Marietta Magazine (Spring 2011)

S p r in g 2011

Finishing Touches

The Magazin e o f M a r i e t t a C o l l e g e

ALSO: Honoring Jim and Mabry O’Donnell Pioneers enjoy dream season

JO McCULTY

Transitions

Wild Life Late-night cramming sessions, hustling first thing in the morning to get across campus, finding the time to just hang out—from the outside looking in, this lifestyle looks a bit frenetic.

But from our point of view, it’s that energy and excitement brought by students that make college life outstanding.

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M e ssa g e f r o m the Pr esident

DR. JEAN A. SCOTT

Why We Remember

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arietta College has long been blessed with a talented and dedicated faculty. As I travel across the country and talk with alumni about their best memories of Marietta College, more often than not, they mention specific faculty members who inspired them and changed their lives.

They remember the details—reviewing notes from Ted Bennett’s math class and coming to an understanding of how calculus works or stopping by the English office when things were not going well and getting a personal poetry reading from Steve Blume. They recall both challenge and support freely offered, and describe lifelong friendships with mentors they met during their college years.

This magazine will introduce you to a few representative current faculty members who are establishing the same deep connections with students and who are certain to be remembered fondly by generations of alumni. I hope it will give you perspective on the ways in which Marietta College retains its fundamental strength even as we mark the retirements of distinguished professors Fraser MacHaffie, Mabry and Jim O’Donnell and recognize that more than half of the faculty has been at Marietta College for 10 years or less.

Our current faculty gives us many reasons to be proud of Marietta College today and confident in the futures of its students.

As I think about the reasons for my pride in the faculty at Marietta College, several themes emerge. These are men and women who are both expert in their disciplines and passionate about sharing their knowledge with students. Like their counterparts at major research universities, they have dedicated years to achieving advanced degrees that certify their expertise.

Unlike at least some faculty at large universities, Marietta College faculty must have a real passion for sharing their expertise with students, for helping their students grow intellectually and achieve their goals. The teaching load at Marietta College is very heavy—four courses a semester compared to one or two at some universities. A faculty member will be neither happy nor successful at Marietta College if he or she does not have a deep love of teaching.

The nature of teaching, the faculty’s primary work, has changed dramatically over the past decades as students bring different learning styles and expectations to the classroom. Most of our faculty lecture occasionally, but the large lecture class at Marietta College is rare. Faculty seek to engage students in their own educations through in-depth classroom discussion, through the use of interactive technologies that bring resources from all over the world into the classroom in real time, and by moving outside the traditional classroom and laboratory setting.

Today’s faculty sees the community, the nation and the world as their classroom. For example, during spring break, some traveled with students to San Francisco, Paris, and New Orleans to study a sense of place in literature, to experience world class art galleries, and to provide help to citizens still struggling to rebuild their lives after Hurricane Katrina.

Many see colleagues as partners in the teaching endeavor, pairing their courses in learning communities so that students can see connections across disciplines. All act as mentors, advisers and coaches, overseeing summer research and creative experiences in the laboratory, the library, the studio, and the community and spending countless hours in one-to-one sessions with students answering questions and providing guidance on academic and personal issues. Almost all continue to seek ways to improve their teaching, availing themselves of the human and technological resources of the Worthington Center for Teaching Excellence.

As I think about the work of our faculty, and the ways in which they extend themselves to be sure students are reaching their potential, I think about the words of Eric Hoffer: “In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.”

Marietta College is blessed with a faculty of learners—men and women who do not believe that the receipt of an advanced degree makes them learned, but who make students their partners in the joyful experience of learning. That learning takes place in many ways and in many venues, and is far more diverse than it was a generation ago. It is the core activity of this College, and the shared commitment of the faculty members who make Marietta College such a special place.

That is, I believe, why alumni remember faculty so fondly, and it is why our strategic plan, Focused on Distinction, makes recruiting, retaining, and properly compensating a talented and dedicated faculty and staff a primary commitment.

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The Magazine of Marietta College

S PR I NG 2011 | Issue 1 0

Inside this issue 12 The impact of faculty

4 | MA RIETTA S C EN E

Professors Jim and Mabry O’Donnell have touched the lives of countless students at Marietta College since their arrival in 1969.

As the Drs. O prepare to retire this year, Marietta, The Magazine of Marietta College honors their dedication to educating students and takes the opportunity to recognize the faculty base that will carry on the O’Donnells’ tradition of excellence.

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EDITORS Tom Perry and Gi Smith DESIGNER AND ILLUSTRATOR Ryan Zundell PHOTOGRAPHERS Mitch Casey, Jim Graham, Phil Grisez, Bev Hogue, Jo McCulty, Tom Perry, Jen Rohrig, Robert Seale, Shaina Spring CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jen Emmert, Josh Green, Alison Matas, Dan May CLASS NOTES Cheryl Canaday

New and notable campus & alumni updates

5 | REVIEW Comments from our readers

8 | J O U RN A L

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PROVOST Dr. Rita Smith Kipp VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT Lori Lewis ASSOC. VP, ALUMNI & COLLEGE RELATIONS Hub Burton

Athletic news

26 | DEVELOPMENTS News from our Advancement Office

29 | THE LONG B LUE LINE

Alumni and campus news

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PRESIDENT Dr. Jean A. Scott

22 | PIONEER S

Alumni class notes

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M A R I E T TA The Magazine of Marietta College is published twice a year by the Office of Alumni and College Relations. The magazine serves its readers by providing information about the activities of Marietta College alumni, students, faculty and staff through the publication of accurate and balanced content that informs and stimulates intellectual discussion.

Text, photographs, and artwork may not be reprinted without written permission of the Associate Vice President for Alumni and College Relations at Marietta.

CON TA CT US Send address changes, letters to the editor, and class notes to Marietta Magazine, 215 Fifth Street, Marietta, OH 45750-4004. Fax: 740-376-4509; Phone: 740-376-4709; 1-800-274-4704. Email: alumni@marietta.edu COVER PHOTO BY JO McCULTY

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N E W A N D N O TA B L E

TOM PERRY

MARIETTA SCENE

> SIGNING DAY Major donors Ann Bailey ’87, Joe Chlapaty H’10 and Dale Wartluft ’63, joined Director of Athletics Larry Hiser and the Marietta College football team to sign the final piece of arched steel for the Don Drumm Stadium renovation project, which will be completed before the start of the 2011 season.

> EXPERT ADVICE

SHAINA SPRING

MITCH CASEY

Health care expert and Board of Trustee member Dr. Marilyn Moon was the keynote speaker during the College’s 176th Founders Day celebration. Her topic focused on the national health care debate.

> ROAD TRIP Amy Horvat ’11 (seated) and Kelly Park ’11 were among the six students taking English 260 this semester who traveled with Drs. Bev Hogue and Joe Sullivan to California during Spring Break to explore how the state is portrayed in literature.

> CLEANING UP

JEN ROHRIG

BEV HOGUE

The 2011 Community Service Day attracted more than 200 volunteers to tackle 20 projects in the area, including Blake Kaelin ’12 and Karlee Arnett ’14 who worked for a portion of the day at the O’Neill Senior Center in Marietta.

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> NOTHING TOO WEIRD The Art Department’s annual Senior Art Exhibition featured capstone work by eight graduating students. The exhibition, entitled “Nothing Too Weird,” allows seniors to share their work with family, friends and the community.

RE VIEW

COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS

DEAR EDITORS, As a 2006 graduate of Marietta College I am proud to say that my time spent traveling The Long Blue Line includes many hours learning and laughing with the O’Donnells. Dr. Mabry O’Donnell served as my teacher, my advisor, my coach, my friend and the best role model that anyone could ever ask for. I honestly believe if you looked up “dedication” in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Mabry O’Donnell. For 42 years she dedicated her time, energy and talent to the Communication Department, the Forensics program, and all of the committees and special projects she has been a part of. Her heart and soul have been poured into everything she has touched during her time at Marietta. She has inspired so many individuals and helped out in so many ways that you literally cannot count how many lives that have been blessed because they have had the privilege of working with Mabry.

It makes me sad to say and I almost don’t want to admit it but I never got the opportunity to have Dr. Jim O’Donnell as a professor.

At 19, I thought I didn’t need a history course—oh how wrong I was.

Although I never had him as a formal instructor, I am proud to say that Jim has been my teacher. During many forensic van trips and time spent chatting with him and Mabry over a meal, I have learned a lot from Jim. He is wise and witty and 100 percent devoted to Marietta College, his work, his students, and his wonderful wife. I am so thankful for all the great advice he has given me over the last nine years and will forever treasure our van chats.

This July I am getting married and it makes me so happy to know that two of the most special people will be in attendance at my wedding.

I admire them both so much and am so thankful that they are a part of my life. I wish them both the best of luck as they pursue new opportunities and maybe, just maybe, they will both take a much-needed vacation.

Congratulations on your retirement Jim and Mabry!

MEG SCHRECK ’06 NORTH HUNTINGDON, PA.

Lo n g Blu e L ines

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Because Marietta Magazine seeks to present a wide diversity of subject matter and content, some views presented in the publication may not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or those official policies maintained by Marietta College.

Letters commenting on the material or topics presented in the magazine are encouraged and are available for publication unless the author specifically asks that they do not appear in public print.

Published letters may be edited for style, length and clarity.

E-MAIL: mariettamagazine@marietta.edu FAX: 740-376-4509 MAIL: Editor, Marietta Magazine, Office of Alumni and College Relations, 215 Fifth Street, Marietta, Ohio 45750-4004

CALLING ALL ’61 GRADUATES… Marietta College has a special weekend planned for you!

The 2011 Golden Reunion Weekend has been organized and graduates from the Class of 1961, their contiguous graduating classes and established Golden Pioneers are invited to join in for an exciting three days on campus.

What? Golden Reunion Weekend 2011 When? June 3-5 Where? Marietta College—you can even stay in Fayerweather Hall for the weekend!

Visit www.marietta.edu/alumni for more details about Golden Reunion or to register online. For more information, call 1-800-274-4704 or (740) 376-4709. * Register by May 2 to receive a special discounted rate at select hotels.

H U B B U R T O N , A S S O C I AT E V I C E P R E S I D E N T, A L U M N I & C O L L E G E R E L AT I O N S

ou don’t need a bottle of gingko in a holster when you visit faculty at Marietta College and ask about their best and brightest.

They remember names and faces instantly. It is a source of singular pride to share just where their former students are striving and succeeding. When I inquire about nominees for alumni awards, I’m amazed at their level of recall given the number of students who have graced their grade books.

Still, make no mistake. It’s definitely a two-way street. At Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, alumni are just as facile in their own right reminiscing about the demands and often obscure quirks of academic mentors who shaped and molded their potential and their futures. Often, these flashbacks span decades, but they are almost always vivid and in living color.

The strength of these memories confirms what educators and students alike have long appreciated. The reciprocal bond that grows during teaching and learning is an incredibly strong one. It endures beyond the length of a career or, HUB BURTON in some instances, even a life. It’s not uncommon for children of graduates to mention the professors who left their imprint on mothers and fathers and, by extension, themselves.

This edition of the magazine, with its focus upon generations of educators leaving their mark and those more recently arrived in the process of

making their own, is a fitting place to pause and marvel at the very core of the institution. Drawing fundamental strength not just from its campus buildings or traditional liberal arts curriculum, Marietta College has long been blessed by the unique quality of its people and the staying power of lifelong relationships built around the shared goals of higher education.

Alumni treasure revisiting the scene of earlier struggles and triumphs along The Mall or on the athletic field but, inevitably, the conversation turns to the individuals who brought that scene to life.

Classmates, friends, and teammates all enjoy “remember when” status, but professors occupy a special, almost magical, place in the hearts of many Pioneer alumni; one that transcends the past to shape the present and promise the future.

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impromptu convocation when Jean returned from California to make the announcement. It was the first sign that we were going to have some very positive things to celebrate in the coming years.”

That momentum translated into new and renovated buildings, building distinction to academic programs, tightening admission standards and strengthening the College’s endowment. Along with the renovations to Fayerweather Hall and the Brown Petroleum Building, Marietta implemented a second strategic plan, Higher Ground, and began a three-year $50 million campaign, during which time the Legacy Library and the Anderson Hancock Planetarium were built and dedicated.

“The difference Jean’s leadership has made in turning around the campus is notable,” says Dr. Sid Potash, Professor of Leadership and Management. “In terms of fundraising, the Rickey Science Center, the new library and planetarium were all completed during her administration. Her strategic plans have been well thought out and, as importantly, well executed. And in her own quiet way she has motivated and encouraged the campus so that morale among faculty and staff is as high as I’ve seen in my 36 years here.”

Typical of Dr. Scott’s Administration, there are an abundance of projects taking shape on campus. “There are lots of things we’re working on right now,” she says. “The Don Drumm Stadium project is still happening. We are going to build a new residence hall, which will be opened after I’m gone. We’re implementing the third strategic plan and that will be an ongoing process. And, really, we always have to look at increasing our endowment.”

Callery says the most dramatic and positive change he can envision during the next decade would be “to double or better than double our endowment.”

Despite having a “To Do” list that constantly grows and changes, Dr. Scott considers her time at Marietta as a good time in her life. “I know that what I will miss the most are the people. I’ve had the opportunity to work with great people. Higher education is all about people, and a president can do very little unless everyone is pulling in the same direction.”

And with her reflections, Dr. Scott places the late John G. McCoy at the heart of the College. “His place in the history of Marietta is unique,” she says. “He didn’t just inspire me, he inspired generations of donors.

More than anything else, he believed in the faculty and students.”

As the campus prepares for the arrival of its 18th president, Dr. Scott has ensured that a focused plan is in place to make the transition as seamless as possible.

For now, she is deciding where to move—“Virginia, North Carolina or maybe Florida…my friends seem to be pushing for Florida”—and how to move her cats, Harbie, PG, Frankie and Zack, to their new home.

“They’ve gotten used to living in a big house. I have a very strong feeling they’re going to be disappointed by the size of the next one,” she adds, before turning her attention back to the College’s future.

Though Dr. Scott knows tremendous changes have been made to Marietta since 2000, she also understands there are many great things to come to the College after she leaves.

“Years from now, after the next president settles in, people on campus will ask, ‘Jean who?’…and that’s how it should be.”

GI SMITH

PHOTOS BY JO McCULTY

A

year from now, Dr. Jean Scott will be putting the finishing touches on her role as Marietta College’s 17th president.

Despite having the most prolific presidency in the College’s history, there are still plenty of things on Dr. Scott’s “To Do” list for Marietta before she retires next June. “I look back to when I was first named interim president at (State University of New York) Potsdam. I remember thinking, ‘I don’t know if I’ll ever do this again, so I want to do everything.’ ” And during the past 11 years, Dr. Scott has shown the campus that everything is possible when you plan ahead. “I think she’s brought a sense of stability to the College,” says Grant Callery ’68, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Since her arrival Marietta has undergone a major physical and fiscal transformation. “There’s been a change in the whole spirit of the College.”

As accomplished a planner and organizer as Dr. Scott has proven to be, her initial learning curve was steep, with little time to ease into the job. When she arrived in 2000, Marietta was in the middle of the six-year, $45 million Comprehensive Campaign and the construction of McCoy Hall was underway. Within three years, the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center, McCoy Hall and the Rickey Science Center were all dedicated and the College exceeded the campaign goal by raising more than $62 million. But more than a building boom was needed to stabilize the College.

“Prior to Jean’s arrival, the Board of Trustees charged us (the Cabinet and Faculty Council) to write the first real strategic plan that examined where we were and where we wanted to go,” says Debbie Lazorik, who was the Athletic Director during the search for the 17th president.

“Whoever was going to hold that position had to accept the plan and support its implementation. The strategic plan, To Thrive in the Floodplain, focused primarily on enrollment. At that time, we showed no ability to sustain growth.”

All aspects of the College were reviewed and changes began to occur. Every academic program was labeled in one of three categories: maintain, enhance or eliminate. Dr. Scott recalls having a conversation with faculty and a donor during the process of reducing one of the academic programs. “I knew their hearts were in this particular program, but they also saw that these changes were necessary. I remember one of them saying, ‘I’m glad we’re going to do something.’ ” With the help of Provost Sue DeWine, now president of Hanover College, Dr. Scott’s Administration began to inspire and invigorate the Marietta College community. Dr. DeWine served as a consultant to the strategic planning committee prior to joining the College. It was the group’s dedication to the College that prompted her to pursue the role of Marietta’s next provost. “Here were community members of the campus sticking their necks out to help determine Marietta’s future, recommending change at a time when there was much resistance to change, and at a time when the campus was in the search process for both the President and the Provost,” DeWine says. “I have to say that it was that group of people who were so courageous that hooked me.”

It was clear to Dr. DeWine the College was moving forward when Dr. Scott secured a major donation supporting the Physics program from David Rickey ’78 and the J&D Family Foundation. “We called an

moving

forward DR. JEAN SCOTT WON’T BE EASING INTO RETIREMENT

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ALUM NI & C A MP U S N EWS

> ALUMNI

Voices carry ALUM NA SHARES I NS PI RAT I ONAL M E S S AGE O F H O P E A N D H EA L I N G

N

icole Braddock Bromley ’02 had a secret no child should ever have to keep.

From the time she was a young girl she was being abused.

Her secret was masked behind the facade that she was a popular, successful student who excelled in sports. The first time she found the courage to speak, she was 14. Her mother asked if Bromley noticed her stepfather acting strangely—“And that’s when I told her everything—it was the first time I said what was happening to me out loud.”

The mother and daughter left the home and went into hiding as police investigated. Within a week, her stepfather committed suicide and Bromley, once again, fell silent about her secret.

“I felt so ashamed,” she says. “And then a year later, I went to a

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church camp.” It was there, among virtual strangers, she shared her secret. When she returned home, she began receiving letters from fellow campers who had also been abused but didn’t have the strength to tell. “Feeling it in my heart and soul—as hard as it was for me to tell my story—it was worth it to let people know that they were not alone.”

Bromley transferred to Marietta College to play basketball and majored in Psychology. She worked closely with Dr. Mary Barnas, McCoy Professor of Psychology. “She did her senior internship with me at the (Supervised Visitation Center),” Barnas says. “She was always a really motivated, organized kid…Although I was aware of Nicole’s early abuse, it was clear she never let it interfere with her excelling in every way. I think the way her mother handled the abuse so immediately and appropriately helped with that.”

It was during her time at Marietta that Bromley began sharing her story of childhood abuse with the public, which has spring-boarded into a career. In 2002, she founded OneVOICE Enterprises to educate and raise awareness of abuse issues.

These days, the mother of two young children lives in the Columbus area with her husband, earning a living as an informational and inspirational speaker. She is the author of Hush: Moving from Silence to Healing After Childhood Sexual Abuse and Breathe: Finding Freedom to Thrive in Relationships After Childhood Sexual Abuse.

“I travel around the world now, speaking about sexual abuse, rape and sex trafficking,” Bromley says. She has been the guest speaker at women’s conferences, church groups, high schools, colleges and was hired by an East African government to conduct educational seminars on the topic. “This isn’t about me anymore.

Rather, I am using my story as a platform for others to share their story…My point is to raise awareness about these issues and break the silence. The first step to healing is raising your voice.”

GI SMITH

> ACADEMICS

Give us this day…

S T U D EN TS C O MMI T T O C H I P AWAY AT H U N G ER A N D H O MELE S S N E S S

A

manda Dever noticed the woman standing outside the doors of the Daily Bread Kitchen at about 10 a.m.—an hour and a half before lunch was supposed to be served.

“She had walked from Pike Street all the way here to get something to eat,” says Dever, who is an AmeriCorps VISTA. Despite intermittent rain showers, the woman walked about 3 ½ miles for the pasta, salad, fresh fruit and dessert lunch that had been prepared and served by nearly two dozen Marietta students. “By 11, the food was ready and people were waiting—we didn’t see any reason to make them wait 30 more minutes to eat so we served them.”

In March, student groups and the Office of Civic Engagement, organized a Hunger and Homelessness Week, which was designed to educate campus to the daily struggles that many people in the community face. The week also included a “Hunger Banquet,” an educational panel on the challenges facing the poor, a 24-hour fast, and a “Sleep Out,” in which students slept outside along The Christy Mall.

The Daily Bread Kitchen in Harmar Village serves a free weekly lunch to anyone in need.

For Hunger and Homelessness Week, Marietta College’s Circle K group asked to provide one of the meals. Student groups, including Student Senate, donated money and time to help with

the meal. That day, volunteers served 94 meals, spending about $80. “We started talking about the community meal during Community Service Day,” says Mackenzie Cummins ’11. “We wanted it to represent many different organizations.

It was exciting planning the meal and actually preparing and serving it.”

Shirley Quan ’13 enjoyed interacting with fellow volunteers and community members during the lunch. The student from China found community service was a great way to meet other students. “I went to New Orleans with the Alternative Spring Break (group) and I met lots of new friends,” she says.

“I can honestly say that when I came to college I was going to focus on academics, study all the time and get good grades…and that was it,” says Cody Clemens ’13. He recently won the Ohio Campus Compact’s Charles J. Ping Award, which honors students who show a commitment to leadership and community service. “But today I’m in the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, Student Senate, I’m active in the McDonough Leadership Program, I’m an RA in Mary Beach Hall—I’ve learned that there’s a happy medium to everything and that you can’t only focus on your needs and be happy.”

GI SMITH

MITCH CASEY

“This isn’t about me anymore. Rather, I am using my story as a platform for others to share their story…

My point is to raise awareness about these issues and break the silence. The first step to healing is raising your voice.”

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SWEET INTENTIONS Mackenzie Cummins ’11 (left) and Sarah Brunner ’13 prepare to serve a dessert donated to the Daily Bread Kitchen by Dining Services. Visit www.marietta.edu/News/photo_gallery.html for photo gallery.

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ALUM NI & C A MP U S N EWS

> ACADEMICS

Surviving disaster RICKEY SCHOLAR T URNS T RAGE DY I NT O O P P O RT U N I T Y TO H EL P

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PHOTOS BY WILL VANCE

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ill Vance ’12 was in the middle of a Skype conversation with his mother when his Christchurch, New Zealand, apartment began to shake violently.

“The last thing she heard me say was, ‘I think it’s a big earthquake!’ and then the Internet connection, power, water and sewer system broke,” Vance says.

Vance, a Rickey Scholar, was studying abroad at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, where his sister and brotherin-law live. On Feb. 22, a deadly 6.3-magnitude earthquake occurred southeast of the city. Tim Carr ’12 and Lauren Litts ’12 were also studying abroad in New Zealand this semester, but fortunately neither was in the Christchurch area.

Moments after the initial quake, Vance checked on his flat mates. They ran outside to escape the danger of a potentially falling building.

“There were two more very strong aftershocks that nearly knocked us on the ground within the hour,” Vance says. “That night, I rode my bike to my sister’s house on the other side of Christchurch—(an) earthquake makes you very lonely and everyone wanted to be with family if they could. The streets were terrible, full of huge potholes, cracks, liquefaction and flooding, and many houses had several huge cracks running through them. My sister was able to send an international text that night to our mom to let her know that we were all OK. About two days later we found a place with power and Internet and I was able to send my mom an email.”

Though the city was tremendously affected by the earthquake and aftershocks, Vance and thousands of fellow university students banded together to form the Student Volunteer Army.

“I joined up and shoveled for a week, helping residents set their homes straight and remove liquefaction from their houses and yards. This organization, I think, has done a lot to raise spirits and remind people that they can recover.”

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B U I L D I N G H OPE Will Vance ’12 (left) chose to complete his study abroad experience in Christchurch, New Zealand, and helped to get residents back on their feet after the devastating earthquake in February.

To learn more about the study abroad program visit www.marietta.edu/study_abroad

Dr. Dennis Kuhl, Associate Professor of Physics, and Dr. Matt Young, Associate Professor of History, reached out to Vance upon learning of the earthquake.

“Will’s response to the tragedy in Christchurch is absolutely representative of his character, as I am sure all who know him here at Marietta would attest,” says Kuhl, who is Vance’s academic advisor. “For example, whenever I request volunteers to help with an outreach activity, like Science Olympiad, he always responds. But more than that, he is a student who is well liked and respected by both faculty and students for his friendly, helpful personality. He strikes me as the kind of person who would have no enemies. As a student, he’s a hard worker who is always trying to get at a deeper understanding of the material we are studying, to the point of occasionally being frustrated at times when another student might just accept a surface understanding and move on.”

Dr. Young was not surprised that Vance chose to stay in Christchurch during the recovery process. “From the little I know about him, Will strikes me as the sort of person who would put the needs of others before his own.”

Though many of the city’s services had been severely hampered—with many areas left without access to electricity, water and sewer— Vance was steadfast in his decision to stay in Christchurch. Classes at Canterbury resumed March 13.

“I have been advised to transfer to a different New Zealand school to complete my study abroad experience, but I have decided to stay here anyway,” Vance says. “After going through this and helping with the cleanup, I don’t want to leave these people yet. I also have faith that the semester at Canterbury University will provide a complete and quality semester of education.”

GI SMITH

> ACADEMICS

Marietta College adds Asian Studies major

ALISON MATAS

JO McCULTY

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att Heinzman ’12 spent his freshman year rooming with two Chinese students and studying the Chinese language. He was so intrigued by the study of the Asian culture that he decided to turn it into a major.

“I wanted to learn more about it, and this area of study became more important to me,” he says. “Also, being an international business major, the two correlate very well together, since China is becoming more and more important in the business world everyday.”

With the help of Dr. Luding Tong, Director of Asian Studies, Heinzman drafted a proposal for the curriculum committee asking to pursue an Asian Studies major. Even then, he thought his decision might inspire others to do the same. “I really think that this area of study is extremely important, so if I created my own Asian Studies major then maybe one would be created by the school for everyone to have the option to take,” Heinzman says.

Now, just as Heinzman hoped, the Asian Studies major is open to all students. The new major was approved in the fall of 2010 and is scheduled to officially become a program of study in the fall of 2011. The proposal for the major was a collaboration between the Art, Modern Languages, History, Political Science, Religion and Philosophy departments. It integrates the core disciplines of Mandarin Chinese language and Asian art, history, literature and culture.

The roots of the major reach back to 1988, when the College was awarded the first of two Title VI grants aimed at strengthening the Asian Studies program. The second grant, awarded in 2000, broadened the reach of the curriculum on campus. This mindset echoes the College’s strategic plan, which aims to distinguish Marietta as an institution that integrates the study of Asian culture into every discipline.

According to Tong, the caliber of the program is possible because of the ties the College has with China.

“This is our advantage,” Tong says. “Marietta has a small liberal arts school environment plus a sizable portion of international students from China. Many other schools don’t have that.”

Kayden Manning ’12, who is enrolled in the Chinese language program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, notices a difference between her comprehension of cultural situations and that of her classmates.

“Since Chinese culture is so different than our own, it really helped to have Asian Studies courses under my belt. I am better at understanding cultural differences and anticipating behavior than my peers here who have had no opportunity to study the society,” Manning says. “For example, I took an Asian Culture Through Film class last semester. I’ve already used films from that class multiple times just to start conversations with Chinese students, teachers, peers, etc. Learning the modern culture is just as important as understanding the history.”

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EN G A G I N G H I STO RY With guidance from Glenna Hoff ’74, Emma Vierheller ’12 (left) will intern at two Marietta museums this summer.

> ON CAMPUS

Civic Engagement Intern should brighten alumna’s summer

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lenna Hoff ’74 wrote the proposal and then forgot about it.

She didn’t want to envision, even for a second, how nice it would be to get the first Marietta College student from the Robert E. and Sally S. Evans Civic Engagement Internship Program.

Well Glenna, we have some good news.

This summer, Emma Vierheller ’12 will be interning at the Campus Martius and Ohio River museums. The Evans Civic Engagement Internship Program provides the recipient up to $2,000 for living expenses, plus a $3,000 stipend. Vierheller is the first recipient of the internship, which was established in 2010.

“I think she’s going to have a very fulfilling summer,” Hoff says. “I have such a tremendous appreciation for Marietta College and this internship program. I couldn’t believe it when I first heard we were getting the intern. This experience is going to benefit Emma a lot and she will help us out tremendously. I can’t express enough how appreciative we are.”

In three years as the Education Specialist at Campus Martius and Ohio River museums, Hoff says the interest to bring students to the museums from area K-12 teachers has grown. However, resources have not kept up with the demand.

That’s where Vierheller helps.

“Some of the programs we offer haven’t been updated in a while. They need a spring cleaning,” Hoff says. “Emma will be able to give them a fresh approach.”

TOM PERRY

TO L E AR N M OR E : w w w.m ar i et t a.edu / m u seu m

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A visit with the

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’Donnells STORIES BY GI SMITH | PHOTOS BY JO McCULTY

glance outside Mabry O’Donnell’s office offers clear insight into how she regards her calling—a large bulletin board filled with newspaper clippings about her students’ accomplishments, comic strip cutouts for the entertainment of passers-by facing a trophy case packed with awards that her forensics teams have won over the years, a welcome mat, and signs on her door directing a visitor to her location in Mills Hall.

Marietta College has been a home away from home for Jim and Mabry since 1969. After teaching full time for a combined total of 90 years, it shouldn’t be a shock that they have decided to retire this year. What is hard to imagine is what campus will be like after they leave. Both smile warmly at a mention of their students, for that’s what makes the difference to them. Watching a student grow from nervous freshman to confident senior, perhaps giving them a boost along the way, Mabry says, “that’s what has kept us in the classroom and on campus for more than four decades.”

Adrienne Roseman ’98, who was a Speech major and competed on the Forensics team, and her husband Mike ’00, who was a History and English major, still call the O’Donnells every Thanksgiving and Christmas to catch up on their favorite professors. It was difficult to hide her emotions when she spoke about how much the O’Donnells have meant to her family. “When (Mabry) told me about their retirement, two thoughts actually came to me…

First, I hope she and Dr. O get to enjoy some time together and really get to reflect on how much they’ve given to others. And my other thought was how unfortunate it will be that every other student who attends Marietta College from this point on won’t be as blessed as I have been—and my husband has been—to have our lives touched by these two wonderful people.”

The O’Donnell‘s story at Marietta began in 1969 when both joined the faculty from separate backgrounds. Dr. Jim O’Donnell already had taught at another college but “wanted to teach in a co-ed liberal arts college; fortunately, a friend of mine wrote me of an opening in the History Department.”

Dr. Mabry O’Donnell was completing her master’s studies at the University of Alabama when she was offered a job coaching the debate team. “I had a professor in graduate school named Jack Sloan. He had graduated from Marietta College (in 1954) and said to me one day, ‘Well, Mabry, you have an opportunity—Marietta College needs a one year sabbatical replacement for the assistant debate coach, and I think you should take it.’” In her third year at Marietta College she was offered a tenure track position. It was while at Marietta that she completed her doctorate in Interpersonal and Public Communication from Bowling Green State University.

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“Soon after we returned from Bowling Green is when the ‘Dr. O’ practice started,” Jim says. “But she’s the real Dr. O’. I’m the Mr. Dr. O.’ ” George Cosenza ’73 arrived at Marietta from his New Jersey hometown the same year as the O’Donnells. A History major, Cosenza had Jim for an adviser and remembers taking four or five classes that he taught. “I really considered him to be my mentor,” Cosenza says. “He was terrific—such a wonderful professor and person. He really took an interest in me and all of his students.”

Mary Beth Sommers ’75 was a freshman in Jim’s American History class when, half way through the semester, another professor began covering his classes. She learned that his first wife had become extremely ill. “I had also learned that he had three young children,” Sommers says. “Since I was an experienced babysitter, I mustered all the courage I had (after all, I was just a first-semester freshman) and called him at home and offered to baby-sit. That was the beginning of my becoming an extended member of the O’Donnell family.”

Jim and Mabry had their first lengthy conversation in the former college post-office in Irvine Hall basement after his wife passed away. He was asking her for advice about finding a full-time babysitter for his children. Though she couldn’t help him, the two met for lunch, discovered they had Southern roots in common, and had even attended the same north Alabama church camp.

“They both truly care about students and encourage them to ‘reach for the stars.’ ” -Mary Beth Sommers ’75 Early on, there was plenty of schedule juggling between family and work. “We taught during the day, of course, and I coached at night,” Mabry says. “Jim would fix dinner and I’d come home and eat with the family. Then I’d return to campus and Jim put the children to bed. Like any working family, we just had to learn to adjust our schedules. Commencement was always held on Mother’s Day. We planned a year in advance for a babysitter on Mother’s Day!” Wendy Bartlett ’74 was a History and Geology major at Marietta. Like Cosenza, she took several classes from Jim. She met Mabry while working as a reporter for The Marcolian.

“Every student knew who Mabry was. She was the most beautiful professor. But everyone knew her as being tough in class—tough, but fair. I had an assignment for the newspaper to write about the debate team,” Bartlett says. “Mabry, who of course was the coach, said, ‘I won’t let you write about debate until you work a debate or you won’t know what you’re talking about.’ She was right. I worked the timer during a debate, and I know I wouldn’t have understood exactly what went into debate had I not done that.”

Bartlett says both Jim and Mabry welcomed her back to

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campus years later when she began teaching in the Petroleum Engineering and Geology Department. “They were so welcoming to me. I will miss them being on campus—they really mean a lot to me. ” During his time at Marietta, Cosenza became very interested in Colonial History. He entered a graduate program at the University of Tennessee, but realized another calling—the law. Cosenza earned his juris doctorate from Ohio Northern University.

“I had a great education at Marietta College,” Cosenza says.

“It was a terrific time in my life. I think when you travel 500 miles from home to come to a place you’ve never been and then feel so welcome, it’s great. But then to also have a professor like Jim O’Donnell take an interest in your education and make himself available to you, that’s incredible.”

Cosenza says Jim was a demanding professor who challenged his students daily. “And consequently, we learned a lot!”

He added that it is no surprise that Jim and Mabry remained committed to Marietta College for so long. He saw that the couple truly enjoyed teaching and interacting with students.

Sommers agrees.

“They both truly care about students and encourage them to ‘reach for the stars,’ ” Sommers says, noting that the two encouraged her while she was running for Student Body President in 1974. She was the second woman in Marietta’s history to be elected to that post.

“Following my graduation from Marietta, I stayed in touch with the O’Donnells,” Sommers says. Mabry was my ‘wedding planner’ and all three of the O’Donnell children participated in my wedding ceremony.”

To honor their parents, John and Susan O’Donnell Black, John and Brittney O’Donnell and Anne O’Donnell decided to establish the Drs. James and Mabry O’Donnell Scholarship in 2008, which benefits students majoring in history or communication who have excelled academically and are in need financially.

The O’Donnells are excited about the next stage in their lives and plan to stay in Marietta. Mabry intends to team-teach a Management course with Dr. Sid Potash next fall and serve as a transfer adviser to a few students. Jim has some writing projects in the works. “And we also have to combine my office and his office (on campus) into one single office at home,” Mabry says. “That should really keep us busy this summer.”

At the end of the visit, a single question sparked a tender moment between the two. Jim was asked what he thought his greatest accomplishment was at Marietta. Rather than citing one of the many awards he’s earned or the respect he’s garnered as a professor, his response reflected what he valued the most—his ability to teach.

“It’s during Commencement,” he stops to regain his emotions before he clarifies. “You have some students who breeze in, do well in class and you know they’re going to be all right.

But it’s the student whom you helped every step of the way, the one who tries and tries and struggles…when they reach The Line and you were a part of their success—those are the moments.”

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Dr. Kevin Pate

Passing theTORCH A L O O K AT SOME OF THIS G E N E R AT I O N ’ S N O TA B L E PROFESSORS

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.D. Phillips, Theodore Bennett, the Krause brothers, Mary Schramm Dawkins, Stephen Schwartz, Lee Walp, Herschel Grose, Francis Herdman, Harla Ray Eggleston, Ralph Whipple, Jack Prince, Wen-Yu “Frank” Cheng, Bert Glaze, William Sheppard, Gustav Abrolat, Jr., Jackie DeLaat, Les Anderson, Whit Hancock—names that ignite specific memories for past students.

Every generation has its own group of memorable professors—the ones who delivered inspired lectures, challenged young minds during labs, led educational expeditions that provided life-changing moments, or even welcomed students into their homes when home was too far away for a holiday dinner.

Jim and Mabry O’Donnell will join the ranks of those legendary professors at the end of this academic year.

Celebrating their contributions to Marietta College since 1969 provides an opportunity to look at some of the professors that tomorrow’s students will celebrate decades from now.

Traditionally, Marietta College has always attracted a great many talented professors. Focused on Distinction, the strategic plan that will direct the College through 2015, highlights the need for Marietta to attract and maintain a high-caliber faculty and to support the people and programs that impact the education of tomorrow’s leaders.

“This isn’t a typical job,” Dr. Jim O’Donnell says. “We’re talking about the educational underpinning of our young people.”

Students who identify with the style of teaching that takes place at small, liberal arts colleges expect to have access to their professors, as well as access to experiential education opportunities.

“It is so vitally important for us, as professors, to be involved with our students,” Dr. Mabry O’Donnell says. “We know our students, we care about their lives and their future. Jim’s right, this isn’t a job, it’s a lifestyle.”

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here’s about 15 minutes to spare before Dr. Kevin Pate’s organic chemistry class starts, but already a small group of students are poring over their notes.

It must be exam day.

Very little conversation takes place beyond the “Hey” or “Did you get this?” as more students take their seats, open their notes and study.

At 9 a.m. sharp, Dr. Pate enters the room and glances at the clock. “Alright, let’s start with the quiz,” he says, writing three compounds on the whiteboard.

“Which of these is most acidic?”

Seconds pass as students jot down A, B, or C on their quiz sheets. After one minute, Dr. Pate begins to gather the papers and give students a run-down on several class announcements.

“We have a minute quiz at the start of every class,” says Christine Widgren ’12, a Biology major who is also pursuing a minor in Chemistry. Her goal is to become a physician assistant. “Dr. Pate was up front about this class being very difficult—his classes are always tough. He prepares us for success as much as he can, but obviously the rest is up to us.”

Pate agrees his Chemistry 304 class is intense, but he adds that with his high expectations comes significant access to help. From weekly help sessions, open office hours, multiple test prep ideas and email, students have ample opportunities to gain a better understanding of the material covered in his course. His minute quizzes focus on the material covered during the previous class and force students to keep up with their daily studies.

“They know I hold them to a very high standard,” Pate says. “But they also know that I’ll do anything I can to help them succeed.”

Pate spent his undergraduate years at a small, liberal arts college and earned his doctorate from Yale University. “I personally know the value that this type of education offers the undergraduate student,” he says. “This hands-on approach and the one-on-one attention that our students receive now is invaluable to their critical thinking skills. And really, that’s what it’s all about—having the abil-

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Dr. Ann Bragg

ity to think your way through things. That knowledge lasts a lifetime.”

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ome of Dr. Ann Bragg’s students are studying astrophysics, while others are still learning how to write in cursive.

In addition to teaching astronomy and physics at Marietta College, Dr. Bragg is the Director of the Anderson Hancock Planetarium. On any given day of the week, school buses are parked along Fourth Street or various grade school children are walking to and from the planetarium, excited about the opportunity to see up close the solar system they’ve been learning about in science class.

Dr. Bragg knows teaching astronomy and physics isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Having earned her doctorate from Harvard University, she has studied under incredibly talented scientists.

“My physics classes were lectures and all of my astronomy classes used a lot of calculus,” she says. “When I was a (teaching assistant) in graduate school, the undergraduate students would have recitation sessions. That was the only time I ever sat in on an introductory astronomy class. It was flashy, with more emphasis on the concepts rather than various equations. Sometimes it’s easy to hide behind equations.”

For newer astronomy students, Dr. Bragg sparingly uses geometry during her classes. “We talk about the human side of things,” she says. “It’s not all this abstract knowledge from on high. People have figured astronomy concepts out little by little. What the Greeks discovered through naked-eye observations and geometry—like the distance of the moon, size of the moon and the size of the Earth—is impressive.”

Teaching at a small college was a new experience for Bragg, and a good one. “I feel like the faculty and staff here are like a team that works together to try to provide good opportunities and experiences for our students,” she says.

Dave Hood ’11, who is a Broadcast major with a minor in Management, wanted to be one of the first students to operate the planetarium. After completing four

courses (Life in the Universe, Cosmology, Astrophysics and the planetarium training course) and an independent study involving extensive work using the planetarium, he has earned a minor in Astronomy.

“I think that my classes with Dr. Bragg and the work I have done in the planetarium have really enhanced my liberal arts experience,” Hood says. “Having the extra science classes has made a big impact on my experience. I am a better problem solver and critical thinker as a result of those extra classes.”

Hood has been accepted into a media studies graduate program and plans to pursue a career in media management in the future. “Even though it is unlikely I will have many direct applications from some of my astronomy classes in my career, I believe the indirect application of better understanding how the universe works and where the world fits into everything that is out there is important to being successful in life.”

This keeps in tune with the concepts Dr. Bragg teaches in the classroom that allow students to see the application of the study of astronomy to things that are relevant in life.

“Before I came here, I was teaching classes of 200 students—getting to know each student and shape each class to

reflect those students was a hopeless idea. But here, I know my students and I plan my classes in terms of who is actually going to be in the room.”

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r. Cathy Mowrer sits at the head of the classroom in front of a large circular rug, talking to her small group of students about what historical events, people and objects were being celebrated throughout the world that week.

With the energetic voice of a first-grade teacher, she reads portions of a picture book—“A Drop Around the World,” by Barbara Shaw McKinney—to her class, whom she asked to sit around her on the rug so they could see the details of the book clearly.

Subtly the timbre of her voice changes as she folded the book down a bit, asking her students: “Does anyone see what might be an issue trying to point out every detail in every picture to your students?”

Amanda Post ’12 nods her head—she got it—“They’ll pay more attention to the pictures instead of the information you’re giving them.”

Dr. Mowrer, an Associate Professor in the Education Department, is teaching her science methods course to education majors. During every step of the process, she encourages her students to recall what it feels like to be a young child who is still fascinated with discovery. She has been awarded the Innovative Teaching Award at Marietta College, twice.

There is a fine line between teaching future teachers how to present information to children and extinguishing a child’s curiosity. “It’s about pedagogy and content; it’s about teaching students how to think critically and then trusting their abilities,” Dr. Mowrer says. “My students understand the manipulatives we learn in class and how to use them. But they also understand what’s a fun way to learn and what’s not so fun. I love teaching children. I love the light in their eyes. I love how they are so joyful. It’s our job as teachers to protect that joyful approach to learning.”

Shortly after the lesson on teaching with picture books, Ashleigh Tornes ’12 presented four science experiments that she would use to teach third graders the concepts of motion and force. Similarly to Dr. Mowrer, Tornes’ voice got slightly higher and more enthusiastic as she explained each step of the gravity experiment, which involved dropping raw eggs in sealed baggies attached to makeshift parachutes. Every step of the way, she complimented participating students and encouraged students to question every stage of the test. “It’s a lot of work but I enjoy it,” Tornes says.

Dr. Mowrer is pleased with how well Tornes handled four hands-on science experiments and how her student engaged the class.

“I believe there is a teacher within all of us. We all want to share our knowledge with others, whether you’re an auto mechanic or a business owner. I have the honor of teaching people how to share that knowledge.”

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n any given day, Finance student Seth Dimick ’12 has a pretty good idea of what will be the focal point of his International Finance class

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with Dr. Jim Falter.

“He pulls topics of that day’s news or yesterday’s news and talks about how those events pertain to what we’re learning in class,” Dimick says. “We get to see how what we’re learning is put into practice every day.”

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Dr. Jim Falter

On this day, right off the bat, Dr. Falter begins with a question: “So what’s Japan likely going to do?”

More than a week earlier, an earthquake and tsunami ravaged the country.

Rather than speculate on what the financial aspects of the destabilized country will look like right after the tragedy, Falter intentionally waited until the outside world could get a better picture of the extent of the damages Japan suffered.

“What they’re likely going to do is sell U.S. securities,” says Kevin Knab ’12.

“Which will do what?” Dr. Falter asks.

“The yield will go up,” Knab says.

Dr. Falter, who is a Fulbright Scholar and the Chairman of the Department of Business and Economics, frequently shows news clips from daily financial reports to the class while asking his students to speculate what’s behind the activity. A certified financial planner and one of only three chartered financial analysts within a 75-mile radius, Dr. Falter couples his knowledge of finance with current world events to demonstrate

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concepts the students read about in their textbooks.

“I get up around 6 a.m. everyday and watch Bloomberg, CNBC and other programming,” Dr. Falter says. “That’s what you do in finance—you scan for information. I tell my students this is what they need to do to stay relevant.”

In addition to attending lectures, taking exams and staying up on the market, they must also complete a major project and are looking for internship opportunities.

“The best part of Marietta College is that the students can make better opportunities for themselves in their majors,” he says.

The financial market is always changing, he says, so it’s important for students—and professors—to stay up to date on the market. “The biggest fear in finance is becoming out of touch,” he says.

Mathematics and Computer Science Department since 2001. His favorite course is Abstract Algebra. For Dr. Tynan, the jokes serve a purpose. “They loosen the kids up, get them to laugh or pay attention—some of them actually look forward to my jokes. The routine is: I tell them a bad joke and then I ask if they have homework questions. It warms up the room.”

Hazel Brogdon ’12 is studying for a degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Math. She knew Dr. Tynan before she ever sat in one of his classes. “I met him through the Foster Parent Program,” she says. “He and Tracy (his wife) are my foster parents through softball. Their daughters (Fredley and Lynncoln) are like my little sisters.”

Coming from Chugiak, Alaska, she knew she would need a little extra support. “In between home games there is time for players to visit with their families and > Dr. John Tynan friends. My family is in Alaska so it was really nice that I had a family there supporting me. They even went to Florida over spring break this year to watch some of my games.”

Developing a strong relationship with the Tynan family has meant a great deal to her. “I never expected to have this home environment offered to me.”

For Dr. Tynan, that’s just a part of being a faculty member at a small, liberal arts college. “Our job is to get them ready very class that Dr. John Tynan for what that next step is,” he says. teaches starts the same way: with Since he started at Marietta, there have a joke. been 60 students graduate with degrees “Mondays are OK jokes, Wednesdays in Mathematics. More than one-third of are bad joke days and Fridays are good those students continued on to graduate joke days,” he says. “The students in school and nine are pursuing a doctorate Tuesday-Thursday classes are lucky bedegree. Of the nine, four are pursuing a cause they get to skip bad joke day.” doctorate in mathematics while the others Dr. Tynan is personable, but there is focus on Computer Science, Industrial nothing to kid about with the subjects Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, Physics he teaches. He has been teaching in the

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and Electrical Engineering.

“What math teaches people is problem solving,” Dr. Tynan says. “The joke is: ‘What can you do with a major in math?’

The answer: ‘Anything.’ ”

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he students seemed glued to their seats.

It was lunch hour, class was officially over, yet some students hung around Dr. Janet Bland’s Creative Writing class to talk about—what else—dialogue.

The students are seriously focused on every word being spoken, whether they’re coming from Bland’s mouth or the mouth of a fellow student. These kids are hungry for the creative energy that Bland ignites with every question posed.

“I really like my students and I really like my job and I’m not afraid to let my students know that,” Bland says.

Bland is the McCoy Associate Professor of English and, with the help of her department, has done a great deal to implement and invigorate the creative writing community on campus.

“The Pizza, Poetry and Prose Night is now really big. It’s once a semester and we have so many readers it’s like open mic night,” she says. “We’ve added an Advanced Fiction course and an Advanced Fiction Workshop since I’ve been here—so there’s been a lot of growth in the Creative Writing side of the department.”

She returned this semester from a sabbatical in which she researched the history of glassblowing in this region. The subject will play a role in her next book.

She has previously published a book of short fiction (A Fish Full of River) and cowrote The Civil Mind with Margaret Whitt.

“I was the last McCoy Professor named while John G. McCoy was still alive,” Bland says. “It was very meaningful to me to be able to write a thank-you letter to him. My job here is teaching and receiving that award tells me I’m doing my job.”

One of her students, Olivia Holiday ’11 says Bland makes students comfortable about sharing their opinions and challenges them to think about writing on a deeper level. “It sounds cliché but she really has pushed me to look within my-

self and pull out the best,” Holiday says.

“She knows our potential and is effective in helping us realize it.”

Holiday, a psychology major, says Bland’s energetic style and no-nonsense approach to teaching engages the class and inspires the learning process. “Dr. Bland has helped me realize my strengths and weaknesses in my writing, and also taught me the value of putting my experiences on paper. She’s helped me understand my own life experiences better and assisted me in giving those experiences a voice. I value the time I have gotten to spend with her and the advice she has given me. She is truly an outstanding educator!”

Bland says every good teacher is reconsidering the nature of his or her class content. “If you’re asking students to progress in their creativity and skills, you must be willing to do the same.”

Watching the creative energy flow through her students day after day inspires Bland. Hearing from former students, as she often does, brings great satisfaction about her choice to become a professor. It brings to mind a conversation she had years earlier with a teacher friend in Colorado.

“She used to say teaching was like throwing apples into the Grand Canyon.

You teach on faith that you are making a difference. Then one day, one of your students climbs up to let you know there’s an orchard down there,” Bland says. “I never question whether or not I’m mak-

ing a difference. I can look at my students and know I am.”

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Dr. Alicia Doerflinger

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ommencement Day this year will be bittersweet for Heather Haught ’11. After four years of tough classes and challenging research projects, most students would gladly take the opportunity to bid farewell to college life—but not Haught.

The psychology major will miss her mentor, Dr Alicia Doerflinger, Assistant Professor of Psychology.

“Dr. D. and I share a common thread in that we have sort of ‘grown up’ together at Marietta College. My debut at Marietta (in 2007) was the same as hers. Actually, my first class was PSYC 101 at 9 a.m., which was her section of Intro,” Haught says.

Dr. Doerflinger has contributed a great deal to the research projects that have taken place on campus. In April, she organized the first All Scholars Day, which provided undergraduates at Marietta the opportunity to present their research or creative work in a formal setting. One of the goals of the newest strategic plan is to emphasize experiential education, which means focusing on undergraduate research, internships, service learning, study abroad and the Investigative Studies program.

“Research is an active learning process that allows students to make connections between the theories and the practices of their discipline,” Dr. Doerflinger says.

“Reading facts about the principles of behavior in a textbook does not encourage the same type of learning as a hands-on execution of those principles in the behavior lab. Even if students are not planning on pursuing a graduate degree, research experiences enhance students’

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Dr. Janet Bland

time management, organization, and writing skills.”

Dr. Doerflinger has been an invaluable support to students who are pursuing research ideas and opportunities.

“I encourage students to jump into the unknown, even when the project might fail,” she says. “In the lab, I try to model good research habits, teach specific skills and techniques in the lab, and keep open the conversation about research ethics. I also encourage students to present their work whenever an opportunity to do so presents itself.”

Having completed three major research projects with Dr. Doerflinger, including one Investigative Studies project, Haught feels well prepared for the next step in her education. She has been accepted into the doctoral program at the University of Toledo and plans to pursue a doctorate in Experimental Psychology with a focus in Social Psychology.

“I am sad to go and excited all at once, but I know that Dr. D. will continue to be a valuable and accessible mentor and friend into the future—I hope she knows that I am not so easy to get rid of…I don’t just go away because you hand me a cap and gown and a diploma,” Haught says.

“I know too that she will touch other students’ lives as she has touched mine. In a nutshell she has had the greatest impact on my academic life and I could never thank her enough.”

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PHOTOS BY FOX NEWS CHANNEL

odd Kelly ’94 continues to follow a simple mantra that has N.J., every day. By 1996, the station—WPLJ—paired him with a been drilled into him since he arrived at Fox News Channel radio personality, Sue O’Neal, who also worked for HBO, A&E and in late 1996.

The History Channel writing and producing on-air promos. The Kelly learned from many producers and senior producers two were at a promotional event for PLJ in October that year and who encouraged him to have the attitude the channel has grabbed dinner beforehand. “I was 24 at the time, and I remember to be successful not just today, but the next day… and the next saying to her, ‘I’m hoping by the time I’m 30, I cross into televiday… and the next day…and to never settle for being complacent. sion,’ ” Kelly says.

Kelly’s desire to always reach for the next level is what has Little did he realize Sue’s husband was Dennis Murray who, at propelled his career from editing animal books to what he enjoys the time, was a senior producer at Fox News Channel, which had today—being a producer for Fox News’ late-night program Red gone on the air that week. She advised Kelly to submit his résumé Eye with Greg Gutfeld, which was launched in 2007 to draw in a to her husband—which led to a call from Fox. younger demographic to the news channel. This summer, the show “This is still vivid in my mind,” he says. “It was a Friday afterwill mark its 1,000th episode. noon when I got the call and they said, ‘We think you’ve got some “I arrived after they launched (Fox News),” Kelly says. “There potential to grow.’ Someone took a chance on me. It was the best were only a couple million homes with the channel; now every cadecision I ever made in my life” ble system has it and it’s the No. 1 cable news channel. I’ve been Despite his success, Kelly doesn’t take any of it for granted. His there during the struggles—and (I’ve) seen it grow and be successtrain-ride into the city every morning is spent reading numerous ful. It’s absolutely amazing to be a part of.” papers for newsworthy conAlways knowing that he tent. At the office, he scans wanted to work in the media the Associated Press wires industry, Kelly acknowlfor its main stories, selects edges that Marietta College six to 12 of those to pitch for wasn’t his first pick. the one-hour show, checks “I actually wanted to atviewer mail for input, builds a tend Syracuse because I rundown of the show, and atviewed them as the Harvard tends a staff meeting. During of media schools, but they that meeting, he and his fellow rejected me,” he says. staff members select the top Though his parents Larry ’68 five to seven stories, figure and Donna Barrie Kelly ’69 out how to place them, write had strong ties to Marietta information in question format, College, they wanted their > RE D E Y E Todd Kelly ’94; Andy Levy, Red Eye ombudsman; Greg Gutfeld, Red and design graphics and other son to find his own way.

Eye host; Chris Jericho, wrestling star; Mark Hoppus, Blink 182 lead singer; Bill Schulz, Red Eye sidekick; Ann Coulter, New York Times best-selling author. segment essentials. Afterward, “They never forced an agenKelly edits copy and takes one da on me,” he says. “They last look at the content for the scheduled show. After proofing the encouraged me to be my own person.”

By chance, he happened upon an old Navy Blue & White that tapes and graphics, the actual filming takes place. highlighted the College’s launch of the McKinney Media Center.

“Todd may be one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met,” “This was considered a state-of-the-art facility back then. It had says Greg Gutfeld. “He’s the circulatory system of the show. two radio stations, a TV station—I was impressed.”

Without him, we’d fall to pieces. Also, he makes a mean banana At Marietta, Kelly worked in sports information and was one of bread.” the public address announcers for the legendary baseball coach Kelly remains humble about his positive career track but offers Don Schaly ’59 and was involved with Residence Life before earnsound advice on how to crack into the media industry—and make ing degrees in Radio & Television and Speech Communication. But it last. shortly after Commencement, he learned just how difficult it was to “Always remember where you came from and what brought you break into the industry. here,” he says. “I feel very fortunate; not a day goes by where I “Two years out, I was struggling,” Kelly says. “I was living paydon’t remember that. I had no prior TV experience other than what check to paycheck. I had no idea it’d be as difficult as it was. My I learned at Marietta College…You have to be 100-percent comfirst job was as editor for a publisher (of) animal books. I worked mitted. There were definitely times where I thought it wasn’t worth there my junior and senior years, too, working on layouts and editit, but I stayed with it. Even after all this time, I still have a drive and ing manuscripts.” passion; as long as you have that, it will never go away.”

From there, Kelly took a part-time freelancing job at a Top 40 radio station in New York City, hopping a train from Fair Haven, JEN EMMERT

M A R I E T TA

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Sco rebook PIONEER

AT H L E T I C N E W S

PHOTOS BY MITCH CASEY

JOE PUCH ’12 PLAYED KEY ROLE IN BUILDING NUCLEUS OF MARIETTA BASKETBALL TEAM

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Joe Puch ’12

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pposing basketball coaches don’t spend a lot of time game planning for Joe Puch ’12.

The defensive stalwart is used to being an afterthought. Even among some of Marietta’s biggest fans he’s the “other” junior who came in with all-league performers Trevor Halter and Kevin Knab.

What they see is a guy who was relegated from the starting five to role player during the Pioneers’ 27-4 Ohio Athletic Conference championship season. Puch (pronounced putch) considered redshirting after a wrist injury, but he says it would have been devastating to not play an active role in winning Marietta’s first OAC Tournament Championship as well as an NCAA Division III “Sweet 16” appearance, also a program first.

“This is why I came to Marietta,” Puch says.

“There were some people who wondered why I wanted to come here, but I believed we could win at Marietta.”

Someone who believes in Puch and also knows how important he really was to Marietta’s historical basketball season in 2010-11 is Pioneers coach Jon VanderWal, who is thankful every day that Puch chose to be a Pioneer three years ago.

>

who just went 6-19 in his first season.

“Our junior class is a really special class. …

I’m kind of going to be forever indebted to those guys for believing in our vision and our mission and how we were going to do things here. They really took a leap of faith coming here to Marietta College,” VanderWal says.

Puch says he quickly sold Halter on the idea after the two played on an all-star team in Las Vegas for a week. It took a little more work to persuade Knab to leave the Cleveland area for a smaller city.

“I was being recruited by a lot of schools in Ohio,” Knab says. “When I visited Marietta I just loved it. I loved the coaching staff and it felt right.

As I was heading back home my phone started ringing and I didn’t recognize the number, but I answered it and it was Puch. He asked, ‘How’d you like Marietta?’ I couldn’t believe he knew I was there. I played against Puch in high school

to begin feeling comfortable with his new teammates.

“It wasn’t tension, but we didn’t know each other that well either,” he says. “As the season went on we got closer and definitely because of the winning we became a family. This season was the most fun I’ve ever had playing basketball. Between the great crowds at the games and the students on campus stopping to congratulate me or to tell me they’d be at the game.”

As pivotal as it was for VanderWal to recruit the talent to compete in the OAC and now nationally, it was the raucous home crowds—a mix of students and community members—that made the winning even more fun for the team.

“You often hear coaches and teams talk about how important the fans are and how the fans help them win games and all that, and sometimes maybe that stuff is a little overrated,” VanderWal says. “I think the fans were extremely

MEM ORABLE SEAS ON (From left to right) Head Coach Jon VanderWal; Kevin Knab ’12; Tyler Hammond ’14; and the student cheering section

“I met Joe the summer after my first season and we just hit if off,” VanderWal says. “I looked forward to making my recruiting calls to Joe because we had a connection and he believed in what we were doing at Marietta College. Once he committed to us and he became one of our biggest recruiters.”

Got that right.

Puch chose Marietta because he knew he could play immediately, but he also wanted to surround himself with good players. So he got busy recruiting two of Marietta’s most acclaimed current players—Halter (All-American and OAC Player of the Year) and Knab (first-team All-OAC).

“I like to joke with Coach VanderWal that he takes all the credit for that recruiting class, but without me he wouldn’t have gotten Trevor or Kevin,” Puch says.

VanderWal does credit Puch with being one of his “best recruiters” that offseason. The coach says he needed someone like Puch to believe in him and convince others to believe in a coach

and he lit us up for like 28 and I thought I’d really like to be on the same team as him. … You know something, everything has worked out perfectly.”

But not at first.

During their freshmen season—that included Conner Kilpatrick and Jordan Nichols—the young Pioneers mixed well with the upperclassmen and had a solid 12-14 season. But the team slipped to a disappointing 10-16 in 2009-10.

“We didn’t work as hard as we needed to between our freshman and sophomore season,” Knab says. “We got caught up in personal goals and not team goals. This year it was all about the team. I didn’t care if Tyler Hammond scored 28 points and I had six, as long as we won.”

Ah, Tyler Hammond. New blood.

While this year’s juniors started the rebirth of Marietta basketball, the freshman was a key component to the ultimate success that ended with a 93-77 loss to Whitworth in the “Sweet 16.”

Hammond says it took him a few practices

important, especially in the OAC Tournament Championship. We came out and we were 21 down and I think we made the first shot of the second half and the place just erupted.”

The players are still amazed at the support they get around town and on campus.

“I was at the pet store with my girlfriend (women’s basketball player Chelsea Doutt ’13) and two women stopped me to tell me they stood outside in the rain for three hours to get tickets for our game,” Puch says.

The 2010-11 experience is what VanderWal promised and believed could develop.

“We talk about how important every single guy is to our program,” VanderWal says. “Ultimately this is Division III basketball and most of our guys aren’t going to go on and play professional basketball. So we’re trying to make this a special experience for everybody in our program.”

Even if you’re an afterthought.

TOM PERRY M A R I E T TA

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Sco rebook PIONEER

AT H L E T I C N E W S

MITCH CASEY

INTRAMURALS, RECREATION PROGRAMS SURGING ON CAMPUS

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ykal Leslie ’11 can’t fathom how far Marietta’s intramural program has evolved since the “Dark Ages” of the 1980s and 1990s.

Few competitions, minimal student participation and limited space were all characteristics for nearly two decades.

“I’ve heard alumni and some faculty talk about how bad it was then, but what I see now is completely different,” he says. “Surprisingly the people involved with intramurals actually have a fairly close-knit community and we all enjoy setting up the different sport seasons and going out on the field/court and competing with one another.”

Since the opening of the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center in 2003, participation in intramurals and recreation has more than quadrupled, says DBRC Director Bill Vincent. Approximately 25 percent of the student body participates in intramurals—the most popular sports are vol-

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leyball (30 teams) and basketball (27 teams). Other intramural options usually include flag football, indoor soccer, softball, dodgeball, kick ball, wiffle ball, wallyball and racquetball with an outdoor sand volleyball court just built in April.

A study by the National Intramurals Recreation Sports Association found that students involved in campus recreation, combined with a balanced schedule, showed greater alertness in classes and enjoyment of their college experience.

“When a sport season approaches you always hear a lot of chatter amongst students everywhere on campus anxious to put a team together to showcase their skills or just have fun,” Leslie says. “I think in college there are many students who love to play sports and maybe don’t because they are more focused academically. Intramurals gives them an opportunity to go out and enjoy themselves no matter what

> COACHING NEWS

Cross country, track & field programs matured under Stanley’s leadership

D

JO McCULTY

their level of ability or desire for competition. It’s like a social event at times. Friends end up on different teams competing and you have a lot of students who come out and watch to support the teams—it makes for a very exciting atmosphere.”

Vincent says Marietta’s Intramural Program is designed to combine physical, social and recreational well-being by offering a diverse program of sports activities.

He also believes intramurals encourage participation of sport along with fellowship and healthy competition. He says they encourage students, faculty, and staff to enjoy and participate in the experience of good competition by emphasizing the value of sportsmanship that is fostered through the Intramural program.

“I’m proud of what we have been able to accomplish, especially with our current staffing (which is just Vincent and his student staff),” he says. “One of the directives given to me when I took this job in 2002 was we have to do something positive with the recreation program. When I look at the numbers of participants and the fact we are offering full-season intramurals, along with weekend tournaments, and a strong fitness and personal training program … I’d say that’s a success.”

The accomplishment didn’t happen without a lot of hard work. Vincent and his student staff put in countless hours into the evening and on weekends.

“Outside of the hours we put in on game nights, we have a lot of people on our administrative staff who contribute evenly to separate areas. Individually I contribute five to six hours every week with games and miscellaneous duties,” says Adam Fleming ’12. “We can sense the excitement from our fellow students. We get many emails asking when and what leagues we will be running. We feel this excitement stems from our staff keeping statistics and various other items for each league. Also the fact that we have the facilities now available with the DBRC, this allows us to offer more sports.”

It has also opened the door to other recreational and wellness options, such as rock wall climbing, walking on the indoor track, Zumba and kickboxing. The desire to compete isn’t limited to the students either. Dr. Greg Delemeester, McCoy Professor of Economics, has been active in the Monday night faculty volleyball since he arrived in 1986. He has also added wallyball to his repertoire. No matter which sport he’s playing, the competition can get fierce.

“I think we’re all competitive to some degree. Nobody likes to lose, but we all know what comes around, goes around,” Delemeester says. “The faculty typically puts together a team for the competitive division of the intramural volleyball league.

For the wallyball tournament, we typically have two faculty teams competing—often against each other in the championship round! The student teams really seem to get fired up when they play against the faculty/staff teams. And we’ve been able to hold our own in these competitions as we’ve won most of the wallyball tournaments and even the regular intramural volleyball championship.”

erek Stanley didn’t reach all of his goals, but after eight years of leading Marietta College’s cross country and track & field programs, he’s pleased with the progress.

“Marietta provided me the platform to build the cross country and track & field program,” Stanley says. “We have been successful because of the College’s strong commitment to the athletics program while also developing a stronger vision of academics.”

Now he’s turning it over to someone else. On June 1, Stanley will officially end his eight-year run with the Pioneers as he and his wife, Kristin, move to Wisconsin.

Stanley, who took over in January 2004, has been instrumental in the resurgence of the program, which was reinstated in 2002 after a decade of inactivity.

Stanley inherited a young program that featured 36 members and placed at the bottom of the Ohio Athletic Conference standings. Today, it has blossomed into a nationally prominent program that includes more than 70 student-athletes and competes annually for OAC championships.

Over the course of Stanley’s tenure the Marietta track & field program has earned 116 All-OAC accolades and produced 30 OAC champions, 26 NCAA national qualifiers and seven All-Americans. Marietta runners have also earned nine All-OAC and two All-Region awards as well as produced a national qualifier in cross country.

It was beyond the statistics, however, where Stanley made the most impact. His legacy focuses on a mentality that he instilled in his student-athletes over their career.

“Coach Stanley stressed three key components: being unselfish, team oriented and putting in the effort,” says former All-OAC standout Tiffany Kovacevich ’10. “I don’t think the program would have developed and seen the success that it has in recent years without these values. It made us a closer and more successful team, but better people, something he always told us to be.”

DAN MAY

TOM PERRY

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Developments

A D VA N C EMEN T N EWS

Do the right thing JASON ’96 AND ERIN REBROOK ’99

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A CLOSER LOOK WHO: Jason Rebrook ’96 AGE: 37 HOMETOWN: Clarksburg, W.Va. RESIDENCE: The Woodlands, Texas FAMILY: Wife, Erin Conroy ’99; sons, Jacob, 7, and Justin, 1 ½; daughter, Katelyn, 5.

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering (Marietta); MBA (Duke).

OCCUPATION: Executive Vice President at Hilcorp Energy Co. in Houston.

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t’s been more than 20 years, but Jason Rebrook ’96 still remembers the day he and his mother lost their Clarksburg, W.Va., home.

His father Jerry had recently died and the bills were piling up for his mother Linda, so Jason moved in with his grandparents as he prepared to graduate from Liberty High School. One of the top students in his class, Jason dreamed of college. However, he was realistic about the high cost of a private-school experience.

“I visited Marietta and met with Dr. (Bob) Chase and really got excited about getting into the oil and gas business. He remains a very good friend today,” Jason says. “He really helped frame the industry and its opportunities for me. Also, I was coming from Clarksburg, so I was looking for a smaller school environment.”

Through scholarships and financial aid, Jason and his family made it work. That’s something he has never forgotten, and it sparked him and his wife Erin ’99 to establish the Jerry and Linda Rebrook Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship will be awarded annually to a Petroleum Engineering student.

Erin was 100 percent behind her husband’s wish to establish the scholarship.

“I loved it,” she says. “Marietta is where we met and the idea of helping someone make college a little more affordable is important to us. I came from a single-parent home and paying for college was not easy. We know there are students out there who would love the Marietta experience, but may struggle to pay for it. I wish more of our classmates would remember that others helped us.”

Initially, Jason struggled with what to name the scholarship. His mother urged him to name it after himself and Erin. But when she died unexpectedly in December, he chose to honor his parents instead.

“I have a distinct sense that Marietta has done a lot for me. I wanted to make sure when things got to a point that I could, I’d give back,” Jason says. “I go back to my personal situation and money was always tight, so it only makes sense to do something student based.”

Tight is an understatement. Until he returned from a summer internship with Unocal in 1993, Jason rarely had money for a late-night pizza.

“I remember when he would leave for Kansas on an internship with $1 in his pocket,” Erin says. “It didn’t seem to bother him, but I wasn’t sure how he was going to do it.”

His determination and education have set the stage for the success he enjoys today in the oil and gas industry.

“Jason was one of those kids who you just knew would do well in the industry,” Chase says. “Students who come from humble backgrounds often have the strongest drive to prove themselves. They also seem to have the greatest appreciation for what a degree from Marietta has done for them. I’m not at all surprised Jason is honoring his parents and Marietta College in this way.”

Jason’s hard work and ability launched a tremendous career with Chevron, which eventually led him to work abroad in Nigeria. He excelled in engineering, business development and leadership roles for the company—he was on an upward projection that seemed to have no ceiling. But a storm was brewing at home—literally—in August 2005 that inspired a change of plans for Jason.

“It was a highly dynamic job in a challenging location, but in the midst of that I had one of those moments of ‘What am I doing?’ ” he says. “Katrina hits and my wife is eight months pregnant with our second child

PHOTOS BY ROBERT SEALE

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THE REB ROOK S Katelyn, Erin ’99, Jacob, Jason ’96 and Justin.

(Katelyn) and she’s with our first child (Jacob) in New Orleans.”

Erin evacuated with a neighbor, but Jason struggled to reconcile the fact he wasn’t there for his family when they needed him. “It took me two days to get back to them. That makes you take a step back and ask what’s really important.”

Clearly it was family.

Today, he lives in The Woodlands, Texas, with Erin and their three children: Jacob, Katelyn and Justin. He is an Executive Vice President for Hilcorp Energy Co., one of the largest privately held exploration and production companies in the nation. Hilcorp’s distinctive philanthropy program was a driving force behind Rebrook’s recent donation. Hilcorp developed a culture of giving by supporting its employees’ charitable efforts by initially funding their giving accounts, allowing them the freedom to direct their donations to the organizations they choose, and increasing their giving power by providing ongoing matching gifts.

“He has a very demanding schedule at work. I couldn’t trade places with him,” Erin says. “But that doesn’t stop him from being very involved with his children. I know he’s tired, but he coaches Jacob’s baseball team. He fits in four days of practice during the week. When

he’s home he’s out throwing the ball and riding bikes. He does a great job of balancing family life with work.”

Not one to forget his roots or his community, Jason is a member of the MCAA Board and Petroleum Engineering Advisory Committee, as well as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life and United Way in Texas.

It comes as no surprise that Jason pushed his generosity to another level by supporting current Marietta College students.

“I think the thing that is great about Marietta—and I tell this a lot—is the base foundation you get there. To be able to clearly communicate and be multi-faceted has helped me. The liberal arts education broadens your mind and broadens your perspective. Combining the technical aspect of petroleum engineering with the ability to communicate ideas in a way people can understand, is very powerful.

Both Erin and I had a great experience there,” Jason says. “I don’t know when is the right time or what is the right amount of money. I have no clue. Honestly, Erin and I just want to do the right thing.”

TOM PERRY

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DEFINING MEMORIES OF COLLEGE LIFE

JIM GRAHAM

A M a r ie t t a M o ment

Josh Green W R ITER REALIZES I T ’ S NE VE R T OO LAT E T O T HA N K T H O SE WH O M ADE COLLE G E E X PER I EN C E SP EC I A L B I OGR A P HY Josh Green ’05 majored in English, and after earning a Master of Arts from Case Western Reserve, has been working as a staff writer at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

A standard day marching up and down Marietta College’s Christy Mall was (and still is, I’d wager) a curious thing — often a 16-hour affair stuffed with deadlines, meetings and work, but still well-marbled with procrastination and fun.

The one thing we too often lacked was sleep. The power nap replaced the nightlong snooze, and we thought nothing of the fact that weekday breakfast at Gilman became an almost mythological rarity, experienced only by those poor folks who heroically battled through early morning crew practices or 8 a.m. classes (or, terrible to imagine, both).

When I skipped across the pond and spent spring 2004 studying in the United Kingdom, the lack of sleep persisted. (The fact that every dorm housed its own pub did nothing to perpetuate this problem, I’m certain.) But what a trip! Who needs sleep when a short bus ride can put you in the heart of London, on the steps of Canterbury Cathedral, by the steaming waters at Bath, or squarely in front of the brew taps at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem? While there, I received a letter from Marietta that announced I had been selected by the English department to receive the Beatrice A. Kremer Memorial Scholarship.

I promptly visited Ye Olde Trip to celebrate the good news.

After I returned stateside, the College kindly offered me the chance to write a thank-you letter to the family that had made the Beatrice A. Kremer award possible. Being a terribly busy, incredibly worldly, and thoroughly sleep-

Do you have a defining Marietta Moment you would like to share?

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less senior, I set aside and forgot the chance to say thank you. You see, I overlooked something crucially important, something that started with the award and extended beyond to my entire College experience — I overlooked the fact that generous people, people who have the foresight and charitable spirit to make a difference for others, were responsible for what I had received.

I’m sad to say that I did not fully wake up to this fact until very recently, despite the intervening years in graduate school at Case Western Reserve University followed by large-scale assessment work in Missouri. In a funny turn like something out of a Dickens novel, I now work on, among other things, reaching out to students at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and getting their help in thanking their scholarship donors.

My team prepared many scholarship stewardship reports this year, with hundreds of busy students to track down and their thank-you letters to edit.

Let’s just say that, like Jacob Marley (but with decidedly less misery and no chains to speak of), my work has taught me all sorts of lessons about gratitude, philanthropy and due diligence.

In the process of hounding those students, my mind dug up the memory of the Beatrice A. Kremer award and my own lapse in sharing my appreciation for the Kremer family’s generosity. So I set about contacting Marietta College’s Advancement Office, and those folks helped me hand my long, long overdue letter to the Kremers.

Having a ball at Marietta isn’t difficult. Getting the education of a lifetime through fellow Marietta students, talented faculty and hardworking staff is practically guaranteed. Snagging an entire night’s sleep after a full day about campus is less than likely. And it is never too late to reach out and thank the folks who make it possible in many ways, who make every day at Marietta College rich and full of opportunity.

There’s just not much of an opportunity to catch some shuteye.

JOSH GREEN ’05

Send us a description of your experience.

E-MAIL: mariettamagazine@marietta.edu

MAIL: Editor, Marietta Magazine, Office of Alumni and College Relations, 215 Fifth Street, Marietta, Ohio 45750

TH E L O N G BL U E L I N E > C L ASS NOTES

> SI G MA KA P PA S G ATH ER

> R E CONNECTING Ruthann Kibler (Sigma Kappa), P. Samuel Campbell (Alpha Sigma Phi) and Patricia K. Crumrine (Sigma Kappa), all ’64, traveled from Arizona, Alabama and Pennsylvania to attend their 50th class reunion at Mansfield (Ohio) High School last August.

Nancy Furcht Bulger ’66 and 11 Sigma Kappa sisters who also graduated in 1966 have remained close friends for the past 45 years and gather every other year for a brief vacation together. Traveling from California, Colorado, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts last July, Paula Hess Walker Cohen, Diane Nelson Feaganes, Sally Bodwell Williams, Sandra Ulrichs Sutherland, Lea Wright Osborne, (Elizabeth) Mary Norton Berlin, (Martha) Ann Aulson Wilkinson, Nancy, Bonnie Winters Beach, LaRue Scala Porter and Beatrice Littell Kota met for a few days in Portland, Maine.

Robin S. Graham ’65 shared copies of his paper, “An Annotated History of the 2nd Battalion (Airmobile), 506th Infantry (1 March 1970 – 1 August 1970)” at the Ripcord Association reunion marking the 40th anniversary of his unit’s combat actions in the Republic of Vietnam.

> S H ARING M EM ORI E S I N T HE S UNS HI NE S TAT E Richard A. Galen ’68 gathered with classmates and Tau Kappa Epsilon brothers Gary A. Pyne, Timothy J. Byrne, and Thomas W. Sweet at Delray Beach, Fla., in March to retell old stories of adventures that began at Marietta College in 1964 and to share new ones of kids, grandchildren and careers. The four pals could not have shared a more enjoyable weekend.

Robert C. Chandler ’62 (Alpha Tau Omega) is the proud grandparent of seven wonderful grandchildren. Bob is now working in the real estate industry in Florida and his wife Judy is busy in the Nu Skin distribution business. They are both now social media users and welcome classmates to find them on Facebook.

Ann J. Kelly ’64 was especially happy to be able to attend her 40th reunion of the Tulane University School of Medicine this past fall. Hurricane Katrina forced the cancellation of her 35th reunion five years ago.

Stephen A. Gregory ’68 published an article in Coaching Today, the magazine of the National Federation of State High School Associations, titled “Hey Coach: Would You Write Me a Letter of Recommendation?” Stephen began his coaching career in 1965 as a student cross country coach at Marietta College and now directs a summer cross country program in Salem, N.J. He has also compiled “Cross Country Quotes” published by Cross Country Journal.

Kathleen Maginniss Brockett ’70 (Alpha Xi Delta) recently retired after 24 years of service with the state of New Hampshire as the outreach coordinator for the Department of Environmental Services, Air Division.

Kenneth E. Morrison ’71 (Alpha Tau Omega) and his business partner David Haas were honored together as the 2011 Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce Business Leaders of the Year, which recognizes achievement in business and civic engagement. Ken and David are business partners in Morrison, Inc., a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning company founded in 1955 by Ken’s father, Harley Morrison, and incorporated in 1963 when Dave’s father, Edwin J. Haas Jr., joined the company.

Todd W. Butt ’75 was honored in September 2010 with the “Active Signature” membership in the Ohio Watercolor Society in recognition of an excellent rating, which was received by his portfolio, and of his artwork being exhibited three times in the society’s annual competitions. Todd also keeps busy in retirement by coaching tennis to high school boys and girls.

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T H E L O N G BL UE L I N E > CL ASS NOTES

> FA MILY AFFAIR Kathleen Harris Malony ’77 returned to campus for the first time in 33 years last October to share her first Marietta College Homecoming with her daughter, Elizabeth “Beth” Malony ’14, who is now a freshman at Marietta College. Even with all the changes on campus over the years, Kathy says it still felt like coming home. After being a stay-at-home mom and studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts for 10 years, she is focusing on developing her own art business, Blueberry Hill Art Studio. Kathy and her husband Steve live in Audubon, N.J.

> TO P P ER F O R MER David L. Reny ’90 (Alpha Sigma Phi) was promoted by MillerCoors LLC to Vice President of National Accounts, C-Stores. David had previously held the position of Regional Chain Director for the Central Region, where he led the top-performing region chain team for MillerCoors for three years in a row. David lives in the Dallas, Texas, area with his wife Melissa, and two daughters, Isabella and Gianna.

Jeffrey L. ’80 (Lambda Chi Alpha) and Beth Leopold Hupp ’79 (Chi Omega) are still residing in Katy, Texas.

Their daughter Marsha E. Hupp ’11 is following in her father’s footsteps this spring, graduating from Marietta College with a degree in Petroleum Engineering.

> FR ESHM AN FRIENDS Tamara Curry Linton, Susan Shanahan Davis and Elizabeth Beatty Black (Chi Omega), all ’79 and all freshman roommates, reunited on campus for their 30th reunion last October at Homecoming.

Tamsin E. Elliott ’80, although disappointed that health issues forced her to miss her 30th Marietta College class reunion last fall, did hear of the good times back on campus from her by classmates Anita Zimmer Newhart 30

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’80, William R. Luoni ’81, Peter J. Martin ’81, and Vivian M. Ash-Wells ’80. Her friends also sent Tamsin a commemorative Marietta College 175th Anniversary T-shirt.

Andrew W. ’89 and Elizabeth Nagy Witouski ’90 (Chi Omega) live in Morgantown, Pa., with their three daughters: Delayna (13), Elle (10) and Dayton (10). Drew is keeping busy with his job but also finds time to hone his golf skills and be super-Dad. Beth, in addition to working, is also very involved with the girls’ school and extra-curricular activities. Drew and Beth celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary in May. They met at Marietta College Beth’s freshman year.

Jeffrey A. DeWerth ’90 (Delta Tau Delta) recently accepted a position with Chemtura Corp. of Middlebury, Conn., as their global commercial manager for polymer modifiers and polymerization inhibitors. Jeff will be

developing and executing an aggressive growth strategy for the company, focusing primarily on developing countries.

Dennis McNaboe ’94 (Delta Tau Delta) has been named the Interim Dean of Campus Life at Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, W.Va. Melany Kotlarek Fontanazza ’02 joined McGlinchey Stafford PLLC’s Cleveland, Ohio, office as an associate in the commercial litigation section of the firm. Melany earned her Juris Doctorate degree in 2005 from the University of Akron School of Law where she was a member of the Law Review.

Megan E. Majcher-Fiochetta ’02 (Chi Omega) and her husband Matt welcomed Allegra Gianna Fiochetta on May 28, 2010. Megan teaches English at Seneca Valley Middle School in Harmony, Pa. Matt is employed with ComDoc.

TH E L O N G BL U E L I N E > C L ASS NOTES

Shawn M. Taylor ’02 has been promoted by BB&T to Vice President at the Parkersburg, W.Va., office. Shawn has been with the bank since 2002 and is a city/area executive in BB&T’s Commercial Department.

> FAI RY- TALE BE G I N N I N G Sarah R. Drake ’07 (Chi Omega) and Douglas A. Orr ’07 (Delta Tau Delta) were united in marriage on Oct. 10, 2010 in a fairy tale-themed ceremony at Muskingum Park in Marietta. Sarah and Douglas met their freshman year at Marietta College. Sarah works in sales and marketing at Broughton Foods Company and Douglas is an accountant with Rea and Associates Accounting Firm.

Justin R. and Amanda Anshutz Culbertson (Chi Omega), both ’03, are proud to announce the birth of their second child, Alex Ray, on Jan. 19, 2011. Big sister Katie (3) is very excited. The family resides in Newark, Ohio.

> F UT URE PI ONE ER Rebecca Palmquist Falatach ’05 (Sigma Kappa) and her husband Zach are ecstatic to announce the birth of their first child, Logan Robert, born June 6, 2010, in Medina, Ohio. The family now resides in Lake Mary, Fla., where Zach is working for Orlando Freightliner and Becki stays busy caring for their family and home.

> D . C . A D V EN T U R ES Leanne E. McCullough ’09 and her Chi Omega sisters reunited in Washington, D.C. during the past Labor Day weekend. Pictured with Leanne are Stephanie L. Rowe ’07, Ashley C. Wagner ’10, Heather Bellrose, Jenna M. Zdravecky ’08, and Kimberly N. Page ’08.

Joseph A. Swislocki ’03 has accepted a job opportunity at Vitamix Corporation to be their front-end web developer. Vitamix, an international manufacturer of high performance blenders, is headquartered in Olmsted Falls, Ohio.

Stephanie L. Furness ’06 is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Figurative Painting at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Calif.

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M A R I E T TA

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T H E L O N G BL UE L I N E > I N MEMORIA M

IN

MEMORIAM

> 1930s Plaford E. Meredith ’36 (Alpha Tau Omega) of Westerville, Ohio (12/16/2010).

Donald S. Scott ’51 of Oak Ridge, Tenn. (1/17/2011).

Richard J. Straker ’51 of Zanesville, Ohio (2/7/2011).

Robert C. McKinney ’39 of Ostrander, Ohio (3/16/2011).

Marvin R. Davis ’53 of Parkersburg, W.Va. (1/26/2011).

> 1940s

Melvin F. Miller ’55 of Westerville, Ohio (1/3/2011).

Twila-Louese Ross Bilger ’40 of Los Alto, Calif. (12/9/2009).

Helen Mika Yozwiak ’41 of Youngstown, Ohio (8/8/2010).

Survivors include her husband Bernard J. Yozwiak ’40 (Lambda Chi Alpha).

Sara Gruber Nesha ’42 (Alpha Xi Delta) of Marietta, Ohio (1/15/2011).

Norma Pryor Southmayd ’42 (Alpha Xi Delta) of Marietta, Ohio (12/25/2010).

M. Genevieve McClure Schafer ’44 of Marietta, Ohio (3/19/2011).

Charles M. Carson ’45 (Lambda Chi Alpha) of Mansfield, Ohio (1/1/2011).

Dora E. Lockhart ’45 of Vienna, W.Va. (4/13/2010).

Mary Sanders Heldman ’49 of Marietta, Ohio (1/19/2011).

Robert S. Reeves ’49 (Alpha Tau Omega) of Oak Harbor, Ohio (1/30/2011). Survivors include his son Robert S. Reeves, Jr. ’72.

> 1950s Joan Hopkins Corwin ’50 (Chi Omega) of Mine Hill, N.J. (12/21/2010).

Survivors include her husband William H. Corwin ’50 (Delta Upsilon), her son William H. Corwin ’78 (Lambda Chi Alpha), and her brother Harley H. Hopkins ’54 (Delta Upsilon).

Shirley Lee Creekbaum ’50 of Ocala, Fla. (1/9/2011).

Marilyn J. Hillman ’50 of Snyder, N.Y. (2/5/2011).

32

<

SPRING 2011

Paul R. Simpson ’55 of Cambridge, Ohio (12/30/2010).

Christopher J. Krotzer ’56 (Alpha Sigma Phi) of Metairie, La. (3/11/2011).

John B. Schaller ’56 (Alpha Sigma Phi) of Lawrenceville, Ga. (12/18/2010).

Nancy Moodie Pollinger ’74 (Sigma Kappa) of Middletown, N.J. (12/19/2010). Survivors include her brother Steven J. Moodie ’74.

Gary K. Baker ’76 of Lincoln, R.I. (1/12/2011). Survivors include his wife Kathryn Geiman Baker ’74 (Chi Omega).

> 1980s Lynn Sauer Blood ’81 of New Concord, Ohio (1/29/2011). Survivors include her husband Kenneth J. Blood ’80 (Alpha Sigma Phi) and sister Lauri Sauer Bucci ’81.

Timothy R. Nearing ’81 of Lafayette, La. (12/25/2010).

Avery M. White, Jr. ’56 (Delta Upsilon) of Williamstown, W.Va. (3/15/2011).

> 1990s

James D. Watson ’57 of Philo, Ohio (2/1/2011).

Courtney B. Caudill ’90 of McArthur, Ohio (1/29/2011).

Marco J. Faraci ’59 (Lambda Chi Alpha) of Sarasota, Fla. (1/2/2011).

> 2000s

> 1960s Janet Leahy Thomas ’61 of Louisville, Ohio (2/22/2011). Survivors include her husband, Elden D. Thomas ’59 (Alpha Sigma Phi).

John A. Scrima ’63 of Ellisville, Mo. (1/9/2011).

David C. Brown ’65 (Delta Upsilon) of Phoenixville, Pa. (1/8/2011). Survivors include his wife Jill Simon Brown ’67.

George M. Gabor ’65 (Lambda Chi Alpha) of Columbus, Ohio (2/13/2011).

John A. Palmer, III ’65 of Falling Waters, W.Va. (3/17/2011).

> 1970s Helene Goldberg Lynch ’70 (Sigma Sigma Sigma) of Ewing, N.J. (2/14/2011).

Christopher J. Campbell ’71 of Overland Park, Kan. (2/5/2011).

Jane E. Hutchins ’00 of McConnelsville, Ohio (1/20/2011).

> FRIENDS OF MARIETTA William H. “Bill” Davis (Emeritus Professor of Physics, 1954-1983) of Mount Desert, Maine (1/10/2011).

Survivors include his daughter Nancy Davis Ferrer ’73.

William H. Gerhold (Emeritus Professor of Art, 1962-1994) formerly of Little Hocking, Ohio (2/14/2011).

Survivors include his son Charles G. Gerhold ’92.

Marietta mourns loss of Emeritus Trustee Marietta College bid farewell to a man known as “Mr. Fireworks” in his later years.

Harry J. Robinson ’48 passed away on Feb. 14, 2011. The local businessman, accountant, volunteer, philanthropist and Emeritus Trustee was 89 years old.

At Marietta, he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, graduated Magna Cum Laude and earned the Jewett Prize for his speech “Only in Whispers.” His professional career included being a partner in the accounting firm Robinson, Caltrider and Tenney, and operating the Lafayette Hotel. He was one of the cofounders of the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, contributing a tremendous amount to the fireworks committee. In 2005, when he announced his retirement to the committee, the name of the annual light show was changed to the Harry J. Robinson Fireworks in his honor.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Mae, two sons, Doug and Jeff, three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Remembering Bill Thompson Jr. ’57 William H. “Bill” Thompson Jr. ’57 was a true Marietta man.

He attended Marietta College, met his wife Elsa ’56 here, returned to serve as Vice President for Development in the 1970s and again the 1990s, and later co-founded the internationally recognized magazine Bird Watcher’s Digest with his wife. He also served on the Marietta Community Foundation’s Board of Governors and Board of Directors, which created and implemented a plan to improve the Marietta community.

Sadly, Thompson passed away on Jan. 25, 2011. He was 78.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, William Thompson III, Andrew Thompson and Laura Fulton, and six grandchildren.

McDonough Dean accepts two-year stint as Interim Provost

D

JO McCULTY

r. Gama Perruci often tells students in order to make a real difference they need to step up and take chances.

The Dean of the McDonough Center for Leadership and Business is going to put his words into practice as he agreed to become Marietta College’s Interim Provost for two years beginning on July 1, 2011. He replaces Dr. Rita Smith Kipp, who served four years as provost.

While he knew it was the correct decision, Perruci says telling President Jean Scott yes wasn’t easy.

“It was difficult in the sense that I will not be in the classroom teaching and having direct contact with the students like I had before. But no, in the sense that I will have an opportunity to make a contribution to the leadership transition that will take place at Marietta College in the next two years,” he says. “I feel very honored to be able to work closely with President Scott during her last year.”

He plans to remain actively involved in the day-to-day operations of McDonough, but he’ll get a helping hand from Dr. Robert McManus, McCoy Associate Professor. “We have a great team in place, and they will continue to work closely with the students,” Perruci says.

President Scott is pleased Perruci will play a role in maintaining stability during the transition of leadership at the College.

“Before making this appointment, I talked with a number of faculty and staff, and it became clear that Gama has earned profound respect and has the support of his colleagues for his teaching and service to Marietta College,” Scott says. “He will be a strong leader and an even stronger advocate for the faculty, so I am grateful he is willing to take it on.”

Perruci plans to be an active member of President Scott’s leadership team. “As an institution, we cannot afford to have a status quo Interim Provost. The College’s strategic plan, Focused on Distinction, will continue to be a central feature on campus in the next two years,” he says.

He also hopes to address some critical issues, including teaching load and support for professional development. “Another priority for the next two years is the opportunity to deepen the collaboration between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs,” Perruci says. “We need to approach a student’s education holistically.”

TOM PERRY

MA R IE TTA COLLEGE BO ARD OF T RUS T E E S Chair T. Grant Callery ’68

Vice Chair Secretary Barbara A. Perry Fitzgerald ’73 William H. Donnelly ’70

Penelope E. (Penny) Adams ’72 Anna (Ann) Bowser Bailey ’87 Mark F. Bradley Robert M. (Bob) Brucken ’56 Christine L. (Chris) Fry Burns ’66 Joseph A. (Joe) Chlapaty H’10 Patricia G. (Pat) Curtain ’69 George W. Fenton Douglas M. (Doug) Griebel ’74 Nancy Putnam Hollister John B. Langel ’70 C. Brent McCoy C. Brent McCurdy ’68 Marilyn L. Moon John R. Murphy ’63

A L U MN I A SSO C I ATION B OAR D OF D IR E C TOR S Treasurer Dan Bryant

J. Roger Porter ’66 Leonard M. (Randy) Randolph, Jr. ’65 Cynthia A. (Cindy) Reece ’78 Ronald E. (Ron) Rinard ’72 Donald G. (Don) Ritter ’81 Toni M. Robinson-Smith Charlene C. Samples ’77 Frank M. Schossler ’86 Jean A. Scott Edgar L. Smith, Jr. Donald W. (Don) Strickland ’66 James J. Tracy ’79 Dale L. Wartluft ’63 Patricia A. (Pat) Loreno Willis ’70

Chair Jodell Ascenzi Raymond ’84 Vice Chair Teresa Gilliam Petras ’88 Alumni Trustees C. Brent McCurdy ’68 John R. Murphy ’63 J. Roger Porter ’66 Frank M. Schossler ’86 James J. Tracy ’79

Melissa Schultz Bennett ’91 James P. Brady ’92 Lori Oslin Cook ’82 Mark S. Fazzina ’83 David E. Harmon ’54 Paula King Pitasky ’96 Jason C. Rebrook ’96 Jeffrey J. Stafford ’83 Sharon Bayless Thomas ’78 Matthew B. Weekley ’81 Jonathan D. Wendell ’70 Zhou Zhou ’02 Tracy L. Zuckett ’96

GI V E TODAY TO THE

MA RIETTA COLLEG E CONTACT S President Dr. Jean Scott | 740-376-4701

Vice President for Advancement Lori Lewis | 740-376-4711

Assoc. VP, Alumni & College Relations Hub Burton | 740-376-4709

Provost Dr. Rita Smith Kipp | 740-376-4741

Assistant VP, Advancement Evan Bohnen | 740-376-4446

Director of Donor Relations Linda Stroh | 740-376-4451

MARIETTA

FUND

http://www.marietta.edu/give M A R I E T TA

> 33

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

COLUMBUS, OH PERMIT NO. 1429 Office of Alumni Relations 215 Fifth Street Marietta, OH 45750-4004

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New Address Notification Provided.

PHIL GRISEZ

T h e P r o g r e ss ive Pioneer

Phil Grisez ’89 SOFTWARE DEVELOPER DIVIDES HIS TIME BETWEEN BUSINESS AND CENTRAL AMERICAN MISSION WORK

> “In my heart they are my daughters. Wendy and Cinthia are so very beautiful, intelligent and special. I am very proud of them. They have taught me much about love and life. I am amazed and humbled that God thought it a good idea that I should be a part of their lives. During my trips to Central America, my focus has been on how I would make people feel. However, the truth is, I have received far more than I have ever given.”

B I O G R A P H Y: After graduating from Marietta College with degrees in

Computer Science and Music, Phil Grisez ’89 began a successful career as a software developer. In 1996, his career prompted him to move to the Minneapolis area, which is where he joined the Most Holy Trinity Church.

Since then, Phil and fellow parishioners have spent several weeks per year volunteering their time in Guatemala and Honduras for Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos International (Our Little Brothers and Sisters), a network of orphanages dedicated to caring for abandoned children through to adulthood. For Phil, the most rewarding part of volunteering abroad is the relationships he’s formed—including sponsoring his goddaughters Cinthia and Wendy.