Summer 2015 Lamp

THE WAYNESBURG UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2015

From the President

WAYNESBURG UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION President Douglas G. Lee Chancellor Timothy R. Thyreen Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jacquelyn Core Vice President for Student Services Mary Cummings Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer John Olon Vice President for Information Technology Systems and Chief Information Officer William Dumire Vice President for Institutional Advancement and University Relations Heidi Szuminsky THE LAMP - SUMMER 2015 The Lamp is published by the Office of University Relations at Waynesburg University, 51 West College Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370. Waynesburg University is a Christian university offering more than 70 programs of study at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels.

Editor Ashley Wise

Art Direction and Design Carrie McAfee

Contributing Writers Kimberly Baston Pamela Cunningham Samantha McClintock Jordan Mitrik Samantha Peer Molly Winters Ashley Wise

Contributing Designers Brittany Semco Whitney Waters Photography Joey Kennedy Randy Laskody Gregory Reinhart Marc Sorracco

Alumni Services fdolfi@waynesburg.edu Phone: 724.852.3300 Fax: 724.627.3225 Correspondence mwhite@waynesburg.edu Phone: 724.852.3293 Š 2015. All rights reserved.

Unauthorized duplication of publication or material is strictly prohibited without express written consent of the copyright holder.

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Each new academic year is an opportunity to once again inspire a generation of future leaders to make connections between faith, learning and serving so they might faithfully transform their communities and the world. As I look forward to August and the exciting opportunities that will come with it, I am confident that the upcoming semester will start off with the same momentum we experienced during the last one.

An eventful academic year, 2014-15 brought with it many achievements and accolades, through the hard work of a committed community here at Waynesburg University.

I am pleased to report that the Middle States Commission on Higher Education recently awarded us reaccreditation for a ten-year period.

The nursing programs were also reaccredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and baccalaureate nursing students achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) for the sixth time. We signed five new affiliation agreements and are negotiating three more, and we launched a new Master of Arts in Criminal Investigation program.

As you page through this issue of The Lamp, you will learn more about these exciting developments and many others. Each year, I am amazed by the ways in which our mission continues to unfold through the lives of those at this fine institution. Whether fighting Ebola, serving internationally or inspiring and instructing in the classroom, our students and their teachers continue to bring our mission to life.

It is with great enthusiasm that I share this issue of The Lamp with you. May its stories serve as a testament to the impact of your belief in us. We are thankful for your support and encouragement, and we are confident that the resources needed to continue moving this institution forward will come if we remain true to our mission.

Douglas G. Lee President

In this Issue

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Features 10

Bridging Academics & Community Outreach

14

Every Step of the Way

16

Broadcasting the Word of God

18

The Fight Against Ebola

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Commencement 2015

Waynesburg University is one of 24 schools nationwide participating in the Bonner High-Impact Initiative.

As recent graduate RJ Tonks takes steps towards his future, he also takes literal steps toward his diploma.

Communication students combine their skill sets with their

passion for service while assisting an international broadcast station.

One Waynesburg University doctoral student helped address

the critical issue of patient care during the recent Ebola outbreak.

Sunday, May 3, marked a special occasion for more than 700 students and their families.

In Every Issue 4 Recent Developments 10 Features 24 Events 32 Campus News 54 Sports Update 59 Alumni News

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Recent Developments

University nationally recognized for service initiatives The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) recently notified Waynesburg University of its selection to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

This is the University's seventh consecutive year receiving the honor.

The President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to community, service-learning and civic engagement.

“Receiving this award for the seventh year in a row demonstrates the continued commitment of our students, faculty and staff to live out the service component of our mission by engaging in our community,” said Mary Cummings, vice president for Student Services. “By integrating service with the academic programs at our University, we prepare our students for a life of community engagement not only during their undergraduate experience, but after graduation as well.”

The Honor Roll, launched in 2006, recognizes institutions of higher education that support exemplary community service programs and raise the visibility of effective practices in campus community partnerships. Honorees for the award were chosen based on a series of selection factors including scope and innovativeness of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service and the extent to which academic service-learning courses are offered.

CNCS is a federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering.

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Waynesburg University students, faculty and staff contribute more than 50,000 service hours annually.

Through its more than 50 local and regional agencies and a continuously expanding network of international agencies, Waynesburg University encourages students to become servant-leaders through a number of partnerships.

The University offers approximately 16 faith, learning and serving trips per academic year. The trips are held during the fall, winter, spring and summer breaks. The University also participates in a number of weekend-long service projects in the local community and beyond.

In addition to volunteer hours, the University offers a service leadership minor constructed around service-learning courses. During the semester-long courses, students perform a set amount of hours of community service with a non-profit organization.

The University is one of only 21 Bonner Scholar Schools in the country. With support from the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation, Waynesburg is committed to the program which was created to offer scholarship assistance to students performing significant amounts of community service throughout their time at Waynesburg.

Approximately 60 (15 per class) Waynesburg University students are involved with the program each year.

Recent Developments

University again ranks high for degree value, employment outcomes Waynesburg University has been ranked a top value college in an outcome-based college rankings index compiled by Educate To Career (ETC) for the second consecutive year.

The University ranked No. 104 out of the 1,224 schools listed in the nationwide ETC College Rankings Index for 2015. Included in the ranking are more than 1,200 accredited four-year colleges with annual enrollments greater than 1,000 students, representing 94 percent of all students enrolled in four-year colleges.

“We feel that the colleges scoring in the top one-third of our index, number 1 through number 408, are doing a very good job on behalf of their students,” said Michael R. Havis, ETC president and founder.

According to ETC, colleges in the top third of the ETC Index have a relatively high percentage of graduates employed in their field of study and the earnings of graduates are relatively high. In addition, a majority of students graduate in four or five years and loan default rates are very low.

“The ETC College Rankings Index measures the improvement in employability and earnings that a particular college brings to its graduates, relative to students similarly situated at other colleges,” said Havis. “Students and parents are focused on the value added by going to a particular college and pursuing a specific area of study.”

The ETC Index analyzes the quality of students when they enter a given college, the total costs related to attending the college and the outcomes of the students when they enter the labor market. The rankings results are determined by which schools did the best job of improving the earnings and attainment of quality employment for their students, according to a description of the index on the group's website.

97 PERCENT OF 2013 WAYNESBURG UNIVERSITY GRADUATES REPORTED WORKING OR STUDYING IN THEIR CHOSEN FIELD WITHIN ONE YEAR OF GRADUATION.

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Recent Developments

Student-athletes recognized for academic excellence

Focused and devoted, Waynesburg University’s athletic teams and coaches place a significant value on excellence, achieving remarkable feats both on and off their respective playing surfaces. The ultimate example of student-athletes, three teams have proven the significance they place on the balance of academics and athletics, achieving the highest of academic standards and receiving national recognition for team academic excellence.

Most recently, Waynesburg University’s wrestling team held a place among the National Wresting Coaches Association’s Top-30 Academic Teams list. Led by head coach Ron Headlee, the squad, which includes 24 members, held one of the best GPAs in Division III at 3.34, allowing Waynesburg to tie for 21st place on this year’s prestigious nationwide list. Remarkably, the men accomplished the same feat last year with a 3.31 GPA, landing 20th on the list among 93 schools.

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“We stress the importance of grades and [are sure they understand] they will not be wrestling after four years, but will be using their schooling,” Headlee said. “We want Academic All-Americans as much as we want Wrestling All-Americans.”

Wrestling Criteria for the team award is determined by the average of the cumulative GPAs of 10 wrestlers, of which at least six must have competed at the NCAA Regional this year.

Recent Developments

“Waynesburg University is a member of NCAA Div. III, which cherishes the student-athlete concept of exceling as a student and an athlete. These student-athletes accomplishments are what our coaches and the University strive to attain with all of our student-athletes, and we are extremely proud of their accomplishments.”

-Larry A. Marshall, director of athletics Following the 2014 season, the University’s cross country teams comprised of 13 men and 22 women, and led by head coach Chris Hardie, were named an All-Academic Team by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches of America (USTFCCCA). Posting a team grade point average of 3.55, this was the men’s fifth straight season to achieve the award. Like their counterparts, the women posted a GPA of 3.45, receiving the award for the third straight year.

The University’s track and field team, led by head coach Jason Falvo, is made up of 28 women and 32 men, who collectively boasted a grade point average of 3.38 for the 2013-2014 academic year, resulting in national recognition as a USTFCCCA division III All-Academic Team. Waynesburg was one of only two Presidents' Athletic Conference schools to garner the All-Academic Team award, and the only PAC men’s team to receive the academic recognition.

Just as the individual teams compete together on their respective playing surfaces, there is unity in the journey to academic success. Coaches are meticulously tracking grades, offering times for individual meetings and recognizing opportunities to discuss ways in which student-athletes are able to further enhance academic success. Teammates are holding each other accountable for class attendance, homework assignments and achievement in the classroom, resulting in an undeniable harmony amongst all involved.

The priorities are taken seriously to the point of coaches being flexible, the training schedule being adapted to fit the needs of the student-athlete, off days given for students who need to catch up in classes and more than one practice time offered when class conflicts arise.

“It’s important to us to give the student-athlete the time to succeed,” Hardie said. “As coaches, we consider ourselves educators, and we take that role seriously. We take just as much pride in academic success as in athletic achievements.”

Emphasizing the importance of setting academic- and athletic-related goals, utilizing the University’s resources, implementing focused study hours and expressing expectations prior to the season’s start are some of the ways Falvo sets the tone for the season.

Cross Country To be considered an All-Academic Team, programs must have compiled a cumulative GPA of 3.10 or greater and competed in at least five different meets with at least five runners representing their school at each.

Like Falvo, Jen Brown, a senior on the 2015 cross country team, places a significant amount of weight on the importance of goal setting. Brown finished her junior year with a 3.96 cumulative GPA, and said teammates push one another and are excited to celebrate one another’s individual accomplishments, and ultimately the success it brings to the team.

“When you practice goal setting in your academic life, to do the best work that you can, the same mentality crosses over into a team setting. In a group, it is an exciting thing to watch another person succeed, and it can also prompt others to reach their fullest potential, as well,” Brown said.

For these Waynesburg University athletes and coaches, helping each other reach their fullest potential both on and off their respective playing surfaces is the ultimate goal, a goal that is perfectly in line with Waynesburg University’s commitment to challenge students to excel in scholarship while gaining the knowledge, skills and values necessary for the vocations to which they are called by God. ■

See page 54 for more sports news

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Recent Developments

Middle States reaffirms Waynesburg University’s accreditation The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) recently awarded Waynesburg University reaccreditation for a ten-year period.

“Our success in this assessment of the life, culture and progress of Waynesburg University speaks to the dedication of the entire University community,” said Waynesburg University President Douglas G. Lee. “This reaccreditation is a true reflection of the quality of our academic programs, the individuals behind them and the students enrolled in them.”

MSCHE is a voluntary, non-governmental, membership association that defines, maintains and promotes educational excellence across institutions with diverse missions, student populations and resources. It examines each institution as a whole, rather than specific programs within institutions.

mutually agreed-upon standards to colleagues from peer institutions. The 14 standards covered everything from institutional assessment of overall effectiveness in achieving mission and goals to student support services and educational offerings.

According to the Commission’s vision statement, the commission intends, through voluntary assessment and adherence to high standards for student learning outcomes and operational behavior, to assure higher education’s publics that its accredited institutions are fulfilling their stated purposes and addressing the publics’ expectations.

To earn and maintain accreditation, Waynesburg University was required to demonstrate that it meets or surpasses

Waynesburg University has been accredited by MSCHE since 1950.

Nursing programs reaccredited by CCNE Waynesburg University’s nursing programs were recently reaccredited for the next ten years by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The University was notified in November by the CCNE Board of Commissioners in November that its baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN), master's degree in nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs met all four CCNE accreditation standards with no compliance concerns related to the key elements of any of the standards.

“Accreditation is indicative of program quality,” said Dr. Nancy Mosser, chair of the University’s Department of Nursing. “Current and prospective students can be assured that a rigorous review process of the programs occurred and program outcomes were met.”

The CCNE accreditation standards were amended in 2013, and the University’s Department of Nursing was held to the new standards. The programs were evaluated in regard to mission and governance, institutional commitment and resources, curriculum and teaching-learning practices, and assessment and achievement of program outcomes.

Over the course of a year, a self-study document was written and an evidence room was created to provide documentation of ongoing committee, faculty and student work.

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A team of five evaluators visited the campus from April 7 through 9 to verify and amplify information provided in the self-study document. The evaluators met with senior staff, students, alumni, chief nursing officers in area hospitals and community advisory boards for the Department of Nursing. The evaluators visited both main campus and the Monroeville Center, where Graduate and Professional Studies Nursing Programs are located.

CCNE accreditation is a nongovernmental peer review process that operates in accordance with nationally recognized standards established for the practice of accreditation in the United States.

The Commission ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate and residency programs in nursing.

The Commission serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices. As a voluntary, self-regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self-assessment by nursing programs and supports continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education and post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs.

Recent Developments

Waynesburg’s nursing program achieves sixth year of 100 percent pass rate The Waynesburg University Baccalaureate Nursing Program was recently notified of its 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The University’s program was one of only three baccalaureate programs out of 37 in the state of Pennsylvania to achieve the 100 percent pass rate this year. This year’s feat marks the program’s sixth year of achieving the 100 percent pass rate.

NCLEX subsequent to graduation from a baccalaureate, diploma or associate degree program. A student must pass the exam in order to become licensed to practice as a registered nurse.

This year, 155,585 candidates tested in the United States and achieved an average national pass rate of 81.74 percent.

Pennsylvania had the sixth largest number of candidates, with 7,164 testing from 84 programs with an average pass rate of 82.82 percent. Forty-three Waynesburg University students collectively achieved the 100 percent pass rate on the first attempt.

Mosser said that the program plans to maintain the high pass rates by continuing to offer a rigorous curriculum that challenges students to use evidence-based knowledge as the basis for practice.

The exam pass rate takes into account graduates who tested Oct. 1, 2013, through Sept. 30, 2014. Students take the

“The 100 percent pass rate is an indicator of program quality and the cutting edge curriculum,” said Dr. Nancy Mosser, professor of nursing and chair and director of the Department of Nursing at Waynesburg University. “The faculty works to offer a consistently rigorous, standarddriven program. Students understand that professional values provide the foundation for quality nursing care.”

“The dedication of our students is reflected in the pass rate and their success in being hired following graduation,” she said. “The students work hard over the course of the four years they are enrolled in the program, and we are very proud of them.”

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BRIDGING ACADEMICS & COMMUNITY OUTREACH THE BONNER HIGH-IMPACT INITIATIVE

With a carefully crafted plan and concise action steps, a team of Waynesburg University faculty, administrators, students and local partners are engineering a high-impact initiative designed to bridge engaged learning with community outreach.

The Bonner Foundation recently introduced the HighImpact Initiative, a program intended to help campuses scale effective community engagement initiatives that reach more students and maximize the meaningful impact for communities. As one of 24 participating schools, Waynesburg University is taking steps to infuse high impact practices into the fabric of everyday life at the University, ultimately resulting in valuable, strategic engagement within the local community.

“The High-Impact Initiative is a great opportunity for Waynesburg University to take what we are already doing with our students and the community even further,” said Adrienne Tharp, coordinator of the Bonner Scholar Program. “I’m always impressed with our students and their desire to learn and do more – especially in the community.”

Last summer, Waynesburg’s Bonner High-Impact team received intensive training at the High-Impact Institute at Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., where they generated plans for connecting engaged learning (high-impact practices) with community engagement. The July conference was the first in a series of three and resulted in plans for the University’s current high impact projects: Students as Citizens, Faculty Development and Community Engagement.

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Students as Citizens The Students as Citizens project provides opportunities for students to become more integrated in the community and more involved with service. For example, the entire Waynesburg University incoming freshman class was introduced to service and the community through a service project at Ryerson Station State Park during orientation in August.

The nearly 500 volunteers, which included upperclassmen Bonner Scholars as well as University faculty and staff, removed invasive plant species, stained benches and guardrails at the campground and removed litter along roads in the park. The Bonner Scholars honed their leadership skills by leading the freshmen groups.

“Our Bonner Scholars are increasing their impact on service while motivating, leading and guiding others in service,” Tharp said. “They are becoming servant leaders.”

Additionally, Fiat Lux, a required course for all first-year students at Waynesburg, was restructured to incorporate a service component, and freshmen had the opportunity to participate in a scavenger hunt with local and area businesses during the fall semester.

Faculty Development The Bonner High-Impact team is partnering with the University’s Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) on the

Faculty Development project, with the goal of deepening service and reflection in academic departments through service learning requirements.

“We have been so blessed with an administration that has focused on hiring service-conscious faculty members for more than 20 years,” said Adam Jack, Bonner Scholar Program director, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Social Science and assistant professor of criminal justice. “In comparison to other schools within the Bonner High-Impact Initiative, I feel that we are very much ahead of the curve because of that mindful hiring.”

Current plans include a reception to provide opportunities for faculty and potential community partners to meet and make connections in their respective areas as well as training through the CTE, which provides faculty with the pedagogical support necessary to enable students to achieve even greater success in their academic endeavors.

Community Engagement The Community Engagement project will shed more light on the needs of local organizations through a capacity building survey. The results of the survey will be used to match organizations based on specific needs, such as building a website, managing social media efforts and volunteer recruitment, with students who have the skills to meet those needs.

With the development of stronger, deeper relationships with local organizations a priority, voices from the community are a vital part of the Bonner High-Impact team. Through this effort and the capacity building survey, the University is gaining valuable insight as to where exactly its service should be focused.

“The Bonner High-Impact Initiative is a win-win-win for students, the University and the community,” said Bettie Stammerjohn, executive director of the Community Foundation of Greene County.

Stammerjohn, who serves as a member of the Bonner High-Impact travel team, explained that the initiative opens student service to more organizations and broader types of service activities and will result in more organizations benefiting from service outreach.

“Activities such as research projects and marketing outreach will help to identify community and/or organizational needs and issues,” Stammerjohn said. “Students will gain true experience in areas related to their academic majors.”

With a Christian mission focused on faith, learning and serving, Waynesburg University has always made service to the community a priority. The Bonner High-Impact Initiative enables the University to connect academics with service through creative yet systematic methods – for the benefit of both students and the surrounding area. ■

The Bonner High-Impact Team TRAVEL TEAM • • • • • • • • •

Kimberly Baston, sophomore communication major Caley Blankenbuehler, junior Bonner Scholar and secondary education (mathematics) major Mary Cummings, Vice President for Student Services Adam Jack, Bonner Scholar Program Director, Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Social Science and Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Dr. Jamie Jacobs, Dean for Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Kathy McClure, Director of the Eva K. Bowlby Public Library in Waynesburg Dr. Chad Sethman, Associate Professor of Biology Bettie Stammerjohn, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Greene County Adrienne Tharp, Coordinator of the Bonner Scholar Program

ON-CAMPUS TEAM • • • • • •

Dr. Jacquelyn Core, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Derrion May, junior Bonner Scholar and marine biology major Diana Moninger, Family Literacy Coordinator at the Eva K. Bowlby Public Library in Waynesburg Dr. Janet Paladino, Associate Professor of Biology Kristine Schiffbauer, Instructor of Visual Communication Brandon Szuminsky, Instructor of Communication

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Whether interning at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif., or at the Foundation For His Ministry (FFHM) orphanage in Vicente Guerrero, Mexico, junior biochemistry major Trenton Bromenschenkel is focused on one thing – service as a lifestyle.

As a sophomore the following year, Bromenschenkel turned his attention to the global stage. That summer, he embarked on a two-month service trip to Vicente Guerrero, Mexico, where he served FFHM. There, he gained experience working with dentists, doctors and nurses providing free care to staff and children of the orphanage as well as members of the Vicente Guerrero community.

“Everything we do can be service,” said the El Dorado Hills, Calif., native. “Passing out food to the homeless is service, but so is administering a medication properly. It is a lifestyle.

And that is one reason why I want to become a doctor.”

While juggling his work with FFHM with studying for the MCAT exam, Bromenschenkel’s Spanish improved and he gained a better understanding of people from different backgrounds.

Focused on his goals, Bromenschenkel did not hesitate to pursue a competitive internship early in his college career.

As a freshman, he was undaunted by the rigorous application process that would eventually lead to his acceptance into the Pre-Medical Surgical Internship, Mentorship and Research Program at the UC Davis Medical Center.

Lunch breaks at a local taco shop and the relaxed atmosphere at the clinic in Mexico made for a stark contrast from the sleek operating rooms of the previous summer, but both medical centers were high-quality, well-equipped and instrumental in Bromenschenkel’s development as an aspiring doctor – and both experiences were made possible in part by the strong biochemistry foundation he is developing at Waynesburg University.

“The surgical internship at the UC Davis Medical Center during the summer of 2013 was amazing,” Bromenschenkel said. “My favorite experiences were in the OR. I had the opportunity to see some amazing operations ranging from kidney transplants to spinal surgery to laparoscopic cholecystectomies.”

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“The biochemistry program has definitely cemented my commitment to medicine,” Bromenschenkel said. “I feel like now I know why I’m going through my undergrad and am excited to continue on to medical school.”

SERVICE AS A LIFESTYLE FROM OPERATING ROOMS TO AIR PATROL

In addition to lessons learned in the classroom, On average, this award is presented to only two cadets Bromenschenkel has also embraced countless opportuniout of every thousand. To qualify, cadets ranging from ties to develop the invaluable life skills that will no doubt ages 12 to 21 spend multiple years progressing through serve him well in the future. A heavy course load, serving 16 achievements in the CAP Cadet Program, developing as a resident assistant and a peer self-discipline, a strong sense of tutor, and providing service to his personal responsibility and the The biochemistry community have also contributed ability to lead and persuade along program has definitely to Bromenschenkel’s well-rounded the way – all qualities that have undergraduate career. led to success in other areas of cemented my Bromenschenkel’s life. commitment to medicine. I Remarkably, there is yet another feel like now I know why I’m element to the multifaceted young Ever faithful, Bromenschenkel going through my undergrad man who recognizes the value relies on the Bible verse 1 Timothy of uniting his time, passions and 4:12 to keep him inspired. “Let no and am excited to continue on talents. one despise your youth, but be an to medical school. example to the believers in word, in During fall break in 2014, he conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, boarded an airplane and flew to the in purity.”

California Wing Conference in Sacramento, Calif., where he was awarded Spaatz Award #1966 from the National “This verse reminds me that whatever I do is to build up Commander of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) for his participaothers and not to build up myself, even in my youth,” said tion and achievements in the CAP Cadet Program.

Bromenschenkel. “My conduct should be exemplary at all times and should encourage others to act uprightly as “The Spaatz Award is the culmination of about seven well.” years of very active CAP participation,” Bromenschenkel said. “This included attendance at national activities, Coming from Bromenschenkel, this mindset is not testing on aviation knowledge and leading classes, weekly surprising. After all, service is his lifestyle. ■ drills and physical training.”

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Every step of the way

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On the morning of May 3, some students were burning off nerves in the fitness center, while others packed quickly and sloppily the last remaining socks and shampoo bottles. Some met up early with friends of four years to shed tears in their pancakes and coffee. Others slept in, enjoying the last few hours of pregraduate rest.

RJ Tonks prayed. While a sense of overwhelming peace and confidence in the Lord’s will gently guided him to commencement day, he still prayed.

“I have God on my side and I know He has a plan for me to walk one day,” he said. “Whether it was in His plan for me to walk at graduation or not, His timing is always perfect.”

Tonks, who developed a virus that left a scar on his brain at the age of eight, dramatically lost hand eye coordination, mobility, speech, balance and fine motor skills after the virus left his body. His parents and friends watched as Tonks’ coordination deteriorated to the point of not being able to play deck hockey, one of his favorite activities.

Tonks, who is sharp, warm and immensely kind, felt stuck inside a body that betrayed him more and more every day.

“When I was younger, doctors told me I was going to be wheelchair bound one day and wouldn't be able to ever get any better,” Tonks said. “They were half right. I became wheelchair bound a quarter of the way through my freshman year at Waynesburg.”

Tonks, a sports management major, was determined to remain a college student throughout the process of transitioning to a wheel chair full-time.

“Whenever you’re in the situation that I was, coming to a campus on the side of the hill and knowing that you’ll need a power chair, you almost have to be brave to make that decision,” Tonks said.

Not only was he brave enough to manage daily academic tasks with declining eye sight, penmanship and focus, but he was also brave enough to face the other half of the odds predicted by the doctors. Tonks beat them, and then some.

As a freshman, Tonks began traveling to the Carrick Brain Centers in Marietta, Ga., for life-changing, albeit expensive, therapy. After nine trips to Georgia, Tonks could walk with the assistance of a walker.

But Tonks always had a goal to walk the commencement stage without a walker. He didn’t want the doctors

to be right about the other half – the half that said he would never get better.

To pay for his tenth treatment, the one that would enable him to defy the odds and walk unassisted at graduation, members of Waynesburg University’s Business Club and friends of Tonks held a campus and community fundraiser that garnered $8,500. The funds covered approximately one week at the Brain Center.

“We have come to know and love RJ over the past couple years, and he has been an inspiration to us,” said Joshuah Dains, a senior business management major and an organizer of the fundraiser. “We aren't here just to give him a pat on the back and words of encouragement, but we support him in this journey. We are right beside him every step of the way.”

Tonks didn’t expect his friends to come through in such an impactful way. Only at Waynesburg, he said, could you find people who would be willing to go beyond that pat on the back.

“We didn't do this fundraiser to fulfill requirements for a class, to have something cool on our resume or because our professors asked us to,” said Dains. “We did it because we believe in RJ, and we wanted to support him. That led to hours and hours of serving together for a common goal.”

With so many looking to him as an inspiration, RJ could have buckled under the pressure, but as a man of Christ, he accepted the platitudes humbly and allowed them to push him further in his treatment.

“To know that I inspire another human being, regardless of who it is, is an amazing feeling,” he said. “But when the person telling me they're inspired by me is a friend or someone I have great respect for, it really hits home and makes me want to work harder to reach my goals."

On May 3, 2015, Tonks inspired an entire community of faculty, staff, students and their parents when he walked across the commencement stage to accept his diploma. The crowd, seemingly as invested in the tenacious feat as RJ himself, burst into applause and rose to their feet as he proved to doctors of his past that they were indeed, only half right. ■ The Lamp: Summer 2015

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Broadcasting the Trans World Radio (TWR) broadcasts the word of God in more than 230 languages across 160 countries. Several of the voices heard over those airwaves belong to Waynesburg University communication students, faculty and administration.

“Teams of students and faculty from Waynesburg University have assisted Trans World Radio at our broadcasting site on the island of Bonaire for the last several years,” said Tim Klingbeil, International Director of the Americas Region for TWR. “Their enthusiasm, hard work and flexibility have been deeply appreciated by our small team on the island.

It is amazing how much a dedicated team is able to accomplish in a week’s time using their unique gifts and abilities!”

In January 2013, a group of Waynesburg communication students and two of their professors embarked on a journey to Bonaire that would challenge them to put their skills to use – a journey that would be just the beginning of a relationship immensely fruitful for both TWR and the University.

Since that first trip, a team of students has returned to the island each January to assist the international broadcast ministry with daily operations. The team also works ahead on projects that would otherwise be impossible due to a small staff at TWR.

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“Our relationship with TWR has become an ongoing relationship,” said Waynesburg University Provost Jacquelyn Core. “We are in the process of preparing a cookbook which includes traditional Bonairian foods, and our students have been assisting TWR with the preparation of a new service program which will bring boy scouts to the island to earn three merit badges and to serve with TWR. TWR is an ideal partner for us, and we are focused on deepening our relationship to meet their needs.”

As soon as one trip is over, trip leaders start getting ready for the next trip. Preparations include not only the obvious – inviting students, making airline reservations, fundraising – but also compiling a list of academic skills possessed by individual students attending the trip.

That list is sent to TWR well in advance of the trip. TWR then goes through their own lengthy to-do lists to find projects that match the skill set of the service team, covering everything from video production to writing to layout and design.

According to Dr. Chad Sherman, assistant professor of communication, TWR has partnered with Waynesburg, because the University is diligent in creating a team of students with appropriate skills that align well with TWR’s goals.

“Students don’t go on this trip simply because they need a vacation,” Dr. Sherman said. “They get practical assignments that relate directly to their skill set. There really is a direct connection between what the students learn in class and what they do in Bonaire.”

Word of God With plans to travel to Bonaire again before he graduates, junior public relations major Jordan Mitrik wrote and recorded radio liners and helped create and manage a social media plan for TWR during the most recent service trip.

“What’s great about this trip is that we can combine our passion for service with our God-given talents to help people who need it,” Mitrik said. “We used our communication skills and the things we learned in our classes and applied them in a real life situation.”

During the trip, students also have the opportunity to grow in their faith. They experience firsthand how a mission station operates and have nightly dinners with the missionaries as well as devotions every morning, parts of which are in the local language of Papiamento.

“It was rewarding because we were able to accomplish a lot as a team, but we also came together to develop spiritually as well,” Mitrik said.

A long history Beth Merry, who teaches a cross cultural communication class that helped the students prepare for the international experience, and TWR have a history that began long before Waynesburg University’s first trip to Bonaire.

“My family and I have a history with TWR that goes back decades,” said Merry, whose father was a physician and served on Bonaire, often taking the whole family along with

him. “I was on the island very early in the ministry of TWR, when I was just a little girl.”

While on the island as a child, and later while interning during summers as a college student, Merry developed lifelong friendships with some of the TWR missionaries on the island, a connection that has proven mutually beneficial for the University and TWR.

A new chapter In 2014, Waynesburg University became an official partner with the parent organization for the Bonaire operation through the efforts of Dr. Core.

Dr. Karen Younger, co-chair of the Department of Humanities and assistant professor of history, also attended the trip this year with the goal of establishing a service trip to TWR-Bonaire for history majors. She was successful.

Next year, two teams of students will travel to the island, a traditional group of communication students as well as a team of students with a history focus who hope to prepare a documentary film about the island’s history and TWR’s place in that history.

Applying academic and vocational skills to service is at the heart of the Waynesburg University mission. Established partnerships like this one with TWR provide students with an opportunity to connect their faith, learning and serving in ways that provide for individual growth and that positively impact the world. ■

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When a life-threatening virus with a frightening transfer rate made its way to the United States last year, one Waynesburg University doctoral student helped address the critical issue of patient care.

Among the shuffle and hustle surrounding the recent Ebola outbreak, Melissa Hubbard quietly and efficiently led a team of nurses to accept and treat patients suffering from the virus at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, Md. Hubbard, who enrolled in Waynesburg University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program in the fall of 2014, is the Clinical Manager for the Special Clinical Studies Unit (SCSU), a specialized patient care unit within the Nursing Department at the NIH. She helped to treat an American health care worker who contracted Ebola while volunteering in Sierra Leone. The American patient was the second to be treated for Ebola at the Maryland facility, which previously remedied and released a nurse who contracted Ebola in Dallas. During that time, the NIH Clinical Center also monitored two patients who were considered high risk for having the deadly disease. Those individuals were later released.

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“The staff of the SCSU was ready to accept a patient who has an occupational exposure to a high containment pathogen from one of the high containment labs we support,” Hubbard said. “Our mission is to isolate and manage occupational exposures, and we have been active since late 2010.”

Hubbard, who “enjoys the challenge of the unknown,” has seen many cases of infectious disease while working with the NIH. “We are always on alert and have to be ready to accept a patient at any time. This requires a lot of vigilance on our part to keep our staff trained and ready,” she said. “We also have to maintain our policies and procedures to make sure we are up to date and ready.”

Even with exceptional procedures and staff in place, Hubbard could feel the heat of hundreds of reporters as her team treated the individuals.

“We did feel extra pressure from all of the hype that was surrounding these patients. There was more media presence, and we had to be much more aware of who we were speaking to,” Hubbard said. “However, the staff was well trained and extremely ready to care for the patients. There was never a question of ability when we were called to take patients.”

With her collected mindset and professional attitude, Hubbard was well prepared to lead her staff. All the while, she was learning more about leadership in nursing as a student at Waynesburg.

“Waynesburg was recommended to me as a DNP Program that was focused on leadership and management rather than being only practice-based like many programs,” she said. “Though I am fairly new to the DNP Program, I have been learning an immense amount about leadership and management that I am working to implement into my day to day duties.”

Expected to graduate from the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program in the fall of 2017, Hubbard looks forward to continuing her studies among skilled nurses in the region.

“I have just started the program, so I am enjoying the class I am currently enrolled in – Interprofessional Collaboration and Team Building,” she said. “The class is very motivating and challenges me to work on my leadership skills.

We have been given a variety of tools to apply in our work environment as well as personal challenges to improve.”

Waynesburg’s DNP Program, which is one of approximately 30 in the country, is a 36-credit program completed on a part-time basis, with degree completion in three or four years.

Because each course only meets one weekend every other month during the 15-week semester, with learning activities and assignments to be completed between seminars, Hubbard and others who live and work out of state are able to enroll.

Hubbard, who received her bachelor of science in nursing degree from Montana State University and her master of science in nursing degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., started her career as a staff nurse in medical oncology at Billings Clinic in Billings, Mont.

She has also served as a surgical intensive care unit staff nurse at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

She arrived at the Clinical Center Nursing Department in 2010 as one of 10 nurses tasked with opening the SCSU. She is the Chair-Elect for the Nurse Practice Counsel, which is the oversight committee within the shared governance structure in the Nursing Department, and in 2013 she received a Clinical Center Director’s Award for Strategic Innovation for her exceptional leadership in developing the capacity of the Special Clinical Studies Unit to meet its mission. ■ The Lamp: Summer 2015

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MORE THAN A TEACHER

For Waynesburg University’s Athletic Training Program director Dr. Drue Stapleton, knowledge is a journey on which students and teachers are fellow travelers.

I AM NOT A TEACHER – ONLY A FELLOW TRAVELER OF WHOM YOU ASKED THE WAY. I POINTED AHEAD– AHEAD OF MYSELF AS WELL AS OF YOU. - GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

“I see my role as an individual whose job it is to help my students learn, whatever the content,” said Stapleton, who identifies George Bernard Shaw’s quote as one that represents his view on education and his role as an educator. “It isn’t my job to tell my students how to do it, but merely to help them figure out the best way for them.”

Stapleton, whose other roles at Waynesburg University include assistant professor of athletic training and assistant athletic trainer, joined the University in 2013. His philosophy, according to his students, is an effective one.

“Dr. Stapleton has made a huge impact on my life, both personally and professionally,” said Savannah Paladin, a junior athletic training

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major from Pittsburgh. “While he's known to be a stickler and a rather difficult professor, I know that he has made me a stronger person in general. He has challenged me to step beyond my comfort zone and really pushes me to reach my full potential.”

Jacob Shultz, a senior athletic training major from Hermitage, Pa., agrees.

“He has been more than an instructor; he’s been a friend when I needed one and has helped me succeed by being a mentor,” Shultz said. “He gave me confidence in the skills that I possess, showing me that I can be a successful athletic trainer in the near future.”

Stapleton’s students are not the only testaments to the success of his teaching philosophy. A 100 percent pass rate on the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination achieved by 2014 graduates of the Athletic Training Program at Waynesburg further cements the value of his methods. Students must pass the BOC exam in order to become certified to practice as athletic trainers.

“In all honesty, the success falls on the students,” Stapleton said. “They are the ones who put the work in throughout the spring semester, who spent time reviewing material and answering questions, and they are the ones who took the exam. All I did was tell them they could do it and answered questions they had.”

Perhaps Stapleton views his role in the 100 percent pass rate as secondary, but the achievement is certainly indicative of the Athletic Training Program’s quality as well as the quality of both the students and the professors who guide them.

According to Stapleton, one advantage of Waynesburg’s program is its small size, which enables professors to develop relationships with each student, focus on the goals of that individual student and, when necessary, tailor the teaching approach, clinically and didactically, to that student.

“The teacher is a facilitator, assisting students along one portion of the journey of knowledge development,” said Stapleton, who believes the essential task of the teacher is to encourage lifelong learning, not to simply provide information.

Many would think his responsibilities as teacher, facilitator, encourager, mentor and athletic trainer at Waynesburg would be enough to fill 24 hours a day, but Stapleton’s many roles at the University are but a portion of his many roles in life. Also a father, husband and endurance athlete, Stapleton challenges himself daily, just as he challenges his students.

The dedicated multitasker completed his first Ironman Triathlon in July 2014, somehow finding the time to train and compete amid an already busy time in his personal life.

“I signed up for the race when my wife was eight months pregnant with our second child,” said Stapleton, who spent six days a week for at least six months training for the triathlon. “My wife is the real Ironman – or woman – as the case may be.”

With the fortitude of a focused endurance athlete, Stapleton doesn’t stop there. Active in his field, he has been published in multiple books and is working on various articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals, such as the “Athletic Training Education Journal,” the “Journal of Teaching in Physical Education” and “Quest.”

Stapleton also served as the president of the West Virginia Athletic Trainers’ Association from 2012 to 2014 and remains active in that organization as well as other professional organizations.

“I try to model what it means to be engaged in the profession through volunteer service, attendance at meetings and continually learning and evolving my skills,” Stapleton said.

The nationally certified athletic trainer and strength and conditioning specialist holds a Ph.D. in kinesiology from West Virginia University, a M.Ed. in post-secondary education from Salisbury University, a bachelor’s degree in athletic training and physical education from the State University of New York and an associate’s degree in physical education studies from Hudson Valley Community College.

While he may identify with George Bernard Shaw’s “I am not a teacher” quote, it stands to reason that Dr. Drue Stapleton is, in reality, much more than a teacher. ■

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More than twenty years ago, the idea of raising blinds, controlling lights and engaging security systems from the touch of a button seemed like a distant concept. Controlling a smart house from a smart phone was an often-parodied concept in movies; but engineers and builders with big brains and bigger dreams knew that it could be done.

Waynesburg College alumnus Ray Ladesic has built and sustained a business on those dreams, his own dreams to drive a company to new heights in technology and his clients’ dreams to live comfortably and luxuriously in “smart houses.”

One of those clients is the Pittsburgh Penguins’ star defenseman Kris Letang, who Ladesic recently worked with to create a smart house in Montreal, Canada. For his work with Letang, Ladesic’s company was featured on the cover of the leading industry trade magazine.

Eagle Sentry, Southern Nevada's leading custom electronics design and installation company, has been featured in a number of articles and magazines since Ladesic bought and revolutionized the company in 1996.

Shortly after graduating from Waynesburg College in 1975, Ladesic took a position at the Las Vegas company, then worked his way to ownership.

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90 employees. The company had grown to approximately 13,000 accounts and was one of the largest security companies in the country.

“We had built the account base up so much that they could sell it for several million,” Ladesic said. “I had built up a lot of those accounts, so I could choose to work for someone else or buy the company and take those accounts.”

Dedicated to the clients he had brought to the company and faithful to his hard-earned and well-developed passion, Ladesic bought the company. He had a vision to transform Eagle Sentry’s offerings from security-based to technology-based.

“I wanted to nurture what I started,” he said. “It was the beginning of things such as controlling your shades through touch panels and making rooms into smart houses. We’ve not only survived, we’ve thrived.”

“I would sell, install and order. I worked in every aspect of the business in the beginning,” he said. “We didn’t have anyone else.”

At the height of Eagle Sentry, the company grossed about 10 million annually and boasted 140 employees. He went an entire year without a pay check to help it grow. To this day, Ladesic’s multi-million dollar company is debt free.

Very quickly, the company grew. By 1996, Eagle Sentry, which provides state-of-the-art electronic and security solutions for homes all over the country, had expanded to

Now focused mostly on home audio/visual, security and integrated systems, Ladesic’s labor of love calls a number of famous men and women clients.

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Ray Ladesic with Kris Letang

“We’ve done work for a lot of professional football players, Carlos Santana, Letang, you name it,” he said.

Despite his overwhelming prosperity in Nevada, the bright lights of Las Vegas serve as a daily reminder of Ladesic’s humble beginnings in Pittsburgh, Pa. “We didn’t have much money,” he said. “The only reason I was able to go to Waynesburg was because I got a scholarship.”

Ladesic, who remains thankful for the donors who helped make his own education possible, has committed to paying it forward as he continues to build a successful career.

“There’s a need to give back because I see students who want to go to college but can’t. I believe that my donations to Waynesburg can help people get an education and better themselves. If I’m in a position to help, I will.”

To this day, Ladesic thinks of Waynesburg as the place where he developed his business acumen, which has inspired a Nevada business to break new ground. His “stickto-it” attitude has delivered financial success, numerous covers on trade magazines and a celebrity clientele.

“I enjoyed everything about Waynesburg,” he said.

“When I visited bigger schools, I got lost in the masses. At Waynesburg, I felt safe. It’s a neat little town. The quaintness of the college and campus – everything just felt right.” ■

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Events

Charter Day

2015

“In order to walk on the water, one must first get out of the boat.”

On Tuesday, March 24, 2015, Bishop Loran E. Mann, founder and senior pastor of the Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ, urged those present at the celebration of the 165th anniversary of Waynesburg University’s charter to commit themselves anew to “out of the boat, out of the box” thinking, methods and procedures.

Introduced by President Douglas G. Lee, Bishop Mann shared the Charter Day Convocation Address, entitled, “Get Out of the Boat.” During the address, he referenced Matthew 14:22-33, the narrative of Christ walking on water, stating that the story is as relevant to life today as it was when it was first transcribed.

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The Bishop’s connection to the University’s mission through his own dedication to service gave weight to his message as he encouraged the University community to get out of the boat.

Bishop Mann’s ministry spans more than forty years and includes spiritual, educational, social and recreational components.

He is actively involved in the worldwide ministry of the Church of God in Christ. In April of 2000, he was appointed Commissioner of Television for the denomination

by Presiding Bishop G.E. Patterson. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the General Assembly, the legislative branch of the church.

In March 2005, Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell appointed Bishop Mann as a member of the Pennsylvania Public Television Network Commission. This commission and his oversight establishes policy for all public television stations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

“In order to walk on the water, one must first get out of the boat,” he said. “That principle is basic to the success of any endeavor. Only those who shed the safety of containment do the impossible.”

Bishop Mann began global ministry in 2005 when he established the Worldwide Gospel Network to provide religious programming via internet around-the-clock, seven days a week.

Bishop Mann was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University in 2010 for his desire and commitment to live out his dreams as they relate to his God-given talents and serving others.

A respected former broadcast journalist, Bishop Mann received numerous awards over his twenty-one year career as News Anchor/Reporter for WPXI-TV, Channel 11, the Pittsburgh affiliate of NBC.

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Events

An Evening with Jared Anderson The Charter Day festivities concluded with an evening concert by Jared Anderson.

Anderson, a Christian worship leader from Colorado Springs, Colo., grew up in New Life Church where he served for many years as part of New Life Worship and the Desperation Band.

Anderson has been writing and recording songs that have been recognized by the Christian Copyright Licensing International Chart.

Anderson has released four solo albums with Integrity Music, titled “Where to Begin,” “Where Faith Comes From,” “Live From My Church” and “The Narrow Road.” Anderson also wrote the hit songs “Ready Now,” “Glorified,” and “Amazed,” and collaborated with New Life Worship to write “The Great I Am,” “Overcome” and “Love Devine.”

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Events

Commencement The One Hundred and Sixty-Sixth Year of the University

Waynesburg University held its annual Commencement exercises Sunday, May 3, honoring approximately 730 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students.

The Most Rev. David A. Zubik, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, delivered the Commencement Address. During the ceremony, the Bishop received a Papal Blessing from Pope Francis as well as an Honorary Doctorate degree from the University.

The special blessing from the Pope, presented to Bishop Zubik by Waynesburg University President Douglas G. Lee and Laura Ellsworth, a University trustee and partner at Jones Day, honored Bishop Zubik on the day that marked the 40th anniversary of his ordination, which was May 3, 1975.

Presented with the blessing was a letter from Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, from which Ellsworth read a few lines: “On Sunday, May 3, you will celebrate your 40th anniversary of priestly ordination as you also give the Commencement Address at Waynesburg University and receive an honorary doctorate. It is a great pleasure for me to offer you fraternal congratulations on this day that renews for all of us the joy of your ordination and at the same time to offer heartfelt best wishes as you receive this distinguished academic recognition.”

Isaiah Cochran delivered the valedictory on behalf of the valedictorians. Laura A. Smith, who received a Master of Arts degree in clinical mental health counseling, represented the graduate program students.

Prior to the commencement exercises, The Rev. Dr. Peter J. Paris, the Elmer G. Homrighausen professor emeritus of Christian social ethics at Princeton Theological Seminary, delivered the Baccalaureate Address, “On Becoming a Good Person.” Rev. Dr. Paris was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree for the ways in which he parallels Waynesburg University’s mission of faith, learning and serving.

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Events

Class of 2015 Valedictorians: John Evan Allison, a biology (pre-med) graduate from Hickory, Pa.

“As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, ‘An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.’ Class of 2015, use your knowledge as a catalyst for change. Go out into the world as educated Christians and achieve things you would never have conceived of.”

- Isaiah Cochran, Valedictorian

Isaiah Antoine Cochran, a biology (pre-med) graduate from Akron, Ohio

Sara Marie Faiad, a psychology graduate from South Fork, Pa.

Quincy Alexander Hathaway, an environmental science graduate from Jefferson, Pa.

“The good you achieve for yourself can also be for a greater good – the good of others – the greatest good a human can do.”

– Rev. Dr. Peter Paris, Baccalaureate speaker

Carolyn May Highland, a biology (pre-med) graduate from Allentown, Pa.

Jeremy Scott Hinkle, a forensic accounting graduate from Washington, Pa.

Gina Marie Robinson, an English (literature) graduate from Lower Burrell, Pa.

SEE MORE PHOTOS ON INSTAGRAM

#showmewu

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Events

Tradition: Coming Home

Homecoming 2014 Waynesburg University celebrated its annual Homecoming Weekend Friday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 11, with a number of activities for students, alumni and members of the community.

The weekend kicked off with an alumni golf event at Rohanna’s Golf Course, followed by a reception at the president’s home, a picnic in Johnson Commons, a pep rally and the Waynesburg Idol Finale on an outdoor stage. Many alumni returned to The Lodge at Rohanna’s that evening for an All Alumni Celebration.

Saturday’s festivities began with an early morning 5K run/walk including students, alumni, faculty, staff and members of the local community. Prior to the football game, Waynesburg alumni had the opportunity to take part in the second annual JacketFest, a family-friendly event in Johnson Commons offering games, prizes and snacks.

The Yellow Jacket football team took on Case Western Reserve University at John F. Wiley Stadium Saturday afternoon and experienced a 35-15 victory over the Spartans.

The Waynesburg University student body crowned its 2014 Homecoming King and Queen at a ceremony held during halftime of the game. RJ Tonks, a senior sports management major from Greensburg, Pa., and Shelby Tabrosky, a senior communication (sports broadcasting/sports information) major from Glenshaw, Pa., were named king and queen, respectively.

Following the game, alumni came together to enjoy a 5th Quarter Steak Cookout at John F. Wiley Stadium.

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Events

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Events

Waynesburg University’s Second Annual Merit Badge University provided Boy Scouts with the opportunity to earn merit badges while being exposed to a wide spectrum of academic disciplines by qualified faculty and staff at Waynesburg University Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014.

“Our institutional mission of faith, learning and serving makes offering this service to Boy Scouts a natural fit for Waynesburg University,” said Dr. Jacquelyn Core, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “We are excited to continue our long scouting tradition which dates back to the beginning of scouting when alumnus Governor Edward Martin began the first Boy Scout troop in Greene County.”

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship and develops personal fitness.

ON TUESDAY, NOV. 18, THE FORT JACKSON CHAPTER OF THE PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (PASSAR) RECOGNIZED WAYNESBURG UNIVERSITY FOR ITS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ITS ANNUAL MERIT BADGE UNIVERSITY.

Pictured, from left to right, are Gary Timmons, PASSAR District Deputy; Jeff Widdup, President of PASSAR's Fort Jackson Chapter; Douglas G. Lee, Waynesburg University President; and Eric Troutman, PASSAR President.

THIS YEAR 30 MERIT BADGES WERE OFFERED, INCLUDING 8 EAGLE REQUIRED MERIT BADGES. THE BADGES INCLUDE: AMERICAN BUSINESS AMERICAN CULTURE AMERICAN HERITAGE AVIATION BIRD STUDY CHEMISTRY CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY CITIZENSHIP IN THE NATION CITIZENSHIP IN THE WORLD COMMUNICATION CRIME PREVENTION

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CYCLING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY DISABILITIES AWARENESS ELECTRICITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FINGERPRINTING FIRE SAFETY GRAPHIC ARTS INDIAN LORE INSECT STUDIES

LAW MUSIC ORIENTEERING POTTERY PROGRAMMING SUSTAINABILITY SWIMMING WEATHER

Upcoming Events

September 16

Detroit Alumni and Friends Dinner

September 17

Cleveland Alumni and Friends Dinner

September 18

Washington, PA, Women's Alumnae Luncheon

September 24

Richmond Alumni & Friends Dinner

October 2-3

Homecoming (vs. Grove City College)

October 15

Las Vegas Alumni & Friends Dinner

October 20

NYC Networking Lunch with President Lee

November 12

Atlanta Alumni and Friends Dinner

November 19

Recent Grad Night in Pittsburgh

Visit www.waynesburgunited.com/upcomingevents for more information on the following events. Questions? Email alumni@waynesburg.edu or call 724-852-3256.

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Campus News

Historic Hanna Hall bell restored Waynesburg University’s campus rang with a celebratory sound during this year’s Commencement exercises, thanks to the generosity of the Class of 2015.

The senior class gift funded the restoration of the bell that once hung in the cupola of Hanna Hall, and on Sunday, May 3, the Class of 2015 became the first class to have that bell mark their graduation in more than a century.

Cast in 1875, the bell once proclaimed each new day of learning at Waynesburg University – welcoming both men and women to an institution of higher learning that was one of the first in the nation to educate both equally.

Today, Hanna Hall remains one of the two oldest buildings in America with that historic distinction.

Now on display next to Hanna Hall in Cusick Court, the bell was removed from the cupola more than a century ago because it was too heavy for the structure. Emblazoned on the bell is the Latin phrase “Pro veritate et virtute,” which translates to “For truth and courage.” A plaque will accompany the bell in its new, permanent location to explain its history, the meaning of the Latin phrase and the significance of the generosity of the class of 2015.

“The whole thing behind the bell is that it ties our history into the present day,” said Joshuah Dains, Student Senate president and a member of the senior class gift committee.

“To me, this reaffirms the school's mission by returning a landmark to our campus that existed in the University’s early years and connects current students to that rich past.”

Vincent Allen Inc. Metal Restoration in Pittsburgh returned the bell to its original state by shining the bell’s metal surface and removing the grime that developed during years of storage.

“I'm extremely proud and overwhelmed by how many seniors and their families have given to make this project possible,” said Vikki Beppler, assistant director of Alumni Relations. “We’ve had more student gifts given than in years past. I'm really proud of the seniors stepping up and raising the money on their own.”

This year’s senior class gift of $8,000, which included donations from future alumni and their families, funded the entire project.

Pictured, left to right: Courtney Dennis, coordinator of institutional advancement and history at Waynesburg University; Douglas G. Lee, Waynesburg University president; Mark Fischer, president of the Greene County Historical Society’s Board of Directors; and Patrick Fitch, secretary of the Greene County Historical Society’s Board of Directors.

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Campus News

Cipoletti, Wright and Martin receive Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Awards

Michael Cipoletti with Dr. Jacquelyn Core

Dr. Marietta Wright with Dr. Jacquelyn Core

Dr. Nancy Mosser with Erin Martin

Three Waynesburg University faculty members received the 2015 Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Awards during the University’s chapel service Tuesday, April 7.

Institutional Effectiveness and Planning. “In addition, they cite her strengths as an advisor and as a faculty member who embodies the caring spirit of Waynesburg University.”

The Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Awards are awarded annually. One recognizes a faculty member with a history of teaching excellence. A second award recognizes a faculty member with teaching excellence in introductory subjects, and the third award is given to a part-time faculty member at any Waynesburg University site.

Wright joined the University in 2005 and holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Science degree from West Virginia University and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

Michael Cipoletti, Assistant Professor of Forensic Science, received the 2015 Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Award for a faculty member with a history of teaching excellence.

“Mike’s efforts to provide our undergraduates with novel research opportunities are notable,” said Evonne Baldauff, Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Assistant Professor of Chemistry. “He takes time to mentor each student, reviewing proper instrument usage and technique, requires students to investigate scientific literature, and encourages students to present their findings on campus and at regional conferences.”

Cipoletti joined the University in 2008 and holds a Master of Science degree from West Virginia University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Westminster College.

Marietta Wright, Assistant Professor of Biology, received the 2015 Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Award for a faculty member with teaching excellence in introductory subjects.

“Dr. Wright consistently is recognized by her students for her commitment to excellence in student learning, particularly in her introductory Biology classes but also in more advanced courses,” said Dr. Jamie Jacobs, Dean for

Erin Martin received the 2015 Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Award for a non-full-time faculty member.

Martin is a Lecturer in Nursing.

“Erin Martin is consistently described by students as an excellent clinical instructor who provides students with reality-based, real-world clinical experiences,” said Dr. Nancy Mosser, Professor of Nursing and Chair and Director of the Department of Nursing at Waynesburg University. “She holds students to high standards and is respected by them for her extensive background in critical care nursing. The Department of Nursing at Waynesburg University is fortunate to have Erin Martin as a clinical faculty member.”

Martin joined the University in 2006 and holds a Master of Science in Nursing degree from Waynesburg University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from West Virginia University.

The Lucas-Hathaway Charitable Trust has established an endowed fund that provides two annual teaching excellence awards for full-time faculty members and one award for a part-time faculty member. Faculty members were nominated by students, faculty or alumni. Each recipient of the Lucas-Hathaway Award for Teaching Excellence received a commemorative plaque and a $1,200 award. The Trust is funded by J. Richard Lucas and C. Joan Hathaway Lucas, members of the class of 1950.

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Campus News

Rev. James Tinnemeyer joins University Serving as University chaplain and the director of the Center for Leadership and Christian Ministry, Tinnemeyer, who joined the University in July 2014, works to foster spiritual formation in the University community.

“We are pleased to have Rev. Tinnemeyer in this role,” said Waynesburg University President Douglas G. Lee. “With his leadership experience in all aspects of congregational life, he brings to the University a diverse background.”

Tinnemeyer has experience in leading worship, preaching, teaching, pastoral care and administration, as well as fundraising and law.

Previously, he served at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, which has 950 members. There, he was the acting senior pastor, head of staff and executive pastor.

Among his responsibilities, Tinnemeyer led Sunday worship, offered weekly pastoral visitation and periodic pastoral counseling and oversaw and monitored all of the church’s financials.

He also served in leadership roles with various committees at the church, including the stewardship, representative nominating and communications committees.

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Additionally, Tinnemeyer periodically led young adult fellowship meetings and taught adult education classes, confirmation classes and college ministry.

Through its 2008 Capital Campaign, “Building Community,” Shadyside Presbyterian Church raised $5 million for renovations to the church under Tinnemeyer’s leadership.

A member of the Pittsburgh Presbytery, Tinnemeyer serves on various committees for the organization.

Previously, Tinnemeyer served as associate pastor at Oakmont Presbyterian Church in Oakmont, Pa., and as an associate attorney at Buchanan Ingersoll, P.C., and Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. Tinnemeyer holds a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University.

Campus News

University welcomes two new trustees Laura Ellsworth and Mary Ann Meloy were elected to the Waynesburg University Board of Trustees during the September 2014 board meeting. They began their terms in February.

Mary Ann Meloy A resident of Pittsburgh, Pa., Meloy is a widely-recognized specialist in the areas of government affairs, public affairs and media relations. She possesses vast experience at the federal, state and local levels of government.

Serving on President Ronald Reagan’s staff as associate director of the White House Office of Public Liaison, Meloy represented the President of the United States to a broad cross-section of special interest constituencies and other national and international organizations, as well as the national media. Coordination with all White House Offices, all agencies of the federal government and with members of the Congress were essential to this role.

international law firm. Since joining Jones Day in 1992, she has practiced a wide range of complex commercial litigation including high-profile, multi-jurisdictional product liability and bankruptcy cases.

She has been involved extensively in electronic discovery and currently serves on the Jones Days’ e-Discovery Committee.

Ellsworth is Partner-in-Charge of the Jones Day Pittsburgh office.

Mary Ann Meloy

Meloy’s public service includes the responsibility for the direct administration of two major departments of government in Pennsylvania: Deputy Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Aging. She also served on the Pennsylvania State Tax Equalization Laura Ellsworth Board; the State Healthcare Coordinating Council, of which she was the Chair of the Plan Development Committee; and was a founding member of the board of the Keystone State Head Injury Foundation.

She has completed the Governor’s Senior Management Development Program at the School of Urban and Public Affairs at Carnegie Mellon University.

Laura Ellsworth Named one of Pennsylvania’s “Best 50 Women in Business,” Laura Ellsworth practices as a partner at Jones Day, an elite

She has been named one of the best lawyers in America for commercial litigation and was recognized as a "leader in her field" by Chambers USA in 2009. Ellsworth was recognized as a "leader in the law" by the Legal Intelligencer and as one of the top female litigators in Pennsylvania by Pennsylvania Law Weekly.

Ellsworth received a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh, where she was a University Scholar, a contributor to the Law Review and a recipient of the Order of the Coif.

She serves as the vice chair of the board of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and on the boards of the Governor’s appointed Council on Privatization and Innovation and the Allegheny Conference on Economic Development.

Ellsworth works closely with the Imani Christian Academy as a board member and co-teacher. Imani Christian Academy began in 1993 as an alternative to public education, with 30 students in a single-family house in Swissvale, which is east of Pittsburgh. The vision for Imani was born out of a desire to create a learning environment free of violence and focused on developing positive self-esteem in children, with Christ as the center and foundation of their education.

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Campus News

Dumire named Vice President for Information Technology Systems and Chief Information Officer Bill Dumire has been named Vice President for Information Technology Systems and Chief Information Officer, effective July 1.

Dumire joined the University in 2013 as the Executive Director of Information Technologies with more than fifteen years of information technology support and leadership experience in higher education, healthcare and private sector environments.

He directs the overall management and operation of campus-wide information technology resources. Among his accomplishments since joining Waynesburg, he has led the design, planning and implementation of a new information system infrastructure to better support the current and future needs of the University.

Dumire holds a bachelor’s degree in business information systems and a Master of Information Systems.

Szuminsky named Vice President for Institutional Advancement and University Relations Heidi Szuminsky has been named Vice President for Institutional Advancement and University Relations, effective July 1.

In her ten years of employment at Waynesburg, Szuminsky has served in various leadership roles. In her most recent role as Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, she has guided the alumni relations and development team to inform and engage graduates of the University and to promote philanthropic giving.

Active in the community, Szuminsky serves as the President of the Rotary Club of Waynesburg and as a member of the Southwest Regional Medical Center Advocacy Committee. She previously served on the Board of Directors for the Waynesburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greene County Tourism Promotion Agency.

Szuminsky holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and a Master of Business Administration degree from Waynesburg University. She is also a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh’s Leadership Development Initiative, earning a certificate in Leadership Development.

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Campus News

Dr. Helen McCracken named Director of Graduate Programs in Education Dr. Helen McCracken joined Waynesburg University as the director of Graduate Programs in Education in November.

McCracken coordinates aspects of the Graduate Education Programs including oversight of all degree, certification, endorsement and advanced studies programs, as well as student recruitment, retention and advising.

“We are privileged to make Dr. McCracken a part of our team,” said Dr. Jacquelyn Core, vice president for Academic Affairs and provost of Waynesburg University.

“She brings with her a wealth of experience, allowing us to take our graduate education program to new levels.”

McCracken brings to Waynesburg University an impressive background as well as an enthusiasm for Christian higher education. She has extensive experience in secondary K-12 education, serving a number of years in the Canon-McMillan school district, most recently as the superintendent.

She has also worked as an assistant professor at California University of Pennsylvania in its Department of Secondary Education and Administrative Leadership, both instructing and developing programs.

She holds a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh and master’s degrees from both Robert Morris University and California University of Pennsylvania.

University to offer new master’s degree in Criminal Investigation Beginning in the fall of 2015, Waynesburg University will offer a new master’s degree in Criminal Investigation.

“The master’s degree in Criminal Investigation is a 30-credit program that will distinguish our University from many others in the region that offer graduate level courses beyond Criminal Justice, Criminology or Police Administration,” said James Tanda, instructor of criminal justice at Waynesburg University.

Criminal Investigation is a 500 level graduate program for professionals and students who have completed the requisite undergraduate courses in Criminal Justice Administration or have comparable training, skills or professional experience relating to the field.

The program consists of courses such as Advanced Criminal Investigation, Advanced Crime Scene Investigation, Advanced Interview and Interrogation, Research in the Justice System and Effective Criminal Profiling.

Students pursuing a master’s degree in Criminal Investigation will learn about ethical decision-making and leadership in the field as well as build upon their interview and interrogation skills.

“This unique blend of advanced level courses from each discipline creates an exclusive opportunity for students, police officers and other professionals in the field to obtain a Master’s Degree in Criminal Investigation, not offered anywhere outside of Waynesburg University,” said Tanda.

The Criminal Investigation courses will be offered at Waynesburg University’s main campus as well as the Southpointe, Monroeville and Seven Fields centers. Select courses can be completed online.

For more information on the program, contact Tanda at jtanda@waynesburg.edu or Adam Jack, chairperson for the Criminal Justice and Social Sciences Department and assistant professor of criminal justice, at ajack@waynesburg.edu.

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Campus News

Guest Lecturers & Performers Cello Fury with Texture Contemporary Ballet Chamber music group Cello Fury performed in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center September 18. The group’s original music combines the emotive and symphonic sounds of the cello with driving rock beats to create a cinematic, progressive rock sound. Continually developing their own unique style of cello rock music, cellists Simon Cummings, Ben Muñoz and Nicole Myers along with drummer David Throckmorton unleash vitality and rhythmic drive in their music and dare to venture past classical expectations.

Elbridge Colby National security expert Colby, the Robert M. Gates Fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), presented his foreign policy address, “Why We Should Worry about China, and What We Can Do about It,” October 30 in Alumni Hall. In his position at CNAS, Colby focuses on strategic deterrence, nuclear weapons, conventional force, intelligence and related issues.

Core Ensemble “Of Ebony Embers” Core Ensemble performed the chamber music theatre work, “Of Ebony Embers: Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance,” February 12 in the Marsh Center. Celebrating the music and poetry of the Harlem Renaissance era in New York City, “Of Ebony Embers” examined the lives of three African American poets – Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen and Claude McKay – as seen through the eyes of the great painter and muralist Aaron Douglas.

Dr. Jerome F.D. Creach Professor and author Dr. Creach served as Waynesburg University’s fall b.f. maiz lecturer, presenting his lecture “Asking God for Vengeance: The Role of Imprecation in Christian Prayer” September 22 in Alumni Hall. Dr. Creach is the Robert C. Holland Professor of Old Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and is the author of five books, including “Violence in Scripture,” “The Destiny of the Righteous in the Psalms” and “Joshua in the Interpretation Commentary Series.”

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Campus News

Charles DiSalvo Professor and author DiSalvo, the Woodrow A. Potesta Professor of Law at West Virginia University, presented the convocation at the University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration January 19. DiSalvo teaches one of the few law school courses in the United States on civil disobedience. He has represented civil disobedients in state and federal trial and appellate courts, written widely on the subject of civil disobedience and the law, and lectured on the subject here and abroad.

Judge Gary Glazer Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Glazer presented a lecture, "Battling Corruption in the Judiciary," as part of the Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership Lecture Series October 23 in the Center for Economic Development. Judge Glazer was appointed

by Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille to clean up the Philadelphia traffic court in 2011. He has a distinguished background as a federal prosecutor and a lawyer and was elected to the Philadelphia bench in 1991.

Kenneth Gormley Dean and professor, Duquesne Law School Gormley’s work on a myriad of legal/historical topics has earned him a national reputation as a leading Constitutional scholar. In 1997, he published “Archibald Cox: Conscience of a Nation,” which was awarded the 1999 Bruce K. Gould Book Award for outstanding publication relating to the law. In 2010, he published “The Death of American Virtue: Clinton vs. Starr,” a New York Times bestseller chronicling the scandals that nearly destroyed the Clinton Presidency. Gormley has testified in the United States Senate three times and has served as president of the Allegheny County Bar Association. Gormley's lecture was part of the Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership Lecture Series.

Joy Ike Christian music performer Singer & songwriter Joy Ike performed in Roberts Chapel September 13. Ike’s percussive piano-playing and soaring vocals give homage to her African upbringing.

Leaving her career as a publicist in 2008, Ike has since played more than 600 shows and has had the opportunity to share the stage with many accomplished artists.

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Campus News

Ben Lowe National organizer and spokesperson for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action (Y.E.C.A.) Hosted by Waynesburg University’s Recycling Task Force and the Ecostewards Club, Ben Lowe spoke on creation care and climate action in Alumni Hall October 29. Founded in 2012 by a group of core evangelical students, Y.E.C.A. is a faithbased movement of young Christians in the United States joining together to overcome the climate change crisis.

Dr. Robert Lupton Christian community developer and entrepreneur The Rosetta Kormuth DeVito Lecture Series hosted Dr. Lupton January 15 in Alumni Hall. Dr. Lupton’s lecture, “Toxic Charity – How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help, and How to Reverse it,” explored the principals of charity, unintended consequences of charity and offered practical remedies to correct the harm and replace it with new paradigms of service.

The Rosetta Kormuth DeVito Lecture Series was created to explore topics related to business, culture and the arts. The lecture series, funded by the DeVito family, addresses a variety of current topics that are of interest to graduate and undergraduate students and the community.

David C. Scott Author David C. Scott served as the Glenn A. and Jane L. Crosby Lecture Series speaker March 17 in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center. North Texas native David C. Scott is the author of four nationally award-winning and bestselling books and has been involved with the Boy Scouts of America for more than 30 years.

The Glenn A. and Jane L. Crosby Lectures, funded by 1950 Magna Cum Laude graduates of Waynesburg University, Glenn A. and Jane Lichtenfels Crosby, bring to the University visiting scholars who are distinguished in their disciplines. During the visit, the scholars interact with faculty, staff and students, giving guest lectures in classes, formal presentations and informal group talks. The event culminates in a final public lecture.

WAYNESBURG ALUMNI E-NEWSLETTER You can receive monthly updates from The Waynesburg University Alumni Office by updating your email address. The Alumni Newsletter is the best way to get the latest information about upcoming alumni events near you, campus updates, sports news and more every month!

Email us at alumni@waynesburg.edu or call 724-852-3300 to update us with your most current email.

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Campus News

University hosts fifth annual Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Work Symposium Waynesburg University’s fifth annual Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Work Symposium was held April 18 in Alumni Hall. The event showcased 23 student presenters.

“The purpose of this symposium is to provide a forum for academic scholars across disciplines to showcase their studies, to collaborate to identify novel ways of identifying problems or questions and to generate data that contributes to insightful solutions,” said Dr. Chad Sethman, associate professor of biology.

Topics covered a variety of research and scholarly work from students of many majors and class years. A sample of the presentations include research about anthropogenic pollution, DNA samples, ergonomics in nursing, nutrition and supplements and the West Nile virus.

“The ultimate goal of the symposium is for the students to be able to make the transition from knowledge gained in the classroom to putting that knowledge to use to investigate questions and generate new information,” said Sethman. “Gaining proficiency at communicating their findings is also an important part of career development for our students.”

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Campus News

Bayles receives first place in national PR scholarship competition Waynesburg University’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Chapter president Megan Bayles recently received first place in a national public relations scholarship competition.

Jordan Mitrik, a junior public relations major from Pittsburgh, Pa., was recently awarded the Bob O’Gara Student Scholarship from the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). He accepted the award at the 2015 PRSA Pittsburgh Renaissance Awards.

Bayles, a junior public relations major from Carmichaels, Pa., is the first student from Southwestern Pennsylvania to have received the Betsy Plank PRSSA Scholarship. The award is granted annually to three public relations students who demonstrate dedication to the field, practical experience, academic excellence and proven leadership.

Mitrik met all of the scholarship requirements including high standards of achievement in academics, involvement in extracurricular activities, evidence of personal character, leadership and citizenship and demonstrated knowledge of and interest in the profession and practice of public relations.

“This scholarship award is one of the most distinguished student awards given by PRSSA,” said Richard Krause, chair of the Department of Communication, assistant professor of communication and faculty adviser to the PRSSA Chapter.

“I am truly honored to represent western Pennsylvania and the participating PRSSA Chapters as the scholarship recipient,” Mitrik said. “When people mention big names in the Pittsburgh public relations market, Bob O'Gara's name is always in the mix. He is a true advocate for students and a leader in the industry. He is a role model to me, and I could not be more humbled to receive this type of recognition.”

Betsy Plank became the first woman to lead the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) when she was named president in 1973. She was chair of the U.S. Section of International Public Relations Association and co-chaired the 1987 commission to develop guidelines for the undergraduate public relations curriculum in U.S. colleges and universities.

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Mitrik serves as the vice president of Waynesburg’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Chapter and as the director of Waynesburg University’s public relations student-run firm, Red Brick Communications.

Campus News

Waynesburg University studentrun newspaper lauded with SPJ and PNA awards Waynesburg University’s student newspaper, the Yellow Jacket, was recently recognized with five awards from two preeminent professional journalism organizations.

The student-run paper was named a finalist for two top regional awards from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and was awarded three statewide awards for individual excellence in reporting from the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association (PNA).

SPJ named the Yellow Jacket a finalist for both the Region 4 Mark of Excellence Award for Best All-Around Non-Daily Newspaper by SPJ and the Best In-Depth Reporting (Small School) category for the coverage of Waynesburg University President Douglas G. Lee’s inauguration last spring.

Brandon Szuminsky, instructor of communication and co-advisor for the Yellow Jacket at Waynesburg University, said that the Best All-Around category “is basically a

best-in-show award that takes into account the entire paper and is judged regardless of school.”

“Last year's winner, for example, has an enrollment of 28,000, and we were right there behind them with only 1,500,” Szuminsky said. “For us to be one of the three finalists for this award means we've got one of the three best non-daily student newspapers in a four-state region for back-to-back years – that's pretty impressive for a small school such as this.”

Additionally, PNA recognized the Yellow Jacket with three Student Keystone Press Awards in Division II, the category for four-year colleges and universities with enrollment under 10,000 students within the commonwealth.

Waynesburg’s PRSSA Chapter receives Star Chapter Award Waynesburg University’s Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) was awarded the Star Chapter Award for meeting specific chapter and professional development goals for the second consecutive year. In just its fifth year of existence, Waynesburg’s Chapter of PRSSA is one of 328 schools nationally associated with PRSSA, the student counterpart of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The University’s Chapter was one of only 31 nationwide honored with Star Chapter status.

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Campus News

Waynesburg University plays major role in regional science competition Students of Waynesburg University’s Department of Chemistry traveled to the Community College of Allegheny County, South Campus, in February and March to serve at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Science Bowl.

The Science Bowl is an academic competition where regional teams from middle and high schools showcase their expertise and compete against one another in a question-and-answer format similar to the television show Jeopardy.

“Volunteering at the Science Bowl engages our students in a situation through which they are able to use their scientific prowess to benefit the community,” said Dr. Evonne Baldauff, assistant professor of chemistry and chair of the Department of Chemistry at Waynesburg University.

The Waynesburg students assisted in a variety of volunteer work to aid in the planning and execution process. At the event, they assisted with set up, prep work and officiating the competition. In addition to sending volunteers, Waynesburg University served as a sponsor for the event.

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Waynesburg’s ACS chapter receives national Outstanding Award Waynesburg University’s American Chemical Society (ACS) student chapter was recently selected to receive the “Outstanding Chapter Award” from the American Chemical Society for the fifth consecutive year. The award is a result of the chapter’s activities conducted during the 2013-14 academic year.

More than 400 student chapter annual activity reports were reviewed by the Society Committee on Education (SOCED). Waynesburg University was one of only 44 chapters nationwide selected to receive the “Outstanding Award.”

Under the direction of Dr. Robert LaCount, professor emeritus of chemistry at Waynesburg University, and Dr. Evonne Baldauff, associate professor of chemistry and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science at Waynesburg University, the ACS student chapter was highly involved in campus and community outreach activities throughout the year.

Activities such as monthly labs for homeschooled students, a Haunted Lab open to the campus and local community and the Food Chemistry and Green Chemistry programs offered to local Girl Scout members were among the many programs offered.

Campus News

ACS members help plan regional meeting The Waynesburg University American Chemical Society chapter (ACS) was instrumental in planning undergraduate programming at the recent ACS Central Eastern Regional Meeting (CERM) held at the Doubletree Hotel in Greentree, Pa. “Planning all of the undergraduate programming for CERM 2014 was a great opportunity for our ACS chapter,” said Evonne Baldauff, associate professor of chemistry and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science. “Our students were instrumental in designing, organizing and implementing all of the undergraduate events during this meeting.”

Prior to the event, the ACS chapter wrote a grant and was awarded $2,800 from the ACS undergraduate office. The monetary award was used to plan and fund the meeting.

“This proved to be a significant amount of work, yet the results were worth the effort,” Baldauff said. “The activities were successful and well-attended by undergraduates from a wide representation of colleges and universities in the region. We are very pleased with the overall experience.”

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Campus News

45 Waynesburg nursing students attend Women’s Health Conversations Conference Waynesburg University sent 45 undergraduate nursing and premed students to the Women’s Health Conversations Conference at the Westin Convention Center Ballroom in Pittsburgh, Pa., in November.

Almost 1,000 women and 50 speakers from across the country attended the annual conference, which included sessions and classes on breast cancer awareness; concussion discussions; a diabetes panel; diet and exercise expertise; the art of medicine; the healthcare system; stress, risk and sleep issues and more.

University students, who volunteered at the conference in various coordination roles such as scribes, greeters and VIP handlers, also had the opportunity to attend a networking event to connect with healthcare leaders from around the region.

“This is a great opportunity for our students to participate in service while also being exposed to leaders in their field and hear the latest information on topics related to their studies,” said Mary Cummings, vice president for Student Services at Waynesburg University.

Women's Health Conversations (WHC), founded by nationally recognized orthopedic surgeon Dr. Vonda Wright, will encourage women to fortify their bodies, build better brains and create bliss to live vital, active and joyful lives.

SCHOLARLY CLIPS

AVAILABLE ONLINE

Visit www.waynesburg.edu/ achievements to view a collection of scholarly achievements recently made by faculty, staff and students.

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Campus News

Girl Scouts benefit from University’s commitment to service The Waynesburg University Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science hosted Girl Scout Day in March. Organized in conjunction with the West Virginia Black Diamond Girl Scout Council, the Forensic Science Club and the Criminal Justice Club, the program was designed for Girl Scout troop members to earn a badge while learning about the sciences.

“The forensic science and criminal justice clubs are frequently seeking to increase opportunities for young girls to be involved in the sciences,” said Faith Musko, instructor of forensic science at Waynesburg University. “Subjects like physics and chemistry can be very intimidating for young girls; therefore, we like to give them a fun and approachable way to experience the sciences for themselves.”

According to Musko, the Forensic Science Club and Criminal Justice Club both have a dedication to service. Reflecting Waynesburg University’s mission, both clubs are constantly seeking out ways to utilize their knowledge and enthusiasm for the field.

The one-day event offered the Special Agent Cadette BREATHE Badge, which requires Girl Scout Cadettes to be exposed to an introduction to forensic science and other crime-solving techniques. Traveling from West Virginia, six Cadette Troops with Scouts ranging from the ages of 11 to 14 participated in the event.

The workshops were run by Waynesburg University faculty as well as current juniors and seniors in the forensic science and criminal justice clubs. This event afforded the opportunity for current students to develop presentation and leadership skills as well as participate in a service-oriented project.

University students help organize and serve at Special Olympics event Waynesburg University’s Criminal Justice Club hosted a Special Olympics Meet-andGreet event on campus in April. Organized in conjunction with the Special Olympics Greene County Program, the event informed the community of the local Special Olympics program and the benefits of participating.

Members of the Criminal Justice Club as well as additional students from the University volunteered at the event and helped organize it. The event included demonstrations of sports the program will offer, testimonials from athletes and coaches as well as sign-ups for those interested in getting involved.

“The meet-and-greet was a combined effort by criminal justice students, communication students and Waynesburg University alumni who share the vision of bringing training and competition to our Special Olympic athletes in Greene County,” said James Tanda, instructor of criminal justice at Waynesburg University and member of the Special Olympics Greene County Board.

The Criminal Justice Club, which resurrected the Special Olympics Greene County Program last year, hopes to gain athletes from the area who are committed to breaking down the barriers that exclude people with intellectual disabilities.

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Campus News

University student connects learning and service in local community During the spring semester, a Waynesburg University education student designed and implemented a handson educational program for a local preschool class as a service project, providing students with an out-of-thebox learning experience.

Abigail Standley, sophomore early childhood education major from Gahanna, Ohio, combined a former graduate student’s memorial and the support of the Department of Education to create a sustainable program for children in the Community Action Southwest preschool program at Jefferson-Morgan Elementary School.

Standley designed and presented a supplemental gardening unit for her preschool classroom, during which the students planted flower seeds and took a field trip to a nearby greenhouse, where they learned about gardening and growing plants.

The project began with a conversation between Standley and Pam Abbe, tutor coordinator and director of the Knox Learning Center at Waynesburg. Abbe’s daughter, Leah Abbe Zwerver, passed away June 14, 2008, after completing graduate studies at the University. Abbe developed a fund in her daughter’s memory, with the goal of providing support to Waynesburg University Student Services for one-on-one cultural and environmental experiences between University students and public school students.

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Standley decided to honor the goals of this memorial fund with her service learning project at the preschool.

She worked closely with Debra Clarke, chair of the Department of Education and assistant professor of education, to develop and carry out the idea. Clarke attests that the process, in addition to working toward an admirable cause, helped Standley grow immensely as a student and servant.

“The project was intended to provide a special experience for the children at the field placement and to honor the memory of a former Waynesburg University student and local community member,” said Clarke. “Many, many hours of service were dedicated to the project planning and implementation. Standley learned a lot as she worked on the special service project.”

All education majors at the University receive field placements each semester in a local classroom, where they are expected to assist the classroom teacher and complete tasks assigned by the teacher. While field placements for sophomore level education students only require 12 weeks of twice a week, two-hour sessions in their assigned classroom, Standley plans to continue her service project for the duration of her time at the University.

Campus News

Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership awards scholarships to two Waynesburg University students Sophomores Addie Pazzynski and Paige Carter were selected as the 2015 Waynesburg University recipients of scholarships from the Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership. Waynesburg is one of only 15 higher education institutions across Pennsylvania to participate in the Program.

The Heinz Endowments supports efforts to make southwestern Pennsylvania a premier place to live and work, a center for learning and educational excellence, and a region that embraces diversity and inclusion.

The Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership prepares women for tomorrow’s global challenges by offering a unique opportunity for international experiences, leadership development and community service.

Collectively, the women received more than $15,000 in scholarship money through the Vira I. Heinz Program. The scholarships will afford these women the opportunity to travel and study overseas through various study abroad programs.

Pazzynski, a sophomore biblical ministry studies major and English minor from Waynesburg, Pa., will study in Amman, Jordan, with the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) Middle Eastern Studies program. She will study the Arabic language as well as concentrate on other Jordanian studies such as Islam, Jordanian archaeology, Jordanian history and Middle Eastern politics.

Paige Carter, a sophomore pre-law major from Coraopolis, Pa., will spend her summer in Cape Town, South Africa, completing courses through the CIEE. Carter will learn about the challenges and realities of post-apartheid South Africa through innovative courses and an integrated community service study abroad project.

Students, faculty and staff share servant hearts locally, domestically and abroad More than 165 students and 25 faculty and staff members participated in faith, learning and serving trips during the 2014-2015 academic year. The University offered more than 12 service trips covering many academic and professional interests that provide students the opportunity to serve the Greene County community and beyond.

• Camp Caribe – Salinas, Puerto Rico – May 2015 • Christ’s College – Taipei, Taiwan – May 2015 • Greene County Immersion – Greene County, Pennsylvania – October 2014 • Habitat for Humanity Work Camp – Concord, North Carolina – March 2015 • Mission Academy Ministries – Nassau, Bahamas – January 2015 • Mustard Seed Communities – Montego Bay, Jamaica – May 2015 • Nutritional Center – Patzun, Guatemala – January 2015 • Rome, Italy – May 2015 • Strong Missions – Carrillos, Costa Rica – March 2015 • The Pittsburgh Project – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – October, November and March • Trans World Radio – Island of Bonaire – January 2015 • Tuba City Boarding School – Tuba City, Arizona – May 2015

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Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation enhances University’s Nursing Simulation Lab The Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation recently presented a gift to Waynesburg University to help fund a simulation manikin, SimMan 3G, which will be used to simulate patient care experiences in the University’s Nursing Simulation Lab. An advanced patient simulator that can display multiple physiological symptoms, SimMan 3G will provide the most up-to-date simulation education for the sophomore, junior and senior level nursing students in Waynesburg’s Department of Nursing.

Dr. Nancy Mosser, professor of nursing and chair and director of the University’s Department of Nursing, said that SimMan 3G will enhance the education of the nursing students.

“A viable nursing program must have simulation experiences for students,” said Mosser. “In today’s highly technical health care environment, providing nursing care for patients with complex, multi-system health care disorders

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can be an overwhelming experience for student nurses.

SimMan 3G will allow them to experience realistic learning situations in the simulation lab with an advanced high-fidelity simulator, before caring for patients.”

With more than 65 separate features, SimMan 3G can simulate spontaneous breathing, seizure activity, bleeding at multiple sites, patient voices, secretion and intubation capabilities and laryngospasm. These features enable students to gain experience in the areas of airway skills and complication management, cardiac assessment and interventions, respiratory and cardiac monitoring, circulatory assessment and pharmacological drug recognition, among others.

Built in 2008, the University’s Nursing Simulation Lab includes eight rooms with audio-video digital recording, remote-viewing capabilities and high-fidelity simulators.

The lab provides a safe and effective environment for students to learn and to apply cognitive, psychomotor and decision-making skills.

Campus News

SRMC readmission rates decreased through DNP student’s capstone project A Waynesburg University Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student and three faculty members recently joined forces with a representative from Southwest Regional Medical Center (SRMC) in an effort to decrease readmission rates at the hospital through the implementation of the ReEngineered Discharge (RED) Toolkit.

Through the quality-improvement project, the team was able to reduce readmissions at SRMC to 8 percent, which is significantly less than the national rate of 19 percent.

Readmission, as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, is a return hospitalization to an acute care hospital following a prior acute care admission within 30 days of discharge.

Dr. Carol J. Adams, now a graduate of the University’s DNP Program, led the team. The project was her DNP Program capstone project. Dr. Kimberly Stephens and Dr. Kimberly Whiteman, co-directors of the DNP Program and assistant professors of nursing at the University, and Hal Kersteen, a part-time faculty member, along with Jeanne Katruska, director of case management at Southwest Regional Medical Center, collaborated on the project.

An article detailing the project was recently published in the July 2014 edition of “Quality Management in Health Care.” The article, “Implementation of the Re-Engineered Discharge (RED) Toolkit to Decrease All-Cause Readmission Rates at a Rural Community Hospital,” states that the project aimed to:

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Use the methodology outlined by Joint Commission Resources-Hospital Engagement Network and Project Re-Engineered Discharge (Project RED) to redesign the discharge process, Reduce hospital 30-day all-cause readmission rates, and Improve patient/family involvement in the discharge process.

“The partnership with Waynesburg University provided valuable insight to the discharge process, which has the potential to benefit many other hospitals,” explained Katruska. “We are proud of the progress we made and continue to see readmission rates that are significantly less than national averages. The process aligns perfectly with our commitment to continually improve the quality of care we provide to patients in our community.”

As part of Waynesburg’s DNP Program, students are required to lead an evidence-based practice change throughout a healthcare system that affects patient outcomes.

“Carol worked with the University, the hospital and the Joint Commission to implement a program that improved the discharge process and decreased hospital readmission rates,” said Dr. Whiteman. “I am very proud of Carol’s work and the outcomes achieved for patients and Southwest Regional Medical Center as a result of her work.”

Editor's Note: SRMC is now known as Washington Health System Greene.

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Campus News

STOVER SCHOLARS Stover Scholars meet national leaders in D.C. Waynesburg University Stover Scholars visited leaders at the Pentagon, Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and The Washington Post in November.

The twenty Stover Scholars first met Senior Civilian Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force Eric Pierce at the Pentagon. Following an intriguing tour of the building and September 11 monuments, Pierce shared his insights on defense, military strategy and leadership along with his journey on the D.C. political path. Matt Kenney, a junior computer science major from Northumberland, Pa., commented, “Eric Pierce gave an upfront and honest perspective about the current state of defense.”

The group then visited the Supreme Court of the United States and sat in on the 11 a.m. oral arguments. “Seeing the oral arguments at the Supreme Court was amazing. It is one thing to read the justices’ opinions in a textbook, but to watch the justices engage in questioning based on their judicial philosophies made the court come alive,” remarked Gina Robinson, a senior English major from Lower Burrell, Pa. The Scholars then met Judge Janice Rogers Brown at the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Judge Brown laid out her constitutional, political and moral insights for the students through her own experiences as a judge in Washington, D.C., and as a justice on the Supreme Court for the state of California. She inspired and encouraged the Scholars to learn from their failures by failing better the next time.

®

Stover Scholars in the Pentagon with Eric Pierce. (Last row third from the left).

Stover Scholars at the Washington Post with Chris Cillizza. (End of table).

At The Washington Post, the Stover Scholars met with reporter Chris Cillizza who described the evolution and impact of his daily online column and blog, The Fix. Nika Anschuetz, a junior communication major from Zelienople, Pa., said, “As an aspiring journalist, meeting with Chris Cillizza was both beneficial and inspiring. His views about journalism and politics were refreshing.”

Stover Scholars on steps of the U.S. Supreme Court prior to oral arguments.

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Campus News

The Stover Scholars ended their D.C. trip by meeting Stifel, Nicolaus and Incorporated investment banker Jim Rowan.

Rowan, although living on the edge of Washington, D.C., for many years, provided a detailed discussion of an outsider’s view of the political scene within the city. He described the challenges facing businesses from government regulation.

Commenting on the D.C. trip, sophomore pre-law major Paige Carter from Coraopolis, Pa., said, “The dynamics that we experienced today amazed me. This trip fostered in-depth conversation and informed thought regarding foreign, domestic and legal policy.” Freshman entrepreneurship major Kiana Levi from Venetia, Pa., commented, "This trip opened my eyes, challenged my political thought and strengthened my confidence to express my opinion."

Stover Scholars in front of Iwo Jima Memorial.

Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership Director Dr. Lawrence Stratton said, "The in-depth interactions between Stover Scholars and prominent leaders in law, military policy, journalism and business, and with each other, was laudable.”

Stover Scholars met with many other regional and national leaders during the 2014-15 academic year, including: •

Elbridge Colby, the Robert M. Gates Fellow at the Center for a New American Security

•

U.S. Appellate Judge for the Third Circuit D. Michael Fisher

•

Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Judge

Judge Janice Rogers Brown with Gina Robinson and Paige Carter.

Thomas Flaherty •

Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Gary Glazer

•

Duquesne Law School Dean Kenneth Gormley

•

First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh Minister Rev. Tom Hall

•

Former PPG CFO William Hernandez

•

Pittsburgh City Council President Bruce Kraus

•

Jay Mangold, founder of Gateway Fasteners, LLC

•

Jay Mangold, Jr., Associate at Cohen and Grigsby

•

Former Wall Street financier Kent Marisa

•

Tucker and Arensberg Partner Robert L. McTiernan

•

David Porter, Partner at Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney

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Representative Pam Snyder

•

Greene County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Farley Toothman

Stover Scholars standing next to statue of Chief Justice John Marshall.

The Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership is a unique Waynesburg University program dedicated to transforming the political sphere in the context of Christian Ethics and American constitutionalism.

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Sports Update It was another successful year of competition for the 18 varsity athletic programs at Waynesburg University. Whether individually or team-based, the Fall, Winter and Spring seasons all featured plenty of major accomplishments.

However, nothing better reflected the dedication of hundreds of Yellow Jacket athletes than the announcement that Waynesburg had won the prestigious Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Men’s All-Sports Trophy. The award, which is determined by assigning points to where teams finish in their respective PAC standings, is the first of its kind for Waynesburg athletics, men’s or women’s, since joining the conference prior to the 1990-91 school year.

Fall 2014 Under the leadership of 10th-year head coach Rick Shepas, the Waynesburg University football team put together another successful season that featured arguably the program’s biggest win in over a decade. On Saturday, Nov. 15, the Yellow Jackets hosted then-undefeated and 11th-ranked Washington & Jefferson College.

The Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) battle raged over 60 minutes of regulation time and by the time the

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Sports Update

fourth quarter came to an end, the score was tied 28-28 and the game moved into overtime. In the extra period, senior linebacker Kyle Richey made perhaps the biggest play of his collegiate career when he blocked a potential go-ahead field goal attempt by the Presidents. Junior kicker Scott Lewis added a memorable moment of his own, when he connected on a successful 35-yard field goal that gave the Jackets a 31-28 victory.

The win was especially satisfying for long-time Waynesburg fans, as it snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Presidents. It also gave Shepas his first win against W&J. Finally, Lewis’ clutch kick also secured a home postseason game for the Yellow Jackets, who hosted Buffalo State in the 2015 Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Southwest Bowl.

While the focus of this past football season was on another entry in a traditional rivalry, a new chapter in Waynesburg University soccer was the focal point for both the men’s and women’s kickers. The husband-and-wife duo of Brad and Laura Heethuis became the newest Yellow Jacket head coaches and success came immediately for the pair.

The Waynesburg University volleyball team had something to celebrate in 2014, as a pair of junior standouts - Jessica Dorazio and Kourtney Skinner - were named honorable mention All-PAC. This season was the first since 2008 in which multiple Jackets received all-conference applause.

Moving from the volleyball court to the tennis court, the Waynesburg women’s tennis team reached double digits in overall victories (10-5) for the second time in as many seasons. The Yellow Jackets followed a very respectable regular season with a sixth-place showing at the annual PAC Championships.

The Jacket men qualified for the four-team PAC tournament for the first time since the conference went to its current postseason format in 2005. Though the Waynesburg women just missed out on going to their PAC tournament, they still qualified for the postseason by being invited to the ECAC South Tournament.

With all due respect to the aforementioned sports, no program may have as bright a future as the Waynesburg University cross country teams, particularly the women.

Head coach Chris Hardie put together maybe the greatest recruiting class in program history that not only led the Jackets to a second-place showing at the women’s PAC Championships meet, but nearly led the team to a major upset of 26-time defending champion Grove City.

The Yellow Jackets took second place with 37 points at the conference meet, while GCC posted a mark of 29 points.

To illustrate just how dominant the two teams were on the course, the third-place finisher, Saint Vincent, posted a total of 134 points.

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Sports Update

Winter 2014-15 Under the leadership of three well respected and successful head coaches, the Yellow Jacket basketball and wrestling teams enjoyed another fantastic winter. All three put together overall records featuring winning percentages of over 50 percent and fruitful postseason efforts.

The Yellow Jacket wrestling team made program history for a second-straight year by setting a record for most dual match wins in a season (17-7). Waynesburg also spent multiple weeks in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) national team rankings, ascending as high as 21st in the country.

Individually, no one shined brighter than seniors Luke Lohr and Sam Guidi. Both standouts eclipsed the 100-career-victory mark and qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.

Lohr became Waynesburg’s all-time winningest wrestler, is just the second Jacket to win four PAC individual titles and made his third trip to nationals. With Lohr taking eighth at 149 pounds and Guidi taking fourth at 165 pounds, 2015 marked the first time in program history that a pair of Yellow Jacket teammates earned NCAA Division III All-American status in the same season.

With the program’s all-time winningest coach, Sam Jones, at the helm, the Waynesburg women’s basketball team put together its fifth-straight winning season (15-12). After going 12-6 in PAC competition, the Yellow Jackets not only hosted a first-round game in the PAC tournament, but did the same for the ECAC South Tournament.

Freshman Julie Gerber led the charge by taking second place overall. She was one of three first-team All-PAC performers, who made up half of the squad’s six overall all-conference runners. Four members of the group, including Gerber, were freshmen.

It was a solid fall season for the Waynesburg men, as well.

Led by first-team All-PAC sophomore Brendan Keany, the Yellow Jackets took third at the conference’s men’s championship meet.

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Expectations were high for the Waynesburg University men’s basketball team, as a big, talented senior class worked tirelessly alongside 2014 PAC Coach of the Year Mark Christner to elevate the Yellow Jackets back to the upper echelon of the conference standings. That rise culminated in a trip to the PAC title game following a pair of victories in the conference tournament.

Though Waynesburg was unable to hoist the PAC trophy, their work on the hardwood was impressive enough to allow it to host an ECAC South quarterfinal tournament

Sports Update

game. By the time the final basket had been recorded, the Jackets put together an overall record of 18-11 that featured a nine-game winnings streak.

Individually, seniors Jason Propst and Jacob Fleegle both eclipsed the 1,000-career-point mark and earned All-PAC applause to cap off their outstanding collegiate careers.

Spring 2015 After a bit of a slow start to its season, the Waynesburg University baseball team posted a 17-7-1 regular season record following its return from its annual spring break trip to Florida. The Yellow Jackets also qualified for the four-team PAC tournament for a second-straight season after posting the second-best regular season conference mark among the nine league members.

The winner of the tournament, which qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championship tournament, was determined during the week of May 4.

Much like their counterparts on the football field, the baseball team also ended a long losing streak to rival Washington & Jefferson, and did so in decisive fashion.

The Jackets snapped a 17-game skid to the Presidents with a thorough 18-10 win on April 24.

Moving to the softball field, the Yellow Jackets welcomed their new head coach to campus and played their first

season under the leadership of Richele Hall. Though Waynesburg was unable to qualify for the PAC tournament, it did earn wins over two of the four squads that qualified for the postseason.

With two-time PAC Coach of the Year Jason Falvo at the helm, the Waynesburg University track & field team featured a successful combination of veteran and youthful talent that produced another successful outdoor season.

The Yellow Jacket men came just one point shy of their first team title at the annual PAC Championship meet, while the Jacket women placed third.

Arguably the season’s biggest individual accolade was collected by freshman Addy Knetzer, who was named PAC Field MVP at the conference meet following an event-record throw in the shot put. She also placed in the top five in the javelin and discus.

A veteran-laden men’s tennis team enjoyed a solid spring season that concluded with Waynesburg placing third at the PAC Championships. The two-day event saw the Yellow Jackets collect a total of four third-place finishes.

The squad’s most notable regular season accomplishment came during a 7-2 road win at Saint Vincent College. The victory was the Jackets’ first over the Bearcats since 2008.

It was a historic 2015 season for the Waynesburg women’s lacrosse team that saw the Yellow Jackets win a program-record five matches. This past spring also marked

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Sports Update

Waynesburg’s first year in the recently formed Ohio River Lacrosse Conference (ORLC). The league was created when the PAC combined with the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC).

Junior Makayla Vidosh enjoyed a historic day on the field when she scored a team and ORLC-record 10 goals during the Yellow Jackets’ 23-18 win over Franciscan. The victory also featured a program record for most goals scored in a game. Yet another Waynesburg mark fell when the Yellow Jackets allowed the fewest goals in team history during a 10-3 conference win over Thomas More.

The Waynesburg University golf team played out its first season under Sam Jones as its new head coach. If his success on the basketball court is any indication, the Yellow Jacket men and women could be heading towards some of their most successful seasons in recent memory.

Academics Along with celebrating plenty of victories, awards and history-making events, the 18 Waynesburg University athletic teams continued their tradition of striving for excellence in the classroom, as well as in the realm of competition. Whether they were awarded to individuals or entire teams, there were plenty of academic accolades to celebrate during the school year.

The annual PAC Fall Academic Honor Roll featured 56 Yellow Jackets among the 456 names released back on Jan. 23, 2015. That total was the second-highest among the 10 PAC-member schools. The PAC Spring Academic Honor Roll, which highlights the efforts of the conference’s winter and spring programs, is expected to be released in June.

Among the most notable individual academic highlights was the announcement of two Capital One Academic All-Americans. Senior football players Mike Lopuchovsky and John Sikora received the prestigious accolades after earning Academic All-District applause. It was the second-straight season that Sikora was lauded as an Academic All-American. Junior Jake Forsythe joined Sikora and Lopuchovsky as an Academic All-District member.

Speaking of Capital One Academic All-District honorees, Fleegle and senior Natalie Abraham (women’s soccer) also garnered the awards. Wrestling, cross country and track & field received various academic awards, both as teams and individuals. ■

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Alumni News

Waynesburg alumnus achieves Hall of Fame status Tim Huet, a 1971 graduate of Waynesburg College, was recently inducted into the Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame. One of six inductees in the class of 2014, the Waynesburg alumnus was recognized for his contributions to golf at the collegiate level.

Huet is employed by TaylorMade Golf Company and manages The Kingdom, the company’s exclusive, top-of-the-line club fitting facility located in Carlsbad, Calif., where he oversees operations and supervises a topnotch staff of industry-recognized professionals.

Huet is credited with leading TaylorMade’s efforts in the college golf arena. He instituted the company’s collegiate program in 1988, and with Huet at the helm, TaylorMade has supported more than 100 Division I, II and III programs and a number of collegiate tournaments.

Huet also established TaylorMade’s College Coaches Advisory Board and instituted the company’s Developmental Pro initiative, which was established to support collegiate golfers and their transitions into professional golf.

In 2003, in partnership with the Golf Coaches Association of America, Huet established the Jan Strickland Assistant Coach of the Year Award, which has been sponsored by TaylorMade Golf since its inception.

Stay in touch with your Alma Mater Connect with former classmates online and stay up-to-date with alumni events, campus news and more!

Facebook Waynesburg University Alumni Twitter @wbgalumni #waynesburgalumni Linkedin Waynesburg University Alumni & Waynesburg University MBA Alumni Instagram Waynesburg Alumni #waynesburgalumni Flicker flicker.com/waynesburgalumni

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CLASS NOTES: NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.WAYNESBURGUNITED.COM/CLASSNOTES Are you wondering where the Class Notes section went? To provide you with the timeliest information about what your former classmates are up to these days, Class Notes have changed to an online-only format. Send your updates to alumni@waynesburg.edu or visit www.waynesburgunited.com/classnotes* *Due to privacy policies you must log in to view Class Notes online. If you have any questions, please contact the Alumni Office at 724-852-3300.

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Alumni News

Alumni Gatherings

September 19, 2014 | Alumnae Luncheon

April 16, 2015 | New Jersey Alumni & Friends Dinner

February 14, 2015 | Waynesburg University Sweethearts Dinner

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March 4, 2015 | West Palm Beach Area Alumni & Friends Dinner

Alumni News

Clockwise from top: March 19, 2015 | Phoenix Area Alumni & Friends Dinner

OTHER EVENTS (NOT PICTURED)

October 10-11, 2014 | Homecoming 2014

Oct. 23, 2014 | Baltimore area Alumni Dinner

March 3, 2015 | Tampa Area Alumni & Friends Dinner

Nov. 6, 2014 | Dave and Buster’s Recent Grad Night

November 13, 2014 | Greensburg Alumni & Friends Dinner

Feb. 4, 2015 | Washington County Networking Lunch Feb. 26, 2015 | Phantom of the Opera in Pittsburgh March 7, 2015 | Jacksonville Brunch April 11, 2015 | Alumni Dinner Theatre April 15, 2015 | York, PA Alumni Dinner

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Alumni News

In Memoriam Patricia A. Ashcraft ’96 Calvin W. Baldacci ’68 Rebecca A. Barclay, Friend John C. Beazell ’56 Wayne H. Bell ’49 John L. Bernard ’60 Charles L. Beswick ’64 Frank F. Bodziony ’58 Mary Louise Cooper Brown ‘50 Lori Cianelli Buckel ’91 Roger A. Bush ’68 Helen J. Church ’45 William H. Cole, Former Student Francis Cosgrove ’56 David J. Cumberledge ’66 Claribeth Gabriela De La Cruz, Student Thomas D. Dick ’62 Wesley A. Donahue ’50 Marian L. Donham ’75 Constance Kormuth Dorsey ’52 Bettie Riefer Elliott ’51 Kathleen McCullogh Eure ’79 Sally Joyce Fedor, Student Natalie J. George ’12 Dale R. Gregg ’65 Adelaide I. Guesman, Hon ’04 Virginia Butcher Guthrie ’36 John S. Harbaugh ’50 Robert W. Harry ’95 Beverly Holecek Hay ’56 Charles R. Huffman ’49 Jeanette Harvey Iams Perkey ’63 Bruce M. Johnson ’77 Wayne R. Jones ’73 Frances Wolf Kershaw ’53 Rose A. Keys ’93 Stanley Klapkowski, Former Student Randall R. Kusniar ’85 Judith Hunger Latella ’67 Mark P. Lewis ’70 Harry L. Litten ’56 Ralph L. Lloyd ’62 Elizabeth Morton Lohman ’48

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Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

- Psalms 116:15 3/1/2015 1/17/2015 11/1/2014 10/17/2014 8/31/2014 10/13/2014 1/2/2015 10/25/2014 2/11/2015 9/20/2014 11/22/2014 8/10/2014 2/2/2015 11/13/2014 11/8/2014 11/16/2014 10/15/2014 12/7/2014 3/30/2015 12/31/2014 10/17/2014 3/11/2015 3/21/2015 11/28/2014 11/13/2014 9/16/2014 5/17/2015 8/20/2014 4/17/2015 7/13/2014 3/2/2015 3/14/2015 4/6/2015 10/24/2014 9/12/2014 2/8/2015 3/3/2015 8/13/2014 5/2/2015 10/31/2014 12/18/2014 12/20/2014 12/24/2014

James W. Maize ’57 Edwin H. McClure ’42 Elizabeth Hallock McFall ’64 Lawrence P. McGartland ’49 Martha J. McGinty ’61 Shirley Nebelkopf Merlin ’66 Nancy Middleton, Former Employee William D. Minehart ’60 John P. Moreland ’57 Benjamin C. Murdoch ’57 Charles R. Newcomer ’58 Donald E. Patterson ’63 Anna M. Peck ’48 Vivian Black Pochron ’55 Cathy Taylor Polen ’95 Carol Bone Randolph, Friend B.G. Richards ’77 James M. Roberts ’06 Nancy J. Rocco, Friend Paul L. Rowland ’51 Walter A. Saling ’61 Joanne Santucci Salsovic ’71 Ronald A. Sepesy ’65 Robert M. Sheehan, Friend Janet Kramer Souffrant ’56 Lois Hickle Spangenberg ’46 Andrew G. Stegura ’61 Virginia King Stehulak ’38 Frances Bergman Stewart ’73 W. Robert Stover ’42 Marian R. Swift, Friend William L. Thompson ’65 Todd J. Trimble, Former Student Theresa Viarengo ’53 Donald A. Villiger ’64 Lewis P. Waligora ’57 Jane Knestrick Walsh, Friend Gerald W. Weber ’65 Marvin D. Wheeler ’66 Dennis R. Witt ’72 E. Ronald Wright ’69 Gary C. Young ’62 Linsey Zupancic-Mance ’14

8/18/2014 3/20/2015 7/5/2014 11/8/2014 12/13/2014 12/13/2014 2/14/2015 5/7/2015 2/19/2015 12/21/2014 9/8/2014 3/6/2015 7/17/2014 2/15/2015 2/9/2015 4/3/2015 10/9/2014 5/4/2015 9/29/2014 11/10/2014 11/28/2014 4/11/2015 10/30/2014 8/30/2014 10/22/2014 11/23/2014 12/2/2014 3/12/2015 8/12/2014 2/5/2015 2/12/2015 10/12/2014 2/20/2015 8/21/2014 9/1/2014 5/18/2015 1/25/2015 11/19/2014 9/23/2014 9/2/2014 2/1/2015 7/22/2014 5/1/2015

HOMECOMING

2015

OCTOBER 2-3 MAKE PLANS NOW TO ATTEND!

Homecoming is the perfect time to reconnect with classmates and visit your alma mater. Contact your friends and make plans to spend the weekend of October 2 through 3 in Waynesburg!

2015 CLASS REUNIONS 1964+ (celebrating over 60 years) 1965–50 years 1970–45 years 1975–40 years 1980–35 years

1985–30 years 1990–25 years 1995–20 years 2000–15 years 2005–10 years 2010–5 years

LOOK FOR YOUR OFFICIAL HOMECOMING INVITATION SOON! Visit waynesburgunited.com/homecoming15 to get all of the latest Homecoming 2015 updates.

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