Scene Spring 2014

SPRING 2014

fromthepresident

“I guess I enjoy changing weather in the workplace.

Certainly the opportunity to work with students, faculty, alumni, staff, donors, trustees, families and community members has always appealed to me.”

—President Tim Summerlin

Dear friends of Schreiner,

M

ore than once, when asked how I ended up as a college president, I have responded, “Because I finally yielded to my tendency to hyperactivity.” There is some levity in that reply,

but a great deal of truth too. An analogy that comes to mind is the old line about the weather in Texas: if you don’t like it, wait a few minutes and it will change.

I guess I enjoy changing weather in the workplace.

Certainly the opportunity to work with students, faculty, alumni, staff, donors, trustees, families and community members has always appealed to me.

A quick survey of this edition of SCENE illustrates some of the diverse relationships afforded in higher education. Among those who were honored at this April’s Recall, I have known Distinguished Alumni H.W. “Win” Thurber III ’63 and Dr. William B. Campbell ’40 for years. Through them I have a sharper appreciation of Schreiner circa 1940 and circa 1963. I understand better how the transformative powers of this institution are truly a heritage, not a recent creation. Like all alumni, both men have shared more than a few good stories that make Schreiner’s history come alive.

In recent years, the expansion of Schreiner’s campus ministry program has been remarkable. It has been a venue for students engaging in local community service as well as in assisting hurricane victims in Louisiana. It has taken students to Taize, France, to worship and study with international groups, and it has led individuals into their own hearts to discover a sense of calling. The story of ranch-reared John Russell Stanger offers a profound instance of such a spiritual journey. I am fortunate

2 Spring 2014 SCENE

to serve at a college where I can spend time with the students who invigorate these co-curricular programs and witness how they are changed by them.

Another joy for me is to invest time and energy with the support areas essential to our success as a learning community. Increasingly, we have come to recognize that the cliché “everyone is a recruiter” is far more than a cliché. Schreiner University, to an exceptional degree, attracts students who discover an authentic spirit of care here. They find it in faculty, but often the message is communicated first by the admission counselor whom they meet at a college night or on a first campus visit. You can learn more about the demanding art of recruiting students in our story about Director of Admission Caroline Randall.

Schreiner’s faculty, as noted, appreciates how critical their role is in creating the culture of caring and mentoring that we call “Learning by Heart.” That is why their core role as instructors merges with the other ways that they relate to students—through their engagement in developing internships or participating in campus ministry, Greek life, service activities or student recruiting. Judy Ferguson certainly illustrates those traits. And, blessed as we are in Kerrville with a cadre of talented individuals, often retirees, our work is enriched by volunteers like Rhonda Wiley-Jones, whose professional skills have proven invaluable to the university and our students.

So enjoy this gallery of alumni, staff, faculty and volunteers and appreciate the diversity that colleges afford.

Tim Summerlin

President

contents

10

14

18

22 www.schreiner.edu

SPRING 2 0 1 4

f e a t u r e s

I n

10 Mountaineer Talk

5

oncampus

26 focusongiving

8

facultynews

27 classnotes

A Summer at the Tiger Refuge

14 Schreiner Cup

t h is

iss u e

24 mountaineersports

33 inmemoriam

Tradition Renewed

18 Living His Truth One Alum’s Journey in Faith

22 Honoring Our Alumni A Look at Influential Graduates

onthecover Schreiner students gather around the coveted SU cup.

Photo by Aaron Yates ’07. www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 3

behindthescene “No doubt about it, the place you are from sticks with you long after you leave it. I think the same can be said of your university of choice as well.”

—Amy Armstrong

M

y hometown of Vicksburg, Miss., is a Civil War mecca nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River. When I think about my

childhood, I can still hear the lonesome whistle of a train speeding through the heart of downtown, and smell the intoxicating scent of honeysuckle and magnolias in the air.

No doubt about it, the place you are from sticks with you long after you leave it. (You can visit page 12 to see the myriad of places our students call home.)

I think the same can be said of your university of choice as well.

I know I still have fond memories of my time at the University of Southern Mississippi (also alma mater of former NFL star Brett Favre, for those interested in that sort of thing).

When a tornado ripped through the campus last February, the photos depicting the devastation were all the more gut wrenching because I so vividly recall the wonderful, awful, amazing and meaningful moments I had on that campus.

I know our students are building such memories here on this campus as well.

At the end of last year a co-worker and I were standing in her office, which happens to face the quad, when we noticed a group of, what we presumed to be, Schreiner students pile out of a car, run to the edge of the quad, put their “paws” up and start posing for photos. My colleague and I looked at each other misty-eyed at this spontaneous display of Schreiner pride.

That pride is on display all around our campus these days. You can see it in the resurgence of the Schreiner Cup (page 14) and the creation of THE ROAR—a video recap of the week’s sporting events—produced by the studentdriven Schreiner Sports Network. Traditions such as the Midnight Breakfast, walking the bullring, the annual freshman photo and the occasional soap bubbles in the water fountain give us a sense of community and builds memories that will resonate for years to come.

Until next time,

Amy Armstrong

editor

4 Spring 2014 SCENE

SCENE magazine welcomes letters to the editor. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Write to: scene@schreiner.edu or SCENE Magazine CMB 6229 2100 Memorial Blvd.

Kerrville, TX 78028

oncampus

Staff Spotlight

Entering With Hope

by Caitlin probandt

Caroline Randall, director of admission, has learned many things since beginning her career at Schreiner University— one of them being that she wished she’d attended a small, private liberal arts college like SU to obtain her undergraduate degree.

Randall, who grew up all around the world due to her father’s employment with the Air Force, attended Northwest Missouri State University where she dipped her toe into the admissions pond for the first time.

“I was working in college admissions at Northwest Missouri but decided it was time for a change,” she said. “I knew I wanted to work at a small school in Texas and I saw Schreiner University had an admissions position open.

After visiting, I knew it was the perfect fit for me and I started at Schreiner two weeks after that.”

Last fall, Randall was promoted from assistant director to director of admission, and she continues to pile her plate high.

“I oversee undergraduate and graduate admissions, recruiting and marketing,” she said. “We have six great admission counselors.

Not a single day is the same in this job—it is stressful but rewarding.”

In her last position, Randall was on the road often trying to spread the word about Schreiner University and recruit students.

“It is wonderful to be able to see students get excited about Schreiner,” she said. “As admission counselors, we also get to call students and tell them they are accepted—hearing their cheers is the best part about this job.”

Today, Randall leaves most of the traveling to her dream team and works on campus.

“Our main focus is attracting high-quality students and helping

them through the admission and financial aid steps, so they can be successful here,” Randall said.

“I think we have something special at SU. The president (Dr. Tim Summerlin) meets with every student that tours campus when he can and is active in recruiting efforts. With outstanding faculty and staff, this campus has so much to offer students. The bottom line is: You cannot sell anything you don’t believe in.”

Randall is married to Shaun, a Schreiner University graduate, and when she isn’t busy with work she likes to travel with her husband, enjoys reading books, watching movies and playing with her two dogs—Penny and Moxie— Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Photos: Randall with her husband, Shaun. Left: Penny & Moxie—Randall’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 5

oncampus

The Past Comes Alive One of Schreiner’s Reacting to the Past role-playing educational games was recently tested at a national conference in Michigan.

Dr. William Woods, dean of the school of liberal arts and English professor, attended the Reacting to the Past Game Development Conference, where his game “Victory or Death!: The Consultation of 1835 and the Texas War for Independence” was among six featured games being tested for further development.

“It is now considered a levelthree game,” Woods said. “Which means it has made it through a primary evaluation of RTTP editors, and it has been play-tested not only in the classroom but also at a national conference.”

This particular game has been played three times at SU. Set in October 1835, the game brings together delegates from all over the Texas colonies to San Felipe to

6 Spring 2014 SCENE

debate the question of independence from the Mexican Republic.

“Not unlike the patriots at the start of the American Revolution, the stakes are quite high; these so-called Texians of all races and social standing knew that a call for independence would result in war with the most powerful army in the Western Hemisphere, led

by Santa Anna himself,” Woods said. “The best part is being able to take our students to the Alamo for the final session of the game.

There is something remarkably powerful about standing on that sacred soil while playing a role in the establishment of the nation of Texas.”

Reacting to the Past are fast-paced and highly engaging historical reenactments for the college classroom.

These games allow students to take on the roles of actual historical figures and debate important philosophical notions at key moments in history.

Students read important historical texts, write papers and give oral presentations. Schreiner University has made Reacting to the Past part of its Interdisciplinary Studies 1301 freshmen seminar class for three years now.

There are up to three RTTP games going on each academic year.

“We are actually getting a lot of attention in academic circles,” Woods said. “We are the only school in the nation that uses RTTP in a class that every student takes. We had a nice note about it recently in the Texas Monthly.”

But why a game about this important moment in Texas history?

Woods recalls being at his very first RTTP conference at Barnard College three years ago and looking over the very impressive list of published games, scenarios covering ancient Rome and Greece, the French Revolution, the American Revolution, Darwin and Shakespeare, among many others.

“Fifteen minutes into my very first game, I was hooked,” Woods said. “I could see how powerful this type of pedagogy would be in the classroom, but I also remember thinking about my favorite class in seventh grade— Texas History—and thinking what a great game the time of the Battle of the Alamo would make.”

Woods pitched his idea to some of his RTTP colleagues and was encouraged to write the game.

“As an English teacher with just a love of Texas history, I really had to go back and do some research,” Woods said. “I’m particularly in debt to Dr. John Huddleston of our history department who helped me fill in some gaps with his lecture notes.”

The game was very well received at the game designer’s conference in Michigan last year; play-tested by some of the best designers in the country.

“Their level of intensity was remarkable,” said Woods. “They really become the characters, and they are extremely competitive. It was a thrill to watch them in action.”

Visitors to this historic gathering included bigger-than-life characters such as Sam Houston and Jim Bowie, along with Chief Bowles of the Texas Cherokees.

But did they vote for independence?

“Not that time,” Woods noted with a grin. “The Peace Party was simply too influential. They remained loyal Mexican subjects.”

The game will be played again at the first regional RTTP workshop at Schreiner University in April. If you are interested in taking part please contact Woods at 830-792-7425.

Photo: From left: Schreiner University students Katelyn Solarczyk, Justin Rogers, Derek Draper and Carleigh Hammond play the final session of the Reacting to the Past game “Victory or Death!: The Consultation of 1835 and the Texas War for Independence” at The Alamo in San Antonio.

oncampus

Volunteer Spotlight

A Born Adventurer

by Caitlin probandt

As a fourth grade geography student, Rhonda Wiley-Jones, Schreiner University volunteer, knew she wanted to visit other countries but she never imagined she could make a career out of it.

Wiley-Jones published her first book, “At Home in the World: Travel Stories of Growing Up and Growing Away” in 2013 and welcomed readers to delve into the coming-of-age memoir about fascinating places and a woman’s process of self-discovery.

“This book is what I wanted to write in the fifth grade,” Wiley-Jones said. “It took me years to complete the book, but I enjoyed every minute of it.”

With one publication down, Wiley-Jones has no intention of stopping anytime soon; she has two more books in the works.

“You have to have persistence and stick with it,” she said.

“Writing is my heart’s desire. Once I really started writing I went to a different level. It was sheer joy.”

Despite having two publications in the works, Wiley-Jones still finds

time to volunteer at Schreiner University, and her list of volunteer work is an impressive one.

“We knew wherever we retired had to have a university—it was part of the criteria,” she said. “My last professional job was academic advisor in engineering and I sought continued interaction with college students. I wanted to get involved and made contact after we moved to Kerrville. I’ve been volunteering for about five years, and I enjoy every minute of it.”

Although it is hard for WileyJones to pinpoint her favorite memory of service to Schreiner, she said she enjoys working with Cristina Martinez, associate dean of students and director of career services, in matters of career development.

“I appreciate the etiquette dinner because students get to see appropriate behavior for interviews and social settings modeled for them,” Wiley-Jones said. “They learn what is expected of them as young professionals.”

Role modeling etiquette isn’t

the only thing Wiley-Jones offers students; she also volunteers in Dr. Kathleen Hudson’s creativity course and creative writing and offers self-publication workshops to community members.

“The work I do with Cristina (Martinez) has been an ongoing pleasure, and I hope to continue being around young people,” she said. “I like to help—I like to be a role model.”

When Wiley-Jones isn’t volunteering her time at Schreiner University or busy writing her next book, she likes to travel with her husband, register voters through her work with the League of Women Voters and attend First Friday Wine Share events in Kerrville.

Photos: From left: Rhonda Wiley-Jones and her husband, Lynn. Wiley-Jones’ first book.

Wiley-Jones and Lynn enjoy a tropical vacation.

For more information on Wiley-Jones, visit http://rhondawiley-jones.com

www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 7

facultynews

Paper on Leadership

Wins Award

Schreiner University professors, Dr. Charles Salter, assistant professor of business, and Dr. Mark Woodhull, director of graduate business studies and associate professor of business, recently won the Best Paper Award at the Academy of Business Research annual fall conference.

The SU professors also collaborated on the research with Dr. Mark Green and Dr. Phyllis Duncan from Our Lady of The Lake University in San Antonio. The winning paper was, “Student Perception of Instructor Leadership Style, Student Personality and E-Learning.”

“To Dr. Salter and me, research is about discovery, illumination and advancing knowledge for the betterment of purposeful peoples’ lives,” Woodhull said. “While we do not approach research with the intent of winning awards, it’s always nice to be recognized for excellence in any endeavor. To that end, we are grateful for the recognition granted to us by peers.”

The SU professors investigated specific language and observations associated with transformational leadership in the classroom from a quantitative content analysis perspective. Salter, Woodhull, Green and Duncan compared and contrasted instructor’s leadership behaviors within a classroom in face-to-face communication and dyadic relationship environments, and then examined how leadership—especially highperforming leadership—is communicated in an environment devoid of face-to-face interaction, such as is often found between instructors and students in distance-learning environments.

“Time and time again we hear someone in the media refer to a leader as a tough leader, the statement gives the impression that leaders are very demanding of their people and sometimes authoritative and perhaps even harsh or coercive with those who work for them,” Salter said. “Good leadership does not entail harshness, as a matter of fact the best leaders are empathetic listeners, kind and respectful of those who work with and for them. They motivate others not by threats or coercive elements but through their own power, or simply their ability to be well liked. We always work harder for those we respect and we truly like.”

Photos: From left: Dr. Mark Woodhull, Dr. Charles Salter and Dr. Mary Grace Antony.

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SU Professor Earns Accolades Dr. Mary Grace Antony, assistant professor of communication studies, has won the award for Top Paper in the Intercultural Communication Division at the 84th Annual Southern States Communication convention in New Orleans for her study titled, “Tailoring Nirvana: Appropriating Yoga, Resignification and Instructional Challenges.”

Antony’s paper examines instructional challenges experienced by yoga teachers, with an emphasis on how resolving these issues impacts student-teacher relationships in the yoga classroom.

Antony also won the top award in this division last year, as well as an award from the National Communication Association.

“I am thrilled and humbled by this wonderful recognition,” Antony said. “As a self-confessed yoga enthusiast, this is a project that is close to my heart. I am deeply grateful to the yoga instructors who participated in my research. Their enthusiasm and willingness enabled me to examine this topic, and I could not have achieved this without them.”

For more information on the paper, contact Antony at mgantony@schreiner.edu

oncampus

Faculty Spotlight

SU Constructs Observatory on Weston Property The Weston property has been put to good use since becoming part of Schreiner University in February 2012. The land, located on East Main across from the athletic fields, has been used for scientific research by the practical research experience class, organismal biology lab and herpetology class, but now a gift from the Dennis Loftis estate has made the study of the night sky a possibility by way of an observatory.

“We needed a place with elevation and fewer lights,” said Dr. Charlie McCormick, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

“Dennis Loftis’ gift is funding the observatory, and it is fitting because Loftis was an amateur— but accomplished—astronomer.”

According to James Rector, construction and environment manager, the observatory is a part of the Loftis Family Science Center for the Study of the Universe, a 3,500 square foot building, which is a field biology lab and classroom.

The observatory is a freestanding, 15-foot diameter dome connected to the building by a sidewalk. The total project cost is $550,000.

McCormick said there will be many viewing areas, indoor and outdoor classrooms and controlled lighting for students, faculty and citizens to take advantage of.

“Weston property is becoming a premiere learning facility,” he said. “We can teach classes, explore and host star parties there. It’ll be a place to study all aspects of the universe—from frogs to night sky.”

Religious about Teaching

by Caitlin probandt

Judy Ferguson, director of Christian vocation programs, always knew she wanted to work in education, but it wasn’t until she heard the call to Christian education that she really felt at home in the profession.

Ferguson, married to former chairman of SU’s board of trustees, Warren, taught in the public school system, volunteered within the Presbyterian Church and served on the Schreiner University board of trustees before joining the SU church relations staff.

“I dreamed about this position,” Ferguson said. “I was called into working with the church, and now I feel so privileged to be working with great students and staff at Schreiner.”

Ferguson heads the capstone course for students interested in pursuing employment within religion and church. The program consists of an individualized internship—usually through churches, Salvation Army, Peterson Hospice or Christian camps.

“I help guide students through the process,” Ferguson said. “They have readings they complete and we meet weekly. The vocation

program helps students’ greatest joys meet the world’s greatest needs.”

Great joy is something Ferguson knows a lot about.

“I love to help students lead lives that matter,” she said. “It has been a wonderful experience, and it is nice to be with this age group that is on the edge of the rest of their lives—they keep me very engaged.”

Ferguson also serves as advisor for Celtic Cross (Presbyterian student ministry) on campus, a program she helped start years ago.

“I have been a Presbyterian since birth and active in my church since that time,” she said. “The call to do these things is natural, and that is something I try to emphasize to students—it is who I am.”

When she isn’t working, Ferguson likes to spend her free time playing golf, staying involved in her community church, reading and enjoying her four grandchildren. She also serves as president of the Riverside Nature Center Association.

Photos: Judy Ferguson with students Emily McAllister and Chris Weaks.

www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 9

mountaineertalk

How to Train Your Tiger

By Cynth ia Ow sle y Senior biolog y ma jor

W

hile tigers are not normally found in Texas, let alone the United States, there just so happen to be 25 of them, along with 12 other large exotic cats that call T iger Creek Wildlife Refuge home. T iger Creek Wildlife Refuge, located in Tyler, Texas, is a large exotic cat sanctuary that has been open to the public since 1999. I spent my summer there as an intern and learned how to care for tigers, lions, pumas, Asian leopards and bobcats. They showed me the proper way to feed using certain feed slots, how to care for and maintain various enclosures and how to train a tiger using animal behavioral techniques for medical purposes. Don’ t worry; I still have all of my fingers. As an intern I had to follow a strict hands-off policy for both my safety and the cats’.

The cat I trained, Thai, is a half Sumatran half Siberian female who learns quickly and gets bored easily.

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Training the cats serves a dual purpose as both mental exercise, an easier way to draw blood and do a daily physical examination of the cat without putting it under any kind of stress or medication.

It is interesting seeing how these cats have incredibly unique personalities. No two cats look the same either due to the unique pattern their stripes make, almost like a fingerprint. One of my favorite cats, Jasmine, was a circus cat from the Ringling Bros. Circus, and she loved attention. She would come up to the fence and chuff at the staff just to say hi and would play hide-n-seek behind her feed slot in the mornings as we were bringing in her food. Chuffing, by the way, is an affectionate, airy sound tigers make by blowing air through their noses. Tigers, along with lions and leopards, cannot purr due to a difference in the physiology of their vocal chords, so they chuff to show their affection.

mountaineertalk

A rare treat I got to experience was the arrival of two 10-month-old cubs at the end of the summer. They were a brother and sister pair named Bon Bon and Mustang (pronounced Moo-stang). They came in weighing 120 pounds and by the time I left were at 150, so they are BIG babies.

They were always curious to meet new people and loved playing tag and swimming in their pool. T igers and leopards, unlike other cats, love playing in water.

The people I worked with were fantastic. The interns were from all over the United States and were looking into all different kinds of animal care careers. The keepers loved the cats so much and have all been there at least a year. The entire animal care staff, with the exception of one keeper, was all female as well.

This is a dramatic shift from even a decade ago. Due to the nurturing side

of this career more and more females have shown interest in the animal field, which was kind of surprising to me when I heard this.

I learned so much at this internship and found myself implementing a lot of things I learned from my science classes here at Schreiner in my dayto-day activities. This was truly an amazing experience and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to work with these amazing cats.

Photos from left: Thai, a Sumatran-Siberian mix shows off her beautiful eyes; Owsley trains Thai outside of an enclosure; Sarge, a Siberian Tiger, peeks out from a tub of water; the tabby and white colored cubs are Bon Bon and Mustang, a brother and sister pair, 9 months old in these photos; Pepe, a lion rescued from Mexico, now makes his home at the refuge.

Current students interested in submitting a firstperson essay, artwork, photography or poetry for consideration, please visit www.schreiner.edu/scene/ students or call 830-792-7405.

www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 11

wherearewefrom?

Home Sweet Home

Origins Hometowns, no matter how small or how large, have a way of shaping a person into the individual they were meant to become.

At Schreiner, we welcome that individuality and celebrate it for the benefit of learning and better understanding one another.

Total STUDENT Population

CITIES Texas Alice: 2 Alvarado: 1 Amarillo: 1 Anahuac: 1 Angleton: 2 Aquilla: 1 Aransas Pass: 2 Arlington: 4 Atascosa: 1 Austin: 29 Bandera: 18 Bastrop: 1 Bayview: 1 Baytown: 1 Bellaire: 6 Belton: 4 Bertram: 1 Big Lake: 1 Blackwell: 2 Blanco: 3 Boerne: 50 Borger: 3 Brenham: 1 Brownsville: 2 Bryan: 1 Bulverde: 2 Burleson: 2 Camp Wood: 1 Canyon Lake: 6 Castroville: 4 Cedar Creek: 1 Cedar Park: 5

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Center Point: 13 Channelview: 1 Charlotte: 2 Cibolo: 7 Clyde: 1 Coahoma: 1 College Station: 1 Colleyville: 1 Columbus: 1 Comfort: 10 Conroe: 1 Coppell: 1 Copperas Cove: 5 Corpus Christi: 22 Cumby: 1 Cypress: 5 Dale: 1 Dallas: 9 Dayton: 1 Deer Park: 2 Del Rio: 6 Del Valle: 1 Denton: 1 Devine: 3 Dickinson: 1 Driftwood: 1 Early: 1 Edinburg: 4 Edna: 1 El Campo: 1 Elgin: 1 El Paso: 5 Fair Oaks Ranch: 4 Flatonia: 1 Flint: 1

Floresville: 4 Flower Mound: 1 Forney: 1 Fort Worth: 3 Fredericksburg: 22 Friendswood: 1 Frisco: 1 Galveston: 2 Garden Ridge: 2 Georgetown: 3 Goliad: 2 Gonzales: 1 Graham: 1 Granbury: 2 Granger: 1 Grapevine: 1 Hankamer: 1 Harlingen: 6 Harper: 10 Hawley: 1 Helotes: 16 Hemphill: 1 Hereford: 1 Hockley: 1 Hondo: 9 Houston: 32 Hull: 1 Humble: 2 Hunt: 11 Ingleside: 1 Ingram: 18 Irving: 1 Johnson City: 1 Junction: 8 Katy: 9

Kempner: 2 Kerrville: 214 Kilgore: 1 Killeen: 5 Kingsville: 4 Kingwood: 4 Kountze: 1 Kyle: 1 Lago Vista: 1 Lakehills: 4 Lake Jackson: 2 La Porte: 1 Laredo: 1 La Vernia: 4 League City: 5 Leakey: 1 Leander: 2 Lewisville: 2 Lindale: 2 Live Oak: 1 Llano: 2 Loving: 1 London: 1 Magnolia: 1 Manchaca: 2 Marlin: 1 Mason: 3 McAllen: 2 McDade: 1 McKinney: 2 Medina: 14 Mercedes: 1 Mexia: 1 Midland: 4 Miss. City: 4

Mission: 5 Moore: 1 Montgomery: 1 Mountain Home: 6 Mt. Vernon: 1 Mumford: 1 Natalia: 1 New Braunfels: 10 New Ulm: 1 Nolanville: 1 North Richland Hills: 1 Odessa: 3 Orange: 3 Ozona: 1 Palmer: 1 Pasadena: 5 Pecos: 1 Pflugerville: 3 Pharr: 2 Pipe Creek: 9 Plano: 7 Pleasanton: 3 Ponder: 1 Poolville: 1 Port Aransas: 1 Port Lavaca: 1 Portland: 2 Port Mansfield: 1 Poteet: 1 Prosper: 2 Rancho Viejo: 1 Red Rock: 1 Richardson: 1 Robstown: 1 Rockport: 1

Round Rock: 7 Sabinal: 2 San Angelo: 8 San Antonio: 157 San Benito: 4 San Juan: 1 San Marcos: 2 Schertz: 9 Schulenburg: 1 Scurry: 1 Seabrook: 2 Seguin: 3 Selma: 1 Sheridan: 1 Sinton: 3 Smithville: 1 Somerset: 1 Sonora: 2 Southlake: 1 South Padre Island: 1 Splendora: 1 Spring: 5 Spring Branch: 6 Springtown: 1 Stanton: 1 Stephenville: 1 Stonewall: 3 Sugarland: 5 Sweeny: 1 Tarpley: 3 Taylor: 2 Temple: 5 Texarkana: 1 Timpson: 1 Thorndale: 1

The Woodlands: 2 Three Rivers: 2 Tomball: 1 Trophy Club: 1 Tyler: 1 Universal City: 1 Utopia: 1 Uvalde: 5 Van Vleck: 1 Victoria: 2 Waco: 1 Waller: 1 Waxahachie: 1 Weatherford: 1 Weslaco: 1 Willis: 1 Wimberly: 1 Windcrest: 1 Winnie: 1

Lafayette, Louisiana: 1 Hopkinton, Massachusetts: 1 Longmeadow, Massachusetts: 1 Edgewater, Maryland: 1 Blissfield, Michigan: 1 Novi, Michigan: 1 Apple Valley, Minnesota: 1 Minnetonka, Minnesota: 1 Montgomery, Minnesota: 1 Zimmerman, Minnesota: 1 Edison, New Jersey: 1 Melville, New York: 1 Youngstown, New York: 1 Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania: 1 West Newton, Pennsylvania: 1 Gaston, South Carolina: 1 Highland, Utah: 1 United States Birmingham, Alabama: 1 Fairfax, Virginia: 1 Queen Creek, Arizona: 1 Lorton, Virginia: 1 Calabasas, California: 1 Oak Hill, Virginia: 1 Dunsmuir, California: 1 Yorktown, Virginia: 1 Edgewood, Washington: 1 Madera, California: 1 Holmen, Wisconsin: 1 Poway, California: 1 Riverside, California: 1 Central America Lakewood, Colorado: 1 Canterbury, Connecticut: 1 Quetzaltenango, Guatemala: 1 Apopka, Florida: 1 Sabinas, Coahuila: 1 Orlando, Florida: 1 Ciudad Mendoza, Lemont, Illinois: 1 Mount Prospect, Illinois: 1 Veracruz, Mexico: 1 Monterrey, Nuevo Leon: 1 Kouts, Indiana: 1

homesweethome

COUNTIES Texas Atascosa: 6 Austin: 1 Bandera: 50 Bastrop: 6 Bell: 13 Bexar: 168 Blanco: 5 Bowie: 1 Brazoria: 5 Brazos: 2 Brown: 1 Burnet: 1 Caldwell: 1

Calhoun: 1 Callahan: 1 Cameron: 13 Chambers: 3 Collin: 10 Colorado: 2 Comal: 20 Coryell: 5 Crockett: 1 Dallas: 13 Deaf Smith: 1 Denton: 3 Ector: 3 Ellis: 2 El Paso: 5 Fayette: 2 Fort Bend: 9

Franklin: 1 Frio: 1 Gaines: 1 Galveston: 8 Gillespie: 39 Goliad: 2 Gonzales: 1 Gregg: 1 Guadalupe: 19 Harris: 70 Hays: 4 Hidalgo: 16 Hood: 2 Hopkins: 1 Howard: 1 Hutchinson: 3 Jackson: 1

Jim Wells: 1 Johnson: 1 Jones: 1 Kaufman: 2 Kendall: 59 Kerr: 249 Kimble: 8 Kleberg: 2 Lampasas: 2 Lavaca: 1 Liberty: 2 Limestone: 1 Live Oak: 1 Llano: 2 Lubbock: 1 Martin: 1 Mason: 1

Matagorda: 1 McLennan: 1 Medina: 17 Midland: 3 Milam: 1 Montgomery: 6 Navarro: 1 Nolan: 2 Nueces: 27 Orange: 2 Parker: 3 Potter: 1 Reagan: 1 Real: 2 Reeves: 2 Robertson: 1 Sabine: 1

San Patricio: 5 Shelby: 1 Smith: 3 Sutton: 1 Tarrant: 11 Tom Green: 8 Travis: 32 Uvalde: 7 Val Verde: 6 Victoria: 2 Waller: 1 Washington: 1 Webb: 1 Wharton: 1 Williamson: 20 Wilson: 9 Young: 1

1,136 total number of students www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 13

Dressed in the garb of their respective org anizations, SU students hope to claim the Schreiner Cup.

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In fall 2013, a beloved Schreiner tradition was reinstated—the Schreiner Cup.

Years ago, the competition was between students in each hall on campus. Today, any student group on campus can compete to be the victors of the Cup. Dr. Charlie Hueber, dean of students, started a similar program at Trinity Valley Community College before accepting the job with Schreiner, and he said it is a great way to recognize student organizations and all the good they do for the school.

“Any group of students can participate in the competition,” Hueber said. “They get points for different activities including attending sporting events, community service projects and even donating blood during blood drives.”

Student organizations that participate are required to submit their own attendance numbers to Hueber or Matthew Goodwyn, assistant dean for leadership and engagement, so a running tally can be kept.

“Points are based on a percentage of the attendees from each group,” Hueber said.

“Right now, men’s basketball is leading the charge, and the coaches are really encouraging the kids to get out there and participate.”

Hueber said he is blown away by how much community service the participating students have accomplished, and he hopes to see the program grow.

“It has been hard to get off the ground in the past,” Hueber said. “I think once students hear the winning student organization announced at the Student Award Banquet at the end of the semester more people will want to compete. It is great to see tradition returning to Schreiner.”

Ashley Wilson, a freshman marketing major, is a work study student for Goodwyn and compiles the Schreiner Cup numbers that come in. She believes students just need a little encouragement to get involved in the program.

schreinercup

S

ince its start in 1923, Schreiner has boasted many traditions from walking the bullring during its military days to newer traditions like pouring dish soap into the fountain to create a bubble wonderland or having incoming freshman paint their “paws” and leave their mark on campus.

“I’m part of the ACE Learning Community, and it is hard to get people out of their shells and involved in something— especially freshman,” Wilson said. “I think the potential for more students to get involved is high once they see the outcome and who wins the cup. It would be fun to have bragging rights.”

Charles Nunez, a junior English major, is part of the men’s basketball team and has been involved in the Schreiner Cup competition since its relaunch.

“I have participated in many Schreiner Cup events—our coaches encourage us to get involved and support the rest of the Schreiner community,” Nunez said. “Being competitors also drives us to try and win.”

Nunez believes the Schreiner Cup has been a success considering it was just implemented a semester ago, and he sees many benefits to the program.

“It is important for students to get involved with programs like the Schreiner Cup because it opens doors to new ideas, opportunities and meeting new people,” Nunez said. “Supporting each other also creates a closer community. As a basketball program, we love to see our gym full of fans cheering and supporting us. It fuels us on the court to play harder and with more energy. It is as if we are just one big Schreiner team.”

The competition from the Schreiner Cup doesn’t stop with students, either.

Austin Falke, head junior varsity basketball coach and assistant varsity basketball coach, said the coaches are really encouraging their players to get out there and rack up the cup points.

“I think it’s important, not just for student athletes, but for all students,” Falke said. “It is a great way to get out and experience the college atmosphere and develop relationships.

Many friendships grow from events like the ones in the Schreiner Cup. I do hope the Schreiner Cup continues and even expands to include more and more events.”

www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 15

half of a whole “We went to different high schools in San Antonio and then ended up going to the same college to play soccer.

We’ve enjoyed the small classes.”

— Daniel Gonzales, freshman, pre-physical therapy and David Gonzales, freshman, business marketing

“Our mom and aunt came to Schreiner, and we wanted to stay in the small-school atmosphere we had at Center Point.

We both want to do the five-year master’s of education program.”

— Taelyr and Tyla Evans, both freshman education majors

16 Spring 2014 SCENE

— Victoria Schoenherr, freshman, pre-dentistry and Nichole Schoenherr, freshman, exercise science

“We came to Schreiner because it is so close to home (San Antonio), and we love the small atmosphere.

We always knew it was a given that we’d end up at the same college. We planned our classes so we’d have a lot of them together, too. We really like it here.”

— Evelyn Lujano, graduated from SU with a degree in mathematics and Dianne Lujano, senior, finance

halfofawhole

“We both came to Schreiner University so we could play softball. It was really cool that Schreiner wanted both of us here.”

It is no secret that siblings share a special and unbreakable bond that remains strong no matter the years that pass or the distance between them. Schreiner University is home to five sets of twins who are all uniquely different and came to SU to follow their dreams… together.

“We went to a small high school and came to Schreiner because it was the perfect size. We like the one-on-one attention from teachers who know your name.”

— Jessalie and Jiahna Ornales, both freshman psychology majors

www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 17

18 Spring 2014 SCENE

livinghistruth

Living his

truth

by Caitlin Probandt

T

he Rev. John Russell Stanger ’08, a descendent of cattle ranchers from Brazoria, didn’t intend to study religion when he first arrived at Schreiner University, and he certainly didn’t plan on becoming the first openly gay minister to be ordained in Texas, but God works in mysterious ways.

Stanger, who graduated from high school early and started college at 17, started out on the pre-medical track. After finding out science wasn’t his passion, he switched to a business major before coming into contact with The Rev. Virginia Norris-Lane, campus minister at Schreiner University.

“I was a sophomore when Gini (Norris-Lane) brought up ministry to me,” he said. “I was desperate enough to listen. At that point, I was coming into my own as a critical thinker and politics and faith appealed to me. I decided to study what interested me, which was all religion courses.”

After graduating with a B.A. in religion, Stanger

was unsure if he wanted to continue his education at seminary, so he set off for India to complete volunteer service.

“John was very bright, but his grades after freshman year did not reflect his true capability because he was in the wrong major,” Norris-Lane said. “He also loved to talk to everyone, and ministry brought both his love for people and his intellectual curiosity together.

But even after he graduated he was not yet sure he was called to go into ordained ministry, or even to seminary. It was his year of volunteer service in India that helped direct him to seminary.”

Stanger started at Austin Seminary in 2009, and it proved to be a benchmark year in many ways.

“I came out the first year of seminary,” he said.

“At Schreiner I was closeted and confused. I had only mentioned to one friend I thought I might be gay. At that point, I was terrified of it—I had no role model.”

At seminary Stanger was exposed to religion in a theological sense that helped him open up about himself.

“In seminary, we were discussing sin—sin as pride and self-denial,” he said. “I was sinning because I was not being who God created me to be. That is the point at which I decided to come out. I came out to myself first, and I came out to my parents two weeks later. A month later, I came out to everyone.”

Stanger said people at seminary were accepting to different degrees; it was uncharted territory for many of them.

www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 19

“At the end of my second year at seminary, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) passed Amendment 10-A which allowed openly gay people to serve as clergy,” Stanger said.

“Although there was no publicity around my ordination, I knew I wanted to be public about being gay and serving in the church because I had no role model. I just wanted to influence one person to be themself.”

Today, Stanger serves as Minister for Advocacy and Education at Presbyterian Welcome in New York City with a dedication to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth.

“John’s call to reach out to gay and

20 Spring 2014 SCENE

lesbian youth—a population whose suicide rates have sky rocketed in the past decade—and share with them that God not only loves them, but has a future with hope for them, is a ministry that truly brings the kingdom to those that have often been told they were unlovable by not only God, but others as well,” NorrisLane said. “It is lifesaving work and John’s passion and his pastoral sensitivity bring both warmth and urgency to this mission.”

Stanger said the most rewarding part of his job is working with young people and helping them discover what they are passionate about in life and instilling within them that God

loves them all for exactly who they are.

“I want to teach them to love themselves because God loves them through all their messiness, and other people will love them, too,” he said. “I love being able to talk to them about faith and sexuality— they can learn from my stories. I am 26, ordained and in a ministry I love. My journey was smooth, but not easy.”

For all the positive aspects that come from his job, Stanger still struggles with being misunderstood by many people.

“The most difficult part of my job is being so public about a highlycharged conversation topic,” he said.

livinghistruth

Allied Advance

A Safe Space

Photos: Main photo, first page: John Russell Stanger hugs family and friends after he is ordained. Opposite page: Stanger during his ordination. Bottom: Stanger and some of the youth he works with in New York. This page, top: Stanger and colleagues offer faith and ashes in Union Square in New York City on Ash Wednesday. Bottom: Stanger during his ordination celebrations.

Ordination photos courtesy of That All May Freely Serve (tamfs.org).

“A lot of people misunderstand, and sometimes I do take it personally when people don’t understand the heart behind it.

I try to do all my work with grace and love.”

Although the Presbyterian Church has opened more doors to LGBT people, Stanger believes there is still progress to be made across the board.

“LGBT people still make others uncomfortable, and a lot of people still don’t understand why the policy needed to be changed. There are many people who have been ready to receive a call to a church for years but

others’ prejudice about their sexual orientation stands in the way,” he said. “The church, as a whole, is uncomfortable with the topics of sexuality and gender.”

Stanger believes a lot of people sense movement within the church and realize it will make it a stronger community of acceptance and peace.

“LGBT kids will still be born into these families and churches.

It is apparent youth aren’t over this topic,” he said. “The Presbyterian Church raised me and formed my faith. I love these people.”

Schreiner University’s Allied Advance is a supportive network for gay, lesbian and bisexual students, and those questioning their sexual orientation.

Since the program’s start in 2002, Allied Advance has been providing safe spaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students to receive information and ask questions.

Sara Schmidt, faculty advisor of Allied Advance, joined the group in 2002 and has seen it grow and serve those who need it most.

“It is important for students to recognize they have allies on campus,” she said.

Students, faculty and staff are welcome to join Allied Advance after attending one of two training sessions during the fall or spring semester.

If you’re interested in joining the program, email alliedadvance@ schreiner.edu Schreiner also has a recognized student organization the Rainbow Club, which offers activities for LGBT students. For more information, contact aebauman@schreiner.edu

For more information about Allied Advance, visit http://www.schreiner.edu/ally/

www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 21

honoringouralumni Since 1923, Schreiner has been a springboard for many successful alumni. Each spring, we shine a light on SU’s most proficient ones.

Dr. William B. Campbell ’40

Walter Schulle, Jr. ’55

H

is teammates and coaches knew him as “The Flying Dutchman”—one of the best running backs in Texas from 1954-56 —and this year, Walter Schulle is the newest member of Schreiner’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

“It was a great time at Schreiner,” he said.

“I had the best coaches who taught me more than anyone else ever did.”

Schulle was the leading kickoff returner with 11 returns for 301 yards and the leading individual rusher with 133 carries for 601 yards. He was named All-Conference, First Team and All-State. Schulle also was awarded the President’s Trophy for outstanding running back, and he earned Honorable Mention and All-American Running Back.

“Football at Schreiner was great, and I enjoyed it,” he said. “If it had been a full fouryear college I never would have left.”

After graduating from Schreiner, Schulle attended Southwest Texas (now Texas State University) where he was the Bobcat’s leading rusher in 1957.

He earned his bachelor’s degree and got a job teaching and coaching football.

“After playing football it is in your blood,” he said. “Being able to coach was fun—I had good youngsters.”

Schulle coached for 34 years in San Marcos, Santa Fe, Gary Job Corps and New Braunfels Independent School District. He also coached two teams to the state championship.

However, football wasn’t Schulle’s only forte, he also taught driver’s education during the summer—something he continues to do today.

Since retiring from coaching and teaching, Schulle spends a lot of time outdoors and on his ranch working with livestock.

22 Spring 2014 SCENE

W

hen 14-year-old Dr. William B. Campbell came to Schreiner, he already had the lay of the land—Campbell had attended Camp Rio Vista and had family friends who taught at Schreiner.

When he arrived on campus, the Palestine, Texas, native was in need of schooling help.

“I enjoyed my time at Schreiner,” Campbell said. “I struggled with dyslexia and then went on to graduate second in my class. I learned a lot, including how to drink beer—I found out I was allergic to hops.”

After graduating high school, Campbell went on to Davidson College and then to The University of Texas at Austin, where he enlisted in the Navy during World War II. He was chosen to go to Officers Training School, was wounded during the war and discharged.

After the war, Campbell returned to Davidson and graduated with a degree in English and history in 1947. He then returned to The University of Texas at Austin and obtained his master’s degree in English.

In fall of 1948, Campbell got a scholarship to Oxford University and served as president for the American Students Association, which consisted of more than 4,000 students.

“How they managed to select me as president, I’ll never know,” he said. “I gave 30 speeches on Sen. (Joseph) McCarthy and what he was doing in the United States.”

A few years later, Campbell gained his doctorate through the Institute of Historical Research at The University of London. Campbell wrote “The Day After Tomorrow” to earn his master’s degree and “William Gordon, Priest and Commissary” for his doctorate, but those weren’t his first works, and they won’t be his last.

“I still write in my journal every day,” he said. “I have more than 60,000 pages of handwritten notes. I’ve been keeping one since camp.”

After his schooling, Campbell went on to represent the U.S. at the British Intelligence Base during the Korean Conflict. Afterward, he returned home and was hired by Sewanee: The University of the South as provost and vice president. During his tenure, he helped integrate the university.

“It was an exclusive boy’s school when I arrived of about 600 students,” Campbell said. “I helped integrate the school.”

Campbell also helped establish Kirby Hall School, a place for “super” students who had their hearts set on Ivy League schools.

In the late 1980s, Campbell joined the Peace Corps and taught students at the University of Tunisian in Sousse, North Africa.

Today, Campbell resides in Austin where he keeps up with his writing and stays involved in the community.

H

orace Winchester Thurber III, recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award, might be chairman and chief executive officer of Norton Lilly International—an international shipping agency—but he had humble beginnings in Kerrville at Schreiner high school and junior college.

“I have fond memories of Schreiner,” Thurber said. “It was a military high school and junior college when I was there, but I’ve been back to campus and there is a similarity in the fact that teachers and administrators still care about and know the students.”

Current Schreiner University President, Dr. Tim Summerlin, recently had the pleasure of showing Thurber just how much his alma mater had changed.

“I had the chance to talk with Thurber, a true friend even though we don’t get to see one another nearly as often as we would like,” Summerlin said. “We chatted in my office on a weekend, and, as time came for him to leave, he asked to go outside so that I could take a photo of him in a particular location. Years ago, he had a conversation there with a previous president. He remembered the occasion and the words, and he acknowledged how true they had proven to be.

Now he felt the need to record that location visually. As we continued to talk, he reflected on Schreiner experiences that had influenced him.”

Thurber, originally from Mobile, Ala., said Schreiner president Dr. Andrew Edington had a connection back in Mobile and that was the real reason he ended up at school at Schreiner.

“We had around 20 people from Mobile at Schreiner,” he said. “I remember I spent a week with Dr. Edington before deciding on Schreiner. It was a great place to build a foundation.”

In 1963, Thurber left Schreiner and continued his education at Trinity University in San Antonio. After college, Thurber struck out on his own and started his own shipping business, which became a major company. Today, Thurber is owner and CEO of Norton Lilly International—a global shipping agency— which handles all functions in the marine market.

Despite being 71, Thurber has absolutely no intention of retiring, and a lot of that is due to his love for the job.

When Thurber isn’t working he likes to hunt, fish, play golf and spend time in Montana. He also enjoys Alabama football games with his wife and the grandchildren, but his primary joy in life is being with his family—especially his grandchildren.

F

or Tom L. Thornhill, recently named to the Athletic Hall of Honor, Schreiner was a blessing in so many ways.

Thornhill, who was born in Abilene and raised in Houston, was awarded a football scholarship in 1955 that allowed him to attend Schreiner.

“My parents couldn’t afford for me to go to college and this was a scholarship,” he said. “It was my opportunity to go to college where they wore uniforms, the students couldn’t have cars and it was a male-only military college that offered discipline. Athletics was always my primary interest and I would get to play football.”

Thornhill played tackle on the field and excelled in the classroom.

“They wouldn’t let you fail,” he said. “Schreiner had small classes with outstanding teachers and coaches.”

During his year and a half at Schreiner, Thornhill got to play in the All-Texas Junior College Football Squad in 1956.

After Schreiner, Thornhill attended Tulsa College for a year and from there moved on to University of Georgia, participating in football at both.

“I graduated from University of Georgia in 1960,” he said.

“I played with an outstanding quarterback, Fran Tarkenton, and we played at the Orange Bowl in Miami in 1960.”

Once out of college, Thornhill just couldn’t find it in his heart to leave classrooms and fields behind, so he taught school and coached for 37 years. He also got into the administration side of public education and served as vice principal, principal and helped run a juvenile detention facility.

“This profession appealed to me because people had helped me to succeed and this was a way of paying it back,” he said. “I have enjoyed working with youth.”

Throughout his adventures in schooling, Thornhill still holds onto a lot of sentiment for Schreiner.

“Schreiner got me started in getting a higher education,” he said. “Schreiner gave me discipline and self-esteem. Football was always just a means to move forward.”

Today, Thornhill is retired and living in Sun City with his wife. He loves spending time with his friends and family, reading, staying active in his church and going out to dinner.

honoringouralumni

Tom L. Thornhill ’57

H.W. “Win” Thurber III ’63

www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 23

mountaineersports

For schedules and more athletic news, visit http://athletics.schreiner.edu

New Cross-Country Coach Named Cullen Dees has been named Schreiner University’s head coach for the women’s and men’s cross-country teams.

Dees took the reins in late February after

serving as the assistant coach for the men’s and women’s tennis teams for two years.

“I am excited to begin this new chapter of my life,” Dees said. “God has really blessed me here at Schreiner. I am really looking forward to turning cross-country around, and creating a new atmosphere of team unity and hard work. I have been lucky to learn from Coach (Wade) Morgan, what it takes to successfully turn around a sports program at Schreiner.

In just two years, he took the women’s tennis team from the bottom of the rankings to one of the best teams on campus. I look at that and take it as a challenge to do the same with cross-country. I know it is possible and cannot wait to see what’s in store.”

Dees attended Hardin-Simmons University

24 Spring 2014 SCENE

where he graduated cum laude with a degree in exercise science. During his time at HSU, Dees was a four-year letterman on the tennis team. He helped the squad reach the conference tournament three out of his four years.

“We wanted to find someone who could build on the former coach’s great efforts and experience while also adding someone with a passion for building two solid, successful programs full of committed runners,” said Ron Macosko, SU athletic director. “Coaching takes a lot of energy, sacrifice and commitment and Cullen Dees has already shown he has an inexhaustible supply in all three categories.

He’s learned a tremendous amount working with coach Wade Morgan to build our tennis programs. He has paid his dues, even being willing to work as a volunteer to break into the coaching field he loves. He is also a tremendously diverse fitness expert with a passion for running. We think our runners are going to love being around him.”

mountaineersports

Photo: Bottom row, from left: Jacklynn Martinez, Codi Simmons, Kelsie Jackson, Kim Garcia, Bailey Harris, Chris Jones and Sha’Q Fuselier. Top row, from left: Sabriyyah Fennell, Olivia Lott, Tylor Rambeau, Chelsea Watters, Lindsey Peterson, Kaitlyn Goertz and Sarah Huffman.

Women’s Basketball In his inaugural year, head coach Temaine Wright helmed the best year for Schreiner women’s basketball in its NCAA history. Like the men’s team, the Mountaineers went 15-12 overall— crushing the previous record for most wins in a season. The team also went 9-5 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (tying for third place in the league) and won its first-round game in the SCAC Tournament. Senior Lindsey Peterson led the league in scoring (16.6 points per game) and sophomore Kelsie Jackson was fourth in scoring at 15.3 points per game. Peterson was First Team All-SCAC, and Jackson was named to the All-SCAC Second Team. Senior Bailey Harris earned All-SCAC Honorable Mention as well. Replacing Peterson and Harris (as well as senior Chelsea Watters) will be a challenge for Wright, but he has a solid nucleus returning and will have a chance to add his first full recruiting class to the mix in 2014-15.

Photo: Bottom row, from left: Hollis Robinson, Christian Pena, Stevan Guerrero, Tyler Guderyahn, Charlie Nunez, Jared Thompson, AJ Myres, Dustin Lindner and Adrian Marin. Top row, from left: Austin Falke, Connor Kuykendall, Maverick Harris, Wes Miller, Dustin Bercutt, Phillip Kee, Grant Clark, Zach Behr, Nick Garcia and coach Jimmy Smith.

Men’s Basketball The Mountaineers, under second-year head coach Jimmy Smith, had their best season in the NCAA era. The team set a school record for wins with a record of 15-12 overall and went 10-4 (second place) in their first season in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. SU also won its first playoff game, soundly defeating Austin College in the quarterfinals of the SCAC Tournament, 67-47. Senior AJ Myres was named both the SCAC Co-Player of the Year and Defensive Player-of-the-Year. Junior Steve Guerrero, despite battling injuries the last half of the year, earned Second Team All-SCAC and a pair of freshmen, Wes Miller and Maverick Harris, were named Honorable Mention All-SCAC. The squad loses three seniors (Myres, Tyler Guderyahn and Grant Clark) but returns with a very solid cast who should continue the upward trajectory of the program next season.

www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 25

focusongiving Repurposed Buildings Await $4.8 Million More in Gift Funding

by Karen davis kilgore

December was a time of celebration on campus for more than one reason. Faculty, staff

Campus Ministry and Worship Center Will Reflect Schreiner’s Values

Building, performing and theater arts students endure substandard facilities scattered in awkward and students left for the Christmas San Antonio architects, Lopez Salas locations throughout the campus. holiday with the heartening news Schreiner intends to remedy these Inc. have just completed drawings that all $11.1 million needed for conditions by turning an openthat transform the existing Dietert the Athletic and Event Center was air building into a modern and Chapel/Auditorium (built in the secured and construction could attractive instructional and rehearsal ’60s) into flexible spaces for much commence. Huser Construction of hall. In addition, the Hanszen smaller groups. From fellowship Kerrville stood poised and ready Fine Arts Building right next door and office spaces to a 100-seat and began the very next day. to the Rex Kelly Pavilion will recital hall and 208-seat chapel, Athletes who will be seniors benefit from electrical, plumbing the “new” complex will likely be next year should be able to play and cosmetic upgrades. The one of the most popular spaces on their final basketball and volleyball two facilities will have attractive campus. The center will also offer games in the sparkling new facility landscaping and an outdoor spaces for peer counseling and scheduled to open in December. “arts park” connecting them. community service initiatives, as well And, as the 2014-15 school year With 11,000 square feet of as settings for discovery of vocation. comes to a close, the beautiful space, the Music Education In addition, a quiet meditation new Stephens Arena will welcome Hall will provide an orchestralarea outside—a garden or labyrinth, baccalaureate and commencement sized practice space, an ensemble perhaps—will provide an attractive guests in a space large enough studio, individual practice rooms, setting for solitude and reflection. to seat all who wish to attend. classrooms, a recording studio, a The $3.46 million project still music library, climate-controlled requires $2.43 million in gifts Creating a Premier Place storage areas and faculty offices. before construction can begin. of Learning Continues Kerrville’s Peter W. Lewis and Memorial and tribute naming Assoc. are the project architects.

Fundraising for other campus opportunities are available. For All of the construction, improvements continues with more information, please contact renovation and endowment total equal intensity and enthusiasm as $3.36 million, with $2.38 million Schreiner seeks to repurpose existing Karen Davis Kilgore, director of yet-to-raise. Tribute and naming facilities for new uses. The Campus development, at 830-792-7205. opportunities are available.

Ministry and Worship Center Music Education Hall Will and the Music Education Hall Provide Much-Needed will support lively and successful If you are interested in helping with this Teaching and Practice Spaces programs with facilities that project, please contact Mark Tuschak, consolidate activities and symbolize While the visual arts occupy vice president for advancement and attractive, modern space in the Schreiner’s commitments to these public affairs, at 830-792-7215. facets of liberal arts education.

Cailloux Professional Studies 26 Spring 2014 SCENE

classnotes

classnotes

class notes Your fellow alumni would love to know where you are and what you’ve been up to. Submitting a class note is easy: just visit https://forms.schreiner.edu/classnotes.html or contact us at 830-792-7405 or scene@schreiner.edu

1950s

Theo Blue ’51 writes, “The photo I sent is of Roy and Marianne Brown, Lynn and myself, and was taken when Lynn and I were guests of Roy and Marianne at the YO in January. This is first time we have been together in four years.

Roy and I were roommates in Hoon Hall at Schreiner Institute in the 1950 era. Since Roy and Marianne moved to Fredericksburg a few years ago and Lynn and I recently moved to Kerrville it will be easier to get together.”

John South ’58 wrote, “I am sorry to report that Martha, my wife of 50-plus years, died of complications of ALS on Thanksgiving Day. I continue to live in Lexington, Va. A celebration of her life is planned for later this summer.”

1960s

H.W. “Win” Thurber III ’63 In December, the Containerization and Intermodal Institute presented H.W. Thurber III, chairman and CEO of Norton

Lilly International, with the 2013 Connie Award at a luncheon in New Jersey. Presented since 1972 to outstanding leaders in the shipping industry, the “Connie” is short for container. The award recognizes Thurber’s leadership in the earliest years of containerization and his revitalization of the shipping agency concept and Norton Lilly.

The highlight for Win was the introduction to the 300-plus guests by his son, H. Winchester Thurber IV.

www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 27

classnotes

of his right arm, as well as a hip fracture and dislocation. He is making a very slow but steady recovery. In the meantime, I’m in my third year of teaching Spanish at Round Rock High School, and I am also the 2014 vice president for scholarships for the Capital City A&M Club.”

1980s

Lisa (Wickline) Puffer ’89 married Brandon Puffer.

The couple lives in Georgetown, Texas.

1990s

Melissa Haglund Lee ’91 writes, “After 12 years as a vocational coordinator and transition specialist for Willis ISD, I moved school districts and I am now teaching life skills at Huntsville Intermediate School. I am in my 19th year as an educator. My son, Gage, who is a third grader, attends school right across the street at Scott Johnson Elementary School.

Gage continues to be involved in baseball and has 4-H animals for the stock show. My twin sister, Theresa Haglund Menges ’91 is still in Willis ISD as the special education coordinator and also lives in Huntsville.”

Ashley (Jensen) Aldridge ’94 wrote, “On August 11, 2013, my husband was in a near fatal motorcycle accident near Boerne. He sustained a traumatic above-elbow amputation

28 Spring 2014 SCENE

2000s

Nancy Nixon-Garcia ’04 and Larry Garcia welcomed Pedro George Garcia in September.

The couple resides in Waco, Texas, with Pete and their 4-year-old daughter Layla. Nancy continues to work full-time for Midway ISD as an evaluation specialist.

Travis Arreaga ’05 writes, “I am happy to announce that I have accepted the student success coordinator position at Coastal Bend College in Beeville, Texas, working with the Title V Cooperative Education grant. This grant helps developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions to improve retention and

completion rates. I also will be doing some contract work with Kenneth Bethune ’05 at his law office. I am very excited at this new opportunity to continue to grow my career in higher education.”

Emily Conn ’06 wrote, “I graduated in December of 2006 from Schreiner with a degree in education. In 2009, I finished my master’s in special education at the University of Houston. For the next several years, I worked for a small nonprofit company tutoring students with reading deficits and doing research in that same field for the University of Texas Health and Science Center.

In the summer of 2012, I took a job with a private school in Houston— St. Francis Episcopal, working with 2 and 3 year olds. At the end of last school year, I decided they were a bit too young for me and instead started working with 3 and 4 year olds. This summer I also moved in to my very first apartment, and I adopted a kitten named Sasha.”

Brandi Sullivan ’08 writes, “I have been a police officer for the city of Dallas for about five years. I met my husband Daniel Sullivan in the police academy. We have been married for two years and our baby girl, Sophia, was born on December 1. She is such a blessing and a bundle of joy. Life is great and we are beyond blessed.”

Jaclyn Cannaday ’09 writes, “I graduated from Washburn University School of Law with a certificate in advocacy with distinction in December. I then relocated to Alma, Neb., as a new associate with the firm Duncan, Duncan, Walker and Schenker.”

classnotes

When Love Goes Viral

2010s

Breanne Lawrence ’11 writes, “In June I was promoted to publications/registration at Texas Association for School Nutrition, a nonprofit I work for in Austin.

We work with school nutrition workers throughout the state of Texas, offering opportunities to further their education. I currently handle all registration for events and I am editor of our quarterly publication, the TASNews. In July, I’ll be attending the School Nutrition Association Annual Conference in Boston, Texas. This organization is the national version of our organization.”

Matt Tomasello ’10

Miguel Hopkins ’12 writes, “After graduating in December 2012, and with nonstop applying, emailing and unthinkable time on LinkedIn, I was granted an interview with the San Antonio Spurs, San Antonio Scorpions and FC Dallas. I was offered the position for each and then had only two days to decide where to go. Not knowing a single person in Dallas, I moved to the big

Matt Tomasello, who graduated in 2010 with a degree in graphic design from Schreiner University, is a creative guy, so it is no surprise he came up with an inventive proposal for his new fiancée.

Tomasello, a graphics coordinator for Accredo Packaging, proposed to his girlfriend during game night by drawing a picture of a chapel and two people getting married during a game of Pictionary.

“We play board games all the

time, so I figured it would be perfect to fit it in one of the board games,” he said. “That way she wouldn’t expect anything.”

Tomasello’s fiancée, Pam, wasn’t expecting the proposal, and the couple certainly wasn’t expecting the video of the occasion to go viral and picked up by Yahoo.com, ABC and Good Morning America.

“Pam just posted the video on YouTube and Facebook for her family to see,” he said.

“Apparently it grew!”

www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 29

classnotes Want to find a classmate? www.schreiner.edu/alumni/email-directory

at-risk students at low performing schools. My goal is to improve my students’ attendance, behavior and coursework. I’m the math coordinator at my site, which means I work closely with the math department head, I put on school-wide math initiatives every month, and I check that my team’s math lessons follow the curriculum. It has been such a rewarding semester so far—full of service to the community. I helped build a playground for the Winston School and I’ve had incredible opportunities where I’ve met with Mayor Julian Castro and former United Nations ambassador Sichan Siv.”

city with just my business clothes and a couple of bags of groceries.

I started my first day at FC Dallas in February last year and came in with a class of 12 other sales and marketing representatives like myself. I was the first of the 12 to get promoted to full time with the team after just two months and made top salesman of the year! I met so many great people and have made unbelievable connections here with all the Dallas sports teams, including my favorite—the Dallas Cowboys!

Only three of us made it through the whole season, and the other two were let go during the holiday break. So here I am, as the only representative from my class, ready to take on another exciting, yet challenging second season here at FC Dallas. Since I was named salesman of the year for FC Dallas, I was also granted the top 100 sales representatives in Major League Soccer. As I look back, it has been a long ride in just a year, and I have learned more about myself in this time than I have in my entire life. I look forward to staying motivated to my dreams and goals and doing what it takes to be successful and advancing my career in sports.”

Amanda Middleton ’13 has been named the First Year Educator of the Year at Northside Independent School District’s Mary Burns Michael Elementary. Middleton enjoys teaching second grade and is very honored to receive this award. “I teach beside so many wonderful educators, and I feel so lucky to have my passion for teaching shine so brightly that others take notice.”

30 Spring 2014 SCENE

Wendy Saldivar ’13 writes, “I work for a nonprofit organization called City Year, whose main focus is lowering the high school dropout rate. I am a resource to a school in the San Antonio Independent School District by helping re-teach and individualize eighth grade math lessons for the

Aaron James ’11 wrote, “I recently collaborated with former Schreiner professor Dr. Juan Gonzalez and some of his University of TexasPan American students on a research project. Our project resulted in a poster presentation at the Texas Physical Therapy Association annual convention in Arlington. While at the convention, I was pleasantly surprised at the strong showing of Schreiner alumni there. We were well represented with mine and one other poster presentations, at least one practicing physical therapist.

Dr. Gonzales indicated that he had run into several others who were in graduate programs and were working to become physical therapists. It made me proud to see so many successful people from our department. We definitely held our own against many of the big schools. Keep up the good work.”

classnotes

SU Grad Wins Grammy

Shauna Dodds ’02 Shauna Dodds, a 2002 SU graduate, and her sister, Sarah, founded Backstage Design Studio in 2004 in Austin and concentrated their efforts on design for the Texas music Industry.

This year, the Dodds’ design of Reckless Kelly’s “Long Night Moon” album won a Grammy for Best Recording Package. The packaging features glow-in-thedark ink, hidden images and messages and secret codes.

“Sarah and I are still trying to wrap our heads around this turn of events,” Dodds said. “We definitely didn’t think we could possibly win. How could we?

We were up against some of the biggest names in music. Jay Z, alone, was nominated for nine Grammys this year. For all intents and purposes, we shouldn’t have won. So, the fact that The Recording Academy has honored us with this award is simply beyond belief.”

Last year, the Dodds sisters were nominated for their work on Reckless Kelly’s “Good Luck & True Love.” Both albums are also the first two records on Reckless Kelly’s own label, No Big Deal Records.

For more information about Backstage Design Studio, visit http://backstagedesigns.com

Photo: Shauna Dodds, right, and her sister Sarah, pose with their 2014 Grammy.

The pair won Best Recording Package for Reckless Kelly’s “Long Night Moon.”

www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 31

roundup

April 2

Texas Music Coffeehouse Series Spoken word and open mic night featuring Seth Law and Lyrical Hip-Hop Thom Joy Poet, Floyd & Kathleen Cailloux Campus Activity Center Lion’s Den, 7 p.m.

4-6

Schreiner Recall Weekend For more information contact Paul Camfield, associate director of Alumni Relations, phcamfield@ schreiner.edu or 830-792-7206.

11-13

“House of Bernarda Alba” A play by Federico Lorca; performed

by The Flag is Up Productions, $2 for public and free to students, 7:30 p.m.

Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m.

Sunday, Hanszen Fine Arts Building Studio Theatre.

14

Concert Band Performance Floyd & Kathleen Cailloux Campus Activity Center Ballroom, 7 p.m.

21

Monday Night Fiction “Gun Shy” by Ben Rehder, presented by Dr. Carrie West, assistant professor of communication studies, William Logan Library, Scarle-Philips Room, 7 p.m.

32 Spring 2014 SCENE

May

2014

2014

22

5

Floyd & Kathleen Cailloux Campus Activity Center, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Floyd & Kathleen Cailloux Campus Activity Center, Ballroom, 7:30 p.m.

Student Achievement Showcase

Advanced Student Music Recital

15th Annual Popular Culture Symposium A program in connection with the Student Achievement Showcase, Floyd & Kathleen Cailloux Campus Activity Center, 4 p.m.

String Chamber Ensemble Floyd & Kathleen Cailloux Campus Activity Center, 7:30 p.m.

23

10

Graduation Baccalaureate Service 10:30 a.m.

Commencement 1:30 p.m.

Big Idea Leadership Lecture Series Presented by Ms. Deborah WartkoConner, assistance professor of visual arts, Moody Science Building, Room 106, 7:30 p.m.

27

Spring Choir Concert First Presbyterian Church in Kerrville, free admission, 6 p.m.

28

Holocaust Remembrance DayYom Hashoah Floyd & Kathleen Cailloux Campus Activity Center, 7 p.m.

Online

GIVING

Supporting Schreiner University is easier than ever now.

Please visit our online giving website at www.schreiner. edu/giving, where you can make a secure gift—one that will benefit Schreiner students for years to come— in a matter of seconds. If you have questions, contact Karen Kilgore, planned giving advisor and director of development, at kkilgore@schreiner.edu or call 830-792-7205.

roundup

In Memoriam Former Students Mr. Billy D. Abell ’59 November 24, 2013, Amarillo

Mr. Milton L. Pfefferkorn ’47 June 24, 2013, Lockhart, Texas

Mr. Louis Broussard ’40 October 25, 2013, San Antonio

Mr. Donald W. Robbins ’93 December 9, 2013, Kerrville

Col. Robert F. Darden Jr. ’46 December 28, 2011, Waco

Mrs. Martha J. Stevens ’64 January 10, 2014, Harper, Texas

Mrs. Doris L. Goss ’92 December 9, 2013, Kerrville

Mrs. Marianne Turner ’77 December 29, 2013, Big Spring, Texas

Mr. Will Hadden Jr. ’38 December 5, 2008, Tyler, Texas Mr. Robert B. Hadden ’43 October 14, 2003, Tyler, Texas Mr. Lee E. Hearn Jr. ’64 November 8, 2012, Bay City, Texas Ms. Barbara J. Hooker ’87 October 21, 2013, Junction, Texas Mr. Patrick Keough ’64 January 29, 2011, San Antonio Mrs. Patsy A. Likin ’76 December 12, 2013, Kerrville Mr. Richard A. Neffendorf Jr. ’74 October 4, 2013, Fredericksburg, Texas Mr. Robert J. Pacharzina ’53 January 23, 2014, Horseshoe Bay, Texas The Honorable E.H. Patton Jr. ’40 January 24, 2014, Houston

Mr. Robert P. Wallace ’42 November 21, 2013, San Antonio Mr. Thad L. Weber ’71 October 30, 2013, Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas Mr. Wreno S. Wynne ’71 December 20, 2013, Kaufman, Texas

Alumni Spouse Mrs. Martha South November 28, 2014, Lexington, Va.

Schreiner Oaks Society Mrs. Joan C. Griffin November 20, 2013, Dallas Ms. Linda Wattonville Huxley, Iowa

backcover Daniel Hicks blasts a clay pigeon out of the sky as Drucilla Meier releases another target.

The Schreiner University Shooting Sports Team recently won the ACUI Lower Midwest Conference Championship in San Antonio. Colleges competing against Schreiner included, University of Texas, Texas A&M, Trinity University, Sam Houston State, Tarrant County College, Connors State College, Wichita State and Jacksonville University.

saveatree We are committed to keeping you informed about Schreiner’s people and programs while being a good steward of the University’s resources. To that end, we ask that you help by sending us your email address so that we can spend less on paper, printing and postage.

Just e-mail scene@schreiner.edu.

Thank you.

Find us online

www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 33

wrap it up

34 Spring 2014 SCENE

4 SPRING 201

backpage

Schreiner students check out the newest van featuring a wrap created

by SU graphic designer Jake Roa. The clever fool-the-eye design was created to not only increase awareness of Schreiner but to also draw people to our website. The QR code and message “Meet Our Students” takes you to a Web page that introduces each student featured on the van. This van joins Schreiner’s two buses with wraps also designed by Roa.

SCENEMagazine editor

Amy Armstrong director of university relations

art direction and design

Stephanie Lopez Keller assistant art director of creative services

writer

Caitlin Probandt staff writer

contributing writer

Karen Davis Kilgore director of development

sports

Ryan Brisbin Temaine Wright sports information directors

president

Dr. Tim Summerlin board chairman

Michael Pate sfsa board president

Steve Daniels ’80 SCENE is a publication of the University Relations Office and is distributed three times a year free of charge to Schreiner former students, current students, faculty, parents and friends. An online version is available at www.schreiner.edu/scene.

Want to be included on the SCENE mailing list? Send your name and address to Amy Armstrong, Schreiner University, CMB 6229, 2100 Memorial Blvd., Kerrville, TX 78028, or email scene@schreiner.edu Change of address? Call the Office of Advancement at 830-792-7201.

Schreiner University is an independent liberal arts institution related by covenant and choice to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Schreiner University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, extra-curricular programs or employment against any individual on the basis of that individual’s race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, veteran status or ethnic origin. Inquiries/complaints should be forwarded to the Director of Human Resources, at 830-792-7375.

www.schreiner.edu Spring 2014 35

CMB 6229 2100 Memorial Blvd.

Kerrville, Texas 78028-5611

www.schreiner.edu/scene