THE COLUMBIA COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
a f f i n i t y SUMMER 2020 | MY.CCIS.EDU
PERSISTENCE IN A PANDEMIC In times of crisis, the Columbia College community rallies in support of our mission: to improve lives
SUMMER 2020
FEATURES IN EVERY ISSUE 6 | Inside the Gate Columbia College opens a new location in North Dakota; the Dillingham family carries on a musical and philanthropic legacy.
48 | Cougar Sports Zone
20 | Persistence in a Pandemic “We’re in this together.” What has become a global catchphrase as the world adapts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 rings especially true in the Columbia College community.
30 | A Stroll Down Memory Lane Nearly 40 years since their college days, Columbia College graduates from the late ’70s and early ’80s found their way back to campus for a highly anticipated reunion weekend.
Behind the scenes with Athletic Director James Arnold; baseball looks back on a four-year legacy with its senior class; Celebration of Excellence honors top student-athletes and supporters.
54 | My CCAA Greetings from the CCAA Advisory Board; meet the 2020 alumni award recipients; alumni take advantage of several regional events before the national shutdown.
62 | CC Notes
42 | Full Speed Ahead Meet the nine students awarded $1,000 scholarships for 2020-21 through the Columbia College Alumni Association Scholars Program.
Alumni share personal and professional updates in Class Notes; In Memoriam remembers those who have passed.
Summer 2020 Editor, Production & Design Carolyn Preul Photo Editor Kaci Smart ’09 Staff Writer Kevin Fletcher Editorial Review Board Dr. Scott Dalrymple Sam Fleury April Longley Beth McWilliams Suzanne Rothwell Dr. Piyusha Singh Contributors Keiyana Austin Kenzie Bennett ’19 Jason Black ’18 Jonathan Dudley ’10 Mitch Gosney ’13 Dan Gomez-Palacio Drew Grzella ’01 Kaitlyn Keefe Leslie Kennon ’00 Keith McIver Missy Montgomery ’06 David Morrison Cindy Fotti Potter ’05 _______________________________ Affinity magazine is published by the Columbia College Division of Advancement. © 2020 All rights reserved Please send correspondence to: Editor, Affinity magazine 1001 Rogers St., Columbia, MO 65216 ccalum@ccis.edu Alumni Relations: (573) 875-2586 Development: (573) 875-7563
Columbia College Board of Trustees 2020-21
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Chair David R. Russell, Ph.D. Vice Chair Rev. Dr. Brad Stagg Treasurer Carol J. Winkler ’93 Secretary Genie Rogers Member at Large Matt Williams CCAA Advisory Board Representative William J. Johnston ’82 Faculty Representatives Ken Akers, Ph.D. Kent Strodtman, Ph.D. Trustees Lynne Stuver Baker ’64 Lex R. Cavanah Jerry D. Daugherty Daisy Willis Grossnickle ’66 Lt. Gen. Richard C. Harding Mitchell R. Humphreys, M.D. June Viner Hurdle ’83 Jane Blackman Lossing, M.D. ’64 Jolene Marra Schulz ’61 Helen Dale Coe Simons ’65 Kevin C. Sprouse ’04 Gary A. Tatlow Janet Carter Wright ’58
FROM THE PRESIDENT
history of providing online education served us well; while other institutions scrambled to convert their courses, we saw a relatively smooth transition.
Perhaps because of this family history, I take the current COVID-19 pandemic very seriously. While modern science will no doubt keep it from becoming as devastating as the 1918-1920 flu — which likely killed 50 million people in a world with less than a third of our population — COVID-19 has already caused plenty of misery, both medical and economic. The college has responded swiftly as the pandemic has spread. When the state of Washington became the early epicenter of the disease, we quickly converted our courses there to virtual formats. When the disease spread more widely in March, we did the same at all of our locations, including the Main Campus in Columbia. Our 20-year
We remain aware that, as Dr. Anthony Fauci says, we don’t control the timeline, the virus does. So we remain vigilant and flexible, ready to educate our students no matter what happens. We’re installing exciting new technology in all of our classrooms, which will make remote attendance — should it again become necessary — more satisfying than ever. Please stay safe during these extraordinary times. And remember: CC has made it through the Civil War, two World Wars, the 1918 Influenza pandemic, the Great Depression and more. We will make it through this, too. Sincerely,
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In October 1918, my greatgrandmother died in the great influenza pandemic. Like many men of the time, her husband was uninterested in raising the two children she left behind: my four-year-old grandmother and her infant brother. The two were split up and parceled out to different relatives. Though she never complained, I know my grandmother had a hard life after that, and I often wonder what it might have been like if disease hadn’t robbed her of the only loving person in her universe.
None of us asked for this, and many of our students are eager to return to in-seat instruction. We are too, and we’re preparing to do so as safely as possible. We plan to offer in-seat classes at all locations on August 31. We’re following all appropriate safety guidelines and often going even further: We’re lowering the number of desks in classrooms and installing acrylic shields where practical.
5 Dr. Scott Dalrymple Columbia College President
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INSIDE THE GATE
Summer 2020
Columbia College opens new location at Minot Air Force Base
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Columbia College officially began operations at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, in early April. President Dalrymple signed an agreement with United States Air Force Col. Bradley L. Cochran authorizing the college to begin class instruction. The installation brings the college into its 13th state in addition to Cuba. Columbia College also provides education around the world thanks to its pioneering Online Program. “We are all about providing quality education to our service members,” said retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Rob Boone, the college’s associate vice president in charge of military locations. “We are excited about this wonderful opportunity to do so at our newest location at Minot AFB.” –KF
A new partnership with Columbia College and Moberly Area Community College will give students from MACC the opportunity to live on the Columbia College campus while taking classes through MACC. The initiative’s ultimate goal is to reduce the potential time and cost for students to complete a bachelor’s degree at Columbia College. It also augments academic advising partnerships between the student, Columbia College and MACC to ensure courses transfer between the two institutions seamlessly. “We are very pleased to expand our already strong relationship with Moberly Area Community College with the formation of the CC-MACC program,” President Dalrymple says. “Students in the program have the opportunity to enjoy a diverse, four-year, private college experience while taking advantage of the affordability of community college.”
“MACC and Columbia College have been great partners for many years with student centered pathways that have allowed MACC students to transfer to Columbia College seamlessly,” says Dr. Jeff Lashley, president of MACC. “This agreement provides new and valuable opportunities to our shared students that will serve them very well.” –SF
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LEARN MORE For more information on degree offerings at Columbia College-Minot Air Force Base, contact Program Coordinator Linde Paige at (701) 727-8386.
Students can apply online at apply.cis.edu, or contact Admissions at (573) 875-7352 or admissions@ccis.edu.
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This agreement is in lock step with Columbia College’s commitment to being as transfer friendly as possible. Since 2015, more than 1,000 MACC students and graduates have transferred to Columbia College.
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KLEIN FAMILY TAKEOVER
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A longtime men’s soccer coach, John Klein always wanted to coach women’s collegiate soccer. His wish was granted when a women’s team was added to the Columbia College’s sport offerings in 2012. And to sweeten the deal, John was given the opportunity in 2016 to recruit a player he had trained for a lifetime, his daughter Molly. Early on, John wasn’t sure if Molly would ever come to Columbia College, but for Molly, it was a no-brainer. Her dad was the coach she knew and trusted more than anyone else, and
playing for him in college would end up being the best decision she ever made. It just took longer to get there than either of them had pictured. Molly wanted to be recruited by her dad, but at the same time wanted to prove everyone wrong that said CC was “the obvious choice.” So the Kleins looked at schools from California to the Carolinas before it became apparent that Columbia had everything she needed and wanted. One night over dinner, John wrote down an offer on a napkin to Molly. The rest is history.
“My life as a dad became immeasurably more fulfilling when Molly came to campus,” John says. “Joy and laughter, sweat and tears, hugs and celebrations. Sharing these emotions and experiences day-in and day-out made these last four years some of the most memorable and rewarding years of my life.”
The trio shared countless victories and accolades over the years, but nothing would be more meaningful than the three on stage together on graduation day as John was scheduled to hand his wife and daughter their diplomas. With the ceremony postponed, the family celebrated a “social-distancing graduation” and were perfectly happy to just be together. –CFP
The Klein family had much to celebrate this spring. After four years of being coached on the soccer field by her dad, Cougars coach John Klein, Molly graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing and Sports Management on the same day her mom, Julie, earned a Master of Arts in Teaching.
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By the time Julie started classes, Molly had already made her mark at CC. On the pitch, she was selected conference Player of the Year and was twice named Honorable Mention All-America; in the classroom, Molly earned Academic All-District honors.
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Midway through her college journey, Molly gained a second parent on campus as her mom, Julie, decided to pursue a master’s degree. The two became professionals at shutting down the library, and Molly became an expert at showing her mom the technological ins and outs used by students today.
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HONORS & AWARDS
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The Honors and Awards convocation is an opportunity to congratulate students for their accomplishments and leadership during the 2019-20 academic year and recognize the generosity of the scholarship donors who help make these awards a reality. While the in-person event was canceled this spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 135 students received nearly $230,000 through 161 scholarships and awards. For a full list of honorees grouped by school or category and descriptions of the various honors and awards, visit my.ccis.edu/honors-and-awards. Scholarship recipients shared their gratitude by sending personal messages to donors.
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“I am overwhelmed with gratitude to receive the Dr. H. Jane Blackman Lossing ’64 Scholarship. I didn’t think I could take summer classes this year because of unexpected financial-aid problems and being unemployed due to COVID-19. I have spent countless nights awake, trying to figure out what I can sell or do in order to pay for my summer classes. Because of your generosity, I will be able to continue my final two semesters toward a major in biology and minor in psychology.” –Morgan Ballard
“I am incredibly grateful to have received the James and Betty Allen Braham ’42 Music Scholarship. I am committed to following through with my education, and this scholarship will undoubtedly aid me in my endeavors. It is because of people like you that students across the nation can reach their goals.” –Chris Deeken “I am a mother of three, working and studying full time to achieve my master’s degree. As one of the recipients of the Hulett Family Criminal Justice Graduate Study Scholarship, I wanted to personally thank you not only for the award but for your vast support for those involved in law enforcement.” –Tera Palozola
“I am very pleased and appreciative to learn that I was selected for the Dr. Tina Engel Dalrymple Excellence in Nursing Endowed Scholarship. The Bachelors of Science in Nursing Program at Columbia College has taught me more than just the education part of being a nurse, but has shown me the compassion that is needed.” –Ariel Search –KB
#CCGIVINGDAY
GIVING DAY: BY THE NUMBERS IN SUPPORT OF THE COLUMBIA COLLEGE FUND
443 TOTAL GIFTS
17%
FACULTY & STAFF
69%
12%
FRIENDS
ALUMNI
7%
STUDENTS
5%
PARENTS
1947 TO 2024 : DONOR CLASS YEARS
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CHALLENGE GIFT DONORS
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Jake Black ’05 Jackie Bonney ’57 George Hulett ’19 Joe & Starla Landers Family Missy Montgomery ’06 Bill Seibert ’09 Corbin Umstattd ‘12
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GIFTS RECEIVED FROM 38 STATES
93,300 DOLLARS RAISED 69
PARTICIPATING CLASS YEARS
2019
CLASS WITH THE MOST GIFTS
135
REGISTERED ADVOCATES
Every gift counts.
COLUMBIA COLLEGE GIVING DAY encourages alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of the college to make a participatory gift in support of the Columbia College Fund, which addresses the college’s most immediate needs within the year that it’s given. “The commitment and dedication of our CC friends and family displayed during this initiative was phenomenal, especially in these very trying times in our nation and the world.” – Suzanne Rothwell, Vice President for Advancement
INSIDE THE GATE
ON A HIGH NOTE Dillingham family carries on musical and philanthropic legacy Francis Dillingham ’29
The Dillingham family’s roots run deep through the history of Columbia College. It started with Roxy Woods graduating from Christian College in 1902, followed by her nieces Frances Dillingham ’29 and Louise Thompson ’33, and several relatives and family friends over the years. As a young man, John Dillingham heard the story of when his grandmother passed away in 1933, and Aunt Louise was driven home to Kansas City by Christian College President Edgar Lee in order to be able to attend her and Frances’ mother’s funeral.
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At the turn of the century, the Thompson and Dillingham
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14 Cars line the path outside Missouri Hall, which was built in 1920 and used as a student dormitory for 65 years. Today, the first-floor conference room is dedicated in Francis Dillingham’s honor.
INSIDE THE GATE
families were cattle royalty. Frances’ father was one of the industry founders of the American Royal, and later her husband, Jay, was president of the Kansas City stockyards for nearly 30 years. John recalls learning to play the piano around the age of four or five on the family farm. “She said if she could hear me playing, that meant she knew where I was and I wouldn’t be in trouble,” he recalls with a laugh.
Throughout her life, Frances Dillingham maintained a close connection with her alma mater.
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“Aunt Roxy was an unbelievable Dixieland pianist – I wish I had some of her recordings – so being associated with music is not some strange world to me,” he adds.
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John – and Frances – grew up in a much different era than today. When new barns in the area were built the community would celebrate with a barn dance. “Everyone played what they could carry,” he says. As a young girl, Frances learned to play violin as well as piano. “Before there were cars and TV, that’s how you entertained yourself,” John says.
Throughout her life, Frances maintained a close connection with her alma mater. She was president of the Christian College National Alumni Board as well as chairman of the college alumni fund, and served as a trustee in the 1970s. In addition, she established three music scholarships: one in honor of her friend and former music teacher, Camilla Singleton; another to honor her sister Louise and her aunt Roxy, who took on the role of acting mother when the girls’ own mother passed away; and another to honor her mother-in-law, Edna Chestnut Dillingham, who attended Christian College in 1905. Following Frances’ death in 2011, John agreed to combine the three scholarships to form the Frances Dillingham Music Fund Endowment. As the music program has grown, its needs have evolved. Columbia College didn’t have any sort of event to honor and celebrate the achievements of the program’s top students, and the family’s legacy of support now makes possible the Dillingham Family Music Showcase (see sidebar). “Mr. Dillingham’s philanthropy has been central to our growth as a music program,” says Assistant Professor of Music Nollie Moore. The Dillingham family’s support hasn’t only been financial: Francis
donated her piano and 1893 Germanmade violin to the college, and also restored an 80-year-old grand piano that was brand new when she attended Christian College. That piano now graces one of the college’s practice rooms.
“It’s obviously a special place, and I’m tickled to see everything the college has been doing recently,” John says. “It’s been great to have all these alumni, and other people, who think Columbia College is pretty special. It’s fun to watch it grow.”
When Missouri Hall was renovated and rededicated in 2007, a stately first-floor conference room – located where Frances met her husband, Jay, decades before – was dedicated in her honor.
To learn how you make an impact on students for generations to come by supporting or endowing a scholarship, visit my.ccis.edu/givenow or contact the Office of Development at (573) 875-7563. –KF
DILLINGHAM FAMILY MUSIC SHOWCASE
Carter Moore
Part of the Dillingham music legacy is the Dillingham Family Music Showcase, which normally takes place each April. While the 2020 Showcase had to be cancelled due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Columbia College is pleased to honor Kaitlyn Landers, Madi MertzEngland and Carter Moore as this year’s Showcase Award recipients. Ann Merrifield, who served as Dillingham Scholarship judge for the last four years, expressed her pleasure at hearing this year’s honorees perform. “I continue to be so proud of the music program and the talent these students have,” she says. “It was especially fun this year to hear the seniors. I first heard them as freshmen, and their progress over the last four years is amazing!”
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Madi Mertz-England
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Kaitlyn Landers
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CAREER CORNER
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“Now’s a good time to update your materials and take stock of your available resources.”
We’ve heard a number of stories recently about students and alumni losing work, dealing with layoffs and struggling to come up with next steps. It’s a challenging time for a lot of us. If your job is impacted by the fallout from COVID-19 or you are concerned it might be, there are a couple of things you can do to be proactive during this time. 1. Modernize your resume While you remember to update your resume with new information, when was the last time you gave your resume a fresh look?
GET STARTED
Secondly, take a new look at your content. If you have an objective, consider using a “Summary of Qualifications” instead. Look for outdated or unnecessary information and find ways to really aim your resume towards your next career goal – not the one you had 10 years ago. Use online examples for inspiration, but be wary of using templates. They are often embedded with so much formatting that they can be hard to tailor towards your unique skills and experience.
If you have looked for a job recently, you are likely familiar with Indeed, SimplyHired and LinkedIn, but there could be a lot more resources out there for you. Now is a good time to start to look at different angles to the job search – even if you aren’t actively searching. I suggest you look for job sites that deal directly with your industry. Sites like agjobs.com (focus on jobs in the agricultural field), teamworkonline. com (sports), hcareers.com (hospitality) or hirelifescience.com (biotech/pharmaceuticals) have thousands of opportunities and often post positions that aren’t easily found on the larger aggregators. If you have a particular organization in mind, find its recruiters on LinkedIn and/or Twitter. Their willingness to accept followers often it means you can be one of the first people to hear about an opening and possibly strike up a conversation. –DGP
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At this point in your career, what information should be at the top of your resume where it has a better chance to be read? If you have been working and out of school for at least five years, it probably shouldn’t be education, but rather focus on your work experience.
2. Find new ways to connect
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First, examine formatting. Resume norms have changed in the last decade, with a number of new options that are available and other things falling out of favor. For instance – are you still using Times New Roman? If so, it may be time to use a more modern font like Segue or Calibri so you don’t give a subtle hint that you are out-of-touch.
Dan Gomez-Palacio is director of the Grossnickle Career Services Center. For individual assistance, please contact Career Services at (573) 875-7425 or careercenter@ccis.edu. Career counseling, networking and resume assistance are available free of charge to all students and alumni of Columbia College.
PERSISTENCE • IN A •
PANDEMIC
BY KEVIN FLETCHER, DAVID MORRISON & CAROLYN PREUL read the full stories at connected.ccis.edu
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What has become a global catchphrase as the world adapts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 rings especially true in the Columbia College community. We have watched faculty and students quickly adapt to virtual learning, families navigate at-home orders and friends stand up in support of their neighbors. We share in the sadness of missed commencements, being separated from those we love and the uncertainty of what things will look like in the future. Throughout the spring, we have shared personal experiences on CC Connected, the college’s blog, and found a common thread among the chaos – our commitment is stronger than ever as we continue to find our way through this most unexpected time.
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“We’re in this together.”
read the full stories at connected.ccis.edu
LEAP of FAITH Hall features two-person suites that share adjoining bathrooms, but there is enough space to ensure that during this isolation period, only one student occupies any fourperson adjoining suite.]
Imagine moving – by yourself – halfway across the world to a place where no one speaks your native tongue – and being stuck there while the world endures a pandemic. That story is reality for Yulia Bychkovska.
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We introduced you to Bychkovska in the last issue of Affinity magazine. A junior majoring in international business, she hails from Zhytomyr, Ukraine, a city of roughly 300,000 people located about 90 minutes west of the capital, Kyiv.
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Ukrainian officials closed the border in March just two days after Columbia College announced its closing, leaving Bychkovska unable to return home. The college made arrangements for Bychkovska to remain in her room in New Hall, where she quarantined along with a handful of other students. [New
“At first, it was a little overwhelming with the number of people asking how I was doing, and I didn’t know how I was doing,” she says. “But I haven’t felt alone. It’s great that we have so much technology that we can feel connected even when we aren’t physically connected.” Bychkovska is an active member of the student body. She was an RA in New Hall last year and in the fall, she will be an RA in Cougar Village. She is a student assistant for Center for Student Leadership, a student ambassador, president of the Honors Student Association and next year’s vice president of the Student Government Association. With the move from in-seat to interactive virtual classes came a new way to learn. While Bychkovska had the benefit of previously taking classes online, she received ample support from faculty and staff. “I was worried about not being able to focus, but I can see my professor
SAFETY
FIRST
and my professor can see what I’m doing,” she says. “Everyone knows that everything is new for everyone. If the professor makes a mistake or if there are technical issues, we understand that. Professors have been very understanding that people might be in different time zones, or now have new family responsibilities.” While this academic year wrapped up in a manner no one envisioned, Bychkovska is grateful for the college’s leadership and extraordinary efforts to continue offering quality education under unique circumstances. “It’s great to feel cared for. Columbia College made sure that it’s as smooth as possible for us students.” –KF
At the moment, profit is far down the list of her business’ priorities. “I want to help people. We’re all having difficult times right now.” She also has enjoyed the realworld lessons from Dee Mathison’s business communication class. “We’ve talked about, ‘If I were a CEO, how would I approach this? How do I interact with my customers?’ I’ve taken it seriously,” she says. Within three days, she opened up Lilly Hop Shop on Etsy, a popular online marketplace, where shoppers can order masks in adult or child sizes in several colors and patterns. “I’ve always wanted to make something of my own, but I’ve never had someone say, ‘Hey, this is worth money!’ Dee’s the one that gave me that push.” –KF
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– Yulia Bychkovska
Now, thanks to a pair of classes at Columbia College-Kansas City – unrelated to the degree in healthcare management she’s currently seeking – Meshesha is potentially going down a different path, one whose landmark is a new business.
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“It’s great that we have so much technology that we can feel connected even when we aren’t physically connected.”
Lilly Meshesha has been passionate about healthcare for almost as long as she can remember. In April, with the current pandemic occurring and her inability to find masks in any stores, she figured she’d make her own. “I realized, I have this skill,” she says. “Why not make a better mask?”
TAKEOVERS
Day Campus students remain positive as they share personal experiences of finishing the academic year virtually. Follow @ThroughRogersGate to get to know our student body and gain inside access to life at Columbia College. –CP
Ximo Gil, Junior Studies: Sports Management and Business Administration Activities: Men’s Soccer
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“I’m from Spain, and I’ll be posting interesting stuff during a couple days. Even though we’re in quarantine, I’ll show you guys that it’s not hard to be productive at home. Now go turn on the post notifications and you will learn about how life is here! #wearecc #lockdown #stayhome “
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Mikayla McKinney, Junior Studies: Psychology and Sociology Activities: Resident Assistant, President of the Psychology Club “The month of May is Mental Health Awareness month. Now more than ever, we need to consider our mental health. So, take a breath, look at some dog pictures (aka my new puppy), and find your balance!”
Nick Kaiser, Senior Studies: Criminal Justice with a minor in political science Activities: Men’s Lacrosse “My last memory from CC that I want to share with you guys is our little homemade graduation. Columbia College has made a huge impact on me in ways that I couldn’t even put it in words. Being from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania it has given me a second home, and I’ll cherish that forever. #weareCC”
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“Today was my 20th birthday, BUT also Mother’s Day!! I’ve spent the day watching “Outer Banks” and sitting by the pool, and now for my favorite dinner and presents! My heart is overflowing with joy after a day like today!!”
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Nicole Emmons, Sophomore Studies: History with a minor in secondary education and math Activities: Honors Society, Track and Field, First-Year Mentor
LIFE LESSONS:
As a reading specialist for Jefferson Middle School, Anna Osborn ’91 focuses on connectivity. She feels fortunate that her district provide a few days warning prior to the shutdown so that she was able to practice connecting to educational apps and email with her students.
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This unexpected change to the educational system has given parents more responsibility and expanded opportunities to connect with their school districts. While parents offer support through private Facebook groups and parentteacher associations, administrators recommend families create schedules that work best for them.
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Osborn, who earned her bachelor’s degree at Columbia College and a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, urges families to follow their children’s needs. “If they say they cannot concentrate on a print book, consider another way for them to experience story or to learn material,” she says.
In the small rural school community of St. Elizabeth, Missouri, the school district has pivoted to distance learning. Without the equipment and technology necessary for all students to meet and learn online, teachers alternated weekly bus routes to distribute work packets to approximately 267 students across the district, as well as food to families in need. With a case load that extends the K-12 curriculum, Amber Ridenour ’06 & ’13 has served as a special education teacher at St. Elizabeth for three years. She reminded her students often that she missed them and wished them well. “I speak to my students throughout the week,” says Ridenour, who earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Education from Columbia College-Lake of the Ozarks. “I encouraged them to complete the work independently but to be sure to contact me if they need help.”
Educators transition to virtual learning
Cassidy Urie ’17, a 6th grade math teacher in Columbia, Missouri, kept her students engaged in this new environment. She mailed handwritten notes of encouragement and was delighted to receive messages in return. Zoom meetings quickly became virtual classrooms, as her students logged in to see their peers, share stories and ask questions. Of course, many pets and siblings made appearances on these Zoom calls, which she says was an added treat.
When the school district announced its closure, Mike Johnson ’19 was asked to oversee food service to students in need. Breakfast and lunch was provided to the students and families for any day school would have normally been in session.
“The hardest part for me personally was not seeing my kids again,” says Urie, who earned a Master of Education degree from Columbia College in 2017 and has taught in Columbia Public Schools for eight years. “I miss their laughs, their jokes and their silliness. I miss them asking the most random questions during my lesson and seeing the light bulb go off when they understand a concept.”
“It’s been a great service our district has provided for our community, with great support from our school board, superintendent and entire staff,” says Johnson, who completed his Master of Education at Columbia College in 2019.
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By mid-April, the district was providing more than 3,000 meals to about 300 children per week. –CP
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Johnson is the assistant for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment and director of Transportation for Southern Boone County R-1 Schools in Missouri.
read the full stories at connected.ccis.edu
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Battling
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THE VIRUS
In January, Ethan Veit ’18, a PhD student at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, and his colleagues in the Microbiology department heard a short presentation on a small clustered virus outbreak that had been traced back to a market in Wuhan, China. “We all thought that was interesting,” Veit says. “Most people didn’t pay much attention to it at first.” Five months and nearly 12 million (as of July 7) worldwide cases later, the SARS-CoV-2 virus – and COVID-19, the disease it causes – has reached global pandemic status. Veit is doing his part to help battle the virus by helping with research in the lab of Matthew Evans, which studies the interactions between viruses and hosts.
While the entire Department of Microbiology is collaborating on COVID-19 research, Veit says the Evans Lab is focused on developing tools to make it easier to study SARS-CoV-2 in a lab setting. “We’re trying to make a form of this virus that we’re able to make changes to, whether it be adding a fluorescent protein – which will be able to make the cells glow when they’re infected by the virus – or by adding different mutations which we think might have an impact,” Veit says. “Once we’re able to make these tools, this is something we’ll be able to use to study different aspects of the virus. We’ll also be able to share with our department or anyone who’s interested, which would allow others to do work.” Veit graduated from Columbia College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He earned his degree with distinction after completing a research project on a soil bacterium under the tutelage of Associate Professor Dr. Kent Strodtman. –DM
“The more we can know, the better we’re prepared. Knowledge is definitely power.” – Ethan Veit ’18
IN-SEAT to VIRTUAL A COMPARISON OF ZOOM VIRTUAL CLASSROOM USAGE BY COLUMBIA COLLEGE STUDENTS, FACULTY & STAFF JANUARY – FEBRUARY vs. MARCH – APRIL
67 538 active users
155 3,673 instructional meetings
508 7,348 total meetings
44,115 597,177 total meeting minutes
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meeting participants
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3,637 77,226
Reunion
n, il Rubin, Kim Morga on, Pam Sharpe, Ne rris h Mo n pis tei Pa ie els bb Ad ie De Debb son and rer, Jan Cull Simon Toni Blanton Shea
What used to be open fields have made way for th “It was mind-blow e spectacular Qu ing to see how m ad students enjoy uch campus has today. changed.” – Debb ie Papish
A Stroll Down MemoryLane
By Carolyn Preul PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KIM O. MORGAN ’81, DEBBIE PAPISH ’80 AND CAROLYN PREUL
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Anyone who walked through Dulany Hall on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, could feel the energy in the room – and the party was just getting started. Nearly 40 years since their college days, Columbia College graduates from the late ’70s and early ’80s found their way back to campus for a highly anticipated reunion weekend. Naturally, the first stop was the dining hall. From there, more than 80 alumni and friends spent the weekend reminiscing about “the good ol’ days” over campus tours, long lunches and late-night jam sessions.
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The gang was back together – and this reunion was going to be one for the record books.
Reunion Then & Now Right: Cindy Jevitt Zver, Stacy Vig McRae, Centronella Duff-Reed, Darlene Sims Buffington and Laberta Trussell Lewis stand by the student mailboxes now located in Dorsey Hall, even remembering the numbers once assigned to them.
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Far right: Attendees find familiar faces on the alumni mural between AtkinsHolman Student Commons and Missouri Hall.
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THROUGH THE YEARS This “80s group” has remained one of the CCAA’s closest alumni networks. With members living coast to coast, they have made a point of getting together every few years to keep those relationships alive.
“I planned our smaller reunion a few years before. I said I’d plan one more, but I wanted it to have as many people as possible,” Papish says. “I put out dates on social media, and the consensus was to get together in October of 2019.”
Kim Morgan ’81 recalls the first reunion in 1990 with just three classmates in attendance. She had made the journey from Florida and was disheartened that more of her friends couldn’t be there. Five years later, more than 20 classmates attended a cluster reunion for the classes of 1979 and 1980, setting in motion a new tradition. By 2010 most classmates had found each other online, yet the in-person reunions continued to grow.
Papish studied travel administration and credits James and Lois Schultz, “the best instructors in the tourism industry,” for her attention to detail. She became an international coordinator for the airline industry directly out of college and took an early retirement in 2003. She put her skills to good use, organizing a detailed itinerary from her home in Washington state and networking with the “ring leaders” of each subgroup to get everyone involved.
When planning rolled around for the next celebration, Debbie Papish ’80 took the reins.
“I was expecting 25-30 people for this reunion, and it grew to 80 attendees,” Papish says. “I contacted every single
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person who showed interest, and it was an epic reunion for all.”
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While this was the fourth large reunion over the years, it was the first for many classmates who hadn’t seen each other since graduation. “Everyone wanted to stay together and catch up,” says Joe Nicchetta ’79 who joined the CCAA Advisory Board this spring. As he recalls, sticking together comes naturally to this group: “We didn’t have all the amenities that students have today, but that probably brought us even closer. When they had a baseball game, everybody would get in their cars and go support the baseball team. Whatever we did, we enjoyed having fun together.”
Columbia College staff provided guided tours, locating favorite hangouts and showing how things have changed on campus over the years.
A HOME AWAY FROM HOME The excitement of coming back to campus ignited memories of why everyone chose CC in the first place.
1. Rick Garcia, Neil Rubin and Jeff Highland; 2. Ted Worsham, Dan Rieke, John Cuzzo, John Haggerty, Rick Bueltmann and Gary Schuler; 3. Jan Hill Norrick, Floyd Norrick, Jeff Berbrick, Becky Vandermark Eckett, Gary Shuler and John Biazzo
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“During the campus tours, we met up with a [prospective] student tour group. We talked to them about our time at CC and how we’ve stayed closed into our 60s.” – Kim Morgan
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Classmates came from all over the United States and stayed in downtown Columbia. It was carefully planned so each event was within walking distance of the hotel.
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1-3. The CCAA hosted a pizza party at Dogmaster Distillery on Friday evening, followed by s’mores and music around the campus fire pit.; 4. Jeff Hand, Joe Nicchetta and Steve Moore; 5. Lisa Edelmann Rees, Debbie Adelstein Morrison and Lyn Beard Gaas
Then & Now From left: Ted Worsham, Susan McGraw Schawe, Dan Rieke & Nancy Slaten-Holtzclaw kick back at a party in 1979 and happily recreate the good times in 2019.
A fellow creative, classmate Floyd Alsbach ’81 studied fine art. He has enjoyed a successful career as a painter and was a college art professor. He also recruited his nephew to attend Columbia College. Dan Rieke ’80 was a legacy student to his mother Ann Brookie Rieke
Rieke started a private Facebook group for students who attended the college between 1975 and 1982. Old college photos and memories are often shared, so much that “all these years later, it feels like we have never really left,” he says. Today, Rieke lives in Indianapolis and is a supply chain professional at Roche Diagnostics. His current portfolio is related to COVID-19 testing products, with his marketing colleagues reporting this information directly to the White House task force. While still connected to the group, Rick Garcia ’80 hadn’t seen most of his classmates in nearly 30 years. “I was getting calls from all over the country from classmates and friends telling me I need to come [to the reunion],” he says.
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Morgan started with the freshman class of 1976 and graduated in 1981. She has been a full-time writer for 39 years and is the author of four selfhelp books. She also enjoys painting – keeping in mind the lessons of former CC Art Professor Sidney Larson – and is a gifted photographer.
who attended Christian College in 1950-51. Like many students, he was introduced to CC through a regional recruiter and was drawn to the small, liberal arts program.
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A self-described “Air Force brat,” Morgan knew she wanted to go to a small college to study English and art. As she sat with two acceptance letters – one from American College in Paris and the other from Columbia College – she made her choice sight unseen: “CC spoke to me – I just fell in love with it.”
Reunion Then & Now Top from left: John Haggerty, LeAnn Lett Barnhart, Jeff Highland, Debbie Papish and Dan Rieke at the 1978 Ivy Chain ceremony.
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Bottom from left: John Haggerty, Lisa Edelman Rees, Jeff Highland, Debbie Papish and Dan Rieke recreate the memory 40 years later in the same spot. Barnhart could not make the reunion, so Rees, her college roommate, held her place.
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Garcia originally learned of CC from a friend who had been recruited to attend. He decided to give it a try, moving from Houston, Texas, to study Business Administration and English with an interest in journalism. Garcia eventually found his way to politics and received a master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University. He was recognized for his early achievements with a CCAA Young Alumni Award in 1993. Now the executive director for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs under Gov. Jared Polis, Garcia supports local and state government, as well as all housing programs for the State of Colorado.
Centronella Duff-Reed ’80 grew up with her sights set on the University of Missouri, but her brother-inlaw encouraged her to check out Columbia College. “I’m from a very small town in Southeast Missouri. He thought I’d get lost in the crowd of a big school,” she says. Although she started her freshman year not knowing anyone, Duff-Reed quickly found her place on campus, and before graduating, she was awarded the first-ever Senior Service Award from Dean Eldon Drennan. An accounting and finance major, Duff-Reed also held a work study job all four years of college. She worked in Admissions her first year, before becoming the student accountant in the business office.
1 A visit to Columbia would not be complete with lunch at The Sub Shop. 1. Teresa Carter, Jeff Highland, Laberta Trussell Lewis, Darlene Sims Buffington, Neil Rubin, Centronella Duff-Reed, Debra Pope, Debbie Papish , Lisa Edelmann Rees and Carl Rees; 2. Jacki and John Cuzzo, John Biazzo, Jerry and Pam Crisp and Dave Chester; 3. Brian Sindler, Jan Kaplan and Neil Rubin; 4. The afternoon was left open for smaller groups to choose their own adventures, but just about everyone chose to stay together.
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The party continued late into the night at the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge, where all 80 attendees brought down the house.
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1. John Biazzo and David Strouse; 2. Jeff Hand and Mike Franzel; 3. John Cuzzo, Kim Morgan, John Haggerty, Marcia Lister Voss, Jan Hill Norrick and Floyd Norrick; 4. Donnie Miller, Cindy Jevitt Zver and Scott “Doc” Wallach; 5. Lyn Beard Gaas, Richard Gaas, John Biazzo, John Haggerty and Debbie Papish
This work was the perfect segue into a career in accounting. A resident of Florissant, Missouri, Duff-Reed has worked for the United States Postal Service for 32 years and plans to retire as a system accountant next year.
who played baseball for the Cougars and was inducted into the CC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013. Haggerty made his way back to Columbia for the reunion from his home in Orlando, Florida.
Nicchetta, the newest member of the Alumni Advisory Board, came to Columbia College from the suburbs of Chicago to study business. “When CC started the shopping center program, I discovered a new industry,” he says. He was encouraged to pursue retail management as a career by Professor Seymour Helfant, who led one of only two shopping center management programs in the country at that time.
For Papish, she and her brother, Mark Papish ’78, were urged to attend Columbia College by their mom (Carole Goldsmith Cromer ’56) and aunt (Virginia Goldsmith Munster ’56) – twin sisters who moved from New York City to attend Christian College and were the first-ever twin Commencement Queens in 1956. Though Papish admits is was initially a “cultural shock” moving to Columbia from Los Angeles, “it was the best experience of my life.”
As we take a look back on the good times had during October 2019, it’s clear to see this group has another reunion in its future.
Then & Now
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He oversaw six student security officers, including John Haggerty ’79,
In thanks for her hard work in planning the “epic” reunion, her classmates surprised Papish with a commemorative brick to be placed on the Quad.
Former volleyball players Debra Pope ’80 and Jan Hill Norrick ’81 caught up with the 2019 Cougar volleyball team at lunch. The Cougars were undefeated in that weekend’s Columbia College Fall Classic.
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Nicchetta has been in the mall industry since 1980, but in his first year after graduating, Morgan remembers Nicchetta’s first professional gig – director of campus security at Columbia College. “Budgets were tight in the ’70s, but the idea came about to have a student security program,” Nicchetta says.
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Nearly 40 years since their college days, the friendships formed by CC graduates of the late ’70s and early ’80s are still going strong.
d e e p S l l Fu d a e h A Summer 2020
Alumni Association Scholars Program awards
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scholarships
Perseverance is defined as “persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.” This steadfast commitment is what Columbia College students bring to the table each and every day. Classes are taught in state-of-the-art college facilities and through virtual classrooms led by faculty across the nation. Scholars may study where they serve their family breakfast in the morning, between shifts or alongside peers at the library. They do what it takes to succeed.
Seymour, Missouri Attending: Columbia CollegeSpringfield Major: Human Resource Management “My time at Columbia College means success to me because I am so close to graduating with my bachelor’s degree. As a single mother working two jobs, Columbia College has helped me by allowing me to take six courses a semester while juggling life, work and school. I feel accomplished after every semester because that means I am that much closer to accomplishing my goal. The amazing staff and instructors are so nice and understanding. They know exactly how hard you have to work to accomplish your goals, and they are with you the whole way.”
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Each applicant is asked to describe what their time at Columbia College means to them and/or how they benefit from Columbia College. Here’s what our 2020 scholarship recipients have to say.
ASHLEY SANDERS
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The CCAA recognizes the personal sacrifices and determination it takes to earn a college degree, and each year we are honored to award financial assistance through the CCAA Scholars Program. From more than 90 applications, the selection committee of the CCAA Advisory Board chose nine students to each receive a $1,000 scholarship toward the 2020-21 academic year.
Full Speed Ahead ALYSSA SMITH
Columbia, Missouri Attending: Columbia College Day Program Major: Nursing “I came to Columbia College as a transfer student and from a BIG college campus. It was not until I attended Columbia College that I felt accountable for my education and was amongst teachers who really care. I have made the dean’s list and excelled in my academics. I love Columbia College and all that it stands for. The small classrooms make learning easier, and seeing the same faces make it like attending school with family. Being that I am a single mother of two, it is hard at times balancing school and work. Since attending Columbia College I feel that I have been able to actually accomplish being a student and a mother—and not neglecting one obligation over the other.”
GENOVEVA GOMEZ-LINCE
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Guayaquil, Ecuador Attending: Columbia College Day Program Major: Psychology
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“Columbia College has opened up a world of opportunities. As an international student from Ecuador, I have learned so much about different cultures, as well as being able to proudly share mine. Ever since I got here, I have been looking for leadership opportunities since I love to be involved on campus. I was a resident assistant for a year, I was involved in the student government and I am a part of four student organizations.”
KYLE ROLFES
Kirkwood, Missouri Attending: Columbia College Day Program Major: Business Administration, Accounting and Finance
“Columbia College is one of the best things that has happened to me. I have met my best friends here and I have grown as a person. I have been able to become a member of TRiO, a First-Year Mentor, a Student Ambassador, a Study Abroad Ambassador, TEACH Club President, and maintain a flexible job because of Columbia College. I also have gotten amazing experiences observing in Columbia Public Schools for all of my Education classes. Lastly, I can connect with any one of my professors, and they are always there for help! I am/will be forever grateful for Columbia College!”
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New London, Missouri Attending: Columbia College Day Program Major: Education
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SKY FISCHER
“Life-changing, to put it simply. Not only has Columbia College set me up to succeed in my career, but it has set me up with the skills I will use to succeed at life. CC has provided me with leadership and communication skills which I have used to help better my school community. CC has also provided me with a family away from home. Being the first sibling in my family going to college, I could not have been happier to go to a college that welcomed me with warm open arms and embraced me for who I was as a person. CC has given me a fresh start in how I can shape my life and, to say the least, Columbia College has been life-changing.”
Full Speed Ahead LILLIAN NOWACK
Columbia, Missouri Attending: Columbia College Day Program Major: Biology
MICHAEL GUTHRIE
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Oak Harbor, Washington Attending: Columbia CollegeNS Everett/Marysville Major: General Studies
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“Joining Columbia College changed my life. Before enrolling, I was experiencing my most unsuccessful years. I had recently been discharged from the Navy for being overweight. I had also separated from my wife and kids. Over the course of a few years, I had lost the very things that gave my life meaning. In my time with Columbia, I have found the steps to rebuild my life and myself. My success here is exactly what I need to redefine how I see myself and relocate my self-esteem.”
“Columbia College has given me so many experiences and skills that I never would’ve developed otherwise. Through being in the Emerging Leaders Institute, becoming a First Year Mentor, and just getting to know everyone on campus I have become a better student, leader, peer, and friend. I came into college nervous and apprehensive, and I have grown into a confident and knowledgeable person. Columbia College has made me into the person who I am now, and I am forever thankful.”
DEREK ROBERTS
Hazelwood, Missouri Attending: Columbia College-St. Louis Major: Accounting “Columbia College has given me hope and determination to finish my higher education. School has always been priority for me. I came to Columbia College shortly after my father passed away. With learning how to deal with this new reality of my father not being here, Columbia College allowed me to find the balance I needed in life to be successful. While being at Columbia College I have made the dean’s list, and this past year I became a member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honors Society. I am grateful for the support of Columbia College.”
LAUREN CUSTER
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“At 31, I have started college multiple times in my life—once for only a semester and sometimes I wouldn’t even make it that far. I had a severe fear of failure to the point of inducing the failure on my own at the first struggle. I had this distorted thought that I couldn’t fail if I quit first. It took awhile to realize that quitting was the worst form of failure. I thought about going back to college for a couple of years and I looked into so many. The day I walked into Columbia College on Fort Leonard Wood, I felt more at home than any of the previous colleges I attended ever made me feel. They walked me through every thing step by step and before I knew it, I was registered for classes and reassured that I could do this and that I had a new family to back me. That was two years ago, and this time I won’t fail. How do you fail with support like this?” –CP
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Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri Attending: Columbia CollegeFort Leonard Wood Major: Criminal Justice
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QA &
WITH ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
What are some of the highlights of your first year at CC?
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We had a fantastic fall and winter. Men’s & women’s soccer and men’s & women’s cross country won conference championships, with men’s soccer making a historic run in the National Tournament. It was great to see volleyball qualify for another national tournament, overcoming adversity under the direction of a new coach and with only two returners. CC received every fall AMC Coach of the Year award — Volleyball: Allison JonesOlson, Men’s and Women’s Soccer: John Klein and Men’s and Women’s Cross Country: Tracy Jex.
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How have alumni and supporters of the program been crucial in your efforts this year? I have been overwhelmed and blown away by the support of the community, alumni and the extended Cougar family. Without the love and support of those who value Cougar Athletics and Columbia College, I’m certain we would not be able to function and operate at such a high level.
James Arnold How have you been able to bring your experience and expertise into the classroom as an instructor? Having the opportunity to be in the classroom was a great treat this year. I miss the direct interaction with the students and really enjoy seeing the student-athletes in a different environment. I have always considered myself a teacher first and foremost, so my approach in the classroom is not any different than it was when running a basketball practice. We want to learn, get better and enjoy ourselves while doing so. Each player on a roster and each student in the classroom is unique and requires different strategies to help them obtain their goals and find success. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought extremely tough challenges to college athletics. How has your team responded? It has certainly been an interesting and trying year in many ways, but I could not ask for a better group of people to go through
Cougar Athletic Director James Arnold (right) visits with Chad Holliday ’94 at the 2019 Cougar Club Golf Tournament. Holliday played on the 1991-1993 men’s basketball teams and is an active Cougar Club member.
There are a lot of unknowns heading into the 2020-2021 academic year. How is your program handling recruitment and additional eligibility? Our entire staff has been working diligently to prepare for the “unknowns” of the school year ahead. We aren’t sure how the
Give a recruiting pitch on why a student-athlete would want to attend Columbia College? If you want a high-quality education, a first-class student-athlete experience and live in one of the best college town’s in America, then Columbia College is the place for you. You will be cared for, challenged, find success on and off the field and build lifelong memories. –SF
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these challenges with. There is no instruction manual when it comes to navigating a pandemic, so having our students, staff and the campus community rally around one another is a huge blessing.
pandemic will affect intercollegiate athletics, but we will be prepared for whatever shape our athletic seasons take. Our coaches are recruiting new students and working to make sure our players are ready when the time is right. We’re also excited the college has found a way to bring back fifthyear student-athletes who want to return and take advantage of the eligibility relief granted by the NAIA.
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“We want to learn, get better and enjoy ourselves.”
COUGAR SPORTS ZONE
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Baseball made a triumphant return to Columbia College in 2016. Under the direction of Coach Darren Munns, the 2016-17 academic year saw a squad of 37 men – including 24 freshman – step on the field in early February and take home a win.
In the home opener a month later, the Cougars rolled over conference foe Williams Baptist (16-5) on their way to becoming the AMC conference regular season cochampions. The dog pile on the pitcher’s mound after claiming a share of the conference title made everyone in attendance feel like a winner. Of those initial 24 freshman on the inaugural team, 13 players headlined the roster on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, when the Cougars defeated Missouri Valley College (16-0). The team recorded this final victory before the season was cut short, as the coronavirus pandemic unexpectedly halted college athletics across the nation. Despite the abrupt end to the season, the Cougars celebrated a four-year legacy that included 114 wins over 175 games and a slew of accolades for the baseball program. These 13 athletes took the chance on a budding program and hung on to finish what they started. Eligibility relief granted by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) will give players the opportunity to return and complete their final season in navy and silver.
As the excitement surrounding Cougar baseball continues to grow and get stronger, we salute this impactful group of men and a legacy that will live on. –CFP
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The Cougars said goodbye to Ward Mershon, Josh Mobley and Lane Threlkeld, who have all chosen to move on and pursue careers. Brad Prebay, Kenny Piper, Josh Miller, Justin Randle, Mark Haire, Luke Miller, Chris Wall, Hayden Ludwig, Andrew Baker and Alex Anderson plan to return to Columbia College in the fall to work on another undergraduate or master’s degree.
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“The relationships formed through Athletics, and specifically the coach/player relationship, is special,” Munns says. “Watching their growth from wide-eyed freshmen to team leaders, and ultimately proud CC alumni, is the primary reason I coach.”
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CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE The annual Cougar Athletics Celebration of Excellence recognizes top student-athletes and program supporters for their accomplishments during the academic year. Due to the pandemic, this year’s 2019-20 awards were announced virtually. –CFP BOB BURCHARD CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP KENNY PIPER: Baseball BURDETTE FREW FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP KATE MARSHALL: Soccer CHUCK BOBBITT SOFTBALL SCHOLARSHIP JACEY MEYER: Softball VIRGINIA & STANLEY WILLIAMS AWARD TESS LOSACKER: Track & Field
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MALE BREAKOUT PERFORMER JOHN THOMAS Lacrosse After sitting out last season, provided a spark to the 2020 team; the skilled attacker tallied 12 goals through the first five games, helping the Cougars to a top-five national ranking.
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FEMALE BREAKOUT PERFORMER SIDNEY BRANSON Volleyball Played in all 35 matches and was second on the team in total kills (401) and third in digs (284)
MALE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR CARSON LINDSEY Soccer AMC Freshman of the Year, All-AMC Defender, NAIA Honorable Mention All-American, played a key role in the men’s soccer team national semi-final appearance
FEMALE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR LUISA FERREIRA Volleyball AMC Freshman of the Year, First Team All-Conference, NAIA Second Team AllAmerican, sixth freshman in CC history to earn AllAmerica accolades
TOP NEWCOMER JARRETT NEWELL Baseball Leadoff hitter and outfielder, had the fourth-highest batting average (.357), secondmost hits (30) and the most doubles (9) during the shortened season
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR RYAN HARRISSKITT Soccer Save, after save, after save! AMC Player of the Year and NAIA Second Team All-American
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR KIERSTEN ANDERSON Volleyball Played in every match during her two years, 2019 AMC Co-Player of the Year and an NAIA First Team All-American
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FEMALE SCHOLARATHLETES OF THE YEAR KELSEY MIRTS Soccer REAGAN WIESER Basketball Both finished their careers as four-time All-Conference, Second Team All-Americans and two-time NAIA Scholar-Athletes.
MALE SCHOLARATHLETE OF THE YEAR ALEX DUKES Cross Country An outstanding student and 2019 AMC Cross Country Champion, finished 27th at the NAIA Cross Country National Championship, a 2019 NAIA XC All-American and won the AMC indoor 3000m title
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KOEPKE FAMILY SERVICE AWARD KAREN AND WARREN HARMS Vital members of the Cougar family for over 20 years, embody the spirit of the Koepke Family through attendance and giving
MY CCAA
LETTER FROM OUR CHAIR JONATHAN L. DUDLEY ’10, CCAAPREZ@CCIS.EDU
Dear CCAA Family, I hope this letter find you and your loved ones well. 2020 — what a year! As a society we have had to pivot, adapt and contemplate the actions we take every day. Columbia College was not immune to this, and I tip my hat to President Dalrymple, our faculty and staff for showing initiative and courage to take action early. Maybe I am biased, but I expect nothing less from a college that has a history of such unwavering stewardship. As an alumni association, we also took inventory of what we can do — especially where the core of our business is building affinity, which is often best accomplished in person. Unfortunately, like everyone else in the country, we had to cancel a significant number of in-person events, but the mark of a resilient and steadfast organization is one that takes a loss and turns it into a win. We have moved to more frequent virtual meetings, making more phone calls and doubling down on our digital footprint.
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Our 2nd annual Giving Day was postponed just days before it started and was rescheduled for June 9. We’re humbled by the generosity of our alumni and friends, and you can see a recap of the results on page 12. To those who gave, thank you so much. Your contributions make a tremendous difference in our ability to deliver our promise of improving lives for our students. As we look to the future, the college remains focused on taking deliberate actions to build affinity, capture memories and celebrate your success. I hope you enjoy the new Affinity magazine. As you will see in this issue, we are stepping up and taking on the challenges life is throwing our way. In this time of the global pandemic and civil unrest*, it’s more important than ever that we come together in solidarity. I hope you continue to embrace your alumni status as a source of pride and reach out to support fellow alumni in your communities. We are CC!
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Alumna Spotlight
VICE CHAIR Debra Carnahan ’82 Day Campus ALUMNI REPRESENTATIVE TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Bill Johnston ’82 Day Campus ADVISORS Allen Butler ’07 Lake County
Jeannie M. Lahman ’18 Online Program Bill Leeper ’04 NAS Jacksonville Chris Lievsay ’09 & ’11 Kansas City Joshua Muder ’99 Day Campus Joe Nicchetta ’79 Day Campus Ed Sasan ’11 Redstone Arsenal Corbin Umstattd ’12 Day Campus & Online Program STAFF Suzanne Rothwell Vice President, Advancement Sam Fleury Senior Director, Public Relations Carolyn Preul Associate Director, Alumni Relations Keiyana Austin Administrative Assistant, Alumni Relations
Carol Winkler ’93, a graduate of the Evening Program on main campus, stepped down from the CCAA Advisory Board this spring, a volunteer position she has held since 1995. Winkler joined the college’s Board of Trustees in 2006 and recently began her first term as Treasurer on the Executive Committee. Dedicated Cougar Club fans, Winkler and her husband, Darrell, can be found in Southwell Complex cheering on the Cougars. The couple lives in Columbia, Missouri, and has two children and four grandchildren. Thank you, Carol, for 25 years of service to the CCAA. Your contributions have made our organization what it is today, and we value your leadership.
LEARN MORE my.ccis.edu/alumni-advisory-board
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Whitney Jones ’16 ’19 & ’20 St. Louis
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Columbia College Alumni Association Advisory Board: 2020–2021
CHAIR Jonathan Dudley ’10 Day Campus
MY CCAA
ALUMNI AWARDS For the past 56 years, the CCAA has taken great pride in recognizing deserving alumni for their accomplishments at the annual Alumni Awards Banquet. While this year’s celebration was canceled due to the pandemic, it is our honor to introduce our 2020 award recipients who will be formally recognized in 2021.
VICTOR CIARDELLI ’89
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
Victor Ciardelli is president and CEO of Guaranteed Rate. Based in Chicago, it is one of the largest independent retail-mortgage companies in the United States. Since its inception in 2012, the Guaranteed Rate Foundation has donated nearly $2.5 million to support famillies and their communities in times of hardship or unexpected need. Ciardelli graduated from the Columbia College Day Program in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
VIRGINIA STEWART ’76 Summer 2020
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
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Virginia Stewart has served as a longtime volunteer in her community. In 2014, she and her husband — former University of Missouri basketball coach Norm Stewart — founded the Virginia and Norman Stewart Cancer Center at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Missouri. Stewart graduated from the Columbia College Evening Program in 1976 with a human services degree in individual studies.
DONNA OSBORNE BRADLEY ’11 PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Donna Osborne Bradley is a highly respected attorney and educator. She has also served an inner-city ministry for 16 years and is the education and outreach coordinator at St. Louis Metropolitan Equal Housing and Opportunity Council. In addition to earning a master’s degree in criminal justice from Columbia College-St. Louis in 2011, Bradley holds bachelor’s degrees from Brown University and the United Theological Seminary, as well as a doctorate from Howard University School of Law.
PAT HAGENBUCH ’62
JANE FROMAN COURAGE AWARD
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All alumni and friends of Columbia College are invited to submit nominations for the CCAA Alumni Awards. For more information and to read about previous award recipients, visit my.ccis.edu/awards.
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Pat Hagenbuch is co-owner of her family’s business, Philippi-Hagenbuch, Inc., which carries a worldwide reputation for manufacturing custom off-highway haulage solutions. Early in her career, Hagenbuch overcame the challenges of being a female business owner to become a respected leader in the industry. Hagenbuch graduated from Christian College in 1962.
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Alumni Appreciation Day | February 2, 2020
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Alumni Appreciation Day was hosted during the men’s and women’s Cougar basketball home games, where both teams beat Park University. A Cougar fan reception was held during halftime and between games to refuel, meet the players and take pictures with Scooter the Cougar. See more: flickr.com/ photos/columbiacollegealumni/albums
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MY CCAA
Christian College Alumnae Luncheons
The Modern Art Museum, Fort Worth | March 4, 2020
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Ann Merrifield, Connie Stevens Minnemyer ’63, Francis Gann Mizell ’53, Suzanne Rothwell and Ludie Irvin Heineman ’58
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The Dallas Arboretum | March 5, 2020 Suzanne Rothwell, Dixie Holt Deen ’66, Ann Merrifield, PJ McIntire Weber ’52, Ruth Ann Minor Galiher ’57, Pauline Giblet White ’38, Columbia College Trustee Dale Coe Simons ’65 and Missy Montgomery ’06
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Fort Worth Alumni Social | March 4, 2020
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Alumni and friends gathered in the Fort Worth Stockyard for an evening of line-dancing lesson, food and fun. View the gallery: flickr.com/photos/ columbiacollegealumni/albums
CLASS NOTES PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL UPDATES BY CLASS YEAR
1960s Betty Hamor Trober ’63 is a selfemployed bookkeeper, managing finances for the family farm and a local restaurant. In 1982, she married her husband, Ed, and completed a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Dodge City St. Mary of the Plains, the night before her daughter Darcie graduated from high school. Joanna Johns Willis ’69, who retired from education in 2016, teaches private piano lessons, serves as an author’s assistant and sings in her church choir. She and her husband reside in Lubbock, Texas.
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1970s
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Doris Alex Schyman ’71 (right) is a lifelong learner. After receiving an Associate of Arts from Columbia College, she completed a bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Missouri in 1973. She had a successful career in education and recently earned a Master of Arts in Jewish Studies
from the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago. Evelyn Jorgenson ’76 is president of NorthWest Arkansas Community College. She is an active board member for the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and the Literacy Council of Benton County. Dr. Calvin Posner ’76 was elected President of the Democratic Public Education Caucus of Florida in August 2019. Penny Rafferty Hamilton ’76 published “America’s Amazing Airports” in 2019.
Brig. Gen Charles E. McGee ‘78 received the Silver Buffalo Award, Scouting’s highest commendation for service to youth, by Boy Scouts of America. An Eagle Scout and Tuskegee Airman, he joins a prestigious group of award recipients, which includes 13 presidents, Neil Armstrong and Walt Disney.
1980s Fawn Clemons Stephenson ’81 is a retired high school art teacher. She and her husband, Gene, married in 1981. Robyn Frame ’82 retired from being a kindergarten teacher in May 2020. With more than 30 years in education in Missouri, she has received teacher of the year accolades for Fulton Public Schools.
1990s Amy Henderson ’90 is an associate attorney with Cripps and Simmons LLC in Columbia, Missouri, where she focuses on estate planning, trusts, probate and elder law.
Paul Hopkins ’91 became interim director of the John J. Pershing Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, in April 2020. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserve in 2007. Dianne Graves Whitaker ’93 has been named director of Human Resources for St. Louis-based Doe Run Company. David Wood ’97 served 22 years in the United States Navy before earning his bachelor’s degree and working as a law enforcement
Summer 2020
Dr. Martha “Marti” Snyder ’88 is a professor in the College of Computing and Engineering at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is a member of the American Educational Research Association, International Society for Performance Improvement and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology.
Longtime friends Mimi Rendish ’65 (left) and Lois Flege Pulliam ’47 reconnected in the fall of 2019. The women, who both live in Massachusetts, met while working for a group of scientists. Rendish owns MimizMuzic Studio and is a fulltime piano instructor. Pulliam has been a member of the American Association of University Women since 1957 and was named Woman of the Year by the organization in 2007.
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Robert Walker ’87 was promoted to director of Operations, Sustainment & Logistics Operations for Lockhead Martin Space in Aurora, Colorado.
CLASS NOTES
officer in Virginia. He retired in 2018 and works part-time as a background investigator. Tonda Bailey ’98 was promoted to director of Business Services for Coastal Wire Company in South Carolina. David Belmonte ’98 is a content developer for Lexipol, the leading provider of public safety policy and training solutions for first responders. He has 31 years of experience in law enforcement and retired as chief of police in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Victoria Bishop Ryan ’99 joined Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in December 2019 as senior manager of Leadership Development.
Summer 2020
2000s
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Janette Nichols ’00 & ’02 completed a master’s degree in philosophy from Walden University and plans to submit her dissertation for its Ph.D. program in Human Services and Social Work with a specialty in military cultures and families and non-profit management. Ray Sanchez ’00 served in the U.S. Army and works in IT/Data Analytics in Illinois.
Lauren Seburn ’00 is Chief of Police at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force with more than 25 years in law enforcement. Capt. Rex Scism ’01 & ’05, director of the Research and Development division, retired from the Missouri State Highway Patrol after 26 years of service. Verna Harris Laboy ’03 won the 2019 Progress in Health Care Award by the Columbia Missourian. She leads the Live Well by Faith program, which works with the African-American community in Boone County. Tangalayer Oates ’04 is the chief executive officer and principal instructor at Transcending Borders Corporation, a human resources and organizational management consulting and training company based in Georgia. Kurt Frisz ’05 has been appointed Chief of Police for St. Charles County. With more than 30 years in law enforcement, he was named the 2019 Missouri Police Chiefs Association Chief of the Year.
Women in Business From left to right: Chelsea McGill ’16, Keli Tate ’14, Lara Pieper ’16 and Tarah Toellner ‘12
Four Columbia College alumnae were recognized by the 2019 Women Who Own It Awards honoring women business owners in Central Missouri. Chelsea McGill ’16 owns The Grind Coffee Shop in California and manages Countryside Insurance Agency in Tipton alongside her husband, Alex; Keli Tate ’14 is the founder/owner of The Station restaurant in Fulton; Lara Pieper ’16 owns Bloom Bookkeeping in Columbia; and Tarah Griggs Toellner ’12 owns Martha Rose Gifts and Home Décor in Mexico.
Cindy Potter ’05, a Cougar softball alumna and current assistant director of Columbia College Athletics, received the
LaShawnda Walters ’06 married Olalekan T. Kayode on Jan. 28, 2020, in Lagos, Nigeria. She is a U.S. Navy veteran and retired mental health counselor. James Beasley ’07 & ’11 is the assistant principal of a 4A school in East Texas. He holds a second master’s degree in educational
Summer 2020
Kayla McAndrews ’05 and her husband, Craig “Boomer” McAndrews, welcomed a son, Cal Hays, on June 19, 2019. Boomer is an assistant coach for the Cougar baseball team.
Warren Berg Award for her outstanding contributions to the field of sports information by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Potter currently serves as the organization’s First Vice President, and will ascend to CoSIDA’s presidency in July 2021.
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Colita Harvey ’05 has been promoted to program officer for the Central Missouri Community Action Housing Department.
CLASS NOTES
leadership from East Texas Baptist University and was a high school science teacher for 12 years.
Day Means to Me” at the 2019 SUNY Cortland Veterans Day celebration.
Donald Dillman ’07 is vice commander of The American Legion District 15 and adjutant for Greenfield American Legion Post 47. He is a retired First Sergeant E-8 in the U.S. Army.
2010s
Thomas Donohoe ’07 has been promoted to University Registrar at East Tennessee State University.
Summer 2020
Nicole Rademan ’07 completed the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin. She is Vice President, Strategic Project Manager at Providence Bank in Jefferson City, Missouri.
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Matt Williams ’07 has become the first person to graduate from A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health in his hometown of Kirksville, Missouri. He completed the four-year program this spring and will start is career at the Northeast Missouri Health Council. Brandon Gilbert ’08 is a master sergeant in the Air Force National Guard and an officer for the State University of New York — Cortland Police Department. Gilbert was invited to speak on “What Veterans
Elisha Wells Stroupe ’10 is the author of “Desperate Farmwives,” a collection of stories of a small town girl who swore she’d move to the big city after college. She taught for 10 years before launching her writing career. Scott Moore ’11 was named fire chief of the Battlefield Fire Protection District in Springfield, Missouri. Clay Chism ’12 received the 2020 Distinguished Service Award at the annual Kingdom of Callaway Supper in Callaway County, Missouri. A lifelong Callawegian, he has served the county since 2000 and was elected sheriff in 2016. Jessica Cox ’12 married Jared Erickson on June 29, 2019, in Lincoln, Nebraska. She is the owner of Hearts and Minds Counseling. Jeff Mathiot ’12 retired from the United States Army in 2013. His family raises and shows Nigerian Dwarf goats and run a fully operational dairy goat farm in Missouri.
Logan McGuire ’12 and his wife, Kathleen, welcomed son Banks on Sept. 10, 2019. Itai Cardona ’13 started a pop-up pantry in his community for people to take what they need or leave what they can share. With national stay-at-home orders changing the course of daily interactions, he felt the need to help. Cardona is the manager of a mobile home community for senior citizens in Southern California and created the pantry to help provide basic necessities to his residents. Joe Fullington ’13 is director of Plant Operations at Froedtert Hospital in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Michael Cathcart ’14 and his wife, Star, received the gift of a lifetime from the Bob Woodruff Foundation and the NFL. Both military veterans, the couple appeared on Good Morning America in November 2019, where they met former New York Giants players Michael Strahan and Justin Tuck and received a trip to the 2020 Super Bowl in Miami. Nikki Haigh-Patterson ’14 and Chris Patterson celebrated their marriage in Dorsey Gym at Columbia College main campus in 2017. The couple welcomed daughter Gwendolynn Grace on Oct. 28, 2019. Nikki is a senior administrative support assistant for the City of Columbia.
Amy Brooks ’14 has been promoted to an Operations Specialist-Closer at Veterans United Home Loans in Columbia, Missouri.
Jessica Anderson Bedwell ’15 and her husband, Michael, welcomed daughter Elena Grace on March 6, 2020. Rotshak Dakup ’17 has been promoted to a support escalation engineer at Microsoft in Dallas.
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Eric Wade ’13 is the author of “The Crow Code 1877,” a depiction of the overthrow of reconstruction and implementation of Jim Crow. This is his fourth novel.
Summer 2020
Lori Jones ’13 is the manager at the Lake Regional Clinic in Laurie, Missouri.
CLASS NOTES
Taylor Emery ’17 infuses her love of pop art, celebrity and her hometown of St. Louis in her custom pottery collection. She completed an apprenticeship in 2018 and sells her work in stores locally and through her Etsy store, ClayByTayStudio. Gregory Haug ’17 retired as a Police Corporal with the Shrewsbury Police Department and started new job as a client services manager for GardaWorld in St. Louis.
Summer 2020
Breanna Troesser ’17 has been promoted to a program analyst at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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Leah Dixon ’18 is a staffing specialist at Hughes Resources in Freeport, Illinois. She serves on the board of Davis Town and Country and is a member of the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society. Jeannie Lahman ’18 joined the Missouri Department of Economic Development as a disaster recovery compliance specialist. Lahman is a member of the CCAA Advisory Board.
Taylor Lantz ’18 is a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual in Elgin, Illinois. Rachael Fehl ’19 is a senior human resources manager for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. A former U.S. Army captain, Fehl was chosen to provide the commencement address at Columbia College’s December 2019 ceremony, where she received a master’s degree in Business Administration. “At the heart of the Columbia College mission statement, it’s about unlocking true potential,” she says. “And the key method is at this pivotal moment of graduation it’s our continued commitment to being open to learn, it’s how we can keep turning that key to unlock our true potential.” Nolan Rattai ‘19, a former Columbia College Cougar infielder, was named Canadian Baseball Network’s Second Team All-Canadian. After just three months on the team, the 23-year-old has taken over as head coach of the Medicine Hat Mavericks in Alberta, Canada. –CP Did you know you can search Alumni Class Notes online by name or class year? Find out what your fellow classmates have shared with us over the years, or submit an update of your own: my.ccis.edu/alumniclassnotes
C O LU M B I A C O L L E G E
Cornerstone Club Cornerstone Club members are leaders in philanthropy and answer the call for what they C O LU M B I A C O L L E G E can do to support our students at CC. The Club is comprised of alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends who make an annual gift of $1,000 or more to the Columbia College Fund. Your gift is put to work immediately to address the college’s most urgent needs. This donation can be paid throughout the year such as quarterly or monthly.
Cornerstone Club
Cornerstone Club members are leaders in philanthropy and answer the call for what they As adomember group of The leaders, can to supportof ourthis students at CC. Club you help bolster more than $4 million in scholarship aidstaff, theparents college is comprised of alumni, faculty, andprovides for students at our more friends wholocations, make an annual of $1,000 and or more to than 35 fundgift inspiring emerging programs, and enhance the Columbia College Fund. Your gift is put to work immediately to address experience for our more than 18,000 students worldwide. the college’s most urgent needs. This donation can be paid throughout the year such as quarterly or monthly.
the
MEMBER BENEFITS:
As• a Members member of this group aofbiannual leaders, youelectronic help bolster newsletter more than $4 from the president receive million in scholarship aid the college provides for students at our more with strategic updates, including topics discussed by the president, than 35 locations, fund inspiring and emerging programs, and enhance the administrative council and the board of trustees. experience for our more than 18,000 students worldwide.
• Throughout the year the administration and other campus leaders share
MEMBER BENEFITS: additional information with members, them updated on the • Members receive a biannual electronic newsletter keeping from the president latest developments and topics discussions with strategic updates, including discussedon by campus. the president, council and the board of trustees. • administrative Members are recognized at the annual Cornerstone Club member• Throughout the year the administration and other campus leaders share appreciation event in the spring. additional information with members, keeping them updated on the • latest Cornerstone Club invited to attend special Columbia developments andmembers discussions are on campus. • Members recognized atincluding the annual Cornerstone Clubon-campus memberCollegearegatherings, regional and events. appreciation event in the spring. members In• Cornerstone the club’s Club second year:are invited to attend special Columbia College gatherings, including regional and on-campus events.
• 113 members came together to raise more than $187,000 to support
In the club’s second year: the world. students around •• 113 members came together to raise more than support Membership grew by 20 percent, and$187,000 donorstoincreased their students around the world. percent. • Membership grew by 20 percent, and donors increased their giving by 52 percent.
To join the Cornerstone Club or to learn more, please call
To join the Cornerstone Club my.ccis.edu/cornerstone-club. or to learn more, please call (573) 875-7563 or visit (573) 875-7563 or visit my.ccis.edu/cornerstone-club.
giving by 52
CLASS NOTES
In Memoriam Mary Gary Griffith ’30 1989
Virginia Hough Mercier ’32 January 8, 2006
Mary Hasson Crooks ’30 October 19, 1989
Dorothy Deisch Nixon ’32 April 6, 2015
Anne Leonard Darby ’30 January 20, 1983
Eloise Harris Benage ’33 June 5, 1991
Charlotte Curtis Dominique ’30 September 13, 2010
Dorothy Benton Hoefer ’33 June 1, 1992
Frances Nowlin Gunn ’30 May 15, 1995 Catherine Wagenknecht Lamm ’30 February 14, 1989 Jerva Pipkin Anderson ’31 June 1, 1990
Summer 2020
Doris Weber Barton ’31 March 15, 1997
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Notifications received Nov. 2019 – May 2020
Marjorie Lewis ’33 January 1, 1982 Dava Mothershead England ’34 June 5, 2009 Dorothy McPherrin Bane ’35 March 14, 2015 Martha McLane Howarth ’36 September 16, 1997
Joie Kalis Blotcky ’31 March 16, 1988
Dorothy Whitener Huskey ’36 May 14, 2019
Grace McVean Doeling ’31 November 13, 2011
Martha Oakes Ramey ’36 January 23, 2006
Julia Wickizer Pfieffer ’31 April 4, 1998
Virginia Brown Seibert ’36 April 15, 1989
Lusetta Ploeger Ungles ’31 May 1, 1995
Jacqueline Wise Rust ’37 February 16, 2002
Mary Hartnett Hazen ’32 May 24, 2015
Margaret Peebles Blanchard ’37 July 20, 2018 Claudia Wattenbarger Swiss ’37 December 2, 2006 Frances Little Bell ’38 March 2, 2010 Helen Baker Holloway ’38 June 15, 2010 Ann Childers Merritt ’38 June 22, 2014 Patricia Hargate Milnes ’38 December 16, 2008 Mary Ruble Hudspeth ’39 September 1, 2003 Helen Roberson Hunter ’39 January 25, 2017 Annabel Hull Jones ’39 December 7, 2005 Emma Puryear Kirkpatrick ’39 April 11, 2016 Dorothy Combs McFarland ’39 June 5, 1995 Mary Million Meyer ’39 May 6, 2015
PHOTO BY THE MITCHELL’S PHOTOGRAPHY
Carolyn Wagley Raney ’39 June 8, 2013 Margaret Spore Spangler ’39 January 5, 2008 Alice Schlaepfer Vandendool ’39 July 12, 2014 Mary Trefts Hinson ’42 January 8, 2014
Peggy Lamke Price ’43 April 5, 2020 Dell Clary Keepers ’44 December 28, 2019 Barbara Boblitt Houchin ’46 February 22, 2020 Mary Hindman Saeger ’46 November 13, 2019 Mary Lu Jones Mansur ’47 January 27, 2018 Rosemary Schroeder Pickens ’48 April 2, 2018 Pat Newby Lauder ’49 November 1, 2019 Lois Neale Nelson ’50 May 14, 2020
Margaret “Peggy” Gail Lamke Price ’43 passed away on April 5, 2020. Her family was the center of her heart, while her church and Columbia College served as hallmarks of a life devoted to service. A true friend of the college, Peggy demonstrated commitment through action. Peggy and her husband, Jim, founded the Price-LamkeJennings-Bassett Scholarship in 1998, honoring five generations of family members who attended Columbia (Christian) College. She accomplished countless great works as a community ambassador for CC while serving 33 years on the Board of Trustees from 1975-2008 and was named Trustee Emerita in 2008. In addition, Peggy was president of the CCAA from 1971-1973 and named the college’s first ever CCAA Director Emerita in 2015. Her beautiful smile and can-do attitude will be remembered dearly. The Price family legacy was featured in the Winter 2012 issue of Affinity. Standing from left: Abby Price Taylor ’13 & ’16, Barbara Green Price ’72 and Beth Price ’98; Seated from left: Peggy Lamke Price ’43, Lily May Petitt and Gayle Jennings Price Gibb ’73
Summer 2020
Cora Gene DeBerry Miller ’43 July 26, 2010
ALUMNA KEPT CC CLOSE TO HER HEART
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Mary Stephens Meador ’42 February 23, 1994
CLASS NOTES
Jo Ann Martin Oakley ’50 January 8, 2020
Lynn Dewey Sohm ’56 March 1, 2019
Deborah Barron Riley ’72 January 24, 2020
Edith Caldwell Rutter ’50 May 30, 2020
Barbara Grey Robbins ’57 February 19, 2020
James Dewhurst ’74 December 18, 2019
Ann Watson Glidden ’51 June 24, 2019
Lucy Wheeler Salyer-Shields ’57 April 4, 2020
William Harper ’75 May 12, 1991
Marcia Crosby Martin ’51 March 17, 2020 Patricia Stone Sowell ’52 January 28, 2015 Eddye Ruth Greene Williams ’52 May 12, 2020
Amanda Michael Thompson ’53 March 1, 2020
Nancy Kelly Kessinger ’61 August 1, 2017
Margot Dolata Walters ’54 March 2, 2020 Summer 2020
Dixie Chapman Day ’59 November 4, 2019 Sharon Todd Winner ’60 February 14, 2020
Virginia Thiel Shipley ’54 December 11, 2019
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Eleanor Connell Ahern ’59 March 17, 2020
Patty Webb Rogers ’53 December 27, 2019
Delores Williams Cornell ’54 September 17, 2019
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Mary Gray Dunscombe ’58 February 24, 2020
Leah Steinkraus Foster ’55 February 26, 2019 Helen Sexton Mann ’55 May 27, 2012 Clema Williams North ’55 May 15, 2018
Jacquelyn Crane Stamper ’61 January 30, 2020 Audrey Weisser Hartwell ’63 February 20, 2020 Barbara Lowry Matuska ’63 September 1, 2015 Cheri Brummet Peck ’65 May 10, 2020 Austeene Cooper ’67 September 16, 2019 Susan Sorrels Kallenbach ’71 April 25, 2020 Colleen Johnson White ’71 December 26, 2019
Phillip Wines ’75 November 29, 2016 Adolph Dockus ’75 May 7, 2017 Ronald Donner ’75 January 4, 2020 Billie Gebhardt ’75 April 8, 2020 Allen Wright ’75 April 3, 2020 Charles Brubaker ’76 January 25, 2020 Stephanie Sillimon Harris ’76 December 24, 2014 Robert Toombs ’77 January 16, 2020 Orland Adams ’78 December 8, 2019 Velma Haldiman ’78 May 6, 2019 Marion McGee ’78 February 19, 2020 Charles Norris ’78 November 25, 2019
Stella Schauwecker ’78 May 25, 2020
Kent Higginbottom ’89 April 20, 2020
Charles Phillips ’05 February 15, 2020
William Jones ’79 February 12, 2020
Brian Smith ’89 November 9, 2019
Clinton Wright ’06 February 17, 2020
Patrick O’Brien ’81 May 3, 2020
Ward Engelhard ’91 June 12, 2016
Mark Yount ’06 September 29, 2019
Terence Champoux ’82 December 22, 2015
Linda Whisler George ’91 March 26, 2020
Dustin Gonnerman ’08 December 1, 2019
Gloria Pierce ’82 October 31, 2019
Jo Barry ’93 May 20, 2020
Susan Schoning Melloway ’08 May 10, 2020
Kathleen Virgen Martin ’83 February 9, 2020
Linda Heishman ’93 December 5, 2019
Jillian Worley ’08 January 24, 2020
Alda Keith ’84 October 27, 2019
Sterling Johnsen ’95 April 30, 2020
Todd Maxwell ’11 February 21, 2020
Edward Wheatley ’84 November 29, 2019
Gregory Dozier ’97 October 27, 2019
Eric Fields ’16 November 2, 2019
Joe Hart ’88 June 21, 2016
Jim Simmons ’00 November 25, 2019
Taylor Lorenz ’17 January 22, 2020
Jerry McLaughlin ’88 November 6, 2019
Carol Gilkey ’02 May 16, 2020
Barbara Williams-McQueen ’18 February 19, 2020
Joseph Rizzo ’88 September 26, 2018
Catharina Bybee ’05 December 14, 2016
To notify the CCAA of Columbia (Christian) alumni who have passed recently, please send an email with the link to the obituary to ccalum@ccis.edu. If you would like to make a gift in memory of a loved one, you may mail a check in the envelope provided in this magazine (write “in memory of” and the name of the individual on the memo line) or visit ccis.edu/onlinegiving.
WHAT YOU GAIN FROM COLUMBIA COLLEGE DOESN’T STOP WITH GRADUATION.
Columbia College graduates will receive an extra surprise with their mailed diplomas this year — an official alumni lapel pin. This navy and silver insignia depicts the iconic Rogers Gate, a long-standing welcome to all who enter Columbia College. As our gift to the Class of 2020, the CCAA is offering 20% off Grad Pack orders while supplies last (coupon code required). We hope this small token of our appreciation reminds you of the 91,000 fellow members of the CCAA who believe in you. Each gift set includes a professional padfolio and stylus pen, a class year t-shirt, an alumni window cling and a 25%off coupon to the alumni merchandise store.
my.ccis.edu/alumni-perks
Quarter-zip sweatshirt Plaid tumbler
Nationwide alumni tee
White mug
Baseball tee with paw
Lamis Tote
Pictured: Kenzie Bennett ’19, student Keiyana Austin and Mitch Gosney ’13 on the steps of Williams Hall
SHOP ALUMNI GEAR my.ccis.edu/store
KACI SMART ’09
THE RIGHT PATH Keep up-to-date about what’s happening with Columbia College and share your own news and views with fellow graduates.
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