Wesleyan magazine Fall 2019

O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T E X A S W E S L E YA N U N I V E R S I T Y

A new heart of campus opens its doors

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THE DREAM BECOMES REAL RAMS REMEMBER Good times worth sharing

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FA L L 2 0 1 9

HAPPY CAMPERS Smiling faces revel in the aftermath of the Ram Camp Color Wars, one of the many relationship-building activities during this year’s two-day orientation for new students.

Don’t worry, the colored dust was washed off in the water games that followed. During camp, the 110 new Rams were split into 10 color teams, then competed in a variety of light-hearted competitions, culminating in service projects at places such as the Humane Society and a homeless shelter.

RAMS IN FOCUS

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

DEEP IN THE HEART OF TXWES

Our campus has transformed

Dear Alumni and Friends,

This fall we opened the doors to the most important addition to our campus in a century — the Nick and Lou Martin University Center.

This wonderful facility touches all the facets of the one thing we hold most dear, our students.

It has provided a warm and inviting welcome for potential students and their families; it engages our current students with more robust student activities; it has prepared students for success by connecting with our alumni and the greater community.

That’s why we celebrate this new era at Texas Wesleyan University.

We celebrate for our students.

We dedicated this amazing facility on Sept. 24 in front of our enthusiastic students, exceptional faculty, dedicated supporters and donors, as well as members of the Board of Trustees and local community and political leaders. I say again to them, thank you. You are building a better future for all of us.

Your gifts have given me, this administration and this university the confidence to know that our best days are to come.

ON THE COVER The Martin Center opened with a Texas-sized celebration.

Frederick G. Slabach President Texas Wesleyan University 2

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Photo by Chuck Greeson

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Wesleyan

FALL 2019 COVER 14 BUILDING EXCITEMENT

The Martin Center opens its doors

FEATURES 20 GOLDEN GIRL

Johnnie Marie Elia Benson ’48 recalls campus life

22 AHA! MOMENTS

Wesleyan memories that stayed with you

DEPARTMENTS 4 NEWS & EVENTS

Latest news and social media

10 MOVERS & SHAKERS

Practical help from our experts

24 SPORTS REPORT

Bobby Cornett ’72, Hall of Fame inductees

26 ALUMNI

Reunion, class notes, Garry Jones ’13 and more

32 LAST WORD

Softball team touches a life

PRESIDENT

Frederick G. Slabach

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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Shannon Lamberson

EDITOR

Nancy B. Strini

DESIGN

A NEW CHAPTER IN THE WESLEYAN STORY There was quite a reception when the Martin Center opened.

txwes.edu/MCFB

TEXAS WESLEYAN STAFF Jim Lewis, vice president for university advancement

John Veilleux MBA ’04, vice president for enrollment, marketing & communications

OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT

Sterling Creative Paula Tran

817-531-4404 817-531-7560 FAX alumni@txwes.edu

PHOTOGRAPHY

CONTACT US

Chuck Greeson

wesleyan@txwes.edu 817-531-5810

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rick Mauch Neph Rivera Louis Sherwood ’89

COPY EDITOR

Janna Franzwa Canard

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NEWS & EVENTS

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY: AN EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP The innovative approach to teaching is working — and just received a five-year extension The establishment in May of a first-of-itskind Leadership Academy Network gives a partnership between Texas Wesleyan and Fort Worth ISD the resources needed to increase student success. It builds on a model piloted by the school district in 2017 that brought expertise and teachers to low-performing schools.

The Leadership Academy model features high-achieving teachers and principals, specifically chosen for their track record of significant growth with similar students and their willingness to engage in rigorous work. They focus on instructional excellence, extendedday learning, social-emotional support for students and enhanced parent and community partnerships.

Texas Wesleyan will operate and manage the schools under a performance contract, and the Texas Wesleyan board will serve as the governing board for the Leadership Academy Network. The university’s School of Education will provide data-driven academic oversight and intensive professional development, based on faculty expertise in instruction, curriculum and administration.

Students in the Leadership Academy at Como Elementary were lauded this spring when they appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show for music videos they produced. In honor of the hard work of students and staff, DeGeneres presented the school with a $50,000 donation from Cheerios, to go toward the campus’s food pantry and the purchase of student laptops.

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Growing your network Leadership Forum celebrates International Women’s Day A morning networking tea kicked off this year’s Women in Leadership Forum.

Guest speaker and Selling in a Skirt author Judy Hoberman then talked about the seven qualities of leadership before the attendees enjoyed a visual representation of 80 years of fashion that shaped women in leadership in our society. The event is held every March to celebrate International Women’s Day and marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

“Acetylcholinesterase”

BEE CHAMPS Faculty are the best spellers—again After acing the spelling of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that is found in the human body, the Wesleyan Crushers returned to the top of the spelling mountain, winning the Tarrant County Literacy Coalition Spelling Bee for the fifth time in the last six years.

The Crushers — Bruce McDonald, professor of religion, philosophy and humanities; Marilyn Pugh, associate professor of psychology; and Mary Anne Clark, professor of biology — took home the trophy from the event held April 23 at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center.

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NEWS & EVENTS

PLAYMARKET SUCCESS IN NEW YORK Alumna Elizabeth Nelson ’03 earned top honors in May when her play, Colors Inside the Body, was selected as the top play at the 2019 Playmarket in New York City. The work was presented at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and directed by Professor of Theatre and Playmarket Coordinator Connie Whitt-Lambert.

The mission of the historic off-

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Broadway venue is to present diverse, challenging and provocative plays that might not otherwise be produced and to foster the future voices of the American theater.

Students who traveled to New York for Playmarket also saw the Tonywinning best musical Hadestown. Fort Worthian Ahmad Simmons is in the ensemble and arranged a talkback

where students met members of the cast and crew.

Actors Jonathan Groff and Lea Michele attended Hadestown the same evening and also spoke with Texas Wesleyan students. Both actors appeared in the original cast of Spring Awakening on Broadway, the Tony-award winning musical Theatre Wesleyan presented in 2017.

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UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENT PRESENTS WORK AT STATE RESEARCH DAY

GRANT WILL BOOST STUDENT PROJECTS

Maria Perez, senior psychology major, represented Texas Wesleyan University at Undergraduate Research Day at the Texas State Capitol in April.

Perez presented her research titled, “Psychological Representation of Money Depends on Both Quantity and Whether it is Gained or Lost.” Perez’ work was one of 75 research projects representing 50 colleges and universities across Texas. She and faculty interacted with state officials and attended committee hearings and panels.

Students conducting research got support from the Vivienne Redlich Charitable Trust when it gave $32,000 to support lab research by science students. Professor of Biology Bruce Benz will be the project director, and science faculty will select the student recipients. As part of their major, all Texas Wesleyan science students take part in as many as two semesters of independent research. The students then present their findings at local, national and international conferences.

Making us proud RAMS BRING HOME NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, EARN ACADEMIC HONORS Golf

Table tennis

National honors

The Texas Wesleyan men’s golf team held up the red banner in April, winning the 2019 NAIA Men’s Golf Championship by 11 shots.

The Rams took the crown from the defending Oklahoma City Stars and moved into second place in all-time national championship wins.

The 2019 title is the first national championship for the team since 1999. In addition, Bobby Cornett ’72 was named Coach of the Year for the fourth time in his career. He has coached the team to four NAIA National Championships (1990, 1995, 1999, 2019), and he also won the championship as a TXWES player in 1969. Read more about Cornett on page 24.

The Texas Wesleyan table tennis program added four more championship trophies to its collection this year — coed team, women’s team, men’s doubles and men’s singles.

Texas Wesleyan now has 73 national championships in table tennis. Teams earned at least one national championship every year since the program’s inception in 2002. In the last 15 years, the Rams have finished no worse than second in the coed team championship event, taking 14 titles.

A record number of Ram athletes — 149 — were named to the SAC Commissioners Honor Roll this year, the most in the four years that TXWES has competed in the SAC, beating last year’s total of 147. The honor is given to any student-athlete who maintains a 3.0 GPA in the academic year.

In golf, the Rams earned a whopping five All-Americans — the most spots of any program in the country and the first time an entire Texas Wesleyan championship team made the AllAmericans list.

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NEWS & EVENTS

TXWES EXPERTS IN THE MEDIA

“

They’re looking for another way to get some attention to fill up their lives with something important. Often, they’re people that feel like life is out of control.

“

”

When we see major changes made in gun control policy, it’s typically coming from some cultural upheaval or Adkinson, Ph.D., associate some massive Cary professor of criminal justice, WFAA/News 8 reporter events in our told Lauren Zakalik in a story discussing a nationwide ban culture. on the gun accessory known as

“

”

Linda Metcalf, Ph.D., director of graduate counseling programs, told WFAA/News 8 reporter Bradley Blackburn discussing the mental disorder Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

bump stocks.

”

The caption is ‘This is a joke.’ But really, it’s not a joke.

WEB EXTRAS For more university news: txwes.edu/ universitynews

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Michelle Payne ’96 M.Ed. ’97 J.D. ’99, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, told KTVT/CBS 11 reporter Ken Molestina on a proposal from U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas that calls for money forfeited by convicted drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman for border security and completion of a border wall.

“

It’s really all about the students.

But in order to do that, we need to be a catalyst for economic revitalization for the community.

That’s why we’re engaged in the Rosedale Renaissance.

”

Frederick G. Slabach, president, told KXAS/NBC 5 anchor Deborah Ferguson in a story on the Rosedale Renaissance and the Nick and Lou Martin University Center.

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SOCIAL

CHATTER

SHARING THE LOVE OF READING Book drive helps local kids

texaswesleyan Check out our new mural designed by Ralph Tobin and inspired by Joan Miró. Do you know where this is on campus? #TXWES #muralart

The Student Government Association and the Black Student Association collected 563 books for students at D. McRae, S.S. Dillow and Meadowbrook Elementary Schools this spring.

“The drive was incredibly successful. It was amazing to see how happy the kids were when we delivered the books,” said Lexi Barlow, SGA representative.

SGA and BSA focused on helping schools in the TXWES community. Each school is less than a 10-minute drive from campus. Barlow and fellow SGA representative Conner Parish delivered the books just before spring break.

Elizabeth Miranda @scholarsin302 Aug 28 Reppin our Alma Mater @TexasWesleyan with @scneel & this little nugget on #KISDCollegeColors Day! @LoneStarElem #theplacetobe

SMALLER. SMARTER. MORE CLEVER. Campaign wins at ADDYs The American Advertising Federation’s Fort Worth chapter honored TXWES with four ADDY awards during its annual awards ceremony in February.

The “Smaller. Smarter.” campaign received a gold award for its billboards, a gold in the local television commercial category, a silver in the internet commercial category for its 100% online MBA ad and was named the overall best in film/video/sound.

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Aug 29 #ICYMI, a #TXWES dorm room makeover!

Check out how Sorted Out, LLC freshened up this Stella Hall room on Good Morning Texas!

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

LESSONS

FROM THE

RAMILY 10

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Advice from TXWES alumni to help you remain a lifelong learner In each issue, we share tips and stories from influential members of the Texas Wesleyan community. Contact us at wesleyan@txwes.edu to tell us about someone you think is making an impact.

Top interview tips

By Christy Cates ’01 MBA ’01

During my career at Whitley Penn, I have interviewed hundreds of job seekers.

Most of the interviews have been filled with pleasant conversations about the company and the candidates’ experience and career goals. Every once in a while, though, I wonder why a particular candidate scheduled the interview. In these cases, he or she is not engaged in conversation, doesn’t know much about the position, and seems to have not prepared for the interview at all. It’s a waste of time for everyone involved.

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RESEARCH THE COMPANY AHEAD OF TIME

MAKE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION

Gather as much information as possible about the company, the role you’re interviewing for and who you’ll be talking to. Consider things such as the history and growth of the organization, other locations, turnover and tenure of current employees. Prepare to share your thoughts on what attracted you to this company.

Go into the interview with confidence.

You’re selling yourself and your skills and you’ll want to talk about experiences in a positive way. Be aware of manners and body language. The interviewer will be gathering information from the way you look, act and communicate, not just from what you say.

COME PREPARED TO ASK QUESTIONS

Nothing is worse for an interviewer than when the candidate has no questions to ask. The candidate comes across as indifferent and lazy. Have a list of questions prepared. You may not end up asking them all, depending on how the conversation progresses, but have the list ready. It’s okay to ask the same question to more than one person, especially if it’s an opinion or about personal experiences.

PRACTICE ANSWERING QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE

Be prepared to respond to “Tell me about yourself ” and other open-ended questions. Think about some stories that you can share when asked about your experiences. Consider how you’ve worked in group settings, worked under pressure, helped to attain company goals, etc.

FOLLOW UP AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Reach out to each person that you interviewed with. On the same day, you should send them an email or a handwritten thank-you note. Express your gratitude for the opportunity and for their time. Let them know what is most important to you in your job search and why you believe the position aligns with that. Remind them of one or two things that you bring to the table and why you are deserving of their consideration.

Christy Cates, a tax partner at Whitley Penn, serves as a board member for Susan G. Komen Greater Fort Worth and previously served in a leadership role on the board of directors for the Arts Council of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Christy has been named one of the 40 Under 40 by the Fort Worth Business Press and has won the Rising Star award from the Texas Society of CPAs. Christy is a member of the Texas Wesleyan President’s Advisory Board.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Being a good citizen

By Eric Montoya ’07 M.Ed. ’15

As a classroom teacher, I valued the importance of ensuring that my students had an awareness and practice of social appropriateness. In our current day it seems that simple kindness and caring gets lost in the hustle and bustle of daily life.

BE THANKFUL

LEARN

Saying “thank you” or writing a thank-you note allows others to feel appreciated, respected and valued.

Learning will never stop no matter your age. Learn all you can in the classroom, but also take time to learn about those around you, for everyone has something to teach us.

BE HELPFUL

Being helpful shows others that you care. Take a moment to ask a friend, “How may I help you?” or “Will you please help me?” Oftentimes we may not know when help is needed.

LISTEN

It is an honor to share my Top 5 important points to being a kind and caring citizen.

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Listen to your teachers. Listen to your parents. Listen to your friends.

Oftentimes we do so much talking and not enough listening that we miss out on opportunities had we been a more thoughtful listener.

BE RESPECTFUL

Be respectful to those around you.

You are a representative of your family and where you have come from. Be respectful by being kind to others, being a helper or simply remembering to say please and thank you.

Eric Montoya is currently an assistant principal at J.T. Stevens Elementary School in Fort Worth and serves as vice president of the TXWES Alumni Association Board of Directors.

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Staging your home for sale

By DeeAnn Windebank Moore ’82

When selling your house, it is important to present it in the best light possible.

It must feel welcoming so potential owners can see themselves living there.

DECLUTTER AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

Most buyers will probably get a first look at your home through photos online. Those photos tend to magnify clutter. While it might feel comfortable in person, it can still feel crowded online. Clear desks and countertops in all rooms to ensure the best photos.

REMOVE PERSONAL ITEMS WHEN TAKING PHOTOS

Here are tips for getting your house ready for sale in today’s real estate market.

Speaking of clutter, pay close attention to any personal items that may be photographed. Buyers can easily get distracted from a space with personal belongings. Keep in mind: you’re not selling furniture, photos or other items. You’re selling the house and its features. Belongings can clutter an area and hide design features. You want prospective buyers to visualize themselves in the home instead of seeing a vision of a current homeowner. Also, it’s safer for you and your family since you won’t be putting out photos of yourselves.

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO LIGHTING

People prefer to live and work in natural lighting compared to artificial. A dark room is an immediate turn off to most buyers.

It’s best to ref lect the home in bright natural light. This will help show the home as it is clearly. But if light bulbs are a factor, remember that different types can give off different hues, changing how we perceive the TXWES.EDU

room’s colors. Multiple types in one room can result in different shades of light competing with each other. So, make sure all the light bulbs are of the same type.

CURB APPEAL IS KEY

Curb appeal, or the home’s outside look, will help form a prospective buyer’s initial opinion, whether good or bad. The exterior can easily sway a buyer’s thoughts. A great landscaped lawn serves as a ref lection of the entire home. I recommend keeping the home’s paint fresh and the windows clean. Even some fresh f lowers in pots by the front door can help keep buyers interested.

SET THE RIGHT PRICE

The home’s initial price can also play an impact on the opinion of a potential buyer. You want to set the right price to reach as many buyers as possible within the range. Some factors I consider include home sales within the previous six months in the neighborhood, along with current supply and demand.

DeeAnn Windebank Moore, wife of Barry Moore ’82, is the owner of Moore Real Estate in Fort Worth and has specialized in luxury homes for 15 years. She has been the top sales agent in the Mira Vista community since 2013. Learn more at her website LuxuryFortWorthHomes.com.

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COVER

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TRANSFORMING

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CAMPUS LIFE THE NEW MARTIN CENTER OPENS ITS DOORS

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COVER

Y

ou could call it the campus living room; the place everyone lands.

But we call it the Martin Center.

The beautiful new Nick and Lou Martin University Center is the heart of campus, both literally and figuratively: It sits in the middle of campus and is at the heart of our 21st century renaissance.

It opened in August, and the transformation has already begun.

This dynamic environment for growth reunites student and community activities — once scattered around the margins of the campus — and features meeting spaces where random acts of learning and friendship can spontaneously erupt: in offices for student groups and Admissions, in the game room or a multiuse ballroom, at the outdoor amphitheater or the bookstore, and around tables scattered indoors and out for a bite to eat or cup of coffee.

We hope you’ll come and visit, but until then, here’s a peek at this amazing new facility.

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2020 VISION COMES ALIVE The Nick and Lou Martin University Center is a central part of the university’s strategic plan — 2020 Vision — laid out in 2012. Here are some ways the 44,000-square-foot, $20.4 million facility fulfills those goals.

Enhances student life Lots of space is dedicated to student-essential areas such as more dining options, an expanded bookstore, a career center, study areas and game rooms.

Supports Admissions Prospective students will get a taste of the “Smaller.

Smarter.” way of life when they visit the Admissions welcome center in the building during their visit to campus.

Expands student support Student-focused offices like Student Life, student organizations and student government have modern, centrally-located work areas.

Left: A student game room and lounge, along with student organization rooms on the second floor, offer flexible configurations through furniture, AV and gaming equipment and lighting controls. Wide corridors open up to the bookstore, coffee bar, fast food shops and places for meeting or eating.

This page: Quiet study nooks and community spaces glow with natural light. There’s plenty of room for student activity and community gatherings. A highly polished Spatulata plaster finish lights up the interior of the staircase connecting the two floor levels. The elevator, surrounded by flame-inspired tiles, lifts riders in more ways than one.

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Engages the community Paul and Judy Andrews Hall, a 300-seat ballroom, can host everything from event dinners to student orientations and will be available for community organizations as well. It is the largest event space in east Fort Worth.

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Energy-efficient LED lighting throughout is equipped with customizable controls, occupancy and daylight harvesting sensors.

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The custom terrazzo flooring shines with the Texas Wesleyan school colors and mirror flake.

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Another great detail: The tiles in this alcove wall are not only eye-catching, they’re in the school color palette.

Left: Lou Martin HON ’03 (center) wielded ceremonial shears with (left to right) Chris Ohan ’90, associate professor of history, faculty chair; Jorge Vivar ’76, president, Alumni Association Board of Directors; Alyssa Hutchinson, president, Student Government Association; Martin family members; and Willie the Ram. Bottom: Student Rambassadors led tours.

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Even the walls are inspiring — this flame-like tile design surrounding the stairs and elevator reminds visitors of the Texas Wesleyan brand.

This page: Accordion doors can open up to the amphitheater outside to create a performance space in the dining area. An art installation by Dallas sculptor Brad Oldham ’89 honors the Order of the Golden Ram. Outside, covered areas with tables and chairs provide more gathering spots, along with a quiet garden and fountain.

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GOLDEN GIRL

FEATURE

Johnnie Benson ’48 shares memories of her post-WWII college days

Johnnie Marie Elia Benson ’48 made the most of her time at Texas Wesleyan: she was editor of the yearbook, Freshman Class Beauty, Freshman Campus Sweetheart, Sophomore Class Favorite, Senior Class Favorite and May Queen.

She participated in Golden Shears, Alpha Chi, Entre Amis, the Baptist Student Union, the band and served as a majorette.

She completed her degree in only three years, graduating at age 19, replicating her high school experience where she skipped a grade, graduating from Polytechnic High at the age of 16.

Not surprisingly, Benson became highly influential in the nursing home and health care field, and credits her years at TXWES as essential to her success.

Here are just a few of her favorite recollections of the post-WWII social swirl on Wesleyan’s campus.

“

I WAS THE YOUNGEST ONE NEARLY EVERYWHERE I WENT. I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT I WANTED TO DO WHEN I WENT TO COLLEGE, ONLY THAT I WANTED A CAREER. 20

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THEY PREPARED ME FOR THE FUTURE. I WISH I’D BEEN THE PERSON WHO DEVELOPED THE QUOTE ‘SMALLER. SMARTER.’ BECAUSE THAT REALLY TOLD THE WHOLE STORY OF WHAT THE UNIVERSITY WAS DOING.

T

he campus was booming in Benson’s college days: The student population nearly doubled in two years — from 990 in 1945 to 1,835 in 1947, mostly due to returning GIs. There were a dozen buildings on campus: seven for housing, three for academics, a gym and the Ram Trading Shack. The campus and local community converged seamlessly in the businesses along Rosedale Street. Many students, like Benson, lived in town. (She notes they didn’t have a parking problem back then.“We walked or rode bikes.”)

The two blocks of shops provided jobs and entertainment. When asked about social life, Benson fondly remembers the smaller, less-formal campus places, where life erupted spontaneously and relationships grew.

“The Ram Shack, a little wooden building

tucked behind the administration building, was a central gathering spot on campus. It was about 20 square feet where you could get cold drinks, doughnuts, snacks and coffee. President Law Sone — what an earth angel — often had coffee there. He encouraged the entire faculty to interact with the student body, so they knew our names, even off campus.

The dorms had social areas on the first floor, which was their day room, and we took advantage of that, that’s where we met. We would get together there and have little meetings and desserts. We loved the food we prepared ourselves. We would put a paper tablecloth over a long table and drink punch, always punch because TXWES.EDU

”

it’s all we had, and we were ready for a party. The girls loved when boys had social activities in their area, but they were very careful how much boys and girls mixed.

Mother was always worried about the GIs who were coming back because they were so much older and more experienced. We young ones were just overcome to see all these vets and hear all their war stories.

At Ashburn’s Ice Cream Company, you could get a huge dip for 5 cents. Most of the vets got two dips. Across the street was a Rockyfeller Hamburger place. It had a long counter, no booths and could seat six to eight people. We would get a hamburger with french fries.

We had the movie house, the Varsity. A ticket was 10 or 15 cents to get in. Once a month they held a talent show on the stage, and first prize was $2. My allowance was 25 cents a week; 5 cents had to go to church. I could get into the show for 10 cents and have a hamburger. I won a few times tap dancing. Second place was $1.50 and third place was $1. That was my allowance for a whole month. We had people who could sing, and they rightly won more often.

Renfro Drug Store was on the corner, and there was a dime store called Mott’s.

I worked for them when I was in high school. The pay was 25 cents an hour, but they gave me an extra dime because I was popular and would pull people in on Saturday. After several years they started paying 75 cents.

Across the street was Burge Hardware.

One of their boys is an alum. Behind

Burge was the original Masonic Temple.

That’s where I joined Eastern Star. I was a Rainbow girl then, the teen organization for Masons.

Martin’s Dry Goods was in one block.

That was ready-to-wear and cosmetics and such, like an early JCPenney store.

We would get contributions from them for campus activities.

We had fun — but we had clean fun back then.”

Comment at wesleyan@txwes.edu

Johnnie was chipper as ever at the spring alumni reunion, where she was given the Ambassador of the Golden Shears award during the Golden Shears brunch.

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?

NEXT ISSUE

Want to share memories of your Wesleyan days?

Email us at wesleyan@txwes.edu.

CAMPUS MEMORIES It’s hard to pick a favorite, but some of you did

Live music in the student union — such a great way to relax between classes. I also enjoyed being Mortar Board president and working with students on campus to contribute to the community. As part of the hall council for Stella Russell, we organized a fun bingo with over $200 in prizes for dorm residents. —Julie Ledford ’93

Living on campus (Stella Russell and Elizabeth halls), cheerleading, working in the academic advisors office, Gamma Phi Beta, robing ceremony, winning the Guardian of the Golden Shears, and all the lifelong friends I made while there.

—Desiree Bohls ’05

Being robed by Dr. Alice Wonders.

—Cindy Kennedy Michael ’74

I made so many friends there — some I hardly see and others lifelong friendships. I met amazing professors like Dr. Miranda. I occasionally quote Dr. Martinez: “Somebody help this child!” Others who touched my heart were Dr. Ward, Dr. Anderson, Dr. L. Dryden, Dr. J. Gaffner and a few more.

Great memories indeed. I especially loved how the class size was mostly always small. —Diana Moreno ’98

I’m a very nostalgic person and recall countless valued moments, but two jump ahead in my mind: (1) the honor of being the founding president of Alpha Phi Omega (men’s service fraternity in October 1963) and being asked in 1998 after my retirement to be their advisor; (2) I also fondly remember our robing ceremony in Polytechnic Methodist Church by one of my favorite professors. —Charles “Chuck” Willett ’66

Living on campus (Armstrong and Mulkey) and working in the Business Office. I met so many amazing people!

—Dawn LaFleur ’96

I enjoyed free pizza and extra credit.

—Danielle Cook ’14

When the dean came and got me out of class and said, “You’re going to be a school teacher.” Wow! I’d never even thought about being a school teacher. After much discussion and the dean not taking no for an answer, I was interviewed on the spot and was sent to a school 400 miles from home. Well, that was an awesome five years! I have never looked for a job — they have just fallen in my lap, from sackboy to land developer. God is good.

—Ed Martin ’65

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Dedication of the clock tower the day after back to the future day.

I enjoyed being a part of a family, working on campus, the fitness center, and how my classes were small and diverse. —Maestra Evela Every moment — good, bad and stressful — at The Rambler with Amber Causey Letsche ’00, Kelli Lamers ’99, Jason Lamers ’98, James Pfaffengut, Jon McKenzie ’99, Dustin Fockler and Marian Haber.

—Julie King-Henry ’00

Living on campus in Stella Russell Hall with my fellow cheerleading captains Allison Enrriques and Saba Washuleski, cheering and dancing at the basketball games, Golden Shears/BSA/SGA meetings and working at the Advancement & Alumni Office with the best co-workers ever. —Nikkina Robinson ’00

—Tanner A. Pruitt ’16 M.Ed ’17

My wife and I met while we were both cheerleaders.

—Robby Castetter ’14

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I loved my time at Texas Wesleyan! I enjoyed living in Elizabeth Hall; working in the office as an RA; being a part of the theatre department and Alpha Xi Delta; making many wonderful friends; the smaller classes; hanging out at Mama’s Pizza; and Dr. Sowell’s study abroad trip to Great Britian in the summer of 1993, accompanied by Dr. DeLotto, Dr. Toxey and Dr. Simons. It was great to earn class credit while taking classes by these four professors in Scotland and England.

—Amy Alt ’94

1. Best moment was when Tim Smith kissed me as he walked away to get his pledge pin on the “lawn” of the Lambda Chi Alpha house. A parking lot is there now, but he can point out the exact spot. Almost 32 years later, I’m still grateful for that moment every day. 2. Realizing how much my professors were invested in me — and not just those in the School of Business. Drs. Dollar, Burnett, Hart, Norwood, DeLotto, Henderson, Mr. McKenzie and so many others influenced my future in ways they could never know. Years later, I drew from their influence as I became a teacher and led my own classes. 3. The conferring of my degree. It was a first for my family, and I almost burst with pride. Being a Ram literally changed my life.

—Laura Patterson Smith ’90

Courage to Teach with Dr. Twyla Miranda.

—Denise Schmidt ’11 M.Ed. ’14

Being a cheerleader and an Alpha Xi Delta gave me pride to be a Ram! Meeting new friends each year in the dorms and creating new hallway games was always fun. An even better memory was marrying my best friend Mark. We joke that we had a Wesleyan wedding as most of our wedding party were Wesleyan grads/students.

—Stacy Baker Dissinger ’02 M.Ed. ’08

Everything that happened in Dr. Burnside, Childs, Haber, Hale, McDonald, Sewell and Sowell’s classes. They all made it clear their students were the priority. —Christine Anne Peirce Coleman ’05

Bingo!

Before finals.

—Maricela Martinez ’18

The moment I walked up the stairs in the McFadden science building after six months study abroad at Edgehill College in Ormskirk, U.K. My future husband Michael Sawey ’94 was waiting for me in the biology lounge on the third floor and often retells the moment he heard my laughter and his heart quickened ... we were engaged in less than three months. This year we celebrate 25 years of marriage.

—April Sawey ’94 M.Ed. ’98

Watching the sun rise from the old Admin Building during my 8 a.m. history class.

—Crystal Lee Freels ’77

On my first test in my first class with Dr. Michael Sewell, I wrote him a joke (as well as my answers to the exam questions).

He has a tremendous sense of humor and answered me back! This became a tradition on pretty much every test I took in his classes. And at my robing, we stood there telling each other jokes! Good people. Good times. And a great education.

That’s Texas Wesleyan! —Jan Pettigrew Wilde ’94

Joining Lambda Tau Zeta! I remember everything about it! —Sarina Brown

TXWES.EDU

FALL 2019 | Wesleyan

23

SPORTS REPORT

Q&A with

BOBBY CORNETT As the golf team adds yet another national championship trophy to the cabinet, Coach Bobby Cornett ’72 is handing over the coaching reins to focus on fundraising and development for the beloved program. He will now be an assistant coach to Shaun Hensley ’15, who Cornett says has been the workhorse on the team for several years as assistant coach.

Cornett has been an integral part of the athletic program for more than 40 years, as a player, coach, mentor and leader. In addition to his contributions in golf, he was the driving force behind the creation of the table tennis program.

In its long (nearly 80 years) and storied history, men’s golf has had only three head coaches. What made you all so successful? All of us believed

the most important part of the equation is that students adhere to their education first.

It’s important for them to understand that the skills that make them successful in the sport are the same tools that will help them be successful in life. That’s why we’ve won over 225 collegiate tournaments and had more than 101 All-Americans and 35 to 40 academic All-Americans.

Statistics show that someone who excels both academically and athletically is a well-rounded person, and they are some of the most successful people as adults. So the thing we spend the most energy on is trying to get them to think the thoughts and ingrain the routines that give them the best 24

Wesleyan | FALL 2019

chance for success. That’s really easy to say and really hard to do. Especially since a round takes four to five hours. You’ve got to manage those thoughts for a long time.

What has changed over the more than 40 years you’ve been involved in the program? It’s become harder and

harder for us to find places to play because the number of courses is declining. For decades we played at city courses, which helped us develop younger players and get them into the sport, but that is going away this year. Fort Worth has cut us completely out.

The number of players is declining as well, so the biggest change for us has been the introduction of more international students. They come from different cultures and backgrounds and languages and when we mix all those guys together, it’s an interesting dynamic. Everyone has to find a way to pull the wagon in the same direction in the pressure cooker of competition.

So we have focused on people who represent their national teams in their home countries, who have international experience and are used to traveling and

playing in important tournaments. The five players from this year’s championship team came from Japan, Ireland, Spain, South Africa and Dallas. When these guys travel together, they get to know a lot about each other. And that’s what we need around the world, for people to get to know one another. We’re doing that here, a little bit at a time.

Why do you think people love the game of golf so much? There’s an old

book called Golf in the Kingdom — it’s a bit tongue in cheek — but one of the characters in the book put forth a theory on that. It goes back to when the hunter gatherers got food by throwing rocks and spears and shooting arrows: The arc of a projectile, when done correctly, is stamped into the DNA from prehistoric time.

When you think of the flight of a golf ball, it’s the same thing — you visualize this flight in your mind, then create it like an artist and make it a reality with your body. It is something of beauty. You have to be proficient at both mind and body to accomplish that.

And that’s the joy in the sport to me.

TXWES.EDU

Career highlights Texas Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame 1986 Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame 2010 NAIA Hall of Fame 2012 NAIA National Coach of the Year while leading the team to national championships in 1990, 1995, 1999, 2019 As a player Cornett led the Rams to four Big State Conference Championships and an NAIA National Championship in 1969 In 1972 Cornett was named NAIA All-American and was the Big State Conference individual medalist In 18 seasons his teams have produced 77 wins, with at least one win in 17 seasons In all but two seasons the team produced multiple victories Twice his teams posted eight wins in a season (1989 and 1999), just one shy of the school record of nine wins set by O.D. Bounds’ 1983 squad In total he has coached 41 All-Americans and 19 NAIA Scholar-Athletes

2019 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES The Texas Wesleyan University Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee has announced six new inductees to the Athletic Hall of Fame. The new inductees will join the prestigious roster of the 46 current members of the Athletic Hall of Fame.

BEN HUNT ’07

SAMANTHA MORROW ’81

MEN’S BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MIKE KRSNAK ’87

JASNA RATHER M.ED. ’11

MEN’S GOLF

TABLE TENNIS

IAN LEGGATT ’89

LARRY SMITH

MEN’S GOLF

BASEBALL COACH (1971–1977)

Get the latest news from Texas Wesleyan athletics no matter where you are. Sign up for the e-newsletter by emailing Sports Information Director Ryan Keating at rkeating@txwes.edu.

TXWES.EDU

FALL 2019 | Wesleyan

25

ALUMNI

Q&A

A Career In Politics Garry Jones ’13 on getting involved.

Jones is the chief of staff and campaign manager for Texas State Sen. Beverly Powell ’92 MBA ’99 who represents the 10th district.

How did your interest in politics develop? I have been interested in politics

and public service since I was a kid. Some of my earliest memories were attending political rallies with my parents, and I was fortunate to have opportunities to volunteer with local political campaigns in high school.

The opportunity to work on President Obama’s successful 2012 reelection campaign confirmed that public service was the career I wanted. Working on that campaign in a crucial swing state was the professional development experience that taught me practical skills I have employed on numerous campaigns since, including Sen. Powell’s in 2018. Without Wesleyan allowing me to earn limited credit hours the semester I worked in President Obama’s campaign, this opportunity would not have been possible.

What motivates you in your work?

Serving the people of the 10th Senate District and Tarrant County motivates me daily. As we have seen with the development around Wesleyan, Tarrant County is rapidly changing and growing. The ability to play a small but important role in advocating for policies that will lead to the future growth of this incredible region keeps me going every day.

What advice do you have for someone considering politics as a career? Politics has changed rapidly in the

few years that I have done it professionally.

Even back in 2012, the media landscape and the nationalization of politics was not as prevalent. Politics is changing and as a political professional I have to change 26

Wesleyan | FALL 2019

with it. I would advise anyone interested in politics to get as much hands-on experience as soon as possible. Gaining practical experience in the campaign or policy-making arena will provide you with the tools and experiences necessary to quickly adapt to an ever-changing political environment.

What’s next for you? I was honored

to run Sen. Powell’s campaign and to continue serving her and the people of Tarrant County as her chief of staff. I look forward to continuing in this role and ensuring her reelection in 2 1/2 years.

Beyond that, I am excited for what the future holds and for the chance to broaden my understanding of politics, public service and community service.

SPRING Getting together The April reunion featured a golf tournament hosted by the Ram Club, the alumni reunion dinner, a brunch that honored Alpha Chi & Golden Shears, the Blue & Gold football scrimmage, a performance and afterglow party for the musical Avenue Q and the first-ever Wesleyan Wine Walk that included a tour of the Martin Center.

Don’t miss the big event in 2020: Alumni Reunion and second annual Wesleyan Wine Walk April 24-25. Visit txwes.edu/reunion.

Tell us about your favorite experiences at TXWES. The ability to

interact one-on-one with professors and students who were equally interested in political science is one of my top Wesleyan memories.

Dr. Salih, Dr. Payne and Dr. Irons were the professors who had the most influence — Dr. Payne and Dr. Salih taught classes that I use to this day, such as Legislative Process and Campaigns and Elections.

While I was not a religion major, Dr. Irons’ New Testament class provided me with invaluable critical thinking skills I still use.

Outside the classroom, Wesleyan gave me opportunities to become a leader on campus, from the Student Government Association to leadership positions in my fraternity.

— Neph Rivera TXWES.EDU

REUNION

T IT’S ABOUE R AM TIM.

S JOIN U D. L O V VE G ET IN .

TOUCH STAY IN

TXWES.EDU

RANGERS NIGHT

FALL 2019 | Wesleyan

27

ALUMNI

CLASS NOTES

GOT NEWS? SHARE IT!

1970s

Visit txwes.edu/alumni | Email alumni@txwes.edu | Call 817-531-6548

(executive producer) were all involved in the summer Stage West production of Holmes and Watson.

Bobby Cornett ’72

was named GCAA National Coach of the Year.

Pearl (Ayers) Friesenhahn ’72

retired after working 35 years with the Department of Defense. She also worked on NASA contracts in Houston for 11 years.

Judy Clayton Pugh ’76 received

certification as an approved director at Sweet Adelines International, an organization that promotes fourpart a cappella harmony in the barbershop style.

Laith Sando ’02 was featured in

Burleson NOW magazine for his talent in the sport of curling. His mother and grandfather competed nationally in the sport, and he and his family are continuing the legacy. Laith is married to Jennifer Barnes Sando ’02, a member of the TXWES Alumni Association Board of Directors.

1990s

Johnny Isom ’96 was named athletic

director for Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas.

published her first children’s book, Sabeel and her Superheroes, which is available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Gage law firm in its recently opened Dallas office. Kurt’s onboarding expands the firm’s team of toxic and mass tort and product liability and personal injury attorneys.

Bryan Stevenson ’01 (lighting design), current student Jasmine Mesre (assistant stage manager) and Dana Schultes ’98

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Wesleyan | FALL 2019

welcomed a baby boy, Thiago, into the world on March 13.

Ayah Sayyed ’06

Kurt Greve ’98 has joined the Lathrop

Excellence in Teaching Award at Pantego Christian Academy.

Karime Naime ’04

Rusty welcomed Madilyn Elizabeth to their family in November 2018. If Madilyn decides to become a Ram, she will be a third-generation Texas Wesleyan attendee.

has been appointed as an assistant whip for the 116th Congress.

Leslie Hopton-Jones ’00 received the

play that was chosen for this year’s Playmarket trip. Her play, Colors Inside the Body, was presented at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater in New York City.

Amy (Barnett) Suson ’04 and husband

Marc Veasey ’95

2000s

Elizabeth Nelson ’03 wrote the winning

Jen Teague ’02 started a podcast called

#BeAHiringHero in January. It’s available through iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic and Anchor. The purpose of each episode is to help startups and small businesses looking to expand to understand how to make better hiring decisions.

2010s

Johnny Gonzales ’10 appeared on a

recent episode of Law & Order.

Meghan ’10 and Jackson Lopez ’11

welcomed a daughter into their family in September 2018.

Meghan recently TXWES.EDU

BECOME A SOCIAL RAM Want to support your alma mater, but don’t have much time? Sign up to be a Social Ram and share university news and events on social media with just the click of a button. The more you share the better your chances are to win cool TXWES prizes. txwes.edu/socialrams

graduated with her master’s in nursing administration from UTA and was hired as the director of nursing for a facility in West Texas. Jackson is working as a professor for Weatherford College and TCC Trinity River Campus.

Morgan Marr ’10 and wife Emily

welcomed their new baby, Sterling, into the world on Feb. 10.

Ryan Keating ’11 and

Dr. Morgan Kirkpatrick ’15

graduated from medical school and will complete a f ive-year general surger y residency in Orlando.

Hayley Eaker ’16 was named Bridgeport

Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Tyler Guse ’17 and Clarissa Murillo ’17

are currently working as costume technicians for Disney Cruise Line.

wife Mindy welcomed baby girl, Amelia, to their family on April 29.

Update: There’s more to this alum’s story

Diana Gerrard ’12 received her Ph.D.

in cellular molecular and biomedical sciences from the University of Vermont.

Meghan Finley ’15 and Stephen Vereker

eloped in Charleston at White Point Garden surrounded by their families.

Abby Miller ’18

has received the prestigious Fulbright English Teaching Award. She began teaching English at a university in Colombia, South America, in August 2019.

Dumplin’ author Julie Murphy ’10 just released her first young adult novel, Dear Sweet Pea on Oct. 1 and within days of release, Disney announced it has optioned the rights for a Disney Channel original movie.

Murphy has also announced she is creating young adult novels based on Valiant Comics character Faith Herbert. Faith Taking Flight is scheduled to be released in July 2020.

Zahraa Saheb ’18 is working for the U.S. Alex Hendee ’15 is excited to announce

that she is officially a registered nurse.

TXWES.EDU

House of Representatives for Congressman Marc Veasey ’95 (TX33).

Under the direction of Dr. Stephen Simons — retired TXWES faculty member — the Chancel Choir of Arlington Heights United Methodist Church recently performed the production of the Grand Mass in C Minor by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Several alumni were members of the chorus including Jeri Chipman ’97, Marjorie Elliott ’75, Evan Faris ’76, Janie Faris ’77 MA ’83, Stan Graner ’81, Alice Howle ’66, Donna LaFon ’72 ’79, Tani Simons ’74 and Walter Smith ’72 ’78.

WESLEYAN MAGAZINE IS GOING GREEN The Wesleyan magazine is now accessible to readers online. This is part of an effort to be as ecofriendly as possible. If you would like to receive an electronic copy of the Wesleyan magazine each semester, please contact the alumni office at alumni@txwes.edu or 817-531-6548.

Thank you for supporting our blue + gold = green initiatives.

FALL 2019 | Wesleyan

29

REMEMBRANCES Mary Joyce Goodman Burnett

Jimmy Madison ’74

George Grammer HON ’17

Mary Joyce began teaching in the School of Business at Texas Wesleyan College in 1963. She served as chairman of the Faculty Assembly, director of Administration and Financials, dean of the Weekend University and professor in the School of Business. She was the president of the Texas Business Education Association in the ’70s and ’80s. She received the Earl Brown Outstanding Scholar Award in 1992, State of Texas Piper Profession in 1987 and the Heads Above the Crowd award given by students at Texas Wesleyan in 1980. She retired in 2002.

Jimmy served on the Texas Wesleyan Board of Trustees from 2002 to 2007. He retired as the director of business services from Tarrant County College District and later retired as the president/CEO of the Fort Worth Black Chamber of Commerce.

Jimmy was an active member in the community, a member of several organizations and served on numerous boards. He was a charter member of Genesis United Methodist Church where he enjoyed serving as a lay leader and Sunday school teacher.

George, who received national awards while a student at Paschal High School, earned a full scholarship to then Texas Wesleyan College (he attended from 1945 to 1947), where he was strongly influenced by his professor Kelly Fearing, a prominent member of the Fort Worth Circle of artists. His hometown of Fort Worth gave the artist plenty of recognition by hosting several exhibitions of his work in recent years, including a show at Texas Wesleyan in 2017, when he was given an honorary doctorate. His show featured more than 100 of his paintings and lithographs as part of George Grammer: Full Circle.

Robert “Bob” Jay Mershon ’71

Dr. John M. Richardson ’57

May 29, 2019 Arlington

Jan. 24, 2019 Fort Worth

Jan. 30, 2019 Denton

April 29, 2019 Fort Worth

Bob graduated from Hill City High School in Kansas in 1962.

After which he served in the U.S. Navy for four years. He graduated magna cum laude from Texas Wesleyan College in 1971 playing baseball all four years and achieving NAIA All-American status in 1971.

He was later inducted into the Texas Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.

He was a homebuilder in the DFW area from 1977 to 2005. A man of few words, he left his impact on others with his wisdom, integrity and dry wit. He was a quiet but tremendous supporter of the Ram baseball program, which has been continued through his son, Scott.

John, who was named as the TXWES Distinguished Alumnus in 2010, served as the medical director for many organizations, served on various boards and was a member of the Texas Wesleyan President’s Advisory Board. He received honors for his humanitarian and medical services.

He was the pediatrician for the Edna Gladney Home for 29 years, co-founded The WARM Place and initiated the Texas Safe Haven Law for abandoned babies, known as the Baby Moses Project. He co-founded the Key School for children with learning differences and was the first male docent of the Amon Carter Museum.

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Wesleyan | FALL 2019

May 20, 2019 New York, New York

ALUMNI

Margaret Lotspeich Hudson ’45

May 5, 2019 Mansfield

Carmon Stiles ’48

Feb. 23, 2019 Divide, Colorado

Peggy Turner ’51

March 28, 2019 Fort Worth

Jerry Singer ’53

April 14, 2019 Fort Worth

Jo Ann Maserang Farris ’55

April 29, 2019 Keller

JW Sellers ’56

April 8, 2019 Fort Worth

Charles Connally ’57

Jan. 23, 2019 Fort Worth

Dewey Eubanks ’58

March 31, 2019 Crowley

Robert Hurt ’58

May 20, 2019 Rogers, Arkansas

Tony Campbell ’59

June 14, 2019 Fort Worth

Gary Clark ’63

March 30, 2019 Millsap

Nancy Alcorn ’66

Feb. 16, 2019 Hurst

H. Philip Cowdin ’66

Feb. 22, 2019 Houston

TXWES.EDU

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Roy Jerden Davis ’68

Josephine Reyes Martinez ’85

April 23, 2019 Corsicana

May 18, 2019 Fort Worth

Robert Chamberlain ’69

Rebecca ReedPfleger ’99

April 3, 2019 Fort Worth

Jan. 19, 2019 Arlington

Robert Sands ’69

Donna Kennard Simms ’12

May 24, 2019 Fort Worth

Jan. 27, 2019 Burleson

Bobby Yates ’69

May 26, 2019 North Richland Hills Charlene Layne McCreight ’72

Jan. 17, 2019 Fort Worth

John Moore ’72

June 12, 2019 Fort Worth

William Barcus ’74

June 4, 2019 Fort Worth

Jacqueline Kuykendall Grahm ’76

FRIENDS

Cornelia Cheney Friedman

Trista Allen ’98

Jennifer Sando ’02

Immediate Past President

Jorge Vivar ’76

Jay Beavers ’64

President

Don Boulware ’64

Brandon Weaver ’00 MBA ’00

Jimmy Bridges ’04

Penny Wilbanks ’05

Patricia Castillo ’08

Aaron Young ’98

Sergio De Leon ’98 Teri Flores ’97 Julian Hobdy ’18

Ex-Officio Member

Margi Kluck ’79

Dr. Carl G. Schrader

René Lawson ’81 Veronica Martinez ’81 Secretary

DeAwna Wood ’05

Julie McCurley ’06

Director of Alumni Relations

Eric Montoya ’07 M.Ed. ’15

Texas Wesleyan University

Vice President

817-531-7522

June 24, 2019 Fort Worth

Evan Faram

April 16, 2019

Billie Jeanet Eldredge

June 29, 2019 Colleyville

Lamar Wheat

March 1, 2019

June 4, 2019 Kennedale

Robert Reynolds ’77

Feb. 10, 2019 Fort Worth

Bill Kennedy ’78

March 13, 2019 Fort Worth

Obituaries in this issue reflect submissions from Jan. 16 through June 30, 2019.

Margaret Cangas Bolduc ’79

March 1, 2019 Arlington

Joyce Reimers Schultz ’81

Feb. 27, 2019 Arlington

TXWES.EDU

TO HONOR A RAM IN WESLEYAN MAGAZINE please email alumni@txwes.edu.

FALL 2019 | Wesleyan

31

LAST WORD

SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL How a team became 23 “big sisters” to an Oklahoma boy

Pati Richardson, an Oklahoma mom who has no connection to TXWES, sent this letter to Athletic Director Ricky Dotson in April.

She wrote to thank the softball team for unofficially adopting a boy she is the legal guardian for, named Conner.

In 2010 she took him to her niece’s softball game in Arkansas, where they were playing the Rams. He was enamored with the girls on the team, who showed him kindness. So she took him to a couple of other games. She says it was the beginning of “something beautiful.”

Richardson agreed to share her letter with the greater Ramily.

She writes: Conner has severe ADHD, is bi-polar and has trouble making good friends with peers. In 5th grade he was hospitalized for a month in a pediatric psychiatric hospital.

He is currently in 7th grade and enrolled in a program in Tulsa where he is working on life skills and adjusting medications, and we see his therapist there weekly. He has a heart of gold and it breaks my heart when the other kids tease and pick on him.

This brings me to the reason for this communication. While we hadn’t been able to watch the Rams play again, because of a move from Tulsa to Catoosa, Coach Gower has kept in touch through social media and, last year, we were able to watch them in Muskogee, Oklahoma. So far this year, we have been to Oklahoma games in Chickasha and Muskogee and plan to be in Oklahoma City this Saturday.

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The softball team unofficially adopted a young man from Oklahoma and, through their care and attention, have transformed his life. Below: Ashton Davis, a junior first baseman, gives Conner a big hug.

You have a great softball team, but more than that, you have a phenomenal group of young women who love my son and treat him like their little brother.

They are always excited to see him, and he is thrilled. One of the seniors last year gave him her beloved TXWES windbreaker and Coach gave him one of her ball gloves. He currently has two prized autographed balls, a cap and a Rams t-shirt, plus a Rams water bottle that Coach gave him last weekend.

They told him if anyone gave him any trouble to tell them that he has 23 big sisters that will take care of it!

This may not seem like a huge deal to anyone but me, but it is! Even his therapist encouraged me to take him out of program for the day to attend Friday’s game because, ‘It’s the best therapy’ that he gets! Ashton Davis is his “best buddy” and always gives him a little extra attention. I think he thinks he’s a member of the team. They feed him between games, and always get a team photo with him. They are really one in a million in my book.

I know there are lots of softball awards, but this team deserves a HUMANITARIAN Award for the difference they have and are making in this young man’s life. Because of them he smiles more, walks a little taller and holds his head a little higher.

Thanks for your time and your team, Pati Richardson Catoosa, Oklahoma TXWES.EDU

ALL RAM FANS. ANY AMOUNT.

GIVE

The number of people that give directly impacts the university’s ability to secure gifts from corporations, foundations and other donors. These gifts provide funds for student scholarships, faculty programs and improved facilities.

Support Texas Wesleyan with a gift to the Wesleyan Fund, no matter the amount, and our students benefit. For less than a tank of gas, you can make a tremendous difference in the life of a student.

YOU make TXWES Smaller. Smarter.

GIVE TODAY AT TXWES.EDU/MYGIFT

1201 Wesleyan Street Fort Worth, Texas 76105-1536

DROP BY AND SEE THE NEW PLACE.

Our campus heart The new Martin Center has already become the place to be: Where people meet and connect, grab a bite or just hang out.

Take a peek at the 44,000-square-foot facility and all the special features it offers on page 14.