Volume 120 Issue 21 March 4, 2016
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Hasseler named 21st President Background in brief Education: • 1994 A Doctorate from Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy. Emphasis in educational leadership, social policy, and teaching and learning processes. • 1984 A Master of Arts in Special Education from the University of South Dakota. Emphasis in learning disabilities. • 1977 A Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education from Calvin College.
Christine Holmes/ Black & Magenta Presidential Search Committee Chair Robert Patin, Chair of the Board of Trustees Harold Burlingame, President-Elect Susan Hasseler, and President Anne C. Steele at the Presidential Announcement Feb. 29. Christine Holmes Assignment Editor Within the glass walls of Muskingum University’s Roberta A. Smith University Library, Dr. Susan S. Hasseler was named the 21st president of Muskingum University Monday, Feb. 29, 2016. Hasseler succeeds current President Dr. Anne C. Steele when she officially takes office July 1. After serving for 16 years as Muskingum’s president, Steele announced her retirement in April, 2015. Since then, a presidential search committee formed with the goal of finding the ideal candidate that could best lead Muskingum University into the future. A task Search Committee Chair Robert Patin described to be daunting. “I said, ‘let me get this straight,’” Patin stated referring to the time he was asked to lead the
search. “‘You want me to head up a committee that’s going to find somebody to follow Anne Steele? What have I ever done to you?”’ Nearly one year, hours of meetings, research, and interviews later, the committee unanimously decided to appoint Hasseler as the next president. Chair of the Board of Trustees Harold Burlingame said Hasseler’s values are consistent with those of Muskingum University. “Her experience in academic leadership demonstrates a capacity to continue managing innovation and change,” said Burlingame. “She holds a vision of the many possibilities that Muskingum might address as we move into the future.” Hasseler recognizes the financial stability of the University, saying its use of careful and creative financial strategies are part
of what attracted her to it. “I think I’m coming into a place that is very strong financially and that I intend to continue to operate within those same principles of thoughtful use of resources,” said Hasseler. “This is a place that has done that exceptionally well.” Despite challenges within higher education institutions, Hasseler said Muskingum University is known for its resilience. “This particular institution has been very strategic about building student bodies, about connecting with the community, about offering majors and programs that reach out to learners, and really reach out to fit future needs,” said Hasseler. See PRESIDENT, continued on page 2
Career Experience: • 2012-present Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Augustana University. • 2008-2012 Dean of the School of Business, Education and Social Sciences & Dean of Community Engagement at Messiah College. • 2000-2008 Associate Dean for Teacher Education at Calvin College. Family Life: • Married to husband Kenneth for 40 years. He is a neuropsychologist who earned a Doctorate in Philosophy. • They have two adult children, Kaitlin and Jonathan and a daughter-in-law, Mallory. • The Hasseler family enjoys spending their time outdoors together. • Last summer, the Hasseler family hiked the Grand Canyon from rim to rim.
Page 2 PRESIDENT, continued from page 1 Though she has her own plans for the University during her presidency, Hasseler said she wants to enter the position as an observer, intending to “hit the ground listening.” “I think the really important thing for a new leader to come in to do is to understand the campus culture but also the community culture,” said Hasseler. With an extensive background in teaching and higher education administration as well as specialization in special education, Hasseler believes her passions will be an asset for Muskingum University going forward. “A consistent theme in all of those positions has actually been a passion for learners and a passion for students that maybe haven’t always been served very well by our schools,” said Hasseler. Hasseler especially takes interest in the Muskingum University PLUS Program. “I’ve always been very interested in the learners who really need us to think about education a little bit differently,” said Hasseler. “[That] really challenge[s] us to think about how we include all those voices and all of those perspectives.” For Hasseler, education has been a lifelong passion. “I believe that I started teaching when I was about three years old,” said Hasseler. Hasseler believes she was heavily influenced by both her grandmothers as well as her mother, describing them as passionate teachers both inside and outside of the classroom. That same passion for teaching translated to Hasseler. Her son Jon said she has always been an educator at both home and work.
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The Black & Magenta • Orbit Media “I have fond memories from a very young age of her reading to me and taking me to the library and encouraging my exploration of all the subjects I was interested in,” said Hasseler’s son. “Her shared love of learning with me has carried through to this day. I am still a voracious reader and love learning new things.” As a graduate student working with middle school children in the poorest neighborhood in Chicago, Hasseler was confronted with a harsh reality for many youth in the city’s south side when her cooperating teacher asked her if she had ever been in the situation when half of her students would be dead by the age of 21. That question awakened Hasseler to the injustices of the world and prompted her to transform her focus area of study to justice and social policies. Hasseler took her studies and applied them outside the classroom to what she called the transformation movement in South Africa between the years of 2004 and 2008. During her six visits in the four-year span, Hasseler spent half her time assisting universities transitioning from all-white schools to integrated institutions. “I was really working with them particularly with their faculties of education on how they could prepare new teachers to really live in a society that was moving away from apartheid,” said Hasseler. The other half of her time was spent in the rural areas of the country working with teachers in K-12 schools. Armed with all of her past experiences, President-elect Hasseler said she hopes to connect Muskingum with the rest of the world during her upcoming presidency at the University.
Christine Holmes/ Black & Magenta Chip Steele, President Anne C. Steele’s husband, and Kenneth Hasseler, husband of President-elect Susan S. Hasseler greet each other Feb. 29 at the Presidential announcement.
Christine Holmes/ Black & Magenta President Anne C. Steele and President-elect Susan S. Hasseler embrace following Steele’s Remarks at the Feb. 29 Presidential Announcement.
Christine Holmes/ Black & Magenta President-elect Susan S. Hasseler’s husband Kenneth Hasseler shows support during the presidential announcement at the Roberta A. Smith Library.
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New President and family chase adventure Christine Holmes Assignment Editor When she’s not teaching the world around her, Muskingum University’s new president, Susan S. Hasseler, is exploring it. Born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin and raised near Grand Rapids, Michigan, the President-elect spent much of her childhood on the water. From water skiing at the age of eight to kayaking through adulthood, Hasseler has a taste for adventure, one that she shares with her family. Currently, Hasseler lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Together with her husband of 40 years, Kenneth Hasseler, the couple takes part in hiking, biking, and exploring the outdoors. Just last summer, the pair set
off on the hike of their lifetime with their daughter Kaitlin, son Jon, and his wife Mallory. In a three-day trip, the family hiked from rim to rim of the Grand Canyon. It was a trip that took much preparation including a lot of hiking and booking the trip reservation far in advance. Hasseler noted her daughter Kaitlin insisted her parents purchase kayaks in New Concord so they can test the waters of their new home when she visits. When he’s not at work, neuropsychologist husband Ken is in the woods or by the water with their son Jon. The two enjoy spending time together fishing and hunting. Ken and Jon once took part in a fishing trip on the campus lake of Northwestern University while Ken was working on his Ph.D.
Ken said he may even try to recreate the experience on Muskingum’s campus lake during the annual fishing derby after the move to New Concord. Aside from the outdoors, the Hasselers also have a taste for culture. Both Ken and Susan enjoy the visual and performing arts. In fact, the new president is known to play drums with students at Augustana University. She has some informal knowledge of djembe drumming. She also has experience on the piano, beginning when she was five years old. “I’m more of a lapsed pianist,” said Hasseler. “I still play a bit, but certainly not the level that you would expect someone to perform.” The two anticipate visiting
some of the local art venues near Muskingum, specifically the glass and pottery museums. Hasseler is very involved in her Sioux Falls community, as a member of Rotary International, the board of her local arts and sciences center, and the Chamber of Commerce. She also takes part in United Way activities. “I expect to be very involved in New Concord and getting to know the place,” said Hasseler. She also wants to expand her
involvement to neighboring Cambridge and Zanesville. Both Hasselers said they look forward to attending sporting events at Muskingum and immersing themselves in the Muskie campus culture. They enjoy a lot of sports including baseball, basketball, lacrosse, and soccer. The Hasselers plan to let the community get to know their family on a more personal level with hopes to host students, faculty, and staff in their new home.
Kenneth Hasseler/ Submission President-elect Susan S. Hasseler and her husband Ken hike in Estes Park along the Colorado River.
To find more coverage on the 21st presidential announcement check out Orbitmediaonline.com You can find: Kenneth Hasseler/ Submission Jonathan, Kaitlin, Ken, Susan, and Mallory Hasseler eat breakfast after hiking the Grand Canyon from rim to rim in a three-day trip.
- Interviews with Susan and Kenneth Hasseler.
- Audio and Video recordings of the Presidential Announcement. - The full length story about President-elect Susan S. Hasseler.
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SPORTS
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Womens Basketball wraps up season Alicia Moore Orbit Media Reporter
The Muskingum University Womens Basketball team finished their 2015-2016 season Feb. 20 after an overtime loss to John Carroll in The Recreation Center. Womens Basketball Head Coach, Beth Fox, thought it was a “frustrating year.” She said the team played well and improved through the season, but she had “never quite experienced a season where the ball just never seemed to go their way.” The Muskies had many close games, but forces were against them throughout this season, with many of those close games not working in the team’s favor.
“Adversity comes and we are not really sure the reasons why,” said Fox. She is already looking forward to getting the whole team back on the court. “We really created a bond of family,” said Fox. “We get on each other’s nerves and I’m sure we tick each other off, but at the end of the day we are there for one another.” According to Fox, both of the senior basketball players, Angela Darnley and Leigha Moran, will be missed on the team. “They [Darnley and Moran] really laid their heart out on the line for us for the last four years,” said Fox. “They have left a legacy of sacrifice and dedication.”
Moran said that her biggest take away from her time on the team is that hard work can get you just as far as talent can. Fox predicts that next season is going to be even better. “We are very optimistic on the future,” said Fox. “A record is not going to keep us from our goals and what we are looking to obtain [as a team].” Through the tough losses, Fox said the team has gotten closer, which she believes will help them in the future. “It’s those bonds that are created on the court that will last a lifetime,” said Fox. Christine Holmes/ Black & Magenta The Muskies ended their sea- Junior Mallory Taylor goes up for a layup late in the game against son with a 5-20 record overall and Mount Union Jan. 13. Taylor led the Muskies in scoring this season, 1-17 in the OAC. averaging 12.6 points a game during the 2015-2016 campaign.
Muskie Baseball outfielder ruled out with injury
Muskingum University Sports Information Logan Weaver Orbit Media Reporter Austin DeVore, junior baseball left-fielder, is benched for baseball for four to six weeks due to a broken fibula suffered while walking to a friend’s house on Feb. 16. DeVore said as he walked out of his townhouse, he lost his footing and fell down, breaking his
fibula, otherwise known as the calf bone. The bone, along with the tibia, connects the knee to the ankle bone. DeVore said that despite the injury not being serious enough to require surgery, he has to take time off from physical activity. Despite the injury, DeVore remains optimistic about the situation, saying that it has affected him in a positive way. “Now that I’m sitting here, sitting out this entire time, I can’t wait to get back, be with the guys and just do what I normally do,” said DeVore. In 2015, DeVore led the Fighting Muskies in several categories, including a batting average of .353, 48 hits, 30 runs scored, 31 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. He was also named Second Team AllOAC for his performance on the field last season.
Coach Gregg Thompson said the loss of DeVore has had a “huge impact” on the rest of the team. “You’re taking a man out, and putting a boy in,” said Thompson. Several younger players will be called upon to fill DeVore’s spot while he recovers. “It’s going to be tough,” said Thompson. “It’s a man’s game and [Austin] was a man ready to play it.” Thompson added that they have decided on who will be DeVore’s replacement, but said that he is not ready to announce the move just yet. The Fighting Muskies begin their season on Sunday, March 6, when they play against Gwynedd Mercy in Winter Haven, Fla., as a part of the RussMatt Invitational tournament. The team will play nine games in the spring break tournament before returning home.
Spring season brings scheduling conflicts Steven Sable Orbit Media Reporter
Recent clashes in the use of McConagha Stadium have created scheduling issues for Muskingum University Lacrosse and John Glenn High School Track & Field. Muskingum and John Glenn High School both share a lease that allows the high school to use the field along with the University. Larry Shank, Muskingum University Athletic Director, attributes the busy schedule of the stadium to the growing lacrosse program at the University. “Before we started lacrosse, the only things we had on the field [were] two track teams, the high school track team and the college track team,” said Shank. Shank said it was easy scheduling the track programs on the field. When the lacrosse program started in 2015, John Glenn High
School was notified prior to the season so they could make the appropriate scheduling changes. Shank said there has always been some kind of overlap in the schedule, but the relationship between the schools prevented any major issues. When lacrosse started, keeping players safe became a priority. “[You’ve] got to consider safety,” said Shank. “I don’t schedule anyone in that area that mens lacrosse practices because of [everyone’s] safety.” NCAA rules don’t allow John Glenn’s track team to be on the field at the same time as Muskingum’s track teams, thus even putting tighter restrictions on John Glenn’s use of the field. According to the lease, John Glenn is allowed seven track meets during the year, which are split between the junior high and high school teams.