FALL 2020
UPDATE
Resilience and Creativity: The Fall 2020
Muskingum Experience
INSIDE: $2.2 Million Strengthening Institutions Grant Received I Health & Wellness Complex Rises Samuel W. Speck, Jr. ’59 Named President Emeritus I Virtual Reunion Weekend @ Homecoming 2020
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UPDATE
Copyright © 2020. Muskingum Update is published by Muskingum University, 10 College Drive, P.O. Box 1837 New Concord, Ohio 43762-1837.
Editor: Annette Giovengo Nolish. Contributors and Photography: Aaron P. Martin, Dustin Haywood, Jaclyn A. Pugh, Tom Caudill ’05 MAE. Online Archives: muskingum.edu/updatemag Editorial correspondence: theupdate@muskingum.edu 740-826-8134. Address changes: alumni@muskingum.edu 740-826-8131.
Contents From the President’s Desk
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Learning: Resilience and Creativity: The Fall 2020 Muskingum Experience
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Transformation: University Awarded $2.2 Million Grant
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The Health and Wellness Complex: On the Rise
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Impact: Samuel W. Speck, Jr. ’59 Named President Emeritus
@muskingumalumni
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Welcome
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Athletics
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Gatherings
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Sharing the Legacy
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From the President’s Desk Dear Muskingum Alumni and Friends, I am delighted to bring you this issue of Muskingum UPDATE and share news about what is happening on our campus. While 2020 has certainly been an unexpected year for us all, I am extremely proud of the way our Muskingum community has turned challenges into opportunities. Our faculty, staff, and students displayed amazing creativity and resilience, as we achieved the essential Muskingum in-person educational experience during the Fall 2020 semester, all while wearing masks and staying safely socially distanced. We are currently planning to return in-person for the Spring 2021 semester, but as always, we will closely monitor local, state, and national guidance and make all decisions with the health and well-being of our campus community as our highest priority. As we continue to implement the initiatives of our strategic action plan, IMPACT 2025, we were thrilled to receive a $2.2 million federal Strengthening Institutions grant, which will allow us to expand career readiness and academic success support for our students. Our transformative Health and Wellness Complex is on the rise, with a constant stream of construction activity and evergrowing excitement on campus as the facility takes shape. The HWC will advance athletics, recreation, academics, research and development, and our connections with the regional community. We look forward to experiencing the impact of this innovative integrated facility on students at Muskingum and beyond. It was a privilege to recently honor an individual who has had a profound legacy on Muskingum and on our region, when the Board of Trustees named Dr. Samuel W. Speck, Jr. ’59 President Emeritus. He served as President of then-Muskingum College from 1987-1999, laying the groundwork for long-lasting programming still relevant to the University of today. His passions around caring for the earth, for others’ health and well-being, and for public service remain vibrant in the experiences and opportunities of our current students, faculty, and staff. Celebrating virtually this year, Reunion Weekend @ Homecoming once again put the spotlight on the Long Magenta Line and provided unique and dynamic opportunities for alumni to connect with one another and with the campus community. Thank you to all who participated! Many of the events are still available at www.muskingum.edu/alumni/reunion-weekend-homecoming if you missed them in October. We are so grateful for you, our alumni and friends, and for the many ways in which you support the University and our students. We wish you all the best, especially for health, safety, and well-being, in these most unusual times. With warm regards, President Susan S. Hasseler
Keep up with President Hasseler through her monthly newsletter Magenta Lines. Email magentalines@muskingum.edu to subscribe.
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LEARNING
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Resilience and Creativity: The Fall 2020
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Muskingum Experience
Volleyball wins championship of Muskie Relay Minute to Win It contest, created by Athletics Communication Practicum class.
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“The Muskingum experience of educating the whole student is very difficult to duplicate virtually – it has an essential element of in-person connection inside and outside the classroom.” President Susan S. Hasseler
During the summer of 2020, institutions of higher learning across the country faced critical choices around how to safely deliver fall semester instruction in the new world of the COVID-19 pandemic. For Muskingum President Susan S. Hasseler and her senior leadership team, the decision to resume on-campus learning was clear. “After the end of the virtual Spring 2020 semester, we listened to our students. They told us they wanted to come back to campus for in-person learning and we were determined to find a way to safely make that experience happen for them,” President Hasseler said.
Preparing the Campus Over the summer, staff members worked tirelessly to prepare the campus. Policies, procedures, and facilities adjustments were developed for all aspects of campus life, in accordance with federal, state, and local health guidance. For example, safe capacity limits were established for spaces throughout the campus and extensive cleaning protocols were created. Plexiglass dividers were installed in classrooms and residential students were offered the option of a single room. Tents on the Quad and by Walter Hall served as instructional spaces for music ensembles and other large classes and were otherwise available for student activities and informal student use.
The custom-designed MuskieSafe app is used for daily health checks by every community member – faculty, staff, students, and visitors – and provides individualized next steps should any health concerns be identified. Through extensive social media and campus signage, the #MuskieSafe campaign of safe practice reminders became a ubiquitous part of Muskingum life this fall.
Technology enhancements and faculty development sessions ensured that classes could be delivered both in-person and virtually. Careful social distancing policies were developed, including mandatory mask-wearing, and health protocols were put into place for every community member to follow.
#Muskie Safe: A Culture of Caring “We created a culture of caring on our campus, with our students working hard to stay safe for one another, so that they could remain together for an in-person semester,” President Hasseler commented. “A significant component of that effort is our #MuskieSafe app and communication campaign.”
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www.fb.com/watch/?v=379245443148622
Creativity, Adaptability, and Flexibility: The Whole Student Experience Muskingum’s faculty across the campus adapted their teaching to meet the need for social distancing, while student life educators developed creative, hybrid alternatives blending virtual and in-person student life activities. For example, Paul Szalay, Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Division of Natural, Applied, and Health Sciences, explains that while the in-person semester allowed science laboratory instruction to continue, some adjustments were also necessary. “In addition to the plexiglass installed in the labs, we had to reconsider how we used the spaces for certain instructional days,” he said. “There were times when we needed to split student in-person attendance in half in order to maintain proper social distancing. When that happened, we built additional dedicated time for reflection into the curriculum for the students’ virtual days, beyond what we typically would have in place, and that became beneficial for everyone’s learning.” For Associate Professor of Music and Chair of the Music Department David Turrill, extensive preparation and planning was the key to safe music instruction. Large ensemble rehearsals in the outside tent, customized masks for singers
and instrumentalists, protective devices for instruments, and socially distanced private lessons defined day-to-day instruction. The multiple concerts performed throughout the semester were without audiences, but were live streamed and also available for later viewing through Orbit Media. “Live-streaming allowed even more families, friends, and alumni to enjoy the performances of our talented students, and we plan to continue those opportunities for the Spring semester,” Dr. Turrill said. The Theatre Department also performed their productions without live audiences, with Orbit Media either live-streaming or recording them for later viewing. Each of the Fall semester’s three productions took a different approach to meeting the challenges of social distancing, Assistant Professor of Theatre Cassie King explained. “Our first production, ‘Living Dead in Denmark’ was originally scheduled to be performed in Spring 2020. Most of the cast was back on campus this fall, and they adapted their original staging to incorporate distancing and mask wearing. Our second show, ‘The Curious Case of the Pop Star and Her Penguins,’ was a first-year student production, rehearsed in person with social distancing and performed through Zoom from various locations on campus. We wrapped up the semester with ‘The Atlantis Project,’ which featured prerecorded dialogue as the actors wore scuba suits and masks on stage to tell the story of a group of divers in a science lab at the bottom of the ocean.” Our Orbit Media students, led by Assistant Professor of Media Communication Michael Carvaines and Associate Professor of Communication, WMCO Station Manager, and Director of Broadcasting Lisa Marshall, gained tremendous hands-on experience from live-streaming the music and theatre performances throughout the semester. “This was a fantastic learning experience and opportunity for everyone in our program,” Carvaines said. “Each show was completely different, and each had the challenge of attracting and holding the audience’s attention.” The broadcast group meticulously
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followed safety guidelines in their work, so that they could continue bringing the events to audiences.
students and their families to see the campus first-hand and meet current students, faculty, coaches, and other staff.
These are just a few examples of the exceptional creativity and dedication that defined our classroom instruction this fall.
A comprehensive virtual visit program has also been developed, for students and families who prefer to explore the campus remotely, and is reaching even wider audiences of prospective students. Additionally, virtual Open House events allow prospective students to safely engage with one another, as well as with current members of the Muskie community.
Outside of the classroom, our always creative Muskies found ways to relax and engage with each other on campus while still following social distancing protocols. Student life event highlights of the semester included the extremely popular weekly virtual bingo and trivia nights, the Homecoming Carnival on the Quad, Kayaking on the Lake, Civility Week with a “Pause for Paws” featuring canine guests, and Ice Cream on the Quad. In addition, our leadership groups and clubs continued their work over the semester.
Although intercollegiate athletic competition was postponed this fall and moved to the spring, our athletic teams engaged in modified practices, training activities, and conditioning, while adhering to proper health and safety protocols and NCAA guidelines. In addition, student-athletes continued to develop their individual skills and knowledge through ongoing leadership programming and personal work-out routines.
Recruiting the Class of 2025 Since mid-May 2020, the University’s Office of Admission has been safely hosting in-person visits on campus. Ongoing information sessions and tours, conducted with masks, limitedsize groups, and social distancing, have allowed prospective
Looking Ahead: 2021 and Beyond Building upon the experiences of the Fall 2020 semester, Muskingum is planning for an in-person Spring 2021 semester, subject to guidelines established by the state of Ohio and regional health experts. “No matter what comes, we are ready,” said President Hasseler. Looking ahead, President Hasseler notes that some of the lessons learned in managing a COVID-19 world have positive applications for Muskingum’s future. “We have been challenged to use technology in new ways to connect with our community, and now that we have developed those capabilities, we will use them going forward. We have new tools to stay in greater contact with our students outside of the classroom. We can offer virtual gatherings for alumni across the country and around the world, providing more ways for them to connect with the University and with each other. More opportunities exist for linking current students with alumni who can offer information about career experiences. And we have developed new ways to reach out to even more new audiences of prospective Muskingum students.” “As we navigate the uncertain COVID-19 world together, the University remains ready to provide today’s students with the essential Muskingum experience, so that they too will be well prepared to carry out the tradition of impact that defines the Long Magenta Line.” For the latest information on the University’s COVID-19 response, visit www.muskingum.edu/covid-hub.
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TRANSFORMATION
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University Awarded $2.2 Million Strengthening Institutions Grant Muskingum has been awarded a $2.2 million, 5-year, Title III Strengthening Institutions grant from the U.S. Department of Education to enhance support systems that prepare students for the workforce or continuing study while also ensuring timely degree completion. The program is designed to help institutions of higher education expand their capacity to serve low-income students. The University will use these funds to enhance the programs, people, and facilities needed to provide comprehensive career preparation for students from their first day on campus through graduation. Muskingum will develop a state-of-the-art, fullyaccessible Impact Center designed to promote experiential learning, community partnerships, and student engagement in preparation for meaningful employment, graduate study, and service. A new Teaching and Learning Center for faculty development will also be established. The TLC will assist faculty in enriching academic and advising supports and in embedding and delivering financial literacy and other 21st-century skills across the curriculum, further enhancing positive career outcomes. “Career readiness integrated throughout excellent academic programming is a hallmark of the Muskingum experience,” commented the University’s Provost, Dr. Nancy Evangelista. “This grant will allow us to immediately strengthen our programs for student support and career engagement, and
ensure that every student is well-prepared for the world of work and beyond.” The Strengthening Institutions grant is a key component in furthering our strategic action plan, IMPACT 2025, which is guiding us to a dynamic 21st-century learning environment, where each and every one of our students will thrive, along with our University and our region. The grant will support the plan’s Transformative Growth initiative by enabling us to provide significant campus and programmatic enhancements, and it will directly enhance the four key Learning and Innovation initiatives: student engagement, financial wellbeing, pathways to career readiness, and academic success.
“This important grant will provide new and expanded career readiness opportunities for our students and support their academic success.” Provost Nancy Evangelista
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HOME “All in one, the Health and Wellness Complex will transform athletics, recreation, academics, and our impact on the community.” President Susan S. Hasseler
The Health and Wellness Complex: ON THE RISE Now rising in the heart of our campus, our transformative Health and Wellness Complex will benefit every Muskingum student. Featuring new stadium seating and concourse areas, a multiuse fieldhouse with an indoor track and field, a state-of-the-art diagnostic hub, multi-purpose classrooms, advanced fitness areas, and fully accessible spectator seating and building amenities, the HWC will be a place for every Muskie and a welcoming venue for the regional community. Academically, the multi-purpose classrooms and diagnostic hub will facilitate the integration of traditional academic programs with disciplines aligned with the health science professions. It will support collaborative education, research, and hands-on clinical experiences within and across Muskingum programs and with regional healthcare professionals. The diagnostic hub's advanced equipment will engage students and faculty in providing services to community members through innovative partnerships. For our student-athletes – who represent more than 50% of each year’s incoming class – the HWC will be a place to pursue their athletic passion, where they will practice their skills, develop their performance, and hone their conditioning and training. For our coaches, the HWC will significantly enhance their practice and game planning opportunities and their recruitment activities of potential new Muskies. Personal health and fitness are important to virtually all of our students – more than 60% of whom actively participate
in intramurals – and the HWC will provide them with many recreational opportunities and the facilities to develop their own personal routines and habits for fitness and well-being. The HWC will enable Muskingum to make even greater economic contributions to the surrounding region, bringing into the area college and high school student-athletes and their families and friends for athletic competitions, events, and recruiting. Current and prospective students from all interest areas – studentathletes, those interested in recreation, and those dedicated to personal health and well-being – are eager for Fall 2022, when the Health and Wellness Complex opens and its transformative possibilities become a thriving reality on our campus. We hope you will consider joining with members of the Board of Trustees, Alumni Council, and many dedicated alumni and friends who together have raised more than $18 million toward the project.
To learn more: Contact Paul McClelland, Interim Vice President of Institutional Advancement at 740-826-8468 or paulm@muskingum.edu. Visit muskingum.edu/hwc. View the HWC construction webcam at conswebcam.muskingum.edu/#view.
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IMPACT
Honoring a legacy of impact on Muskingum past and present:
Samuel W. Speck, Jr. ’59 Named President Emeritus Vibrant programs of today’s Muskingum extend his legacy of caring for the earth and caring for others A LEGACY OF SERVICE: Samuel W. Speck, Jr. ’59
During their October 2020 meeting, the University’s Board of Trustees awarded Dr. Samuel W. Speck, Jr. ’59 President Emeritus status in recognition of his profound impact on Muskingum, on our region, and on the nation. President Emeritus Speck’s work as Muskingum’s leader from 1987 through 1999 laid the groundwork for long-lasting programming still relevant to the University today. He was known for his passions for caring for the earth and caring for others, which led him to a diverse career which also spanned service as a faculty member, elected state official, and state and federal government agency leader. Enrolling at Muskingum intending to become a geology major, he soon switched to political science and became an active student leader, including serving as President of Student Senate. After graduation, he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from Harvard University, and returned to Muskingum as a member of the political science faculty in 1964. Dr. Speck blended his teaching with the practice of politics, driven to make a difference in the lives of citizens in the region and beyond, and was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives for the 95th District (1971-1976). There, he authored Ohio’s Strip Mine Reclamation Act, which ultimately led to the creation of The Wilds and other state parks and recreational areas on reclaimed land. His bill served as the model for the federal legislation that altered the face of Appalachia, the Surface Mining Control Reclamation Act of 1977, signed into law by U.S. President Jimmy Carter, with Dr. Speck present at the Rose Garden ceremony. After serving two terms as Ohio State Senator for the 20th District (1976-1984), Dr. Speck became Associate Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, before returning to Muskingum as a faculty member and then president. He left Muskingum’s presidency to become director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
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“Dr. Sam Speck’s Muskingum legacy is truly a story of our past, present, and future. His passion for the environment, for service to others, for public service, and for practical hands-on education are enduring hallmarks of the Muskingum experience.” President Susan S. Hasseler
IMPACT: Conservation Science and Environmental Science During his Muskingum Presidency, Dr. Speck created the Conservation Science program, which is a thriving element of the University today. Dr. Jim Dooley, the Bill and Martha Lovejoy Distinguished Professor of Biology, recalls that he was completing his post-doctoral studies in conservation biology when he saw Muskingum’s advertisement for a new faculty position. “I was so intrigued by the educational opportunity Dr. Speck was creating. Here was this undergraduate conservation science program designed to work in cooperation with The Wilds – an amazing resource of land that had been disturbed by surface mining, had been reclaimed, and was beginning to be globally recognized for
conservation research and education. The Conservation Science program was also ahead of the curve because of its liberal arts focus – he recognized that conservation scientists need to be educated in economics, political science, and ethics, and not just limited to biology.” “Dr. Speck hired me to serve on the faculty and as program director of Conservation Science, which I’ve done since 1998. The partnership with The Wilds provides an amazing array of unique opportunities for our students. We have years of continuing field work projects – including an unparalleled data set on grassland birds – through classwork, students’ independent research, and the summer Muskie Fellows program of student and faculty research partnerships. Their experiences at The Wilds help our students clarify their vision for their future careers. There are so many directions students in our program can take in their careers, and these experiences are irreplaceable in terms of allowing them to discover what it is they are passionate about.”
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Muskingum’s environmental emphasis further encompasses the Environmental Science program, directed by Professor of Chemistry Lois Zook-Gerdau. The Wilds is also a key component of this interdisciplinary program, which allows students to explore solutions to environmental problems through courses in biological, chemical, geological, and social sciences. For example, students have conducted soil analysis research of the reclaimed strip-mine land, as well as ongoing
research on water and soil samples from the Salt Creek Watershed in conjunction with the Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District.
IMPACT: Public Service
through the generosity of founding donors Thomas ’63 and Ilona Moore ’64 Fox, the inaugural cohort of the program was formed in Fall 2019.
Public service is recognized today as a signature piece of the Muskingum educational experience for students in majors across the curriculum. Service to others and the importance of civic and political awareness and understanding have deep historical roots at Muskingum, and became particularly evident during Dr. Speck’s years as a faculty member and during his presidency. He freely shared his practical state and federal political experience with his students, frequently taking them to Columbus, Ohio and Washington, D.C., and providing them with unique learning opportunities. Trustee, entrepreneur, and civic leader Greg Adams ’81, who served for 27 years as the Mayor of New Concord and also helped establish critical regional economic development agencies, recalls that “Dr. Sam Speck has always been very passionate both about education and about making a difference in the larger community. When I was an undergraduate Muskie, he was an inspiration to me and countless other students. It is wonderful to see that inspiration continue for current and future Muskies, through Muskingum’s experiential learning programs built around service to others, civic leadership, and public service.” Building on that tradition, students today have access to the John and Annie Glenn Public Service Fellows program, a four-year, hands-on, cohort experience which prepares our students to make an impact in civic leadership. Made possible
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For more information on the Conservation Science program, visit www.muskingum.edu/academics/conservation-science and www.muskingum.edu/academics/environmentalscience for information on the Environmental Science program.
Political science major Nick Fulton ’21, is gaining real-world, hands-on experience as a member of the University’s first class of John and Annie Glenn Public Service Fellows. He is currently interning with United States Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur of Ohio’s Ninth District and recently had the honor of preparing her speech in memory of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Nick previously served a summer internship as a Legislative Aide for Pennsylvania State Representative Donna Bullock of Philadelphia. “Being able to help Rep. Bullock’s constituents with issues that impact their daily lives, and to help support legislative efforts to bring about positive change was an amazing opportunity,” Nick recalls. “It was a life-changing experience that cemented my decision to pursue a public service and leadership career.” For more information on the John and Annie Glenn Fellows Program, visit www.muskingum.edu/public-service-fellows. Nick Fulton ’21
HOME “In so many ways, Dr. Samuel W. Speck, Jr. laid the foundation for where Muskingum is today. It is our great privilege to honor him with the designation of President Emeritus.” Dr. Kim Gage Rothermel ’72, Chair, Muskingum University Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees Honors Samuel W. Speck, Jr. ’59
During the October 9, 2020 virtual Board of Trustees meeting, former Muskingum President Samuel W. Speck, Jr. ’59 was named President Emeritus by a formal Resolution of Appreciation. Dr. Speck and members of his family attended the presentation virtually. Many trustees shared memories of their time with Dr. Speck as colleagues on the Board or as his former students.
WHEREAS Samuel W. Speck, Jr., Class of 1959, served with distinction, wisdom, and dedication as Muskingum’s nineteenth President from 1987 through 1999; and
Lakes Compact Council, the eight-state and two-Canadian province compact which implements the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement; and
WHEREAS Samuel W. Speck, Jr. led Muskingum with a focus on developing the whole student and implemented a nationally-recognized tuition repricing strategy that yielded significant enrollment increases; and
WHEREAS Samuel W. Speck, Jr. served his communities by forging a strong “town and gown” partnership with the Village of New Concord and by helping found the 16-county Eastern Ohio Development Alliance and the 32-county Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth; and
WHEREAS Samuel W. Speck, Jr.’s passions for caring for others and the earth were evident throughout his roles as a Muskingum faculty member and as a transformational Muskingum president, as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, an Ohio State Senator, a leader of a federal emergency management agency and of Ohio environmental agencies, as all the while he displayed a powerful intellect, compassion, a rare connection to all living inhabitants of the natural world, and a delightful sense of humor; and WHEREAS Samuel W. Speck, Jr. fundamentally changed the quality of life in Southeastern Ohio through his House of Representatives authorship of the Strip Mine Reclamation Act, which ultimately led to the establishment of The Wilds, and became the framework for the federal legislation that altered the face of Appalachia itself, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, signed into law by United States President Jimmy Carter with Samuel W. Speck, Jr. present at the Rose Garden ceremony; and WHEREAS Samuel W. Speck, Jr. protected water quality for the world’s largest source of surface fresh water, as a founding member of the Great
WHEREAS Samuel W. Speck, Jr. created an inspiring partnership with his wife of 55 years, Sharon Jane Anderson Speck (1938-2017) of the Muskingum Class of 1960, reflecting Sharon Speck’s service as a public health nurse; as a volunteer on behalf of the deaf; as a committed partner in her husband’s public service; in her role as the “First Lady” of Muskingum; and as a person facing diminishing vision and hearing throughout her adult life with courage and tenacity; and WHEREAS Samuel W. Speck, Jr. and Sharon Speck extended their deeply held values and beliefs to their son Derek Speck, son Dr. Samuel W. Speck III and daughter-in-law Ellen Speck, and grandchildren Samuel W. Speck IV, Sarah L. Speck, and Steven Charles Speck; THEREFORE, the Muskingum University Board of Trustees confers the title of President Emeritus upon Samuel W. Speck, Jr., with deep and abiding gratitude for his enduring impact upon Muskingum University and his lifechanging service to the world, on this the 9th day of October 2020. This resolution has been excerpted from the original for length.
“I will never forget as Editor of The Black and Magenta being able to walk into then-President Speck’s office and interview him on any subject. He helped me embark on what has turned out to be a successful career in journalism. Additionally, his tremendous support of Muskingum’s partnership program with India’s Doon School was truly life-changing for me and my fellow Doon-Muskingum alumni.” Muskingum Trustee Nik Deogun ’91, CEO of the Americas and U.S. Senior Partner of the Brunswick Group; former CNBC Editor in Chief and Senior Vice President, Business News; and former Wall Street Journal Deputy Managing Editor
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Welcome to our Newest Muskies Meet the Class of 2024 Their dynamic energy and excitement was evident from the very first day of the Fall 2020 semester and we look forward to the impact they will continue to bring to our campus and Muskie community.
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232
High Schools
45%
55%
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16
3.39
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States
International Students
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Eagle Scouts
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First in their Family to Attend College
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Average High School GPA
High School Class Officers
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Legacies: at least one sibling, parent, grandparent, or other family member is a Muskie!
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New Faculty and New Leadership Roles As the Fall 2020 semester opened, we welcomed three new faculty members to Muskingum: Samantha Bennett Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice. Dr. Bennett’s research interests include juvenile justice, juvenile delinquency, law enforcement, policing, youth gang involvement, and restorative and balanced justice. She earned her B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in Criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, Pennsylvania), and has also taught at Slippery Rock University (Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania).
As of July 1, 2020, five veteran faculty members took on new leadership roles to help ensure a dynamic learning environment of excellence where each of our students can thrive: Sandra Schroer Professor of Sociology, serves as Chair of the Division of Business, Education, and Social Sciences.
Paul Szalay Laura Geiger Assistant Professor of Management. Ms. Geiger’s expertise focuses on health administration and management. She holds an M.B.A. degree with a concentration in Organizational Leadership from the University of Findlay (Findlay, Ohio), a B.S. degree in Allied Health Professions from The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio), and is also a Certified Medical Laboratory Scientist. She previously served as Professor and Medical Laboratory Technician Program Director at Zane State College (Zanesville, Ohio).
Professor of Chemistry, serves as Chair of the Division of Natural, Applied, and Health Sciences.
Jane Varley Professor of English, serves as Chair of the Division of Arts & Sciences.
Amanda Adams Arjun Sondhi Assistant Professor of Management. Dr. Sondhi specializes in health and health care economics and international macroeconomics, focusing on monetary economics and on the effect of health policy on the macro economy. He earned his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in Economics from Wayne State University (Detroit, Michigan) and previously served on the faculty at Bloomsburg University (Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania), Ambedkar University (India) and Punjab Engineering College (India).
Associate Professor of English, serves as Director of Assessment and Accreditation.
Dinah Meyer Professor of Philosophy, was elected to serve a two-year term as Executive Secretary of the Faculty.
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ATHLETICS
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WELCOME, NEW HEAD COACHES WOMEN’S SOCCER
DANI GUNDERSON
Dani Gunderson is the new Head Coach of Muskingum University Women’s Soccer. She served a highly successful four-year tenure as an assistant coach at Denison University, helping lead the Big Red to one North Coast Athletic Conference Championship, one NCAC Tournament title, and a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament. During her time at Denison, the team amassed 38 overall wins, with a 20-6-6 record in conference play. There she coached 24 All-NCAA student-athletes, five all-region players, three NCAC Players of the Year, and one All-America and All-America Scholar-Athlete. Coach Gunderson earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Division III Christopher Newport University, where as a 3-year player she helped her team reach three USA South Conference Tournament finals, win a USA South regular-season championship, and win a conference regular season and tournament title. She began her college playing career at Division I Radford University, where she helped her team to the Big South Conference Tournament Semifinals.
ESPORTS
CHRISTOPHER BILSKI Christopher Bilski is leading his first season as Muskingum’s Esports Head Coach. He ended the Fall 2020 campaign with playoff action, as the Muskies Rocket League Team and Overwatch Team both advanced to the Great Lakes Esports Conference playoffs, finishing third in Rocket League and seventh in Overwatch. Under Coach Bilski, the esports team engaged their fellow students by hosting a campus-wide watch party and holding the Muskingum Madden Tournament, which resulted in Muskie sophomore football quarterback, Doug Crawford, bringing home the Ohio Athletic Conference Madden Tournament championship title over Heidelberg. Prior to joining Muskingum, Coach Bilski served as head League of Legends coach at Aquinas College, where he helped lead the team to a first-place finish in the Great Lakes Esports Conference. Coach Bilski has also worked as a freelance esports journalist for the past five years, serving multiple media outlets including The Players’ Lobby, Ginx.TV, the Game Haus, and CLICKON Esports, and creating content for YouTube, Twitch, and television interviews. His journalism work focuses on current esports events, game analysis, and future outlooks for multiple esports titles.
Learn more at www.fightingmuskies.com.
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2 NEW NCAA DIVISION III VARSITY SPORTS TO LAUNCH: ARCHERY & STUNT Muskingum students now have two exciting new sports to pursue, both of which are breaking new ground in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). Both Archery and Stunt have begun as club sports in 2020 and both will launch in NCAA Division III Varsity competition during the Fall 2021 semester. Muskingum will be the first member of the OAC to field an archery and stunt team and one of a select few NCAA schools in Ohio to offer archery and stunt as varsity sports. The addition of archery and stunt brings the total number of our varsity athletic programs to 24.
ARCHERY
CRAIG HOLYCROSS ’09
A popular and deeply-rooted interscholastic sport in our region’s high schools, archery offers multiple competitive college opportunities at USA Archery sanctioned events. Divisions include barebow, recurve, compound, and bowhunter. Craig Holycross ’09 is Muskingum’s first-ever Archery Head Coach. He brings a wealth of archery experience and certification as USA Archery Level 2 Instructor. He is a member of the Archery Shooter’s Association (ASA), International Bowhunting Organization (IBO), National Field Archery Association (NFAA), and USA Archery. Coach Holycross earned his Muskingum Bachelor of Arts degree in history with a minor in business. He was a four-year letter winner on the men’s soccer team and helped lead the Fighting Muskies to their first-ever Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament appearance in 2008.
STUNT
JOELLE BICE ’10 One of the fastest-growing women’s sports nationally, STUNT removes the crowd-leading element of cheer to focus on technical and athletic skills such as gymnastics, weightlifting, and dance. Teams perform routines in head-to-head floor competition and win rounds and points based on their skills execution. Joelle Bice ’10 is Muskingum’s first-ever STUNT Head Coach. She has more than 15 years of experience of coaching and mentoring student-athletes in gymnastics, stunt, cheerleading, and dance, and holds U.S. All Star Federation (USASF) safety certifications in Tumbling Levels 1-5 and Stunting Levels 1-5. Coach Bice earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication and a Muskingum Master of Arts in Teaching-Intervention Specialist degree. The owner and CEO of Champion Athletics in Zanesville, Ohio, she teaches multiple choreography camps, and is the Zanesville High School varsity cheerleading coach. She is also a former Americheer cheerleading and Ameridance dance judge for regional and national competitions.
Learn more at www.fightingmuskies.com.
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GATHERINGS
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Reunion Weekend @ Homecoming 2020 Reunion Weekend @ Homecoming 2020 was, as always, a celebration of Muskie pride, memories, and an exciting future ahead. Although our gatherings were virtual this year, Muskies from across the country and around the globe once again honored the past, embraced the present, and looked toward the future. Throughout the week, alumni enjoyed virtual tours, conversations, panel discussions, class Zoom meetings, live broadcasts from the Quad, and the annual alumni awards, Collage Concert, and reunion weekend blessing.
Virtual Campus Tour
Faculty Panel: The Campus Responds to Covid-19
Hosted by current students.
Professor of English Jane Varley, Professor of Psychology Dinah Meyer, and University Chaplain Rev. Julia Wright share their experiences on helping students navigate academic and campus life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
www.muskingum.edu/alumni/reunion-campus-tour
A Place for Every Muskie Learn about our transformative Health and Wellness Complex project. www.muskingum.edu/hwc
www.givecampus.com/schools/MuskingumUniversity/ videos/reunion-weekend-covid-19-campus-response
Embracing Inclusive Excellence Hear from President Susan Hasseler, Professor of History Laura Hilton, and student leaders in a panel moderated by Danyelle Gregory, Muskingum’s Director of Diversity, Access, and Inclusion. www.givecampus.com/schools/MuskingumUniversity/ videos/embracing-inclusive-excellence
A Conversation with President Hasseler President Susan S. Hasseler sat down with Orbit Media’s Will Ford ’21 to discuss this Fall 2020 semester unlike any other, the Health and Wellness Complex, what keeps her energized, and more. www.givecampus.com/schools/MuskingumUniversity/ videos/conversation-with-president-hasseler
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Laura Hilton
Maysen Moorehead ’21
Casey Smith ’22
Donovan Wilkinson ’22
Danyelle Gregory
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For Fighting Muskies Fans: What would Reunion Weekend @ Homecoming be without Fighting Muskie sports?
• Inside the Huddle: Reunion @ Homecoming Edition Hear from a panel of our Fall sport head coaches: Erik Ieuter, Football; Hallie Cruzen, Volleyball; Jake Gleason, Track & Field and Cross Country; Adam Ponder, Men’s Soccer; Dani Gunderson, Women’s Soccer; and Chris Bilski, Esports.
• Alumni Spotlight: Dan Hughes ’77 Muskingum Athletic Hall of Fame member Dan Hughes ’77 coached his 2020 WNBA Seattle Storm to their second championship title in three seasons – this time remotely from his Ohio home. Listen as he tells his story to Jacob Reed ’21. www.givecampus.com/schools/MuskingumUniversity/ videos/alumni-spotlight-dan-hughes-77
www.givecampus.com/schools/MuskingumUniversity/ videos/inside-the-huddle
• AD Update: Reunion @ Homecoming Edition Vice President and Director of Athletics Steve Brockelbank delivers his take on all things Muskie athletics. www.givecampus.com/schools/MuskingumUniversity/ videos/reunion-weekend-athletics-panel-discussion
Homecoming Collage Concert
Alumni Awards Ceremony
Our 9th Annual Homecoming Collage Concert, performed with safe social distancing, featured our Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, chamber ensembles, and student and faculty soloists.
Hear from each of our four Distinguished Alumni Award and three Emerging Alumni Award honorees, who are profiled on the following pages.
www.givecampus.com/schools/MuskingumUniversity/ videos/virtual-collage-concert
www.muskingum.edu/alumni/reunion-awards-ceremony
Virtual Parade of Classes Celebrate the 50th Anniversary Class of 1970! www.givecampus.com/schools/MuskingumUniversity/ videos/class-of-1970-parade-of-classes Reunion Zoom Class Meetings took place throughout the Week. There’s still time to be part of the Reunion Giving Challenge: gifts made before December 31, 2020 still count! Contact Jen Bronner, Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, at 740-826-8463 or jbronner@muskingum.edu.
Reunion Weekend Blessing www.givecampus.com/schools/MuskingumUniversity/ videos/reunion-weekend-blessing
For more Reunion @ Homecoming coverage, visit www.muskingum.edu/alumni.
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GATHERINGS
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Honoring Alumni Impact Alumni Distinguished Service Awards 2020 The Distinguished Service Awards honor alumni who have attained the highest levels of achievement in their professions and whose service to others has had an extraordinary impact on the world.
Dorothy (Dottie) Cacamo Humm ’67
Jim Schmotter ’69
Dotti’s 53-year career as a nutritionist has been dedicated to improving others’ health and well-being. Since 1997 she has owned The Preferred Nutritionist and was previously county-wide Director of Meals on Wheels, a faculty member of the School of Food, Hotel & Tourism Management at Rochester Institute of Technology, and a consultant dietician and nutritionist for health care and residential facilities. She majored in Liberal Arts at Muskingum and holds a B.S. in Home Economics (Dietetics) from Drexel University and an M.B.A. degree from Rochester Institute of Technology. She and her husband Larry Humm ’64, retired SUNY Brockport administrator and professional ski instructor, reside in Brockport, New York.
President Emeritus of Western Connecticut State University, Jim Schmotter led Western Connecticut State University as President from 2004-2015. He previously served as a Professor and Business School Dean from 1976 through 2004 at Binghamton University, Cornell University, Lehigh University, and Western Michigan University. He earned his B.A. degree in History and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in History from Northwestern University. He and his wife Daphne Jameson reside in Naples, Florida, where he is President of the Naples Council on World Affairs and of Dunes of Naples II Condominium Association, Lead Corporate Director of Ethan Allen Interiors, and enjoys playing tennis, fiction writing, and volunteering with organizations that help young people achieve their dreams.
Edward (Ed) A. Pesicka ’89
Jill Schue Cuthbert ’93
Since 2019, Ed has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of global healthcare solutions company Owens & Minor Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of medical and surgical supplies and service provider in supply chain management, logistics, and technology to healthcare customers. During his long career in manufacturing and distribution leadership, he has served the healthcare, biotechnology, and scientific research industries. He earned his B.A. in Management and Accounting, with a minor in Communication, and holds an M.B.A. (Finance) degree from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management. He and his wife Wendy reside in Sewickley, Pennsylvania and are the proud parents of Madison (23) and Jacob (21).
As Co-Department Chair and School Counselor for the New Albany High School of the New Albany-Plain Local School District, Jill uses her 27 years of teaching experience to help her students and their families navigate through high school and help them achieve their goals for their next step. She earned her B.S. degree in Biology and holds a Master of Education degree in School Counseling from the University of Dayton. She and her husband Bret Cuthbert reside in Galloway, Ohio with their children Bret II (14) and Julia (11), and are active in St. James Lutheran Church (Hilliard, Ohio).
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Emerging Alumni Awards 2020 The Emerging Alumni Awards recognize and honor alumni, who in the first 15 years of their careers, have made significant contributions to their professions and in service to their communities and beyond.
Social Responsibility: Allison Avolio ’06
Personal Initiative: Sarah Anderson Goehrke ’07
As the Deputy to the Dean of Student Life at Johns Hopkins University, Allison Avolio is passionate about the development of the whole student during undergraduate educational years. She earned her Muskingum B.A. degree in History and her M.A. degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Slippery Rock University. She joined Johns Hopkins in 2014, after serving in student affairs positions at Muskingum, Oberlin College, and Bowling Green State University. She and her partner Seth Binder reside in Baltimore, Maryland.
The owner of Additive Integrity, LLC, Sarah offers dedicated editorial services to the additive manufacturing/3D printing industry for business and publications. She is the Managing Editor of Fabbaloo and serves on the Board of Directors of Women in 3D Printing, where she helped launch the 3D printing industry’s first diversity report, Diversity for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM). She earned her B.A. degree in Theatre and English, and continues her passion as an actor, director, and script writer in regional theatre. She and her husband Paul Goehrke reside in Mentor, Ohio and are the parents of George (Geo) Goehrke (11 months).
Vocational Achievement: Nathan Strum ’06 As the Executive Director of GROW Licking County Community Improvement Corporation, Nate Strum makes a visible difference bringing jobs, investment, and community pride. He previously served in economic development leadership positions for the Licking County Chamber of Commerce, Regional Industrial Development Corporation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Allegheny County Economic Development, and the City of Zanesville. He earned his B.A. degree in Political Science and Communication, and he holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Ohio University’s George H. Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. Nate and his wife Christina (Christy) Kaminski-Strum ’06 reside in Heath, Ohio.
Would you like to nominate a fellow Muskie for a 2021 Distinguished Service Award or Emerging Alumni Award? Complete and submit online the DSA Nomination Form or EEA Nomination Form.
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SHARING THE LEGACY
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Minute with a Muskingum Society Member:
Lynn Jamieson ’68 A Professor Emerita in Health and Wellness Design (formerly Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies) at Indiana University (Bloomington, Indiana), Dr. Lynn Jamieson has dedicated her career to ensuring that the physical and mental health benefits of parks, recreation, leisure, and sports are available to all, particularly youth, underserved populations, and people with disabilities. Her primary research and practice has focused on building unity and reducing youth crime and violence through recreation programs, including offering the first course in the United States on sport and violence. She was named a “Legend” of the American Academy of Park and Recreation Administration, in recognition of her 50 years of outstanding practice, teaching, and scholarship. “The blend of my Muskingum liberal arts education with my physical education and leisure behavioral specialties has been an incredible resource for creativity in research, teaching, and service. The small classes and personal mentoring relationships I experienced with my Muskingum professors shaped my approach to teaching, enabling me to develop lifelong connections with my own students.” Lynn earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Health and Physical Education and holds Master of Science degrees in Physical Education and in Recreation, and a Doctorate in Recreation from Indiana University. She served as a parks and recreation administrator in Texas, California, and Kansas, and on the Recreation Administration faculty of California Polytechnic State University before joining Indiana University’s faculty. She has been a visiting scholar and practitioner in China, Australia, England, Scotland, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Turkey, Macau, South Africa, Taiwan, Tanzania, and Zanzibar, and is a prolific author of professional publications. She and her husband Stephen Wolter are the parents of Byron (36) and Ben (29), and together own Visions, a consulting firm which assists recreation and tourism organizations throughout the country and around the world with master planning, business development, and parks and recreation management. “I chose Muskingum because I loved the idea of a liberal arts education. Growing up 30 minutes from New York City, I was able to experience and develop a great appreciation for art, theatre, language, and history, and I knew how valuable the Muskingum education would be in building on those interests.
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“It is exciting to see how the entire University is thinking strategically about its role in the community, and how outreach opportunities built into new programs and the new Health and Wellness Complex can benefit students’ education and the well-being of the entire region.” While at Muskingum, I was involved in multiple club activities and waitressed in the dining hall all four years on a work grant, which helped me afford my education.” “I have had the opportunity to visit Muskingum’s campus several times in recent years, to attend my class reunions, and to work with student organizations on how they can constructively develop programs to serve the University and the community. I’m excited to be able to help the University and today’s students as a member of The Muskingum Society.” Muskingum Society members are alumni and friends who make an annual gift of $1,000 or more (or a monthly recurring gift of $84 or more) to the University. For more information on joining the Muskingum Society, visit www.muskingum.edu/society, email advancement@muskingum.edu, or call 740-826-8130.
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The 2020-2021 Muskingum Fund:
When you give through Muskingum you can change the world! With an annual gift to the Muskingum Fund, you support the education of students who go on to change the world every day.
“I am so thankful for Muskingum and for the alumni who support the University. It meant so much to be accepted to the nursing program and then to immediately know that I would receive scholarship support throughout my four years. That support freed me to focus on my studies and to excel, lifting a huge weight of financial concerns from my shoulders.” Katie Schneider ’14, traveling ICU nurse, helping patients and their families across the country and abroad. Learn more about Katie and listen to her story: www.givecampus.com/schools/MuskingumUniversity/videos/katie-schneider-14
“During my time at Muskingum I received the Presidential Scholarship. It was a big relief and allowed me to concentrate on my studies. I hope you will consider giving to student scholarships!” Rob Beight ’02 Drs. Rob ’02 and Cheryl Stanley ’02 Beight make a significant difference in their community of Zanesville, Ohio. Rob is the Medical Director for Genesis HealthCare System Emergency Physicians and Emergency Medical Services, and Cheryl serves as a physical therapist at Genesis Outpatient Rehabilitation. Both received Muskingum scholarships which made it possible for them to continue their education and complete their professional degrees. Learn more about Rob and Cheryl and listen to their story: www.givecampus.com/schools/MuskingumUniversity/videos/give-through-muskingum-robert-and-cheryl-stanley-beight-02
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By making a planned gift to Muskingum now, you can help
transform the lives of Muskingum students today and tomorrow. Effective giving strategies to consider include: • An outright gift of appreciated assets such as securities or real estate. • A life insurance gift. • A charitable life income plan such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust. • A charitable life estate. • A qualified charitable distribution from an IRA for donors over 70 ½ years of age. For more information on planned giving, contact Paul McClelland, Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement at 740-826-8648 or paulm@muskingum.edu.
Planning for the FUTURE