The GeDUNK March 2019

March 2019

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Grove City College

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CAMPUS VIEW

And they’re off! Swimmers push off at the 2019 Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships at James E. Longnecker Pool. The facility is a top small school venue for the sport and the College is the longtime host of the competition. Grove City’s swimming and diving team won the conference title this year, bringing the team’s PAC championship tally to 27.

March 2019

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M E Grove City College

SSAGE

F ROM

THE

PRES ID EN T

CULTURE WINS t’s an exciting time for Grove City College athletics. It seems that historic firsts are happening nearly every week: the first women’s soccer All-American, first bowl victory in football, the first ECAC tournament victory for men’s basketball and first for women’s since 2005, to name just a few. This year, every one of our varsity teams has either won a conference championship, come close to doing so, or is on a clear path for such success in the near future. The Presidents’ Athletics Conference All-Sports Trophy is a real possibility for both the men and women.

Winning is certainly fun. But there’s much more to this exciting story about Grove City College athletics than victories and school records. We’re building strong team cultures. There’s a heightened emphasis on character, accountability and fellowship as coaches and athletes strive to connect varsity athletics in a very clear way to the holistic educational mission of the College. That’s what “Wolverines Together” is all about – strong athletic culture that transforms student-athletes into talented, self-sacrificing citizens with life-long devotion to their families and communities. Quite simply, we believe culture wins.

The vision of Grove City College is to be the best Christian liberal arts college in the country. Mindful of this inspiring goal and our core value of excellence, we’ve been significantly enhancing our athletics department. We’ve hired more coaches to recruit, train, and mentor our athletes. Talented and enthusiastic strength and conditioning personnel are making an enormous difference, including in the prevention of injuries. Attractive branding initiatives have transformed our athletic facilities. We now have an assistant athletics director devoted to spiritual formation. (See page 14 for more on this.) Facilities are being upgraded to improve playing conditions. (Did you know that an old racquetball court makes a great golf training room?) And under the exemplary leadership of Athletic Director Todd Gibson, campus support for our teams is growing as we discover new ways to build school spirit.

While an increasing number of liberal arts colleges are relying on varsity sports to keep their doors open, athletics is just one important component of our Christ-centered academically excellent mission. Our teams, through their unique cultivation of great virtues, offer students an extraordinary pathway towards lifelong fulfillment. It should come as no surprise that a large portion of our most successful alums began their lives as student-athletes. Wolverines Together offers real hope that this legacy will be even truer in the years to come.

To fulfill our bold vision, we need your help. Much of what we hope to accomplish will be financed through your generous donations to the College.

Please consider supporting one of our many vital projects, such as a new field house, soccer field turf and lights, and baseball field renovations. Donations to endowed scholarships and the annual Full Circle effort also assists all of our students, including student-athletes. With your support and the engagement of our current students, we will truly be Wolverines Together.

Go Wolverines!

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EDITORIAL BOARD Jeffrey Prokovich ’89 Vice President for Advancement Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod Senior Director of Alumni and College Relations Jacki Muller Senior Director of Marketing and Communications EDITORIAL STAFF Nick Hildebrand Managing Editor Janice (Zinsner ’87) Inman Associate Editor, Class Notes, In Memory, Babies Brad Isles Associate Editor Joanie L. Baumgartner Director of Advancement Communications OFFICE OF ALUMNI & COLLEGE RELATIONS Tricia Corey Carrie Sankey Charlene (Griffin ’83) Shaw COLLEGE ARCHIVES Hilary (Lewis ’09) Walczak OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT Brian Powell ’03 Kelly Conger Karen (Irwin ’85) Daum Elizabeth (Smith ’81) Hanley Zach Jew ’11 Adam Nowland ’07 Paul Pendergast ’68 DESIGN Justin Harbaugh Art Director/Graphic Designer ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Steve Solman ’96 President Jana (Volante ’07) Walshak Vice President Cover photograph by Alan Adams Interior photography by Alan Adams, Tiffany Wolfe, Jason Jones, Rick Dayton, Andrew Stein ’18, Maria DiStasi ’22, Wesley Kinney ’21, Justin Harbaugh, Nick Hildebrand, Brad Isles WRITE US, PLEASE Your feedback is very important to our editorial staff and we encourage you to register your comments, questions, concerns, and, hopefully, compliments. Our mailing address is The GeDUNK, 100 Campus Drive, Grove City PA, 16127-2104, but there’s no need to put pen to paper or stamp to envelope, we’ll be happy to hear what you think via email at alumni@gcc. edu. Please use GeDUNK in the subject line and indicate if your letter is intended for publication.

Grove City College

Paul J. McNulty ’80 President

100 Campus Drive Grove City, PA 16127 724.458.2300 888.GCC.GRAD alumni.gcc.edu

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March 2019

’mid the pages

24| ALS O

WOLVERINES TOGETHER Head Football Coach Andrew DiDonato ’10 and Head Women’s Soccer Coach Melissa Lamie, here with Athletic Director Todd Gibson ’02, right, both earned Presidents’ Athletic Conference honors for guiding their teams to incredible seasons in 2018.

They and the student-athletes they mentor, their fellow coaches, and Wolverine sports fans are building on a tradition of athletic achievement and school spirit to create a stronger community around an intentional culture that values faith and fellowship in pursuit of excellence, achievement, and victory.

I NS I D E

6 | Upfront News from campus, alumni and sports 34 | Brick by Brick Football comes back 36 | Briggs Brings It SID is Wolverines’ biggest fan 38 | Wolverines Forever Alums recall glory days 42 | Class Notes Find out what fellow alumni are doing 45 | In Memory Friends we’ve lost and remember 48 | Alumni Babies Introducing our newest Grovers 50 | Faith & Learning A faculty perspective

ON THE COVER: Student-athletes gather around the Varsity G emblazoned on the center of the Arena’s basketball court: Clockwise from top: James Wells ’21, Trevor Leitzel ’22, Liz Scherer ’20, Isaac Mills ’19, Katie Hammes ’19, John Bini ’19, Miguel Esteban ’19, Kate Balcom ’20, Cole McCook ’19, Ben Slate ’20, Maggie Manchester ’19, Tabitha White ’19, Cody Gustafson ’21, Krista Heckman ’19, Henry Brannan ’20, and Elisabeth Sems ’21.

Connect with us: The GēDUNK, a award-winning magazine published for alumni and friends of Grove City College, highlights campus news, student features and alumni achievements. Named after the on-campus gathering place / snack bar for students since the early 1950s, the word “Gedunk” made its way into the Grove City College vernacular when Navy veterans returned to campus, bringing the term with them. The name stuck. For decades, the Grove City College Gedunk has been the place to come together to share news and ideas, live and learn, and this magazine strives to connect our family in similar style.

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Grove City College

upfront

News about the College, alumni, students, campus, faculty and sports

The team of Carolyn Hartwick 19, Noah Gould ’20, and Elena Peters ’20 bested squads from Harvard and Princeton in the American Heritage Education Foundation-sponsored American History and Western Civilization Challenge Bowl in January at The King’s College in New York City.

Grove City College beats Harvard in American history challenge

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ith a correct answer just seconds before the final bell, Grove City College defeated Harvard University to capture the championship in the second annual American History and Western Civilization Challenge Bowl at The King’s College in New York City.

Grove City College’s team of Noah Gould ’20, Carolyn Hartwick ’19 and Elena Peters ’20 racked up 537 points to the Harvard squad’s 526, securing the lead and ultimate victory by correctly identifying 16th-century Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe.

The David versus Goliath matchup was the result of preliminary action in the American Heritage Education Foundationsponsored event. The foundation invited four northeastern colleges to vie for the

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championship. Host-school The King’s College and Princeton University were also selected. The foundation promotes civics and history education and sees the bowl as a way to encourage teaching in those fields and rewarding students for their mastery of American history and Western Civilization.

In the semi-finals, Grove City College faced off against Princeton’s team and The King’s College went up against Harvard.

Team members each presented a speech on a topic and then proceeded to game-show style toss-up rounds, complete with buzzers to claim the query. King’s lost to Harvard and Grove City College bested Princeton’s team with a final score of 672 to 540.

In the finals, Gould, Hartwick and Peters, who are all part of the college’s Trustee

Scholar program, and the team from the Abigail Adams Institute at Harvard battled back and forth over the toss up questions.

Going down momentarily and then up, until “literally the last question,” Dr. Jason R. Edwards, professor of History and coach of the Grove City College team, said.

“They represented the College in the very best way possible by not only impressing all with their academic acumen, but also with their gracious spirits and infectious personalities – and by that I do not mean that Carolyn was sick the whole time – though she was,” Edwards said. “It truly was a team effort and the students are so grateful for the support they received and were so tickled as well to discover that a large contingent of Grove City College students cheered them on as they gathered to watch the livestream of the event.”

Edwards said he was impressed by the caliber of all the students who competed.

“It would be easy but inaccurate to paint our competition as villains to be thwarted.

The students from all the institutions were knowledgeable, gracious, and seemed genuinely interested in Western Civilization and the flourishing of the United States,” he said. “It was refreshing to see all of the young people interacting so positively despite the fact that they knew they would be competing fiercely with one another. The American Heritage Education Foundation is doing great work and I think gathering these likeminded students together for serious, but friendly competition is sure to bear tremendous fruit.”

Grove City College took the championship on a toss-up question but they also achieved the most points over the course of the contest in the speech component, which included a memorized speech with extended prep time and one with limited prep time and notes.

Each student on the winning team also won a $4,000 cash scholarship.

March 2019

BEST SCHOOLS FOR INTERNSHIPS

Princeton Review

College recognized for internship opportunities

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rove City College is one of the best schools in the nation for internship placement, according to The Princeton Review.

The respected educational authority put the College at number 11 on its list of Top 25 Best Schools for Internship based on student surveys.

Caleb Vits ’09, assistant director for Employer Relations and Internship Development in the College’s Office of Career Services, said the recognition acknowledges Grove City College’s commitment to supporting students in obtaining practical experience through internships.

“We strive to partner with employers and faculty in providing students with experiences that help them explore career options, develop their skill set and prepare them for their profession. We believe an internship complements what students are learning in the classroom by providing them with real-world engagement and, ultimately, helps students identify and pursue God’s vocational calling,” Vits said.

The ranking was released in tandem with The Princeton Review’s 2019 edition of The Best Value Colleges: 200 Schools with Exceptional ROI for Your Tuition Investment.

Grove City College is one of the schools profiled in the guide and online at PrincetonReview.com. Princeton Review identified the College as an affordable and academically outstanding college that stands out for “success at guiding students to rewarding careers.”

“Only seven percent of the nation’s fouryear colleges made it into this book,” Robert Franek, lead author and The Princeton Review’s editor-in-chief, said. “We salute them for their stellar academics and generous aid awards to students based on need and/ or merit. They also provide their undergrads with career services from day one plus strong networks of alumni connections.”

U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse is a unique voice in Washington, a truth teller who seeks consensus without sacrificing principle.

Sasse will speak at Commencement

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rove City College will welcome U.S. Senator and best-selling author Ben Sasse to deliver the 139th Commencement Address to graduates on May 18, 2019.

Sasse, a Nebraska Republican, has been described as a legislator who seeks consensus without sacrificing his principles and as a truth-teller unafraid to call out bad behavior on either side of the political aisle.

“Ben Sasse is a unique voice in Washington. His remarkable intellect, extraordinary communications skills, refreshing independence and, most importantly, deeply-rooted convictions and exemplary moral character make him an ideal person to inspire and challenge our graduating class,” Grove City College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said. “I’ve had the privilege of being his friend for more than 20 years, and I’m extremely grateful for

his willingness to serve our country at this important time in history.”

Reminiscent of Ronald Reagan’s legendary ability to articulate convincingly the first principles of a free society, Sen. Sasse deftly articulates a compelling message for civic order and the common good.

Sasse is also a best-selling author, writing several books that have significantly impacted the national conversation on our values and social climate. Them: Why We Hate Each Other – and How to Heal is Sasse’s prescription for putting political tribalism on the backburner, rediscovering “humanto-human relationships” and love of neighbor. The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis – and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-Reliance is a New York Times best seller on the undeniable connections between how we raise our children and the future of our country.

VIEW COMMENCEMENT AND BACCALAUREATE LIVE AT GCC.EDU/LIVESTREAM

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Grove City College

$1,531,411 HIGHEST FUNDRAISING TOTAL IN WOLVERINE CHALLENGE HISTORY

2,970 1,231 DONORS

GREEK DONORS

$160,000 IN CHALLENGE DONATIONS

Wolverine Challenge shatters expectations

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he Wolverine Challenge Giving Week, held November 26-30, 2018, sought to raise 2,556 donors to impact the 2,556 students and faculty in Grove City College classrooms last fall. In a playful video featuring Willie the Wolverine and President Paul J. McNulty ’80, the two set the tone for giving as they scoured the campus numbering and accounting for all 2,556 students and faculty using colorful sticky notes. In his cameo appearance at the end of the video, President McNulty lamented, “There’s got to be a better way to do this next year!”

Indeed, there was a better way to impact the lives of students and faculty! Enlisting

the support and participation of our alumni, donors, and friends proved to be the best method. By 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 30, the goal of 2,556 donors was far surpassed with 2,970 donors choosing to make gifts to the College.

All week long, the Greek groups battled for bragging rights and the coveted Greek Challenge Cup. The Adels and the Sig Thets were neck-and-neck by mid-week, with the Sigma Theta Chi sorority finally pulling out the win with an impressive 22.15 percent participation rate. Special thanks are due to the volunteers from each Greek organization who helped to rally their members!

Ultimately, the conscious, individual decisions of nearly 3,000 donors to support our students and faculty were the most valuable elements in the equation for success. Elicia (Mack ’02) Winner, director of Advancement Services and Annual Giving, spearheaded the Wolverine Challenge Giving Week and reported, “We’re always impressed by the generous nature of our Grove City family during Wolverine Challenge Week, but we were truly astounded at the community effort that we witnessed this year. We are proud and honored to hold such a place of philanthropic importance in the lives of our alumni, parents, and friends.”

College bolsters fundraising team

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rove City College has strengthened its fundraising team with the addition of two major gifts officers, both alumni, to the College’s Office of Development.

Paul Pendergast ’68 joined the Development office in November, following the September hire of Karen (Irwin ’85) Daum. They round out a sevenmember roster of fundraising professionals with decades of experience and tens of millions of dollars raised for the College and other non-profits.

Pendergast, who was a quarterback during Pendergast GCC’s single undefeated season in 1966, comes

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to the College with an extensive background in management, business development and non-profit and collegiate fundraising.

Daum has experience in sales, management, marketing, fundraising and administration working in retirement living, banking, insurance, and retail industries.

They join a team of seasoned fundraising professionals who share the commitment of alumni and friends to Grove City College’s mission and are dedicated to building lasting relationships to sustain truly independent Christian higher education, Brian Daum Powell ’03, senior director of Development, said.

March 2019

Forbes names Demmer ’11 to 30 under 30 list

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The cast of “All My Sons” rehearses in Ketler Auditorium before making taking the production to the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

GCC play earns spot at Kennedy Center festival

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hough it doesn’t offer a theater major, Grove City College has long been a theater school, known for ambitious and entertaining shows each fall and spring and a thriving thespian community that also stages one-act showcases, a guerilla 24-hour-theater project and a family friendly children’s theater show throughout the year.

The lack of a major hasn’t hampered the Theatre Program’s ability to attract talent or present highquality plays and musicals that are entertaining, challenging and inspiring. Hard work and unlimited expectations are keys to the College’s success on the stage, according to Betsy (Boak ’77) Craig, director of the program and professor of English.

“I don’t say, ’Well because we are just a small liberal arts college without a theater major we really shouldn’t try too hard.’ Instead, I go into any production knowing that our students are capable of so much more than they ever imagined,” Craig said. “Perhaps I set unrealistic expectations but what I find out is that our students seem to thrive on that. Once they catch the spirit, they push themselves to achieve.”

In Spring 2018, that approach had the program staging two plays: The Arthur Miller classic “All My Sons” and “The End of the World with Symposium to Follow,” a less-well-known satire by Arthur L. Kopit. Craig offered up both shows for consideration by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, an annual celebration that highlights the best in collegiate theater and offers workshops, training and competitions.

Both shows were taken under consideration, an achievement in and of itself, and “All My Sons” was one of just six shows (from a pool of 56) that earned an invitation to the Kennedy Center’s

Region Two festival in January on the campus of Montclair (N.J.) State University.

“This is a big deal for any theatre program,” Craig said. It is the third College production that’s been invited to the festival since Grove City College began to participate. “Red” was selected in 2015 and “La Bête” in 2009.

A lot of hard work came along with the honor.

Over winter break, student thespians had to recreate a play staged months ago in the black box Little Theater of Pew Fine Arts Center and move it to a much larger, proscenium stage at Montclair State. Getting “the band” back together after several actors graduated or moved on also presented a challenge. Two members of the original production couldn’t make it, and their parts were recast.

Returning alums Sam Kenney ’18, Courtney (Moletz ’18) McClelland, Luke Leone ’18 and Ginny (Flanders ’18) Espenshade joined current students for the festival. Espenshade, who lives in Virginia, participated in a week of rehearsals via Skype and the others commuted from the Pittsburgh area, where they are working.

The alumni and students who pulled together to stage “All My Sons” for the festival demonstrate the commitment and the talent that the Theatre Program fosters and the opportunity it provides to students from any major.

“I love the fact that our students come from all over the campus and have such a diversity of backgrounds,” Craig said.

rove City College alumnus Troy Demmer ’11 is identified by Forbes as an up-and-coming figure in the energy industry.

Demmer a co-founder of Gecko Robotics, is one of Forbes’ 2019 30 Under 30 In Energy, a rundown of “young stars” in the energy sector compiled by the financial magazine. Demmer and the others were selected by a panel of judges after an extensive review indicated “which of these precocious individuals are most likely to go on to change the world,” Forbes reported.

Gecko Robotics is a Pittsburgh-based company that uses wallclimbing robots to perform safety Demmer inspections at power plants and other industrial facilities. It has its roots at Grove City College, where Demmer, co-founder Jake Loosararian ’13 and others began to develop the company in the Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation’s VentureLab. The company has raised $9 million in funding and logged $1.7 million in sales last year, Forbes reported.

Demmer credits his experience at Grove City College as one of the keys to his success.

“I had some very impactful professors at Grove City who really cared about my development. The College gave me a solid foundation and enabled me to pick up so many of the skills and experiences I needed for Gecko,” Demmer said.

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Grove City College

Institute for Faith & Freedom picks up the Vision & Values banner

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rove City College’s institutional think tank has a new name that more clearly articulates what it stands for – and more clearly aligns it with the historic values of the College.

What was The Center for Vision & Values is now The Institute for Faith & Freedom at Grove City College.

The rechristening was announced at the think tank’s annual conference in April, but it has been in the planning stages for months as the Institute’s staff worked to develop a new website and revamped media presence. The rebranding and marketing push is intended to break through the social media clamor and digital overload so that its message can be heard, clearly, at such a critical time.

“Given the extent to which our culture and society is challenging broadly-held understandings of faith and freedom with particular regard to the formation of virtue, we decided that our message was of the utmost importance, now more than ever,” the Institute’s Executive Director Jeffrey Trimbath said. “We are convinced that there are hundreds of thousands of parents, families, and fellow compatriots who would more readily resonate with our work if we had a name that more clearly says what we believe.”

While the name has changed, the mission has not. The Institute will continue to promote the principles of faith and freedom to the next generation of American leaders, and to share those principles with the wider world.

The Center for Vision & Values was established in 2005 and developed three main avenues to advance the faith and freedom foundations of American citizenship: publishing scholarly commentary; student fellowships; and conferences, lectures and events. In the last decade and a half, its message has reached millions of people and inspired hundreds of students, many of whom are now leaders in the freedom movement.

Going forward, the Institute for Faith & Freedom plans to increase the number of scholars and student fellows under its umbrella, more successfully market its work, and take its unique perspective into a key arena: Washington D.C. The Institute will begin hosting a series of events, lectures, and other outreach to train interns, network with alumni, and take the light of faith and freedom to the nation’s capital.

Check out the Institute online at www.faithandfreedom.com and look for the IFF on social media.

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Senior Director and Chief Academic Fellow for the Institute for Faith & Freedom Paul Kengor brought the Institute’s work to a wide audience earlier this year with a highly-rated appearance on Fox News’ Life, Liberty and Levin show with Mark Levin.

Alum honors teachers and mentors by endowing fund for Institute

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f David H. Peiffer ’81 had his way, the tablets that came down from Mount Sinai would have had an addendum. “If I had been around to whisper in Moses’ other ear, I would have encouraged the codification of an eleventh commandment: Thou shall honor your teachers and mentors,” he said.

Peiffer, an expatriate residing in Israel since 1987, decided to do that anyway by establishing The Dr. John Sparks ‘66 and Dr. L. John Van Til Fund for The Institute for Faith & Freedom at Grove City College with a $25,000 gift in December. He said he wanted to honor the legendary faculty members “great work and selfless commitment to Grove City College, its students, and the world at large.”

Sparks is the retired dean of the Alva J. Calderwood School of Arts & Letters, a longtime professor of Constitutional law, history and business and the former chair of the Business Department. Van Til is a retired professor of History, Business, and Humanities at Grove City College, where he taught from 1972 to 2004.

“John Sparks and John Van Til were legends at this college, and still are,” Paul Kengor, professor of Political Science and the Institute’s senior director and chief academic fellow, said. “They had such a caring and profound impact on so many young people at this institution.”

March 2019

The former USIS and Cooper Bessemer office building will house Collegecommunity outreach initiatives.

Office building will become community engagement hub

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rove City College will transform an office building a few blocks from campus into a new center for community engagement, education and innovation.

The College took the first step towards creating the center in January when it completed the purchase of the 77,000-square foot office building at 125 Lincoln Avenue in Grove City. The property, situated along Wolf Creek, previously housed the corporate offices of United States Investigative Services (USIS) and Cooper-Bessemer. It is the largest off-campus building investment in the College’s history.

Facilitating the College’s commitment to advancing the common good, the center will be used to support major initiatives involving entrepreneurship, rural ministry and graduate education. The building will also house The Institute for Faith and Freedom at Grove City College and support its mission to promote principles of faith and freedom to the next generation of American leaders. The College will be developing additional uses designed to strengthen the relationship between the campus and community.

“The acquisition of this building has been made possible primarily with the support of generous College trustees and represents the College’s commitment to the town of Grove City and the region. We see wonderful opportunities ahead for meaningful connections with the community through the center’s initiatives,” College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said.

Collegian awarded

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he Collegian, the student newspaper of Grove City College, won two first place 2019 Student Keystone Press Awards from the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association.

Former managing editor Alyssa Jackson ’18 and the newspaper’s staff took first place in the General News category for their coverage of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in the Nov. 2, 2018 edition. Contributing photographer Ivy Nowakowski ’20 took first place in the Feature Photo category for her photo “Spring plays in winter weather,” which was published March 16, 2018. It depicted alumnus Luke Leone ’18 in character during a performance of the play “End of the World with Symposium to Follow.”

Collegian Editor-in-Chief James Sutherland ’20 called the awards an honor and said the staff puts in long hours to put out a newspaper “that makes Grove City College proud.”

Spencer T. Folmar ’10 holds up the key to the Guthrie Theatre in this photo from Instagram. Folmar’s Veritas Arts is the new owner of the downtown movie house.

Filmmaking alum’s company buys historic Guthrie Theatre

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he new owners of Grove City’s downtown Guthrie Theater have big plans to bring the “Queen of Broad Street” back to its former glory. But the alumnus-led Veritas Arts will need some help.

The 90-something year old movie house has been closed for months after its roof was damaged, prompting some concern among students and community members about the Guthrie’s future. Those concerns were allayed in December when it was announced that the Thomas family, the theater’s longtime owners and stewards, had sold the single-screen showplace to Veritas Arts, a non-profit company headed by filmmaker Spencer T. Folmar ’10.

Folmar and his partners are fundraising to get the theater up and running again to offer first-run movies, showcase independent films and provide a space for live theater. Their first big event was a donor reception in February at the Guthrie to show supporters the work that’s been done and needs to be done to restore and return the theater to its original Art Deco style.

“We want the theater to resemble the great vaudeville theaters of the 1920s and to be a premier venue for both cinema and live entertainment in the area,” Folmar said.

Folmar, a native of Clearfield, Pa., lives and works in Los Angeles.

He’s made several independent films that have been screened at the Guthrie in the past, including “Generational Sins,” a 2017 drama that popularized the idea of “hard faith” films, created for audiences that seek a more realistic, gritty depiction of human existence and redemption.

Folmar said part of what motivated him and his Veritas Arts partners was their own experience as independent filmmakers. “We have been frustrated by the lack of opportunities for fellow independent filmmakers to have their movies seen on the big screen,” he said. “It is our larger mission to distribute independent films across the world and be a reputable company of integrity that filmmakers can trust.”

For more informatin about the Guthrie Theatre revitalization efforts, visit www.the-guthrie.com.

With reporting by The Collegian

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Grove City College

To reflect its focus, the Project on Rural Ministry is using traditional “barn quilt” iconography in its logos. Nate Mucha ’08, assistant professor of Design, incorporated a stylized version of the College’s shield into this image.

Cotherman ’06 takes on leadership role as PRM reaches out to rural, rust belt clergy

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he Project on Rural Ministry (PRM) is staffing up for a busy first full year with a key hire who is both a pastor and an alumnus of the College.

Dr. Charles Cotherman ’06 will serve as administrative director of the PRM, a grant-funded initiative at Grove City College that supports rural and small town pastors in western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, eastern Ohio, and southwestern New York.

The PRM is assembling a team and making plans to identify and assist a group of 30 broadly evangelical Protestant pastors to strengthen their ministry, the congregations they Cotherman lead, and the communities in which they are located. The PRM will provide interdisciplinary opportunities for student internships, service-learning

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projects, and research, as well as customized programming for pastor participants and fellowship opportunities so they can share their experiences.

The five-year project is supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment and led by Dr. Seulgi Byun, chair of the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies, and Dr. Rebecca Rine, assistant professor of Biblical and Religious Studies. Dr. Paul Kemeny, professor of Biblical and Religious Studies, serves as academic director and Dr. P. Jesse Rine ’01 is research director.

Cotherman’s duties will include working with pastors selected for the project. He knows their work well, serving as pastor of Oil City Vineyard Church, which he and his wife Aimee (Myers ’05) Cotherman founded in 2016. Their motivation in planting the church dovetails with the PRM’s intention to serve rural communities challenged by economic and demographic change.

A product of western Pennsylvania, Cotherman grew up outside Knox, Pa., and earned a secondary education degree from the College. He taught high school for a few years before earning a master of divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and then masters and doctorate degrees in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia. Cotherman said he expected to follow the academic path, but God had different plans.

“I felt a call to ministry and possibly church planting, but saw few people who seemed interested in planting churches in the small places I called home. No one seemed to care about the people who peopled all my childhood memories,” Cotherman said. The sense that those areas had been overlooked “burned in my heart as a type of ‘holy discontent,’” he said.

The Cothermans, along with their three small children, ultimately followed God’s call and traded the ivy-covered halls of higher learning for a startup church in a town that was once the center of the American oil industry and now typifies the rural rust belt.

Oil City Vineyard Church has grown from the Cothermans’ living room to the local YMCA gymnasium. The church’s growth and the change it has brought to peoples’ lives and the community is a testament to God’s faithfulness, Cotherman said. Working with the PRM will provide a chance to impact more lives and many communities.

“As a person with rural roots and a small town pastor, I deeply care about rural areas and encouraging rural ministry in general.

As one with an academic bent, I deeply care about research and the role of colleges in shaping students and the surrounding communities,” he said. “By linking rural pastors and their churches with a vibrant Christian college, the PRM is perhaps the only project that is intentionally seeking to ask, what does it really mean for Christian colleges and rural churches and communities to be good neighbors?”

“Through research, relationship and investments of time and money, the PRM may help us understand rural ministry in a new way that just might benefit pastors, churches, communities, and Grove City College at the same time,” Cotherman said.

The PRM is in the process of selecting the 30 pastors that will be the focus of its work. Applications are being accepted at ruralministry.org.

March 2019

Use the hashtag to join the conversation on social media

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Grove City College

Leo Sayles has a winning record as a collegiate volleyball coach and a strong passion for student ministry.

New volleyball coach takes on campus sports ministry responsibilities

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eo Sayles joined the Wolverine team in January as assistant athletic director for Sports Ministry and head women’s volleyball coach.

Sayles, a veteran collegiate head coach, comes to Grove City College after completing his eighth season at NCAA Division I Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, N.C. “Grove City College has a tradition of athletic excellence and I am humbled to join such a quality staff in working to impact and influence the lives of our student-athletes,” Sayles said.

“We are very excited to be able to hire a coach of Leo’s caliber,” Athletic Director Todd Gibson ’02 said. “His teams have consistently enjoyed success on the court while demonstrating a strong Christian culture and academic achievement.”

Sayles’ extensive experience in sports ministry will be integral in his role as associate athletic director. His experience in developing Christian athletic culture will serve the entire community, Gibson said.

At Gardner-Webb, Sayles’ teams achieved numerous milestones both on the court and

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in the classroom. He owns several GardnerWebb coaching records in volleyball, including most Division I wins in a season, most Big South Conference victories and the program’s best conference finish. His teams won academic and sportsmanship titles.

Sayles began his collegiate coaching career at Bryan College, an NAIA institution located in Dayton, Tenn., from 2004 through the 2010 season. He led Bryan to a 70-14 record over his last five seasons.

He guided the Lions to the Appalachian Athletic Conference regular season title and to the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national semifinals in 2009. He earned AAC Coach of the Year honors in 2006. He spent nine years as a high school head coach in Redlands, Calif., East Hartford, Conn., and Rockville, Conn.

Over a 15-year period, Sayles served as a youth pastor and minister of music in urban, suburban and rural churches and continued to teach college Sunday school after transitioning from pastoral ministry into coaching. He recently penned a sports devotional Ordering Our Steps: Committing Life and Sport to Christ. Sayles holds a bachelor’s

degree in music from the University of LaVerne and completed graduate work at Central Connecticut State and the University of California-Riverside.

He and his wife, Tanya, have five children.

A youthful Grove City team went 7-9 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference this fall under interim head coach Stephanie Benkowski. The Wolverines returned to the conference tournament after missing the postseason in 2017. Gibson hailed Benkowski’s energy and enthusiasm.

Grove City projects to return six starters this season.

“I can’t wait to begin working with the current players,” Sayles said. “They appear ready to be challenged. I can see their desire to elevate the program. We have work to do in developing a championship culture for the Wolverines, but I am ready to get started,” Sayles said.

March 2019

sports

Grove City College Athletic Director Todd Gibson ’02 and President Paul J. McNulty ’80 flank Rick Sems ’93, standing, as he and his fellow 2019 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, seated from left, Michelle (Novosel ’05) Dudash, Brian Moran ’08 and Patty (Brain ’90) Cekella join the pantheon of Wolverine sports stars.

Four standouts from ’90s and ’00s enshrined in Hall of Fame

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our former standout athletes who made their marks in multiple sports, including soccer, football, baseball, and track and field joined Grove City College’s Athletic Hall of Fame at a gala event in February.

The Class of 2019 includes: Patty (Brain ’90) Cekella – A multiplesport standout from 1986 to 1989, she earned nine total letters during her collegiate career, three each in basketball, cross country, and track and field. Cekella was a key part of the College’s first three seasons in women’s track and field and cross country and helped Grove City capture its first Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship in women’s basketball in 1987. Along the way she earned All-PAC honors and most valuable player awards in all three sports.

Rick Sems ’93 – During his career from 1989 to 1992, Sems emerged as the mostdecorated wide receiver in College football history. He graduated as the team’s career leader with 174 career receptions and 2,550 receiving yards. He is the only Grove City player with two seasons of 1,000 receiving yards or more and set the program’s singleseason record by catching 73 passes in 1991. Sems was named Sportsman of the Year in 1993.

Michelle (Novosel ’05) Dudash – A prolific scorer and playmaker at forward, Dudash helped lead the Grove City women’s soccer program to its first two NCAA Division III Championship Tournament appearances during her career from 2001 to 2004. With 125 career points and 27 career assists, she is ranked second in the program’s history, and holds the record for most

matches played. Dudash earned Dean’s List and PAC Academic Honor Roll recognition during her career.

Brian Moran ’08 – A prototypical fivetool player in center field for the Wolverines, Moran capped a stellar baseball career at Grove City College by becoming the program’s first All-American and earning the prestigious Rawlings Gold Glove award. He helped lead the team to the PAC title in 2008 and the program’s first trip to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.

He set single-season school records with 45 runs scored, 59 hits, 34 stolen bases and a .559 on-base percentage. Moran won the PAC Player of the Year award and owns the conference career record for stolen bases.

This is the 13th class of inductees into the Grove City College Athletic Hall of Fame, which began in 2007.

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Grove City College

M ESSAGE

F ROM

THE

D IR EC TO R

O F

A LU MN I

R ELATIO N S

Dear Alumni and Friends,

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write to you as we are now in the middle of the spring semester, the weather is starting to feel like spring in Western Pennsylvania and we know that soon the students will be treasuring time outdoors. Athletes have begun practice for spring sports and the campus is coming out of hibernation.

Many of our alumni would credit their time in varsity or intramural athletics as one of the most important aspects of their College experience. The teamwork, leadership development, and fostering of community in these experiences are life-changing and are the reasons why many alumni choose to return to campus and why many of them choose to give back with their time, talent, and treasure. Coaches long-retired are still talked about and remembered for their commitment and above-and-beyond dedication to our students.

In his time on the campus as our ninth President, Paul McNulty ’80 has shown a true passion for making our student experience memorable and transformative. The philosophy of “Wolverines Together” is a culture of character development, leadership, and unity in our community that has taken root in our Athletics program during President McNulty’s tenure. While points scored and games won continue to be important, it is evident that the growth and development of student-athletes has become as valued here as winning. This is something to celebrate and we are thankful for President McNulty’s commitment to our athletes and to the role of athletics, and the far-reaching impact of both throughout the College.

I encourage you to stay connected to Athletics at Grove City by visiting athletics.gcc.edu, watching a livestream of an athletic event or coming to campus for a game or meet. Our students value your support and the impact of giving is apparent. As you can see in this issue of the magazine, our Athletics program represents our past, present, and future. We look forward to continuing to invest in the future of our College and all of our students – on the field, in the classroom, and in this community.

Now sit back, grab that cup of coffee, and enjoy this issue of the GēDunk!

Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod Senior Director of Alumni and College Relations P.S. Mark your calendars for Family Weekend, May 3 to 5 and Homecoming October 4 to 6! It’s always good to have alumni, parents and friends back on campus. Visit alumni.gcc.edu for more information.

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March 2019

Students Dalton Messmer ’19, Matthew Sulava ’19 and Bryce Kulik ’19 got a chance to personally thank their benefactor, College Trustee Elizabeth A. Bulette, during this year’s One Day of Thanks. Bulette contributed directly to the W. Clifton Bulette Memorial Scholarship, which was established by her parents and supports the students’ education at Grove City College. Below students and President Paul J. McNulty ’80 sign thank-you cards.

Sincerely, the GCC student body Students gather to send messages of thanks to donors

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nce a year on One Day of Thanks, Grove City College students have the opportunity to express appreciation to the donors who support so many aspects of student life and learning on campus. On February 21, more than 1,000 students stopped by the Breen Student Union to sign cards thanking donors for their investments in scholarships and financial aid, research, athletics, extra-curricular activities, mission trips, and more.

The outreach resulted in thank-you cards for each of the 3,700 people who have made donations to the College’s Annual Fund and scholarship funds so far in the 2018-19 fiscal year.

Krista Heckman ’19, GCC’s 2019 Women’s Soccer All-American, said, “One Day of Thanks is a great way to celebrate with the student body and connect with our alumni and donors at the same time. Gratitude really brings us all together.”

One great byproduct of the event is that students gain a greater understanding of the role donors play in their education. Red bows across campus called attention to items and places provided by donors. Vice President for Advancement Jeff Prokovich ’89 said, “Many students are not aware of the financial resources that are required beyond tuition dollars to provide the excellent education, resources, and opportunities they experience here at Grove City College.

Helping students to grasp that notion is the first step in helping them become faithful alumni donors in years to come.”

One Day of Thanks is a way for students to give back just a little bit right now. Their messages of gratitude help show Grove City College donors the appreciation they deserve for their thoughtful support.

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Grove City College

2018 STATE OF THE COLLEGE ADDRESS

Gala evening focuses on ‘the Gipper and the Grove’ McNulty: ’By the grace of God, the state of the College is strong’

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f you love Grove City College, its mission and its commitment to faith and freedom, the place to be on Nov. 8 was the 17th floor ballroom of the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh for the combined State of the College Address and Ronald Reagan Lecture.

A crowd of nearly 400 alumni, friends and students heard President Paul J. McNulty ’80 discuss where Grove City College fits in an increasingly uncertain industry and culture and enjoyed an enthralling conversation between lecture guest William J. Bennett, Reagan’s secretary of Education, and Dr. Paul Kengor, professor of Political Science and renowned biographer of the 40th president.

Those in attendance also enjoyed fine food, great music and an opportunity to mingle with old friends and kindred spirits in an elegant environment in one of America’s great cities.

The evening opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and remarks from Trustee Chair David R. Rathburn ’79. He noted the College’s embrace and articulation of its core values in recent years.

“We have made significant strides in reaffirming our historic identity as a Christian college grounded in conservative values, ensuring a faculty and staff dedicated to excellence, and the ongoing work of fulfilling our mission to equip students, to remain affordable, promote a Christian worldview, and strengthen the foundations of a free society and love of neighbor.”

McNulty told those in attendance – and an audience watching online – about where the College has been and where it is going in an address that referenced Reagan and Grove City College’s shared commitment to first principles.

McNulty said there was a special connection between “the Gipper and the Grove,” and joked that he had just given Kengor the title of his next book.

The College is part of an industry that’s seeing “tremendous uncertainty” and is challenged by demographics, technological alternatives, falling confidence and financial stress, McNulty said.

The Ronald Reagan Lecture featured Dr. Paul Kengor of the Political Science Department interviewing William J. Bennett, Reagan’s secretary of Education.

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College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 delivers the State of the College address to a crowd of nearly 400 alumni, friends and students in November in Pittsburgh.

“Where does Grove City sit in the midst of all this change and uncertainty?”

It turns out in a very strong position, largely because of a continuity of mission, vision, and values over nearly a century and a half. McNulty noted the academic quality and success of graduates can be traced to faithfully teaching the humanities from the canon of western civilization and creating “a caring, highly engaged and energetic learning community that is noteworthy for its concern for spiritual formation.”

“In sum, when we say our core values are faithfulness, excellence, community, stewardship, and independence, we mean it. And our humble prayer is that these distinctives will continue to differentiate us in the marketplace of higher education and allow us to overcome every challenge.”

“Moving forward, Grove City College will seek to serve the common good in new and impactful ways,” McNulty said. He noted the College’s plans to engage and assist rural ministers, its embrace of redemptive entrepreneurship, and work being done to expand its reach and influence. “Our voice must be heard and it must be a voice characterized by wisdom and civility.”

In conclusion, McNulty referenced the support and stewardship that has allowed the College to thrive.

“Building on this legacy of generosity will be critical in the years ahead for Grove City College, a ‘city on a hill’ in higher education, to borrow from the words of our Savior and used by John Winthrop and Ronald Reagan. Today I can say, that by the grace of God, the state of the College is strong. May the Lord continue to bless you and Grove City College,” he said.

March 2019

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VIEW THIS EVENT ONLINE AT GCC.EDU/LIVESTREAM

The State of the College/Ronald Reagan Lecture drew a large crowd of alumni and friends to the Omni William Penn Hotel ballroom. 1) Linda (Babtist ’80) and Douglas ’80 Muetzel with Anne (Golden ’79) and Tim ’82 McClelland. 2) Cheralyn (Boruvka ’02) and Nicholas ’00 Ranjan with Reagan lecturer William J. Bennett. 3) Musicians from Grove City College’s Symphony Orchestra provided music during dinner. 4) John Calhoun ’90, Beth (Engelbrecht ’80) and Phillip ’80 Nagy, and Lisa Adams Gordon ’78. 5) Elayne and William J. Bennett with President Paul J. McNulty ’80 and First Lady Brenda (Millican ’80) McNulty.

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Grove City College

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www.alumni.gcc.edu/travel Feeling that itch to travel and experience all the world has to offer but wish you could share it with friends and compatriots? Then take a look at our 2019-2020 destination schedule! You’ll enjoy the best that educational travel programs can offer – history and lectures with top licensed guides, glorious scenery, food and shopping – all with one complete program package that handles your air (optional), hotels, transportation and tours. Enjoy every minute of travel without any of the worry. Start planning where you want to go next – today!

July 12 - 21, 2019

The Canadian Maritimes

Discover the maritime history of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island on this wonderful tour of northeastern Canada.

August 14 - 23, 2019

Imperial Treasures of Russia

Enjoy the grandest and most storied locations in all of Russia as you relive the zenith of the Czarist era on this amazing adventure.

October 12 - 20, 2019

Italian Riviera

with President and Mrs. Paul and Brenda McNulty ’80

Soak in the ambiance, fragrances, flavors and charm of the glorious Costa Brava coastal region.

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Alumni and Friends tour groups explored Yellowstone National Park (top) and the Catalonia region of northeastern Spain.

March 2019

alumni & friends events Upcoming Alumni & Friends Events April 8 Richard G. Staley ’62 Visionary Entrepreneur Speaker Series featuring Blaine Hurst Grove City College

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Alumni and Friends were busy over the long winter with a number of events and annual highlights. 1) The crimson and white is raised at an Alumni and Friends Brunch at the home of Becky (Zimbicki ’79) and Blaine Hurst in Charlotte, N.C. 2) Brothers gather for an Epsilon Pi Scholarship fundraiser in March at the Roberto Clemente Museum in Pittsburgh. 3) December graduates were feted with a reception at the President’s House. 4) The GCC Singers entertain a crowd during the annual Carnegie Christmas Concerts series. 5) Grovers gathered for an Alumni Mixer in October at Noble Beast Brewing Company in Cleveland, Ohio.

April 13 Children’s Theater Breakfast and Performance Madagascar Grove City College April 25 The Institute for Faith & Freedom and PA Family Institute Event with Dr. David Ayers Lancaster, PA May 3 – 5 Family Weekend Grove City College May 6 Meet-up Monday Wexford, PA

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May 17-18 Baccalaureate and Commencement Grove City College

June 3

Meet-up Monday Wexford, PA June 22 Faith Night at PNC Park Pittsburgh Pirates vs.

San Deigo Padres Pittsburgh, PA

Remember to bookmark alumni.gcc.edu/events for more dates and info on registering.

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Grove City College

GREEK REUNIONS

CLASS REUNIONS

EPSILON PI 100th Anniversary GAMMA CHI 100th Anniversary I PH

MM A

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1984 – 35th 1979 – 40th 1974 – 45th 1969 – 50th 1964 – 55th 1959 – 60th

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2014 – 5th 2009 – 10th 2004 – 15th 1999 – 20th 1994 – 25th 1989 – 30th

SIGMA

GAMMA SIGMA PHI 95th Anniversary PHI SIGMA CHI 95th Anniversary

March 2019

Grove City Mayor Randy Riddle shakes hands with Scott Jaillet, an Electrical and Computer Engineering technician for the College who also serves on borough council, while College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 looks on. Jaillet and Riddle are the respective winners of the 2019 Campus Community Awards.

Tireless effort defines Campus-Community Award winners 2019 honorees work to build strong town-gown relationship

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t’s wonderful to see our community gather together,” said President Paul J. McNulty ’80 at the 2019 Florence E. MacKenzie Campus-Community Awards hosted on campus in February. He presented this year’s awards to Scott Jaillet from the College and Randy Riddle from the community. The winners are both key figures in local government and their selection highlights the close relationship that exists between the College and the town.

Campus awardee Scott Jaillet is a longtime Electrical and Computer Engineering technician at the College who also serves on Grove City Borough Council. Among his community contributions are the development of a local e-waste recycling program, outfitting Borough Council with donated computers, and coaching youth soccer. Jaillet also serves as the Co-Hub Director for Grove City College BEST Robotics, a program involving more than 400 local high school students.

Grove City Mayor Randy Riddle was awarded the Community Award for his tireless and relentless efforts to promote the borough and the College through his unpaid municipal post. A Borough Council member for 23 years and mayor since 2004, he said he enjoys promoting the Borough and the College in his travels. “I always talk about the great working relationship we have with Grove City College,” he said. Recently, he included the College in the Pennsylvania Cable Network’s “Exploring Pennsylvania Boroughs – Grove City.”

Each year, the College recognizes two individuals or groups, one representing the campus and one from the surrounding community of Grove City.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize these individuals who represent our commitment as a College to fostering a true community with the town of Grove City,” Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod, senior director of Alumni and College Relations, said.

Presented since 1983, the CampusCommunity Awards highlight the extra efforts of those who work to strengthen the town-gown relationship in meaningful ways through volunteer service. The awards are named in honor of Florence E. MacKenzie, wife of former Grove City College President Dr. Charles S. MacKenzie.

Her efforts and involvement included serving as president of Grove City Woman’s Club, the Women’s Bowling League, secretary of the local MacKenzie United Way and president of the Grove City Hospital Board of Trustees, today known as the Grove City Medical Center. She died in 1981.

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Grove City College

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March 2019

Building on a tradition of athletic achievement, Grove City College student-athletes, coaches, and sports fans are building a stronger community around an intentional culture of faith and fellowship.

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125 Grove City College

NCAA ALL-AMERICANS

March 2019

By Nick Hildebrand

GCC sports culture emphasizes values, community spirit

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f you wonder how seriously Grove City College takes sports, spend a couple of hours in the Physical Learning Center (PLC), the labyrinthine home of the College’s Department of Athletics.

There you’ll find student-athletes, coaches, strength and conditioning staff, athletic trainers and the rest of the Athletic Department staff working – and playing – hard, building on a legacy of greatness that goes back more than a century.

That proud history is inescapable in the PLC, where the Crimson Line of Women’s Athletics tells one story and the photos, clippings and other memorabilia in Heritage Hall and the College’s Hall of Fame tell dozens more. The hallways are lined with display case after display case, holding trophies and plaques attesting to the greatness of Wolverine champions past and present.

Over the entrance to the College Arena, a large mural adorns the wall, featuring student-athletes in action and a catchphrase that is both inspirational and aspirational: Wolverines Together.

It’s a rallying cry for the student-athletes who compete in the College’s 22 NCAA Division III varsity sports and the community they represent. It’s a reminder that they are part of a team, an athletic program, and a campus that has a distinct culture and values. And it’s a motto for the ongoing College-wide effort to ensure that athletics are a central part of a Christ-centered learning and living environment.

It was coined by Athletic Director Todd Gibson ’02 and Head Swimming and Diving Coach Dave Fritz ’94 as they searched for an appropriate phrase to attach to social media messages about upcoming events and on-thefield achievements. They wanted something that would capture the essence of what the Athletic Department and the College are trying to accomplish and inspire students to support each other. Wolverines Together signifies school spirit and invites everyone in the campus community to be a part of the team.

That’s a priority under Grove City College’s strategic plan Building for a Strong and Faithful Future. Adopted in 2017, the plan looks at every facet of the institutional experience and lays out goals that reflect the College’s

Ryan Budnik ’19 Track and Field/Cross Country

“Wolverines Together is a platform that allows us as students and athletes to support one another.

Much like we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, we are all Wolverines. Each student on this campus is different. However, when it’s time to support each other we set aside those differences and encourage one another as we compete. When we see each other on the field or in the classroom, we see each other as dedicated individuals willing to sacrifice time and energy to support one another when we need it most. That is Wolverines Together. That is the unbreakable bond that binds us.”

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Grove City College values: Faithfulness, excellence, community, stewardship, and independence. The plan specifically calls for strengthening and expanding the College’s Christian formation programs and aligns all campus programs with the College’s vision, mission, and values.

The Athletic Department embraces that vision and focuses on what sets Grove City College athletics apart from most other D-III schools: A shared faith that’s nearly universal

among the student-athletes who wear the crimson and white.

“We’re trying to be very intentional and to tell people our story. We are a Christian athletic program, but we’re a Christian athletic program that wants to win and we do have a lot of success. The culture hasn’t changed, but it’s outwardly apparent. We’re open about what that culture means to us and it resonates on the campus and in the community,” Gibson said.

On the College’s teams, that culture calls for encouraging a sense of unity among all student-athletes, no matter what sport they play. Gibson said that starts with getting them to respect one another, to understand that they’re all working hard to excel in their respective sports, and to recognize others’ success. They are also challenged to model excellence outside of their sports, to be the kind of people that others on campus

Student athletes head the Go Lead call

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Krista Heckman ’19, a four-year letter winner and captain of the women’s soccer team, credits Go Lead with providing her insight and resources to lead and serve her teammates.

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o Lead aims to instill student-athletes with the confidence and wisdom to be Christ-like leaders on their teams and out in the world.

The leadership program envisioned and overseen by Melissa Lamie, associate athletic director for Leadership Development and assistant professor of Exercise Science, started last spring to help students develop their potential and cultivate cohesive team environments.

“Our goals include giving each student tools to use in the day-today practice of leadership, helping them distinguish between worldly leadership and Christ-like leadership, and collaboration among all the athletes and teams in the department to create a sense of community,” said Lamie, who has been named Presidents’ Athletic Conference coach of the year 10 times in her 26 year tenure as head women’s soccer coach.

Go Lead is still in its infancy, but the program was developed to cover all four years of a student-athlete’s collegiate career. Freshmen are encouraged to focus on self-leadership and building relationships.

Sophomores and juniors work on developing personal leadership styles and understanding their purpose and calling. Seniors learn about transitioning their leadership skills into their careers and postgraduation lives. The Go Lead Program includes a four-day summer retreat for team leaders, where athletes participate in outdoor learning activities, collaborative workshops, and in-depth mentorship with coaches. Every three years, participants in the program will have the opportunity to travel internationally on a service trip, where they learn about meeting the needs of others.

Lamie said Go Lead is intended to equip student-athletes to be leaders beyond the Grove. “I know many of them will be put into leadership positions right out of school when they enter the workforce, family life, and church and community life once they graduate,” Lamie said.

Senior Krista Heckman ’19, captain of the women’s soccer team, said, “Go Lead gave me the resources and insight to help me lead my teammates and serve them with a mindset that is focused on them rather than myself.”

The program is already bearing fruit, according to Lamie. “It’s having a positive effect within our teams and in our athletic program as a whole. My hope is that the athletes would see the unique way God has gifted each of them to impact and influence their world for good and for God,” she said.

March 2019

would want be around – in class, on the Quad, at the dining hall, and, critically, in the stands. There’s a “natural division” between students who are athletes and students who aren’t, Gibson noted, and getting those who aren’t out to support their peers at games is one of the goals of the Wolverines Together campaign.

“We want all of our campus, from the grounds crew member to the best player on

the basketball team, to understand that it is our athletic program. We want everyone in the community to be a part of what we’re doing here. It can be a lot of fun, and the support means a lot to us and it helps us win,” Gibson said.

It’s working. Longtime Sports Information Director Ryan Briggs ’01, says there’s been a notable increase in the level of student support and school spirit surrounding athletics in the

Dave Fritz ’94

Head Swimming and Diving Coach

“For the swim teams – and I believe it’s true across sports as well – it means that together we make each other the best we can be, whether that is a group of backstrokers pushing through a tough set, butterfliers racing each other daily in practice, or a distance swimmer inspiring a sprinter to achieve his potential by striving to meet his own.

And when the work is done and it’s the day of competition, we all know that the success that a person achieves is due in part to our support, encouragement, and motivation that we provide each other every day. Our champions stand on the shoulders of those who lifted them to be their best - whether they are teammates, peers from other sports, or alumni who established the expectation and tradition of greatness.”

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NATIONAL CHAMPION ATHLETES

last few years. The bleachers aren’t packed for every game, but attendance is up and the student section’s enthusiasm, sometimes driven by a pickup pep band, is apparent. Senior Karen Postupac ’19 didn’t expect to spend a lot of time cheering on the Wolverines when she started at Grove City College, but it’s become an important part of her time on campus.

“Some of my best memories are rushing the field and watching the fireworks following

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Grove City College the first win in years for the football team during fall of 2017, sitting high in the stands of the Arena, watching the men’s and women’s basketball teams, and standing in the student section of the women’s soccer PAC championships last fall, bouncing up and down on the bleachers covered in the afternoon rain,” she said.

Along with the intentional efforts to build a community around a Christian athletic

culture come concrete steps to build a stronger athletics program. One of the biggest moves was to invest in people. That meant lightening the coaching load on individuals and hiring more support staff.

For decades, Grove City College coaches routinely did double duty, coaching more than one sport while they fulfilled other responsibilities as faculty or staff members.

That began to change when the College made

a series of hires and personnel moves to relieve coaches of their divided responsibilities. Soon every one of the College’s 22 varsity sports will have a dedicated leader, focused on a singular team’s development and success. The move allows coaches to have more time to recruit student-athletes who will thrive in the Wolverines Together culture. The effort to seek out and attract these students through text, talk, and tours is a huge part of a coach’s job.

Ryan Briggs ’01 Sports Information Director

“Wolverines Together means that our 22 teams are united as one within the athletic department and also part of the greater campus community. All of our programs live that principle on a daily basis.

It’s anything but lip service. The coaches and staff all support and pull for each other. Our athletes are interwoven together and it is wonderful to see. On a lot of campuses, there’s jealousy within athletic departments. Coaches try to undermine other programs for their own benefit, but here at Grove City, we all want everyone to have as much success as possible. To borrow a line from head football coach Andrew DiDonato, “each of us needs all of us.” Wolverines Together is the realization of that within the athletic department.”

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March 2019

The College beefed up its training and strength and conditioning staffs. As knowledge in the field of exercise science expands, it’s clear that student-athletes need more than just time in the weight room and an ice pack to reach their potential and stay healthy. Under the care and direction of three full-time trainers and two certified and highly trained strength and conditioning coaches, Wolverine athletes are “bigger and

stronger than they’ve ever been,” Gibson acknowledged.

The College has also invested in the Wolverines Together philosophy. Last year, a makeover to the PLC’s main entrance put the Wolverines name “up in lights” on the marquee and dedicated gifts supported a locker room addition to Philips Field House, rebuilt Walters-Zbell Tennis Courts and created a professional practice room for the

golf teams. Other major athletics projects in recent years include installing new turf and a track at Robert E. Thorn Field and upgrades that have made James E. Longnecker Competition Pool one of the best in the nation. A deal with apparel maker Under Armour has resulted in a nearly complete, branded refresh of all team uniforms.

The building and the branding is an intentional institutional move to express

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If you build it, they will come Athletic complex proposed for historic GCC site

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Field House / Graphics

Architectural renderings depict the proposed athletic complex on Lower Campus.

ouse / Graphics

hat’s the hope as Grove City College fosters an athletics renaissance and makes plans to build a working showcase that reflects the excellence embodied by the student-athletes, coaches, and community of Wolverine fans.

To call the project, which is still a few years in the future, a field house sells it a bit short. Architectural drawings depict a multi-level complex that would serve as a focal point for the College’s athletic programs.

Its planned location – between Colonial Hall Apartments, the recently rebuilt Walters-Zbell Tennis Courts, and the press box at Thorn Field – is near the very spot where the first building on campus, Recitation Hall, was erected in 1879.

The proposed facility would house: • Football, lacrosse, tennis, and track locker rooms • Weight, conditioning, and training rooms • Visitor reception, recruiting, and VIP lounges • Concessions and storage space • Dedicated film and team meeting room • Coaches’ offices and conference space The plans also call for creating a space beyond the complex’s walls, with gateways welcoming spectators and a large event plaza overlooking Thorn Field – a place where Wolverine sports fans can gather on game days, prospective student-athletes can see what Grove City College has to offer, and the campus community can enjoy in the future.

Grove City College The facility is needed to accommodate an expanding number of varsity athletes, a rising interest in intramural sports and personal fitness, and a growing fan base. Beyond serving the needs of the campus community, a state-of-the-art “field house” can increase the stature of the College’s brand as we compete to attract and retain talented student-athletes.

If you would like to learn more about or support Wolverine athletics or support the field house project, please contact the College’s Office of Advancement at 724-458-2992.

Grove City College

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Grove City College confidence in the student-athletes and coaches who steward the Wolverine legacy, create enthusiasm in the community, and burnish the College’s reputation as a school that is serious about being a competitor and a positive force in college sports.

In the PLC, you can see the evidence of Grove City College’s storied sports history hanging from the walls, behind glass, and bronzed for posterity. There you can hear

the sounds – basketball-against backboard, sneakers on wood, a splash of water, whirring treadmills, clanking weights, and banter between coaches and students – of today’s Wolverines. They are the sounds of a culture under construction, being built – brick by brick – by athletes, coaches, and students who share a faith, a competitive spirit, and a commitment to Wolverines Together. 

Melissa Lamie

Head Women’s Soccer Coach 2018 PAC Coach of the Year

“Wolverines Together means we are all invested in the journey of all of our teams, not just our own. We go to the games and watch because we can relate to all the feelings, all the commitment, all the love that we see on display, and we learn from the way we see other teams handle victory and defeat so that we know what it looks like to do it well.”

260 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

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A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE 1884 Our first intercollegiate sporting event, 1914 and victory, occurs with the baseball Men’s Tennis begins. team’s 4-3 win over Westminster.

1892

1898

1937

1935

Men’s Swimming and Diving begins.

1938

Men’s Golf begins.

Men’s Soccer begins.

1955

1933

Intercollegiate football Men’s Basketball begins. begins and becomes the 1906 College’s oldest continuallyMen’s Track & Field begins. sponsored sport.

Men’s Cross Country begins.

Grove City College Women’s Athletic Association forms to promote athletic competition and physical activity.

1957 Running back Tom “Jake” LaMotta ’60 becomes the College’s first modern-day All-American.

1976

1960 Rifle team member Ruth (Bogert ’63) Wible becomes the first woman to earn a varsity letter.

1974 Women’s Tennis begins.

Women’s Basketball begins and the College becomes a charter member of the Women’s Keystone Conference, the first 1980 women’s athletic conference for private Women’s Softball begins. colleges in western Pennsylvania.

1973

1981

Women’s Volleyball begins, marking the start of women’s varsity sports at Grove City College.

Volleyball player Natalie (Sutyak ’83) Watkins becomes the first woman at Grove City College to earn All-America honors.

Chris VanDeMark ’82 captures the College’s first NCAA Division III national championship titles, winning in 1- and 3-meter diving.

1985 Women’s Volleyball finishes the regular season with a 41-0 record and No. 1 national ranking. Head coach Susan Roberts is named Division III Coach of the Year.

1992 Women’s Soccer begins.

1996

2000 Women’s Water Polo begins.

Women’s Golf begins.

1988 Women’s Swimming & Diving begins.

1987 Women’s Track & Field begins.

1986 Women’s Cross Country begins.

2000

2006

Running back R.J. Bowers ’01 becomes college football’s all-time leading rusher with 7,353 yards and earns the Melberger Award as the top NCAA Division III player. Bowers went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns.

The Washington Nationals select pitcher Erik Arnesen ’06 in the 17th round of the Major League Baseball draft.

2008

2013

Two-time national champion swimmer Caleb Courage competes in the United States Olympic Trials. He returns in 2009 to win his third NCAA Division III title in the 100 freestyle.

Swimmer Angela (Palumbo ’13) Marasco concludes her career as a 21-time NCAA Division III All-American, becoming the most decorated athlete in College history.

2018 Anne Shirley Dassow ’20 wins national title in 200 butterfly at 2018 NCAA Championships.

Men’s lacrosse becomes 22nd varsity sport.

2009 2007

The Athletic Heritage Award is created and presented in conjunction with the Hall of Fame.

2014 Men’s and Women’s indoor track & field added.

Football team defeats Morrisville State, 56-48, in ECAC James Lynah Bowl, to record program’s first-ever postseason victory.

The inaugural class of honorees is inducted into the newly created Athletic Hall of Fame. t h e G ēD UNK w w w. g c c.e d u | 33

Grove City College

BRICK BY BRICK For everything there is a season, scripture says.

In 2018, it was the Wolverines’!

Reported by Aly Kruger ’19, sports editor, and The Collegian staff

T

wo years ago, the Grove City College football team had just closed the book on a winless season, their third in as many years.

The program faced challenges: a 0-30 record with a new head coach who had never even led a high school team, let alone a NCAA Div. III squad, and waning enthusiasm on the part of players and frustrated fans who made it to Thorn Field for games.

At that point, few could imagine a future in which the Wolverines would go 8-3, qualify for post-season play for the first time in more than a generation, claim the

3 4 | w w w. g c c.e d u t h e G ēD UNK

first bowl game victory in program history, and see that first-time mentor named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. But all that happened in 2018.

How did Grove City College’s football program turn itself around so fast? It begins and ends with head coach Andrew DiDonato ’10. DiDonato’s” brick-by-brick” approach to building the team is already part of campus lore and players say his attitude has changed the way they play – and see – the game.

“He [has an] overwhelming sense of joy,” said strong safety Daniel Jackson ’19. “We lost every single game our sophomore year, his first year as head coach, and there wasn’t

a day when he came in visibly upset.”

Defensive tackle Connor Lowe ’19 credited DiDonato for modeling the right attitude for his players. “It’s such a rare thing to see a guy come into work every day with the same amount of passion and fire that coach brings,” he said. “Everything he does is to glorify God,” kicker Kelsey Tishchler ’20 said.

“To make the change this year required a huge shift in mental attitude and how we approached every single day of practice,” Lowe said. “We’re not overwhelmingly more talented than the 0-10 teams that came before us … It’s changed mentally.”

DiDonato’s drill consists of hard work

March 2019

on the field and attention to the spiritual formation of his players. Brick by brick means breaking practices into five minute periods that keep everyone moving at a fast pace. The focus, DiDonato said, is on mastering the art, putting in effort every rep and discipline. “On the field … we’ve found what we could be best at and focused just on mastering that,” he said.

While he hasn’t patented them yet, DiDonato employs “four second phrases” to work on his players’ spiritual awareness and mental toughness. “We use a slogan ’Four, 40, forever’ because we’re reminded - football is going to last four years, their degree the next 40, and their faith’s going to impact eternity forever,” DiDonato said.

Another is: “Content but not complacent,” inspired by the apostle Paul. “He said ’I’ve worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but Christ in me.’ And we’re called to work heartily as unto the Lord ... that should make us work harder than anyone,” DiDonato said.

That message is clearly seen in the players, and in the positivity, they bring to the field every day, DiDonato said.

“The seniors have taught all of us that it is how you respond to circumstances when things aren’t going well that allows you to see the turnaround we’ve experienced. A few years ago, when things weren’t going so well, they took ownership, remained positive and brought joy to practice every day. Their attitude during that time is a key reason why we got to enjoy these special moments this season.”

The Wolverines football team celebrates its victory over Morrisville State in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III James Lynah Bowl on Nov. 17 at Robert E. Thorn Field.

In the 2018 season, other teams started taking the Wolverines seriously as they shocked some opponents and became a force to be reckoned with in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. They also dealt with a number of setbacks, including some key injuries, through the run. But those setbacks only made the team stronger and more resilient.

“We’re hunters,” running back Wesley Schools ’20 said. “We hunt teams and we take them down.” Schools had a huge season, breaking school records almost every game and securing PAC Player of the Week honors on multiple occasions. “My freshman year we were just itching to win a game, and now we’re expected to win.”

This season, this team has reminded Grove City College and its students of the

importance of hard work and overcoming adversity, but also the importance of doing everything for the glory of God. Remaining focused on the vision allows the team to be reflective and appreciative of all they have accomplished, while on the hunt. “I will never forget that we came from 0-30,” said Schools. “I will never forget where we came from and where we’re going.”

“This story is one of the clearest examples of why culture matters,” College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said. “Our football team has been transformed by daring to do things differently and having the courage to ask what God wants to see in this program. It’s a fantastic picture of the College’s entire mission.” n

Head Football Coach Andrew DiDonato ’10 uses a series of “four-second phrases” to inspire and instruct his players. He explains a few of his favorites here: BE WHERE YOUR FEET ARE “Our vision includes Spiritual, Social, Mental, and Physical development. We want our guys to always have their mind and hearts where their feet are currently planted whether it be in the chapel, classroom, or the field.”

FOCUS ON YOUR VISION NOT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE “Our vision reads ’To glorify God in the pursuit of earning a degree, building lasting relationships, and competing for PAC championships’. From day one we wanted our guys to keep their focus on where we are going. We want them to focus on the why of what they do as opposed to just the circumstance of what they are doing.”

EACH OF US NEEDS ALL OF US “To build a program it takes everybody working together doing their job.

It’s a reminder that we need everyone including administration, faculty, staff, players, alumni, the community, etc., to build towards the same vision.”

4-40-FOREVER “Football will last four years, their degree will last the next 40 years, their faith will last forever. This is a phrase at the center of our program to remind us how to keep our priorities in line.”

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Grove City College

BRIGGS BRINGS IT GCC sports information director has encyclopedic knowledge, irrepressible enthusiasm.

By Brad Isles

A

s just the third Grove City College sports information director in the past half-century, Ryan Briggs ’01 personifies the “Wolverines Together” refrain.

He is responsible for promoting the College’s 450-plus student-athletes and 22 NCAA Division III varsity teams by disseminating team information to assorted media outlets, updating the department’s website and social media channels, and much, much more. He also coordinates the promotion of the Wolverines within the Presidents’ Athletic Conference, the NCAA, and related affiliations.

“I enjoy seeing our outstanding young men and women competing and excelling at their sport or sports of choice,” Briggs said.

“It is very rewarding to get to know them and hopefully my efforts are a small part of a very positive experience for them at Grove City College. The games, matches, meets, etc., are all a big part of it. But ultimately, this is a ’people’ business and it’s the people – colleagues, coaches, athletes, and members of the campus community that are the most rewarding part of it.”

To Briggs, hired as Grove City’s SID in 2002, no athlete or sport is greater than another. To parlay some old-school media nomenclature befitting Briggs’ background, the College’s “tankers” (swimming), “harriers” (cross country), “booters” (soccer), “thinclads (track) “spikers” (volleyball), 36 | w w w. g c c.e d u t h e G ēD UNK

“gridders” (football) and “cagers” (basketball) are on an equal playing field.

“On a lot of campuses, there’s jealousy within athletic departments. Coaches may try to undermine other programs for their own benefit. But here at Grove City, we all want everyone to have as much success as possible,” Briggs said. “To borrow a line from head football coach Andrew DiDonato, ’each of us needs all of us.’ Wolverines Together is the realization of that within the athletic department.”

“I enjoy the actual work involved with being in my position. But I am very confident that it would not be as rewarding or meaningful if I were at another school.”

Briggs presides over the Doc McMillan Press Box on football Saturdays at Robert E. Thorn Field, serving as the in-game announcer, radio, media, and coach herder, and as a mentor to a handful of student workers who gain valuable work experience under his direction. Briggs’ call of “First down. Wolvaareeeens!” echoes through lower campus following big plays by the home

team. It’s so catchy those in attendance are known to join in the call.

Briggs’ personality also shines through on basketball nights in College Arena.

Whether it’s his bullish “Isaac Williams. For threeee!” resonating through the rafters, or by entertaining the crowd during breaks in the action by spinning an eclectic mix of music. If the Wolverines are hosting an important or rivalry game, Briggs will break out a bright-red sport coat affectionally known within the Physical Learning Center as his “big game jacket.”

Considering his career trajectory, it’s hard to imagine Briggs originally wanting to be a meteorologist while growing up not far from campus. He matriculated to Grove City College from nearby Grove City High School and double-majored in English and Communications. Briggs began working as a student in the sports information office under then-SID Joe Klimchak ’91, and also served as the full-time sports editor at the local weekly paper during his junior and senior years.

In addition, Briggs commenced calling football and basketball games on local radio stations at the same time, emulating childhood broadcast icons Lanny Frattare and Vin Scully. During summer afternoons growing up Briggs would go out to his garage and dial in WJR 760 out of Detroit to listen to the legendary Ernie Harwell on Tigers games.

It’s a diversion he maintains to this day and, as a result, Briggs has evolved into

one of the area’s foremost authorities on scholastic and collegiate athletics in Western Pennsylvania. With a tip of the mortarboard to almost two decades in the business, along with his vocation and encyclopedic knowledge, he is affectionately known to many in the region as “Professor Briggs.”

Whether it’s in his writing, announcing, or broadcasting, Briggs’ delivery is unabashedly traditional, clear and authoritative while being informative and welcoming. He boasts an uncanny ability to conjure up a wholly obscure yet completely

March 2019

relevant statistic from some long-ago match that leaves the listener with a smile, wondering “where did that come from?”

Befitting his old-school approach, it should come as no surprise that Briggs prefers to unwind after a long day of covering sporting events, pumping out up to a dozen news releases, announcing, and updating the athletics social media channels and website by cracking open a cold root beer (Barq’s, preferably) while taking in a broadcast through the technologically advanced method of livestreaming through his phone or PS4.

“I enjoy the actual work involved with being in my position. But I am very confident that it would not be as rewarding or meaningful if I were at another school,” Briggs said. “This is my hometown and Grove City College is my alma mater. I understand what it’s like to go through the rigorous academic curriculum here and also how a person can grow in many ways at the College. I think that I am still growing in many ways by being in such a tremendous environment on a daily basis.” n

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Grove City College

19 9 9 Class of

19 63 Class of

Class of 19 8

Class of 2006

UN TONY K O G E RT ) RUTH (B

CZEWS

KI K ATHIE BRA

WIBLE

NDT

ERIC TINSTMAN

WOLVERINES FOREVER

Over the years, thousands of student-athletes have contributed to Grove City College’s storied sports legacy. When they leave, the College retains records of their wins and losses, enshrines their victories in trophy cases in the Physical Learning Center, and recalls their impact on campus in memory. Theirs are the “shoulders of giants” that today’s Wolverines stand upon.

We asked a few alumni athletes to reflect on their playing days and what effect wearing the crimson and white had on their lives after graduation. Here is what they told us.

RUTH (BOGERT ’63) WIBLE

Rifle team, 1959 to 1963

A

history major from Hermitage, Pa. (then known as Hickory Township), Wible was the first woman to win a varsity letter at Grove City College. Now retired, she lives in Florida and enjoys genealogy, water aerobics, and playing cards. “No shooting,” she said.

“My fondest memories involve the fun with my teammates and overcoming resistance from the head of the women’s and men’s athletic departments. There were no women’s sports at that time and I faced a lot of resistance from the dean who felt it was not ladylike,” Wible said.

But she had an important advocate. “Dr. Harker, the college president, thought it was a great idea and invited me to his home to see the matching shotguns he and his wife Helen owned. I did not have the heart to tell him that I did not enjoy hunting. It was fun going to all the other campuses and meeting people and being out until midnight when girls were supposed to be in at 8:30 p.m. The dean did not like hearing that doorbell,” she said.

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“Shooting was a great sport for me. You cannot blame your failures on someone not passing the ball or putting you in the game.

It was a case of controlling your nerves and breathing. That doesn’t mean we didn’t try to make up excuses but in the end we knew our fate was in our own hands. I think that independence and growth of self-confidence served me well after graduation. I have advocated for women’s rights and equal treatment and encouraged girls to try fields they were told were not for them. My granddaughters have all been involved in sports, they do not understand that was not always available for girls.”

ERIC TINSTMAN ’06

Basketball 2002-06

O

riginally from New Castle, Pa., Tinstman was a political science/ pre-law major who served as co-captain of the team his senior year.

He’s now a trial attorney with his own law firm in Miami who fondly recalls the camaraderie and the commitment that marked his time as a student-athlete.

March 2019

82

His strongest memory of his years on the court came in his sophomore year in a game against Frostburg State. “Up until that point, I hadn’t played any significant minutes, but was hungry to get in and help the team out. On a good day, I’m 5’10. Frostburg had a player who was probably six-five or six-seven who was just getting every single rebound … After trying several of our bigger guys (and we had plenty), Coach Lamie called me over from the end of the bench, and said ’Tins, don’t let him get a rebound if it’s the last thing you do’ and he put me in … I’m guarding this rebounding machine, and there is a long rebound and it is going straight for us. Remembering my instructions, I put my forearm in his chest and basically threw him out of bounds. It should have been a foul … but the referee missed the call, and I got the rebound. Coach Lamie jumped in the air with a fist-pump.”

“There is a mindset you learn going through four years of playing a college sport, that whether you are sore or tired, you have to mentally and physically grind through it. Because we took our commitment so seriously, the season lasted basically the whole school year, and we stayed on campus through most breaks. As a lawyer, that grinding mindset helps immensely,” Tinstman said.

“Whether I’m on my ninth day of trial and exhausted, or it’s a random Tuesday and the motivation is lacking a bit, you have to put your head down and grind through it. I don’t think I would have this level of mental toughness without going through four years of playing basketball at Grove City.”

TONY KUNCZEWSKI ’99

Football 1996-99

K

unczeweski was a business management major from Harrison City, Pa., who now lives in Rome, Ga., where he’s the head football coach at Berry College, an NCAA Division III school “very much like Grove City College.” He is the only coach the football team has ever had and literally built that college’s program from the ground up. He started the team in 2012 and already has three SAA championships to his credit.

Identifying his fondest memory of playing Wolverine football is “easy,” Kunczeweski said. “Beating Washington & Jefferson College at home in 1997. I believe we beat them 31-28. I can vividly remember seeing the game against W&J two years earlier at GCC. I watched (the Wolverines) get beat by 40-plus points. It was a dramatic turnaround in two years.”

He says his experience at Grove City College led him to his current career and helped him find his faith – and more. “The lessons I learned from our coaches on and off the field drove me to want to enter that same profession in the hopes that I can impact studentathletes in the same way I was impacted,” he said.

“I was a lukewarm Christian entering college. I was surrounded by teammates and coaches that shared the same struggles I had as a young

Christian. As iron sharpens iron so does one man sharpen another. I graduated having been sharpened into a much stronger Christian man.

I owe a lot of that to my coaches, teammates, and friends I met and shared life with in college,” he said. “Plus, I met my wife at GCC. So to say the College affected me in a positive way is an understatement!”

KATHIE BRANDT ’82

Basketball 1978-82, Softball (inaugural team) 1980-82, Cheerleading (soccer) 1978-82

B

randt was an engineering major who is now a partner at a major law firm representing companies in complex commercial financing transactions. After working in Texas and New York for nearly two decades, she’s back in her hometown of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and very involved in the community, serving on the boards of area foundations and a frequent speaker about the challenges women face in maledominated industries.

“My fondest, and perhaps the most profound, memory is the sense of belonging I felt. I think that many people in their teens and early twenties struggle with being accepted or part of the ‘in’ crowd. I was lucky to form warm, caring relationships with many of my teammates so that whenever we were together practicing, playing a game or just hanging out, I felt like I was accepted and I belonged. Since I didn’t feel that way in other facets of campus life, the time spent with my teammates and participating in sports was instrumental in giving me the strength and confidence needed to tackle other challenges.”

Playing sports at GCC was impactful, she said. It taught her “not just how to be a team player, but how to be a good team player,” a lesson that’s served her well in the many leadership roles she’s assumed since graduation. “Sometimes you have to sacrifice your own self-interests – your “personal stats” – for the good of the team and the other team members. All of my coaches at GCC stressed the importance of the team over individual accomplishments,” Brandt said.

She also learned how to manage her time, dealing with engineering labs, practices, games and school work. “There is no question that knowing how to successfully manage my time and prioritize the tasks to be completed has been critical to the success of my law practice. It has also enabled me to maintain a – somewhat – healthy work/life balance.” n

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Grove City College

From wither Willie?

By Hilary (Lewis ’09) Walczak, College archivist

F

or years Grovers have cheered on their Grove City College Wolverines and many have probably high-fived mascot Willie the Wolverine at least once. Although the Wolverines name has been used for quite a while, the wolverine has not always been synonymous Grove City College.

The concept of the wolf has been present with the town of Grove City since its founding in 1798. At that time in Pine Grove (now Grove City) wolves could commonly be seen along the stream that runs through the town and campus– Wolf Creek.

But wolves were not clearly associated with Grove City College until a new seal that bore three wolf heads – a nod to the creek – was adopted in 1911. Although the wolf was an official symbol of the institution, it was not immediately associated with College athletics and sports teams were commonly referred to as “The Crimson.” The unofficial mascot for some time was a bulldog, or a series of them. The best known was Pal, “‘Tis said when first this who held the job from 1922 to College came to be, a 1934 and lived with Mrs. Walter powerful Wolverine came King until his tragic death in a out of the north to lie in the house fire.

But starting in 1925, the shades of our campus, to occasional reference to the wolf protect and keep eternal pack, wolves, or wolverines vigilance over all those who was made in relation to sports. call themselves ’Wolverines.’

It wasn’t until the 1940s that Wolverines became common ‘Tis said and tis true ...” and Willie the Wolverine made – Ouija yearbook, 1949 his debut as mascot during the 1948 Homecoming game.

Willie was decked out in a football uniform (number 86) and a wolf’s head. The creator and first Willie was The Rev. Richard S. Beidler ’51, who was aware of the incongruity between the character’s name and his headgear. Upon graduation, Beidler handed down his football uniform and wolf head to Dr. Richard A. Morledge ’54, the College’s former dean of the chapel. Many others have donned it since.

In 1951, the Student Government Association approved a petition of a charter to make the Wolverine the College’s mascot. In the 68 years since, Willie’s appearance has changed, but the ideals he symbolizes – school spirit, good nature, friendliness, and sportsmanship – have remained the same. n

“Love GCC history? Check out the College Archives on Instagram at GCCArchives.

Comments or questions?

Email the Archives at collegearchives@gcc.edu

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LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD

March 2019

WE’RE LITERALLY LEVELING THE FIELD!

The Wolverines’ home soccer field is being replaced with a brand new synthetic turf field that will provide safety and a competitive edge for our championship Wolverine soccer players.

THE DON LYLE SOCCER FIELD

IS SLATED FOR

COMPLETION BY

FALL 2019

The Don Lyle Soccer Field will be named for Dr. Don Lyle, a coach, professor, mentor, and friend who served the College community for over 43 years.

Your support is needed to complete the field by fall 2019 and give our soccer players the home field advantage they deserve.

Make a gift online today at giving.gcc.edu/turf2019.

For more information, contact Brian Powell ’03, senior director of Development, at (724) 458-2992 or bmpowell@gcc.edu.

t h e G ēD UNK w w w. g c c.e d u | 41

Grove City College

class notes 1950

KEEP IN TOUCH! We want to keep in touch with you electronically! If you have an email address, or have recently changed your address or work information, make changes through

alumni.gcc.edu/update.

Have exciting news? Submit a class note for the magazine and for viewing online at

alumni.gcc.edu/classnote.

Remember to let the alumni office know that you are having a “Grover Gathering!” We’d love to send you some fun “stuff” for your event.

Email alumni@gcc.edu for more information.

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The Rev. Dr. Robert Bailey celebrated the 65th anniversary of his ordination to Presbyterian ministry in June 2018. He also worked as a college professor and in 2017 was awarded an honorary professorship at the Hungarian Reformed Seminary in Sarospatak.

His induction lecture was printed in the seminary journal. He has traveled to Hungary, Transylvania, and Ukraine over 20 times with his wife to work and fellowship with the people of the Reformed Church.

1974 Janet (Burke) Armstrong retired from Intalere, Inc., after a 17-year career. Seven years were spent in software application support and 10 years were doing cost studies and custom analytics for medical/ surgical supplies.

1975 The Rev. Andrew Barton is now honorably retired as a Presbyterian pastor, having served four pastorates since his ordination in 1979. He and his wife, Joyce (Harmon), now reside near Weatherly, Pa., where they host individuals and groups for spiritual retreats. Andrew is a program leader for Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development, specifically the Contemplative Leadership program; he also continues to preach at area churches.

1977 Michael Lordi was named CEO of the Jeannette, Pa.,-based Elliot Group. Previously, he was COO for the company, which is a manufacturer of compressors,

TRAVELING FRIENDS |

These traveling friends recently toured the Wieliczka Salt Mine outside of Krakow, Poland. From left: J. Charles MacPherson ’73, Melinda (Gettemy ’74) MacPherson, Beverly (Parker ’74) Shaffer, and Jeffrey Shaffer ’75. The couples have also toured China, Ireland, and Italy together. turbines, and pumps for the petrochemical, refining, oil and gas, and liquefied gas industries.

He will continue to strengthen the company’s partnership between its U.S. and Japanese operations.

is the founder and president. The foundation provides Christian education to orphans and destitute children in terror-ridden corners of the world. She works with other GCC grads in these efforts.

1983

1985

Jim Leetch was inducted into the Mercer County (Pa.) Sports Hall of Fame in January 2019. He was a multi-sport athlete at Sharpsville High School prior to his football years at Grove City College. He has continued to compete in local sports and coached Little League for several years.

Beverly (Senter) Rihtarchik won second place in the annual writing contest featured by Today’s Christian Living magazine. The article, which appeared in the November 2018 issue, covers Redeemer Christian Foundation, of which she

John Dorr was appointed in October to fill a vacancy on the Southern York County (Pa.) School Board.

Sharon Sparks, a 25-year resident of Madrid, Spain, is the head of English for secondary, as well as examinations officer at The English Montessori School in Aravaca, Madrid.

1992 Shelley (Boyles) McIntire became a licensed professional counselor in July 2018. She recently accepted a position as a

March 2019

FRAT MEETING |

ADEL fraternity brothers from the Class of ’76 met recently in Orlando, Fla. From left: Richard Fetzer, Bruce Leasure, John Shearer, Brad Butler, Scott Duesterdick and Jeffrey Kelly. Also attending: Karen (Carpenter ’76) Leasure and Denise (Scriptko ’76) Shearer. The men celebrated being the winning fraternity for two years within the Wolverine Challenge.

Christian counselor with Christian Counseling Associates of Western Pennsylvania.

1993 Kristin (Wiechmann) Winters was promoted to Vice President at BB&T. She is a Senior Risk Manager in BB&T’s Premium Finance Division in the Risk Management and Compliance area in Florence, S.C.

1995 Minfei Leng was promoted to president/CEO of TX RX Systems, an RF communications equipment manufacturer specializing in public safety LMR (Land Mobile Radio) markets. He joined TX RX in 2003 and held multiple roles in engineering and sales/marketing management. Minfei lives on Grand Island, N.Y., with his wife Lisa, and two children.

1996 Dr. John Hilston was honored with the Leavey Award for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education, as chosen by the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pa. Hilston teaches economics and history at Eastern Florida State College, where he has taught full time since 2007. He earned his master’s degree in economics from Cleveland State University (Ohio), and his doctorate in higher

education leadership from the University of Central Florida.

NASHVILLE FUN | Girlfriends from the Class of 1979 gathered in Nashville for their third annual reunion. Row 1, from left: Lois (Morton) Kuttesch, Cindy (Smalley) Monroe, Dot (Boyer) DeAngelis, and Nancy (Hayes) Bevington. Row 2: Carol (Schopps) Walton, Janet (Hobe) Micklos, Paula Meyer Haven, and Robin (Lancellotti) McCourt. Not pictured: Linda (Millard) Tsagdis.

1998

2004

2007

Kristen (Scro) Sheppard and her husband, Noah, welcomed daughter Evelyn Joy on Aug. 30, 2018.

Emily (Speace) and Mathew ’08 Padgett welcomed daughter Tessa Joy on Sept. 6, 2018.

2005

Emma (Finney) and Lincoln ’10 Larsen welcomed daughter Helen Hope on Oct. 23, 2018.

Jenny (Gadsby) Montoya and her husband, Ben, announce the birth of daughter Abigail Riley on Feb. 1, 2018.

Ashlee (Keeports) Weaver and her husband, Dale, welcomed daughter Emily Carolyn on Oct. 16, 2017. She joins sister Allison, 3, and brother David, 2.

Graeme Anderson and his wife, Katina, welcomed son Jacob on July 25, 2018. He joins siblings Sophia, 16, Elijah, 14, Noah, 12, Levi, 9, Isaiah, 6, Malachi, 4, and Katherine, 2.

Marilee (Gerhart) and Bob Price welcomed son Micah Andrew on Oct. 17, 2018. Micah joins Abbie, Ellie, Rachael, Owen, Olivia, and Rebecca.

2001 Kurt Herdman was appointed senior controller with Henderson Brothers insurance and financial firm in Pittsburgh. He will be part of the firm’s accounting team.

2002 Clinton Bonelli accepted a position as funeral director for West Laurel Hill Funeral Home, Inc., in Bala Cynwyd, Pa. He graduated in 2016 from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City and apprenticed for one year after graduation.

Rebecca (Smith) Johnson and her husband, Russ, announce the birth of daughter Eliza Jane on Feb. 10, 2018. She joins big brother Mitchell.

Jeana (Duryea) Forrest and her husband, Matthew, welcomed daughter Rebecca Diane on March 25, 2018.

Kevin Horner joined the law firm of Galligan & Manning as an associate attorney in Houston, Texas, where he will practice in estate planning, elder law, and estate administration.

Sarah (Schroeder) Parker and her husband, Joseph, welcomed daughter Charlotte Jane on Aug. 23, 2018. Charlotte joins big brother Grant.

Dr. Gregory Sinsley was appointed research assistant professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at the United States Naval Academy. He and his wife, Alissa (Barton ’06), welcomed son Robert David on Dec. 21, 2017. Robert’s sister Elizabeth is 5.

2008

2009 Ryan Biese was elected and installed as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Oglethorpe, GA (PCA) as of November 2018. In addition, Ryan and his wife, Ann, welcomed son Thornwell Charles Hugh, on Oct. 5, 2017.

Dave Coles received a J.D. from Baylor University School of Law in April 2018 and gained admission to the Texas Bar in November. He has taken a commission in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps and will be stationed in Great Lakes, Ill.

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Grove City College

PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR |

Kristina (Odonish ’01) Pazehoski is the 2018 Omicron Delta Kappa Professor of the Year. Pazehoski, who also serves as chair of the Department of Biology, is an accomplished professor who invests time in and out of the classroom to her students.

College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said Pazehoski “really wants to see students succeed and cares about them as people.”

Ben Mahtani was promoted to vice president and chief information officer for PWCampbell, a Pittsburgh-based retail services and design/build firm. Since joining the company in 2013, Mahtani has led the company in installing more than 1,300 digital signage screens across the country.

Mary (Cramb) and Eric ’08 Mickelsen announce the birth of son Edgar William on Jan. 24, 2018.

Whitney (Fairchild) Siefke and her husband, John, announce the birth of their daughter, Nina Loretta, on Aug. 19, 2018.

Ben Wetzel married Megan Stanton on Oct. 20, 2018, in Warsaw, Ind. In the fall of 2018, Ben began a new job as assistant professor of history at Taylor University.

2010

BALTIMORE IN FALL |

These ladies from the Class of 2005 reconnected in Baltimore, Md., in early November 2018. From left: Kristi (Bowers) Eybs, Sarah (Slifco) Steinhoff, Chelsea White, Danica Neddenien, Kelcie (Rodina) Conroy, and Julie (Ferguson) Hedgecock.

Paul Chenowith and his wife, Natasha, welcomed son Ethan Vincent on Oct. 5, 2018.

Rachel Nelson and Brian Marsden Jr. were married on June 16, 2018, in Boston, Mass.

They now reside in San Francisco, Calif.

Chris Meckley was ordained in October 2018 to the Sacred Order of Deacons in the Diocese of Christ Our Hope in the Anglican Church in North America. He serves as the director of Student Ministries at The River Anglican Church in Blacksburg, Va. Sean Sullivan was accepted into the MBA program at the University of Oxford. He and his wife will be moving to Oxford, England, in September 2019 for the year-long program.

2012

SUNDAY BRUNCH |

These young Grovers from the McLean, Va., area meet most Sundays post-church for brunch. From left: John Fite ’11, Caleb Fite ’15, Joe Dorris ’11, Fred Adams ’11, Daniel Chapman ’16, Spencer Thurston ’17, Cooper Thurston ’13, Caleb Henry ’13, Christy Allison ’12, and Garrett Cichowitz ’11. Other classmates join in as well. This photo was taken in the “The Ranch,” where Adams, Cichowitz and C. Thurston reside.

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Russell Bopp is now an associate attorney with Marcus & Mack, P.C., in Indiana, Pa. In his practice, he will represent individuals in many types of personal injury cases.

Heather Campbell and Gret Glyer were married Sept.

8, 2018, in Middleburg, Va. Heather works for the Children and Family Ministry at The Falls Church Anglican and Gret is the CEO and founder of DonorSee. They live in Falls Church.

Lauren (Baker) Hooper and her husband, Jonathan, announce the birth of daughter Clara Mae on July 19, 2018.

Elaine Sotherden was awarded her Ph.D. in mathematical sciences in December 2018 from Clemson University. She currently resides in Ft. Meade, Md., and is working for the federal government.

2013 Dan Scofield completed his Ph.D. in mathematics at North Carolina State University. This fall, he joined the faculty at Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C., as an assistant professor of mathematics.

2015 Amy Melnik and Robert Cracker were married on March 31, 2018, in Rexford, N.Y.

2016 Adrienne Scrima and Scott Demmer were married on Aug. 4, 2018. The couple now lives in Madison, Wis.

March 2019

in memory The Grove City College Alumni Association places a book in Henry Buhl Library in memory of each alumnus for whom the Office of Alumni and College Relations receives written notification of death, including a copy of the obituary. This pays tribute to the lives of deceased alumni while benefitting current and future students.

To notify the Office of Alumni and College Relations of the passing of a loved one, please send an obituary to alumni@gcc.edu.

Bessie (Constantine) Dillon ’40 died Sept. 14, 2018. She was a retired English teacher living in Cuba, N.Y., who loved the theater.

Miller. He also was a talented drummer. Survivors include daughters Lindsay (Miller ’72) Evans and Carol Miller-Mease ’75.

Robert A. Kelso ’40 died Oct. 17, 2018. He was a selfemployed farmer living in Mercer, Pa. He also worked for the Department of Public Welfare.

Barbara (Bechtell) Eshelman ’48 died Nov. 3, 2018. She was the College’s dean of women from 1952-54 and 1971-76, later working in the Alumni Office in the late ’80s. She lived in Grove City. Survivors include brother Dr. Homer Bechtell ’51.

Yvette (Mitchell) Foster ’41 died Oct. 18, 2018. She lived in New Castle, Pa., and had worked as a lab technician for St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Elizabeth (Gregory) O’Neil ’42 died Jan. 17, 2019. She was a legal secretary and worked in the Grove City area for many years.

Martha (Eayre) Brethauer ’43 died Nov. 27, 2018. She was a longtime librarian at West View Junior High School in the North Hills of Pittsburgh.

Ellen (Kibler) Lentz ’45 died in July 2018.

Elmira (Dayton) Aaronson ’47 has passed away.

Foster V. Donaldson ’47 died Dec. 6, 2018. He lived in Pleasant Hill, Calif.

Catherine (Williamson) McKimm ’47 died Nov. 26, 2018. She was a retired teacher who lived in Parma, Ohio, for many years.

J. Lee Miller ’47 died June 11, 2018. A World War II Navy veteran, he practiced law at the family firm of Miller and

Robert E. Montgomery ’48 died Nov. 19, 2018. A mathematician, he was on staff at the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and a faculty member at the University of New Mexico and Rutgers.

He later joined Merrill Lynch.

He served in the Navy during World War II. Ruth (Wick) Williams ’48 died Jan. 1, 2019. She had worked as an accountant and personnel director for Digital Electronics Automation in Livonia, Mich. She lived in Novi and organized investment groups.

The Rev. Duane E. Ferris ’49 died Nov. 27, 2018. An Army veteran, he had a career in Presbyterian ministry.

Sara “Sally” (Meyer) Snyder ’49 died Aug. 11, 2018. She was a long-time resident of Camp Hill, Pa., raising her family and supporting her husband’s 60plus year law career.

John J. Burger ’50 died Oct. 16, 2018. He was a World War II Navy veteran who retired

as a branch manager from McKesson Chemical. He lived in Hollidaysburg, Pa. Dr. David W. Humphrey ’50 died Sept. 15, 2018. He worked at Clarion (Pa.) Hospital and was chief radiologist for nearly 40 years. Survivors include son Dr. James Humphrey ’81.

Betty (Drew) Mertens ’50 died Oct. 22, 2018. She retired after 35 years as an executive Secretary with Warner Lambert. Recently, she lived in Lancaster, Pa. Robert H. Sage ’50 died Nov. 7, 2018. An Army Air Force veteran of World War II, he lived in Bradford, Pa., and retired as general manager of Sentry Home Center. He later established SER Oil with his brother.

Ralph V. Brown ’51 died Sept.

18, 2018. A Korean War Army veteran, his varied engineering career included work at Bendix and operating a farm.

Olive (Webb) Case ’51 died Oct. 22, 2018. She retired after 35 years with East Pennsboro (Pa.) High School where she was a business teacher and department chairperson. She was living in New Bloomfield.

Dorothy (McGill) Geibel ’51 died Nov. 2, 2018. She worked as a medical transcriptionist in Grove City hospitals.

Shirley (Standen) Kelly ’51 died Jan. 10, 2019. She lived in Mars, Pa., and taught English for 35 years at Mars High School. She helped several historical societies. t h e G ēD UNK w w w. g c c.e d u | 45

Grove City College Dr. J. Frederick Leetch II ’51 died Oct. 9, 2018. He taught mathematics and statistics at Bowling Green State University, retiring as professor emeritus.

He served the Navy for 30 years, retiring as a captain.

He was president of his senior class and the student council and served on the College’s Alumni Council.

21, 2018. He lived in Hatboro, Pa. Survivors include wife Virginia (Lind ’53) Panner.

Jersey and leading the State Jazz Festival. He served in the Army National Guard.

Doris (Yeager) English ’54 died Dec. 22, 2018. She lived in both Smithfield, Pa., and Hudson, Fla., and was active in her church. Survivors include her husband, Dr. Robert English ’55.

Susan (Collman) Dougall ’58 died Dec. 11, 2018. Most recently, she lived in Sequim, Wash. Survivors include her husband, Charles Dougall ’57.

Harry M. Lutton ’51 died Nov. 18, 2018. After a teaching career, he was Grove City College’s director of security from 1974 to 1989, and was affectionately known as “Harry-O.” He was a World War II Navy veteran.

Harriet (Jones) Lowry ’54 died Oct. 11, 2018. She lived in The Villages, Fla., and had worked as an executive assistant.

J. Melvin Maharg ’51 died Oct. 30, 2018. He was a retired accountant from General Motors’ Fisher Body Plant in Euclid, Ohio. He lived in Mayfield Heights.

The Rev. Victor L. Redfoot ’51 died Nov. 30, 2018.

He dedicated his life to Christian ministry in the Methodist Church, and worked extensively with the Boy Scouts of America.

Frank A. Steele ’51 died Nov. 30, 2018. A World War II Army veteran, he worked as a teacher before owning/operating Castle Beer Distributing in New Castle, Pa., for 40 years.

M. Thomas Arganbright Jr. ’52 died Oct. 20, 2018. His career in the petroleum byproducts industry included work with Alcoa Aluminum and Exxon Chemical Americas. He was an Army veteran living in Arlington Heights, Ill. Alexander S. Krotenak ’52 died Nov. 25, 2018. He retired after a 32-year career as a math teacher at Sharpsville (Pa.) High School. He was a Korean War Army veteran.

John R. Panner ’53 died May 4 6 | w w w. g c c.e d u t h e G ēD UNK

Robert W. Miller ’54 died Dec. 19, 2018. He was a Grove City resident, and had worked at Westinghouse and Spang Industries designing transformers. Survivors include wife Joanne (Vinton ’54) Miller, and children David Miller ’84 and Amy (Miller ’85) Eckenrode.

Howard R. Wilson ’54 died Dec. 30, 2018. A Poughkeepsie, N.Y., resident, he worked as an electrical engineer with IBM for 36 years and operated ham radios.

Virginia (Nunn) Marr ’55 died Dec. 9, 2018. She moved throughout the United States and Europe during her husband’s Air Force career.

After, they lived on the water in Pasadena, Md. The Rev. C. Nelson Craig ’56 died Dec. 24, 2018. He pastored in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Jamestown, N.Y.; Ashtabula, Ohio; and Winneconne, Wis.; plus interim positions.

Harry D. Kinkead ’56 died Sept.

11, 2018. He was an Army veteran who had a career in the welding industry. He lived in Ellenton, Fla. Richard A. Graham ’57 died Oct. 20, 2018. He had a long and award-winning career in music education, leading many prizewinning bands at home in New

Gerald L. Lawson ’58 died Jan. 10, 2019. A resident of Columbus, Ohio, his career always included Christian ministry, including as a pastor, youth worker, and Christian radio host. He was an Air Force veteran.

James T. Morris ’58 died Oct. 26, 2018. He earned a J.D., and worked for Aetna Life and Casualty for 30 years. He was an Army veteran who lived in Wadsworth, Ohio.

Dr. Walter E. Scheid ’59 died Nov. 11, 2018. A teacher, he retired from Westminster College as professor of speech emeritus and received its Distinguished Faculty Award.

Charles B. “Ben” Thompson ’59 died Nov. 24, 2018. He worked with ALCOA, American Powdered Metals, and Glidden Metals/SCM Corporation before retirement. Recently, he lived in Raleigh, N.C. Surviving are his wife, Ann (Pollins ’61) Thompson; and two children, including Mark Renwick Thompson ’84.

Peter W. Yankus ’59 died Sept.

17, 2018. An Army veteran of the Korean War, he had a long career as an accountant in the steel industry. He retired to Florida and worked as an attraction greeter at Walt Disney World.

Edward A. Ziobro ’59 died July 27, 2018. He worked with Xerox in Dallas, Texas, later retiring to Tellico Village, Tenn.

He was an Army veteran and lifelong fisherman.

Harold E. Davis ’60 died Nov. 4, 2018. He was a CPA and taught business and computers for 31 years in the Sharon (Pa.) School District. Surviving are his wife, Beverly (Stoyer ’60) Davis, and two daughters, including Kimberly (Davis ’84) Hutchison.

Jack L. Osterberg ’60 died Sept. 6, 2018. An Army veteran of the Korean War, he built a home building and development company in Dallas, Texas. Upon retiring, he earned his real estate license.

Peter D. Stone ’60 died Oct. 15, 2018. He owned the Plymouth Insurance Agency in Plymouth, Mich., and was an Army veteran.

Richard M. “Bud” Antos ’61 died Oct. 3, 2018. He lived in Nazareth, Pa., and worked for Bethlehem Steel as an engineer salesman until retirement.

I. Duane Wible ’62 died Oct. 18, 2018. An Air Force veteran, he worked in retail management and in data gathering for non-profits. He retired to The Villages, Fla. Survivors include his wife, Ruth (Bogert ’63) Wible.

Dr. David D. Green ’63 died Sept. 16, 2018. He practiced optometry for 44 years with offices in Holiday Park and Greensburg, Pa. He was an Army veteran.

The Rev. Virginia (Yockey) Miles ’63 died Oct. 31, 2018. She was an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church and current pastor of its Penns Park, Pa., church.

Charles L. Rankin ’63 died July 9, 2018. He lived in the Penn Hills of Pittsburgh.

Marcia (Jackman) Hall ’64 died Oct. 6, 2018. She worked at the Northwood University

March 2019

Library in Midland, Mich., and also taught high school English.

Most recently, she lived in Cranberry Township, Pa.

retired from the Erie County, Pa., Department of Social Services. Survivors include husband Lynn Boehmer ’66.

George W. Towle ’64 died Oct. 29, 2018. He was a retired business financial consultant and taught accounting at Towson University. The education advocate had served in the Air National Guard.

He lived near Baltimore, Md. Survivors include son Matthew Towle ’93 and brother Roger Towle ’68.

Anne (Ruffner) Edwards ’66 died Dec. 11, 2018. She enjoyed a 20-year career in academic administration and public policy. Most recently, she was a reference librarian and lived in Portland, Maine.

Linda (Stevenson) Tyler ’64 died Dec. 29, 2018. She worked as a computer programmer/ computer systems analyst and also taught junior high math.

She spent a year in Macau, China, as a teacher/missionary.

She retired to Westcliffe, Colo., to a family-built log cabin.

Frederick H. Buehl ’65 died Oct. 6, 2018. He had an engineering career with General Electric and Westinghouse Electric. He lived in Syracuse, N.Y. Dr. Ross L. Frazer ’65 died Jan. 24, 2019. His varied career included homebuilder, physician, veterinarian, and missionary. Surviving are five children, including Christin (Frazer ’91) Arthurs.

Thomas A. Whiting ’65 died Sept. 22, 2018. He taught astronomy and meteorology at Gannon University in Erie, Pa., while working as a papermaker at Hammermill. He served in the Air Force in Vietnam, continued in the Air Force Reserve and retired as a major.

Robert R. Bloom ’66 died Dec. 6, 2018. He lived in Punxsutawney, Pa., and worked for Waste Management Federal Services as a Project Manager.

Catherine (Grace) Boehmer ’66 died Feb. 11, 2018. She was

Janet (Stewart) Kleffman ’67 died Dec. 2, 2018. A resident of Pottsville, Pa., she taught typing/shorthand, word processing, and business English.

Nora (Gittings) Goetz ’68 died March 3, 2019. She had a career as a teacher and missionary in Malawi, Africa.

Surviving are her son Gary Goetz ’94 and brother Daniel Gittings ’76.

Dr. Dennis O. Jackson ’68 died Feb. 6, 2019. He was a retired dentist living in Camp Hill, Pa. Survivors include his wife, Lynne (Cookson ’65) Jackson, and son Carl Jackson ’95.

John W. Kunkle ’68 died Nov. 10, 2017. An Army veteran of the Vietnam War, he was an accountant with Koppers for 30 years. He lived in Monroeville, Pa. Peter K. Kebaugh ’70 died April 21, 2018. He worked as an electrical engineer with Dupont for 45 years, and lived in Hendersonville, Tenn. Survivors include brother Dr. Lance Kebaugh ’72.

Charlene S. Borland ’72 died Jan. 17, 2019. She lived in Springdale, Pa., and had worked as an EMT, an auditor and a billing coordinator.

Kenneth A. Melidoni ’75 died Feb. 21, 2019. He worked for 38 years in the airline industry and loved travel. He lived in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Emily “Amy” (Smith) Wagner ’76 died Oct. 31, 2018. She first worked as an engineer for Westinghouse, later pursuing a teaching career with the Archdiocese of Louisville, Ky. William W. Hamilton ’78 died Feb. 25, 2019. The Washington, Pa., resident worked for 20 years as a quality control manager for Bolsan Company. Survivors include siblings Dennis Hamilton ’75 and Scott Hamilton ’89.

Capt. Carl J. Puntureri ’79 died Nov. 18, 2018. After retiring from the Air Force with 22 years of service, he worked with Interstate Chemical and, later, Butler County, Pa. Survivors include wife Ann (McFeely ’81) Puntureri and daughter Toni (Puntureri ’07) Buell.

Yvonne (McKinley) White ’93 died Jan. 28, 2019. She lived in Germantown, Md. Survivors include her husband, Christian White ’93.

Aubree (Rankin) Bowling ’99 died Oct. 6, 2018. She had worked as a media analyst, later a senior analyst, with the Parents Television Council. She lived in Manhattan, Kan. Tracy (Hockenberry) Myers ’98 died Dec. 19, 2018. She and her husband owned and operated Zeiderelli’s Pizza in Duncannon, Pa. She also had been a counselor and operated the Puppy Parlor.

Friends Dr. James D. Thorne, a professor of Education from 1976-1994, passed away Nov. 6, 2018. He made his home in Butler, Pa.

Judith (Pschirer) Houston ’80 died Dec. 24, 2018.

An Alumni Council member emeritus, she was a radio DJ and worked in customer service for International Masters Publishers and Country Wide, all of Pittsburgh. She lived in Hermitage.

Anthony M. Best ’86 died Jan. 30, 2019. He was an Army veteran of Vietnam who had worked in deliveries. Most recently, he lived in New Castle, Pa. Marian (McCaw) Schuster ’86 died Oct. 22, 2018. She lived in Forest, Va., and worked as the finance manager for Tessy Plastics.

Beth Riggs-Hall ’93 died Feb. 7, 2019. A resident of Trappe, Md., she was a counselor at Easton Middle School for 16 years. She also served in the U.S. Coast Guard. Survivors include husband Chris Hall ’94.

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Grove City College

alumni babies CONGRATULATIONS NEW PARENTS! Grove City College welcomes your new bundle of joy. We want to send your newborn a Grove City College T-shirt.

So between the feedings and late-night lullabies, be sure to send the Office of Alumni and College Relations your child’s name and date of birth. Shirts are available only in infant size.

Due to the popularity of the Alumni Babies feature, photos will be limited to babies under the age of 3 in Grove City College shirts only. Digital photos must be high resolution, 300 dpi. Please do not embed photos in the body of an email message, but rather attach a high-resolution image.

Submit photos at alumni.gcc.edu/babyshirt or email to alumni@gcc.edu.

Grace Autumn Abeyta Born 10-14-16 Erin (Hanselman ’95) and Tom Abeyta

Jacob and Katherine Anderson Born 7-25-18 and 10-23-16 Katina and Graeme ’98 Anderson

Thaddaeus Joel Bancroft Born 10-26-17 Erin (Lukasiewicz ’07) and Eric Bancroft

Rocco Anthony and Luca Paul Battaglia Born 4-5-16 and 11-13-17 Autumn (Skorup ’11) and Steven ’13 Battaglia

Benjamin John Carlson Born 1-14-17 Laura (Heim ’09) and Mike ’07 Carlson

Ella Grace and Lily Ellis Faulconbridge Born 12-18-15 and 5-25-17 Emily (Hargest ’10) and Greg ’10 Faulconbridge

Eliza Jane Johnson Born 2-10-18 Rebecca (Smith ’02) and Russ Johnson

Alexander James Kobaly Born 8-10-18 Rachel (Alexander ’06) and Jonathan Kobaly

John “Jack” Gregory Mariani Born 4-12-18 Kate (Nagatani ’13) and Mark ’15 Mariani

Abigail Riley Montoya Born 2-1-18 Jenny (Gadsby ’08) and Ben Montoya

Charlotte Jane Parker Born 8-23-18 Sarah (Schroeder ’05) and Joseph Parker

Rowan Quackenbush Born 3-28-17 Kara (Wilson ’13) and Kellen ’13 Quackenbush

Sebastian Quintero Rockwell Born 6-29-18 Brandon Rockwell ’04 and Juan Mantilla-Quintero

Mary Grace and Mathew John Jr. Sampogna Born 2-4-16 and 12-14-17 Patricia and Matthew ’01 Sampogna

Robert David Sinsley Born 12-21-17 Alissa (Barton ’06) and Greg ’05 Sinsley

Titus Raymond Trinch Born 9-18-15 Alyse (Brannon ’09) and Chris ’09 Trinch

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March 2019

YOU make the connection

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| 49

Grove City College

faith & learning A faculty perspective into the mission of Grove City College, the role of Christian scholarship in higher education, and the connection between faith and learning.

It’s not just X’s and O’s

By Dr. Jim Thrasher ’80

Dr. Jim Thrasher ’80 is senior fellow for Vocational Guidance in the Admissions Office, senior fellow for Calling and Vocation with The Institute for Faith & Freedom at Grove City College and associate professor of Biblical and Religious Studies and Humanities. He was director of the College’s Career Services Office from 1994 to 2017.

He also serves as chaplain for the Grove City College football team.

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I

s the goal of playing sports only about executing game strategies to get a “W” in the win/loss column? The world in which we live resoundingly tells us so. Is there more to the endeavor of competition as a Christian? Historically and culturally, sport has been seen as an entity unto itself when it comes to applying a Christian worldview.

Thinking Christianly about personal ethics and conduct, relationships, and the family, for example, are expected, but sports?

Grove City College’s athletic program has impacted lives for over a century. Its foundation is very strong, built with much tradition, success, and excellence. As it looks toward the future, the Athletic Department is embracing the College’s Building for a Strong and Faithful Future – Strategic Plan 2017–2021, which has challenged the entire campus community to “enhance the campus Christian environment by strengthening and expanding Christian formation programs.”

The department’s goal is to make sure that its mission and vision statements clearly reflect both the charge of the strategic plan and, more importantly, the culture being developed within all teams. The working mission statement – “The department is in pursuit of athletic excellence through passionate, Christcentered development of student-athletes as people, competitors, and teammates” – is accompanied by a vision statement focused on developing “an athletic culture which competes for championships in a manner that glorifies God.” Although not finished, these statements are working models outlining that desired culture. Using them, the department is heeding the call to engage each athlete, wherever he or she might be spiritually, to steward and develop their physical gifts and talents and point them to Christ. Thoroughly integrating faith with the College’s sports teams is a priority and has been progressively implemented by the Athletic Department. This

is a counter-cultural initiative being realized by the coaches and department staff.

While winning is being passionately pursued at the College, it only will be the result of invested coaches and engaged athletes who also are deeply considering the “why” question. Why do we do anything in life, including playing sports? Scripture challenges and directs us by repeatedly answering that question for us. Colossians 1:16 states that “all things were created through Him [Christ] and for Him,” including sports. Romans 11:36 instructs us “for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.”

The purpose of life is summed up in I Corinthians 10:31 – “so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Sport is a part of God’s creation.

He has called those made in His image to redeem all of life, every aspect.

Coaches are mindful of and intentional about integrating a sincere pursuit of bringing worship and glory to God. This is done through a commitment to seeing God as the only audience. Students are provided an opportunity through collegiate athletics to fervently compete as a “thank-you response” for being blessed with life, health, and athletic prowess.

There is no more exciting arena to bring a Christian worldview to than sports. God is not a pragmatist, but if one applies His word to all of life, it “works” and produces thrilling and inspiring results. Grove City College teams and athletes regularly earn berths in NCAA and ECAC tournaments and meets, recently won a bowl game, earn Presidents’ Athletic Conference titles and sportsmanship awards, and receive many individual and AllAmerican honors. Very apparently, a Christian philosophy of sport doesn’t neuter the passion to compete and win. If the concept of winning is neutered, one’s zeal for Christ and His

March 2019

It’s not unusual for Grove City College teams to join with their opponents in prayer. Here, the lacrosse team kneels with a rival squad, demonstrating a commitment to faith that transcends competition.

Kingdom is compromised. Playing for the honor of Christ is the most powerful intrinsic motivation an individual can possess in striving for victory.

Implicit in this pursuit is an opportunity for ministry and for athletes to be an example of what they believe. They take seriously the potential impact they can have on others by evidencing Christian character in the heat of battle.

Within the Athletic Department’s mission and vision is an eternal focus. Head Football Coach Andrew DiDonato ’10 often refers to the phrase “4-40-Forever.” Through this phrase, he has set out a priority check for the athletes and the program as a whole.

He explains the significant meaning of the phrase this way: the men on the team will have four life-changing years together as they win and lose games and establish life-long, cherished friendships. They then step out for the next 40 years into their vocational callings, as they bring their character, life priorities, hearts, and abilities to their careers and families. But, ultimately and finally, what really matters is the forever aspect of one’s soul. A rudder for the coaches in the football program is to be constantly cognizant of

encouraging the players to think beyond football and this earthly existence. The coaches are interested in and committed to investing in, mentoring, and discipling each player. From the strength and conditioning program to each team’s mission and vision statements, the top priorities are integration of faith and growth spiritually, personally, academically, and athletically.

The athletes have embraced these goals and objectives and are growing and excelling in Christian leadership opportunities on-and off-campus. From Montana to South Africa to Ecuador, team members have faithfully served on mission trips. Team Bible studies organized and developed by the athletes are thriving. Athletes are embedded throughout the campus community, contributing their skills in leadership positions. The athletes also have moved outside their own sport to cheer on and step alongside their peers in other sports. The “Wolverines Together” initiative, conceived by Athletic Director Todd Gibson ’02 is changing the campus community’s mindset and support of athletic contests. The teams also are reaching out to the surrounding community by participating in service opportunities such as the United Way Day of

Caring program. The Athletic Department has accepted the challenge to develop programs that are dedicated to building Christian team cultures, because it is the team culture that transforms lives, as well as winning games, matches, and meets.

The tangible impact of Christ-centered team culture is clear when one talks with Wolverine student-athletes. I asked a few about their reflections and they said they’ve “been shown how to glorify His name through competition” and “dig deeper into faith because of my coaches and teammates.” They said their lives have been changed and they’ve come to know the Lord through their mentors and fellow student-athletes, who challenged them “to use sports as a platform for Christ.”

“We practice playing for a bigger purpose, using the game to share God’s love,” one senior said.

Just concentrating on the X’s and O’s might win a few games, but God’s intention through sport is much more glorious. The riches of His glory are known by putting Him first in all things. Integrating God’s truth in the College’s athletic program is transforming lives and teams. n

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While you’re on campus, catch a game along with all the other events and performances.

WOLVERINES BASEBALL VS. GENEVA (DOUBLE HEADER)

SATURDAY, MAY 4 • 1 P.M. • R. JACK BEHRINGER FIELD