Longwood Magazine 2012 Spring

INSIDE

InauguratingaPresident OntheReserveList

HonoringLongwood’sBest

Longwood FLYINGLESSONS

7,000milesaloneintheair,oneincrediblegeographyproject

Longwood

Publisher LongwoodUniversityFoundationInc.

R.KennethMarcus,Ph.D. ’82, President

Editor SabrinaBrown

CreativeDirector DavidWhaley

AssociateEditors KentBooty,GinaCaldwell

GraphicDesigner RachaelDavis

Contributors MackCales;TaylorDabney;AndreaDailey; DianeEaster;StephenHudson ’13 ; DeneeseJones,Ph.D.;DavidKeran ’12 ; JenniferLucado;GregProuty; RichmondTimes-Dispatch; GaryRobertson; RedRocketPhotos;BrianRitchie; StuartSmith;CaseyTempleton; LindaWagner

EditorialAdvisoryBoard GinaCaldwell;KentBooty; SabrinaBrown; DavidHooper’00;GregProuty,PaulaProuty ’85, BryanK.Rowland,Ph.D.;NancyShelton ’68; DavidWhaley

BoardofVisitors MarjorieM.Connelly, Rector,Keswick

M.JaneBrooke ’63, Richmond

JohnW.DanielII Richmond

EdwardI.Gordon,M.D., Farmville

RitaB.Hughes ’74, ViceRector,VirginiaBeach

ThomasA.Johnson, Lynchburg

RiponW.LaRocheII,M.D., Farmville

JudiM.Lynch,Ph.D. ’87, Richmond

JaneS.Maddux, Charlottesville

StephenMobley ’93, McLean

MarianneM.Radcliff ’92, Richmond

SusanE.Soza’62, McLean

RonaldOlswynWhite, Midlothian

Editorialofficesfor Longwood magazinearemaintained attheOfficeofPublicRelations,LongwoodUniversity, 201HighStreet,Farmville,VA23909.

Telephone:434-395-2020;email:pr@longwood.edu.

Comments,lettersandcontributionsareencouraged.

Printedonrecycledstocks.

Nostatefundswereusedtoprintthispublication.

Torequestthismagazineinalternateformat(large print,braille,audio,etc.),pleasecontacttheLongwood LearningCenter,434-395-2391;TRS:711. Vol.11No.2,PublishedMarch2012

FromthePresident

AsIapproachtheendofthesecondyear ofmypresidency,Icanonly think,“Whatayearthishasbeen!”Fromthepresidentialinaugurationin OctobertotheBigSouthannouncementinJanuary,fromprogressonthe AcademicStrategicPlantowelcomingthelargestclassinourhistory,LongwoodUniversityiscertainlyaninstitutiononthemove,andIamso pleasedtobeabletowitnessitssuccess.

Thethemeofmyinaugurationwas“Scholarship.Service.Standards.,” andthatthemehasbeencarriedthroughouttheyear.Weareherefor,and becauseof,thestudents,andtheyguideeverydecisionthatwemake. Iseeevidenceeverydaythatwearemakingtherightdecisions.

Scholarship. NCATEofficialsrecentlyre-accreditedourteachereducationprogram,whichhasbeencontinuouslyaccreditedsince1954. Theaccreditationsuccessistheepitomeofcollaboration,communication andinnovationamongfaculty,staffandadministratorsacrossallcolleges.

TheAcademicStrategicPlanprocesswillreviewourcurrentacademic offeringsandgoalsanddeterminethebestfutureforLongwoodtoanswer theneedsoftoday’sstudents.Theteamworkandcreativitydemonstrated campuswidewhiledevelopingthisplanshowsacollectivedesiretobecurrentwhilestillmaintainingthequalitythathascometobeexpectedfrom aLongwoodeducation.

Service. TheideaofcitizenleadershipiscarriedouteverydayatLongwoodandisanintegralpartofawell-roundededucationalexperiencehere. Duringmyinauguration,students,facultyandstaffjoinedtogetherinaday ofserviceonourcampusandinthecommunity.Thissemester,theLongwoodcommunity,ledbyoneofourfraternities,steppedintohelpstudents atHampden-SydneyCollegewhosufferedgreatlossfromadevastatingfire. Allofourfraternitiesandsororitiesvalueserviceasakeypartofthemissionsoftheirorganizations.StudentsregularlyvolunteeraroundFarmville atthefoodbank,MealsonWheelsandchurches.Facultyandstaffserveas coachesforlocalsportsteams,boardmembersfornonprofitorganizations andvolunteersforprogramssuchasSpecialOlympics.

Standards. Honesty,integrity,respect—theseguidingprinciplesare embeddedintheLongwoodculture.Thisyear,theuniversitycelebratedthe 101stanniversaryoftheHonorCode,adrivingforcefornotonlyourstudentsbutalsoourfacultyandstaff.ThereisnodepartmentthatdemonstratestheseidealsbetterthanourLongwoodPoliceDepartment,which, forthethirdconsecutiveyear,hasbeenrankedamongthetop500security programsinthenation,accordingto SecurityMagazine. Longwoodis ranked17thoutofthe31schoolsintheeducation/universitycategoryand istheonlyuniversitypolicedepartmentfromVirginiathatisrecognized. Ourofficerssetawonderfulexampleandkeepourcampussafe.

Aswelooktowardthefinalweeksofthesemester,Iamexcitedaboutwhat liesahead.IappreciatethesupportIhavereceivedfromalumni,parents, donors,friendsandthecampuscommunity.Byworkingtogethertofocuson scholarship,serviceandstandards,wewillensureLongwood’ssuccess.

PatrickFinnegan President

Big News

Lancers to join the Big South Conference as of July 1

Wearing their Lancer gear and “Going BIG in 2012” buttons, hundreds of Longwood students, coaches, staff, faculty and community members packed Blackwell Hall Ballroom on Jan. 23 to await the announcement that had been more than four years in the making.

Big South Conference President Penny Kyle, also president of Big South member Radford University, got right to the point.

“It is my pleasure to announce that the Big South Conference has extended an invitation to your president and to Longwood University to join the Big South Conference—as soon as possible,” she said.

“When we discussed adding schools to our conference, it isn’t just an

athletic decision that we make—it’s an athletic and an academic decision. Nothing could have pleased me more than to be at this podium and to make this announcement to Longwood University.”

Kyle ended her remarks with a hug for Longwood President Patrick Finnegan, who then stepped to the podium, placed a Big South pin on his lapel and announced that Longwood accepted the invitation. Longwood becomes the 12th member of the conference on July 1.

“This is a big step for ward for us. We’ve believed for some time that the Big South is the best conference for us,” said Finnegan, adding the belief is founded on Longwood’s similarities with the other confer-

Going BIGin2012 Going in2012

ence members—not just geographic similarity but also “the emphasis on both student and athlete.”

Longwood has competed as an independent on the Division I level since 2007. With the addition of Longwood, the Big South Conference will now have four members based in Virginia (Liberty, Longwood, Radford, VMI), as well as four each in North Carolina (Campbell, Gardner-Webb, High Point, UNC Asheville) and South Carolina (Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina, Presbyterian College, Winthrop).

Director of Athletics Troy Austin: ‘Now the games truly begin.’

Red Rocket Photos

Trial Run

athletic training students gain medical experience supporting marathon runners

More than 17,000 SunTrust Richmond Marathon, McDonald’s Half Marathon and HCA Virginia 8K runners crossed the downtown finish line on Nov. 12. After their moment of triumph, they were greeted by a supporting medical team of 17 Longwood athletic training students practicing alongside CJW Sports Medicine nurses and physicians. Several of the physicians also work as instructors in Longwood’s Athletic Training Education Program.

Dr. Doug Cutter, director of CJW Sports Medicine in Richmond, has been involved with the Richmond Marathon through Longwood since 2004, when he began teaching at the university. Cutter serves as medical director of Longwood’s Athletic Training Education Program and each year works with program director Sharon Menegoni to bring 15 to 20 students to serve as the primary medical care providers at the races’ finish line.

At 3 a.m. on race day, students and program staff members departed Longwood’s campus for Richmond to begin prepping the first aid area. From 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., the team was ready and waiting to provide runners with support as needed. Cutter and Menegoni advised students to walk with the event participants, hold them up and stay with them after they had completed the race. Students closely observed the runners, looking for any indications of medical need.

“This is an incredible opportunity for students to not only work with trained medical staff but work in a clinical setting as well, undergoing real triage cases in a mass participation event,” said Cutter. “I don’t know of any other program that provides this level of exposure.”

Students in the program work toward certification as medical professionals in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries to athletes and others who are engaged in everyday physical activities.

Ebony & Ivories

On display in the Steinway & Sons showroom in New York City is a book listing those who have purchased one of the company’s legendary concert grand pianos. The name of Longwood University recently was added to that impressive list.

Longwood’s new “model D” Steinway concert grand arrived on campus in December, and its rich sounds can now be heard in Jarman Auditorium. The piano measures 8 feet 11.75 inches long and has an ebony finish with the gold “Steinway & Sons” insignia. Each handcrafted Steinway piano requires up to one full year to build.

“This piano invites you to play it,” said Dr. Lisa Kinzer, professor of music, who traveled to the Steinway factory in New York City with William Lynn, multimedia supervisor, to select the instrument.

Kinzer and her former music student Allison Allgood ’10, assistant director of conference services at Longwood, were the first to play the new piano after it was set up on the Jarman stage.

The Steinway was purchased through the building renovation fund for Jarman Hall, which reopened in October

Longwood athletic training majors Hanna Sacks ’15 (left) and Matt Rawlins ’12 assist Gracie McGurn of Richmond at the Richmond Marathon.

Jarman Auditorium’s new Steinway

Gina Caldwell

Tumor immunologist works to develop better cancer treatments

Dr. Amorette Barber, assistant professor of biology, tries to meld immunology with treatment for cancer. Her mission? Understanding what’s happening inside immune cells— which ultimately will help scientists develop better treatments.

“Most of the cancer therapies out there right now have negative side effects,” said Barber. “Chemotherapy and radiology don’t discriminate between cancerous and healthy tissue. It would be better to get the immune system to target the cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue alone.”

One of Longwood’s newest faculty members, Barber brings her interest in cancer treatment with her from Dartmouth College, where she studied receptors—proteins on the surface of an immune cell that actually interact with cancer cells. When the immune cell comes in contact with a cancer cell, the receptors send messages to the immune cell to tell it what to do. Ideally, the receptors should tell the immune cell to kill the cancer cell—and Barber and her team found one that did just that.

Barber and her team took a receptor from one cell and put it on another to create an immune cell that can recognize and kill cancer cells. Even better, it’s able to recognize more than 80 percent of cancer types, including lymphoma and ovarian, pancreatic, lung, breast and colon cancers. Therapy using this receptor will go into clinical trials soon.

At Longwood, Barber continues to pursue this area, focusing her research on different receptors and their benefits. This semester she is bringing students into the lab to assist with her research. She reports that they are eager to begin studying and making their own receptors.

‘

Paving the Way

First African-American graduate shares her life journey

When N.H. “Cookie” Scott ’72 participated in orientation as a Longwood freshman in 1968, she was told she would not be welcome on Sunday morning at the downtown church where she was attending a required candlelight service. The day she moved onto campus, her mother was refused service when she tried to eat at the lunch counter at a department store on Main Street.

Scott, however, was not deterred by the racism of that era—in fact, she was motivated by it to become a stronger person. She went on to become Longwood’s first AfricanAmerican graduate and is now deputy director of administration for the Virginia Department of Corrections. She returned to campus in January to share her story and to commemorate the life and legacy of the civil rights leader who paved the way for her and others.

“It’s good to be back here with a good feeling,” said Scott, the speaker for Longwood’s Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium. “I’m not bitter about anything that happened

N.H.

Dr. King’s spirit and values.

“While I can’t lay claim to no prejudices, because we all have some whether we acknowledge them or not, I know my journey has convinced me if they surface, I will beat them down.”

Scott’s journey began in a small town in southern Albemarle County. She attended segregated schools until her senior year of high school. Scott attended Longwood at the urging of Virginia Dofflemyer, a 1941 Longwood graduate who was

My life is filled with great people—black and white— who were caring, compassionate and supportive.’

—N.H. ‘Cookie’ Scott

[in Farmville], but I would say the church experience changed me—it didn’t make me angry, just sad.”

Scott’s primary message for the day was that good people—and not so good people—come in all colors.

“My life is filled with great people—black and white—who were caring, compassionate and supportive. And, while I did not have the opportunity to personally meet Dr. King, the folks in my life reflected

her high-school guidance counselor. “Ms. Dofflemyer put me in her own personal vehicle and drove me to Longwood for a visit,” she said. “That was taking a personal risk, but she took it for me.”

After graduating from Longwood with a degree in sociology, Scott joined the Department of Corrections and became its first black female deputy director in 2002.

‘Cookie’ Scott ’72 spoke at Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium

Different strokes

special education students benefit from aquatics program at Longwood pool

Elementary school doesn’t usually include a weekly swimming excursion, but some special students are finding their time at Longwood’s pool to be a unique learning experience.

Each week, students from two special education classes at Cumberland Elementary School spend an hour in the Willett Hall pool on the Longwood campus. The therapeutic aquatic program was launched in September 2011 by Dr. Susan Lynch and Dr. Matt Lucas, faculty members in the Department of Health, Athletic Training, Recreation and Kinesiology. It is an outgrowth of ongoing efforts by both professors to provide services in therapeutic recreation (Lynch’s field) and adapted physical education (Lucas’ specialty) to Cumberland County students. The program, which involves Longwood students, may eventually be expanded to middle-school and high-school students.

Freshmen from Lynch’s Intro to Therapeutic Recreation (TR) class and juniors from her Facilitation Techniques class helped with the program in the fall, and students in TR and Adapted P.E. classes are helping this spring.

The program is getting high marks from teachers at Cumberland Elementary whose students are participating.

The aquatics activities are especially good for students who have autism, said teacher Yvette Rodriguez-Diaz. “These students have sensory issues. The sounds, the pressure from the water, and the feel of the water help them.”

Fixer-upper

Renovated cabin retains rustic nature

The Longwood Cabin, for decades the site of student parties and cookouts, has been fixed up and modernized—but in a way that retains its rustic nature.

“We have tried to bring it back to a more useful condition while preserving its beauty. It still has rustic lighting inside, open rafters and a stone fireplace,” said J.W. Wood, director of Capital Planning and Construction.

The 720-square-foot one-room cabin is believed to have been built shortly after the university acquired Longwood Estate in 1928. It is located in the woods a short distance from Longwood House.

Renovations, which began in spring 2011 and were completed in February, included repairing log chinking, leveling the floor, replacing the roof, and installing a

heating and air conditioning system. In addition, the inside restroom was relocated outside and made handicap-accessible, and the front porch was extended to make the entrance handicap-accessible, Wood said.

Bob Wertz ’85, commissioner of the revenue for Loudoun County, remembers taking full advantage of the cabin during his student days. “I attended parties out there with my fraternity, Alpha Chi Rho, with several sororities, and with the rugby team,” said Wertz. “It had everything that students needed—lights and a bathroom!”

Dr. Rená Koesler, professor of therapeutic recreation, got the ball rolling on the renovations. Her outdoor education and ropes course students use the cabin when it rains or is cold. She contacted President Patrick Finnegan in the fall of 2010 and urged that the cabin be restored.

Planning and Construction.

Hailey Ricker (left) works out in Willett pool with assistance from Amy Lewis ’13.

Longwood Cabin’s renovation was led by Gary McQueen, construction manager in Capital

Kent Bootuy

Kent Booty

Hula Hoop Dreams

Talent uncovered at Longwood fuels student’s career ambitions and supports the local community

Hula hooping may seem like kid’s stuff to a lot of people but—combined with physics, biology, creativity and passion—it has turned into something much more serious for one Longwood senior.

Ashley Russell, a biology major from Amelia (with concentrations in pre-health and molecular science), picked up a hula hoop for the first time since childhood about two years ago. She was inspired by a performance that had enchanted her with its graceful display of dance involving the spinning plastic rings.

“I just had this feeling, watching this girl do these amazing tricks with the hula hoop. I knew I wanted to make people smile like she made me smile,” said Russell. Her life hasn’t been the same since. She immediately bought a hoop and immersed herself in online dance tutorials, practicing for several hours each week and finding her groove. Her efforts culminated last fall in “Untamed Elements,” a show in the style of Cirque du Soleil that was held at Longwood’s Jarman Hall. Russell organized and headlined the show, which benefited the Southside SPCA and featured other talented student performers,

‘ I can’t think of a single element of the show that wasn’t influenced by what I’ve learned at Longwood.’

—Ashley Russell ’12

including belly dancers, a gospel choir and other musical acts. “Untamed Elements” generated $1,000 for the SPCA and launched a career for Russell. Her weekends are booked with performances in other cities and universities around the region, and she credits Longwood with her success.

“I can’t think of a single element of the show that wasn’t influenced by what I’ve learned at Longwood,” Russell said. “My biology classes taught me about the body and its capabilities. Physics and architecture helped me build and design an aerial rig that could support 1,000 pounds of torque. Art classes helped me tap into my creativity.”

She’s found support from Longwood faculty and staff every step of the way, too.

“Ashley is a remarkable young woman,” said Dr. Rodney Dunning, associate professor of physics and a key collaborator in Russell’s construction of the show’s aerial rig. “She’s discovered a true passion and is intensely motivated to not only bring it to life but to use it enthusiastically for the benefit of others.”

$1,000 for the local SPCA today. $1 million for national cancer research tomorrow?

As long as the hoops keep spinning, Russell is dreaming big.

Student Ashley Russell raised $1,000 for the SPCA with her Cirque du Soleil-style show held on campus.

Mack Cales

Keeping It Simple

Developing streamlined analysis process could save money for pharmaceutical companies—and consumers

Dr. Sarah Porter, assistant professor of chemistry, and Scott Hull, a senior chemistry major, are conducting research that may one day lead to changes in the drug manufacturing process that will save pharmaceutical companies—and hopefully consumers—money.

Specifically, the team is looking at ways to simplify the process companies use to analyze the amount of active ingredients in drugs. Active ingredients—such as aspirin or ibuprofen—make drugs work, and pharmaceutical companies must be able to verify that each drug they manufacture contains the amount of active ingredients they claim. The current process to do this is costly and time-consuming, and involves using different methods to separate the active ingredients from flavorings, dyes and other inactive ingredients.

Working with cough syrup, Porter and Hull are developing a method that would streamline this process, ultimately resulting in a single analysis method that could create a cost and time savings for pharmaceutical companies.

“If we are successful, we will have a useful method that can be widely applied in the field,” Porter said, adding that she plans to apply her findings to similar research on gasoline and other fuels.

New dean takes a fresh look at Greenwood Library

Change is brewing at the Greenwood Library with the appointment of Dean Suzy Szasz Palmer. Among her goals for the library is that it “become a more flexible and nimble organization that can adapt to change.”

“I think there will have to be a re-thinking and a re-shifting of how we do our jobs to meet the needs of our clients,” Palmer said.

Palmer, who assumed her new position at Longwood in June 2011, most recently was deputy librarian at the Library of Virginia, where she had worked since 2007. Previously she worked in the library systems at

Cornell University and the University of Louisville.

“The future of libraries is unquestionably digital,” Palmer said. “That doesn’t mean the book is going away. Libraries have embraced technology as a tool, but we have not completely understood the digital revolution. The e-book market is soaring, but the publishing industry still sees individuals rather than libraries as their target market for content. Libraries will need to play a more active role in the digital publishing world lest we get left behind, as many bookstores have been.”

Suzy Szasz Palmer is working to help Longwood’s library embrace the ‘digital revolution.’

oFF the shelF

Kent Booty

New office serves underrepresented student groups

Dr. Jamie R. Riley, whose background in student affairs includes teaching, research and counseling, is Longwood’s new director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, formerly known as the Office of Multicultural Affairs. The programs and services offered by the office are available to all students but specifically support those whose ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity, age, religion, ability status, and/or sexuality are underrepresented.

Riley, who began his duties in July 2011, said he is currently focused on assessing student needs and creating new programs that focus on social justice, intercultural competency, and academic and social integration for first-year and transfer students.

Helping students adjust to campus is particularly important, Riley said. “This may be the first time many of them have not only been away from home but have also been expected to thrive in an environment where they are often reminded of their minority status.”

“We hope Longwood can become a premier example of a university that infuses diversity into every fabric of the institution,” he said

Riley earned his Ph.D. in counseling and student personnel services from the University of Georgia.

The Fun Is in the Details

student plans super-size events during uso internship

Organizing a picnic for 1,000 people may sound overwhelming to some, but for Emily Flint, a senior communication studies major from Chesapeake, it was just another day as an intern with the USO.

Flint spent last summer assisting the director of special events at the United Services Organizations Inc. (USO) Regional Office in Virginia Beach. The USO is a private, nonprofit organization that provides moraleboosting programs and services to U.S. troops and their families. There are more than 160 USO locations worldwide. For her internship, Flint was instrumental in the organization of three major events for the USO. Her work was so impressive that she was offered a full-time job by the USO following her graduation this coming May.

“I am excited that my required internship experience has landed me a ‘real-world’ job,” said Flint. “My communication studies classes prepared me to work within an organization like the USO. I believe it is important to pursue an internship in a field that might interest you as a career. An internship is a great opportunity to meet new people and gain real world experience.”

Flint’s first major event was a Fourth of July picnic in Boston. More than 1,000 service members and their families attended the event, which was held on a U.S. Coast Guard base. Prior to the picnic, one of Flint’s major responsibilities was to visit local businesses and ask for donations of goods such as utensils, paper products and drinks. She also assisted with coordinating the rental and setup of tents, tables and chairs.

“I learned that when the military is involved, people are very willing to help,” said Flint. “I also learned the importance of marketing the USO brand and making it visible in multiple locations.”

“Working with the USO gave me a new appreciation for the military on a whole new level,” said Flint, whose father served in Navy. “While the USO is doing these things for the military to show appreciation, military members are telling us how much they appreciate all that we do. It’s a very rewarding experience.”

Emily Flint ’12 landed a USO job after interning there.

Dr. Jamie R. Riley

Linda Wagner

Learning at the Speed of Light

Physicist involves students in research at national lab

Longwood physicist Tim Holmstrom and his students are conducting research at the same facility that draws leading scientists from around the country and the world.

The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News is the only one of its kind in the world. One of 17 national laboratories funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the lab’s primary mission is research on the atom’s nucleus. Hall A, where Holmstrom works, has collaborators from more than 70 institutions and 18 countries.

Holmstrom, assistant professor of physics, has collaborated on eight experiments over the last eight years at the facility. Six current or former Longwood students also have participated in the research since Holmstrom joined the Longwood faculty in 2008.

“Jefferson Lab is unique; no other lab does exactly what we do,” said Holmstrom, whose field is experimental nuclear physics. “Nobody has an electron beam at our intensity and energy. Our advantage is this intensity, the number of

electrons per second, which enables us to carry out experiments with high statistical precision.

“What we’re looking at in these experiments is the structure of the neutron and the structure of the proton. The lab has an accelerator that accelerates electrons up to near the speed of light. We produce massive amounts of energy and use the electron as a probe, essentially as a giant microscope, to examine the neutrons and protons.”

The accelerator, which is shaped like a racetrack and is seventheights of a mile long, directs an electron beam into one of three experimental halls, each located in a different part of the lab. Holmstrom collaborates on experiments in Hall A, the largest of the three staging areas. As the electron beam makes up to five successive orbits, its energy is increased up to a maximum of six billion electron volts.

Holmstrom has worked on two types of experiments: four experiments related to Helium-3 and four involving what is called parity. “The Helium-3 experiments are trying to understand the ‘strong force,’ which holds the nucleus together and is one of the main focuses of the Jefferson Lab. All of these experiments are finished collecting data, and a number have published results. I am currently doing analysis on two of the experiments” he said.

Under New Management

Dean named for Graduate and Professional Studies

Dr. Jeannine Rajewski Perry was once a nontraditional student, so she can relate to what these students go through when they attend college.

That understanding is important in Perry’s new position as dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. CGPS serves a wide range of students, but the majority are nontraditional graduate students who work full time and attend school part time.

About 700 Longwood students each semester are studying at the graduate level in areas including business, communication sciences and disorders, creative writing and education; the university also has a small but growing number of undergraduate students at its off-campus sites in Martinsville and Emporia. CGPS oversees these students as well as online courses offerings, distance learning, credit and noncredit workshops, and courses offered that are not part of a degree program, Perry said.

“One of my goals is that CGPS not be seen as a separate entity but as a unit that supports the institution and that is part of the Longwood family,” she added.

A member of the College of Education and Human Services faculty since 2003, Perry assumed her new responsibilities in August 2011.

Dr. Jeannine Rajewski Perry

Flight ofthe Tweetybird

Winchester,Va. Spartanburg,S.C. Montgomery,Ala.

FlyingsoloacrosstheU.S. andbackinasmallplane?Nobigdeal. Studyinggeographyfrom10,000feet? Nowthat’sexciting.

Rivers snakethrougharidcountryside,creating awindingoasisofgreen.Cloudspaintshadowypictures ontheearthbelow.

Waco,Texas

Odessa,Texas

Shreveport,La.

PecosRiverinTexas

SouthofOdessa,Texas

DavidKeran’12andTweetybird

Andmanleaveshismarknotonlywithskyscrapered citiesbutalsoincompositionsofcircles,squaresand trianglesresultingfromvariousirrigationmethods.

Just aboutanyonewho’s beeninanairplanehasbeencaptivatedbysightslikethese.Butfor DavidKeran,aLongwoodhonors studentwhoflewsoloacrossthe country—andback—foranindependentstudyproject,theview

Tucson,Ariz.

from10,000feetwasmuchmore thanbeautiful.Itwasanopportunitytostudygeographynotjust fromatextbookbutfromactual experience.

“TheCormierHonorsCollege usestheconceptof‘placeastext’— usingalocationasopposedtoa textbook,”saidKeran,asenior criminaljusticemajorfromRound HillandaCormierCitizenScholar.“Inotherwords,instead ofreadingaboutthegeography ofaplace,gothere,walkaround, seeit,experienceit.That’sreally theessenceofhowthisproject cametobe.Yourclassroomisthe environmentyou’restudying.”

Puttinghisself-relianceand pilotingskillstothetestwasthe icing”ontheadventure.Keran hadbeeninpossessionofhispilot’s licenseonlytwoyearswhenhe tookofffromWinchesterlastJuly inTweetybird,aCessna172on

Banning,Calif.

loanfromananonymousdonor. The7,000-miletriptookKeran fromtheEastCoasttotheWest Coastandover22statesin between.(Hetookasouthernroute outandanorthernroutebackto Winchester.)

Theseedfortheprojectwas sownduringKeran’sfirstweekon campus.Aspartoforientationfor theHonorsCollege,heparticipated inaprojectengagingstudentsin howgeographyinfluencesculture— andviceversa—inFarmville.

Hetookthatideatothenextlevel thefollowingyearwithhisproposalfortheindependentstudy project:travelingacrosstheUnitedStatestoobserveandanalyze ournation’sdiversephysicaland culturallandforms.

SanJose,Calif.

CroppatternsbesidetheAlabamaRiverinAlabama

DesertMountainsinArizona

Initially,Keranproposeddriving Route50,alessfamouscounterpartofRoute66.Afterananonymoussponsorofferedhimtheuse ofTweetybird,heelevatedhis routeabout10,000feetandadjustedhisemphasistostudyingphysicallandformshecouldobserve fromtheair.

ForKeran,flyingisafamily affair;hismotherandbothofhis grandfatherswerepilots,andhis fatherfliesaswell.Keranhimself alreadyhas10yearsofflyingexperienceandwasformallylicensedin 2009,makinghimwell-equipped totakehisjourneytotheskies.

Thetriptook23days,including 66hoursintheairandatwo-week stint(ontheground)withtheCivil AirPatrolinAlabama.Amongthe sightshesawfromthecockpit: ruralMississippi,saltflats,thecity ofLosAngeles,agoldminecarved outofaNevadamountainside,YellowstoneNationalPark,Mount RushmoreandVirginia’sShenandoahValley.

Keranwasundauntedbythe prospectofflyingsuchadistance alone.“Noneoftheweatherreally worriedme.IknewI’ddoneit before,”hesaid.Andhewasequallyconfidentaboutfindingaplace tosleepwhenhestoppedforthe night:Hehauledalonghiscampingequipmentandsleptoutunder thestarswhenpossible.

TheCormierHonorsCollege providedfundingfortheproject

andLongwoodfacultymembers Dr.EdKinman,Dr.AlixFinkand Dr.GeoffreyOrthprovidedsupportandencouragement.

“Davidgetsasparkinhiseye whenhemakesobservationsabout theworldaroundhim,”saidKinman,associateprofessorofgeographyandKeran’sindependentstudy advisor.“Hehasagreatlovefor learning.Combinethatwithhis passionforflying,andyouhavethis remarkableproject.

“Whenyougetaboveandstart lookingdownattheworld,you’re abletomakeconnectionsandidentifypatternsyouwouldn’totherwise see.Daviddevelopedanunderstandingnotonlyofthevarying physicallandscape—mountains,

BattleMountain,Nev.

Driggs,Idaho

Sacramento,Calif.

GrandTetonsinWyoming

SiouxFalls,S.D.

TheViewfrom10,000Feet

ThreegeographicobservationsthathelpedKeransynthesize hisclassroomandreal-lifeexperiences

Windmills

ThesewereespeciallyprevalentintheSouthwest,aswellassouthernIdaho,easternOhioandWestVirginia. Windmillsmarkanareaofsteadywind—eitherfromflatareaswithnothingtostopwindcurrents(suchasin thedesert)ormountainthermalsandcurrents(Idaho,WestVirginia,Ohio).Theyalsomayindicatethepolitical geographyofthearea,intermsofgreenenergyandanti-pollutionlaws.

SystemsofIrrigation

IntheSouthwest,circularagriculturalfieldsstoodoutclearlyinthedesert,formedby“pivotirrigation.”

Ontheotherhand,irrigatedfieldsinCalifornia’sSanJoaquinValleywererectangular,withaqueductsalong theedges.Theprevalenceofirrigationsystemsemphasizedtheimportanceofutilizingwatertoitsmaximum potentialintheseareas.

PlantSuccession

Inthisphenomenon,aquaticvegetationslowlyovertakesalakeorpond,solidifiesintopeatandeventually replacesthepond.SeveralexampleswerefoundincentralSouthDakota.Keranwasparticularlyimpressedtosee suchcleardemonstrationsofplantsuccession,ashehadreadaboutitinatextbookbeforestartingout.

WestYellowstone,Mont.

Sheridan,Wyo.

DavidKeran’sjournal detailshisdailyobservations andexperiences.

Pierre,S.D.

PlantsuccessioninSouthDakota

valleys,plains—butalsotheculturallandscape,orthethingsthat humanshavealtered.”

Attheendofeachday,Keran recordedhisobservationsinthe tripjournalanddownloadedphotosandvideofootage.Heidentifiedanddocumentedexamplesof thephysicalandculturallandforms hehadstudiedinclassandany insightshehad.

Attheconclusionofhistrip, Keranproduceda34-minute video,aphotobookanda120pagejournalwithwrittennarratives andsouvenirstosharehisfindings. Hehasmadepresentationstohis fellowstudentsatLongwood,and thissemesterheisworkingtoturn hisjournalintoabook.

“Whatreallymakesmehappy fromaneducator’sperspectiveis thebreadthofacademicdisciplines thisprojectcrossed,”Kinmansaid.

Davidbroughtinskillsfromso manydifferentareasofstudy:geography,history,physics,English. Thistypeofexperiencetrulybrings tolifethevalueofaliberalarts education.”

TheexperiencenotonlycomplementsandreinforcesKeran’scurrentstudiesbutalsohisplanned careerpath.“Inthenearfuture,

I’dliketogetinvolvedwiththe NationalParkServiceaspark lawenforcement.I’vealwaysbeen interestedinthespacesthat havebeencarvedoutasthehighlightsofourcountry.Itwould combinealittleofeverything— lawenforcement,aviation,our nationalparks.Forme,it’sthe bestofallworlds.”

Oshkosh,Wis.

Kerancampedoutalongtheway,sometimespitchinghistentnexttoTweetybird.

SunsetoverTexas

RockyMountainsinWyoming “

JoanBrock’64

JabezLamarMonroeCurry HumanitarianAlumniAward

JoanBrocktakesseriouslytheresponsibilitythatshebelievescomes withsuccess:thedutytogiveback tosocietyandsharetheblessingsshe hasreceivedinherlife.

Itisforthefulfillmentofthatresponsibilitythatshereceived theJabezLamarMonroeCurryHumanitarianAlumniAward.

“Joandefinitelyis verydeservingofthe award,”saidPatWoollum’64,whointroducedheratthe awardsdinner.

Brock’sphilanthropyhasinvolved bothhertimeandher treasure,andshefocusesthoseresources oninstitutionsandissuesthatigniteherinterest.“That’swhere yourpassioncomes from,”Brocksaid.

SheistheformerchairoftheVirginiaWesleyanCollegeBoardof Trustees,andshecurrentlyisaboard memberofSentaraHealthcareSystems.OntheSentaraboard,she chairstheFoundationcommittee, whosemissionincludesproviding healthcareforthosewhocouldnot otherwiseaffordit.

lation.”Shebecameadocentatthe ChryslerMuseumofArtinNorfolkand thenenrolledasastudentatOldDominionUniversity,wheresheearned aMasterofArtsinhumanities.

Thatdegreeprovedhelpfulwhen shebecameatrusteeoftheChrysler Museumandeventuallythefirstfemaleboardchairinthemuseum’s history.

InGood Com pany

AlumniAssociationhonors 3outstandingindividuals

byGaryRobertson

In2010,theLongwoodAlumniAssociation establishedfourawardstorecognizealumni andothersfortheiroutstandingachievements andservice.Thefirstrecipientswereannounced in2011.Thisyear’sawardswerepresentedat aMarch2dinneroncampus.

ShehasalastingpassionforLongwoodand triestomakegiftsthat answercrucialneeds. Onesuchgiftcreated BrockCommons,a spacethelengthof threecityblocksthattransformed thecampuswhenitopenedin2004.

WhenDr.PatriciaCormier,then presidentofLongwood,approached Brockwiththevisionshehadfor theLongwoodcampus,Brocksaw theopportunitytomakeameaningfuldifferenceforheralmamater. BrockCommonsclosedapublic roadandmadeLongwoodapedestrian-friendlycampusandmore handicap-accessible.

Brock’sinterestineducationalso hasextendedtotheAccessCollege Foundation,whichsinceitsfounding in1988hashelped35,000deserving studentsinSouthHamptonRoads securefinancialaidandscholarships whilenavigatingthecollegeprocess.

GaryRobertsonisafreelancewriterfromRichmond.

Asabelieverinlifelonglearning, Brockwantedtoexploretheworld ofart.Apredominantlyleft-brained mathmajortrainedinthetheoriesof logic,Brocksaidjokinglythat“the othersideofmybrainneededstimu-

Brocksaidsheand herhusband,Macon Brock,havealways beenthankfulfortheir educationsandwhat lifehasgiventhem. Theyalsohavealways believedthatgiving backisanexpression ofthatgratitude. (MaconBrock,a graduateofRandolphMaconCollege,has generouslysupported hisalmamater, aswell.)

“Ihavehadarich andblessedlife,asupportivefamily,agood education,awonderfulmarriageandsuccessinbusiness.Ifeel itismyobligationto helpotherswho haven’tbeenasequally blessed,”shesaid.

TomDeWitt’80

ThomasJeffersonProfessionalAchievementAward

Placeshavethepowertoshapelives. JustaskTomDeWitt’80.

“Youfindthatoneplaceinyour lifethatreallymakesadifference, and,forme,thatplacewasLongwood,”hesaid.

DeWittfoundhiswifehere,he foundmentorsandlifelongfriends here,andherehebegandevelopingthe skillsetsthathelpedhimcraftasuccessfulmilitarycareerandlaterstarta successfulcompanyincivilianlife.

DeWittisfounder,presidentand CEOofSNVC,arapidlygrowing

JoanBrock’64

NorthernVirginiainformationtechnologyfirmwith115employees thatservesboththefederalgovernmentandcommercialcustomers. Forhismanyaccomplishments,DeWittwaschosentoreceivethe ThomasJeffersonProfessional AchievementAward.

DeWittsaidheisproudofwhat heandhisemployeeshaveaccomplished,notingthat VirginiaBusiness magazinenamedSNVCthebest placetoworkinVirginiainitssize classfor2012.Thisisthesecondyear inarowhiscompanywasselectedto receivethisaward.

“ToreallyunderstandTomDeWitt,oneonlyneedstoexaminethe cultureofleadershipvaluesthatpervadesTom’sfirm,”saidPaulBarrett, deanoftheCollegeofBusinessand EconomicsatLongwood,whointroducedDeWittattheawardsdinner.“Thefirmisanextensionof Tom,andTomisapay-it-forward citizenleaderfocusedonchanging theworldforthebetter.”

WhenDeWittenteredLongwood, hebeganajourneythatwouldenable himtobecomethefirstmemberof hisfamilytoearnacollegedegree. DeWitthelpedbringafraternityto campus,andheworkedcloselywith administratorstobringROTC toLongwood.

TheROTCprogramwas crucialinDeWitt’slife, helpinghimtohonehis leadershipskillsandprovidinghimwiththemotivationtocomplete hisdegree.Hespent 16yearsinthe military,risingto therankofmajor intheU.S.Army

beforeretiringunderaspecialprogramofferedin1996.

Hisbiologymajorintroducedhim tothescientificmethod,whichhas becomeafoundationforhisdecision making.Ittaughthimtoobserve, measure,experimentand,whennecessary,modifyahypothesis.

DeWitt’sadviceforanyonethinkingoftryingtoemulatehissuccessful careerpath:“Don’texpecteverything tohappenovernight.Takethefirst step,assessyourprogressandmake thenextdecision.”

BillTodd’83

WilliamHenryRuffner AlumniAward

Iftoday’sstudentsarewonderingexactlywhatLongwoodhasinmind whenurgingthemtobecomecitizen leaders,alltheyhavetodoistakea closelookatWilliamE.(Bill)Todd’83.

Toddrecentlycompletedaone-year tourinAfghanistanfortheDepartmentofState,wherehecoordinated assistanceandeconomicaffairs,includinga$4billiondevelopment program.

InDecember2011,President BarackObamanominatedToddtobe thenextambassadortotheKingdom ofCambodia.IfconfirmedbytheSenate—anactionexpectedinMarch— itwillbeTodd’ssecondambassadorshipinfouryears.Thefirst,from 2008-10,wastoBrunei,arapidlyindustrializingandstrategicallysituated nationontheislandofBorneo.

Toddalsohasservedasacting inspectorgeneralanddeputy inspectorgeneraloftheDepartmentofState.

Inrecognitionofhisaccomplishments,Toddreceivedtheuniversity’s WilliamHenryRuffnerAlumni Award,thehighesthonorbestowedby theAlumniAssociation.Theaward recognizesthosewhohaveachieved successandnationaldistinctionin theirpersonalandprofessionallife.

“Icantelleachofyouthatgiven hissuccessinhisprofessionalendeavors,heisstillthehumble,caringindividualweallgottoknowduringhis attendanceatLongwoodCollege,” saidTomCole’81,whointroduced Toddattheawardsdinner.

Todd’sroadtoalifeofpublicserviceatthenationallevelbeganin close-knitclassesatLongwood.

“Ihadasociologyclassthathada requirementtodocommunityservice atacenterforpeoplewithaccessand functionalneeds,andlearningdisabilities.Itturnedouttobeoneof thebestexperiencesIhadatLongwood,”hesaid.“Oneofthelessons thepeopletheretaughtmewasto countmyblessingsforwhatIhavevs. focusingonwhatIdon’thave.”

WhenToddgraduatedwithadegreeinbusinessadministration,he tookwithhimsomeofthefavorite sayingsofhisfinanceprofessor,Dr. AnthonyCristo,andthenaddedto them.Hereareafewexamplesofthe sayings,whichhavedevelopedinto sortofacreedforlifeandcareer.

•Understandriskbutdonotlet fearmotivateyou.

•Whenyoucan,givepeoplethe benefitofthedoubt.

•Whenyou(orsomeoneelse)make amistake,learnfromit,butdon’t dwellonit.Moveon.

•Whenthetime comestobetough, alwaysbefair.

TomDeWitt’80 U.S.SecretaryofState HillaryRodhamClinton

Longwood’s 25th president, Patrick Finnegan, shares a light moment with the audience during his inaugural address.

Brian Ritchie

Longwood embraces its new leader with pomp, circumstance and excitement

a lancer forever

by Gina Caldwell

with the peals of the longwood bell in the air and a blue autumn sky overhead, the campus buzzed with energy and excitement as the longwood community prepared to inaugurate Patrick Finnegan as the university’s 25th president.

a festive parade of students, faculty, staff, alumni, members of the Board of Visitors and academic delegates marched along the sidewalks of High Street toward Jarman Hall for the long-awaited Oct. 21 installation ceremony. Dr. Jim Jordan, chief faculty marshal, led the procession carrying Longwood’s new mace (see related story on Page 22).

Meanwhile, staff selected to ring the Longwood Bell anxiously awaited their turns. Moved temporarily from Greenwood Library to the front of Jarman, the bell was

rung 25 times to signify Longwood’s 25th president. The first 24 bell ringers were Longwood’s longest-serving employees (the senior employee, at 45 years, was Eva Philbeck in the Office of Academic Affairs); the last was the university’s newest employee, Kevin Bryant ’05, who works in web communications.

More than 65 alumni from the classes of 1943 through 2011 were among those participating in the ceremony as class representatives. Elsie Stossel Upchurch ’43 represented the earliest Longwood class, and Ben Brittain ’11 represented the

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) presents the keynote address for the installation ceremony of his longtime friend, Patrick Finnegan.

Brian Ritchie

‘i reaffirm the promise i made 15 months ago to uphold

the high standards

of the university, to promote excellence in scholarship, to choose the harder right over the easier wrong, and to forge new ties of friendship and new opportunities of service.’

—President Patrick Finnegan

Pearl Agee, secretary for the Department of History, Political Science and Philosophy, rings the Longwood Bell prior to the installation ceremony. She was among 25 staff members selected for the honor.

Stephen Hudson ’13

most recent Longwood class. In addition to the alumni, 34 students representing a variety of Longwood’s clubs, athletic groups and Greek organizations were involved in the ceremony.

Finnegan had chosen three elements essential to a good education as the theme for his inauguration: scholarship, service and standards. “These elements will be the hallmark of my presidency,” he said.

A retired Army brigadier general and former chief academic officer at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Finnegan has a long history of upholding these ideals.

“Today marks the coming together of a great leader and a great institution of higher education at a moment in our history when we need more of both,” said U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) in his keynote address at the installation ceremony.

When it comes to Finnegan’s character, Reed knows what he’s talking about. The two men have covered a lot of ground together, starting with their days at West Point and continuing through their graduate studies at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, infantry officer training and airborne school, where Reed was a young Lt. Finnegan’s platoon leader. Their friendship continues today.

“Patrick Finnegan is a preeminent citizen leader,” Reed said. “For more than three decades, he devoted himself to selfless service to the nation as an Army

officer. As dean of the Academic Board at West Point, he was a superb educational leader. His vision, his collaboration and his commitment reshaped West Point, expanding its international curriculum, enhancing its approach to chemical and nuclear engineering programs, and constantly adapting to changes in information technology, both as an academic subject and as a managerial tool. His work completed the Jefferson library, honoring a great Virginian who, in 1802, signed the legislation creating West Point.

“But more important than these remarkable achievements is the fact that Patrick Finnegan understands, through his experience, that talent, technology and technique can never ultimately succeed if character and commitment fail. Like Longwood University, Pat Finnegan is about character and commitment. He is a man of decency and integrity who is committed to using his talents to help others develop their talents so that they can be the leaders of the future.”

Finnegan was joined at the ceremony by his wife, Joan; his daughters, Katie and Jenna, and their husbands; two of his four grandchildren; his brother, Danny, recently named editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch; and his sister, Rosaleen (Rosi) Finnegan Shinsato ’76, who represented her class. Also in attendance were Longwood’s last two presidents, Dr. Patricia P. Cormier (1996-2010) and Dr. William F. Dorrill (1988-96).

“I reaffirm the promise I made 15 months ago to

Continued on Page 24

1. Longwood staff members Jennifer Paulett ’06, Debbie Epperson, Sheri McGuire, Ken Copeland and Kelly Martin ’07 welcome Elwood to the campus picnic that was held following ‘Longwood Gives Back: A Day of Service.’ 2. Members of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity perform during the picnic. 3. President Finnegan shows off his ‘serious bling.’

Stephen Hudson ’13

new mace’s symbolism is moRe than skin deeP

Longwood’s new mace tips the scales at more than 9 pounds, but the symbolism of this metal-and-wood staff is even weightier than its physical heft.

“The mace is the symbolic authority of the president,” said Dr. James Jordan (pictured below with the mace), chief faculty marshal and professor of anthropology who had the honor of carrying the metal and wood staff at President Patrick Finnegan’s installation ceremony. (The chief faculty marshal, a senior faculty member chosen by the president, carries the mace at all official academic ceremonies.) “It is used only when the president appears,

such as in ceremonies and other formal events. It precedes him in a processional and leads him out in a recessional.”

Appropriate to this function, Longwood’s new mace is also symbolic in its design. What’s hidden from view, however, is perhaps even more symbolic.

“Part of the concept to make Longwood’s mace symbolically and historically tied to the institution, in particular, was the inclusion of objects held within the mace,” said Kathy Johnson Bowles, director of the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts and a member of the committee charged with creating the mace. “It was

Rotunda dome

Serving as the traditional orb at the top of the mace is a miniature Rotunda dome, which symbolizes Longwood as a sanctuary for learning.

Cube

A cube on which the Rotunda rests bears the seals of the university and the commonwealth, as well as Joan of Arc’s coat of arms, representing the university’s mission to inspire leadership in service of common good.

Fluted shaFt

The 28.5-inch-tall fluted shaft recalls Ruffner Hall’s columns and the pillars of knowledge.

hidden inside

• A silver coin dated 1877, found by workers behind a wall in West Ruffner, symbolizes ongoing prosperity.

• A piece of wood from the rubble of the Great Fire of 2001 symbolizes dedication and perseverance.

• The head of a porcelain figure symbolizes the life of the mind and academic pursuits.

• A sewing thimble symbolizes labor and good works.

• A marble symbolizes recreation and rest.

• A shard of Blue Willow china symbolizes beauty and community.

• A minié ball, which likely struck Ruffner Hall during the final days of the Civil War, commemorates Longwood’s long history.

• A federal infantryman’s brass button represents duty and service.

• A silver napkin ring labeled “State Normal School of Farmville, Virginia,” a gold “State Teachers College” class ring, and a goldand-onyx “Longwood College” class ring are reminders of Longwood’s evolution.

• A vial of ashes is from a “burning” ritual conducted by Chi, Longwood’s oldest continuous student organization, which was founded in 1900.

Brian Ritchie

my role to conceptualize, select, gather and interpret these objects.”

The result of Bowles’ efforts is a treasure trove of items inside the mace that relate to the university’s history and values.

“In a sense, Longwood’s mace is its symbol, much as the flag is the symbol of our country,” said Dr. Jordan. “I believe this new mace will represent a new chapter in the life our university.”

In fact, Longwood’s impressive new mace is not the first to serve Longwood at formal occasions. In 1974, Zeta Tau Alpha presented the institution with the Longwood College mace in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the sorority’s founding at Longwood in 1898.

With the designation of Longwood as a university in 2002, it was clear a new mace was needed. In spring 2011, President Finnegan appointed a committee to study and design the new mace. Members included Dr. Jordan; Bowles; Dr. Geoff Orth, former director of the Cormier Honors College; Nancy Shelton, director of alumni relations; David Whaley, director of publications and visual arts; Dr. Craig Challender, professor of English; and Brandon Fry, president of the Student Government Association.

After the committee discussed the significant historical attributes of ceremonial maces and objectives for Longwood’s mace, Bowles and Whaley led the design process. Once the design was approved, the new mace was handmade by Northwest Territorial Mint and Medallic Art Company, a full-service mint and precious metals dealer located in Nevada. The company, which also created the chain of office used in Finnegan’s inauguration, completed both pieces in about three months.

The new Longwood University mace is housed in a sealed case located in the President’s Office. The Longwood College mace is on permanent display in the first floor atrium of Greenwood Library.

—Gina Caldwell

1. The Camerata Singers perform during the Inaugural Silver Notes Celebration Concert, which featured several student groups.

2. President and Mrs. Finnegan paint a nursery at Farmville United Methodist Church for ‘Longwood Gives

Back: A Day of Service.’

‘we believe in serving others as part of our mission to develop citizen leaders who contribute to the good of society.’

—President Patrick Finnegan

Stephen Hudson

Gina Caldwell

uphold the high standards of the university, to promote excellence in scholarship, to choose the harder right over the easier wrong, and to forge new ties of friendship and new opportunities of service,” Finnegan said in his remarks.

He also cited the Academic Strategic Plan that Longwood is currently devising, the need to prepare students to “participate in a global economy and society,” and his desire to “expand international opportunities” and “push the boundaries of our internship requirement.” He illustrated Longwood’s heritage as a teacher’s college with a personal anecdote.

“We still prepare and educate teachers who are routinely recognized as the best in the Commonwealth. Our daughter Katie’s kindergarten teacher was a Longwood graduate. She was so good that Katie was disappointed when Saturdays rolled around and she couldn’t go to school. Now that’s the way to get a child started on the right foot.”

Among the examples of service by students, faculty and staff that Finnegan mentioned are the Longwood Center for Communication, Literacy and Learning and the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. “These are just two examples of how we here at Longwood combine scholarship and service to meet the needs of and to enhance the life of our community,” he said.

“After 12 years at West Point and now 15 months at Longwood, I believe more than ever that educating our young people is the only way to ensure our freedom and our success as a nation. I believe that the wisest investment we can make is in education—the rate of return is world peace.”

Longwood Board of Visitors Rector Marge Connelly administered the oath of office. Dr. Ken Perkins, interim vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Jordan then placed the chain of office around Finnegan’s neck. Made of brushed enamel silver, the chain of office weighs about 3 pounds and is anchored by the Longwood medallion. Individual links of the chain are engraved with the names of Longwood’s four colleges, “Scholarship. Service. Standards” and “Lancers Forever.” Finnegan later jokingly referred to the chain of office as “some serious bling.”

“Pat Finnegan has won over this campus with his warmth, his good humor and his vision about the next big step this great university must take,” said Connelly, who also spoke at the ceremony.

Longwood gives Back

Earlier in the week, Longwood students, faculty and staff put on work gloves and rolled up their sleeves for “Longwood Gives Back,” a day of volunteer service in

1. Jay Coward ’13 (keyboard) and Chris Kjorness, adjunct instructor of music, (upright bass) entertain guests during a reception held prior to the benefit dinner for the proposed University Student Center. 2. In recognition of the Silver Celebration for Longwood’s 25th president, the tables for the benefit dinner were decorated in silver, blue and white. A card tucked into each napkin described the proposed University Student Center.

Stephen Hudson

Stephen Hudson

the Farmville community that kicked off the inaugural celebration. As a result of their work, numerous community agencies and nonprofit organizations had their to-do lists completed in just a few short hours.

Projects included cleaning at a local food pantry; preparing for an open house at the SPCA; helping dismantle an abandoned house for Habitat for Humanity; painting a church nursery; donating and assisting with a blood drive; landscaping for a church; and assisting with a benefit event for the Pregnancy Support Center. Donations of goods also were collected for the SPCA, the Pregnancy Support Center and Farmville’s food pantry, FACES.

“When we were planning the inauguration, I wanted to make sure we included a service component because one of the things that has impressed me most since coming to Longwood is the idea that service is in our DNA,” said Finnegan. “We believe in serving others as part of our mission to develop citizen leaders who contribute to the good of society.”

As part of “Longwood Gives Back,” a campuswide picnic was held to thank the volunteers and to provide an opportunity for the campus community to celebrate Finnegan’s inauguration. A variety of student performers took the stage during the picnic to share their musical talents and honor Finnegan.

More ceLeBration

Students also had a chance to shine during inauguration week at the Silver Notes Celebration Concert, which showcased the Camerata Singers, Jazz Ensemble A and the Wind Symphony. Irish folk songs and military tunes, recognizing the president’s Irish ancestry and

Army background, were also part of the program.

Wrapping up the festivities on the evening of the installation ceremony was a benefit dinner for Longwood’s proposed University Student Center.

Before dinner, guests were entertained by Longwood theatre students who performed “Apotheosis, or How Not to Ascend to a Presidency.” Dr. Gene Muto, professor of theatre, directed Christa Brown ’12, Kyle Butler ’12, Justin Heavner ’12 and Adrienne Johnson ’13 in the original play.

Following dinner, a videotape of greetings to President Finnegan titled “The Future is Bright” was shown. Those delivering formal greetings included Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell; U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (DVirginia); Helen Warriner-Burke ’56, chair of the Inaugural Steering Committee and former rector of Longwood’s Board of Visitors; Barry Case, head of the presidential search committee and former rector of the BOV; and Longwood faculty, staff and students. At the conclusion of the dinner, Longwood’s all-female a cappella group, Pitch Perfect, performed the Alma Mater.

a sacred trust

Taken together, these few days in October constituted a seminal moment in the history of Longwood University. The university put its future in the hands of Patrick Finnegan, and, judging by the words he chose to conclude his inaugural speech, he is worthy of that trust.

“I will do the ver y best I can for Longwood because, as of today, not only you, but I, am a Lancer forever.”

Gina Caldwell is a media relations specialist in Public Relations and associate editor of Longwood magazine.

Elsie Stossel Upchurch ’43 (fifth from right) was one of 65 alumni to represent their graduation classes in the inaugural procession. Following the ceremony she gathered with members of her sorority, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and President and Mrs. Finnegan in front of the Longwood Bell.

Kent Booty

Onthe Reserve List

Thefinancialhealthofthenationrests,inpart,onthe expertiseofacadreofLongwoodalumniwhowork attheFederalReserveBankinRichmond.

byKentBooty

AmongtheLongwoodalumniworkingattheFederalReserveBankinRichmondare(startingfrom leftonoppositepage)MarilynHoseaBishop’76,currencytechnology;GarethFlanagan’99,Stephanie Roddenberry’11andStacyPingelCox’91,allinsupervision,regulationandcredit;ClaudiaMacSwain’77, chieffinancialofficer;Barbara(B.J.)Moss’75andCarlylePowell’08,bothinsupervision,regulationand credit;TracyProwse’99,audit;andGregDodt’11andSusanGardnerMaxey’06,bothinsupervision, regulationandcredit.

OnthatsitestandstheFederal ReserveBankofRichmond,establishedin1914asoneof12district banksintheFederalReserveSystem.Anyonewhohasabank account,apaycheckthatarriveslike clockworkinthataccountoralowinterestmortgageowesatleasta smalldebtofgratitudetothese Longwoodalumsandthemany otherpeoplewhoworkatwhatis commonlyknownas“theFed.”

There’s morethanalittletruthtothesayingthat moneymakestheworldgoaround.Ensuringthatitgoes aroundintherightway—atleastintheUnitedStates— isagroupofLongwoodalumsworkingat701E.ByrdSt. indowntownRichmond. “ ’

TheLongwood“Reservelist” includesmorethanadozenmen andwomenindepartmentsranging fromcurrencytechnologytosupervision,regulationandcredit.One LongwoodalumnaistheRichmondbank’schieffinancialofficer; anothergraduatedinDecember 2011andbeganherjobinJanuary asanassistantexaminerinconsumeraffairs.OtherLongwood graduatesworkasbankexaminers, auditorsandfinancialanalysts.

Atthesimplestlevel,theFederal Reservehasathree-foldmission: settingmonetarypolicytokeep pricesstable,regulatingmember bankstoensuretheyaresafeplaces fordepositorstokeeptheirmoney andfacilitatingtherapidmovementoffundsfrombanktobank. TheRichmondbankservesas headquartersfortheFed’sFifth District,whichcomprisesVirginia, Maryland,Washington,D.C., NorthCarolina,SouthCarolina andmostofWestVirginia.

ClaudiaMacSwain’77isatoprankingofficerfortheFifthDistrict.Namedchieffinancialofficer (CFO)in2004,sheisoneof11

seniorvicepresidentsandsupervisesabout100people.Shewas thesecondwomantobenameda seniorvicepresidentattheRichmondFed.

MacSwain’sresponsibilities includetheFifthDistrict’scorporateaccountingfunction,theFederalReserveSystem’sNational ProcurementOffice,statisticsand reserveaccounts,andcorporate planning—aninterestingtwistto acareerthatstartedwithteaching highschool.

“TheaccountingclassesItookat Longwoodwereacatalystforme,” saidMacSwain.“Itookasmany accountingcoursesaswere offered—four,Ithink—which Ireallyliked.Teachingaccounting conceptstohigh-schoolstudents wasalsoalotoffun,butaftermy secondyearofteachingIknew Iwantedtoenterthebusiness world,whereIcouldutilize myaccountingskillsinadifferentway.”

ShebeganworkingattheFedin 1981asanauditor,thensignedon withthefinancialaccounting/planning areain1984.Alongthewayshe earnedanMBAandapost-baccalaureatecertificateinaccounting fromVirginiaCommonwealthUniversity,aswellasherCPAlicense.

MacSwaincreditssomeofher successattheFedtoherdecisionin 2000tovolunteerforaparticularly difficultassignment.Anaccounting areathatwasnotunderhersupervisionatthattimereceivedalowratinginareviewbytheFed’s governingbody,andMacSwainwas

askedtogetthearea“backon track.”Ittookthreeyearsforher managementteamtoaccomplish thattask,andshortlythereaftershe wasnamedtohercurrentposition.

Itiscleartoanyonewhospeaks toMacSwainthatsheisveryhappy withthepathhercareerhastaken. Iamsolucky—Ihaveagreatjob, andIlikeeverythingaboutmyjob. Notwodaysarethesame,whichis whatkeepsmeengaged.I’mreally dedicatedtomywork.Oneofmy principlesistodotherightthingin allsituations.I’mjustapersonwho comeshereeverydaytodothevery bestjobthatIcando.”

IntheSupervision,Regulation andCreditDepartment,Assistant VicePresidentBarbara(B.J.)Moss 75alsoisdedicatedtoherworkat theFed.

“Ourjobisensuringthatbanks andotherfinancialinstitutionsare doingtherightjobfromasafety andsoundnessperspective,”said Moss,aformerfieldexaminerwho hasworkedfulltimeinRichmond since1978.“Wemakesurethey’re incompliancewithlawsand regulations.

“IntheFifthDistrict,thereare 97statememberbanksand247 bankholdingcompaniesandfinancialholdingcompaniesthatweregulate,”Mosssaid,addingthatthe largestbankholdingcompaniesregulatedbytheRichmondFedare BankofAmerica,CapitalOneand BB&T.“Wearethesoleregulator ofbankholdingcompanies,which ownbanks,andwerecentlyacceptedresponsibilityforthriftholding

Howtheeconomyreallyworks

StudentsinaLongwoodeconomicscourselastsemester gotaclose-uplookathowtheeconomyreallyworks.

FiveofthesevenstudentsinDr.RayBrastow’s HonorsEconomics217:PrinciplesofMicroEconomicsvisitedtheFederalReserveBankofRichmonda weekbeforeThanksgiving.Brastowworksatthebank parttimeasafinancialeconomistintheSupervision, RegulationandCreditDepartment,andarrangedthe in-depthvisit.Studentsmetforanhourwithfive Longwoodalumniwhoworkinsupervision,regulationandcredit,thenhadlunchintheexecutivedining room.LatertheymetwiththeHumanResources Departmentandtoured“TheFedExperience,”an interactive,multimediaexhibitinwhichvisitors exploretheirpersonalconnectionstotheeconomy andtheFed’srole.

“TheLongwoodgraduateswhoworktherewere reallyexcitedtomeetandtalkwiththestudents,”said Brastow,professorofeconomics,whoorganizedthe trip.“Eachemployeespokeabouthisorhercareer path,whattheydoattheFedandhowLongwoodpreparedthem.”

TheLongwoodstudentsalsoenjoyedthevisit.

“ItwasafantasticexperienceandagreatopportunitytoseehowthingsworkthereandhowtheFedcontrolsthings,”saidKristynD’Angiolillo,asophomore history/secondaryeducationmajorfromSmithfield. Noneofuswhowentareeconomicsmajors,and, beingahistorymajor,weusuallydon’tgetintohow thingsworknow.”

KaterinaWiley,afreshmanbusinessmanagement majorandSpanishminorfromGoochland,saidshe

receivedsome“goodadvicefromthealumnionhowto handleourfuture,andtheytalkedaboutinternships. Ididn’treallyrealizehowimportantinternshipsare.”

StephanieRoddenberry,whograduatedfromLongwoodinDecember2011andinternedattheFedin thesummersof2010and2011,knowsfrompersonal experiencejustwhataninternshipcandoforyou. Shestartedhernewjobasanassistantexamineratthe RichmondFedinJanuary.

“Stephanieisanexceptionalstudent,”saidBrastow. Shecametomeinfall2009,andIencouragedherto applyforaninternshipattheFed,butIdidn’tgether theinternship.…Herabilitiesgothertheinternship.” StudentslikeRoddenberryandthosewhorecentlyvisitedtheFedbenefitfromBrastow’sworktherein manyways.Henotonlyprovidesthemwithan insideconnection”butalsobringswhathelearnsat theFedintotheclassroom.

“InmyworkattheFed,Iprovidedataandanalysis forbankexaminers,”saidBrastow.“Wetryvery hardtogetaheadofanyemergingrisks,changesin bankregulations,etcetera,thatmightaffectbanks. InAugust[2011]Iwroteaneight-pagereportonpossibleriskstobanksofthedebt-ceilingdebateandsubsequentratingsdowngrade.Withtheeconomicdownturn, Ididalotofcrisisdataanalysis,tryingtogetahandle onwhatwasgoingonwithbanksandfinancialmarkets.

“I’velearnedanenormousamountabouttherealworldeconomy,whichhasenabledmetobringtothe classroomamuchdeeperappreciationforhowthe economyworks.It’sbeenagreatboosttomycareerto getoffcampusandintotherealworld.”—KentBooty

Dr.RayBrastow(leftphoto)tookfiveofhisstudentsforanin-depthvisit attheFederalReserveBankinRichmond,whereheworksparttime.

companies,whichownsavings banks.”

MossstartedattheFedin1973 asapart-timeemployeeinthe CashDepartment—ajobthatsupplementedherpayasasubstitute teacher—andstartedworkingher wayup,eventuallybecomingaseniorexaminerin1988.

examinerinconsumeraffairs;and StephanieRoddenberry’11,assistantexaminerinconsumeraffairs. Roddenberry,whomajoredinbusinessatLongwood,wasofferedher positionafterinterningattheRichmondFedinthesummersof2010 and2011.

CarlylePowellanalyzesaportfolio

sheetscouldwithstandalossunder adverseeconomicconditions.

Maxeycompletedamaster’sdegree inappliedeconomicsfromJohns HopkinsUniversityinDecember. StacyCox,whosejobistoidentifybestpractices,ensureconsistency andrecommendimprovement strategiesinherdepartment,says

Ourjobisensuringthatbanksandotherfinancial institutionsaredoingtherightjobfromasafety andsoundnessperspective.’

“Iwasabankexamineroutin thefieldfor18years,andtypically IwouldleavehomeonaMonday morningandcomebackonFriday,” saidMoss,whograduatedfromthe StonierGraduateSchoolofBankingandtheVirginiaBankers SchoolofBankManagementinthe 1980s.“Attheheightofmyexaminercareer,duringthesavingsand loancrisisof1985,Ispent186 nightsawayfromhome,including afour-monthstretchattheFed officeinBaltimore,whereIwasin chargeoflogistics.”

In2000,Mosswaspromotedto assistantvicepresident,oneof15 insupervision,regulationandcredit.Longwoodalumniworkingwith herinthatdepartmentareSusan GardnerMaxey’06,aquantitative researchanalyst;CarlylePowell’08, aportfolioresearchanalyst;Brian Thompson’03,alargebankexaminer;GregDodt’11,anassistant examiner;StacyPingelCox’91,a qualitymanagementseniorexaminer;AaronThompson’99,asenior

of24banks.“WhatImostenjoyis theopportunitytoprovideoutreach tobankers.Periodically,Ihavethe opportunitytovisitwiththebanks inmyportfoliotodiscussstrengths, struggles,marketareatrendsand strategicplans,”shesaid.

MuchofBrianThompson’swork isdevotedtobankholdingcompaniesforE*Trade,basedinArlington,andtheT.RowePriceGroup inBaltimore.“Inthisjob,youget tolearnagreatdealabouthow banksoperateandtoseetheimpact ofmonetarypolicydecisionson banks,”saidThompson,who pitchedonthebaseballteamhis firsttwoyearsatLongwood.

SusanMaxey,whoworksinthe RiskandPolicyUnit,isinvolvedin theComprehensiveCapitalAnalysis andReview,aprojectthatwas promptedbythefinancialcrisisof 2008.AcollaborativeeffortofseveraloftheFederalReservebanks, theprojectstressteststhecapital levelsofthelargestfinancialinstitutionstoensurethattheirbalance

Longwoodpavedthewayforher careerattheFed.

“IgivealotofcredittoMikie Flanigan[Longwoodprofessorof accounting],whoismymentor,my friend,myrolemodel,”saidCox. Shemademefallinlovewith accounting.Theaccountingbackgroundreallyhelpedmeatfirst here,especiallyinmyroleasan examiner.IcanthankMikieFlaniganforthat.”

AndshecanthanktheFedfora jobthatischallengingandenjoyable—afeelingsharedbyallthe Longwoodalumsinterviewedfor thisstory.

“Ilikethediversityofmyjob,” Coxsaid.“I’mconstantlylearning andlookingatnewthings.Also, thereistremendouscamaraderie, and,whenyouworkhard,they rewardyou.”

KentBootyisamediaspecialist inPublicRelationsandassociate editorofLongwoodmagazine.

Barbara(B.J.)Moss’75, AssistantVicePresident Supervision,RegulationandCreditDepartment

InPrint

booksbyalumni,faculty,staffandfriends

ManySeptembers:MyAutobiography byDr.JohnRandallCook’56,M.S.’60,Longwoodalumnus Thisautobiographyhasbeendescribedas“thestoryofaveryactive,successfuland diversifiedlifethatbeganhumblyinruralVirginia.”Cook,aCrewenative,isoneof Longwood’sfirstmalegraduates.Heisanationallyrecognizedleaderinguidanceand counselingwhoservedassupervisorofguidancefortheVirginiaDepartmentofEducation. CurrentlyaresidentofRichmond,Cookco-authoredthefirstelementaryguidancebill introducedintheU.S.CongressandhasbeennamedtheOutstandingCounselorin America.CookisagenerousLongwoodbenefactorwhohasestablishedscholarshipsat Longwood,VirginiaCommonwealthUniversity,andtheCollegeofWilliam&Mary. TheCook-ColeCollegeofArtsandSciencesisnamedforhimandhislongtimepartner andfellowphilanthropist,thelateDr.WaverlyM.Cole. PublishedbyGardnerPress, hardcover,146pages.

ComeCloser:CriticalPerspectives

onTheatreoftheOppressed co-editedbyDr.TobyEmert’86,Longwoodalumnus Inthisbook,communityactivists,scholarsandtheatreartistsdescribetheirworkrelated toTheatreoftheOppressed(TO),aninteractivetheatricalmethodologydevelopedby Brazilianartist/activistAugustoBoal.Emert,associateprofessorofeducationanddepartmentchairatAgnesScottCollegenearAtlanta,servedforsixyearsontheboard oftheinternationalorganizationPedagogy&TheatreoftheOppressedandwasitspresidentin2008-09.“Muchofmyresearchworkandteachingdrawsonarts-andespecially theatre-basedstrategies,”saidEmert,who,inadditiontohisworkatAgnesScott,teaches drama-basededucationcoursesthroughagraduateprogramatLesleyUniversityin Cambridge,Mass.Heandthebook’sco-editor,Dr.EllieFriedlandofWheelockCollege inBoston,havepresentedatnationalconferencesandconductedTO-basedworkshops together. PublishedbyPeterLangPublishing,hardcover,198pages.

TeachingtheNutsandBolts ofPhysicalEducation:Ages5-12

byDr.Allison(Vonnie)Colvin,ProfessorofPhysicalEducation; NancyEgnerMarkos;andPamelaWalker’75,Longwoodalumna Thistextbookisthesecondeditionof TeachingtheNutsandBoltsofPhysicalEducation, alsoco-authoredbyColvin,whocoordinatesthePhysicalandHealthEducation-Teacher EducationprogramatLongwood.ItcomeswithaCD-ROMthatcontainsa335-page copyofarevisedandexpandedversionofthefirstedition.Markoswasthe2002 NationalElementaryPhysicalEducationTeacheroftheYear,andWalkerwasthe 1995VirginiaElementaryPhysicalEducationTeacheroftheYear.Bothtaughtin AlbemarleCountybeforeretiring. PublishedbyHumanKinetics,softcover,58pages.

Body,Mind&Spirit:TheAwakening

byJamesHackley’88,Longwoodalumnus

ThisfirstbookbyHackley,wholost50poundsinfourmonths,“explorestherootcauses ofwhyweovereat,refusetoexercise,livechaoticlivesandfailtoaccomplishthegoalsthat Godhasintendedforourlife,”thepublishersaysofthe21-dayguide.“Thisisnotjust anotherdietor‘weightloss’book.Dietssimplydon’twork,andJamesemphasizeshowwe needtobemoreconcernedabout‘fatloss.’”Hackley,whohasaphysicsdegreefrom Longwoodandamaster’sincivilengineeringfromtheUniversityofVirginia,isfounder andCEOofOmegaConsultingServices,basedinSterling,wherehelives. Publishedby OmegaConsultingServices,softcover,333pages.

NOTE: AnyLongwoodalumna/alumnusorfacultyorstaffmemberoruniversityfriendwhohaspublishedabook orreleasedamusicCDisencouragedtocontactKentBootyintheOfficeofPublicRelationsatbootykl@longwood.edu

All events are free and open to the public except where noted. Visit www.longwood.edu for updated information.

Welcome Alumni & Friends!

MARCH

29-31, April 1 Longwood Theatre: Zero to Sixty, Longwood’s Fifth Annual Ten-Minute Playwriting Competition. ThursdaySaturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m., Center for Communication Studies and Theatre, LAB Theatre. Tickets: $5. Information: 434-395-2474 or boxoffice@longwood.edu.

30Author Reading and Book

Signing: Friends of the Library presents author Kelly Cherry. Reception, 6 p.m.; lecture, 7 p.m., Greenwood Library, atrium. Information and RSVP: 434-395-2431.

30Chamber Music Series: The Claremont Trio. 7:30 p.m., Wygal Hall, Molnar Recital Hall. Information: 434-395-2504.

APRIL

2Longwood Authors Series: Featuring Andy Duncan. 8 p.m., Wygal Hall, Molnar Recital Hall. Information: 434-395-2159.

Men’s Tennis: vs. Liberty. 1:30 p.m., Lancer Courts. Full Schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

3Softball: vs. University of Virginia. 3:30 p.m., Lancer Field. Full schedule: longwood lancers.com.

6Women’s Tennis: vs. George Washington. 2 p.m., Lancer Courts. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

DecaDe of the ’80s alumni Reunion

april 20-21

7Women’s Tennis: vs. North Carolina A&T. 2:30 p.m., Lancer Courts. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

11Softball: vs. Virginia Tech. 4 p.m., Lancer Field. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

11General Education Film Series: Exit Through the Gift Shop. 7 p.m., Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. Information: 434395-2206.

11Lacrosse: vs. Virginia Tech. 7 p.m., Athletics Complex. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

12-15, 19-22 Longwood Theatre: Steel Magnolias. Thursday-Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m., Mainstage Theatre, Center for Communication Studies and Theatre, Mainstage Theatre. Tickets: $5 Longwood students; $6 LU faculty/staff, senior citizens and students from other schools/colleges; $8 general admission. Information: 434-395-2474 or boxoffice@ longwood.edu.

13Lacrosse: vs. Presbyterian. 4 p.m., Athletics Complex. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

13-14 Men’s Golf: Longwood/ Manor Intercollegiate. The Manor Golf Club. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

14through May 12 Exhibit and Receptions: Art Department Senior Exhibition. Opening reception, 5-7 p.m. April 14; closing reception, 2-3 p.m. May 12. Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. Information: 434-395-2206.

15Concert: Percussion Ensemble. 2 p.m., Wygal Hall, Molnar Recital Hall. Information: 434-395-2504.

17Baseball: vs. VCU. 7 p.m., Charles Buddy Bolding Stadium. Full schedule: longwood lancers.com.

17Concert: Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensembles. 7:30 p.m., Jarman Hall, auditorium. Information: 434-395-2504.

20-21 Alumni Reunion: Decade of the ’80s Reunion for the Classes of 1980-89. Longwood campus. RSVP at www.longwood link.com. Information: 434-395-2044.

22Concert: Men’s and Women’s Choir. 3 p.m., Wygal Hall, Molnar Recital Hall. Information: 434-395-2504.

22Earth Day Event: “Surfing for Change,” presented by environmental activist Kyle Thiermann. 5 p.m., Blackwell Hall. Information: 434-395-2103.

24Concert: Camerata Singers. 7:30 p.m., Farmville United Methodist Church. Information: 434-395-2504.

25Softball: vs. Elon. 4 p.m., Lancer Field. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

27Community Achievement in the Arts: Awards ceremony and reception. 5-7 p.m., Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. Information: 434-395-2206.

27Baseball: vs. UMES. 6 p.m., Charles Buddy Bolding Stadium. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

27Lacrosse: vs. Liberty. 7 p.m., Athletics Complex. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

28 Earth Day Event: Clean Virginia Waterways conducts makea-rain-barrel workshops and a variety of other fun and informative events. 1-5 p.m., Longwood campus. $50 for rain barrel construction. Information: 434-395-2602.

MAY

11Graduation Garden Reception: With President and Mrs. Finnegan for the Class of 2012 and their families. Longwood House. RSVP: alumni@longwood.edu.

12Commencement: Featuring retired Virginia Supreme Court Justice John Charles Thomas. 9:30 a.m., Wheeler Mall. Information: 434-395-2003.

15Baseball: vs. James Madison. 6 p.m., Charles Buddy Bolding Stadium. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

aRt DepaRtment senioR exhibition

april 14 through May 12

17Tea Time at Longwood: Luncheon featuring a presentation by Longwood English professor Dr. Kimberly Stern on the Victorians. Noon, Blackwell Hall. Tickets: $20 (sold in advance). Organized by the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. Information: 434-395-2206.

JUNE

8through Aug. 25 Exhibits and Reception: A Picturesque Campus and A Tradition of Excellence: The Longwood University Alumni Exhibition. Opening reception, 5-7 p.m. June 8. Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. Information: 434-395-2206.

20Alumni Event: Norfolk Tides baseball game. Pregame picnic, 5:45 p.m.; game, 7:15 p.m., Harbor Park. Cost TBA. Information: 434-395-2044 or longwood.link.com.

JULY

18 Alumni Event: Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball game. Pre-game picnic, 5:45 p.m.; game, 7:15 p.m., The Diamond. Cost TBA. Information: 434-3952044 or longwood.link.com.

AUGUST

10Alumni Event: Friday Night on the Patio at James River Cellars Winery. 6:30-9:30 p.m., Glen Allen. Information: 434-3952044 or longwood.link.com.

20Alumni Event: Washington Nationals baseball game. Pre-game picnic, 5:35 p.m.; game, 7:05 p.m., Nationals Park. Cost TBA. Information: 434-395-2044 or longwood.link.com.

22Alumni Event: Lynchburg Hillcats baseball game. Pregame picnic, 5:30 p.m.; game, 7:05 p.m., Calvin Falwell Field. Cost TBA. Information: 434-395-2044 or longwood.link.com.

Taylor Dabney

Meredith Williams Dobyns ’12, Lancaster Hall, 2009, watercolor, 10.25 x 15.25 inches, Collection of the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts.

LANCERSPORTS

AthleticsHallofFameinductsnewmembers

TheClassof2011wasoneofthebiggesteverinductedintoLongwood’sAthleticsHall ofFame.InadditiontosoccerplayerDarrylCase’84andfieldhockeyplayerClaireReyes Williams’01,everymemberofthe1991baseballteam—whichadvancedtotheFinalFour oftheDivisionIIWorldSeries—aswellastheteam’stwocoachesjoinedthiselitegroup.

DarrylCase’84 istheuniversity’sonlyfour-timeAll-Americanin men’ssoccer.Hewasafirstteam NationalSoccerCoachesAssociationofAmerica(NSCAA)AllAmericanasaseniorin1984, followingsecondteamAll-America selectionsfrom1981-83forformer headcoachRichPosipanko.

Afour-yearstarter,Casetotaled 15goals,sevenassistsand37 pointswhileleadingtheLancers toarecordof50-15-12andtwo VirginiaStateChampionships 1982,1984).

“Individualhonorscannotbe obtainedwithoutbeingpartofa greatteam,”saidCase.“So,Ihave tothankRichforcominghereand takingona0-14teamandturning itintoawinningprogram.”

CaseearnedaBachelorofArts degreeinbusinessadministration atLongwood.Heandhiswife, Laurie,liveinSanDiego,Calif.

ClaireReyesWilliams’01 wasatwo-timeAll-Americanin fieldhockeyatLongwood.She earned2001VirginiaNCAA WomanoftheYearhonorswhile shewasoneof10finalistsforthe NCAAWomanoftheYearthat

sameyear.ShewasafirstteamAllAmericanasajunior(1999)and senior(2000),whileathree-time NationalFieldHockeyCoaches Association(NFHCA)National AcademicTeamselectionfrom 1998-2000forformerheadcoach NancyJoel.

Afour-yearstarter,Reyes Williamstotaledtwogoals,four assists,eightpointsandsixdefensive saveswhileleadingtheLancerstoa recordof49-27andthree-straight appearancesintheEasternCollege AthleticConference(ECAC)DivisionIIChampionships,including the2000ECACTitle.

“Ijustwanttoalsodedicatethe awarditselftothe2000team because,withoutthem,Iactually wouldn’tbeuphere,”shesaid.

ReyesWilliamsearnedaBachelorofSciencedegreeinexercisescienceatLongwood.Sheandher husband,MichaelJ.Williams,live inVirginiaBeach.

The1991BaseballTeam finishedaschool-record41-8 whileadvancingtotheFinalFour ofthe1991DivisionIIWorld Series.Coachedbyveteranhead coachBuddyBolding,Longwood

went3-2attheWorldSeriesand waswithinonevictoryofthe championshipgame,defeating AmericanInternational,Florida SouthernandMissouriSouthern State,whilealsofallingtwiceto MissouriSouthernState.

TheLancershadadvancedtothe NationalChampionshipsafter sweepingtheSouthAtlantic Regionalcompletingtheregular seasonwitharecordof35-6.

TheLancers’rostertotaled19 teammembers:DennisHale’91 (teamheadcaptain),ScottAbell 92(teamcaptain),EricHutzler 91(teamcaptain),MichaelAdams 93,ToddBowman’93,Matt Carlisle’91,NealanChandler’91, EricHill’94,JohnHutzler’93, ShawnJones’93,BillMartz’93, ChrisMullins’92,ChrisPeebles 93,ChrisPorter’93,BillReeves 95,TerryTaylor’93,Michael Tucker’93,KyleWeaver’93and WayneWeaver’95.RobertJackson 89assistedCoachBoldingthat memorableseason.

“Itwasnotonepitch,”saidEric Hutzler,onbehalfoftheteam. Itwasnotoneinning.Itwasnot oneplayer.Itwasallofus;itwas theteam.”

HallofFamemembersgatherwithPresidentPatrickFinnegan.

BrianRitchie

AWholeNewBallgame

JoiningtheBigSouthConferencebeginsnewerainLongwoodAthletics

Finally.LongwoodUniversityAthleticsisgainingaffiliationwiththe BigSouthConference,becoming the12thmemberoftheconference in2012-13.Whatdoesthismean forthecoachingstaffsofLongwood’s14sportsandtheuniversity’s 200-plusstudent-athletes?

TheNo.1impactwillbeon recruiting.

Coachescanimmediatelybegin offeringprospectivestudent-athletes theopportunitytocompetefor conferencechampionshipsandin post-seasonNCAATournaments. Overthepastseveralyears,coaches havelostoneoutstandingrecruit afteranotherbecauseotherschools couldoffertheseandotherbenefits ofconferenceaffiliationandLongwoodcouldnot.

“Recently,wehavehadanumber ofinstanceswhereaprospecthas gottentothepointofmakingthe decisiontocometoLongwood,only tosuccumbtoexternalinfluences thatconvincedthemotherwise,” saidninth-yearmen’sbasketballhead coachMikeGillian.“Themainfactorinallofthatwasourlackof leagueaffiliation.Nowwe’removing forwardasaproudmemberofthe BigSouthConference,andthemain obstacleinthedecision-making

processforrecruits,parents,coaches andothersisgone.”

TheimpactofBigSouthmembershipwillalsobefeltinscheduling.Nolongerwillthemen’s basketballteamhavetoplayfive gamesinfivestatesintwoweeksor embarkona17-daytripforroad games.Nolongerwillthewomen’s soccerteamhavetoplayeight matchesin24days.Nolongerwill thesoftballteambeforcedtoplay 18gamesin19days,including back-to-backdouble-headerswithin 24hoursintwodifferentlocations separatedby300-plusmiles.No longerwillbaseballplaynearlytwothirdsofitsscheduleduringthe firstsixweeksofa13-weekseason.

“It’sverydifficulttoputinto wordshowhappyIamtonowonly havetoscheduleeightto10nonconferencegamesayearasopposed toputting31gamestogetherforus toplayeachyear,”saidGillian. Theschedulewillcertainlytakeon anewlooknowasitwillbecome more‘normal’throughJanuaryand February.”

Longwoodwillnowbenefitfrom a“built-in”leaguescheduleeach yearthatwilldecreasetheneedfor opponentsandresultinlesstravel and,consequently,lesstimeoutof

theclassroomforstudent-athletes.

“Conferenceaffiliationwillprovidethefullintercollegiateexperienceforourstudent-athletes,fans andcoachesalike,”saidbaseball headcoachCharlesBuddyBolding, nowinhis34thyear.

AbonusfortheLongwoodand Farmvillecommunitieswillbethe buildingofrivalrieswithintheconference.Whilethebiggestrivalries willundoubtedlybewiththose schoolsclosesttoLongwood—Libertyisjust50milesaway,VMI,92, andRadford,146—sport-specific rivalrieswillprobablydevelopaswell.

“There’ssomethingmoreatstake forourteamsintermsofleague standings,conferencetournaments andNCAAchampionshipbids,so youcancountonthemagnitude and ‘buzz’oftheseBigSouthgames tobeampedupseveralnotches,” said18th-yearwomen’ssoccerhead coachToddDyer’93.“AsaDI Independent,Ithoughtthecampus andcommunitysupportofourathleticteamswastremendous.Now, withBigSouthplayloomingonthe horizon,I’mconvincedLongwood schoolspiritwillreachnewheights andfacilitateagreatdealofenergy andsupportlocallyandthroughout theregion.”— GregProuty

Goalkeeperisfirst Longwoodplayer draftedbyMajor LeagueSoccerteam

Fouryearsofhardworkpaidofffor seniorgoalkeeperJoelHelmickof Springfieldwhenhebecamethe firstLongwoodsoccerplayereverto beselectedintheMajorLeague Soccer(MLS)SupplementalDraft.

HelmickwasselectedbytheColoradoRapidsasthe14thpickin thefourthroundofthedraft.Over hisfour-yearcareer,hestarted71of 74matchesandplayed6637:22in goal.Hemade273savesfora.728 savepercentageandposteda25-3113record.Helmickhadhisbest seasonasaseniorwithacareer-best 0.92savepercentage,11-6-3record andsixshutouts.

Hestopped72shotsfora.791 savepercentageandplayed1864:29 ingoal,missingjust23:05the entireseason.Helmicktrainedwith theKansasCityWizards/Sporting KCduringthesummersof2010 and2011.

“TohaveJoelgetdraftedbya MLSteam,itsaysalotaboutthe directionoftheprogramandthe growthovertheyears,”saidhead coachJonAtkinson.“Joelisabeaconforfutureaspiringathletes atLongwood,andatestimonythat hardworkanddedication,along withtalent,cangetyoucloserto yourdream.”

AChampionshipSeason

Men’ssoccerearnsAtlanticSoccerConferencetitle

Themen’ssoccerteamcappeda remarkable2011seasonwith aseven-matchunbeatenstreakand captureditssecondAtlanticSoccer Conference(ASC)titleinfouryears.

TheLancers,undertheguidance ofseventh-yearheadcoachJon Atkinson,postedan11-6-3overall record,themostwinsbythemen’s soccerteamsinceitfinishedthe 2002seasonwitha12-6-1mark. TheLancersenteredthe2011ASC TournamentastheNo.2seed. Longwoodadvancedtothechampionshipmatchafterplayingto adrawwiththird-seededHouston Baptistandadvancing4-2ina penalty-kickshootout.

Inthetitlematch,Longwood andhostAdelphiUniversityplayed toascorelesstie,andthechampionshipcamedowntoashootout. SeniorJoelHelmickofSpringfield stoppedapairofattemptsinthe shootoutaftermakingninesavesin 110minutes.JuniorVinnieLlana ofRaleigh,N.C.,buriedhisshot inthenetintheseventhroundof penaltykickstogivetheLancers thecrown.

HelmickwasnamedtheASC TournamentMostValuablePlayer. TheASCChampionshipcapped whatwasanalreadyimpressiveseasonbyanystandard.

TheLancerswonthefinalfive matchesoftheregularseason, includingapairof2-0victoriesat SouthernConferencemembers

DavidsonCollegeandUNC Greensboroanda2-1victoryat BigSouthConferencemember HighPointUniversity.TheLancers alsowonapairofconferencehome matchesagainstHoward(5-0)and HoustonBaptist(2-1)duringtherun.

Longwoodwent3-2-1againstinstatecompetition,withwinsatBig SouthmembersVirginiaMilitary Institute(4-0)andRadfordUniversity(1-0,2OT)andAtlantic10 ConferencememberUniversityof Richmond(3-1).TheLancerstied JamesMadisonUniversityofthe ColonialAthleticAssociation3-3, ateamthatadvancedtothethird roundoftheNCAATournament.

“Thisseasonwasastepinthe rightdirection,”saidAtkinson. Itgivesusconfidencegoinginto nextyear,especiallyjoiningtheBig SouthConference.Weplayedsome strongprogramsandnotonlycompeted,butwonsomeofthem. JMUhadagreatseason,andUNC Greensboroisaperennialpower.”

Inadditiontotheteamaccolades,severalindividualsearned conference,stateandregional recognition.

Sixlancerswerenamedtothe All-ASCFirstTeam,andtwoteam memberswererecognizedfortheir workintheclassroomwithselectionstotheNSCAAUniversity DivisionScholarAll-EastRegion SecondTeamandtheASCAllAcademicTeam. —StuartSmith

JoshHelmick’12

RedRocketPhotos

RedRocketPhotos

SpringingintoAction Teamsgearupfor2012play

Baseball

TheLongwoodbaseballteamhasa56-game schedulethatfeatures33homegameshighlightedbyvisitstoFarmvillefromVirginiaschools GeorgeMason,JamesMadison,NorfolkState, OldDominion,VCU,VMIandWilliam& Mary.Longwoodwillcompetewitharosterof 21,including13returninglettermenfroma 2011teamthatfinished28-18,including17-9 athome.LongtimeheadcoachCharlesBuddy Bolding(900-495-4,.645),enteringhis34th yearatLongwood,returnsthreeseniors,three juniorsandsevensophomores,whileadding eightfreshmentotheteam.

Softball

Comingoffa37-13seasonlastyear,Longwood softballfacesa58-gameschedulethatincludes seventournaments:threeathomeaswellas eventsatAlabama,CharlestonSouthern,Georgia StateandtheCitrusClassicinOrlando,Fla.VeteranheadcoachKathyRiley(434-230-1)isin her15thyearwiththeLancersandreturns10 letterwinners,includingfourseniors,threejuniorsandthreesophomores,whileaddingseven freshmentohersquad.

Lacrosse

Women’slacrosseisplayingitsfinalseasonas membersoftheNationalLacrosseConference witha16-gamescheduleplustheconference tournament.

Golf

Fifteenth-yearheadcoachKevinFillmanandhis men’sgolfteamarescheduledforfivetournaments,includingtheseason-endingLongwood/ ManorIntercollegiateApril13-14atTheManor ResortinFarmville.Thewomen’sgolfprogram hasfourtournamentsonthespringschedule.

Tennis

Thewomen’stennisteamhasa22-matchschedulethisspring,whilethemen’stennisteamis scheduledfor18matches.

NothingbutNet

Basketballteamswrapupseason

Longwoodenteredthefinalmonthofthecollegebasketballseason withboththemen’sandwomen’sprogramslookingtocarryforward themomentumofrecentvictories.

TheLancermenearnedthreewinsduringadifficultmonthof Januarythatfeaturedsixroadgames,includingfive-straightover14 daysinfivedifferentstates.SeniorAntwanCarterofSt.Petersburg, Fla.,waspoisedtobecometheschool’sall-timeleadingscorerashe enteredthefinaltwoweeksofthecampaignwith1,768careerpoints, trailingonlyKevinJefferson’90(1,806)andjustaheadofJerome Kersey’84(1,756).Carterwillalsofinishsecondinreboundingat Longwood,whilerankingamongthetopfiveinseveralothercategories.

Thewomen’steamplayedninegamesinJanuary,includingsix roadgamesinfivestates,collectingthreewins.

AntwanCarter’12

WinningtheRightWay

AsaLongwoodLancersfan,yoursupportiscrucialtothesuccess ofourprogramsandstudent-athletes.TheNCAAprohibitsspecific activitiesbetweenindividualswhoarerepresentativesofourathletic programsandourprospectiveandcurrentstudentathletes. Visitwww.longwoodlancers.comandclickon“NCAACompliance” tolearnhowyoucanbeinvolvedintherightway. Wethankyouforyourcontinuedsupport ofLongwoodAthletics.

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Lacrossehasa16-gameschedule.

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where everybody knows your name

If you’re a member of the Classes of 198089, make plans to attend the Decade of the ’80s Reunion on April 20-21.

The activities begin Friday night with a reception in Blackwell Ballroom, which alums will remember as Blackwell Dining Hall. For lunch Saturday, participants are invited to experience what meals are like for today’s students as they go through the line in Dorrill Dining Hall. If all goes as planned, Tina will be there to greet everyone with her familiar “Hey, Baby.”

On Saturday night, a barbecue picnic will be held at the Longwood Golf Course, with music provided by the band Super Hold.

Other campus activities during the reunion are a baseball double-header on Saturday, April 21, vs. North Carolina A&T and a production of Steel Magnolias.

“Longwood has some great memories for me, which is why I help plan these reunions,” said David Lydiard ’84 of Richmond, who also helped organize the previous two Decade of the ’80s reunions. “Like other people, I always go back hoping to see someone I haven’t seen in a long time.”

Additional information, the complete schedule of events, and the registration form can be found online at www.longwoodlink.com. Alumni can register and pay online through longwoodlink.com, our alumni online community. The recent improvements to LongwoodLink require a new registration to use LongwoodLink. If you have not received your new user name and password for LongwoodLink, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@longwood.edu or 434-395-2044.

The reunion Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com. Just search for “Longwood Decade of the 80s.” Please post your favorite memories on this page and read those submitted by other classmates and friends.

On Point

The January men’s basketball matchup between Longwood and Army provided the perfect opportunity for Longwood alumni to gather with President Patrick Finnegan and his wife, Joan, on the U.S. Military Academy campus in New York. On hand for the game were (bottom row, from left) Marjorie Cannetti Mendola ’85, Colleen Margiloff ’97 (vice president of the Alumni Board), Joan Brock ’64 and Jacqueline Andrews Carey ’66; and (top row, from left) Ricky Otey ’89, President Finnegan, Rita Berryman Hughes ’74 (a member of the Board of Visitors), Joan O’Connor Brocker ’76 and Marita Repole ’72.

Don’t keep it unDer your hat

Know any alumni, faculty, staff or students with an interesting story? If so, please tell us. The Office of Public Relations shares the accomplishments of members of the Longwood family with many different audiences and in numerous ways, including this magazine, the website, news releases, email newsletters, class notes and admissions materials. To tell us about potential new stories, visit www.longwood.edu/ suggestastory.htm, then click on the “Story Submission Form.”

We will look into each tip and and determine where it might fit. We’re always looking for more stories—especially yours so please help us identify the great work happening in the Longwood community. Thank you.

Lessons from Home

Experience with her own daughters informs alumna’s efforts to improve the lives of special needs children in the U.S. and Ukraine

At a university celebrated for the strength of its teacher preparation, you don’t have to look far to find faculty, students, staff and alumni dedicated to the art of education.

Alumna Karen Feathers goes above and beyond in her drive to learn, teach and use her experiences to better the lives of children near and far. And it all begins at home.

As the parents of three sons, Feathers and her husband knew they were in for different experiences when they celebrated the birth of Erin, their first daughter. They could not have anticipated that Erin’s arrival would set in motion an entirely new direction for their family—and help Feathers discover a passion that spans her personal and professional lives.

Erin was born with Down syndrome, a condition associated with the damage of cognitive ability and stunting of physical growth. Feathers knew immediately that she wanted to understand the condition better and equip herself to connect with her daughter in a more meaningful way. With significant experience as a middle-school educator as her foundation, she made a major commitment: earning a Master of Science in education, with a concentration in special education/curriculum and instruction. She entrusted Longwood University with her education and preparation.

As Feathers engaged in her studies at Longwood, the family made a life-changing decision. She and her husband traveled to Ukraine in 2001 to adopt Diana, a young girl with Down syndrome. The master’s degree would have to wait as Feathers focused on her expanded family.

“We felt as a family that we had something to give another child with

Down syndrome,” said Feathers. “We learned so much through early intervention and my course work at Longwood—and just from having Erin in our lives. We wanted her to have someone ‘who saw the world as she did,’ as Daniel, my oldest son, described at the time.”

Feathers made good use of the time away from her graduate studies. During the adoption process, she saw firsthand how much Ukrainian societies struggle with educational opportunities and inclusion for children with special needs. Feathers decided to take a stand for children like Diana and Erin, founding the Ukraine Special Needs Orphanages Fund (USNOF) in 2002.

USNOF’s mission is to encourage opportunities for the children of Ukraine—including orphans and children with special needs—to grow, learn and be loved. It provides education and literature to early intervention centers and staffs an education team that works with the Ukraine Birth Defects Prevention Program. USNOF also holds annual education conferences to help parents and professionals working with children of varying disabilities and functioning levels.

“My children provided me with the inspiration, and Longwood provided me with the tools to do something for these kids,” said Feathers.

As her daughters grew older and USNOF flourished, Feathers returned to Longwood. This time, it was a Feathers family affair, especially in the 2009-10 academic year. She and Dylan, her middle son and a senior at Longwood, were finishing up their studies. Kyle, her youngest son, was enjoying his freshman year. “We’d have dinner together and then

Karen and Rob Feathers and their daughters, Erin (left) and Diana

all go to class,” Feathers laughed. She and Dylan graduated on the same day in May 2010. In addition to earning her master’s degree, she completed an autism certification course—in part to assist a local family who adopted an autistic child from Ukraine. Never content to rest on her laurels, Feathers began pursuing her Ph.D. from Capella University in September 2011.

Longwood continues to benefit from Feathers’ passion for special education. In the last three semesters, she has taught an undergraduate survey course providing a general overview of teaching diverse learners.

“I really think that Longwood is on the cutting edge” in teacher preparation, she said. —Jennifer Lucado

Andrea Dailey

second Time’s a Charm

70 attend university’s annual Black alumni weekend

About 70 alumni from as far away as Houston, Texas, made their way back to the Longwood campus in November for the second annual Black Alumni Weekend. Joining them were 35 current Longwood students, some of whom had helped plan the event.

“Events like this help to build a bridge between alumni and students so that we can be a resource for [them],” said Jeris Hill Johnson ’88 of Raleigh, N.C., who has attended both reunions. “Someone on the panel at the forum this year talked about finding internships for students, and I have helped students write their résumés. Plus, we have a great time at the reunion. It’s just good to see everybody.”

Cameron Patterson ’10, a member of the event coordinating committee, said that, for both reunions, students “have played a significant role in the planning process and with the weekend’s activities, which will continue.”

“This gives students an opportunity to connect with alumni,” added Patterson, program coordinator in Longwood’s Office of Disability Resources.

The reunion also gives alumni the chance to connect with faculty. This year, Dr. Edna Allen Dean, associate professor emerita of social work, and Dr. Theresa Clark, associate professor and chair of the Department of Social Work and Communication Sciences and Disorders, were honored for their contributions to supporting the needs of African-American students.

Johnson, who is a team leader at LabCorp’s Center for Molecular Biology and Pathology at Research Triangle

throwing smoke

Park in North Carolina, was impressed by Longwood’s appearance and the quality of new facilities, particularly the Health and Fitness Center. Clearly, she was happy to have the opportunity to be back on the campus she had reluctantly left years earlier.

“I had a wonderful experience at Longwood. I loved it there!” she said. “A lot of people say they couldn’t wait to graduate from college, but my Longwood friends and I didn’t want to leave.”

The third annual Black Alumni Reunion is less than a year away. Mark your calendars for Oct. 19-21, 2012.

More than 70 alumni attended the Black Alumni Reunion in November 2011. Participants enjoyed interacting with current students.

Longwood President Patrick Finnegan threw out the first pitch at a Lynchburg Hillcats game last season, where he also posed with the team mascot “Southpaw.” A Longwood contingent of about 50 alumni and family members attended the game. The invitation to Finnegan to throw out the first pitch came about through Scott Bacon, Longwood’s director of development for intercollegiate athletics and voice of the Lancers, who is a former director of broadcasting for the Hillcats, a minor-league team. Photos by Gina Caldwell

From Jarman Hall to the White House

Experience at Longwood prepares alum to record sights and sounds of Obama administration

When President Obama announced in May 2011 that Osama bin Laden had been killed by U.S. forces, the person running the teleprompter in the East Room of the White House was Luke Emory ’10. When the president walks into a room and a voice announces, “Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States,” that voice may belong to Emory, and when you watch a video on the White House website (whitehouse. gov), Emory was most likely involved in its production.

Emory is a multimedia technician specialist for White House Event Productions, which handles what he calls the “audiovisual components” for the Obama administration.

“Essentially we’re glorified roadies for the president,” Emory said, even though all his traveling takes place in the halls of the White House. (Another crew follows President Obama on the road.) “Any time there’s a statement or a taping at the White

House that involves the president, first lady or vice president, we’re involved with it.”

How often is Emory in the White House? “Every day. About 90 percent of our events take place in the White House.” The rest take place in the Executive Office Building— “about 30 yards away from the West Wing entrance,” he said—which is where the 12-member White House Event Productions staff has its offices. Emory is one of the youngest members of the staff and one of two under age 30.

“I love this job,” said Emory, who lives in Arlington. “This is a unique opportunity, and I’m grateful for it. Audiovisual work was always a hobby, a passion, of mine, and now I’m paid to do it for the president.”

After speaking with Emory for a short time, it becomes clear that every day is different. For example, on the day he was interviewed for this article, he had a press briefing with

the president’s press secretary, Jay Carney, then filmed a “Let’s Move” segment for the Disney Channel that featured first lady Michelle Obama. “That night we had a reception in the East Room with President Obama honoring wounded soldiers of the Iraq War,” he added.

Emory was offered the job the same day he interviewed for it in October 2009 but had to wait for his security clearance, which came through in December 2010. He trained for about a month before officially starting on Jan. 3, 2011.

At Longwood, Emory worked as a production assistant for Conferences and Scheduling in the summers of 2008 and 2009. “I worked in Jarman. I ran the audio mix and light board as well as setting up podiums and the stage for numerous events held by the conferences. It was great working there because it prepared me for this job,” he said. —Kent Booty

Luke Emory ’10 is a multimedia technician specialist for White House Event Productions.

Support Group

Nearly 20 members of Longwood’s chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and five other Longwood alumni gathered in December for a concert by sorority sister Elaine Dempsey ’80 (seated, far right) with her group BiG WiDE GriN at Ashland Coffee & Tea. Dempsey, a professional singer/songwriter who lives in Mill Valley, Calif., near San Francisco, plays guitar and sings with BiG WiDE GRiN, a self-described “bi-coastal” trio (fellow members Lawrence Lambert and Karl Werne live in the Tidewater area of Virginia) that writes and performs contemporary acoustic music. “This is a tight-knit group of alums who have remained close over the last 30 or so years, and we make a point of staying in touch and meeting periodically during the year,” said Mitzi Mason Lee ’82 of the alums who came out to support Dempsey.

The Buddy System

Eight Longwood classmates from the Classes of 1974 and ’75 who have been gathering regularly since graduating got together most recently for lunch at the Waverly home of Charlene Wheeler Pope ’74 (front row, center). Also present were Sally Carson Beale ’75 of Blackstone (front row, left), Helen Meredith Raetz ’74 of Richmond (front row, right), and (back row, from left) Jan Poole Iacopinelli ’75 of Disputanta, Rita Berryman Hughes ’74 of Virginia Beach, Linda Ware Moorefield ’74 of Lynchburg, Pat Watson ’75 of Wilmington, N.C., and Billy Sue Taylor ’74 of Portsmouth. “We had large celebrations as each of us turned 50 and are planning celebrations as we each jump into our 60s,” said Hughes, a member of the Longwood Board of Visitors.

40th, 45th reunions to get started in September 2012

At the request of some alumni, a new fall reunion weekend is being planned for the 40th and 45th reunion classes. The first reunion is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15, for the Classes of 1967 and 1972. Anyone who is a member of one of these classes and would like to help with the reunion is encouraged to contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 434-395-2044 or alumni@ longwood.edu. And it’s not too early help with the planning for the reunion of Classes of 1968 and 1973, which will take place in fall 2013. Anyone from those classes who wishes to volunteer should also contact the Office of Alumni Relations.

credit where credit’s due

Now taking nominations for Alumni Awards

The Longwood University Alumni Awards program recognizes alumni for their outstanding achievement and service to others. Nominations are accepted at any time of the year. If you want to nominate one or more alumni, visit www.longwood.edu/alumni/ awards.htm and click on “Nomination Form.”

The alumni awards—the William Henry Ruffner Alumni Award, Thomas Jefferson Professional Achievement Alumni Award, Jabez Lamar Monroe Curry Humanitarian Alumni Award and Horace Mann Honorary Alumni Award—are presented at a dinner in March. Nominees for the Ruffner Award must hold a Longwood degree, and nominees for the Jefferson and Curry awards must have earned 48 credit hours from Longwood. The Horace Mann Award honors someone who is not a Longwood graduate but has given extraordinary service to the university.

Nominations must be received by September for consideration for the following year. For more information, call 800-281-4677 (extension 3) or 434-395-2044.

Where in the World?

Got any photos of yourself wearing or holding Longwood gear—a shirt, hat or scarf—from anywhere around the country or the world? We’d love to publish it in the magazine, alumni newsletter or other publications. Please email such photos to alumni@longwood.edu. Displaying their Lancer scarf at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, are Longwood students (from bottom) Chris Caudill ’13, Olga Knop ’11, Kaye Goulding ’13 and Ben Miethke ’13.

Class Notes ComiNg sooN

Longwood magazine is planning to start a Class Notes section with personal and professional news about our alums. If you have recently gotten a promotion or a new job, celebrated the birth or adoption of a child, gotten married or received an award, please tell us about it so we can share it with your classmates. Please provide the following information:

full Name • year Graduated • d e G ree r eceived • co N tact i N formatio N

Weddi NG s: Date of ceremony, spouse’s name, spouse’s degree and class year if Longwood alum

Births: Full name of child (including last name), date of birth, parents’ names, parents’ degrees and class years (if Longwood alumni; both parents do not have to be alums)

a W ards: title of award, name of sponsoring organization, when you received it and why

Professio N al N e W s: current job title, company, location of company, when promotion received or new job started

Please email your submissions to: alumni@longwood.edu. We hope to hear from you soon!

ShatteringStereotypes

AWesternwoman’snewperspectiveonSaudiArabia byDr.DeneeseJones DeanoftheCollegeofEducationandHumanServices “

Iamaseasonedtraveler.IhavevisitedEuropeancountries,West AfricaandthecontinentofSouth America.AndyetIfoundmyself apprehensiveaboutanupcoming triptoSaudiArabiaaspartofan accreditationvisittoKingSaud UniversityinRiyadh.

Ihavedoneonissuesofequityrelativetogender,raceandculturein theUnitedStatesdidnotbetter preparemetoembracetheSaudi peopleontheirownterms.

Whataneye-openingbutdelightfulexperiencemytripturned outtobe.

Atthattime,myknowledgeof SaudiArabiacamefromwhatIhad readandbeentoldbyothers.Iwas awarethatthecurrentgovernment, whichisconsideredreformist,had openedthecountry’sfirstco-educationaluniversityandgivenwomen therighttovote.

Despitethatawareness,theother thingsIhadassessedseemedto carrymoreweight.Iknewthatthe countryoperatedunderIslamiclaw thatseparatedmenandwomen. Iknewthatsomeradicalactivists comparedtheconditionofSaudi womentoslavery.AndIknewthat thethoughtofwearingthehijab (headcovering)andafullblack cloakcalledanabayamademe uncomfortable.

Now,asIlookbackonthose daysofpreparation,Iamchagrined thateventheextensiveresearch

IlandedinSaudiArabiaonDec. 7,2011,alongwiththefourother membersoftheteamwhosetask wastoevaluateKingSaudUniversity’sCollegeofEducation.

Inthecustomsarea,wewere greetedbyarepresentativeofthe university,whiskedoutofthelong linesandledrightpastthewindow. Thewomeninourgroupwere escortedtobenches—torest— whileourpassportswerechecked. Themeninourgroupwerefingerprinted,andtheireyeswerescanned. Aswomen,wewereexemptfrom thoseprocedures.Instead,wewere takentowaitingluxurycars.Tomy amazement,Ineverpickedupa pieceofluggagenoropenedadoor (excepttomyhotelroom)during myentiretrip.Iwastreatedlikea queenbyeverymanIencountered.

“What?”Ithoughttomyself.

Idon’tfeeloppressedorsecondclass;Ifeelspecial,protectedandsafe!”

MyexperiencesatKingSaud Universitycontinuedtoturnmyassumptionsupsidedown.Theuniversity’svisionistobeaworld-class institution,whichincludesprovidingaqualityeducationtoits38,000 students—bothmenandwomen.

TheCollegeofEducationcomprisestwocampuses:onefor womenandoneformen.Surprisingly,itwasonthewomen’scampus whereIfoundmyperspective changingmost.

Thistypeofsegregatedenvironmentinitiallyoffendedme,but, onceinsidethebarricadesofthe guardedfemalefacility,IfeltpleasantlyrelaxedasIwasgreetedby Saudiwomenwhoencouragedme toshedmyhijabandabayawhile Iwasthere.Istaredinadmirationat thefashionabledressoftheseprofessionalswhosharedmyowndark complexion.

AsIhadmoreopportunities throughoutthevisittointeractwith thisbrilliantgroupofscholars,Ibecameacutelyawarethatmanywomen inSaudiArabiadonotwantradical change.Iwasawakenedtoasharp senseoftheiroppositiontounwanted WesternculturalinfluenceandintenseprideintheirArabcustoms. IrealizedthatIhadcriticizedand fearedwhatIdidnotunderstand. Iwasguiltyofperpetuatingstereotypes. MytimeinSaudiArabiataught metheabsurdityof“spraypainting” otherswithalimitedlensofcultural values.Butthemostimportantlesson Ibroughtbackisthevalueoftravel abroadasaneducationalexperience. Thosewhoareopentoitwillgaina globaloutlookthatemphasizesthe tiesamongnationsandcultures,the universalityofhumanvaluesandthe necessityofworkingtogether.