The Billy '96 & Brenda Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership
Thinking Critically
Faculty of College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Contemplate Ethical Leadership
A magazine for the Alumni, Parents, and Friends of University of Findlay
In this issue of the FindlayMag, we invite you to celebrate the hard work of thinking deeply and creatively, the development of character that leads to generosity toward others, and the sharing of one another's joys and sorrows.
On May 7, our newest graduates emerged from the Arch ready to serve, lead, and work in communities near and far. They left our campus, but they did not leave us. They take UF with them wherever they are.
You will see that in the story of Billy Watterson, Class of 1996, who with his wife, Brenda, made a transformative gift to UF's planned Center for Ethical Leadership. He and Brenda made this gift because Billy himself was transformed during his time at UF.
You will see it in the work of Jeanne Wolfe Kelly, Class of 1971, who uses her musical talent to give the opportunity of performance to older adults throughout the country.
And you will see examples of great professors who teach and inspire our students to think far beyond shallow rhetoric and flash images.
In our notes section, you will see happy announcements of marriages and births and sad acknowledgements of loss of family members dear to our UF community.
With gratitude for you, our readers,
Katherine Fell, Ph.D. President
FindlayMag is created, published, and mailed bi-annually by the University of Findlay to alumni, parents, and friends of the University. It is a labor of love for all things Oiler Nation.
President Katherine Fell, Ph.D.
Vice President for University Advancement
Marcia Sloan Latta, Ed.D.
Managing Editor
Jack Barger ‘01 bargerj1@findlay.edu
Art Director Irene Martin
Contributing Writers
Andrea Blankemeyer M'20
Josh Eilola
Natasha Lancaster ’18, M’19
Staff Photographer Amy DePuy
Contributing Photographers
Natasha Lancaster ’18, M’19
Matthew Lester Photography
Multimedia
Aaron Osborne ’00, M’14
Ben Walton ’00, M’14
1000 N. Main St., Findlay, OH
Fall 2021 Issue Caption Winner
Jeff Hoffman ‘97, with “Derrick: Calm, Cool, and Collected.”
The Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership: Billy Watterson ‘96 Puts Leadership to Work
BY NATASHA LANCASTER ’18, M’19
Doing the right thing while people aren’t looking.
That’s, in part, how University of Findlay alumnus Billy Watterson ‘96, CEO of Watterson Brands, describes his brand of business-minded ethical leadership. “We have so many opportunities to take easy paths,” he said, “and weighing and considering different options is crucial as a leader in any business.” As a boss, Watterson is continually working to improve his leadership skills and aims to do his leading by example. “I think that being able to show [people] that just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. That’s always been something that I’ve tried to focus on – whether it’s financial or employee based, I try to lead with as much grace as I can and with passion for people,” he said.
The path to ethical leadership can be a very confusing
carefully navigated through with the knowledge gained by life
Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership, which will serve as a focal point on campus for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, is to help students confront the challenges we face in the world in regards to ethical leadership. “Small and private universities are under fire and I believe that a building like this allows us to take a stand and say, ‘Here’s what we believe in. Here’s what differentiates the University of Findlay from others,” he said. The Center will include offices, classrooms, and a presentation area for students to showcase their talents, among other things. Watterson’s belief is that this building will “serve as that safe space for people to come and have difficult conversations; to be curious, sit, and listen to the other side instead of just running with soundbites.”
process of becoming an ethical leader, Watterson noted,
“The actions of a leader are what dictate how they
Many future students of the University will pass through the Center – whether it be for a class, to speak to a faculty member, or present to their peers – and have the opportunity to articulate their own views as well as understand and articulate those of others. Watterson said that this building will give the campus community more of an opportunity “to put things like ethical leadership, equity, and inclusion at the forefront of conversations and have a space that allows for open dialogue and debate.”
Looking back on the success and opportunities he’s had, Watterson said, “none of it was possible without the University or the people that gave to make scholarships, buildings, and everything else possible.” The addition of the Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership will build on the strength and vibrancy of the University as it continues to grow and help students lead meaningful lives and have productive careers as ethical leaders. “There can be a healing effect from this building, and there are going to be so many generations of students that are going to come through here and have the opportunity to focus on doing the right things,” Watterson explained.
Class of 2022
“My time at UF has impacted me in ways that I never expected it to. I am so grateful for every opportunity I have received and for all the new friends I made during my 4 years here. I have been able to watch myself grow into the person I am today, explore my passions, make new connections, and find myself. UF will always hold a special place in my heart and I am forever thankful for the memories I made that will be with me for the rest of my life.”
Allie Meeker ' 22, graphic design major
“My speed trainer has always told me “GET COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE” and this has helped me through my 4 years here at UF. Being a student-athlete is hard, but it teaches you a lot of different things that help you succeed in the real world. Things will get uncomfortable and rough at times, but when you push through and make it to the end you realize that it wasn’t so bad after all. You get comfortable in the uncomfortableness that is college. I am thankful for those uncomfortable times because it has made me a better person and a more rounded person. I couldn’t get enough of the uncomfortable times, so I decided to come back for Grad school in the fall and use my extra year of eligibility in Track & Field!”
Xavier Marable '22, business management major
“The University of Findlay will always hold a special place in my heart. I not only received a great education that has prepared me to be a pharmacist, but I met my soulmate through UF's campus ministry. I will be forever grateful for all the amazing memories and experiences I've had through my 6 years as a UF student.”
-Sara #FindlayFaithfuls #GoOilers
Brandon MBA & Sara Schimmoeller, PharmD’22
"I never knew how much my decision to attend UF would make a difference in my life. Because of the caring and supportive faculty and staff, I have been able to build not only a career that I love, but also a life that I love. UF has become my home away from home over the last 3 years, and it will always hold a special place in my heart."
Elizabeth Sailer '22, diagnostic medical sonography major
“As my time at UF comes to an end, I am so thankful for everything I have learned over the past five years. I have met some awesome people and learned new skills that will be invaluable as a nurse. I am forever grateful for my experiences at UF!”
Cassie Miller ‘22, nursing
Access Athletics
LAIYING ALVARADO
By Josh Eilola
In the sports world, leadership plays an important role in all categories. Being a leader is important not only during a game, but also when there is no one watching. Coaches and team captains need a variety of skills to lead a successful team, and leadership skills are near the top on the list of importance.
For senior sports business strategy major Laiying Alvarado, leadership is all about forming connections and building trust with one’s followers. “People want to follow others who make them feel comfortable and will lead them to success,” said Laiying. “I’m the captain on the [women’s tennis] team and it’s a huge responsibility. I care for everyone on the team. It’s about picking the right time to communicate with [them].” Building that shared vision of success through trust helps everyone on the team see the bigger picture and get them to the end goal.
Laiying is the most decorated all-conference player in UF women’s tennis history, earning G-MAC Freshman of the Year in 2019 and G-MAC Player of the Year last season, as well as leading her team to the conference tournament and the number one doubles seed. Her hard work and dedication to her craft also led her to receiving the Mancuso Award, UF’s Athletic Department’s most distinguished award. The award brings distinction and honor to the top female and male athlete each year while encompassing factors such as academic achievement, contribution to the university and community, sportsmanship, integrity and humility, and athletic ability. Along with her
athletic achievements, Laiying is a repeat honoree on the Dean's List, and has given her time and talents to many areas of campus and the community. “I would argue there isn't an athlete on our campus that bleeds Black and Orange more than her,” said University of Findlay’s assistant athletic director Kyle Niermann.
It was in Barquisimeto in Venezuela, her home country, where Laiying fell in love with sports, specifically tennis and baseball. “All of my aunts and uncles play tennis, and one of them actually owns a tennis academy,” she said. “You could say tennis is a family business.” Being from Venezuela, she wants to be an inspiration to others. “Baseball is huge in Venezuela and I’m a fan of Miguel Cabrera [who is from Venezuela], and seeing him get his 3,000th hit meant a lot to me. I hope to be an inspiration to others [and show] that it’s possible to achieve their goals.”
After graduation, Laiying hopes to continue her passion for sports and work on the business side of professional baseball. The leadership skills she has learned here at UF and on the Russ & Peg Armstrong Sports Complex tennis courts have set her up for success. One thing is for certain: Wherever she ends up, she has the Oiler Nation community supporting her.
Around Campus
RECORD BREAKING HANDS
MOVING RADIO
The student-led radio station WLFC 88.3 has officially relocated to their new home in the University’s Alumni Memorial Union (AMU). Serving the people of Hancock County since 1973, the station was started by two UF students and has been expanding since.
The 16th Annual Helping Hands Food Drive, organized by UF and Sodexo, shattered all expectations with a record-breaking 214,559 pounds of food to benefit CHOPIN Hall, a Findlay nonprofit that serves people within the region.
UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP
In a unique partnership to meet Northwest Ohio’s growing need for a highly-trained workforce, three area educational institutions – Bowling Green State University, Owens Community College and UF - have come together to establish the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics.
RIBBON CUTTING
A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Building Dedication to solidify the partnership between the University and Blanchard Valley Health System took place in February. The Blanchard Valley Health System Center for Health Professions, previously known on campus as The Pavilion, houses the University’s nursing and physician assistant academic spaces.
SURGEON GENERAL ON CAMPUS
Speaking at the University’s second annual Health Equity – I Can Make a Difference event, Dr. Jerome Adams, 20th Surgeon General of the United States, Distinguished Professor, Presidential Fellow, and Executive Director of Health Equity Initiatives at Purdue University, covered his knowledge of being at the forefront of national and global health with his personal experiences.
650
DONORS
OVERWHELMING SUPPORT
Thanks to the support of more than 650 donors, this year’s total of over $116,450 for Giving Tuesday was more than double last year’s gifts of roughly $50,000. These gifts support areas across campus including the Findlay Fund, scholarships, the Mazza Museum, campus ministries, and athletics.
NEW TRADITION
The second annual Letters to Santa Drive-Thru, an event on campus that provides a safe and convenient way for children in the community to celebrate the holidays and see Santa, took place in December.
EMSWELLER RETIRES
After 23 years of exemplary service to the University of Findlay, Dave Emsweller, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, retired from the University as 2021 came to a close.
LAURITA NAMED
Brandi Laurita was named Vice President of Student Affairs, beginning Jan. 1, following Emsweller’s retirement. She previously served as the University’s Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator since June 2015.
RETURN OF FUNDAY SUNDAY
Kicking-off the first in-person session since 2020 with “Let’s Go LEGO!” Funday Sunday returned in-person on March 6 with its themed, family-friendly learning extravaganza designed to encourage artistic expression, enhance literacy knowledge, and develop critical thinking skills.
SING ON
University of Findlay Distinguished Alumna Jeanne (Wolfe ’71) Kelly
BY JACK BARGER '01
For Findlay College/University of Findlay alumna Jeanne (Wolfe ’71) Kelly, music, long ago, became a way of life. Now, it has earned her a spot alongside some terrifically recognizable people on the inaugural HelpAge USA 60 over 60 list, an honor given to 60 Americans over 60 who are making significant contributions to society at the local, national, or international level.
With her on the 60 over 60 award list are instantly recognizable names like Tom Hanks, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dolly Parton, and Jimmy Carter, among many others. “I thought when I was contacted about it and read the list that someone was playing a joke on me,” she said. “These are great people. People who have contributed a great deal to the aging community. Encore has certainly done that also. I am thrilled to be included on this list.”
Jeanne, who regularly signs her correspondence with the call to “SING ON,” felt compelled at a young age to use her vocal talents to express herself. She attended a small high school in her hometown of Catasauqua, PA, and was first inspired, she said, by a very good chorus conductor who took an interest in her and encouraged her to sing. “I was in all-state chorus, was chosen to go up to Boston to sing, was in a big national chorus,” she said, “and I initially wanted to go to college in Philadelphia, but my father chose Findlay College for me, as it was a safer place for his daughter, so off to Findlay I went!”
Through Susanne Aultz, a voice instructor at Findlay College, Jeanne really became interested in the possibility of voice as a career and not simply as a passion. At the end of her sophomore year, Jeanne was accepted to the prestigious Ambler Music Festival on the campus of Temple University, where, in its heyday, the stage was graced by legendary performers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington. It went so well that the head of the choral program tried to poach Jeanne and get her to finish out her academic career there. “My father said no,” she explained. “[But] through singing at that festival, I realized for sure that it was actually
what I wanted to do for a living.”
Later, Jeanne created Encore Creativity for Older Adults, the nation’s largest choral organization for adults over the age of 55. It boasts 15 chorales and six Encore ROCKS rock and roll choruses, as well as a chorale in New York City. Jeanne also started a choral program, Sentimental Journey Singers, for those with early Alzheimer’s or dementia. All of the organizations and programs have had extremely therapeutic results for everyone involved. “[To perform together] is physically, mentally, and emotionally important for all of the singers,” she explained. “The best thing you can do for your lungs is sing, and, psychologically speaking, it’s great to be around people who share your interest.”
The COVID-19 pandemic, however, like it did for nearly everything in its path, created a challenge for the program. “Suddenly everyone was in their house and fighting isolation,” Jeanne said. “We had to do something.” So, she and husband Larry, a partner on the business side of Encore, started Encore University, an online program offering sessions on musical theory, technique, and music history, as well as choral rehearsals and frequent sing-a-longs. It became a huge success, both nationally and internationally.
Jeanne recently stepped down as the artistic director of Encore, but will remain the conductor of three of the chorales. In her retirement from directing the program, Jeanne and Larry plan to sail their boat to the Bahamas in the fall. It’s yet another way that she can discover new joys for the same reason that she nurtures singing in herself and in others: keeping the spark lit well into life.
Jeanne presented “Achieving Mental and Physical Happiness through Involvement with the Arts” at UF’s Fridays at Findlay executive speaker series in March, and said it’s an equally meaningful honor to do such things for her alma mater. To UF students, she offers the same advice that she does for the older creative performers under her guidance. “You have to always be absolutely driven,” she said. “You can’t stop that passion for even one day.”
Faculty of College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Contemplate Ethical Leadership
BY JACK BARGER '01
For students at University of Findlay, no matter their focus or major, working with and toward ultimate truth – truth stripped bare of the adornments and biases that often diminish its meaning and might – is vastly important. According to the UF faculty who are most familiar with it, part of their goal is to both model it and to instill it within the students who come to the University with little knowledge of how overwhelmingly necessary using it really is; quite often, they said, students aren’t even aware of how to get to it.
This quest for truth in its purest form is only authentic when it comes as a result of thinking both critically and creatively, and by learning from those who lead the way ethically. At the forefront of this path toward discovery are UF’s professors, particularly those within the creative and deep-thinking confines of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) who consistently probe the deeper issues that require, for many UF students, a great deal of guided contemplation.
The beginning of the journey for this truth for students starts by obtaining and utilizing the tools that assist them in getting there. These tools can be defined and provided by professors like Elizabeth
Buchanan, Ph. D., assistant professor of history. She explained that students need to know how to “rationally analyze, synthesize, put context in, and use various data sources, which can be evidence of various kinds.” It may seem like a fairly simple concept as a whole – use reliable sources and, perhaps more importantly, understand what they are – but it’s often not utilized to its full potential, which can, at the least, be frustrating, and at the most, lead to damaging students’ credibility.
The process of getting students to think critically begins by finding out why they are often not doing so already when they arrive at UF. Part of the reason, according to Ron Tulley, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, is that they’ve been taught from an early age a rather formulaic and calculated way of finding truth in their academic pursuits, so that their minds might not even be open to thinking critically and to digging deeper. “Many of our students have spent a lifetime of doing rote memorization of very basic, rote things. They’re not really employing the skills that they don’t even know they have,” Tulley said.
The goal, then, is unlearning the habits that don’t encourage creativity and originality.
“Part of the unlearning is to understand that it’s okay to not know and to have more questions than you have answers,” said Dr. Sarah Fedirka
When rote habits get coupled with the culture that students are immersed in, the idea of copying someone else’s work is often reinforced as being acceptable. “There’s a certain aspect that we see in younger people with memetic culture, particularly in social media,” added Kit Medjesky, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication. “They think, ‘I’ll reproduce this content in this sort of memetic way. I’ll make the same TikTok that that person made because it was successful,’ in order to get used to the form. The problem is, they’re not willing to take the risk to create something new, to be the original. It’s bleeding in from how much they get from the social media culture.”
The challenge for professors, as a result of students’ ingrained habits, is opening up a new world to those who have arrived out of twelve years of building upon their conventions while growing up with so many outlets for information. The key is making them realize that it’s acceptable – oftentimes valuable, even – to be unsure. “Part of the unlearning is to understand that it’s okay to not know and to have more questions than you have answers,” said Sarah Fedirka, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of English. “Critical thinking starts with basic curiosity, and I find that
Elizabeth F. Buchanan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History
Sarah Fedirka, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair of English
Kit Medjesky, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Communication
my students are hesitant to be curious or express curiosity because the stakes are too high for them.”
So, how do we encourage students to “unlearn” this rigid approach to education? According to Tulley, we show them that, along with being okay about not knowing everything, they also shouldn’t be afraid to fail along the way to finding out the answers. “I think that’s the fundamental thing,” he said. “These are students. They’re supposed to fail and fail spectacularly; that’s how they learn.” He went on to add that, although grades are certainly important, “ultimately if you get an A and get out of the class having learned nothing, it’s pointless.” When students are so attached to G.P.A. that the wider picture can’t be seen, it can quite reliably lead to them all but forgetting what is outside of the black and white box where critical thought is located.
Jaymelee Kim, Ph.D., associate professor of forensic science, suggests that, in fairness, this method of contemplation frequently doesn’t even occur to young students. She told of a student in her research group who “never really asked why. She’s a great student, an A student, who
Ronald J. Tulley, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Robert K Postic, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of Behavioral Sciences
Jaymelee Kim, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Forensic Science
Matthew Stolick, Professor of Philosophy
did well on everything. It totally blew my mind. That wasn’t a natural sort of question [for her].”
This is where the real work for students starts to blossom. Alongside classmates who bring a myriad of experiences and opinions, and guided by professors like Kim, they see other possibilities, and aren’t in fear of stumbling now and then. “Being in a research group – she loved it,” Kim further added. “She delved into it and started developing her own research projects. Part of that critical and creative thinking, too, is being willing to go into the unknown areas and push the boundaries.”
“What we bring together [at UF] is a sensibility of how these silos can be broken down, and to inform our students that you don’t have to think
of discipline as having walls around it,” Tulley offered. “The very nature of what we do at college is broadening horizons. That has to be part of this critical process too.”
Of course, in order for students to really benefit from this method of research and reason, it needs to affect not only their meaningful lives as students across the curriculum, but also as alumni with productive careers, as well as in other areas of life before and after graduation. Robert Postic, Ph.D., professor of political science and chair of the department of behavioral sciences, said, however, that students and young people quite often compartmentalize their knowledge, thus not carrying it into other areas of their life. “There’s
that disconnect that’s there,” he said. “To me, that falls under critical thinking. The idea to take the knowledge and these experiences and apply them to totally different situations.” And that’s why professors begin this effort to broaden horizons early and often.
Matthew Stolick, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, said that on the very first day of class in his introduction to philosophy class, he asks his students, “What is the ultimate meaning of life?” as a springboard to creative and critical thought. “What I want them to see,” he said, “is that there is none; or that there are a lot. As a philosopher, my goal is to get to the truth. It’s personal and real. Once we get them there, they’re on their way.”
As students at UF dedicate their lives to the word “education,” it’s equally crucial that they commit to the word “truth,” for there are bigger and better areas of our lives that go well beyond letters and numbers. There are ideas. There are hypotheses. There are discoveries.
But it takes a lot of thinking to get there.
Class Notes
1970s
Janice (Stewart ’72) Nemcik of Park City, Utah, retired from teaching in the Park City School District & University of Utah.
1980s
Matthew Miller ’86 of Houston, Texas is the founder of Abba Psychotherapy Group in Houston, Texas.
Will Wagner ’86 of Findlay, is director, global procurement at IAP Worldwide in Cape Canaveral, FL.
Deb (Ryan ’87) Mains of Scottsdale, AZ is senior director - business process management at Honeywell in Phoenix, AZ.
1990s
Lisa (Miller ’93) Haggar of Lexington, KY is human resources manager at McLane Company in Nicholasville, KY.
Jennifer (Garber ’94) Roth of Spring, Texas is Donor Relations Coordinator at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.
Jason Menchhofer ’96 of Rossburg, Ohio, is Health Commissioner at Mercer County Health District in Celina, Ohio.
2000s
Michael Kantner ’04 MBA ’06 of Sylvania, Ohio is a success
The deep thinkers of University of Findlay view the world from a wide lens. Our alumni, faculty, and students with minds for art, writing, history, music, and all of the other great avenues for creative thought, help make sense out of the world. We are proud of their talent and thankful for their dedication to helping us find our way through both the successes and challenges of life. I encourage you to have a meaningful conversation with any and all of our Oilers and to learn about what drives us, as UF family, toward lasting success. Go Oilers!
Nicole (Hauenstein ’99) Burgy, President Alumni Association Board of Governors
coach - Engineering, Business, and Undecided Students, and Instructor - Career Eval and Self Eval course, Orientation course, and New Beginnings, Rocket Reboot, Retention Board - Engineering at University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio.
Barbara Lockard M ’04 of Findlay is the author of two books.
Lauren (Lambrecht ’04 MBA ’20) Mosher of Hampshire, IL is a community health worker at Centene Corporation in St. Louis, MO.
Kelly Hancock ’05 of Napoleon, Ohio is the senior marketing manager - Digital Products at Midwest Tape/ hoopla Digital in Holland, Ohio.
Suzanne (Stetz ’06) Graham of Hilliard, Ohio is a human resources
manager for the National Registry of EMTs in Columbus, Ohio.
Katie (Klosterman ’06) Paulus of Lebanon, Ohio is the executive director at ViaQuest in Grove City, Ohio.
Kim (Schiewer-Balko ’07) Miller of Findlay is a Kindergarten teacher with Findlay City Schools.
Stephen Reichley ’09 of Starkville, MS is associate director of the Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security for Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS.
Carla (Sizemore 09) Towers of Carey, Ohio is a Graphic Designer for QT2 in Tiffin, Ohio.
2010s
Allison Bowers ’10 of Columbus, Ohio is the co-founder of Willow PR in Columbus, Ohio.
Miranda (Schwartz ’14) Williams of Powell, Ohio is chief of staff of The Ohio Department of Health in Columbus, Ohio.
Emily Momberg ’15 of Toledo, Ohio is care coordinator for Beyond Health Care in Toledo, Ohio.
Heather (Spraw ’18 M ‘20) Borders of Bowling Green, Ohio is customer relations business manager at Principle Business Enterprises in Bowling Green, Ohio.
Brennan Williams ’11 of Kansas City, MO, is the director, Youth Soccer Programming at Sporting Kansas City in Kansas City, MO.
Jessica Gildersleeve ’16 of Milan, Ohio is an HSE manager for LEWCO in Sandusky, Ohio.
Alysa Martin ’19 of Pittsford, NY is an HIV clinical pharmacy specialist for University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, NY
Marriages
Eric Filip ’08 and Danielle (Foote) Filip were married on Oct. 6, 2018. They reside in Hinckley, Ohio.
Sonja (Jackson ’05) Hazen and Jared Hazen were wed on Sept. 4, 2021. They live in Porters Corner, NY.
1 D.J. Everett ’14 and Sarah (Sanchez) Everett were married on Oct. 2, 2021. They reside in Perrysburg, Ohio.
2 Natalie (Swift ’19) Ramseyer and Josiah Ramseyer were married on Sept. 18, 2021. They reside in Orrville, Ohio.
Births
3 Emily (Siefker ’18) Hollar and Evan Hollar ’18 welcomed their son Lucas Hollar on Sept. 28, 2021.
4 Danielle (Lemieux ’16) Crook and Michael Crook welcomed their son Oliver Thomas Crook on June 22, 2021.
5 Torie (Allgire ’19) Ellerbrock and Tyler Ellerbrock ’19 welcomed daughter Salem Rose Ellerbrock on April 9, 2021.
6 Erin (Wren ’14) Pence and Tyler Pence welcomed son Fred Bradley Pence on Dec. 13, 2021.
Class notes for this issue were received by April 30, 2022.
Macey (Brandeberry '15) Pentz and Kyle Pentz were married on Oct. 19, 2021. They reside in Canton, Ohio.
Jason Menchhofer ’96 and Kelley Kaeffenberger were wed on Sept. 25, 2021. They live in Rossburg, Ohio.
Madison (Simmons ‘17) Hopcia and Jake Hopcia were wed on Oct. 2, 2021. They live in Alexander, NY.
Andrew Burmeister ’17 and Molly (Burkett ’17) Burmeister were married on Aug. 3, 2020. They reside in Gibsonburg, Ohio.
7 Samantha (Kuhlman ’19) VanFossen and Matthew VanFossen welcomed son Elijah Scott VanFossen on Jan. 14, 2022.
8 Stacy Walterbusch ’10 M ’14 and Josh Sealscott welcomed their son Owen Russell Sealscott on Feb. 26, 2022.
9 Allison (Welly ’04 M ’06) Kuhnle and Mark Kuhnle ’02 welcomed daughter Adrianna Marie Kuhnle on April 29, 2021.
Amy Treadwell '00 and Justin Carr welcomed daughter Elyse Madeleine Carr on Jan. 16, 2022.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
In Memory
1940s
Royal P. Kear '45
Martha Evans Beach ‘49
Wayne F. Shively '49
1950s
Donald W. Bartow '51
Carl Sleasman ‘52
W. Stanley Darrah ‘55
Richard P. Kreimendahl '55
William M. Misamore '56
Trent Oelberg ‘59
1960s
Finis Bandy ‘62
Paul P. Helms '62
Donald W. Pickens '62
Joseph H. Williams, Jr. '62
Carl R. Meyer '63
Trenton P. Oelberg '63
Jerry P. Cramer '64
Thomas A. Rectorschek '64
Steven R. Kuhlman '65
Kenneth Heffner ‘66
Susan (Rossman)
Whittington '66
Sharon L. Bender '69
D. Ned Hoffman '69
1970s
William A. Calderhead '70
Robert M. Campbell '71
Cheryl D. Miller '71
Sue (Showers) Van Gorden '71
Nellie L. Branan '73
Michael E. Lieb '77
David A. Maisch '75
Ben Finch Jr. ‘79
1980s
Curt F. Morman '82
William A. Fleck '83
Mark A. Palte '89
1990s
Rita H. Duran '93
Roger L. Wireman '94, '96
Donna J. (Coppes) Coon '96
Mark G. LaMaster '99
Larry S. Smith '99
2000s
DonAnntha Thacker '02
Dominic Francis ‘02
Carolyn D. (Salyer) Slone '03
Brian J. Ringwald '05
Chasidy N. (Thompson)
Mayle '07
Toby M. Shehorn '13
Odell C. Barry ‘65, a football and track standout at Findlay College, who went on to play for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League, passed away on January 3, 2022. Barry unofficially tied world records in the 100 and 220-yard dashes and was a standout running back for the Oilers football squad. He went on to play the 1964 and 1965 seasons for the Broncos in the former American Football League, and was one of the league's top punt and kickoff return specialists, until an injury led to the the end of his career. Afterward, Barry stayed in Colorado, running a youth football camp in the community and serving on city council in Northglenn, CO for much of the 1970s. He became the first African American mayor in Colorado of a mid-sized or larger city when he defeated the Northglenn incumbent in 1979 and served a two-year term. He later went into business, owning restaurants and starting a real estate firm. He was chairman of the site selection committee that led to the construction of Empower Field at Mile High
Katlyn N. Laudick '15
James L. Novak '20
Mikahla K. Conrad '21
Friends
Chris E. Babcock
Danny E. Ballinger
Charles R. Blake
Barbara A. Bowers
Charles E. Boyd
Betty J. Bozo
Lois J. Brooks
Joe E. Brown
Ashley F. Bryan
Helen Buck
Bryan V. Cavins
Myron C. Cline
Mary J. Cosiano
Donna L. Davis
Miles G. Davis, Jr.
Miriam J. Deerwester
Barbara J. Dysinger
Lanell M. English
David E. Foltz
Sandra K. Halcomb
Joel B. Harris
Karen A. Hassan
Michael M. Janton
Christina A. Johnson
Jean A. Lee
William C. Lishawa
Frances M. Longberry
Carolyn H. Margraf
Jean D. Meadows
Brooks A. Mick
Charles J. Miller
Jerry Pinkney
Maurice A. Poland
Peter J. Potosky
Joan L. Ramig
Margene P. Reese
Thomas L. Renninger
Sharon M. Rider
William P. Rowe
Anna C. Scarbrough
Cynthia L. Schrier
Karis M. Schroeder
Gaven A. Smith
Patricia L. Snook
James Staschiak
Terry L. Strahm
Julie F. Teeple
Robert A. Theis
Glenda C. Treece
Duane Vaughan
Paul R. Weinandy
Michael P. Whalen
Patricia A. Wolfe
Vivian J. Yewey
and helped bring major league baseball to Denver. He was a 1995 inductee to the Toledo, Ohio City Athletic League Hall of Fame, a member of the University of Findlay Athletic Hall of Fame, and was a University of Findlay Distinguished Alumni.
Clark Bradley, retired riding instructor in the Western Equestrian Studies Program and assistant coach for the western Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) team at University of Findlay, passed away on January 18. Bradley began his teaching career with Findlay in 1977. His time at UF included many celebrated accomplishments, among them, coaching over 50 individual national champions on the western IHSA team and leading the western team to winning seven IHSA/American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Team National Championships and five AQHA High-Point Open Rider National Champions. In 2001, he was named the AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year; he was inducted into the
National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Hall of Fame and the All-American Quarter Horse Congress Hall of Fame; and he served as president of the NRHA and was a member of the NRHA board of directors for 27 years. He was also a respected and sought-after judge for the AQHA, the NRHA and the National Snaffle Bit Association. After retiring from UF, Bradley said that he was proud of how “professionally competitive” UF students are and that it was “rewarding to see the progress of students and [UF’s] horses” over his lengthy career.
Gilbert Richard (Dick) Kern, Jr., Ph.D., ‘54, former president of Winebrenner Theological Seminary and Professor Emeritus of Findlay College/University of Findlay, passed away on January 3. He attended Findlay College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954, then a Bachelor of Divinity from Winebrenner Theological Seminary in 1958, and, lastly, a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School. Dick joined the faculty of Winebrenner in 1960, became president of that institution from 1963 to 1970, and later received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Winebrenner in 1981. Following his tenure at Winebrenner, Dick joined the faculty of Findlay College/University of Findlay as a history professor until his retirement in 1998. The UF Board of Trustees conferred on him a Golden Diploma in 2004, and the Loyalty Society presented him with a Lifetime Loyalty Award in 2014. He authored numerous works, including the definitive history of the University of Findlay, “Findlay College, the First
Dominic M. “Dom” Francis, '02 was killed in the line of duty on Thursday, March 31, 2022 near Bluffton, Ohio. He was born in Bluffton on August 9, 1979 to Robert and Vicky (Bratcher) Francis and they survive. Dom graduated from Cory-Rawson High School in 1998 and then the University of Findlay in 2002 where he played football. He married Ricki Davis on June 21, 2010, and she survives along with a son, Blake Francis of Van Buren, daughter, Taylor (Matthew Hill). He served on the Findlay Police Department and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office before joining the Bluffton Police Department where he served the community for 11 years. During those years, Officer Francis was awarded the Officer of the Year award twice, multiple Letters of Commendation, The Chief’s Leadership Award and a Bluffton Police Department, Life Saving Award to name a few. Officer Francis also served as a Captain for the Southwestern Hancock Joint Fire District for several years. He was also honored by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers as Top Cop and earned the Ohio EMS, Star of Life multiple times. Dom was very active with Cory-Rawson High School where he was a strength and conditioning coach, football coach, substitute teacher and bus driver. He also enjoyed spending time with family and friends at Indian Lake and driving his boat.
Hundred Years,” which garnered him the Outstanding Local History Award from the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums in 1986. He was named a Distinguished Alumni of Findlay College in April 1989 for his work.
Ruth C. Walters passed away on Feb. 28, 2022. Ruth graduated from Monongahela High School and continued her education at The College of Wooster, earning a bachelor's degree, and then a master's degree from West Virginia University. She taught Spanish and English at Connellsville Area High School until her retirement. Teaching was her chosen field and she pursued it vigorously, often following the success stories of many of her students for years after their graduation. Ruth was a member of the UF C.T. Fox Society and will be remembered for her interest in all areas of education, political concerns, and her family.
Mary Ann (Heitmeyer) Charnes of the Savannah Lakes Village, wife of A.R. Charnes, passed away suddenly on Monday, March 21, 2022 while completing their “bucket list” trip in South America. She was born in Ottawa, Ohio to Joseph and Lucille Heitmeyer. Mary Ann was a graduate of St. Peter and Paul High School in Ottawa and attended the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio. While working for Marathon Oil Company, Mary Ann met A.R. Charnes, a Findlay College basketball player, and they began the journey of a lifetime that lasted almost 60 years. Mary Ann was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church and served as a member of the AAMC Foundation Board. She was involved in the Savannah Lakes Village and served as the President of the WGA, as well as being on a variety of boards and organizations. Mary Ann and A.R. were very active with the University of Findlay and an annual memorial scholarship was established in their names. She spent her life giving and serving others and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Throughout this journey, Mary Ann befriended all who crossed her path, but it was her family that brought her the greatest joy. As the matriarch, she provided the foundation that binds her family together. Memorial contributions, in memory of Mary Ann, may be sent to the A.R. and Mary Ann Charnes Scholarship Fund through mail at: Division of University Advancement, University of Findlay, Attn: A.R. and Mary Ann Charnes Scholarship Fund, 1000 N. Main St., Findlay, Ohio 45840.
Alumni Association
Board of Governors
2021-22
Officers
President
Nicole (Hauenstein '99) Burgy
Vice President
Suzzette R. Boyd '97
Past President
DeMya Wimberly '94
Elected Representatives (3 year terms)
Pastor Kenneth E. Brandt '81
Ann K. DeHaven '70
Preston J. Eberlyn '15
Kimberly A. Grilliot '81
Adam Hechko, D.V.M. '02
Michael W. Kantner '04
Forrest G. Miller '17
Kathy L. Myers '09
Dean L. Plott '93
Alissa R. Preston '01
William E. Rumbold '74
Jennifer R. Schoenberger '99
Dr. Brian P. Treece '01 MAE '02
Margaret E. Wetzler '92
Samuel J. Yates '16
Student Representatives (2 year appointments)
College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Elaine Schaffter
College of Science
Victoria Ritzler
College of Health Professions
Caitlin Bidlack
College of Education
Ruthanna Sparkman
College of Business
Gracie Clement
College of Pharmacy
Zoey Cook
SGA President
Heather Brimmer
CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF GALA
SATURDAY, OCT. 8, 2022
UAA President
Olivia Pauly
An Arial View of Campus
