and was humbled by the amount of time, interest and financial resources that I saw given to the program from alumni.” Ussiri’s words touched many of the members. Born in Tanzania, he shared how his parents sacrificed and struggled to come to the United States. When he asked them why they did this, he said their response in his native tongue, “Kwasababu yako,” which means, “Because of you.” When it looked liked Ussiri’s family wouldn’t be able to afford his dream of a college education, the scholarship he received from Hanover – partly funded by donors – made it possible. “Because of you, I stand here,” Ussiri told the donors. “Because of your sacrifice and your willing hearts. ‘Kwasababu yako,’ because of you.” Following the program was an elegant dinner for the honorees in a tent on The Quad, with the silhouette of Parker Hall as the evening’s back-drop. Local watercolor artist William Borden, whose works have exhibited nationally, presented an original piece commissioned specifically for the event that depicted the eight different cupolas gracing the tops of Hanover’s most prominent buildings. Rick Muhlhauser Jr. ’67 and President DeWine then presented limited edition, signed and numbered prints to each member of the Society.
Afterparty at The Shoebox After the fête, students, alumni and donors went to The Shoebox, where John ’64 and Donna Shoemaker, whose gifts created the hangout, were celebrated for their generosity. A group of Sigma Chi fraternity brothers and alumni rewarded Donna Shoemaker by serenading her with, “The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.” She was clearly touched by their thoughtfulness. “It’s unbelievable,” she said of the entire event. “The students are so refreshing and centered. They really seem to understand their connection to the world.” “The Shoebox is now part of the culture,” added John Shoemaker. “It’s become what we had envisioned, a tradition everyone can use. We’re excited about the multiple uses it (has) created.”
Student Senate President Sam Crowe ’12 offered the students’ perspective, adding his personal goal to “have his name on the wall someday.” The dinner ended with a group of students surrounding the tent and singing the Alma Mater. “It was very touching,” said Hanover Trustee Elaine Kops-Bedel ’74 of the evening. “Getting the students’ perspectives make the donors feel like the world’s in good hands.”
Opposite page, Top left: Joshua Ussiri. Bottom left: President Dewine and Trustee Emeritus Sally Rowland. Middle left: Chuck Summers with his daughter, Ashton; Right: Jason Crawford. Middle bottom (l-r): Phil and Roni Martin Scott ’66 with former trustee Nancy Hinchman Near ’61; Molly Block. Above left: Borden unveiling his original watercolor. Above right: Trustee Emeritus Henry Ryder as James Whitcomb Riley.
Above, clockwise from left: John and Donna Shoemaker with the managers of The Shoebox; a group of Sigma Chi brothers serenade Donna (center). Left (l-r): Elaine Kops Bedel ’74; Ruth Schalk Shearer ’70; Greg Gleason ’72; Marabeth Ice Levett ’71; Rick Shearer ’70; Mark Levett ’71; Eric Bedel.
THE HANOVERIAN • FALL 2010 | www.hanover.edu | 27