WVU Alumni Magazine Winter 2012-13 by DMOLSEN

West Virginia University Magazine

2012

Dear Alumni and Friends: I was in the first generation of my family to graduate from college, so the access to education that public universities provide is very personal to me. West Virginia University, a public land-grant university, provides access to education and so much more. In this issue, the WVU Magazine gathered some of our best minds together to discuss how the University contributes solutions to some of the world’s greatest problems. Some of these minds have worked for decades on issues such as clean air and water, industrial safety, and social inequality. They’ve shown us that it takes a group of people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to take our state, nation, and world forward. I want to invite you to take your seat at this table. You have a voice and you have experiences that matter. Just read through these pages to see what our family of Mountaineers has been able to accomplish with a vision. They are realizing their dreams, and they are bringing prosperity to America, even during a recession. They have brought us broadband, revitalized communities across West Virginia, and created the “people’s tomato.” If a few Mountaineers are achieving so much, think of what the rest of our University community is doing. We can see the power of one person. All we need now is you.

James P. Clements, PhD President, West Virginia University

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VOLUME 35

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NUMBER TWO

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contents

2012

Features 3 Letter from the Editor 4 Mannon Gallegly’s WV ’63 Tomato:

The People’s Tomato

Meet Mannon Gallegly, retired WVU professor. He’s the goto guy when you want to grow the perfect tomato for your next BLT.

10 Serving Those Who Served

WVU treasures our veteran students, as we are recognized as a military-friendly campus for the fourth year in a row.

14 A Seat At The Table

Take a seat at our dinner table where we will tackle critical issues (like energy, the environment, healthcare) facing

West Virginia and the world. Our dinner conversation has never been so animated.

West Virginia University Magazine

2012

WVU

James P. Clements, PhD President, West Virginia University Chris Martin Vice President for University Relations Dana Coester Executive Editor Scott Wilkinson Executive Creative Director Angela Caudill Art Director Forrest Conroy Principal Designer Graham Curry Lindsey Estep Chris Schwer Designers

contents Features

22 Seeds in Good Ground

Laura Spitznogle Managing Editor Kathy Deweese University Editor Scott Lituchy Michael Ellis Brian Persinger Chris Schwer Photographers

What do community planning, sustainable clothing, and robots have in common? They are all part of WVU’s direct influence on jobs and the economy.

28 A Heart to Serve: The Story of

the Mountaineer

He’s not a nameless cartoon character. He’s a real man representing all things Mountaineer. Jonathan Kimble,

Adam Glenn Karyn Cummings Web Designer and Developer

perhaps the busiest mascot on the planet, is in his element while representing WVU.

Diana Mazzella Jake Stump Principal Writers Tara Curtis John Bolt Becky Lofstead Morgan Copeland Bill Nevin Amy Quigley Contributing Editors EDITORIAL OFFICES WVU University Relations-Design PO Box 6530 Morgantown, WV 26506-6530 fax: (304) 293-4762 e-mail: wvumag@mail.wvu.edu CHANGE OF ADDRESS WVU Foundation PO Box 1650 Morgantown, WV 26507-1650 fax: (304) 284-4001 e-mail: info@wvuf.org

28 35 Where Visions Come to Life

Three special Mountaineers have very different visions of greatness that they brought to life. A professional wrestler, an inventor, and a documentary maker are all passionate about achieving their dreams.

CLASS NOTES WVU Alumni Association PO Box 4269 Morgantown, WV 26504-4269 fax: (304) 293-4733 e-mail: alumni@mail.wvu.edu ADVERTISING Lisa Ammons PO Box 0877 Morgantown, WV 26507-0877 fax: (304) 293-4105 e-mail: lammons@mail.wvu.edu VISIT OUR WEBSITE http://alumnimag.wvu.edu Read the latest news and information about WVU and link to a variety of West Virginia-related information sources. Read stories from the current issue and an archive of issues back to 1998. For the latest WVU news go to: http://wvutoday.wvu.edu West Virginia University Magazine is published biannually for alumni, friends, and other supporters of West Virginia University. Produced by WVU University Relations in cooperation with the WVU Alumni Association. West Virginia University Foundation, Inc. One Waterfront Place, 7th Floor Morgantown, WV 26507-1650

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43 Fishers Create Scholarship to

Help Students Attend WVU 44 Building a Foundation 45 In Memory of Bill Stewart 46 Daughter’s Passion Helps Create

Wonderful Tribute to Her Father 47 Class Chatter

ear Readers, This issue of the WVU Magazine is about you. It’s about what West Virginia

University can do for you and what you are doing for our world. Our “Seat at the Table” feature is unlike anything we’ve ever done. We were taking ourselves to a new, frightening level, and as we walked into that house down country roads in Morgantown, we weren’t sure what we were going to get. But our participants went far beyond our highest expectations. The people who put together this magazine were able to see a behind-thescenes look at the people of our University that surprised us; and we live and work here every day. It made us hopeful. We have concerns and dreams for our future and our children’s futures just like you do. We left with lighter hearts. This magazine is an invitation to you to join WVU around the table of issues and

THE MISSION

through the cable modem. You’ll meet Elaine McMillion who didn’t want to leave her

As a land-grant institution in the 21st century, West Virginia University will deliver high-quality education, excel in discovery and innovation, model a culture of diversity and inclusion, promote health and vitality, and build pathways for the exchange of knowledge and opportunity between the state, the nation, and the world.

home state after college but returned with hope for small towns everywhere.

THE VISION

problems and to leave our world much stronger for it. In this issue, you’ll see how our people have already changed society for the better. You can meet people like Rouzbeh Yassini who stayed with his dream until the world had inexpensive access to broadband

You’ll see how lives across West Virginia have been changed for the better through WVU, building promise for the future. But we can’t create this future without you. Please give us your thoughts and ideas and engage with our people on social media and on our website. We can’t wait to see what you have for us. The WVU Magazine wants to thank Alan Zuccari and Elias Hishmeh for helping make our feature story “A Seat at the Table” a successful dinner event. A WVU alumnus, Alan led us to this perfect location, and Elias allowed us to take over his beautiful home, Benton Grove Bed and Banquets, and hosted a spectacular dinner.

By 2020, West Virginia University will attain national research prominence, thereby enhancing educational achievement, global engagement, diversity, and the vitality and well-being of the people of West Virginia. Copyright © 2012 by West Virginia University. Brief excerpts of articles in this publication may be preprinted without a request for permission if West Virginia University Magazine is acknowledged in print as the source. Contact the editor for permission to reprint entire articles. West Virginia University Magazine is an integral part of the teaching, research, and service mission of West Virginia University. The magazine seeks to nurture the intellectual, social, and economic development of its readers in West Virginia and beyond. The opinions of authors expressed in articles in the magazine are not necessarily those of WVU or of the editors, however. Printed in the USA on recycled paper.

Dana Coester Executive Editor ®

http://alumnimag.wvu.edu West Virginia University is governed by the West Virginia University Board of Governors and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. WVU is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action institution.

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MANNON GALLEGLY’S WV ’63 TOMATO

THE

PEOPLE’S mato E’S TTOMATO Mannon Gallegly turns 90 next year. A lifelong professor and researcher, Gallegly retired as director of the Division of Plant and Soil Sciences at WVU in 1986. He’s outlived many of his first students. Yet today, 26 years following his “retirement,” you can find Gallegly stooping around the WVU Organic Research Farm off Route 705 picking tomatoes and dumping them into plastic sacks. After a couple of hours of thumbing through vines, Gallegly takes the baseball-sized tomatoes he’s collected to his lab on the Evansdale campus. There he removes the seeds from each tomato—by hand. Still hard at work, Mannon Gallegly picks the tomatoes he helped develop

Written by JAKE STUMP PHOTOGRAPHS by BRIAN PERSINGER

nearly fifty years ago.

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These are no ordinary tomatoes he’s devoting so much time to. These are tomatoes that Gallegly bred and developed himself: a West Virginia innovation with roots planted as far back as 1950. He was 27 then. In June 1949, Gallegly, fresh out of the University of Wisconsin with a PhD in plant pathology, was hired at WVU as an

“This was the disease farmers and gardeners feared most,” said Gallegly, who grew up on an Arkansas farm yet had never witnessed blight firsthand. Gallegly collected potato and tomato varieties and planted them in the summer of 1950 on a farm outside the Huttonsville Correctional Facility. The warden let the University grow crops there, and

By crossing and screening for resistance in greenhouses and labs with wild tomato varieties, he conjured up an indestructible tomato, resistant to blight. It took 13 years. assistant professor. Upon his arrival, he was charged with researching vegetable diseases, including tomato blight. In scientific jargon, tomato blight is caused by the fungus-like pathogen Phytophthora infestans. It’s the same disease responsible for the Irish potato famine in the mid-nineteenth century. Signs of blight include brown spots or lesions on the stems, olive green or brown patches on the leaves, and white fungal growth underneath. It’s the ultimate killer.

inmates tended to the farm. Eventually, late blight swarmed in and wiped out all of the tomatoes, except for a few. The wild tomato varieties survived, and Gallegly was on to something. He got to work.

BETTER WITH AGE Gallegly and his tomato nearly 50 years ago. Fast forward to 2012 and Professor Gallegly’s contributions are as fresh as ever.

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By crossing and screening for resistance in greenhouses and labs with wild tomato varieties, he conjured up an indestructible tomato, resistant to blight. It took 13 years. Unveiled to the public in 1963 to commemorate West Virginia’s 100th birthday, the tomato was named “West Virginia ’63.”

SEEDS OF THE LAND-GRANT Gallegly never predicted the impact his tomato would have on West Virginia and the world. Maybe that’s why he’s still growing, collecting, and breeding tomatoes in the name of science and service, long after his “retirement.” Today the West Virginia ’63 can be found in locations as diverse as the northeast United States, Texas, and even Kenya and Uganda.

The tomato will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in 2013. The Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Design plans to commemorate the West Virginia ’63 throughout the year, said David Welsh, public relations specialist. WVU will package West Virginia ’63 seeds and make them available for distribution at Extension and Davis College events. Special events, such as a tomato dinner, are also in the works. Gallegly still can’t wrap his head around the hoopla over his innovation. Honestly, he doesn’t think about it too much. He’s just here to pick tomatoes. “I never realized its popularity until the Charleston Gazette did an article (in 2006),” Gallegly said. “They mentioned a West Virginia ’63 fan club in the story. I didn’t know there was a fan club. And I’ve never met any fan club members.” The West Virginia ’63 is sometimes referred to as the “Centennial,” because it was officially introduced on West Virginia’s 100th birthday. Just as important as its blight resistance is the taste. “’Ummmmm mmmmmm.’ That’s about as good as I can describe the

West Virginia University Magazine

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How does this 89-yearold professor spend his retirement? Picking and researching tomatoes, much like he’s done for the past 50 years.

taste,” Gallegly said. “It’s a little sweet, sweeter than the normal tomato.” A graduate student researching the physiological characteristics of the West Virginia ’63 discovered it was high in acid, though it wasn’t tart because of its sugar content. It also boasts a high internal color, which stems from some Campbell’s Soup varieties that Gallegly used. “Overall, it’s a good canning tomato and a good slicing tomato for the table,” he said. “A lot of people just eat slices of the tomato between two pieces of bread. That’s the way I eat ’em.” You could say that the West Virginia ’63 is living proof that the land-grant mission remains alive and well at WVU. Before the introduction of the land-grant institution, higher education was viewed as an elite enterprise exclusive only to wealthy white males. The 1862 Morrill Act knocked down those barriers, and paved the way for WVU’s founding four years later. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Act, granting each state 30,000 acres of land for each member it had in Congress, with the land and gross proceeds used to fund educational

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institutions focused on agriculture, science, and engineering. Overnight, a college education became more affordable and accessible to a broader scope of folks, including the working class, and agriculture and engineering research flourished. Gallegly’s tomato promoted agriculture and served the masses at the same time. “The primary mission of a plant pathologist is to help farmers control diseases and prevent losses in their crops,” Gallegly explained. “We can approach it by using spray materials and spray, spray, spray. But the public prefers nonchemical approaches. So, in order to develop a control for a plant disease, we wanted to do away with chemicals.” Gallegly’s creation eliminates the spraying part. Plus, farmers are likely to get a better yield, he said. “A lot of people forget that it also helps the consumer because the farmer spends less on producing the food,” Gallegly continued. “The whole public, the

HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR ’63? Though Mannon Gallegly created the tasty West Virginia ’63, his favorite recipe is, well, not really a recipe. When we asked him if he’d like to share his favorite tomato dish with our audience, he simply replied, “Salt and pepper. They’re good with a lot of salt and pepper. I like ’em that way. Raw and fresh.” Don’t worry. The West Virginia ’63 is ripe for any sort of consumption. Pasta. Chili. Pizza. Salsa. Salad. Bloody Marys. “There ought to be a West Virginia ’63 cookbook,” Gallegly said. “Someone should write that.” Once in a while, Gallegly ventures outside his comfort zone and eats his tomatoes in actual dishes. “I made a pot of chili the other day, and instead of buying stewed tomatoes, I cut up the West Virginia ’63,” he said. “It was the best chili I’ve ever had. But maybe I’m prejudiced.”

WATCH THE VIDEO ONLINE alumnimag.wvu.edu/peoples-tomato At his lab, Gallegly removes the seeds from each tomato—by hand.

whole state, the whole nation benefits from a development like this. That’s a contribution from a land-grant.”

DESTINY FROM THE DEPRESSION Growing up on a cotton farm in southwest Arkansas, Gallegly wasn’t even ten when the Great Depression hit. Yet he remembers the clawing and scratching it took him, his brother, and Mom and Dad to climb out of it. They had everything on their farm. In addition to cotton, their main cash crop, they raised vegetables, chickens, cows, and pigs (he doesn’t remember tomatoes). Still, like many American families of the 1930s, that was barely enough to survive. “Those Depression years were when you didn’t have any money at all,” Gallegly recalls vividly. “All we had was a little cash from the sale of the cotton. If we had six bales of cotton, 500 pounds each, cotton at ten cents a pound, that was our cash for the whole year for my mother, my father, and my brother and I.” Preserving resources and making the

Idaho, and a handful of other universities most out of what you had was key to across the country. He chose WVU. enduring the economic hardship. “My professor at Wisconsin told me, Perhaps that played a role in Gallegly’s ‘If you go to WVU, you’ll still be learning. development of one of West Virginia’s most If you go anywhere else, you’ll be teaching well-known farming innovations of the them,’” Gallegly recalled. “That was the twentieth century. reason I came here. I thought it’d be a nice Gallegly earned his bachelor’s degree jumping-off place and I’d go to a bigger in agriculture from the University of school. But Arkansas, and you fall in his master’s and You could say that the West love with the PhD in plant mountains and pathology from Virginia ’63 is living proof the state and the University that the land-grant mission the people.” of Wisconsin. remains alive and well at WVU. Gallegly His graduate and his wife studies were raised three children here, and the couple interrupted by a stint in the US Army. still lives in the same house they bought With his education and military career in 1949. behind him, Gallegly received a job offer Coincidentally, they’re not all that crazy from WVU in June 1949—the same month he received his PhD and the same month he for tomatoes. “My kids don’t eat tomatoes,” Gallegly said. “They won’t eat them. Maybe and his wife, Mary, had a new baby. I fed them too many.” That month was a turning point for Gallegly. It would also mark the beginning of an illustrious life and career in Morgantown and WVU. The young scientist had a chance to work at UCLA,

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Written by JAKE STUMP PHOTOGRAPHS by M. G. Ellis & Scott Lituchy

Served Serving Those Who

Bobby Davis did not want to go to college. He had carved his career plan in stone, thanks in part to a fascination with his grandfather’s tales of “shooting guns” and “hand-to-hand combat.” Bobby’s grandfather was a Vietnam War veteran, Bronze Star recipient, and United States Marine. He wanted to be a Marine, too. So four days after his eighteenth birthday, the Fairmont native’s march to the Marines began in a van bound for Parris Island, SC. Once at the Recruit Depot, his life turned upside down. Fiery drill instructors and nagging sand fleas aided in that transition. “(After driving ten hours) we were disoriented and tired,” Bobby recalls. “Yet everyone yelled at you, whether you did something wrong or not. That’s the way it’s supposed to be, though.” He endured. Soon, he’d endure a year in Iraq. And then a year in Afghanistan. But along the way, something happened to that career plan Bobby had carved in stone. It quickly faded. Meanwhile, and closer to home, West Virginia University emerged as a top military-friendly campus in the nation. BOOKS, NOT BULLETS Bobby led Marines on street patrols during his 13-month deployment to the Anbar Province of Iraq. As dangerous as it sounds, he considers this experience “pacified.” With tons of downtime, Bobby learned about the new GI Bill and its benefits for funding a college education. The boy who swore off college now flirted with it. The uncertainty of military life coupled with a few nerve-wracking clashes with the Taliban, which made his tour of Iraq look like a tranquil beach vacation, sped up this new thought process. “If you’re in the military, next month, you could be anywhere in the world,” Bobby said. “I wanted more control

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over my future.” While nestled away in the mountains of Afghanistan, Bobby exchanged e-mails with Terry Miller, WVU’s veterans advocate at the time, about enrolling at the University. “He was helpful in getting me everything I needed,” Bobby said. “I spent my last six months in the Marines focused on going to school—what to major in, what classes to take. Once I heard about that GI Bill, I knew I could do it.” HOME SWEET HOME? Fear. Emptiness. Despair. It afflicts many soldiers after they come home from the mayhem and bloodshed. They’d spent days taking marching orders, yearning for the comforts of American life and staring at the face of death. Then, in a flash, they’re home sweet home. But home isn’t as sweet as they remember. Now they must confront new battles. Bobby’s story is no different. Transfixed on the military as a youngster, Bobby felt relief upon receiving his honorable discharge as he returned to Fairmont in April 2011.

Relief turned to distress. “I thought, ‘Everything’s going to be great when I get back,’” Bobby said. “But everything wasn’t the same. I felt alone. I felt thrown back here. It’s a struggle to find your identity. “Many veterans find that old friends, who were once such a definitive part of their lives, have vanished. This dilemma can leave one questioning his or her decision to leave the military. Therefore, I spent the summer months feeling as if I were lost.” After a few months home as a civilian, Bobby would find his life turned upside down yet again. He was entering WVU as a freshman—at age 23. He was no longer a soldier. His comrades in battle were scattered and gone. His identity was unformed. “My fear was getting here,” he said. “In high school, I had a hard time focusing. I was afraid that would happen here, too. If I failed here, then I really wouldn’t know what to do with myself.” MONTANI SEMPER (FI) LIBERI Before his first day on campus, Bobby participated in an Adventure WV trip. Adventure WV, which began as an outdoor

WATCH THE VIDEO ONLINE alumnimag.wvu.edu/those-who-served

Keep reading for a glimpse of student veteran life and a few of the reasons WVU was named a “Veteran Friendly School.” Clockwise from top: US Army Col. Douglas L. Flohr, deputy director of operations of the Army G3/5/7 Biometrics Identity Management Agency, gives the keynote speech at WVU’s Veterans Appreciation Breakfast in 2011. WVU Interim Veterans Advocate Jerry McCarthy meets with Evan Nida, a junior from St. Albans, WV, majoring in accounting. Nida is a US Navy veteran. WVU student veterans sail along the Florida Keys during an Adventure WV spring break trip in 2010. Bobby Davis is one of the many veterans benefitting from WVU’s military-friendly campus.

orientation program for incoming WVU students, hosted a whitewater rafting trip for student veterans. “That week turned out to be one of the greatest times of my life, but more importantly, I gained a valuable network of WVU staff members, students, and incoming veterans like myself before I had even stepped foot inside of a classroom,” Bobby said. Just like his transition into the Marines, he’d endure his transition as a Mountaineer. On his first day of class, he knew he’d be all right. He’d build relationships with fellow students through veterans’ clubs, through Adventure WV, through support and study groups. He connected with students who faced the same obstacles he had in combat. He found out he wasn’t alone. He enrolled in a public speaking class for veterans taught by Carolyn Atkins, a professor of speech pathology at WVU. He formed a new identity for himself not only as a student, but as a role model and a leader in that class. “Bobby is representative of most veterans,” Atkins said. “When getting out of the military they have difficulty finding their way. He talked about Iraq and Afghanistan, and he didn’t know if he was capable of being a college student.” Atkins said Bobby excelled. His attitude and work ethic impressed Atkins so much that she volunteered him to

speak about leadership and love of country to experience the world again, but in a before a group of 400 people, including different way. legislators, alumni, and University “I want to work as a foreign services officials, at the Capital Classic luncheon in officer and be a diplomat in other Charleston in January. countries,” he said. “I’d like to be a That day, Bobby crafted a speech friendly face for the United States for other that brought down the house, earning cultures.” three rounds of applause and ending Bobby is just one of hundreds of with a standing ovation. Some in the veterans furthering their education at audience cried. WVU. For the fourth straight year, WVU “It was the first time I received a has been recognized as a “military friendly” standing ovation,” Bobby said. “Dr. campus by GI Jobs. Bobby’s story is a prime Atkins and I rehearsed it several times example of how WVU has helped steer and she helped me get rid of the ‘ums’ veterans back on track in the civilian world. and ‘you knows,’ “You have to “You have to recognize what which she calls recognize what ‘fillers.’ She helped WVU has done WVU has done that a lot of tremendously with that a lot of schools schools don’t,” he said. “I call my public speaking. don’t,” he said. “I friends at other schools and Opportunities call friends at other stemmed from that tell them we have priority schools and tell them class that helped me registration, vets trips, vets we have priority create a name for registration, vets clubs. They don’t have any of myself.” that stuff. They’re just another trips, vets clubs. Now in his They don’t have any face at their school.” second year at of that stuff. They’re WVU, Bobby has just another face at —Bobby Davis maintained a 4.0 their school.” GPA, is a leader and teacher in veterans’ “I’m sure that I speak for all veterans groups, writes a column for the student when I say, ‘Thank you, West Virginia newspaper, and is learning multiple University, for enhancing the well-being languages as an international studies major. and quality of life for your sons and A few years earlier, Bobby had already daughters, especially those who have served experienced the world. Now he wants this country.’”

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Student Veteran Life at WVU

Data provided by WVU Veteransâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Office

Student Veteran Composition

2008-2009

Adventure Veterans Travel Chestnut Ridge Park, WV

Graduate/ Professional 14%

Cooperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rock State Forest, WV Adventure Sports Center International, MD

WVU Rec Center, WV

Female 19%

Undergraduate 86%

2009-2010

Blackwater Falls, WV Canaan Valley, WV

Seneca Rocks, WV

New River Gorge, WV

Male 81%

Several veteran-specific initiatives, like Adventure Veterans, an outdoor orientation for first-year student veterans, and various outdoor recreation trips, are designed to build community among veterans on campus.

Five Rivers, AL

More than 800 veterans, military personnel or their dependents are currently studying at WVU. Of that number, 291 are new student veterans admitted this fall. Everglades National Park, FL

Florida Bay, FL

Popular Degree Programs Among of block correlates to the number of veterans enrolled in each program. Most popular program within each college is highlighted. WVU Student Veterans Size BENJAMIN M. STATLER COLLEGE of ENGINEERING and MINERAL RESOURCES

EBERLY COLLEGE of ARTS and SCIENCES

General Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Political Science

Regents Bachelor of Arts

COLLEGE of BU and ECONOMIC

General Admit/ Pre-Business and Economics

Mechanical Engineering Computer Engineering

Mining Engineering

Civil Engineering

International Studies

Engineering

Communication Studies

History

(Pre) Psychology

Multidisciplinary Studies

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English

Geography

Petroleum Engineering

(Pre) Computer Science

Electrical Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Safety Mngmt

Criminology

Chemical Engineering

Biology

Social Work

SCHOOL of NURSING

Business Management

OTHER

Forensic & Biochemistry Investigative Philosophy Science Geology

Sociology & Anthropology

World Languages, Legal Literatures & Studies Linguistics

Public Administration

Chemistry

Mathematics/ Secondary Ed

Physics

Environmental Geo sciences

Arts & Sciences Nondegree

Nursing - RN

(Pre) Nursing

General Studies

2010-2011

“We’ve always been ahead of the curve when it comes to programs and services— way ahead. We’re still ahead of some who have a lot more resources than we do.”

Each year, G.I. Jobs, a magazine that guides soldiers to post-military success, releases a list of the top 15 percent of colleges, universities, and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans as students. WVU has made that list for the fourth year in a row.

2011-2012

—Jerry McCarthy, Interim Veterans Advocate at WVU

A President’s Support

Yellow Ribbon Waivers Paid by WVU 1200000

1000000

800000

FALL $533,612

600000

400000

200000

FALL $412,430

SUMMER

SPRING $410,514

SPRING $216,635

2011 | $681,501

2012 | $1,060,276

President Jim Clements was one of thirty-nine participants selected to attend the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference in 2011. This conference is a US Department of Defense program for some of the nation’s top leaders.

The Yellow Ribbon Program, an extension of the 9/11 GI Bill, pays all in-state tuition and fees at public colleges and universities for eligible student veterans.

COLLEGE of DAVIS COLLEGE of AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES, and DESIGN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY and Forest Resources Agricultural & SPORT SCIENCES

USINESS CS

Management

Wildlife and Fisheries Resources

Agribusiness Human Nutrition Mgmt & Rural Development Horticulture and Foods

Business Administration

Athletic Coaching Education

Physical Ed Teacher Education

Agroecology Design Studies

Recreation, Wildlife and Fisheries Parks, & Tourism Enviro. Resources Protection Resources

Economics

Human & Community Devlopment

SCHOOL of MEDICINE

Accounting Marketing

Mgmt Information Systems

Industrial Relations

Professional Accountancy

Athletic Sport Management Training

PERLEY ISAAC REED SCHOOL of JOURNALISM

Integrated Mrktg Communications

Medicine

(Pre) Occupational Therapy

(Pre) Medical Exercise Physiology Laboratory Science

Biomedical NeuroSciences science Pathologists’ Physical Therapy Asst.

Child Dev. & Family Studies

Public Relations

Journalism

SCHOOL of COLLEGE of CREATIVE ARTS PHARMACY Music

Special Education

Ed. Leadership/ Public School Administration

Elem. Ed.

Art & Design

Art History

Professional Development

COLLEGE of HUMAN RESOURCES and EDUCATION Secondary Ed/ Intrdptmntl. Studies

Secondary Ed.

Couns- Curr. & Rehab eling Instru- Counsction eling

Law

(Pre) Pharmacy

COLLEGE of LAW General Studies/ Non-degree

Sport & Exercise Psychology

Advertising

Finance

Extension Ed

SCHOOL of DENTISTRY SCHOOL of PUBLIC HEALTH

Offering a wide range of degree programs, West Virginia University can help student veterans choose majors that best suit their unique skills, interests, and experiences. Over the years, the University’s plans have expanded to not only help the transition to college life but to also help veteran job-seekers. WVU’s Division of Human Resources leads the West Virginia Veterans’ Employment Initiative group, which discusses and shares ideas on how best to connect veterans with resources. Its main goal is to assist veterans in reintegrating into civilian life as a student or employee.

WVU Programs and Services for Veterans Student veteran-friendly classes • Meet and Greet • Veteran Summit Veterans Day Week Veterans Outings • Veterans Appreciation Breakfast WVU Veterans Group • Yellow Ribbon participant • Academic Advisors for student veterans in different departments across campuses Representative for student veterans in Career Services • Mental health representative • Disability Services • University training by the Center for Deployment Psychology • Adventure Veterans Freshman Orientation Class Spring Break Everglades trip through Outward Bound • Opportunities to go kayaking with veterans and non-veterans through Team River Runner New as of Fall 2012: Veteran Success Program • WVU Veterans Diversity for Equity Grant Proposal • 2012/13-Military to Mountaineer Mentor Program Proposed Class Absence Due to Military Service Policy • Priority Registration Working with Operation Welcome Home and Jamie Summerlin on Joint Project “Camo to Cap” • Working with CPASS/School of Business and Economics/Davis College for 2013/14 Yellow Ribbon Participant for Graduate Programs • Veteran student recognized at every home game and up to 60 student veterans on the field during the TCU game for Veterans Week

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A SEAT AT Written by DIANA MAZZELLA PHOTOGRAPHS by BRIAN PERSINGER

s the chill began

to build in the mountains and the rhetoric on TV screens across the country got louder, a small group arrived at a house in Morgantown, WV. Some of them knew each other, and others had never met before. Some were scientists, others were in business or administration. One was a coach, one a doctor, and another still a student. The thread that binds them all together is West Virginia University. They all work at, graduated from, or attend WVU. In some way they all experience the same concerns we face every day with energy, healthcare, sustainability, and the ability to direct our own lives. They are people whose experience has given them insights into the steps we can take to solve our own problems.

They took a seat at the table, and they want you to join them.

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THE TABLE The scene is set

WVU’s Vice President for University Relations Chris Martin prompted the group to consider what the University could do to assuage the most prevalent problems of the day affecting West Virginia and the world beyond. Chris Martin: The four areas that we thought about raising this evening as areas for conversation really do deal with your impressions, your contributions, and discussion around how West Virginia, West Virginia University, and the group of people assembled here can deal with some issues that are particularly important to this state. One of those is healthcare and the disparity of healthcare throughout the state and the research that fuels solutions to this issue. The other is the economics of the state and the development of business and industry. And importantly for us energy, particularly the two sides of the coin that are energy development and at the same time protection of our natural resources because they are both part of the economic engine of the state. Something else I want to touch on is the real importance of diversity. It is what you do because it is the best thing for an organization. It is what makes it successful. I think the University is in a position to become and has become a driver in energy research, in economics,

The vision for this salon-style discussion came from University Relations Vice President Chris Martin, who is leaving WVU to join the renowned Poynter Institute for Media Studies in January. Her outside-the-box thinking and new-age digital approach to storytelling inspired us all. She will always have a seat at our table.

and healthcare and healthcare disparities, and building the richness of a diverse environment. Jonathan Holifield: I do think this is an interesting time for our University. It’s a very interesting time. It is pregnant, if you will, with opportunity but I do think the solutions will be uniquely West Virginian solutions. I think we can learn from the experience of other universities but we are such a unique creature, a small state with a big-

“Being a land-grant University, we have a special obligation within this state to be the honest broker ... ” —Jay Cole

time University surrounded by big states with big-time universities that can squeeze and constrict the development of our state and our University because we’re all competing for similar resources. Our ability to cope with that reality, I think, is a fundamental question about the future of our University. Jay Cole: Being a land-grant University, we have a special obligation within this state to be the honest broker West Virginia University Magazine

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into my office very excited about something and I said “Carl, what is this?” And he said, ‘Dr. Anderson, we don’t have an energy club at WVU,’ and I said ‘You’re right, why don’t we?’ And so in the last three days we’ve drummed up the support and in two days we’re an official organization. And we’re having our first meeting in a couple weeks and it was this excited student that came in and said “Why don’t we have this?” When it comes to diversity and bringing different viewpoints and different ideas to the table I think the more the merrier. I hope we have hundreds of students show up and bring their creative minds to this problem to figure out exactly what role WVU can play, and I think a real groundswell is about to occur. Cody White: The Statler College recently started a program with student ambassadors. I think it’s a great program, and it speaks to how engineers can step up and say “Here’s what we’re doing, here’s how we’re affecting more than just the University, more than the state, how we’re affecting the country and the world.”

when it comes to the political discussions and the policy discussions and weaving science and policy together because otherwise, if we cede that field, the discussion will not be objective. It will not be data-driven. It will not be based on facts. It will be based on anecdotes. It will be based on who can bring the most political pressure to bear and who can spend the most money on a particular issue or election or cause. “I do think this is an interesting time for our I also hope that as a land-grant University, University. It’s a very interesting time. It is we say that we can be a leader in teaching, research, and service, and we add a fourth piece pregnant, if you will, with opportunity but to that of stewardship because I think whether I do think the solutions will be uniquely that’s our water resources, whether it’s the air we breathe, whether it’s the forests, I think we West Virginian solutions.” —Jonathan Holifield have a special obligation to be good stewards and to teach our students to be good stewards. If we never lose our true north as a University, then I think we’ll be doing the state a really McCawley: We started a program called “Swivel,” the good service long-term. Southern West Virginia Lifestyles project. We started off Holifield: That honest broker role with stewardship is unfunded completely. I drove down on my own, talked a biased role. It’s not purely honest. The market will take to folks down there and said “We want to get something care of the for-profit side. Who’s paying attention to the started down there.” It’s the least healthiest place in this stewardship side if not WVU? whole United States. Something has to be done. We can’t sit here in Morgantown and ignore it. We have to go down there. We have to do something. And if nobody else Michael McCawley: Energy is a vital resource to this follows along then we’re still doing something. This is the state. It’s a vital resource to this country. All you have to do 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s speech about how is look at some of the recent headlines about the instability we’re going to send a man to the moon in that decade not in the Middle East, the political instability, and you have because it was easy but because it was not easy. And so what to say we can’t rely on our energy coming from a politically we have to do in this state is say we have to do something unstable situation because we can be too easily caught. not because it’s easy but in fact because it’s not easy. And As an environmentalist on the other hand, I say what are by doing the things that are not easy, we can lead the way. we going to do about the environment? How do we do

Show me the data

energy responsibly? I am primarily apolitical. I believe my politics are science. Show me the data. It’s like Jerry McGuire, “Show me the money.” Show me the data. The data will lead the way. The data will be the truth. We have to collect the data. Once we begin to get data, we can make intelligent decisions and informed decisions and create an open environment. Brian Anderson: Just the other day I had a student come 18 16

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Pull up a chair

Melissa Latimer: By bringing more people to the table you’re bringing more minds who can problem-solve and your innovation increases substantially. I studied poverty in West Virginia since 1994, looking at welfare reform. When people are so economically disadvantaged they cannot fully participate in their lives, they are not active, engaged

Brian Anderson

Lisa Costello

Melissa Latimer

is a chemical engineering professor at WVU who works in collaboration with the US Department of Energy. The WVU and MIT alum is also an opera singer who has performed with the Boston Pops and Vince Gill, among others.

is a resident in internal medicine and pediatrics at WVU, where she graduated with a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in biology, a master of public health, and a medical degree. She was an invited walkon to the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball team and was named Ms. Mountaineer.

is a sociologist who has studied welfare reform, inequality, feminist theories, labor markets, gender, race, and ethnicity. She directs WVUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts in recruiting, retaining, and promoting women in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields. West Virginia University Magazine

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“By bringing more people to the table you’re bringing more minds who can problem-solve and your innovation increases substantially.” —Melissa Latimer

citizens. They are focusing on surviving. For science, technology, engineering, and math, 20 years makes a huge difference in terms of technology and in terms of where you stand on whether you’re a global leader or you’re not anymore. In a global economy with the technology and the other societies that we’re competing with, you need as many people at the table as possible, and they need to have diverse experiences, and backgrounds and exposure to different groups of people because they will bring all of that with them. And together they will come up with a solution more efficiently, faster and better than if you put a group of people that are all the same at the table. They will come up with the same solution over and over and over again, and it won’t even be a solution. To me it’s an easy sell to say bring everybody in. I don’t know why it would be such a difficult sell except that some people might assume that there’s only five seats at the table and we should fight over those seats. I just say expand the house. Add more chairs. McCawley: Part of that is bringing the people to the table so we can tell them what it is they need to know. One of the forces that the University has that we can never overlook is WVU’s sports teams. They bring people out to make them accessible to us. Believe me, when I went 20 18

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through the southern counties, what they love are our football team and our basketball team. If you want to get them out, you bring an athlete. Daron Roberts: I am still just shocked at times at the level of importance and fidelity and all of these very rich emotions that the West Virginia football team evokes around the state. Just autograph day, you’ve had people who’ve driven in from hundreds of miles, understanding that there’s probably a 15-percent chance that they’re going to get Geno Smith’s autograph. But that’s irrelevant. They’re willing to sacrifice and do what it takes. Around the state if Geno Smith or Tavon Austin give a personal pitch, people are going to listen. Latimer: I believe they can love us for other reasons. And that’s not to take away from the history of sports in West Virginia. The institution has rethought itself and is taking some bold steps forward but part of the old step is to rely on the sports and the success of the sports to make the rest of the state love us and to draw new students in. That’s a model that’s going to tip at a certain point as the number of 18-year-olds drops and we become really competitive with other institutions.

Jay Cole

Jonathan Holifield

Chris Martin

is chief of staff under WVU President Jim Clements, and in his undergraduate years was named the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 13th Truman Scholar, the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prestigious award for students committed to careers in public service.

a WVU alum, former running back, and vice president of Inclusive Competitiveness, an initiative that is designed to increase the competitiveness of African Americans and Latinos.

is vice president for University Relations at WVU where she oversees an interactive communications network with the largest audience in University history. She formerly served as dean of the Perley Issac Reed School of Journalism and was recognized as West Virginia Professor of the Year. West Virginia University Magazine

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“Here’s what we’re doing, here’s how we’re affecting more than just the University, more than the state, how we’re affecting the country and the world.” —Cody White

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Health: at the heart of WVU

Martin: One of the other things that I know that the University is associated with that people are willing to drive 200, and 300 miles for is treatment—healthcare. My mother was in the hospital for a big chunk of time last year and I spent a lot of time there and watched the people from across the state. And people would come and they couldn’t afford hotels so they would camp in the lobbies. It was a mecca for people. And their need and their passion for what WVU could do for them was stronger than it is even on a game day for their desire for Mountaineer football to change their lives. Lisa Costello: It’s a great point. I mean I have patients who drive three hours to come to see a specialist. They’re not coming to get my autograph—maybe on a prescription pad. The first autograph I ever signed—it was at the Children’s Hospital and the patient’s name was Destiny. That really resonated with me that people do come here for healthcare and it is one of our resources that ties into everything else. McCawley: I want to move this University into the hills and the hollers. That’s where we need to be. That’s one place that we need to be. We need to be in the classrooms. We need to be on the football field, and we need to be in the hills and the hollers. We need to be where the people are, helping them on a daily basis. They need to see our faces. They need to know that we’re here for them. That’s what we do, that’s why we do it, that’s why we love them, and hopefully they’ll love us.

You are a citizen of the world. The events and people

in your community have informed your life experiences, and you’ve become an expert on the issues that matter to you. You are always a part of the conversation and there is a seat at the table for you.

WATCH THE VIDEO ONLINE alumnimag.wvu.edu/seat-at-the-table

Michael McCawley

Daron Roberts

Cody White

is a biologist trained as an engineer who oversees WVU’s Department of Environmental Health. He is currently developing monitoring equipment that is tested in the areas surrounding natural gas drilling sites in the Marcellus Shale.

is a Harvard Law graduate who served as a cornerbacks coach for the WVU football team. He has had coaching roles for the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, and he founded 4th and 1, a nonprofit that offers educational, sports, and life training to high school students. He left the WVU program in December to pursue other opportunities.

was the eighth WVU student to receive the David L. Boren Scholarship, which enables students to study in countries critical to US national security interests. That scholarship took him to Russia, and he has spent his last four birthdays in a foreign country. West Virginia University Magazine

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Seeds in Good Ground Written by Diana Mazzella PHoTOS by SCOTT LITUCHY

There’s a story of a farmer who flung handfuls of seeds into a field. The seeds that rested in good ground gave returns far beyond their initial value. As a state, we have a lot of decisions to face when investing our resources. We want every dollar to count. This makes WVU a good investment. The University turns each public dollar it receives into $40. To the right of the page, you’ll see many other translations of that investment, including an impact of 45,500 jobs. But what does this mean for people? To Doug Hylton, it means he’s getting his town back. For Tiffany Newcomb, it means she has a job in her home state that is in turn bringing jobs to others. To Caroline Hamrick, it means she’s on her way to becoming an engineer. As much as WVU has a direct positive influence on jobs and the economy, it also has a vital role in creating the things you can’t put a price on.

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The State appropriated

$206.4 million to WVU in 2009

= $40

Every dollar the State spends on WVU and its affiliates

in the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy

$1.8 billion

in employee compensation

$8.28 billion

in business volume

Employment impact of WVU and affiliates:

45,500 jobs $69 million in assorted State taxes

All numbers are as of 2009.

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WATCH THE VIDEO ONLINE alumnimag.wvu.edu/good-ground

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Doug Hylton On the streets of Ronceverte, WV, Doug happening. Then they got their last Hylton used to sell bottles of pop to earn chance ten years ago, he says. enough money to buy the comic books in a A group of professors and students storefront down the street. Twenty-six years from West Virginia University visited. after college, and a career in the US Air They were skilled in design, public policy, Force later, Hylton returned home. redevelopment, architecture, and community And the community was mostly gone. Families had “Every time someone contacts me about left. Many of the elderly redevelopment of their community, the first had died. The children had grown up and moved thing I ask is ‘Has the WVU Community away. The town of his Design Team been to your community?’” childhood with multiple pharmacies and groceries had mostly blighted storefronts and recreation. They created a plan from their homes, courtesy of floods, neglect, and visit that identified the town’s strengths and a new interstate highway. weaknesses, something they’ve done since Hylton, the former part-time town 1997 in more than 40 towns and counties. administrator, and the other inhabitants Hylton and the rest of the town took that of the town of nearly 1,800 tried to plan and haven’t turned back. Ronceverte jumpstart redevelopment, but it wasn’t now has a historic commission, is a member of Main Street West Virginia, and formed Ronceverte Development Corp. Millions of dollars in grant funding later, they got 18 new businesses, they’ve redeveloped ten commercial buildings with 15 retail spaces and ten apartments in the downtown district, and have made a walking trail and a skate park. “Every time someone contacts me about redevelopment of their community, the first thing I ask is “Has the WVU Community Design Team been to your community?’” Hylton said. “And if not, I try to help get that done.”

Doug Hylton shows off his hometown of Ronceverte, WV, where a visit from the WVU Community Design Team helped to spur the town’s redevelopment. West Virginia University Magazine

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Tiffany Newcomb along with nine part-time workers. Tiffany Newcomb followed the But SustainU’s business has affected script for young people in America. more than the young West Virginians Growing up in Beckley, WV, she it directly employs who grew up in went on to college at West Virginia places like Shinnston, White Sulphur University. With her mechanical and aerospace engineering dual degree in Springs, Kingwood, and Morgantown. Mills in North Carolina, South hand, she went to work for Boeing. Carolina, and Tennessee have been But Newcomb wanted more. She able to hire back and retain dozens wanted to be an important part of a of workers who were let go or faced company that made a difference in insecure futures as manufacturing the world, and she wanted to move back to her home state. Then she met jobs went overseas. This fall, the company began offerChris Yura, founder of SustainU, the recycled and American-made apparel ing their product in Eastern Mountain Sports retail locations and has already company he launched in 2009 from provided clothing to Ford Motor Co., the WVU Business Incubator. Boy Scouts of America, the Bonnaroo Before the incubator, Yura and music festival, and the US Armed his colleagues had a great idea, but Forces base exchanges. not the business background, office space, and design skills to turn it into a reality. “It was vital. They were given the resources “I think it was crucial,” to make these great ideas tangible Newcomb said of the incubator. “It was vital. realities, not just for our company, but for They were given the this state and for job creation in America.” resources to make these great ideas tangible reali“A lot of people are from here, ties, not just for our company, but their families are from here, and they for this state and for job creation in want to stay and give back to the America.” communities that made them who Newcomb, 28, vice president of they are,” she said. business operations, is one of 11 full-time employees at SustainU, Tiffany Newcomb was able to move back to her home state after she was hired by SustainU, a company in Morgantown that formed in the WVU Business Incubator.

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Caroline Hamrick still goes to White Hall on WVU’s campus every week to mentor area high school students as part of Mountaineer Area RoboticS.

Caroline Hamrick Caroline Hamrick was backseat driving, and it was working. As the eyes and ears of her robotics team, she told their robot’s driver how to avoid obstacles and reach a basketball that the robot could then throw through a hoop for the win. This was her big moment at a robotics competition this year. But it had taken years to achieve. In eighth grade, the Morgantown native was pestering her older brother, Scott, about where he disappeared to all the time. He said it was a robotics team, but she didn’t believe him, until she tagged along to the Mountaineer Area RoboticS (MARS) team run by WVU faculty. By the end of her high school years, Hamrick had become the robot’s guiding hand and leader

of the electrical team that built Now the WVU engineering its innards. major is taking her introductory In those four years, she learned calculus class. She wants to go to how to fix crossed electrical graduate school and make robots. signals and feed power to the Because of MARS, she discovered motors. But her biggest challenge within the time limits of competition was more personal. Hamrick had that the wild ideas the team came long loved math. “MARS has given me the confidence In a family of engineers, she to go into engineering … It totally was both creative changed the path of my life.” and analytical. But she was dyslexic and was steered toward subjects up with could quickly turn into like art that were visual but not as solutions, and one day engineering difficult for her as math. She had to solutions could change a life. face a choice: do what was easier And so she was backseat or follow her heart. driving in Pittsburgh at the FIRST “MARS has given me the confiorganization’s regional robotics dence to go into engineering,” the championship. She guided, re18-year-old said. “It totally changed paired, and explained. the path of my life.” And then, they won.

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Written by JAKE STUMP Photographs by M.G. Ellis and BRIAN PERSINGER

No matter where you are a flat tire can bring your day to a screeching halt. Unless you’re bearded and in buckskins. Don’t ask Jonathan Kimble where he was exactly when a tire on his SUV flattened along a Preston County back road. He can’t recall the town or the event—it’s a speck within his dust storm of appearances as West Virginia University’s official mascot. Tapping into that Mountaineer spirit that feeds on all challenges, Kimble would not let a flat tire stand in his way of making it to the next event. Draped in his mountain-man costume, he walked to the nearest home and knocked on the front door. A middle-aged man answered. “Don’t be alarmed, but I have a gun in the backseat,” Kimble “The Mountaineer told him about his musket. is for WVU and the Oddly, that statement did not unnerve the man. He helped Kimble remedy his car problem. whole state of West Just as bizarre was the stranger’s failure to recognize Kimble as Virginia. It fits who the Mountaineer. That is, until the man’s son came outside. “Hey, you’re the Mountaineer!” said the boy, pointing at Kimble. we are—hardworking, The Good Samaritan “freaked out” and then said, “Let’s get a dedicated people.” picture. Don’t go anywhere.”

A West Virginia Icon “The Mountaineer is the perfect symbol for West Virginia. Look at other schools. Their mascots don’t represent entire states. The Mountaineer is for WVU and the whole state of West Virginia. It fits who we are—hardworking, dedicated people.” Those are the words of 25-year-old Jonathan Kimble, the man currently playing the sacred role of the Mountaineer. In February, Kimble was named the University’s 62nd official Mountaineer mascot. The Franklin native edged out three other finalists through an intense process that involved application essays, interviews, and cheer-offs. He officially took over as the 2012-13 Mountaineer on April 20 at the Passing of the Rifle Ceremony. The very next day he led the WVU football team out of the tunnels in the Gold-Blue Spring Game.

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Yes! Since being named the Mountaineer, Jonathan Kimble has displayed a passion truly worthy of his title. As WVU’s mascot, he does it all. This includes musical chairs.

Kimble didn’t come in clueless. He had already served a year as the alternate Mountaineer to Brock Burwell. And on October 6, Kimble made history as the first-ever Mountaineer mascot to burst into a Big 12 Conference stadium. So far, Kimble has lived up to the task. “Jonathan stands out from the others who came before him in his outgoing personality,” said Sonja Wilson, Mountaineer mascot advisor. “He never sees a stranger. He is the first to arrive and the last to leave. He has autographed hundreds upon hundreds of autographs and loves every minute of it.” Wilson has worked with several Mountaineers over the years, and understands what the mascot represents as well as those who don the costume. “The Mountaineer is unique because he or she portrays the face of our University and the state,” she said. “We are very fortunate to have a school mascot that embodies the strength, courage, and determination of the people of our great Mountain State. Whether in the buckskins or not, he or she represents our University.”

Name:

Jonathan Kimble

Hometown:

Franklin (Pendleton County)

Major:

Human Resources and Industrial Relations (working on master’s degree); sport management, bachelor’s in 2012

Employer:

Center for Excellence in Disabilities at WVU, accounting assistant

Twitter: wvumascot Favorite quote: “Go big or go home.”

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Jonathan Kimble is stylin’ and profilin’ in a pair of shades with organizers of a Mountaineer Parents Club Summer Send-off in Pittsburgh, PA.

Pittsburgh area. “When you show up at a football game in the student section, you may not know anybody, but by the end of A van transporting Kimble to a Parents Club Summer Send-off the day, you’ll have your arm around someone singing ‘Country in Pittsburgh stops at a gas station to fill up. Roads.’” Kimble, in his buckskins, gets out and walks inside the Kimble shares some advice to the soon-to-be Mountaineers on convenience store to use the bathroom. A couple hours earlier, he how to conduct themselves at sporting events. was hosting the Mountaineer Olympics at the Mountainlair. He “We’ll be welcoming teams from the Big 12 this year,” he said. even participated, in a losing effort in a musical chairs competition. “Be nice and respectful. It’ll be their first trip to Morgantown.” But that’s OK. The Mountaineer isn’t meant to do musical chairs. Kimble sits with the students at a picnic table and chows down He’s here to serve, inspire, and represent. In his first three on a few helpings of meat and potatoes. The months as Mountaineer, Kimble made position of Mountaineer is not a paid one. 150 appearances—University functions, So when there’s a free opportunity to feed sporting events, youth camps, nursing homes, his Mountaineer appetite, he won’t shy away hospitals, and more. from seconds. On this July night, Kimble will speak He makes no qualms about his eagerness: with incoming freshmen and their parents at “I try to eat and drink as much as I can.” a Pittsburgh park. Before the day’s over, he leads everyone in It will be many students’ first encounter a “Let’s Go Mountaineers” chant and fires off with the Mountaineer. the musket. As the van closes in on the park, Kimble makes sure he has a handful of postcards bearing his likeness for autographs. He A Summer Wedding doesn’t have to put on his game face. It’s Kimble’s first summer as the practically on at all times. He’s that friendly Mountaineer was certainly a busy one. There and outgoing. were some weeks when he drove more than After exiting the vehicle, Kimble is asked 2,500 miles. to pose for pictures. In fact, he got only one week off during the “Do you know ‘Country Roads?’” he summer. That was the week of his wedding. Jonathan and Christine Kimble asks about 20 incoming freshmen from the Yes. Mascots get married, too.

A Summer Send-off

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In the summer of 2011, Kimble stumbled into a pretty blonde accountant at the beach near the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The mighty game of cornhole brought them together. “We had our WVU cornhole boards with us and I asked her if she wanted to play with me,” he recalled. “She did surprisingly well, and we won every game. It must’ve been made to be.” His vacation turned somber. One of his best friends passed away in his sleep during his visit. That pretty blonde—Christine Zackrison—reached out to Kimble in his time of need. “His death was a shock to me,” he said. “Christine asked if there was anything she could do. Here was a random girl I met a week ago offering to go to my friend’s funeral with me. We really “Is it possible to be the bonded.” Mountaineer forever?” The two grew closer and soon enough, they got engaged. Kimble approached his proposal the old-fashioned way. He sought the blessing of the bride-to-be’s father first. “I joked around with her about it (before the real proposal),” he said. “I’d get down on my knee but then just tie my shoe.” Around Valentine’s Day, Kimble decided to surprise her with red velvet cake and M&Ms. Inscribed on the M&Ms were the words, “Will you marry me?” Kimble got on his knee and proposed. She responded, “Are you serious this time?” Just a year after the couple dominated the cornhole competition, they stood together at the altar. There was just one condition for Kimble. He had to trim the beard.

Balancing Act Kimble’s wife is a California native, previously unfamiliar with West Virginia. She’s taken a full-fledged crash course in just a few months, being married to the Mountaineer and all. “She didn’t know what to expect,” said Kimble, smiling. The newlyweds are adjusting. She still works in Washington, DC, and they get to see each other only on weekends. “My personal life has become the Mountaineer life,” Kimble said. He’s not one to overthink and fret, but Kimble said he’s well-organized. To prepare for his duties, Kimble glances over his calendar before going to bed. He attributes his discipline to a two-year church mission he served in California. During that time, he woke up at 6:30 a.m. every day. 34 32

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Kimble was 19. He had no cell phone or Internet access. No job. No classes. Just outreach and sacrifice. On his mission, Kimble would volunteer at food banks, homeless shelters and with various types of community service. “I was away from family and WVU sports for two years,” he said. “I was separated from my world, in a sense, but I was helping other people. Those life skills are lessons learned that would help me in college. It helped me plan, manage money, and set goals. “It’s a huge part of who I am, and a huge part of how I’m handling being the Mountaineer.”

I Scream. You Scream. We all scream for the Mountaineer. It’s the first week of the fall semester. For Kimble, the summer grind morphs into the fall. The only difference is that there are 20,000-plus more students on campus. Also, it’s the first week of grad school for Kimble, who’s working on his master’s degree in human resources and industrial relations. It’s a Friday afternoon, and Kimble must attend an ice cream social for international students and then head off to a volleyball game. He mustered through a workout an hour earlier (not in costume, fortunately for him) and scrambled for a shower and bite to eat before embarking on his afternoon of appearances. Kimble arrives at the Mountainlair parking garage a few minutes late for the gathering set outside Eiesland Hall. A text message explaining his tardiness reads, “This traffic in front of the Lair is awful. Another reason I need to be riding a horse!” Dozens of international students are waiting. Many have already helped themselves to the cold, creamy goodness. It’s ripe weather for it, sunny and hot. Kimble was asked to assimilate these students, from the Intensive English Program, into the WVU community. There’s no better way than to have Mr. WVU do it himself. He emerges from the sea of college students wandering elsewhere to class, and the IEP students applaud. They’re probably not too familiar with a musket-wielding, coonskin cap-wearing, bearded lad. But the sight impresses. Regardless of where you come from, anyone who encounters the Mountaineer wants their picture taken with him. One-by-one, the IEP students stand in line with their cellphones turned on to the camera function. As usual, Jonathan takes the time to abide by each person’s photogenic wish. Some try on his cap. One young man sniffs it. It’s a successful outing for Jonathan—even though he didn’t get to savor any ice cream. They ran out.

Yes, Our mascot is real! “The hat doesn’t bite.” An international student feels Jonathan Kimble’s coonskin cap at an ice cream social.

The Big Time West Virginia’s favorite John Denver tune blares out of Kimble’s iPhone at 6:15 a.m. on September 29. It’s his wake-up call. Even on gamedays like this, when kickoff is at noon, Kimble wants to make it to Mountaineer Field by 8:00 a.m. He doesn’t have to be there that early. But he wants to. It’ll be WVU’s first Big 12 Conference game as the Mountaineers host the Baylor Bears. His wife stays in bed as Kimble slips into his buckskins. He grabs a Red Bull and three sandwich bags filled with deer jerky, and he’s ready. Hardcore Mountaineer fans are already out in full force outside the stadium four hours before kickoff. Kimble stops at one tailgate and helps himself to French toast, eggs, sausage, and ham. It’s become a ritual for him at home games. He always has breakfast there. Once he’s fed, it’s photo op time . . . for the next three hours. One after another, as Kimble makes his way from tailgate to tailgate, fans swarm him and ask for pictures. Grown men beg, “One more! One more!” each time Kimble attempts to make a beeline elsewhere. Kimble is too nice and usually sticks around until everyone can snatch a photo, even if they’re making him late for something. He jokingly keeps a running count on how many times someone asks him how many push-ups he’s going to do. There were also at least a dozen references to the ESPN College Gameday commercial with Kimble and ESPN analyst Lee Corso (half of those references came from fans telling Kimble he “should have shot Lee Corso.”). Finally, Kimble gets a few minutes to himself before taking the field.

He stretches on a mat in the football team’s weight room. Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” explodes through the speakers and the Bruce Banner version of Kimble begins to transform into the Hulk version.

Mountaineer Forever Because the Mountaineer performs one push-up for every point on the scoreboard per every score, Kimble’s arms and pecs got in a week or more’s worth of a workout. In WVU’s 70-63 shootout victory over Baylor, Kimble performed 385 push-ups. In his first two months of being the Mountaineer, Kimble added 15 pounds of muscle from working out with the football players. By the end of the season, Kimble might look like the Rock. Then, just the same way as his day started, the soothing sounds of John Denver signify the end. Kimble stood in the end zone with the cheerleaders singing along to “Country Roads.” A few football players joined him. After the stadium emptied, Kimble spotted his wife and parents waiting for him in the stands. He smiled at them and walked over to sit with them and reflect on the day. It was now about 5:00 p.m. Time to head home, shower, and watch more college football on television. Two months earlier on his trip to Pittsburgh, Kimble pondered his future after graduate school. “Is it possible to be the Mountaineer forever?”

ALUMNI MAGAZINE ONLINE alumnimag.wvu.edu/mountaineer-story West Virginia University Magazine

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Histo r y of t he M ou nta i neer You think our modern-day Mountaineer mascot is quite a sight? Let’s roll back to the 1920s, when the first Mountaineer mascot, though not official, appeared. The Mountaineer would show up at sporting events donning flannel shirts, bearskin capes, and coonskin caps. Volunteers with names like Clay Crouse, Burdette “Irish” Crow, and William “Buckwheat” Johnson were among the first unofficial Mountaineers. In 1928, the Monticola (WVU yearbook) sponsored a contest to determine the male senior who had contributed the most to the University throughout his four years in college. The winner was given the title of “The Mountaineer.” It wasn’t until 1937 when WVU officially recognized the Mountaineer as its mascot, a role filled by Boyd Harrison “Slim” Arnold. Today the Mountaineer is selected each year by a committee via an application process that involves essay writing, interviews, and cheer-offs. The Mountaineer’s costume is tailored to fit each winner, and male Mountaineers customarily grow beards during their tenure to go along with the coonskin cap and rifle, although the beard is not a requirement. The winner also receives a tuition waiver or scholarship. In 1950, The Mountain Honorary Society held a Mountaineer Statue Festival raising $15,000. This bought the bronze statue of the Mountaineer in the Mountainlair front lawn. Natalie Tennant, who’s now the West Virginia secretary of state, became the first female Mountaineer in 1990. Rebecca Durst was the only other woman to serve as Mountaineer (2009). The responsibilities of the Mountaineer are set forth by the Mountaineer Advisory Committee. He or she must attend every away and home football game, as well as most home men’s and women’s basketball games. The mascot is also encouraged to attend certain functions such as alumni and community events. The Mountaineer typically makes around 300 appearances a year.

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WHERE VISIONS COME TO LIFE Written by Jake Stump PHOTOS by Scott Lituchy

Submitted photo

Photograph by Scott Lituchy

The future happens when people don’t wait to be asked to invent. When they don’t wait until later to take on a challenge or to make it or break it. They have today and they know it. And when it gets to be tomorrow, they have something to show for the hours they didn’t sleep, the times they didn’t splurge, and the other paths they could have taken. There are people who have come from WVU who have had these waking visions. Their own dreams are reached. And sometimes they even change our world.

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Except for maybe his curly, poofy mane, Michael Paris does not stand out much in a classroom of college students. He doesn’t talk much. Nor does he try to draw any attention to himself. But a transformation takes place each time Paris slithers into a pair of wrestling trunks. Yes. Wrestling trunks. Paris, the relatively humble advertising major from Chester, W.Va., flips a switch and morphs into Zema Ion, a trash talking villain who obsessively sprays his hair and calls himself “pretty,” in front of thousands of live wrestling fans and millions watching on national television. Paris wrestles for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, the nation’s second largest wrestling promotion—while attending WVU. He’s on track to graduate in December 2012. And believe it or not, the two worlds—the field of journalism and the 38 36

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macho, melodramatic spectacle that is professional wrestling—collide. To make it in the world of suxplexes and steel chairs, you’ve got to market yourself as a shiny, top-shelf product, Paris says. He learned those ropes at WVU’s P.I. Reed School of Journalism. “I got to where I’m at by selling myself,” said Paris, who signed a contract with TNA in the summer of 2011. More than a million viewers tune to Spike TV every Thursday night to see young stars like Paris and legendary household names like Hulk Hogan, Sting, and Kurt Angle on TNA’s “Impact Wrestling.” “Being an advertising major and knowing the ins and outs of the field helped me market myself to TNA Wrestling when I got an opportunity,” Paris said. Now 26, Paris began training for pro wrestling at age 16. He grew up idolizing performers who had the entire package—

not just the jacked-up brutes who knew a hold or two. He molded himself after wrestlers such as “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels and Rick “The Model” Martel, undersized grapplers who relied on speed, charisma and in-ring ability to get over with the audience. Paris is 5’8 and weighs 170. You might miss him in a crowd. In character, he refers to himself as

a “model” and carries his trademark can of hairspray to the ring. Sometimes, the hairspray winds up being used for devious purposes, like blinding opponents. “Zema is my arrogant, flamboyant persona,” Paris said. “I really came into my own in the Journalism School by learning to speak publicly and be confident. By the time I got to TNA, I wasn’t nervous speaking on the mic or cutting promos.”

and raise three kids. All three made it through or are in college. She’s the strongest woman I know. “When I think of my adult life as difficult, I think about mom. She did it against all odds.”

Son of a mail-order bride Paris’ wrestling persona stands out in a sea of vanilla characters. Yet the real Michael Paris has a personal backstory that is even more intriguing.

The backup plan In his first few years as a wrestler, Paris performed for small, independent promotions throughout West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. A break came

WATCH THE VIDEO ONLINE alumnimag.wvu.edu/visions-come-to-life life as a devious loudmouth of the squared circle. In the classroom, he was the opposite—quiet, reserved, humble, and fully clothed. For an advertising project, Paris and some classmates filmed a yogurt commercial. The group wrote a wrestlingthemed script. For the ad, Paris suited up in his gear and staged a wrestling match. He performed a miraculous comeback after taking a bite of yogurt. The professor, Sang Lee, didn’t know

His mother is a mail-order bride. of Paris’ wrestling pursuits and said, in 2006, when he caught the eye of a The family isn’t ashamed. In fact, the “Mike, you could be on TV. Really, you wrestling promoter who invited him story was told in a National Geographic should think about that.” to work in Japan. Paris’ global pursuits documentary about pro wrestling. A month later, Paris debuted in TNA spread elsewhere, like Mexico. Paris’ mom, a Filipino, had on Spike TV. worked tirelessly in Singapore balancing school and “Being an advertising major and knowing workIf weren’t sweatshops. She had dreams of taxing enough for the ins and outs of the field helped me becoming a fashion designer and Paris, it soon became nearly market myself to TNA Wrestling…” decided to register for a groom. impossible. Soon enough, she was wooed by As a TNA wrestler, Paris a French-American man, about 30 years regularly travels to Orlando, FL, where He was making a name for himself. older, through romantically written letters. the promotion hosts TV shows and payYet he remained a realist. She went to be with him in California What if the wrestling gig ended up a bust? per-views. and they started a family. But when Paris Even with the hustle-and-bustle, Paris “I can’t put ‘backflips and spraying was five, his father died. has managed to earn his journalism credits my hair’ on a job resume,” Paris said. This forced Paris’ mom to relinquish her “The chances of making it are slim. It to graduate. dream, work odd jobs, and singlehandedly Paris could have easily dropped out of could be over in a second. I could break raise three children. The grit, hard work, college to focus on his budding wrestling my leg tomorrow.” and unwavering dedication of his mom career. But giving up is unacceptable—in Paris enrolled at WVU in 2007 to instilled in Paris character and values that and out of the ring. study journalism—an outlet for his carved a path to his own journey. “Getting an education is investing in creativity and writing. “This was a single mom from yourself,” he said. “Once you earn that “I loved my advertising classes,” said another country who didn’t have a clue degree, no one can take that away from you.” Paris, who named Joel Beeson and Dana about what was going on in America,” Coester as his favorite professors. Paris said. “She had to make it work Not everyone was aware of his second West Virginia University Magazine

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Written by Diana Mazzella PHOTOS Submitted

The Father of the Modern Modem It was a futuristic life we had only dreamed of, where body sensors automatically alert physicians when your blood pressure skyrockets. College courses are completed from your living room. A webcam guards your house while you’re on vacation. And a Skype call with your grandchildren lets you see their smiles, new toys, and tiny fingers as they press the end-call button. All of these are part of the broadband revolution we have today. Right now. And all of them trace back to Rouzbeh Yassini. The twentieth century took us to the greatest heights of information-sharing since humanity began, and broadband has been our road as we’ve taken our biggest steps. Yassini, known as the father of the cable modem, is a large part of why we have this keycard to the autobahn of information. He saw the infancy of the Internet, learned how cable is delivered, and put two and two together. It took years. It took a lot 40 38

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of translation between industries that spoke different technical languages and had square pegs for round holes. But his vision guided him; a vision that existing technology could be used to take the world forward to a digital information future. In the decades that followed his arrival to the United States from his native Iran, Yassini would take a path trod for centuries by new arrivals to America, but make it his own. Arriving in Morgantown, WV, as a college student in 1977, Yassini chose electrical engineering because he couldn’t afford medical school. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University, he was recruited by General Electric. By 1986, he had left GE for Proteon, a company that produced Local Area Network equipment. Before computers were in vogue among the general public, companies used high-speed connections to share work between computers in their buildings. That was the LAN.

Yassini had this picture in his head of something more than a local network. It would be fast, inexpensive, connective. It would use existing technology. And it was possible. For the next decade, he gathered a team of engineers to experiment and develop. By the late 1990s, an inexpensive cable modem was available commercially. “Our inspiration came from that fact that we knew—beyond any question—that access to broadband Internet connectivity would be an agent of tremendous empowerment for individuals,” Yassini said. “We recognized that personalized communication and telecommuting were tools in humanity’s toolbox needed to support rapid scaling of the world population. “We were convinced we could change the fundamental ability of people to contribute to the world through telecommuting rather than burning fossil fuel and

to be producers, not merely consumers, of were on the same page and all were charting content and ideas and innovation. That’s a different futures. powerful motivation.” “I think any entrepreneur is familiar But before that was years of research with the feeling of being completely on and technical challenges. He says it was the outside of conventional wisdom,” he exhilarating and terrifying. said. “The truth is, there were naysayers “For a typical technology start-up to everywhere who were convinced our idea attract capital and succeed, you really want had no prayer.” to have only one or two serious, fundamental Understanding the role of Yassini’s work risks to overand how it affects come,” Yassini every day lives “We also had something I think every said. “We had requires going promising idea needs: a team of five of them. back in time to talented people who believe in the “We had to when there was find a way to greater purpose of what they’re doing.” no Internet as reduce the cost we know it. of a powerful When Yassini cable modem to below $50 from $18,000. began his work on the cable modem in We had to find a way to work within 1986, the US government’s early version existing computing and video delivery of the Internet, known as ARPANET, was standards. We had to invent technology online, but the World Wide Web wouldn’t that would cover an entire city. We had to be invented by Tim Berners-Lee until 1989 move the implementation from the analog and the Web wouldn’t become commercial world to the digital platform. And we had until the 1990s. to overcome challenges around testing cable When the common folk did start using modems that could have taken hours per the Internet, we used dial-up to connect. unit per day. With our phone lines plugged into boxes, we “But we solved every one.” listened to the bouncing tones of the magical The difference between being a visionary connection that let us access our e-mail and and getting something done is the long hop on Netscape or Explorer. We could look nights he spent solving engineering problems, up restaurants, colleges, businesses. And that maintaining a talented workforce, and was pretty much what we did. staying true to an idea for years without There was no Skype. There were no reaching a final product. iPads. There was no Hulu or Netflix. There “We also had something I think every was no YouTube. Then, Google was an promising idea needs: a team of talented infant in the search engine world. people who believe in the greater purpose of But about the time we took our first real what they’re doing,” Yassini said. “Without steps on our computers with elementary that it’s very difficult to persevere.” graphics and speed, the cable modem was This innovation was at the center of ready. It was ready before the most active multiple, separate industries. It required digital child—video—learned to run online. knowledge of local area networks, cable, Since then, information access has and fiber-optics. None of the industries significantly increased in speed, geography, and

volume. Communications company Cisco says that in 2013 the amount of data shared over the Internet will be 667 exabytes annually, with most of this traffic being video. To make sense of that, only five exabytes could store all the words of every human language ever used. Yassini hopes learning becomes a faster process for those who come after him. It takes émigrés decades to better themselves and then pass that knowledge on to those in their home countries, he said. “I felt that broadband could change that,” he said. “It was a passport to knowledge transfer like the world had never known. That’s why we gave away our modem technology protocols license-free not just to the cable industry but to the world. “We wanted our innovation to be used anywhere, anytime, any way. We wanted to give everyone the toolbox so that broadband would empower them with a personalized communication connection to anywhere in the globe, much like electricity empowered individuals in the nineteenth century.” He calls the innovation of the cable modem a beginning and an indicator of what can come from putting visions into practice. “Entire companies, even industries, now exist because of broadband, with higher market capitalizations and contributions to gross domestic product than twentiethcentury industrial giants like General Motors and GE. Most important I think is that billions of people now have a tool kit with which they can create, produce, and contribute to an information economy that offers enormous opportunity. And we can do all this without draining away our limited resources from this planet.”

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Written by Diana Mazzella PHOTOS Submitted

The America where Elaine McMillion grew up is one we all want to remember. It was a place where the walk from school to the doughnut shop was short. The same for the walk to the bowling alley. It’s where after school, she walked to her mother’s workplace at the jeweler’s and took her homework to the back room. It sounds peaceful, and secure. These memories are of Logan County, WV, in the heart of coal country. Years after her graduation from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, McMillion went to McDowell County, just next door to the scenes of her childhood. You may have heard of it. In truth, McDowell is talked of often. The county has the highest rate of child abuse and neglect in West Virginia. And it has high rates of other things, too. Welfare dollars. Drug use. Teen pregnancy. Those in the wider world may know

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Filling America’s Hollow

nothing else about the 22,000 people who live there. For McMillion, that means they really don’t know them at all. But she does. The documentary filmmaker lives in Boston now, where she is creating films and pursuing a master’s degree. She doesn’t have to learn to see beyond the stubborn Appalachian stereotypes of hillbillies with dirty feet. She saw reality a long time ago. For her, returning to Boston is more of a culture shock than visiting McDowell. It was her own exodus to elsewhere that prompted her to create Hollow, a participatory documentary that will allow McDowell residents to tell their own story and organize to reverse the decline that’s been upon them since coal left. When she looks at McDowell, she sees potential. “People can’t understand when I say that, when they haven’t been there and haven’t met the people,” she said. “And the

reason I see potential is because I met so many people this summer that when you actually get them in the same room around a table, things are going to happen.” No one can turn away from the truth. And the truth is that McDowell is dying. Of the ten towns in McDowell, all were listed in a WVU research report as dying, and that’s the highest rate of any county in the state. “That’s alarming to me to think about what’s lost,” she said. “’Who are the people that still remain?’ was the question that I had. And how do they feel about the things that they’ve seen happen and the change that they’ve seen?” There’s an outsider view that says the people inside the towns are just getting by on existing without trying to change their lot. But she’s found that this is not true. “That was where the vision came from,” McMillion said. “It was a sense of urgency that I had to examine these ten towns in the county but also going against the stereotypes and the things that people think they know

about McDowell County and southern West Virginia and sort of flipping that on its head and trying to tell a broader picture of what’s happening through the experiences of the people who live it every single day.” She knows the county won’t be like it was at its height, but she believes the people can have a better quality of life. Hollow has become about more than finding a way back home for McMillion. When she sent early footage to people across the country, before the project properly launched, she discovered its universality. “All of them said something that was really interesting, which was that this could be any small town in America—which is the point,” she said. Some of those who have taken notice are themselves often noticed. The Tribeca Film Institute awarded the project a highly selective new media grant. Morgan Spurlock, who brought us the documentary Super Size Me, wrote on Twitter, “Hollow is an idea that could change small towns across the United States!” And regular people voted for Hollow to become a reality with their own dollars to help the project exceed its $25,000 Kickstarter goal.

International Film Festival to share the project’s a troubled rural America. They are living blueprints with other filmmakers. their lives. Among the rivers and forests Raising thousands of dollars, gathering a are people working, making music, fishing, team of young professionals—many of them worshipping, swimming, attending the WVU graduates—and connecting with an fair, finishing homework. entire community took a great deal of work. This image of the county is so rarely McMillion made calls and sent e-mails every portrayed that a local playwright and poet day for weeks. Yet it wasn’t hard to believe in told McMillion that the public had likely the project. never seen “Whenever pictures of “All of them said something that was really people would say the county interesting, which was that this could be any ‘What do you do like those small town in America—which is the point.” if you don’t raise captured in your Kickstarter Hollow. money?’ I didn’t really know how to respond to The project’s most useful aspect isn’t for that because I could not believe for one second outsiders. It has connected people who have we wouldn’t make it work,” she said. been battling alone to allow them to battle “A lot of people and myself see McDowell together. Since Hollow began this summer, County like a blank canvas,” she said. “I see all residents have started a community garden, of rural America like a blank canvas. It’s just they’re documenting their community, and waiting for young people to come back and they’re inspired. really make it what they want it to be.” “I had no clue how big of an effect myself and the project would have on people,” McMillion said. “But some people just felt so inspired by ‘Someone believes in us to live down here four months and work with us and try to tell our story, so why don’t we believe in ourselves?’

McMillion had read the sociological analysis, “Hollowing out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What it Means for America,” and knew that when rural towns lost their young people, it was a sign that their long illness was terminal. Hollow became a truthful marketing piece to allow everyone to see what was really happening. Google Images of McDowell show the clinical in maps; the sensational in pictures of floods; and the hackneyed—the fourth image is a dirty, half-naked child sitting on a stoop. But McMillion’s initial photos and video show people who don’t symbolize

“I left valuing and seeing the smaller things that should happen that will lead to bigger things because the people of McDowell County have to prove that they’re something worth saving in order to get any help.” At the close of the summer, McMillion went back to Boston with eight terabytes of footage. Five cameras purchased as part of the project remain in McDowell until the end of the year, available to residents as they document their story. McMillion’s artistic revolution continues to gain notice. She spoke at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and at the Camden

To find out more about how you can get involved in Hollow and to view advance footage go to www.hollowthefilm.com. The full documentary and interactive website is expected to be completed in May 2013.

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Learn how you can support the WVU Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $750 million fundraising campaign for WVU by visiting www.astateofminds.com 44

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Fishers Create Scholarship to Help Students Attend WVU WRITTEN BY DEB MILLER PHOTOGRAPH BY JAKE LAMBUTH

Scholarships are vital recruiting tools for West Virginia University. Braxton County residents Lee and Rosemary Fisher know that scholarships can serve as a source of muchneeded encouragement for students to attend WVU, especially in rural areas of the state. With current in-state tuition at more than $6,000 for two semesters, it is a struggle for many. Approximately 70 percent of WVU students receive some amount of financial aid each year. “From the time we were young adults, we realized how much our educations had done for us,” said Rosemary, an elementary school teacher in Pennsylvania for nearly 33 years before retiring. A Vietnam veteran, Lee’s 37-year career was in corporate accounting and finance. In 2008, they set up an endowed (permanent) scholarship for Braxton County residents with the WVU Foundation. “We volunteer at the Little Birch Elementary School,” Lee said, “and see how important this support is.” It was so important that they decided to supplement the future benefits of the Fisher Scholarship with a gift provision included in their wills. “Through our estate planning, we know that we will help others we care about and increase our scholarship, too,” Rosemary said.

Gift provisions included in wills, like the support from the Fishers, count in A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University as long as the donor(s) will reach age 70 by the campaign’s end on December 31, 2015. Other estate plan gifts made through beneficiary designations (retirement account, financial account, or life or annuity policy) count under the same conditions. Neither Fisher grew up in West Virginia, but they retired happily to a small mountaintop farm in 2002. Their frequent visits to the elementary school involve tutoring and reading to students, helping with homework, and lending the staff a helping hand. Rosemary loves to demonstrate the heritage craft of quilting since she’s a skilled quilter. Being the only adult male in the school, Lee knows that he serves as a role model for the young students, and his collection of Farmall tractors and old tools come up in the conversation now and again. “I’ve helped pass out the scholarship letters at the high school’s annual awards night,” Lee said, “and am always proud when I see some of the students I helped in earlier years. The lightbulb came on, so to speak, for them, and they’ve realized that it’s important to go to college. And scholarships really help.”

The Irvin Stewart Society is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. The Stewart Society honors and celebrates the generosity of those who have chosen estate or retirement-planning options to benefit West Virginia University, WVU Institute of Technology, Potomac State College of WVU, West Virginia 4-H, or the Mountaineer Athletic Club. Anyone may join the almost 775 living members whose support will make a difference for WVU. Those making the following gifts are eligible for membership—a gift provision in a will or revocable trust, a life income gift (unitrust, annuity trust, immediate payment, or deferred payment gift annuity), after-death transfers of retirement account funds, life insurance, and real estate gifs with a retained lifetime interest. A listing of all members can be found at www.wvuf.org; select Donor Recognition and Irvin Stewart Society. We’re proud to add these newest members who have joined since January 1 through June 30, 2012: Kathleen A. Cline Fort Myers, FL

Krista Hopkins, MD ’01 Martinsburg, WV

Becky Smith Charleston, WV

Richard M. Cline ’75 Fort Myers, FL

John A. Korvin ’72 Granite Bay, CA

Dick Smith Charleston, WV

David G. Edwards, DDS ’69, ’73 Wellsburg, WV

Richard R. Malcolm Fairmont, WV

Lori Tucker, DO ’91, ’93 Princeton, WV

Linda S. Edwards ’86 Wellsburg, WV

Sandra D. McClure-Malcolm Fairmont, WV

William Kelly Tucker ’91, ’93 Princeton, WV

John T. Fahey ’84, ’85 Morgantown, WV

Toni R. Morris ’82, ’89, ’99 Morgantown, WV

Margaret Feldmeier Paden City, WV

Karen Reed ’80 Beckley, WV

Joseph R. Vilseck Jr., PhD, MD ’62, ’66 Richmond, VA

Mary Feldmeier Paden City, WV

Roger Reed ’80 Beckley, WV

Paul Feldmeier ’66 Paden City, WV

James M. Rogers II Belleair, FL

Robert Feldmeier ’60 Paden City, WV

Patricia Raper Rogers Belleair, FL

George D. Ford, PhD ’61, ’67 North Chesterfield, VA

J. Ted Samsell, MD ’67, ’71 Kennewick, WA

David M. Gross ’83 Bethesda, MD

Melody Samsell Kennewick, WA

Kathryn Babb Vossler, EdD ’68, ’77 Lynn Haven, FL Ronald A. Weaver ’78 Morgantown, WV In Memoriam Edgar O. Barrett ’52 Charles M. Brown ’49 Juanita Brown John D. Lough ’49 Frances W. Spencer ’47

Thinking of Making a Gift… Thinking of making a gift to benefit WVU, Potomac State College of WVU, Mountaineer Athletic Club, WVU Institute of Technology, or West Virginia 4-H in your will, living trust, IRA, or other manner? If so, the proper wording is very important in getting your gift to work out the way you intended. Please be sure to include the legal name “West Virginia University Foundation, Inc.” and add the Foundation’s tax identification number: 55-6017181. To direct your gift to a specific college, school, or unit, the wording must be “to the West Virginia University Foundation, Inc. for the benefit of …” For sample bequest language, contact the Foundation by telephone (800-847-3856) or e-mail (info@wvuf.org), or visit online at www.wvuf.org.

A Smart Way to Enhance WVU’s Future Tim ’73 and Susan ’73, ’77 Tewalt are loyal Mountaineers who care about WVU’s future. “While planning for retirement, we wanted to ensure a more secure future for ourselves while also giving back to the University we owe so much,” said Tim. “We set up a gift arrangement with the WVU Foundation to pay income to us after retiring,” said Susan. “It was easy to do. We donated stocks and cash,” said Tim, “and didn’t have to pay taxes on the capital gain.” Their gift counts in A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University. And through future journalism and geology scholarships carrying their names, their legacy of learning will help others follow in their footsteps at WVU.

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Buildinga

Foundation

Eric Kinney

Tess McCloud

Clara Beth Novotny Emily Vandevender Joy Wang

WRITTEN BY ANTHONY DOBIES

Whether it’s finding a cure for Alzheimer’s or helping a patient regain strength through aquatic therapy, West Virginia University’s newest class of Foundation Scholars wants to change the world. Thanks to many generous donations from alumni and friends across the world, five of the top in-state freshmen students have a chance to do so as Mountaineers.

Eric Kinney was ranked second in his class at Bridgeport High School and hopes to participate in the exchange program between the University of Strasbourg and WVU while completing a pharmacy degree. Tess McCloud is the first Foundation Scholar from Bluefield High School, but wants to do more. She has already spent more than 200 hours at her local community center volunteering with an aquatic physical therapy practice, which she believes will help earn an exercise physiology degree at WVU.

Clara Beth Novotny from Hedgesville High School says “the laboratory is my domain.” That’s likely where you’ll find her at WVU, as the biochemistry major wants to delve into the world’s medical mysteries.

Emily Vandevender’s parents and grandparents went to WVU, and her sister goes to the University, as well. She hopes to become an environmental scientist or head to medical school. She is from Greenbrier East High School. Joy Wang, a Capital High School graduate, has big goals—she wants to become a neurological researcher and find a chemical cure for Alzheimer’s. Wang studies biochemistry at the University. The Foundation Scholar award—which provides full tuition and fees, plus room and board and books for four years—is valued at approximately $75,000 when paired with the State’s PROMISE Scholarship. In addition, the scholarship includes a $4,500 stipend for academic enhancement, which is used for study abroad, internships, and other advanced learning opportunities. All of this is paid for by donations from alumni and friends to the WVU Foundation. There are hundreds of other opportunities to give to WVU’s growing student population, by either creating or supporting scholarships like the Foundation Scholars. Visit www.wvuf.org to learn more. The WVU Foundation is currently conducting the largest fundraising campaign in the history of WVU. The goal of A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University is to raise $750 million by December 2015. Alumni and friends interested in giving to the campaign can contact the WVU Foundation at 800-847-3856, or visit www.astateofminds.com.

46 44

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Memory

Bill Stewart June 11, 1952 – May 21, 2012

Former West Virginia University football coach Bill Stewart was part of one of the most memorable victories in the history of our school when WVU beat Oklahoma 48–28 in the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. That fabulous victory was followed by three consecutive nine-win seasons with Stewart at the helm, including trips to the Meineke Car Care, Gator, and Champs Sports bowls. However, besides collecting the most-ever wins by a firstyear Mountaineer coach, Stewart will also be remembered as a man of character who expected his players to be outstanding young men. He once said, “I’m

going to be judged by the wins. I know that. However, what I do with these young men’s lives, I’m being judged by the ‘master coach.’ And that’s why I lay down every night and sleep very well.” Coach Stew’s mantra of being a good role model was enforced in a 2008 commencement speech he made for the School of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. He said the virtue of hard work is part of a West Virginian’s “legacy, heritage, it’s who you are—that’s how it is, that’s how it should be, because that is the right way.”

Thank you Coach

for your service to WVU and West Virginia.

West Virginia University Magazine

2012

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CLASSCHATTER Acclaimed author Lucia Viti has nothing but love, loyalty, and admiration for her alma mater, and attributes much of her success to the education she received at WVU. A graduate of the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism, the New York native filled her time in Morgantown by teaching aerobics, being a feature writer for the Daily Athenaeum, and excelling in the classroom. When Viti was a senior in high school, she decided to attend WVU after falling in love with Morgantown on a campus visit. While she didn’t declare a major until her junior year, the teachers here changed her life and gave her the confidence to be a writer. Her professors taught her to be fair, objective, and balanced. She is the author of Dr. Tom’s War: A Daughter’s Journey, a tribute to her father’s heroic military service as a doctor in Vietnam. After stumbling across a box of his military memorabilia in an attic, Viti traveled the country, learning more and more about her father and his time in Vietnam. She started

her book by completing extensive research on the Vietnam War, but after meeting and interviewing the men her father served with, she realized that their stories should be the integral focus. Quickly climbing the literary charts, Dr. Tom’s War is a labor of love from a daughter discovering her father’s past and his extraordinary acts of valor through poignant interviews with the Marines who served alongside him. Viti notes that you must have a passion for writing in order to make it through the challenges and joys of writing a book. “Passions fulfill destinies. My advice to those with a desire and passion to write would be to just do it. Show up at the page every day. Write about what you know. Then write about what you don’t know. Read as much as you can and write about everything you can. Get paid to write, and write for free. Write. Write. Write.” “I hope to one day be able to teach the way I was taught at West Virginia University with the same kind of drive and passion for writing,” she said. Although far from Morgantown now, living in Carlsbad, CA, Viti still keeps connected to her Mountaineer family; her closest friends from college call themselves the “Goddesses of West Virginia.” Lucia Viti is working on her next book and traveling to promote Dr. Tom’s War. 48 46

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WRITTEN by Katherine Bomkamp

1956

1975

Jack Kosuh, MA, Paulsboro, NJ, loved his WVU education and always recommended WVU to students when he worked as a guidance counselor.

Frank D. Devono, EdD, ’75 MA, Bridgeport, WV, is superintendent of Monongalia County Schools. . .Mary K. Devono, EdD, ’75 MM, ’99 MM, Bridgeport, WV, is the federal programs director for Harrison County Public Schools. . . Thomas Pick, BS, Bozeman, MT, was recognized by US Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for his efforts to revitalize the agricultural sectors in Afghanistan and Iraq.

1962

T. Edward Smith, BS, Keyser, WV, and his wife Elrose Tibbetts, ’59 BS, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June 2011. Elrose was an education major who taught for 44 years and retired as a teacher from Potomac State College. Ed, a business major, retired from Westvaco.

1968

Artis J. Palmo, MA, ’71 EdD, MacUngie, PA, published the 4th Edition of Mental Health Counseling along with Dr. William Weikel and Dr. David Borsos . . .Robert D. Rizzo, BS, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, is working and living in the United Arab Emirates.

1969

John C. Spiker, BS, Morgantown, WV, WVU’s coordinator of athletic medical services, was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in St. Louis in 2012. He has been with WVU since 1975 and was coordinator of the athletic training curriculum until 1984. He is serving his 38th season with the WVU football program.

1970

M. Brigid Waszczak, BA, Tucson, AZ, was ordained a deacon in 2012 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Phoenix, by Bishop Kirk S. Smith. She is assigned to St. Philip’s In The Hills Church in Tucson where she leads their eldercare ministry, among other duties.

1971

Janet L. Crescenzi, MA, Barrackville, WV, retired as a Marion County administrator. She has two daughters and one son. . .J. Michael Gilson, BS, Blandon, PA, retired at the end of 2011 from his position as VP of facilities and construction for Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC. He is also a retired Army LTC. . .Walter G. Oshinsky, BA, Akron, OH, is director of quality for S&A Industries Corp. in Akron. For the last 15 years he has conducted international quality and environmental audits. He works for Greg Anderson, ’76 BS, GM and president of the company.

1972

Lee A. Dobson, BS, Pittsburgh, PA, works with a breast surgeon in WPAHS as a certified breast care nurse. She is a happy grandmother of two and would love to get together with other members of the Class of 1972 to celebrate their 40th. . . Kathleen A. Oberst, BS, BS, Pittsburgh, PA, was named admissions director for HCR Manorcare at the Bethel Park facility in 2011.

1973

Martin D. “Bud” Wotring, BS, Bruceton Mills, WV, is director of mining distribution and new business development for Irwin Car and Equipment. He is responsible for increasing the underground mining sector’s demand for Irwin’s replacement parts, expanding its geographic market presence, and building a national distribution network.

1978

Thomas E. Albani Jr., BA, Hubbard, OH, received its 2011 Family Physician of the Year Award from the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians. He has been practicing family medicine for 27 years and is a solo practitioner in Canfield. He is also a volunteer faculty member in the family medicine residency program at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, OH, and serves an assistant clinical professor at Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy. . .Valerie Nieman, BS, Southport, NC, received the 2012 Eric Hoffer Award for General Fiction for her latest novel, Blood Clay. The award is presented to showcase salient writing, as well as the independent spirit of small publishers.

1979

Alisa Bailey, BS, Charleston, WV, was recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing by Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association, International. . .C. Michael Fulton, BS, Kensington, MD, joined the Charleston-based marketing communications firm the Arnold Agency, leading the company’s efforts in its Washington, DC, office. He has been recognized for four consecutive years as a top lobbyist by The Hill newspaper.

1981

Charles D. “Charlie” Brown, BS, Prospect, KY, is VP of Global Supply Chain/Sourcing for Hillerick & Bradsby Co. (Louisville Slugger).

1983

Ziya Altug, BS, ’85 MS, Los Angeles, CA, published a one-of-a-kind 2012 Healthy Lifestyle Calendar with TF Publishing (www.TFpublishing. com). A licensed physical therapist, she worked at the UCLA Medical Center outpatient rehab clinic for 12 years treating many sports medicine and orthopedic injuries. She has authored several articles and books. . .John Ferretti, BS, Hockessin, DE, is CEO and owner of FoxFire Printing and Packaging Inc. . .Peter G. Jovanovich, BS, Beltsville, MD, is chief, safety, health, and environmental management of the USDA Agricultural Research Service. . .Marrianne McMullen, BS, Washington, DC, was appointed by the Obama Administration to direct public affairs for the second-largest division of HHS. . . Lucia H. Viti, BS, Carlsbad, CA, published her first book, Dr. Tom’s War: A Daughter’s Journey, a narrative memoir on her father’s service as a naval physician assigned to the Second Battalion Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in An Hoa, the Republic of South Vietnam, in 1967.

1984

Judith B. Black, BS, ’86 MS, Westminster, CO, is VP of technical services for Steritech Group, Inc.’s pest pre-vention business. She oversees pest prevention research, development, and technical operational support.

1986

Amy L. Kuhn, MA, ’06 EdD, Morgantown, WV, is director of academic and instructional technologies at WVU.

1987

Joseph A. Wells, BS, McMurray, PA, was named the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus of Sistersville High School.

1991

Donald P. Jeffers, BS, Bridgeport, WV, is senior territory business manager with Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals.

1993

Larry R. Collins, EdD, Richmond, KY, received the 2009 EKU Teaching Excellence award from the Eastern Kentucky University International Alumni Association. . .Stephen D. Macko, BS, Marco Island, FL, is VP and financial planner with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.

1994

Daniel K. Giacomelli, BS, Langhorne, PA, is CIO and VP of technology for FirstLab and Genomind (www.genomind.com). He also serves on the board for Langhorne Athletic Association.

1996

Steven M. Beattie, BS, Lewisburg, PA, joined Larson Design Group (LDG) as senior project manager/landscape architect in the Site Engineering Group at their branch office in Selinsgrove. He is responsible for complete project management within LDG. . .Precious A. Crabtree, BA, ’99 MA, Fairfax, VA, is an art teacher at Deer Park Elementary School in Centreville. She was selected to receive a $5,000 Urban Education Community Collaborative Grant from the NEA Foundation. . . Michael A. Neely, BS, Morgantown, WV, is a project developer for Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.

1998

Jennifer C. Leonard, BS, White Hall, MD, is director of planning for Axiom Engineering Design. She is responsible for the direct oversight of the landscape architecture and planning division. . . Shennod L. Moore, BA, Hyattsville, MD, is director of community outreach at East Liberty-based Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force. He previously worked at Allegheny General Hospital’s Positive Health Clinic, taught in the Washington, DC, public school system, and worked for the Children’s National Medical Center in DC.

Jennifer C. Leonard

1999

Thomas Caprio, BA, Northfield, NJ, produced for the Hollywood-based Web series “Don’t Make Me Sick.” He is an LA-based producer and four-time NAACP Image Award winner for his work on PBS’s Tavis Smiley. He has also produced several prime-time PBS specials, live events, and short films. . .Kristin S. Fricke, ’99 BS, MS, Anderson, SC, is senior marketing manager for North America Outdoor Products at TTi (Techtronic Industries). She oversees Ryobi, Homelite, Ridgid, Black Max, and Powerstroke brands. In 2011, she completed the Ironman competition in Florida.

West Virginia University Magazine

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CLASSCHATTER 2000

Jennifer L. Blum, BS, Raleigh, NC, is a senior clinician at Duke University Medical Center working with the outpatient pediatric population . . .Jeffrey D. Shields, BS, Singapore, accepted an assignment in Singapore to develop and train a group of new engineers and to provide regional leadership to the technical group in AP for DuPont Performance Polymers.

2002

Bridget A. Nodianos, BS, Ashburn, VA, is a VP with BB&T. She joined the bank in 2005 and serves as a business services officer in BB&T’s commercial department.

2004

Bridget A. Nodianos

Justin J. Klug, BS, Urbana, IL, is completing his six-year anniversary at Human Kinetics Publishing, where he is the acquisitions editor. He also completed his third half-marathon and set a personal best.

2005

Ryan Costello, BA, Ashburn, VA, is a crime scene investigator with the Montgomery County Police Department.

2007

Greggrey R. Flood, BRBA, ’10 MS, Supply, NC, married Kathryn Gay, BS ’09. The couple has a son, Elijah Garrett. . .Luke S. Frazier, BM, Chevy Chase, MD, served as chorus master for the Reston Chorale in the May 2011 performance of Mahler’s 2nd Symphony with the Fairfax Symphony, receiving favorable reviews in The Washington Post. . . John E. Koch, BA, Wheeling, WV, graduated from the US Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, NJ. During the eight-week training program, he completed a vigorous training curriculum consisting of academics and practical instruction on water safety and survival, military customs and courtesies, seamanship skills, physical fitness, health and wellness, first aid, firefighting, and marksmanship. . . Benjamin F. Mace, BS, New York, NY, joined the New York Yankees in 2008. He began work for the Broadcasting Union in 2009 where he rolls videos and animations during games. He also owns a production company and has written, produced, and edited many videos for Yankees On Demand and yankees.com. . .Jonathan J. Schooley, BM, Fairmont, WV, presented a master’s degree graduate recital in fulfillment of the master of music degree in music performance in 2011 at the Mannes College Conservatory of Music in New York City. Following graduation in 2011, he returned to West Virginia to continue teaching and performing interests.

was selected to the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living Future Leaders of Long-Term Care in America Program. The national, yearlong program offers training and guidance to 33 long-term care professionals selected competitively from across the country.

in sports, fitness, and recreation at the professional, collegiate, and community levels. . . Ying Dong, MA, ’10 MA, Kunming Yunnan, is pursuing a doctorate in the Teaching and Learning program, with an emphasis in higher education, at the University of North Dakota.

Karen N. Snyder Duke, BS, New York, NY, is an editorial assistant at Parent Magazine, where she assists Ed2010 founder Chandra Turner and two other senior editors. She also edits seven pages in the magazine, including women’s health. . .Kari L. Maxwell, MA, Clarksburg, WV, is an adjunct professor in WVU’s Child Development and Family Studies Program. She had her second child in November.

Daniel M. Barker, BS, Durant, OK, is certified to teach in Texas and hopes to teach art and coach football. . .Daniel Moorehead, EdD, Hyndman, PA, teaches a course, Animals and Society: A Service Learning Approach, he developed while a student in the doctoral program at WVU. . .Armand Patella, BS, Brooklyn, NY, is working on mobile software that incorporates augmented reality. . .Elizabeth Reinhardt, MS, Wheeling, WV, is marketing director for Gold, Khourey and Turak, LC, a personal injury law firm located in Moundsville. . .Morgan Young, BS, Upper Marlboro, MD, is a reporter with the Public Opinion in Chambersburg, PA. Morgan participated in the Maynard Institute Multimedia Editing Fellowship this past June in Reno, NV.

2009

2010

Andrew Brown, MS, Pennsauken, NJ, has been a member of Princeton University’s fitness staff since 2012. He is the evening manager at Stephens Fitness Center. He has more than five years of experience

2011

Do you want to stay up to date on the latest news on your classmates and fellow alumni? Join the Mountaineer Connection—www.mountaineerconnection.com —where you can post and read the latest Class Notes. E-mail at: alumni@mail.wvu.edu or if you don’t have access to a computer/Internet, you can still send them to the WVU Alumni Association, PO Box 4029, Morgantown, WV 26504-4269. Name________________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________ City__________________________________________________ State_______Zip___________ Class Year(s)___________________________Degree(s)__________________________________ News________________________________________________________________________ Email address__________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Due to the number of notes we receive, your Class Note may/may not appear in the magazine. All notes will be posted online via the Mountaineer Connection.

Class of1963: Save the Date! June 7-8, 2013 Graduate Emeritus Reunion

Members of the Class of 1962 and other emeritus graduates enjoyed reminiscing about their time at WVU and catching up with former classmates.

2008

Krista R. Call, MS, Charleston, WV, is a public relations specialist II with the WV DNR where she coordinates WV archery in the schools, National Hunting and Fishing Days, and West Virginia Wildlife. . .Adam C. Lough, BS, completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, SC, in April 2012. . .Marjorie Miller, BS, State College, PA, is a staff writer for the Centre County Gazette in State College. She previously worked as a health, business, and social services reporter at the Lewistown Sentinel in Lewistown, PA, for nearly four years where she won (along with her editorial department) first place in enterprise reporting in 2008 from the Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors. . .Michelle J. Upchurch, MBA, Germantown, MD,

Michelle J. Upchurch

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The 2013 Graduate Emeritus Reunion will be held on June 7-8 in conjunction with other WVU events scheduled that weekend. The Planning Committee is putting together a schedule of events and other details. All members of the Class of 1963, as well as other 50+ year graduates, are invited to join us for this special reunion weekend. A special room rate at Lakeview Golf Resort & Spa is available for attendees at $49 per night. Call 1-800-624-8300 and mention «Emeritus Weekend» to recieve the special rate. Look for more information coming in early 2013 or visit

http://emeritus.wvu.edu.

International Chapters Unite

Mountaineers — No Matter Where They May Be WRITTEN by Anan Wan

The saying, “Once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer,”can be heard around the world in many languages. From Beijing, China, to Brasilia, Brazil, WVU’s international graduates proudly carry the flag for WVU. This summer, a group from WVU traveled overseas to incorporate two new international alumni chapters—one in Japan and the other in Thailand. There are now three international chapters, including the first international chapter— the Malaysia Chapter—which was chartered two years ago. While the campus of WVU may be thousands of miles away from many of these graduates, their pride in the University is very close to home. Engaging these loyal graduates is critical to the University’s future success. They value the education they received here and are committed to helping other Mountaineers succeed. “Our international students and alumni bring so much to our campus in

Student Government Association President Zach Redding (second from left) and Vice President Jarred Zuccari (left) enjoyed visiting alumni in Japan during a visit in 2012. The duo joined representatives from WVU to incorporate two new alumni chapters in Japan and Thailand. The trip was a great opportunity to engage alumni and extend the international footprint of WVU.

terms of diversity and culture. It’s important for our students to interact with others from different cultures. It provides a worldview, and helps them think globally,” said Ken Gray, vice president, Division of Student Affairs. “We want to maintain those connections with our international graduates and provide them with opportunities to stay connected to and return to WVU.” In addition to alumni engagement, international graduates are instrumental in helping WVU students and graduates find jobs and internships abroad. As more and more WVU graduates look to professional opportunities abroad, an international network of alumni is a great conduit for making connections.

“As the global footprint of WVU continues to grow, the efforts of our alumni living abroad are vital to achieving the University’s strategic goals. These Mountaineers serve as valuable resources in recruiting students, engaging fellow alumni, and assisting with opportunities for internships, professional networking, alumni activities, and travel abroad,” said Steve Douglas, president and CEO, WVU Alumni Association. WVU currently has more than 1,600 international students from over 100 countries, with a goal of doubling those numbers within the next ten years. International students and graduates are ambassadors for their own countries while at WVU, and after they leave, they become ambassadors for WVU.

West Virginia University Magazine

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CLASSCHATTER Marriages

Zachary P. Eckert, ’08 BS, ’09 MS, and Melissa R. Wiggins, Morgantown, WV. . .Alicia N. Hardman, ’08 BA, ’10 MA, ’12 MA, and Travis Doyle, ’07 BA, ’11 MA, Parkersburg, WV. . .Lindsay M. Hauer, ’07 BS, and Ryan Costello, ’05 BA, Ashburn, VA. . .Kayla M. Nelson, ’05 BA, ’07 MA, ’11 MA, and Jake Nelson, Wheeling, WV.

Births/Adoptions

Flavia Maria to Daniela Battaglia, ’11 MA, and Chris Battaglia. . .Rylan to Kevin J. Nodianos, ’00 BS, and Bridget Nodianos, ’02 BS, Ashburn, VA. . .Quinn Burritt to Lyndsay Hamm Putnam, ’99 BS, and John Putnam, Charlotte, NC. . .James Robert to Matthew J. Rubino, ’98 BA, and Courtney Rubino, ’98, Hazlet, NJ. . .Ashlyn Renee to Amanda R. Shaffer, ’07 PharmD, Morgantown, WV.

Deaths

Emil Allegrini, ’43 BS, ’46 MS, Lakeside Park, KY, March 2012. Samuel F. Audia, ’40 BS, Cincinnati, OH, Oct. 31, 2011. Rosa Myree Henderson Baer, ’48 BS, ’50 BS, Tampa, FL, May 4, 2012. Edgar O. Barrett, ’52 BA, Huntington, WV, June 15, 2012. Thurman B. Beavers, ’49 BS, Schaghticoke, NY, May 30, 2009. John N. Beck, ’64 MA, Greensburg, PA, December 14, 2011. Sarah H. “Betty” Behringer, ’43 BM, Lancaster, PA, April 30, 2012. Joseph Bertalan, ’43 BM, Morgantown, WV, February 28, 2012. Eric Billard, ’98 BS, Lynchburg, VA, April 29, 2012. Billie Wallingford Boothe, ’51 MA, Allentown, PA, July 9, 2011. Willa J. Bowman, ’39 BS, Davis, CA, June 3, 2011. Michael S. Buckley, ’93 BS, Glasgow, WV, March 28, 2012. Barbara J. Clouston, ’83 MA, Camden, SC, May 29, 2009. Glennis Cunningham, ’50 MA, Brooksville, FL, March 5, 2012. Larry Guy Deal, ’72 BS, Kingwood, WV, May 16, 2012. Everett C. Flesher Jr., ’50 BS, Bryan, Ohio, February 24, 2012. Eileen Ford, ’43 BM, Prescott Valley, AZ, Oct. 10, 2010. Patricia A. Foy, ’85 BS, Morgantown, WV, June 21, 2011. Wesley L. Halbruner, ’66 BA, Redwood City, CA, May 16, 2012. Walter L. “Bill” Hart, ’77 BA, Pensacola, FL, March 24, 2012. Donald Allan Henry, ’72 BS, Hampstead, NC, May 10, 2012. Olivia Polk “Sallie” Jefferds, ’74 MS, Charleston, WV, April 27, 2012. Warren George Kelly, ’43 BS, Clarksburg, WV, May 1, 2012. Clayce G. “Dick” Kishbaugh, ’57 BS, Zanesville, Ohio, April 22, 2012. Roy Edwin “Butch” Knight, ’68 BM, ’72 MM, ’75 MD, Grafton, WV, May 26, 2012. Patrick T. Lawson, ’68 MA, Prince Frederick, MD. Walter K. Legg, ’57 BA, ’61 MA, April 7, 2011. Shirley Ann Goodwin Lofink, ’74 BS, ’82 MA, Terra Alta, WV, March 22, 2012. Melvin H. Machesney, ’51 BA, Lexington, KY, February 26, 2012. Martha Lewis Manning, ’32 BM, Morgantown, WV, May 2, 2012. Ralph F. Marstiller, ’49 BS, Star City, WV, March 22, 2012. Sharon I. Mays, ’69 BS, ’71 MA, ’73 MS, Morgantown, WV, April 8, 2012. Russell K. McConnell, ’67 MA, Terra Alta, WV, May 1, 2012. Alex “A.J.” Jerrold McFadden, ’86 BS, ’95 MPA, Morgantown, WV, March 29, 2012. Clara W. Miller, ’49 MA, Columbus, OH, May 10, 2012. Jonathon Miller, ’12 BS, Jamestown, NY, May 25, 2012. James T. Morris, ’86 BA, ’87 BS, North Miami, FL, December 12, 2011. William F. Patton, ’55 BS, ’67 MA, Westover, WV, May 10, 2012. John W. Perfater III, ’54 BS, Cranberry Township, PA, September 13, 2012. Albert R. Pugh, ’52 BS, ’57 MS, Bloomery, WV, April 4, 2012. Virginia Linkous Rinehart, ’59 MA, Elkins, WV, May 26, 2012. Thomas Allen Robinson, ’62 BS, Morgantown, WV, February 9, 2012. Kathleen J. Rosenlieb, ’55 BS Exton, PA, March 10, 2012. Patricia A. Schmertzler, ’54 BS, Hickory, NC, July 1, 2012. Nell R. Selander, ’30 BA, Brentwood, TN, September 6, 2010. Bette Hall Shahan, ’44 BS, Richmond, VA, June 6, 2012. Gerald W. Swank, ’55 BS, Portland, OR, June 21, 2011. Stephen D. Tanner, ’47 BS, Morgantown, WV, April 10, 2012. Mary Martha Thorne, ’41 BA, Colonial Heights, VA, April 25, 2012. Betty Jane Veach, ’66 MS, Morgantown, WV, March 18, 2012. James Henry Walthall, ’50 BS, LaFayette, GA, February 22, 2012. Zelda Stein Weiss, ’37 BA, Morgantown, WV, February 15, 2012. Jane Ellen Rule Wilson, ’76 BS Cleveland, Ohio, May 25, 2011. Mary Ellen Hovatter Wright, ’76 MA, Kingwood, WV, March 1, 2012.

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I take thee . . . to the tailgate

WRITTEN BY LAURA SPITZNOGLE

How big of a WVU fan are you? Yes, you might have an autographed Pat White poster and a fuzzy WVU blanket draped over the couch. And you sort your laundry not by lights and darks, but by golds and blues. Yes, you’re a fan. But are you a big enough fan to get married at a WVU football game? Julia Abbott and Greg Comer are big enough fans to get married at an away WVU football game. And before you judge Greg for talking his poor bride into this craziness, please note that it was Julia’s idea. Julia, who is taking online business classes at WVU, started thinking about their already planned trip to the WVU vs. Texas game on October 6. She told Greg, “We could just get married down there. On game day. At the stadium.” And who would Greg be to disappoint his fiancée? So they contacted all of the right people and got the ball rolling. They got dressed at the Texas Exes Alumni Center and got hitched outside of the stadium near the north end zone. Family and friends watched the nuptials and then followed them to their open

reception (i.e., tailgate). Approximately 500 to 600 people dropped in to congratulate the happy couple on their way to the game. They also had visits from media from at least five different newspapers, one magazine, and some television crews. “We were celebrities for the day. Everybody knew who we were because of the news coverage. We even had someone from California stop in.” So before you consider yourself the biggest Mountaineer fan ever, please remember Julia and Greg. And yes, they wore their gold and blue for the event: his tie was gold and vest, blue; she wore a WVU garter under her formal gown.

Recapture your WVU days! Inspired senior living in the heart of Morgantown. Your WVU days were fun, rewarding and memorable. Now, when you move to The Village at Heritage Point, you can rediscover everything you loved about living in Morgantown! Your spacious apartment home will be professionally maintained so you can do as you please. Housekeeping, fine dining and many other services are provided, allowing you time to attend Mountaineer events, enjoy the cultural arts or even enroll in a lifelong learning class. You can also shop, volunteer, explore our state parks or just bask in blissful moments of solitude. You’ll also secure your future, with priority access to residential care at The Suites at Heritage Point, if ever needed. lage at The Vil ge Point Herita

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West Virginia University Magazine

2012

Come for the 2013 WVU Games, Stay for the Once-In-A-Lifetime Experiences! A thrill ride on the roller coaster whitewater rapids of Cheat River, a hike to the 1,200 ft. scenic overlook at Coopers Rock, exploring the Civil War battlefields that divided a state to create West Virginia . . . it’s all here in Mountaineer Country. Visit www.MountaineerCountrySports.com for more attractions, events, and

• Driving Directions • Two Local Airports Serving WVU

MGW - www.morgantownairport.com CKB - www.flyckb.com

• Accommodations • Game Day Parking and Transportation • WVU Stadium Guide • Area Videos

THERE IS NO BETTER WAY TO STAND OUT IN A CROWD!

WEAR YOUR MOUNTAINEER PRIDE! Order your official West Virginia University ring online at:

herffjones.com/college/wvu 34-2800

INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS Online @ WVU THE “LEARN-IT-TODAY, USE-IT-TOMORROW” DEGREE FOR PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATORS West Virginia University’s online graduate program in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) was the first of its kind in the nation, and we’ve been graduating IMC leaders since 2005. Offered through the P.I. Reed School of Journalism, the program guarantees a rich, relevant curriculum that is always evolving to stay ahead of the industry and anticipate change. Our students learn the latest communications tactics in class today and use them on the job tomorrow. In addition to a full master’s degree, we also offer: a five-course graduate certificate in IMC, a five-course graduate certificate in digital marketing communications (DMC) and professional development courses.

Career-enhancing courses include : Social Media and Marketing Brand Equity Management Web Metrics and SEO Digital Storytelling Mobile Marketing And, much more!

Learn more at

imc.wvu.edu

In remembrance of our dear friend

Chris WVU would like to dedicate this issue to a special friend and cherished member of our University Relations team. Chris Schwer, a multimedia specialist for University Relations-Design, passed away August 1, 2012, in White Salmon, WA, doing what he loved— kayaking. He was 27. A graduate of Ohio University, Chris joined University Relations in July 2009. He was pursuing his master’s degree at WVU. Chris served a key role in the development and production of countless WVU pieces, including the WVU Magazine. He was a gifted photographer and designer who contributed to projects showcasing the stories of WVU and its community. To meet deadlines for the Spring 2012 issue, he spent a few sleepless nights in the office. Blessed with an easygoing demeanor, he didn’t mind. His creative ingenuity and personality shone through that issue’s cover story, “The Legend of the Flying WV Logo.” Chris developed the idea for the simple yet stylish cover, sketched drawings, and helped interview the flying WV’s creators. Chris planted the seeds for the making of this very issue, too. His unbridled spirit and passion will carry on through the future work of University Relations. Since his arrival at WVU, Chris brightened our campus and the lives of those he encountered with his infectious smile and genuine compassion. When asked what he loved about WVU, Chris replied, “Diversity, fresh minds, and proximity to awesome outdoor recreation . . . especially the rivers.” If you ask us what we loved about Chris, we’ll run out of space. Chris truly brought to life what it means to be a Mountaineer.

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