ACHIEVE M
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The magazine for alumni and friends of William Jewell College
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Summer 2016
Salute to the Sallees:
First family retires after 16 years on the Hill
ALSO INSIDE: Apple Distinguished School 2015 Homecoming and 2016 Achievement Day Highlights
highlights
Calendar
Achieve Magazine Summer 2016
IN THIS ISSUE 4 7 10 12 18
AUGUST 24 Classes Begin SEPTEMBER 9 Opening Convocation: Address by President Elizabeth MacLeod Walls
DECEMBER 1 Harriman-Jewell Series: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis; Jewell Alumni Night 2 Lighting of the Quad 2 Jewell Theatre Company, “Celebrating the Green” 7 Harriman-Jewell: Joyce DiDonato 12 City Come Again 13-16 Final Exams 13 Graduation Celebration/Reception
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William Jewell College . Achieve Magazine. Summer 2016
2016 Achievement Day Highlights 2015 Homecoming Highlights Apple Distinguished School Farewell to the Sallees In Memoriam
See more stories online at www.jewell.edu/achieve
NEXT ISSUE: Jewell welcomes President Elizabeth MacLeod Walls
OCTOBER 1 Serve and Celebrate 1 Harriman-Jewell: Jessica Lang Dance 7-9 Homecoming 13-16 Fall Break 15 Harriman-Jewell: Renée Fleming 27 Truex Forum: Economist Neil Ericsson 28 Harriman-Jewell: Denis Matsuev NOVEMBER 3-5 Jewell Theatre Company, “The Election” 15 Harriman-Jewell: The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Choir 23-27 Thanksgiving Holiday 30 Hanging of the Green
Contents
Achieve is published by the William Jewell College Office of College Relations and Marketing 500 College Hill Liberty, MO 64068 (816) 415-5223 Address changes and alumni updates: alumni@william.jewell.edu Vice President of Institutional Advancement: Clark Morris ’91 Editorial: Cara Dahlor, Andrew Nash, Lesley Matteuzzi Design: Lauren Flanery Photography: Amy Stroth and Kyle Rivas ’08 Director of Alumni Relations Andrea Meloan ’99
Jewell Legacies
Many alumni make a Jewell education a family tradition, like these proud parents pictured with their children on move-in day in August 2015. Legacy families, with alumni from two or more generations, share a special bond and are an important part of Jewell’s history. If you know students interested in becoming part of the Jewell family, encourage them to visit campus and learn what Jewell has to offer. They can register at www. jewell.edu/visit or complete a free application at www.jewell.edu/apply.
Journey Back A Presidential Visit
In this election year with a nation focused on its future president, some Jewell alumni recall meeting a past president, right on our campus. September marks the 52nd anniversary of former President Harry S. Truman’s visit to Jewell for Opening Convocation ceremonies. The 33rd U.S. President addressed students on Sept. 25, 1964. Led by Jewell President Dr. H. Guy Moore, the convocation marked Truman’s third visit to the Hill. He also was the 1946 Commencement speaker when he was awarded an honorary law degree by the College, and in 1959 he discussed foreign policy in chapel. The William Jewell student newspaper reported that Truman’s brief campus visit in 1964 made newscasts as far away as St. Louis. More than five decades later, it’s a historical moment that Dr. Sanford Beckett ’68 remembers quite well.
photo by Rev. Danny Vance ’68
“I was fortunate to be at the right place at the right time,” Beckett, now a retired Baptist minister, said. “I remember standing at the bottom of the street by Gano. This car pulled up and an older man got out and walked up to me…I recognized it was President Truman, the most famous Missourian at that time.” After a personal chat with 80-year-old Truman about Beckett’s small hometown of Desloge, Mo., Beckett, a ministerial student majoring in history, was certain he had made a memory he wouldn’t soon forget. “That began my lifelong interest in Mr. Truman,” Beckett said. “I came away from that experience realizing that important people, including former presidents of these United States, are real people. He had a trait of ‘what you see is what you get,’ and I’ve followed that throughout my life.”
Notable Campus Visitors • Norman Vincent Peale, New York pastor and author; 1952 • Rev. Billy Graham, evangelist; 1959 • Harry S. Truman, 33rd U.S. President; 1946, 1959 and 1964 • Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th U.S. President; 1961 • James Irwin, astronaut; 1971 • Luciano Pavarotti, opera singer’s professional recital debut; 1973 • Coretta Scott King, author, activist and Civil Rights leader; 1981 • William F. Buckley, Jr., author, commentator and host of “Firing Line;” 1982 • Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President; 1986, 2009 • Maya Angelou, poet, activist; 1998
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Three alumni received Citations for Achievement, Jewell’s highest alumni honor, at the Achievement Day Dinner on March 3, 2016. Held at Kansas City’s Sheraton Crown Center, the event recognizes outstanding alumni, celebrates Jewell’s connections to Kansas City and raises scholarship funds. The achievers also spent time on campus meeting with students and shared their inspiring stories at Convocation on March 4.
Achievement Dinner guests hosted by the Harrises included (front) Lea (Grider) Young ’80, Terry Young ’82, Professor Emeritus Lois Anne Harris, Emily Wales ’07 and Nathan Weinert ’08; (back) Anthony Shop ’05, Professor Emeritus Kim Harris, Steve Harris ’87, Tara Moreland ’13, Tim Mottet ’84 and Rick Gonzalez. Rob Thiessen ’97 and Mary Thiessen served as event chairs for the second year. Debby Ballard represented the honorary event chair, Sprint Corporation.
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William Jewell College . Achieve Magazine. Summer 2016
Guest speaker David Von Drehle is an editorat-large for Time magazine, where he has written many of the most important cover stories of the past eight years, from the Supreme Court decisions on health care and same-sex marriage to the death of Osama bin Laden and the rise of ISIS. He also has served as senior writer and assistant managing editor at The Washington Post. Von Drehle is the author of four books, including the bestseller, Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America’s Most Perilous Year, a staple of high school and college history classes. The Kansas City area resident was a Marshall Scholar at Oxford University.
2016 Citation for Achievement recipients
Honoree biographies and excerpts from their Achievement Day Convocation speeches are below. Visit www.youtube.com/user/ WilliamJewellCollege for videos of their presentations. Lynn Hogue ’66 is professor of law emeritus at Georgia State University, where he joined the faculty in 1982, and program director for foreign-trained lawyers. He holds an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and a J.D. from Duke University. He was admitted to the bar in three states and admitted to practice before many courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. He served for 21 years in the Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Lynn has written numerous books and articles and has made countless broadcast appearances. At Jewell, he was the Pi Kappa Delta national tournament champion in extemporaneous speaking and a member of Independent Students’ Association, Campus Americans for Democratic Action and honorary fraternities for English, history and forensics. “What saw me through the twists and turns of that vocational journey was the liberal arts education I got at William Jewell College, which was, in every sense, the key that unlocked the door to a lifetime of opportunity. Jewell faculty exemplified what could inspire and help me to become a teacher, the kind of teacher I hope I have become… I’m thankful that I have been able to carry out the vocational legacy which I feel I received here, at William Jewell College, a true calling to teach.”
Susan Mace Weeks ’83 is the dean and professor of the Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Texas Christian University. She also serves as director of the Center for Evidence-Based Practice and Research. She is a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. She serves on the Texas Health Resources Strategic Planning and Deployment Committee, among other roles. Susan holds a master of nursing degree from Texas Woman’s University and a doctor of nursing practice degree from TCU. She is a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric - mental health nursing, a licensed marriage and family therapist and a licensed chemical dependency counselor. At Jewell, Susan was involved in Cardinal Blazers, Cardinal Hosts, Christian Student Ministries and Mortar Board, and studied at Harlaxton College in England. “I’ve come to realize that William Jewell encouraged my professional development because it encouraged my personal development. Jewell does not promote achievement simply for the sole sake of achievement, but rather as a way to make a meaningful difference. Jewell does not promote achievement through merely acquiring skills and knowledge, but through the development of one’s character. And William Jewell provides an environment that allows one’s character to be honed and refined.”
Robert Nigh Jr. ’82 is the chief public defender for Tulsa County, Okla. He previously served for 26 years as a criminal defense attorney, representing high-profile defendants such as Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. Rob has earned the Courageous Lawyer Award from the Oklahoma Bar Association. He is a member of numerous organizations, including the Tulsa County and Oklahoma Bar Associations, the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Governor’s Subcommittee for Criminal Sentencing Reform. He holds a juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. At Jewell, where he was a business administration major, Rob served as Student Senate president and was a member of the varsity soccer team and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. “The lessons that I learned at Jewell, and for the most part in my history courses, have served me tremendously well throughout my life and have given me a perspective with which to represent my clients. People ask me, ‘Why are you a criminal defense lawyer? How can you defend that guy you know is guilty?’ First of all, I may not know he’s guilty. Something else I learned at Jewell is that the justice of a society is not measured by how it treats its best citizens, but by how it treats its worst.”
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Jewell recognizes service and scholarship The William Jewell College community celebrated the beginning of a new academic year on September 11 at Opening Convocation. The College presented the 35th annual class of William F. Yates Medallions for Distinguished Service to honor civic servants and leaders, a tradition started at the inauguration of Dr. J. Gordon Kingsley in 1980. Jewell also presented the third class of Yates Scholars, one of the most prestigious academic awards.
John Gill ’79, Board of Trustees chair, presented medals to the 2015 Yates Scholars Jonathan Daniel and Haley Hart. Former Yates Medallion recipients partnered with Jewell in 2013 to establish this prestigious academic award in support of tomorrow’s leaders.
2015 Yates Medalists: (front) Kay Barnes and James B. Nutter, Sr., and (back) Daniel Lambert ’63 and Cliff Illig.
The ceremony marked the 35th anniversary of Yates Medalists, a tradition started at the inauguration of J. Gordon Kingsley, who served as president from 1980-1993. Dr. Kingsley returned in 2015 as the Opening Convocation guest speaker. He recently retired as principal of Harlaxton College in England. 6
William Jewell College . Achieve Magazine. Summer 2016
Former Jewell president Dr. J. Gordon Kingsley delivered the address, “For Love of God and Jewell,” and led the crowd in several rounds of “The Garden Song.” View his speech at www.youtube.com/user/ WilliamJewellCollege.
WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE
HOMECOMING 2015 A GREAT WEEKEND TO BE A CARDINAL
Live music and Jack Stack-catered barbecue added to the game-day atmosphere at the pre-game tailgate. Alumni groups reserved spaces in the White Science Center lot to gather before the game.
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lumni representing classes from eight decades took part in Homecoming activities October 2-3. The schedule included annual events such as class reunions, Celebration of Golden Classes, Alumni Awards Dinner, John Priest Greene Society reception, pre-game tailgate and Athletics Hall of Fame induction (featured on page 9), and special events, such as 50 years of Zeta Tau Alpha and a Department of Nursing 5K. Students were busy throughout the week, collaborating and competing with Serve and Celebrate, Mabee Games, a dance party, pep rally, Campus Sing and the battle to win the spirit stick — all with their movie-focused theme, “Jewell Breaks the Box Office.”
President David Sallee, Mary Sallee, Jill (Watts) Richmond ’77 and John Richmond ’77 at the tailgate.
Zeta Tau Alpha members gathered in Shumaker Hall to celebrate their 50-year anniversary.
The Alumni Board of Governors honored distinguished alumni and friends: Shannon (McKain) Oleen ’04, Young Distinguished Alumni Service Award; Greg Duncan ’88, Distinguished Alumni Service Award; Dick Brown ’64, Truex Lifetime Service Award; Dee Rosekrans, Honorary Alumni Award; and Mark Morris ’76, Humanitarian Award.
Jewell dedicated personalized bricks on the Quad for new John Priest Greene Society members, including Lisa (O’Brien) Enger ’90 and Tom Enger of St. Louis. William Jewell College . Achieve Magazine. Summer 2016
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HOMECOMING 2015
All Jewell alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago were invited to the Celebration of Golden Classes. They attended a medallion presentation, toured campus, visited the President’s Home and attended a history lecture.
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Rev. Dr. Carl Hunker ’40, Overland Park, Kan., was recognized for his 75-year anniversary. He passed away on January 1, 2016.
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Martin Orr ’65 with President David Sallee.
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Class of 1965: Front: Sherry (Berg) Johnston, Mary Beth (Francis) Kerns, Martha (Jackson) Eagle, Betty (Powell) Curry, Marsha (Kenney) Barnholtz, Clare (Rusk) Westly, Sharon (Vulgamott) Mackey, Claudia (Carlson) Cuevas, Sharon (Turley) Carmody, Donna (Moelling) Schwent, Mary (Shuman) Sturm and Loretta (Clark) Hughes. Back: Grant Johnston, Don Bell, Carl McElwee, Andy Clippard, Noyce McGarity, Jim Nelson, Lon Oberkrom, Bill Strange, Tom Trotter, James Thornton, Larry Ehrhardt, Bill Duncan, Russell Rinklin and Larry Springer.
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Rev. Lee Soxman Jr. ’45 of Lee’s Summit received his 70-year medallion from President David Sallee.
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Class of 1955: Front: Bob Dustman, Don Bowen, Bill Miller and Joe Proctor. Back: Edward Gaul, Don Geilker, Richard Dayringer, Larry Zahnd and Lee Valentine.
Come back to the Hill on October 8 for Homecoming 2016! 8
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CARDINAL
ATHLETICS
Athletic Hall of Fame 2015 Inductees Jewell’s Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1994 to recognize outstanding alumni and faculty in the areas of athletic achievement or coaching. Selections are based soley on what the individual or team accomplished while associated with Jewell. Player and team bios are available at www.jewellcardinals.com/hof.aspx.
Ben Blanton ’05 was a baseball AllConference selection four years, an NAIA Second Team and First Team AllAmerican, the conference and regional Player of the Year and a two-time Jewell Male Athlete of the Year. (His parents, Debbie (Timmerberg) Blanton ’76 and Wes Blanton ’75, accepted his award.) Shane Davolt ’93 was All-Conference Offensive Player of the Year twice as he quarterbacked the Cardinals to back-toback conference titles. He held the NAIA national record for most yards gained per completion, set school records for most career touchdowns, passing touchdowns and passing yards, and was Jewell’s Male Athlete of the Year.
The 2003 Women’s Soccer Team was considered the best team in Jewell’s history. The team went undefeated in the regular season at 18-0-0 and won the conference title. They would reach the Final Four of the NAIA National Championship and ended the season 21-1-1. The team ended the season ranked third nationally and was the highest scoring team in the nation.
Jimmy Ray Haynes ’77 was called “the key to the pitching staff ” for a baseball team that won three conference titles and made two NAIA National Tournaments. At one point, he had a winning streak of 11 games and pitched a no-hitter against Iowa State. Kristin (Neher) Ebberts ’05 is the first women’s soccer player in the Jewell Athletic Hall of Fame. She was a four-time All-Conference and NAIA First Team All-Region selection, a two-time Second Team NAIA All-American and a two-time NAIA Academic All-American. She was the All-Time collegiate career points scorer with 362.
The 1995-1996 Men’s Basketball Team reached the Final Four of the NAIA II National Tournament and became the second team in school history to win 30 or more games (30-9). The team was the first in school history to be ranked No. 1 in the country. Brook Russell was named NAIA II National Player of the Year and was the first (and only) student-athlete to have his jersey retired. Head Coach Larry Holley was named NAIA National Coach of the Year.
Chris Cissell ’94 coached women’s and men’s soccer to a combined 282-106-22 record. In 12 years, his teams won eight conference titles and made nine national tournament appearances, including three trips to the Final Four. He was Conference Coach of the Year seven times, regional Coach of the Year four times, NSCAA Midwest Coach of the Year three times and National Coach of the Year once. William Jewell College . Achieve Magazine. Summer 2016
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Jewell named Apple Distinguished School for Jewellverse technology initiative The Jewellverse story is available at no cost through iTunes U in a Multi-Touch book. Visit www.jewell.edu/jewellverse to download.
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resident Emeritus David Sallee often said, “The classroom is necessary but not sufficient.” As a college committed to the complete development of students, Jewell embraces the notion that student learning and instructional practice is not limited to the classroom environment. In a digital world, learning occurs between students, is often led by students and challenges the trappings of a traditional instructionbased paradigm. So how does an innovative college meet the expectations of 21st century learners through emerging technologies? The path to Jewellverse began in 2011 with a grant from the Hall Family Foundation to provide iPad devices to faculty and host symposia on teaching and learning. In 2013, the College opened the donorfunded Pryor Learning Commons, a digital hub supporting creativity and collaboration with sophisticated technology. The success of Pryor Learning Commons encouraged the College to expand access and tools beyond a structure. The strategic plan also called for a distinctive
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experience that prepares students for an ever-changing world. The lack of a common platform, however, as well as the social and economic inequity among students, would continue to be a barrier for even the best teaching and learning. With a Board of Trustees that believed in this bold new direction, donors came forward to support the creation of a new ecosystem. Lead gifts from Shirley (Neff) Pryor ’56, Trustee Dianne (Jeter) Shumaker ’66 and the David T. Beals III Charitable Trust funded the purchase of more than 1,300 iPad Airs for faculty, staff and students in fall 2014. This common platform enabled the College to commit to fully integrating the living and learning experience, becoming a paperless campus and reducing dependency on traditional textbooks. Jewellverse, a vision of President Sallee’s, was largely led by Provost Anne Dema and designated groups of learning communities. One year after the launch, the College was named an Apple Distinguished School, recognizing Jewell for its access to integrated technology and engaged learning.
William Jewell College . Achieve Magazine. Summer 2016
Laying the Foundation
Building the infrastructure to support Jewellverse required increasing campus bandwidth and improving wireless access. For technical support, three staff members became Apple Foundations Trainers, leading 50 workshops in the first year alone. Five students made history, becoming the first undergraduates in the country to complete the Apple Vanguard Program. They became the key staff for the new eHub (Engagement Hub) to assist with Jewellverse tools and facilitate academic innovation through programming and personal training. Learning Environment Grants funded the redesign of five traditional classrooms into collaborative, active learning spaces, while more than 20 classrooms received technology upgrades, such as audio and video interfacing, Apple TVs or flat screens.
(above) The Concert Choir uses iPad devices to rehearse, edit music and perform. (below) Elise Fisher ’75, director of Teaching and Learning Technologies and an Apple Foundations Trainer, deploys devices during Orientation. After two years, students may trade in their iPad for a new one to keep when they graduate.
Internal grants and donor funding has enabled some classroom upgrades, including Apple TVs, touchscreens, tables and walls with writable surfaces, monitors with screensharing capability, flexible seating and audio technology.
(below) Access is a vital part of technology integration on campus. Students have 24/7 access to the tools in Pryor Learning Commons, such as production and editing suites, audio and rendering studios, collaboration studios with screensharing, 3-D printer, large-format scanner, touchscreens and video conferencing.
performance and teamwork and put more control of the experience in the hands of students. Videos of Faculty, staff and students discover new drills offer instant feedback and ways every day to leverage technology enable voice-recorded notes. for instruction, student life, career • Digitized maps for snow removal, development and beyond. utilities, steam lines and irrigation • The Hilltop Monitor staff of 30, systems are accessible on the job site challenged with producing a weekly by Facilities staff, and the iPad is used newspaper on four computers, as a remote for testing zoned redefined the newsroom. Moving irrigation systems. to an open space in Pryor Learning • A Multi-Touch organic chemistry Commons, the staff uses iPad devices workbook (iBook) written by to write, edit and publish the paper. Dr. Jason Morrill replaced a Converting to a fully digital traditional printed book, publication has saved printing costs, personalizing the student experience expanded readership and boosted while helping control textbook costs. staff morale. The interactive book allows students • The Concert Choir eliminated sheet to compare molecules, view animated music by pushing compositions to the organic chemistry reactions, draw iPad. An app enables reading, editing structures in their workbook, and performing music from their highlight text and insert electronic device, as well as note sharing. notes. A number of faculty have • Housing processes have become created Multi-Touch books and fully paperless. Forms, reports, course supplements. room repair requests and policies are • Graduate students in the Department stored in an iTunes U course for of Education developed new ways to resident assistants. Students use the produce assignments and evaluated iPad to sign up for campus housing, apps for their own K-12 classrooms. meal plans and room changes, and also to check in and photograph Early outcomes of the technology room conditions. initiative indicate a high adoption rate, • Coaches report apps such as Coach’s with more than 200 iTunes U courses Eye, TrainingPeaks, Hudl Techniques, created and more than 800 people Notability and Socrative enhance completing professional development
Living and Learning with Jewellverse
(above) To allow anywhere, anytime internet access, Jewell has increased bandwidth capacity more than 230 percent since 2012. Upgrades to the wireless network also were essential to accommodate the usage increase for Jewellverse.
activities. By simply changing their workflow, such as uploading assignments to an online learning management system, students cut their printing by nearly 50 percent in two years.
Jewellverse 2.0 and Beyond
Looking far beyond the deployment of devices, the College has outlined shortand long-term objectives. Self-assessments to measure and encourage growth, review of course materials and implementation of a document management system are underway. To be ready for the next generation of learners, a Jewell faculty learning community has been observing the use of technology in grades K-12. Teaching students how to think critically, identify problems and create innovative solutions has long been Jewell’s approach to prepare students for any path they choose. “Jewellverse provides the tools and space necessary for students to expand their knowledge with confidence in digital collaboration and emerging technology,” said President Elizabeth MacLeod Walls. “Liberal arts are more relevant than ever in the contemporary world. William Jewell’s commitment to enhance learning and communication through sophisticated technology demonstrates how higher education can be responsive to the world’s demands.”
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During Commencement 2016, the Trustees granted Dr. Sallee the status of President Emeritus and presented Mary with an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree for exemplary service.
Jewell bids farewell to
DAVID SALLEE President: 2000 - 2016
Upon being named William Jewell’s fourteenth president in 2000, Dr. David Sallee was asked what he hoped would be his legacy at Jewell.
The College welcomed the Sallees to campus in summer 2000 with a picnic on the Quad.
“Mary and I hope when we leave that Jewell will be a really good place to work, and if it is, I think it will be a really attractive place for kids to go to school. I hope we can look back and say there was a strong community, that Jewell was, by any measure, an excellent place.” For 16 years, he built that legacy and much more: a community, social justice, academic and residential facilities, technology, academic excellence, a national profile and diversity. On July 29 he took his final walk around the Quad and assumed his new title of president emeritus, leaving an excellent place by many measures.
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Path to a Presidency
Becoming a college president was not an intentional path for David Sallee, but rather a series of roles he enjoyed that each led to a new opportunity. After completing an associate’s degree at Crowder College, Dr. Sallee transferred to Oklahoma Baptist University as the basketball team’s point guard. There he met his wife, Mary, they both completed bachelor’s degrees and he coached high school while completing a master’s degree at Pittsburg State University. Dr. Sallee returned to OBU as athletic director, also assuming the roles of basketball coach, assistant professor, chair of the health and physical education department and director of planned giving. In the last half of his 17-year tenure, he served as vice president of enrollment management. In 1993, he completed a Ph.D. in higher education from University of Oklahoma and became vice president of enrollment management at Luther College in Iowa. At the suggestion of a colleague, Dr. Sallee began considering a college presidency for himself. Then, he said, it became a matter of chemistry. In 2000, the right fit came along, and he was named Jewell’s fourteenth president. He said his time as a vice president and coach was valuable preparation for his biggest job yet. “There is a lot of overlap with coaching and teaching: the competitiveness, the need to know what you’re trying to accomplish and developing the identity of the team to be who you think you are.” Preparation, he added, also comes in the form of watching others in their work and building on a strong foundation. Dr. Sallee frequently pulls a British two-pound coin from his pocket and reads the inscription by Sir Isaac Newton. “Standing on the shoulders of giants” describes the cumulative body of knowledge built by preceding generations. He said he has seen further by standing on the shoulders of many other people — presidents he worked with, Jewell administrators and professors — but also on the shoulders of other places — OBU and Luther. Dr. Sallee rolled up his sleeves and volunteered alongside students at campuswide service days as well as off-campus projects, such as improving substandard housing in Kansas City communities. q
p The Sallees invited seniors to the President’s Home for dinner to hear reflections on their Jewell experience and learn about their career plans.
Under President Sallee’s leadership, William Jewell College has seen many great accomplishments and milestones: • Ranked among America’s best colleges by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes, Money, Washington Monthly and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance; • Created the accelerated nursing program for students with a previous bachelor’s degree, and started a bachelor of science in nursing degree for registered nurses; • Offered the College’s first master’s degree: the master of science in education – differentiated instruction; • Launched the College’s degree in civil engineering, offered in fall 2016; •
United as a campus and community in 2003 after separating from the Missouri Baptist Convention and enduring a tornado that damaged every building on campus;
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Strengthened the College’s academic programs, establishing Jewell as the first college in the country to elevate the core curriculum to a second major;
• Supported the common good that led to the establishment of the Center for Justice and Sustainability; • Established the nonprofit leadership major and development of the Pryor Leadership Studies Program; •
Transitioned to membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division II, strengthening the student-athlete experience;
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Constructed and renovated Pryor Center for Leadership Development, Yates-Gill College Union, Shumaker Hall Sorority Houses and Greek Commons, Curry Hall and Pryor Learning Commons;
• Implemented a four-year on-campus living policy, resulting in a robust offering of student leadership opportunities; •
Believed in equal access to collaboration and creativity, as seen through Jewellverse and the Apple Distinguished School designation;
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Valued the importance of the arts, supporting the wide success of the Harriman Arts Program and its evolvement to the Harriman-Jewell Series;
• Facilitated growth in the Oxbridge Honors Program, in partnership with the Hall Family Foundation; • Increased the diversity of the student body; and
t A highlight of his role as president was getting to know students and supporting them in their Jewell journey.
• Elevated the College’s profile in Kansas City and developed vital partnerships with area alumni, businesses, nonprofits and leaders.
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The Jewell Years
The Sallees’ younger son, Patrick, graduated from OBU while their son Andrew graduated from Jewell in 1999 in the Oxbridge Honors Program. The next year, following a national search, Dr. Sallee went from Jewell parent to Jewell president. Products themselves of a small, Christian liberal arts college, the Sallees were drawn to Jewell, anxious to pass on those things they valued from their own experience and to create opportunities for future generations. Early in Dr. Sallee’s presidency, Jewell’s emergence on the national scene was official as the 2001-2002 Time magazine “Liberal Arts College of the Year.” The College consistently is ranked among the nation’s best by the likes of Forbes, The Princeton Review, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, U.S. News & World Report, Washington Monthly and Money. In some ways, the Jewell of the millennium was similar to Jewell today. Dr. Sallee believes programs such as study abroad, the liberal arts curriculum, Oxbridge Honors Program, the sciences and nursing were strong then and continue to be valuable components at Jewell. Some key differences he notes are the alcohol policy, residential policy, honor code, athletic affiliation from NAIA to NCAA and separation from the Missouri Baptist Convention. He believes the College is more intentional about teaching and learning, more current in technology and much more diverse. While parallels can be made between leading a business and a college, Dr. Sallee points out a real differentiator at a college is the customer and product are the same: students. Focusing on individual students, their unique needs and a personalized experience was a daily practice for Dr. Sallee as well as for Mary. Alumni reflecting on his retirement were grateful for a president who was invested in their success, knew their name, mentored
Married campus housing had to be demolished following the May 2003 tornado, which caused more than $8 million in damage to campus. Fifteen weeks later, Dr. Sallee had campus reopened for the fall semester.
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William Jewell College . Achieve Magazine. Summer 2016
them, sat with them in the Dining Hall, attended their games and performances, invited them to his home to learn their goals, wrote them a recommendation letter for graduate school and came to their wedding. Connecting the College with the community was another area of focus for the Sallees, both of whom were active in civic and professional groups and plan to continue serving in some capacity. Dr. Sallee has served on the boards for YMCA of Greater Kansas City, Hillcrest Hope, Center for Practical and Bioethics and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, among others. He also worked to create connections between students and Kansas City area employers and mentors, citing Jewell’s proximity to the metropolitan area as a key advantage.
The Storms
Early in his career, Dr. Sallee saw the College through two storms that many say defined his character and his presidency. One was his response to an act of nature and the other, a response to a matter of principle. In May 2003, a tornado touched down in Liberty, damaging nearly every building on campus. Remarkably, with rooftops ripped away, cars overturned and trees uprooted, no one was injured. After final exams were cancelled and Commencement was relocated to a nearby church, the Jewell family and community united to help in cleanup efforts. Dr. Sallee held true to his promise that campus would reopen for the fall semester. He led the Jewell Rising fundraising campaign, not just to repair the $8 million in damages, but also to rebuild in a way that would enhance campus facilities for future students. “The way we reacted was the only way to react: ‘Let’s rebuild and move on,”’ he said, but his understated leadership, presence and vision is still commended 13 years later.
A former teacher, professor and college basketball coach, Dr. Sallee enjoyed opportunities to teach on campus, such as classes during the winterim session.
The expansion of Yates-Gill College Union, completed in 2006, was one of several building projects during Dr. Sallee’s term.
The other storm had been brewing for a number of years with the Missouri Baptist Convention. With an already tense relationship, the Convention was outraged with Jewell when Student Senate proposed to amend the Student Bill of Rights, adding sexual orientation to its nondiscrimination statement. In addition to requesting the College deny a forum for homosexual students, the Convention asked the College to censor the student newspaper, control theater production choices, submit its teachings on the book of Genesis and allow the Convention to select board members. With support from Jewell’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Sallee represented the College in holding its ground, a position that resulted in the end of the 154-year relationship with the Missouri Baptist Convention in November 2003, also ending $1 million in annual funding. “The Convention said we weren’t paying attention to the spirituality of students. The reality is, we did and still do,” Dr. Sallee said. “I am convinced students are on a spiritual journey, whether they know it or not. Part of what we can do as a private institution is to provide space and support for them to do that. The way Jewell does that now is a lot healthier than it was 16 years ago.” Allowing support and organizations for gay and lesbian students and increasing racial and ethnic diversity have also been defining times of his tenure. “There’s a point when you have to stand up and say, ‘This is what we believe in.’” Some of the recognition for his professional contributions has come in the way of formal awards: alumni achievement awards from OBU, Pittsburg State and the Missouri Community Colleges Association; OBU Athletic Hall of Fame; and the Chief Executive Leadership Award from District VI of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. He and Mary were named William Jewell honorary alumni and the Board of Trustees unanimously awarded him President Emeritus status.
Reflections
In retirement, the Sallees chose to stay in the Liberty area, the community that has become home. Dr. Sallee says he would like to be busy about half the time, contributing to something worthwhile and related to his experience, such as helping nonprofits with staff development or executive search work. Perhaps he’ll do some writing as well, and help his sons and sister with house projects. Even with some tumultuous times at Jewell, Dr. Sallee said the good days far outweighed the difficult. In his 2010 Commencement address, Dr. Sallee challenged graduates to consider the person they left behind four years ago, from their first to their final walk around the Quad. When the same question was asked of him in his final months at Jewell, his introspective nature first led him to consider the things he would have done differently. But in the end, he was most concerned about how he — and the College — treated people. “I’d like to think we’re better at extending grace to others, that we’re a more open, welcoming place, a community in which people care about each other.”
SALUTES TO THE SALLEES PARENTS “You were there consistently with support and advice. The simple realization that you were not some distant entity but a leader with heart and caring meant a lot.” “It is a great opportunity and responsibility to help shape the lives of young people, and your lengthy leadership has been lifechanging for a new generation of leaders. From the first time I met you, I knew Jewell was in good hands.”
ALUMNI “Of the various individuals I’ve interacted with over the last 10 years, I’ve rarely met someone who cares so deeply about the ‘individual’ as Dr. Sallee. I’m tremendously grateful to him.” (2007 graduate) “Dr. and Mrs. Sallee took the time to memorize my name, my parents’ names and invest in my personal dreams. My dad still brags that he has the president of the College’s personal cell phone number.” (2014 graduate) “There has been an honest-to-goodness partnership of town and gown since the Sallees arrived in Liberty. It’s just one of the many legacies they are leaving for us.” (1952 graduate) “The doors to their home were not only open, but welcoming. A house full of friends, conversation, laughter—this is how I will always remember the Sallees.” (2003 graduate)
FACULTY/STAFF “Perhaps their accessibility to and inclusion of all is their greatest contribution. The College is better because David and Mary worked to make all feel welcome at Jewell.” “No matter where you run into him, he always stops and talks easily with you, looks you in the eye, smiles, pats your shoulder, as if he has all the time in the world, and you’re worth a good part of it.” “I will miss his gracious leadership style that encourages teamwork and growth and promotes the healthy development of his colleagues.”
William Jewell College . Achieve Magazine. Summer 2016
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B
Mary Sallee Leaving The Hill and a Legacy
efore Mary Sallee was part of the Jewell community, cardinal was her color. Her favorite color. Fortuitous perhaps, yet one of many signs that Jewell was going to be a good fit, and a good home, for the next 16 years.
As the wife of President David Sallee, Mary was, by definition, the First Lady, although that was a title she never embraced. Instead, she described her role at Jewell with words like “joy” and “privilege.” One of those privileges, she said, was telling people about Jewell. “Students aren’t just going to class, just getting a degree. They are part of a culture rich with experience. They do internships, volunteer, pursue the opportunities of Journey Grants. They’re doing change-the-world type activities. At Jewell, you have to work hard to not be engaged.” One of the greatest joys of her role, she said, has been serving with Dr. Sallee… sitting with him at Chapel, going to HarrimanJewell events together, eating lunch with him in the Dining Hall. “I’ve loved being part of what he’s doing. I can’t imagine doing anything where I didn’t know the people that David works with. I got to be part of a team.”
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William Jewell College . Achieve Magazine. Summer 2016
The Sallees met while attending Oklahoma Baptist University. David, a transfer student and basketball player, had interest in meeting a young lady pictured in the college catalog. In the fall of 1971, he got his chance when Mary Marks sat two seats in front of him in Spanish class. Y el resto, as they say, es historia. Mary, who describes her own college experience as “glorious,” was active in campus organizations such as student senate and graduated with a math degree. Early in her career, she taught school, built a cross stitch business and taught computer literacy at OBU. Later, she was the program coordinator for a touring ensemble associated with Luther College and worked as sales director for a historic hotel. At Jewell, “volunteer” is a title Mary has been proud to wear, both on campus and off. She advised the Mortar Board chapter, held active roles with SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) and Cardinal Hosts, served on the Woman’s Committee, raised money for scholarships and was a member of the Design and Standards Committee that informed the footprint of projects such as the Yates-Gill College Union expansion and the creation of Shumaker Hall and Pryor Learning Commons.
“There are not many colleges where a graduate can return numerous years later and the president and his wife know you by name and what you do for a profession,” said a 2002 alumna. Informally, Mary found innumerable ways to serve and make a lasting impression. She would sit with students in the Dining Hall, invite seniors to the President’s Home for dinner, meet parents on visit days and get to know students in a meaningful way. “There are not many colleges where a graduate can return numerous years later and the president and his wife know you by name and what you do for a profession,” said a 2002 alumna. Her gifts of creativity and hospitality made Mary a memorable part of the Jewell experience. She planned and hosted hundreds of dinners, with every detail in check. Displaying collections such as nativities, making Christmas ornaments and working with house manager Rosa Langston to decorate the President’s Home from top to bottom were ways Mary made the holidays special for the Jewell community. It was her day-to-day efforts though, that people appreciated most. Students said they walked into the President’s Home nervous, but Mary’s kindness put them at ease. They left with more self-confidence, feeling heard and knowing their goals in life mattered. Faculty and staff commended her efforts to blur the lines between factions on
A button quilt assembled for President Sallee’s inauguration displays pins from Jewell friends, a symbol of the kinship shared by the Jewell community. The quilt was gifted by the College for the Sallees’ new home. Mary welcomes new pins, along with a note about why they are meaningful. Please send to Button Quilt, c/o Alumni Office, 500 College Hill, Liberty, MO 64068-1896.
campus. Neighbors recognized Mary’s work off campus to strengthen the College’s relationship with the community. Mary plans to remain involved in civic service, which in recent years has included volunteer and leadership roles with the Liberty Community Christmas Tree Commission, Friends of the Zoo Board of Directors and the Zoo’s Education Committee, Harvest Ball and Liberty Public Schools. She might have come to Jewell as the First Lady, but she is leaving with a different title: Dr. Mary Sallee. The Board of Trustees presented her with an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree for exemplary service, one of the highest recognitions given by the College. She received her diploma in a hooding ceremony during Commencement with four generations of her family present.
Three generations of the Sallee family: (from left) son Andrew Sallee ’99 and his wife Dr. Emily Donnelli Sallee ’99 with children Graham, Benjamin and Anna Marie; Mary and David; and son Patrick Sallee with daughters Makenna and Avery.
Mary Sallee, hosting students in the President’s Home for the holidays.
In retirement, Mary looks forward to traveling with David and spending more time with her parents and grandchildren. And as they get settled in their new Liberty-area home, they will keep a little bit of Jewell with them. “We are honorary alums of Jewell, and we have strong sentiments toward it,” said Mary, who planned their new Jewell room: black and white houndstooth chairs, Ron Brink campus prints, framed honors and mementos. And the walls, in true alma mater fashion, are her favorite color.
David and Mary Sallee in a Homecoming parade.
William Jewell College . Achieve Magazine. Summer 2016
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In Memoriam 1930s
Juanita (Cranfill) Trotter ’52 of Liberty, Mo., February 12, 2016
Aurelia (Tanner) Swafford ’36 of Richmond, Mo., May 29, 2016
Rev. Ballard Blount ’54 of Huron, S.D., June 1, 2016
Estelle Slater ’37 of Dallas, Texas, May 8, 2016
Emma Lou “Emmy” (Ferril) Jones ’54 of Lee’s Summit, Mo., January 16, 2016
Lenore (Brown) Weeks ’38 of Independence, Mo., January 4, 2016 Dr. J. Vernon Knight ’39 of Tucson, Ariz., March 9, 2016
1940s Rev. W. Carl Hunker ’40 of Shawnee, Kan., January 1, 2016 Madeline (Parrott) Quick ’41 of Waco, Texas, February 22, 2016 Marjorie (Webber) Linvill ’42 of Palo Alto, Calif., March 21, 2016 Dorothy (Crouch) Mayhugh ’45 of Olathe, Kan., March 2, 2016 Rev. Charles Stigers ’46 of Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 28, 2016 Donna (McCampbell) Agee ’47 of Liberty, Mo., January 11, 2016 Maxine (Sevier) Boyd ’47 of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, June 1, 2016 Lewis Grace Jr., ’47 of Kansas City, Mo., June 8, 2016 Alta “Jean” (Glancy) Damron ’48 of Warrensburg, Mo., February 8, 2016 Doris (Ward) Truex ’48 of Ellisville, Mo., January 9, 2016 Juanita “Nita” (Jensen) Aldridge ’49 of Louisville, Ky., April 3, 2016 Rev. William Hines ’49 of Coushatta, La., March 2, 2016 Mary Jane (Miller) Jackson ’49 of Lancaster, Ohio, January 19, 2016 Rob Lund ’49 of Enid, Okla., January 6, 2016 Raymond Neth ’49 of Liberty, Mo., March 6, 2016 Vance Rule ’49 of Bartlesville, Okla., July 10, 2016
1950s Jerald “Jerry” Scofield ’50 of Georgetown, Texas, April 5, 2016 Velta (Stout) Wieters ’50 of Gilbert, Ariz., May 12, 2016
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Dr. Lyle Boyles ’55 of Bella Vista, Ark., June 4, 2016 Myron Clark ’55 of Silver Spring, Md., March 27, 2016 John Jackson ’55 of Nixa, Mo., July 7, 2016
1970s Charlotte (Williams) DeWees ’70 of Liberty, Mo., April 9, 2016 Cicely (DeLapp) McGraw ’71 of Independence, Mo., June 18, 2016 Bruce Williams ’72 of Saratoga, Calif., May 22, 2016 Betty (Reppert) Anderson ’74 of Liberty, Mo., July 29, 2016 Mary (Leader) Galambos ’74 of Florissant, Mo., March 28, 2016
1980s
Patricia (Rates) Carson ’56 of Olathe, Kan., July 23, 2016
Steve Ashburn ’82 of Belton, Texas, March 1, 2016
Norma (Norris) Willhoit ’57 of Chapel Hill, N.C., February 25, 2016
Paula (Staton) Berry ’83 of Gladstone, Mo, June 11, 2016
Joseph Bandy ’58 of Mount Vernon, Ill., July 13, 2016
Sean Klase ’88 of Arlington, Texas, July 15, 2016
Joy (Stone) George ’58 of Platte City, April 14, 2016
Steven McFarland ’88 of Kearney, Mo., March 18, 2016
Aloah (Burke) Kincaid ’58 of Tulsa, Okla., June 24, 2016 Nina (Cox) Schneider ’58 of Maryville, Mo., April 23, 2016 Kalliope “Poppee” (Beskas) Battern ’59 of Cleveland, Mo., June 2, 2016
1960s
1990s Susan (Keller) Cash ’91 of Littleton, Colo., July 17, 2016 Stephen L. Parker ’91 of Kansas City, Mo., March 28, 2016 Kerri (Lewis) Brock ’92 of Trenton, Mo., July 12, 2016
Dr. Augustine “Gus” Okonkwo ’61 of Virginia Beach, Va., June 13, 2016
Matthew Smith ’93 of St. Peters, Mo., March 22, 2016
Kenneth West ’63 of Columbia, Mo., Feb. 26, 2016
2010s
James Ibach ’64 of Olathe, Kan., July 20, 2016 Donald Kaiser ’64 of St. Louis, Mo., March 8, 2016 Mary Lou (Murphy) Moman ’64 of Lebanon, Mo., July 18, 2016 Robert Turner ’64 of Blue Springs, Mo., May 25, 2016 Maila (Brewer) Harrell ’65 of Castro Valley, Calif., May 17, 2016 James Simmons ’66 of Chicago, Ill., July 8, 2016 Daniel Knauss ’67 of Lebanon, Mo., May 24, 2016 James Woods II ’69 of Kansas City, Mo., January 30, 2016
William Jewell College . Achieve Magazine. Summer 2016
Rebecca Lynn Roche ’14 of Kansas City, Mo., February 8, 2016 Wesley McKellar ’15 of Gladstone, Mo., January 25, 2016 Jessica Williams ’15 of Sedalia, Mo., February 10, 2016
Friends J. Ray Gill (Trustee Emeritus) of Richmond, Mo., March 30, 2016 Col. Bertram Witham, Jr. (former Trustee) of Macon, Ga., January 7, 2016 James Bocell (Trustee Emeritus) of St. Joseph, Mo., January 5, 2016 Visit www.jewellalumni.com/ achieveclassnotes to view the latest news on Jewell alumni.
From the Office of Institutional Advancement
The Trotters’ passion for the arts is on permanent display
J
uanita (Cranfill) Trotter ’52 believed the arts inspire creativity and add dimension to the liberal arts experience. As an artist and former Jewell instructor, she was passionate about a stronger visual and performing arts presence on campus. Pieces she donated from her personal collection and purchased from artists are on display in buildings and as part of the outdoor landscape.
The newest art addition on campus was unveiled and dedicated in June, with Juanita’s friends and family, just four months after she passed away. Juanita collaborated with Jewell’s Office of Institutional Advancement to purchase the piece by Italian sculptor Bruno Romeda. Elipse, a bronze circle, is designed to frame space and the horizon line when placed outdoors. For guests arriving on campus, the view through the sculpture accentuates the heart of campus. From the Quad view, it signifies students’ connections with the community. Appropriately, Elipse resides on the edge of Trotter Arts Plaza, an outdoor amphitheater created to help draw in the arts buildings — Brown Hall and Pillsbury Music Center — to the main Quad. The plaza was dedicated to both Juanita and her husband, Dr. Robert Trotter, as part of an endowed gift that supports Pryor Learning Commons and related capital projects. Bob passed away in 1996, after teaching philosophy at Jewell for nearly 50 years. Many students continue to benefit from his legacy through the Robert S. Trotter Memorial Scholarship established by Juanita. A painting collection by Patric Shannon, husband of legendary professor Dr. Ann Marie Shannon, is another generous gift by Juanita in Curry Hall and Yates-Gill College Union. In addition to the visual arts, the Trotters were loyal supporters of the Harriman-Jewell Series, the Lyric Opera and Kansas City Symphony.
500 College Hill Liberty, Missouri 64068-1896
Thursday, October 6
Class of 1986 reunion, 5:30- 8:30 p.m.
Friday, October 7
Class of 1956 reunion, 9 a.m. Back to Class with Dr. Brendon Benz, 10-11 a.m. Celebration of Golden Classes, 11:30 a.m-4 p.m. Alumni Awards Dinner, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 8
Nursing 5K Run/Walk, 7:30 a.m. 70 Years of Alpha Gamma Delta, 9-11 a.m. Aeons Reunion Breakfast, 9 a.m. John Priest Greene Society gathering, 10-11 a.m. Pre-game Celebration, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Football Game vs. Missouri S&T, 1 p.m. Class of 1966 reunion, 2-5 p.m. Athletic Hall of Fame Induction, 5 p.m. Black Alumni Reunion Dinner, 6 p.m.
Sunday, October 9
Black Alumni Reunion Praise Service, 10:15 a.m.
2016 Alumni Award Recipients John F. Truex Lifetime Alumni Service Award Neita Frohmuth Geilker ’56 Young Distinguished Alumni Service Award Meredith Moore ’12 Distinguished Alumni Service Award Bill Dillingham ’97 Jewell Humanitarian Award Kimberly Flowers ’99 Honorary Alumni Phil and Ann Posey
Cardinal Athletics Hall of Fame Lynsay Gallagher Holst ’05 Steve Hodges ’84 Gary Patton ’77 Blake Ryan ’05 Weldon Stubbs ’94 1980 Football Team 1981 Football Team
For a complete event schedule or to register, visit www.jewellalumni.com/homecoming or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 816-415-7831 or alumni@william.jewell.edu.