Longwood Magazine 2015 Fall

umni, friends anct ormer presidentslinethe Maugans Alumni Center's grand staircase at the center's grand opening.

The 2016Vice Presidential Debate puts Longwood in the international spotlight. Story on Page 12. Photo illustration by Andrea Dailey and DavidWhaley.

longwood

A MAGAZINE FORALUMNIANDFRIENDS OFLONGWOODUNIVERSITY

FALL 2015

Longwood University FoundationInc.

BartMitchell'90, President

SabrinaBrown

DavidWhaley

Kent Booty, MatthewMcWilliams

ChrisCook

AndreaDailey, MikeKropf'14

HannahAssouline, DanCawley, BethCope, DIA, Grant Hawkins, Todd Lindenmuth,Corey Miller,MarthaRich, ElizabethSeaborn

RyanCatherwood, Larissa Fergeson,Courtney Hodges, VictoriaKindon, David Locascio,Suzy SzaszPalmer,JustinPope, BennieWaller'90

Colleen McCrinkMargiloff'97, Rector,Rye,N.Y.

EileenMathesAnderson'83, GlenAllen

Katherine ElamBusser,Goochland

MichaelA. Evans, Mechanicsville

David H. HallockJr., Richmond

Eric Hansen,Lynchburg

Stephen Mobley '93,Mclean

Marianne MoffatRadcliff'92,Richmond

Brad E.Schwartz'84,Chesapeake

LuciaAnna "Pia"Trigiani,Alexandria

ShelbyJonesWalker,M.S.'93, CharlotteCounHouse LacyWardJr., Prospect

RobertS.WertzJr. '85, Leesburg

Announcing Longwood's selection ashost ofthe 2016Vice Presidential Debate

FROM THE PRESIDE T

I'vewrittenbeforeinthesepagesaboutmydeterminationthatthe LongwoodnamebecomebetterknownthroughoutVirginiaand thenation.Wearemakingtremendousprogress.

As I write these words, the deskof my Lancaster Hall office holdsthe latest Sunday NewYorkTimes Magazine, featuring a remarkable two-page spread of photographs of CivilWarmemorialsbyone of ourbrightestyoungfacultylights. Professor Mike Mergen is part of a tremendouscadre of accomplished artists who have made their careers at Longwood inrecent years.Working closely with the Longwood Center forVisual Arts-one ofjust a few dozen nationally accredited university art museums-they have built a department that is providing wonderful mentorship for students while also putting Longwood prominently on the map of the art world.

Meanwhile, the campusremains aglowfrom theVirginia Children's Books Festival, which injust itssecond year has emerged as an occasion of national and even international significance.The all-star cast of acclaimed authors on campus Oct. 16 and 17 includedallthreeofthis year's NewberyAward winners. More than 3,000 visitors from all corners of the Commonwealth and beyond came to celebrate thejoys of reading with young people. Manywere adults, but JacquelineWoodson-winner of a 2014 National BookAward-remarked she had never before seen a children's book festival with so manychildren in attendance.Their squealing enthusiasmfilled thecampuswithinfectiousjoy, and this now-signature event on the Longwood calendar promisesto reach even greater heights in the years to come.

Finally, of course, there is the news of Longwood's selection to host the loneVice Presidential Debate of the 2016 election next Oct. 4 inWillett Hall.Theannouncement in late Septemberrocketed around campus and the alumni community almost instantly, and our sense of collective pride was universal. Next fall, the eyes of the world will truly � . . be upon us.We expect several thousand Journalists from around the world to travel to campus and upwards of 50 million viewers nationally to tune in.

When that happens, we will be ensuring they hear the Longwood story-our long and distinguished history, our mission of developing citizen leaders, and our extraordinary camaraderie and culture of student enthusiasm. During the time leading up to the debate, students will be experiencing the event inside and outside the classroomin their coursework, with visiting speakers and activities, and as volunteers working with the Commission on Presidential Debates and visiting media.

Around Farmville, the excitement is palpable as well. While ticketsto see the event inside the debate hall itself will be scarce, students will have priority to attend in person. All of campus will have a welcoming and celebratory atmosphere forwatchingthe event, and there will bemuchto experience amidst the unforgettable thrill of seeing history made firsthand.

Thankyou for your continued engagement with and support of Longwood.These are truly exciting times to be a Lancer.

Thank you and my best,

w.Taylor Reveley IV President

HonorsCollegeandforitsstudents, securingitsstrongleadershipandhelping thecollege'sdistinctiveacademicprogram growevenstronger."

Honorsstudentsmostlylivetogetherin alearning-enrichedenvironmentinWheeler Hall.Theyenjoysmallclasses,closeinteractionwithfacultymembersandopportunities forindependentstudies.Allhonorsstudents alsocompleteastudyabroadprogram.

Transformers w1 endow leadersh Honors College

AsMarcandWilmaRegisterSharp '66haveworkedtirelesslytomakea meaningfuldifferenceinthelivesof others,Longwood'smissionofnurturingcitizenleadersinaresidentialsettinghasalways struckadeepchordwiththeWilliamsburg couple.

TheSharpsmetonLongwood'scampus

50yearsagoafterMarcrodedownfromthe UniversityofVirginiaonthebackofhis roommate'smotorcycle.Astheparentsoffive children-includingJennieSharpDavidson '98-thecoupledevelopedanespeciallydeep connectionovertheyearstoaspotoncampus wheretheuniversity'smissionisdisplayed withparticularfocus:thetight-knitlearning communityoftheCormierHonorsCollege forCitizenScholars.

NowtheSharpshaveunderscoredthatconnectionandtheircommitmenttoLongwood's residentialcollegeexperiencewitha$2milliongiftchatwillendowthedeanshipofthe CormierHonorsCollegeandsupportits work.Inrecognitionoftheircontribution, tworesidencehallscurrentlyunderconstructionwillbenamedinthecouple'shonor. Scheduledtoopeninthefallof2016,

SharpHallandRegisterHallwillhouse about100studentseach.

"OurdaughterfoundanunbelievablywelcomingandsupportiveatmosphereatLongwoodwhereshecouldgrowandthriveina waythatwouldn1rhavehappenedatocher

WilmaRegisterSharpgraduatedfrom Longwoodin1966withaBachelorofScience ineducation.ShealsoholdsaMasterofArcs degreeineducationfromWilliam&Mary andwasateacherformanyyears,working withgiftedchildren.MarcSharp,retiredpresidentofGreenspringsPlantationInc.,partof theBushCompanies,attendedtheUniversity ofVirginia,wherehetookahiatustoserve intheU.S.Army.AfterreturningtoU.Va., heearnedaBachelorofSciencedegreein commerceandaMasterofSciencedegree inaccounting.

MarcSharpsaidtheHonorsCollegeexemplifiesLongwood'scommitmenttoensuring thatstudentsexploreavarietyofacademic

'Ourdaughterfoundanunbelievablywelcoming

andsupportiveatmosphereatLongwoodwhereshecould growandthriveinawaythatwouldn'thavehappened atotherschools.'\ .J�

schools,"saidWilmaRegisterSharp."She foundtruebackingamongthefacultyandin [formerpresident]Dr.PatriciaCormier,who helpedherseepossibilitiesinherownlife. That'sastorychat'srepeatedrimeandtime againatLongwoodandistrulythehallmark ofagreatinstitution."

CallingtheSharps"extraordinarychampionsofLongwoodandtheHonorsCollege," PresidentW.TaylorReveleyIVdescribed theirgiftas"genuinelytransformativeforthe

subjects,aphilosophycentraltotheliberal arcsexperiencehehasvaluedsodeeplyin hisownlife.

"Longwoodisaperfectsizeforalotof students-itisacommunityineverysense oftheword,"hesaid,addingchartheresulting campusatmospheresupportsacademic explorationand"holds[students]tothe principlesofcitizenleadership-preparing themforlifewithaveryfirmfoundation."

A $2 million gift from Marc andWilma Register Sharp '66 will nurture citizen leaders and support the work ofthe Cormier Honors College.

White coat ceremony marks important moment for nursing students

When Longwood nursingsophomoreswere cloakedintheirbrightnew whitecoatslast month, they markedanimportant transformative moment inthelife ofany pre-service nurse: entranceintoclinicalpractice.

"Thewhite coatistheuniversalsign ofthe medicalprofession;' said Dr.Deborah Ulmer, chairofthe Longwood nursingdepartment. "Whenstudentsweartheirwhite coats, they areacceptingan enormousresponsibilityand makingtheirfirststepsintothefield:'

In Longwood'sinaugural Gold-AACNWhite CoatCeremonyforNursing, sophomorenursingstudentswere cloakedby upperclassmenaritualthat underscoresthebondsbetween nurses.Thosedonningwhite coatsalso receivedapin.

Thewhite coat ceremony symbolizes the deep-rootedmission ofboththe university and thenursingprogram: commitmenttothe community and humanistic care. Underscoring thoseideals, community partnersanddonors werepresentattheinauguralceremony.

Dr.Terris Kennedy, formerly theassistant chief oftheArmy Nurse Corpsinthe office of theArmy Surgeon General,wasthekeynote speaker. Kennedy,whohasdecadesofexperienceinbothpublicandprivatenursingorganizations, hastaught in the nursingschoolsat Dukeand Old Dominionuniversitiesand serves ontheboards ofseveralschoolsand hospitals.

The ceremony wasmadepossibleby agrant by theArnold P. Gold Foundationtosupport the Gold-AACNWhite Coat CeremonyforNursingto promote compassionate careandapatient-centered approachtothe nursing profession.Thepartnershipbetween thefoundationandtheAmericanAssociation ofColleges ofNursingbeganfundingwhite coat ceremonies in 2014.

er CivilWar

Tucked away at the bottom of a pile of nondescript letters in the basement of Greenwood Library was a hidden treasure: anenvelope bearing the name of one of the most recognizable figures in U.S. history- Gen.Robert E. Lee.

The two noteswithin,writtenin anelegant hand on linedpaper and signed "R.E. Lee," date from before and afrer the CivilWar.

The first, datedApril 26, 1845, is addressed to Capt. Henry Brewerton, who was also working as a captainintheArmy Corps of Engineers.Arthetime,Leewasthepostengineer at Fort Hamiltonin Brooklyn, N.Y., and

rainingto theonce-prominent Farmvillefamily fromwhoseestateLongwood'sname is derived.

Lee's letter to Brewerton, dated 1845, reads: "Confefs [confess] my dear Squire char I have remrned your estimate for the Cadet Barrack at W.P. [WestPoint] & chatit isbetterlate thannever.I had scarcely time to shake hands with you at theAmerican.

As itwas I justreachedBrooklynasthe state washeading offfrom the Ferry and succeeded inhailingit.I hope chatyou areinbetter health thanwe are.Present me to Harrison andtell him chat 'Whenhe assentsto [McCester] rides may I bethereto see.' Mybest, R.E. Lee."

',

a member ofWest Point'sboard of visitors. The secondletter, dated Nov. 10, 1868, and written just two years before Lee's death, endorses a letter of recommendation for Washington College studentWilliamM. Thornton.The letters had been sitting in an archivalbox meticulouslyfiledawayinLongwood'slibraryfor atleastthreedecades before they were rediscoveredinJuly 2015 after the university's archives and records specialist, LydiaWilliams, beganthe process of detailing some of the collections.

"Thisis ahiddentreasure," said Gavin Hosman,an archives and libraryinformationassociatewhofoundtheletters. "When I sawthe writingon theenvelope, I thoughtit couldn't havebeentrue.Theenvelopewas kind of buriedinthebottomofthe box,whichis an ordinarystationerybox.Ir looked likejust an ordinarypile ofthingsfromsomeone'shouse."

The Lee letterswere foundintheJohnston FamilyCollection,which is mostly lettersper-

Two years after Lee sent chat correspondence, Brewerton became superintendent of West Point, a posthe held until being replaced by Leein 1852.

The 1868 letter reads: ''Although nor personally acquaintedwithMr. WmM.Thornton, I have knownhis mother for several years and know that he is related to several of the most influential families inVirginia; and from myknowledge of performance ofJohn L. Campbell I can say that inhim all confidence can be found inhis statement.R.E. Lee."

TheWilliam Thornton inthe letter is likely the University ofVirginia mathematicsprofessor whojoined the faculty there in1868 and later became the first dean of engineering.

The letters are now housedin Greenwood Library's special collections room while library staffworks to have chem professionally authenticated,thoughthe experts whohave seen the correspondence havelittle doubt they are genuineLee letters.

Kristen Malbone '17 (right) welcomes Lesley Piszczek '18 to the nursing profession.

Twin Passions

Dr.Ray Gaskins, a retired faculty member at Hampden-Sydney College, endowed rwo scholarships-oneathletic,one academicwith a $1 milliongift to Longwood chis fall. He alsogave additional funds toprovide aper-

realize their dreams.

"The fact that the majority of [the gift] will support studentscholarships speaks to Dr. Gaskins' passionas aneducator and his devotion to providing students withthe op-

'Dr.GaskinshaslongbeenasupporterofLongwoodUniversityand Longwoodathletics,butthissteptoendowtwoscholarshipsisgrand inbothscopeandgenerosity.'

acing supportforthemen'sbasketballprogram.

The Dr.Ray A. Gaskins Scholarship will be awarded to a member of the Longwood men's basketball ream.The Mrs. BessieM. Land GaskinsTeacher's Scholarship, created in memory of Gaskins' mother, willgo to a smdent who plans to become a reacher.

Although she never realized herown dream of becoming a teacher, Gaskins' mother inspiredhim topursue a teaching career.

In1924, BessieMae Landenrolledat State Teachers College, theinstitutionthat would eventuallybecomeLongwoodUniversity.Land wanted tobe ateacher,but due to afamily emergency shortly after shearrivedon campus, she was forced toabandonher dream.

Landwentontomarry, raise threechildren and managethefamilybusinessalongsideher husband,John Gaskins.Shepassed alongher admiration for the teachingprofessiontoher son,Ray Gaskins, whoearnedhis doctoratein statistics fromVirginiaTechin1972 and taught for27yearsat Hampden-Sydney College as a professorof mathematicsand computerscience.

Now Gaskins, who retired in 1997, is honoring his mother's and his own affection for the education profession with a gift that over time will help many Longwood students

portunity to obtain anexcellent liberal arts education," said Dr.Joan Neff, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The largest gift from a Prince Edward County resident in Logwoodhistory,the donation totals $1,035,000,with $1,010,000 going to create the scholarships and the remaining $25,000 providing operating support for men's basketball.

"Dr.Gaskinshaslong been a supporterof LongwoodUniversityand Longwood athletics, but this steptoendow rwoscholarships isgrand inboth scopeand generosity Ourmissionin athletics is to expand theprofileof the university, energize the Longwood community and provide aqualityexperience forour scudentathletes," saidTroyAustin,directorof athletics. "Ray's support allows us to take theseobjectives to another level."

The $530,000 that will goto athletics is the largest gift in the history of the department and the latest in a decade's worthof support from Gaskins, a longtime men's basketball season ticker holder. He has also contributed funding toward the purchaseof thevideo boardinWillett Hall,along with new computers and scouting sofrwarefor themen's basketball program.

National rankings endorse Longwood's approach to higher education

Longwoodis now ranked amongthe top 10 public regional universities inthe Southin theannual U.S. News & World Reportsurvey. Inaddition, Longwoodwas named oneof the best colleges inthe Southeast byThe Princeton Review.

In the 2016 U.S. News"Best Colleges" report, released in September, Longwood movedup to No. 9 from No.11 in the Public Regional Universities in the South category. Among allregional universities in the South, both public andprivate, Longwood movedup to No.28 from No.30.

"Longwood's risein the rankings reflects the university's growingreputation andits commitment toproviding students astrong liberal arts core aswell as avibrant residential experience;' said Dr.Jennifer Green, associate vice president for enrollment management andstudent success.

In thelast three years, Longwoodhas movedup five spotsamong all regional universitiesin the South.This isthe 18thconsecutive year that Longwoodhas rankedamong the best colleges in U.S News & World Report'sannual collegessurvey.

"Whilenorankingcan fully capture aninstitution, Longwood'sstrong showing is yet another sign, alongwith increasedenrollment throughstrengthenedstudent retention and success, thatwe are a placewithpalpableforwardmomentum;' said PresidentW.Taylor Reveley IV.

The U.S. Newsrankingsare based on assessment by peers and counselors, retention of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.

The Princeton Review chimedin with its own endorsement of Longwoodthis fall, naming Longwood to its the"Bestin the Southeast"list in its 2016Best Colleges: Region by Region websitefeature.

Inthisannual project,The Princeton Review, an education services company, asks college students to rate their ownschools onseveral issues-fromthe accessibility oftheirprofessors to quality ofthe campusfood-and answer questionsabout themselves, their fellow students andtheir campuslife.

Atotal of649 institutions nationwide-only 25 percent of thenation'sfour-year collegeswereselected toThe Princeton Review'sfour "regional-best" lists.

Dr. Ray Gaskins with men's basketball scholarship recipient Kanayo Obi-Rapu '18 (left) and teaching scholarship recipient Emily Gay '16. Obi-Rapu and Gay are the first recipients of the Gaskins scholarships.

CrashCourse

Reading 495: History of Central Asia and Afghanistan

Instructor

Dr.YuliaUryadova,assistantprofessorofhistory

Russia's role

Thisseminarcourse,offeredforthefirsttime thissemester,coversCentra Asianhistory fromthe19thcenturyRussianconqueststothe present.TopicsincludeRussianexpansionand

thedevelopmentofcontempo­

rarypoliticalborders,Soviet

andpost-Sovietidentities,Islam andopposition,withparticular attentiontowomen,peasants andminorities.

Strategic importance

" Despiteitshistoricalandstrategicimportance,mostAmericansknowlittle aboutthisregion,saidUryadova,aMiddleEast andCentra Asiaspecialistwhojoinedthe Longwoodfacultyinfall2014."Alexanderthe Greatwasthere,theArabswerethere,the Mongolswerethere.TheSilkRoadruns throughtheregion,whichisfascinating. Iwantstudentstolearnaboutthesepeoples andtheircultures;'shesaid.

Central Asian roots

AnethnicRussian,UryadovaisanativeofCentralAsia,whichencompassesAfghanistanand fivenow-independentrepublicsthatwerepart oftheformerSovietUnion.

The good and the bad

"ThepopulationofUzbekistanismostlySunni Muslims,andthehomesofnon-Muslimsinmy hometown,Andijan,weresetonfireevenbeforethebreakupoftheSovietUnion. rememberhidingunderthebedduringthese marches;'shesaid."Unemploymentishigh becausemanyRussianfactorieshaveclosed, thereisnotenoughlandandyouhavelotsof youngpeoplewithenergywhohavebeenexposedtoradicalMuslimideas.IhopeI'm wrong,butthiscouldbecomeapowderkeg:'

Suggested Reading

Everyday Life in CentralAsia: Past and Present, JeffSahadeo(editor)andRussellZanca (editor),and Afghanistan: A Cultural and Political History, ThomasBarfield

Well Done

7 faculty members receive awards at Convocation

Sevenfacultymemberswerehonoredforsuperiorteaching,scholarshipandserviceatConvocationinSeptember.

Dr.GordonRing,professorofmusic,was announcedasLongwood'sfirstSimpsonDistinguishedProfessor,anewawardtohonor outstandingcontributionstoscholarshiporthe performingartsbyatenuredfaculty member.

TheSimpsonProfessorshipwasestablished throughanendowmentgiventoLongwoodchis yearbyCoraStraughanSimpson'61andher husband,Murray,topaytributetoLongwood's mostoutstandingfaculty members.Theprofessorship,aone-yearappointment,includesa summerresearchstipendof$5,000,anadditionalgrantof$5,000tobeusedinsupportof futurescholarshipandacoursereleaseforthe springsemesterpriortothesummerinwhich therecipientelectstoreceivethesummerstipend.

Sixocherfaculty awardswerealsoannouncedatConvocation.

Dr.AudreyChurch,M.S.'93,professorand coordinatorofthegraduateschoollibrarianshipprogram,receivedtheMariaBristow StarkeFacultyExcellenceAward.Theformer schoollibrarianwaselectedthe2016-17presidentoftheAmericanAssociationofSchool LibrariansinMay.

Dr.GenaSouthall'97,M.A.'00,associate professorofEnglishandliberalstudiesdirec-

tor,receivedtheMaudeGlennRaifordAward. SouthallisdirectoroftheLiberalStudiesProgram,whichfocusesontheacademicpreparationofK-8teachersandisthelargestmajorat theuniversity.

Dr SuzanneDonnelly,assistantprofessorof scienceeducation,istherecipientofthe MaudeGlennRaifordJuniorFacultyTeaching Award.Sheteachesphysicsaswellassecondarysciencecourses.

Dr.Larissa"Kat"Tracy,associateprofessorof medievalliterature,receivedtheProvost'sScholarshipAward.Sheistheauthorofseveralbooks ontortureandbrutalityintheMiddleAgesand istheco-founderandco-directorofLongwood'sUndergraduateMedievalConference.

Dr.LarissaFergeson,professorofhistoryand actingassociatevicepresidentforacademicaffairs,istherecipientoftheWilliam DavidStuartLeadershipandServiceAward.Fergesonis anoften-quotedauthority oncivilrightshistory inVirginiaandisuniversity liaisonandresident historianattheRobercRussaMotonMuseum.

Dr.SaraiBlincoe,assistantprofessorofpsychology,receivedtheJuniorFacultyAward. ShehasbeenaresearchanalystfortheNavy since2012andisaco-authoroftherecently publishedmanual Trust, Attitudes, andSocial Influence: The Cross-CulturalSocialPsychology ofCounterinsurgency (SeestoryonPage10).

JustAnother Dayin Paradise

Students,facultyandstaffgatheredunderatentinSeptemberforanall-daymarathonreading ofJohnMilton'sepicpoem, Paradise Lost. Firstpublishedin1667,thepoemconcernsthebiblicalstoryofthefallofman:thetemptationofAdamandEvebythefallenangelSatanandtheir expulsionfromtheGardenofEden.TakingherturnatthemicisDr.LaraFergeson,professorof historyandactingassociatevicepresidentforacademicaffairs.

Provocative and Unflinching

Poet, novelist namedwinnerof Dos Passos Prize for Literature

ContemporarynovelistandpoetPaulBeattyis therecipientofthe34thJohnDosPassos PrizeforLiterature,awardedannuallyby Longwood.Beattyisknownforhisrazorsharpwit,whichhewieldstoskewerracial policies,hypocrisyandsanctimonyinhisnovelsandcollectionsofpoetry.Hismostrecent work,anoveltitled TheSellout, hasbeen widelyhailedasprovocativeandunflinching.

LongwoodandchairoftheDosPassosPrize committee."Beattymixespoetry,meldsgenres anduseshumorinhisnarrativestoaskreaders torethinkpreconceivednotionsofbothform andcontent.He'sawonderfulwriter."

Beatty'swork,whichoftenusesbitinghumor tobreakdownculturalandracialbarriers,isfrequentlycaughtatLongwoodincontemporary literatureandpoetryclasses.

'Beattymixespoetry,meldsgenresanduseshumorinhisnarratives toaskreaderstorethinkpreconceivednotionsofbothform andcontent.He'sawonderfulwriter.'-c, I'

The52-year-oldauthor,whowasoncampusOct.26todelivertheDosPassosaddress, cametoprominenceinthemid-1990sand quicklyrosetothetopoftheranksinthe slam/spokenpoetrycommunityinNewYork City.Heeventuallybrokeoutofchatscene withhisfirstnovel, WhiteBoyShujffe, which wasmetwithnearuniversalhighpraise. Thoughhegrewbeyondhisroots,poetryremainedadrivingforceinhiswork.

"PaulBeattyisextremelywillingtoplay withtheboundarieswithinfictionandtodo interestingthingswithhisprose,"saidDr. DavidMagill,associateprofessorofEnglishat

TheSelloutisBeatty'sfirstnovelinseven yearsandmarksareturntotheformfor thewriter.

TheDosPassosPrize,whichisawarded annuallybytheDepartmentofEnglishand ModernLanguages,isnamedforatalented butoftenoverlooked20th-centuryAmerican writer.Theprizerecognizescontemporary writerswhoemploythemesthatrunthrough DosPassos'work:anincenseandoriginal explorationofspecificallyAmericanthemes, anexperimentalapproachroformandan appreciationforawiderangeofhuman expenences.

Longwood Foundation awards emeritusstatus to former board members

ThreeformermembersoftheLongwood UniversityFoundationBoardrecentlywere awardedemeritusstatusinrecognitionof theirexemplaryleadershipinsharingtheir time,talentsandresourceswiththeuniversity.

Named"directoremeritus"wereRita MoyerSmith,Katherine"Tassie"BagleyMadden'67andDr.WayneTinnell.

Smith,whobecameinvolvedwithLongwoodastheparentofastudentwhoisnow analumna,isaretiredseniorvicepresident andseniortrustofficerforU.S.Trust/Bankof America,whereshespecializedinwealth managementandtrusts.ShewasaFoundationBoarddirectorfrom1999-2008,servingas presidentfrom2004-08.Shealsoservedas vicepresidentoftheHullSpringsFarmFoundationandwasamemberofitsStrategic PlanningTaskForce.Smithhasbeeninstrumentalinassistinginthecultivationofmany foundationgrantsforLongwood.

Madden,aLongwoodelementaryeducationgraduatewhowentontoearnanM.Ed. fromVirginiaCommonwealthUniversity,retiredasdirectoroftheLowerSchoolofSt. Catherine'sSchoolinRichmond.Sheserved ontheFoundationBoardfrom2004-13,includingthreeyearsasvicepresident.Shealso wasamemberoftheHullSpringsFarm StrategicPlanningTaskForce.Shecurrentlyis amemberoftheClassof196750thReunion GivingCommitteeandoftheSpeech,Hearing andLearningServicesAdvisoryBoard.

Tinnell retiredasprofessor�meritusofbiologyatLongwoodin1999after30yearsof teaching.HebeganhisserviceontheFoundationBoardin2005,thesameyearhewas namedanhonoraryLongwoodalumnus.Duringhistimeontheboard,heservedonthe HullSpringsFarmStrategicPlanningTask Forceanddedicatedmuchofhistimetocreatingscholarships.Hepersonallyestablished theCamillaC.TinnellandHelenB.Tinnell ScholarshipinEnglishinhonorofhiswife, Camilla,andhismother,Helen.Twoformer studentshavehonoredTinnellbyendowing twoscholarshipsinhisname,andheisindirectlyresponsibleforthecreationofatleast twoadditionalscholarshipsanda$1 million bequesttotheuniversity.

Paul Beatty is the recipient of the 34th John Dos Passos Prize for Literature.

LCVA wintergala set for Feb. 13

Asilentauction,livemusicanddancingwill highlightthe2016LongwoodCenterforthe VisualArtsbiennialwintergalasetforFeb.13.

TheeventbenefitsLCVAprograms,includingexhibitionsandthecenter'sbroadrange ofactivitiesforcommunitymembersand outreachtoareaschools.Thegalaauction willfeaturefineartsandcraftsvaluedfrom $50to$4,000.

JugglingAct

CharlesH.DowdyIllandCandiceJamison Dowdy'69andNorthwesternMutualFinancial Networkaretheleadsponsorsofthegala, andtheyjoinStanandLindaCheyneascochairsofthegalacommittee. RobertMayo andMargaretThomasMayo'52,bothof whomhavedeepconnectionstoLCVAand Longwood,arehonorarychairs.

Advancepurchaseticketpackages($250for twotickets)goonsaleNov. 16;individualtickets,at$100each,willbeavailablebeginning Dec.1.Theeventtraditionallysellsout.

ThegalawillbeheldattheLCVA,located atthecornerofMainandThirdstreetsin downtownFarmville.Formoreinformation, pleasevisitlcva.longwood.edu.

BrittanyPerkinsisgettinganearlystarton hercareer.

ShehasbeentheyouthpastoratGlennMemorialBaptistChurchinProspectsinceApril 2014,whenshewasfinishinghersophomore yearatLongwood.Howdoesshejuggleajob withbeingafull-timecollegestudent?

"Youhavetolearnbalance,"saidtheliberal studies-elementaryeducationmajorfromFluvannaCounty."Fortunately,thechurchisflexibleinworkingaroundmyschoolschedule."

Perkins,whowillgraduateinDecember2015 andisinterestedinyouthministry,modestly claimsthats.)ieisstilllearningbalance,butthe resultsareimpressive.Shehasa3.9GPAand willgraduateasemesterearly.Sheisamember ofthreenationalhonorsocieties(PhiKappa Phi,KappaDeltaPiandAlphaLambdaDelta), isactiveinBaptistCollegiateMinistries(BCM) andwasapeermentorlastyear.

Aftergraduating,Perkinswillcontinueher job,whichwillconverttofulltime,andis thinkingaboutpursuingaMasterofDivinity degreethroughLibertyUniversity.Shealsois opentoteaching.

"Workingwithyouthandchildrenismymission,mypassion.Ialsolovereachingandbeing intheclassroom,soImightlikeajobchat wouldcombineteachingandyouthministry," shesaid.

Perkjns'jobinvolvesBiblestudies,gamesand fellowshipactivitieswiththechurch'syouth group-12-14youthsinsixththrough12th grades-aswellasabout15youngerkids. "Ihaverhebestjobintheworld,"shesaid. "Nootherjobintheworldcombinesallof

thefunthingsIgettodo."

Perkins'faithalsohasaseriousside.Through Longwood'sBCMchapter,shewentonaweeklongmissiontriptoHaitiinMarch2014.

Duringthetripshehelpedbuildahouse andworkedwithstreetkidsandchildrenatan orphanage.Inanearlythree-weekmission tripinhighschool,shetaughtvacationBible schoolinBrazil.

Perkinsknewveryearlythatshewantedtobe ateacher,whichsheattributesinparttoher kindergartenteacher,TerryEdwards'84.

"I'vewantedtoreachsinceIwas4or5,even beforekindergarten,burTerryreinforcedmy desiretobeareacher,"shesaid."Shewasaphenomenalreacherwhomadelearningfun."

Alsobyage5,PerkinsknewshewantedtoattendLongwood."MymomgrewupinCumberland,andIhaveanauntwhostilllivesin Farmville,soIcamehereoften.WhenIwas5, thiswastheonlycollegeIknewexisted."

Thankstoascholarship,Perkinswasableto followthroughonthoseearlyplans.Sheisrhe 20I4-15recipientoftheBertyJoSimmons/ KappaDeltaPi/PhiDeltaKappaScholarship.

"Myparentsmadetoomuchtoqualifyfor financialassistancebutdidn'tmakeenoughto payforallofmycolJege,"shesaid."Fortunately, whenIcameoutofhighschool,Ihadanumber ofscholarships,thoughthisismyonlyLongwoodscholarship.Myjobalsohaspaidforalot ofmyeducation."

The theme of the 2016 LCVA Gala will feature the art, mystery and wonder of the Southern Garden.

Brittany Perkins '15 balances her Longwood studies with her duties as a youth pastor at Glenn Memorial Baptist Church in Prospect. RyenToney and Emily Kelley are among the children sheworks with at the church.

Taking out th�Trash

A Longwood-affiliated organization devoted to keepingVirginia's rivers, streams and beaches freeoftrash is celebrating its 20th anniversary chisyear.

Clean Virginia Waterways (CVW), founded in 1995 and housed on the Longwood campus since 1999, coordinates theOcean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup in Virginia; conducts research on issues char affect waterways, for example the devastating environmental impact ofcigarette butt and balloon litter; andprovides community education programs such as rain barrelworkshops. (Read more about CVW's transformative work on Page48.)

"We have trained more than 160 nonprofit groups in howtoconduct rain barrel workshops," said CVW Executive Director Karie Register, adding that che barrels capture rainwater, which then can be used for a multitude ofpurposes. "Thousands ofrain barrels, made from pickle barrels, are all overVirginia thanks to our leadership."

In addition, CVWprovides internships for up to six Longwood students annuallyfrom various

disciplines, giving them valuable experience in scientific research and nonprofitorganizational management. Manystudentshaveparticipated in a researchprogram chat monitors the quality oflocal waterways in partnershipwith Dr. David Buckalew in che Department ofBiological and Environmental Sciences.

CVW, a nonprofit organization, starred when Register, then agraduate student at George Mason University, was asked to become the state coordinator ofche International Coastal Cleanup, for which she hadvolunteered for a few years. CVW moved to Longwood in 1999 after her husband, Chris Register, joined the faculty.

Funding for CVW comes completely from grants, gifts and workshop fees. The university provides no funding but does provide office space, fiscal managementand interns.

"Keeping trash out ofourwaterways is something everyone can do," said Register. "We have to reduce the amount oftrash we're creating and use reusable items, which is soeasy. Ir's all about prevention. Once trash gets into the ocean, it's next to impossible to get it our."

Researcherfindsstudents'testscores sufferwithcellphoneuseinclass

College students should thinkrwice before they text or read a Facebook post in class. Their test scores sufferwhen they do that,saysa Longwood researcher.

Every rime students use their cell phones in class it potentially affects their test grades, found Dr. Chris Bjornsen, who studied the relationship berween in-class cell phone use and academic performance in all ofhis classes during an entire academicyear. The study revealed that a onepoint difference in the average number ofrimes a student uses a cell phone during class was associatedwith an average decrease ofsix-tenths ofa point, out ofa score of 100, on the next test.

"Cell phone use in class is significantly and negatively related to grades, and it is significant regardless ofgrade-point average," said Bjornsen, a psychology professor, who suspended his prohibition on cell phone use to conduce the study. "As cell phone use in class goes up, rest scores go down. Just as higher cell phone use predicts lowerrest scores, lower cell phone use also

predicts higherscores."

The studytracked the in-class cell phone use of218 students in the six courses Bjornsen taught in 2013-14. At the end ofeachclass period, eachstudent filled our a briefquestionnaire about how fequently, and for what purpose, he or she used a cell phone in class. Bjornsen ended up with 4,735 completed surveys.

"My assumption before conducting the study was that cell phone use in classwas negatively related to their learning," he said, "but I didn't have actual data to support that assumption. Now I have 4,735 records ofevidence."

The study found significantly lower rest scores for those who used their cell phone for social media ("read orsend email, text message, Facebook, Twitter")-which was "overwhelmingly" the most fequent use, said Bjornsenand for playinggames, which is farless fequent. Internet use and "organization" tasks like checkingone's calendar did not significantly correlate to test scores.

"Small Talk"

overheard on the Longwood campus

JJlfyou think big andtakechances, good things willhappento you. Don't be afraid to fail.''

Gov. Terry McAuliffe Virginia Girls State, June 2015

11Wecan'tjusttellkids,'Justsayno.' We'reinanew era ofknowledge aboutbraindevelopment, and youthhavetobepart ofthe conversation.''

Dorothy McAuliffe First Lady ofVirginia, YouthAlcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Project conference, July 2015

J

We havewhat I call ski readers, who are interested ingettingto theend of astoryas quickly aspossible I'd rather havecanoe readers.Theycan actually get out of the boat and submerge themselvesifthey see something that intrigues them.''

Dr. Lester Laminack children'sauthor and literacy expert, Longwood Summer Literacy Institute, July 2015

"Someone in your family survived the Middle Passage.Youare a survivor TheAfricanAmericanstory is astory of survival."

Rev. Alfred L. Jones Ill genealogist and retired history teacher, Longwood Call Me MISTER conferencefor future teachers, July 2015

JJBased on televisionshows, a glamorized image hasformed ofpeoplewho workin theWhite House-thatthey'resmart, good-looking and will trampleand crush anybodytheycan to get whattheywant. Only the last thing istrue.''

Ben Feller former chiefWhite House correspondentfortheAssociated Press, President's Lecture Series, September 2015

llwe're going to driverless cars, which, instead of 50centsa mile to operate, cost 8 cents a mile based ontoday'selectric prices, or 1 or 2 cents with solar power.''

Carmine Iadarola renewable energy specialist and president ofAquaSan Network, Global Sustainability Speaker Series, September 2015

Mechanical Difficulties

Student researcher reveals how to overcome

1fear and loathing' of grammar

Students everywhere seem to really hate grammar. Catch the mistake?

Ifyou're like most people, you're probably rolling youreyes now about some pedantic grammatical rule on split infinitives. With its dangling modifiers and comma splices, grammar is one ofthe most universally hated subjects-but chat may be because it's being taught the wrong way, says a Longwood student researcher.

"Attitude is everything," said Ashlyn Kemp '16, ofChesapeake, who is studying to become a middle-school English teacher. "For teachers to change student attitudes toward grammar, we have to change ourselves."

Kemp's research centers on pervasive attitudes among college students about the rules oflanguage. She found chat the dislike for studying grammar is more widespread and vehement than she thought: Even students who plan co be English teachers reported negative

Soft Power

Psychologist hopes to aid counterinsurgency efforts with social psychology manual

Dr. Sarai Blincoewants co provide soldiers with what she believes co be the most effective weapon in contemporarywarfare: not an M-16 but the abilitytowin the crust oflocal civilians.

How U.S. armed forces can leverage psychology co wagesuccessful counterinsurgencies in places like Iraq andAfghanistan is spelledourin a recently published manual co-authored bythe Longwood psychology professor. The key co gaining the political support ofthe local population is understanding and utilizingprinciples ofpersuasion, influence and trust, accompanied bycross-cultural awareness, say Blincoe and her co-authors.

"Superiorweaponry is no longerenough. In counterinsurgencies, where ir's often unclear who the enemy is, you have co address the mind-set ofrhe people and their behaviors, which are often neglected," said Blincoe, asocial psychologistwho has worked as a

experiences about learning grammar.

The source ofthe problem? Unenthusiastic instruction, said Kemp.

The solution? Kemp is convinced char teachers need co start reaching grammar positively and in awaychar encourages whatshe calls "active participation" among students and an understanding ofgrammar's benefits.

In Kemp's research, which evolved from a linguistics course chis past spring semester, she surveyed 100 college students on their attimdes coward grammar instruction. The survey also asked three questions co gauge their ability to spot grammatical errors in a sentence. English and education majors, she thought, would be better able ro catch them; she was wrong.

"Peoplewere all over the place with their level ofcompetency, but they all had in common their attitude coward grammar, which is horrible," she said.

Dr. Sarai Blincoe's new

helps military personnel interact positivelywith civilians in war-torn countries.

research analyst fortheNavysince 2012.

"We need a different set oftactics and strategies co focus on the local population. Ifyougetthe population on your side, you have a much better chance ofsuccess. The military is shifting and recognizing this, but many people are unfamiliar with the potential ofpsychology for these settings. We're trying co fill that gap."

Published bythe Naval Research Laboratory, rhe manual, Trust, Attitudes, andSocialInfluence: The Cross-CulturalSocialPsychology ofCounterinsurgency, is written as "kind of

Kemp admits she wasn't interested in the subject until taking a grammar course this spring under Dr. Sean Ruday, assistanc professor ofEnglish, who has published three books on writing instruction, two ofwhich focus on grammar.

"Oh no, I did nor like grammar before," said Kemp with a laugh. "Dr Ruday uses active participation and has an incredibly positive attitude about reaching grammar. In active participation, all ofthe students workwith partners, then collectively come together and share what they've learned. Now I'm definitely OK with grammar and feel comfortable teaching it."

Ruday said the "main takeaway" ofKemp's research is that it's important to teach grammar in away char accentuates its benefits and that conveys it can be a useful cool for effective writing. "Also, teachers need co be positive, co be enthusiastic," he said.

Kemp presented her research, ''Altering Student AttitudesToward Grammatical Concepts," at the 26th annual conference ofthe Assembly for theTeaching ofEnglish Grammar, held in July 2015 in Largo, Md.

a supplement" co theArmy's counterinsurgency field manual.

'This is not about livefiresituations bur about day-co-daystuff, usuallyhow rhe military dealswith civilians," she said. "You have co be . careful that you don't drive civilians into the arms ofthe insurgents and turn them into the enemy. A lot ofthe manual is about changing minds and behavior.Theseconcepts can be applied with fairly minimal resources-and with a high impact for the resources-co any kind of irregularwarfare, including counterterrorism."

Thisapproach, often called "soft power" and lmown during rheVietnam War as the "hearts and minds" campaign, draws from the study ofhuman interaction, called social psychology. As U.S. militarycommander in Iraq, Gen. David Perraeus was an advocate ofthis "human-oriented" approach, said Blincoe.

Themanualwill be distributed to members ofthe Defense and State departments.

"I hope this will influence the milirary's thinking, and I'd like to see it become part ofthe curriculum at militaryschools," said Blincoe. "The manualdoessome translating and distills some helpful, practical information. We need improvements in howwe apply soft power, and social psychologists can help."

manual

News of Longwood's selection as host of the Debate sweeps through campus, setting the university on a new course 2016 Vice Presidential

BY MATTHEW McWI LLIAMS

It was a spectacularly sunny Wednesday afternoon in lateSeptember, and junior Shea Pennington was in Greenwood Library,hard at work studying fora big test later that day.Suddenly around him, phones began buzzing and murmurs broke ouc.The news broke with a tweet, spread like wildfire through social media and uncountable text ' messages, and, moments later, was confirmed by anemail from PresidentW.Taylor Reveley IV to the campus.

"I can'tbelieve it," someone said. "We got a debate!"

Down BrockCommons, Dr.Amorette Barber, assistant professor of biology,checkedheremailquickly between classes and let out a whoop. Hercolleagues poured our of theiroffices and shared in theexciremenc. "I starredmy next classby bringing President Reveley'semailup on thewhiteboard," she said. "Students were high-fiving, andweallcelebrated for the next 15 minutes."

Ir took just moments before the whole campus-indeed the entire Longwood universe-was abuzz with the news that Longwood had been selected to host the loneVice Presidential Debate of the 2016 general election, aneventthat draws international attention.The 2012 Vice Presidential Debate attracted 51millionviewersand the 2008 event more than 70 million. Next Oct. 4,the eyes of the world will be on Longwood, with as many as 3,000journalists fromaround the world expected to converge for the event.

Later on the afternoon of the announcement, students, faculty andstaffgathered foran impromptu celebration at Beale Plaza. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students and aremarkable achievement for ourhistoric university," Reveley told the crowd, raising his plastic cup ro lead a lemonade roast. "This debate will invigorate and energize everything we do over the next year and beyond."

'It's all anyone is talking about. Everywhere I go, people want to talk about how great it is for Longwood.'

- Constance Garner '16, SGA President

Political science professor Bill Harbour echoed Reveley's enthusiasm. "I've been here since 1976.This is the greatest thing I've seen happen ro the university and the town interms of getting our name out," he rold the FarmvilleHeraldfor a story that ran the nextday. Under the bannerheadline "Undebatable!" the story included words of widespread support from community leaders.

"Ir's all anyone is talking about," said SGA president Constance Garner '16, a business administration major from

2016 Debate:

By the Numbers

51 million

Number of people who watched the 2012 Vice Presidential Debate

•37 million

Number of people who watched the 2015 Academy Awards

$50 million

Estimated value of media coverage for Longwood resulting from the debate

3,000

number of journalists expected to be on campus for the debate

Number of general election debates -

3 presidential, 1 vice presidential

Clarksville. "Everywhere I go, people want to talk about how great it is for Longwood-it's a real chance to show offeverything the student body loves about this university."

Longwood was selected as a host site by the Commission on Presidential Debates, whose responsibilities include staging che four debates that precede each presidential election. The message in Longwood's application that resonated with the commission focused on a central element ofthe university's identity: irs history as a place where leadership has been forged in reconciliation. Commission members heard how the Longwood campus is bookended by the sites oftwo great watershed moments ofthe last two centuries: The Civil War effectively drew to a close steps away from the northern border ofcampus, while the modern civil rights movement sprang from a student-led school strike at Moton High School on the southern border.

In a rime when identity politics and division are the new normal in Washington, D.C., Longwood's history as a place ofreconciliation rakes on additional meaning.

"There is no more firring campus for a general election debate than Longwood," said Reveley. "The commission has placed on us an enormous responsibility, but chis campus is prepared and energized to represent both rhe university and Virginia in a way that makes us all proud."

Indeed, the benefits to Longwood will be enormous.

Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla., the host ofthe final 2012 Presidential Debate, estimated the immediate economic impact to the region at more than $1 l million. Estimates from ocher previous host sites value rhe media publicity at more than $50 million.

The long-term effects are just as powerful. At Centre College, which has hosted two vice presidential debates, applications from prospective students spiked significantly at the times ofthe debates and remain at that higher level years later. The debate also provides an opportunity for alumni to reconnect with and take a great deal ofpride in their alma mater.

As preparations come into sharper focus, there will be a need for volunteers both on campus and off. Alumni can keep up with developments and volunteer options by subscribing to email updates ar debate.longwood.edu.

The nextyearwill be chockfull ofdebate-related classes, lectures, speakers, research and other academic opportunities for students leading up to the culminating event Oct. 4 in Willett Hall. As a practical matter and to enablestudents to participate fully in related events, classeswill nor be scheduled for a few days immediately surrounding the debate. *

For answers to many frequently asked questions and updates throughout the year preceding the debate, please visit debate.longwood.edu.

Research conducted by undergraduates at Longwood covers a wide range of subjects, including the impact of invasive crayfish, traumatic brain injury, the urbanization of birds, differential geometry, attitudes about grammar, German colonial culture and policy, and many more. Some projects are undertaken as senior honors research; others are individual projects or are part ofthe summer PRISM programthat provides a stipend and housing to student researchers. Illustration by Martha Rich.

OneTrueThing

Longwood commits to undergraduate research as an essential part of a transformative college education

BY MATTHEW McWILLIAMS

atelastfall,GabbyCowardinandMarissa JacksonsatdownwithJohnFulchertotalk firedepartments.Fulcher,nearly80,shared 40yearsofstoriesabouthisvolunteer brigade:memberscomeandgone,theworst blazeshehadfought,themostpoignantmomentsofthelastdecades.Cowardinand Jacksonlistened.Occasionallytheyasked quietquestions,butmostlytheysatintheProspectVolunteerFireDepartmentgarage,surroundedbyfiretrucks, andlistened.

Then,aswinter'schillsettleddowninDecember,John Fulcherdied,quietlyandwithlittlefanfare-muchthe sameashehadlivedhislife.IfnotforthetwoLongwood studentswhohadsorecentlyspenttimewithFulcher, hismemoriesandinstitutionalknowledgeoftheProspect firedepartmentwouldhavebeenlost,alongwithwhatever thosedecadesoffirefightinghadunlockedinsidehin asaperson.

Cowardin'18,akinesiologymajorfromRockville,and Jackson'17,abiologymajorfromPortsmouth,arepartof agroupofstudentswho,overthecourseofseveralsemestersandyears,haverecordedcountlesshoursofinterviews withvolunteerfirefightersfromtheregion.Inaprojectled bysociologyprofessorOr.JoEllenPederson,thegrouphas minedtheinterviewsfordataonwhatis,inmanyways, adisappearinginstitutionandavocation-theruralvolunteerfiredepartment.Theirgoal:understandthesourceof thecamaraderieandsenseofpurposethathaskeptthese organizationsvibrantevenastheirnumbershavedwindled.

Aroundthecountry,educationresearchersarehomingin onthetransformationalpowerofundergraduateresearch experiencestoshapestudentsandcatapultthemforward. Thedataareclear:Researchnurturescuriosity,innovation andperseverance-essentialskillsforsuccessinanygraduateprogramorprofession.Workingcloselywithafaculty membermakesstudentsmorelikelytopersistandgraduate,

andalsotransformswhattheygetoutofcollege.Arecent Gallup-PurdueUniversitystudyof30,000American collegegraduatesfoundthosewhoworkedcloselywith aprofessorincollegeweretwiceaslikelytofeelengaged intheirworkandthreetimesaslikelytothrivein generalwell-being.

Themythisthatundergraduateresearchonlyworksat giantresearchuniversities.Infact,themagicseemsparticularlypowerfulatplacessuchasLongwood,wherethere areclosetiesbetweenstudentsandfaculty,andwherethe highestproportionofclassesistaughtbyfull-timefaculty ofanyVirginiapublicuniversity.

Suchfocusedlearningopportunitiesrequiremajorcommitmentsoftime,energyandresources,buttoLongwood's

Researchnurturescuriosity, innovationandperseveranceessentialskillsforsuccess.

eyesthepayoffforstudentsisimmense.Thar'swhytheuniversityismakingabigbetonscalingupresearchopportunitiesforundergraduates.Researchisthecornerstoneofthe latestQualityEnhancementPlan,adoptedlastyearaspart oftheaccreditationprocess.

"Theideaofworkingcloselywithafacultymentor, pushingthroughobstaclestomakeyourowndistinctive contributiontoafield,andintheprocesslearningteamwork,communicationandethicalresponsibility-that's Longwoodinanutshell,"saidPresidentWTaylorReveley IV"ThegoalnowistomakethatapareofeveryLongwoodstudent'sexperience."

Asundergraduateresearchspreadstoawiderrangeofdisciplines,ittakesavarietyofshapesandforms.Thecommon themeishuman-scalelearning.Inmanyways,Pederson's projectfocusingonvolunteerfirefightersisquintessential-

active learning under the close guidance ofa faculty mentor that also features a deeply human connection. WhenJohn Fulcherdied, the research became as much aboutservice as about rhe pursuit ofknowledge-a human face on an academic enterprise.

"Research experiences complement classroom instruction in away that promotes deep thought and critical thinking," said Dr. CrystalAnderson, director ofthe newlycreated Office ofStudent Research. "Ir's important ro note char we are nor VirginiaTech-we aren't trying ro be. What we are investing in is a principle that's always been at the heart ofthe Longwood mission: fostering inquisition, critical thought, engagement and active citizenship."

Alberta, whorook Heady's English 150 classlastyear and won the departmental award for best freshman essay ofthe year. "Bur by the end, we had all reached further than we expected. Three lessons in particular that I'll take with me through my Longwood career: rhe importance ofconsidering varied opinions and sources, how ro gather information effectively and how ro build an argument in an appropriate way."

Heady's curriculum was built on the concept ofhome. It's adense concept-one ripe for unpacking. Heady explains: "To help students, I wanted ro cast research in a way rhar they could understand and connect with in the actual world We developed a series ofresearch papers

'Researchexperiencescomplementclassroom instructioninawaythatpromotesdeepthought andcriticalthinking.'

DR.CRYSTALANDERSON,DIRECTOROFTHEOFFICEOFSTUDENTRESEARCH

English150:TheCommonThread

"Personal experience is not separatefrom research," said Dr. Chene Heady, associate professor ofEnglish. "Students often come in with limited ideas about research and what it entails, which is understandable. What we've done is personalize the philosophy and hone in on oneverypersonal topic that students can explore in depth as soon as they step foot in a Longwood classroom."

\

The mechanism for chis exploration is English 150. Heady, a popular professor who specializes in 20th-century British literature, often teaches one or two sections each semester.The course is Longwood's version ofthe ubiquitous freshman composition-the mention ofwhich makes undergraduates from Poughkeepsie ro Portland sigh. It's a foundational class chat secs the stage for deeper thought and functional, high-level writing. Therearesome professors who dread teaching the course as much as rheir students dread walking in the door, and then there are professors, Heady among them, who excel in imparting the toolsofeffective communication to freshman students.

In early discussions on expanding Longwood's research footprint, English 150 was idemified as a natural point for students to be exposed ro the principles ofdeeper inquiry and critical thought. The overhaulwas led by Dr. Heather Lettner-Rust, and the first course piloted by Heady.

"We all came in pretty green," said Patrick Gobran '18, a tennis player and business major from Edmonton,

they had to write, each from a differem academic perspective, but each centering on an aspect ofthe common theme ofhome."

Each paper became a different way ofunderstanding a student's home. From a science perspective, students explored empirical data from their homes, such as Virginia Department ofEducation databases and published test scores. From a historical perspective, theyresearched library archives and old manuscripts. From an arcs perspective, they studied the literature about and from the place.

"That imroducrory writing class is really quite critical to the long-term success ofour efforts ro enhance undergraduate research," said Anderson. "Ir secs the stage by building skills needed not only to research a project they've been given but also to identify new questions. That's really rhe job ofa citizen leader: to knowwhich questions ro ask so you know what to solve."

English 150 was identified in theQEPas a course into which research would be imegrated over rhe next several years. The department is far ahead ofschedule: In fall 2015, every section ofthe course had research at its core.

RoomforGrowth

A simple list ofthe benefits ofundergraduate research make a powerful case for renewed emphasis on its place in rhe curriculum: Active learning rhat promotes curiosity. Teamwork. Higher grades. Interdisciplinary

thought.Betterinformationliteracy.Increasedretention. Greaterexpectationsofgraduateeducation.Relevantcareer preparation.

InmajorstudiesliketheNationalSurveyofStudentEngagement,Longwoodmeasuresupwellagainstmanyofits peersincategoriessuchasstudentengagementandexperience.Inmeasurementsofexperienceswithfaculty-guided research,theuniversityhasanopportunitytomakegreat strides.Thatmeansbuildingonthefoundationthatwas pouredearlyinstudents'freshmanyears.

"Agreatdealofmyoffice'sworkinthecomingmonths andyearsistakingontheroleofmatchmaker,"saidAnderson,whohasalreadybeguntoputtechnologyinplacetofacilitatethepairingoffacultyresearchwithstudentinterest.

InontheAction

nSaturday,Sept.12,Dr.NateSaunders and38ofhisexercisesciencestudents stoodinthelobbyoftheHealthandFitnessCenter,clipboardsinhand.Exercise scienceandathletictrainingaretwoofthe fastestgrowingprogramsatLongwoodcareeropportunitiesaregrowingandpay canbelucrative.Butundertheguidance ofSaunders,anassistantprofessorofexercisescienceand memberoftheUndergraduateResearchAdvisoryBoard,the studentsaregettingmorethancareerpreparation.

Thesearen'tyourtypicalgymratswhoonlywantto pump(clap)youup.Theresearchthey'redoingnotonly givesthemvaluableinformationtheycantakeintojobinterviewsbutalsoisdesignedtohaveanimpactontheir owncommunity-Longwood.

Each"activitymentor"-anexercisesciencestudentwho isparticipatingintheresearchandcollectingdata-ispaired withasubject,eitheraLongwoodstudentoremployee. Afterabatteryofquestionsandanexplanationoftheproject,subjectandresearcherclimbthestairstotheindoor trackonthesecondBooroftheHealthandFitnessCenter.

"Youcandoaone-milewalkoramile-and-a-halfrun," AndrewLaw'17,oneoftheactivitymentors,tellshissubject."Yourpaceneedstobecomfortable,butmakesure youareworkingatit.Wheneveryou'reready."Theytake offontherun,whichispunctuatedwithwordsofencouragementfromLawateverylap."Nice.""Keepitup."

Forthenext10weeks,Law,akinesiologymajorfrom Midlothian,andtheotheractivitymentorswillmonitor theirsubjects,collectingdataonphysical,intellectualand emotionalwellness.

After10weeks,"we'llhaveadatasetthatwecanstart digginginto,"saidSaunders."Thedatawillgiveusaslice ofinformationabouttheLongwoodcommunityandperhapsrevealsomeproblemareaswecanworktoaddress. Formanyofthesestudents,thistypeofresearchistypical

ofwhatthey'llbedoingintheircareers.BueIwantchemto seealsothattheirworkdoesn'texistinavacuum:It'sgota directapplicationtothecommunityinwhichtheylive."

ThesamephilosophydrivesPederson."It'sclear,atleast tome,whatlasts,"shesaid."Whenstudentstakeonresearchprojectsthatarenotonlymeaningfulbutapplicable totheirownlives,theprojectsbecomepersonal-they begintomatter.Inalotofcases,there'satransformativeaspectoftheprocess:Thestudentisnotthesameasheorshe wasbefore.There'sadeeperunderstandinganddesireto seekanswers."

'Whenstudentstakeonresearch projectsthatarenotonlymeaningfulbutapplicabletotheir ownlives,theprojectsbecome personal-theybegintomatter.'

DR. JOELLEN PEDERSON, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY

PedersonherselfmaybeuniqueamongLongwoodfacultymembers.Ajuniormemberofthesociologydepartment,shebeganintegratingresearchintoeveryoneofher classesalmostfromthemomentshesteppedintoherfirst Longwoodclassroom.Sheteachesfourcoursesasemester whilesupervisingandmentoringahandfulofgraduatestudents.Alloftheclasses-withoutfail-havearesearch projectatthecore.HerResearchMethodsclassishalfofan effort,withDr.LeeBidwell'sclass,toexaminethetest-optionaladmissionsmodel-aresearchprojectthatcould haveasignificantimpactonLongwood'sfuture.HerAging andtheLifeclassconductsresearchprojectsingroups,probingissuesasvariedaselderabuseandstereotypesofelderly peopleinfilm.Thatclassisrequiredofnursingstudents, givingtheminvaluableinsightintothelivesoftheirfuture patients.Herlower-levelclassesconducttheoralhistories

Acrosscampus,opportunitiesforfaculty-guidedresearch atanystageofastudent'scollegiateexperiencearecropping upmoreandmorefrequently.

ThePRISMsummerresearchprogrambeganthreeyears agowithafocusonSTEM(science,technology,engineeringandmath)disciplines.Anexclusive,intensiveeightweekprogram,PRISMawardsstipendstobothstudents andprofessorstoengageinmeaningfulresearchwiththe goalofpublishingresults.It'saboonnotonlyforthestudentsbutalsoforfacultymembers.

"ProgramslikePRISMareimportantfirststepsinthe creationofacultureofinquisitivenessandcriticalthought," saidAnderson."Weplan,inthecomingmonthsandyears,

to invest rime and resources in rhe expansion ofcurrent efforts while broadening our scope."

Research efforts, however, aren't limited co on-campus experiences.TheJamesJordan Archaeology Field School is currently in its 35th year ofundergraduate archaeological exploration. The field school put students co work this summerexcavatinga 1,000-year-old Sappony Indian sire and the original Henricussettlement in Chesterfield County. Field school graduates routinely go on co some of the bestgraduateschools in the world and land jobs and internships at nationallyrecognizedorganizations.

In addition, much thought has been given to the best use ofHull Springs Farm, 662 acres in Westmoreland County thatwerebequeathed co Longwood in 1999 and rhar liealong two tributaries ofthe nearbyPotomac River.

"I was a bir intimidated at rhe scope ofthe thingwhen Dr. Bacon approached me with the idea for it," she said.

"I didn't reallysee myselfas someone whowas ready for this typeofchallenge, but Dr. Bacon assured me thathe'd be thereto answerquestions and help meget around any roadblocks I might encounter, and I rook the plunge."

Bacon has an unwavering beliefin his srudentsa beliefthere's plentyofevidence to show is well-founded. He has sent dozens to present at conferences across the country, and all have impressed their peers and other university professors alike. "I havealways felt that if a student can successfully completeanacademic research project, there is nothing that an employer could ever throw at them that they couldn't do, or nothing theywill encounteras an entrepreneurtheycan'tsolve."

'Ireallydidn'tseemyselfassomeonewhowasready for this type ofchallenge, butDr.[Frank] Bacon assuredmethathe'dbethere... to help me getaroundanyroadblocksImightencounter.'

ALANAMACKEY'16,SPEAKINGABOUTHERSENIORHONORSRESEARCHPROJECT

Living shoreline research has been ongoing for rhe last fiveyears, and other projects are underwayor being developed. (See story on Page 20.)

NotfortheFaintofHeart

AlanaMackey '16, a business majorfrom Leesburg, never saw herselfas a candidate for a senior honors research project, the capstone project that is undertaken by an exclusive group ofstudents each year. That didn't stop Dr. Frank Bacon, professor offinance, from recognizing her potential.

"She's got it, bur she doesn't know it," he said, matter-offactly. Thestatement is typical ofBacon's approach to selectingthe students whoworkwith him on the projects: Ifyou've got what it takes, hewon't ler you say no.

Bacon is one ofthemost stalwart champions ofthe most elite opportunityforstudent research on campus. Only a handful ofresearch proposals are submitted to the senior honors research committee each year, and nor all areaccepted. Students who complete one ofrhe massive projects are honored at commencement. Bacon has mentored at least one senior honors researcher ayearsince 2004.

Mackeyis his 14th student.

AClearAnswer

As Longwood forges its path in the 21st centuryin a landscape rhar in a few short years has seen the foundations ofhigher education challenged as never before-deep thought and reflectionhave gone into rhe value ofa Longwood education. How best to facilitate the experiences that transform lives, both inside and outside the classroom? What will do students the most good in their lives and careers?

The answer rhar emerges rime and again is undergraduate research: rhe powerful, essential opportunity that packs the punch to change perspectives anddone rhe Longwood way-underscores our fundamental mission as a university. Whether conducted a laboratory table, or along the shore ofthe Chesapeake Bay, undergraduate research is crucial to educating engaged citizen leaders, and that's why developing opportunities and securingfinancialsupport for undergraduate research have become first-tier priorities for Longwood.

"The benefits are truly vast," said Anderson from her desk in the Office ofSrudent Research, "and we are really well-poised at Longwood to make great strides."

Summer program opens future teachers' eyes to environmental issues in the Chesapeake Bay

With the waters of the Chesapea ke Bay gently wh iteca pping around them,' a group of Lo ngwood students

bel l ied up to the ferry's deck ra il , bi nocu lars in hand.

They su rveyed the watersca pe, exc ited about reach ing

Ta ngier Island, a ti ny, isolated spot of land po pu lated pri mari ly by crab fishermen whose fa mil ies have lived there for generations.

Opposite page: Rachel Pata '18 and Barrett Nicks'16 scan the Chesapeake Bay from theTangier Island ferry.

This day's lesson-the importance of protecting the is and, often referred to as the soft-shell crab capital of the world, both for the fishermen and the wildlife-was just one of many prov ded in SOLSTICE, Longwood's summer interdisciplinary program for future teachers focused on environmental issues related to the Chesapeake Bay. Included in the curriculum is a week in residence at the university's Hull Springs Farm, an invaluable earning laboratory on the nearby Northern Neck.

"Itwasinterestingtoseehowthepeopleand theenvironmentinthisisolatedcommunity cometogethertoformthewholepicture,"said AndrewGibson'18,aliberalstudiesmajor fromCrozet,ofhisdayonTangierIsland. Whilethere,studentscouredtheislandtointerviewlocalresidents,testingtheirskillsat navigatingthenarrowstreetsintheisland's ubiquitousgolfcares.

"SOLSTICEbreaksdownclassroomwalls andallowsstudentstogettheirfeetinthewater, figurativelyaswellasliterally,ratherthanjust readingaboutthingsinabook,"saidDr.PatriciaLust,whoreturnedtothemusicfacultythis summerafterservingasdirectoroftheliberal studiesprogram,whichrunsSOLSTICE,since 2009."Thethreemostimportantfeaturesofthe programareenvironmentalawareness,engaging

students as citizen leaders and using place as text."

Courses in theprogram, whosenameis an acronym for Summer ofLearning: Students and Teachers InvestigatingtheChesapeake Environment, have primarily been in science and English. Theprogram also involves online work.

A key component ofthe curriculum is the required residency at Hull Springs, a 662-acre waterfront lab in Westmoreland County that Longwood uses for education and research. Hull Springs-located on the point where rwo tidal creeks form the Lower Machodoc Creek, which flows into the Poromac River not far away-not only provides access to a wealth ofenterprises and resources related to the local environment and economy but also offers opportunities for students to fish, canoe and learn about Hull Springs' award-

winning living shoreline.

This summer, SOLSTICE collaborated on rwo new projects at Hull Springs chatwillbe used bystudents. In ajoint effortwiththe Deparnnent ofBiological and Environmental Sciences, an environmental data-collecting system, the Longwood Environmental Observatory, was installed, allowingweather, water and soil data to be collected at three stations and transmitted to the Longwood campus every 15 minutes

The second project, in conjunction with the campus' student chapter oftheWildlife Society, was the completion ofthe first phase ofa "forest garden," a demonstration garden featuring planes native to the area.

In its entirety, SOLSTICE opens students' eyes to a broad range ofissues the students may neverbeforehaveconsidered.

"Itwasinvaluableto see thewhole picture," said Gibson, the studentfrom Crozet, who plans to teach natural science and social studies in middle school. "Bygoing to the [commercial fishing] factories and talkingwith the fishermen, and listening to otherspeakers, I got a broad perspective thatgoes beyond the classroom.

"I havelived in Virginia all ofmy life but had no idea about all oftheseissues affecting the ChesapeakeBay," he said. "I learned that once you harm oneaspectofthe bay, it affects other areasas well. Blue crabs andoystershaveespecially been affected."

One site the students visitedwas the Omega Protein plane in Reedville, where menhaden

Left: Jessica Galanis '17 and Barrett Nicks '16 plant a plant native to the region (Salvia Liatris) in the forest garden at Hull Springs Farm. Right: Crab shacks are a common sight onTangier Island, often called the soft-shell crab capital ofthe world.

caughtnearbyareprocessedintomanyproducts,includingfishoildietarysupplementsand animalfeed.Thesiteisthelargestfacilityofits kindoncheEastCoastandthesecond-largest fisheryintheUnitedStates.Studentsalso touredanoystershuckingfacility,anoyster nursery,theReedvilleFishermen'sMuseumand anaquaculturefacilityoperatedjointlybytwo seafoodcompanies.

"Thestudentsprimarilyinvestigatedissues relatedtomenhaden,oysters,bluecrabsand stripedbass,whicharekeystonespeciesofthe ChesapeakeBay,"saidDr.MarkFink,associate professorofbiologyandchairoftheDepartmentofBiologicalandEnvironmentalSciences,whotaughtintheprogramchissummer. "Eachspeciesisimportantnotonlytotheeconomybutalsototheecologyofthebay.Menhaden-asmall,deep-bodiedfishinthe herringfamily-aresoimportanttoVirginia's economychattheirmanagementiscontrolled bytheHouseofDelegates.

"Wealsowantstudentstothinkaboutthe broaderenvironmentalissuesfacingchebayand tobeexposedtoawiderangeofperspectives, whichsometimesconflict,"hesaid."Thereare noimmediatesolutionstotheseissues,andour goalisfortheseyoungprofessionalstobringthis typeofcriticalinquirytotheirownfutureclassroomsandworkenvironments."

Expertswhoaddressedthestudentsthissummerrepresentedseveralorganizations,including theChesapeakeBayFoundation,VirginiaMa-

rinePolice,VirginiaWatermen'sHeritageTour ProgramandNorthernNeckLandConservancy

''Ascitizenleaders,studentswillconfront conflictingdataallthetime,andtheywillhave tomakesenseofit,whichiswhatthisprogram isallabout,"saidDr.AlixFink,theMarcBoyd SharpandWilmaRegisterSharpDeanofthe CormierHonorsCollegeforCitizenScholars, whohasbeeninvolvedinSOLSTICEsinceit beganin2011

DavidBurns,executivedirectoroftheNationalCenterforScienceandCivicEngagement,saidthe"excellentworkbyLongwood faculty,studentsandcommunitypartnersto preparefutureteacherswillensurethatthe ChesapeakeBayremainstheeconomicallyvital nationaltreasurethatitis."

AngelaNeilan,aformercommunityinvolvementspecialistwiththeVirginiaDepartment ofEnvironmentalQualityandaSOLSTICE

'SOLSTICE breaks down classroom walls and allows students to get their feet in the water, figuratively as well'as literally, rather than just reading about things in a book.'

Dr Patricia Lust, former director of the li beral studies program, which runs SOLSTICE

"Weknowthatengagingstudentsinlearning sciencethroughimmersionincomplexissuesof civicimportanceisahigh-impactpracticein highereducation,"saidFink,alsoanassociate professorofbiology."Studentsexploreanincrediblyimporcantandcomplicatedconservationchallengeinourbackyard,theChesapeake Bay,andlearnkeysciencecontentwhilebeing involvedascitizenleaders.We'repreparingstudentstoevaluateimportantissuesandconsider thewaysinwhichsciencecanandcannothelp ustoaddressthem."

Theprogramhasattractedfavorableattentionfromoffcampus.

speakerthisyear,saidtheprogram'scurriculum guidesstudentsintheirinquiryaboutimportantissuesandgivesthemopportunitiestotalk directlytothecitizens."Ir'sawonderfulexampleofteachingstudentstolistenanddiscover theconcernsofthecommunity,focusonprioritiesanddeveloprealisticsolutions,"shesaid.

ClarissaMiller'15,aliberalstudiesmajor fromVirginiaBeachwhowillgraduatein December,cutrighttothebottomlinewhen askedaboutSOLSTICE.

"Theprogramenabledmetogetoutofmy comfortzoneandexperiencethingsIwouldn't haveexperiencedotherwise,"shesaid.

Left: Geography professor Dr. Ed Kinman of the SOLSTICE faculty, Clarissa Miller '15 (center) and Kaitlin Owens '16 discuss their SOLSTICE experiences on the way toTangier Island Right: Rachel Lombardi '16 helps install the airdata-collecting station for the Longwood Environmental Observatory at Hull Springs Farm.

IfyoulistencarefullyinthenewMaugansAlumniCenter, youjustmightbeablehearthefaintvoicesofthethousands ofhungryLongwoodstudentswho,untilJanuary2000, flockedtothespaceforamealorasnack.

Thenewcenter-withitssoaringentryway,grandboardroomand attractiveoffices,libraryandalumnilounge-bearsnoresemblancetoitsformer self,butthelingeringspiritofallthosestudentsmakesthisportionofthebuilding behindRuffnerHalltheperfectplacetocreateahomeforLongwoodalumni.

Makingthetransformationpossiblewasa$2.5millionbequestfrom Kachar._ineAllenMaugans'46andherhusband,Frank,aswellasnumerousgenerouscontributionsfromocheralumniandfriendsoftheuniversity.Katharine Maugans,aBuckinghamCountyschoolteacherwhoenteredtheNavyin1952, servedinthearmedforcesfor30yearsandretiredwiththerankofcaptain.

"It'sbeautifulandsowelldone.AuntKatwouldbesopleased,"said Maugans'niece,SandraSewardPeebles'63,attheofficialopeningceremony Sept.12.Theeventdrewmorethan400alumnibacktocampusfortours, lunchandapresentationonLongwoodhistorybyDr.JimJordan,Boardof VisitorsDistinguishedProfessorofAnthropology.

"OurthanksgomostprofoundlytotheMaugansfamily,"PresidentWTaylor ReveleyIVsaidattheopening.Healsorecognizedseveraldistinguished membersoftheaudience,includingformerLongwoodpresidentsDr.Henry Willett,Dr.WilliamDorrillandDr.PatriciaCormier,andformerAssociate VicePresidentforAlumniRelationsNancyBrittonShelton'68,whoworked formanyyearstomakethecenterareality.

Nancy

NAMED SPACES INTHE MAUGANS A_LUMNI CENTER

Robert0.andEloiseHodgesMartinelli'51Boardroom

R.TuckerWinn'48Room

CecilC.andMargaretFinneyPowell'43Room

KatherineBridgforthHooker'47Atrium

PageCookAxsonMcGaughy'46Library

CarolCombsIrvin'64Room

Dr.AudreyL.Jarrelle'66Room

DianeBottomsBoxley'72Room

ElizabethKelseyHulvey'62Room

0 The reception area at the west entrance to the center features a "giving tree" recognizing 50th reunion class giving.

@ The Maugans Center is home to staff working in Institutional Advancement, including Director of Adv.ancement Services Paula Clay Prouty '85,as well as those in alumni relations and the Longwood University Foundation.

@) Everyone knows first impressions are important, and the Katherine Bridgforth Hooker '47Atrium at the Maugans Center's main entrance rises to the occasion. Hookerwas a basketball playerat Longwood and is an active member of the Martinsville community.

0 Soaring windows and custom light fixtures that incorporate the Rotunda logo make the Robert 0. and Eloise Hodges Martinelli '51 Boardroom as beautiful as it is useful. The room can be configured as one large room or partitioned into smaller spaces, and it is outfitted with the latest technology. Martinelli has continuedthe tradition of giving to Longwood that he and his late wife began many years ago.

0 The Page Cook Axson McGaughy '46 Library showcases a collection of Longwood diplomas bearing every name of the university and signed by every president. McGaughy (inset), a former Alumni Association president, is a retired teacher who taught in the Chesapeake School System.

© Several display cases throughout the Maugans Center allow visitors a glimpse of the vast archive of Longwood memorabilia collected over the years by Nancy Britton Shelton '68. President Reveley announced at the Maugans opening that the collection had been named for Shelton.

Despite the precision and polish that fans see at halftime shows, pre-game rehearsals,

can appear more like chaos and confusion.

As the high-school marching band drilled on a football field one lazy, languid morning in July, few of their missteps escaped the band director's attention.

Itwasthethirddayofbandcampforthe MarchingRaidersofAppomattoxCounty HighSchool,andBryanAllgood'10,bullhorn inhand,wasdispensingbluntcorrections,gentleencouragementandirreverentone-liners fromthesidelines.

"Whendoyouwinbandcompetitions? Thisiswhenyouwinbandcompetitions, guys,"heexhortedthe40orsomusiciansand colorguardmembersmovinginformation acrossrhefield."Thisiswhenyoubeateveryoneelse."

Allgoodloveseverythingaboutmarching band-especiallybeatingeveryoneelseinband

competitions-whichhasbeenanintegralpart ofhislifeforaslongashecanremember HeisoneofseveralLongwoodalumniwho workashigh-schoolbanddirectors.

Whetherthebandhas40membersor140, theyearfollowsafamiliarpatternforhighschoolbanddirectorslikeAllgood.Irstarts withsummerbandcamp,whichispartmusic rehearsal,partbootcampandpartinitiation ritefornewmembers.Inthefall,directorsfret overthecrispnessofintricate,fast-pacedhalftimeshowsatFridaynightfootballgamesand sweatouttheresultsofSaturdaybandcompetitions.Comespring,theirconcertandjazz bandsperforminconcertsandfestivals.

"Banddirectorsareadifferentbreed. Onceyougetbittenbythemusicbug,you can'tshakeit,"saidAdamRoach'04,banddirectoratEasternViewHighSchoolin CulpeperCounty.

Theyhavetobeabletoplay-notjust teach-thenumerousinstrumentschatcompriseahigh-schoolband.Tharincludeseverythingfromatinypiccolotoagiantsousaphone.

Theyalsohavetodealwithyoungpeople's emotions,budgetaryconstraintsfortheirband programsandtheperceptionthatbandisan extracurricular(meaningunnecessary)activity. Yet,theyalllovetheirjobsandsaytheycouldn't imaginedoinganythingelse.

"Ir'satremendousamountofworkbutfantasticallyrewarding.I'mhavingawholelotof fun,"saidRoach.

ThemarchingbandatPowhatanHigh SchoolhasadoubleLongwoodconnection. ThedirectorisNickSnead'12,andtheassistantdirectorishisbrother,AndrewSnead'11, whoalsoisassociatebanddirectoratPowhatan JuniorHigh.Thisisthefirstyearoftheircollaboration,andthebrotherssayit'sbeenarevelatoryexperience.

"Andrewisusuallymorethegoodcop,and I'musuallymorethebadcop,"saidNickatchis year'sfirstfootballgame,"bursometimesthat's reversed."Informedofhisbrother'scomment laterthatevening,Andrewsmiledandsaid, "Iwasthebadcoptoday,but,yes,I'musually thegoodcop.Seriously,thecollaborationis

like this afternoon run-through at Powhatan High School,

working well. I sometimes see things he doesn't see, and vice versa."

Nick also is band director at Pocahontas Middle School in Powhatan, where he scares work every day before heading to che high school. It's not an uncommon job structure, and many directors like the continuity ofteaching students from sixth grade through their senior year in high school.

"It's neat that students begin their band experience with me and end it with me," said Nick.

There are manyaspects to being a high-school band director, but, for many, there's something irresistible about setting musicians in motion on thegreat, grassyexpanse ofa football field.

"My biggest passion is marching band. I'm always chinkingabout it," said Allgood, whose facher, RickyAllgood, has been band director ac Bluestone High School in Mecklenburg County for 39 years.

"From che cime I was 6 months old, I was riding in my dad's band bus. I was at his practices everydaywhen I was 2 and started helpingout when Iwasabout 10. About75 percent

ofwhat I know, I learned from him, but we're different. He's old school; I'm new school."

Marching band requires commitment

fourafternoons aweek bucalsoon Saturdays. "Saturday rehearsals are either fom IO to 2, or, ific's been a bad week, from 9 to 5," she said

'You feel good knowing that you've guided students; there's nothing like it. Watching [students] grow, not only musically but as people, is neat. We're preparing them for the world.'

Danielle Minnick Neller '11, band director at Buckingham County high school and middle school

notonlyfrom chedirector but also from the students. In addition to band camp, which usually lasts ac leasttwoweeks and sometimes longer, marching bands typicallyrehearse several days a week after school, fequencly until 6 or 6:30 p.m.

Kellie Harlow Knapp '10 is band directorac Tunstall High School in Pittsylvania County, where her marching band rehearses noc only

with che resolve ofa drill sergeant. From 9 to 5? "Yeal1,wework hard," said Knapp, whose highschool band camp runs for fourweeks. She is also band director acTunstall Middle School.

Rob Blankenship '00, band director at DouglasFreeman High School in Henrico County, scares his rehearsals ac 7 a.m. on school days to have access to che football field che band shares wich the football team.

The Powhatan High School marching band, led by director Nick Snead '12 on a step ladder, plays pep tunes from the sidelines.

Blankenship and Knapp, like Nick Snead, once played in the marching bands they now direct. "W hen I see teachers in the hallway that I once had, I tell them, 'I can't remember if I behaved for you,"' said Blankenship with a laugh.

The amount of preparation and physical effort required to execute a modern halftime show would probably surprise most of the crowd watching from the stands-even if they once participated in band. Shows are far more physically demanding than in the past due to increased movement, say the directors.

"The halftime show is only seven to eight minutes, but you'd be surprised at how long it takes to put together," said Blankenship.

"Now they're going backward about 100 miles an hour, so if one kid falls, 10 of them go down," said Paul Dembowski '89, a former high-school band director and currently department chair in a music magnet program at Broadneck High School in Annapolis, Md., his hometown. "The things we're asking these kids to do wouldn't have been dreamed of 15 years

ago. The art form has evolved. There's been a shift from supporting the football team to marching band for its own sake. Are the changes artistically sound and instructionally sound? I think so. The good band directors are interested in teaching the kids first."

And then there are the hazards.

"If we go close to 10 minutes, which has happened, we have the football team running over top of us," said Maurice Ellis '09, band director at Central High School and Lunenburg Middle School in Lunenburg Counry.

And the mud-induced mishaps.

"We were rehearsing before a competition, and a girl was being lazy about marching and fell flat on her back in the mud," said Allgood. "Fortunately, she came up laughing, and then the whole band started laughing."

For Blankenship, the story involves a halftime show. "On a muddy field one night, a baritone player walked right out of his shoes, but he kept on going and marched in his socks," he said. "We had to retrieve them after the performance and before the football team

went back out onto the field. I didn't know he had lost his shoes until he told me he needed to go back on the field and get them."

And the wardrobe malfunctions.

"I had someone slip and fall and rip her pants, but she got up and kept going," said Derek Ramsey '06, band director at RandolphHenry High School and Central Middle School in Charlotte Counry. "You gotta keep going. She held it together through the show and was pretry upset when it was over."

Johnathan Coward '14, band director at Huguenot High School in Richmond, laughs now about something that was frustrating at the time. On the Tuesday before homecoming, a tuba player broke a valve on his instrument when it clipped a post as he walked through the double doors into the band room.

"Two days later, after we found another tuba in the back room, he snapped a valve on that one as he was coming in from practice," said Coward. "I was running around the day of the game and was able to find another tuba at a local high school. After that, he was the most

At Appomattox County High School's band camp in June, band director Bryan Allgood '10 delivers an up-close message to freshman mellophone player Brandon Bryant (top, right) and gathers the band for a pep talk just before lunch (left).

cautiousbandmember I ever saw. Hetookhis timegoingthroughdoors, and thekidswouldcell him towatch out orgivehim exaggerated space."

Competitions, usually about a half-dozen every fall, are a big part ofthe experience for marching bands and other high-school bands. "That's the best part ofmarchingband. That'swhat I livefor," saidAllgood,whose marching band competed on most Saturdays from Sept. 26-Oct. 31.

Even against his father's band-especially against his father's band-Allgood is intensely compent1ve.

"He doesn't like to lose either," he said. "In a competition in Franklin County last October, we tied, with an identicalscore of86.2, which I don't thinkhadever happened before. He used to beat me all the time, but nowwe're about split."

For Danielle Minnick Neller '1 1, band director at the high school and middle school in Buckingham County, the challenge has been rebuildinga band program chatwas dormant for years.

"There were no performing groups when

I started, and every yearwe've added a performing group. I took a group ofseven eighthgraders to an instrumental competition in May at Kings Dominion, where they finished second among about 15 middle-school bands and got a Superior rating. We had only one

broken up with their boyfriend. "A 16-yearold can cuss you out one minute and be your best friend the next minute," saidAllgood. "You haveto be a guidance counselor, a father figure and a friend. Sometimes you haveto be critical; ocher times youhave to pick chem up.

'Band directors are a different breed. Once you get bitten by the music bug, you can't shake it.'

Adam Roach '04, band director at Eastern View High School in Culpeper County

student per instrument-itwas like a solo all the time-and were competingagainst bands with 50 members."

Nelleralso revved the marchingbandback up after a 15-year absence. The group performed its first halftimeshowat homecoming in September.

One challenge all band directors face is that theirworkwill bejudged on che performance ofstudents who mayhave just flunked a test or

Thereare a lot ofroles to play, which can be tricky. Kids are different these days."

Regardless, many ofthedirectors say chat workingwith young people is the best part oftheirjob.

"You feel goodknowingchatyou've guided students; there's nothing like it," said Neller. "And the students have achieved something, even ifit's small, which is wonderful. Watching chem grow, not only musically but as people,

Adam Roach '04, band director at EasternView High School in Culpeper County, was busy before the second football game in September. He had to repair the shako of freshman trombonist Everest Head, who was rehearsing with sophomore clarinetist MadisonTate (center) and senior piccolo player Daphne Sink. In the bottom photo, he uses his cell phone to tune the piccolo ofjunior Chiara Head.

is near. We're preparingthem fortheworld."

Blankenship, who composed the Longwood fight song, expressed the same feeling. "I love making music with these kids and challenging them. In 10 years, they'venever disappointed me," he said.

Several ofthe band directorsgivecredit for their success to Dr. Gordon Ring, recently named Longwood's first Simpson Distinguished Professor, and to Dr. Charlie Kinzer, professor and chair ofmusic.

"Adam and I owea lot ofwhatwe do to Dr. Ring and Dr. Kinzer," said Rebecca Haluska Roach '04, Adam's wife and the banddirectorat Culpeper Middle School. "We've stayed in touch with them. Dr. Ring did a clinicwith bands at both ofour schools in February."

Kinzer and Ring played in marching bands in high school and as undergraduates (tenor saxophonefor the former, trumpet for the latter). After getting his bachelor's degree, Ring was ahigh-school banddirectorfor four years in his native Missouri.

Several ofthe band directors met their

future spouses at Longwood. Rebecca and AdamRoach met as freshmenwhen Ring put together abrass ensemble to play at a ceremony Theywere seat�d next to each other, both playingthe trombone.

lunch. "Doing band won'tgiveyou immediate intrinsic rewards, but the life skills you get from working with 60 people-five ofwhom you don't like, which is what you'll find in the workplace-are invaluable," he said.

'On a muddy field one night, a baritone player walked right out of his shoes, but he kept on going and marched in his socks.'

Rob Blankenship '00, band director at Douglas Freeman High School in Henrico County

"I leaned in to him andsaid, 'Don'tlistento me. I suck.' He leaned over andsaid, 'Don't worry. So do I,"' Rebecca saidwith a laugh.

Rebecca is among six alumni band directors at a middle school orjunior high who, in addition to the high-school band directors, were interviewed for this story. Also interviewed was another alum who directs a middle school-level band at her K-12 school.

AtAllgood's band camp, he turned philosophical whengathering the band just before

The musical tradition in theAllgood family-Allgood is married to Allison Warren Allgood '09, a Longwood staffmember-will continue with daughterAbigailJoy, whosefirst birthday is Dec. 22. "She's already had a trumpet to her lips. She's gonna play trumpet," he said. "I always loved trumpet. Thatwas my dad's instrument; he taught me to play. That was the instrument that got the girls."

Will Abigail be in marching band? "There won't be a choice," he said with a smile.

Rob Blankenship '00 keeps time while his Douglas Freeman High School marching band prepares for the coming year at band camp in August.

Death, and the Day's Light

c 1 i\Je c-c, p,o essor of Englts1

This book ofJames Dickey's poetry includes two unfinished poems edited and completed byVan Ness, an authority on the latepoet, novelist andessayist.The poems, "Show Us theSea" and "ForJules Bacon," are accompanied by three other poems that Dickeywrote late in life and two that Dickeycalled "outtakes" of "Show Us the Sea." The book evolved from VanNess' 2009 proposal to Dickey's son, Chris, to edit the two unfinished poems, which was approved by Dickey's estate.This is Van Ness' fifth book on Dickey, and hehasbeen givenpermission by Dickey's estate to edit the finalpoem on whichhe was working, "Eden," as well as to write a biography. PublishedbyMercerUniversityPress,hardcover,I44pages.

Off the Chart

'7 lonavood c1lumn1

Thispoetry collection, sparked by O'Dell's encounters with everydaypatients inruralVirginia, hasbeendescribed as a "tribute to the places and peoplewho transformed her along theway." The poems in this "moving and heartbreakinglymatter-of-fact" collection "restore our faith in humanity," said one critic.Many poetrybooks explore the patient-doctor relationship from the patient'sperspective, bur few do so from the doctor'sperspective, said O'Dell, medical director of the Virginia Department of Health's New River Health District, based in Christiansburg. (See profile of O'Dell on Page 46). PublishedbyWordTechCommunications,softcover,48pages.

The Night I Heard Everything

11 l F associate professor of creativP wr· 1r r

This second full collection of prose poems byCarroll-Hackett, winner ofSlipstream's 2010 poetry competition, "works toward healing, a reconciliation of soul and self, of body and spirit, of the peace to be found even while walking with a foot in both worlds," says one description. Carroll-Hackett, said poet Peter Makuck, "knows what love means, bothfor body and soul ... knows about the riches of listening as well as the rewards of watching, say, 'a ballet of bats' begintheir 'broadbandsweepof the night."' Poet Remica Bingham-Risher called CarrollHackett "fearless inpeeringinto nighttime andunderbrush, all theunempriedplaces still holding spirit." PublishedbyFutureCyclePress,softcover,62pages

Run,Turkey, Run!

,,, Lonqwood alumna and associate profe ::;01 ,, • , ces 1nd disorders

This children'sbook uses repetitive language to "help kidssee therelationship between speech and print, and it also modelshow to use prepositionalphrases," saidAgee, aspecialist inearlylanguage and emergent and earlyliteracy She first wrote the book 30years ago and would read it to her students ("after you read a few pages, they start joiningin on the chorus"), when shewas a preschoolreacherinAppomattox County. Unable to find books to help preschoolers "become aware ofprint," she decided to writeher own stories.The originalhandmade version of the book-fashioned frompicturesAgee cut out andpastedinto a crude binder-isin her office. PublishedbyDynamicResources,softcover,32pages.

ArtExhibitions: Fire!TheResurrectionof Mr. Imaginationand TheQuickeningImage: TheWaxResistDrawingsofDavidDodgeLewisandEphraim Rubenstein. LongwoodCenterfortheVisualArts. Information:434-395-2206.

Men's Basketball: vs.LaRocheCollege.7p.m., WillettHall.Tickets:generaladmission,$7;children andseniorcitizens,$5;Longwoodstudents,free. lnformationandtickets:longwoodlancers.comltickets.

Colloquium: MathematicsandComputerScience Colloquium.4p.m.,RuffnerHall356.Information: 434-395-2193.

Concert:JazzEnsemble.7:30p.m.,JarmanHall.lnformation:434-395-2504.

Film:GeneralEducationFilmSeries:"ZeroMotivation." 7p.m.,WygalHall.lnformation:434-395-2474.

Concert: PercussionEnsemble.4p.m.,WygalHall. Information:434-395-2504.

Concert: Men'sandWomen'sChoir.7:30p.m., JarmanHall.Information:434-395-2504.

Women's Basketball: vs.N.C.Central.TBD, WillettHall.Tickets:generaladmission,$7;children andseniorcitizens,$5;Longwoodstudents,free. Informationandtickets:longwoodlancers.com/tickets.

D FM

Holiday Dinner and Concert. 6:30p.m., DorrillDiningHall.Ticketsrequired.Information: 434-395-2504.

Reunion: MusicandCamerataSingersalumni. 2-4p.m.,WygalHall.lnformation:434-395-2504.

DTHEQUICKENING IMAGE

charcoal, ink, Conte on paper. Image courtesy of the artist

Men's Basketball: vs.UMBC.5p.m.,WillettHall. Tickets:generaladmission,$7;childrenandsenior citizens,$5;Longwoodstudents,free.lnformation andtickets:longw'oodlancers.com/tickets.

Men's Basketball: atUniversityofRichmond.6:30 p.m.,televisedliveonCBS6.Informationandtickets: longwoodlink.com.

Women's Basketball:vs.N.C.Wesleyan.TBD, WillettHall.Tickets:generaladmission,$7;children andseniorcitizens,$5;Longwoodstudents,fee. Informationandtickets:longwoodlancers.com/ tickers.

HROUGHJAN. 17

/

Men's Basketball: atOklahomaState.8p.m., televisedliveonESPNU.Information: longwoodlancers.com.

Women's Basketball: vs.NotreDame-Maryland. TBD,WillenHall.Tickets:generaladmission,$7; childrenandseniorcitizens,$5;Longwoodstudents,free. Informationandtickets:longwoodlancers.com/tickets.

/

Men's Basketball: vs.Cairn.7p.m.,WillenHall. Tickets:generaladmission,$7;childrenandsenior citizens,$5;Longwoodstudents,free.lnformation andtickers:longwoodlancers.com/tickets.

Men's Basketball: vs.UNCAsheville.7p.m., WillettHall.Tickers:generaladmission,$7;children andseniorcitizens,$5;Longwoodstudents,free. Informationandrickets:longwoodlancers.com/tickets.

HOLIDAYDINNER ANDCONCERT

David Dodge Lewis, Rope #3, 2010, graphite, wax,

Concert: HonorsBand.7:30p.m.,JarmanHall. Information:434-395-2504.

Men's Basketball: vs.CoastalCarolina.2p.m., WillettHall.Tickers:generaladmission,$7;children andseniorcitizens,$5;Longwoodsrndents,free. Informationandtickers:longwoodlancers.com/rickers.

Men's Basketball: vs.Radford.7p.m.,WillenHall. Tickets:generaladmission,$7;childrenandsenior citizens,$5;Longwoodstudents,free.Information andrickets:longwoodlancers.com/rickers.

Colloquium: MathematicsandCompurer ScienceColloquium.4p.m.,Ruffner356. Information:434-395-2193.

SHAKESPEARE'S TWELFTH NIGHT F B 2

Concert: RichmondSymphony.7:30p.m.,Jarman Hall.Information:434-395-2001.

Women's Lacrosse:vs.Mercer.TBD,LancerField. Tickers:generaladmission,$7;childrenandsenior citizens,$5;Longwoodstudents,free.Information andrickets:longwoodlancers.com/rickets.

Men's Basketball: vs.Liberty.2p.m.,WillenHall. Tickers:generaladmission, $7; childrenandsenior citizens,$5;Longwoodsmdenrs,free.Information andtickers:longwoodlancers.com/rickets.

LCVAWinter GalaArtAuction: Blacktie. Advancepurchasetickerpackages($250forrwo tickets);individualtickets, $I00each,available beginningDec.I.Information:lcva.longwood.edu.

Concert: ChamberMusicSeries:PianistAndreas Klein.7:30p.m.,WygalHall.Information: 434-395-2504.

Theatre: WilliamShakespeare'sTwelfthNight, or What You Will. 7p.m.,JarmanHall.Tickets: generaladmission,$10;seniorcitizens,Longwood faculty/staffandstudentsfomorhercolleges/ schools,$8;LongwoodsmdenrswithID,$6. Informationandrickets:434-395-2474 orboxoffice@longwood.edu.

Colloquium: MathematicsandComputerScience Colloquium.4p.m.,Ruffner356Information: 434-395-2193.

Film: GeneralEducationFilmSeries.7p.m., WygalHall.Information:434-395-2193. /

Men's Basketball: vs.Presbyterian.7p.m.,Willett Hall.Tickers:generaladmission,$7;childrenandseniorcitizens,$5;Longwoodstudenrsfee.Information andrickets:longwoodlancers.com/tickets.

MARCh

Concert: WindSymphony.7:30p.m.,JarmanHall. Information:434-395-2504.

Concert: ChoralPyramidConcert:Holman MiddleSchool,MenchvilleHighSchooland LongwoodChamberandCametataSingers.7p.m., JarmanHall.Information:434-395-2504.

Film: GeneralEducationFilmSeries.7p.m., LongwoodCenterfortheVisualArts.Information: 434-395-2193.

Concert:JazzEnsemble.7:30p.m.,JarmanHall. Information:434-395-2504.

Colloquium: MathematicsandComputerScience Colloquium.4p.m.,Ruffner356.Information: 434-395-2193.

APRIL

Alumni Reunions: Classesof1946,1951,1956, 1961and1966.Variouslocationsoncampus.Information:longwood.edu/alumni.

Pleaserernemberthatallmcntsrll'csuhiect 10 c1111ccllation m,dchange.Visitwww.lo11gi/'ood.edufi,rllJ!d,1ted i11fomu11io11.Personsu•ithdis,zbi/iciesu•ho1/'i.,h/0 ,irrange11ccommod,1tiousorntfllPri,t!ill,n1t1!t�n1,ztiue formatmaycall434-19f-2;91(l'oice)or u (In

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Thisyear,LongwoodathleticsistakingLancer fansoffthecourt,outsidetheboxscoreandinsidethelivesofsomeoftheschool'sapproximately300student-athletes.

Titled"MoreThanAGame;'thecampaign comprisesfeaturestories,videosandplayerspecificschedulepostersthattelltheinspiring storiesofyoungmenandwomenwhohave pushedthemselvesbeyondtheiraccomplishmentsontheplayingfield.

Longwoodstudent-athletesaremorethan soccerplayers,morethangolfers,morethan pointguardsandpitchers.Onestudent-athlete isavolunteerfirefighter.Anotherhasblossomedfromatimidfreshmanintoaneffective teamcaptain.Theentiremen'sbasketballteam traveledtotheDominicanRepubliconaservicetripthatincludedvolunteeringatanorphanage andadaycarecenter

Thestoriesarevariedandmoving,demonstratingthatthesestudent-athletesareat Longwoodformorethanjustagame.Tofind outmore,visitwww.LongwoodLancers.com/ MoreThanAGame.

AstoryproducedbytheLongwoodathletics communicationsofficewaschosenasa nationalwinneroftheFredStableyJr WritingContest.

Thecontest,coordinatedbytheCollege SportsInformationDirectorsofAmerica (CoSIDA)organization,choseastoryabouta Longwoodsoccerplayerwhostartedanafterschoolprogramforunderservedchildrenas thewinnerofthe"StorywithVideo"category.

WrittenbyChrisCook,assistantvicepresidentforathleticscommunications,withanaccompanyingvideoproducedbyGary Maiorano,thestoryhighlightstheworkof AmeliaMcConnell'16,thenamemberofthe women'ssoccerteam.ShefoundedBeyond TheNumbers,astudent-runorganizationthat providestutoringandencouragementforlocal at-riskchildrenbetweentheagesof8and18.

Longwood'sstorywasoneofsevennational winnersintheannualcontest,whichfields submissionsfromathleticscommunications officesacrossthecountry.

Tackling Stereotypes

TiaWatkins'04helped the D.C. Divastothe 2015 WFA National Championship, the equivalent of the Super Bowl for women'sprofessionalfootball, and earned WFA National Conference Defensive Player oftheYearhonors.

Longwooddoesnothaveastronghistoryoffootballgreatness,oranyhistoryforchatmatter.However,one formerLanceristryingcochangethat.

Checkinginat5-fooc-9and185pounds, Longwood'slonefootballstandoutisastrong, athleticoutsidelinebackerwhodoesn'tsomuch "man"thelineofscrimmageasshedoes "woman"it.

HernameisTiaWatkins'04,andshe'sgiving newmeaningtothephrase"hieslikeagirl."

"Weplayinfulluniform,fullpadsandhelmets,andwecacklejustliketheguys,"said Watkins,amemberoftheD.C.Divas,oneof 40teamschatmakeuptheWomen'sFootball Alliance(WFA),thenation'slargestwomen's professionaltacklefootballleague.Aformer rwo-sporrathleteatLongwoodinbasketballand lacrosse,the34-year-oldmotheroftwobegan playingfootballprofessionallyin2013.Since then,shehasmadearapidascentfromrookieto elitedefendertoWFANationalChampion.

"WhenIfirstheardtherewasprofessional women'sfootball,Iwaslike,'WhyamIjust findingthisout?'I'minmy30snow,butcan

youimaginewhatIwouldhavebeenabletodo ifIhadfounditrightoutofcollege?"

KnownasTiaRichardsonduringherdays atLongwood,Watkinsisthedefensivefulcrum oftheDivas.Shehelpedherteamtothe2015 WFANationalChampionship,theequivalent oftheSuperBowlforwomen'sprofessional football,andearnedWFANationalConference DefensivePlayeroftheYearhonors.

Watkins'seamlesstransitiontofootball shouldcomeaslittlesurprisetothosefamiliar withherathleticsresume.ShecametoLongwoodasabasketballplayerbuttriedoutforthe lacrosseteamattheurgingofKrisDenson'03, afiendandamemberoftheteam.Watkinsnot onlymadetheteam,shewentontoplayfour yearswhilehelpingtheLancerstorwoNCAA Tournaments,anationalchampionshipberthin 2002andafour-yearrecordof54-7.

ForWatkins,playingsportshaslongbeen aboutmorethanchegameitselfShewasaregularinpickupbasketballgamesasachild,keepingpacewithhermalecounterpartswellinto highschool.Shewasevenastartingdefensive backandreserverunningbackonherhighschoolfootballteam.

Now,asawomancompetinginamale-dominatedsport,Watkinsseesherselfdeliveringthe samehitstogenderstereotypeschatshedishes outtorunningbacksongameday

'Tmfeminine,butIcanberoughandtackle. Idon'thavetoputmyselfinabox,"Watkins said."Mykidsandocherkidsareseeingthat youdon'thavetofiethestereotype."

Watkinswasfeaturedina Washingon Post articleaftertheDivas'nationalchampionship, bringingevenmoreattentiontoherathletic abilityandtohercommitmenttoservingasa rolemodelforgenderequality.

"Nowmoreandmore,girlsareplayingwith theboysinfootball,"shesaid."Hopefully,one dayit'snotlike,'Youcan'tdochisbecauseyou're agirl,andonlyboysplaychis.'It'sjustamindsetchatweshouldn'tlimitourdaughters. Youwanttoplayfootball?Youwanttobethe CEOofacompany?Youwanttobepresident? Youcandoanythingyouwanttodo."

Grand Slam

LongwoodDirector ofAthleticsTroy

Austinhascapped PierreTafelskias headcoachofthe Lancermen'stennis program.

Tafelski,the201314ITADivisionII NationalAssistant CoachoftheYear andaformerDivisionIstudent-athlete,wasformerlyanassistant coachatDivisionIItennispowerhouseHawaii PacificUniversity.

AtHawaiiPacific,Tafelskihelpedguidethe men'sandwomen'stennisprogramstotop-10 DivisionIIrankings.Themenfinishedthe2014 seasonwitha23-1record,withtheloneloss comingagainsttop-rankedWestFloridainthe DivisionIIChampionshipmatch.Meanwhile, theHawaiiPacificwomencompileda41-10 recordinTafelski'stwoseasonswiththeprogram.

"We'reexcitedtowelcomeacoachastalented anddrivenasPierretoourdepartment,"Austin said."Hisdesiretoleadourmen'stennis

programhasbeenevidentfromthestart. Tohavesuchsuccesssoearlyinhiscoaching careerisremarkable,andI'mlookingforwardto watchingchisprogramgrowunderhisleadership."

Tafelski'scollegiatecareerbeganatOuachita BaptiseUniversityinArkansas.Heledhissquad theretoaNo.3rankinginDivisionIIwhile earningaNo.40nationalrankingandall-conferencehonorsinsinglesplay.Hethenmoved uptotheDivisionIranksatMercerUniversity, wherehesteppedintotheropsinglesspotasa juniorandwentontoearnAll-AtlanticSun honorsasaseniorin2012.

"IamhonoredtojointheLongwoodfamily andbepartofagrowinguniversity,"Tafelski said."Longwoodhasabeautifulcampuswith greatacademicsuccess,whichwillhelpattractingtalentedstudent-athletes.Ilookforwardto workingwiththeathleticsdepartmentandthe Longwoodcommunitytobecomeoneofthe leadersintheBigSouthConference."

A2012graduateofMercer,Tafelskiearned abachelor'sdegreeinbusinessadministration withaconcentrationinmanagement.Hewent ontoobtainhisMBAfromHawaiiPacific Universityin2014.

TheliveauctionwasthehighlightoftheeveningduringthethirdLongwoodAthleticsBenefit CelebrationonOct.17.Amongtheitemsthatcreatedastirwereagolfpackageandstayat TheGreenbrierResortinWestVirginia,aweekataHiltonHeadcondoandtheopportunity toco-hostESPN'ssportstalkradioshow Hardly Workin'. Morethan350peopleturnedout atTheOmniRichmondHotelforaneveningoffood,drinks,dancingandtheliveandsilent auctions.Forthesecondstraightyear,thefundraisergeneratedmorethan$65,000forthe DepartmentofAthleticsandstudent-athletescholarshipsupport.

TheLongwoodmen'sbasketballteamwill playback-to-backtelevisedgamesinDecember,includinganationallybroadcast,primetimeshowdownatOklahomaState onDec.15

The7p.m. boutinStillwater, Okla.,willaironESPN'sflagshipcollegesportsnetwork andisthefirstnationaltelevisionappearanceforthe Longwoodmen'sbasketball program.IntheeightpreviousseasonsattheDivisionI level,Longwoodhasmadeappearancesonregionalplatforms oftheMASN,FoxSportsand AmericanSportsnetworks,buttheDec. 15matchupagainsttheCowboyswillmarkthe firstmajortelevisionoutlettobroadcastthe Lancersonanationalstage.

TheESPNUappearancewillimmediately followtheLancers'regionallyairedmatchup attheUniversityofRichmondonDec.12, whichwillbetelevisedliveonWTVR-TVCBS6 inRichmond.Thatgametipsoffat6:30p.m. intheRobinsCenterand will renewa rivalry againsttheSpidersdormantsinceNov.24,2009. (Seestoryaboutrelatedalumniwatchevents onPage43.)

Theprimetimeexposurealignswith a2015-16seasonforaveteranLancerteam thatreachedlastyear'sBigSouthsemifinals. TheLancersarecomingoffa2014-15season thatconcludedwiththreewinsinthefinalfour games,includinga68-60upsetwinoverNo.1 seedCharlestonSouthernintheBigSouth quarterfinals.ThesemifinalberthwasLongwood'sfirstinthreeyearsasamemberof theBigSouth.

TheLancerswerescheduledtoopenthe 2015-16seasononNov.7inanexhibition matchupagainstneighboring DivisionIll programHampden-SydneyinWillettHall.

PierreTafelski

BaseballAmerica names pitcher as No. 4 prospect inValley League

Longwoodjuniorright-handerDevinGould '17, abusinessadministrationmajor, wasnamed thefourth-bestoverall prospect intheValley Baseball Leagueandthesummer league'stop right-handed pitcherby BaseballAmerica, the publicationannouncedlastweek.

A 6-foot-3, 185-poundnative of Fairfax Station, Gould broke outduringhissecondsummercollegiate season andearnedValley All-Starhonorsafter posting a5-0 record with eightsaves, a 1.09 ERA, 30strikeoutsandjust 12 walksin 24.2 inningsfortherunner-up Staunton Braves.

Gouldwasespecially dominantin Staunton's playoff runtotheValley League Championship Series,firing7.0inningsofone-runballwith 11 strikeoutsoverthree postseasonappearances.Hecappedhissummerwithtwo perfect innings ofreliefinthe championship series' decisive thirdgame, whichthe Expressclaimed 4-3 afterscoringthego-aheadrun priorto Gould'sentry.

Gouldentershis junior season at Longwood with36collegiatereliefappearances, three startsand74.0 innings underhisbelt. He loggeda5.45 ERAin33.0inningsasa sophomorein 2015, strikingout 35 whileholdingtheoppositionto a.235battingaverage. Forhis career,hehasallowedjust one home run over74.0innings, comparedwith80 strikeouts, 49 walksand66hitsallowed.

To the Power of 3

Cross coun ry coacn quc.t

Longwoodcross countryheadcoach Catherine Hansonwillbetravelingto Cozumel, Mexico, inSeptember 2016tocompetefortheTeam USATriathlonsquadat theSprintWorld Championships.

s for USA triathlon team

Hanson, who is enteringher ninthyearcoaching Longwood's men'sand women'scrosscountryprograms.

Hansonemergedfromthe swim legof the 2015nationalchampionship in25th placebut

'Thisyearwassaidtobethedeepestintalentinyears, andtheYceryfewslotsUSATofferedonthenationalteam werehardtoobtain.' 0 .. r_.\Lr. ,_LJ

Hanson qualifiedfor theworldchampionships, set forSept. 11-18,afterplacing 13th outof 81 entries intheage45-49 divisionatthe 2015USATriathlonSprintAgeGroupNational Championshipsearlierthis fall. Hanson's rimeof 1 hour, 17 minutes, 14.42 seconds put her inthe top 30 percent of thefield inherage group. Overall, she finished 120th of 977femalecompetitors and logged the fourth-fastest time of anyVirginian at the race.

Hanson's most recentaccoladesarea continuation of herjourneyfromcancersurvivorto high-leveltriarhlete. LongwoodLancers.com detailedher storylast November followingher 25th-place finish at the 2014 USATriathlon National Championships.

"I amextremelythankfulforthe support Longwood hasgiventowardmyefforts, and I hope I made her constituentsproud," said

surgedto13th after thebikeand run portions of therace.Sheloggedher division'ssecondfastestrimeinthe5-kilomecerrun,with21:11.23, andshavedmorethan 10 secondsoffhertotal time inthe 2014nationalchampionships.

"Thisyearwassaid to bethedeepestintalent inyears, andtheveryfew slotsUSAToffered on the nationalteam werehardto obtain," Hanson said. "The improvementsI made thisyearwere significantfor a sprintdistance, especiallywith the water temperaturesdippingto 63degrees in Milwaukee.

"I definitelyneed moremass open water swim start practice because I struggled toestablish mytrue swim pace while getting kicked and bear upandhavingto fight through everyoneat the scare. Burlike I tellmy athletes, part of our successes are the lessonswelearnand themistakeswecorrect."

Devin Gould '17

Catherine Hanson celebrates her qualifying time.

New alumni director focused on engaging alumni via 'lifelonglearning'

Parks Smith '08, Longwood's new director of alumni relations, could never be accused ofa lack ofschool spirit.

As a Longwood student, Smith missed only one men's basketball game-because he had mono-and he founded the Lancer Lunatics, a spirit organization for basketball games. This season is his ninth as a season ticket holder

Smith returned recently to his alma mater not simply to attend another game in Willett Hall but also to assist Ryan Catherwood, assistant vice president for alumni and career services, in strengthening the connection between alumni and the university.

"My main role as director ofalumni relations is to engage our alumni offcampus by creating events with a focus on lifelong learning," said Smith, who started in his new position July 10

"We want to engage alumni from across our entire base with family events, professional development events and traditional fun events. We want to create dynamic programming that will bring alumni from all three of our main eras-as a women's college, as Longwood College and as Longwood University-together."

After graduating with a degree in communication studies, Smith worked for twoyears as director ofmarketing and sales for startup Raceic.com, an online registration platform for athletic events. For the next five years, he was an associate strategic leader for Royall & Company, a firm that specializes in higher education enrollment management and alumni fundraising.

The Richmond native and his wife, Erin Woolard Smith '68, a clinical team lead for Magellan Health Services, have a son, Palmer, who will turn 2 in February.

Milestone Reunions set for April 29-30, 2016

IThe Longwood campus will be buzzing with activities on the weekend ofApril 29-30, 2016, with the 50th reunion celebration of the Class of 1966 and additional Milestone Reunions for the classes of 1946, 1951, 1956and 1961.

Plans for the weekend include tours of the Moton Museum, tee times at Longwood's golf course, a visit to the Longwood Center for theVisualArts and shops along Farmville's Main Street, and an opportunity to cheer on the Longwood softball team in a game against Radford.

Be on the lookout for a save-the-date communication. Because hotel accommodations are limited, anyone planning to attend is encouraged to reserve a room at the Farmville Hampton Inn (434-392-8826) using group code LU8 as soon as possible.

Please visit longwood.edu/alumni for more information andto register online

Canned goods, kid activities are focus of Richmond events

Two recent alumni events sponsored by the Office ofAlumni and Career Services brought out the Lancer faithful in the Richmondarea.

Longwood finished sixth among the 27 colleges that competed in thethird annualAlumni Charity Challenge, held Sept. 30at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery in Richmond.The event collects canned goods forthe CentralVirginia Food Bank. Longwood alums contributed601 pounds of canned food.

Some 150 alumni and family members took their chanceswith a rain forecast for Kids and Family Day at Huguenot Park in Chesterfield County on Sept. 26.The event included lunch catered by Chipotle, finger painting, pin the tail on Elwood and aT-shirt giveaway.

"These eventswere great opportunities to focus on families in the Richmond area and on our involvement in the community;' said Parks Smith '08, director of alumni relations.

Cheer on your Lancers at alumniwatch events for 3 men's basketball awaygames in December

Whether in person or atwatch parties, men's basketball fans can get togetherwith fellow Lancers to cheer on their team at three away games in December.

Pregame parties and special Lancer seating sectionsare plannedfor the Dec. 12 game at the University of Richmond and the Dec. 19 game at George Mason.The Richmond pregame eventwill beheld at theWeinstein Center on the University of Richmond campus; the NorthernVirginia event will be at HardTimes Cafe, located at 4069 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax.

For the nationally televised (ESPNU) game Dec. 15 vs. Oklahoma State, Longwoodwatch partieswill be held from 8-10 p.m. in Midlothian, at BuffaloWildWings atWestchester Commons, and inVirginia Beach, at CP Shuckers at 2407 Pacific Ave.

To register for these free events, or for more information, visit longwood.edu/alumni.

Parks Smith '08

LISTED IN DRDER DF CLASSYEAR

Alice MarshallWertheimer '32 May29,2015

Virginia Puckett Hodnett '33 June12,2015

Cleo Reynolds Coleman '36 June17,2015

Mary Black '38 June7,2015

Delha Chambliss Crutchfield '38 May27,2015

Evelyn Quillen Ryland '41 Aug.30,2015

Alice Coberly Hall '42 June21,2015

Amy Parks '42 May22,2015.

BettyTylerWoolsey '43 July22,2015

Jane Saunders Stoney '43 Sept.9,2015

Eleanor Hall Baker '45 July12,2015

Roberta Davis Huey '45 Sept.14,2015

Margaret BarksdaleWoltz '45 July5,2015

Elizabeth Cawthorne DeBusk '46 May23,2015

Jacquelyn McCoy Moss '46 Aug.12,2015

Judith Rieck Bass '47 Sept.12,2015

Virginia Anderson Justis '47 Sept.9,2015

VirginiaYonce Gates '48 Aug.21,2015

Arline Raney Harris '49 July15,2015

Mary Davis Edwards '49 July2,2015.

Jean Cake Forbes '49 Aug.11,2015

Naomi Davey Hodges '49 May16,2015

RuthTillett '49 July4,2015

Anne EastWatkins '49 JulyI,2015

CharlotteWilson Scott '50 May13,2015.

Edith BrooksWamsley '50 June27,2015

Elizabeth Harris Floyd '50 May20,2015

Jean CunninghamWilson '51 Aug.21,2015

Frances Everett Brown '51 June3,2015.

Janet Peebles Host '52 July4,2015

Ann Moody Gabbert '52 July22,2015

Marguerite Smith Cutchins '53 Aug.6,2015

Joanne Steck Metcalf '53 Junell,2015

Lelia Wingfield Pollard '53 Sept.17,2015

Elizabeth Shorter Bowles '54 June13,2015

BarbaraAllen Bass '55 July7,2015

Bonnie Owen Balderson '55 July3,2015.

Jacquelin Marshall '56 Aug.27,2015.

Virginia Pohe Doss '57 July15,2015.

Henry Lancaster '57 Sept.23,2015.

Jeanette StinsonWoods '58 Sept.23,2015.

Carmen JohnsonWeaver '60 June23,2015.

Hayes Brooks '61 June21,2015

Nancy Inge Eskridge '61 Aug.3,2015.

Linda Campbell Harris '61 June28,2015

Nettie Harden Lockett '61 July3,2015

Frances Norment Hillman '62 July30,2015

Martha Bryant Croft '64 Sept.1,2015

Judy Melchor Little '64 June13,2015

Gale PageTaylor '64 June27,2015

Barbara Lyman Lindsay '69 May15,2015

Barrie Stoneman Smith '71 May24,2015

NancyAllen '72 July17,2015

AmyWorsley '74 June28,2015

Gail Pollard Blount '77 Aug.21,2015

Judith FosterValentine '77 Sept.25,2015

Thomas Larus '82 May30,2015

Jeanie Strader '84 Aug.31,2015

Nathalie Averett Jones '84 June21,2015.

ClassNotes

David Sniechoski '90 May19,2015

Jennifer Jackson '96 May22,2015

Robert Ballance '14 Aug.15,2015

1940s

ofAmelia Countywasrecentlyrecognizedby U.S.Rep.RandyForbesforbeing thefirstwomanelectedtotheVirginiaSenate.Scottoriginallyserved intheVirginiaHouseofDelegates, winningaseattherein1971and servingfourconsecmivetwo-year termsbeforerunningfortheSenate in1979andbecomingthefirst womantoserveinthatbody. InadditiontoLongwood,sheattendedtheSchoolofPharmacyat theMedicalCollegeofVirginia, nowpartofVirginiaCommonwealrhUniversiry.

1950s

r,,.,reports thathergranddaughterLucyAnne Everettiscompletingherfreshman yearatLongwood.Everettloves Longwoodandismajoringinelementaryeducation.Shewillbethe thirdgenerationinherfamilyto graduatefromLongwood.Everett's great-grandmother,OrmondMildredMarshall,graduatedin1927.

1960s

ofAlexandriawasappointedbyGov.Terry McAuliffetotheVirginiaLand ConservationFoundation.Boothis afreelancewriterwhohaspenned articlesontopicsasdiverseasthe OldFiddlers'ConventioninGalax andAlexandrilsofficialtowncrier (bothforVirginialiving)

1970s

retired inFebruary2015after42yearsof serviceineducation(publicschool andpost-secondary),thelast28at LouisianaTechUniversity,where sheservedasdirectorofcounseling anddeanofstudentdevelopment. Uponretirement,shewashonored tobenameddeanemeritaofstudentdevelopment.Griffinandher husbandcelebratedretirementby takingacruiseontheSeineRiver inFrance.Oneportwasthecityof Rouen,whereJoanofArcwas burnedatthestakeinI431.

1980s

wasnamed thesuperintendentoftheIsleof WightCountypublicschoolseffectiveJulyI,2015Hepreviouslyheld

thesamepositionfortheMecklenburgCountyschoolssince2010 Thorntonhasmorethan11yearsof experienceasasuperintendentand 25yearsofexperienceineducation, includingservingasanathleticsdirectorandasateacher.Thornton earnedhisDoctorofEducationin educationalleadershipandpolicy fomVirginiaTech,aMasterofEducationinsupervisionandadministrationfromVirginiaState UniversityandaBachelorofScience inmathematicsfromLongwood.

and

ElizabethAnnCookandweremarriedJune6atZigboneFarmRetreat CenterinSabillasville,Md.Prowis themanagingdirectorandchiefoperatingofficeroftheEnoughProject,adivisionoftheCenterfor AmericanProgress.Theproject, whichisbasedinWashington, workstoendgenocideandcrimes againsthumanityincentralAfrica. Inadditiontoherdegreefrom Longwood,shereceivedamaster's degreeinurbanpolicyanalysisfrom theNewSchool.ShewasaPeace Corpsvolunteerfrom1994to 1996inSambava,Madagascar, whereshewasanEnglishteachertrainer.Cookisthevicepresident forinstitutionalstrategyanddevelopmentattheWorldResources Institute,anenvironmental researchorganizationbased inWashington.

was promotedtochiefexecutiveofficer oftheBoys&GirlsClubsofAnnapolis&AnneArundelCounty inMaryland.Shehadworkedfour yearsfortheorganizationbefore beingnamedtothepositionin September.Mondoro,whoearned adegreeinsociology/criminaljusticefromLongwood,waspreviouslyseniordirectorofoperations fortheclub'ssixlocations.Shehas morethan20yearsofexperiencein youthservicesandhaslivedin AnneArundelCountyfor14years. Sheiscurrentlyworkingonamaster'sdegreeinspecialeducation.

1990s

isthenewsuperintendentforthe MathewsCountyPublicSchools. A20-yearteacherandadministratorinthedistrict,shestepped intothetoppositionasofJuly1, 2015Shepreviouslytaughtat PowhatanCountyPublicSchools, PrinceEdwardAcademyand ChesterfieldCountyPublic Schools.

isasite surveyorinthememberqualitydepartmentatUnitedNetworkfor OrganSharing(UNOS).ShepreviouslywaswithVirginiaCommonwealthUniversityHealthSystem.

receivedthe rophonorsintwomodulecourses fromFeverbee,aninternationally recognizedcommunitymanagementconsultancy,inIntermediate andAdvancedProfessionalCommunityManagement.Thisprofessionalcertificationhascontributed toherinternationalreputationin thefieldofcommunitymanagement.

isthecommanderofthelStl,Field ArtilleryBrigadeatFortBragg,N.C. Panofthe18thAirborneCorps, Rafferty'sbrigadeisresponsiblefor long-rangeprecisionfiressupport. ThisisRafferty'sthirdassignmentat FortBragg.Thefirstwasasafiredirectionofficerandplatoonleaderfor BBattery,5thBattalion,8thField Anillery.Healsoservedascommanderofthe1stBattalion,319th AirborneFieldArtilleryRegiment, 3rdBrigadeCombatTeam,82nd AirborneDivision.

isthenew firemarshalforJamesCityCounty, wherehehasworkedinavarietyof positionsfor20years,mostrecently asassistantfiremarshal.Hisresponsibilitiesincludereviewingsiteplans forsafetyissues,inspectingnewly constructedbuildings,determining thecausesoffiresandinvestigating bombings,arsonsandhazardous materialsincidents.Hisappointmentwasunanimouslyapprovedby thecounty'sboardofsupervisorsin May20I5.AfterearninghissociologydegreefromLongwood,he beganhiscareerinJamesCity Countyin1995asapoliceofficer.

,wasnamedtheboys varsitybasketballcoach,athleticdirectoranddeanofstudentsinJune 2015fortheMetropolitanSchool DistrictofShakamakinJasonville, Ind.PreviouslyNeillheldasimilar positionatWhiteRiverValleyJr./Sr. HighSchoolinSwitzCity,Ind., compilinga64-49recordinfive seasonsthere.Hespentlastyear workingtowardhisadministration licenseatOaklandCityUniversity. NeillwasamemberoftheLancer basketballteamwhileatLongwood.

isamusictherapistinWestPalm Beach,Fla.

Detail Oriented

background n rt own for umq em

"Wedon'tbuildnormal,"ZachBaldridge'95 sayswithobviousprideashetalksabout themorethan30customhomeshehas leftdottingtheLynchburg-arealandscape."Fromtheoutsidedesigntothe

Person of Interest

lightfixtures,whatwedocan'tbefound inacatalog."

BaldridgesettledonacareerindesigningcustomhomesattheendofacircuitousroutethatbeganinLongwood's pre-engmeenngprogram.

Itwastheartclasseshetookfreshman yearthatfirstpointedhiminadifferent direction.Maybehewasnaturallydrawn tothesubjectormaybehesignedupbecausehisfather,MarkBaldridge,wasa professorinthedepartmentatthetime.

Whateverthereason,theyounger Baldridgequicklydiscoveredapassionfor workinginmanydifferentmediaand soonswitchedhismajor.Overthenext fouryears,Baldridgebegantocombine hispassionforartwithhisnaturalknack forscience,workinginmaterialssuchas wood,metalandglass-which,ofcourse, aresomeoftheprimarymaterialsusedin homebuilding.

Aftergraduation,hegotajobasadesignengineer,workingnightsandweekendstodesignandbuildhisfirst"dream house."Thehousecaughttheeyeoflocal realestateprofessionalsandtheirclients. Fastforwardmorethan12yearsand

, custom homebuilder k dwork

todayBaldridgeistheownerofTrueCustomInc.,aLynchburg-basedcompany withfiveemployeeswhereBaldridgeuses hisLongwoodarttraining,particularly hisskillsincastingandmetalwork,tocreatetwotothreeuniquehomeseachyear.

''Alotoffinedetailsfromolderhomes aren'tbeingdoneanymorebecausethe craftsmenaren'taround,"hesaid."Weuse technology,fromcomputer-aideddesigns toadvancedmanufacturingtechniques, tobringbackclassic,artisticderailsto newerhomes."

Thesedetailsincludecustomrailings, concretemoldsandfabricatecdmetallight fixtures,hingesandkitchenhoods.

"Itellcustomerstofindsomething theylike-ashapeoranimage-and thenwetalkaboutideasandworktogetheronastylefortheirhome,"hesaid. "It'smyjobtohelppeopleseewhat'spossibleandwhat'sfeasible,andthenguide themthroughthecreativeprocess."

Baldridgesaidheowesmuchofhis successtowhathelearnedatLongwood. Theuniversityalsoplayedapartinanotheraspectofhislife:Heandhiswife, Tiffany,metwhentheywerebothresidentadvisorsoncampus.Theyweremarriedjustweeksaftergraduationandchis yearcelebratedtheir20thanniversary TiffanyBaldridge'95isacommunicationscoordinatorinthealumniofficeat RandolphCollegeinLynchburg,andshe andZachhavethreechildren:Colton, KayliandMalyn.-DanCawley

ClassNotes

ContinuedfromPage44

isrhedevelopmentdirectoratASKChildhood CancerFoundationinRichmond. Shepreviouslywascheexecutive directorofcheJuniorLeague ofRichmond.

2000s

ischemanager ofchescruccuralheart-cardiacsurgeryareaforSr.JudeMedicalInc. HeadquarteredinSr.Paul,Minn., St.JudeMedicalisaglobalmedical technologycompanyfocusedonsix keyrrearmencareas:heartfailure, arrhythmias,vasculardisease,structuralheart,chronicpainandneurologicaldiseases.Amemberof Longwood'smen'sbasketballream whenhewasastudent,Hughesisa residentofWilliamsburg.

candAndrew BonniwellweremarriedonSept. 12,2015,acKiptopekeStaceParkin CapeCharles.Bochcurrenclyreside inRichmondandaremembersof rhelocaltheatercommunity

! wasnamed principalofStonehouseElementarySchool,pareofrheWilliamsburg-JamesCityCountyschool syscem,priortochestartofrhe 2015-16schoolyear.Whitehad servedasassistantprincipalac RawlsByrdElementarySchool since2012.Priortochar,shewasa reacheracLoisS.HornsbyMiddle Schoolfrom2006-12Shealso caughtinHamptonCityPublic SchoolsandlsleofWightCounty Schools.lnadditiontoherbachelor'sdegreefromLongwood,she receivedaMasterofEducation degreefromtheCollegeofWilliam &Mary.

was promotedcopartneratWellsColeman.Shespecializesinaccounting, taxandconsulringservicesfor closelyheldcompanies.

isvicepresidencofcapitalinvesrmencsatAppleHospitalityREIT inRichmond.

wasnamed2014Teacherof theYearatRuralPaineElementary SchoolinHanoverCounty.Sheisa librarianatrheschool.

wasnamedan assistantvicepresidentofEVB,an independent,full-servicecommunitybank.HeisthebranchmanagerforrheKingsCharterbranch.

wasnamedassistantprincipalatStaffordElementarySchoolpriortorhebeginning ofschoolinfall2015.Inaddition tohisLongwooddegree,heearned amaster'sdegreeineducarionfrom cheUniversityofVirginiaanda master'sineducationalleadership fromGeorgeMasonUniversity.

V

wasnamed2014Teacherofthe YearatKingGeorge(County) HighSchool.Sheisheadmedia specialistattheschool.

m Ilda ul

andAdamMeredith FreitagweremarriedApril3atthe JeffersonHotelinRichmond. Chandlerisaspeechlanguage pathologistfortheLunenburg CountySchools.Herhusbandisa tugboatcaptainforKirbyInland Marine.

wasnamed2014Teacherofthe YearforProvidenceMiddleSchool inChesterfieldCounty.Sheis alibrarianattheschool.

graduatedinMay fromJamesMadisonUniversity withaPh.D.inassessmentand measurementandbeganworkingas aprogramevaluationspecialisefor VirginiaBeachCityPublicSchools inJune.

wasnamed2014Teacherofthe YearatStonewallJacksonHigh SchoolinShenandoahCouncy.She isalibrarianaccheschool.

wasnamed2014Teacherofthe YearatStoneSpringElementary SchoolinHarrisonburgCity. Sheisalibrarianattheschool.

librarymediaspecialistatBensley ElementaryinChesterfieldCounty, receivedaLauraBushFoundation Grantof$5,000copurchasebooks forrheschoollibrary.

wasnamed2014Teacherofrhe YearatSpotswoodHighSchoolin

Zach'95andTiffany'95BaldridgemetasresidentadvisorsatLongwood.

ClassNotes

Continued from Page 45

RockinghamCounty.Alibrarianat theschool,Tatewasalsonamedthe LucyF.SimmsEducatorofthe YearbytheRockinghamEducationalFoundation.

andDavid CliffordweremarriedonMay9, 2015,atHouseMountainInnin Lexington.Aftergraduatingfrom Longwood,sheearnedherdegree inveterinarytechnologyandpassed herboardsrobecomeaLicensed VeterinaryTechnician.ShecurrentlyworksintheradiologydepartmentartheVMCVMin Blacksburg.

,, receivedaHeartandSoulScar AwardatChildren'sHospitalin Richmondchisspring.Acommunicationsciencesanddisordersgraduate,Andersenwasrecognizedforher persistenceinseekinghearingassistanceforapreschool-agepatientdespitethefacechathehadpreviously receivednormalhearingevaluations. Thepatient,whohasDownsyndrome,wasfittedforhearingaids andsubsequentiybeganromake progressinhisspeech.

2010s

c was named managingeditorofFarmville Newsmedia,LLC.Areporterfor theFarmvilleHeraldsince2013, Milesnowleadsnews-gathering operationsattheHerald, including printanddigicalproducts.Priorro joiningtheHerald, Milesworked forthe CumberlandBulletin, che BuckinghamBeaconandWFLO radiostation.

istheofficer administratorforthePensacola, Fla.,ChamberofCommerce.She previouslyworkedastheprogram managerfortheRichmondTechnologyCouncil.

isanSMB accountmanagerwithConvergent TechnologiesGroupinMidlothian. Thecompanyofferscost-effective techsupportandmanagedIT servicesforsmallandmid-sized businesses.

wascommissionedasanofficerintheArmy NationalGuardataspecialceremonyatForePickettinApril2015. AfterhavingservedintheGuard

since2006asapharmacytechina medicalunit,Cheathammadea decisionrocommiefurtherrothe militarybranchheloves.Heappliedandwasacceptedinrothe AcceleratedOfficerCandidate Schoolprogram.Referredtoasa "naturalleader"attheAprilgraduationceremony,Cheathamwas awardedtheArmyAchievement Medal.

w

and celebracedtheirone-yearweddinganniversaryMarchl,2015.

isanassistant athletictraineracFerrum(Va.) College.Keroackpreviouslywasa trainerwiththesoftballprogramat IllinoisScaceUniversity.Priorro chat,shespentayearattheUniversityofRichmond,whereshe workedasatrainerwiththemen's andwomen'scrackandfieldteams andwiththefootballteamduring springpractice.Inadditionroher Longwooddegree,sheearnedher master'sdegreefromIllinoisStace in2015.

who playedbaseballforLongwood,was promotedtotheTriple-AScranton Wilkes-BarreRailRiderschissummerfromTheThunderinTrenton, N.J.Apitcher,Montgomerywas selectedbyrheYankeesinthe11rh roundofthe2011draft,starting hiscareerwiththeStatenIsland Yankees.

andAndrewKeithBoydwere marriedMay16,2015,atCooper's LandingInninClarksville.Sheis anauditorwirhrheCommonwealthofVirginiaAuditorofPublicAccountsandrecentlyearned herCPA.Herhusbandisemployed asasoftwareengineerforSemel Corporation.Thecoupleresides inHenrico.

wasoneof

288hopefulswhocompetedinAugustatrheLPGAQSchoolatMissionHillsCountryClubinRancho Mirage,CalifSincegraduating, PiercehasplayedontheSunCoast GolfTour.Shefinishedintherop 25ineachofherfiverourevents, includingatieforeighthatthe MissionHillsCountryClub(Fla.) PalmerTournament.

OIT

5completedhermaster's

Practicing Medicine and Poetry

Dr. Molly O'Dell '76

Asfarasgoalsgo,choseofDr.Molly O'Dell'76andherco-workersintheVirginiaDepartmentofHealth'sNewRiver HealthDistrictcan'tgetmuchbigger: tomakeVirginiathehealthieststatein thenation.Thismeanslookingafter everythingfrombirthcertificatestoseptic systemstorestaurantcleanliness.

Person of In terest

Theworkthatgoesintopublic health-behindthescenesandotherwise-isbothwideanddeep,andcan takedecadestocometofruition."You havetobeinitforthelonghaul,"said O'Dell,whoattendedtheMedicalCollegeofVirginiaasthefirstfemaleLongwoodgraduatetogostraighttomedical schoolandthesecondfemalegradtobecomeaphysician.''I'vehadtolearnpatience."Shegivesasanexamplethefact thatittookfrom1987,whenshebegan herpublichealthcareer,until2012to makeadentinteenagepregnancyrates inherdistrict.

TheNewRiverHealthDistrictservesa populationofmorethan160,000people livinginFloyd,Giles,Montgomeryand PulaskicountiesinSouthwestVirginia.In 2013,povertyratesinSouthwestVirginia werethesecond-highestinthestate,with 18.6percentofthepopulationliving belowthepovertyline.

O'Delldescribespublichealthas"thesocialjusticearmofmedicine.It'sallabout healthequity."Herdaysarefilledwith treatingpatients,spreadingtheword abouthealthdepartmentservices,encouraginggoodhealthchoicesandtaking careoftheusualtaskschatgoalongwith runninganorganization.

Inhersparetime,shehaspursueda loveofpoetry.SheearnedanMFAinpoetryfromtheUniversityofNebraskain 2008andpublishedherfirstbookthis pastspring.

Thelifesheleadstodayisonequitedifferentfromwhatshehadinmindwhen shesteppedontotheLongwoodcampus. Shestartedoutasapre-nursingstudent, changingcareerdestinationswhenaprofessorsuggestedshechinkaboutbecomingadoctor.Aclassinembryologyat Hampden-Sydneysoldherontheidea.

ShewasdrawntoSouthwestVirginia earlyinhercareerandhadaprivatepracticeinBuchanan."Itwasacompletely differentworld,"saidO'Dell-thekind ofworldwhereshemadehousecallson Fridaymorningsandtradedmedicalservicesforfoodorhavingherhousepainted, "likeyouhearaboutpeopleinthe1920s and'30s.Itwastheendofthatwayof practicingmedicine."

ThoseyearsformthecoreofO'Dell's debutpoetrycollection, OfftheChart, publishedinJune2015withpoems abouttheeverydaymenandwomenshe tendedto,whodidordidnotwantto takethepillstheyweresupposedtotake, whodidordidnotwanttostoptaking thepillstheywerenotsupposedto take,whoselivesbecameintertwined withherown.

Recently,O'Dellhasdelvedintothe emergingfieldofnarrativemedicine, whichaimstoteachdoctorshowtolisten toandinterprettheirpatients'storiesin ordertotreatthemmorehumanely.

"Itreaffirmsforphysicianswhythey gotintomedicineinthefirstplace," shesaid."Itwastocareaboutpeople." O'Dellhascontributedonthesubject mostrecentlyattheVirginiaTechCarillionSchoolofMedicineandResearch.

"It'safuntimetobeawriterin medicine,"shesaid."It'sfuntoplow newground."

Give andTake

umn s the hfe

a save a

HeatherMonger'14hasplanstooneday becomeaphysician,butshedecidednot towaituntilthentostarthelpingpeople andsavinglives.

InJune2015,Mongerbecamethefirst

Person of In terest

nondirectedliverdonorfortheUniversiry ofVirginiaHealthSystem.Thatmeans shewaswillingtoundergomajorsurgery todonatealobeofherownhealthyliver tosomeoneshedidn'tknow.

Ifyoufindthatselflessacthardtobelieve,youarenotalone.Themedicalstaff atUVAweren'tentirelysurehowtohandletheoffereither

"Ithadtobeapprovedbythetransplant andethicsboard,"saidMongerwitha slightchuckle."Theyaskedwhya22year-old,healthygradstudentwouldwant tovolunteerformajorsurgery."

Theanswergoesbacktoatragedyin Heather'sfamilythreeyearsearlier.Her brotherMatt,wholongsufferedfrom epilepsy,diedsuddenly.Whenthefamily wasforcedtoaddressthequestionofdonatinghisorgans,theybecameawareof anissuetheyhadneverbeforeconsidered.

"WhenIlearnedhowmanypeopledie waitingforatransplant,itwaseye-opening,"saidMonger.(Accordingtothe AmericanTransplantFoundation,more than120,000peopleintheU.S.arecurrentlyonthewaitinglist.)"Itdidn'ttake

ra with liver donation

awayfromthelossofmybrother,butit didhelpknowinghehadsavedsomany lives."

Itwasn'tlongbeforeMonger,thenakinesiologymajoratLongwoodstudyingexercisescience,decidedtodoalittle legworkofherown.Shedonatedblood andbonemarrow,and,afteralittleresearch,becamecommittedtoonedaydonatingakidneyorpartofherliver.

"WhenMattdied,itwassuchafeeling ofhelplessness,"saidMonger."Iwanted tohelpafamilysotheymig�tnothaveto experiencealosslikewedid."

"Livingdonationisaselflessandheroic act,"saidMelissaDonovan,thelivingliver donorcoordinatorfortheUniversiryof VirginiaHealthSystem."WearesogratefulforindividualslikeHeather,whohave graciouslyprovidedlifeforthoseinneed."

"Ifitwereyourlovedone,you'dwant someonetostepup,"Mongersaid. Unlikeotherorgansinthebody,ahealthy livercanregenerate.Inthecaseofaliving donortransplant,thedonor'slivercanrestoreitselftooriginalsizeandthetransplantedportiongrowstoacomparable sizeintherecipientinabout12weeks.

"ItwasamazinghowquicklyIrecovered,"saidMonger."It'snotsomethingfor everyone,butitwascertainlyoneofthe bestlearningexperiencesofmylife."

ClassNotes

Mongeriscurrentlyinthegraduate programforexercisephysiologyatthe UniversiryofVirginia.-DanCawley

ContinuedfromPage46

degreeinprofessionalschoolcounselinginDecember20I3.ShereriredfromthePrinceEdward CountySchoolSysteminJune 2015afterworking10yearsasan educator.Strobleiscurrentlyservingatwo-yeartermontheFarmvillePlanningCommission.

� signedaprofessionalcontractwiththeRilskibasketballclubintheNational BasketballLeagueforthe2015-16 season.TheoverseassigningadvancestheprocareerofCarey,who wasasecond-roundpickinthe NBADevelopmentLeagueinNovember2014.WithRilski,Carey joinsaclubcomingoffathirdplacefinishinthe2014-15NBL standingsandaBulgarianLeague semifinalappearance.

,�I·.,cl"•isthe costumestudiosupervisorat LynchburgCollege.Priortojoiningthecollege,wasshewasontour withFlashDancetheMusicaland wasinvolvedintheIllinoisShakespeareFestival.Herfirstproduction atLynchburgCollegewasthe 1930scomedy YouCan'tTakeit WithYou.

C1>rnev IandPq forr·�'Ibothrecentlystarted theirfirstyearofteachingaspartof thefifth-gradeteamatRiverheads ElementarySchoolinStaunton. MawyerandHarriswerefreshman roommatesatLongwood.

.e1.nAValdt:z14ofRichmondwasappointedbyGov.Terry McAuliffetotheAdvisoryBoardon ServiceandVolumeerism.Valdezis anassociateatKPMG,LLP.

Novel Idea

and areplanningaNov.6,2015,weddingin Orlando,Fla.

Lluo�isteachingthirdgradeatStanleytown ElementaryinHenryCounty. Hepreviouslyworkedinretail,wasa Marine,wasastaplelineoperatorat DrakeExtrusionandwasaleadsupervisoronamainassemblylineat MasterBrandCabinets.Underwood servedintheMarineCorpsfrom 2001-05,duringwhichtimehewas deployedtoJordan,SaudiArabia andKuwaitinsupportofSouthern WatchandNorthernWatchunder OperationEnduringFreedom.

t. C "pPI i; isastaff writerfor TheTidewaterNews, coveringthecityofFranklin. AnativeofCarrolltoninIsleof WightCounty,Chappellmajored inEnglish.

ii. o '15 istheweekendsportsanchorandareporterfor KTWOTelevisioninCasper,Wyo.

eCcI., Ha terman lJ isthemarketingcoordinator forSpeedproImagingNoVa inSterling.

r"0I"I<.,isagraduate studentinbiologyattheUniversity ofNebraskaatKearney.Shei.s workingwithaprofessorthereon researchaimedatunlockingrhe potentialofusingalfalfaasabiofuelcrop.Kodinsaidhermaster's thesistopiclikelywillevolvefrom herworkontherelationshipsbetweendroughttoleranceandgene expressioninalfalfa.

< nJ or 15 worksas anurseinRichmondMemorial Hospital'sintensivecareunir.

,Js�haspublishedhisdebutnovel. DusttoDustreceiveda first-placeawardinthefiction/sciencefictioncategoryattheEVVY AwardsonAug.23inDenver,organizedbytheColoradoIndependent PublishersAssociation,andplacedsecondintheOutskinsPressBest Booksof2014,bestingallbutoneofthe1,500bookspublishedin2014 Thebookisaboutanattemptin2026byresearchersspecializingin humanregenerationtechnologytobringThomasJeffersonbacktolife. Self-publishedthroughOurskinsPress,thebookisavailableonlineas apaperbackandinKindle/NookdownloadsthroughAmazonandRames &Noble.Hudson,seniorvicepresidentandmarketingdirecrorofthe BankofClarkeCounty,alsoistheauthorofSince1881, ahistoryofche bankwherehehasworkedsince1983,and WelcometoBoyceville, ahistory ofBoyce,theClarkeCountytownwherehegrewup.Amusiceducation major,HudsonwasamemberofLongwood'sfirstmaleclassoncampus andwasthecharterpresidentofPhiMuAlphamusicfraternity. HeperformsregularlyaskeyboardistandsoloistwithhisDixieland band,DixieRhythm,andishousesoloistwiththeClarkeCounty CommunityBandandYesterdaySwingOrchestra.

HeatherMonger'14wastheUniversityofVirginiaHealthSystem'sfirstnondirectedliverdonor

TrashTalk

Un ge rstan mto ou problem oceans

by Katie Register

alloonsrisingintotheairareajoyful sighttomanypeople,butIamremindedofseabirdsthatdiedentangled inplasticribbonstreamers.

Plasticbagsmayseemlikeharmlesslitter,but theyareadeathsentenceforseaturtlesthat mistakethemfortheirfavoritefood-jellyfish.

Myviewoftheworld,whichincludesheartbreakingsightslikethese,isthroughalens shapedbydecadesofworktoeliminatetrash

trashinouroceansoriginatesfrom inlandsources.

Theimpactsofmarinedebris,asthistype ofwaterpollutionisknown,areextensive. Birds,turtles, marinemammalsandfishcan becomeentangledinfishingnets,plasticbags, balloonribbonsandfishingline.Somedebris items,mostnotablyplasticbagsandballoons, areoftenmistakenforfoodandcancause obstructionsinthedigestivesystem,damage tothegutorpoornutritioninwildlifethatconsumethem.

Plasticscanalsodischargehormonallyactive andtoxiccompoundschat arethentakenupbyorganisms,endangeringthe healthofallanimalsin thefoodchain,including humans.

It'saglobalproblem, butthesolutionislocal, startingwithpeopleyoung andoldcomingtounderstandhowtrashgetsfrom theircommunitieswhethertheyareinlandor alongashore-intothe ocean.Nextcomesaction: prevention,includingrecyclingplastic,andcleanup. Trashthathas found itswayto the

can bedeadly to wildlife. Leadingthiseffortin

fromstreams,riversandoceans.We'vemade progress,butsomuchremainstobedone.

Irislikelychatboththeballoonribbonsand theplasticbagsmentionedearlierstartedoutas carelesslydiscardeditemsinaresidentialneighborhoodorabustlingdowntown.Traveling throughanetworkofstormdrains,small streams,riversandotherwater"highways," theyendedupintheocean-twoitemsamong millionsthateverydaythreatenwildlifeand humansalike.Infact,about80percentofthe

VirginiaisCleanVirginia Waterways(CVW),whichhasbeenaffiliated withLongwoodsince1999.Nowcelebrating its20thanniversary(seerelatedstoryonPage9), CVWorganizeshundredsofriverandbeach cleanupeventseveryyearduringwhichvolunteersremovelitterwhilealsocollectingvaluable data.Morethan84,600volunteershaveremovednearly3.7millionpoundsof debrisfromVirginia'swaterwaysandbeaches since 1995.Thesecleanups,manyofwhich includeLongwoodstudents,faculty andstaff,

areheldthroughouttheentirestate,helpingus allunderstandhowweareconnectedtothe oceanthroughstreamsandrivers.

Inadditiontovolunteer-basedcleanups, CVWhasdonepioneeringresearchonseveral marinedebrisissues,includingcigarettefilters (whicharemadeofplasticfibers),balloonsand food-andbeverage-relatedlitter.

Recently,CVWpartneredwiththeVirginia CoastalZoneManagementProgramand dozensofgovernmentagencies,universities, businessesandorganizationstodevelopthe VirginiaMarineDebrisReductionPlan,the firststateplanontheEastCoast.CVWisnow workingwiththeNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationtodeveloppublic education,wasteminimizationandimproved stormwatermanagementthatwillreducemarinedebrisinthemid-Atlanticregion.Oneresearchprojectisexploringalternativestothe massreleaseofballoons:Ifwekeepballoons outofthesky,theycan'tcomebackdownto earth(ortheocean)aslitter.

AnotheraspectofCVW'smissionistoprovideresourcestoteachersandstudentsabout theimpactoflitterandtrashonwaterwaysand theocean,andtoencouragethemtoreflecton theirownactionsrelatedtorecycling,picking uplitterandchoosingreusableitems,including waterbottles.

Sincethe"GreatPacificGarbagePatch"of floatingplasticdebriswasfoundin1997,researchershavediscoveredfourmorepatchesof plasticinotheroceans.Thesepatchesoftrash formwhereglobalsurfacecurrentsandwind moveincircularpatterns,formingvortexeschar concentratebuoyantmaterials-mostlysmall bitsoffloatingplasticbrokenofflargeritems. Eachdiscoverylikethisispainful.MycolleaguesandIdreamofarimewhenourwaterwaysandoceanswillbefreeoftrash,allowing seabirds,fish,whales,ottersandotherwildlife toenjoytheirenvironmentwithouttherisks thatcomewithdebris.Thegoodnewsisthat everypersonontheplanetcanhelpmake thatdreamareality.

ocean

TOTAL: $75,487

creatingthreeendowedscholarship funds

TOTAL: $6,268

covering astudent'son-campus housingfortwosemesters

$20 Gifts

TOTAL: $19,850

coveringa student'sfull tuition,roomandboardforoneyear

$25 Gifts

Last year, contributions of $50 or less totaled more than $101,000. Every contribution to Longwood University makes a big difference to our entire campus community.

$50 Gifts

UNIFYING PRINCIPLE Ri'Shawn Bassette '17, a psychology and communication studies double-majorfrom Hampton, is one ofthe many Longwood students whose academic experience has been enriched by Longwood's commitmentto infusing research throughout the undergraduate curriculum.Working with Dr. Catherine Franssen in the psychology department, Bassette researched alternative therapies in treating and preventing anxiety disorders as part of a 2015 PRISM project.

Story on Page 14.