Friends come home to Rio Grande
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Photo in front of Davis Hall, left to right: Charlotte Taulbee Shiering, Carolyn Adkins Cummings, Marsha Cummings Pfeifer, Sharon Zundel Sundial and Rita Clay Kimmey.
N E• R I O GRA
Fall 2010
In 1960 Rio Grande College became “home” to five young women from central and southern Ohio. It was a time of excitement for the recent high school graduates. Davis Hall was the center where they met and became friends. This year, in late May of 2010, Carolyn Adkins Cummings, Sharon Zundel Sundial, Rita Clay Kimmey, Charlotte Taulbee Shiering and Marsha Cummings Pfeifer reunited at the University of Rio Grande’s Fowler Guest House to celebrate fifty years of friendship. Memories of classmates, professors, hopes, dream, successes and failures were shared. Central to everything was Rio Grande–the new ideas that were explored and the awakened awareness of a world much larger than previously known. Rio Grande campus has changed much from that “lamp of the hills” of 1960, but it has retained the qualities that brought students from many diverse backgrounds together in a quiet, friendly, pastoral setting for academic pursuits. Submitted by Marsha Cummings Pfeifer
Please Plan to Join Us:
Front Row L-R: Krystle Clemens, Kia Wright, Angela Stuart Back Row L-R: Joe Rosler, Derek Weber, Matt Hosken
October 23, 2010 Bell Tower Ball
This gala black tie (optional) scholarship fundraising event promises to be an exciting evening. It also serves as a time to welcome Dr. Barbara GellmanDanley, President, and Dr. Kenneth Porada, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Entertainment for the evening will feature R & B Station Band with Sharell Andrews, an American Idol finalist, and Mark Pender of The Late Show with Conan O’Brien. Both silent and live auctions will take place during the evening with proceeds benefitting student scholarships. Tickets are $50.00 per person or $275 for a table of six. Ticket price includes dinner. Merry Family Winery will have wine available for purchase by the glass or bottle. Please contact the Alumni Office to purchase tickets by calling 800-2827201 ext. 7431. See more information on www.rio.edu/alumni or www. facebook.com/rioalum
November 12, 13 & 14 Homecoming Weekend
Join us on campus for Homecoming Weekend and the Bevo Francis Basketball Tournament. Weekend events include the Homecoming Parade, bonfire, reunions, the Annual Alumni/ Athletic Hall of Fame Awards banquet, Sweetheart’s Breakfast and Greek games. Many more activities are being planned. So be sure to follow us on Facebook at www.facebook/rioalum or on the web at www.rio.edu/alumni for all the details.
Students Travel to Wales this Fall
Six students will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a semester studying in Wales this fall. The students are taking part in Rio Grande’s exchange program with Trinity College in Carmarthen, Wales. Rio Grande’s Madog Center for Welsh Studies coordinates the exchange program each year, which allows Rio Grande students to study at Trinity College during the fall semester and Trinity College students to study at Rio Grande during the spring semester. The six students chosen for the exchange program for the 2010-2011 school year are Krystle Clemens of Austintown, Matthew Hosken of Pomeroy, Joseph Rosler of Shade, Angela Stuart of Pomeroy, Markia Wright of Gallipolis Ferry, W.Va., and Derek Weber of Pomeroy. Since the exchange program began in 2002, more than 40 Rio Grande students have been able to expand their educational and cultural experiences with the opportunity to spend a semester studying in overseas. While at Trinity College, the Rio Grande students are able to study with students from all over the world, while also being immersed in the Welsh culture. The students are also able to take part in travel programs that allow them to visit places throughout Wales, along with other locations in Great Britain and Europe.
Share Your Story with Prospective Students Do you have an exciting career, have you achieved recognition in your field or is there an interesting story of how your education at Rio has impacted your life? If so, we need your help. The Admissions Office is planning a creative recruitment campaign and its success depends on your participation. We are seeking a graduate of each of Rio Grande’s 60+ programs who has excelled in his or her career, found success and would like to steer others in the same direction. The Admissions staff will create a profile sheet with your short bio and picture to be used at college fairs and in application packets. To participate or to suggest a fellow alumnus, please contact the Admissions Office. We are looking forward to sharing your story with future students. Brooke Cromley Price 800-282-7201 ext. 7210 bcromley@rio.edu
Alicia Martin 800-282-7201 ext. 7212 amartin@rio.edu
Fine Woodworking Endowed Scholarship Established The Western Ohio Woodworkers Club has endowed a new scholarship fund to benefit students studying fine woodworking at Rio Grande. Eric Matson, who leads the fine woodworking program at Rio Grande, said he very thankful that the Western Ohio Woodworkers Club has set up this scholarship in order to help the students. “This will provide a great opportunity for our students,” Matson said. The Western Ohio Woodworkers Club members chose to develop the scholarship fund a few years ago, and then presented scholarships to Rio Grande students while they were still raising money for the endowment fund. Recently, the woodworking club presented Rio Grande with the endowment funds for the scholarship, and several members of the club visited the campus. “It’s really going to help our students,” Matson said about the scholarship funds. In addition to helping students pay for tuition and materials, the scholarship winners will also benefit from being invited to make presentations to the club members. The presentations will be excellent learning experiences for the students, and will also allow them to make contacts with people involved in fine woodworking
from around the region. One member of the Western Ohio Woodworkers Club who came to campus for the scholarship presentation, for example, has his own television show about woodworking. Scott Philips, whose Pictured: Eric Matson, Fine Woodworking Instructor; Dick show “The American Reese, Vice President of the Western Ohio Woodworkers; Woodshop,” is President Barbara Gellman-Danley, Ph.D.; and featured on Saturday Harris Bartine, member of WOW, are shown as the mornings on scholarship gift is presented. public television, is a member of the Western Ohio Bartine and the other members of the Woodworkers. club are pleased to see the outstanding Philips was impressed with the work being done by the Rio Grande program and the work the students are students in the fine woodworking doing, and the students were happy to program each year, and Bartine said he be able to talk to such a well-known enjoys visiting campus and talking to and respected woodworker. Matson and the students. Harris Bartine, who is also a member Rio Grande’s fine woodworking of the Western Ohio Woodworkers, program draws students from around explained that the club members have the country, and the students have been saving for the past five years to won several national awards in recent create the scholarship fund. years. Graduates of the program are in “The club members really came demand around the country, and many through,” Bartine said, adding that the of the alumni have formed their own club plans on continuing to add to the woodworking businesses. scholarship fund in future years.
Davies Named the Winner of the Edwin A. Jones Award Rio Grande faculty member Benjy Davies has been named the winner of the Edwin A. Jones Award for Excellence in Teaching for the 2009-2010 academic year. This award, which is presented each year to an outstanding faculty member at Rio Grande, is voted on by the Rio Grande faculty members. “It is very gratifying to be recognized by my colleagues,” Davies said. “It’s a great honor.”
Davies is an associate professor of art and has been teaching at Rio Grande for five years. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and master’s degree in fine arts from Ohio University. He previously taught at Wesleyan College in Georgia and at Ohio University, and enjoys now teaching graphic design at Rio Grande. “It’s very gratifying to see the students improve and to know you are making a difference in a young
person’s life,” Davies said. Rio Grande students are focused and excited to learn, and Davies said the educational continued on page 3
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1996
1960
Deceased: Patricia Jean “Patty” Forgey of Rio Grande, Ohio. Patty began working as Secretary to the Athletic Department in 1960 a career lasting 45 years. Patty attended many athletic events and was a “mom-on-theroad” to many of the ballplayers. Patty was a cheerleader advisor for 8 years and sorority advisor of Chi Omega Alpha for 18 years.
1965
Mike Burcham will have the new Ironton High School baseball field after him. He coached the baseball program there for 18 years and took the team to its only state championship. Burcham has also coached football for the past 40 years and was athletic director for 30 years.
1971
Ray Matura, Ph.D., has been named the 2010 Outstanding Gerontology Educator in Ohio by the Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education (OAGE). He began teaching at Rio Grande in 1971 has been the recipient of numerous awards during his career including the Sears Award, the Edwin Jones Award, and the Ernie Wyant award.
1973
Robert L. Lawson, Ed.D., author of “Dare to be a Millionaire” taught a one-day course on the topic at Ohio University-Chillicothe. Topics included practical ways to reduce debt, develop
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savings habits, set up a budget and how to generate more income and develop a strategy for reaching financial goals.
1975
Deceased: Arlene Saunders Roush Tracy of Gallipolis, Ohio. She is survived by Rev. Luther Tracy ’36.
1989
Tim Broskie recently achieved victory number 300 in his coaching career. He is currently the baseball coach for Whetstone High School in Columbus, OH. Broskie also holds eight City League North Division championships and five City League championships since becoming coach in 1994.
1993
CH (CPT) Bryan S. Kimble competed in the 2010 NASA World Cup Championship for Powerlifting, Bench Press Only, Power Sports©, and Push-Pull. Kimble has qualified for the NASA Pro Power Sports© Championship for the 3rd time in his lifting career. He has also earned his pro card for a third time and will be eligible to compete in the 2011 version upon returning from his deployment.
Phyllis Mason, Rio Grande’s Vice President for Human Resources, was honored recently by the Ohio Association of Community Colleges by being one of 10 members to be nominated for the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Ohio Association of Community Colleges.
1997
John Balzer has been named Elementary Principal for Jackson City Schools in Jackson, Ohio. He has worked as a teacher in that district since 1986.
1999
Beth Allen Owens, Attorney at Law, is employed with John W. Allen & Associates in Mansfield, Ohio. She has been with the firm for six years. Her areas of practice include civil litigation and family law.
2000
Birth: Son Colson Locke to Todd Miller and Meghan Kolcun Miller. Meghan is a pharmacist with Kmart of Gallipolis and Todd is the Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Rio Grande. The family resides in Gallipolis, Ohio.
2001 1995
Greg Hargett is the newly appointed Director of the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Hargett has served as Assistant Director at the Ohio Department of Agriculture since 2007. He currently resides in Columbus with his wife, Jennifer Miller ’97 Hargett and their son, Jackson.
Married: Dr. Heather Byers to Michael Miller on July 1, 2008 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The couple currently resides in Maryland.
2002
Birth: Nicholas Maxwell to Chris and Meagan Matura Barnes. The family resides in Gallipolis, Ohio.
2006
Birth: Daughter Isabella Rose to Brad and Mary Bush Morrison. Jennifer Marks received her Master of Science degree in General Psychology in May and began work on her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in June. She was also recently promoted to Training Coordinator at General Mills in Wellston, OH.
2007
Birth: Twin Boys Hunter and Isaac, born to Scott and Deanna Bryan ’05 Gilliland. The family resides in Pataskala, Ohio.
2009
Dan Stephens was named a winner in the regional Pitch Your Plan business plan competition held earlier this spring. The regional competition was for contestants from Jackson, Gallia and Vinton counties.
Sofranko Remembered Rio Grande lost a respected faculty member and dear friend with the recent passing of Professor Edward Sofranko, Ph.D. Sofranko began his tenure at Rio Grande August of 1971 and retired at the end of the 2010 spring semester. He was a very popular figure on campus where he taught in the psychology department and worked diligently for his students. Sofranko played a major role on campus for four decades. “Dr. Sofranko spent nearly 40 years of his life at Rio Grande and was a part of many changes through the years. He was a valued faculty member, recognized the talents of his students, participated in many committees and served as the Dean Lewis Chair of Psychology,” said Phyllis Mason, Vice President of Human Resources. She added that Sofranko did excellent work for Rio Grande and its students, and that he was proud of his time at Rio Grande. “He was one of the early founders of the Honors Program and took much pride in that accomplishment. To me, he was an example of a fine faculty member and caring friend. We will miss him deeply,” Mason said.
Young Alumni
Recently, grads of the 1980’s, 1990’s and 2000’s have been enjoying business-after-hours events at some fun locations in the Central Ohio area. Typically held on a weeknight after work, these events offer a way to reconnect with friends, meet other Rio alums in the area and network with other professionals. If you are interested in getting a group together in your area, please contact the alumni office for assistance. We advertise all of our events on Facebook…be sure to check them out! www.facebook.com/rioalum.
Davies continued from page 1 atmosphere on the small campus is conducive to learning. “I feel supported by my colleagues 100 percent,” he added. Rio Grande has a strong sense of community where faculty members work together to improve the academic programs. In addition to teaching at Rio Grande, Davies is also a working artist who does graphic design work, illustrations, lithographs, printings and other types of pieces. One project he is currently focusing on is “Daily Drawings,” which involves Davies completing at least one drawing every day. Sometimes the drawings become the basis for other projects, while they all become part of the collection. “It takes an artist to teach an artist,” Davies said, adding that it is good for his students to see him working as an artist. Davies is also active with professional and community organizations.
People are Looking for You!
Each week the office of alumni relations is contacted by numerous alumni who want to catch up with their friends from Rio. Unfortunately, we often don’t have the contact information they are looking for. Please help us update our records so your friends many find you! Also, we encourage you to submit updates for the class notes section of the Tower & Times. This is a wonderful way to share information with your fellow classmates. We do accept digital images for use in the publication. The alumni office may be reached at 800-282-7201 ext. 7431 or at alumni@rio.edu or complete and return the form found on page 7.
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Porada Named Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Kenneth Porada, Ph.D., who most recently served as the Provost for Dominican University of California, and also worked at Heidelberg College, began working at Rio Grande on July 1. Porada is especially proud of his experience with faculty governance, transparent communications, diversity, and student involvement in research. He also developed and managed numerous exchange programs, degree articulation and study abroad agreements with institutions in France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Miami University and a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Psychology from Bowling Green State University. “I am delighted to welcome Dr. Porada to this critical leadership role at
Rio Grande. He holds an outstanding portfolio from a long and impressive career in higher education. He will be an outstanding addition to our team, and our vision,” said President Barbara Gellman-Danley, Ph.D. Porada is proud to be named as Rio Grande’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “I see it as a school that has a lot of potential,” Porada said. Rio Grande’s mission to provide lifelong and holistic education along with career preparation serves its students and the community well, and Porada is excited to be assisting with that mission. Porada plans to focus on developing new academic programs, increasing enrollment, enhancing the distance education programs, increasing the international student enrollment,
increasing the number of study abroad programs for Rio Grande students, increasing student retention rate, supporting faculty Kenneth Porada, Ph.D. development programs and developing new initiatives to help students from the time they first step onto campus until their graduation. “Along with the president, I want to enhance the academic climate of the university and the community college,” Porada said. “We want to build a reputation for excellence.”
New Book Published by Faculty Member Scott Beekman, assistant professor of history and chair of the School of Social Sciences at Rio Grande tells the history of NASCAR and stock car racing in America in his book “NASCAR Nation: A History of Stock Car Racing in the United States,” which is being sold all across the country by Praeger Publishing. Beekman has other books which have been published previously, and he was asked to write this book after he completed a book on professional wrestling in America. Beekman did extensive research on stock car racing for his book, and it details how this type of racing began in America. Many believe that it was started by 20th century bootleggers who had been delivering illegal alcohol, but Beekman found in his research that this is just a myth. “It’s not true at all,” he said. Certainly many bootleggers served as drivers, but they did not start the sport.
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Stock car racing actually began back in the 1890s, and the book looks at the early days of the sport. When NASCAR was established, Beekman explained, the cars could not change anything from the types of cars that were in the showrooms. “There is nothing stock about a stock car today; they are completely fabricated,” he added. In the 1940s, promoter Bill France organized NASCAR and set up races and the points system for the drivers, Beekman said. The book covers the early days of NASCAR and the history up to the present day. “My goal was to give an overview,” Beekman said, adding that there have obviously been many different changes to stock car racing over the years. Beekman is one of several faculty members who have had books published and sold across the country, and he is proud to be part of the Rio
Scott Beekman Grande family. He has taught history at Rio Grande for four years, and loves teaching on the small campus. “I like the fact that I have small classes and that I get to know my students,” Beekman said. He has many of the students in multiple classes where he can work closely with them and help them in their academic programs.
New Trustees Inducted The University of Rio Grande Board of Trustees has officially inducted four new members; Mary McCurdy Pierce ‘67, Robert D. Foster ‘85, Glenna K. McCorkle LeGrand ‘65 and Thomas F. Davisson ‘72. Mary McCurdy Pierce earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Rio Grande and a master’s degree from Xavier University before serving as a teacher and administrator in the Pickerington City School District. Now retired, she is active with volunteer work in her community and also serves as the President of the Rio Grande Alumni Association. She is proud to now also be a member of the Board of Trustees. “I felt I needed to give back to the university now that I have some time,” McCurdy Pierce said. While a student at Rio Grande, she helped found the Rio Grande chapter of the Alpha Mu Beta sorority, met her husband, made many friends and learned a great deal. “It had a great impact on my life,” McCurdy Pierce said. The university
is very vital to the region today, and she wants to help Rio Grande continue to grow in order to benefit its students and the community. “The university needs to thrive to not only provide employment, but also to provide education for the people of the Appalachian area,” she said. In her work as a teacher and school administrator, she often worked with other Rio Grande graduates and was proud to see all of the quality teachers and administrators that graduate from the university. One area in particular that she hopes to work on is the continued improvements to the residence halls and campus facilities, and she has already met with a few students to discuss this. Glenna LeGrand also served as a teacher after earning her degree from Rio Grande. After graduation she went on to earn an additional degree from Ohio University and then teach in school districts in Texas, Columbus, Oak Hill and Jackson. LeGrand retired as a teacher from the Jackson City School District and currently lives in Jackson, where
she is very active in professional organizations and community groups. “I am pleased to be a trustee at the University of Rio Grande and am pleased to participate in an effort for staff development, for curriculum enhancement, for updating facilities and for strengthening finances,” LeGrand said. As a trustee, she will work diligently to help Rio Grande continue to grow so that it can best serve the students of the region. “I look forward to Rio Grande moving to the next level by providing quality education for a greater number of students,” LeGrand said. “I am excited that we have a new president with strong leadership qualifications and I am pleased that an exceptional and promising provost has been appointed.” Robert Foster is Rio Grande graduate who today is the owner/ operator of a local transportation company. His business goals continued on back page
We Want To Hear About You!
Nomination Form Request
If you recently found a job, were promoted, were married, moved, had a baby or did anything else of interest, please let your Rio Grande family know about it. Fill out the form below and send it to the Office of Alumni Relations, University of Rio Grande, PO Box 500, Rio Grande, Ohio 45674. Update information and digital pictures may also be submitted by email to alumni@rio.edu.
The University of Rio Grande accepts nominations for the following awards on a continuous basis. The deadline for nominations within a given year is February 1 of that year. Nomination forms are kept on file and reviewed yearly. Nomination forms may also be requested by email at alumni@rio.edu and are available on the alumni website at www.rio.edu/alumni.
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Mail this request to: Office of Alumni Relations, University of Rio Grande, PO Box 500, Rio Grande, OH 45674
New Trustees Inducted continued
Mary McCurdy Pierce ’67
Robert D. Foster ’85
include facilitating infrastructure improvements in Gallia County and all across Ohio in order to improve commerce. He also utilizes advanced technology in his business in order to keep his company on the cutting edge of logistical resources. Foster, who lives in Bidwell, is a member of the National Federation of Independent Business Owners, the Gallia County Chamber of Commerce and several other business and community organizations. Thomas Davisson is a Rio Grande graduate who went on to also earn a degree from the Louis National University in Evanston, Ill. Today, he serves as the Senior Vice President of the Sullivan University System in Louisville, Kentucky. “My Rio Grande education has afforded me the opportunity to pursue a career that I had never
Glenna K. McCorkle LeGrand ’65
considered, that of higher education administration,“ Davisson said, adding that his career is very fulfilling. Davisson, who said he was not a serious student in high school, did not like the larger college in which he originally enrolled and decided to try Rio Grande after he had worked a few different jobs and heard about the college from a friend. “As it turned out, Rio was the perfect place for me to complete my undergraduate education. The friends I made and lessons I learned have lasted a lifetime. Joining Archon fraternity was another great decision. Not only for the fun and friendship but also for the commitment to service to community and the university that Archon instilled in me,” Davisson said. After working for nearly 40 years in higher education administration,
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Thomas F. Davisson ’72
Davisson felt that he could use his knowledge to benefit Rio Grande, and he is honored to be a member of the Board of Trustees. “I believe that Rio Grande has a unique mission that has been, and can continue to be, a tremendous economic engine for Southeastern Ohio and beyond. There are many young people that need a small, nurturing environment with caring professors and staff that truly care about the student and the individual,” Davisson said. Rio Grande served that role perfectly for him, and he wants the institution to be able to offer even more opportunities to students of all ages. During the induction ceremony for Foster, Davisson, LeGrand and Pierce, the four new members all received Honorary Master of Public Service Degrees from Rio Grande.
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