Winter 2018-19
THE COLUMBIA COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
a f f i n i t y
BUILDINGUP BUSINESS Columbia College’s newly named Robert W. Plaster School of Business continues to flourish. Entrepreneurs compete in the Student Business Pitch Competition. One St. Louis company transforms leftover clay into a symbol of hope.
THE COLUMBIA COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
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FROM THE PRESIDENT Greetings from Columbia! September 26 was an important day in the history of the college. That afternoon, we announced a substantial, seven-figure gift from the Robert W. Plaster Foundation — the largest in CC’s history. In recognition of this generous donation, we named our business school the Robert W. Plaster School of Business.
education he didn’t have. Recipients of Robert W. Plaster Foundation grants include Missouri State University, Drury University, Lindenwood University and now Columbia College. We are extremely thankful for this gift and proud to honor Mr. Plaster’s legacy. (Read more on pages 24-25.)
Robert W. Plaster was born during the Great Depression in the small Missouri town of Neosho. He began working as a young boy and never really stopped. In 1963 he founded Empire Gas Corporation, which would become one of the largest propane distributors in the country. He also co-founded Students in Free Enterprise, which is now called Enactus, and we have a branch here at CC.
Some have asked whether we can name the other two academic schools: the School of Natural Science & Mathematics, and the School of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences. The answer is absolutely! We’d love to, if we can find interested donors. Named schools are one sign of a healthy institution. If you have any ideas, let us know!
Mr. Plaster started college, but left after three semesters because he couldn’t afford to finish. In 1983, he started the Robert W. Plaster Foundation to support colleges and universities, so students could benefit from the sort of formal
Until next time,
Dr. Scott Dalrymple Columbia College President
Columbia College Board of Trustees 2018-19 Chair Walter E. Bixby III ’82 Vice Chair Helen Dale Coe Simons ’65 Treasurer George W. Hulett Jr. Secretary Jolene Marra Schulz ’61
Trustees Lynne Stuver Baker ’64 Lex R. Cavanah Jerry D. Daugherty Daisy Willis Grossnickle ’66 Lt. Gen. Richard C. Harding David M. Hardy Jr. Mitchell R. Humphreys, MD
June Viner Hurdle ’83 Genie Rogers David R. Russell, Ph.D. Reverend Brad Stagg Gary A. Tatlow Matt Williams Carol J. Winkler ’93 Janet Carter Wright ’58
CCAA Advisory Board Representative William J. Johnston ’82 Faculty Representatives Danielle Langdon Ahoo Tabatabai, Ph.D.
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My CCAA Virtual career fairs widen the job search; alumni participated in a group tour of Ireland.
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Building Up Business After a record-breaking fundraising year, Columbia College announced the naming of the Robert W. Plaster School of Business; five students vied for the chance to win from a $9,000 prize pool in the annual Student Business Pitch Competition hosted by the Steven and Barbara Fishman Center for Entrepreneurship; alumni create a one-of-its-kind business in Iowa; a St. Louis company transforms leftover clay into a symbol of hope.
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A Family Affair As a young man, veteran, student, father and teacher, Michael Perkins has witnessed Columbia College’s evolution over the last 50 years.
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A Legacy of Uniqueness The faculty in Columbia College’s Art Department is committed to total involvement.
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Cougar Sports Zone The 16th class is inducted into the Cougar Athletics Hall of Fame; basketball player Sarah Walters has her earbuds tuned in to crime podcasts; two veteran coaches continue to pile up impressive numbers.
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Inside the Gate Veteran Keith Glindemann has dedicated his career to advocating for fellow military service members; staff members participated in national College Colors Day.
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CC Notes Alumni share personal and professional updates.
a f f i n i t y Winter 2018-19 Editor, Production & Design Carolyn Preul
On the Cover:
Beginning in Fall 2019, the Robert W. Plaster School of Business will be housed in New Hall. Design by Carolyn Preul
Editorial Review Board Dr. Scott Dalrymple Sam Fleury April Longley Ann Merrifield Suzanne Rothwell
Contributing Writers Kevin Fletcher Dan Gomez-Palacio Drew Grzella ’01 Kelsey Lyman Beth McWilliams Bradley Meinke ’14 Ann Muder Joshua Muder ’99
Photo Editor Kaci Smart ’09 Contributing Photographer Cindy Fotti Potter ’05
Affinity magazine is published biannually by the Columbia College Advancement Division (1001 Rogers St., Columbia, MO 65216). For assistance, please contact Alumni Relations at (573) 875-ALUM (2586) or ccalum@ccis.edu. © 2018 All rights reserved.
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THE COLUMBIA COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
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New Provost Announced BY SAM FLEURY
Following a nationwide search, Columbia College President Dr. Scott Dalrymple announced the promotion of Dr. Piyusha Singh as the college’s new provost and vice president for Academic Affairs on Nov. 2. Singh has served as the interim provost since June.
Singh has worked to enhance the online program for students and instructors alike. She and her team have partnered with faculty to update hundreds of online classes with the goal of creating an even better student experience in all courses and degree paths.
In this role, Singh will be charged with ensuring curriculum is consistent throughout the college’s Day, Evening, Adult Higher Education and Online Education programs and will oversee Student Affairs efforts.
In addition to her academic duties, Singh was also named the college’s first chief of staff in September 2017, which empowered her to provide input on important issues that span across the college. Most recently, Singh has played a crucial role in implementing the college’s new TruitionSM program, which offers text books at no cost while eliminating all fees for the college’s online and adult learners around the world.
“Dr. Singh has been an invaluable member of our leadership team for more than three years and has made an immediate impact in every role she has served in,” Dalrymple says. “I have every confidence that she will lead Academic and Student Affairs with energy, vision and integrity.” Since joining the college in June 2015 as vice president for Online Education,
President Dr. Scott Dalrymple has been appointed to serve as the chair of the Missouri Department of Higher Education’s Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC). The PAC’s role is to advise the Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) of the views of the institutions on matters within the purview of the coordinating board. He will serve in this role from 2018-20.
Dr. Nathan Miller, associate vice president for Adult Higher Education, traveled with a group of 20 Columbia Public Schools percussion students on a week-long trip to Japan. Miller, who holds three degrees in different musical disciplines, served as the director of the group’s drum line that performed at an annual cultural festival in Matsumoto City in the Nagano prefecture.
Singh holds bachelor’s degrees in biology and geography from Mount Holyoke College and a Ph.D. in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University.
Genie Rogers has been appointed to the Columbia College Board of Trustees by Chair Web Bixby. A sixth-generation Columbian, Rogers has a rich heritage with Columbia (Christian) College, and is the fifth member of her family to serve as a trustee. A local philanthropist and dedicated community advocate, Rogers has been a member of numerous boards and organizations and is a lifetime member of the First Christian Church-Disciples of Christ.
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National Collegiate Representative Cindy Fotti Potter ’05, associate director of Athletics for media relations and compliance, was elected to serve as the third vice president of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) for the 2018-19 academic year. She is the first representative from an NAIA school to ascend into the officer rotation and is scheduled to serve as the organization’s president for the 2021-22 academic year. CoSIDA was founded in 1957 and serves more than 3,000 members nationally.
Cindy Fotti Potter ’05 spoke at the 2017 CoSIDA convention in Washington, D.C., about increasing eSports coverage in college athletics.
Mike Siegel named American-Made Hero BY KEVIN FLETCHER
When Mike Siegel retired from a 20-year career as a sergeant major and assistant commandant of the Noncommissioned Officer Academy on Fort Leonard Wood in 2011, his service to the men and women of the Army continued unabated. For the past seven years he has served as director of Columbia College-Fort Leonard Wood, located on the Army training installation in the Missouri Ozarks. Through the years, Siegel has been active both on base and off, assisting student service members with whatever needs they have to continue their education, and coordinating volunteer efforts in the surrounding Waynesville/St. Robert community. This summer, Siegel was named as one of six service members nationwide honored by Evan Williams Bourbon as an American-Made Hero. As part of that honor, a $10,000 award was donated in Siegel’s name to the USO at Fort Leonard Wood. Keith Glindemann, Columbia College director of Veterans Services, says Siegel is the embodiment of the college’s military-friendly environment. “I’ve worked with Mike on several projects in the past, and the
passion that he brings to serving this population is both focused and wonderful, because it’s genuine,” Glindemann says. “He truly cares about his students – not just to get them into class, but to see them have that success, and he’s able to share that with them.” Glindemann recounts a story involving a Fort Leonard Wood student having a hard time accessing the G.I. Bill benefits. Siegel was diligent in partnering with Veterans Services to work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to get the student’s money. “This student veteran needed that money because there’s a housing allowance involved. We were able to find the issue and get it pushed through the VA system with a happy and timely outcome,” he says. Even though the dollar amount might not have been large, Siegel understands the big picture. “To that student, that made a big difference in being able to meet obligations for food and shelter,” Glindemann says. “Even with the large breadth of responsibilities he has over that location, he is still able to use pinpoint focus to take care of the needs of the individual. That’s a hard thing to balance, but Mike does it.”
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The military recognition tree outside Dorsey Hall is decorated with brightly colored lights for the holiday season.
A Lifetime of Service
Veteran Keith Glindemann has dedicated his career to advocating for fellow military service members. BY KEVIN FLETCHER & CAROLYN PREUL
The first thing people at Columbia College will tell you about Keith Glindemann ’15 is that the school’s student-veterans couldn’t have a better man in their corner. Glindemann served in the United States Army for 24 years and received the Bronze Star for actions in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He joined the Columbia College Veteran Services office in 2010 and was named director in 2015, the same
PHOTOS BY NOTLEY HAWKINS ’87
year he earned a master’s degree in Business Administration. “Keith is a great resource for the military, a big advocate,” says Michael Perkins, a faculty member and fellow veteran at Columbia College. “He’s got a lot of energy and a lot of good ideas.” As director of Veterans Services, Glindemann does everything in his power to address the needs
of service members and their dependents in their transition from soldier to student. His reach extends all the way to Washington, D.C. As a past and current president of the National Association of Veterans’ Program Administrators (NAVPA), he brings attention not just to Columbia College, but advocates on behalf of studentveterans nationwide. Glindemann has testified before Congress and
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provided written testimony on veterans’ educational benefits. He is also charged with maintaining a relationship with the U.S. House of Representatives Veterans Affairs Committee, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, the Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office and numerous other veterans services provider organizations. Back in Columbia, Glindemann serves as president of the college’s SALUTE honors society, the first such national organization for student veterans. In 2009, Columbia College was one of 10 charter institutions nationwide to launch a SALUTE chapter. Now with approximately 300 chapters at colleges and universities across the country, Columbia College is once again leading the pack with Glindemann at the helm. As part of the 2018 Veterans Week festivities, Columbia College President Dr. Scott Dalrymple signed an endowment agreement to make Columbia College the first SALUTE chapter nationwide to endow a scholarship for an honoree each year. It’s a fitting accomplishment for
the chapter, which began with 52 honorees in its first induction class, and now boasts more than 2,000 members – among the largest of any chapter in the country. “We’re trying to continue to make our chapter an outstanding one to be a part of, and I’m really proud that it has been able to raise enough funds over the last several years so that we could be the first SALUTE chapter in the nation to offer a chapter scholarship,” Glindemann says. In addition, eligibility for induction into SALUTE – the name stands for the organization’s core values of Service, Academics, Leadership, Unity, Tribute and Excellence – will now be extended to students with sophomore status, to join previously eligible junior, senior and graduate student veterans. Upon graduation, SALUTE members wear red, white and blue honor cords over their gowns at commencement. For more information about SALUTE, visit ccis.edu/salute.
National Tribute Columbia College staff members lined the paths of main campus with more than 1,000 American flags to kickoff the college’s Veterans Week activites that were held Nov. 5 – 9. Students, employees and community members were invited to recognize active-duty and veteran service members. Participants wrote thankyou cards, attended a veterans whole health seminar and particpated in numerous ceremonies. The flag raising ceremony, national moment of silence and a military service tree lighting ceremony took place on Bass Commons throughout the week. On Friday, a remembrance ceremony and National Roll Call took place in Atkins-Holman Student Commons. Members of the staff and faculty read the names of the 29 service members who lost their lives in the line of duty over the last 12 months along with personal stories of five of these American heroes.
Inside the Gate
During the 2018 Veterans Week ceremonies, Keith Glindemann, director of Veterans Services and president of SALUTE honors society, presents a check to endow an annual scholarship for members of the organization.
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Relay for Life Team Members Front row: Tina McNeil Eric Cunningham Stephanie Johnson Lexi Thomas Pascale White Theresa Veit Stephanie Delaney Tera Palozola
Until There’s A Cure
Back row: Carmen Price Michael Garver Jason Valentine Tery Donelson Bill Bushnell Allyson Presley Mitch Gosney Kathy Trabue
Relay for Life team named Top Fundraising Team for 2018 BY KELSEY LYMAN
PHOTO BY KACI SMART ’09
The members of Columbia College’s Relay for Life team are no strangers to fundraising success – in fact, they’ve raised over $221,550 since 2007. In 2018, they ranked first in Boone County by raising $17,500 for the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser. Columbia College’s team has a long-standing tradition of organizing events throughout the year to raise money for the cause and it shows through its members’ enthusiasm. Senior Director of Admissions Stephanie Johnson, who serves as co-captain for the Relay for Life team with Associate Director of Admissions Jason Valentine and Academic Advising Coordinator Michael Garver, has been involved with the event for 17 years and knows that teamwork and dedication are the only ways to success. “I think that we’ve started a good tradition of what we do,” Johnson says, “We have a strong foundation of ‘it takes a village’ to do this, and it takes a lot of hands on deck to make it successful.” The connection to cancer is a unifying one and has brought people from across departments to get involved.
“I think everyone would agree that Columbia College has a real community culture, and I think because of that, a team like this is able to be so successful.”
— Jason Valentine, Associate Director of Admissions
The whole campus often contributes to certain events, from a departmental competition in “penny wars” to annual garage-sale donations from Residential Life. The athletic program has become a major partner in organizing events. Activities like Cougars vs. Cancer, Paint the Pumpkins and Hollywood vs. Hardwood have all been successful fundraisers for staff, students and Cougar fans. Though the fight is not over, Columbia College Relay for Life has committed itself to continue fundraising, and Johnson’s team slogan sums it up best: “Until there’s a cure.”
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College Colors Day BY CAROLYN PREUL
Cougar Pride was on full display at Columbia College locations nationwide for this year’s College Colors Day on Aug. 31. The tradition originated 14 years ago for fans of all colleges and universities to kick off the football and fall sports seasons. Columbia College staff and faculty take this opportunity to recognize an impressive “undefeated since 1851” football record and showcase their favorite navy and silver.
Columbia Colle
ge-Rolla
Columbia CollegeJefferson City
Columbia CollegeNAS Jacksonville
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Columbia College
-Lake of the Ozarks
Columbia Colle
ge-Fort Worth
Columbia CollegeOrlando
Columbia College main
campus
Keep with c up olle news a ge conne t cte ccis.e d. du.
Homecoming 2018
Route Back To Your Roots
Caroline Kelly celebrates Homecoming King Easton Banik moments before she is crowned Homecoming Queen. Kelly, a junior, is majoring in Sociology and Human Services. Banik, a junior, is majoring in Forensic Science.
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BY CAROLYN PREUL PHOTOS BY KACI SMART ’09
The 2018 Homecoming celebration featured fun, family and friends and welcomed Cougars past, present and future. Clockwise from top left: Members of the women’s basketball team cheer on the alumni at the annual scrimmage; women’s soccer won 5-0 over Freed-Hardeman University; homecoming royalty Luke Lohmeyer, Marina Heard, Easton Banik, Caroline Kelly, Josh Jones and Brandi Peasel; former and current men’s basketball players scrimmage in Southwell; student activities representatives walk around Alumni Fountain in the parade; Scooter the Cougar knows who is No. 1; Cougar fans cheer on the men’s soccer team.
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President’s Society 2018 New and Upgraded Members ROGERS GATE CIRCLE Robert W. Plaster Foundation, Inc. Jeanne and George Hulett DORSEY CHAPEL CIRCLE Assistance League of Mid-Missouri CHARTER CIRCLE Kathi and L’Mont Betz L.C. Betz Associates, Jewelers Dee Ruthenberg* and Don Ruthenberg, Hon. ’95, Ph.D. Jolene Marra Schulz ’61 and Bill Schulz FOUNDERS CIRCLE Barbara Bilger ’62 Linda and Kevin Palmer Mary McCleary Posner, Hon. ’15
President’s Society Through vision, leadership and consideration for the future of Columbia College, members of the President’s Society have joined this institution’s hallowed and lifelong tradition of providing quality education to a diverse student body. BY BETH McWILLIAMS
PHOTO BY KACI SMART ’09
Members of the President’s Society gathered in September to celebrate the heritage and future of Columbia College. With each member having contributed lifetime gifts of $10,000 or more to the college, their philanthropy sustains the legacy of the college, its students, the community and society. Twenty families and organizations were inducted into the President’s Society Class of 2018, with another 13 upgrading their memberships through increased levels of giving. Columbia College President Dr. Scott Dalrymple thanked the new inductees for their support of the college — noting accomplishments such as the institution’s record-breaking fundraising year in 2018, Cougar Athletics winning the American Midwest Conference President’s Cup for the second consecutive year and the implementation of TruitionSM. “The contributions by donors such as our President’s Society members make a positive difference in the lives of Columbia College students every day, and they ensure the institution continues to offer exemplary academic offerings,” Dalrymple said.
TRUSTEES CIRCLE Frances Dittrich ’63 John Grossnickle ’04 Helga Huang, Ph.D. Beverly Murrell, M.D.* and Jerry Murrell, M.D. IVY & OAK CIRCLE Ameren Missouri Columbia College – SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society Harriet and John Courter Betty Adams Crouch ’56 Shanda Traiser Davis, Ph.D., and Bill Davis Brittany and Mark Falkowski Patty and Donald Fischer Michael Garver ’03 & ’13 and Jon Geers Melanie and Darin Hand Debra and Cliff Jarvis Dorothy Jungmeyer and Paul Jungmeyer, Ph.D. Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance Company Cindy Potter ’05 & ’06 and Cory Potter Suzanne Rothwell and Jim Rothwell ’93 Dr. Piyusha Singh and Justus Sackett Wendy Mertz Slifka ’90 and Douglas Slifka Susan Smith, J.D., and John Smith Denise Stanowski and Gary Stanowski ’12 Anne Stumpf and Mark Stumpf, Ed.D.
*deceased
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Raising The Bar Columbia College records its best fundraising year in school history with $8.55 million in gifts. BY SAM FLEURY
ILLUSTRATIONS BY LESLIE KENNON ’00
Due to the continued support of alumni, faculty and friends, Columbia College raised $8.55 million during the 2018 fiscal year (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018). That total is the most the institution has raised in a single year in its 167-year history. The previous high-water mark was set in 2004 when the college raised $6.4 million.
“Whether supporting student scholarships, building new facilities or any of the other initiatives the college has in motion, our very generous alumni, community members and friends of the college demonstrate their support and generosity through their philanthropy,” says Suzanne Rothwell, executive director of Advancement. “The college’s leadership has put our Advancement team in a position to be successful and that investment paid off during this recordsetting year.”
$81.6
$93.5
$108.4
$119.3
$151.8
$149.1
$163.3
$171.7
The college received more than 7,300 gifts throughout the year. These gifts are directed towards student support, scholarships and New Hall, which is currently under construction and scheduled to welcome students in the fall of 2019.
FY 2018 (July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018)
$59.0
“This year’s philanthropic totals reflect the fact that our supporters have a strong belief in the direction the college is headed and see the value in our mission of changing lives,” says Dr. Scott Dalrymple, president of Columbia College. “We are extremely grateful for the contributions we continue to receive from friends, alumni, faculty and staff.”
ENDOWMENT GROWTH
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
(Millions)
ENDOWMENT ALLOCATION PERCENTAGES EQUITY 56.9% FIXED 20.6% REAL ASSETS 12.4% DIVERSIFYING STRATEGIES 10.1%
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Fashion Forward
Archives luncheon honors former fashion instructor Sandy Schubert BY CAROLYN PREUL
PHOTO BY KACI SMART ’09
The Columbia College Archives hosted a luncheon with Board of Trustees member Jolene Marra Schulz ’61 and the college’s First Lady Dr. Tina Dalrymple in honor of Sandy Schubert on Oct. 11. Schubert was a founding instructor of the Columbia College Fashion Department in 1972, where she continued to teach and mentor students for more than two decades. Bradley Meinke ’14, the college’s archives collection manager, studied fashion under Schubert in the 1980s. “Her office was always a welcoming place,” Meinke says. “Sandy was always willing to listen and provided valuable advice on a myriad of topics. Sometimes the discussion had to do with school and fashion, and sometimes it was advice on how to deal with life.”
Along with fellow instructor Vera Coats, Schubert created the course curriculum and oversaw the program’s numerous events and fashion shows. The college offered its final fashion degree in 1997. With Schubert and friends gathered together for the luncheon, it was announced that the Board of Trustees approved the naming of the textile case located in the garden level of Dorsey Hall in her honor. The plaque reads “Columbia College Archives Textile Case, in Honor of Fashion Instructor Sandy Schubert for her Service to the College from 1972-1993.” After the luncheon, guests were invited to view a collection of First Lady dresses in the textile case.
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THE COLUMBIA COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
My CCAA
a f f i n i t y
Columbia College Alumni Association Advisory Board Joshua Muder ’99 CCAA Advisory Board President Affinity magazine is a great way to keep up with the happenings around the college and join in the celebration of the professional and personal successes of our alumni, faculty and staff. This issue includes fascinating stories from the visual arts program and entrepreneurial successes of several outstanding alumni that are sure to inspire you.
President Joshua Muder ’99 Day Campus Vice President Jonathan Dudley ’10 Day Campus Alumni Representative to the Board of Trustees Bill Johnston ’82 Day Campus
With the holidays upon us, there are many ways to show your pride and support as part of the Columbia College Alumni Association. Check out CCAA gear available through the Alumni Relations office (page 62). I really like the alumni polo shirts. They work great in an office environment and hold up well over time. When I travel around the country for work, I often wear my alumni hoodie and ball cap. They have been a great conversation-starter and a way to meet other alumni. For some reason, there seems to be a lot of alumni going through the Denver airport!
Advisors Allen Butler ’07 Lake County
We all have many opportunities to give back this time of year. Wear your alumni gear when you are volunteering in the community! When heading out for your winter family travels and vacations, remember to bring along a Scooter cutout so you can share a Scootergraph. I can say from my family’s summer vacation experience that the kangaroos did not care much for Scooter, but some of the wallabies were intrigued (page 57).
Chris Lievsay ’09 & ’11 Kansas City
Debra Carnahan ’82 Day Campus Marjorie Thomas Gutelius ’69 Christian College Bill Leeper ’04 NAS Jacksonville
Lollie Zander Reed ’68 Christian College Ed Sasan ’11 Redstone Arsenal
I hope everyone has a relaxing and enjoyable holiday and a fantastic 2019.
Norris Tanner ’10 Kansas City
We are CC!
Chris Unnerstall ’14 Evening Campus Carol Winkler ’93 Evening Campus
ccaaprez@ccis.edu
Senior Director of Alumni Relations Ann Merrifield Executive Director of Advancement Suzanne Rothwell
C O LU M B I A C O L L E G E
Cornerstone Club Will you help lead COLUMBIA COLLEGE?
The cornerstone is the first stone laid in the foundation of a structure, a symbol of commitment, longevity and the possibility of what’s to come. The Cornerstone Club, a group of strategic partners and leaders, is named to recognize the tradition of annual philanthropic support for Columbia College’s most pressing needs. Just as the cornerstone is crucial to the foundation of a building, so too will club members serve as cornerstones of our philanthropy, helping us strengthen the foundation of Columbia College and keep the institution in prime position to meet the needs of our students now and in the future.
What is the
COLUMBIA COLLEGE CORNERSTONE CLUB?
What is the
COLUMBIA COLLEGE FUND?
The Cornerstone Club is comprised of alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends of Columbia College who, through a commitment to provide an annual high level of support to the Columbia College Fund, have established themselves as leaders for the college and faithful stewards of the college’s mission.
The Columbia College Fund provides support for the college’s area of greatest need on an annual basis. It is money invested back in the college in the same fiscal year it was received, resulting in a direct and immediate impact.
How do I become a
MEMBER?
The Cornerstone Club recognizes all donors who have supported the Columbia College Fund with $1,000 or more in gifts within a single fiscal year. To join the Cornerstone Club or to learn more, please call (573) 875-7560 or visit my.ccis.edu/giving-priorities.
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Alumni Events
Photo Gallery
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
PHOTOS BY CAROLYN PREUL Sandra Bledsoe and Jerry Bledsoe ’79 The CCAA hosted the 5th Annual Kansas City Beer & BBQ alumni social at Boulevard Brewing Co. on Oct. 23. The evening included a special celebration of the 30th anniversary of Columbia College-Kansas City.
Tammy Baker Clem ’83 and Sandy Munson Brandmeier ’83
January 2019 Speed Networking Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri Jefferson City, Missouri February 2019 Alumni Appreciation Day with Cougar Basketball Columbia, Missouri Christian College Alumnae Luncheon Dallas, Texas Alumni Social Fort Worth, Texas March 2019 Alumni Social Rolla, Missouri
From left to right: Jeremy Nolen ’15, Mitch Gosney ’13, James Payne ’13 with daughter, Ava, Ashley Fisher ’13 & ’15 and Ryan Vonderharr
NAIA Men’s Basketball Tournament Kansas City, Missouri April 2019 Student/Alumni Networking Social with ELI Student Group Columbia, Missouri Science Symposium Columbia, Missouri May 2019 Christian College Reunion Weekend Columbia, Missouri
The 18th Annual Kansas City Christian College alumnae luncheon at the Webster House took place on Oct. 24.
Alumni Socials Jefferson City, Missouri Columbia, Missouri June 2019 CCAA Advisory Board Meeting Columbia, Missouri
From left to right: Mary McKemy Aslakson ’57, Lollie Zander Reed ’68 and Nancy Miller ’57
Marjorie Thomas Gutelius ’69 and Ann Wilkerson ’49
Alumni Awards Banquet Columbia, Missouri Alumni Social Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
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Speed Networking Aaron Noel, a senior business and finance student, meets with Cornellia Williams ’97 at the annual event on main campus. Co-hosted by the CCAA and Career Services, the evening gives students the opportunity to network with local alumni professionals in quick sevenminute rotations.
>> Find updated event details and registration forms at columbiacollegealumni.org/rsvp.
ACTIVE ALUMNI With alumni spread out across the nation, it’s easy to find Cougar spirit wherever you are! Top 10 Alumni Populations Columbia, Missouri ................................. 6,181 St. Louis, Missouri ...................................... 5,694 Chicago, Illinois ............................................ 5,616 Jefferson City, Missouri ...................... 3,568 Orlando, Florida ........................................... 2,881 Syracuse, New York ................................. 2,777 Dallas, Texas ...................................................... 2,709 Kansas City, Missouri ............................. 2,662 Denver, Colorado ....................................... 2,195 Jacksonville, Florida ............................... 2,085
Don’t miss out on an opportunity in your area! Use the form on page 64 to update contact information and tell us how you want to get involved.
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Career Corner
Virtual Fairs
Widen the job search through online recruiting platforms BY DAN GOMEZ-PALACIO, DIRECTOR OF THE GROSSNICKLE CAREER SERVICES CENTER
One of the most successful strategies in a job search is to attend local job or graduateschool fairs. They offer a chance to meet recruiters one-on-one, make a positive first impression and discover new employment opportunities. However, many people do not have the time to attend an event in the middle of the workday, or they may live in an area that doesn’t offer a local fair. The good news is that there is a fastgrowing number of virtual job and graduate-school fairs popping up all over the country. What is a virtual career fair? Generally, an employer or graduate-school representative will host an online fair through a virtual environment that includes webinars, video and chat features. Many virtual fairs are designed for targeted candidates, such as veterans, or a particular area of study. Others are focused on a geographic region. The vast majority of these events are free of charge. Columbia College alumni and students can find a list of virtual fairs on Handshake (ccis.edu/handshake) under the “Events” tab. Virtual fairs are also advertised publicly on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. How does a virtual fair work? Much of the information at a virtual fair can be explored at the attendee’s pace. However, it’s important
Career counseling, networking and resumé assistance are available free of charge to all students and alumni through the Grossnickle Career Services Center. To get started, contact (800) 231-2391 ext. 7425 or visit ccis.edu/careercenter.
to be ready to communicate with recruiters professionally. The organizer will typically list the participating employers and available job opportunities ahead of time. Attendees should familiarize themselves with the companies’ missions and read job descriptions thoroughly. Come prepared to ask informed questions and showcase enthusiasm! Perhaps the most important factor for a virtual career fair is to make sure there is a secure and steady internet connection in a distractionfree environment. If the fair involves video or audio, be sure to be set up and dressed appropriately.
Like a non-virtual career fair, attendees will be asked to sign-in and upload a résumé. Recruiters have the ability to review candidates in real time and even connect to ask questions based on personal skills and experience. Attendees should be prepared with an effective and efficient pitch to set them apart. It may be tempting since it’s online to act casually, but recruiters take the process seriously and attendees need to match that professionalism. Overall, virtual fairs can be an excellent way to expand the job market. For assistance, contact the Grossnickle Career Services Center at careerservices@ccis.edu.
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CCAA Travel Program
The Magic of the Emerald Isle BY CAROLYN PREUL
For Mendy Blades ’06, Ireland was a bucket-list destination. The historic towns and breathtaking scenery were calling her name, and it just so happened the Columbia College Alumni Association had the answer: a 10-day guided travel tour of the Emerald Isle. “We were not sure what to expect with this tour as we had never traveled with a tour group before,” says Blades, a resident of the small town of Centralia, Missouri. “We were very pleasantly surprised (and got lucky) that all 40 people on the tour were amazing. Not one person complained about the hotel, seating on the bus, anything.” The group included six Columbia College alumni — Blades, Osepha Felix ’14, Nancy Hays ’64, Virginia Itschner ’55, Leslie McKennon ’81 and Sharon Quigley ’64 — plus six of their family members and friends. The tour was hosted by Collette, a global travel tour company. With the itinerary, hotels and transportation organized to the smallest details, travelers were free to explore the historic sights and rich culture with new friends. Highlights included the majestic Cliffs of Moher, Innisfallen Island in Killarney and city life in the capital, Dublin. Felix, who lives in Deltona, Florida, jumped at the opportunity to explore a new land with fellow alumni like Blades. The friendships have continued back at home, sharing stories and photos through Facebook. Blades echoes her enthusiasm: “We began the tour ‘alone’ but left with 38 new friends.”
From top left: The Cliffs of Moher; Mendy Blades ’06 and Darcy Henry kissed the famous stone at the top of Blarney Castle, which is said to bestow the kisser with the gift of eloquence; a Collette tour guide led the group through a fun-filled 10-day adventure; Blades and Virginia Itschner ’55 first met at the preview show in September 2017 and became close friends in Ireland; Osepha Felix ’14, Iris McKennon and Jodette Lenser enjoy lunch in Dublin; Felix takes in the beauty of Kilkenny Castle.
Europe’s Imperial Cities: June 3 – 13, 2019 Bask in the splendor and romance with 3-night stays in each of Europe’s Imperial Cities — Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Hosted by global travel company Collette, this tour includes 11 days, 10 nights and 15 meals. >> Request a travel brochure at columbiacollegealumni.org/travel.
my.ccis.edu/givingday
Building Up Business
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INTRODUCING THE ROBERT W. PLASTER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS BY SAM FLEURY
PHOTO BY KACI SMART ’09
On Sept. 26, Columbia College President Dr. Scott Dalrymple announced that the college received a significant, seven-figure gift to name the Robert W. Plaster School of Business. Beginning in Fall 2019, it will be housed on the first floor of New Hall, which has been under construction since March. The facility will also include state-of-the-art classrooms and an event space on the first floor, as well as three floors of residential living area for 150 students in response to continued enrollment growth on
the main campus over the course of the last three years. “On behalf of the entire Columbia College community, we are extremely grateful for the generous contribution the Plaster Foundation has made to this endeavor,” said Web Bixby, chair of the Columbia College Board of Trustees. “This gift allows our students to continue developing the skills they need to become the successful entrepreneurs and business leaders of tomorrow.”
The college’s business curriculum encourages students to build a solid foundation in business fundamentals that are crucial for success in today’s global economy. As a result, more than 28 percent of all degrees granted by the college last year were housed within the Robert W. Plaster School of Business, making business degrees the most popular academic offerings at the college. From focuses on entrepreneurship and marketing to public relations and advertising, the programs available to students around the world are diverse and robust. “My father would be very excited to see students on the Columbia College campus and around the country learning about business,
From left to right: Executive Director of Advancement Suzanne Rothwell, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Piyusha Singh, former Robert W. Plaster School of Business Dean Dr. Shanda Davis, President Dr. Scott Dalrymple, Board Member of the Robert W. Plaster Foundation Mary Posner, Executive Director of the Robert W. Plaster Foundation Dr. Dolly Plaster Clement and Chair of the Board of Trustees Web Bixby
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entrepreneurship and America’s free enterprise system. They are preparing for the future of their dreams. It is important they understand how the free enterprise system provides them the opportunity to improve their lives and the lives of others around them along the way,” said Dr. Dolly Plaster Clement, executive director of the Robert W. Plaster Foundation. “The Robert W. Plaster Foundation is excited to continue its partnership with Columbia College, its faculty and students, and we can’t wait to see their accomplishments.” The mission of the Robert W. Plaster Foundation is to promote expanded educational opportunities, pride in America and belief in the free enterprise system for the benefit of America’s youth through named capital projects. “This gift is the largest donation the college has received in its 167-year history,” Dalrymple said. “We are proud to partner with the Plaster Foundation and its philanthropy will have a positive impact on our campus community for generations to come.” The new structure will be located just south of the R. Marvin Owens Athletic Field on Cougar Drive. Fundraising for the building continues, with New Hall set to open in August 2019. For more information or to support the building project, call (573) 875-7563 or visit my.ccis.edu/newdirection.
About Robert W. Plaster Robert W. Plaster was born during the Great Depression and raised in Neosho, Missouri. Times were tough, and he began working as a young boy to help support the family. He worked at a local grocery store as well as running a paper route at Camp Crowder. From an early age, his mother impressed upon him the importance of thinking positively. She taught him that “can’t never could,” a philosophy he carried and applied all his life. After graduating from high school, Plaster attended Joplin Junior College pursuing a degree in accounting. After three semesters he could no longer afford tuition and instead went to work full time. Among other jobs, he worked for the U.S. Treasury Department and a Liquid Propane gas corporation before starting his own LP gas company, Empire Gas Corporation, in 1963. Empire Gas rapidly became one of the largest retail LP gas distributors in the United States and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. After selling Empire Gas in 1996, Plaster founded Evergreen Investments, LLC. He was also co-founder and an active supporter of Enactus, at that time known as Students in Free Enterprise, and was a member of its Executive Board until the time of his death in 2008. After achieving financial success, he felt very strongly that he wanted to help open educational opportunities for young people, particularly in southwest Missouri and the surrounding region, to give them a better educational start than he was able to have. To that end, in 1983 he established the Robert W. Plaster Foundation, which is dedicated to helping students by funding projects for colleges and universities.
The mission of the Robert W. Plaster Foundation is to promote expanded educational opportunities, pride in America and belief in the free enterprise system for the benefit of America’s youth through named capital projects.
Building Up Business
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WHITNEY JONES
Liv & Kiss
PITCH PERFECT BY KEVIN FLETCHER
LAMAR LOCKETT
L-tre
SYDNEY MARSDEN
Annabelle’s
PHOTOS BY KACI SMART ’09
Mark Cuban wasn’t there to propose an equity stake in their companies, but the bright lights of Bixby Lecture Hall on the Columbia College main campus served as a quasi-Shark Tank environment on Friday, Oct. 12, for the college’s annual Student Business Pitch Competition. Hosted by the Steven and Barbara Fishman Center for Entrepreneurship and the Robert W. Plaster School of Business, the competition allows five students from various Columbia College locations the chance to win from a $9,000 prize pool. This year, the five competitors hailed from St. Louis, Orlando and the college’s Evening Campus, and featured a mix of students with previous Pitch experience and new entrepreneurs.
IDONIS KING
Revisit LLC
NIGISTI HISMITH
Pearls of Grace
Whitney Jones ’16, who finished third in the competition two years ago, won the $5,000 first-place prize this year for pitching her two-yearold business, Liv & Kiss, a wholesale plus-sized women’s apparel line that was founded with the simplest of business notions. Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services 2016 and is currently working toward a master’s degree.
“I was tired of going into stores, struggling to find things to wear. Being plus-sized, it’s always been hard,” Jones says. Students were assisted by their business teachers at Columbia College, as well as outside coaches who provided guidance leading up to the competition. Sara Cochran, Entrepreneurial Programs Manager for the University of Missouri System and an adjunct faculty member at MU’s Trulaske College of Business, served as Jones’ coach. Because they live in different cities, the pair took advantage of Skype and email to stay in touch. “We talked through some of the challenges and questions she had as she worked through the different kind of elements of her business model and her pitch,” Cochran says. The $3,000 second-place prize went to fellow St. Louis student Lamar Lockett. His startup is L-tre, a custom t-shirt design and production company that focuses on special life events, such as birthdays, family and high school reunions, graduations and funerals. It was Lockett’s first pitch experience.
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Alan Lester brings a lifetime of experience to St. Louis’ next generation of entrepreneurs The Fishman Center for Entrepreneurship’s annual Student Entrepreneur Showcase pitch competition has continually had strong representation from the St. Louis location. From Erika Thomas’ perspective, there’s one man who deserves – but will never seek – the credit.
“It was a roller-coaster ride, but with the practice and coaching we got, it really changed what I thought it would look like,” he says. “Their coaching helped me see how some things I wanted to convey wouldn’t go over well, and that helped me in the competition. So I edited a few things, but I was excited about it the whole way through.” Third place, and $1,000, went to Nigisti HiSmith of the Orlando location. She is the founder of Pearls of Grace, a 501(c)(4) social-awareness non-profit focused on assisting children in adverse situations. But it was Jones who most impressed the judges. After winning the 2016 Columbia College St. Louis pitch competition, she has continued to secure deals with specific boutiques to carry her garments. She’s also close to finalizing a deal with a major retailer’s online portal. “I see the growth, and I think she’s right on the cusp of that,” Cochran says. “She just got a big client, which
"At the end of the day, I want all my customers to feel beautiful.” — Whitney Jones ’16 has just thrown her over the edge, and I think she’s right on the tipping point of going pretty big.” For her part, while the win was satisfying for Jones, it’s not the end goal. “It shows me that what I’m doing is worth it, but so does the fact that I have clients who say, ‘Oh my God, thank you, I love this garment, it made me feel beautiful.’ Because at the end of the day, I want all my customers to feel beautiful,” Jones says. “It helps them accomplish all of their dreams. For me, yeah, profit is good, but that’s not it; it’s really about the customer. It’s not about the money; knowing that I helped somebody feel better about themselves to tackle what’s on their list is what it’s really about.”
“Alan Lester was pushing this ball,” says Thomas, director of Columbia College-St. Louis. “He even got me motivated, so a lot of props go to him. What really strikes me about Alan is his passion and his humility. All of this attention is too much for him right now.” Lester has a lifetime of organizational experience, from serving as an executive for a bank holding company, to developing business contacts and strategic plans, to consulting with the FDIC and state banking departments involving distressed banks. “I’ve been blessed and have been involved in a lot of different areas of finance,” he says. For student Lamar Lockett, Lester’s move into the classroom is a perfect fit. “With some teachers, you have to want to learn from them,” says Lockett. “Alan’s an actual good teacher. He can explain things even to someone that doesn’t have an initial interest, and get you interested. He just has that type of personality that helps you and motivates you to learn more.” Lester constantly pushes his finance students to enter the pitch competition, and was instrumental in creating a local competition in St. Louis to serve as a qualifier for the Fishman competition in Columbia. The results bear out that drive: This year, three of the five presenters were from the Gateway City, and Lockett was beaten out for the top prize by a fellow St. Louisian, Whitney Jones. “And I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” Lester says. While his students’ feats are impressive, for Lester, there’s just one acceptable outcome for what he considers his Super Bowl. Lockett’s smile goes wide at the premise. “He’s greedy,” Lockett laughs. “He wanted all of us to win.”
Building Up Business
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RUNNING, THE STORE
The seeds planted during high school, and fostered at Columbia College, creates a one-of-its-kind business in Iowa. BY KEVIN FLETCHER
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY LINDSEY ANDREWS
Lindsey Martin Andrews ’14 ran her first 5K race as an 11-year-old, and was immediately hooked on running. Jordan Andrews ’15 caught the distance bug in sixth grade, and together as highschoolers they harbored dreams of someday opening up a running store. Less than 10 years, a pair of cross-country moves, a marriage and a daughter later, their dreams have come true. The Andrews opened Heartland Soles, a store located in the Des Moines suburb of Johnston, Iowa, in July 2016, and a second location just outside of Iowa City this past April. What makes Heartland Soles different is that in addition to its various shoe offerings, Lindsey provides gait analysis to understand each customer’s unique footwear needs. The idea was hatched when the pair, as teammates on the Lee’s Summit, Missouri, cross-country team, realized that the city didn’t have a running store. Columbia was the next destination for the couple, though with a bit of a detour. Lindsey is a year older than Jordan, and Columbia College
hadn’t yet started its cross country and track & field programs, so she attended Stephens College for her freshman year. Jordan was being recruited straight out of high school for the Cougars’
inaugural season, and Lindsey joined him across downtown for his recruiting visit. Once she saw the campus, found out she could switch to a more appealing major and run for the same school as her boyfriend, the pair were reunited.
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Part of what separates Heartland Soles from other running stores is the staff’s use of gait analysis to match the right kind of shoes to a customer’s foot.
“I had a change in my interests,” Lindsey says. “I wanted to study special education, which CC had and Stephens didn’t. It really just kind of ended up nicely that way.” Lindsey earned six All-America honors at various NAIA Championship meets for the Cougars, but it was a different meet that the couple looks back upon most fondly. April 23, 2015, served as a pivotal moment; that’s the day that Lindsey competed at the Drake Relays, one of the most prestigious meets in the world, and a crown jewel of the state of Iowa. That afternoon, she became the first Cougar to ever compete on the historic blue oval of Drake Stadium. In front of a crowd of thousands, Lindsey finished 11th in the 10,000-meter run against a loaded field of NCAA Division I runners. The atmosphere made a mark on the then-junior. “I had never seen anything like it. The drum line was playing and was matching my heart beat. It wasn’t my best race, but it was an experience that would forever shape our future.” Meanwhile, Jordan credits the entrepreneurship class he took that
helped him learn about starting his own business. One of those classes included a project in which students developed a business plan and learned about all of the required paperwork for starting a business. The plan Jordan developed was for a running store in the Kansas City area; shortly after he created that project, a running store opened in the very location he had chosen for the business plan. “It actually helped, it gave me confidence and a good sense of direction for the future. I took a lot of the information from that project and adapted it to fit our business plan for Heartland Soles, which was a huge resource in getting our business off the ground!” Both students graduated and were married that summer, but Lindsey had athletic eligibility remaining, so she transferred to the University of New Mexico to run for the perennial distance power. The Lobos, bolstered by several transfers like Lindsey, won the 2015 NCAA Division I Cross Country national title, tallying one of the lowest team scores in NCAA history. The couple gained valuable experience being mentored by one of the first specialty running store owners in town. In addition,
Lindsey studied exercise science in Albuquerque to complement Jordan’s business studies. “I think with my background in business and her background in exercise science, we have a unique set of skills that most stores do not have,” Jordan says. “Many stores have one or the other but not necessarily both, so we each bring something important and unique to the table. She is able to truly understand the gait cycle and help customers get a proper fit and avoid injuries. She’s been great about sharing and teaching her knowledge to myself and our other employees so we can all utilize her skills on a day-to-day basis and help our customers get the best fit.” They’ve also made a home in the Des Moines community. The couple is active in forming a bond with the customers that have supported them, and Lindsey takes full advantage of the couple’s close proximity to Drake Stadium. “I often get to run by it and sometimes will just go and stand outside and think of all of the incredible athletes that have run on those streets and competed inside that stadium. It’s just a very special place to be!”
Building Up Business
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SHARE THE SMILES A St. Louis company transforms leftover clay into a symbol of hope. BY ANN MUDER
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SEEDS OF HAPPINESS
When Bill Elcan ’98 heard about a business idea to spread smiles all around the world, he knew he had to be a part of it. It started with some leftover pieces of clay. An artist friend of Elcan’s, Mark Borella, wanted to sculpt something for a family whose son was diagnosed with cancer. He rolled bits of clay into smiley faces and painted them with bright, vibrant colors. Calling them “Seeds of Happiness,” Borella brought some over to the family. “He told them, ‘There’s nothing I can say to make things better, but I made you some smiles to help you get your smile back one day,’” says Elcan. “The mom called later to tell him how much it meant to them, and he should do this for other people.” Borella started keeping a jar of the clay smiles in his studio to give to
people when they were having a rough day. Soon more and more people started requesting them and told him that he should sell them so everyone could share happiness. In 2010, Borella asked Elcan to join him in building the business. It was perfect timing for Elcan, who was looking for a new job opportunity. After graduating with his degree in business management and marketing at Columbia College, Elcan got his MBA at Lindenwood University. He worked as a sales manager for Missouri Eagle, LLC, before he and his siblings bought Children’s Factory in Union, Missouri, where he handled the sales and marketing. “I had always had in the back of my mind that I’d like to help start a business from the ground up,” Elcan says. “When Mark told me about the idea, I wanted to go along for the ride. It was a no-brainer for me.”
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Building Up Business
Elcan took charge of the numbers side of the business. He handles the marketing and sales, while Borella oversees the art process creating the seeds. When they started out, Borella would hand roll each of the smiles. As they grew, they had to find ways to keep up with demand. They started partnering with Canterbury Enterprises, a sheltered workshop that employs people with disabilities in St. Louis. There, the workers smooth out the edges of the clay balls and help with glazing. Today, Seeds of Happiness has grown from selling at a few art shows to selling online as well as in 500 stores in 49 states. Elcan says part of their growth is a result of social media, particularly Facebook, but also from word of mouth when people receive them as gifts. “If you have a bag of 10, you’ll probably give half away,” he says. “Those people will then buy smiles to share with their friends, and it will spread from there.” Some customers’ stories have made a lasting impact on him. He remembers when a teenager told them her story – she had considered jumping off a bridge until a stranger handed her one of the smiles and asked if she was OK. “She went home and told her mom about the experience and wound up getting help for a chemical imbalance from a medication she was taking,” says Elcan. “She’s still here today because someone gave her a smile and showed they cared.”
"If you have a bag of 10, you’ll probably give half away. Those people will then buy smiles to share with their friends, and it will spread from there.” — Bill Elcan ’98 As an entrepreneur, Elcan says it’s been rewarding seeing the company grow from its humble beginnings to a successful business. He credits his Columbia College professors with teaching him the importance of being passionate about your work as well as the logistics of how to make a good business plan. “I remember one class in particular that talked about what you need to provide a bank in order to get a business loan,” he says. “It’s something that I still reference today.”
He also learned the importance of having a product that fits a need. With Seeds of Happiness, that need is especially important – finding ways to spread kindness. “It’s a way to combat all the negativity in the world with a little piece of happiness,” he says. “It’s like getting a 3-D greeting card. It’s a nice way to tell somebody that you’re thinking of them.” Learn more at seedsofhappiness.com.
Faculty Profile
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a family affair BY KE VIN FLE TCHER PHOTOS BY KACI SMART ´09 and KEVIN FLETCHER
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Faculty Profile
It all started with a phone call after school. Michael Perkins spent the 1970s growing up as a teenager in a blue-collar family. His father, Donald, served in the Korean War, and was now covered in dirt and grease making a living at a body shop in Columbia. Michael picked up the rotary phone as it rang one afternoon after returning home from Hickman High School. On the other end of the line was a recruiter from Columbia College, who was looking to speak with his father. “Why is Columbia College calling my dad?!” the younger Perkins recalls thinking. The recruiter explained the benefits available to veterans like his father, that he could go to school for free – and essentially come out ahead after factoring in the cost-of-living stipend. For a kid whose father finished high school in the Army and hadn’t had the chance to go to college, yet could now get paid to do just that, the opportunity seemed obvious to pounce on. “My dad came home from work, and I told him about the call, and I really sold it to him, but I don’t think I had to sell it to him that much,” he says. “This was extra money, which we certainly needed.” So the man who served his country overseas became one of the first students in Columbia College’s Evening program. “It was a different time; people didn’t do that like they do today. If you’re a blue-collar guy, you didn’t go to school. Colleges and universities didn’t want you,” Perkins says. Yet Columbia College wanted Donald, so in turn, Donald wanted Columbia College. “He made a big
A side-by-side comparison of military photos of Donald Perkins (left) and Michael Perkins (right). “It’s the same pose and the same uniform, and we look exactly alike.”
impression on me,” Michael says of his father, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 80. “I don’t know that he was a good student; he wasn’t well-prepared academically. But he liked learning, and I know that he put a lot of effort into it.” It’s an effort most Evening Campus students can appreciate. After a long day working on cars, Donald retreated to the shop’s restroom, exchanged his grease-covered work clothes for a set of clean ones to study in and often slept in his car until classes began each night. Following several hours on campus, he’d come home late only to get up early the next morning. Lather, rinse, repeat. “It was tough, as any non-traditional student who is working, has a family … that’s a tough thing to do, and this college has been at the forefront; we need to remember that. We’ve been innovators,” Perkins says. Perkins got the experience of going back to school as a non-traditional student himself; following graduation from Hickman in 1976, he served as a medic for the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, and a corpsman for the 1st Marine Division in the Navy Reserves. Only after he became a veteran, husband and father did he set foot on a college campus.
Perkins’ first college graduation had to have been among the most underwhelming in the history of academia – and yet he considers it among his most significant accomplishments.
Faculty Profile
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A faculty member since 1998, Michael Perkins taught sections of the very first online classes offered by Columbia College in 2000. Perkins poses above with his student ID card from 1989.
Perkins began his college career at the University of Missouri with the intent of becoming an electrical engineer. “And I proved that I couldn’t be an engineer,” he chuckles. With engineering out of the equation, Perkins realized Columbia College’s academic offerings fit his interests much better. Perkins utilized his own G.I. Bill to take day or evening classes, depending on his schedule. “I’d gotten out of the Army, I was married, had two kids,” he says, nothing that it wasn’t long until he ran out of money and fell behind on his payments. He recalls gathering enough to go to the college to pay his bill and enroll for the next semester.
college degree. It was magic.” Two years later, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. If you ask him which is better between the two programs he attended, he couldn’t say. “I had great teaching. It was a wonderful educational experience,” he says fondly, recalling teachers such as Polly and Jack Batterson, and Jim Metzer. “Some of the finest teachers I’ve ever had, just really good teachers. I had nothing but a good experience here.”
“So I go over to this counter, I pay the money to the lady, and she says, ‘Wait a second.’ So she goes back, and she’s dragging this box out. She rifles through a bunch of files, grabs one and says, ‘Perkins. Here’s your degree.’ It was my associate degree! That was the first and most important degree I ever got, and that was my graduation ceremony.”
The vast majority of Michael Perkins’ time at Columbia College, more than 20 years, has been as an instructor, primarily in Social Work and Human Services. In that time, the subject matter hasn’t changed much, but advances in neuroscience and brain imaging have had tremendous impacts on the field. “I get paid to read, learn and talk. It’s a great job,” Perkins says. “We have more empirical data about what works and what doesn’t work, particularly with medications and treatment.”
He pondered what had just occurred that day in 1987. “I was just paying a bill, and oh my God, I’ve got a
Among Perkins’ latest nighttime reading are “Surviving the Neoliberal Maelstrom: A Sartrean Phenomenology
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Dr. Terry Smith, who serves as a professor of Political Science and director of the Honors Program, hired Perkins to the Columbia College faculty in 1998 and can attest to his various literary interests. “Mike is one of the most eclectic readers I know. He is interested in everything and always recommending books to me.” Perkins recalls former Columbia College President Dr. Gerald Brouder’s hesitance to offer online classes around the turn of the millennium. “It was primitive, but we did it. And now, there’s probably 30 sections of human service classes every eight weeks,” he says.
Recalling CC’s history over the last 50 years, and its latest changes happening right now, Perkins suggests that this is simply in the college’s DNA: “We have a history of being innovative, and I think it’s important to try things even if they don’t work. Columbia College has always been nimble, willing to take calculated risks when others wouldn’t, and that exploring, pioneering mindset has set us apart from other schools.” Smith, who served as executive vice president and dean for Academic Affairs during that time, says, “Mike is cutting-edge with technology – an early adopter. When I was vice president, I leaned on him for advice about educational technology. He was unusually cleareyed about what was a fad, and what would endure.” Keith Glindemann, director of the college’s Veterans Services Center and a fellow veteran, is grateful for Perkins’ ability to shed light on veterans’ experiences from the faculty viewpoint. “He’s been instrumental in bridging the gap to educate our faculty on military and
Faculty Profile
of Social Hope,” “Chaos and Social Change: Metaphysics of the Postmodern” and “Nonlinear Changes Between Equilibrium States.”
Columbia College has always been nimble, willing to take calculated risks when others wouldn’t, and that exploring, pioneering mindset has set us apart from other schools.” — Michael Perkins
veteran topics and issues, or to encourage staff to take the Green Zone training that we offer here.”
Glindemann also noted the ways Perkins has helped Columbia College’s student veterans. “When we look at all of our faculty, there are several who have served, but Mike stands out in his giving back to the military veteran community,” Glindemann says, noting Perkins’ assistance in reviewing applications for the numerous military scholarships awarded annually. “While he doesn’t work in the veterans services department, I truly would tell you he’s a team member, and I think it’s wonderful that he’s willing to get involved in so many things.”
Three of Perkins’ four children, all of whom are grown, have attended classes at Columbia College. His son, Michael, is the only veterinary pharmacist in the state of Missouri. After graduation from Columbia College, he enrolled in pharmacy school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. “He told me, ‘I feel just as prepared from my education at Columbia College as anybody here,’” the elder Perkins says. “And the funny thing is, the science program was good then, but it’s 10 times better now (with the 2013 opening of the Brouder Science Center).” His daughter, Hannah, is married, living in New York, and taking classes online at Columbia College. He reflects on what he’s seen over the last 40-plus years. “I’ve seen a lot of changes here, and I’ve been able to see it from a child whose dad was struggling to go to school; I’ve seen it as a student; I’ve seen it as a professor; and I’ve seen it come full-circle as a father. Columbia College has never, ever, disappointed me.”
The Arts
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S
Uniqueness A LEGACY OF
BY JANESE HEAVIN PHOTOS BY KACI SMART ’09
Associate Professor Bo Bedllion demonstrates a throwing technique on the pottery wheel.
Columbia College’s Art Department is committed to total involvement.
Sidney Larson, former chair of the Columbia College Art Department, once praised the institution for providing “unique satisfactions.” Unique, he said, because “they can be believed in and lived by. Somehow, in spite of human fallibility, there is distilled here a delicate essence of meaning and purpose which permeates all of us, which is caught and funneled into the air your daughter breathes on this campus … The uniqueness I refer to is the degree of total involvement, which our faculty assumes as its role.” The year was 1968 and a lot has changed since then. The all-female Christian College soon after became today’s co-ed Columbia College. The faculty of whom he spoke are since retired or gone; Larson passed away in 2009. But the uniqueness? The total involvement?
“That has not changed at all,” says Danielle Langdon, who assumed the role of visual arts and music department chair this past summer. “It’s entirely our priority here. It’s what drives every decision we make. The visual arts are labor intensive — running two galleries, maintaining a kiln, working with chemicals and technology — but we do it and more, all for our students. To give them a strong foundation to go out and be successful.” Being successful means having the foundational abilities and techniques that artists need. But for today’s student, it also means translating those skills in a digital world. And that just might be the most significant change since Larson spoke of human fallibility 50 years ago.
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The Arts
Danielle Langdon, chair of the Visual Arts and Music Department
“Technology is becoming more significant in classrooms every year,” Langdon says. “Art is a reflection of society at any given moment, and today’s society is driven by technological advances. It’s important that artists acknowledge the role technology plays in people’s lives.” Columbia College was an early adopter of technology — college-wide and in the department of visual arts and music. Professor Mike Sleadd recalls computer towers so heavy they needed two-by-fours to secure the tables. And with Langdon at the helm, the department has caught up to today’s handheld generation. As a designer and artist, Langdon has explored the human-smartphone relationship since she was in graduate school at the University of Missouri. Her graduate work, which was mostly portrayed through video, shows people in everyday settings letting their smartphones make decisions for them. “Jump,” the phone might command a group of women, all of whom comply. It’s unnerving to watch, perhaps a bit funny at times, but it’s meant to provide a subtle commentary on the role phones now play in our lives. While Langdon uses technology to critique itself, in the classroom, she remains focused on the foundational skills and techniques that are the linchpins of a liberal arts education. Students might use Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, but they must demonstrate artistic thought and ability, she says. They must focus on the work itself, not the software they might use to create it. “You don’t need a sophisticated program to make powerful art,” she says. “The technology used to create it is not going to make or break a piece. I’m teaching my students to use technology as a tool, not a crutch.” It’s that thoughtful and balanced approach to art in a techsaturated world that Sleadd, the previous department chair, looked for when the department was tasked with replacing three long-time faculty members in 2012. That’s the year Larson’s core group — Professors Tom Watson,
A student in Professor Mike Sleadd’s printmaking class inks a linocut block, a technique invented in the 19th century.
Ed Collings and Ben Cameron — all retired. Sleadd and the art faculty, including long-time Associate Professor Naomi Lear, specifically wanted educators who would keep the department relevant while still demonstrating an understanding and respect of historical processes. Langdon may be tech-savvy, but she also has a deep understanding of design pre-Photoshop; she references the history of art/design in all her classes and teaches processes like hand-drawn typography. Sleadd also chose Associate Professor Bo Bedilion because of his skills as a potter. Ceramics has become a significant part of the program since his arrival, Sleadd says. Associate Professor Scott McMahon brought an appreciation and knowledge of the history of photography and alternative photographic processes — he used part of his on-campus interview to demonstrate his darkroom skills. With the trio now integrated into the department, Sleadd is confident that Columbia College continues to teach a solid foundation in fine arts through painting, drawing, illustrating, graphic design, photography and ceramics. “We’re doing what we’ve always done based on traditional fine arts, but focusing on these areas and what enhances the program,” he says.
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Right: Associate Professor Scott McMahon helps Ian Wilson set up photography equipment on the Quad. Below: Eryn Trudell works with charcoals in Associate Professor Naomi Lear’s drawing class.
Langdon refers to the past couple of years as a discovery period. “I’m learning how the department has been run and making sure the program remains as successful as it has been in the past,” she says. “I’m learning as much as I can about what’s been done well in order to preserve those successes, and continue to improve elsewhere to keep the department relevant and moving forward.” One way to demonstrate that relevancy in the Columbia community is to involve more students in local and regional events. That’s why one of Langdon’s first goals as chair is to create more gown-to-town opportunities such as having students participate and hosting events during the First Friday series in Columbia’s North Village Arts District. She hopes to have more community art events on campus, too. Langdon is working to foster more collaboration between the visual arts and vocal arts, both housed under the same department. Although music classes have been offered for years, the Bachelor of Arts in Music is relatively new. Assistant Professor Nollie Moore has done a wonderful job creating a nurturing environment for vocal art students, Langdon says, and she hopes to build upon that, creating crossdiscipline opportunities for all art students. “Music is an art, and our goals are very much in line with one another,” she says. “We are advocates for all the arts.” Langdon also plans to continue supporting the two galleries in Brown Hall. The Sidney Larson Gallery, under the direction of McMahon, continues to display professional work by nationally and internationally known artists. Under the direction of Bedilion, three-dimensional art, as well as alternative media, will continue to be displayed in the newer Greg Hardwick Gallery, named by his parents in memory of accomplished musician, printmaker and potter Greg Hardwick ’00. A faculty showcase, student exhibitions and a high school showcase will continue to be premiere events, as will Paper in Particular, celebrating its 40th year this February.
It’s these types of programs that keep the department vibrant, even as funding for the arts is being cut at other schools across the country. “The reason we are given resources and support is because of the people who came before us,” Langdon says. “You cannot do anything without understanding those who came before you and knowing that you’re working on the shoulders of giants. I feel a responsibility to carry on that legacy and to ensure that art continues to be a program that our students are excited to be part of and one that the institution respects.” And a key to that is the faculty’s total involvement — just as it was in 1968. “We’re colleagues first, and friends very quickly after that,” Langdon says. “We spend a lot of time together at work and outside of work. And that collegiality trickles down to our students. It’s that total engagement that makes us unique and special.”
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PROFESSORS EMERITUS OF ART // The legends live on.
BEN CAMERON
ED COLLINGS
TOM WATSON
SIDNEY LARSON
Taught: 1974-2012
Taught: 1969-2012
Taught: 1971-2012
Taught: 1951-2001
Notable: Established Paper in Particular; directed Sidney Larson Gallery
Notable: Specializes in ceramics and photography; established Columbia College photography program
Notable: Early embracer of digital media; taught jewelry, painting and ceramics
Quotable: “My advice to young artists is to keep drawing and painting. That affects everything else.”
Quotable: “I have advised many art students and told them to try everything, experiment and just have fun.”
Quotable: “Do not be afraid to fail.”
Notable: Grew a one-person art department into strong program; helped shape transformation of Christian College into Columbia College; received Honorary Alumni award in 2001; left a legacy of excellence now memorialized through the Sidney Larson Gallery
After CC: Cameron continues to paint and draw, most recently displaying his work at Melissa Williams Fine Art gallery in downtown Columbia.
After CC: Collings has exhibited in local galleries with photography and fused glass. He travels — last year, he visited Ireland and Scotland, and this year the Scandinavian countries — taking thousands of photos along the way. He misses teaching beginning photography and appreciates that his successor, Scott McMahon, has preserved the working darkroom.
After CC: Watson missed teaching his foundations class so much that he created several live videos on YouTube to provide the course for a new audience and a refresher for alumni. He’s currently researching and writing about other, non-art-related interests.
Quotable: “Art is a way to look into the heart and mind.” (2002) After CC: Larson continued to paint, revealing ambitious new work at a particularly popular exhibition at the Tiger Hotel in Columbia in 2006. He passed away in 2009 at the age of 85.
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Notley Hawkins ’87 was the featured exhibitor in the Columbia College Sid Larson Gallery for October 2018, which included an artist’s reception during Homecoming weekend.
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NOTLEY HAWKINS // reinventing his image
Notley Hawkins ’87 has had his photographs grace the covers of travel guides, commemorative books and magazines such as Missouri Life. His images have been on display at galleries across the region. Colleges, companies, banks and historical societies have all commissioned his work. So it’s surprising to hear that this well-known photographer was self-taught, at least with a camera.
And perhaps the very man who helped him hone his painting skills is to credit. Hawkins said his professor, Sid Larson, challenged him to take risks and try new things. One challenge, he says, was to try “En plein air,” which is a French phrase for painting outdoors. Hawkins says he’s had many existential and spiritual experiences as a result of doing so.
Born and raised in Columbia, Missouri, Hawkins finds creativity close to home. “I’m inspired by my community and surroundings as many artists are,” he says. “I thrive on the people, motifs and landscape of the midwest and central Missouri.”
“I actually studied painting and drawing at Columbia College but reinvented myself as a photographer about 15 years ago,” he says.
And while he swapped the paintbrush for a lens, he is still inspired by landscapes and architecture. Much of his work
Today, he passes Larson’s advice on to young artists. “Take risks,” he says. “Try things that are hard. With great risks come great rewards.”
provides new perspective on everyday sights such as flowers, barns and bridges and sunsets.
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JANET TRENT // taking her skills from the classroom to customers Janet Trent has been drawing and painting since she was a child growing up without a television in upstate New York, but it wasn’t until she began taking classes at Columbia College that she honed her craft and became a professional artist. Today, Trent exhibits her work at shows in Boone County, and she sells one-of-a-kind commissioned paintings through Etsy. Trent, an evaluator in the Office of the Registrar, is one of several staff members who takes art courses at Columbia College. For many, the classes are stand-alone electives, but for Trent, they’re part of a path to a bachelor’s degree in Art. She took interior design courses when she was younger but stopped to raise a family. Now, with her children grown, “it’s my time,” she says. Trent completed general education requirements through Columbia College’s online and evening classes. To take the studio art courses only offered during the day, she comes to work early, stays late and sometimes skips lunch. And it’s worth it. “It’s almost like therapy when you’re in the studio,” she says. “I have time to paint and concentrate, which is good because I’m a perfectionist. I’ve learned more about technique, which brushes can do what, blending. There’s been a definite improvement in my work.”
Trent credits Associate Professor Naomi Lear for patiently guiding her as she has developed her unique style. Trent specializes in painting custom pet portraits. She stumbled on the niche somewhat serendipitously when she wasn’t sure what to get her son-in-law for Christmas. She decided to paint him a close-up portrait of his dog, Roo, a Red Heeler/Pit mix. “It turned out well,” she says. “It looks just like her, and her sweet eyes look right into your soul.” That’s why she prefers painting pets over people — they can’t help but wear their personalities on their faces, she says. For one class assignment, Trent created a series of pet portraits using her own dog, Moose, and a few coworkers’ pets. When they asked to purchase the portraits, Trent got the idea to start an online Etsy shop. Trent stresses that it doesn’t matter if her art degree doesn’t lead to a different career, but that it’s just fun to learn. That’s why she may continue to take art classes after she graduates. “I want to take printmaking, but they’re all lower-level courses that I don’t need,” she says. “I can always go back and do those for fun. I plan to retire from Columbia College, so I might just be 70 years old in the printmaking class, because … why not?”
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Weaver came to Columbia College to pursue a psychology degree but later switched to communication, then education, before discovering his calling in Associate Professor Naomi Lear’s Painting I class.
DOUG WEAVER // changing lives one piece at a time
Doug Weaver ’11 is a painter whose work literally changes lives.
proceeds to help a student from Rwanda attend college.
Take, for instance, the family of a young man shot and killed in St. Louis last year. They had no high-quality images of him. Weaver spent 48 hours painting the young man’s portrait in time for it to be part of the funeral ceremony, and then it was donated to the family.
Or even the painting he created to contribute to a march protesting police violence in downtown St. Louis. That work sparked a more than one-hour conversation between an elderly AfricanAmerican man and a white woman originally offended by the piece.
Or the series of paintings depicting life in Rwanda, where Weaver spent time as a Peace Corps volunteer. After exhibiting the works to better educate Americans about Africa, Weaver sold the paintings and donated 100 percent of the
“The conversation ended amicably after a meaningful and deep analysis of my painting from vastly different cultural perspectives,” Weaver says. “I just stepped aside and listened. Conversations like that are why I became an artist.”
“I had always enjoyed art, but I remember that painting class as a turning point for me,” he says. “Going into art allows me to explore and utilize all of my interests.” In addition to being a working artist, Weaver is an adjunct instructor of art at Stevens – the Institute of Business and Arts, in St. Louis. Weaver’s main interest is helping others. He donates at least 10 percent of proceeds from every sale to charity. He’s currently working on a series of paintings depicting different non-profit organizations. The paintings will be part of a show, funded with a St. Louis Regional Arts Commission grant, and will be “sold” only in exchange for volunteer hours. “Art is about more than profit, and when art becomes all about money, it has lost some of its integrity,” Weaver says. “I strongly believe in using art for social change, and often that means sacrificing profit.”
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BENSE GARZA // designing his own path
Bense Garza ’78 got his first taste of commercial art success as a freshman at Columbia College. Sid Larson, chair of the department at the time, approached him with an opportunity. Larson had made arrangements with a local hotel to display student works in their dining area. “Up until then, all I knew about were one-man shows at galleries,” Garza says. “It gave me an opportunity to sell pieces and gave me this idea at 18 that you could make money selling paintings in public spaces.” It’s a concept he’s carried with him as he has become an internationally acclaimed commercial artist. His work has been featured in magazines such as Real Simple; his art has been sold at Target, Walmart and Neiman Marcus; and he’s collaborated with the likes of Apple, Kleenex and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Garza specializes in abstract designs and patterns that are used on rugs, posters, greeting cards and even shoes.
Garza first got exposure to product art while working at Hallmark, where he noticed the types of designs being used on calendars, writing instruments, journals and other gift-store novelties. When he started his own company, he called manufacturers he knew might be interested in his design style. The key to his success, he says, has been to stay open to new ideas and collaborations. “I became an entrepreneur,” he says. “I looked for opportunities wherever I could earn a living, through different avenues. I learned as I went along as an artist creating artwork appropriate for products.” Garza’s organic abstracts, surface patterns and product designs can be found on his website, bensegarza.com.
JEFF HICKAM // the mad potter Call him a mad potter if you will, but Jeff Hickam likes to bend the rules a little when it comes to making ceramics. He’ll throw in a notch here or there or maybe a curve where you expect a straight line. “But they can’t be mistakes that you make and just say you did on purpose,” he’s quick to clarify. “They have to be intentional.” Hickam has taken several ceramics classes at Columbia College, where he works full-time as a campus safety officer. He took his first class a few years ago after seeing some students working on the kiln. They encouraged him to try it.
Bo Bedilion, assistant professor of Art, has embraced Hickam’s quirky style. He was the one to refer Hickam to George E. Ohr, the “Mad Potter of Biloxi,” whose eccentric works are known for intentional flaws. Hickam notes that some of Ohr’s pieces are now considered priceless. Hickam’s own work includes bowls, cups, vases and decorative “oddballs” that may or may not be priceless. While he might sell a few pieces at the student art sale, he mostly gives them away to friends and family. “I’ll tell them to pick something out, something that speaks to them,” he says. That’s one thing Hickam says he’s learned about art since taking classes—what speaks to him might not speak to someone else. “In art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” he says. He admits he doesn’t always “get” the artwork displayed in campus galleries. “And some things that I’m making others might not get, but I like it.” He may keep his latest work, a flower pot and a bowl-vase combination, for himself. He’s especially fond of the pieces that surprise him when he pulls them out of the kiln. “To me, that’s exciting, when something beats my expectations,” he says. “Two of my pieces this year have had that ‘wow’ factor.”
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KIMBERLY WATSON // building her vision
When Kimberly Nowak Watson ’91 started her commercial design business, Pinnacle Graphics, in 1995, she provided line art of small appliances to Toastmaster, Inc. Today, she’s designing and building a restaurant. “I have taken on projects that range from branding to website design and general contracting, and everything in between,” she says. “If it needs to communicate visually, I can design it and build it.” Watson’s do-it-all approach to work and life has kept her busy since she was recognized with the Columbia College Service Award in 2008. She has since earned a Master of Fine Arts in graphic design and photography from the University of Missouri, and taught design classes at MU, as well as several other colleges in the state. Four years ago, she opened a commercial location for Pinnacle Graphics, allowing her to expand her services to a nationwide clientele. Watson and her team of contracted designers have worked with clients such as Shelter Insurance, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the U.S. Army and Penske Racing. She recently finished redesigning the national political magazine American Spectator. Although they have different skill sets, Watson occasionally gets assistance from her husband, Tom, who retired from Columbia College’s art department in 2012.
Hickman doesn’t plan to pursue a full degree, but more art classes are in his future. Ceramics III, for sure, and perhaps a jewelry or photography course after that. “Those things have always intrigued me,” he says.
“Graphic design is very different from fine art, yet fine art skills are needed for graphic design, so I consult with him from time to time,” she says. “If a project requires his help, he pitches in.”
Just don’t be surprised if he creates a necklace with a permanent kink or a photograph that seems a little slanted. “I like to do things a little out of the norm.”
When she’s not busy at work, Watson volunteers, serving on the board of TRYPS, a local children’s theatre, and on the board of the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
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“I did, and I really liked it,” he says. “Class to me is kind of peaceful when you get the hang of it. It’s a little frustrating at first, although Bo makes it look easy.”
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Hall of Fame
Paula Ferreira ’13
BY KEVIN FLETCHER
My best memory was definitely going to nationals every single year. We worked really hard to go there. Over four years, you can create several memories, but definitely going to nationals, because we worked so hard to have that reward for the entire year. It was amazing.
PHOTOS BY KACI SMART ’09
More than 150 former players, coaches, staff, and supporters packed Dulany Hall on Oct. 5 for the 16th induction class of the Columbia College Athletic Hall of Fame. Several honorees shared memories of their time at Columbia College, what their team and their sport meant to them and what they’re doing now.
VOLLEYBALL
I still live here in Columbia, Missouri, and work as a bond underwriter. I graduated in international business and management, so it’s somewhat related. When I first got here, everything was very different. I came from a big city. Columbia’s a smaller city and my company is a pretty small company, so I think you get to know people better. All the classes I took pretty much helped me to perform the job I do, and sports is always trying to push you to be the best you can be, and I definitely take that to my job.”
Nikola Velickovic ’13 SOCCER
What I remember the most is just being around those guys. I got to be great friends with some of those guys. We go to each other’s weddings; we’re friends forever. I miss that. I miss the locker room, I miss the trips, I miss everything we did. There’s a few guys still in Columbia, but mostly St. Louis and Kansas City. I’m still pretty close with them, so maybe once or twice a month we’ll go there, or they’ll come here. I now work for the college in the financial aid department. I also own a little training academy here in Columbia called LVB Sports, working with boys and girls age 9 to 18.”
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REPRESENTING THE 2000 VOLLEYBALL TEAM When I left the Venezuelan National Team to come to Columbia, I felt like I grew up. I learned so much during that time. I learned to be an independent girl; I learned to talk. I discovered my power as a player training and studying here. I made myself here, and it was a really important time for me. I have to thank everyone, especially Coach Melinda Wrye-Washington – she supported me so much. It was really important for me to come back here, remember and share with my teammates. It’s a dream come true. I was wanting to come back with my family, but they couldn’t all make the trip over. (Molina’s husband, Ernardo Gomez, is a professional volleyball player in Greece, and they have two daughters, Sofia and Hanna.) I will forever be thankful for Columbia College. “After college, I came back to Venezuela to play on the World Junior Championship team, which was my last competition with the national team. After that, I lived in Athens, Greece, for nine years, followed by Turkey, Japan, then Greece again, and now Israel. For about 13 years, I didn’t play; I had my two daughters. I started playing again five years ago. Now I’m trying to play, sometimes for fun, but I have an important tryout in December. It’s a big target for me because I am not the little 19-yearold girl anymore, but I’m so happy for the opportunity.”
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Angie Molina
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Hall of Fame
Hal Payne ’13 REPRESENTING THE 2012-13 MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM When I think of my time at Columbia College, the first thing I think about is the brotherhood of my teammates. We’re five years removed, and I still feel like these guys are family to me, and I can say with no hesitation that they would say the same about me. I currently work for the Kansas City (Missouri) Police Department on the S.W.A.T. team. After graduation, I just moved back to where I was from, and I was able to use my education to continue my life. I definitely have a deep appreciation for Columbia College, and for the opportunities that this basketball team afforded me. I was fortunate to play with a lot of coaches throughout my career who saw a lot of success; but no one could teach basketball to me on the level that Bob Burchard could. He’s a fantastic coach, a fantastic teacher of the
game. Every guy here who was a part of the team that year has him to thank for the opportunities. I don’t know that I would’ve said it quite like that five years ago when I was playing for him, when he was getting me out of bed at 5:30 in the morning to go lift weights, but I’m extremely appreciative of everything he gave me and the team as well. College athletics gives you a unique perspective going into the adult world. Our success speaks for itself, but what you don’t see is the tremendous effort and time that went into that success, that went into that 35-1 record, that went into the appearances in the national tournament the years preceding that year. I definitely learned a sense of adult work ethic here, and that benefited me immensely going in to my career.”
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Two of the Cougars’ veteran coaches continue their winning ways. BY KEVIN FLETCHER
PHOTOS BY CINDY FOT TI POT TER ’05
John Klein is in his 19th season as the head coach of the Cougars’ men’s soccer team and seventh at the helm of the women’s team. He posted his 350th combined win for Columbia College on Oct. 17, when both teams won at Park University by identical 4-1 scores. Just weeks before, on Sept. 18, women’s soccer clinched its 100th program win, a milestone victory for the three-time AMC Women’s Soccer Coach of the year. The men’s team won the American Midwest Conference (AMC) regular-season title for the eighth time under Klein’s watch this season, while the women took the AMC Tournament crown in dramatic fashion on Nov. 8. With an inch of snow on the ground and after 120 minutes of play, Klein’s daughter, junior Molly Klein, booted home a score to lead the Cougars to the title on penalty kicks. Both are back in the NAIA National Tournament.
Melinda Wrye-Washington’s volleyball team continues its dominance as one of the premier programs in the country. Columbia College has won 30 matches or more in each of the last 31 seasons, and upset previously undefeated and No. 1-ranked Park University on Nov. 10 to win the AMC Tournament; the conference title was CC’s 22nd all-time. The Cougars are the No. 3 seed for the NAIA Tournament and have now made nationals in each of the last 25 seasons. Since taking over as coach in 2000, WryeWashington ’95 has won more than 86 percent of her games. She has been the winningest coach in school history since 2011, and on Oct. 9, she notched her 700th victory as coach of the Cougars in a 3-0 sweep at William Woods.
FALL SPORTS: AMC CHAMPIONS MEN’S SOCCER American Midwest Conference Regular Season Champions
WOMEN’S SOCCER American Midwest Conference Tournament Champions
VOLLEYBALL American Midwest Conference Tournament Champions
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY American Midwest Conference Champions
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY American Midwest Conference Champions
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Racking Up The Wins
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Serial Hoopster When she’s not lacing up her Nike’s for the Cougars, Sarah Walters has her earbuds tuned in to crime podcasts. BY KEVIN FLETCHER
PHOTOS BY CINDY FOT TI POT TER ’05
Growing up in the rolling hills of Cooper County – less than 15 miles, as the crow flies, from the Columbia College main campus, yet a good 30-minute drive backtracking across the Missouri River – Sarah Walters had what she describes as an “interesting” childhood. And as she enters her final season on the Cougar women’s basketball team, she has it to thank for her solid work ethic.
“My dad is not a huge believer in sitting the kids on the couch and watching television,” she says. “He would take us to the library, we’d get books, he’d make us play outside; on occasion he would lock us out and be like, ‘You’re going to go play. Be active, you’re not sitting inside.’” Looking back, Walters agrees these stricter rules helped her out in the long run. “Not having
cable definitely shaped my study habits, reading so much and not being distracted by television. It’s really helped me in terms of my schoolwork.” Despite her dad’s best intentions, Walter is still a product of the smartphone generation and confesses to needing a bit of social media detox last semester. That respite, though, spurred her on to
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In listening to series involving the solving of old crimes, Walters was hooked. “Hearing the process of how they investigate cold cases, and seeing what ends up being the clue that turns things around years later is intriguing to me.” That, along with a constitutional law class taught by former dean Dr. David Roebuck, has Walters thinking of law school. “He did a great job of teaching,” she says. “I’ve already had other classes where they’ll bring up material from that class, and I’ve noticed how easily it comes back to me. I love when teachers are able to do that.” Walters took the LSAT in November and is on track to graduate this spring with a degree in political science. If her timeline holds, in five years she’ll be serving as a public defender, en route to her dream job as a judge. Still, whether it was playing at the YMCA as an 8-year-old, shooting outside with her dad, traveling with summer ball, high school or now in her final year of college, basketball has always been her first love. “My parents weren’t ever going to pay for my college,” she says. “[My siblings and I] knew we were going to have to get a job or take out loans to pay for school, and my dad was always saying, ‘You know, this is something, if you really work hard at it you can get your school paid for,’ and so that was always the goal.
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listening to podcasts at her job, which sparked a newfound love: the criminal justice system.
“I loved it and so I worked really hard at it, and eventually they said, ‘She’s got the work ethic, she’s dedicated, she loves it… we can see this going somewhere.’”
“My dad was not a huge believer in sitting the kids on the couch and watching television.” — Sarah Walters She started playing on the Columbia Sparkz (now known as Mo Phenom) AAU team, which often had practices and games at Southwell Complex, so she had a familiarity with campus long before being recruited to play for the Cougars women’s basketball team. “Columbia College is perfect. It’s close to home, small, and I love the coaching staff. It’s just great.” Walters is one of four seniors returning from last season’s 28-6 squad that won the American Midwest Conference title outright for the first time in seven seasons and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament. She’s also one of only four Cougars to play in every game last year. “I’m really excited about this team because we already seem more focused, more dedicated and ready to go than really any of the other three years I’ve been here,” she says. “I’m definitely excited to see how far we can go.”
COUGAR ATHLETICS 2018 WEEK OF GIVING The Week of Giving has become an annual tradition for fans, friends, families and alumni to support Columbia College Athletics. This year’s gifts will be used primarily for facility and equipment enhancement as well as to support the student-athlete book program.
• 7 DAYS • 126 DONATIONS • $42,280 RAISED
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THE COLUMBIA COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE
CC Notes
a f f i n i t y
Class Notes COMPILED BY CAROLYN PREUL
’60s
Ruth A. Hickox Litchfield ’65 received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who in America®. This award celebrates her many years of experience in her professional network, and she has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field of adult literacy and teaching. Ruth was awarded the CCAA Community Service Award in 2013.
’70s
Bill Vaananen ’78 retired after a 37-year career teaching music at Wescott Elementary in Northbrook, Illinois. Bill received the CCAA’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2008.
’80s
Bill Kingston ’80 is the senior vice president of development at Jackson Health Foundation, the fundraising arm of Jackson Health System serving South Florida.
What have you been up to? We’ve made it easy for you to share your good news with the submission form on page 64, or log on to columbiacollegealumni.org/classnotes.
Paula Prosser ’82 served in the U.S. Army for 43 years before retiring in 2017 as a Chief Warrant Officer 5, the peak of Army warrant officer ranks. She now works in a civilian capacity at the Missouri National Guard headquarters in Jefferson City. Tina Viermann-Crist ’83 is the owner of ArtAndFrameRestoration. com in St. Louis, Missouri. With more than 30 years of experience, Tina works with clients across the nation on art repair, conservation, restoration and custom framing. Chris Wilson ’83 is the owner of Wilson Awards based in Fort Worth, Texas. Fred Biano ’88 was promoted to senior director of Nuclear Operations at the Ameren Missouri Callaway Energy Center. He credits his education in the Navy and at Columbia College with helping to advance in his career.
’90s
Derrick Standley ’92 was named government affairs manager for
Meridian Waste. He brings more than 27 years of industry experience to the position, most recently serving as president of Presidio Environmental and prior to that, vice president of operations and engineering for WCA Waste Corporation. Derrick is a member of the Environmental Federation Missouri Association. Jamie Melchert ’97, a retired Major with the Missouri Army National Guard, serves as the strategic planning and communications administrator for the Missouri Veterans Commission. Victoria Bishop Ryan ’99 is retiring at the end of 2018 as the director of leadership and team development for Bridgestone Americas. She plans to continue her work as a professional coach, specializing in transition coaching and launching a
Classmates (left to right) June Viner Hurdle ’83, Cynthia Sumner Holter ’82 and Mary Kuecker Wahonick ’83 gathered for a girls weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. June is a member of the Columbia College Board of Trustees; Cynthia received the CCAA Professional Achievement Award in 2003.
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’00s
D’Arcy Lewis ’01 is the technical sales manager for Drytac, an international manufacturer of selfadhesive materials. He oversees industrial markets throughout Canada and North America.
and his teammates on Team ”Beav” won first place in the 2018 USBC Open Championship in the Classified Team division, which concluded in July 2018 in Syracuse, New York.
Kitty” with Christian Faith Publishing. She also recently earned certificates in medical coding and billing and advanced coding to become a certified coding assistant.
Ted Brandt ’03 has been named the vice president of physician relations and clinics for Capital Region Medical Center and University of Missouri Health Care.
Rachel Parry ’05 & ’16, is the director of training and development at MembersAlliance Credit Union in Rockford, Illinois. She has worked 20 years in the financial services industry.
Elsie Hart ’03 is the director of financial analysis at Scholastic in Jefferson City, Missouri. Elaine Gott ’05 is an associate in the Syracuse, New York, office of Dermody, Burkey & Brown CPAs. Maurice Anderson ’02 & ’16, pictured far right, is a competitive bowler in Oceanside, California. He
Jessica McCarty ’05 authored a children’s book, “The Morning Adventures of Scooter, a Curious
Keith Watts ’05 serves as the administration division chief at the St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Department in Florida. He is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Emergency Managers. Melissa Montgomery ’06, senior director of philanthropy for
CC Notes
business teaching the importance of onboarding new employees in any organization.
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Columbia College, received the 2018 Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award from the Central Missouri chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Kara Harrington ’06 is the director of Sales at The Elms Hotel & Spa in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. This promotion comes after her success with group and wedding business at The Elms since 2014. Nick Nash ’06 is the vice president of Commercial Lending at Union Bank & Trust in Leawood, Kansas. He also serves as vice chair of the board for The Family Conservancy. Janette Wilkes ’07 is a youth specialist for the State of Missouri Division of Youth Services. Isaiah Stansberry ’08 & ’14 is an assistant criminal justice professor at Upper Iowa University. He recently earned his Doctor of Business Administration with a focus on Criminal Justice from Northcentral University. Shawn Twenter ’08 is the IT manager at StorageMart headquarters in Columbia, Missouri.
’10s
Matt Rahner ’10 was a 2018 featured exhibitor at the Daum Museum of Contemporary Art in Sedalia, Missouri.
The photography exhibit featured his work capturing candid portraits of Missouri State Fair attendees as the fair’s 2017 artist-in-residence. Matt is a graphic arts professor at Missouri Valley College.
Australian water markets. His hope is to be able to bring lessons home to help design solutions to combat water scarcity and security. Pictured at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Gulf of Mexico
Norris Tanner ’10 married Kindra Livingston in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 21, 2018. Norris is a member of the CCAA Advisory Board.
Kristin Toland ’14 was named supply officer for the Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron for the 2019 air show season. Kristin is a supply officer to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 1 for the Navy.
Jeff Barringer ’12 serves as the enrollment director for Christian Chapel Academy in Columbia, Missouri. He spent the previous six years working in the Columbia College Admissions office.
Anmarie Rahner ‘15 is the director of the Marshall Public Library in Marshall, Missouri.
Renee Hamilton-McNealy ’12 was promoted to Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army Reserve. She is a Wounded Warrior Advocate at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Palo Alto, California, and the founder of Renee Hamilton Fine Art.
Zach Rockers ’15 & ’16 joined the faculty and staff at his alma mater, Helias Catholic High School, in Jefferson City, Missouri. He is a theology teacher, football quarterback coach and assistant basketball coach.
Michael Hudelson ’14 and Darren Hays ’20 co-own The Turning Gear, a custom software development and web-design business based in Columbia, Missouri. Michael is a software engineer and Darren serves as the company’s designer.
Lorrie Ellison ‘16 started as an assistant athletic trainer for Columbia College in September 2018.
Quinn McColly ’14 earned a master’s degree in Environmental Science and is working on a PhD with a focus on how to use market mechanisms to improve the efficient allocation of water. His dissertation studies brought him to Australia to research the construction and function of
Taylor Emery ’17 works as a ceramics apprentice to an artist in Goshen, Indiana, and teaches at Goshen Youth Arts, a nonprofit that provides fine arts classes to students ages 9 to 19. She also runs an Etsy shop, Clay by Tay, to sell her original ceramics and pottery.
Katie Blake ‘17 started as process coordinator for Columbia College Admissions in October 2018.
Claire Jeffery ’17 is a first-year teacher of second- and third-grade students in Columbia, Missouri.
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Future Cougars
Kelsey Fogle ‘14 and Justin Jasenowski ‘08 welcomed daughter Aria on Nov. 28, 2017.
We’ve been serving
Military Families FOR 45 YEARS
• Credit for military training • Assistance with GI Bill® benefits for service members, spouses and dependents • Scholarships, tuition grants for active duty, veterans and spouses
Apply today for FREE Jessica Anderson Bedwell ’15 and her husband, Michael, welcomed daughter Claire Ella on Aug. 23, 2018.
Alyssa DiFabio Knapp ’16 and her husband, George, welcomed daughter Magnolia Abby-Rose on Nov. 11, 2017.
A Top 10 Military Friendly® School
MF17.CCIS.edu GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Sasha Basha Martin ’18 and her husband, Michael, welcomed daughter Jasmine Ember Alexandra on Oct. 12, 2017.
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Justin Moore ’17 is an Army veteran now working in a new Civil Service role as an electronics technician for aviation equipment for the Department of the Army. Nic Powers ’17, a former Cougar soccer player, is a graduate assistant with the Columbia College men’s soccer team.
Breanna Troesser ’17 works with Team Rubicon in Houston, Texas. As a member of Americorps VISTA, she is donating a year of service to support disaster relief, providing continued service to veterans and serve the underserved.
Nic Reynolds ’17, a former Cougar basketball player, is a graduate assistant with the Columbia College men’s basketball team.
Cassidy Urie ’17, a 6th-grade math teacher, is a Global Learning Fellowship recipient. The yearlong program, featuring 48 teachers
Former Cougars soccer players participate in the annual alumni soccer match at main campus in August 2018. Back row, from left: Taylor Hagenhoff ’17, Tiffany Weaver ’17, Christina Conley ’17, Rylee Bruhn ’15 and Kelli Westhues ’16; Front row, from left: Victoria Magaletta ’15, Jordan Poire ’17, Laurie Frew ’18 and Meg Goddard ’14
from 47 states will conclude with a summer trip to meet with top educators in South Africa. Jackson Dubinski ’18 signed to play basketball professionally for the 2018-19 season with Aguacateros de Michoacán in Morelia, Mexico. Jacalyn Leake ’18, recipient of the 2018 Presidential Award, is a marriage and family therapy graduate student at the University of Central Missouri. Landon Miller ’18, a first-year student at the University of Missouri School of Law, was appointed by the Governor to the Missouri Juvenile Justice Advisory Group. Andrea Ramberg ’18 is a sleep navigator for a multi-hospital inpatient sleep screening program with Centegra hospitals in McHenry and Huntley, Illinois. While working full-time to care for her patients, Andrea earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with magna cum laude honors. Tyrone Reeves ’18 is pursuing a master’s degree at Alabama A&M University’s Graduate School of Communications. He retired from the military in 2017, a career that included three combat tours to Iraq, and is a member of the Order of St. Martin, the highest level of the Quartermaster Patron Saint Program.
Back row, from left: Akhil Noel ’17, Jake Rocco, Matt McKenna ’14, Jordan Cox ’10, Tim Tracy, Jared Cross ’05, Vladimir Roganovic ’06, Nikola Velickovic ’13, Zach Oppland ’15, Vinicius Aizpurua, Jimmy Hermann, Zac Walters ’16, Alejandro Alex Rangel-Flores ’11 and Lloyd Jacobs ’10; Front row, from left: Gary Drewing, Jim Moresi ’95, Parker Rawson, Vadim Cojocov, Zach Felz, Andrew Will ’10, Mitchell Conning, Dan Reilly ’17, Edin Campara ’15, Nic Powers ’17, Mark Steiniger ’17 and Tom Vincenc ’13
Tyrone Upshaw ’18 of Orange Park, Florida, is pursuing a Master’s in Science in Operational and Project Management from Southern New Hampshire University.
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It’s a big world out there. Check out where Scooter has traveled lately.
CC Notes
Scootergraphs
Members of the Columbia College Education Club traveled to Falmouth, Jamaica, during the summer of 2018, where they taught alongside Jamaican teachers at the Falmouth All Ages School. Each student brought two 50-lb. suitcases filled with supplies to donate to the school. Clockwise from bottom left: Abigail McCracken, Maci Wisdom-Parrack, Rachel Blades, Abi Brown, Josh Vitoux, Kristen Tucker, Kristen Kreutzer, Alexis Uffman, Alex Ray, Jillian Staton and Tara Fuemmeler
Joshua Muder ‘99, president of the CCAA Advisory Board, introduced #Scootergraphs to a friendly wallaby in Sydney, Australia.
Tim Grisso ‘96 visited Glacier Bay National Park on opening day 2018 with Scooter. Brrrr!
Send your #Scootergraphs to ccalum@ccis.edu.
Dr. Curtis Mason, assistant professor of Education, chaperoned the Education Club’s trip to Jamaica.
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Standing Ovation Ron Stallworth ’07 visits Columbia, Missouri, as part of a national movie tour and book signing. BY KEVIN FLETCHER
PHOTO BY KACI SMART ’09
Ron Stallworth ‘07 and his wife, Patsy, attended a movie screening and book signing in Columbia, Missouri, for the release of BlacKkKlansman, a Spike Lee movie based on Ron’s memoir. The evening, hosted by the Columbia College Alumni Association on Aug. 30, included an unexpected surprise for Stallworth: Columbia College President Dr. Scott Dalrymple presented him with the first-ever Columbia College Lifetime Achievement Award. Of all the accolades Stallworth has received over a stellar law-enforcement career and the fame from a bestselling book and movie, this recognition prompted a moment of emotion. “I’m overwhelmed, I really am,” he says. It wasn’t until he was wrapping up his law-enforcement career that Stallworth decided to return to school to fulfill a promise to his late wife, Micki, to earn his degree. He started classes at another institution that caters to nontraditional students, but didn’t find a good fit. A few years later, he learned of Columbia College and enrolled at the Salt Lake location. “I felt like I fit in perfectly, because everybody that was attending college at Columbia were all working professionals like me. I liked their structure better, the small class sizes and the accelerated course
program,” he says. “I don’t recall anybody in the classes that I took who was fresh out of high school, in college for the first time. We were all in the same place.” Stallworth also spoke about his decision to give back to his alma mater by creating the Ron and Micki Stallworth Endowed Scholarship. “That was in honor of my late wife. I wanted to honor her memory because I was a criminal justice student, a law-enforcement officer for 32 years, and I wanted to do something to recognize both her and my career. I happened to have some money at the time, and decided to put some of that to use by endowing the scholarship program.” Rev. Clyde Ruffin, the city council member who represents the 1st Ward in which Columbia College is located, also presented Stallworth with a proclamation from Columbia Mayor Brian Treece. To make a gift to support the Stallworth Endowed Scholarship, please visit my.ccis.edu/givenow.
DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT • PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT • COMMUNITY SERVICE COLUMBIA COLLEGE SERVICE • HONORARY ALUMNI • JANE FROMAN COURAGE
2019 Alumni Awards Nominations Deadline: March 1, 2019
COLUMBIACOLLEGEALUMNI.ORG/NOMINATION
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CC Notes
We Did It! 2018 graduates share their Cougar Pride online.
“I graduated with my BA in American Studies on April 28, 2018. I graduated with my Associate in General Studies in 2000. I’m so incredibly proud of my accomplishment and thrilled to be an alumni of Columbia College (again). It has been life changing!” — Jeannie Lahman ’00 & ’18
THE MIDWEST’S BIGGEST
GAMING EVENT IS BACK
@condorianflex Finally, I’ve graduated and it feels so good! @ColumbiaColg #MSCJ
“I finished the MBA Accounting program and my diploma finally arrived here in Germany! Being associated with the military, I’ve had the majority of my classes online and I couldn’t be happier with how amazing Columbia College is! Online courses were tough at times, but the flexibility gave me such freedom to get it done and the instructors throughout were all amazing in helping succeed! I’m now prepping for my CPA exams with complete confidence. Thank you!” — Sarah Fountain-Ibison ’18
eSports teams from across the region will converge on campus to compete for prizes and bragging rights.
April 6, 2019 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
MIDWESTCAMPUSCLASH.COM
MWCC Ad 10-2018.indd 1
9/30/18 4:21 PM
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In Memoriam Frances Dickerson ’35 September 24, 2017
Judith Woodruff Holman ’59 May 15, 2018
Harry Morton ’79 September 30, 2017
Margaret Hussey Roderick ’40 May 22, 1996
Sharon Holland Meyer ’59 June 7, 2018
Ralph Powell ’79 February 19, 2017
Jenny Sloan Stanley ’40 August 14, 2013
Clayton Raker Hasser ’61 May 31, 2018
Peter Bell ’80 February 24, 2015
Margaret Johnston Vogt ’40 March 6, 2018
Kathleen Hoehns Eichholz ’61 August 25, 2017
Guy Edwin Dunan ’82 April 2018
Marianne Trout Laitner ’42 May 2017
Sally Law ’63 March 30, 2018
Paul Poelker ’89 November 25, 2014
M.J. Walther Donnelly ’43 April 27, 2018
Tracy Walmer Lohman ’64 January 29, 2018
Donald Pierce ’90 January 14, 2016
Mary Matteson Cederberg ’46 February 8, 2018
Gail Petri Toedebusch ’65 June 12, 2018
Michael Pierce ’93 August 7, 2018
Betty Dysart Powell ’46 July 27, 2016
Anne Thorn Lerch ’67 October 13, 2017
Lloyd Mills ’95 May 27, 2016
Betty Ragland Mansur ’47 June 15, 2018
Ginny Kerr Lindsley ’67 June 11, 2018
Dawn Colvin Thornton ’96 June 24, 2018
Nancy Ellis Grobmyer ’47 July 31, 2018
Beverly Spitcaufsky ’69 December 29, 2017
Jonathan O’Dell ’97 November 14, 2016
Jo Pearson Bartel ’49 September 1, 2018
J. Russell “Rusty” Ford ’72 September 1, 2018
Ronnie Dotson ’97 June 17, 2018
Martha Bartholomew ’49 April 27, 2018
Dwight Detmer ’73 September 24, 1999
Mary Smith Brown ’03 October 8, 2018
Agnes Dorse Suttle ’50 July 22, 2018
Duane H. Bartrem ’76 July 27, 2018
Andrew Helmreich ’18 October 20, 2018
Jeanne Devereux Rennert ’50 February 7, 2018
William Hurt ’76 November 20, 2015
Jaron M. Leak ’20 August 31, 2018
Peggy McClure Silva ’54 October 3, 2017
George Johnson ’76 July 8, 2018
Notifications received as of October 31, 2018
Marilyn McIntire Schulte ’56 May 22, 2018
Carle Baker ’78 August 10, 2018
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.
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In memory of Andrew Helmreich ’18
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The Columbia College family was deeply saddened by the passing of student Andrew Helmreich in an automobile accident on the evening of Oct. 20, 2018. A veteran of the United States Army, Andrew served his country for five years, including a 2014 tour in Afghanistan. During his time at the college, he served as the vice president of the Student Veterans Club, helping those who had also served acclimate back into civilian life through education. “Andrew was extremely driven, assisting CCSV and his fellow veterans in any way he could,” says Marsha Thompson, assistant director of Veteran Services for the college. “He was funny and witty and the club members enjoyed working with him. He was a big part of our team and he will truly be missed.” At the time of his passing, Helmreich was one month away from completing his bachelor’s degree in business management. To honor his memory and recognize his efforts, President Scott Dalrymple awarded Andrew’s degree posthumously at the Fall 2018 Commencement Ceremony and presented the diploma to his family. Andrew will be remembered for his outgoing personality, commitment to his family and country and his ability to make those around him laugh. Columbia College has established the Andrew Helmreich Memorial Fund. To contribute to this philanthropy, please visit my.ccis.edu/helmreich.
Don’t let 20/20 be hindsight. • Start a master’s degree in January 2019 • Take two classes per six-week session • Have your master’s degree by 2020
Apply today for FREE CCIS.edu
THE CC ALUMNI COLLECTION
“Cougar Paw” Alumni Long-sleeve T-shirt Brand: Gildan Softstyle; Heather gray or navy Small-XL: $15 2X-3X: $17
CCAA Woven Polo Brand: Zorrel; Navy Men, Medium-XL: $15 Women, XS-XL: $15 Women, 3X-4X: $17
NEW ITEM! CC Alumni Hoodie Brand: Hanes EcoSmart; Charcoal heather or navy Small-3X: $25
CCAA Satin Polo Brand: Port Authority; Gray or navy Men, Small-2X: $20 Women, XS-2X: $20 Women, 3X-4X: $25
“Nationwide” T-shirt Brand: Gildan Softstyle; Light gray, heather gray, navy or black Small-2X: $12 3X: $15
Women’s Navy Polar Fleece Vest Brand: Crossland Women, XS-XL: $30 Women, 3X-4X: $32
“Block CC” Alumni T-shirt Brand: Gildan Softstyle; Charcoal gray or navy Small-2X: $12 3X: $15
Some sizes or colors may not be available. View the entire catalog of Christian College and Columbia College merchandise at
columbiacollegealumni.org/alumnistore
GIFTS & ACCESSORIES Baseball hat, solid “ALUMNI” embroidered in navy on back. Khaki or pink; $14 Baseball hat, stitched Navy and silver hat with white stitching and block letters; $20 CCAA iWallet Silicone stick-on wallet with printed logo; $1 CCAA Keychain Silver metal with blue band and printed logo; $5 CCAA Koozie Color varies from green, teal, orange, blue and magenta with white logo imprint; $1 CCAA Picture Frame Vertical 4” x 6” brushed metal with etched logo; $8 CCAA Playing Cards Honoring the past, present and future of the college; $5 Christian College Notecards Blank interior with white envelopes,10-pack set; $8 Christian College Picture Frame Horizontal 6” x 4” glass
frame with silver base featuring blue engraved logo; $15 Keyboard Sweeper Dual keyboard sweeper and felt cleaner for computers and tablets with white CCAA imprint; $3
VISA
#1 / #2
Lamis tote bag Stylish faux leather with CCAA logo embossing. Gray or navy; $15 Lanyard White imprint “Columbia College Alumni” on navy lanyard, 40” L x 1” W; $5
#3
License plate covers White plastic with navy imprint; $5 Metallic with navy and white imprint; $10 Tumblers Alumni wrap print; $10 Plaid wrap print; $10 Umbrella Navy and white with navy imprint; $15 USB flash drive 4GB swivel style, printed logo; $5 Screen Cleaner Pen spray; $1
Make check payable to Columbia College Alumni Association or charge to: MasterCard
#5
Discover
Account number _________________________ Expiration date: _____/________ CVC ______ Order Total _____________________________ FREE shipping is provided on all orders. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. U.S. postage paid only. You will be contacted if an item is out of stock and no longer available for purchase.
#4
KIDS CLOTHING 1. Future Cougar onesies Navy, gray, pink – 6 mo-24 mo; $12 2. Future Cougar infant lap shoulder T-shirt Navy or gray – 6 mo-18 mo; $12 3. Future Cougar infant basic T-shirt Navy or gray – 6 mo-24 mo; $12
4. Future Cougar navy toddler T-shirt 2T-4T; $12 5. Columbia Cougars navy T-shirt Juvi 5/6 & 7; $12 Youth XS-XL; $12
Download Scooter-approved coloring sheets at columbiacollegealumni.org/thecubclub.
Name____________________________________________________________________ Class Year __________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________ City________________________________________________ State _________________ Zip ______________________ Phone number_______________________________ Email ___________________________________________________
Item _____________________________________________ Color _____________ Size ___________ Cost ___________ Item _____________________________________________ Color _____________ Size ___________ Cost ___________ Item _____________________________________________ Color _____________ Size ___________ Cost ___________ Item _____________________________________________ Color _____________ Size ___________ Cost ___________ AFFWIN1819
what’s new with you? Send back this form so we can update your alumni record and share your good news in Class Notes.
Today’s Date: __________________________
Contact Information Name: _______________________________________________________________________________________ First (Preferred), Maiden and Last
Location attended: ____________________________________ Class year: _______________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________ Check if new City: ________________________________________________ State: ______________ Zip: ________________ Home phone: ________________________________________ Cell phone: ______________________________ Email: _______________________________________________ Date of birth: _____________________________ Career Update (within the last 12 months) Employer: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Job title: ____________________________________________ New Retired Effective: __________________ Wedding Announcement (within the last 12 months) Married to: _________________________________________ Check if spouse attended CC. Class year: _____________ Date of marriage: __________________________ City/State of celebration: _______________________________ Birth (Adoption) announcement (within the last 12 months) Birth of a: Daughter Son Multiples Baby’s name: ______________________________________________ Date of birth: ________________________ Spouse’s name: _____________________________________ Check if spouse attended CC. Class year: _____________ Class Notes: Tell us more about your career, community service, military news or retirement updates. Please attach additional pages if necessary. Check to have your news published in Class Notes. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Go online to fill out the form and upload photos: columbiacollegealumni.org/classnotes Email: ccalum@ccis.edu Mail: Columbia College Alumni Relations, 1001 Rogers St., Columbia, MO 65216 Fax: (573) 875-7733
AFFWIN1819
Alumni Information Update
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We are Columbia College!
“Columbia College is a safe place to thrive and grow no matter where you come from. I enrolled in Columbia College with the help of all the knowledgeable staff that make this place run. They directed and guided me into a career path that seemed tailored just for me. I am Columbia College.” – LaTasha Tilford, BA ‘19
WE ARE CC ... ARE YOU? Show your support for hardworking students like LaTasha by making a gift to the Columbia College Fund. Every gift makes an immediate impact and supports our most pressing initiatives, including: • Keeping a Columbia College education attainable: Did you know your philanthropy allows Columbia College to generously give over $4 million in scholarships a year to deserving students? • Strengthening our academic programs and initiatives: We offer every student individualized, innovative and flexible learning opportunities, with an emphasis on small classes and strong faculty/student relationships. • Providing resources for students around the world: Technology needs change quickly and we adapt to provide the most up-to-date resources for our students to succeed. Whether it be an active military student taking classes overseas or a day student in Columbia, your support makes a difference. Support Columbia College students nationwide with a gift by visiting my.ccis.edu/givenow or calling (573) 875-7560.
1001 Rogers Street Columbia, MO 65216