world.

President Emerita Dr. Marianne E. Inman and Mr. David Inman returned to the campus that they dearly love for the inauguration weekend and for Commencement. Dr. Inman presented Dr. Joseph Geist with the University Service Award at the Distinguished Alumni Dinner. She was a platform speaker for the inauguration. Marianne delivered a beautiful Baccalaureate address and presented Chairman Glenn Cox’s honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters during the Commencement ceremony. Dr. Inman and David were welcomed back to campus and back to Fayette with all the deserved warmth and appreciation that one could imagine.

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Chairman Glenn A. Cox Jr. will end his service as Chairman of the Board of Trustees following the October meetings. As a new president, one could not possibly have hoped for a better Chairman of the Board or a better friend. Glenn’s leadership at Central Methodist, working in concert with President Inman, has allowed Central to grow and become the strong institution that it is today.

While Chairman Cox will certainly be missed in his leadership role, the administration is thankful that Dr. Robert (Tad) Perry and Dr. Nancy Walker Peacock have accepted the positions of Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively. Both of these individuals are great examples of how Central’s alumni have made a difference in the world.

My inaugural address contained some hints about a great deal of excitement in Central’s near future. In the speech, I gave a vague and nebulous hint about a new center for allied health to be named in honor of a certain Dean of Students whose last name starts with a “T.” I was surprised by the large percentage of the Central community that guessed correctly only by my referencing him as Dean T. The speech also contained a reference to a campaign that would leverage our rich history in the sciences by totally renovating a building that is truly at “The Heart of Central.” I urge you to stay tuned for exciting news about Central’s future investment in the sciences.

For those of you who could not make it to the inauguration, I will close this letter in the same fashion that I closed my inaugural address. Last year, I borrowed a phrase from Dr. Inman and made a commitment to the Central community that I would love this institution with every fiber in my being. Last year, I had no idea just how easy that promise would be to keep.

Sincerely,

Central Methodist University

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THE MAGAZINE OF CENTRAL METHODIST UNIVERSITY Table of Contents President’s Message…....................................................2 Inauguration of Dr. Drake..............................................6 Graduation ...................................................................10 Academic Awards.........................................................16 Dr. Gulstad, Provost.....................................................18 Anderson(s)...................................................................20 Alumni Awards..............................................................22 Campus News...............................................................26+ The Stephens Museum.................................................29 Linn Improvements.......................................................36 College of Extended and Graduate Studies..................42 Fine and Performing Arts..............................................46 Ashby-Hodge Gallery.....................................................50 Hall of Sponsors Scholarships.......................................55 Bandy Joins Board of Trustees......................................58 Athletics........................................................................60 Alumni...........................................................................65+ Teaching in Honduras...................................................68 A Bird in the Hand........................................................70 Mission Trips.................................................................77 Spring 2014

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Senior Administration Dr. Roger D. Drake, President Dr. Rita Gulstad, Provost Chad Gaines, Vice President for Information Services Dr. Joshua Jacobs, Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations Ken Oliver, Vice President for Institutional Growth and Student Engagement Julee Sherman, Vice President for Finance and Administration

Talon Editorial Staff and Contact Information Cathy Thogmorton, Editor 660-248-6391 cthogmor@centralmethodist.edu Kent Propst, Executive Director for Marketing Communications 660-248-6238 kpropst@centralmethodist.edu Jenny Martin Anspach Assistant Director for Marketing Communications 660-248-6629 jmartin@centralmethodist.edu Alan G. Marshall Executive Director of Development and Alumni Programs 660-248-6260 agmarsha@centralmethodist.edu Deanna Cooper Director of Development and Alumni Activities dcooper@centralmethodist.edu Nicholas Petrone Sports Information Director 660-248-6358 npetrone@centralmethodist.edu Student Assistants: Adriana Romero Jessica Travlos

Central Methodist University prepares students to make a difference in the world by emphasizing academic and professional excellence, ethical leadership, and social responsibility.

– Mission Statement

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In last fall’s Talon Bob Siler’s obituary noted that he had begun his Central career after World War II. Clearly, our sources were inadequate. We heard from several folks who knew better than we did. Charles “Jack” Cardwell wrote, “I started Central in May 1942 and Bob was already ‘tickling the ivories.’” Agreeing with Jack was Robert Bower who pointed out that “the 1944 Ragout shows [Bob] as treasurer of the junior class. At that time he was my roommate in the V-12 dormitory [McMurry].” Both men agree that Bob was not pulled into duty with the Navy until some time after he’d gotten his feet wet at Central College! We appreciate the corrections we got, and now our records are more accurate. Editor

Cover: During the inauguration, Dr. Drake is caught in a moment of happy reflection.

Photo by Kent Propst.

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Dr. Roger D. Drake as 26th President of Central Methodist University had a little something to satisfy everyone’s taste. It was a celebration in the truest sense of the word. inauguration of

From the formal and highly ceremonial installation ceremony to President Drake wowing a luncheon audience with a rousing rendition of Floyd Cramer’s “Last Date,” and much more, the festivities May 1-4 presented the University and its new leadership in their finest light.

While Drake was the star of the show and the center of most of the attention, he did yield the spotlight to his wife, Judy, for a time after the formal installation ceremony. The men of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia ushered her under Cross Tower and serenaded her with “Phi Mu Alpha Serenade.”

Inaugural events began with a flourish at a May 1 band concert during which conductor Skip Vandelicht ’77 yielded the baton to President Drake during “Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite,” a longtime Central staple written by K.L. King and arranged by Andrew Glover ’83.

Technically there were no inaugural activities on Friday but it was a busy day with friends and guests nonetheless, including a CMU Board of Trustees meeting and the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards banquet (see p. 22).

A crowd estimated at more than 350 arrived at E.P. Puckett Field House on a stunningly beautiful Saturday morning for the inaugural luncheon, where visiting dignitaries and CMU representatives offered up good wishes for a successful tenure for President Drake.

It was during the luncheon that the exuberant Drake and a small ensemble replaced the Ron and JoEllen Shroyer-led CMU Jazz combo on the musical stage for a pair of numbers featuring Drake’s keyboard virtuosity, to the delight of the crowd.

Next, the crowd moved outdoors where Geofrey Bilabaye, 2013-14 President of the Student Government Association, dedicated a Tulip Poplar tree from the SGA to Dr. Drake’s presidency.

Things turned more formal during the installation ceremony in the Paul H. Linn Memorial United Methodist Church, though with Roger Drake in the room humor is never far away. The uplifting ceremony was filled with music and prayer, speeches, and the presentation of a Presidential medallion by Board Chair Glenn Cox ‘51 to the newly minted President Drake.

A reception in Classic Hall concluded inauguration day, but activities were not over yet. Sunday highlights included services in Linn Memorial Church in the morning and a vocal music concert that afternoon.

The inauguration of Roger Drake as CMU President has come and gone; may his tenure prove long and bountiful!

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At the luncheon, the politicians came out to wish Dr. Drake well. From left, Dr. Drake with Senator David Pearce; Fayette Mayor Ken O’Brian; and Dr. Drake with State Representative Dave Muntzel . . .

Friends, ministers, and alumni came to wish him a long and happy relationship with Central Methodist University. From left, Beth and Rev. John Gooch, Bishop Fritz and Etta Mae Mutti; First Lady Judy and President Roger Drake; and the Drakes welcoming Drs. Dee and Lee Woodward . . .

Some of Central’s finest came to support him. From left, Dr. Nancy Peacock, representing the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association; Dr. O.A. Berre Robinson, senior faculty member; and Braxton Rethwisch, senior staff member . . .

And the “boys in the band” just wanted to play and have fun—which everyone did! From left, Dr. Drake, Ted Spayde, Ryan McLouth, and Dr. Ron Shroyer, dean emeritus of the Swinney Conservatory of Music; and Roger, Roger, Roger in music heaven.

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Two of CMU’s favorite redheads, Laura Blair (l) and Janet Jacobs

Dr. Claude Westfall leads the Chorale in “Beautiful Savior” to call people to the inauguration.

Above, SGA President Geofrey Bilabaye dedicates a tulip poplar tree to the Drakes who are joined by granddaughter Natalie.

Rev. Dr. Gerald Lord

Rev. T. Cody Collier Glenn Cox, president of the CMU Board of Trustees, conveys the Office of President to Dr. Roger Drake with a medallion.

Dr. William Luckey, President of Lindsey Wilson College

President Emerita Dr. Marianne E. Inman gets a standing ovation prior to her remarks.

Beta Mu Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia makes Judy Drake their official sweetheart after the inauguration.

Glenn Cox, President of CMU Board of Trustees

Trustees Jim Denneny with daughter Jacquelline, Tad Perry with wife Carolyn, and Louann Shaner attend the reception following the inauguration.

Commencement 2014 at Central Methodist University was one of those magical, unforgettable, extraordinary and unique days that adds to the rich legacy of the institution.

More than 300 graduates were honored during Commencement exercises in E.P. Puckett Field House on May 10. They included master’s, bachelor’s and associate’s degree recipients from the Fall 2013 semester, May 2014, and candidates for summer graduation.

Always a special day for the graduates, Commencement 2014 also was memorable as the first one at CMU for President Roger D. Drake. Adding to the celebration was the presentation of an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to Glenn A. Cox ’51, Chair of the CMU Board of Trustees,

by President Dr. Roger Drake and Presi-

Clockwise from lower right, President Emerita Dr. Marianne E. Inman gave the Baccalaureate address to students; Conductor Skip Vandelicht directed the band during the procession and recession; Members of the clergy involved in Baccalaureate before the ceremony—Rev. Jacob Schneider (l), Rev. Lucas Endicott, and Rev. Emelito Hernandez; President Drake and Provost Rita Gulstad come through the student applause; Rev. Peggy Wood presented the second scripture reading.

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dent Emerita Dr. Marianne E. Inman (see p. 14).

Drake gave the Commencement address, “Life is About the Electives,” mixing in his trademark humor with words of encouragement.

“I have great news for you: from now on, it is all electives,” he told the graduates. “You can elect how you spend the rest of your life. You can elect to spend your life in the service of others. You can elect to spend your life seeking monetary gain.

“You can elect to spend it seeking fame,” he continued. “But you will spend it, your life will pass, and you need to understand now that it is all an elective.”

Many of the students were recognized for honors received during the year. The annual Commence-

ment-day presentation of the Selecman, Victoria, and Human Relations awards (see p. 12) were a highlight.

Judy Engel Rethwisch ’65, President of the CMU Alumni Association, welcomed the Class of 2014 into the Central alumni ranks. And as is customary, the CMU Concert Band under the direction of Skip Vandelicht ’77 added to the festive atmosphere on a most auspicious day.

Earlier in the day, CMU held its annual Baccalaureate program in the Paul H. Linn United Methodist Church on campus. President Emerita Marianne E. Inman delivered the Baccalaureate message, “Eulogy or Resumé?” The CMU Chorale, conducted by Dr. Claude Westfall, was featured during Baccalaureate.

Left, Dr. Drake looking sly and Glenn Cox wondering why he couldn’t wear his hood to Commencement as they prepare to enter E. P. Puckett Field House.

Amazing women take top three awards Commencement at CMU was a special day for the 300 or so graduates who were honored. But for three young women it was even more rewarding than anticipated.

Each year CMU presents special awards to three graduating seniors. The identity of the recipients, nominated

by CMU faculty and staff, is a closely guarded secret until announced by CMU President Roger Drake during Commencement ceremonies in E.P. Puckett Field House.

This year’s recipients were Aubrey Utley, presented with the Selecman Achievement Award; Rebecca Shroyer, honored with the Human Relations Award; and Kate Kellner, given the Victoria Award.

Aubrey Utley, Selecman Award

The Selecman Achievement Award is the most prestigious award given to a CMU graduating senior. It was established in 1957 by the late Bishop Charles C. Selecman, a former student of Central Academy 1898 (now Central Methodist University) and Bishop in the United Methodist Church.

He directed 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, Aubrey Utley, ace pitchand outstanding achievement. er, above, and Selecman Utley is perhaps most wideAward winner, below ly known as a record-setting and All-American pitcher on CMU’s nationally-rated softball team. But the biology major and chemistry minor from Trenton shines as brightly in the classroom and science laboratory. She graduated summa cum laude with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Utley was a perennial member of the CMU Dean’s List, recipient of the Gamma 12

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Sigma Epsilon Excellence in Organic Chemistry Award, recipient of the Alpha Epsilon Delta Physiology Award, and a tutor. She recently received CMU’s Darla Pannier Award as the outstanding female athlete, an Alumni Outstanding Senior, Golding study abroad, and membership in Sigma Epsilon Pi.

Rebecca Shroyer, Human Relations Award

The CMU Human Relations Award was first given in 1953. It was established by Mrs. Martha Smith Luck ’31 to honor the student “showing the most promise in human relations and human adjustment.”

This prize is awarded annually to the student who “attempts to develop the ability to get along with others and work with others -- the ability to understand the other fellow, develop liaison techniques and this (pouring of oil on troubled waters) in the area of human relations and understanding.”

Shroyer graduated with a degree in music education.

The Boonville native has been a standout in CMU’s highly-regarded music program, both vocal and instrumental. She appeared regularly on the Dean’s List, received the Nancy Thompson Jones Gem Award; the National Association of Teachers of Music Award; and the Sigma Alpha Iota Collegiate Honor and Scholastic Awards.

She was a member, music director, and president of Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) music honor society, a member of Alpha Phi Omega, and was active in Marching Band, Conservatory Singers, opera workshop, Chorale, and Concert Band. Shroyer graduated magna cum laude requiring a GPA of 3.8. She also received an Alumni Outstanding Senior Award, SAI Collegiate and Scholastic Awards, and membership in Sigma Epsilon Pi. Rebecca Shroyer, above, as Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro, and, below, receiving the Human Relations Award

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Kate Kellner, Victoria Award

CMU’s Victoria Award is given annually to a graduating student who in the opinion of the faculty and students best exemplifies the ideals and purposes of Central Methodist University.

The award is given in memory of Victoria Beecroft Cutter. It was established in 1979 by her late son Dr. Walter Cutter, CMU Class of 1928.

Kellner, from Strafford, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree with a double major in English and theatre arts, is widely known on campus for her involvement in the CMU theatre program,

Honors Program Five students graduated from the CMU Honors Program during Commencement. The Honors Program is designed to empower students by offering additional challenging educational opportunities.

To be accepted into the program, students are expected to have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.5, or an ACT of 26 or higher, explains Dr. Richard Bradley, program director. Students with a GPA of 3.0 and a ranking in the top ten percent of their high school class may petition the Honors committee for admission to the program.

In order to graduate with Honors, a student must maintain a GPA of 3.5 and complete 12 hours of Honors work over a minimum of two semesters.

Three of these hours must be the Honors Senior Thesis, supervised by Bradley, or appropriate faculty, and publicly defended before a committee, including the Academic Dean, the President, and the Director of the Honors Program.

This year’s Honors Program students are: Nahom Asfaw, Biology, “Investigation of Dietary Effects on Multiple Sclerosis”; thesis advisor Dr. Lea Daniel, Assistant Professor of Biology.

Kidus Birhanu, Biology, “Muscular Dys-

where she excelled both on the stage and behind the scenes.

Kellner received CMU’s Hadfield Award for Poetry, the Dr. Joseph E. Geist Award in Performing Arts, and Outstanding Student Director Frederick Award. She is a member of Alpha Gamma Psi, and was a student Ambassador for the CMU Admission Office.

She graduated magna cum laude. She also was awarded anAlumni Outstanding Senior Award, Thomas Dillingham Award for Non-Fiction Prose, Golding Scholarship for Study Abroad, and membership in Sigma Epsilon Pi. Kate Kellner, caught by surprise, left, when announced as the Victoria Award winner, and above as Libby in crisis in Blue Window

trophy and its Different Forms”; thesis advisor Dr. Lea Daniel, Assistant Professor of Biology.

Aubrey Utley, Biology, “Is Personalized Medicine the Next Step in Modern Medicine?”; thesis advisor Dr. Michael Tilley, Assistant Professor of Biology.

Derek Volkmann, Music, “The Rise of Indie and Alternative Music: An Evolutionary Process of Dissent and Authenticity”; thesis advisor Dr. Brent Myer, Associate Professor of Sociology.

Chelsea Wallace, Biology, “Variation in Tardigrade Density with Moss Substrate in Missouri”; thesis advisor Dr. Paul Porneluzi, Professor of Biology.

Photo, from left, Dr. Richard Bradley, Derek Volkmann, Nahom Asfaw, Aubrey Utley, Chelsea Wallace, Dr. Rita Gulstad, Kidus Birhanu, and President Roger Drake

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CMU awards honorary doctorate to Glenn Cox Glenn A. Cox Jr. has had many titles during his career.

In Fayette he is best known as Chair of CMU’s governing Board of Trustees; he has been President of Phillips Petroleum, a B-29 pilot for the U.S. Air Force, and much more.

ident and chief operating officer before his retirement in 1991. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame soon after.

Cox served on the Central Methodist board, and on the Southern Methodist governing board. He has served the United Methodist Church on the local, state, and national levels, and was presented the Stanley S. Kresge Award from the national United Methodist Church Higher Education Foundation.

The tireless Cox has also championed the cause of the Boy Scouts of America and has received many of the highest honors that organization bestows as well.

The Coxes have been steadfast supporters of a variety of causes at Central Methodist. Their names grace the rotunda of the Inman Student and Community Center, the baseball and softball complex, and the lower level of the recently restored Classic Hall.

He and Ronnie are active paCMU President Emerita Dr. Marianne E. Inman, left, and Dr. Roger D. Drake, current trons of the arts, too, and loaned president of CMU, right, together hooded Glenn Cox, current president of the CMU some of their personal collection Board of Trustees. Central Methodist University honored Glenn Cox with the honorary to CMU’s Ashby-Hodge Gallery of Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Central.

American Art for an exhibit in 2012.

As of May 10 he has a new title: Dr. Glenn Cox. Cox received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from CMU during Commencement ceremonies in E.P. Puckett Field House.

“Every major undertaking by this university during your Board service bears the stamp of your wisdom and leadership,” noted CMU President emerita Dr. Marianne E. Inman when introducing Cox. Retired and living in Bartlesville, Okla., with his wife of more than 60 years, Veronica “Ronnie,” Glenn Cox didn’t consider himself college-going material growing up in his native Sedalia. With the encouragement of a local Methodist pastor, and the support of then-Central College, Cox enrolled to study business.

He later transferred to Southern Methodist University (Dallas, Texas) because Central didn’t have a business administration degree program at the time; but Cox never forgot his Central roots. He did a tour as a B-29 pilot for the Air Force, then began working at Phillips Petroleum.

Cox rose through the Phillips ranks, becoming pres14

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Homecoming 2014

How much have your classmates changed? Join us and see for yourself!

Save the Date - October 25 Keep an eye out for more information concerning reunions and other related events.

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Achievement Awards 2014 Accounting Excellence Award

Jordan Jackson ACDA National Student Choral Award

Cal Bergthold Alpha Epsilon Delta Anatomy Award

Jessica Graver Alpha Epsilon Delta Harold L. Momberg Award for the Outstanding Pre-Med Student

Kidus Birhanu Alpha Epsilon Delta Physiology Award

Randi Walker Alumni Association Outstanding Senior Award

Amber Hoskisson Rebecca Shroyer

Kate Kellner Aubrey Utley Julie Ramiso Melanie Wilmsmeyer American Nurses Association Award

Ashley Arrowood Banking and Finance Excellence Award

Alex Hunter Dr. Robert Barker Sociology Award

Rebecca Vollmer Cheryl Bartholomew Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Amy Fuemmeler Noble Emmett Baskett Scholarship in Business Administration

James Craighead William Denny Baskett Sr. Study Abroad Award

Kayla Heidbrink Beta Beta Beta Outstanding General Biology Student Jennifer Long Ryan Vandivert Clyde and Hazel Blattner Mathematics Award

Jesse Marks Mike Cavanah “True Eagle� Award

Bo Amos CMU Biology Alumni Award

Alice Hartley Business Excellence Award

Matthew Lovercamp Communication Department Student Media Award

Stazhia Pleasant Conservatory Honors Program Award

Derek Volkmann Criminal Justice Excellence Award Briana Kirkland Derek Wiedenhaft Mark and Kathy Dempsey Athletic Training Student Clinical Excellence Award

Katelyn Moeller Ryan Pitzer Thomas Dillingham Award for Non-Fiction Prose

Kate Kellner R. Paul Drummond Memorial Award

Hershel Williams III ENACTUS Service Leadership Award

Julie Ramiso Sophie Wilensky

Jordan Meyer ENACTUS Outstanding Senior Award

Sophie Wilensky

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Entrepreneurship Excellence Award

Carlos Ribera Estes Award for Outstanding Senior Male Athlete

Melvin Tillman Gentry Estill Award for Total Business Excellence

Anthony Dow Susan Estill Award for Total Business Excellence

Adriana Romero Gamma Sigma Epsilon Excellence Award in General Chemistry Jennifer Long Hannah Willis

Haley Willis Dr. Joseph E. Geist Prize in Performing Arts

Kate Kellner Lisa Powell Goessling Award

Dana Peters Golding Scholarship for Study Abroad

Kate Kellner Aubrey Utley Gordon Hadfield Award for Poetry

Danielle Franklin Chester E. Hanson Outstanding Computer Science Award

Sarah White The Keith House Band Fellow-Tour Manager

Luke McKinney Martin C. Harral Memorial Music Award

Michael Mountain William Randolph Hearst Education Scholar

Briana Greer Taylor Grellner

Susan Henke Ann Marie Pelley Trenton Pummill Kacie Young Hern Award for Excellence in Religious Studies

Nathan Adair Dr. George W. Heslar Leadership & Service Scholarship

Molly Ripperger Hickman Award for Achievement in Music

Lakyn Baker Judge Andrew J. Higgins Award in Pre-Law Studies

Daniel Mullan John C. Hinkle Scholarship

Kaitlynn Troxel Hughes Chemistry Award

Jamie Gisburne Dr. Marianne Inman Award

Lindsey Boyer International Business Excellence Award

Erwin Sanchez Nancy Thompson Jones Gem Award

Anna Kay Dr. Glenn R. Joyce Memorial Award

Jesse Marks Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Award

Jesse Marks Byrd Cooper Kirby Prize

Amanda Cauley Martin E. Kooi Excellence in Communication

Sophie Wilensky

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Martin E. Kooi Excellence in Theatre Arts

Abby Bostic James M. Luetjen Scholar Athlete Award

Kaleb Borghardt Mike Magyar Fine Arts-Leadership Award

Kelsey Forqueran Marketing and Advertising Excellence Award

Joe Jefferies Glenn McElroy Athletic Training Student Academic Excellence Award

Katlyn Jo Douglas General Lewis M. Means Award in Political Science

Nathan Adair Jessie McCart The Missouri Federation of Music Clubs

Ann Marie Pelley The Missouri League for Nursing

Makenzie Shepard Professor Paul A. Montemurro Award

Alex Kirby MTNA Student Achievement Recognition Award

Daniel Jones Outstanding Musician Award

Chelsea Wallace Dane Nelson Memorial Award

Jessica Carter Dr. Niels C. Nielsen Outstanding Chemistry Student Award John Dillon

Outstanding Nurse Clinician Award

Robyn Taylor Outstanding Nursing Scholar Award

Jennifer Garrett Outstanding Senior in Accounting, Business & Economic Award

Melanie Wilmsmeyer Darla Pannier Award for Outstanding Senior Female Athlete

Aubrey Utley Pannier/Cavanah Exellence in Education Award

Jed Cook Briana Greer

Mason Mershon Kiefer Smith Dr. Lloyd and Valerie Jean Penn Scholarship

Ashley Arrowood Carrie Marston Phi Mu Alpha Honor Award

Luke McKinney Phi Mu Alpha Scholastic Award

Daniel Long Pi Gamma Mu Scholastic Award

Andrea Borchardt Excellence in Psychology Award

Chelsea Fisher Glenn C. Riegel Faculty Award

Dr. Elizabeth Gold, Assistant Professor of Psychology Glenn C. Riegel Student Science Award

Hannah Braungardt Sarah Rutherford Prize

Kayla Heidbrink W. D. Settle Memorial Music Education Award

Ann Marie Pelley Shallenburger Award for Outstanding Performance In Accounting Principles

Madison Lester

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Sigma Alpha Iota Collegiate Honor Award

Rebecca Shroyer Sigma Alpha Iota Scholastic Award

Rebecca Shroyer Sigma Epsilon Pi

Aubrey Utley Destinee Muse

Melanie Wilmsmeyer Elizabeth Chappell

Jane Gonzalez-Meyer Allison Durst

Melissa Leathers Shane Lowe

Katlyn Douglas Angela Jones

Lakyn Baker Megan Robbins

Dewey Fennewald Anthony Dow

Kate Kellner Alexis Cline

Ashley Hagan Elise Schreiber

Tanjie Hoover Mary Lehman Rebecca Shroyer Derek Volkmann

Daniel Long Luther T. Spayde Memorial Award

Levi Gerke Elizabeth E. Stapleton Award in Art Education

Jessica Travlos Harold W. Sunoo History and Political Science Award

Destinee Muse T. Cecil Swackhamer Award

Molly Bryant Swinney Conservatory Outstanding Freshman Award

Katelyn Hanvey Ryan Lewis Swinney Conservatory Super Hero Award

Pam Crawford Helen Puckett Thogmorton Award for Excellence in Music

Britney Kelcher Kilgore Trout Award for Fiction

Maggie Moore George P. Vogt Prize in Philosophy

Jacob Bush Erwin and Hazel Wiedle Outstanding Nursing Graduate

Jared Faurot Jeff Wilcox “Raising the Bar Award�

Kaitlynn Troxel Raney Winter Award

Ann Marie Pelley Dr. Farris H. and Leona Woods Memorial Award in Biology

Julie Friem John-Patrick Jacks The Theatre Arts Freddies Best Female Actor in Leading Role: Kelsey Forqueran Best Male Actor in a Leading Role: Paul Davis Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Roger Weaver Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Eileen Stacy Best Male Actor in a Musical Production: Dane Johnson Best Female Actor in a Musical Production: Aubrey Taylor The Phoenix Award: Katie Roberts Best Assistant Director/Stage Manager:

Ginney Ison Lyndsey Phillips Most Versatile Player: Jon Connor Outstanding Newcomer: Parker Johnson Shop Superstar: Zach Razafinjatovo Outstanding Student Director: Kate Kellner Leadership in Interactive Theatre: Kelson Rosbach

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Dr. Rita Gulstad named first CMU Provost

As a teenager Rita Gulstad told her mother that she would one day work for Central Methodist University. She had no premonition she would one day be its first Provost.

The CMU Board of Trustees recently approved President Roger Drake’s recommendation for the change in rank for Dr. Gulstad, who came to CMU in 1991 as its Public Services/Systems Librarian. The change will become official in May. “I’m honored that the Board and President Drake have chosen to bestow this title upon me,” Gulstad says. “I have always been passionate about Central Methodist. I believe in what we do.”

“When an institution is blessed with a leader like Dr. Gulstad, this new structure is an obvious conclusion,” President Drake says. “She is an incredible advocate for our faculty and our academic programs, but above all she is an advocate for the University as a whole.

“Her love for the mission of CMU, her understanding of the academy, her willingness to be an innovator, her keen analytical mind, and her ability to think institutionally and work across departmental lines were driving factors in my recommendation to the Board,” he adds.

Gulstad came to work at CMU after three years as a library clerk at the University of Missouri in her native Columbia. She had her bachelor degree from MU by the age of 18, and has two master degrees and her doctorate from MU. But Central Methodist caught her eye at an early age.

Gulstad remembers coming to Fayette as a teenager and being enamored with Central. “I told my mother that when I got my master’s degree, I would work at Central Methodist in the library,” Gulstad says. That prediction came true, and she’s been with Central ever since.

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While the title of Provost is new, she retains her duties as Academic Vice President and Dean of the faculty. In other words, Gulstad won’t shed any existing duties, but her scope will increase.

“Dr. Gulstad will have a greater voice in the formulation of strategy and the execution of tactics beyond academics,” Drake says.

Gulstad moved from leading the Smiley Library staff at CMU into Dean of Extended Studies and Learning Resources in 2001. By 2006 she was appointed Vice President and Dean of the University.

Enrollment growth on the main campus in Fayette, meteoric growth and expansion of Central’s offcampus and online programming, development and expansion of CMU’s graduate programs, and the establishment of new majors are just some of the achievements during Gulstad’s administrative tenure at CMU. She considers those accomplishments little more than a by-product of the real reason for the work

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done at Central Methodist University.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about the students, about their education and the experiences they have while a CMU student,” Gulstad says. “What we do – the faculty, the Board, the administrative team, the staff – we do to ensure the students have the best experience they possibly can.”

Drake says Gulstad’s talents grabbed his attention soon after he became a candidate for the CMU presidency. “I recognized immediately the treasure Central has in Rita,” he says. “As I researched CMU, the presence of a stellar academic leader was obvious.

“Personally, I subscribe to the theory that an institution like CMU is much larger than the collective sum of its people,” Drake says. “I like to think that no individual is indispensable. As regards myself, I know that to be true. But in terms of Rita Gulstad, that theory becomes questionable.”

Never one to dwell on accolades, Gulstad is quick to turn the attention to the tasks at hand. She can rapidly recite a list of priorities that she, and her CMU colleagues, have in their sights.

“We must continue to improve retention for students who enroll both in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and in the College of Graduate and Extended Studies,” Gulstad says in reference to CMU’s on-campus and extended studies programs, respectively.

“There are a number of new academic programs that we are working to establish. We must continue to support our faculty and students in their academic endeavors. We need to build new partnerships for our off-campus program,” she says.

“And I need to be supportive of my colleagues at CMU in their many initiatives,” Gulstad says – a clear reference to her broader role as a leader at the University.

Analytic as that may sound, and as focused as Rita Gulstad is, her affection for Central Methodist shines through.

“Other than my work clothes, I don’t own anything that doesn’t say Central Methodist,” she laughs.

“CMU becomes a part of who you are. I just can’t see myself being anywhere else.”

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CMU Nursing Program initial signatory for articulation program The Nursing Program at Central Methodist University has been accepted as an inaugural signatory of the new Missouri Articulation Program in nursing, sponsored by the Missouri Action Coalition.

The purpose of the Missouri Articulation Program is to build a standardized set of competencies throughout levels of nursing education across the state of Missouri. It aims to align all nursing programs so that they meet the same core content needed for Licensed Practical Nurse, Associate Degree of Nursing, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing in a manner that fosters seamless transitions between educational levels.

“CMU is committed to advancing nursing education and to enhancing the health care services received by residents of Missouri,” says Dr. Rita Gulstad, provost of Central Methodist University.

Gulstad was the only non-nurse on the task force that authored the articulation document, and as such, brought basic, comprehensive insight to the discussions.

“CMU is also committed to providing excellent and equitable academic opportunities as evidenced by our participation with educators from across the state to develop the Missouri Articulation Program,” Gulstad adds. “We recognize the significance and validity of the nursing education acquired at all levels from all institutions.”

Tina Lear, director of the Missouri Action Coalition and the Missouri Nurses Foundation Center for Advancing Health, praises Central’s active participation in the program. “Your institution’s support for the advancement of nursing education is critical for the future of nursing in Missouri, which serves to promote health of all Missouri citizens,” she writes. “Your program is in the group of inaugural signatory schools leading the way.”

Other charter members of the Missouri Articulation Program include Avila University, Southwest Baptist University, and William Jewell College.

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Dr. Barb Anderson selected for national leadership program Central Methodist University Associate Dean of Academics Dr. Barbara Anderson is one of 18 senior academic administrators in higher education nationwide selected by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) to participate in the 2014 Colloquium on Leadership for Chief Academic Officers (CAO).

The leadership development seminar is designed “to foster the perspectives and skills that can lead CAOs to succeed in unpredictable times,” according to the CIC. Anderson has been with Central since 1997 and was promoted to her current position two years ago. Individuals chosen for the program are chief academic officers in higher education who wish to prepare for changes and challenges in the decades ahead, understand complex and unprecedented situations, and further develop strategic wisdom.

Anderson will attend the seminar in Annapolis, Md., July 28–August 1. John Churchill, secretary of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, will lead the Colloquium.

It will engage participants in cases drawn from classical and contemporary readings—ranging from Sophocles to Eudora Welty—and compare them with situations that today’s chief academic officers face.

Examination, discussion, and deliberation will help participants reflect on power, ethics, and responsibility, and strengthen their leadership skills. The event is supported by the Henry Luce Foundation.

Anderson came to CMU as a member of its music facul-

ty. Her doctoral degree is from the University of Missouri, her master’s is from the University of NebraskaLincoln, and her bachelor’s is from Dana College.

“The review committee found [her] nomination materials for the program to be most impressive,” says Richard Ekman, president of the Council of Independent Colleges. Anderson is the only Missouri educator selected for the 2014 program.

The CIC is an association of 744 nonprofit independent colleges and universities and higher education affiliates and organizations. It has worked since 1956 to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of private higher education’s contributions to society.

Admission Director Larry Anderson returns to academic work Larry Anderson ’67 first came to Central Methodist University as a student, then returned as a faculty member and coach, so it’s no surprise he enjoys the classroom.

After a highly successful nine-year detour into admission

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work, he’s going back to class.

Anderson has announced his decision to return to the CMU classroom as associate professor of physical education, effective in early August. He will leave his current post as director of the CMU Admission Department, a job he has held since 2005.

“I appreciate having a small part in the growth of CMU,” Anderson reflects on his time leading the Admission program. “I’m anxious to get back to the front of the classroom.”

During his career at Central, he has been a faculty member, athletics director, head and assistant football coach, tennis coach, and director of the Admission staff charged with student recruitment for the main campus in Fayette. Under Anderson’s leadership, main campus enrollment set all-time Central records and has grown by more than 35 percent.

“Central owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Larry,” CMU President Roger Drake says. “Under his

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leadership, Central’s enrollment has grown dramatically, al- over the previous decade, and six different individuals had lowing us to prepare greater numbers of students to make a led the Admission office during that time. Anderson knew difference in the world. Larry has brought an unparalleled full well he was in for “a different challenge” than teaching and coaching. level of professionalism to our Admission Department.”

He set out to build a recruitment program and staff to CMU has begun a national search for Anderson’s rereverse that trend. Anderson inherited three staff memplacement. bers who remain with him to this day: Braxton Rethwisch, Anderson’s transition back to academic life is espeMary Hrdina, and Penny Shaw. cially meaningful to his supervisor, Ken Oliver, CMU vice “Like a lot of colleges, at that time Central typically president of institutional growth and student engagement. hired young professionals right out of college and with no Anderson recruited Oliver to play football for the Eagles experience, who would stay a year or two and move on,” back in the late 1980s, and they have been colleagues and Anderson says. “Morale was low at the time. We needed to close friends ever since. get more organized, and to get—and keep—a good staff.

“Nine years ago, when I asked Larry to consider ac“One of the biggest things I think I did was to treat cepting the Director of Admission position, the department was in need of a jump start,” Oliver says. “He helped engi- people with respect,” he says. ”I tried to make it a comfortable work environment, let the staff relax and do their neer a number of record-setting enrollments. Our Univerjobs. We ask a lot of our people—they work long hours, sity has greater exposure and enjoys increased enrollment because of his efforts, and our Admission staff continues to are gone a lot, do a lot of evening and weekend work.

“But I always let them know that family is the most recruit outstanding students.” important thing,” Anderson adds. “We are like a family in Anderson’s Central experience began 51 years ago as a the department.” freshman from Bolivar and member of the Eagle football, That stability and experience within the department basketball, and baseball teams. He starred for CMU for four has paid big dividends for Central, and the mutual affecseasons. Anderson’s contributions to Eagle athletics were tion between Anderson and his team is obvious. “That will rewarded in 2006 with his induction into CMU’s Hairston be the hardest part,” he says, “leaving these great people.”

Hall of Fame.

But he won’t go far, and he’ll be there as a resource for After graduating in 1967, Anderson spent 14 years his successor if and whenever needed. Anderson clearly is teaching and coaching in Marshfield, Mo. He moved to ready to “get back in front of the classroom, and hopefulSpringfield in 1981 for a teaching and coaching position ly I can help some of our students in a different way than at Glendale High School, but after just one year, Central convincing them to come to Central.” asked him to come back.

First, though, Anderson aims to “bring in a very good Anderson returned as a physical education teacher and assistant football coach. He became head coach a year later entering Class of 2014, meet our enrollment goals, and keep CMU on the move.” and remained in that capacity for 12 seasons, and a couple of years later did double duty after being promoted to Athletics Director (AD). After stepping down from football, he remained AD for a total of 12 years.

Actually, Anderson did quadruple duty.

He continued to teach every year until 2005, and also coached the Central tennis teams when CMU still had an intercollegiate tennis program.

By 2005, Anderson realized it had gotten “to a point where I couldn’t do it all,” and he made up his mind to return to full-time teaching. He laughs when he recalls, “I never quite made it—this time, I plan on making it back to the classroom.”

Oliver, who by then had returned to CMU and was responsible for the Admission department – and others at Central – convinced Anderson to apply for a vacancy heading the The Admission team, Row 1 (l-r): Braxton Rethwisch, Summer Schroeder, Admission Program.

Cathy Baxter, Jennifer Shepard; Row 2: Jim Ray Kluck, Paige Sanders, Julia It was a challenging time. On-campus enCostigan, Larry Anderson; Row 3: Greg Ray, Penny Shaw, Mary Hrdina, Milt Berwin rollment had slipped by more than 13 percent Spring 2014

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CMU honors seven at Central Methodist University presented special awards to seven special alumni and friends at its 68th annual Alumni Awards Celebration on May 2.

Five Central graduates received Distinguished Alumni Awards. Another was given the annual Young Alumni Award, and a seventh very special friend was presented CMU’s University Service Award.

Shawn Griggs, Class of 2004, received the Young Alumni Award. Distinguished Alumni Award recipients included Dr. John Hutcherson ’56, Earl Bates ’61, Ron Knigge ’65, Kylar Broadus ’85, and Dr. Richard Wilson ’86. Dr. Joe Geist, CMU professor emeritus and longtime curator of The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art, garnered the University Service Award.

All were honored at the Alumni Awards Celebration with a reception and dinner in the Jacobs Conference Center of the CMU Student and Community Center.

Dr. Joe Geist, University Service Award Only 24 individuals in the nearly 160-year history of Central have been given the University Service Award. Dr. Geist, who continues to work tirelessly on behalf of CMU, more than meets the award criteria: it must be bestowed “only upon persons whose service is extensive and extraordinary.” CMU President Emerita Dr. Marianne E. Inman presented the award to Dr. Geist.

Geist began teaching at CMU in 1972 with a specialty in American literature.

He chaired the Humanities division for 15 years, and retired from CMU in 1998. For more than 25 years he organized and led trips entitled “Literary Britain” and “Getting to Know the Arts in New York City” for Central; in recent years he has continued to coordinate tours for CMU, open to alumni and friends of the University and The Ashby-Hodge Gallery.

Geist was instrumental in the founding of The Ashby-Hodge Gallery in 1993 and served as its curator for many years. Today the Fayette resident serves as supervisor of the Gallery’s collection of works. He has been a charter founder, board member, actor, and director for the Fayette Area Community Theatre; and is treasurer of the Howard County Library Board, among many other community service activities.

A graduate of Benedictine College (Atchison, Kan.), the Fayette resident received his master’s degree in English from Emporia (Kan.) State University and his doctorate from the University of Kansas.

Dr. John Hutcherson, Distinguished Alumni Award When he graduated from then-Central College in 1956, John Hutcherson already had a long list of accomplishments and involvements. The Palmyra, Mo., native never slowed down after he collected his diploma.

Hutcherson went on to obtain a Doctor of Medicine degree from Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tenn.). After residencies and fellowships in New York City and Nashville and a two-year stint with the U.S Army Medical Corps, he found himself doing a residency in cardiology at the University of Colorado Medical Center.

Colorado would remain Hutcherson’s home for the rest of his career. He held an academic appointment at the University of Colorado Medical Center starting in 1966. Hutcherson was director from 1970-74 of the coronary care unit for Swedish Hospital in Englewood, a city where he resides.

Hutcherson later spent 11 years with a private cardiology firm until he started up his own practice in 1984, which he maintains to this day.

Yet Central always remained important to Hutcherson. He served 12 years on the CMU governing board, the Board of Curators/Board of Trustees, until his latest term concluded in 2012.

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Alumni Awards event Earl Bates, Distinguished Alumni Award Earl Bates has gone far, literally and figuratively, since he graduated from then-Central College in 1961. But the bonds of this Bigfork, Mont., resident to his alma mater remain strong to this day.

Bates came to Central out of Ritenour High School in Overland, Mo., to complete a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science. He took a job with Mallinckrodt Chemical in St. Louis after graduation, later working out of its San Francisco office before leaving in 1967 to start his own firm.

Bates headed American Scientific and Chemical from its Portland, Ore., headquarters for 13 years before selling it to a multi-national corporation. He then devoted his energies to commercial real estate and cattle ranching interests in Washington and central and eastern Oregon.

An eight-year term on the Central governing board ended in 2004, but his interest in the University continues to this day in a very tangible fashion. In 2000, Bates and his wife, Sunny, purchased the more than 130-year-old Coleman Hall in Fayette, long a home to Central College presidents.

They allow the University to use the beautiful facility for guest accommodations, meetings, receptions, and other social activities. The Bateses also support Central athletics, arts, theatre, and student financial assistance, along with fraternal and charitable interests in Oregon and Montana.

Ronald F. Knigge, Distinguished Alumni Award Ron Knigge has a special fondness for things that last, so it’s only appropriate that he will be permanently recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Central Methodist University.

When he graduated from Central in 1965, Knigge took a full-time job with The Young Group LTD, a business for which he had worked part-time for six summers. The Young Group was the only firm from which he drew a paycheck, retiring in 2006 as its executive vice president.

The company is a conglomerate of specialty contractors with 16 divisions in the midwest and southeast; Knigge specialized in commercial roofing and architectural sheet metal. He spent 22 years with its Louisville, Ky., operation, later returning to his native St. Louis to assist The Young Group’s president on day-to-day operations of the firm.

But Knigge always had a special fondness for his grandparents’ farm in rural Montgomery County near Wellsville, and in 2001 he and his wife, Sonja, bought a portion of it. Thus began several years of renovation and construction on what would become their home.

Another place nearby with a special place in his heart was the Bethel United Methodist Church, built in 1869. The Knigges spearheaded a project to restore the little country church, and later its adjacent fellowship hall.

The church reopened in time for Christmas 2007, and a few months later the restored structures were rededicated—with Central Methodist University music students performing at Knigge’s invitation.

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Kylar Broadus, Distinguished Alumni Award Kylar Broadus has spent much of his life dedicated to serving and supporting others, most recently as senior policy counsel and director of the Transgender Civil Rights Project at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in Washington, D.C. Broadus graduated from Central Methodist College in his native Fayette in 1985, and later obtained his law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He served as professor of business law and chair of the business department at Lincoln University in Jefferson City.

He also maintained a law practice in Columbia for 16 years before moving to Washington, D.C., in 2013 to champion the cause of transgender citizens.

Broadus was the first transgender American to testify before the U.S. Senate in 2012, on behalf of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. In 2010 Broadus founded the Trans People of Color Coalition (TPOCC), the only national civil rights organization dedicated to the needs of transgender people of color. A year later he was awarded the Sue J. Hyde Award for Longevity in the Movement by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and the Pioneer Award at the Transfaith of Color Conference presented by the Freedom Center of Social Justice.

Broadus continues to present, to train and educate public and private agencies, organizations, schools, universities, and employers. He speaks and lobbies on the local, state, and national levels in the areas of gender identity and sexual orientation law, race, class and advocacy. The Central alumnus has been featured on national television and radio programs.

Dr. Richard Wilson, Distinguished Alumni Award Richard Wilson started his career teaching school in rural Missouri.

His focus remains on young people, but today he spends his time and energy on the care and treatment of their eyesight.

Dr. Wilson, a 1986 Central Methodist graduate now living near Oak Grove, Mo., heads up AdvancedEyecare, P.C. But it was hardly a straight line for the Lee’s Summit native. In addition to teaching, he served in the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm before graduating from the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry 11 years after leaving Central.

Wilson received special training in pediatrics, ocular disease and contact lenses. He was one of the first optometrists to pass the American Board of Optometry’s Board Certification examination. He has been principal investigator in dozens of clinical research projects regarding contact lenses, lens care solutions, and myopia reduction in children.

Wilson’s peers in the field have certainly taken note. He was the Missouri Optometric Association (MOA) Young Optometrist of the Year in 2001. Just two years later, the same organization named him their Optometrist of the Year. He subsequently served a term as President of the MOA Board of Directors.

Wilson also serves as an adjunct (part-time) clinical professor for the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry, helping educate and prepare the next generation of optometrists. He and his wife, Janie, also are developing a Christmas tree and energy farm near Oak Grove.

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Shawn Griggs, Young Alumni Award This year’s Central Methodist University Young Alumni Award recipient is Shawn Griggs, a Jefferson City resident and native and 2004 CMU graduate. He is coordinator of the East Central Drug Task Force for the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

He joined the state patrol months after leaving CMU with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He spent several years in the south St. Louis County/northern Jefferson County region, gaining promotion to the rank of Corporal in 2010. Soon after, he was assigned to the patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control as a narcotics investigator.

Griggs also worked security details for former President George W. Bush, Missouri Governors Roy Blunt and Jay Nixon, and others. He worked as a marijuana eradication officer, and on several enforcement initiatives against driving while intoxicated, earning accolades four times from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Griggs’ current assignment with the East Central Drug Task Force began in September 2012. The Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional effort coordinated by the state patrol that encompasses nine different law enforcement agencies in the counties of Audrain, Montgomery, Warren, and Pike.

The former CMU football player and assistant coach has returned to campus on several occasions to speak to Eagle student-athletes about topics such as drinking and driving, and seat belt use.

To be eligible for CMU’s Young Alumni Award, one must have graduated within the past 15 years.

Each alumnus honored received a drawing from nationally known local artist Keeyon Howard, who serves as resident director of Howard-Payne Hall. From left, Dr. John Hutcherson, Earl Bates, Shawn Griggs, Ron Knigge, Dr. Rich Wilson, Kylar Broadus, and Dr. Joe Geist.

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Campus news

Mark Stone changes roles Mark Stone ’05 has never been afraid of long hours and hard work. It’s a good thing, too, because Central Methodist University is about to ask a good deal more of the veteran administrator.

Stone, currently the assistant dean of student activities, will become assistant dean for athletics and student activities on July 1, according to Ken Oliver, vice president for institutional growth and student engagement.

The appointment essentially means that Stone will keep doing everything he does in student activities – and add responsibilities with the Eagle athletic department.

The position involves a restructuring of administrative duties at CMU. “I am very honored and excited about my new position at Central Methodist University,” Stone says. “I love working at CMU and I love working with students, so it can’t get much better than this. I am looking forward to this opportunity and pledge to give my best effort towards this new endeavor.”

Principal new responsibilities Stone will face include management of the Philips-Robb Recreation Center, management of CMU athletics facilities, event management, and budget oversight. He will supervise the student workstudy employment program for CMU athletics and help coordinate scheduling of athletics and practice facilities.

Stone will continue his student activities duties, including coordination of CMU new-student orientation programs, advisement of the Student Government Association, and intramurals and recreational sports. He recently won

the Power Performers “Campus Event Planner of the Year” Award for 2013—for the fourth time—for his work planning activities for students throughout the school year.

One task Stone will surrender will be his job as Resident Director for CMU’s McMurry Residence Hall. He and his wife, Amanda, who recently celebrated the birth of their first child, Matthew, moved out of the hall at the close of the school year.

Stone obtained his bachelor’s degree from CMU in 2005, majoring in communications and minoring in business. A native of Cape Girardeau, Mo., he obtained his master’s degree from Central in 2006. He joined CMU in August 2007 after working for a year as a residential coordinator for Endless Options, a local non-profit in Fayette.

His new role in Eagle athletics is a natural one for the former CMU track and cross country athlete. Stone is already a member of CMU’s Hairston Hall of Fame through his participation on the 2002 Eagle cross country team that was inducted into the Hall in 2009.

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Campus news Students sweep MSTA radio honors and are nominated nationally The only way Central Methodist University students could have fared better in the annual Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA) Media Awards contest would be if there were more categories of competition.

The MSTA Communication Awards committee recently announced results of its contest, and of the five competitions in the radio category, CMU swept them all. The competition recognizes outstanding coverage of education and education issues by Missouri media.

Dr. Kristin Cherry, assistant professor of communication, serves as faculty advisor for Eagle Radio. The station, KCMU, airs via the internet and can be accessed through the CMU website. The station director this year was Stazhia Pleasant (senior).

Although the awards will be formally presented at MSTA regional meetings next fall, the winning works have been named.

Max Holmes (sophomore), Andie Borchardt (senior), Molly Bryant (senior), and Brandon Justin (junior) won for their editorial “Religion in Schools.”

For educational Service Announcement, Jordan Ayers (sophomore), Micah Jeffries (junior), Thomas Gilson (sophomore), and Nicolaus Gardner (senior) won for “Stress: Suggestions for Parents.”

Under the features category, Miranda Herod (senior) won for: “Tips for College Preparation.”

The general coverage award went to the group of Todd

King (senior), Skyler Jameson (junior), Kristopher Kuoppamaki (junior), and Darragh McCrudden (freshman) for their piece “Exercise in Schools.”

In the series category, the series “Bullying” won with a cast of Brandon Jansen (sophomore), Nick Ruffy (sophomore), Christopher Bantz (junior), and Stephen Surrell (sophomore).

Shortly before this competition began, six students from KCMU had been named as finalists for national Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) Awards, according to Cherry. IBS competition reflects student radio work from college and university stations across the nation, most much larger than CMU, and it is an honor to be nominated, Cherry says. There are up to five finalists per award category, chosen from more than 1,000 participating collegiate stations.

Kyron Davis (freshman) was nominated for Best Sports Update, a five-minute unedited segment summarizing and discussing sporting events. Cameron Green (sophomore) was nominated for Best Station Identification, a piece played at the top of the hour with a 15-second mix of sound effects, music beats, and the legal ID for KCMU. Gilson was nominated for Best Live Music; and the three-member team of assistant station manager Angelica Randall (senior), King, and Ruffy were nominated for Best Station Contest/Promotional Event for coordinating a Random Acts of Kindness Week.

Zimmerman gains national award Keely Zimmerman, a sophomore accounting major at Central, is being honored with the annual Newman Civic Fellows Award. Zimmerman is one of 195 students nationwide to receive this honor.

Recipients are selected by Campus Compact, a national non-profit organization that promotes leadership and service among college students.

Zimmerman was nominated

by Julie Bennett, CMU associate professor of business. The nomination was approved by CMU President Roger Drake, and submitted by Dr. Kevin Carnahan, chair of the CMU campus service-learning committee.

The Newman Civic Fellows Award honors students who overcome challenges within their communities and campuses through service and leadership. “We are pleased to acknowledge such an inspiring student in this group of civic leaders,” says Maureen Curley, president of Campus Compact.

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Zimmerman is currently a residence hall assistant for Holt Hall, CMU’s women’s residence hall. She has held several offices in campus organizations including social, professional, and missionary organizations. She is one of the leadership team members for the Navigators, a Christian organization on campus for which she leads a weekly Bible study.

A native of O’Fallon, Ill., she is treasurer for Alpha Gamma Psi, a local sorority. Her sorority has given her the opportunity to assist others through its services, including Denim Day that raises awareness of sexual violence.

Zimmerman is also the project manager for two different projects through ENACTUS, an international organization for business leaders, including Green Shoes and Imagine No Malaria. The Green Shoes project provides refurbished shoes to people in other countries.

“ENACTUS also partners with the United Methodist Church to provide assistance in health care, food, and nets to communities in impoverished countries that are affected by the deadly disease of malaria,” Zimmerman says.

She is a member of the CMU Sustainability Committee and is an Academic Affairs minister in the campus Student Government Association cabinet.

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Campus news CMU Installs chapter of Psi Chi CMU has announced the establishment of a campus courage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship, chapter of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psyand to advance the science of psychology. Many of the chology. society’s members have gone on to distinguished careers in The CMU Chapter was psychology. installed on April 22. The Psi Chi is a member of faculty advisor for the new the Association of College chapter is Dr. Elizabeth Gold, Honor Societies and is an assistant professor of psyaffiliate of both the American chology.

Psychological Association Charter members of the (APA) and the Association chapter include Dr. Jacquefor Psychological Society line Anson, assistant pro(APS). Psi Chi has grown fessor of psychology, and over the past 83 years into psychology majors Heather one of the largest honor Bernat, Shawnie Jones, Brisocieties with 1,120 chapters ana Kirkland, Haylee Paull, throughout the world.

Heather “Allie” Schmucker, The society offers reRebecca Vollmer, Victoria search awards, sponsors proCharter Psi Chi members, Row 1 (l-r): Sarah White, Warren, Sarah White, and grams at conventions, and Shawnie Jones, Haylee Paull, Kyra Williams; Row 2: Kyra Williams. publishes the Psi Chi Journal Dr. Jacqueline Anson, Rebecca Vollmer, Briana Kirkland, Psi Chi was founded in of Psychological Research.

Heather Bernat, Victoria Warren, Heather Schmucker, Dr. Rita Gulstad, Dr. Elizabeth Gold 1929 at Yale University to en-

Greer and Gardner to head CMU SGA Students at Central Methodist University have elected the team of Briana Greer and Austin Gardner as their Student Government Association (SGA) president and vice president, respectively, for 2014-15. Together they bring several years of SGA experience to their jobs.

Greer and Gardner will spend the coming weeks and months assembling their cabinet for the upcoming academic year, along with developing strategies to increase student involvement as their highest priority.

“We want to focus on the different organizations and programs that we do have to bring more to the forefront,” Greer says. She is a junior physical education and health major with a minor in sports management.

“We would love to have a higher involvement rate with students and the local clubs at CMU,” Gardner adds.

He is a junior majoring in biology education with a minor in physical education.

Campus involvement is something the pair knows all about. Greer is a member of the Eagle track and field team, is active in Physical Educators Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the campus NAIA Champions of Character group, and Zeta Psi Lambda (Greek life).

Gardner is a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon (Greek life), and Physical Educators Club. Next year he and several other biology students will be working with Dr. Dana Morris,

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assistant professor of biology, on Bio Blitz, an interactive science project located at property CMU owns outside of Fayette.

Both Gardner and Greer have also helped out with new student orientation programs for incoming CMU students.

“By putting our student groups and organizations in the forefront, we hope to increase student morale and pride in each other’s accomplishments,” Greer notes. “We believe that Central Methodist is so much more than academics and sports, and that there are so many different groups on campus that fellow students don’t know about.

We hope to increase the number of participants in these different organizations.”

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Campus news

Stephens Museum: a treasure hunter’s delight

by Don B. Cullimore

The moment you enter the main corridor of T. Berry Smith Hall at Central Methodist University in Fayette a familiar odor begins to tease your memory. Soon it surfaces childhood recollections of digging through the dusty attic in the grandparents’ turn-of-the-century (1902) sturdy brick home. Piled to the rafters with cardboard boxes, steamer trunks, sidesaddles, wardrobes and discarded furniture, the room harbored a treasure trove awaiting discovery by those of us too young to understand how much family history lay scattered at our feet. But a budding curiosity had led us up the pull-down stairwell to that darkened room and into a world of wondrous things wrapped in a vaporous, protective mantle.

Dr. Dana Morris, curator of The Stephens Museum on the CMU campus, cleans two specimens of the extensive bird collection. The Museum has recently received a grant to help assess its conservation.

It is that same age-old safeguard that unlocks those adolescent memories as you enter the venerable halls of T. Berry and slip into The Stephens Museum and find yourself in another Attic of Delights, a special place for explorers young and old alike. It is a 129-year-old treasure chest of objects that run from A to Z – from armadillo to Zulu artifact – an alphabet soup brimming with the worlds of archeology, cultural anthropology, biology, geology, paleontology: the memorabilia and fossilized traces of science and religion and humankind in general. It is one of Central Methodist’s most prized possessions.

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crystals hanging inside the glass cases housing the Museum’s extensive collection of mounted birds. Even in their inanimate state of display, the birds can be sustenance for the still living.

“It’s the dermestid beetle that’s the problem,” explains Dr. Dan Elliott, former curator of the Museum. “Both the larvae and adults will destroy mounted specimens such as birds and butterflies. It’s a problem for museums everywhere.” But for the repellant properties of a crystalline, water-insoluble hydrocarbon made from coal tar, the crown jewels of The Stephens Museum would be turned into a meal for a tiny insect related to the cockroach. It

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would be an ignoble end for such an auspicious collection.

The Stephens is one of the older museums in the Midwest, and one of its most extraordinary features is the bird collection, which includes mounted specimens of several extinct species, says Dr. Dana Morris, the new curator of the Museum. “The Museum contains many specimens older than 100 years and many of these represent the first recorded collection in the state,” she adds. “Of the 320 museums in the state, we are one of ten that have a natural history collection.

“Undoubtedly, it is the best bird collection for a small college or university in the Midwest,” agrees Elliott, who retired in 2012 after serving as a professor of biology with CMU since 1974. Morris, who stepped in as curator upon Elliott’s retirement, also teaches biology and holds a doctorate in biology and additional degrees in fisheries and wildlife science from University of Missouri-Columbia.

“The bird collection is just outstanding,” Elliott adds, noting that it also includes a large number of raptors. “There are 12 or so birds that were the first to be collected in Missouri, back when it was not commonly done.”

“The [Museum’s] collection of native Missouri birds and mammals includes nicely prepared skins, skulls, and teeth that are useful for studies on systematic, phylogeography, and molecular studies of biodiversity and biogeography,” Morris adds.

Foremost among the Museum’s bird collection are two highly prized specimens of species that have gone extinct – the passenger pigeon and the Carolina parakeet – and one bird that is still dancing around the edge of extinction, the whooping crane. The last passenger pigeon and last Caro-

lina parakeet both died in captivity (in the Cincinnati Zoo) within a few days of each other in 1914.

Lining the walls around the bird room (more than 300 avian species are in the glass display cases and bird tubes) is a broad assortment of other natural history objects and animal specimens, including a bobcat, snowy owl, reptiles indigenous to Missouri, a nine-banded armadillo (an armor-plated mammal common to southern states but now being found even in Central Missouri), a small alligator, and a sizable selection of fossils, minerals, and shells of mollusks from around the world. Toward the rear of the room is a glass case housing primate skulls and numerous large bones of Ice Age mammals, some collected within recent years.

“The big flood of 1993 washed a lot of bones out of the loess cliffs along the Missouri River,” Elliott notes. It was from those same Missouri River bottoms, where Elliott often took his geology students fossil hunting, that he discovered the fossilized remains of a starfish in 1997 that scientists believe is only the second of its kind found in North America.1 It, too, has been added to The Stephens Museum collection.

One of the most interesting artifacts of the Museum sits on the floor, a large chunk of rock with the clear outline of a dinosaur footprint. It’s an icon for one of Elliott’s passions when he’s wearing his hat as a paleontologist. “I have a real affection for dinosaurs,” he admits, adding, “I would like to see a reproduction of one of the raptors – a velociraptor, such as in the movie Jurassic Park – in the Museum. There’s no doubt that dinosaurs are related to birds. There is more and more evidence to that every day.

Dinosaur fossils with feathers were found in China not long ago.”

Top, Curator Dr. Dana Morris shows part of the natural history area of The Stephens Museum to Deanna Cooper from CMU’s Advancement Office; Middle, a still stunning bird of paradise; Bottom, the extremely rare starfish fossil found by previous Curator and Professor Emeritus, Dr. Dan Elliott

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“Eclectic” is the best adjective to describe the Museum pieces housed in the second room. The collection falls under the stern visage of a larger-than-life oil portrait of Missouri’s first Methodist Bishop, Enoch Mather Marvin (1823-1877). The nearly eight-foot-high standing figure of the Bishop appears to be floating several inches above the floor in the painting, an illusion created by the artist’s technical deficiency when it came to painting the connection between feet and floor. The ghostly apparition of the Bishop has spawned a haunted-house story, according to Thomas Yancey, a former curator, who says the Bishop reportedly steps from his canvas likeness each Halloween and walks about the darkened rooms tapping his cane, as if to ward off unwanted spirits. The “Methodistica” collection in the room also contains a bust of John Wesley, founder of Methodism, and numerous documentary materials pertaining to church figures and church history, including those of Bishop William F. McMurry, president of Central College from 1924 to 1930 and for whom a student residence hall was named.

Displayed prominently in the second room are two of the Museum’s most historically significant items—the original tombstones of Daniel Boone and his wife, Rebecca.2 The two markers, given to the college in the late 1800s by descendants of Daniel Boone, are a footstone bearing only the name “Daniel Boon” in capital letters with the “N” inverted, and a headstone reading “Rebecca Boon” with the same abbreviated spelling. Rebecca died in 1813 and Daniel in 1820. The two markers were reportedly picked up by two descendants who were present in 1845 when the bones of the two Boones were exhumed and reinterred in Frankfort, Kentucky. Debate continues today over

Above, an endless stand-off between a musk ox and a wolf in the mammal room; Right, the Museum holds rare artifacts from all over the world and local history items, including those related to the Civil War, Native Americans, and pioneer tools.

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whether or not the bones taken to Kentucky were those of Daniel Boone or a stranger who died while visiting Boone some years back.

“There is also a comprehensive mid-19th century tool collection that is significant,” notes Dr. Robert Wiegers, a CMU professor of history. “It includes metal tools, woodworking tools, files, rasps and numerous other tools of the period.” Wiegers points out that the Museum also has a good assortment of Civil War and World War I memorabilia and weapons and a large selection of Native American artifacts, as well as artifacts from African tribes. “It’s a treasure trove,” Wiegers admits.

In addition to Civil War and WW I era military weapons, other historic firearms include the Dreyse needle-gun (German Zündnadelgewehr, which translates roughly as “needle ignition rifle”). It was a military breechloading rifle, famous as the main infantry weapon of the Prussians,

who accepted it for service in 1841 as the “leichtes Perkussionsgewehr Model 1841” (“light percussion rifle Model 1841”), with the name chosen to hide the revolutionary nature of the new weapon.

Other unusual and highly valued items include five paintbrushes that were owned by 19th century artist George Caleb Bingham, who grew up on the Boonslick Region. Samplers, weaving utensils, folk paintings, early photographs, arrowheads, pottery and numerous other pieces also document the cultural history of the Boonslick Region of central Missouri, an area in which the town of Fayette and Howard County played such an important part in the westward migration of settlers in the 19th century.

A recent addition to the Museum is a large collection of mammal specimens - including many exotic species from all over the world that has been donated by Dr. Jack Stephens of Idaho, a veterinarian and big game hunter.

Among the animals in the collection are a musk ox from the Northwest Territories, Alaskan wolves, numerous animals from Africa, and domestic species such a the American bobcat. Morris and Elliott say that the Stephens collec-

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tion is one of the most significant collections of mounted specimens in the Midwest.

Priorities and Goals for the Museum

Morris notes she has a number of priorities and goals for the Museum. “We just received a Conservation Assessment Program grant from Heritage Preservation that will allow us to hire an assessor to provide guidance on how to best conserve and protect our collections,” she says.

“Another priority includes increasing the interpretive value of the Museum. The collection contains so many unique and fabulous items; but without signage to inform visitors, much of that information does not get conveyed.

Student assistants have been researching taxonomic names and updating labels, and we’re starting to create additional signs and displays that will help visitors get the most out of their visit.

We’ve also added a flatscreen TV with an informative slideshow about some of the species in the natural history collection.”

Another goal of Morris’ is to find alternatives to the use of naphthalene pesticides to protect mounted specimens in the museum.

School groups from midMissouri regularly schedule tours or programs at the Museum throughout the year. More than 120 public school students have toured the Museum since August 2013. The Museum receives an average of 1,000 visitors each year.

“With no other natural history museum, nature center, or zoo in the area,” Morris says, “The Stephens Museum provides a unique opportunity for visitors young and old to visualize the wealth of biodiversity in the state. The unique collection of full body mounts of birds and mammals makes it a popular attraction for school groups and campus tours. And work study students gain experience in hosting visitors, guiding tours, and creating interpretive displays.”

Brief History of Stephens Museum

Dr. Dana Morris and her husband, Dr. Paul Porneluzi,

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both teach biology at CMU. Morris became curator of The Stephens Museum in 2012 upon the retirement of Dr. Dan Elliott, who was a professor of biology, as well as a teacher of physiology, anatomy, geology, invertebrate zoology, and other areas of science. He was appointed curator of The Stephens Museum in July 1998. He succeeded Thomas L. Yancey, CMU professor emeritus of music and art history, who guided the Museum from 1978 to 1998. Key figures involved with the Museum prior to that were Dr. Farris H. Woods, professor emeritus of biology, who served as curator until his death in 1978, and Dr. Kenneth P. Stephens, head of the college’s biology department in the 1930s, who is credited with doing much of the systematizing and arranging of the Museum.

The mission of The Stephens Museum is to attract and serve the general public and the CMU community. This is accomplished by promoting the study, understanding and enjoyment of nature, science, and human culture. An equally important role for the Museum is to provide opportunities for students to learn and train in museum technologies and to practice the principles of being a museum curator. Morris also notes that the Museum will be hosting biodiversity awareness programs and marking the 100th anniversary of the extinction of the passenger pigeon in September 2014.

The Stephens Museum originated in 1885 when Lawrence V. (Lon) Stephens, governor of Missouri from 1897 to 1901, gave Central College $5,000, which was used to buy the brick residence in which the Museum was originally housed; it was also used as a teaching area for science students. When T. Berry Smith Hall, originally called Science Hall, was built in 1896, the Museum was relocated there and has remained within the building since.

The Museum initially consisted of a small collection of miscellaneous biological materials and a few minerals, used in teaching natural history and geology. At the turn of the century, a collection of minerals and fossils was acquired from the Scarritt Bible and Training School in Kansas City and given the name Kilpatrick Memorial Collection. Dr. Elliott notes that some specimens in the Museum today were given to the college as far back as 1870.

Over the years, alumni and friends of the college have contributed many items, including memorabilia from Methodist ministers and foreign missionaries. Shortly after Gordon Alexander enrolled in Central in 1919, the college acquired from him an extensive collection of birds’ nests and eggs he’d gathered as an amateur collector. He continued to add to the collection while he attended school at Central. Later he became head of the Department of Biology at the University of Colorado Boulder.

About the same time, another student active in natural history studies at Central, J. Clark Salyer, who later became director of the federal Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, began contributing his natural history collection to the college. Other contributors to the Stephens collection

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before World War II included Wayne Short, prominent in the Missouri Ornithological Society and founder (in St. Louis) of the first chapter of the National Audubon Society. He was able to make arrangements with the St. Louis Zoological Society to acquire birds from the zoo following their deaths. The birds were prepared by a taxidermist and given to the Museum. In 1957, 50 valuable birds were given to the Museum by the Rev. Howard Hardeman, whose father, an amateur taxidermist, had collected over the years.

The Museum’s mineral and geological collection was supplemented by a collection owned by William B. Spayde, which his son, Webster Spayde, and grandson, Luther T. Spayde, gave to the college. Luther Spayde served as a professor of music and later as dean of the Swinney Conservatory of Music at CMC from 1930 to 1972. Other contributions of Museum items came from Dr. Edward W. Meiners of St. Louis, who donated an extensive insect collection, together with his collection of land snails. Dr. Max A. Nickerson, who graduated from CMC in 1960 and later became a well-known herpetologist and director of interpretation with the Florida Museum of Natural History, gave the Museum a large number of reptilian specimens.

Numerous items have come from many other friends and students of Central over the past years.

The Stephens Museum is open during summer by appointment only.

For information or to schedule special showings, contact Dr. Dana Morris at (660) 248-6378 or by email at dmorris@centralmethodist.edu.

NOTES

1. The starfish (new species and genus) is on display in The Stephens Museum. The starfish was named and described in an extensive article in The Journal of Paleontology written by Dan Blake, retired professor of Paleontology and museum curator at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, and Dr. Elliott. There is a copy of the article in the museum near the display case that holds the fossil and associated fossils from the site. This particular article redescribes two other genera of fossil starfish and named one new family of fossil starfish. All of these starfish are related and are of about the same geologic age. The starfish fossil was also described in another article written by Dr. Elliott in the Transactions of the Missouri Academy of Science. The article describes the presence of sponge spicules within the body cavity where the stomach is located. The presence of these sponge spicules indicated the last meal the starfish ate was a sponge. This is the only fossil evidence, to date, of a starfish eating a sponge. However, today there are many starfish that regularly consume sponges, in spite of their indigestible spicules. The Stephens Museum starfish is under lighted magnification so these sponge spicules can be seen by visitors. In addition, there are small pieces of limestone with abundant sponge spicules present. The spicules are commonly found fossilized, but whole starfish are rare.

2. There has been some discussion among historian as to the origin of the Boone tombstones and regarding the spelling of the Boone name on the stones, which was presented without an “e” at the end and with a reversed “n.” At the 1845 disinterment of Daniel and Rebecca Boones’ remains, the grave markers are reported to have been picked up by two descendants who were present at the ceremony, Dr. Samuel H. Jones (great grandson; 1837-1898) and Marion McKinney (great-great nephew on Rebecca’s side; 1822-1904). Dr. Jones’ daughter, Caroline (1866-1889) was enrolled at Howard Payne College in 1889, the year of her death. Marion McKinney and his family lived in Fayette at the time of his death. According to a St. Louis newspaper article from 1888, one marker had already been donated to The Stephens Museum and another was still held by Dr. Jones.

Don Cullimore retired as public relations director from CMU in 2011 and is currently editor of Boone’s Lick Heritage Quarterly.

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Campus news Humanities Conference improves every year The fourth annual CMU Humanities Conference was wrote them. Several students came together to read the held on campus April 23. At the event many students were scripts of two student-written plays, “Zombies” by Krisgiven the opportunity to present their own work from topher Kuoppamaki and “Baby Daddies” by Alexandria the areas of English, Martin. These plays, as well as the short story “Road Trip,” Religion, and Philoswere presented during the Imaginative Writing session. ophy. Many students The Getting Medieval in Modern Gaming session read papers they had allowed the students to explore how literature that dates written while others back thousands of years is currently having an impact on discussed ongoing rethe culture of search through studies today’s world. they are conducting.

Four students Several Introduction to discussed types Literature students also of gaming found put together a display today that use of posters that presentthe settings and ed their research of the literature they were culture of medistudying through the course. eval literature as The conference was moderated by various their foundation.

CMU faculty members while the students disThe annual cussed topics such as the Application of Power Humanities Conand Social Change, Graphic Novels in the ference is held Students enjoyed the conference, including those who read aloud others’ plays (left) and those defending College Classroom, Humanity in Literature and every spring to their own presentations (above).

Psychology, Imaginative Writing, and Getting share and celeMedieval in Modern Gaming. brate scholarship This event brought together the works of among the stumore than 20 students, including two visiting students dents and all CMU affiliates. As the conference continues to from William Woods University. grow, Central delights in watching its continued expansion Not all of the pieces were read by the students who and success.

Students produce Inscape In all, 31 students had creThe Mu Lambda chapter of Sigma Tau Delta published ative works published, adding the 39th edition of Inscape, CMU’s magazine of the arts on up to 49 pieces in all of the April 22. The magazine features creative works—poetry, categories. Due to the increased fiction, non-fiction, plays, paintings, drawings, and phointerest in Inscape, the magazine tography—from students, faculty, and staff.

The members of CMU’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the was published with 88 pages, 20 pages more than in 2013. Seniors International English Honor Society, as well as the faculJane Gonzalez-Meyer and Jessica ty members of the English department, voted on the best pieces within each category to be honored with the annual Travlos were the editors of the 2014 edition of Inscape.

Inscape awards.

The winners from the first The Gordon Hadfield Award for Poetry was awarded annual CMU Young Writers Day to freshman Danielle Franklin for her poem titled “Where Dr. Daryl Jefferies found I am From.” The Kilgore Trout Award for Fiction was given for high school students were a few minutes to read also included in the magazine. to sophomore Maggie Moore for her short story titled Inscape at the Humanities These students were Kenzie “Pigment of the Imagination.”

Conference.

Smentkowski from Fayette, Noah Kate Kellner, a senior, was awarded the Thomas F. Dillingham Award for Non-fiction Prose for her piece titled Heaton from Boonville, and Ste“Stuck.” The Byrd Cooper Kirby Award was given to soph- vie Hart from Boonville.

Free copies of Inscape are available in Smiley Library omore Amanda Cauley for her photograph titled “Gerlanda on the Fayette campus of Central Methodist University. It is Always the First One in Front of the Camera!” can also be accessed online at: The Elizabeth Stapleton Award in Art Education went www.centralmethodist.edu/academics/english/inscape to senior Jessica Travlos for her photograph titled “The Lone Fisherman.”

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Campus news CMU honor society adds 24 members; top 10 percent of senior class Sigma Epsilon Pi inducted 24 new members April 29 to celebrate exceptional scholarly achievement while at Central Methodist University. This year’s class displays not only a high grade point average but also an impressive array of disciplines.

Sigma Epsilon Pi is an honor society organized to recognize top scholastic achievement. Membership is limited to the top 10 percent of the senior class based on grade point average, and up to seven members of faculty.

The new members inducted this year include: Aubrey Utley (biology), Jane Gonzalez-Meyer (English), Katlyn Douglas (athletic training), Dewey Fennewald (elementary eduSeated (l-r): Elise Schreiber, Lakyn Baker, Jane Gonzalez-Meyer, Katlyn Douglas; cation), Ashley Hagen (biolMiddle row: Alexis Cline, Aubrey Utley, Kate Kellner, Destinee Muse, Tanjie Hoover, ogy), Rebecca Shroyer (music Melissa Leathers, Elizabeth Chappell; Back row: Derek Volkmann, Dewey Fennewald, education), Elizabeth ChapAlison Durst, Daniel Long, Melanie Wilmsmeyer, Rebecca Shroyer, and Dr. Roger Drake. pell (athletic training),Shane (Not shown: Ashley Hagen, Shane Lowe, Megan Robbins, Mary Rose Lehman, Angelica Jones, and Anthony Dow) Lowe (multi-disciplinary), Megan Robbins (criminal justice), Alexis Cline (special education), Mary Rose Lehman (music education), Daniel Long (music education), Melanie Wilmsmeyer (accounting), Melissa Leathers (early childhood education), Lakyn Baker (music education), Kate Kellner (English and theatre), Tanjie Hoover (multi-disciplinary), Destinee Muse (history), Allison Durst (special education), Angelica Jones (athletic training), Anthony Dow (business), Elise Schreiber (communication studies), and Derek Volkman (music education).

In addition to these students, Dr. Roger Drake, President of Central Methodist University, was also inducted into Sigma Epsilon Pi.

CMU improving residence halls Central Methodist plans to significantly upgrade residence halls over the summer to improve the living and learning environment for students staying on campus in Fayette.

Improvements to the CMU residence halls will cost around $500,000, according to Kenneth Oliver, vice president of institutional growth and student engagement.

“The upgrades to the residence halls will help make us even more appealing to prospective students, and better meet the needs of our current students,” says Oliver. Work began in May, with completion due by the time classes resume in August.

Closets in Woodward and Burford Halls will be demolished and interior walls will be remodeled. Woodward and Burford will receive fresh paint as well as new desks and dressers. Howard-Payne will gain a new exterior patio area, while the Burford Hall patio area will be upgraded.

Improvements this summer will also include new carpet in Holt, Burford and Woodward Halls.

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Mother Angela Rice (l) and daughter Alexa Rice crossed the stage in succession at CMU’s graduation. Both are certified to be school teachers!

Burford Hall was opened in 1960 and provides housing for 104 men. It is named in honor of Dr. Cyrus E. Burford, who was chairman of the CMU Board of Curators for many years. Woodward Hall opened in 1964 and provides rooms for 118 men. It was named in recognition of Dr. Ralph Woodward, President of the University from 1950-1970.

CMU can house around 800 students, and CMU officials hope to approach capacity in the near future.

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Campus news

Linn improvements to modernize, increase usefulness of beloved 83-year-old icon The historic Paul H. Linn Memorial United Methodist Church at Central Methodist University, one of CMU’s and the region’s most iconic and beloved structures, is getting some well-deserved attention this summer. The aim is both to modernize the steel-andlimestone structure and to improve its utility for both CMU and the congregation.

Driven in part by the United Methodist Church’s Healthy Church Initiative, pioneered by the Missouri UMC Conference, CMU officials and Linn UMC congregation representatives have been discussing the project for more than a year.

Many needs and wishes were identified by both groups who then came together to chart a mutually beneficial strategy. A similar project at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City was used as a model.

“Much thought and consideration have gone into the planning of this renovation,” CMU President Roger Drake says. “Linn is truly sacred space, in the most literal interpretation of the word sacred.

“While it is important to meet the needs of the Conference, the congregation, CMU performing arts, and CMU Campus Ministry, all proposed changes had to be tempered with the preservation of the historic beauty of the space,” Drake says. “I think we have done that.”

CMU owns and maintains the structure, with the Linn congregation paying a usage fee. The University uses Linn for events such as music activities, special programs, speakers, and spring Baccalaureate.

The building is in need of work, observes CMU Vice President for Administration and Finance Julee Sherman.

The University has a growing need for performance space and greater flexibility. This project addresses both scenarios, according to Sherman.

“Our hope was that the project would meet everyone’s needs, whether it’s for worship services or weddings, band concerts or chapel,” Sherman notes. The massive wooden trusses, ornate stained glass windows, the Wicks pipe organ installed in 1931, and much more will be retained.

The sanctuary will maintain most of its “feel” and classic look, but several changes will enable greater use by all entities. The University is incurring all costs, Sherman says, noting the CMU Board of Trustees has approved funds for the project.

Wooden pews on the main level will be replaced by individual seats, allowing for adjustments to seating capacity based on need. The choir loft will be removed from the Chancel Area and that space opened up. The pews will be retained in the balcony and only cosmetic improvements made to that area of the church.

Carpet down the center aisle will be replaced; the wooden floor refinished and flooring tiles replaced; lighting/sound/media will be improved; handicapped accessibility will be improved; glass doors will be installed in an interior foyer to brighten up the area; and the dark ceiling panels will be repainted in a lighter shade. A restroom will be added on the west side of the main floor.

At this time, the project does not affect the Assembly Hall beneath the sanctuary, nor the adjacent Parish House and Swinney Conservatory. During construction, Sunday

Left, the Linn Memorial UMC sanctuary during Dr. Roger Drake’s investiture on May 3. Changes are being made to the altar and choir loft areas, the seating, and parts of the ceiling.

Opposite page, top photo, is an architect’s rendering of what the front of the church will look like, and showing the lighter-colored ceiling.

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worship services will be conducted in the Kountz Recital Hall of the Conservatory.

Linn church replaced the former Centenary Chapel, which served both college and community from 1884 until it was demolished in 1928. The opening of the “new� church was delayed by the economic crash of 1929 and subsequent onset of the Great Depression; it was finally completed in 1931.

The church was dedicated in 1946 to the memory of Dr. Paul H. Linn, an 1894 graduate of Central who became president of his alma mater in 1913. He led the college

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through World War I and its resultant drop in enrollment.

He guided it through its merger with the former Howard-Payne College beginning in 1922. He is credited with increasing enrollment and building up the Central faculty, among other accomplishments.

The trademark west-side arched window (below), probably the most beloved element of Linn, will remain unchanged during renovation of the sanctuary.

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Campus news

Freeman gives annual Fleer Lecture at CMU The sixth annual Gilbert and Ruth Fleer Lecture for Excellence in Values-Based Education in March featured CMU alumna Reverend Thera Freeman ’05.

Her lecture was titled “The Miseducation of Thera Freeman.”

Rev. Freeman is currently the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Freeman graduated from Central with degrees in religion and psychology.

She received the CMU Cecil T. Swackhamer Award in Religion her senior year. She was a member of both Sigma Alpha Iota international fraternity for women in music, and Alpha Gamma Psi local Greek sorority. Freeman also performed in both the concert and marching bands as a trombone player. After graduating she continued

her education at Duke Divinity School.

“After graduating (from Duke) in 2008, I accepted a three-year position in Uganda, East-Africa. Through the Mennonite Central Committee with the North Karamoja Diocese of the Church of Uganda (Anglican),” Freeman says.

“I served as the Diocesan Education Secretary and School’s Advisor to the Bishop. I oversaw 13 church-founded primary schools, the seminary students from the diocese, and the continuing education and edification of clergy and lay leaders.”

Founders of the Fleer Lecture Series at CMU, Gilbert ’55 and Ruth ’58 Fleer live in Bentonville, Ark. Gilbert was assistant professor of religion at Central from 1959 to 1965.

Fleer is now retired as a social science professor from Western Texas College and as a United Methodist counselor. The couple’s strong support of leadership training led them to establish the Gil and Ruth Fleer Fund for Excellence in Values-Based Education at CMU, and this program is made possible by their benevolence.

A recording of Thera Freeman’s lecture is available at http://www.youtube.com/centralmethodist.

Rev. Thera Freeman, upper photos, provided the Fleer Lecture this spring. Lower photo, Dr. Gil Fleer introduced her.

Two CMU faculty honored by Fayette Two Central faculty members were named Fayette’s Citizens of the Year this spring at the yearly Town and Country banquet. Larry Peery and Berre Robinson were both honored by the city.

Dr. Larry Peery, professor emeritus of physics and curator of the Morrison Observatory, was recognized for his extended leadership of Fayette’s water and sewer ad hoc committee for a number of years. He has helped direct the city’s efforts to upgrade the sewer system and has advocated for the regionalization of the city’s water supply.

Under his leadership, millions of dollars in grants and low-interest loans have been obtained by the city to address its extensive water/sewer concerns.

Dr. O. A. (“Berre”) Robinson, current professor of philosophy on the Fayette campus, has served as chair of the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Under his leadership the city has been actively improving and making more lovely the parks in town, especially Fayette City Park and Paige-Liberty Park. In addition, he has pushed for general improvement in the overall appearance of the town.

To accomplish this, Robinson has utilized the energy and willingness of many CMU students, faculty, and staff to volunteer to assist in the Parks and Recreation’s projects.

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Campus news

Forensic anthropologist Dr. Michael Finnegan speaks One of the foremost forensic anthropologists in the country, Dr. Michael Finnegan, spoke at CMU on March 26. The lecture was sponsored by CMU’s Criminal Justice program and by the CMU Office of Advancement.

Finnegan is professor emeritus of anthropology at Kansas State University and remains active as a consultant in the field.

Forensic anthropology involves the study of human remains to gather evidence that can be used in legal proceedings.

Finnegan discussed the process of forensic anthropology from the time he gets a call until he has determined the deceased’s physical characteristics, established approximate time of death, and worked with local authorities on his findings.

His work has included the identification of downed American pilots in war zones, dissidents in Eastern Europe, and even the outlaw Jesse James. He has

• Cent ra

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ing

Gaddis Lecture October 16, 7 p.m.

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Dr. Finnegan spoke to a full house in Inman Student and Community Center. He posed for photos with students and members of faculty and staff, and he took time to discuss the field with criminal justice students.

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worked and lectured in Africa, Australia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North and South America. He also worked with Kansas City officials on the notorious Bob Berdella serial murders.

Finnegan holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Colorado, and held pre- and postdoctoral fellowships at the Smithsonian Institution.

Finnegan is a Distinguished Fellow of and served as a Director and Vice President for the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

for

F the

Elizabeth “Liz” Carter ’05

We have a bold mission.

Partner with us through your membership in the 1854 Society.

After July 1, 2014, donations to the Central Annual Scholarship Fund of $1000 or more will induct members into the Charter Class of the 1854 Society.

Financial Systems Project Manager, Delaware North Companies

For more information and an opportunity to make your gift please visit cmalumni.centralmethodist.edu/givenow or call 660-248-6214

Spring 2014

B.S. in Computer Science and Business, CMU MBA University of MissouriColumbia

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Campus news Faculty News Dr. Kendal Clark, assistant professor of physics, has published an article, ”Heteroepitaxial Growth of Two-Dimensional Hexagonal Boron Nitride Templated by Graphene Edges” Science 10 January 2014: Vol. 343 no. 6167 pp. 163-167 DOI: 10.1126/ science.124613 Doug Valentine, CMU online program coordinator, presented at the Florida State University Symposium on Religion in February. His paper was entitled “Nuestras Tradiciones: Days of the Dead, Empire, and Identity.”

More recently he was at the Midwestern American Academy of Religion annual conference presenting a paper entitled “Globalizing the Dead: Días de Muertos and Religious Hybridity.”

He was also recently featured on a blog called the Bulletin for the Study of Religion. His post was about the ways scholars talk about the confluence of religion as it spreads geographically.

In February Dr. John Perkins, associate professor of music, conducted two trumpet sectionals for the West Plains High School Bands, totaling 95 students.

In March he played three performances of Stravinsky’s chamber piece L’ Histoire du Soldat (The Soldier’s Tale) with the Missouri Contemporary Ballet at the Missouri Theater. This was his fifth season performing with the sponsor, Odyssey Chamber Music Series, in Columbia.

And earlier, over CMU’s Christmas break, the Big Bang Brass Quintet, of which Perkins is a member, performed concerts at five junior high and elementary schools in Columbia, preceded and followed by question-and-answer sessions.

Dr. Melissa Loehnig, assistant professor of music, had two prestigious events in March. In one she presented with Dr. Jere-

my Mims at the Northwest American Choral Director’s Association Conference in Seattle, Wash. The session was “Building Connections: Bridging the Gap Between Conductors and Pianists.”

In the second, she performed with Choral Arts in Seattle an edition of Brahms’ German Requiem set for chorus and piano four-hands. This was part of a two-day Brahms symposium sponsored by Choral Arts and the University of Washington with sessions by world-renown Brahms scholar, Dr. George Bozarth.

Dr. Travis Johnson and Dr. Jeremy Reed, both assistant professors of English, have finished an article titled “Graphic Interventions: Creating Comics and Engaging Students in a Small, Rural College Setting.” It will be published in McFarland Press’ Graphic Novel Pedagogy, edited by Matthew Miller.

Megan Hess, above, accepted the Kincaid Award from President Drake on behalf of herself and the Nursing Department for their dedication to teaching and learning, devotion and loyalty to CMU, and commitment to the students.

Student Achievements In student news, Juliette Kein, a senior in biology, presented a poster at the Missouri Academy of Sciences on April 26.

The poster was a summary of a service learning project conducted in Dr. Dana Morris’ Animal Behavior class. The title is “What Makes A Good Service Dog? An Analysis of Therapy Dog Characteristics in a Nursing Home Setting.” Co-authors of the poster included Kein, Lexi Salva, and Dr. Morris.

Geofrey Bilabaye and Christopher Bantz have been inducted into CMU’s Alpha Theta Iota Chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa, the national honor society for religious studies and theology. The chapter is moderated by Dr. Daryl Jefferies, associate professor of religion.

Dan Jones (junior vocal performance major) has been accepted to study at the summer vocal program in Salzburg, Austria, sponsored by the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music.

Jessie McCart has been accepted to Kansas State University’s Masters in Public Administration program. He will receive a half-time assistantship worth about $10,000 plus a full waiver of

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tuition. His major professor now is Dr. John Carter, professor of political science.

Kayla Heidbrink (biology major) has been accepted for early admission into the medical school at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences.

Aubrey Utley has been accepted into the McWhorter School of Pharmacy at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. Student J.J. Dillon is working on a research project that will allow science to differentiate between regular and extended-release acetaminophen by monitoring the release of the acetaminophen over time. Hopefully his research will result in a publication in the Journal of Chemical Education.

On March 17, Joe Morris (sophomore) and Molly Ripperger (junior) were part of a session organized by Dr. Bob Wiegers, CMU professor of history, for the 56th Annual Missouri Conference on History. The session was on Symbolism and Remembrance: Three Missouri Monuments. Joe presented a paper on “The Missouri Vicksburg Memorial Statue,” and Molly presented “The Missouri Monument at Cheppy, France.”

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Campus news

Ruth Spayde receives Orpheus Award Beta Mu Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (PMA) preFor 20 years, Spayde served as music and choir direcsented its top award to Fayette resident and Central Methtor at Linn Memorial United Methodist Church in Fayette; odist University staff member Ruth Spayde the weekend of and she has been the church’s organist for 30 years. She March 22 in a special alumni gathering in Fayette. has performed on organ and in musical ensembles, along The Orpheus Award, with husband Ted Spayde, named for the Greek hero throughout the region.

Orpheus who was known Spayde graduated as for his power of music, is Ruth Cheffey from Central the highest award a PMA Methodist in 1970 with a chapter may designate. bachelor of music degree.

Created in 1973, the naShe promptly married tional award may be given Ted, the only son of Dean by a chapter to a person Luther T. Spayde, organist who has “significantly and legendary director of and lastingly contributed the A Cappella Choir at to the cause of music in Central from its founding America, either as a comin 1932 until his death in poser, performer, educator, 1972. entrepreneur, legislator, or While at Central, Ruth patron of the arts.” belonged to Tau Chapter of Spayde meets the Phi Beta Fraternity for the criteria well, as performer, Creative and Performing educator, and patron of Arts and later belonged to Beta Mu members of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (l-r) Daniel the arts. She has taught piano Fayette’s alumni chapter of Phi Long and President Austin Long present Ruth Spayde the for more than 30 years. She Beta for a number of years. In Orpheus Award, the highest honor a chapter may bestow. began work for the Swinney college she was in CMU bands Conservatory of Music in 2005 and A Cappella Choir, touring and is currently the administrative assistant for “The Con” with both each year. She also belonged to Pi Kappa Theta as well as staff and student accompanist on piano. social sorority during college and was named a member Spayde also coordinates the Conservatory’s Music of Who’s Who among Students in American Colleges and Festival, held every year in March. She created and runs Universities. the annual CMU Piano Camp for students of varying ages Last fall, Spayde was also honored as the Omicron that is held each summer. In fact, as the Music Department Delta Kappa (ODK) Outstanding Staff of the Year for Central knows, she is the mortar that holds the Con together.

Methodist University.

Members of ENACTUS head back to Nationals again this year. For several years they have done very well in the presentation that explains their many business-related projects.

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Extended Studies

Schuler steps up for CMU-St. Louis The new assistant dean for Central Methodist University’s Adult Degree Program in St. Louis, Michelle Schuler, knows she has a lot to learn. Yet the learning curve won’t be as steep as it could have been.

That’s because Schuler has been with the CMU-St. Louis program nearly three years as director of student services. A St. Louis native, she knows CMU academic programs and staff members at its office in Maryland Heights.

“Every day here is confirmation that I am in the right place,” Schuler says. “I value CMU’s commitment to providing an affordable, quality education while viewing students as individuals and not just another number.

“I understand the challenges our students encounter, as I was a non-traditional-aged student for most of my college career,” she adds. “These are students who juggle work and family responsibilities while meeting their educational goals.”

Schuler has worked in higher education in the St. Louis area continuously since 2004 and understands what students and employers in the region need, notes Dr. Rita

Gulstad, CMU Provost.

“Michelle has demonstrated her knowledge of the economic needs of the community of St. Louis and how we can meet the needs of our community college partners,” Gulstad says. “CMU strives to provide quality educational programming with high levels of customer service, and Michelle has exemplified that ability.”

Schuler’s former job at CMU-St. Louis involved working not only with students on degree plans, academic progress, finances, and other issues, but also with faculty there and with student and administrative service staff on the main campus in Fayette.

In other words, Schuler assisted people from the “prospective student” stage all the way through to degree completion. It’s that comprehensive background, as well as her knowledge of the region, that made her CMU’s choice for the assistant deanship, Gulstad says.

Schuler joined CMU after nearly seven years with St. Louis Community College at Meramec. She was an academic advisor for four years and a career and technical education transition specialist for two-and-a-half years. Schuler earlier served the Columbia College branch in St. Louis for more than two years as an academic advisor.

Schuler has a master of education degree in counseling, and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology with a math minor, both from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She and her husband have three children.

Nearly 400 students are enrolled in CMU programs in St. Louis, the majority of them pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. CMU’s Adult Degree Program also offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in business and psychology, and the master’s degree in education.

Central Methodist Commencement In Sedalia CMU held Commencement ceremonies for its western division extended campus sites on May 14 on the State Fair Community College (SFCC) campus in Sedalia. CMU awarded nearly 90 bachelor’s and master’s degrees during the ceremony, according to CMU President Roger Drake.

Graduates came from several CMU off-campus programs including partnerships with SFCC (Sedalia, Clinton, and Lake of the Ozarks), with Linn State Technical College, with Ozarks Technical Community College in Waynesville, and with Crowder College in Neosho.

Dr. Joanna Anderson, President of State Fair Community College, delivered the keynote address. SFCC Board President Gary Noland gave the welcome, and Dr. Rick Adams, pastor of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Sedalia, delivBillie JoAnn Williams gets her best reward from her family. She ered the invocation and benediction. received her B.S. in Elementary Education during the CMU Degrees were awarded by CMU President Dr. Roger Western Division Commencement exercises May 14 at SFCC. Drake and Provost Dr. Rita Gulstad.

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Willard to head CMU-Union The job of site coordinator for Central Methodist University’s branch site in the Union area is roughly equal parts “educator” and “business manager.” In Tim Willard, CMU believes it has struck the proper balance between the two.

Willard, a Union resident who has taught for CMU for more than a decade, started his new position in April.

CMU-Union operates from the East Central College (ECC) campus and enrolls approximately 170 students, according to Dr. Rita Gulstad, CMU Provost.

“I think many times we get caught up in seeing things as they are instead of what they could be,” Willard says.

“CMU-Union is now a great place to get a degree, but it will be a life-changing university opening up the dreams of students not yet envisioned.”

CMU’s site coordinator runs the day-to-day operations of the branch at ECC. He must market CMU degree programs, build and develop partnerships, supervise and support faculty, and advise students, among other tasks.

Willard has taught CMU classes in business, marketing, management, organizational theory, and accounting.

This past year he has also been teaching economics classes for East Central College, and has taught for Missouri Baptist University as well, all on a part-time basis.

The past two years, Willard was business and technology administrator for Life Stream Church in Washington.

Previously he spent 12 years doing marketing, operations, and business advising for a custom homebuilder in the area.

Willard received a Bachelor of Science in marketing and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), both from Maryville University in St. Louis.

As one might expect from someone with his business background, growth is at the top of Willard’s agenda for CMU-Union. He has set an ambitious goal to double CMU enrollment there in just two years.

Other objectives include meeting with local businesses and schools to promote CMU, helping students with job search techniques, and getting to know the name of everyone who attends CMU-Union. He aims to have a monthly Central Methodist University open house-type event to showcase its programs on the ECC campus.

Working closely with ECC officials will be of paramount importance to Willard. With few exceptions, CMUUnion students come through East Central College, and CMU-Union faculty members often also teach for ECC. It is a relationship that has been in place since 1993, the second longest of Fayette-based CMU’s community college partnerships across Missouri.

CMU-Union offers bachelor’s degrees in accounting, Spring 2014

business, child development, criminal justice, computer science, early childhood education, elementary education, general studies, middle school education, psychology, nursing (RN-toBSN), sociology, and special education.

The Master of Education and the Master of Science in Nursing also are available.

Ultimately it all boils down to getting students to enroll in CMU programs, and then making certain those students get the support and services they need to complete them. Willard well knows that whether registering for class, applying for financial aid, or making sure he understands what he needs in order to graduate, each student has unique needs and expectations.

“We will do everything with a degree of excellence that will be impossible to ignore,” Willard vows.

Williams gives back to community Jeff Williams reflects Central Methodist University’s mission well.

He has taken on the position of president of the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce for the 2014 year.

As a servant leader in that position he will have many opportunities to make the world a better place.

CMU knows Williams to bring professional excellence, ethical leadership and social reponsibility to his position of site coordinator for the CMU-Park Hills campus. He has been site coordinator there since 2010.

He is a good choice to lead the business area in the same manner.

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CMU-Poplar Bluff music degree accredited

CMU awards new SSM Scholarship to nursing students

Accreditation of Central Methodist University’s music degree program in Poplar Bluff by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) is music to the ears of CMU officials.

Though music programs on CMU’s main campus in Fayette have been NASM-accredited since 1950, this marks the first time CMU has sought and received such stature for a program beyond Fayette.

“The NASM Commission commended CMU for our efforts in helping meet the needs of Southeastern Missouri with this program,” says Dr. Dori Waggoner, chair of CMU’s fine arts division and dean of its Swinney Conservatory of Music.

“We are very grateful for the leadership of Dr. Ron Shroyer [dean emeritus of the Conservatory] and Karen Lovette [CMU site coordinator at Poplar Bluff] of CMU in coordinating this project. Buddy White and Cindy White are also to be commended for their teaching at Three Rivers College. Without them, this program would not be possible,” she adds.

The national accrediting agency for music and music-related disciplines, the NASM has nearly 650 member schools of music across the country. NASM was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Virginia.

While CMU has 14 branch sites across Missouri and offers coursework in many other locations, its Poplar Bluff operation—housed on the Three Rivers College campus— is currently the only CMU off-campus site to offer a music degree.

Approval by NASM specifies it as a transfer program between Three Rivers and CMU, a partnership that was established in 2008.

“I am very proud our site is making history by being the first branch to bring the music program to students,” Lovette says. “Off campus programs such as ours open opportunities that would not be possible to both traditional-aged and adult students alike.

“Additionally, without the help of Cindy and Buddy White, we would not be able to offer these programs,” Lovette agrees with Waggoner. “They have been instrumental in this exceptional opportunity for our talented music education students.”

NASM accreditation for the CMU-Poplar Bluff program covers the Bachelor of Music Education degree in both the instrumental and the vocal/choral disciplines.

A new scholarship program has been established at CMU’s St. Louis program that will benefit nursing students. It was recently awarded for the first time.

Donda Dillard, who works at St. Joseph Hospital West in St. Louis and is a member of a CMU nursing cohort, received the SSM Scholarship.

SSM Healthcare is a corporation that operates hospitals, care centers, and a myriad of healthcare businesses in four Midwest states.

Working with CMU, the criteria were established. The student must be employed by one of the SSM hospitals and remain successful as both a CMU student and a nurse.

Dillard has worked as a hospital registered nurse in a broad range of areas, including cardiology, pulmonary, renal, surgery, orthopedics, telemetry, and neurology.

She is currently in a nursing cohort that will lead to her attaining her BSN degree from Central.

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Dr. Roger Drake congratulates Donda Dillard as recipient of the first scholarship given by the healthcare giant SSM to a nursing student in the CMU-St. Louis program.

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Russell is first graduate of CMU-LSTC partnership Zach Russell is the first to admit, the last two years haven’t been easy. Balancing the demands of family, a fulltime job, and a heavy load of college classes would put a strain on anyone.

When the pressures were at their peak, the Linn native and resident would remember the last words his late grandfather told him: “Don’t try. Just do.”

And do he has done. Russell has become the first person to earn a bachelor’s degree from the partnership between Linn State Technical College and Central Methodist University. His CMU degree is the Bachelor of Applied Science in Management.

It’s been more than 11 years since Russell earned his associate’s degree in design/drafting from LSTC. He has a good job as a computer-aided design (CAD) manager for the State of Missouri Office of Administration in Jefferson City where he has worked for seven years. He and his wife, Kristy, along with nine-year-old daughter Bella, have a good life in Linn.

Yet Russell could see that the path to better positions often require a bachelor’s degree, and he definitely wants a higher level of managerial responsibilities.

“I had been looking at going back (to college) for a while, and had actually checked out a couple of other colleges,” Russell says. “Then, I read in the local paper about the new agreement between LSTC and Central Methodist.

“So I went to an information meeting [that CMU held on the Linn State campus] and I met with Aimee Sage [CMU director of admission for its College of Graduate and Extended Studies], and we got the ball rolling.”

The transition from LSTC to CMU was “very easy,” Russell says. The transfer of credit hours (even going back to his Linn High School dual credit classes), all paperwork and billing, and related matters went without a hitch.

“Aimee was on me if I forgot something,” he laughs.

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Not that there weren’t sacrifices, but the Russell family had been down this path before. Kristy went back to college a few years ago, “so we had a process” for adapting to the challenges of family, work, and college. Russell also found CMU’s eight-week sessions, two classes per session, to his liking.

Another challenge was the necessity of taking some coursework online. CMU does offer some classes “live” at LSTC, but there was no way to complete degree requirements without taking online classes.

“After my initial fear (about online classes), I actually liked it better,” Russell says. “I could study on my own time rather than sticking to a regular schedule. It was great being able to pick my own time to study.”

The convenience of his online classes was matched by the convenience of his “live” classes at LSTC. “I could come home from work, see the family, eat dinner and go to class. Plus, the small class size” [something Russell appreciated both at LSTC and from CMU]“always helps.”

For Russell, being the first-ever graduate of the LSTCCMU program means less to him than “the pride in getting my bachelor’s degree,” he says.

“I set a goal of completing the program in two years, and it’s been exactly two years.”

The challenges of the CMU bachelor’s degree completion program at LSTC aren’t for everyone, Russell admits. But he won’t hesitate to recommend it to others.

“If anyone asks, I’ll tell them they should go for it,” Russell says. “It’s hard enough these days to find a good job without an education. I’d tell them ‘Just call Aimee!’

“I’d tell someone, ‘If you can find the time, and if you can find the financing, you should do it,’” Russell adds.

It sounds like something his grandfather would have said.

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Campus news Boston Brass performs after invitational The Boston Brass CMU provided an extraordinary opportunity for stuworks with breathdents and guests to hear the world-renowned Boston Brass ing exercises with on February 12. high school students The concert followed on the heels of the CMU Brass before the master Invitational Conference earlier that day on campus. High class with CMU musicians. Below, school students from across the state came for clinics with they perform.

CMU brass instructors, including Skip Vandelicht, director of bands; Dr. John Perkins with the trumpets; Larry Bennett with the trombones; cal experiences for more than guest Steve Hanrahan with 25 years. They play a wide the horns; and Jackie Lordo selection of musical styles, with the euphoniums and including classical, jazz, tubas. fanfares, and original music, Late in the afternoon the enjoyed by all ages. Their Boston Brass provided a clinic concerts are punctuated with on breathing and exercises lively and humorous repartee. for conference attendees, They bridge the gap between plus master classes for CMU classical formality and fun. student brass instrumentalThe group performs more ists. than 100 performances each year. They have performed all The members of Boston Brass include Jose Sibaja, over the world and created multiple albums. trumpet; Jeff Conner, trumpet; Chris Castellanos, French This exceptional program was sponsored by CMU’s horn; Domingo Pagliuca, trombone; and Sam Pilafian, tuba. Cultural Affairs Committee and financed in part by the Boston Brass has been providing one-of-a-kind musiMissouri Arts Council, a state agency.

Dr. Raymond Fleener Vocal music students were treated to a master class

by Dr. Raymond Feener, associate professor of voice at the University of Missouri at Kansas City on April 28.

Feener performed several folk songs at the be-

ginning, accompanied by his wife, Natalia Rivera, a vocal coach on the faculty of University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance.

Feener then worked with selected students in CMU’s Vocal Master Class. Those participating included Austin Long (senior), Britney Kelcher (junior), Anna Kay (sophomore) Dan Jones (junior), Levi Gerke (sophomore). Zach Fincher (junior) and Hershel Williams (junior).

All are vocal students of CMU’s Dr. Susan Quigley-Duggan and Dr. Ron Atteberry.

Dr. Fleener works with Levi Gerke on refining his song.

University Band spring appearance The University Band presented its second annual concert on April 27 on campus.

Composed of 60 members, the University Band includes some members of the CMU Concert Band, many playing secondary instruments, plus other talented music lovers from across campus. The band made its inaugural appearance last spring to high praise.

This spring the band was directed by several Swinney Conservatory faculty members, including Dr. Dori Waggoner, dean of the Conservatory; Steve Litwiller, CMU 46

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adjunct professor of music; and Roy “Skip” Vandelicht, assistant professor of music and director of the CMU Concert and Marching Bands.

The program included “British Eighth March”; “An Irish Rhapsody”; Bach’s “Prelude and Fugue in B-flat Major”; “Brighton Beach”; “God of our Fathers” by CMU alumnus Claude T. Smith; “An American Elegy”; and “To Dance in the Secret Garden” with piano accompaniment by Dr. Melissa Loehnig, assistant professor of music.

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Campus news Concert Band gives multiple performances The Concert Band kept very busy this spring, before, during and after its annual tour.

Band tour with a cadre of 56 musicians this spring covered 15 concerts in six days, performing for approximately 3,300 people. The band performed in Mexico, Hallsville, Fulton, Sturgeon, Maysville, Cameron, Grain Valley, Monett, Stockton, Versailles, Laurie, and Lebanon, and was directed by Roy “Skip” Vandelicht ’77.

This year’s repertoire included half a dozen pieces written or arranged by Central alumni or faculty. These included “Burleske (Galop, Waltz, Sad Song and Finale)” by Dr. Ronald Shroyer, dean emeritus of CMU’s Swinney Conservatory of Music and current adjunct professor; “On a Hymnsong of Lowell Mason” by Dr. David Holsinger ’67; “Overture on an Early American Folk Hymn” by Claude T. Smith ’52; and arrangements by Andrew Glover ’83 of “Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite” and “Sells Floto Triumphal,” both by King; “Shield of Liberty” by Richards; and “Pagliacci Intermezzo” by Leoncavallo.

The rest of the repertoire included “Accolade”; “American Civil War Fantasy”; “Annie Laurie” with Wade King (junior) on euphonium; “Chorale and Shaker Dance”; “Double Concerto” with Lakyn Baker (senior) and Ann Marie Pelley (junior) on trumpets; “La Virgin de la Macarena” with Wayne Brown (sophomore) on trumpet; “Olympia Hippodrome”; “Rest”; “Riders for the Flag”; “Satiric Dances”; “Second Concerto for Clarinet” with Rebecca Shroyer (senior) on clarinet; “Shepherd’s Hey”; “Slavonic Rhapsody”; “The Elephant and the Fly” with Chelsea Wallace (senior) on piccolo and Michael Mountain (senior) on tuba; “The Stars and Stripes Forever”; and “The Witch and the Saint.”

This spring marked the 88th annual tour by the Central Methodist University Concert Band (previously the Central College Band, then the Central Methodist College Concert Band). The first band was organized in 1910 by students. Twenty-one students took part in the first band tour in 1912. When the Swinney Conservatory of Music was established in 1925, the tour became an annual event.

The CMU Concert Band gave two home performance following tour, one in March and the second in honor of Dr. Roger Drake the weekend of his inauguration. Both concerts drew different pieces from the repertoire used on tour.

While all the music was, as usual, outstanding, the biggest reception was when President Roger Drake (left) picked up the baton (Skip told him which end to point at the band) and “directed” “Barnum and Bailey.” It was as fine as ever, which could be explained in part by the limited directions Dr. Drake gave before the performance. “Everyone tells you to look up and watch the stick,” he said to the band. “I need you to look down!” And so they did.

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Student musicians outdo the competition Trumpet Ensemble in Pennsylvania Members of the Central Methodist University Trumpet Ensemble were selected this spring to perform at the 39th Annual International Trumpet Guild (ITG) Conference May 20-24 at Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia, Pa. The trumpet ensemble students performed Trumpet Preludes, a series of short concerts lasting six to eight minutes, in which ensembles performed prior to a headliner artist, ensemble or clinic session. The CMU Trumpet Ensemble performed several pieces during the conference.

Dr. John Perkins, CMU associate professor of Members of this year’s CMU Trumpet Ensemble, from left: Dr. John Permusic, directs CMU’s Trumpet Ensemble. kins, Ann Marie Pelley, Katelyn Hanvey, Rachel Richard, Lucas Johnson, Student participants had the opportunity to at- Zack Fincher, Wayne Brown, and Lakyn Baker tend sessions, clinics, and concerts. Featured artists, presenters, and ensembles this year included the Canadian Brass, the New York Trumpet Ensemble, the Atlantic Brass Band, the Chestnut Brass Company and the U. S. Army Band Brass Ensemble.

Ann Marie Pelley wins music competition Ann Marie Pelley, a music education major who plays trumpet and piano, recently won the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) Competition at Washington University in St. Louis.

She bested students from throughout the state to take first place in trumpet in the Collegiate Brass—Upper Division category.

Pelley is a student of Dr. John Perkins, CMU associate professor of music who teaches high brass. Dr. Perkins points out that at the MMTA Competition, Central students compete against musicians from colleges and universities of every size, most much larger than CMU. Central students often win Honorable Mentions in this contest but not first place.

The comments from the judge included, “This is the best trumpet sound I’ve heard in two days.” The judge also praised her for her technical virtuosity and her “wonderful sound.”

Pelley is a junior music education major. In addition to playing trumpet in Marching, Concert, and Jazz Bands, she accompanies a number of groups on campus on the piano.

Singers do well at competition Two Central vocal students received high rankings at the recent Kansas City National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition, according to Dr. Susan Quigley-Duggan, CMU associate professor of music and head of the opera program.

Levi Gerke, a sophomore vocal music performance major, won first place in the lower men’s division (fresh48

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men and sophomores); and Brittany Losh, a senior vocal music performance major from Pacific, took second place in the upper college women’s division. Both students study with Dr. Susan Quigley-Duggan.

Both are active in Chorale, Band, Jazz Band, and Opera, and both had lead roles in the CMU production of The Marriage of Figaro.

Trumpeter in All-Collegiate Jazz Band Wayne Brown, a sophomore trumpet player with the CMU Jazz Band, was selected to play in the All-Collegiate Jazz Band at the winter Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) conference.

Brown was one of 20 students selected from colleges and universities throughout Missouri to perform under the baton of Brad Leali, professor of jazz saxophone at the University of North Texas. Leali has played with the Harry Connick Jr. Orchestra and the Count Basie Orchestra.

The All-Collegiate band played during the third general session of the MMEA’s In-Service Workshop/Clinic, held in January at Tan-Tar-A resort at the Lake of the Ozarks.

In Brown’s recommendation notes, Dr. Ron Shroyer, dean emeritus of CMU’s Swinney Conservatory of Music, called him “one of the two best student high register players we have worked with in over 50 years of teaching.”

Last fall, Brown was invited to audition for the All-Collegiate Jazz Band, along with three other CMU students.

From a CD recording of himself playing improvisation, a bossa nova, and a jazz funk or fusion selection, Brown was selected by an MMEA-appointed panel to play with the All-Collegiate Jazz Band.

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later and played the keyboard like he was born to it. He put himself through college by playing in a band and still loves to tickle the ivories when he can. One of the songs he played was “Last Date” and the audience roared its appreciation.

Jazzin’ in Fayette A spring in every step and jazz in the spring—what could be better.

The perennial favorite CMU Jazz Band performed in April. The members change by semester; however, about 15 students and an occasional prof or two make up the group.

Jazz lovers Dr. Ron “Doc” Shroyer, CMU emeritus professor of music, and wife Jo Ellen Shroyer, CMU adjunct professor of music, direct the feisty band.

The jazz band played a series of well-known favorite pieces, including “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Autumn Leaves,” “Body and Soul,” “Cannon Fodder” (by Ronald Shroyer), “Corner Pocket,” “Do Nothin’ Til You Hear from Me,” “Mood Indigo,” “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” “Give It One,” “Star Dust,” “Stella by Starlight,” “Strike Up the Band,” “String of Pearls,” “Take the ‘A’ Train,” “Tuxedo Junction,” and “You Came a Long Way from St. Louis.”

This band is known to jazz it up just for fun at many an occasion. However, they outdid themselves at this spring’s inauguration luncheon. They entertained guests before lunch and up to the time of the program. They were wonderful, including Doc Shroyer’s jazz rendition of Barnum and Bailey; but the real shocker and thrill of the day was when President Roger Drake joined a small combo

Keeyon Howard, who drew pictures of each of the Alumni Award winners (see p. 22), presents his drawing of the new president to Dr. Roger Drake.

American Music Recital whole thing a secret from Doc was extremely labor-intenEvery spring the women of Sigma Alpha Iota music sive. The evening was a wonderful success and included fraternity and the men of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity combine their talents and original Shroyer pieces of “Quartet present a recital of all American for Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet”; “Two Pieces for Alto music.

Saxophone and Piano”; and “Three It is always grand and interesting Pieces for Soprano and Wind Enwith blends of vocal and instrumensemble (I. Make a Joyful Noise, II. tal songs in solos, small ensembles, and the entire membership of both Create in Me a Clean Heart, III. Good News!).” groups singing.

This April’s recital was somewhat He also arranged or set “Jada’s Comin’ Home,” “She Promised She’d different. For the previous several months small groups of performers Meet Me,” “The Lute in Winter,” with text by the late Mary Lee Forhad gathered in secret to rehearse a derhase, former Central English pronumber of special songs, all of which “Doc” Shroyer heads to the front to say fessor, and commissioned in 1993 by had something in common–the comthank you to his wife and all the students. the CMC A Cappella Choir, directed poser.

Jo Ellen Shroyer had decided it at the time by Dr. R. Paul Drummond; and the humorous “No More was time to showcase the musical Booze” by “The Bifocal Boys” (professors Tom Arnold, compositions and settings of her husband, Dr. Ron ShroySkip Vandelicht, Ron Atteberry, and Dr. Claude Westfall). er, “Doc,” dean emeritus of the Swinney Conservatory of Music at Central.

Let it be said that there was a time once when Doc It was difficult enough music to learn, but keeping the Shroyer was speechless.

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Campus news

Missouri Courthouses: Focus on Digital Artistry in Ashby-Hodge

by Don Cullimore

Visitors to The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art at CMU this summer will be treated to a special exhibition featuring artistic digital representations of what are often referred to as the architectural icons of Missouri’s 114 county seats of government – the county courthouses. The show also includes the historic St. Louis Courthouse near the Gateway Arch.

The exhibition, titled “Courthouses of Missouri: A Photographic Study by Jerry Benner,” opened May 27 and continues through July 24. The Gallery will be open from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Works from other photographers and the Gallery’s permanent collection also will be on display. For more information or to arrange a special tour, contact Gallery Curator Denise Gebhardt, at 660-248-6304 or by email at dgebhard@centralmethodist.edu.

Artist-photographer Jerry Benner of Ferguson, Mo., is a 1966 CMU alumnus who came back to campus as an adjunct professor of photography in 2001 and taught until retiring in 2012. This latter career followed an earlier retirement that capped a 36-year career as an educator in the Parkway School District of St. Louis, where Benner taught English, social studies, photography, photojournalism, and audio and visual production. In addition to his B.A. in Political Science from Central, Benner also holds an M.A. in Communications from St. Louis University. He met his wife, Ruth (Dorman) ’66, when they were students at Central.

Jerry Benner The courthouse photography exhibition is the culmination of a 10-year project that began in 2004 motivated partially by Benner’s weekly road trips from home to CMU at Fayette and back while teaching photography at the University. [“My wife and I] love to travel; we are both lifelong residents of Missouri,” Benner says, adding that they decided “what could be better than to visit all 114 counties, plus the city of St. Louis, and photograph the symbol of each county, the courthouse.”

The photographic project began with the historic Howard County Courthouse and those in surrounding counties in the Boonslick Region of mid-Missouri in 2005 and took until 2013. It went “from the hills of central Missouri to the plains of the northern counties to the swamps and cotton fields of the southeast to the Ozarks,” Benner says. “This is a diverse state. I cannot imagine any other state with this diversity of life styles and terrain.”

Benner’s artistic approach to the project was to photograph each courthouse “in the most flattering manner.” The raw images were then processed in the digital-world equivalent of a darkroom, using Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom. In some cases parked cars, debris on lawns and other intrusive elements were removed or altered. “Therefore, the image you see is probably more ideal than the actual structure,” Benner explains.

Benner’s exhibition is a masterful sequel to another recent exhibition at The Ashby-Hodge Gallery in the summer of 2011, when the works of highly acclaimed Missouri artist Billyo O’Donnell were displayed. Arranged by former Gallery Curator Dr. Joseph Geist, now supervisor of Gallery collections, the show was titled “Plein Air Paintings Representing 114 Counties in Missouri by Billyo O’Donnell.” It featured landscape oil-on-canvas paintings of rural scenes and rustic structures found in every county of the state.

Visitors to the Gallery on July 20 will be treated to a special event, the Summer meeting of the Boonslick Historical Society, which is open to everyone who wishes to attend. Gallery Curator Denise Gebhardt is secretary of the Boonslick Historical Society Board of Directors, and she and Dr. Geist will be on hand to comment about the Benner exhibition and the Gallery.

Nodaway County Courthouse, one of the 115 courthouses on exhibit at The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art by photographer Jerry Benner

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Campus news

Story Theatre marries storytelling and improvisation A very unusual theatre production, a talented cast, plus a noted director equaled the unique and quirky Story Theatre that showed in the Little Theatre the end of February.

Story Theatre was an evening of theatre built around folk and fairy tales, yet developed through improvisation. The production focused on six scenes of traditional stories, many from the mind of the Brothers Grimm, in two acts.

Leading a cast of 12 was guest director Carol Sills (lower right) who defined her role as “coach.” She was part of the development of the improvisational theatre movement in the 1960s. Her husband, the late Paul Sills, and his mother, Viola Spolin, brought the idea of improvisational theatre, better known as improv to Chicago.

Together they founded a number of improv groups, including Compass and the wildly successful Second City, which

continues to spawn comedic actors across America.

Included in CMU’s evening stories were “The Golden Key,” “All Three of Us,” “The Blue Light,” “Poor Man in Heaven,” “The Straw, the Coal, and the Bean,” “Lucky John,” “The Farmer and the Money Lender,” “The Housedog and the Wolf,” “Clever Gretel,” “Mouse, Bird, and Sausage,” “The Vulgar Crew,” and “The Sprightly Tailor.” As is often true in folk tales, most of these vignettes lead the audience to some moral truth, making the experience entertaining, educational, and enlightening.

Dr. Mark Kelty, associate professor of theatre at CMU, performed in several of the scenes, a rare treat for both him and the audience.

Theatre students present Blue Window The Theatre Department at the Fayette campus of Central Methodist University finished its season with the thoughtful Craig Lucas play Blue Window during the last weekend in April.

The play takes place in the 1980s before, during, and after a Manhattan dinner party thrown by Libby for her neighbors in their apartment building. The audience peeks inside five different apartments at the same time during the first and third acts, with Act II set in Libby’s apartment.

The play is intriguing because of the quirky characters, the humor, the underlying personal issues, and

the possibilities. A study in characterization and interaction, Blue Window brings together Libby, nervous about success at the party; Alice, an author who has just published a book; the fretting Griever; Boo, the therapist lover of Alice; self-absorbed Tom, playing a new song on his guitar and ignoring his partner Emily; and Norbert, Libby’s parachuting instructor.

The concept of Blue Window in the play is literal, symbolic, and metaphorical; the audience watches through it as the lives of the characters interact on the other side.

Dr. Mark Kelty directed Blue Window.

Lives present challenges for everyone in Blue Window, including (from left) Alice and Boo; Libby and Norbert with Griever in the background; and Emily and Tom.

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Figaro in February: opera can be fun Opera is a scary word to many people, but the more than 350 people who came to The Marriage of Figaro found that some opera is both fun and funny. Such is the case with the hapless hero Figaro who only wants to marry his sweetie and live happily ever after.

CMU’s Opera Workshop performed The Marriage of Figaro in February.

The comedic opera

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart frolics through a castle where the philandering Count Almaviva is trying to seduce Susanna, Figaro’s bride-tobe. As this does not sit well with Figaro or the long-suffering Countess, not to mention Susanna, a plot is set in motion to trick the Count and expose him for the scoundrel he is. After many twists and turns the plotters succeed. The Count must come crawling back to his wife begging forgiveness, while Figaro and his lovely Susanna win their happy ending.

Dr. Susan Quigley-Duggan, associate professor of music and head of the Opera Workshop, directed the opera and conducted the music. A small pit orchestra supported the cast; and the music reduction to fit the cast and instrumentalists was done by Dr. Ronald Shroyer, CMU professor emeritus of music.

The superb voices of two sets of students and faculty led the casts through the opera, sung partly in English and partly in Italian with translations.

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Starring in the lead roles were Levi Gerke and Dane Johnson as the frustrated Figaro; Anna Kay and Brittany Losh as the sumptuous Susanna; Lacey Eaton (CMU adjunct professor of voice) and Britney Kelcher as the disgruntled Countess; and Darrell Jordan (CMU adjunct professor of voice) and Dan Jones as the scoundrel Count.

The performers of the lead roles alternated by days.

Performing in non-rotating roles were Rebecca Shroyer as Cherubino; Tom Arnold (CMU adjunct professor of voice) as Basilio; Zack Fincher as Don Curzio; Joe Jefferies as Bartolo; Aubrey Taylor as Marcellina; Angela Biondo as Barbarina; Luke McKinney as Antonio; and Susan Bishop as A Young Woman. There was also a chorus.

Instrumentalists in the pit orchestra were Con professors, students, and guests, including Dr. Dori Waggoner, Mary Rose Lehman,Dr. Ron Shroyer, Jo Ellen Shroyer, Graham Woodland, Katherine Jones, Dr. John Perkins, Rachel Richard, Kelley Head, and Dr. Melissa Loehnig.

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CMU Chorale and Conservatory Singers The Chorale and Conservatory Singers presented a spring concert on March 2 and a final concert as part of the inauguration celebration on May 4.

Together, the two choirs showcase the vocal talents of nearly 80 top singers on campus.

The Chorale is directed by Dr. Claude Westfall, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities for CMU’s Swinney Conservatory of Music. Dr. Ron Atteberry, assistant professor of music, conducts the Conservatory Singers.

For the March performance, the Chorale sang “A Will Arise,” arranged by Shaw/Parker; “Ballade to the Moon”

by Daniel Elder; “In Pace,” arranged by Clausen; “Set Me as a Seal” by Jordon Black; “Hallelujah” by Beethoven; and “A Gaelic Blessing” by John Rutter.

In May they reprised “Hallelujah” (both for church services and concert) and “A Gaelic Blessing.” In addition, they sang “Witness,” arranged by Halleron; “Danny Boy,” arranged by Mooney; “Svete tihiy (Gladsome Light)” by Gretchaninoff; “How Can I Keep From Singing,” by Staheli; and “Die Nachtigall (The Nightingale)” by Mendelssohn, which was conducted by Levi Gerke (sophomore).

Both choirs were accompanied in places by Ruth Spayde, Swinney Conservatory administrative assistant and staff pianist, and Dr. Melissa Loehnig, CMU assistant professor of music.

The Conservatory Singers, singing for the last time with Dr. Ron Atteberry, who is moving to part time and dropping the large choir, sang “Festival Sanctus” by Leavitt; “Ashokan Farewell” by Unger and Stephens; “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me,” arranged by Dilworth; “Seeds Grow to Plants” by Rutter; the rollicking “Nelly Bly” by Foster; and “Love Divine, all Loves Excelling” by Prichard and arranged by Wilberg.

In “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” the choir was joined by the best of Dixieland jazz combos with Skip Vandelicht on saxophone, Dr. John Perkins on trumpet, Bridgett Randolph on trombone, Ted Spayde on bass, and Ryan McClouth on percussion. It was a hit on all levels.

At the end of the May concert, all former choir members were invited to join forces with the two choirs, encircling the sanctuary of Linn to sing F. Melius Christiansen’s “Beautiful Savior.”

How far would you go to produce a show?

Come join the fun as the Summer 2014 Opera Workshop presents

The Impresario a unique adaptation of the comedic opera by

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Performances!

For more information, contact Dr. Susan Quigley-Duggan at squigley@centralmethodist.edu

Friday, June 13, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 14, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 15 matinee, 2 p.m.

Willie Mae Kountz Recital Hall, Swinney Conservatory of Music Central Methodist University, Fayette, Mo.

Storyline General manager and impresario Mr. Frank is about to audition and engage a company of opera singers for a new season. He is faced with their personal whims, rivalries, egos and demands. Mr. Geld, the banker, encourages Frank to hire his shrewish diva sweetheart, Madame Varga, in exchange for his funding for the opera season. She and another singer, Madame Herz, become dueling sopranos as Frank struggles not to lose complete control over his opera. Will he go for the money and hire the diva? Or will he risk his funding by staying with the best singers?

This performance is an operatic pastiche. It is adapted from the original one-act opera; however, it inserts scenes from other Mozart operas as the “audition” pieces and has a lot of dialogue — in English!

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Lit for Life: making a difference in young lives

by Kim Thompson, Fayette Democrat-Leader

“I hate reading,” one Glasgow Elementary School first-grader told his Central Methodist University preservice teacher.

But a few sessions in the “Literacy for Life” program changed this boy’s attitude. At the conclusion of the program, the boy’s parent told the CMU preservice teacher that the boy read every single poem in a poetry book every night (the book had been purchased from grant funds).

For Easter, the boy requested—and received—a book of poetry by the same author, Shel Silverstein. “When she told me that he asked for another Shel Silverstein book for Easter, that made me feel great,” wrote the CMU student.

“I had shown him an author that he can enjoy all the way through middle school and up. This is the one thing I will never forget about working with my lit partner.”

Thanks to a $2,000 grant from Target Corporation and a $500 grant from CMU, 24 education majors had similar experiences working with 31 Glasgow Elementary firstand second-graders for one hour a week for six weeks.

“The results were gratifying and impressive, for the young readers and for our preservice teachers,” Teresa L. Folger, Ph.D., adjunct professor in the Division of Professional Education Department, said in an interview with The Fayette Newspapers.

Folger and RoseMarie Adams at CMU wrote the grant, and Folger supervised and advised her preservice teachers in the Literacy for Life service learning program. Donations from Charlie’s Quik-Check in Glasgow along with the Target Store grant provided healthy snacks for the students during the reading sessions, making their reading time even more enjoyable.

Another CMU preservice teacher described a student who misread every third word or even more often. At the end of the sessions, the same elementary student only made three mistakes out of 150 words.

One elementary student would quickly lose interest while reading a book, mostly because he was having difficulty reading all the words. However, after a few reading

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sessions with his CMU preservice teacher, the same student learned to persevere to the end of the book, despite challenging words.

“I was shocked to see him using the strategies I had showed him,” the CMU preservice teacher wrote. “He didn’t seem very engaged during our sessions, so I was surprised to see that he was actually listening and applied the strategies to our reading.”

During the mostly one-on-one reading sessions, elementary readers engaged in several activities: They listened to their CMU literacy partners read aloud stories and retold what they had heard. They in turn read to and talked about their reading with their CMU partner. Based on all they heard, the CMU partners planned strategy lessons that they felt would meet their young literacy partners’ needs.

To keep the families informed over the six-week period, CMU students wrote letters with their literacy partners describing the reading sessions. First and second grade teachers, Heather Sanders and Callie Westhues, made sure the letters got home. Both were instrumental in carrying out the program.

They and their students traveled to the CMU campus for the last session, where the literacy partners made cardboard bookshelves to store their very own new books.

Over the course of the semester, each elementary student received seven books to take home.

The Literacy for Life program culminated with a “reading celebration” held April 24 in the Glasgow Elementary Library. Elementary students, teachers, parents, and CMU preservice educators shared their experiences. Then everyone enjoyed a meal catered by The Rolling Pin of Glasgow.

Perhaps the hallmark of the project was the sheer joy of developing relationships: One elementary student asked her CMU literacy partner, “Can I take you home with me?”

Brock Grant, left, and Kelsey Vanzant work with Glasgow students on the Lit for Life program. Both are going into education, Brock in special education and Kelsey in early childhood.

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Dr. Marianne E. Inman Hall of Sponsors Scholarship and David Inman Hall of Sponsors Scholarship

Dr. Marianne E. Inman

David Inman

As announced last spring, the Board of Trustees of Central Methodist University established two Hall of Sponsors Scholarships in honor of CMU President Emerita Dr. Marianne Inman, honorary alumna ’13 of CMU, and her husband, Mr. David Inman.

Each gift contributed $125,000 to Central’s endowment to support the awarding of student scholarships. It is a clear reflection of the esteem in which both Inmans are held.

When she retired last spring, Dr. Inman had served as president of Central Methodist University for 18 years (1995-2013). Under her leadership, campus enrollment and the endowment grew, new buildings were added, some historic buildings were renovated and repurposed, and the school changed its name from Central Methodist College to Central Methodist University to indicate more appropriately the range of educational opportunities it provides.

Dr. Inman was instrumental in extending CMU’s reach throughout Missouri. At the time of her retirement, CMU had a formal articulation agreement with every two-year public higher education institution in the state.

In addition to his supportive role at Central, David was also very active in the Fayette community.

He was a member and past president of the Fayette Rotary Club, founding president of the Fayette-Armstrong Area Betterment Group, member of the Board of The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art, and a supporter of community arts, music, and theatre initiatives.

As the Inmans left a positive footprint on Central, Central made its way into their hearts. It is a bond forged for a lifetime.

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Professor Thomas Yancey and Dr. Joe E. Geist Hall of Sponsors Scholarship Area Community A Hall of SponTheatre. sors Scholarship has Yancey and Geist been given in honor were instrumental of Tom Yancey ’54, in the origin of The professor emeritus Ashby-Hodge Gallery and Dr. Joe Geist, of American Art. professor emeritus.

They were involved Both Yancey and from the first conGeist have been acversation with the tively involved with Ashby and Hodge Central throughout families. At the time, the years in many Geist was the chair areas. of the Division of Yancey has Humanities and apserved as a profespointed Yancey as the sor of music, acting Gallery’s first curator dean of Swinney in 1993, a role that Conservatory, and Yancey would serve curator of both The for the next five Ashby-Hodge Galyears. Geist retired lery of American Art from teaching in and The Stephens 1998 and became the Museum. He actively second curator of the taught the technique Gallery, serving in of painting and now that role until 2013. is using his talents to Together they superrestore works of art vised the Gallery’s to their very best. move from the first He also serves on the floor of Cupples Hall CMU Alumni Board to its new home in of Directors.

Classic Hall.

Geist has served Both have had Dr. Joe E. Geist, professor emeritus of English (left) and as a professor of a profound impact English and chair of Thomas L. Yancey, associate professor of music emeritus on students over the the Division of Huyears and continue to manities. Geist was serve Central every day. This scholarship was made possithe curator of The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art ble by a gift from Earl ’61 and Sunny Bates, who have been from1998 until just last year when he became the superfriends of Yancey and Geist for many years. visor of the collection. He has performed in and directed many theatrical productions as a member of the Fayette

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Rev. J. K. Wright Hall of Sponsors Scholarship

by Doug Wright ’87 My grandfather, Papa as he was known to me and his Rev. J. K. Wright Memorial Scholarship back in 2001 as a grandkids, passed away on Father’s Day in 2001. He was a small way to honor him and also help future students atliving witness of how Christ would want us to treat others tending CMU. Helping others would have been something through love, respect, and caring with that would have pleased him. a humble spirit; and he cared deeply Several other family members and for his family. He made a tremendous friends have contributed to the scholimpact on numerous lives throughout arship fund ever since its inception in southwest Missouri during his time in 2001. Through the years since the scholthe ministry. arship was set up, Lynn and I discussed It was his recommendation that getting the scholarship to the Hall of I just make a campus visit to Central Sponsors level as a next step beyond Methodist College back in the spring of just an endowed scholarship.

1983, even though I was strongly leanThrough a plan of regular giving ing towards attending another college over time and other support from family at the time. Out of respect for him and and friends along the way, we finally also the opportunity to just make a visit achieved that goal recently. Giving somewhere, I decided to visit CMC. back to CMU has meant a lot to us as we Based upon that visit and support from both know how important it was to us my parents, I made a decision that I when we attended. have never regretted. I chose to attend I know I speak for all of my grandCMC and graduated in 1987. father’s family when I say we are I met my wife, Lynn Berwick, extremely proud that his name is now there.She graduated in 1989 and we listed as a Hall of Sponsors Scholarship Rev. J. K. Wright were married in 1990. We both were at CMU. beneficiaries of scholarships that helped It is our sincere desire that the us get through college and have been future students who are recipients of grateful for the opportunities CMC gave to us during our the scholarship will enjoy their experience at CMU, obtain years attending there. a quality education, and someday give back to others in It was with great honor that we decided to set up the return.

Lynn (Berwick) ’89 and Doug Wright ’87 have been the impetus to bring the Rev. J. K. Wright Scholarship up to a Hall of Sponsors Scholarship level.

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David Bandy Joins CMU Board The most recent addition to the Board of Trustees of Central Methodist University, Dave Bandy, is perhaps as well prepared for his new responsibilities as anyone could possibly be.

Bandy, a 1966 Central alumnus, knows his alma mater not only from the perspective of a former student. Bandy is stepping away from two other important CMU boards – the President’s Council and the CMU Alumni Association – to join its governing board. His first official meeting as a trustee came May 2.

“Dave Bandy is a tremendous addition to our Board,” CMU President Roger Drake says. “Dave loves this University and has demonstrated that commitment through his service on the President’s Advisory Council, the CMU Alumni Board, and through his generous financial support. His business experience and knowledge will prove invaluable as he contributes to Central’s strategic development as we move forward as an institution.”

“I consider the opportunity to serve on the Board of Trustees an honor,” Bandy says. “It is further a responsibility to the University to provide guidance and leadership so future generations may enjoy the Central experience and prosper. I am delighted to serve in this capacity.”

A native of Ferguson, Mo., Bandy is retired. He and wife Nancy live in Leawood, Kan. During his career he worked for seven national firms, and retired as senior vice president of sales for Dunbrooke Sportswear, a national firm that markets imprinted outerwear for the promotional products industry, after 18 years of service.

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“I have always attributed my career and personal success to my Central experience,” Bandy says. “The relationships and knowledge I acquired at CMU have provided me a wide range of opportunities, professionally and socially.”

Bandy’s brother, Don, actually preceded him as a student at Central; and though his brother did not graduate from Central, he always spoke highly of the institution and encouraged his younger brother to consider it.

“He encouraged me to visit Central, a small private college where you could seek faculty support and achieve success,” Bandy says. “He was 100 percent accurate in his assessment. I believe the same values apply today as they did upon my arrival at Central.”

During his days as a student, Bandy was a residence hall counselor, was involved in Greek life, and worked in the college dining hall. He also worked at the former Keller Memorial Hospital in Fayette to help with expenses. He and Nancy married prior to graduation and lived in an apartment downtown on the Courthouse Square.

Annual gift-giving gathering

Tim Jackman, vice president of risk management and legal services at Missouri Employers Mutual, presented the university with a check directed to the Central Annual Scholarship Fund last winter, prior to the spring Phonathon. Jackman ’81 currently serves on the CMU Board of Trustees.

The annual practice started several years ago when he and Roger Wilson ’71, former president and CEO of Missouri Employers Mutual, identified this giftgiving as an opportunity to support higher education in general and specifically their own alma mater.

Pictured with Jackman during the check presentation are members of the CMU Advancement team (l-r) Amy Royston, Melanie Lawson, Deanna Cooper, Alan Marshall, Jackman, Matt Vander Vennet, RoseMarie Adams, and Daytha Trimble.

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Trainers visit the Rams

The Dr. Glenn R. Joyce (’61) Memorial Award for Excellence in Science went to Jesse Marks for the second year in a row. Dr. Joyce’s sister, Rev. Carol Joyce ’63 (above, left), and his widow, Anne (Raine) Joyce ’62 (right) came to CMU this spring to get to know Jesse personally. Jesse, who graduates in December, plans to attend graduate school in math/engineering.

Central’s Athletic Training (AT) Department took a group of students to St. Louis this spring to visit the Rams’ football training facility. This is the second such visit CMU AT students have made in recent years.

One of the athletic trainers for the Rams is James Lomax, CMU class of 2000. He is in his 12th season with the Rams organization.

In 2009 he enabled a visit of CMU junior-level athletic trainees to come and learn about the facilities and equipment that the Rams use at their sports complex. This year, nearly two dozen students were able to take the trip. top photo: Wade Welton, head athletic trainer for CMU, and Rick Sage, assistant professor of athletic training, flank Rams athletic trainer James Lomax ’00.

Magyar Award Created A new annual award has been established in memory of Michael Magyar ’89 by his family and friends, including J.B. Waggoner ’91, Jeff Arrigo ’89, and Todd Dalzell ’91.

The endowed award will be given yearly to a CMU junior who has leadership skills, financial need, and activity in the fine arts at Central.

In establishing this award, Todd Dalzell writes, “It is exciting for me and other friends of Michael to give back to CMU by supporting an excellent/exemplary CMU student who has financial need. I was from very modest means as a CMU student and I can never thank those who funded scholarships I received enough for their kindness.”

This scholarship allows everyone who loved Michael a means to honor his life. A gathering of his friends will meet at CMU’s Homecoming to honor Michael.

The first Michael Magyar Leadership/Fine Arts Award was presented in May. (l-r) Todd Dalzell ’91 and Michael’s sister, Gay (Magyar) Litteken ’88, presented the award to Kelsey Forqueran for her work in theatre while Dr. Dori Waggoner holds the plaque where Kelsey’s name will be etched.

photo left: Wade Welton tries out a new piece of exercise equipment with the help of James Lomax while current students watch.

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Update your profile on the Eagle Connection, cmalumni.centralmethodist.edu or email mlawson@centralmethodist.edu

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Athletics

Athletics stalwart Robb passes away The Robb name has been synonymous with Central Methodist for nearly five decades, but the University has lost one of the most beloved figures in the history of Eagles' athletics. Mark Robb, who worked in Fayette for 37 years, died December 24, 2013, in Columbia, Mo. He was 60.

Robb most recently served as senior associate athletic director at Central Methodist since 2012.

"The number of lives Mark touched throughout his is life is almost beyond measure," says Ken Oliver, vice president for institutional growth and student engagement. "Anyone who has crossed paths with Mark is a better person for it."

He didn't know it when he arrived on campus in 1977, but Central Methodist would quickly become Robb's home, and the Columbia native would go on to dedicate countless hours of his life to the University and its students.

Robb began his career at Central Methodist working in residential hall life.

Over the course of his career, he would work in student development and intramurals before embarking on a career in athletics.

Mark and Vickie Robb's three children, son Jess, and twin daughters, Lauren and Elizabeth, saw the love their father had for the University and chose to become part of the Central Methodist family. Jess graduated from Central Methodist in 2010, while Lauren and Elizabeth both graduated in 2012.

Robb completed his bachelor's degree at Missouri State University before attending the University of Missouri and Truman State for graduate studies.

In March of this year the CMU Board of Trustees approved the renaming of the Philips Recreation Center to the Philips-Robb Recreation Center (see p. 64).

Heart of America Athletic Conference Players of the Week Men's Basketball Melvin Tillman: HAAC POW - Dec. 2, Feb. 17; NAIA POW - Feb. 18 Women's Basketball Morgan Vetter: HAAC POW - Nov. 11, Jan. 13, Jan. 27 Kyra Williams: HAAC POW - Dec. 9 Softball Aubrey Utley: HAAC Pitcher of the Week - March 3, March 10, March 24, April 21, May 5 Lauren Geringer: HAAC Player of the Week - April 14 Men's Track & Field Jordan Kukal: HAAC Indoor Field AOW - Jan. 13 Cris Renteria: HAAC Indoor Track AOW - Jan. 13; HAAC Outdoor Track AOW - March 24 DeMarcus Jackson: HAAC Indoor Track AOW - Jan. 27; HAAC Outdoor Track AOW - April 7 Nick Homan: HAAC Outdoor Field AOW - April 7 Nickola Shingles: HAAC Outdoor Track AOW - April 21 Women's Track & Field Kaitlyn Loeffler (HAAC Indoor Track AOW) - Jan. 13 Stephanie Atkinson (HAAC Indoor Field AOW) - Jan. 13, Jan. 27 Kaitlyn Emig (HAAC Indoor Track AOW) - Feb. 3 Briana Zumwalt (HAAC Outdoor Track AOW) - March 24 Kaitlyn Emig (HAAC Outdoor Track AOW) - April 21 Briana Greer (HAAC Outdoor Field AOW) - April 21 60 Spring 2014 Central Methodist University

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Athletics

Eagle Athletics Men’s Basketball

Women’s Golf

The Central Methodist men’s basketball team finished its season on a strong note, winning 11 of 14 to close the end of the regular season. The Eagles were ranked 22nd in the nation in February for the first time since 2009-10 and defeated two Top-10 teams in a seven-day span in mid-February to climb into the Top 25. They finished the season with 18 wins.

Eagles’ senior guard Melvin Tillman was named the National Player of the Week on February 18 and was also named the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Co-Player of the Year and a second team All-American.

Junior guard Mitchell Farr was named to the AllHAAC third team, and junior forward Eric McDaniel was an honorable mention pick.

The Central Methodist women’s golf team, coming off a second-place finish in last year’s HAAC Tournament, added four new faces to the team to go along with senior Jessi Norton.

The new players include sophomore Alannah Hustead, freshman Allison Quigley, freshman Jamie Gisburne and sophomore Ashley Spaulding.

The Eagles finished a spring-best third in the Missouri Spring Invitational in the first week of April. Hustead and Quigley tied for ninth overall to pace the team.

Central Methodist finished third at the HAAC Championship to conclude its season.

Women’s Basketball

Men’s Golf

Central Methodist has continued its rise as one of the Heart of America Athletic Conference’s elite women’s basketball programs. In Coach James Arnold’s third season, the Eagles are coming off back-to-back 20-plus win campaigns.

The 2013-14 Eagles, with just two seniors, won 22 games and spent the entire season ranked in the Top 25 or receiving votes. CMU placed four players on the All-Conference squads including HAAC Newcomer of the Year Morgan Vetter. Vetter, named a WBCA Coaches’ All-America Team Honorable Mention selection, led the entire nation in three point field goals made (127) and broke the school’s single-season record. Central Methodist also hosted a home play-off game for the third straight season and advanced to the conference semifinals. The Eagles continued to thrive off the court as well, leading the HAAC in Daktronics NAIA Scholar Athletes for a third straight year and finishing second in the country with five.

The Central Methodist men’s golf team entered this season with a title new to the program: defending conference champions.

After finishing in the top seven of all tournaments in the fall, the Eagles have finished in the top six of all four tournaments this season. The top finish to date was in the Evangel Spring Invitational in early April, where the team placed fourth. The Green and Black were paced by senior Ty Lieberman’s sixth-place finish.

Central Methodist hosted the Eagle Open on April 15, finishing fifth overall. Every Eagles’ golfer was able to play in the tournament, and graduate student Travis Tompson finished ninth to pace all Green and Black players.

The Eagles hoped to repeat as conference champions April 28-29 in Marshall, Mo., but finished seventh.

Ty Lieberman was named the HAAC Player of the Year for a second straight season.

Melvin Tillman

Morgan Vetter

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Ty Lieberman

Central Methodist University

Alannah Hustead

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Men’s Track and Field The Central Methodist men’s track and field team has posted new records with several new faces to the team. Junior hurdler Nickola Shingles entered this season as the defending national champion in the 60-meter hurdles during the indoor season and reached the championship of the event again this year. Sophomore Matt Krogman, a former Missouri athlete, finished seventh in the pole vault and was named an All-American during the indoor season. Krogman also broke the school’s record in the event during the indoor season.

Altogether, Shingles, Krogman, Doug Hutcherson, DeMarcus Jackson, and Nick Homan qualified for the Indoor National Championships.

During the outdoor season, Shingles broke the school record in the 110-meter hurdles and posted the fastest time in the country this season.

The Eagles finished second at the HAAC Championships and had seven individuals and one relay team win championships.

DeMarcus Jackson

Women’s Track and Field Junior Kaitlyn Loeffler highlighted the indoor season for the Eagles’ women’s track and field team, reaching the National Championship in the 3,000-meter race walk. Loeffler also broke the school record in the event during the indoor season.

Junior Stephanie Atkinson set a new school record in the pole vault during the indoor season, and her success continued to the outdoor season where she accomplished the same feat.

The Eagles won the first two meets of the outdoor season, the Wildcat Open and CMU Open. Central Methodist placed fourth in the HAAC Championships and had Loeffler and Emily Nealley win individual titles for the first time in their careers.

Emily Nealley

24thAnnual Luetjen Tournament

Coaches of the Year Pat Reardon, head softball coach, and Mark Nelson, head men’s track coach, have both been named Heart of America Athletic Conference Coaches of the Year for the 2013-2014 season. Reardon has been named Coach of the Year seven times (1995, 2008, 2009, 2011-2014). This is the first Coach of the Year honor for Nelson.

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will be held July 18, 2014, at Hail Ridge Golf Course in Boonville, Missouri

To register contact Sherry Wells at 660-248-6346 or swells@centralmethodist.edu

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Athletics

Baseball The Central Methodist baseball team entered 2014 with high hopes coming off its first HAAC championship and Championship Series titles in over 30 years.

Under the direction of first-year head coach Nate Breland, the team struggled out of the gate but put together a 9-1 stretch in April, including winning six straight.

Central Methodist won a game in the conference tournament for a third-straight season and had five players named All-HAAC, led by first team senior outfielder T.J. Singh, who led the team in home runs and RBIs.

Softball

T. J. Singh

The Central Methodist softball team has risen to new heights in 2014, jumping out to its best start (41-6) in school history. The Eagles won their fourth-straight HAAC championship and third-straight HAAC Championship Series title. The Eagles had nine players named All-HAAC. Junior catcher Michele Rupard, the 2012 HAAC Freshman of the Year, was named the league’s 2014 Player of the Year and became the second-straight Eagle to win the award after infielder Lauren Geringer accomplished the feat last year.

Geringer continues to excel on the field in only her second season in Fayette. The O’Fallon, Mo., native broke the school’s career home runs record on April 12. She has led the team in dingers for two-straight seasons.

Senior pitcher Aubrey Utley continues to dominate in the circle.

The Trenton, Mo., native was named the HAAC Pitcher of the Year for a Michele Rupard fourth-straight season, won her first 19 decisions, is 24-1 overall and recently became the school’s all-time strikeouts leader.

The 2014 senior class became the winningest four-year class in program history in the final game of the regular season. In addition, Coach Pat Reardon recently became only the 12th active NAIA coach to reach 600 wins in a career.

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Gone but never forgotten: center to bear Mark Robb’s name Mark Robb’s work left behind a lasting legacy at Central Methodist University following his untimely death last December. (See article, p. 60) With the renaming of its recreation center, the University guarantees his contributions will be recognized for generations to come.

The Philips Recreation Center at CMU, where Robb spent countless hours when he wasn’t assisting Eagle athletics on the field, court, classroom, or track, is being renamed the Philips-Robb Recreation Center, CMU President Roger Drake has announced.

Mark Robb was senior associate athletics director at CMU when he passed away at age 60, ending a 37-year association with Central and stunning generations of CMU faithful. Colleagues say it wasn’t just his longevity at CMU, but the care and concern for students and co-workers that made him so beloved.

The CMU Board of Trustees approved the renaming at its February meeting, effective immediately. The PhilipsRobb Recreation Center is undergoing a $1 million renovation scheduled for completion this summer; CMU officials plan to formally dedicate the renamed facility in August.

“Mark Robb had a big heart, for Central and especially for its students,” notes Ken Oliver, vice president for institutional growth and student engagement. Oliver was a CMU student-athlete, later a coach, and eventually Robb’s supervisor; thus, he worked closely with Robb for decades.

“Mark knew everyone. He was the modern-day version of ‘Dean T.’, James Thogmorton,” Oliver says, referring to the longtime and legendary Dean who worked at Central from 1955-1991.

The Robb family was considering some kind of permanent memorial on the CMU campus, but Mark’s widow, Vickie, had no idea officials were thinking in terms of naming a facility in his honor.

“It’s pretty overwhelming to think there is a building named for my husband,” Vickie Robb says. “He truly loved working at Central Methodist, especially getting to know the students and the opportunity to be a part of helping them attain their dreams.

“Our family is both proud and appreciative of this decision by the CMU Board of Trustees,” she adds. “Mark’s work will live on through stories told and retold by many.”

During his 37-year association with Central, Robb also worked in residence life, intramurals, and student development. Mark and Vickie Robb’s three children all are CMU alumni, including son Jess (Class of 2010) of Hermann and daughters Lauren of Columbia and Elizabeth of Centralia (both Class of 2012).

The Recreation Center was built in 1981 and originally dedicated to honor the late A. Perry Philips, a 1930 Central alumnus, former Board member and benefactor; his name will also remain on the facility.

CMU raises $4,693 through Mark Robb 5K Mark Robb’s tenure at Central Methodist lasted nearly four decades. Even after his untimely passing in December 2013, his legacy continues to thrive, as 238 people turned out or donated to the first annual Mark Robb 5K on a Sunday afternoon in March. The charity race was organized by the Eagle men’s and women’s soccer programs and included participants of all ages, including Mark’s wife and three children.

“Mark Robb was one of the most popular figures at Central Methodist,” head soccer coach Dan Schmidlin says. “He touched the lives of many people as demonstrated by the turnout. We are all better people for having had Mark in our lives, and we want his memory to live on.”

Central Methodist raised $4,693 through the race.

Half of all proceeds will go to the Fayette Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, with the other half benefiting the Eagle All-Sport Boosters.

Central Methodist cross country graduate assistant Morgan Goetschel crossed the finish line first in 18:11.

“I couldn’t be happier with the efforts of our Central Methodist community,” University Vice President for Institutional Growth and Student Engagement Ken Oliver says.

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Fully 238 people turned out for the beginning of the first annual Mark Robb 5K Run, reflecting their love and respect for Robb.

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Roll’n’ out Royce, the pursuit of the hidden victory

by Deanna Cooper, Director of Development and Alumni Activities Royce Boehm glows with a zest for life. One can inonships that LSW student athletes have accomplished (an stantly recognize his drive and extraordinary list, I might add). energy by the sparkle in his eye.

While Royce Boehm is head Growing up in Boonville, Royce coach of the incredibly successcompleted his collegiate journey ful LSW Titan football program, at Central, graduating in 1988 he is really quite humble about with a B.A. in Education. their success. Currently the LSW I visited with him at Lee’s Titans are an athletic program Summit West High School ranked second in the state of (LSW), where he is the head Missouri and 22nd in the nation football coach of the Titans, P. E. for 5A high school football, an and adaptive P. E. teacher, and achievement that doesn’t come Risk coordinator. easily.

Royce holds a reverence While Royce may lead the for the impact Central had on LSW Titans as a formidable ophis life and continues to share ponent on the field, his humility Central’s mission with the youth as an individual who is prohe encounters every day in his foundly compassionate for others multiple positions. He says when and driven for the success and he entered Central all he wanted excellence in youth, rises to the to be was a football star; and his top and is truly inspiring. This mindset was fairly centered to attitude and drive for excellence, the idea, leaving little else to be he attributes to his Central expeWhen it comes to football, Royce Boehm has the focus of a Titan on winning, considered. rience. which his teams generally do.

When his academic performance began to slip, Coach Jim Luetjen stepped in as a mentor and encouraged a broader thinking and greater focus on his academics. Royce “stepped it up” and began to focus on a career of teaching and coaching. Mentoring on multiple levels became a large part of his identity.

As an educator, coach, and Risk coordinator, he mentors on so many levels. One can see a reflection of the CMU Mission “to prepare students to make a difference in the world by emphasizing academic and professional excellence, ethical leadership, and social responsibility” in all that he does.

Royce shared a couple of experiences of the positive change he was able to make in lives of his Risk students, lives that had seemed destined to a road of no return. In sharing the experiences, the emotion began to show in his plus works from the Permanent Collection face and eyes. It is easy to see Royce is passionate about and other photographers leaving a positive and lasting impact through everything he does, especially with young people searching for sucMay 27 - July 24, 2014 cess.

Sun. Tues. Wed. Thurs. 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

He is particularly proud of the adaptive P.E. program Jasper County Courthouse that he has implemented and grown, a program that proCarthage, Missouri vides the opportunity for individuals who wouldn’t otherwise be able to take part in regular group activities. www.centralmethodist.edu/ashbyhodge The day I saw Royce, he was working on a “Wall of www.facebook.com/ashbyhodge Champions” for LSW, a wall listing the multiple champi-

Courthouses of Missouri:

A Photographic Study by Jerry Benner

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Alumni news

Kathy Vieth, pioneer of her own good fortune

by Deanna Cooper, Director of Development and Alumni Activities Always self-directed, Kathy Vieth ’66 has been a leader from the heart her entire life. She lives in Denver now but grew up in Nevada, Mo. Kathy spent the four years following her high school graduation at Central Methodist College and laughs when she admits she literally never left campus for four years, since she worked summers there.

As she began to share her Central experience with me, her tremendous forward-looking vision became apparent. She related with humor the story of having secured an engagement with Ike and Tina Turner to perform at Central. Ike and Tina were then but a small “gogo” band, entertaining in the K.C. and St. Louis areas. Kathy stated that all of the details were set to go, but then the idea was turned down by the administration.

Deeply involved with Delta Sigma Psi sorority, as treasurer and vice president, she was also the president of the Student Government Association, demonstrating her desire to lead. And she led well.

Kathy felt her journey at Central served her well; and after receiving her B.A. in mathematics and economics from Central in 1966, she enjoyed a successful career in the banking industry.

In 1974 Kathy took a position with IBM. She remained with IBM for 18 years, where she ascended the corporate ladder and utilized her tremendous skills as a leader. She achieved the level of vice president of product development and earned recognition as the first female vice president on the development side of “Big Blue.” As vice president, Kathy was responsible for development of the IBM ThinkPad, the company’s successful entrance to the personal computing market.

In 1992, Kathy took early retirement from IBM and moved to Vail, Colo., where she served on numerous corporate boards of directors and worked as a management consultant. Clearly, retirement is not a word that Kathy has embraced. She has created for herself two other successful ventures, one in private mortgage and Dos Lobos LLC, her business consulting company, and has started a third.

Today, Kathy’s professional, direct, and engaging style makes her a sought-after national public speaker on the topics of business and personal development. She speaks 66

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to corporations, business groups, and at Colorado Mountain College.

Kathy is passionate about helping business and women’s groups and sharing her experiences as a corporate leader.

She continues to be guided by the “Five I’s of Personal Success”— integrity, intelligence, initiative, intuition, and interpersonal skills.

Kathy’s professional story reflects the potential success of women in business.

“I couldn’t help but relate to the mission and creed of CMU,” Kathy states. “When I was one of the few women climbing the corporate ladder, we pioneered many of the best practices businesses are implementing today. Today, I share my story with others to help them ensure history doesn’t repeat itself.”

She believes young women are responsible for their own direction. They should be good, look good, and proceed full steam ahead—a philosophy which very much describes Kathy herself.

You Can Help!

Your gift can help students continue to flourish.

Give online at:

cmalumni.centralmethodist.edu/annualfund or see page 33 to mail a gift in today.

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Alumni news Mingling at MMEA

Alumni basketball players return

This year at the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) Conference in January, 58 Central music alumni gathered for food and fellowship at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Mo. Dr. Dori Waggoner ’92, dean of the Swinney Conservatory, shared words of encouragement with the attendees.

She focused on how Central music alumni make a difference in the lives of their music students. There are many Central music alumni that are instrumental in preparing for and managing the MMEA Conference meeting, making it such a wonderful event to attend.

Also speaking at the event were Dr. Joshua Jacobs, CMU vice president for Advancement and Alumni Relations and Alan Marshall ‘92, executive director of Development and Alumni Programs at Central.

Twelve CMU music faculty and staff—Summer Schroeder ’12, Dr. Melissa Loehnig, Dr. Claude Westfall, Dr. Ron Atteberry, Skip Vandelicht ’77, Larry Bennett ’69, Steve Litwiller, Jackie Lordo, Jo Ellen Shroyer ’79, Dr. John Perkins, Dean Emeritus Ron Shroyer, and Buddy White from our Three Rivers College Campus—were in attendance.

Twenty current students attended to mingle and interact with the alumni. It was a wonderful event and all look forward to being there again next year.

On January 25, Central invited some former Men’s and Women’s basketball players back for a reunion.

The honored groups were the Women’s teams from 1996-2005 and the Men’s teams that played for Coach Ken Ash (1978-1985). The guests were introduced at halftime of the current CMU men’s and women’s basketball games.

They enjoyed chili and fellowship with former teammates in the Eagle Lounge. It was a great day made better by Central’s two home victories against HAAC opponent Peru State.

It was grand to see so many of the alumni return, some of whom had not been back on campus since 1982. All alumni are always welcome to Puckett Field House to cheer on our Eagles, and we will be selecting certain teams to be honored from year to year.

Past and present meet at concert In December the CMU Music Department held its annual Christmas concert. This year it was held in Boonville, Mo., at Thespian Hall and featured multiple performance groups. The performances were left to right: April Smith Ash ’00, Joan Pauly Upperman ’99, Suzanne Murphy Richardson ’98, Heidi Hartner Tanner ’97, fantastic in that venue and the Jill Fuka Thompson ’99, Candi Snee Johnson ’01, place was packed. and Kristen Conrow Hough ’04 During the concert, CMU Chorale member Brittany Losh, a senior vocal performance major, sang a soprano solo in the song “The Shepherds had an Angel.”

This song had a special meaning for one Central alumna in the audience, Helen Held Griese ’54. She had sung that Brittany Losh, left, got to meet very piece when she was a memher predecessor, Helen Griese, ber of Dean Luther T. Spayde’s who sang the same song a few A Cappella Choir as a student at years earlier. then-Central College.

Helen went on to become a very accomplished vocalist. She performed in the chorus at the St. Louis Municipal Opera when Bob Hope and Andy Row 1 (l-r): Ron Mills ’83, Randy Frevert ’81, Bernard King ’81, Devine were among the many featured stars.

Darrell Widhalm ’86, Jim Ross ’82, former Coach Ken Ash, Henry Helen and Brittany were able to meet and visit for a Grayson ’82, Tim Jackman ’81, David Fox ’83; few minutes after the concert. Now that song will carry Row 2: William Webb ’82, Duane Widhalm ’83, Dan Widhalm ’85, deeper meaning for two generations of Central students.

Dennis Hagedorn ’79, and Rick Frevert ’80 Once again, new Central connections were made.

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Alumni news

International lesson plan: teaching kindergarten in Honduras

by Jessica Powell, CMU class of 2013 “Meess…MEESS…MEESSSSSS!!” “Yes, Jose Enrique?” “…bathroom please?”

“Meess Pow-ELL! I can’t find my pencil box!!!” “What is in your hand?” *sheepish grin* A minute in the life of a Kindergarten teacher.

second language. Usually their Spanish comes at me like a speeding truck—it was definitely not their fault that Mia was crying and it must have been the other boy!

I worried when the parents would tell me their children did not understand a single thing I was saying. But in the next sentence, they would say how glad they were to I graduated from Central Methodist University in May have a native English-speaker as their child’s teacher. The of 2013 with my first teaching job just over the horizon. parents had more faith in my teaching ability than I had.

One month prior, I had accepted the opportunity to be a Little by little, the children developed fluency in English kindergarten teacher in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Hondu- until Thanksgiving when a miracle seemed to happen and ras. I had never been to Latin America and had absolutely most of them could magically speak English! If laughter is no idea what I was getting myself into; however, upon the best medicine, then it is no wonder that I have hardly reflection, maybe that was been sick here, because better. Honduras is still a my children provide me developing country with with numerous opportunian array of security issues. ties to laugh every day.

Despite these, Honduras I had known for a is a country of extreme long time that I wanted to beauty and potential, work with children, and filled with kindhearted this has been the perfect people willing to lend a opportunity to set foot on hand when needed. this path. My principal The American School had the faith to hire me of Tegucigalpa (AST) straight out of college, offers nursery through a 21-year-old speaking high school on the same very little Spanish and campus, and the majority not entirely certain how of students are Honduran to go about living in a who speak fluent Spanish Jessica Powell, second from left, poses with her fellow new teachers. city. I did not doubt that I and English. The images would love the kids or be that “teaching in Honduras” usually conjures are those able to teach them, but that didn’t keep me from being just of poor communities and collapsing school houses. Upon a little overwhelmed. arrival, I was shocked to realize that I am surrounded by Living in Honduras has presented a host of challenges more wealth than ever! Most of my students have at least to everyday living. The biggest issue in Honduras is secuone driver, nanny, or maid, usually all three, who pick them up from school in bullet-proof cars.

Teaching kindergarten has turned out to be exactly what I needed this first year out of college.

It has been filled with struggles and frustrations but also laughter and learning. I was more than a little nervous when 21 students walked through the doorway into my classroom on the first day.

There were students who spoke wonderful English and students who refused to speak to me for the first month because I could not understand their Spanish. Most had been in the school system for at least one year, learning basic content (letters, colors, shapes, and numbers in English), so they could follow what I was attempting to teach. However, if conflict resolution is difficult with a five-year-old Looking over the city of Tegucigalpa, more often called Tegus, the in his first language, trying to figure out who hit sprawling capital of Honduras with about a million people whom and why, is ten times more difficult in his 68

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Jessica and her students celebrate a birthday

rity. Honduras earns the reputation of having the “highest homicide rate in the world,” presumably from drug trafficking; but it is the everyday stories that hit the hardest.

It seems everyone has at least one story of being robbed, followed, or being held at gun point. I live close enough to AST to walk, though going uphill and across a busy intersection with my school bag does not always seem an appealing idea at 6:30 in the morning. Thankfully, I have yet to experience a threatening encounter.

Security issues limit independence and make transportation much more difficult. It has been a learning experience for me, growing up in rural Missouri where we did not lock our door at night, moving to an apartment with barbed wire fences, barred windows, and 24-hour guards.

My work and nationality shield me from the darkest parts of Honduran culture involving drug trafficking and gang controlled colonias. Unfortunately, stories of armed robbery are becoming even more common as the country struggles with redesigning its government and distributing wealth effectively.

My second greatest challenge is lack of fluency in Spanish. Over the nine months that I have been here, it has improved, though very slowly. Going to the bank or talking to the mechanic is still an exercise in frustration.

Hondurans have a reputation for a lack of clarity in their pronunciation, along with an entire book filled with the local Honduran slang. People in Tegucigalpa can be less than compassionate when I cannot understand after the third explanation; however, everyone I have spoken to in the countryside is patient and accepting. A favorite Saturday pastime I have developed is going to the market.

It is a wonderful place to take in a little bit rougher side of Honduran life and practice Spanish. “Poco a poco,” they tell me, I will become fluent.

I bought a car in order to solve the transportation security issue. This caused an entirely different problem of how to drive. Some view driving in Honduras with apprehension which quickly develops into alarm, but I like to take the perspective that I will never get to break this many rules again in my entire life! In fact, when my Spring 2014

mother came to visit, she said I was born to drive in this country. Why have two lanes of traffic when you can clearly fit four cars into that space; or who thought of looking for oncoming traffic when you can pass a semi on a hairpin turn mountain highway? I like to think my driving is more cautious than that of the locals.

One would think that living in a poor country would warrant lower living expenses; however, this is not the case. Due to security, American School teachers live in the nicer areas of town also inhabited by embassy workers, which artificially inflates housing prices. Gas is around $6 per gallon. Food fluctuates greatly depending on what it is. For example, vegetables and fruits are relatively cheap at the market, but anything imported (everything else) is very expensive. Valuing products according to American dollars is irrelevant, so I am learning to give everything relative value in the local currency.

The cuisine of Honduras does not have its own genre such as Mexican or Guatemalan, but it does have a few unique dishes to offer. My favorite is the baleada, which is a large flour tortilla filled with refried beans, cheese, and cream (to which I add avocado, scrambled eggs, and fried plantains). A plato tipico consists of refried beans, fresh cheese, sausage, avocado, fried plantains, cream, and corn tortillas.

One of the greatest opportunities I have had while living in Honduras is the ability to travel! Most weekends I take off to rappel down a mountainside, climb under a waterfall, explore a tiny forgotten town, or walk in the beautiful cloud forests. Some of the biggest adventures have been the Bay Islands (Roatan) in the Caribbean Ocean, Lago de Yojoa in northern Honduras, and rafting Rio Cangrejal. Honduras has much beauty to offer, and I am always willing to go on an adventure with friends.

Living in Honduras has taught me the following: Relax. Be flexible. Be prepared. Don’t trust everyone.

And above all else—Time is relative.

Jessica pauses at a lookout in Atitlan, Guatemala.

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A bird in the hand

by Kent Propst, Executive Director for Marketing Communications Most people love a story wherein everyone wins. This After a hard week of phonathon calls, her conversation is one of those stories…with some unusual plot twists and with Watchinski was a delight, even if it held no prospect turns. of an additional gift.

It began one March evening with Herb Watchinski Or maybe it did, as both were about to discover. ’70 relaxing in his Columbia, Mo., home, minding his own “He asked me where I lived and I told him McMurry business. The phone rang, and caller ID indicated it was Hall,” Graver continues. “Herb told me he had once lived Central Methodist University. there, in the balcony room just above the entrance.”

Watchinski knew it could only mean one thing—a stuAs Watchinski tells it, Graver told him, “Oh, I want dent was calling for CMU’s spring phonathon. The former that room!”

Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper/trainer and retired Impulsively and playfully, “I told her I’d make her a IBM executive was surdeal,” Watchinski says. prised; he had sent a gift “You tell your President I just weeks before. Being want to tell him my eagle an amiable sort he took story, and I’ll put in a the call anyway. good word about the room On the line was in McMurry. If he calls, Jessica Graver, a junior I’ll double my pledge.” secondary education Clearly, this was not major. This being Gravyour typical phonathon er’s third phonathon, call. After a few more she was accustomed to pleasantries, they hung up unanswered calls, and to and Graver immediately being told “thanks but no put down her phone and thank you.” She had even headed off to see Matt learned to shake off the Vander Vennet, CMU Herb Watchinski, Jessica Graver, and President Drake carry on a rare rude reply. director of annual giving lively discussion outside the coveted balcony room at McMurry.

But for Graver, and head of the phonaWatchinski, and ultimatethon. ly CMU President Roger Drake, this was a call that would “I didn’t know what to do,” Graver says. “I asked take on a life of its own. The call would generate bemuseMatt, and he said ‘Well, you need to e-mail the president!’ ment, some head-shaking, outright laughter, a long-overI couldn’t believe it – college students usually only talk to due visit to Central, and eventually a second gift—one that the president if they (students) are big shots, or they’re in exceeded Watchinski’s initial gift by tenfold. trouble,” she laughs.

Watchinski told Graver he had already sent a donation; As both Graver and Watchinski were about to find out, as sometimes happens, his earlier gift arrived after the pho- one should never call Roger Drake’s bluff. nathon began and before CMU’s Advancement department “I thought the odds of (Drake) calling me back were could remove him from the call list. Graver immediately pretty low,” Watchinski chuckles. “I knew Jessica would apologized, but the affable Watchinski assured her it was ask him, but I thought she might not get far. At best I fine. A pleasant conversation ensued. thought maybe she’d call me back and tell me, ‘Well, I “That’s really my favorite part of a phonathon— tried…’” talking to the alumni and hearing their stories,” Graver Graver quickly discovered that Roger Drake isn’t your says. “They are some of the sweetest people, and they tell typical college president. “He (Drake) e-mailed me back great old stories about their days at Central.” in less than 15 minutes,” Graver says. “He told me to come Watchinski told her the tale of the “rescue” of Old by the next day and we would call Herb.” So she did. And Baldy (see p. 71), the historic wooden eagle that has been a they did.

Central icon since the late 1920s and long loomed over the Drake had Graver tell him about the phone conentrance to Central’s Davis Field. versation, then turned on his speakerphone and dialed “He asked if I’d heard the story of when the eagle went Watchinski’s number. missing, and I said no,” Graver says. It was a fascinating Watchinski once again saw Central Methodist on the tale, told as only Watchinski could tell it. “I thought ‘this caller ID, and assumed it was Jessica calling to say that she is the craziest story….’” had tried but the President wasn’t available.

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Alumni news “I heard ‘Hi Herb, this is Roger Drake, president of Central Methodist University, and I have a young lady here who said I’m supposed to call you…”

“Herb just started laughing,” Graver recalls.

Watchinski then regaled Drake with his Old Baldy story, followed by his promised appeal to the President to pull strings so Graver could get the McMurry balcony room.

The conversation lasted 15-20 minutes, during which Drake gave Watchinski a little more history on Old Baldy.

Graver, meanwhile, just sat and listened and found several opportunities to laugh along with the two men. By her own admission, it was an experience she never expected to have as a CMU student.

Watchinski, too, was surprised at the turn of events.

“I went from being amazed that (Drake) called, to being very pleased and impressed that Central has a leader who feels so strongly about the institution and its students,” Watchinski says. “He’s down to earth and with an incredible sense of humor, but the depth of feeling he has for Central and its students came through.”

Two weeks later, Watchinski came to Fayette to meet with Drake, Graver, and Vander Vennet, and to talk to Talon staff for these feature stories. Though he retired in 2000 and has lived in his hometown of Columbia since 2007, it was Watchinski’s first visit to his alma mater since he graduated almost 44 years before.

Upon arrival at the president’s office, Watchinski handed Drake an envelope. To the stunned surprise of Drake and Graver, it was a second gift to CMU… in 10 times the amount of the one he had given just weeks earlier.

Watchinski, Drake, and Graver then took a stroll across campus, including a sentimental journey to McMurry Hall.

Graver noted that even with Watchinski’s personal lobbying efforts, she hasn’t heard from University officials on her request for the much-coveted balcony room in McMurry.

Time will tell, but with Roger Drake and Herb Watchinski in her corner, it probably wouldn’t pay to bet against Jessica Graver’s chances for that room.

Herb Watchinski stands next to his good friend, Old Baldy.

Spring 2014

Can’t keep a good Eagle down

by Cathy Thogmorton, editor

Once Upon a Time the Central Eagle, named “Old Baldy,” sat proudly on the archway into Davis Football Field, occasionally painted orange, but mostly unharmed.

Then in the fall of 1968—he just vanished.

But that was not the end of the story. When I heard about the conversation between our phonathon caller, Jessica Graver, and Herb Watchinski (story, left), I cackled because I remembered how the return occurred.

When Herb came over to talk with Jessica and Dr. Drake, he and I had a long trip down memory lane. We share the story with you.

In the summer of 1969, Herb was working maintenance for Holiday House in Columbia, one of the favorite apartment complexes for college students. He was also a fire fighter with Boone County (a talent he began at Hickman High School and honed at CMC for the Fayette Fire and Rescue Squad). His fire chief (and deputy sheriff) was A. William (Bill) Westhoff Jr., who also managed Holiday House.

Herb and friend Bill Jones were working that day. One of their assignments was to fix a stopped-up garbage disposal in a Holiday House apartment. As Bill did the deed, Herb turned and looked into the living room.

“There in the center,” he says, “where it could not be missed, sat an enormous eagle. I looked at it and looked at it. It was very weathered and it was clearly made of wood.

There was no doubt.”

They called Westhoff who wanted verification.

“I’ll stake my life on it,” Herb said. But he called Dean T (Dean of Students, Jim Thogmorton) to come and see.

They had gotten to know each other well at Central.

“Dean T was there in a matter of minutes,” Herb continued. “He verified that it was clearly Central’s missing eagle.”

They would need help to transport the sorry bird home, so Central’s head of plant operations, Walter Eikerman and another maintenance man from Central brought a truck over to Columbia to retrieve the eagle.

In the meantime, Dean T and Westhoff called the renters who said they had found the eagle in the backyard of a fraternity house. They didn’t know it had been stolen when it was given to them.

“It took four of us to carry the eagle out and load it up,” admitted Herb.

The eagle had suffered from its treatment in captivity. Its upper left wing and the top of the right wing were damaged, and its feet were missing. However, it was nursed back to good health and set back up on the archway that marked the entrance to Davis field where it guarded the field for nearly 20 more years.

But that’s another story.

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Alumni news

Greetings from the CMU Alumni Association Dear Alumni, The CMU Alumni Association is growing stronger in its dedication to the University and the student body. This is in large part due to the leadership of Dr. Josh Jacobs, vice president for Advancement and Alumni Relations; and to the wonderful planning and back-up of Melanie Lawson, Advancement event planner.

But the Alumni Association can only be as good as the CMU Alumni Board itself, and we need the backing of alumni across the country. Reach out and let these two leaders hear from you.

Our goals are many and include: 1. To support the University’s annual fund with 100 percent participation from our Board; 2. To support the new initiative to upgrade the science facilities; 3. To expand the Board to include members from the College of Graduate and Extended Studies and to maintain a full board of 24 members; 4. To introduce CMU President Roger Drake to as many alumni as we can.

At our Distinguished Alumni Gala on May 2, we were proud to honor John Hutcherson ’56, M.D.; Earl Bates ’61; Ron Knigge ’65; Kylar Broadus ’85, J.D.; and Richard Wilson ’86, O.C., as Distinguished Alumni Award winners. We also proudly presented Shawn Griggs ’04 as CMU Young Alumni Award winner; and Dr. Joe Geist, CMU professor emeritus of English, longtime curator of The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art, and currently supervisor of the collection of the Gallery as recipient of the Central Methodist University Service Award.

A wonderful evening was had by all as we honored the accomplishments of our friends and alumni of CMU. Their achievements make us all proud.

We are planning a photo contest and are changing it up by having alumni from across the country send pictures of their travels—that include the CMU logo. This will showcase that we are truly everywhere! Be looking for more information—and be sure to take CMU and a camera with you wherever you go.

Future happenings to look forward to include the CMU Alumni Band Concert on June 21, and Homecoming on October 24-26. With a theme of “Board Games,” it promises to be a creative weekend! Watch for more information on these fun and exciting events.

And please feel free to contact me at judyreth@aol.com with any ideas you want to share.

President, CMU Alumni Association

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Alumni news Newsmakers

Dan Henderson ’88 is the head football coach at Branson (Mo.) High School.

Dave Butler ’51 participated in the Senior Olympics for his region (Tenn.) in 2013 and won three silver medals. He came in second in ping pong, second in the 2100-meter race and second in the 400.

Joni (Hoyt) Cupp ’90 was the Employee of the Month for October 2013 at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Mo.

Charles Miller ’57 celebrated his 80th birthday this year. He and wife Lynn (Munger) ’55 live in Greer, S.C. Robert “Tad” Perry ’65 is running for the District 24 Senate seat from South Dakota.

John Siebern ’67 will be with the The American Trombone Choir under Dr. Irvin Wagner to participate in SliderAsia 2014. SliderAsia is a premier annual music festival for Asian trombonists of all levels since 2011.

Rick Cain ’69 retired February 20, 2014, as the Oklahoma City Transit Administrator.

E.E. Pointer ’74 retired after 35 years as a music educator. He is currently a featured soloist in the internationally acclaimed River Cow Orchestra from Kansas City, Mo. He has recently performed or recorded with the Nortons, Perfumed Nightmare, the Necessity Brass Band, the Loose Cannon Brass Band, and the South Street Blues Band.

Steven Minning ’75 will be the director for Billy Elliot The Musical at The Muny in St. Louis this summer.

Dave Williams ’76 recently retired as a volunteer firefighter/paramedic for the Okanogan County Fire District No. 3, in Omak, Wash., and stepped down as Fire Commissioner for the same organization. He was one of the longest continuously serving paramedics in the United States. Williams continues to be the Corporate Safety Director for the largest private electrical contractor in Washington, where he has led that firm to state, regional and national recognition in safety. He lives in Omak.

Greg Gordon ’84 was selected to fill a vacancy on the Kirksville, Mo., school board.

Paula (Haggard) Just ‘86 was named the Chief Human Resources Officer for Health First in Rockledge, Fla.

Lana (Poston) Jinkerson ’91 received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Jeanie White ’94 is the new assistant superintendent for Perry County School District 32.

Michael Haffner ’94 was promoted to 5S Manager for Center Cut Bacon with the Kraft Foods plant in Kirksville, Mo. David Hughes ’95 was named the executive vice president at New Era Bank. The bank has locations in Farmington, Fredericktown and Park Hills, Mo. Rob Struckhoff ’96 was promoted to vice principal at St. Francis Borgia Regional High School in Washington, Mo. Ryan Boyer ’99 is the head football coach of the Smith Cotton Tigers in Sedalia, Mo. He had served as the assistant offensive coordinator at Smith Cotton prior to his new position.

Dennis Lewis ’99 joined SoutheastHEALTH as senior operations manager. He was previously the business manager for Valley Hope Association in Boonville, Mo. David Samson ’00 is the chair of the Department of Music at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Pa. Deborah Abshier ’06 was promoted to assistant compliance officer with the North East Community Action Corporation in Bowling Green, Mo. Kristofferson Culmer ’06 serves as the director of outreach for the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students (NAGPS).

David Melton ’09 is 7th grade math teacher at Clark County R-1 Middle School. He is also the varsity boys defensive coordinator for the Clark County Indians, and coach for middle school boys track.

Joseph Howell ’10 is playing professional basketball for Edymax Spu in Nitra, Slovakia.

Leslie Anne Perry ‘67 has published four Kindle e-books related to growing up in Fayette, Mo.: Growing up in the 1950’s, A Small Town Childhood, Growing up in a Small Town, and Anne at Nine.

She has also written several books to help children learn to write, including her latest, Poems for a Greener Earth.

Spring 2014

Lacey Eaton ’11 is an adjunct professor of voice at Central Methodist University.

Chris Evans ’11 recently earned the title of Educator of the Year in the Sedalia School District. Chris is a teacher at Smith-Cotton Junior High School in Sedalia, Mo. Ben Pallardy ’12 was named the head basketball coach at Fayette High

Central Methodist University

Fred C. Bergsten ’61 was selected as the Swedish American of the Year 2014 by the Vasa Order of America, a non-profit organization started by Swedish emigrants to the United States in 1896. The award is “meant to be a recognition of exceptional work by an individual in his or her profession” and “partly to highlight Sweden America.” There have been 54 previous recipients. Fred also recently spent six weeks as the first Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Central Bank of Barbados and will be spending two weeks in June as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the American Academy in Berlin, presenting its flagship annual lecture and meeting with top officials of the German Government and the Parliament.

School. He will also serve as an assistant softball coach and as a physical education teacher for the district.

Johnny Stillwell ’12 is the wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator for the Fort Scott Community College football team.

Murun Altankhuyag x’14 recently signed a two-year professional contract with Thai Division 1 team, Krabi FC, as a striker. He is the first professional footballer from Mongolia.

CMU President Emerita Dr. Marianne E. Inman, was recently named to the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Board of Trustees. Dr. Inman is also an honorary member of the Class of 2013.

Marriages & Engagements Aaron Ringen ’04 and Megan Gladden are engaged.

Rachel Speight ’05 and Jon Wells were married on October 4, 2013.

David Melton ’09 and wife Witley were married June 8, 2013.

Matthew Sherman ’10 and Anastasia Bevard were married May 17, 2014.

Michael Eads ’11 and Amy Thompson are engaged.

Keisha Hovis ’10 and Shawn Waters are engaged.

Leremie Shaffer ’12 and Elizabeth Sisler were married Jan. 30, 2014.

Sarah Hugunin ’11 and Johnny Stilwell ’12 are engaged.

Audrey Crabtree ’13 and B.J. Underkofler were married Aug. 10, 2013.

Lauren Darby ’12 and Richard Strand ’10 are engaged.

Priscilla Conrow ’07 and Ryan Concannon were married March 1, 2014.

Brittney Hotsenpiller ’13 and Jacob Minor are engaged.

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Alumni news Yvonne (Brown) Byrne ’74 and her mother, Dorothy Brown, visited CMU in April 2014. Yvonne retired from teaching English at Parkway South High School in Manchester, Mo., in 2006. She and her husband, Mike, enjoy travelling both abroad and in the United States. They recently returned from their second photo safari in Africa, this one to Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Tyler Glenn ’12 and Katie Hartman are engaged.

Catherine Salmon ’10 and Warren Sharp are engaged.

Chris Ebright ’11 and Christy Scheppers were married Oct. 5, 2013.

Elizabeth Watt (Orear) French ’43 of Janesville, Wis., died March 1, 2014.

Sean Pridgeon ’08 and wife Amia announce the birth of son Austin Robert born Nov. 28, 2013.

Samuel Charles Sherwood ’45 of Kansas City, Mo., died March 20, 2014.

Rachel Peters ’12 and Richard Jones are engaged.

Ann (Abernathy) Clement ’47 of Chesterfield, Va., died Jan. 19, 2014.

Births

Kelsey Haden ’12 announces the birth of son Larec Neil Olsen born July 30, 2013.

Mike ’85 and Janell (Moor) ’84 Dimond and Bobbie ’89 and Ed Stergar announce the birth of their first grandson, Aaron Vicente Capati, born Dec. 26, 2013. Aaron is the son of Jessica (Dimond) and Chris Capati. Aaron’s great-grandparents are Larry ’58 and Marti Dimond, the late Marilyn Dimond ’59 and Bob ’63 and Kathy (Brooks) ’64 Johnson.

Lindsey (Kliethermes) Obermark ’12 and husband Brian announce the birth of daughter Brooklyn Elizabeth born Oct. 11, 2013.

Amy (Reynolds) Hathcock ’01 and husband Dustin announce the birth of daughter Sidney Ann born Dec. 1, 2013.

Mark ’05 and wife Amanda (Lancaster) ’11 Stone announce the birth of son Matthew Harrison born March 7, 2014.

Jason Trusty ’05 and wife Stacy announce the birth of son Ethan David born Nov. 30, 2013.

Kathryn (Ramsey) Bachtel ’06 and husband Dustin announce the birth of son Brett Ramsey born April 16, 2014.

Laden Force ’07 and wife Jordon announce the birth of son James Wilder born Jan. 29, 2014.

Mary M. (Banta) Thurman ’45 of Potosi, Mo., died Jan. 5, 2014.

Sara (Malan) Summers ’08 and husband Jordan announce the birth of daughter Alice Jean born April 2013.

Kelli Shepard ’13 and Jacob Heppner ’12 are engaged.

Kirby Spayde ’00 and Katrina Chavez announce the birth of son Phoenix Luther born Feb. 14, 2014. Phoenix is the grandson of Theodore ’70 and Ruth (Cheffey) ’70 Spayde, and great-grandson of the late Luther T. ’36 and Edna Spayde.

Van Louis Johnson ’45 of Grovetown, Ga., died Oct. 17, 2013.

Marie E. (Whitworth) Holloman ’46 of Salt Lake City, Utah, died Nov. 15, 2013.

Brad Dudenhoffer ’12 and wife Cindy, CMU’s Director of Information Resources, announce the birth of son Griffin Augustus born Dec. 13, 2013.

Eric Eckhoff ’99 and wife Sarah (Schroeder) ’99 announce the birth of son Walter David born Dec. 10, 2013.

Billy Joe Bowman ’44 of Boonville, Mo., died Dec. 14, 2013.

Christina (Thompson) Shutt ’08 and husband John announce the birth of son Jonathan Patrick born Feb. 20, 2014.

Cody Ruggles ’11 and wife Charissa announce the birth of son Cody Bear born March 25, 2014.

George Killian ’09 and Rene Holdman are engaged.

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Erin (Valentine) ’07 and husband Kyle Youngs ’06 announce the birth of daughter Harper Elizabeth and son Kipton Warner born Nov. 12, 2013.

Kristen Gibbs, CMU’s director of financial assistance, and husband Alex announce the birth of son Curtis born Dec. 2, 2013.

Deaths

F. William Kasmann ’46 of Columbia, Mo., died Feb. 24, 2014.

Cora Marie (Apel) Walker ’47 of Lansing, Kan., died March 11, 2014.

Robert Russell Cosgrove ’48 of Sullivan, Mo., died Dec. 13, 2013.

Norman John Merritt ’48 of Saint Louis, Mo., died March 30, 2014.

Norman F. Odneal ’49 of Prairie Home, Mo., died Feb. 20, 2014.

John Quincy Vance Jr. ’49 of Levittown, Pa., died Sept. 25, 2013.

1950 Thomas Ream Jr. ’50 of Piedmont, Mo., died July 22, 2013.

John M. Wasson ’50 of Fredericksburg, Va., died Oct. 20, 2013.

E. Ruth Grace Fels ’51 of Springfield, Mo., died March 22, 2014.

1930 Elizabeth (Crawford) Gingry ’35 of New London, Mo., died April 17, 2014.

Mary Katherine “Bunny” Pieper Long x’35 died May 5, 2014, in Columbia, Mo. She was a pharmacist and a historic preservationist: a founding member of Friends of Historic Boonville, charter patron of Missouri River Festival of the Arts, supporter of Save the Katy Bridge, and chair of the Hain House Memorial Garden in Boonville.

Harriet (Thornam) Weaver ’51 of Sebastopol, Calif., died July 13, 2013.

Betty Jane (Ream) Purchase ’53 of Green Ridge, Mo., died June 30, 2013.

J. C. Butler ’55 of Huntington, Ind., died March 3, 2014.

Janet Francis Frier ’55 of Richmond, Va., died Dec. 19, 2013.

Sandra K. (Peter) Holmes ’57 of Irving, Texas, died March 11, 2014.

Lloyd O. Stephens ’36 of Plano, Texas, died April 22, 2014.

James Oetting Waggoner ’58 of Jefferson City, Mo., died March 15, 2014.

1940

1960

Charles W. Reed III ’40 of Memphis, Tenn., died Dec. 21, 2013.

Ervin W. Harder ’60 of Hannibal, Mo., died Feb. 14, 2014.

Harriet Ann (McBride) Campbell ’41 of Durham, N.C., died Feb. 8, 2014.

Hubert Gerald Dowell ’62 of Independence,

Spring 2014

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Alumni news Mo., died March 20, 2014.

Bob Eugene Seay ’63 of Lee’s Summit, Mo., died April 12, 2014.

L. Sharon O’Dell ’65 of Lebanon, Mo., died June 21, 2013.

1970 Julie (Scott) Mattson ’70 of Kansas City, Mo., died Dec. 7, 2013.

David Roger Farmer ’71 of Lewisville, Texas, died Feb. 23, 2014.

Orville James Stacey ’72 of Saint Joseph, Mo., died Nov. 20, 2013.

Ronald D. Stone ’73 of Licking, Mo., died July 13, 2013.

Mike Galloway ’74 of Dexter, Mo., died April 7, 2014.

W. Mark Hill ’77 of Rocheport, Mo., died April 18, 2014.

1980 Gail F. Hubbell ’80 of Columbia, Mo., died Nov. 11, 2013.

Eva (Meissner) Schneider ’80 of Saint Peters, Mo., died Aug. 8, 2013.

2000

Wayne Nathaniel Billups II ’08 of Fayette, Mo., died Oct. 31, 2013.

Friends of Central Pat Stapleton of Eugene, Ore., died Dec. 11, 2013. A gifted artist, especially in watercolors, she taught art at Central Methodist College in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Dianna D. Shallenburger of Boonville, Mo., died Jan. 12, 2014. (see p. 76) Sally Murtagh of Fayette, Mo., died April 4, 2014.

John Theodore Graff, a beloved father, grandfather, veteran, community member, and friend of Central Methodist University died March 10 in Boulder, Colo. He was 93. He is remembered for his sharp wit, keen mind, compassion, and generosity for those around him, John was blessed with a brilliant mind for mathematics and problem solving. He studied civil engineering and graduated in 1943 from the University of California, Berkeley with honors and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

He had close ties to and a love of Washington County, Mo., the ancestral home of his wife, Mildred (“Cressy”) Cresswell, whom he married in 1946 after serving in the Navy during World War II. Mildred had attended Central College for a time in the early 1940s (x’43).

John spent 41 years with Standard Oil/Chevron. Although the family moved around a lot, their favorite places were Cressy’s family home in Washington County, Mo., and Boulder, Colo. John and his family enjoyed the Colorado mountains, hiking, skiing, and the wildlife of Rocky Mountain National Park.

In addition to his wife, Cressy, who died in 1998, John was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and his youngest son. He is survived by two sons, their wives, and a daughter-in-law, as well as many grand- and greatgrandchildren.

A firm believer in education, he established three Cresswell-Graff Hall of Sponsors Scholarships at Central Methodist University, which are awarded when possible to Washington County high school students who demonstrate good citizenship and scholarship. John also faithfully supported Central’s Annual Fund and all of Central’s financial campaigns through the years, including the most recent Classic Renaissance Fund.

John served as a trustee of Central from October 2000 through June 2004.

The walking track inside Puckett Field House is named in his honor.

Central Methodist had a long-standing and very fond relationship with the Graffs, and John’s loss will be greatly felt.

Ruth A. Benner of Culver, Ind., died Aug. 22, 2013. (Mother of Ruth Benner Hix, CMC VP for Institutional Advancement 1995-2004) John G. Byland of Fayette, Mo., died March 7, 2014.

Mark C. Robb of Columbia, Mo., died Dec. 24, 2013. (see pp. 60 and 64) Karol R. Welcelean of Fayette, Mo., died April 30, 2014, at the age of 90. He was associate professor emeritus of Central Methodist College where he taught stringed instruments and music theory from 1952-1988. For years he was a leading member of the college-community orchestra.

Spring 2014

Dr. Edward D. Robertson Sr. died March 19, 2014, in Leawood, Kan. In his first career (1950-62) he was a Lt. Colonel and Command Pilot in the U.S. Air Force. However, most of us knew him as Rev. Robertson of St. Luke UMC in Raytown or Christ UMC in Kansas City North. Married to Patricia Brown ’49 in 1950, the two were well known to Central friends. Not only did they support CMU in traditional ways, but they were on campus repeatedly as part of the NOMADS who visited in the summer to do volunteer work such as painting and carpentry.

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Alumni news Robert Garst Central has received word that Robert “Bob” Garst passed away September 2, 2013, in Midland, Texas. He was born January 21, 1920, in Marshfield, Mo. Garst was a WWII Army Air Corp disabled Veteran who spent 37 years with Amoco Production Company and another ten years with Flag-Redfern Oil Company.

Garst was an extraordinary supporter of Central Methodist University. He and his wife established the Robert M. and Edith I. Garst Information Commons, located in the Smiley Memorial Library in October 2008. In addition, they also established a total of eight Hall of Sponsors Scholarships at CMU in honor of special family and friends.

Garst attended then-Central College for one year before transferring to Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) in Springfield, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education and business administration.

At CMU’s 2006 spring Commencement ceremony, Garst was presented an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters

by President Marianne E. Inman with whom he had become good friends. He was also deeply involved in civic issues and was a member of the American Association of Professional Landmen, receiving its lifetime Achievement Award for “demonstrated leadership, integrity, and contribution to the industry, the community, and profession” in 2004.

The Garsts also actively shared their generosity in supporting higher education and faith. The public library of Marshfield is named in honor of the Garst family in respect to their tremendous generosity.

He was a member of many professional land and geological organizations and very active in oil and gas ventures throughout his life. Garst retired after a long and distinguished career in the energy industry. He was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Midland.

Bob is survived by his wife, Edith Garst; son Robert Garst Jr. and his wife Lily, of Burnet, Texas; daughter Judith Garst Brown of Midland; sister Katherine Gray of Midland, Mich.; five grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Dianna Shallenburger The death of Dianna D. Shallenburger, 70, a Central faculty member for 28 years, hit the campus hard this winter. Shallenburger, a resident of rural Boonville, passed away January 12, 2014.

Shallenburger retired from the CMU faculty in 2011 as associate professor emerita of Accounting. She began teaching at CMU in 1983 after teaching in Boonville, Blackwater, and the University of Missouri-Columbia laboratory school; her teaching career spanned 40 years.

During her tenure at CMU, Shallenburger served as chair of the Division of Accounting, Business and Economics for five years. She served on several key committees and task forces, and helped the University establish its extended studies accounting program.

Today, CMU offers the bachelor’s degree in accounting at Clinton, Lake of the Ozarks, Neosho, Park Hills, Poplar Bluff, Sedalia, and Union.

Shallenburger was recipient of the Missouri Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1995, was president of the Missouri Association of Accounting Educators in 1995, and was a nominee for the Outstanding Educator Award from the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants in 1993, 1994 and 1997.

She is survived by her husband, Jack, and two sons, Joe Henry and Jason.

Central Methodist University has established the Dianna D. Shallenburger Excellence in Accounting Award, to be given annually to an outstanding accounting student.

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Alumni news

Mission trips continue to build interest in service to others

by Jessica Travlos As the CMU Campus Ministry program continues to returngrow so does the student interest in service. During the ing from 2013-2014 school year, Campus Ministry was able to lead the Colothree different mission trips. Over Thanksgiving break 23 rado trip students traveled to Washington, D.C.; 15 nursing students he said went to Haiti over Christmas; and 26 went to Colorado to the most volunteer during Spring Break. inspiDuring the Washington, D.C., trip students had the rational opportunity to work with St. Luke’s Campus Kitchen part for Project where they served the seniors of Regency House. him was The students also spent time working with the homeless when living in a local hypothermia shelter. All of the trips gave the camp students the opportunity to gather in fellowship and grow instrucspiritually as well. tor explained the purpose of the camp to them. “It makes The Haiti mission trip was a nursing major specific you reflect upon yourself and really appreciate everything opportunity. These students spent their Christmas break you have even if you don't have much,” Bain says. “What working with Respire Haiti, an education program for the little you have is still more than what someone else has. people of Gressier, Haiti. During the two weeks the stuEvery mission trip requires you to be humble and teaches dents spent there, they worked long hours everyday doing you what it means to serve.” health screenings for the students at the school. Most of Campus Ministry has already begun to make plans the children did not have any medical records, so a huge for future mission work. In the portion of the project was building medical files from 2014-2015 school year students scratch for the students who attended the school. There will have the opportunity to were also two doctors there from Louisiana who were avail- serve in Miami, Fla., as well as able to help with treatments if needed.

Haiti, which will be open to all The final mission trip Campus Ministry led this past majors this time. Mission trips year was to Cross Bar X Youth Ranch in Colorado. Cross Bar to Argentina and New York are X is a Christian camp that strives to create a fun environalso being discussed. ment for underprivileged children. During the week of spring break, CMU students went to the camp to help with Students meet villagers in Haiti, construction efforts, as well as painting and other maintebelow. Above right, some jobs rely on physical labor, like this one in nance needs as they turned up. The camp is able to keep Colorado; and right, sometimes the costs extremely low for the kids to attend due to the it’s a matter of lending a hand efforts of missionary workers. wherever it’s needed. Increasing Mykael Bain, a junior studying sports managenumbers of CMU students want to stretch themselves to make ment, has been on multiple mission trips through CMU and a difference in the world. enjoys everything he is able to learn through them. After

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Service Day another success On Service Day in April, the turn-out was excellent and the students, faculty, and staff provided much needed improvement to areas in and around Fayette.

More than 725 volunteers from CMU participated this year, logging a combined 2,300 hours of community service.

Twenty-five projects ranged from litter patrol, painting, yard work, and planting, to packaging and stocking shelves in food pantries.

Projects occurred in Fayette, Glasgow, Boonville, Harrisburg, Columbia, and along the Missouri River. Once again Central Methodist University students made a positive difference in the world.

Students worked (from upper left) on the river, at CMU, cleaning up the cemetery, repainting swimming pools, working at Martha Holman’s house. . .

. . . washing fire trucks, picking up litter, working in the Columbia Food Pantry . . .

. . . and cleaning the floors of a new home being built at Coyote Hills (with a little help from a friend).

Spring 2014 Phonathon We did it again! You have helped to make the 2013-14 Phonathon even better than last year’s banner campaign! Great conversations were had, new friends were made, and vital connections were re-established. I have been proud and amazed at the growth of my team and their drive to help Central, even now while still students. As the school year has wound down, I want to thank you for your time and contributions to our cause. You make the success of our Phonathons possible. I hope we can count on you to continue this record-breaking pace and be able to say again next year that we have broken another record. All the best to you and yours!

– Matt Vander Vennet,

director of annual giving

Row 1(l-r): Michael Mountain, Adebola Adeoba; Row 2: Shakirah Salandy, Director of Annual Giving Matt Vander Vennet, Kayla Krashin, Shelbi Becker; Row 3: Jackie Hoffman, Megan Berwin, Shannon Epperson, Stephen Surrell; Row 4: Maggie Moore, Heather Anderson, Ashley Novak, Emily Everett, Hannah Wade.

(Not pictured: Julie Ramiso, Kyle Schenewerk, Harrison Hill, C.J. Wood, Justin Watson, Sean Tobeler, Jessica Graver)

he ols, e. . .

What’s GoinG on at CMU...

June 13-15: Summer Opera Workshop, The Impresario June 21: Alumni Band August 18: Fall semester begins September 20: Hairston Hall of Fame Inductions October 4-5: Family Weekend October 11: Band Day October 24-25: Homecoming 2014 January 12: Spring semester begins and much, much more!

For information on future events, keep an eye on the CMU Event Calendar (www.centralmethodist.edu/calendar) and the Alumni Events page (cmalumni.centralmethodist.edu/events).

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Nonprofit U.S. Postage PAID Jefferson City, MO Permit No. 210

411 Central Methodist Square Fayette, MO 65248-1198 Change Service Requested

Homecoming Saturday, October 25 Theme: Board Games See you then!

Homecoming 2014

50

th

Anniversary of the Mud Bowl

How much have your classmates changed? Join us and see for yourself!

Save the Date October 25

Keep an eye out for more information concerning reunions and other related events.

Make plans to attend a special reunion during Homecoming 2014!

If you were a part of the 1964 Mud Bowl, please let us know! Contact Melanie at 660-248-6234 or email mlawson@centralmethodist.edu.