33 minute read
Innovation in the Classroom
NN VATION
IN THE CLASSROOM
FIVE YEARS OF HONORING HEROES
In April, C-SC criminal justice students marked the 5th consecutive year in program history for the Fallen Officer Project. Created in 2017 by Senior Lecturer Seth McBride, the “In the Line of Duty” course provides students an authentic learning experience that encompasses the historical context and emotional impact of the commitment first responders make when taking a personal oath as a professional. The class final, better known as the “Fallen Officer Project.” honors fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
The 12-week class takes a deep dive into the psychological components of a first responder, focusing on law enforcement by reviewing case studies and officer-involved shootings, and honoring other front-line responders in the firefighting field. The course’s objective is to recognize fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice. C-SC students select a fallen officer who lost their life in the line of duty to represent throughout the class. The national organization Supporting Heroes, Inc. facilitates matching students with family members of fallen first responders to create relationships amid tragedy. Students represent their assigned hero during the class through written assignments, speeches, social media responsibilities, and the Fallen Officer walk. In 2022, for the first time in program history, the event also memorialized firefighters killed on duty while continuing to honor law enforcement officers who suffered a line of duty death.
“This is a life course,” McBride said, “We asked college students to go out of their comfort zone to connect with someone who has lost a loved one.” While the conversations may be challenging for the students, the project’s outcomes far outweigh hesitations. Jared Henderson ’22, chose to represent a fallen firefighter because he serves as a volunteer firefighter in his community. Henderson said that he knows the project and walk are “important to the families.” He shared, “The Fallen Officer Project lets them
know that their family member hasn’t been forgotten- it represents and honors them.”
The collective experiences from the “In the Line of Duty” course impact our students as they enter the workforce and transition into professionals serving their community. As young professionals, they experience perspectives that undeniably differ from the mainstream media because they chose a profession considered a “high-risk career.” The Fallen Officer Project has raised $11,275 to jointly benefit Who’s House Our House and Supporting Heroes, Inc., but the students will argue that their experiences are priceless.
NORTHERN LIGHTS & FISHY BIOLOGY
Environmental Conservation Biology and Environmental Psychology synergized when Dr. Sarah Reardon and Dr. Melissa Holt’s courses united this spring in Iceland for what many have referred to as “their greatest experiences as students!” Breathtaking landscapes that provided alternative spaces for learning included the Glanni waterfall, walking the caldera of the Grabrok volcano, and even the Aurora Borealis, at what seemed like an arm’s distance.
Initially planned for 2021 but rescheduled due to pandemic travel restrictions, Laken Hugenberg ’22 shared that the trip was worth the wait! She said, “Iceland
was my greatest experience as a student. It was phenomenal!”
WATER IS ESSENTIAL
Freshman Rylee Loftus knew she was taking a world history class, but she learned that water was responsible for expanding global civilization and ultimately plays a critical role in our community. “We live on one of the most important rivers in our nation, I see barges all the time, but I never really thought about what river traffic meant for our economy,” Rylee said.
“This class has changed my perspective about water; now I know how essential it is.”
The application of learning in the classroom merged with real-world experiences when the class, taught by Dr. Douglas B. Palmer, toured the Canton Lock and Dam #20. Students walked onto the structure, overlooking America’s first super highway, where billions of dollars of goods are channeled each day to supply and feed the world.
“The management of water resources will be a major challenge and opportunity that our students
will have as they graduate from Culver-Stockton and enter the wider world,” Palmer said. The secondyear president explained that he doesn’t believe it is the sole responsibility of the engineers, economists, or politicians to make these decisions. “We believe that solutions to these challenges we face in our world
will require a liberal arts solution. They will require knowledge of diverse areas, including sociology, politics, culture, anthropology, political science, and economics.”
EXPERIENCING ART & RELIGION IN ITALY
Art, history, and religion were woven together throughout the streets of Italy this spring as CulverStockton College students visited Rome, Florence, Pisa, and Venice. “Art and Architecture of Italy,” taught by Deb Myers, along with Dr. Andrew Walsh’s Religion and Society class, came together to better understand Italian culture. Student highlights included the Colosseum, gothic art, history of war weapons, and the Venice Biennial. Myers said the experiences her students received on this trip were not like those in the classroom. She shared, “To see the architecture and works of
art from previous centuries, as well as contemporary masterpieces, was profound.”
DISCOVERING THE CORNERSTONES OF DEMOCRACY
Learning about democracy and free market development in the classroom offers one set of learning objectives. For Dr. Matthew Osborn and Dr. Jonathan Walker’s classes, they determined that the same economic principles would be best obtained from our Nation’s capitol in Washington D.C. The students spent a portion of their seven-day journey at the Pentagon 911 memorial, where they discussed the socio-cultural issues that lead to terrorism and the geopolitical ramifications; watched a war reenactment on the Potomac River at Mount Vernon; and visited Senator John Hawley’s staff at the United States Capitol, where students were able to ask questions and explore topics of interest. Next, C-SC students learned about the United States Institute of Peace and were given a presentation on regions in the world where the USIP is doing its work and the difficulties and successes they have experienced. Wildcats visited the National Mall to pay tribute to each war memorial, analyzed the leadership styles of President Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower, and carefully studied Rosa Park’s words to better understand the gap that existed between work for freedom then and now. One poignant event students experienced firsthand was protesting outside the Supreme Court due to the Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case leak. This led to a great discussion about the importance of the judicial branch of government and why this specific event is a historical occurrence in our society. We are grateful to the Moorman Foundation for their generous grant that helped fund this experiential learning adventure.
COLLABORATIVE CONFERENCE
WRITTEN BY DR. ALISSA BURGER
Culver-Stockton College welcomed scholars, conservationists, government officials, and other constituents to campus for the inaugural Great River Collaborative Conference held in early April. The conference brought together a wide range of perspectives around the common theme of the Mississippi River, including its impact on our communities, opportunities for engagement, and well-being and sustainability. This combination of disciplines and areas of expertise fueled energetic and interdisciplinary conversations about the river, its resources, and potential collaborations.
The conference kicked off on Thursday, April 7th, with a roundtable discussion of challenges and opportunities that set the tone for the multidisciplinary and collaborative conference, featuring Michael Klingner (Chair of the Upper
Mississippi, Illinois, and Missouri Rivers Association),
Travis Moore (Fisheries Management Biologist for the Missouri Department of Education), Jarrod Phillips (Mayor of Canton, Missouri), and Scott Whitney (Chief of Project Management for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). Panels on Friday, April 8th, and Saturday, April 9th, addressed the Mississippi River from a wide range of perspectives, including presentations on economic development, education, resource management, policy development, history, and literature. Dr. Joseph Underhill (Augsburg University) and Dr. John Kim (Macalester College) spoke about their immersive River Semester curriculum, in which students travel the length of the Mississippi River from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to New Orleans, Louisiana. Henry Sweets from the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal, Missouri, talked about Twain and the River. At the same time, Dr. Ingo Heidbrink (Old Dominion University) and Dr. Craig Marin (Sea Education Association) provided historical perspectives of maritime studies and their applicability to the Mississippi River. Managing the river’s resources was a central focus of many papers, including those by Moore, Maria Kuhns (Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council), and Paul St. Louis (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). The role of political engagement and policy was addressed by Louis Riggs (State Representative for Missouri’s 5th District) and Bryan Nichols (Communication Director for Congressman Sam Graves) who addressed the role of political engagement and policy. Each of the conference’s featured speakers shared their critical perspectives, and professional expertise as speakers and attendees drew connections between disparate concerns to consider the ways we can work together to find solutions.
The Mississippi River is also central to one of C-SC’s freshman learning communities, in which students take three classes together - a first-year experience course, an experiential learning course, and a general education course - during their first year at Culver-Stockton College. These classes are united by a common theme and provide the students with the opportunity for intensive interdisciplinary engagement. Dr. Scott Giltner (Professor of History), Dr. Alissa Burger
The Great River Collaborative Conference providedan excellentopportunitytoshare the new and innovative work being done on “the Hill” as well, including the Great River Research Center at Culver-Stockton College.
(Associate Professor of English), and Dr. Patrick Lane (Assistant Professor of English) presented a paper at the Great River Collaborative Conference on their Mississippi Riverbased learning community. In the courses students learned to tell their own stories, critically and creatively analyze their relationship with the river, interview campus and community constituents about the significance of the river, and create podcasts designed to share these stories with a broader audience. Giltner and Burger will continue this learning community work in the 2022-2023 academic year, expanding their scope to include a partnership with the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association (UMRBA), engage with other genres of creative nonfiction, and collaborate with Dr. Lisa Prowant (Assistant Professor Biology) to incorporate field biology.
Chad Pregracke of Living Lands and Waters (pictured on the right) was the conference’s featured keynote speaker. Living Lands and Waters, based in Moline, Illinois, is a nonprofit river cleanup organization that is dedicated to river cleanups around the United States, including the Mississippi River. Pregracke was recognized as the CNN Hero of the Year in 2013, and at the Great River Collaborative Conference, he enthusiastically shared his experience and passion for this work, from his stories of growing up on the Mississippi River to his inspiration for river cleanup work, as well as the many projects he and his team are working on, including the Million Trees Project. Pregracke’s keynote was an inspirational call to action on the importance of taking action, leading, and collaborating. Culver-Stockton College is looking forward to continuing to build a relationship with Pregracke and Living Lands and Waters through a community river cleanup and the College’s participation in the Adopt a River Mile program, which will begin in August.
The conference concluded on Saturday, April 9th, with a second round table discussion that once again brought together a range of voices and perspectives, featuring Joan Freitag (America’s Watershed Initiative), Ralph Martin (Lewis County Missouri Port Authority), Robert Sinkler (Riverside Global), and Roger Viadero (Western Illinois University). In addition to wrapping up the Great River Collaborative Conference, this second roundtable discussion also helped attendees identify and articulate future directions, goals, and collaborative connections as we move forward on the Hill, on the Mississippi River, and beyond.
The Great River Collaborative Conference was coorganized by Dr. Scott Giltner (Professor of History) and Moorman Professor Dr. Matthew Osborn (Assistant Professor of Business), with the support of various faculty and staff throughout the College. While the next conference date has not yet been set, Giltner and Osborn are hopeful to continue the conference every other year. President Douglas B. Palmer reflected,
CHAD PREGRACKE; PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF LIVING LANDS AND WATERS
HONORS
In early April, the campus was filled with generations of Wildcats gathered to exchange stories of tradition, value, and transformation. At the Scholarship Appreciation Luncheon, current students shared a meal with alumni and donors to express their gratitude for scholarships received while soaking up knowledge that only comes from life experiences after college. Austyn Shumard ’22 was one of the recipients and addressed the guests, saying,
“Asafirst-generationstudentfromasingle-parenthousehold,my momencouragedmy twinsisterandme to pursue our dreams.Iwouldnotbehereifsomeone didnotgivenme a chance.Thescholarshiphelpedme onmy journeyandIwillbeginmyPsychologyDoctoralDegreeatAdlerUniversityinChicagothisAugust.” Students like Austyn are why our donors are critical to giving at Culver-Stockton College. Because 98% of C-SC students receive some form of financial aid, our future depends on gifts that make a difference. When we come together to impact students’ lives on “the Hill,” our world is enhanced.
On the evening of the scholarship luncheon, the festivities continued as we honored eight outstanding individuals for their service and commitment to Culver-Stockton College. During her acceptance of the Honorary Wildcat Award, Donna Stone, wife of the late Robert “Bob” Stone ’71, reflected that although she is not a C-SC alumna, she and Bob made many visits to “the Hill.” Donna shared that Bob believed in the mission of Culver-Stockton College, and she was intrigued by experiential learning. She said,
“This College is welcoming, and I have developed a Culver-Stockton family that is tremendous.”
Honorees
Congratulations to the following honorees recognized at the 2022 Alumni Honors Banquet.
Gina (Hagen) Driscoll ’83 GINA (HAGEN) DRISCOLL ’83 was awarded the Distinguished Alumna Award for her professional accomplishments, significant contributions, and philanthropic service to the College and her community. Gina, who currently resides in East Peoria, Illinois with her husband Steve, retired in 2021 from a successful 34-year career with State Farm Insurance, where she honed her communication and sales skills while serving in various leadership roles. She has served her community in East Peoria, and on “the Hill” with her time, talents, and financial contributions. Gina formally served as a member of the CulverStockton College Board of Trustees from 2008 to 2013, representing the Alumni Board. She was officially elected to the Board in 2020 and currently serves on several committees.
JENNIFER (MCREYNOLDS) BERHORST ’06 was awarded the Outstanding Young Alumna Award for exceptional achievements and significant contributions to both her professional industry and personal community. Jennifer is a mentor, both formally and informally, to junior lawyers in her firm and throughout the industry, where she is highly regarded. Working as an Associate Attorney, she was named a Partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP in 2020. Jennifer completed her undergraduate degree from C-SC before earning her Juris Doctor from the University of MissouriKansas City School of Law. Jennifer has been named to Ingram’s 20 Under 40 (2019), she dedicates time to the Volunteer Attorney Project, and has served on numerous committees. She reflected on the individual characteristics of her professors and how their traits helped prepare her for a career in law, and ultimately, how her time at C-SC was a great step in her educational journey. She said,
Jennifer (McReynolds) Berhorst ’06
DR. Z. BRUNO WU ’90, was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award for his incredible professional accomplishments as an international businessman. After graduating from C-SC, Bruno continued his education in the US and abroad, earning a Master of Arts in International Affairs from Washington University, and a Ph.D. from the School of International Relations and Public Affairs from Fudan University in China. Bruno is an experienced investor, technology and media entrepreneur, and philanthropist serving as past chairman and CEO of Sun Seven Stars Investment Group, Sun Seven Stars Media Group Limited, and Ideanomic. He is married to Lan Yang, a popular Chinese television star.
ROBERT “BOB” STONE ’71 was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award for his extraordinary dedication of time, talent, and gifts to Culver-Stockton College. Bob was a devoted alumnus and well known for dedicating much of his time and energy to building relationships with student recipients of the Stone family’s scholarship and serving as a leader of numerous college-wide initiatives. Donna (Proctor) Stone, Bob’s wife, was recognized as an outstanding friend of the College and awarded the Honorary Wildcat Award for continuing service to help advance the College to prepare students of promise for a dynamic world. In Donna’s words, “We were true life partners and did everything together.” From business to stewardship, the impact that Bob and Donna Stone left on “the Hill” will be seen and felt into the future.
In 1992, The Stones founded AMS Environmental, an earth science services company, where Bob served as President until selling the company in 2018. In 2013, the Stones made significant contributions to renovate Ziegler Hall, a dormitory where Bob lived as a student. The building was renamed Stone Residence Hall in recognition of their generosity. The service provided to C-SC by Bob and Donna Stone is immeasurable, and it was remarkable to watch their leadership as a team. Together, they served as co-vice chairs of the “Changing Lives!” comprehensive campaign, created the Stone Scholars Program, and provided significant financial support for numerous capital projects. Bob also served as a member of the Culver-Stockton College Board of Trustees until his death in 2020.
Donna Stone & son, Alex
In the two decades since AARON NIEMEIER ’00 has departed from “the Hill,” he has achieved a notable level of professional success and made exceptional contributions to his community, which has garnished him the award for Outstanding Young Alumnus. Aaron built a successful career in information technology and financial services in the Kansas City area, where he has held roles in account management, sales, and leadership. He is actively involved with the C-SC alumni association, serving as the KC Chapter President since 2018. Aaron founded “Crawl for Cancer,” in 2001, a fundraising organization that hosts numerous fundraising events.
Aaron Niemeier ’00
Anthony “Tony” Crane ’74 ANTHONY “TONY” CRANE ‘74 has been an active member of the Board of Trustees since 2011 and has been instrumental in the expansion of the campus. Tony was awarded the Alumni Leadership and Service Award for his pivotal role in building projects on campus, and his volunteerism to the community. As a founding partner and past officer in the Architectural-Engineering firm of Architechnics, Inc., an organization in which he still serves as an architectural consultant, Tony’s expertise is visible in building projects on campus. Tony, most recently contributed his expertise to the Johnson-Turner IDEA Center. Additionally, he serves on several committees and has served on the two most recent Presidential Search Committees for the College.
The DOME Award was presented to JAMES “JIM” COSGROVE for his 39 dedicated years of teaching at Culver-Stockton College. During his time on campus, he served as an advisor for the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity for 25 years and led a Bible study group for students. In 2021, five of “Mr. C’s” former students joined forces to create the Jim Cosgrove Endowed Scholarship in recognition of his faithful service to C-SC and the impact he had on their lives. Jim found his home on “the Hill’’ teaching business, law, and providing life lessons to generations of Wildcats. His faithful service to Culver-Stockton College earned him this prestigious award.
by ourMISSION
Two recent graduates found their purpose in life through experiential learning at C-SC. Regardless of where you call home, these individuals are proof that relationships can change your life story, and it all began here on “the Hill.”
Relationships can introduce the most significant plot twists in often unforeseen moments of life’s journey. For some of our students, coming to Culver-Stockton College was intentional and long-planned while for others, the decision might be made due to an unexpected recommendation from a trusted friend. However, once our C-SC Wildcats find their way to “the Hill,” the connections they make and the experiences they pursue prepare them for amazing futures. The outcomes of our graduates lead us to tell stories of impact, perseverance, and determination. Two recent graduates, who chose Culver-Stockton College for academics and athletics, learned first-hand that the supportive learning environment on “the Hill” directed their path and defined their purpose as individuals.
“I’m as local as they get!” Laken laughed as we sat down to reflect on her story. Lewis County native Laken
Hugenberg, was an outstanding local athlete who graduated from
Canton High School. She earned all-state accolades in both softball and basketball, as well as honors in soccer and track and field. Laken graduated at the top of her senior class while garnering art awards alongside her athletic achievements – she had unlimited opportunities. After receiving a scholarship offer to continue playing basketball at C-SC, Laken said the decision was easy, because she found an emotional connection during her admission visit. Although she had been on campus many times, she recalled, “The view was different, and I knew I was where I needed to be.” Even though Laken was still in her hometown, college would be a new experience. She remembered looking out to the city of Canton from the “the Hill” and thinking, “I am home.” That was the day Laken became a Wildcat.
With her basketball scholarship offer, Laken was excited to continue to play before her parents, Roger and Kim Hugenberg, as well as her extended family and friends. Deciding where to play was easy, but making a decision on her course of study was more difficult and required her to “dig her hands in the mud,” she shared with a smile. Thankfully she chose a college specializing in hands-on learning, which she had already experienced through dual credit in art, graphic design, and business. One day, a faculty member shared a part-time job opening with her, available immediately at Blessing Hospital, and recommended her for the scribe position in the emergency room. Within a few days, Laken found her passion in trauma medicine. “I came home and told my parents that I needed to change my major to Biological Chemistry,” Laken recalled proudly, “I knew at that moment I would become a doctor.” By December of her first semester, she declared a major in Biological Chemistry/PreMed, which she credits to the hands-on learning and relationships built with her instructors. With her major focused on biological chemistry, Laken’s instructors informed her about the unique partnership between C-SC and Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCUMB). “Dr. El-Bermawy was instrumental in my acceptance to KCU,” Laken shared, “He worked diligently with me to ensure that classes would prepare me for early admission and I was able to bypass the entrance testing requirements due to the articulation agreement between C-SC and KCU.” Additionally, Laken would be able to complete her prerequisites at C-SC within three years before transferring to KCUMB.
Pre-med classes aren’t easy, and the coursework was challenging. Aside from transitioning from a small high school to college, Laken balanced the responsibilities of rigorous academics while meeting the demands of a varsity athlete. Like many C-SC students, she joined a Greek organization, adding more responsibilities to her already busy schedule. Like all students during the 2020-2021 time, she was also navigating a global pandemic. She found herself working numerous hours every week at Blessing Hospital, in the middle of a national healthcare crisis, while maintaining superior academic grades to secure early admission to medical school. At a crucial time on “the Hill,” when basketball games paused, classes transitioned to virtual learning, and the loss of face-to-face interaction, Laken never doubted her passion for medicine. In those moments, she also discussed her purpose with coaches, teachers, family, and friends to create a plan moving forward. Laken made the difficult choice to step away from basketball to focus on academics, which would not have been possible without open-ended conversations. “There are always obstacles, she said, but when you are in a small community, everyone knows you- teachers, coaches, friends, and people in the community- they won’t let you fail.” Her foresight served her well, and her planning allowed Laken to return to the court during her senior year to suit up for the women’s Wildcat basketball team for one final season. “It’s true,” she said, “the comeback is always better, and I was able to play and return to the court for fun, surrounded by teammates who love me, and at the end of the day, we are all here for the same reason.”
As Laken prepares to relocate to the city for medical school, she said one thing she will miss most about the community where she has spent all her days is the “small town feeling.” She remembered a time on campus in the Advancement Office writing a scholarship note. As she addressed the envelope to the donor, she recognized the name as a Lewis County native who no longer lived in the area. Laken said, “I remembered looking at that name and thought, “This person used to live here; they were local like me, and when I checked further, it turned out they knew my grandparents. It made me appreciate the scholarship I received so much more. It became a connection.”
Laken’s supportive community will be rallying around her as she moves to Kansas City. The knowledge she gained at C-SC will serve her well in her next journey. Looking back, Laken credits invested relationships and intentional conversations with trusted people that led her to graduation day. “Culver-Stockton has given me outrageous experiences!”
From being able to work as a scribe to pursuing a degree in medicine and now being accepted into medical school, the journey has been “incredible,” according to Laken. “I have been given amazing opportunities, and that’s just what C-SC does!”
Although Canton is bidding farewell to one young professional, the community has embraced their newest resident, a recent Culver-Stockton graduate, Jerrid Cosby.
Mr. Cosby is most well-known in town by the fourthgraders in Mrs. Deb Crenshaw’s class. It could be because of his size, sense of humor, and basketball skills, but mostly, because he was their student teacher this past year. “Those kids treat me like a superstar! Every day a kid asked me how tall I was,” Jerrid laughs, “I would tell them I’m 6’3” and I will be the same height tomorrow!” He has known for much of his life that he would be an educator but planting his roots in Canton, Missouri, did not come without obstacles.
“I beat the odds,” Jerrid said with passion in his voice. A St. Louis native, Jerrid transferred to C-SC after completing his associate degree at Lincoln Land Community College. His older brother, Jordan Cosby ’20, was playing basketball for the Wildcats when Jerrid joined him on “the Hill,” and the Cosby brothers were able to play together again. “Dad kept us in ball because it kept us out of trouble,” Jerrid reflected, noting their childhood neighborhood where he and his thirteen siblings grew up wasn’t safe, and gun violence was common.
With a goal of making an impact on youth and giving back to the community, Jerrid pursued a degree in education at Culver-Stockton College. He never lost sight of his goal in becoming a teacher. Jerrid’s model for success is his grandfather, a retired school administrator. He wanted to follow in his footsteps. Jerrid exemplifies him because he values family, is well-educated, and is committed to making a difference. Throughout Jerrid’s time on campus, he created incredible connections with students, faculty, staff, and community members in his pursuit to become a teacher. As he neared the end of his degree, everything was going well for the young man from St. Louis, until it wasn’t. It was late fall of his senior year when Jerrid got the call that he will never forget: his mom had a seizure and the doctor found three tumors on her brain. A whirlwind of emotions came charging at the prospering young man; he was so close to the finish line of his educational journey but he felt he had a responsibility to return home to take care of his ill mother and young sister. At that time in the semester, Jerrid was responsible for completing several hours of observation in the classroom, in
addition to his assignments in his regular classes. Feeling numb, he picked up the phone and called his advisor Joni Fusselman. “She immediately set my mind at peace and reminded me of my priorities. She said I needed to go home and be with my family,” Jerrid said. Over the course of daily text messages and several emails between the education faculty, along with his cooperating teacher Deb Crenshaw, the team worked together to keep him on track for spring graduation. “It was a lot,” Jerrid said, “but mom is great now, and she has made a full recovery! They allowed me to do the work when I was in the right frame of mind and I will forever be grateful.”
The final semester at Culver-Stockton College for Jerrid was filled with renewed strength: his mom’s health was trending upwards, he had formed several relationships on and offcampus, and in his words, he was assigned the “most amazing, genuine, and intelligent, cooperating teacher.” To make life sweeter, his cooperating teacher, and Canton R-V educator Deb Crenshaw informed Jerrid that she would be retiring at the end of the school year and she would like to recommend him as her replacement. Jerrid’s initial reaction would be what one might expect- after all, Canton is quite a change of pace from where he grew up. It didn’t take long for Jerrid to reflect on the relationships he had made during his time at Culver-Stockton, and he began to consider her suggestion. Jerrid recalls each morning, he would walk into Crenshaw’s classroom, and she would ask him, “Did you make a decision yet?” As each day passed, Jerrid still didn’t have an answer. This is not a decision that he took lightly; he spent a lot of time in prayer and had many conversations with his mentors.
Then Jerrid began realizing special things in this small town. “I would walk into Ayerco, and kids with their families would come up to me with excitement to greet me: “Hey, Mr. Cosby!” That’s when I knew I was accepted and welcomed into the community. Their energy was real and genuine. I feel the same love from the community that I get from my family.” Two weeks before the last day of school at Canton R-V, Jerrid walked into Mrs. Crenshaw’s fourth-grade classroom with a big smile on his face. Mrs. Crenshaw didn’t ask her daily question but instead inquired, “What are you so happy about?” Jerrid replied, “I’m going to stay because Canton feels like home to me.” Relationships have the power to change the direction of our path and land us in places we would have never imagined. As a young individual, the community you are surrounded by can influence your beliefs, cultural norms, and even future career endeavors. The alumni staff regularly hear the relationships created here on “the Hill” made the most significant impact on their lives. Campus and community relationships were critical in the success of both Laken and Jerrid on their path to discovering their identity as Wildcat alumni. For one small-town young woman, she is headed to the big city to pursue a career in trauma medicine. Yet another young man has decided to call Canton, Missouri home because “Culver-Stockton College changed my life. It made the impossible possible and opened doors for me.”
As Jerrid said best, for both of these incredible young people, “This is just the beginning!”
BRENDA (MERSCHMAN) SAYE ’93
Brenda (Merschman) Saye ’93 was a four-year letter winner for the women’s volleyball program, where she was a two-time All-Heart first-team selection and an NAIA All-District 16 first-team pick in 1992. Saye concluded her career with 1,161 kills, which ranks 10th on the school’s all-time list. Saye is also second in career kill percentage (33.2 percent) and fourth in blocks (580). In addition, Saye ranks sixth for most blocks in a single season with 201 and sixth in kill percentage with a mark of 36.6 percent. Tony Robertson ’69 excelled on the basketball court for the Wildcats from 1966-69, where he was a two-time All-Missouri Collegiate Athletic Union First Team performer. Robertson also was named to the NAIA All-District 16 first team and the NAIA All-America team as an honorable mention selection in 1969. In addition, Robertson was given the Jack Kavanaugh Award as the team’s most valuable player in 1968.
On the court, Robertson led the MCAU in scoring and rebounding during the 1968-69 season, averaging 24.1 points and 14.7 rebounds, respectively. Robertson finished his career with 1,447 career points, which is currently 14th on the school’s all-time list but was second on the list when he graduated. Robertson is one of just two players in program history to score 600 points in a season twice, netting 672 points in 1967-68 and 627 points in 1968-69, joining Michael Johnson, who did it exactly 50 years after Robertson accomplished the feat. Robertson still holds the school record for career rebounds (911) and rebounds in a season (407).
“Some of our incredible C-SC alumni set records on the field, while others are making tremendous impacts long after their days on “the Hill,” Athletic Director Pat Atwell shared. He continued, “These individuals are stalwarts in their professional careers associated with athletics, and the seeds were sown for that career in their days here as students.”
VINCE SEVALI ’91
Vincent Sevali ’91, a native of Sierra Leone, Africa, was a two-sport star for the Wildcats, excelling in men’s soccer and tennis. Sevali played soccer for the Wildcats from 1988-90, earning Heart of America Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors in 1989 and AllHeart first-team accolades in 1989 and 1990. Sevali ranks fourth on the school’s all-time goals list with twenty-three goals, ninth on the all-time list in assists with 12, and fifth in points with 58.
In tennis, Sevali registered a 24-9 career singles record, including an 11-2 mark in 1990 when he captured the NAIA District 16 singles championship and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament. The following year, Sevali went 6-1 and was the runnerup in the district tournament. TONY ROBERTSON ’69
On April 9, C-SC inducted two classes into the Wildcat Athletic Hall of Fame because the 2020 inductions were delayed due to the pandemic. This year, a new award category was added to recognize outstanding Wildcats continuing in a career in the athletic field. In total, three individuals and one team were enshrined in the Culver-Stockton College Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020, and two outstanding individuals joined them as part of the class of 2022.24 | CULVER-STOCKTON COLLEGE CHRONICLE
IRA TORAN ’76 DOUG MOSLEY ’85 2000 MEN’S GOLF
Ira Toran ’76 was one of the most explosive scorers in the history of Wildcat basketball. Toran netted 1,541 career points during his tenure on “the Hill,” which was second all-time when he graduated in 1976. The point total is currently sixth on the all-time list. He was the second player in school history (Tony Robertson) to score 600 or more points in a season, doing so in 1973-74 when he garnered 601 points. Toran also set school records for points in a game and average points per game in a season during his days on campus. He scored what is still a school-record 46 points in a victory over Missouri Baptist on Feb 26, 1974, and in doing so, set the school record for most field goals in a game with 22. That year, Toran averaged 25 points per game, which is still tops in program history.
In addition to his scoring prowess, Toran was also a great rebounder, totaling 768 career caroms, seventh on the school’s all-time list. He grabbed 333 rebounds during the 1973-74 campaign, which is the second-most in a single season.
Toran was named to the NAIA All-District Team twice and was an NAIA All-American honorable mention selection in 1974-75. Doug Mosley ’85 was the first member of the Wildcat Hall of Fame to enter for his professional accomplishments in the field of athletics.
Mosley, a native of Seehorn, Ill., has spent his entire career in athletics after graduating from Culver-Stockton in 1985. He is currently the Executive Director of the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl in Boca Raton, Fla.
Mosley joined ESPN in April 2014 and helped launch the inaugural Boca Raton Bowl, a postseason college football bowl game owned and operated by ESPN Events and played on the campus of Florida Atlantic University. The game has logged seven successful years, with cumulative viewership surpassing 20 million households and a total sponsoring value of just under $200 million.
Mosley came to Boca Raton with more than 25 years of experience in on-campus roles in intercollegiate athletics and a background in media, having worked in newspaper, television, and radio. Mosley gained valuable experience in on-campus roles in athletic departments and spent four years at a small college national governing body, NAIA, of which C-SC is a member. Mosley has graciously connected C-SC sports management students to the Boca Raton Bowl, affording current Wildcats hands-on experience at a high-level sporting event.
Mosley serves on the board of directors of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County, YMCA of South Palm Beach County, and the Spirit of Giving Network. The 2000 men’s golf team became the first Wildcat golf team to earn a conference championship by winning the Heart of America Athletic title. Under the direction of Bill Schneider, the Wildcats played in eleven tournaments that season, winning five and finishing second in one. In the Heart Tournament, the Wildcats tied Lindenwood with a score of 604 after 36 holes, capturing the title in a sudden-death playoff. Ryan Stone and Alex Eichman, along with a Lindenwood player tied for the individual title, with Stone earning medalist honors in a playoff.
Members of the team included: Head Coach Bill Schneider, Nick Mavetz ’02, Ryan Stone ’01, Chad Rischar ’00, Joe Burns ’03, Alex Eichman ’01, Charles Scholz ’02 and Aaron Niemeier ’00.
