Muskingum Update Fall 2025

UPDATE

A Lifetime of Connection page 8

FALL 2025

UPDATE

Students show the floor sign they made during Welcome Weekend

Editor: Stephenie Koerne Contributors and Photography: Molly Cepek, James Huggins, Brianna Kasinecz, Stephenie Koerne, Emilee Mulhall, Marcy Ritzert, Michelle Shaver Online Archives: muskingum.edu/updatemag Comments and Questions: theupdate@muskingum.edu (740)826-8134 Address Changes: alumni@muskingum.edu (740)826-8131

@Muskingumalumni

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 4 6 8 10 2

From the Presidents Desk

Class of 2029

Lead On, Muskies!

A Lifetime of Connection: The Siehls Celebrate 60 Years of Love and Muskingum Memories Following the Magenta Line: Finding Confidence, Purpose, and a Future in Law

12 14 16 18 22

Matt Abbott: Building Opportunity in Southeast Ohio Dianna Mitchell LeVeck: A Career of Service and Leadership Muskies & Microscopes & Mammals...

Oh My! Beyond the Court: Muskingum Volleyball Grows Through Costa Rica Experience Minute with a Muskingum Society Member

Copyright © 2025 Muskingum UPDATE is published by Muskingum University, 260 Stadium Drive New Concord, Ohio 43762-1837

From the President's Desk Dear Muskingum Alumni and Friends, A Muskingum education extends far beyond time spent together in classes.

It is a lifelong connection shaped by relationships, service, and a shared sense of purpose. Throughout these pages, you will see how Muskingum continues to influence lives—through alumni who lead with integrity and serve their communities, and through students who are discovering confidence and direction through experiential and global learning.

The stories in this issue reflect what sets Muskingum apart: excellent educational programs, close mentorship, hands-on opportunities, and a strong sense of community rooted in service. From alumni leading in healthcare, economic development, and doctoral study; to a couple celebrating sixty years of marriage at their sixtieth reunion; to students serving in international settings, each story speaks to the enduring impact of a Muskingum education.

At the heart of this work is the steadfast support of our alumni and friends. Your engagement and generosity help open doors for students and sustain a transformative Muskingum experience. Thank you for staying connected and for all you do to strengthen the Long Magenta Line.

With deep gratitude for this exceptional community,

President Susan S. Hasseler

Classs of 2029

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CLASS OF 2029

We opened the fall 2025 semester by welcoming our newest Muskies, the Class of 2029. They are enthusiastic, energetic, and already making their impact across campus and in the community!

414 NEW MUSKIES 46% 45% 51% 235 Female male

FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS

31 STATES 24

National Honor Society members

22

4

High school class officers

Student Athletes

235 SCHOOLS 52

Legacies At least one family member also a muskie

51% pell Eligible

8

Eagle scouts or girl scout gold awards

45

musicians

Muskingum University The continuum of learners we serve

795

100%

Of our Fall ’24 undergraduate students received financial aid

Graduate and adult learning students

1246 Traditional undergraduate students (including international)

Our Undergrad student body 83% 17%

From Ohio From out of state

$ 47%

#1 Best Value School in the Regional Midwest among Ohio universities. U.S. News & World Report factors academic quality and cost after accounting for total expenses and financial aid.

18%

Ethnic minority total student body enrollment

Pell-eligible

44%

Student athletes

33%

First-generation

65%

Live on campus

#2 Top Performer in Social Mobility in the Regional Midwest among Ohio universities. Social mobility considers graduation rates from students who received federal Pell Grants.

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LEAD ON, MUSKIES! "When people find out I'm in a doctoral program, they expect me to say Ivy League," said Jonathan Graham '89. "I tell them Muskingum University, and I'm proud of that. It's a great program, and I want to help it grow."

That pride in Muskingum runs through both Jonathan and Gracie Andrews '23, two current students at very different points in their careers. Jonathan, a longtime global executive, is pursuing his Doctor of Organizational Leadership (DOL) degree while continuing to advise top CEOs. Gracie, early in her career, is using her Master of Organizational Leadership (MOL) studies to build confidence and skill as she leads a team in higher education.

Both are proof that Muskingum's Master and Doctor of Organizational Leadership programs, which are flexible, fully online, and focused on applied practice, are preparing leaders to make a difference in their organizations and communities. Thanks to mentors like Harold (Hal) Burlingame '62, trustee emeritus, who guided Jonathan in the DOLP 809 Area of Concentration Seminar, they are also connected to a Muskie tradition of leadership that spans generations.

For Jonathan, leadership has never been abstract. As a partner at Heidrick & Struggles, one of the largest global leadership advisory firms, he has spent decades helping boards and CEOs find and develop senior executives.

After his youngest child was born, Jonathan stepped back from running a global industrial practice of 400 people with heavy international travel. That was when he turned to Muskingum. "The day I stopped running the global practice, which was about 18 months ago, I took three days off and started the doctoral program. It was all part of a plan."

What drew him was the doctorate program's balance of rigor and relevance. "If it were purely academic, it wouldn't be for me. I live in the real world. But this program blends both, unlike anything I've seen."

He was surprised by how immediate the application could be. "I thought it would be separate and that I'd flip a switch between work and class. Instead, it runs together. I'll take something from a Monday night discussion and use it Tuesday morning in a boardroom. Clients notice the difference."

For Jonathan, Muskingum is both personal and professional. "My dad went to Muskingum, my uncle went to Muskingum, and my wife went to Muskingum. We actually met here 36 years ago. So, for me, there's a loyalty and an obligation to help the program grow."

And while he still advises senior executives, his passion now includes mentoring. "I've mentored so many people in their 20s who started with Heidrick right out of school. People did it for me when I was younger, so I want to pass that on. This program gives me new ways to do that."

He encourages alumni to consider the program for themselves. "This isn't a weekend seminar where you sit and listen to speakers," he said. "It's dedicated scholarship with real-world application. Every class is designed to make you a better leader right away."

When Gracie joined The College of Wooster's admissions office, she was an assistant director. Today, she has been promoted to senior assistant director, where she oversees visit programs, manages a recruitment territory, and leads a team. She credits the MOL program with helping her step into that role.

"At first, I didn't really have anyone to mentor," she said. "But now I do, and this program has helped me think about how to bring people along and foster an inclusive environment."

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For Gracie, the coursework has had immediate impact. The conflict management course taught her how to handle differing views with confidence, and the project management course helped her streamline processes and clarify stakeholders. "It has made me a stronger leader in my role," she said.

Returning to Muskingum for graduate school was an easy choice. "I loved my undergraduate experience. Coming back for my master's was affordable, flexible, and accredited. I can pay as I go while working full time."

She also sees it as an investment in the kind of leader she wants to be. "I've learned to be more inclusive. This program is teaching me to reframe my mind and create a team culture where people feel valued."

Her advice for others is straightforward. "Just go for it," Gracie said.

"There is nothing to lose and everything to gain. You'll learn so much, and you'll be able to apply it right away. It's not as scary as it seems because the Muskingum community makes it all feel like home."

When Jonathan enrolled in his DOLP 809 Area of Concentration Seminar, he was paired with Hal Burlingame, who spent 40 years with AT&T and led them through major corporate transformations and saw leadership from every angle.

Mentoring Jonathan felt like a natural extension of that experience. "In my last 10 to 12 years, I was on the other side of the table, working with people like Jonathan who were finding and developing senior leaders. When he told me what he wanted to do, I wholeheartedly embraced the idea of working with him."

He believes doctoral research should have real-world value. "A dissertation can just sit in academia, but leadership research really matters when it's applied in practice. What I appreciate about Jonathan is that he's committed to turning his outcomes into something people in the real world can learn from."

From Hal's seasoned perspective to Johnathan's executive journey, to Gracie's rising career, one theme is clear: Muskingum continues to shape leaders who transform their workplaces and communities.

"Muskingum is more than a place you once attended," Jonathan said.

"It's a place you can return to, to grow, to lead, and to give back."

For alumni considering their own next step, these stories offer an invitation. Whether returning to pursue the MOL or DOL, or mentoring students in the programs, Muskingum provides a lifelong home for leadership growth.

Learn more about Muskingum's Graduate and Adult Learning programs at Muskingum.edu/gal.

DOL students, faculty, and administrators came together at Homecoming to celebrate the Doctor of Organizational Leadership progrram.

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A Lifetime of Connection: The Siehls Celebrate 60 Years of Love and Muskingum Memories John '64 and Judy (Amspoker) '65 Siehl have stayed connected to Muskingum College (now Muskingum University) throughout the years, and at this year's 103rd Magenta Homecoming, they not only celebrated Judy's 60th class reunion but also celebrated 60 years of marriage with some of the members of their wedding party.

Connecting to each other, Muskingum, and the world has been a part of their lives since their time at the college.

Judy's connection to the college began with her mother, who was a 1941 graduate, and her father, who grew up in New Concord and started his academic career at the college. Even though she was living in Arizona, she chose to attend Muskingum.

"I worked a lot during college. My parents were fraternal workers in Cameroon, Africa, so they were overseas and I didn't see them much," Judy said.

John, who was from Cincinnati, came to the college after he met someone who went to Muskingum. He was a tennis player at Muskingum and fondly remembers Coach Kruzan, who was not only the football and wrestling coach but also was the tennis coach.

"He didn't know a lot about tennis, but he made us train like he trained the wrestlers and football players," John recalled. "If we ever got to the third set of a match, we would always be better conditioned than the other players."

While his tennis career was cut short due to an injury, he did earn a letter jacket for making it to the tournament his freshman year. Judy remembers that letter jacket.

"My favorite professor was Dr. Bill Fisk, and that is how John and I met. It was in Dr. Fisk's World Civilization class," Judy said. "John and I were in the same subsection. He was an upperclassman and had a letter jacket, and he asked me out."

Being a liberal arts college appealed to John, who majored in philosophy. He spent his junior year at the University of Tübingen in Germany. While he made the arrangements himself, the college registrar encouraged him to go. "Muskingum encouraged you to be independent, assertive, adventurous."

John and Judy stayed together during his year in Germany and stayed connected by writing lots of

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letters. John was told that his Ulster brothers had agreed not to "mow John's grass" and to take care of Judy while he was gone.

"There were lots of love letters. About midway through, I thought, 'I have to hear his voice.' I had saved money from working, so I called long distance. It was $5 a minute and I had $20. I figured out the timeline. John had no idea I was going to call," Judy said. "I called his landlady and was able to ask her to speak to John. We had four minutes, but we worked out how we could see each other."

"Judy's parents were in Paris for a language update, so she came over to Paris," John said. "Judy took the train to Black Forest where I was living, and we took the train together to Paris. I met her parents for the first time. We then flew back together from Paris."

"I remember arriving at the airport in Paris, and I hadn't seen my parents and my brother in two years," Judy recalled. "I was so excited to see them, but in the cab on the way to where we were staying, I said, 'I've got to go to Germany.'" Within two days, she was on a train to Germany.

After graduation, John went to seminary in Pittsburgh while Judy finished her senior year at Muskingum. After she graduated in 1965, they got married in Brown Chapel on July 10.

After receiving his master's degree in divinity, he continued with his education, receiving master's degrees in philosophy and social work. Judy obtained her master's degree in social work, and both became therapists.

John and Judy left Ohio to be close to their children in Seattle. However, they have maintained connections throughout the years with faculty and other classmates.

"One of my connections is Dr. Gladys Taylor. Her mother was the sister of my grandfather," John shared. "We happened to be at homecoming the year she received her Distinguished Service Award. She had brothers that were at Muskingum in the early '40s, so I had family connections to Muskingum."

Judy discovered that Dr. Fisk's wife, Bea, and she were distant cousins. After the Fisks moved to Columbus, they crossed paths with John and Judy. They reconnected with their favorite professor and spent time with him in Columbus and on the Fisk family farm.

Now, when they return to Ohio for class reunions, they visit with friends and classmates. When they reflect on their time at Muskingum, they value their liberal arts education and the opportunities they had.

They learned a lot about the world from their classmates and their travels. "Studying abroad and traveling opens your eyes to the rest of the world, and we learn that we aren't the center of the universe," John said.

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Following the Magenta Line: Finding Confidence, Purpose, and a Future in Law For Nattalee Jarrett, choosing Muskingum University was about more than academics. It was about finding a community that felt familiar, supportive, and rich with opportunity, where connections could shape both her education and her future.

Jarrett, an accounting major planning to pursue a pre-law minor, is from Duncan Falls, Ohio, and is a member of the Class of 2028. She is involved in Chi Alpha Nu Sorority, participates in intramural sports, and ran for a student senate position. Her time at Muskingum has helped her grow academically and personally.

“My time here has shaped me into becoming a more vocal person and more involved in my community,” Jarrett said.

That sense of belonging extended beyond campus through her internship at the Muskingum County Domestic Relations Court, where she worked closely with Muskingum alumna Maria Kalis ’95. The experience became a defining moment in Jarrett’s academic journey and a clear example of how the long magenta line connects generations of Muskingum students and alumni through shared experiences and mentorship.

“Working alongside Maria was and will probably be the best opportunity I could have ever had,” Jarrett said. “She gave me so many chances and made me feel like part of the team.”

At the court, Jarrett took on responsibilities often reserved for students much later in their education. She created forms and outlines for judges and magistrates, observed hearings while taking notes, and proofread final decisions and investigative reports. Through hands-on work, she developed a strong understanding of legal terminology and court processes.

“I understand law terms that most people who haven’t been in law school wouldn’t,” she said. “It gave me such a good background for my future.”

Kalis served as both a professional mentor and a personal source of encouragement, intentionally including Jarrett in the daily work of the court and creating a welcoming environment. Jarrett recalled returning to the court after graduating high school and walking into an office prepared for her as a paid employee.

“She even decorated my office,” Jarrett said. “It made me feel valued and included.”

That moment symbolized the trust placed in her and the growth she experienced, moving from an intern to a contributing member of the court’s team. It also reflected the power of alumni investing in current students and passing opportunity forward through the Muskingum community.

Beyond technical skills, the internship introduced Jarrett to a broad network of professionals throughout the local legal system, including attorneys, judges, prosecutors’ office staff, and probate court personnel. Those

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relationships helped her envision a realistic and attainable future in law.

“It makes the idea of becoming a lawyer less scary and more achievable,” she said.

Her coursework at Muskingum played an important role in supporting her professional experience. Balancing classes, extracurricular involvement, and her part-time position at the court strengthened her ability to manage deadlines and perform under pressure.

“My classes helped me handle stressful situations and deadlines,” she said. “It helped me stay on task with both school and my job at the court.”

Jarrett views the internship as a meaningful extension of her Muskingum education and a clear confirmation of her decision to pursue a pre-law minor. The experience added value to her degree while reinforcing the importance of mentorship, connection, and experiential learning.

“This experience has added value to my Muskingum degree,” she said. “It gave me a great stepping stone and so many connections.”

Nattalee Jarrett and Maria Kalis shared a connection through both Jarrett's internship experience and their membership in Chi Alpha Nu.

For other students considering internships, Jarrett encourages them to pursue opportunities even if they feel unsure.

“Go for it,” she said. “Do your very best and give it all you have, because you never know where it could lead.”

Through her connection with Kalis and her experiences at Muskingum, Jarrett has seen firsthand how the long magenta line connects classroom learning to real-world opportunity. That generational bond continues to shape her confidence, clarify her goals, and remind her that she is part of a community committed to helping students grow into their potential.

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Matt Abbott: Building Opportunity in Southeast Ohio

F

or Matt Abbott '06, becoming president and CEO of Ohio Southeast Economic Development continues his journey of service and giving back to his Appalachian roots. Matt grew up in New Concord and was always active in the community. He umpired baseball, was a basketball referee, and stayed involved in athletics.

As a commuter at Muskingum, he juggled playing football, double majored in history and political science, worked, and coached high school sports.

After graduation, Matt went to school in Florida to be a professional umpire with the goal of making it to the major leagues. He worked in that career for five years before he was asked back to his hometown to work in education.

"I was co-founder of Foxfire Intermediate School, which was a school for students in grades 5-8 who were at risk of dropping out, at risk of socioeconomic barriers that would hinder them from being productive in normal classroom settings," Matt said. "The school was able to provide wraparound services like health care and counseling to benefit the kids with the goal of getting them back to the mainstream public education environment."

Matt then joined the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority where he oversaw economic development for the county and the city.

"I always took that role as being very personal, as my family is from Muskingum County. My family is working in companies that the Port Authority was able to assist in bringing here, and I was working to take care of the community that had provided me a lot of opportunity as a young person."

Matt served the Port Authority for nearly 10 years before he became the leader of Ohio SE in March 2025. He now supports economic development for 25 counties, which is roughly one-third of the state.

"Many of these communities are like Zanesville and Muskingum County," Matt said. "We are now casting a wider net in helping these communities thrive and capitalize on private sector investments."

He believes service is up front and wants these communities to have a hand up, with the goal of creating an environment where the next generation is set up to be successful and be engaged in careers that are fulfilling to them and have those opportunities close to home.

Matt credits his Muskingum education for preparing him for his career and the shifts he has made in it.

"Coming from a place like New Concord and a small-town setting, I wasn't exposed to a great deal. Different classes exposed you to professors and people who helped you figure out the why."

"The education made you really think about what your beliefs were as far as how you were raised," Matt said. "The classes and conversations challenged your way of thinking, which maybe at times changed your way of thinking to some degree, but also at the same time solidified the argument of why you believed what you believed. Those attributes are so important. It taught us how to think, how to approach issues and how to understand other sides of arguments."

"I think that is very helpful today as you put yourself in the shoes of the people you serve."

While his career shifted from education to economic development, he continues to support education and serve his community as a member of the East

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Muskingum Local School Board, which he began when he was 27 years old.

Based on his journey, Matt understands the value of education and sees educational institutions as critical to workforce and economic development. Educational institutions, both secondary and post-secondary, provide pathways to careers that will make the country successful and opportunities for individuals as they change careers and adapt to new opportunities.

"When we have companies that are looking to locate in our region, they do not want to know what programs you necessarily have that will benefit their company, they want to know the pipeline of students that you have that are in programs that will benefit their company," Matt said. "That is the important part, having a pipeline that is diverse enough in the path of education that will be able to fit industry that is looking to grow in our region."

Muskingum University recently established the Office of External Engagement to strengthen the university's role as a catalyst for workforce development, educational access and regional economic growth. The office builds cross-sector partnerships, aligns academic programs with workforce needs and develops talent pipelines that prepare students for success in a rapidly changing economy.

Under the leadership of Molly Dunn, associate vice president of external engagement, the office is accelerating efforts to connect students with meaningful career pathways, expand employer collaborations and amplify the university's visibility and influence across the region.

"We have hosted several convenings of business and industry and local leaders to seek understanding of what the workforce needs are, so we can offer solutions in the area of early talent pipeline and professional development and training to help employers elevate the skills of their existing workforce," Molly said.

"We have been learning about the jobs of the future as it relates to data science, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing," Molly added. "We are gaining affirmation around the need for the workforce to be able to think critically, problem solve and be good communicators."

Working closely with internal and external stakeholders, the office serves as a responsive partner in addressing the evolving needs of business, industry and community.

"Muskingum has been involved with adult learning for many years, so we are alerting the community of our service to the region with education solutions," Molly said. "Our vision for the future is working with employers to identify what their needs are and then offering programs to meet them."

This work intersects with Ohio Southeast Economic Development in that Muskingum supports the workforce ecosystem, partners with economic development leaders, and contributes to the vitality of the region.

"I understand the value Muskingum can bring to the region. It has the value to influence the pipeline of skilled workers within our region or the skilled professionals who are the future leaders in our communities," Matt said. "Programs for in-demand careers is critical to our region. Muskingum focusing on nursing and health care careers is critical. Focusing on education and preparing future educators is critical."

According to Matt, relationships are key. Nothing happens alone.

"To see cars in parking lots of companies that we can point to knowing we helped this company grow or stay in our community, those things are fulfilling and to know that our efforts collectively have created opportunities for families," Matt added as he reflects on his journey.

"Ultimately at the end of the day, businesses create jobs. We are a conduit to help facilitate that but knowing there might have been an impact in building or sustaining a community, that's what it's all about."

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Dianna Mitchell LeVeck: A Career of Service and Leadership When Dianna Mitchell LeVeck '86 looks back on her time at Muskingum College (now Muskingum University), she sees more than a college experience. She sees the foundation that shaped her life's work. Today, as chief administrative officer for Genesis HealthCare System, she leads a broad span of essential services, from human resources and education to support services, pharmacies, Lean Six Sigma, mission and spiritual care, and more. Her four decades of leadership in health care can be traced directly to the lessons, mentorship, and resilience she developed in school.

Muskingum welcomed LeVeck back to campus as the December 2025 commencement speaker for the graduating class. For her, the invitation was deeply meaningful. She considers it a privilege to speak to students whose future possibilities mirror those she once envisioned for herself. She was honored to share her story, particularly because she believes it is not unique. "My story can be anyone's story," she often reflects, "when you lean on others for support." And for her, that support system began at Muskingum.

Discovering Strength Through Challenge LeVeck arrived at Muskingum from a small rural high school, drawn by the college's strong science programs and her early involvement in the Joe Berg Society (at one time, there were more than 700 science seminar programs in the U.S.). But just weeks into her first semester, her world shifted. Her father unexpectedly lost his job, and her family could no longer help pay for her room and board.

Rather than retreat from the challenge, she leaned into it. Muskingum faculty and administrators worked with her to find solutions, and she took on three jobs to stay enrolled. From typing interviews for a sociology professor, to working in the geology department, to driving to Zanesville for shifts at Waldenbooks, she learned resourcefulness, grit and the power of asking for help.

That experience, sharing her situation, seeking guidance and receiving unwavering support, became one of the first major lessons Muskingum taught her: Strong leaders do not stand alone. They draw on the wisdom and encouragement of others, just as she did.

It's a message she hoped to pass on to new graduates during commencement: Success is rarely a solo endeavor, and courage often begins with simply saying, "I need help."

Finding Her Voice, and Her Path Although LeVeck began her education as a geology major, economic shifts in the field prompted her to reconsider her future. A single elective speech course unexpectedly unlocked a new passion. She thrived in the communication program, encouraged by mentors who recognized her talent for public speaking, analysis, and connecting with people.

Dr. Jerry Martin helped her restructure her academic path, guiding her through course overloads and ultimately helping her graduate early. Faculty not only taught her, but they invested in her, helping her find an internship, pushing her to compete in public speaking events and challenging her to grow well beyond her comfort zone.

Muskingum gave her confidence, sharpened her voice and cultivated the leadership presence that would later

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become central to her professional life. She learned how to read a room, communicate clearly, prepare diligently and carry herself with purpose, which are skills she uses daily in the health care setting.

A Career Built on Learning and Service After graduating, LeVeck's early interest in health care, shaped in part by watching family medical challenges growing up, guided her career choices. She began in workers' compensation before joining the rehabilitation services team at Good Samaritan Medical Center. There, she learned from therapists, physicians and patients, immersing herself in the complex human side of care.

Her ability to listen and learn quickly helped her advance into leadership. When Good Samaritan and Bethesda hospitals prepared to merge into Genesis HealthCare System in 1996, she stepped into the director of human resources role, even knowing she would have to reapply post-merger. The risk paid off; she was selected to lead HR for the newly consolidated system.

That period of long hours, high stakes and a complete cultural integration became her real-world masterclass in organizational leadership. She developed expertise in guiding teams through uncertainty, strengthening culture and building trust. These skills propelled her into the senior leadership team in 2013, and ultimately to her current role as chief administrative officer.

Through every step, she carried Muskingum's imprint: resilience, curiosity, humility and service.

The Muskingum Influence LeVeck often says that the lessons she learned at Muskingum have shaped her career far more deeply than she could have understood as a student. The personalized attention, mentorship, and belief others had in her continue to influence her leadership today.

She remembers professors who gave her opportunities, who challenged her when she needed to grow and who helped her discover abilities she had not yet recognized in herself. They modeled servant leadership, listening first, guiding without ego and helping people become the best version of themselves. She has carried that model throughout her four decades at Genesis, investing in the development of others just as her own mentors invested in her.

Muskingum also taught her the transformative power of community. As someone who remained in the region, becoming a leader in the same community she grew up in, she takes great pride in being both an alumna and a local voice for rural health care.

Returning Home for Commencement As she prepared to deliver the 2025 December commencement address, LeVeck felt both humbled and inspired.

Standing on the stage where her own journey began, she hoped to encourage graduates to embrace uncertainty, seek help when they need it and allow others to lift them up, just as she did during her earliest days at Muskingum.

She wants students to understand that success often comes from being open to guidance and brave enough to step through doors when they open. Her story, rooted in resilience and strengthened by community, reminds students that Muskingum's support does not end at graduation. It continues to shape careers, lives and leaders long after they leave campus.

For LeVeck, coming back to Muskingum was not just an honor; it was a homecoming to the place that nurtured her curiosity, steadied her through challenge and launched her into a career devoted to service.

Her message to the Class of 2025 was powerful and unmistakably Muskingum: Lean on others. Believe in your potential. And know that great things can grow from even the humblest of beginnings, because they did for her.

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Muskies & Microscopes & Mammals...Oh My! In 2024, Sarah Linn-Peirano '14 stood beside the largest elephant in North America. After the towering animal was humanely euthanized at the Knoxville Zoo due to health and quality-of-life concerns, Sarah, now a veterinary pathologist and assistant professor at the University of Tennessee, helped lead the necropsy, a postmortem examination of an animal's body to determine the cause of death or disease.

"It was a huge undertaking," she says. "But it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

For Sarah, it was a career highlight, one of many since her path began at Muskingum.

"I originally thought I wanted to be a high school math teacher," she explains. "Then, in high school, one of my teachers led a forensic science unit, and I thought it was fascinating. That's when I started leaning toward veterinary medicine, which is why I chose to study biology at Muskingum."

Leadership became central to Sarah's Muskingum experience. "I was in Theta Phi Alpha all four years, and serving as chapter vice president and president gave me great leadership opportunities," she recalls. "Organizing more than 50 women, planning recruitment, and managing events like homecoming taught me skills I still use today."

She played soccer and was deeply involved across campus, serving as class of 2014 president for Student Senate and president of Order for Omega. She also participated in Relay for Life, Tri Beta Biological Society and the American Chemical Society. "Each group offered leadership opportunities and a chance to get involved," she says.

Sarah's career trajectory shifted during an internship at the Audubon Nature Institute's Center for Research of Endangered Species and Freeport-McMoRan Species Survival Center in 2012. There, she had the chance to work with exotic animals as an animal husbandry intern and assist in a dolphin necropsy.

"That was the moment everything clicked," she says. "I'd shadowed veterinarians before, but a lot of that work felt routine. The necropsy was different. It was investigative, like solving a puzzle. That's when I knew pathology was what I wanted to do."

That experience set her on the path to study pathology in veterinary school and beyond.

Faculty mentorship played a major role in Sarah's journey. "My advisor, Dr. Shelley Amstutz-Szalay, was incredibly supportive," she says, "and Dr. Amy Santas' histology class was one of the most helpful courses I took. When I got to veterinary school, we had to take histology during our first year, and I already had that foundation because of Muskingum."

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After Muskingum, Sarah pursued her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. "The program was broad. We studied everything from small animals to cattle and horses," she recalls. "But I already knew I wanted to focus on pathology, which is unusual, so I tailored my clinical rotations toward that specialty."

She went on to complete a demanding combined anatomic pathology residency and Ph.D. program at The Ohio State University, an additional five-year journey. Her doctoral research at Nationwide Children's Hospital focused on urinary tract infections in children with projects investigating the body's immune response and animal models of UTIs, blending veterinary training with molecular biology.

"I combined my expertise in veterinary medicine and pathology with research," she says. "It was a rewarding opportunity to work and collaborate alongside pediatric nephrologists and Ph.D. researchers."

Today, Sarah is on faculty at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, where she serves as an assistant professor and director of Anatomic Pathology. "I oversee our pathologists, residents and staff for our necropsy and surgical biopsy services. We manage a very busy and diverse caseload with more than 1,200 necropsies and 5,700 biopsies per year," she explains. "About 40 percent of our necropsies are exotic species.

Since starting here in 2023, I've participated in necropsies on rhinos, giraffes, spiders and more."

Her teaching and research round out her role. "I teach first-year students about mechanisms of inflammation and urinary tract histology. I also teach urinary pathology to third-years," she says. "All veterinary students also rotate through our pathology service during their clinical year, so they learn how to perform necropsies. I also have a role in training anatomic pathology residents while on clinical service. Teaching was always something I wanted to do, and this gives me that opportunity."

Her research continues to focus on UTIs, expanding on her doctoral work. Her lab focuses on studying canine UTIs and their immune response during these infections. "In both dogs and humans, the same bacterium (E. coli) is the most common cause of UTIs. I hope to investigate if dogs have a similar immune response to humans and determine if there are similar treatment strategies to help combat UTIs in both species."

Sarah encourages today's Muskies to explore and stay curious. "Biology is such a broad field," she says. "Take courses in different disciplines and, if you're interested in veterinary medicine, get shadowing experience in multiple areas: small animals, large animals, research. That's how you figure out what excites you most."

From Muskingum's small classrooms to leading pathology at a major university, Sarah's story is proof of what Muskies can do.

"Muskingum gave me the foundation and the connections that shaped my path," she says. "The relationships I made there are still some of the strongest in my life."

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Beyond the court: Muskingum volleyball grows through Costa Rica experience Last summer, the Muskingum volleyball team had the opportunity to take a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Costa Rica through the collegiate foreign tour company Beyond Sports.

For many of the volleyball players, and even the coaches, it was the first time leaving the country. The immense energy around this trip didn't simply come from the volleyball program itself, but it was a process built up from players, coaches, campus administrators and family members alike.

the process. Costa Rica was made possible through a mix of alumni support, family contributions and a lot of fundraising.

Winters explained how coach Huey and assistant coach Maddie Cox '21 really leaned into that effort: "Taylour and Maddie really used the Costa Rica trip as a driving force for fundraising. The more they fundraised during the year, the less our studentathletes had to pay out of pocket. The entire fundraising plan was executed very, very well."

From the moment that wheels were up from John Glenn International Airport, nothing was going to stop this group of Muskies from making lasting memories over the course of the trip. It was a week filled with competition, adventures, laughter and team bonding, and it's safe to say no one will ever forget it.

Planning began more than a year and a half in advance. Huey made sure the team wasn't just prepared for volleyball, but also ready to make the most of this unique experience. She explained, "The women spent a lot of quality time together.

We just hounded on the fact that this was a team bonding experience that we were going to experience completely brand-new things." That mix of preparation and anticipation made the countdown to Costa Rica even more exciting.

The vision for the trip had been in the works for a few years and originated prior to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Muskingum head coach Taylour Huey '18 was Of course, volleyball was at serving the volleyball staff as the heart of the trip. The team the full-time assistant coach played three matches against when the volleyball program local competition, each one first initiated contact with offering something different.

Beyond Sports. Quickly after Two of the matches were Members of the volleyball team and their families gather for outdoor adventures, including ziplining, during the team's trip to Costa Rica. she was hired back on staff as comparable to the level of an the head coach (prior to the NCAA Division III team, while previous coach accepting a position at the Naval Academy), the third was against a very strong club team that pushed the her excitement about transitioning a trip abroad from a goal Muskies in ways they into a reality became a high priority. This trip would be an weren't used to. "It really challenged our girls," Huey said. impactful experience that she could provide for her players "Everyone played, and it was cool to see them in a completely while also using this opportunity to benefit future recruiting. different element."

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Once the trip proposal was approved, Muskingum's director of athletics, Kari Winters '08, knew it was going to be something special. "I knew immediately that this trip was going to leave a lasting impression on our young women and on their families. This was the first trip abroad for an athletic program since I have been involved with Muskingum Athletics, and I was confident that this program was going to have an unforgettable time!"

Senior middle hitter Josie Niemeyer noticed right away how different volleyball looked outside the U.S. "In the U.S., we run our warmups much smoother, but theirs felt very rushed and chaotic," she said. That adjustment forced the team to adapt quickly, but in the end, the Muskies proved they could handle whatever was thrown their way. The matches gave them a jump-start on their upcoming season, but more than that, they gave the team confidence in their ability to grow together.

Making a trip like this happen didn't come easy, though. The coaches established a plan, created a road map and stuck to

One of the most meaningful parts of the trip came when the team participated in a Special Olympics event. They spent the

day helping kids with tennis, gymnastics, and basketball, and it left a lasting impact on everyone. Huey shared, "Seeing how excited they were to see our team, that was very touching."

Niemeyer also described how rewarding it was: "We laughed a lot, and it was very cool to work with individuals with disabilities and connect with them through sports." It was the kind of experience that reminded the team that sports are about more than wins and losses. They're also about connection, inclusion, and using your skills to give back to others.

Costa Rica is known for its breathtaking scenery and adventures, and the team wasted no time making the most of it. They zip-lined through the rainforest, swam under waterfalls, and relaxed at hot springs with pools scattered across the mountainside. Each new stop gave them another chance to step outside their comfort zone and share unforgettable moments. Huey remembered one in particular: "The first night on the coast, we were so excited to get into the ocean.

Then we looked up and saw all of these monkeys in the trees! The women were freaking out, getting selfies with them. It was a fun, silly moment, but they were stepping out of their comfort zone, and I'll never forget that."

Those moments of adventure were built on the bonds that were already forming. "It brought us closer, and the women are still saying that this team is closer than we've ever been," Huey explained. "When you go into a new atmosphere together, you're kind of all you've got."

Niemeyer felt the same way. "This team is full of fun, unique girls with different personalities; however, when we are all together, we always have the best time ... We bonded so much as a team, which brought us even closer than we were before."

One thing that made this trip stand out even more was the presence of so many families. Parents, siblings, and even grandparents joined the journey, making it a true community

experience. Winters explained just how special that was: "I don't think that any of us truly grasped our travel party size until we were all at the airport gate waiting on our flight.

From grandparents to high school-aged siblings, it was very, very special. Having families there added another layer to the experience. Loved ones were watching our players grow in real time, see them step into leadership roles and share in all the laughter and adventure. It wasn't just a volleyball trip; it was a memory-making trip for everyone involved."

At the end of the week, the team came home with more than just pictures and souvenirs. The Costa Rica trip taught lessons about leadership, teamwork and stepping outside comfort zones. It showed what can happen when you work hard toward a goal and rely on the people around you. Huey summed it up best: "If you want to see something happen, you've got to work for it."

Niemeyer also reflected on the bigger picture: "Even though we were thousands of miles from home, the support by our university, families and friends was strongly felt." For the players, the trip wasn't just a vacation. It was a chance to grow as athletes, as teammates and as people.

From intense volleyball matches to rainforest zip lines, from hot springs to airport laughter, Costa Rica was a trip the Muskies will carry with them forever. It brought teammates and families closer, created bonds that will last long after graduation, and proved how much effort, teamwork and adventure can shape a program. For the Muskingum volleyball team, this trip wasn't just about seeing a new country; it was about becoming stronger together.

Years from now, when the players look back on their college careers, this week in Costa Rica will stand out as a highlight, not just because of where they went, but because of who they experienced it with.

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Distinguished Service Awards

The Distinguished Service Awards recognize and honor alumni who have distinguished themselves through their professional endeavors and exemplary service to mankind.

DR. CORINA O. PETRE BONDI ’03 Corina is a tenured Associate Professor in the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Neurobiology, and Associate Director of Executive Function and Neuropharmacology, at the Safar Center for Resuscitation Research of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. At Muskingum University, she majored in Neuroscience and Physics, with Psychology, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Psychology minors. Corina then obtained a doctorate in Pharmacology from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where she was mentored by Dr. David Morilak ’81.

DANIEL BUSBY ’94 Dan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Business from Muskingum and has dedicated more than 30 years to youth development through Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America). Currently, he serves as Director of Development and Marketing for Scouting America’s Longhorn Council in Fort Worth, TX, with a primary responsibility of raising $4M for annual operating funds and guiding the completion of a $15M capital campaign to renovate Camp Tahuaya in Belton, TX. He and his wife Carrie (Oertel) ’94, have been married 27 years and are proud parents of Rory and Suzanne.

MARK AND JUDY HUBBARD HAYBURN ’71 After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and both being discharged as 1st Lieutenants, Mark and Judy began a life of ministry. They served as missionaries to Kenya through the Assemblies of God World Missions. In the mid-90s, Mark and Judy assisted in the development and administration of the newlyformed outreach ministry for the Assemblies of God Foreign Missions. After retiring from full-time missions and living in Africa, Mark and Judy continue to travel to Africa to support short-term missions.

Mark received a BA in Economics, and Judy received a BA in Elementary Education and Sociology.

TAD HUGHES ’09 Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in French with a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language, Tad is a seasoned Instructional Designer and proud member of the Ohio Air National Guard. He has designed and led impactful training initiatives for organizations including Los Alamos National Laboratory, CACI International, and the Defense Security Cooperation University. Known for blending strategic insight with creative design, Tad creates engaging, mission-focused learning experiences. He lives in Yellow Springs with his wife Heather (Menarcheck) ’11 where he enjoys endurance sports and visual art.

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Emerging Alumni Awards

The Emerging Alumni Awards recognize and honor alumni, who in the first 15 years of their careers, have made significant contributions to their profession and the world.

DR. ELIZABETH BULLARD ’12 Elizabeth received her BS in Biology and Geology from Muskingum University, her MS in Geology from the University of Cincinnati, and her PhD in Biology from the University of California, San Diego.

She is a consultant at Verdant Associates where she plays an active role in ensuring an equitable and low carbon future. Her work focuses on evaluating energy efficiency programs, specializing in supporting equity and underserved populations. She also volunteers for local conservation nonprofits where she conducts grassroots education and works to make nature more accessible to all members of her community.

DR. EVAN SHELTON ’12 Evan is a gerontologist and researcher dedicated to transforming the experience of aging and memory care. With a PhD in Adult Development and Aging, he currently serves as Innovation Officer at the Center for Applied Research in Dementia. Evan’s work focuses on translating the Montessori method to the senior living environment, empowering those living with dementia and related conditions to maintain independence and dignity in later life. He graduated from Muskingum with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology, Philosophy, and Art.

DANIEL SHUEY ’06 Dan graduated with a degree in communication and political science. Following graduation, he earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. After law school, he clerked for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio. In 2011, he joined Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP in Columbus, where he eventually became a partner and led the appellate group. In 2022, he became a Partner and the Vice President of Legal for the Lisinski Law Firm, a nationwide firm that focuses on humanitarian immigration cases. He is married to Kristin Kenily Shuey ’06, and they have three children.

KAYLA WILKERSON ’19 After earning her BA in Early Childhood and Special Education, Kayla began her career in Cambridge City Schools as an Intervention Specialist and First Grade Teacher. While earning her Master of Public Administration from The Ohio State University, she interned at the Ohio Auditor of State and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. She is currently the Director of Budget and Finance for the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus where she oversees the state operating, transportation and capital budget processes and provides analysis for legislation that includes appropriations.

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MINUTE

WITH A MUSKINGUM SOCIETY MEMBER

A Lifelong Connection: Susan Meyer ’95

For Susan Meyer ’95, Muskingum University wasn’t just where she earned her degree, it was where she found her direction, her confidence, and a true sense of belonging that still stays with her today.

“I really wanted to go to college when I was in high school, and I liked science and what I do now,” Susan shared.

“Neither one of my parents had the chance to go to college, and our family couldn’t really afford it if we had to pay for all of it. So, I worked really hard, earned scholarships, and it really came down to Muskingum and Mount Union.”

Once she arrived on campus, she knew she had made the right choice.

That gratitude inspired Susan to give back. “The scholarships and financial aid made such a huge difference for me,” she said. “From early on, when I was in grad school and just starting out, I began donating back to Muskingum, always toward scholarships. It’s so important to me that other students, especially first-generation college students like I was, have those same opportunities.”

Susan Meyer ’95 and Molly Cepek '26, student who authored this article.

Cepek's parents, David '93 and Tanya '94, attended Muskingum with Susan.

“Within the first month or so, I realized Muskingum was exactly where I was meant to be,” she said. “I loved all four years there, it was such a wonderful experience.”

Today, Susan works at Nationwide Children’s Hospital as a Full Board Regulatory Specialist II with the Institutional Review Board, which reviews and approves all human subjects research at the hospital. “That research can be anything from a simple chart review, where doctors look at patients’ medical records, all the way to drug trials, device trials, and gene therapy,” she explained. “All of it has to come through us and be approved before it can be done with our patient volunteers.”

While at Muskingum, Susan found a mentor who had a lasting impact on both her life and career. “Dr. Osunsanya, she was my advisor. I had her for genetics and microbiology,” she said. “I actually went on to earn my master’s degree in microbiology after Muskingum. She was such a positive mentor, and we still keep in touch to this day. We exchange Christmas cards and updates, she truly made a lasting impression on me.”

Susan also fondly remembers the friendships and fun moments that made her Muskingum experience special.

“There were so many good times, especially the year I lived in Memorial,” she laughed. “My friends used to borrow trays from the cafeteria and slide down Memorial Hill in the snow. It was just about making our own fun and enjoying being together.”

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Looking back, Susan credits Muskingum for giving her a strong foundation that she continues to rely on in her career. “My biology degree gave me a great base in science,” she said. “When I changed careers and got into clinical research, I was able to lean on everything I learned in my biology classes. Plus, there’s a lot of ethics involved in my work, and those faith and ethics classes, along with the liberal arts education, really shaped how I approach what I do.”

Becoming a Muskingum Society Member was a natural next step. “When that opportunity came up, I looked at what I had already given over the years and realized it was totally doable,” she said. “Supporting students through scholarships is something I really believe in.”

For Susan, staying connected to Muskingum remains meaningful. “It means a lot to me to stay connected because I truly believe in Muskingum’s mission,” she said. “I love seeing how the campus has continued to grow and how it’s serving as both an educational center and an economic driver for Southeast Ohio. People in that part of the state deserve every opportunity, and Muskingum helps make that possible.”

When asked for advice to current students, Susan offered thoughtful words drawn from her own experience. “Make the most of every opportunity— get involved, lead, volunteer, and find out what you’re passionate about,” she said. “Don’t forget what Muskingum means to you, and when you can, give back.”

She added, “And wherever you go in the world, I promise, sometime, somewhere, you’ll run into a Muskie.”

MUSKINGUM UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES YOUR GENEROSITY!

YEAR IN REVIEW LOOK AT THE IMPACT YOU MADE!

100%

1,243

Undergraduate students received financial assistance

Muskies received scholarships

$26,497

Average amount of financial aid awarded per student

>$31M

"Because of your generosity, I found the confidence to dream bigger and do more.

I'm proud to be the first in my family to graduate."

-Zaveon C. '25

In scholarships awarded

As we complete another successful year, we reflect with gratitude on the incredible generosity of our alumni, parents, and friends. Your contributions have directly enhanced the Muskingum experience. We are proud of all we have accomplished together and are excited for the great work still to come.

Thank you

"Thanks to Muskingum– and you–I'm on my way to something incredible."

-Jillian S. '29

BE THE REASON WHY THEY STAY. WHY THEY SUCCEED. When you give to the Muskingum Fund, you do more than support a school—you open doors of opportunity for every student who calls it home.

Help us shape the future—one story, one student, one gift at a time.

muskingum.edu/give (740) 826-8130 advancement@muskingum.edu

Scan the QR code to make a gift

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260 Stadium drive New Concord, OH 43762-1837 Muskingum.edu

UPDATE

Students listen to keynote speaker Jim Jackson ’88 at the Khanna Career Connections Confernece