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THE MAGAZINE OF CENTRAL METHODIST UNIVERSITY
Champions in Class and on the Field!
To Alumni and Friends of Central Methodist University: This summer, as we celebrate our newest alumni through our five commencements, we are happily reminded that increased enrollments mean increased numbers of graduates! This year our total, including December, May, and August, is 1,029! This is quite a contrast from the 625 total last year. As has been the pattern for the last almost ten years, approximately one third of our graduates are from the Fayette campus and the other two thirds are students in the College of Graduate and Extended Studies. Each year CMU’s “footprint” gets larger and more influential. Our spring activities have been splendid, starting with the outstanding performance of our Criminal Justice team at the national competition. They returned home with ten trophies, seven of which were for first place in specific academic categories! Several months earlier the team returned from the regional contests with 21 trophies...20 for individual events plus the traveling one, which goes to the institution that garners the greatest number of individual trophies. And our SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) team was declared a champion at regional competition in Chicago and will go on to the national level in Kansas City. Reunion Weekend was another wonderful success, a high point of which was the presentation of two Distinguished Alumni Awards and one Young Alumni Award. It is always an inspiration to be among persons whose lives exemplify the values and qualities of their Central Methodist education. During this time we also inducted 25 members into Sigma Epsilon Pi, the academic honor society for the top 10 percent of the graduating class from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The lists of accolades for these students is most impressive...as are the number who are either employed or who have definite plans for graduate or professional school. Between honoring the current outstanding students on Friday evening and the distinguished alumni on Saturday evening, this weekend was special in every way. Baccalaureate and Commencement in Fayette, two of the major events of the year, were also high points as we
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honored retiring trustee Virginia Wood Bergsten with the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Earlier, at her final Board of Trustees meeting, she was celebrated in word and deed and gift...a most notable one of which is the restored C Bench, complete with walkway to it, behind it, and all around it. The C Bench was a class project of the freshman class...Jenny’s class...in 1955-56...so noted on the granite stone at the lower back of the bench. She recalled that class members made cheese sandwiches—both grilled cheese and pimiento cheese spread—on Sunday evenings and sold them to fellow students for a nominal amount; she couldn’t remember if it was a nickel or a dime or even a quarter...but then concluded that a quarter in 1955 would have seemed expensive for a sandwich! When you are next on campus, do not miss the opportunity to view the C Bench, to sit in it, and to admire these upgrades...which were a gift from her husband, from good friends, and from fellow trustees. Summer is always a time for campus improvements, and this year is no different as we will be expanding and upgrading parking, bringing some much needed upgrades to Holt Hall...with more planned for next year as well as in Howard-Payne...moving the Center for Learning and Teaching to the lower level of the library, converting the lower level of T. Berry Smith Hall to general academic space, and moving into the “new” Classic Hall. Please plan to attend the Classic dedication during Homecoming weekend (October 12-14), and please do return to campus as often as possible since each month brings changes that continually raise the quality of our learning and living environments. For almost 160 years, Central Methodist University has been in the business of transforming lives into expressions of competence, service, passion, and commitment. All members of the CMU community truly do live out our mission of “making a difference in the world.” Thank you for your role in this important task and for helping to carry on the best of our traditions while at the same time embracing the most promising aspects of change.
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TALON THE MAGAZINE OF CENTRAL METHODIST UNIVERSITY Table of Contents President’s Message..................................2 Graduation ............................................. 5 Alumni Weekend....................................12 Campus News .......................................16 Classic Commemorations ....................... 20 Elliott and Lembke Retire ............... .......22 Christian Perspectives Week ...................26 Extended Studies................................ ....30 Tennessee Williams Festival ...................34 Hendrix Finds .......................................37 Bill Chott ..... .........................................39 Student Opportunities.............................44 Operation Comerío..................................48 Hall of Sponsors.....................................50 Awards and Endowments........................52 Volunteer for CASA................................56 Lady Eagles Softball...............................60 Athletics ...............................................62 Alumni News................................... .....69 Board News. .........................................78 Calendar. ..............................................79
Senior Administration Dr. Marianne E. Inman, President Dr. Rita Gulstad, Vice President and Dean of the University Julee Sherman, Vice President for Finance and Administration Donna Merrell, Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Programs
Technology at CMU
Chad Gaines, Vice President for Information Services
Jenny Martin Anspach
Cover photo: The four co-captains of the CMU Softball Team show that they are aces both on the diamond and in the classroom, along with a little help from their coach Pat Reardon and President Marianne Inman. From left, swinging her bat while hitting the books, first baseman Kayla Young; Coach Reardon in the ultimate goal, a graduation gown; tossing an apple in her nursing scrubs, center fielder Erika Reinagel; squatting ready to catch the ball or some information from her computer, catcher Rebecca Lipsey; sliding safely into home plate with her backpack firmly attached, right fielder Kelsey Johnley; and umpire President Inman calling her safe. See article, p. 60.
Some big improvements have been made on campus in the last few months and more are slated for the summer. The entire campus switched from cable to satellite TV over Christmas break. This took a lot of planning, but so far the response has been great! At the first of the year, we doubled our internet bandwidth, which allows the students to access the web from all of their various electronic devices a bit quicker. The next big improvement will take place this summer as we install wireless hubs across campus to make all of the residence halls wireless. In other news, if you aren’t able to make it to campus, fear not! You can still participate in certain events online. This spring we began live streaming athletic events. In addition to athletic events, important academic events like graduation will also be available online. You can access CMU’s live stream feeds at http://www.ustream. tv/channel/centralmethodist or http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ cmuathletics. As always, don’t forget to find us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/centralmethodist; YouTube at www.youtube.com/centralmethodist; Twitter at http://twitter.com/cmuniv; and check out pictures on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/centralmethodist/sets.
Talon Editorial Staff and Contact Information Kent Propst, Executive Director for Marketing Communications 660-248-6238 kpropst@centralmethodist.edu Jenny Martin Anspach Assistant Director for Marketing Communications 660-248-6629 jmartin@centralmethodist.edu Cathy Thogmorton, Editor 660-248-6391 cthogmor@centralmethodist.edu Alan G. Marshall Director of Development and Alumni Programs 660-248-6260 agmarsha@centralmethodist.edu Stephanie Lewis Director of Development 660-248-6397 slewis@centralmethodist.edu Student Assistants Brittanee Jacobs, Intern Adriana Romero, Addie Layne Travis Brobst
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D ! R N O O C I E R UAT D RA
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Commencement arrived quickly this year. It seems like the year just began when, much to everyone’s surprise, it was finished. Perhaps it happens that way when the campus is full to the brim, energetic, and practically vibrating . Students fill the classrooms, the Bergsten Dining Hall, The Eyrie—studying and socializing. Students on the Quad. Students in the library commons. Students on the Con steps. It makes for a cheerful, friendly campus. Now we send these students who have made such a mark on campus and in our lives out into the world to find their way and make a positive difference in the jobs, the graduate schools, the towns that they will inhabit. And the world. Congratulations, graduates, on a job so well done!
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Insightful women speak at Graduation Two special people gave special addresses as part of CMU’s Commencement and Baccalaureate events in May. Rev. Lynn Dyke, Mid-State District Superintendent for The Missouri United Methodist Church, gave the Baccalaureate address Saturday morning in Linn Memorial United Methodist Church on the CMU campus. Alumna Jenny Bergsten, who retires from the CMU Board of Trustees this summer after more than 20 years of distinguished service, delivered the Commencement address in Puckett Fieldhouse in the afternoon. “We were honored by the leadership of these two talented and committed persons and their presence with us on May 5,” notes President Marianne E. Inman. Rev. Lynn Dyke
Rev. Lynn Dyke currently serves as the Mid-State District Superintendent for the Missouri Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, with offices in Columbia. That district covers 14 counties and 80 churches in mid-Missouri. During the past 30 years, she has served churches in Kimberling City and Marshfield, Mo., and in Arkansas and Kansas. She also worked in a youth services role for The United Methodist Church’s Pacific Northwest conference in Seattle. A native of Maryland, she moved with her family to the greater Kansas City area as an adolescent. Rev. Dyke graduated from Southwestern College, a UMC institution in Winfield, Kan., with a degree in elementary education. She then attended Iliff School of Theology in Denver, and subsequently was ordained in the Kansas East Conference of the UMC. Dyke spoke about respecting and enjoying the journey along the road to one’s destination, even when that destination changes.
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Virginia Wood Bergsten
Virginia (Jenny) Wood Bergsten’s connection to CMU goes back to her undergraduate days at then-Central College, where she graduated cum laude in 1959 with a bachelor of arts degree. Now a resident of Annandale, Va., along with her husband, Dr. C. Fred Bergsten ’61, Jenny Bergsten has served several terms on the CMU Board of Trustees (previously its Board of Curators). She most recently chaired its Teaching and Learning Committee and was also a member of its Trusteeship and Governance and Executive Committees. After gaining her undergraduate degree from CMU, she worked for a short time in Central’s Registrar’s Office, then taught freshman composition classes in 1959-60. She later taught in high schools in Mehlville, Mo., Massachusetts, and Virginia, and at the International Language Institute in Washington, D.C. In 1985 she was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from Central Methodist, and the College Service Award in 1995. Bergsten received the master of arts degree in literature from The American University in Washington, D.C. She has been active in educational, civic, and community service organizations in the Annandale area for many years. Prior to her message, Bergsten was honored by her alma mater with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. She was hooded by President Inman (photo, above) and Board of Trustees President Glenn Cox and aided by Jenny’s husband, Fred.
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Selecman Award presented to Jacob Heppner Commencement at Central Methodist University May 5 was a special one for more than 400 graduates. Yet it was even more memorable for Jacob Heppner, the winner of the CMU Selecman Award, the highest student honor the University bestows. Jacob Heppner, a mathematics major from Mansfield, Mo., received the Selecman Award from President Marianne Inman. The award is named after Bishop Charles Claude Selecman, an 1898 graduate of Central. He served on the college’s governing board in 1913-14, and went on to become the third president of Southern Methodist University in Dallas from 1922-38. Selecman established the award at CMU in 1957, asking that it go to a student who displays to “an extraordinary degree” good citizenship, scholarship, religious leadership, moral and spiritual qualities, and outstanding achievements. Heppner stands out in all these aspects. Heppner is the son of Mark and Marcy Heppner of Mansfield and is a graduate of Mountain Grove High School. His achievements are many, including: • Member of Alpha Lambda Delta National Academic Honor Society • Member of Kappa Mu Epsilon National Mathematics Honor Society • Member of The Collegian, the CMU student newspaper • Member of the CMU chapter of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE)
• Perfect 4.0 grade point average • Recipient of the Dr. James M. Luetjen ScholarAthlete Award, given to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average A four-year member of the CMU Eagle football team, this past year Heppner was selected to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District 5 First Team. For the past two years he has been named a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Scholar-Athlete. This past year, Heppner was one of 22 football players from across the nation selected to the 2011 Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team. The award earned him a trip to New Orleans, where he was honored during a halftime ceremony at the Sugar Bowl (photo, lower left). Eleven members of that AFCA Good Works group were from NCAA Division I institutions, including Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III of Baylor. Eleven more, including Heppner, were from small institutions. Heppner was chosen for that honor based on his commitment to service and volunteerism. He has been active in CMU youth football clinics (photo, lower right), Special Olympics, and has twice gone on CMU service missions – once to El Paso, Texas, and once to Puerto Rico. Part of his positive attitude and continuing motivation comes from his little sister, Emma Grace (wearing his Homecoming King crown in the top, middle photo), a survivor of childhood leukemia. People may remember her as Morgan Freeman’s sidekick in a commercial for St. Jude’s Hospital during the football play-offs.
University honors to Amanda Amos and Elizabeth Gayer Amanda Amos, Victoria Award
Elizabeth Gayer, Human Relations Award
Amanda Amos of Waverly graduated with a degree in child development and a minor in psychology. This year’s winner of the CMU Victoria Award, she is the daughter of Ray and LaDonna Giffin of Guilford, Mo., and a graduate of South Nodaway High School in Barnard. The award is given in memory of Victoria Beecroft Cutter. It was established in 1979 by her late son, Dr. Walter Cutter ’28. The award is intended for the graduating senior who, in the opinions of faculty and students, best exemplifies the ideals and purposes of the college during the previous academic year. Amos has been active in Sigma Alpha Iota, an international fraternity for women in music whose members must have high scholastic standing and have taken at least one music class. She has been involved in CMU’s concert band, the Eagle marching band, and the CMU Psychology Club. Her grade point average was 3.60.
Elizabeth Gayer graduated with a degree in religion. She was named the recipient of CMU’s Human Relations Award. The daughter of Dennis and Debra Gayer of Columbia, she is a graduate of Hickman High School, and transferred to CMU from the University of Missouri. While at CMU, Gayer participated in track and soccer. She also compiled a high grade point average. The CMU Human Relations Award was first given in 1953. It was established by Mrs. Martha Smith Luck ’31 to honor the student “showing the most promise in human relations and human adjustment.” This prize is awarded annually to the student who “attempts to develop the ability to get along with others and work with others– the ability to understand the other fellow, develop liaison techniques and this (pouring of oil on troubled waters) in the area of human relations and understanding.” Gayer is this year’s recipient from the Religion department of the T. Cecil Swackhamer Award, which goes to a student who has demonstrated promise in ministry. She was also inducted in the CMU chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology.
Below: Three graduates join the military during Commencement. CMU has an ROTC program in conjunction with MU. From left, being sworn in to the Army are criminal justice major Knial Piper II, who was the top-ranked graduate in the CMU/MU program and graduated with national military honors, in the top ten percent nationally; and Kyle Jeffrey Redd, with a major in business. The third student receiving his commission is criminal justice major Ethan James Fry, who is headed to the National Guard.
Below: Senior Eldar Rizvanof of Russia presents a copy of his Honor Thesis to his American “parents.” From left, Dr. Marianne Inman, president of CMU; Sonny and Robin Helton from Bridgeton, Mo.; Eldar; Dr. Richard Bradley, director of the Honors Program, and Dr. Rita Gulstad, vice president and dean of the University.
Student Awards 2011-2012 Accounting Excellence Award Shannon K. Dickerson ACDA National Student Choral Award Khobic Johnson Alpha Epsilon Delta Anatomy Award Jennifer Garrett Alpha Epsilon Delta Harold L. Momberg Outstanding Pre-Med Award Ashley Hagen Alpha Epsilon Delta Physiology Award Emylie Deuel American Nurses Association Award Jennifer Mayse Banking and Finance Excellence Award Andrew P. Behrle Dr. Robert Barker Sociology Award Merikate Novak Cheryl Bartholomew Memorial Nursing Scholarship LaDeena Leaton Noble Emmett Baskett Scholarship in Business Administration Kaitlyn D. Eversmeyer William Denny Baskett, Sr., Study Abroad Award Megan Davidson Beta Beta Beta Outstanding General Biology Students Kidus Birhanu Alexia Maschmeier Dr. Richard T. Bond Mathematics Award Jacob Heppner Business Education Excellence Award Kayla M. Calvin General Business Excellence Award Debra A. Heggemann Mike Cavanah “True Eagle” Award Jacob Heppner Champions of Character Student Award Jacob Heppner Communication Department Student
Media Award Lauran Burgin Criminal Justice Excellence Award Deanna Quisenberry Mark and Kathy Dempsey Athletic Training Student Clinical Excellence Award Kyle Gibson Thomas Dillingham Award for NonFiction Prose Brittney Blakemore R. Paul Drummond Memorial Award Cal Bergthold Entrepreneurship Excellence Award Kelsey M. Johnley Estes Award for Outstanding Senior Male Athlete Tyler Belt Gentry Estill Award for Total Business Excellence Randy J. Barta Susan Estill Award for Total Business Excellence Olivia E. Herlein Gamma Sigma Epsilon Excellence Award in General Chemistry Kidus Birhanu Gamma Sigma Epsilon Excellence Award in Organic Chemistry Aubrey Utley Dr. Joseph E. Geist Prize in Performing Arts Jordan Brennan Lisa Powell Goessling Award Jennifer L. Mosley Golding Scholarship for Study Abroad Sarah Hess Kelli Shepard Gordon Hadfield Awards for Poetry Kate Kellner Chester E. Hanson Outstanding
Computer Science Award Kory Davis The Keith House Band Fellow-Tour Manager Michael D. O’Neill Martin C. Harral Memorial Music Award Lakyn Baker Hern Award for Excellence in Religious Studies Kayla Kelly Hickman Award for Achievement in Music Jamie Delcour Judge Andrew J. Higgins Award in Pre-Law Studies Knial Piper Daniel Primm Nancy Thompson Jones Gem Award Rebecca Shroyer Dr. Glenn R. Joyce Memorial Award Jacob Heppner Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Award Harlan Fletcher Melanie Wilmsmeyer Byrd Cooper Kirby Prize Courtney Ohlms Amber Sammet Martin E. Kooi Excellence in Communication Lauren Hatfield Martin E. Kooi Excellence in Theatre Arts Josh Kirby James M. Luetjen Scholar Athlete Award Aubrey Utley Marketing and Advertising Excellence Award Alexa L. Fox Glenn McElroy Athletic Training Student Academic Excellence Award Shelby Reed General Lewis M. Means Award in Political Science Eldar F. Rizvanov The Missouri Federation of Music Clubs Hannah Swoboda The Missouri League for Nursing Heidi Pope
Left: Sigma Epsilon Pi welcomed 25 new members during Alumni Weekend. These students represent the top ten percent of the Central Methodist University senior class, and all graduated with honors. The lowest grade point average was a 3.83 (4.0 scale).
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MTNA Student Achievement Recognition Award Johnathan Daniels Dane Nelson Memorial Award Jamie Delcour Pearse Hutson Dr. Niels C. Nielsen Outstanding Chemistry Student Award Brad Dudenhoffer Outstanding Nurse Clinician Award Courtney Young Outstanding Nursing Scholar Award Lisa Pohlman Outstanding Senior in Accounting, Business and Economic Award Kayla M. Yount Darla Pannier Award for Outstanding Senior Female Athlete Rebeca Barajas Pannier/Cavanah Exellence in Education Award Bradley J. Carter Jayna Trokey Dr. Lloyd and Valerie Jean Penn Scholarships Bethany Baker Katie Gladbach Michael Wayne Bishop Lori Maybrier Rachel Meyer Dr. Thomas A. & Lora M. Perry Award in Comparative Literature Megan Davidson Caryn Jackson Phi Mu Alpha Honor Award Khobic Johnson Phi Mu Alpha Scholastic Award Samuel Lucas Pi Gamma Mu Scholastic Award Heidi Pope Poage Award Cody Davis Excellence in Psychology Award Adam Russo Glenn C. Riegel Student Science Award Novy Foland Sarah Rutherford Prize Jacob Heppner W. D. Settle Memorial Music Education Award Donald Heaton Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Leadership Award Meghan Barton Shannon K. Dickerson Kaitlyn D. Eversmeyer Sigma Alpha Iota Collegiate Honor Award Jamie Delcour Sigma Alpha Iota Scholastic Award Amber Strubberg
Luther T. Spayde Memorial Award Derek Volkmann William L. Spencer Memorial Award for Foreign-Language Poetry Ryan Mallady Elizabeth E. Stapleton Award in Art Education Brad Dudenhoffer Harold W. Sunoo History and Political Science Award Daniel Primm T. Cecil Swackhamer Award Elizabeth Gayer Hui Angie Vertz Swinney Conservatory Outstanding Freshman Award Ann Marie Pelley Helen Puckett Thogmorton Award for Excellence in Music Joslyn West Kilgore Trout Award for Fiction Brenna Wheeler Erwin and Hazel Wiedle Outstanding Nursing Graduate Ashley Holden Jeff Wilcox “Raising the Bar Award� Anne Maestas Kyle Hughes Raney Winter Award Pearse Hutson Dr. Farris H. and Leona Woods Memorial Award in Biology Raylyn Nuss
Josh Kirby Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role Kate Kellner Phoenix Award for Most Improved Dakota Gladbach Best Assistant Director/Stage Manager Kelsey Vollmer Secret Weapon Daniel Primm Most Versatile Player Kelsey Jeffries Shop Superstar Brett Marriott Pinch Hitter Extraordinaire Jeff Byous
Theatre Awards Best Female Actor in a Leading Role KaeLeigh Brown Best Male Actor in a Leading Role Jordan Brennan Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Sigma Epsilon Pi Inductees (top 10% of graduating class) Lexa Brooks Samuel Lucas II Bradley Carter Ryan Mallady Lydia Cassingham Katie Moore Kyra Clements Kelly Morgan Alexa Fox Adam Morton Kyle Gibson Knial Piper II Kellie Handy Lisa Pohlman Debra Heggemann Daniel Primm Jacob Heppner Elizabeth Robb Pearse Hutson Morgan Wilson Brittanee Jacobs Shauna Woods Catherine Kyle Kayla Yount Ashton Zimmerman CMU Alumni Association Outstanding Senior Awards Brad Dudenhoffer Khobic Johnson Jacob Heppner Eldar Rizvanov Gabriela Hernandez Kayla Yount
Below: Central Methodist graduated 40 new nurses this May. The pinning ceremony was held in Linn Memorial United Methodist Church the evening before Commencement.
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Lester, Ziegler, and Scott honored with alumni awards Three graduates of Central Methodist University were honored with alumni awards during CMU’s annual Alumni Reunion Weekend activities. Dr. Carl Lester, Class of ’61, and Dr. Brett Ziegler, Class of ’87, were presented the CMU Distinguished Alumni Award. Lathem Scott, Class of ’98, received the Young Alumni Award. Carl “Bevo” Lester The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented annually to former CMU students who have distinguished themselves in their professions and in their service to the university and to society. Carl “Bevo” Lester and his wife Catherine are longtime residents of Marshalltown, Iowa. He came to thenCentral College from Granite City, Ill., graduating in 1961. He later graduated from the University of Illinois Medical School. In 1973 he founded, along with Dr. John Hughes, Marshalltown Orthopaedics. One year later he was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He was awarded the Order of Merit cum laude of distinguished philanthropy in advancement of orthopaedic surgery from the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation. Lester was president of the Mid Central States Orthopaedic Society, and from 1993-98 was member and president of the Board of Trustees for the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center.
Brett Ziegler Brett Ziegler came to CMU from Tampa, Fla., in the fall of 1983 and finished an associate of science degree program. He later completed his bachelor’s from CMU. Ziegler gained his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the University of Missouri. Ziegler and his wife, the former Julie Biesemeyer ’91 are residents of Caseyville, Ill. Since 1998 he has been owner and veterinarian at the Fairview Heights (Ill.) Animal Clinic. Since 2009 he has also owned and been veterinarian for Animal Hospital of O’Fallon (Ill.). Ziegler worked in veterinary medicine in Illinois and Florida from 1992-97 before returning to the Fairview Heights Animal Clinic, 12
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which he eventually took over. Ziegler was named a five-star veterinarian by St. Louis Magazine in 2010. He is actively involved in the Grant District 110 Education Foundation, the Metro East Illinois Veterinary Steering Committee, and is an assistant coach with the King Select Wrestling Club. He is also active in Grant Junior High School activities.
Lathem Scott The Young Alumni Award goes to graduates who have been out of the University fewer than 15 years, have strong commitments to community and University service, and have demonstrated high personal achievement. Lathem Scott is vice president for the special accounts management unit of M&I, a part of BMO Financial Group of Kansas City. He has been with M&I since 2005. He and his wife the former Nicole Parrish ’94 live in Kansas City. A native of New Madrid, he graduated from CMU in 1998 and first worked with Exchange Bank of Missouri in Fayette. He later worked for U.S. Bank in Richmond and for Bank 10 in Independence before joining M&I. Scott serves on the Central Methodist University President’s Council, having begun a four-year term on that advisory group last year. He is active with the North Heartland Community Church-Kidzone Tech program and has been involved with the Good Shepard United Methodist Church and the Independence Chamber of Commerce.
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CLASS OF 1952
Back row (l-r): Donald Northington, Joe Grace, Harold Beasley, Dexter Slagle, Dave Dealy, Bill Jacobs Front row: Dorothy “Dot” Storer Schnell, Eleanor Rudd Calvert, Joanne Schnell Heisler, Anne Evans Luther
CLASS OF 1947
Martha Rogers Holman and Bill Holman
CLASS OF 1957
Jack Goodman and Shirley Gentry Winkle
CLASS OF 1962
Back row (l-r): Judith Cherrill Wallen, Wesley Brun, George Derrieux, Mike Reid, Gene Potts Front row: Janet Evans, Sue Shy Kubik, Phoebe Pomeroy, Mary Anne Estes Herrick
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Campus news
Alumni Weekend busy time on campus Alumni Weekend April 26-28 hummed with activity on the CMU campus this year. The weekend honored two Distinguished Alumni, Dr. Carl “Bevo” Lester’61 and Brett Ziegler ’87; and one Young Alumnus, Lathem Scott ’98 (see articles pp. 12-13). In addition, the classes of 1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967 were honored. Also meeting during this weekend was the CMU Board of Trustees, which was saying farewell to long-time Board member Jenny Woods Bergsten’59, while welcoming Robert Hahne ’60 as a new Board member. Activities overlapped in a delightful way. First to appear were the Board members. Executive committee members arrived on Thursday and other members came for morning meetings on Friday. Shortly after 11 a.m. on that cool and blustery spring day, CMU President Inman and Board President Glenn Cox led Bergsten and the rest of the Board to the center of the campus quad for a rededication of the C Bench in Jenny’s honor Jenny Bergsten is completely and in honor of the Class surprised by the C bench redo. of 1959 who originally created the iconic sculpture. The bench has been recoated and a stone and brick walkway now leads up to and around the C from two directions. The project was instigated by Jenny’s husband, Dr. C. Fred Bergsten’61. All there were entitled to pat themselves on the back—
successfully keeping a secret from Jenny Bergsten is a triumph unto itself! By afternoon on Friday, alumni began to arrive for Dr. Mike Reid ’62 and CMU Board Member Dr. the celebratory weekend. In adDon Alleman ’60 have a chance to catch up. dition to admiring the newly refurbished C Bench, most of the early arrivers opted for a personal tour of the Classic Renaissance to see the vast changes in the building from the days they remember. Classic will be rededicated at Homecoming this fall, although classes will begin there in August. From those delightful stops, alumni were invited to a reception held at Emmet’s Kitchen and Tap on the Courthouse Square, where they had an opportunity to visit with old acquaintances and meet new friends. As an extra treat, the CMU all male a cappella choir, The Church Street Boys, performed half a dozen songs and were very warmly received. Meanwhile, on the campus, the top 10% of this year’s graduating seniors were being honored with a recognition Left: the CMU Board of Trustees pose with Jenny Bergsten ’59 on the refurbished C bench, originally paid for by the class of ‘59 who sold cheese sandwiches to finance it. Right: Jenny B. and Stephanie Lewis do a happy dance when Lee Stewart, wife of David ’59, drew the winning name for the next class scholarship: the Gene and Doris Biermann, Class of 1959 Hall of Sponsors Scholarship.
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Campus news
Above, alumni at the reception enjoy the lovely sound of the Church Street Boys ensemble (photo, left), one of Central’s outstanding choirs, directed by Ron Atteberry, assistant professor of music.
The Alumni Awards dinner honored the Distinguished and Young Alumni Award winners. During the reception prior to the dinner, adjunct professor Kelley Head ’81 and Professor emeritus Tom Yancey ’54 played a cross section of evocative songs from decades past on a baby grand piano in the rotunda. Swinney Conservatory added music for the dinner with the jazz vocal ensemble, and photographs were available for groups who wanted to commemorate the weekend’s festivities. The alumni who stayed through Sunday were rewarded with the choir singing at church and the last choir concert of the year presented in the afternoon. Above and left: Classmates enjoy a reception at Emmet’s, welcomed by Stephanie Lewis and Alan Marshall.
dinner in the Student and Community Center. Finals began for students on Saturday as the semester came to a close. Saturday meant work for the Board members and nothing but fun for everyone else. Following additional registration time, the honored alumni classes gathered for their official photographs (see p. 14) and a casual luncheon in the Bergsten Dining Hall. In the afternoon, President Inman presented a CMU State of the University speech in what is now the Missouri Room. (Many will remember the room as the lobby to the Holt Hall Dining Room.)
Emeritus professor of music, Thomas Yancey ’54, played beautiful old standards on the piano during the reception for the Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner.
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Dr. Joe Geist (left) visits with John ’70 and Jacque Cheary ’82 (on right) and Gina Wyckoff, daughter of Dee Woodward ’55 and Alan Wyckoff ’55. Gina came from Springfield just to hear Tom Yancey play!
Eleanor Rudd Calvert ’52 and husband Paul ’51 visit with Gene Potts ’62 and his wife, Diana before the dinner.
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Campus news Julee Sherman Garners President’s Award Awards are wonderful things, but when they come from one’s professional peers—as was the case recently for CMU’s Julee Sherman—they definitely carry special significance. Sherman, CMU’s vice president for finance and administration, was presented with the 2011 President’s Award by the Central Association of College and University Business Officers (CACUBO). “It’s an honor,” Sherman admits. “I know many others (in CACUBO) are every bit as deserving. The biggest thing is that it’s from your peers, people who work just as hard as you do, both for their institution and for CACUBO.” Sherman received the citation at CACUBO’s annual conference. CACUBO is an organization of professionals
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from colleges and universities of all sizes. An estimated 500 attended the conference. The President’s Award represents the premier honor given each year by CACUBO, and recognizes those who give of their time and talents in promoting the group’s objectives. It is presented to a person whose service, leadership, direction, and dedication are exemplary. CACUBO’s 2011 President Mary Herrin, vice president for administration and finance at Wichita State University, selected Sherman and made the surprise presentation at the conference. Sherman, who joined Central Methodist in 1985 and became a vice president 10 years later, has been active in CACUBO since the ’90s. She has been in a variety of leadership roles within the group since 2002, including service as its president in 2009. A member of the CACUBO board since ’02, Sherman also spent three years on the national board, her term ending in 2010. Professional development of both veteran and new professionals in the field of higher education administrative and business services is the key focus of CACUBO, Sherman notes. “It’s been a great organization, especially when it comes to the development of new professionals,” she says.
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Campus news Processing Millions, One Student At A Time For a person who is responsible for processing more than $33 million this year, Central Methodist University’s Kristen Gibbs keeps her focus on a much smaller number: One. Gibbs, the new financial assistance director at CMU, has a clear focus on serving each student, individually and personally. Every student’s circumstances are different, and the goal Gibbs has for her department is simply to make sure each student gets all the financial assistance they can. “People are very sensitive [about their financial aid package],” Gibbs says. “I want them to be confident we are getting them all they’re eligible for.” College aid is highly regulated, with federal, state, and institutional guidelines to be strictly followed—and those rules change often. Last year, CMU processed over $33 million in student assistance, a figure sure to grow during the coming years. The rules are voluminous and complex, and usually offer little or no flexibility. Knowing the rules is tough enough for Gibbs and her staff; for a student, the rules can seem overwhelming. “That’s [knowing the rules] our job,” Gibbs says matter-of-factly. “We can’t expect anyone outside of the financial assistance office to understand. “You can’t just tell a student ‘Hey, these are the rules,’” she continues. “When the boundaries don’t meet a
student’s needs, you look for other resources to help them out.” A native of Maysville and a resident of rural Fayette, Gibbs is accustomed to strict regulations and oversight: she spent the previous two-and-a-half years in banking in Callaway, Mo. Before that she was an economist in Iowa and Nebraska. Gibbs is a University of Missouri graduate. That background “gave me both an understanding of financial fundamentals and a more in-depth understanding of how regulations are applied,” she says. “I learned how to read and interpret complex documents, and how to interpret and manipulate data.” Yet the transition to higher education is a big leap. “I have to be like a sponge, soak up all I can,” Gibbs says. “Just listening to our staff talk about matters that are routine for them, I’m picking up on things. We’ll face headaches and problems, but we have a great staff—there isn’t anything we can’t work through.” Still, Gibbs admits there are days she goes home thinking “I hope I can remember everything I learned today.” Home includes husband Alex, an agronomist with Howard County-based Waterborne Environmental, and their daughter, Addison. “Our biggest challenges are going to be those things we can’t control.” Gibbs cites, “Family income, state funding for grant programs, and the uncertainties surrounding federal student aid” as the biggest unknowns facing student aid in the future. “The goal doesn’t change,” she says. “Our office tries to find sources of aid that will allow a student to attend Central Methodist University. There are lines we have to play within, but if someone doesn’t qualify in one area, we have to think outside the box.”
Petrone New Sports Information Director Nicholas Petrone joined Central Methodist University as its sports information director in January. Petrone spent four years as assistant sports information director at Mars Hill (N.C.) College, an NCAA Division II institution. “I would like to thank the Central Methodist University administration for giving me the opportunity to become a part of the Eagle family,” Petrone says. “The dedication and vision of the athletic department will allow me to work at the highest level to promote Central
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Methodist’s student-athletes and athletic programs.” A native of Nashville, Tenn., Petrone directs information services for CMU’s 14 intercollegiate athletics programs. His responsibilities include sports news, the CMU athletics website, statistics, athletics publications, and photography and video services. Petrone is a graduate of Indiana’s Hanover College, where he majored in communications. Prior to joining Mars Hill College, he served a sports information internship at Vanderbilt University. Petrone has considerable experience in broadcasting, video, and live webstreaming of athletic contests. He has already implemented live streaming of Eagle sports on the Internet.
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Oliver returns, appointed CMU vice president It may be a new position, but Central Methodist University’s first Vice President for Institutional Growth and Student Engagement will not be a new face when he starts work in mid-June. Ken Oliver ’93, a CMU seasoned administrator and athletics coach at the University, has been appointed by President Marianne E. Inman. She made the announcement and introduced—or more accurately, reintroduced—Oliver to the campus community and CMU governing board in early May. “I believe CMU is one of the best private universities in the Midwest, and I am excited to be part of a university that is on the move,” Oliver says. “I’m humbled and honored they would consider me for the position, and I’m excited about the direction in which we’re headed.” Oliver’s enthusiasm for this new opportunity clearly is matched by Inman’s. “Ken is known for his energy, drive, and results-orientation,” Inman notes. “I am pleased that CMU will once again have the benefit of his many talents and deep commitment to this institution.” Oliver was in his third year as director of athletics at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK), and his administrative skills yielded impressive results for the Javelinas, an NCAA Division II institution. TAMUK won the Lone Star Conference’s “Best Community Engagement” award all three years he served, and had the second-highest donation level to the “MakeA-Wish” foundation among all NCAA Division II colleges and universities. The Javelina athletic program made gains in female student-athlete participation and scholarships, and its student-athlete retention rate grew by 12 percent under Oliver’s direction. The University secured more than $2.5 million in improvements to Javelina Stadium, and made
other facility improvements during his service. The newly titled post at CMU will be tasked with leadership and strategic direction for “enrollment growth with quality,” Inman says. Oversight and management of CMU student development programs and its 14-sport athletics department are two key responsibilities. Oliver will be deeply involved in enrollment and retention, including support for integration and coordination of CMU’s on-campus College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) and its College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES). From student recruitment and admission services, residence life and student activities, to student health services and career development, Oliver will be engaged in most aspects of CMU students’ experiences beyond the classroom before and during their time at CMU. He’ll also work closely with areas such as fundraising and development, marketing, and physical plant operations. That wide scope was part of the attraction for Oliver. “Going back to my undergraduate days at CMU, I carried a double major in communications and in physical education and health, was involved in athletics and in theatre,” Oliver says. “I like diversity, and in this new position I’ll be involved with the ‘total University.’ It will help me grow professionally.” From 2001 until he departed for Kingsville, Oliver was CMU’s dean of students and vice president for campus life. For two years prior to that he taught and coached football and women’s golf at CMU. Oliver also spent three years at William Penn University (Oskaloosa, Iowa), a year at Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College, and two years at Northwest Missouri State University. Oliver received his master’s degree in education from Northwest Missouri State. He also taught at CMU, William Penn, Fort Scott, and Northwest Missouri State, in addition to administrative and coaching duties at each institution. His coaching experiences have included football, golf, softball, and track and field. It is that breadth of experiences—in the office, in the classroom, and on the field—that convinced Inman she had the best candidate for Central’s future directions. That Oliver is an alumnus and former administrator and coach was the proverbial icing on the cake. “It will be a pleasure to welcome Ken and his family back to Central Methodist University,” Inman says, “although I believe that in spirit he never left.”
Ken Oliver (on right) gets reacqauinted with CMU staff Salum Stutzer ’05, Mark Stone ’05, and new sports information director Nicholas Petrone.
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Campus news Rare shark tooth found in glacial debris of Howard County
by Dr. Dan Elliott In March, Mallory Rapp, a visitor to Central and it was further moved by melting glacial ice and the Methodist, decided to go on a Historical Geology 102 torrent of water as our glacier retreated to the north. This fieldtrip with her boyfriend, Curtis Hess. The fieldtrip was flood of melted glacial ice carried the tooth toward Howard near Hungry Mother Conservation Area about 10 miles County in the present day Missouri River Valley. In all northeast of Fayette. The main objective of the fieldtrip probability, it was was to collect fossilized shelled protozoans, which are a combination of fairly common in the rocks native to that area. Also presboth events that ent in the same area is abundant glacial debris left behind deposited the tooth as our local glacier started to recede back to the north with where Mallory the onset of warmer weather about 600,000 years ago. That found it. glacial debris includes a wide variety of rocks which origiAfter contactnated in southern Canada and the states north of Missouri. ing the editors of As the students made their way down a steep slope the Transactions and walked in of the Kansas the bottom of a Academy of Science, The shark tooth, enlarged shallow gully, I found they were the sharp-eyed elated to have an article submitted on such a rare shark Mallory spottooth find from Missouri, but which probably originated ted an unusual in central or western Kansas. The manuscript is being fossil; and Curtis published in the spring edition of the Transactions of the did not know Kansas Academy of Science. For those interested, the tooth what it was. and a copy of the manuscript will be on display in The So, I heard Stephens Museum as soon as the article is published. the usual plea, I want to personally thank Mallory Rapp and Curtis “Doc, what’s Hess for making the shark tooth available to The Stephens this one?” I was Museum and for making this story possible. standing about Dr. Dan Elliott is retiring professor of biology and geolfive feet from ogy and curator of The Stephens Museum. Mallory when she picked up the fossil from a small channel Wiegers publishes book Mallory, Curtis, and Dr. Elliott of water. It still had living moss Dr. Robert (Bob) Wiegers, professor of history, has and green algae adhering to its surface, so it was not one of recently published a book those “funny kind” of finds that was planted by a student. titled Missouri Armories: The (This has happened before in Geology 102.) Guard’s Home in Architecture I immediately recognized it as a tooth from an adand History. He says it was vanced type of shark with a sharp cutting edge with sera long work in progress—a rations present on the edge. I asked Mallory if I could bordozen years in the makrow the fossil and identify it and perhaps it was worthy of ing and with the assistance a publication. I requested a copy of a book with common of many CMU history mafossil shark teeth of the world through interlibrary loan. It jors. The book follows the took about five minutes to find a picture of the fossil tooth, progression of armories in which indicated it was about 70,000,000 years old. Missouri, including the My first thought was how in the world did a 70-milold Opera House in Fayette lion-year-old shark tooth get in glacial debris that was (southeast corner of Main and about 600,000 years old, hundreds of miles from the closest Morrison) and Thespian Hall marine deposits that hold such teeth? The age of the shark in Boonville. tooth put it in marine deposits of the Cretaceous Period, Wiegers says, “Armories which do not exist in Missouri; however, they are quite are much like other socially abundant in Kansas, Nebraska, and western Iowa. That binding institutions. They give people had to be the source of the shark tooth. It was moved to a connection that provides up to a lifeHoward County by glacial movement as it was scoured time of contact.” The Dean’s Office and from the bedrock of Kansas, Nebraska, or western Iowa; Smiley Library have copies of the book.
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Campus news
Commemorating contributors to CMU in Classic Hall The long-awaited reopening of Classic Hall at CMU is still several months away, but when the doors reopen this fall, its three floors will bear the names of significant contributors to CMU success. Alumnus Glenn Cox and his wife, Veronica; alumnus and former music faculty member Paul Montemurro; and the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation will have their names enshrined on floors of the century-old building on the south edge of the CMU campus. Classic Hall is in the final stages of a more than $5 million renovation. Once part of Howard-Payne College and shuttered for the past 30 years, Classic Hall will be reborn as the home of The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art, and a large portion of CMU’s Swinney Conservatory of Music. “The ‘new’ Classic Hall will be a source of great pride for everyone in the Central Methodist University family,” notes President Marianne Inman. “We are particularly delighted to be able to recognize the Coxes, Prof. Montemurro, and the Mabee Foundation in this fashion; each in a special way has left an indelible mark on Central Methodist.”
Glenn and Veronica Cox The first floor will bear the names of Glenn and Veronica Cox. A native of Sedalia now living in Bartlesville, Okla., Glenn Cox attended CMU from 1947-49, and later graduated from Southern Methodist University. He is presently chair of the CMU Board of Trustees. Cox is retired president of Phillips Petroleum, which he joined in 1956 after serving in the U.S. Air Force. The Coxes have been active in a wide variety of civic and service organizations in Bartlesville. In addition to his long service on the CMU Board, Cox spent eight years as a member of the Southern Methodist 20
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University governing body. He has received Distinguished Alumni Awards from both CMU and SMU.
Paul Montemurro Paul Montemurro came from Chicago to attend thenCentral College, graduating in 1958. He returned to his alma mater in 1967 as a faculty member and director of bands, and remained at Central through 1972. Participation in band exploded during his tenure, growing from 35 when he started to more than 100 members upon his departure. More than 20 percent of the Central student body was said to be in band under his direction. Now retired and living in St. Joseph, Mo., Prof. Montemurro will be honored by having the third floor of Classic Hall bear his name, thanks to a gift from the Jacobs Family.
J.E. and L. E. Mabee Foundation The second floor of Classic Hall will be named in honor of the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation. Mr. and Mrs. Mabee were Missouri natives who created the foundation to support Christian religious organizations, charitable groups, institutes of higher learning, hospitals and other organizations in the Midwest. Since its inception the Mabee Foundation has gifted over $935 million to deserving groups. Central Methodist University has been the beneficiary of several Mabee Foundation gifts through the years.
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Campus news SGA leadership for 2012-2013
Psychology conference
SGA Executive Council in 2011-12, Students at CMU can anticiwill move up to the pate a smooth vice presidential transition to slot. their Student Their terms in Government office began upon Association their election in (SGA) leadership April and will in the coming continue until new year. elections are held Rising senior in 2013. Bailey and Kristen Bailey, Barton have begun who was SGA Kristen Bailey, left, and Meghan Barton the process of formpresident for the ing a cabinet to past year, was help guide SGA in the coming year. re-elected by the CMU student body Mark Stone and Collin Brink serve for 2012-13. Rising senior Meghan as SGA advisors at CMU. Barton, executive secretary for the
Four CMU students attended a statewide psychology conference last fall and one of them—Kellie Handy— returned to campus with a first-place award. The seventh annual Missouri Undergraduate Psychology Conference (MUPC) was hosted by Westminster College. CMU Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Elizabeth Gold sponsored the student participation. It was the fourth year in a row CMU has been involved with MUPC, and CMU students have earned awards in three of those years, Gold says. Kellie, a senior, placed first in the non-emperical poster category for her poster, “Influences on Adherence to Physiotherapy Treatment.”Also participating were CMU seniors Amanda Evans, Adam Russo, and Anthony Kiprono.
Left: A Monsanto program called America’s Farmers Grow Communities gives farmers the opportunity to win $2,500 for their favorite nonprofit organization. When recently retired head of plant operations at CMU, R.G. Kirby (right) and his wife, Marilyn, won, they bequeathed the money to the CMU science department. The money will help underwrite CMU’s hosting of the regional competition for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair costs. It will also defray some of the costs for students to attend an international science competition. On left is a Monsanto representative and Dr. “Tiger” Gordon, accepting the check.
Right: Some of the biology and chemistry students who use the new nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer express their appreciation to four alumni whose gifts helped purchase this new piece of equipment. The NMR spectrometer allows Central students to analyze compounds. Until this semester, they had learned theory only; now they have experience to go with that theory. From left, Ryan Mallady, Brittany Boggs, Kayla Lesser, Aubrey Utley, J.J. Dillon, Sarah Tucker, Chelsea Wallace, Caryn Jackson, Hannah Wade and Becky Peters. The new spectrometer in on the table in the middle.
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Veteran educators Elliott and Lembke retire from CMU When the academic year came to an end at Central Methodist University in May, so did the careers of a pair of distinguished educators upon the retirements of Drs. Dana “Dan” Elliott and Linda Lembke. With their departures, CMU lost over 70 years of service to the institution. Both Lembke and Elliott were granted faculty emeriti status by the University’s Board of Trustees, a fitting recognition for their exemplary work, noted President Marianne Inman. “The strength of Central’s academic program is a direct reflection of our most capable and committed faculty members,” notes CMU President Marianne Inman. “Both Drs. Elliott and Lembke have influenced countless numbers of students through the years. CMU is the richer for their devotion to learning and teaching.”
Dr. Dan Elliott
Dan Elliott, who joined the CMU faculty in 1974, was professor of biology and geology. He also served as curator of The Stephens Museum of CMU since 1998. During his 38 years at Central Methodist, Elliott taught biology and geology. He gained considerable renown in 1997 when, on a paleontological dig with CMU students in Howard County, Elliott discovered a starfish fossil. The fossil is a new genus and species and the only starfish ever found like it. It was dated at 350 million years old. It is on display in The Stephens Museum. Elliott has been widely sought as a speaker and has published numerous scholarly and scientific articles. A past president of the Missouri Archaeological Society, he received the Missouri Association of Professional Archaeologists’ Carl and Eleanor Chapman Award in 2005, and the Distinguished Service Award in 2011. He was the 1992 recipient of the Missouri Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, among many other citations. Elliott, a native of Grain Valley, gained his bachelor’s degree from William Jewell College, his master’s from the
University of Central Missouri, and his doctorate from the University of Missouri. Prior to joining CMU he taught at public schools in Raytown, Kansas City, and Liberty. Elliott and his wife Maggie live in Fayette, and they have three grown children.
Dr. Linda Lembke
Professor of mathematics and mathematics education Linda Lembke ended 33 years of service to Central Methodist with the close of the academic year. Her work ranged from showing future elementary teachers how to teach math, to teaching graduate classes. Lembke started teaching part-time at CMU in 1979, while teaching math, physics and journalism at Fayette High School. She joined Central full-time in1985. Lembke taught calculus every semester but one since 1985, and taught almost every math class offered by CMU. She helped develop the master of education degree program, which paved the way for Central Methodist to change its name from “College” to “University” in 2004. Lembke served as the first director of that CMU graduate program. Lembke led an effort that resulted in CMU’s gaining an Eisenhower Grant from the U.S. Department of Education focused on aiding area middle school teachers to teach geometry more effectively. Another grant a decade ago allowed CMU and the Fayette R-III schools to offer the “Teaching Scholars Partnership.” Funded by the National Science Foundation through the Council for Independent Colleges, the grant was designed to interest students in careers teaching math and science and to aid Fayette teachers in these areas. (continued next page)
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Campus news
Hamel appointed associate academic dean When the associate dean for academics position at Central Methodist University opened this spring, CMU officials targeted candidates with both strong academic and administrative skills. CMU didn’t have to look far to find those talents, and in addition got someone with a first-hand knowledge of the University with the promotion of Dr. Barbara Hamel. The appointment is effective July 1, according to CMU Dean of the University Rita Gulstad. Hamel had been chair of CMU’s Performing Arts Division and has worked at the University since 1996. “Dr. Hamel certainly has the talent and the dedication to higher education that we were seeking,” Gulstad says. “She has earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues at CMU.” Hamel joined the CMU music faculty 16 years ago, teaching piano, organ and music theory. Prior to that, while working on graduate degrees she had been an independent teacher of piano and organ and a church organist. Hamel was appointed Dean of CMU’s heralded Swinney Conservatory of Music and division chair in 2010. It was during that time, supervising seven full-time faculty and overseeing very active music, theatre, and art programs, that she sharpened her administrative skills. “I will miss all the faculty, staff, and students in the Fine Arts Division, and I loved teaching in the Conservatory,” Hamel says. “But I also look forward to
working with the entire CMU campus and making a difference on a whole new level.” In her new capacity, Hamel will assist students and faculty on the Fayette and CMU extended campuses, represent the Dean’s Office on faculty committees, and maintain official records of changes to the faculty handbook and catalogs. She will also assist with CMU’s faculty evaluation process, coordinate orientation for first-year and adjunct faculty, and be involved with CMU student retention efforts. Hamel grew up in Tekamah, Neb., and earned her bachelor’s degree in music and religion from the former Dana College in Blair, Neb. She received a master of music degree in piano performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and was a graduate teaching assistant for both universities. While at CMU she has served on numerous committees and task forces. She has frequently been called upon as a judge at various regional and state music competitions, and maintains an active musical performance schedule. “It will be difficult to give up many of my musical activities, but I do plan to keep playing organ and piano at church,” Hamel says. “I’ve discovered in the last few years that I like administrative work and am very excited about this new career path. And the best part is that I get to stay at CMU!”
(Retirees continued)
Lembke sponsored CMU chapters of Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Societyand Sigma Alpha Pi social sorority, and The Collegian student newspaper for several years. She has been a member of Sigma Epsilon Pi, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and Linn Memorial United Methodist Church. The 1999 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Lembke received her bachelor’s degree from Hastings (Neb.) College, her master’s from Wayne (Mich.) State University, and her doctorate from the University of Missouri. Lembke now joins her husband Roger in holding emeritus status from CMU. He retired in 2005.
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Professors publish Dr. Kevin Carnahan, assistant professor of philosophy and religion, has made two presentations and published one text. He presented “Can the Christian Realist Still Claim Paul? Finding Again a Scriptural Ground for Realism,” in March to the regional meeting of the American Academy of Religion at Augustana College. The second, “Religion (Not Just Religious Reasons) in the Public Square,” was a paper presented for a retrospective on Religion in the Public Square by Wolterstorff and Audi, Society of Christian Philosophers, March 2012. He also published “Pastor: Praying is Fine, but Tebowing is a Problem” for The United Methodist Reporter, Jan. 13, 2012. Dr. Dan Elliott, professor emeritus of biology, had a publication come out this spring about bannerstones, an early weapon of indigenous people in Missouri: “Bannerstone Update 2011” for the Missouri Archaeological Society Quarterly 29(1): 12-21. This is the third in a series of articles he has published about bannerstones in the last 15 years, as the acknowledged expert on them in Missouri.
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Second annual Humanities Conference Central Methodist University’s second annual Humanities Conference was held April 18. Each session had a different theme and panel of students. Students presented papers, and a question-andanswer session followed. Dr. Jeremy Reed, assistant professor of English moderated the first session. Brad Dudenhoffer, Adam Russo, and Rachael Jones presented “Comics and Literature.” The second session, “Identity,” was moderated by Dr. Kavita S. Below: (from left) Derek Freeman, Abigail Ulrich, Hatwalkar, asCaramon Goosey, Rachael Jones, and John sistant profesColeman present a Medieval play. sor of English and presented by Nathaniel Oliver, Caryn Jackson, and Geofrey Bilabaye. The third session varied slightly from the others. The presentation was by students taking the course English
224–King Arthur’s Legacy, taught by Dr. Travis Johnson, assistant professor of English. Mariah Furman, Chris Gerken, Brittanee Jacobs, and Ashton Zimmerman prepared food and drinks from medieval times. John Coleman, Derek Freeman, Caramon Goosey, Rachael Jones, and Abigail Above: The entertainment panel watches Ulrich provided Freeman as he performs an egg dance Medieval entertainfrom the Middle Ages. ment, dance, song, and clothing. Dr. Kevin Carnahan, assistant professor of philosophy and religion, moderated the fourth session, “Epistemology and Belief.” Presenters included Kayla Kelly, Brett Marriott, and Ryan Adams. The final session “Social Critique” was moderated by Dr. John Porter, assistant professor of English. Repeating presenters were Ashton Zimmerman and John Coleman. The day was lively, informative, and fun; and the Humanities Conference promises to continue in future years.
Inscape celebrates 37th issue The annual Inscape magazine arrived on campus the end of April. The magazine showcases fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and photography. This year, seniors Brittanee Jacobs and Ashton Zimmerman, and junior Kate Kellner served as editors with Dr. John Porter, assistant professor of English, as faculty advisor. A release party was held on April 25 in the Eagles’ Nest. Students gathered to get copies of the magazine, eat pizza, and listen to readings of the submissions. The band Loaded Chamber provided entertainment. This year’s winners include: Kellner’s poem “Deafness Made Me Hear,” Brenna Wheeler’s short story “In
the Starlit Hour,” Brad Dudenhoffer’s photograph “600 Entangled,” Brittney Blakemore’s non-fiction “Princess Buttercup Rides into War,” Ryan Mallady’s poem “Lo Que Usted no Puede Tomar,” Courtney Ohlms’ photograph “Irish Dreams,” and Amber Sammet’s photograph “Peeling Back the Past.”
Far left: Amber Sammet’s “Peeling Back the Past” is this year’s back cover. Left: Co-editor Brittanee Jacobs reads her nonfiction prose submission “The Black Blanket.” Above: Courtney Ohlm’s “Irish Dreams” photograph is the front cover for this year’s Inscape.
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Campus news CMU’s SIFE heads to nationals in Kansas City The Central Methodist University Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) chapter was named a Regional Champion at the SIFE U.S.A. Regional Competition April 16 in Chicago. The Event is one of 11 SIFE U.S.A. regional events held across the country in March and April. As a SIFE USA Regional Champion, the CMU SIFE team advanced to the 2012 SIFE U.S.A. National Exposition in Kansas City May 22-24. The Chicago event drew 65 colleges and universities from 14 states, ranging from smaller institutions to major universities. CMU was proclaimed the co-champion of League 1 at the regional event, along with Indiana University and Ripon (Wis.) College. The University of Kansas was runner up in the division. SIFE Regionals provide a forum for college and university SIFE teams to showcase the results of their projects and to be evaluated by business leaders serving as judges. Judging was based both on the projects and the skill with which the students presented their results. “I am super excited to have the opportunity to compete at the National Competition and am really proud of CMU SIFE,” says Sophie Wilensky, a sophomore communications major with a marketing minor. “We have a great group and really are a team,” she adds. She is a member of CMU’s presentation team and project manager for its Green Shoes project. This past year CMU SIFE organized 10 projects in the Fayette and Howard County area. One of the most notable was Build-a-Business; during this two day event, local entrepreneurs worked with SIFE students to write proforma business plans. Build-a-Business participants from around the county partnered with SIFE mentors who worked with them as they rotated through topic–specific stations. This format
allowed the entrepreneurs to focus on their businesses with intensive support in a structured environment. Central Methodist University has one of nearly 600 SIFE programs in the United States. Participating students use business concepts to develop community outreach projects that improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in the area. Julie Bennett and Amy Dykens serve as advisors for the CMU SIFE program. Students representing the University at the Chicago competition included: Meghan Barton (junior), Lisa Bohill (freshman), Shannon Dickerson (senior), Kaity Eversmeyer (senior), Sean Faulkner (senior), Jacob Heppner (senior), Addie Layne (junior), Ricky Masanna (senior), Jenny Mosley (junior), Julie Ramiso (sophomore), Kayla Sanders (junior), Ryan Sherman (senior), David Tolbert (senior), Tom Walker (senior), and Sophie Wilensky. Top: SIFE helped budding entrepreneurs in the Builda-Business project. The judges, lower, included successful business owners and alumni from Fayette.
Left: The victorious SIFE team ready to head back to Fayette after being declared co-champions of League 1 at the regional championships in Chicago. They competed in the National competition in Kansas City in late May.
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Christian Perspectives Week
by Brittanee Jacobs ogy. This program prepares high school students to become This year’s Christian Perspectives Week kicked off in leaders in the United Methodist Church. youTheology is February with a Change the World Missions Fair, which a year-long program in which students explore and exprovided volunteer, job, and networking opportunities perience faith while worshipping, serving, studying, and for the more than 30 students who attended the event. A travelling. dozen organizations Another mission is the Wilderness Retreat and were represented. Development Center (WRDC), a United Methodist camp in Della Lamb Lawson, Mo. Some 700 kids attend every summer at the Community Services 320-acre facility. Volunteer counselors are needed throughhas various facilities out the summer for six-day commitments. throughout Kansas The Personal Energy Transportation (PET) MO – City. One facility proColumbia’s mission is to provide appropriate mobility for vides youth services, all of God’s children in need. PET seeks to provide mobilemergency social serity for those in greatest need with the fewest resources vices, day care, and in poor or underdeveloped countries. PET creates handpre-kindergarten. cranked wheelchair devices for those who cannot walk. Another location is a Heifer International is a world-hunger organization state-licensed charter that donates animals to poor countries. It is based in Little school. A third place Rock, Ark. The UMC’s Office of Creative Ministries directly offers free English works with Heifer International. There are many ways to classes to immigrants volunteer, and there are learning centers in three locations and refugees; it also (From left) Dennis Hisek (Wilderness (two in Arkansas and one in Massachusetts) which offer prepares them for the Retreat and Development Center site programs to teach people about poverty and hunger. U.S. Citizenship test. Coyote Hill is a Christian children’s home located in The final Della Lamb lo- director), Brittanee Jacobs, and Lucas Harrisburg, Mo., for abused and neglected children. It procation is a food pantry. Endicott discuss team-building games. vides physical support, education, individual and spiritual Della Lamb Community growth, and emotional support for hurting children. Services is a project sponsored by the General Board of Other participants included the Red Cross and the Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Saint Paul School of Theology, a United Methodist sem- Central Missouri Food Bank. The event was sponsored by the Religious Life Committee and SGA. inary in Kansas City, sponsors a program called youTheol-
Friday Forum: “The Fruit of the Spirit” with Keeyon Howard The speaker for Friday Forum during Christian Perspectives Week was Keeyon Howard ’05, currently the resident hall director for Howard-Payne Hall and a graduate student. He spoke about the “Fruit of the Spirit,” based on Galatians 5:22. The passage says, “The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Howard related this verse to the everyday life of students, teachers, and athletes. He noted, “We all use the fruit of the spirit to be good at what we do, but how much one uses it will determine how much success one has.” Love is one element Howard stressed strongly. He described love as “the willingness to sacrifice for the object of your love.” Jesus loves us, and He sacrificed His life to save us and that is true love, Howard said. He believes true love cannot be separated no matter what acts may happen because of it. Howard continued, “In your life it is difficult to think with a mind full of negativity like stress and doubt. It is hard to plan your future if it is hard to think.” Howard 26
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Keeyon Howard delivered the Friday Forum on March 2. He spoke about the Fruit of the Spirit, compared life to running, and stressed the importance of love.
recommended that to make a plan for one’s future, one must have peace of mind. “We all carry our crosses,” he said. “With the fruit of the spirit we can ease our minds and find the peace we need to make our futures possible.” Howard compared life to competition. “Life is a marathon; it’s not a sprint you can rush through,” he said. “It is long and arduous. There is a difference between winning and victory. Winning is the brief end of the marathon when you have finally made it. Victory is the preparation and the journey to get to that point.”
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Campus news
Scholar and author Bradley Wright presents Fleer lecture thored 20 scholarly articles in addition to his books. Author and University of Connecticut faculty memGilbert ’55 and Ruth ’58 Fleer’s strong support of ber Dr. Bradley R.E. Wright presented CMU’s fourth leadership training led them to establish the Gil and Ruth annual Gilbert and Ruth Fleer Lecture for Excellence in Fleer Fund for Excellence in Values-Based Education during Values-Based Education at Christian Perspectives Week. CMU, and the annual Fleer “Christians are Hate-Filled Lecture is made possible by Hypocrites…and Other Lies their benevolence. You’ve Been Told” was the Gilbert Fleer earned his topic of Wright’s February bachelor’s degree in sociolpresentation. That is also the ogy from Central Methodist in title of Wright’s first book, 1955, and later earned a bachpublished in 2010 and the winelor of divinity degree; and a ner of the Christianity Today master’s and doctorate, both Book of the Year Award for in guidance and counseling. Christianity and Culture. His He was an assistant second book, Upside: Surprising professor of religion at CMU Good News about the State of from 1959 to 1965 and is Our World, was published last now retired as a social sciyear. Dr. Bradley Wright (left) speaks with Dr. Gilbert Fleer (right) ence professor from Western Wright is associate proafter Wright presents the Fleer Lecture. Texas College and as a United fessor of sociology at the Methodist counselor. University of Connecticut Ruth Fleer attended CMU and later earned her bachwhere he studies American Christianity. He received elor of science degree and master of education degree from his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin, where he was Texas universities. trained in social psychology and criminology. He has au-
Fruit smoothie night and fruit Olympics In keeping with the Christian Perspectives Week’s theme of “Fruit of the Spirit,” campus chaplain Lucas Endicott prepared the first-ever smoothie night. Students gathered to enjoy fruit smoothies as well as enjoy an “open mic” night at the Eagles’ Nest. More than 20 students participated in the open mic portion, which included drum solos, poetry readings, and vocal and instrumental performances. The next evening the group reconvened for the Fruit Olympics at the Student and Community Center. To begin (From left) Eric Millam, Brittany Losh, and Ben Stickler performing at the fruit smoothie/open mic night in the Eagles’ Nest.
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the not-so-solemn ceremony, Estephania Iracheta and Ben Stickler duct-taped four watermelons together and handed the package to Endicott who dropped the fruit from the fourth floor of the SACC to the second floor. “Grand Marshal” Stickler led the crowd through a progression of Olympic games, explaining the rules of each. The first event was the grape toss. The purpose of the game was to find which pair of teammates could catch grapes in their mouths from the greatest distance. In the second event, the seed spitting competition, teams competed to find who could spit a seed the farthest. Next was the highly anticipated fruit tasting event. One teammate had to feed a blindfolded partner random fruit to see if they could guess what it was. There was no guava, but there were dragon fruit, horned melon, and a couple of random hybrid fruits. The orange and lime squeezing/chugging race followed. Teammates had to squeeze the fruits to a line in a cup; then the partner was required to chug the juice. The final event consisted of throwing the used fruit off of the SACC balcony into a partner’s bag below. Stealing the flying fruit was allowed and encouraged. The awards ceremony at the end included goofy gifts from Dollar General.
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Campus news
Concert Band 86th annual tour The CMU Concert Band took its 86th annual tour in March. The six-day tour included 14 public and private performances in a dozen communities across Missouri, spanning more than 1,000 miles. Concert venues included Monett, Branson, Clinton, Lee’s Summit, Pleasant Hill, Boonville, Lebanon, Waynesville, Chillicothe, Kearney, Odessa, and Salisbury. “Skip” Vandelicht, CMU assistant professor of music and director of bands, conducted the band, along with some guest alumni directors at various stops. Vandelicht, who joined CMU in 2008, earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from CMU in 1977 and a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. The CMU Band was organized in 1910 by students. Twenty-one students took part in the first band tour in 1912. After the Swinney Conservatory of Music was established in the fall of 1925, the concert tour became an annual event.
Concert Band welcomes alumni The Concert Band has been graced with the presence of two outstanding alumni this year. At the winter concert, where some of the works that would be on the MMEA concert were performed, the band welcomed Tom Kampman ’54 (with Skip Vandelicht, left) and wife Willa ’56. Tom Kampman had composed “Jefferson Swing Concert March,” which was performed that night. He has spent his career in music performance, including singing with Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians and as a member of “The Group” jazz trio. He also sang in clubs and on television, including “The Perry Como Show” of the 1950s and ’60s. For ten years he served as music director for Carousel Productions in Denver.
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In the Spring, the Concert Band welcomed alumnus Herb Duncan’52, who shared his seminal book History of Missouri Bands 1800 to 2000, graciously giving a copy to the Smiley Library and another to President Inman. In addition to teaching 31 years of high school band, Duncan began the band program at UMSL and co-founded the Greater St. Louis Marching Band Festival, which celebrated 40 years in 2011.
From left: Cindy Dudenhoffer, head of Smiley Library; Herb Duncan; Skip Vandelicht; President Inman; Dean emeritus Ron Shroyer.
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Campus news
CMU at MMEA: the band is back! The Central Methodist University Concert Band took MMEA by storm in late January after an absence of many years. In our CMU offices email messages and Facebook messages lit up our screens. All were overjoyed at what they had witnessed at the concert and the following alumni event. We want to share a few of the comments with you.
Jerry Longwell ’55: “The Central Band experience is a very important part of my life. I played under K.K. Anderson and Tom Birch; was in the band with both the Labutas and Paul Montemurro; and Keith House was my high school band director in Hamilton. “My band blood still runs green.”
Dr. Dori Waggoner ’92: “It was exciting to see that our alumni were pleased about the band’s recent MMEA performance, but the bigger thrill was watching the students grow as musicians during the preparation process. There is a level of sustained focus that is required not only for the thirty-minute performance, but also for the weeks leading up to the concert. Seeing the students develop the ability to concentrate, practice, and hone their musical skills is why we do what we do.”
John Cheary ’70
summed up the experience eloquently: “Our goal of bringing Central alumni to Tan-Tar-A was accomplished. Alumni said, ‘There had to be close Ron (and Jen) Frede ’61: to 200 CMU alumni!’ “The day before we left for and ‘It was a packed Jamaica we received the CD of house.’ the CMU concert at MMEA. “And students said, What a great performance. What ‘I never had so much a great low brass section! CMU fun in my whole life!’ Band will be No. 1 in the state if and ‘We couldn’t beit is not already. lieve how many alumni “I particularly liked the last came to support us.’ selection, ‘With Heart and Voice’ Among the many alumni gathering after the concert were these “It was that type of by David Gillingham.” 1970s grads (l-r): David Lawson ’74, Gene Rauscher ’74, John Craig evening. From the recep’74, Leslie Ann (Reynolds) Craig ’75, Herman Byrd ’74, Janet Evans ’62 wrote: tion before the concert Denise (Vallandingham) Drake ’75, and Rick Cowart ’75. “The concert was wonderful! where one speaker asSkip put Central Methodist back sured the students that the on the map!” alumni were here to support them saying, ‘There will be no critics tonight! Many of us played at MMEA during our years at Central . . . We know how you feel.’ Jazz, jazz, jazz “The CMU musicians responded by playing with Central’s Jazz Band and Vocal Jazz Ensemble presentabandon. From impossible pianissimos to dramatic but ed a joint concert on April 17. controlled fortissimos, from exposed soloistic passages to The Jazz Band’s program included the incomparable finely tuned and balanced tutti passages; all were done “In the Mood,” “Blues for Dr. Cranberry,” “Li’l Darlin’,” with style and polish. But it is not just the polish; it is “A Little Minor Booze,” “Basically Blues,” and the evermusic taking on its intended purpose, to be filled with paspopular “Kansas City.” sion, to be exciting, to move audience and performers on a The 21-player band was directed by Roy “Skip” deep level. It must become spiritual. It did. Vandelicht, assistant professor of music and director of “The feelings were buoyant, expansive, passionate. bands. Alumni from five decades reached out to one another, The Vocal Jazz Ensemble performed The Beatles’ basking in and sharing what had been 15 years of pent up “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Prepare the Way,” “Come emotions. The Central Band Tradition is back! It lives on! Sunday,” “Hallelujah,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If You Thousands of children will feel it when a CMU graduate Ain’t Got That Swing),” “MLK,” “Lullabye (Goodnight, puts an instrument in their hands for the first time, and My Angel),” and The Barber of Seville Overture. some will follow in their director’s foot steps by marching Claude Westfall, assistant professor of music and onto the CMU campus, joining the band and once again director of choral activities, directed the vocal jazz ensemastounding another audience at MMEA.” ble. Both groups have been spreading their talent across Mid-Missouri in personal appearances this spring.
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Extended Studies Sandra Wald heads CMU central region The start of 2012 brought about a big change for both Central Methodist University and Sandra Wald. CMU’s growing College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES) added a new Central Division, joining its Eastern and Western organizations. And Wald stepped out of the CMU classroom, and into the assistant dean position of the new division. “I’ll miss teaching, definitely,” she says. “But I’ll still have a lot of interaction with students. In fact, now I can help more students, and I hope I can have an even bigger impact on them. I see so much opportunity.” Wald oversees instructional sites in Columbia, Macon and Trenton, and manages its dual credit program, notes Vice President and Dean Rita Gulstad. Dual credit at CMU enables qualified high school students to take college-level coursework through the University. “Sandra brings a great deal of energy and a customer service perspective to our students,” Gulstad says. “She knows the students and is deeply committed to providing quality education and great service.” Wald has been teaching English at CMU since 2008. She also taught English and communications at Linn
State Technical College from 2000-02. She spent four years (2004-08) with the State of Missouri Division of Employment Security in Jefferson City, and was a marketing consultant with Maximum Media in Columbia in 2003-04. In her new role as assistant dean, she manages operations of CMU’s largest extension site, in Columbia at the Forum Shopping Center. The Dual Enrollment program is also large, with almost 2,200 students last fall, and expansive, with coursework offered at 92 high schools across Missouri. Keeping those programs healthy and growing, and strengthening the ones in Macon in partnership with Moberly Area Community College, and Trenton in partnership with North Central Missouri College, are sure to keep Wald busy. “Each of these areas is so different from the other, but there is a common thread— they exist to serve Central Methodist University students,” she says. Wald lives near Mendon, where her husband, Paul, farms. She is a native of Columbia, and received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Missouri State University.
Dynamic Duo Pursue CMU Degrees
by Heather Weber, assistant dean of Adult Degree Program
Ask Beth Vernon about juggling a schedule. She is currently managing a course load for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) at CMU while working the night shift in her nursing position. Her advice to others who are doing the same? “School is not just one day a week. You also have to make time for homework and group work,” she says. “Be prepared and talk with your family and friends about sharing your time. Delegate chores if you can, and make schedules that are reasonable to achieve.” Her brother, Steve Vernon, has equally good advice to share with fellow students. “It is tough and time management can be taxing,” Steve says. “Just trying to keep motivated is a test, but you always have to keep in mind the ultimate goal!” Steve is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB). Like many others in the sagging economy of the last few years, Steve lost his job when the Chrysler plant closed in 2009. Having received funding to continue his education, Steve wasted no time returning to school. He chose CMU’s Adult Degree Program. Because his sister was already attending CMU? Not quite. 30
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He says, “I shopped around because I had limited funds to deal with, and CMU won me over. The people were very friendly and the price was right. Ironically, I did not find out until after I enrolled that my sister was attending CMU. Small world, isn’t it!” Both Beth and Steve are planning to expand their worlds through education. Beth has been a registered nurse at St. Clare Health Center in Fenton for more than seven years. “There is talk that all nurses will be required at some point to have a BSN, but I would like to advance in some other aspect of nursing,” she says. “I have had a few ideas but have not narrowed it down yet. I originally wanted to become a CRNA and later decided on a nurse practitioner. I have also looked into education, so I am still deciding.” Steve expresses, “I was blessed for many years until recently. I am trying to return to where I was a few years ago. I am hoping that continuing this education, along with my previous experience, will lead to better opportunities.” We hope so, too, and wish Beth and Steve continued success!
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Extended Studies Adult Degree Program celebrates first graduate cohort completion January 24th marked the last night of class for the first education and technology, public education funding, charMaster of Education cohort in St. Louis to begin classes acter education and class sizes. in the Adult Degree Program. They named themselves “CMU is very proud of these graduate students. For “Alpha Cohort” to reflect that status. many, completing their M.Ed. degree was a goal they This cohort began taking classes at CMU in June 2010 desired for many years and can now finally check off and less than two years later, they are reflecting on how the list,” says Heather Weber, assistant dean of the CMU quickly the time has passed. Adult Degree Program. “For all, this is a milestone moPart of their curriculum includes writing thesis projment worth pause and reflection. We are proud that these ects on a chosen students will now topic. In addition join the network to the research and of thousands of writing, they also CMU alumni across present their thesis the nation and projects to an audiworldwide. ence and answer “We also questions from the applaud the facaudience. ulty who supported This thesis dethem and worked fense included staff with them along the From left, Anthony Love; LaWanda Burns; Heather Weber, assistant dean and faculty from way,” Weber says, of the Adult Degree Program; Dr. Elaine Wodson, thesis advisor; CMU, classmates “particularly Dr. Shelby Cohen; Debra Thomas; and Karri Merseal and other CMU Elaine Woodson, students and invited who served as their guests. Students brought their parents, spouses, children, thesis advisor. Our faculty are the key to the success of co-workers and friends to participate in this event. The our programs.” students presented on a wide variety of topics, including
CMU-Park Hills adds Sports Management CMU adds Sociology to SFCC sites A new bachelor’s degree program in sports management will be offered by CMU at its Park Hills location starting this fall. “We’re excited to add this program to our offerings in Park Hills in cooperation with Mineral Area College,” notes Jeff Williams, CMU-Park Hills site coordinator. “Like the rest of the degree programs CMU offers in Park Hills, students can obtain a significant portion of their education by completing an associate of arts degree through MAC, then transfer seamlessly into the Central Methodist program.” The bachelor of science degree in sports management prepares students for a wide variety of careers in health and wellness, physical education, and recreation and/or sports management. CMU has partnered with MAC for more than 20 years. Other CMU degree programs in Park Hills include accounting, business, criminal justice, computer science, teacher education, mathematics, nursing (RN-BSN), public administration, psychology, and sociology. For more information about the new sports management degree, or any other programs available from CMUPark Hills, contact Jeff Williams at 573-518-2178 or by e-mail at jawillia@centralmethodist.edu, or visit the Central Methodist office in room AS110 on the MAC campus.
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A new degree completion program is being added by Central Methodist University through its cooperative programs with State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Clinton, and at the Lake of the Ozarks site in Osage Beach. Starting this fall, CMU will offer the bachelor’s degree in sociology at each of the three locations, according to Deborah DeGan-Dixon, assistant dean for CMU’s College of Graduate and Extended Studies. Sociology students often choose the field because of an interest in how society operates. Many are drawn to sociology out of concern over social issues and a desire to do something about it. All CMU degree completion programs offered through its cooperative relationship with State Fair Community College are designed with convenience in mind. Eightweek sessions, evening classes, and online instruction are all components of the programs; some can complete the program in as few as 18 months, DeGan-Dixon notes. For more information, anyone interested can contact a CMU official at the most convenient location. For CMUClinton, contact Sandra Gilkey, 660-383-1610 or sgilkey@ centralmethodist.edu; for CMU-Sedalia, contact Keith Swanson, 660-596-7316 or kswanson@centralmethodist.edu; and for CMU-Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, call 573348-0888 or contact Mike Ringen at mringen@ centralmethodist.edu or Janice Ganther at jganther@ centralmethodist.edu.
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Not just a niche: Columbia site skyrockets
by Kent Propst, executive director of Marketing Communications
The growth rate at CMU’s Columbia site is so huge, the CMU, a symbiotic, mutually rewarding relationship. numbers are almost numbing. For many students, CMU means the difference beYet from its humble beginnings—not even in tween staying in college or going home. Columbia, but in nearby Ashland in August 2002 when “They [MU officials] see us as beneficial, as a helpful four students enrolled in two classes—CMU trademarks resource for their students,” Wald says. “MU advisors of personal attention, quality, and flexibility have been seek us out and ask for our course schedules; in fact, somemaintained. times they request that we teach specific classes we had In fact, they are the very reason for CMU-Columbia’s not planned to offer.” growth, according to CMU President Marianne Inman. CMU’s attraction can be summed up in two words that It’s easy to understand CMU’s pride, considering are used so often yet ring so true to so many: personal enrollment growth of 11,850 percent from Ashland’s 2002 attention. start-up through last fall, when 474 students took course“Let’s say one of their (MU) students is experiencing work at CMU-Columbia. adversity in a key subject area – math, for example,” Wald In just the last five years, fall enrollment at the Forum says. “They may have always struggled with the subject, Shopping Center site has soared by more than 700 percent. and then they get into a university setting and they are Just from fall lost. 2010 through last “MU advisors fall, the number will direct them to of students served us, telling them that grew by 33 percent, at CMU-Columbia according to Sandra they will find the Wald, assistant dean smaller class size, for CMU’s Central personal attention, Region. and the opportunity Heady stuff, to to seek individual be sure. Yet while help from our facenrollment in CMU’s ulty. It’s a totally difCGES programs in ferent atmosphere.” general has seen As Wald points rapid growth in reout, MU students cent years, Columbia come to CMU for one is unique – and not or two classes, get just in its rate of inwhat they need, and crease, notes Dr. Rita return to MU to finFrom left, Judy Strodtman, Sandra Wald, assistant dean; and Gulstad, vice presiish their degree. For Brook Barker, administrative assistant in front of the CMU-Columbia campus. dent and dean of the CMU, for MU, and university. most of all for the For one thing, like the main campus in Fayette, CMUstudents, everyone wins. Columbia operates on a semester basis. Most other CMU For Judy Strodtman, under whose direction the fledgCGES sites operate on eight-week class schedules, to better ling program in Ashland was launched back in 2002, the coordinate with Missouri community colleges so vital to evolution of CMU-Columbia has been a joy to champion CMU extension programs. and one of the highlights of her Central Methodist career. CMU-Columbia also offers more weekday classes “We started in 2002 doing classes in Ashland for one than most of its evening-oriented extension sites, Gulstad semester,” Strodtman says. “We then moved to Columbia notes. And Columbia has a lower percentage of adult stuand rented rooms from a Methodist Church and from Rock dents and higher percentage of males than at most CGES Bridge High School. locations. “It was hard setting up classes, hiring teachers, not Yet the biggest difference between CMU-Columbia and having our own space, and things like that,” she adds. other CGES sites is the simple fact that the majority of its In fact, growth was slow but steady until CMU began students come to CMU not for its degree offerings, but for renting its own space, Gulstad says. its coursework. By its fifth year (2006), 58 students were enrolled. Most are University of Missouri students who are Investing in dedicated space at the busy Forum Shopping referred to CMU by MU advisors and faculty, Wald notes. Center was a true leap of faith: the costs were considerable It’s not just a niche market for CMU; it is, for both MU and and fixed, while the revenue was far from certain. (continued p. 33)
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Extended Studies (Columbia continued)
Strodtman, ever the optimist, was a firm believer in the “build it and they will come” principle. President Inman and Gulstad, after considerable discussion, approved the bold move. By 2007, its first fall at the Forum, enrollment grew from 58 to 147…to 242 in 2008…and has grown sharply ever since. In fact, while fall enrollment is the standard measuring device in higher education, for CMU-Columbia the spring count is even higher: this past spring, 695 students attended CMU-Columbia, compared to 474 in the fall. CMU-Columbia clearly didn’t get where it is today by maintaining status quo. Wald, who took over direction of CMU-Columbia from Strodtman last fall, is hard at work planning even bigger and better things, though the current space CMU leases at the Forum is filled nearly to bursting. Some of the initiatives Wald has mentioned include development of a science lab and related coursework; bringing more degree-seeking students into the site; working more closely with Moberly Area Community College’s Columbia site to bring more of those students to CMU for bachelor’s degrees; and the addition of a computer lab. She hopes for more offices so that faculty can meet on a more confidential basis with students, and a study area where students can work outside of and between classes. CMU officials also are discussing an accelerated nursing (RN-BSN) program at CMU-Columbia. Though in its formative stages, it is a project for which there is great excitement and enthusiasm. Inman, Gulstad and Wald all point to Strodtman, whose dogged determination and vision have yielded great rewards, as the driving force behind CMU’s biggest off-campus program. Strodtman’s baby has surely grown to a strapping operation. But if CMU has its way, it’s like any 10-year-old: it has a lot more growing to do.
CMU Leads State In Enrollment Gains Enrollment is one important measure of the vitality of any college or university, and for Central Methodist University, the numbers look very robust indeed. Last fall, CMU eclipsed two important milestones for the first time in its more than 150-year history, notes President Marianne Inman. A total of more than 5,000 different students took CMU coursework, while credit hour production—termed full-time equivalent enrollment— broke the 3,000 barrier. CMU’s rate of growth in headcount enrollment was the highest of any public or private four-year college in Missouri last fall, according to a report by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education. Total enrollment grew by 11.32 percent, to a total of 5,183 students served by CMU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) and its College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES). “Clearly these fine results reflect the quality and market appeal of our academic programs,“ noted President Marianne E. Inman. “We are proud of our statewide presence and of the educational opportunities available through this special university.” CMU’s CGES program, comprised of its off-campus sites, its graduate studies programs, and its iSchool dual credit offerings, experienced 15.26 percent growth last fall. A total of 4,011 students were enrolled in CGES. CLAS enrollment, made up by students attending class on the main campus in Fayette, totaled 1,172 – four students shy of its all-time record set one year earlier. No other four-year college or university in Missouri saw enrollment gains above 6.64 percent, according to the Coordinating Board report. In fact, enrollment growth for all public and private four-year institutions combined was less than one percent.
CMU partners with Jefferson Regional Medical Center For more than 20 years, one goal for CMU has been to partner with community colleges and businesses to bring educational offerings to students across the state in ways that are convenient for them. This past winter, a new partnership was formed with Jefferson Regional Medical Center (JRMC) in Festus, Mo., to teach the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) program onsite, which will allow working RNs the opportunity to further their education close to home. The cohort-based BSN degree is part of the Adult Degree Program (ADP) at CMU, and JRMC is the third location in which CMU’s ADP is offered in the St. Louis area. The ADP focuses on providing accelerated courses for working adults. Students attend class one night each week
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and complete their cohort programs in as few as 18 months. “CMU is thrilled to partner with one of the hallmark employers in Jefferson County,” says Heather Weber, assistant dean of the Adult Degree Program. “JRMC has received a number of honors and awards in recent years for being a quality medical care facility and a great place to work. We want to be part of continuing that excellent tradition.” In addition to the RN-BSN program, the Adult Degree Program also offers bachelor’s degrees in psychology and business and a master’s degree in education in the St. Louis area. Anyone interested in learning more about the program can go to adp.centralmethodist.edu or call 314-2274400 for more information.
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Tennessee Williams Festival
by Brittanee Jacobs
Central Methodist University honored Missouri’s most renowned playwright Tennessee Williams with a 10-day festival on the Fayette campus in February and March. On Feb. 24, a Friday Forum, Tennessee in Missouri: Entrapment and Escape, presented by adjunct professor and Williams expert Brett Johnson kicked off the festival. Johnson obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Susquehanna University (SU) where he graduated first in his class. He received his Masters of Arts in Theatre from the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU), and his doctorate in theatre from MU. Johnson Tom catches his sister Laura as she faints while her mother, Amanda, and directed their guest, Jim, look on in horror in The Glass Menagerie. Williams’ The tus professor of English at CMU and curator of The Gnadiges Fraulein Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art. The perforduring his senior mance was in Linn Memorial’s Assembly Hall Feb. year at SU. For his 24-26. master’s thesis at The cast included Lou Thompson, a retired teachMU, he directed er from the Columbia Public School District and wife Vieux Carre, another of CMU set builder Chuck Thompson, as Amanda; work of Williams. and CMU students Jackie Hoffman as Laura; Jeff In addition to Byous as Tom; and Daniel Primm as Jim. directing Williams’ That Sunday’s movie night at CMU featured work, Johnson Williams’ work, Night of the Iguana. A second organized the MU Williams film, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, was shown in Tennessee Williams Dr. Kavita S. Hatwalkar’s Introduction to Cinema Centennial, Jim attempts to engage the shy Laura in conversation. Brett Johnson kicks off the festival with a “Tennessee Friday Forum about Tennessee Williams. Williams: The Art of Endurance,” in March 2011. The three-day celebration included conversations with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Edward Albee and Tony Award-winning actress Elizabeth Ashley; scholarly panels and presentations; an acting master class; readings from the Williams canon; and a new work by the Missouri Contemporary Ballet. The Fayette Area Community Theatre followed in the festival with a presentation of The Glass Menagerie under the direction of Dr. Joe Geist, emeri-
Blanche pleads with her sister, Stella, in A Streetcar Named Desire.
class on Wednesday, Feb. 29. Hatwalkar is assistant professor of English at CMU. A reception was held in the Stedman 200 lobby for Brett Johnson who spoke again following the screening. To conclude the festival, Dr. Mark Kelty’s CMU theatre students presented A Streetcar Named Desire in the Little Theatre, March 1-4. Kelty is associate professor of theatre at CMU.
Blanche reflects upon her complicated and shady past.
Stanley begs his wife Stella to forgive him for the sake of their future child.
This Tennessee Williams classic reveals the very depths the character of Blanche DuBois (KaeLeigh Brown), a woman whose life has been undermined by her romantic illusions, which lead her to reject—so far as possible—the realities of life with which she is faced and which she constantly ignores. The presHis animalistic tendencies come out when a sure brought furious Stanley assaults his sister-in-law, Blanche. to bear upon her by her sister, Stella Kowalski (Abby Bostic), with whom she goes to live in New Orleans, intensified by her earthy husband, Stanley Kowalski (Roger Weaver), leads to a revelation of her tragic self-delusion.
As part of the festival, the second annual Howard County Night at the Arts was held on March 2. This event was a free art-filled evening for residents of the county. The evening kicked off in The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art where “The Last Show: Executive Board Purchases over the Last 18 Years, Plus New Acquisitions” exhibit was on display. Some of the artists were there for guests to meet. Students from the Swinney Conservatory of Music graced visitors with instrumental music in the foyer outside the Gallery. Immediately following, 92 residents attended the Williams’ play A Streetcar Named Desire.
Howard County residents Gwen Pope and Tom Yancey ’54 discuss the art from “The Last Show: Executive Board Purchases over the Last 18 Years, Plus New Acquisitions.” Yancey is CMU emeritus professor of music and former curator of The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art.
Adjunct professor of music Jo Ellen (Ming) Shroyer ’79 (right) and music majors Donald Heaton and Rebecca Shroyer were among CMU small ensembles who performed music for Howard County Night at the Arts participants.
Ashby-Hodge: “The Last Show”
Queen Anne's Lace by Peggy Guest
Watch for information about upcoming shows as we open our new Gallery in Classic Hall! www.centralmethodist.edu/ashbyhodge www.facebook.com/ashbyhodge
After eighteen years in its present home, The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art is ready to move to its new gallery in the newly renovated Classic Hall. In preparation for that move, the Gallery presented one final show aptly titled “The Last Show: Executive Board Purchases over the last 18 Years.” The show ran Jan. 10 through March 8. “The Last Show” highlighted many of the works acquired since the Gallery opened in 1993 in the lower level of Cupples Hall (Smiley Library) with the prestigious Ashby Collection. There was an array of artists in the show—national, regional, local and alumni. Among them were William McKim (19161995), a student of Thomas Hart Benton; Romare Bearden (19111988), whose 100th birthday the Gallery recently celebrated; Jerry and Joanne Berneche, Ben and Brooke Cameron, all from Columbia; Ann Schafer, Lisa Baylor, Chase Thompson, Aaron Leimkuehler, all with Fayette connections; and others.
Campus news
Rare find at CMU: Hendrix paintings in Givens Hall by Jim Steele ’64 The recent discovery of two rare oil-onpanel paintings has provided a significant link to the founding of Central Methodist University in the mid1850s. Givens Hall, located adjacent to Classic Hall at the south end of the CMU campus, is the University’s oldest extant building. Now used as a guest house, it has had various functions over the years, including serving as the president’s home for Howard-Payne College, which merged with Central in the mid-1920s. On a quest to find historic artifacts, CMU emeritus Professor Thomas L. Yancey and plant operations director Derry Wiswall came across the two paintings (shown above) in the Givens Hall attic. The painter is unknown, but he or she apparently was a skilled artist, according to Yancey, who believes the portraits to be of Adam and Isabella Murray Hendrix, both of whom had been associated with Central since its founding. The paintings are undated, but they are thought to have been produced around the time of the Civil War, if not earlier. “They were in terrible shape,” Yancey notes. “At some point, the two works had been encased in glass, which did more harm that good. Both portraits were covered in grime and heavy, white mold. I despaired of ever being able to do a restoration.” But refurbish them he did, and the two paintings are now framed and in first-class condition. Yancey, who was the founding curator of The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art, has added them to the Ashby-Hodge permanent collection. According to historical accounts, the Rev. Adam Hendrix, who died in 1876, was a member of what was then the Board of Curators of Central College. He and his wife had come from Maryland. Hendrix was one of five men who were named as curators from the Missouri Confer-
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ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, a forerunner of the present United Methodist Church. Members of that board guided the reopening of Central College following the school’s
closing during the Civil War. Ultimately, what was even more significant was that Adam and Isabella Hendrix in 1847 gave birth to a son in Fayette, Eugene Hendrix, who later (in 1872) married Annie E. Scarritt of Kansas City, the eldest child of the Rev. Nathan Scarritt, considered one of the two principal founders of Central College. After being educated in the original pre-Civil War (provisional) Central College, Eugene Hendrix attended Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He entered the denomination’s Missouri Conference in 1869, and his first pastorate was the Broadway Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Leavenworth, Bishop Eugene Hendrix, Kan. Central’s President 1878-86 After some nine years as a pastor he became president of Central College beginning in 1878, and remained here until his election in 1886 as a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In 1908, Bishop Eugene Hendrix was elected as the first president of the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, a position he held for four years. This organization was a forerunner of the present-day National Council of Churches. Hendrix College in Conway, Ark., is named in the bishop’s honor. He died in 1927.
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Campus news
Making a mark in theatre
by Travis Brobst, senior theatre correspondent In the theatre department at CMU, talented students of different backgrounds and locations work hard to make plays fun and exciting. Every Monday in a production meeting everyone goes over assigned responsibilities for the upcoming play, some of which include hair, sound, and costume design. Students rehearse Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m., putting in at least 15 hours of practice each week in The Little Theatre. Their work and dedication does not end when they leave rehearsal, because often they have lines to memorize by the next rehearsal. To be both a full-time student and involved in theatre takes a lot of dedication and good time management skills. Many students assume that the only way to be involved in theatre is by being a theatre major. That is a misconception. Freshman Kelsey Vollmer is a nursing major, as well as being active in theatre. She shows that students from any academic discipline can be involved in theatre. Kelsey has been acting since middle school; her first play was Tom Sawyer. It was at this point that she realized she wanted to continue theatre through high school and college. She has learned good time management skills! Kelsey believes that students who have an interest in theatre should pursue it. Sophomore Roger Weaver came to CMU from Kansas City to study philosophy. After taking “Basic Principles of Theatre,” a class that many students take for their fine arts credit, Roger became interested in theatre. He decided to audition. By second semester he was acting in many plays and is presently on an acting scholarship. Roger was not afraid to try something new, and in return he found a great organization of which to be a part. Roger feels that the theatre department is like family and that every member is there to support and help each other out. “It does not matter if you had a theatre background in high school or not,” he says. “And it does not matter how far along at CMU you are. If you think you may be interested in theatre, you should give it a shot.” While acting is a huge part of theatre, it is not the only part. Much more involvement behind the scenes makes theatre possible. Chuck Thompson is in charge of building and designing the sets for The Little Theatre. Chuck’s wife, Lou, has a strong theatre background; however, Chuck never did before coming to CMU in 2008. Chuck had taught industrial arts at Fayette High School until he retired. Once he arrived at Central, he began training students with no carpentry experience to operate and work machines. The students who work with Chuck are on work-study through the theatre department. Their job is to make sure that everything is in place for show week. Chuck has a dedicated crew of hardworking students who recognize that details count. Chuck says that one of the greatest rewards that he and his student
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workers have is when they watch a play and see their hard work come to life. Students from all walks of life and academic disciplines participate in theater at Central. While theatre majors are obviously welcome, so are those who are not. Students just need talent and heart to be part of CMU’s theatre department.
Students get tickled as they learn improv from Bill Chott in April.
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Bill Chott stars in The Foreigner at CMU and teaches improv by Cathy Thogmorton, editor
Actor Bill Chott creates fun wherever he goes. He has the knack and the talent for creating characters that are slightly goofy and yet totally lovable. When he comes home to his alma mater, CMU, as he did this spring, everyone rejoices. Chott came back to Central to play an extremely shy man with no personality in The Foreigner. During the course of the play, Chott’s character, Charlie Baker, overcomes his social obstacles by pretending to be a foreigner who doesn’t speak English. By creating this character with the help of his good
friend Froggy Lesueur (Jordan Brennan), Charlie becomes the hero of the story, listening to problems and secrets, defending the homestead from the Ku Klux Klan in the backwoods of Georgia, and winning the heart of the wronged girl, Catherine (Kate Kellner). The play seems made for comedic Chott. The students who worked alongside him rose to new heights and held their own with his leadership and encouragement. This reviewer saw it twice, once to shoot photographs; the other because she couldn’t stand not to see it again. After the play finished its run on Sunday afternoon, April 22, Chott began working with a group of students from Central, area high schools, and adult believers in fun in a mini-class of improvisational skills. The group studied, worked, and laughed through two intensive evening classes, then put on a free improv show for all comers.
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When he is not “home” (i.e., in Fayette), Chott makes his living in Hollywood. He graduated from Central in 1994, then fell in love with another Central student, Samantha Gross ’11, on an excursion back here. They married last winter and make their home in Pasadena, Calif. Chott is well known to the prepubescent set as Principal Laritate on Disney Channel’s popular series “The Wizards of
Waverly Place.” To the older folks, he is remembered for his parts in Galaxy Quest, The Ringer, and The Rum Diary. His most recent conquest was a stint as Fred Mertz in the Hollywood stage production of I Love Lucy Live on Stage for which he won the Broadway World Award for “Best Featured Actor in a Musical.” Regardless of what else he is doing, Bill Chott is always teaching improv, having studied at Chicago’s famed Second City with fellow actors Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and Amy Poehler. He loves it as he loves acting and making people laugh. Scenes, clockwise from top: Charlie (Bill Chott) begins to establish communication with Ellard (Dakota Gladbach) as Betty (Shamika Pegue) comes in the door; Charlie figures out soon enough who the nasty is—Owen (Josh Kirby)—and begins to play with his mind; Charlie “melts” one of the KKK members; the group (minus Froggy Leseuer played by Jordan Brennan) howls with laughter at Charlie’s manipulation of Owen. From left, Charlie, Ellard, Catherine (Kate Kellner), Rev. David Lee (Jeff Byous), and Betty.
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Campus news Brass Quintet and The Church Street Boys Concert Central’s Brass Quintet and The Church Street Boys presented a joint concert April 24. Under the direction of Dr. John Perkins, associate professor of music, The Brass Quintet performed three sets. Set one included Paul Dukas’ “Fanfare” from La Peri, Giocomo Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma” from Turandot, and Luther Henderson’s “Amazing Grace.” Howard Cable’s “A Newfoundland Sketch,” Leo Hassler’s “Cantate Domino,” and James Barnes’ “Headache Scherzo (The Blight of the Fumble Bee)” from Divertissement composed set two. Set three comprised V. Ormsby, Jr.’s translation of “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho.”
The Church Street Boys’ program included Aaron Copland’s “Zion’s Walls,” Paul Tschesnokoff’s “Salvation is Created,” Orlando de Lassus’ “Matona, mia Cara (My Lovely Lady),” Isaac Woodbury and Don Large’s “Stars of the Summer Night,” Bob Nolan’s “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” Kurt Bestor’s “Prayer of the Children,” Frank Wilhorn’s “Tell My Father,” and Johnathan Quick’s “Loch Lomond.” Ron Atteberry, assistant professor of music, directs The Church Street Boys, accompanied by Kelley Head ’81, adjunct professor of music. The two groups combined for Gustav Holst’s “Homeland.”
“Fairytale in Opera and Musical” presented in February The highly anticipated annual Central Methodist University Opera Workshop presentation, “Fairytale in Opera and Musical” took place in February. The production was directed by Dr. Susan QuigleyDuggan, associate professor of music at CMU. Adjunct professor Kelley Head was the accompanist. The workshop offered a program of scenes from the musicals Beauty and the Beast by Alan Menken, Once Upon a Mattress by Mary Rodgers, Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim, and Cinderella by Richard Rodgers. Other showcased selections were from the operas of Hansel and Gretel by the 19th Century composer Engelbert Humperdinck, Little Red Riding Hood by Seymour Barab, The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Mozart, and Le Cenerentola by Giocchino Rossini. With the exception of adjunct professor Tom Arnold ’79, the cast was composed of current CMU students.
Clockwise from above: Scenes from Beauty and the Beast with Dane Johnson as Gaston; Into the Woods with the wolf, Khobic Johnson, pursuing the innocent Little Red Riding Hood, Lakyn Baker; Once Upon a Mattress with Tanjie Hoover arriving from the swamp; and Hansel and Gretel, with the children, Rebecca Shroyer and Hannah Swoboda, suddenly realizing the witch, Aubrey Taylor, is not a nice person.
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Campus news Little Theatre Stages Almost, Maine The Little Theatre presented the play Almost, Maine by John Cariani as the last offering of first semester. On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of the winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal and the hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night’s dream. Ten thespians carried out multiple roles in Almost, Maine, which moved in vignettes through the ups and downs of one winter night. (photos, right)
Waiting for Godot Senior theatre arts major Josh Kirby directed Samuel Beckett’s existential play Waiting for Godot in December. Alternately called theatre of the absurd and a tragicomedy, Waiting for Godot examines two men waiting in a park for a mysterious figure named Godot who never shows up. It is presented in two acts, the second on a second day—much like the first. Only one of the characters remembers anything that happened the day before. The two main characters spend the entire play on the stage. In an amazing twist, one of the main players pulled out of the play a week before performances. He was replaced by a very intrepid CMU student, Jeff Byous, who learned the play and absorbed his character in the span of a week. The show went on and Jeff gained many accolades for his work, as did the other main performer, veteran of the stage Jordan Brennan. Waiting for Godot provides a great jumping-off spot for discussions of religion and philosophy, as well as the structure and purpose of plays in general. Playwright Samuel Beckett was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1969. He died in 1989.
Senior Kelsey Jeffries directed The Little Theatre’s final performance of the year, Waiting for the Parade by John Murrell in late April. The storyline centers on five Canadian women who are struggling to survive—physically and emotionally—while the men they love are away fighting in World War II. In a series of vignettes the play shows that those who are left behind in wartime can also become walking-wounded. Five characters volunteer as Red Triangle Hostesses, a USO-style relief center for soldiers passing through the Calgary train station. The war provides a framework for this compassionate character study of women who served the war effort and the choices they made on a daily basis.
Below from left, Daniel Primm, Jeff Byous, Jordan Brennan, and Aubrey Taylor in a segment from Waiting for Godot.
From left: Eve (Amber Sammet), Janet (Abby Bostic), Margaret (Kayla Kelly) and Catherine (Aubrey Taylor) disagree on fruit baskets and other things in Waiting for the Parade.
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Clockwise from top, characters played by Chris Ivy and Kate Kellner; Dakota Gladbach and Kelsey Jeffries; and Roger Weaver and Brett Marriott all discover the surprises of love in Almost, Maine.
Waiting for the Parade
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Campus news Ryan Stone the Geist Series Visiting Lecturer Short story writer Ryan Stone ’99 was the latest presenter in the Dr. Joe Geist Visiting Lecture Series in early April. Being a personal friend of Geist made the “coming home” doubly special for Stone and Geist both. In his evening presentation, Stone read a story he calls his nod to Hemingway. Following the reading, he discussed the process of writing and answered general questions from the students and townspeople attending. Dr. Joe Geist with writer Ryan Stone. The following day, Stone met privately with the editors of Inscape, the English creative writing magazine. He also toured The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art with Dr. Geist and held a workshop for English majors in the afternoon. That evening he had dinner with members of the English faculty and Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society.
Stone’s writing has appeared in a number of journals, including The South Carolina Review, The Madison Review, Natural Bridge, Whiskey Island Magazine, and Wisconsin Review. He has also published works in multiple anthologies and in two books of stories. The latest, from which he read, is titled Best Road Yet, published by Press 53. Many of his stories are based in rural Missouri and easily identifiable to a wide audience. In addition to writing, Stone teaches, currently at Danville (Ill.) Area Community College. He spent his first year as an English major at Central Methodist College (CMU), and he ultimately earned his M.F.A. from the University of Missouri - St. Louis.
Order your copy today! The CMU Alumni Association has prints available of Notley Hawkins’ photo “T. Berry” for purchase. This photo was on the cover of the Fall 2010 edition of the Talon. Prints are available in two sizes and proceeds go to the CMU Alumni Association. 8” x 10” 11” x 14”
$20.00 $25.00
To order a copy please visit: http://cmalumni.centralmethodist.edu/centralphoto
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Campus news
Chorale and Conservatory Singers present concerts The Chorale and the Conservatory Singers presented two joint concerts this spring, one in March and one in April. In March, The Chorale performed a historic favorite “Great and Marvelous are Thy Works,” composed by Luther T. Spayde, the founder of Central’s A Cappella Choir and Dean of the Swinney Conservatory from 1952 until his death in 1972. Other works included “Amor, Io Sento L’Alma” by Morten Lauridsen; “Io Son La Primavera” by William Hawley; “The Lord is My Shepherd” by John Rutter from Rutter’s Requiem; “Ask Me No More” by J.S. Bakken; and “Lift Every Voice for Freedom” by Moses Hogan. The Chorale’s April performance included “Singet dem Herr nein neues Lied” by J. S. Bach, with Kelley Head ’81, adjunct professor of music, on harpsichord; “Magnificat” by Dieterich Buxtehude, supported by adjunct instructor of strings, Jeanne Lambson, and several of her students. Dr. Claude Westfall, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities, directed the Chorale in both concerts.
Under the direction of Ron Atteberry, assistant professor of music, the Conservatory Singers premiered “A Psalm” by Thomas Yancey ’54, associate professor of music emeritus, during the March concert. Prof. Yancey was in the audience to hear the performance. They also sang “Pie Jesu” by Andrew Lloyd Webber from his Requiem, and a medley from Les Miserables of “In My Life/I Dreamed a Dream/One More Day” by Claude-Michel Schonberg, and arranged by Atteberry. In addition, The Conservatory Singers also performed “Bogoroditse Djevo” by Arvo Part; “Va, pensiero” from Nabucco by Guiseppi Verdi; and “O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff. In April, they performed a song cycle based upon the poetry of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. The cycle, with music composed by Atteberry, included “I Celebrate Myself,” “I Am of Old and Young,” “A Child Said,” “When Lilacs Bloom’d,” “Song of the Open Road,” “Smile, O Voluptuous Cool-breath’d Earth,” “With Music Strong I Come,” “Poets to Come,” and “Come, Said my Soul.” The cycle featured Head on piano, Lambson on cello, and guest performer Ashley Nelson (Jefferson City) on harp.
Above: The Conservatory Singers, conducted by Ron Atteberry, assistant professor of music (front row on left), pause to take a formal picture before their final concert of the semester. Left: Part of The Chorale that performed in the final joint concert. The Chorale, conducted by Dr. Claude Westfall, director of choral activities, tours Missouri every fall.
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Campus news
Dream comes true for CMU singer by Brittanee Jacobs
Losh auditioned for a solo part in “Five Hebrew Love Brittany Losh began studying the music of Grammy Songs” during a Saturday morning rehearsal. At the audiAward-winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre tion Whitacre conducted her, and Losh describes it as in high school and has been a fan ever since. As a junior “one of the most memorable moments” of her trip. at Central Methodist, she had the opportunity to perform Composer Morten Lauridsen attended this rehearsal under his direction. and accompanied the singers on his piece “Sure on This In December, Losh auditioned for the Distinguished Shining Night” on piano. According to Losh, the performConcerts International in New York City (DCINY). ers applauded Lauridsen after the song, but he stopped Applicants were to sing two or three minutes of a song them and explained it was the which presented “the best best performance of his song he qualities of your choral singhad ever heard. ing, beautiful vocal tone, and The rest of the day consistoverall musicianship.” ed of sight-seeing and attendLosh, a native of Pacific, ing a Broadway performance Mo., and a vocal music educaof Wicked at the Gershwin tion major at CMU, knew about Theatre. the audition for six months, The dress rehearsal was but kept putting it off. “I knew held at Carnegie Hall, just a I really needed to get it togethcouple of hours before the perer. On a weekend when no one formance. Losh describes the was here, I was like, ‘I’m gonna concert as “unbelievable.” do it,’” Losh laughs. “I took “There aren’t any other my camera and went to the words to describe how it feels church. I only did it once.” to sing where so many other She then submitted her great musicians have been, and video one week before the to share a stage with two of deadline. Only days later she today’s greatest composers,” received the call saying she she says. was selected. There was a VIP recepTo be a performer on tion following the concert at DCINY, Losh learned she Brittany Losh, right, has a picture taken with Eric Whitacre Rosie O’Grady’s. During dinner needed $710 by the end of the after a highly successful concert. Whitacre came to congratulate the week, not including travel arrangements, food, or housing accommodations. “I got a lot performers, and Losh got a picture with him. “The whole thing feels like a dream,” she says. “I’ll of help from friends and family. Donations flooded in, and I paid back my dad in a few weeks,” says Losh. A friend’s remember it forever.” Losh studies under the instruction of Dr. Susan mom had extra frequent-flyer miles which covered Losh’s Quigley-Duggan, assistant professor of music. Upon graduplane ticket. ation from Central, she plans on attending graduate school Losh arrived in NYC on March 29. The next morning to obtain a master’s in vocal performance. she attended her first rehearsal at the New York Society Losh is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, plays the tromfor Ethical Culture. Losh visited Radio City Music Hall and bone in the marching and concert bands, and is part of even got to be on stage. various choirs.
Music organizations present American Music Recital Beta Mu Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha and Theta Omicron chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota presented their annual American Music Recital in April. Performances included a mixture of vocal and instrumental. These included soloists as well as small and large ensembles. Some pieces included in the program were John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” Clara Edwards’ 44
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“Into the Night” (from New York, New York), Leonard Bernstein’s “Oh Happy We” (from Candide), and Henry Mancini’s “The Pink Panther.” Following the performance, Sigma Alpha Iota held a silent auction fundraiser that featured photographs and autographs of luminaries such as Charlie Daniels, John Travolta, Martina McBride, John Williams, and Simple Plan.
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Campus news
Student to study in Argentina
by Kent Propst, executive director of marketing communication Jackson notes that she has been studying Spanish Plans for a career in the medical field and a love of Spanish yielded a special opportunity for CMU junior for seven years, since her days at Fulton (Mo.) High School. “It’s funny, but I got better grades in Spanish student Caryn Jackson. than in English,” she says. “I’m really excited for Jackson was one of 30 students from across the this chance to improve my conversational skills; in U.S. selected for a six-week study opportunity in mid-Missouri, I don’t get many chances to use my Buenos Aires, Argentina, in May and June. Spanish-speaking abilities.” “This program is perfect,” Jackson says. “It’s so Jackson plans to go to Argentina a week before highly competitive, and to be one of 30 chosen just the program begins, and stay a week afterward, to adds to the excitement.” “explore.” She’ll be staying with a family rather than A double major—pre-medicine/biology, and in program housing, Spanish—Jackson applied again so that she can be for the experience last fully immersed in the lofall. She learned of it from cal culture. her advisor, Dr. Michael If it sounds like a Tilley, assistant professor busy and ambitious of biology. schedule, that’s nothing “He (Tilley) saw that new for the energetic it was right up my alCMU student. ley,” Jackson says. As a After all, she’s a CMU Spanish major, she residence hall assistant is required to do an interat Holt Hall, president of national study program Alpha Phi Omega naanyway, and was looktional service fraternity, ing for an experience that captain of the CMU Color combined both medicine Guard, and a member of and Spanish. Caryn Jackson, surrounded by items she will need this summer, will the University’s concert The sponsoring group, be spending time in Argentina working with medical professionals and band, trombone choir, Español y Cultura en Latin expanding her extensive Spanish vocabulary. and tuba euphonium America (ECELA), notified ensemble. her in late November that She is also chaplain, academic advisor, and song she had been chosen. “I was so ecstatic…I screamed, leader for Delta Pi Omega social sorority; a member then started calling everyone I could,” she laughs. of Sigma Alpha Iota national music fraternity for Jackson refers to the experience as “medical women; and in addition to a double major, she carries shadowing.” In other words, participants will work minors in music and chemistry. directly with Argentinian health care professionals. Jackson plans to attend medical school after Visits to clinics, a psychiatric hospital, an emergency graduation from CMU. response center, a morgue, an infectious disease cen“Long term, my goal is to work with the Peace ter, cardiology hospital, and an addiction rehabilitaCorps or Doctors Without Borders, so my Spanish tion facility are part of their studies. and medical degrees can be put to good use,” Jackson They’ll spend plenty of time in the classroom as says. well. Jackson is especially looking forward to a class on Spanish medical terminology. “We’ll be immersed in Argentinian culture,” she says.
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Campus news Broadcast students finalists for national awards Three broadcasting students from Central Methodist were named finalists for a total of four national awards by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System. Work done by CMU students Zachary Canote, Cody Davis and Nicholas Glandon for CMU’s campus station Eagle Radio KCMU competed against work by broadcasting students from across the country. Winners were announced in early March at the 73rd annual IBS Conference in New York City. “The IBS award competition was especially difficult this year, with IBS officials reporting nearly double the amount of entries from the previous year,” notes Eagle Radio advisor Kristin Cherry, assistant professor of communication studies. “I’m extremely proud of the finalists,” she says. “It’s such a blessing to work with such creative and talented students. When they produce wonderful work, I find my-
self thinking, ‘How can they top that?’ and sure enough they do!” Canote, a sophomore, was nominated in three categories. His “Diversity Show Promo” was a nominee in the Best Show Promo category; and his piece entitled “Clean Up The Town” was a finalist in the Best Fundraising/ Underwriting Campaign competition. Also, an article he co-produced with senior Nicholas Glandon entitled “Breast Cancer Controversy” was up for top awards in the Best Community News category. Davis was a finalist in the Best Station Promo category for “Eagle Radio Promo.” He is a senior. The Intercollegiate Broadcast System, based in New York, has more than a thousand non-profit, educationrelated radio stations and webcasters. Eagle Radio at CMU can be accessed through the University website: www.centralmethodist.edu/campus/radio.php.
Criminal justice students excel at national contest Spring break for 11 CMU students meant a trip not to the beach, but to Cincinnati for the annual American Criminal Justice Association Lambda Alpha Epsilon Convention. Instead of returning to campus with sunburns, the CMU crew came back with 10 trophies, including seven first place prizes, notes Teri Haack, assistant professor of criminal justice and advisor for CMU’s Pi Lambda Alpha chapter. Approximately 400 competitors represented universities and colleges from coast to coast. CMU students won eight of
the trophies, while Haack herself brought home two. “Our students worked very hard in an extremely competitive environment and represented CMU in an exemplary manner,” Haack says. Deanna Quisenberry, a senior, won three trophies to pace the CMU effort. In the Upper Division category (students with over 65 credit hours, and graduate students), Quisenberry placed first in Physical Agility, first in Juvenile Justice, and third in Police Management. Christina Burke, a junior, brought home top honors in two categories in the Lower Division, for students with fewer than 65 college credit hours. She won the Criminal Law and the Police Management competitions. Senior Julie Hubbard placed first in the Upper Division, Police Management category. Also in the Upper Division, senior Cameron Yates placed third in Criminal Law. In the Lower Division, Physical Agility competition, sophomore Chase Ford took second place. Haack, competing in the Professional Division, placed first in both Criminal Law and in Juvenile Justice. “Several chapter advisors and students asked what was the secret to our success,” Haack says. “It is commitment and hard work.”
Pictured are (from left) Sabrina Eaves, Shannon Epperson, Cameron Yates, Deanna Quisenberry, Christina Burke, James Rowe, Sean Goyer, faculty advisor Teri Haack, Nicholas Glandon, Julie Hubbard, Christopher Beaverson, and Chase Ford.
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Campus news More radio accolades
Quigley-Duggan leads spring activities
In April Dr. Kristin Cherry, assistant professor of communication studies, announced that KCMU Eagle Radio was a finalist in this year’s Missouri Broadcasters Association (MBA) Awards competition. The editorial, “Professional Athletes Paid Too Much?” was submitted by student Daniel Peters. In May another student, Jennifer Jaboro, earned a first place award through the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA) Media Awards for her entry in the category of Educational Service Announcement. The title of her entry was “Bullying.”
Dr. Susan Quigley-Duggan, assistant professor of music, has been busy preparing her vocal students for the future. In March she and Ron Atteberry, assistant professor of music, gave a free vocal workshop for area high school students at CMU to help them prepare for their spring contest season. Quigley-Duggan has also been working with CMU students and area musicians for this summer’s opera, a lesser known Gilbert and Sullivan production titled Iolanthe. The operetta is slated for June 8-9. The Central student chapter of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) helped sponsor a visit from Dr. Ray Fleener, UMKC associate professor of voice, in a master class for top vocal students in April.
Elliott speaks of Civil War Dr. Dan Elliott, professor emeritus of biology, spoke this spring to the Boonslick Historical Society about the “Fayette Fight” during the Civil War. He called the “battle” a skirmish when compared to other conflicts during the war. He also brought several Civil War era relics from the Stephens Museum on the Fayette CMU campus, including a rifled musket, ammunition, and a five-shot Navy Colt Revolver. He has served as a member of the CMU faculty since 1974 and has been the curator of the Stephens Museum for many years.
Dr. Raymond Fleener from University of Missouri - Kansas City gave a vocal master class on April 23. Here he works with Aubrey Taylor, a member of the Chorale.
Invitational Brass Conference brings visitors to campus In late winter the music department sponsored a highly successful Invitational Brass Conference for area schools. Fully 89 high school students and 11 band directors participated this year. Five teachers of brass led seminars for groups. Each group of students got to work with a specialist in their instruments, rehearse, and
perform. Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia sponsored lunch. Students visited musicrelated exhibits and spent time with CMU Admissions. Professionals included Dr. John Perkins, Larry Bennett ’69, and Jackie Lordo, all of whom teach music at CMU; Paul Copenhaver, principal trumpet of the Columbia Community Band; and Brandon McDannald, currently teaching in Pilot Grove and performing with numerous professional groups.
DeGan-Dixon leads retreat Clockwise from bottom: Dr. John Perkins works with students on the use of their mouthpieces; a student tries out some new musical hardware at an exhibit; Jackie Lordo works with the tubas.
Early this semester Dr. Deborah DeGan-Dixon, CMU assistant dean of the central region of Missouri for the College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES), participated in a meeting of the Leadership Boonslick program. The program works to build strong leadership in Mid-Missouri. On this occasion, DeGan-Dixon administered and facilitated discussion of a program called StrengthsQuest, which identifies strengths and weaknesses of personal traits. She has also worked with the faculty and staff of CMU in Fayette with StrengthsQuest training.
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Mission trip 2012: Operation Comerío
by Brittanee Jacobs and Jacob Heppner, seniors
On March 12, 51 brave souls boarded a plane bound for San Juan, Puerto Rico. This was no ordinary spring break. There would be no alcohol, no late nights partying, no regrettable moments, broken teeth, or unwanted tattoos. No, this was a mission trip organized by CMU Chaplain Lucas Endicott with the intent of helping out a specific community: Comerío, Puerto Rico. After landing, we packed on a school bus with luggage and all. The journey from the San Juan Airport to Comerío was an interesting one. We all swear our bus driver could be on “Ice Road Truckers” due to the way he moved the bus around precarious mountain turns. We arrived at the Primera Iglesia Metodista de Comerío (First United Methodist Church of Comerío) about 3:45 p.m. After unloading our luggage, we piled back onto the bus before venturing to Los 2 Mangoes for our first authentic Puerto Rican meal. We quickly learned the island prides itself on fried foods, rice, chicken, and pork. Some of the braver souls tried some intestines, while those of lesser faith didn’t stray too far from the rice. After dinner, we returned to the church to choose rooms and unpack before having worship. Fitting 51 people into one church was a miracle in and of itself. Worship consisted of Shannon Endicott, Lucas’ wife, using her vast musical talents. This was followed by “God moments” where everyone shared where they thought they had seen God move during that day, whether seeing an act of kindness or seeing someone in a hard situation still fully trusting God. Following chapel, the whole “gringo” group migrated to the local grocery store to wipe the Gatorade aisle clean, as we were unused to the heat. The first night we slept in the church was a rendition of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the book of Daniel. Instead of being thrown in The group models their formal wear after the worship service at the Primera Iglesia Metodista on the final day in Comerío, Puerto Rico.
the oven by King Nebuchadnezzar, it was the complete opposite—the air conditioning unit on so low that we could almost see our breath. While King Nebuchadnezzar controlled Shadrach and his compadres going into the oven, Lucas Endicott controlled the thermostat. No angel came that night to save us from the icicles that saved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the flames. Students awoke on the first full day to mist surrounding the beautiful mountains and geckos on the walls next to them. Most students woke up early to jog around the city of Comerío and explore different areas. This led to hilarious interactions with local citizens due to a vast language barrier. Following breakfast, the whole group traveled to the cultural center for an overview of the city by the local government representatives. They showered us with gifts, hospitality, and a small brunch. This is where we first encountered “guiche,” a popular food in the town. This fried delicacy would haunt us the rest of the week. While some people love fried food, some of us don’t prefer it as the first thing to eat in the morning. After watching a video about Comerío, we were introduced to the best treat we had all week—tetitas. Then a Comerío government official, who we kindly nicknamed “flag lady,” provided us with a tour of the city. Our first “job” arrived after lunch. Eight of us were selected to work on a church up in the surrounding mountains. We spent the rest of the work day painting a church, macheteting trees, chain-sawing trees, and picking up trash. After a solid three hours of work, our “boss” showed us how to cut open a coconut using a machete. We drank the milk and ate the coconut. We also found a fruit that was much like a grapefruit mixed with an orange. The boss man even convinced Jacob to let a gecko bite his ear! It was only the first day, and we were creating memories to last a lifetime. We returned to the church for dinner and worship. Before heading to bed, we played a game to help us learn each other’s names. Thanks to Brittanee’s ingenuity, the game took an hour and a half to get through 51 people. Sense the sarcasm? If Tuesday was a day to get accustomed to the area and the people, then Wednesday was a full work day. We divided into groups to go do various jobs around town. Some of us went to work for the city of Comerío. Twenty of us were piled in the back of a flat-bed truck and driven through town. I’m sure it was the talk of the town and probably still is: “Hey did you see all the gringos herded into the back of the truck and driv-
en through town like sheep?” After another harrowing drive through mountainous roads, the groups spent four hours painting medians and plazas throughout the city. Another big project that occurred that day consisted of power-washing and painting a house next to the church in which we were residing. After the work day was done, a couple of us spent the rest of the afternoon lying on the roof of the church admiring the beauty of the view. At this moment I think most of us realized how beautiful the surrounding flora was. The mountains were shaded with the loveliest green and speckled with bright colors of red and yellow exotic flowers. The rainforest engulfed the region, adding to the beauty; but the city of Comerío seemed to be fighting a war against the encroaching rainforest. All the verbal explanations and pictures in the world do not do justice to the view. Many of us spent free time on top of the roof talking about how unreal it was to be in Puerto Rico and how excited we were for the upcoming week. One night there was a joint service between the Iglesia Catolica (Catholic Church) and the Primera Iglesia Metodista. The service was held on the side of a mountain with a gorgeous night view of the twinkling lights of Comerío below. The service began with several testimonies and prayer, which was really confusing for the non-Spanish speakers. However, the service quickly changed to a celebration when the music began. It seemed the crowd greatly appreciated us dancing because some even joined us. It was definitely an eye-opening experience, especially because the Methodist and Catholic churches worked together during the service. It is weird how stateside we have many denominations that are separated due to such infinitesimal differences in beliefs and yet in Comerío, Puerto Rico, that doesn’t hinder them from worshipping and praising our Lord. That is one idea I wish we would learn from Puerto Ricans. Working during the days consisted of many different types of jobs: from the always-loved painting jobs, to weed-eating around housing developments, rebuilding a local citizen’s floor, cutting a church’s grass with machetes. The nursing students, along with any others who wished to join, spent their days assisting local families. The group cleaned up trash around the neighborhood and school and also helped elderly folks in their houses. They also spent their afternoons praying with various residents of Comerío, which was an amazing evangelism opportunity. It wasn’t always “work, work, work,” though. There was a lot of free time to explore the city, shop in stores for souvenirs for parents and loved ones, and just enjoy the local culture. One day about ten students went to the river for the afternoon, and some even took part in jumping off a cliff into the river below. On Saturday, the tightly-packed bus took us to San
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Above: (from left) Phillip Willer, Joshua Bright, Lucas Endicott, Nick Beaty, and Kellie Handy begin the process of repairing the floor in a Comerío resident’s house.
Juan’s Isle Verde to spend the day at the beach. That afternoon after returning to Comerío, the pastor of the Primera Iglesia Metodista joked with us saying it should be called Isle Rojo because of how sunburnt we all were! After carefully showering and helping each other apply aloe vera, we walked down the road to the baseball stadium for a minor league game. Man, does Puerto Rico love baseball! Part of our group had to head to San Juan that night to catch their flight the next morning, so we returned early and had a short worship before calling it a day. God rested on the seventh day so we did, too. After church, we went our separate ways for lunch and returned to sleep for a few hours. We then had dinner as a group and cleaned the church before having an extended worship. We finished off the evening with a karaoke/ open mic night which was entertaining to say the least. It was an enjoyable night to sit back, relax, and laugh at ourselves and at each other. On the last day we were there, we cleaned up the rest of the church before loading into the cramped bus again bound for Old San Juan. Sightseeing and buying small knick-knacks filled the rest of our afternoon before loading up and heading for the airport to take us back stateside. Around 2:30 a.m. all of us finally reached Fayette and the comfort of our own beds, with memories to ponder for a lifetime.
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Who’s the richest person?
New Hall of Sponsors Scholarships
by Donna Merrell, vice president for Advancement and Alumni Programs
Students at Central will benefit from seven new Hall of Sponsors Scholarships established this fiscal year. With more than 96 percent of Central’s students receiving some form of financial assistance, these scholarships will meet needs. More students will be able to receive the quality education, the Central experience. Two of the new scholarships do not have names. One of those is by design; that is, the donor does not want to name the scholarship—because a scholarship made it possible for a family member to complete a degree at Central, there will now be an additional scholarship fund available for students. The second as yet unnamed scholarship was established by Robert M. Garst ’41 of Midland, Texas. This is the 11th scholarship he and his wife, Edith, have created at Central. The third scholarship is the result of gifts by the Class of 1959, which has established their twelfth Hall of Sponsors Scholarship. As in the past, class members and friends make donations to their scholarship fund. For each $100 contributed, the donor’s name is added to the drawing to decide for whom the scholarship will be named. A drawing was held during Alumni Weekend, creating the new Gene and Doris Biermann, Class of 1959 Hall of Sponsors Scholarship. They are already working on lucky scholarship number 13. Dennis Wilson McDaniel Scholarship In 1956 a four-year-old boy sat beside his mother in the waiting room of the doctor’s office, his legs crossed at the knee and his foot swinging. He looked around the office at all the people waiting and then announced, “I may not look like it but I’m the richest person here!” He then pulled out the wallet his grandmother had given him, opened it, and showed everyone the four pennies inside. That little boy didn’t go to college; he died in 1969 at age 16. Last fall his sister and brother-in-law, the Reverend Margie McDaniel Woods and the Reverend Dr. Robert Gail Woods, established a scholarship at Central in Dennis Wilson McDaniel’s name. It will enable a student with high financial need to stay in school and complete her or his degree. Neither of the Woods is an alumnus of Central, but Robert’s
grandmother attended Howard-Payne College prior to her marriage in 1905. An aunt, Emma Hanna, was one of the first female graduates of Central College. A nephew, Sean Pridgeon, graduated in 2008. However, their first strong connection to Central began to develop after Robert was drawn to the Methodist church and attended conferences on Central’s Fayette campus. He and Margie each have pastored several United Methodist Churches in Missouri. Margie has an M.Div. and Robert has a Ph.D. Now retired, they live in Lenoir Village in Columbia, Mo. The Woods realized a long-time dream in November when they established the scholarship in Margie’s brother’s name. They are delighted to be helping Central students in Dennis’ name.
David and Arlene Schinke Scholarship David ’63 and Arlene Schinke also realized a longtime goal in October when they established the David and Arlene Schinke Hall of Sponsors Scholarship to help first generation college students at Central. A physics major at Central, David earned his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. He has continued to use his programming skills on a part-time basis in retirement. He sang with the A Cappella Choir his first two years at Central and has participated in community choruses for much of his life. Arlene is a driving force in the Friends
of the Library in Georgetown, Texas, where they now live. Inspired by the charitable IRA rollover but too young to qualify, the Schinkes worked with Alan Marshall, director of development and alumni programs at Central, to establish the scholarship with a gift of mutual funds. A month later their daughter made a gift to the fund in honor of their birthdays.
Berry ’37 and Florence Puckett Morton ’37 Scholarship A Hall of Sponsors Scholarship in memory of Dr. Berry E. and Florence Puckett Morton, was created in December 2011, by their children, Berry E. Morton II, M.D.; Paul
E. Morton, M.D.; Lucinda (Cindy) Morton Williams ’71; John H. Morton; and William (Bill) P. Morton. Berry and Florence were members of Central’s class of 1937. Florence was a daughter of Central’s perennial Dean E.P. Puckett and a sister of Helen Puckett Thogmorton ’43, whose husband James ’43 (Dean T.) was a longtime administrator at Central. Florence and Berry had established a Hall of Sponsors Scholarship in 2007 in remembrance of Dean E. P. Puckett. Berry retired from Indiana State University after a career of teaching industrial arts, and Florence taught speech and English after graduating from Central. During the Vietnam War, Berry worked for the State Department, helping the people develop agriculture improvements. Florence lived in Bangkok, Thailand, and taught English as a second language. The Dr. Berry and Florence Puckett Morton Scholarship will assist a student at the sophomore and higher level who is majoring in speech and/or literature on the Fayette campus.
Carlton and Aliene Knight Scholarship Another Hall of Sponsors Scholarship was established in December 2011, through the estate of Carlton and Aliene Knight to assist a Missouri student attending Central. The Knights were born and raised in southwest Missouri: Carlton in Stoutland and Willard, and Aliene in Bois d’Arc. Together they served the Methodist (now United Methodist) Church in Missouri for 44 years. Carlton served as pastor at Wheaton, Springfield (St. Luke’s), Mansfield, Bolivar, Aurora, Lebanon, and Kansas City (North Cross). In addition, he was superintendent of the Marshall District before going to Kansas City. Throughout his ministry, Carlton worked with the youth of the church, even when he had an associate minister to do so. On retirement the Knights returned to Springfield where Carlton worked in the Kingsway church with visitation and confirmation classes. Aliene taught Sunday school when her sons, Carlos ’67 and Edwin ’73, were small. She was also involved in sewing and women’s service groups. Her hobbies included painting, sewing and quilting.
Riches, like beauty, may lie in the eye of the beholder. A four-year-old boy with four pennies in his wallet or a student receiving one of these scholarships, and thereby seeing opportunities ahead, can say, “I may not look like it, but I’m the richest person here.” And all those who made this possible smile and nod in agreement. This, too, is part of the Central experience.
New awards and endowments Dr. Ralph Knowles establishes endowment for chemistry A generous gift from Dr. Ralph E. Knowles ’49 has created an endowment for chemistry. The endowment has three purposes: (1) provide an annual Dr. Niels C. Nielsen Outstanding Chemistry Student Award ; (2) enable Gamma Sigma Epsilon, the chemistry honor society, to travel to scientific meetings or pay expenses for guest speakers on the Fayette campus; and (3) supplement funding for scientific instruments. Dr. Knowles studied at Central from 1946 to 1949, sharing a room with chemistry major Niels C. Nielsen. He then went to St. Louis University to enter dental school and completed his D.D.S. in 1953, the same year that Nielsen earned his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Dr. Knowles later earned a master of public health degree from the University of Michigan. Dr. Knowles was a professor of dentistry, teaching the preventative and administrative side of the field. He was associate dean at University of Tennessee College of Dentistry when he retired in 1992. He and his wife, Janet, moved to the Pensacola area to be closer to their son, Randall, who lived in New Orleans. Sadly, he died in 1996 and Janet died in 2009. When Alan Marshall, Central’s director of development and alumni programs visited Dr. Knowles in April 2010, Dr. Knowles told Alan that he and his wife had thought about making a gift to Central in honor of their dear friend, Niels Nielsen. He and Alan stayed in touch; and in the fall of 2011, Dr. Knowles came to campus to visit the chemistry department and meet Dr. James “Tiger” Gordon. After attending a science seminar and discussing needs for chemistry with Tiger, Dr. Knowles decided to create an endowment to serve the three purposes outlined above. He then made an additional gift so that the inaugural award could be given this spring in the presence of Dr.
Nielsen’s widow and children. March 31, 2012, was a very special evening as Knowles and the family of his longtime friend witnessed the presentation of the first award in his friend’s name.
Dr. Niels C. Nielsen Outstanding Chemistry Student Award The first element of Knowles’ endowment has come to fruition, the Dr. Niels C. Nielsen Outstanding Chemistry Student Award. Niels Nielsen ’49 emigrated with his family from Denmark in 1924; and after graduating from high school, he got a job as a laboratory technician at the same Dupont Chemical plant where his father was employed. In 1942, he entered the Army and was assigned to the medical service corps as a medical records specialist. When he was discharged in 1946, all the schools in his home region on the east coast were completely filled. However, he managed to locate a vacancy at a small liberal arts college in Fayette, Mo., called Central College, now CMU. Dr. Nielsen was able to complete his bachelor’s degree in chemistry in three years. Having some of his GI Bill money available for graduate school, he applied for and was accepted to the doctoral program in chemistry at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in the fall of 1949 and completed his Ph.D. in chemistry in 1953. Dr. Nielsen was then hired as an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Missouri - Columbia where he was immediately put to work teaching undergraduate chemistry. One of his students was a fiery redhead named Barbara Shipley. A few years later she had the opportunity to work for “Doc” Nielsen and their relationship grew. On December 27, 1956, they were married. Dr. Nielsen obtained a research position at Monsanto Chemical Company in St. Louis until an opportunity arose for him to return to Central Methodist College as chairman of the chemistry department. He and his family remained in Fayette until 1965 when he returned to an industry position. Dr. Nielsen retired from industry in 1982 but went on to do many other things, including teach at a men’s and women’s correctional facility, earn his certificate as an EMT I and become a certified nursing assistant. He passed away in 2009. Dr. Nielsen was a man of many talents and interests, but his greatest love was for those around Brad Dudenhoffer was awarded the first Niels Nielsen Outstanding Chemistry Award. He is flanked by Dr. Nielsen’s widow and Dr. Ralph Knowles ’49 who established the award.
given in honor of past Central students him, especially his family, friends, co-workers, and students. So, his college roommate and lifelong friend, Dr. Ralph Knowles, established the Dr. Niels C. Nielsen Outstanding Chemistry Student Award, which consists of a $1,000 cash award along with a name plate for the awardee placed on the perpetual plaque on display in Stedman Hall.
Dr. Glenn R. Joyce Memorial Award Dr. Glenn Joyce ’61 was a man of great talent and passion for life, family, and physics. When he died in December, his family elected to create the Dr. Glenn R. Joyce Memorial Award in honor of this great man, scientist, and alumnus of Central Methodist University. Dr. Joyce was born in 1939 in St. Louis. He attended high school in Sikeston, Mo., and went on to Central College, now CMU. He graduated magna cum laude with a BA, a major in physics and a minor in math in 1961. While at Central he was a member of Alpha Phi Gamma, Kappa Mu Epsilon and Omicron Delta Kappa, PanHellenic Council, and A Cappella Choir. Dr. Joyce earned a Ph.D. in physics at the University of Missouri in 1966. He became a full professor at the University of Iowa and later went to the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) where he was a senior research physicist. He authored more than 120 papers, received a number of awards at the Naval Research Laboratory, and became a fellow in the American Physical Society. Some of his most notable work was with the NRL on models for the ionosphere, which remains some of the most advanced in the world.
This new annual award goes to a junior or senior with a major in physics, mathematics, or science (listed in order of preference) selected by the faculty of the Division of Science, Math and Computer Science. The Joyce family has a long history with CMU. Dr. Joyce’s grandfather, mother and aunts, two sisters and wife all are Central graduates.
Paul A. Montemurro Award for Music
The Paul A. Montemurro Award was established this winter through gifts from alumni who were in Central’s band when Professor Montemurro ’58 was the director or who studied alongside him when he was a Central student. This new award will be given to a student who demonstrates the leadership for which “Prof” is known. The idea for the award resulted from the desire of a former student, John Cheary ’70, who wanted to honor appropriately the professor who had been his mentor and inspiration and who had done so much for the Central band. When Ron ’61 and Jenny ’60 Frede learned about his plans, they quickly agreed to help because they also had wanted to recognize their former bandmate who had contributed so much to “the best band.” Urgency was added when Cheary learned of Montemurro’s fragile health. He called or wrote to every band member who could be identified from Prof’s years. As alumni responded, names were shared with Professor Montemurro so he could enjoy remembering fellow alumni and former students. Montemurro came to teach at Central in 1967 and, according to his students from that time, sent band members into McMurry Hall to recruit freshmen for the band. He himself would look a high school student in the eye and say “You need Central and Central needs you.” When Accepting the Dr. Glenn R. Joyce Memorial Award is CMU Selecman winner he left Central five years later, ten percent of Central’s Jacob Heppner, second from right, with his parents Marcy (left) and Mark enrollment was in the band! Heppner, sister Emma Grace, and Dr. Joyce’s sister, Band alumni recall many special experiences with Carol Joyce ’63, who made the presentation. the band under Prof’s leadership, including going to MMEA for the first time, performing in Busch Stadium during a St. Louis Cardinals football game, and performing in the freezing cold in the old Kansas City stadium. When he directed the Concert Band’s performance at the Southwest Divisional Meeting of The Music Educator’s National Conference in Albuquerque, N.M., the standing ovation was overwhelming. Professor Montemurro left Central to go to Oklahoma State University where he continued his successful leadership of its band. Most recently, he was director of the band at Benton High School in St. Joseph, Mo. He continues to reside in St. Joseph. The first presentation of the Paul A. Montemurro Award will be in Spring 2013.
Campus news
Service Day 2012 More than 680 members of the CMU community participated in Service Day on April 12, including members from every athletic team and several fraternities and sororities. The CMU community served at 22 service projects in Fayette, Glasgow, Harrisburg, Boonville, and Columbia for a total of 2,000plus hours of community service.
Track team builds trail at DC Rogers Lake Eagle track and field student-athletes are used to working up a sweat, but this past spring they did it for the good of the public by building a new hiking trail. CMU Track Coach Christopher Sandefur made a proposal to the City of Fayette this spring to develop a walking/hiking trail at D.C. Rogers Lake, located a short distance west of Fayette. Owned and operated by the city, Rogers Lake features a 185-acre lake, a boat ramp, shooting range, disc golf course, fishing, and much more. Sandefur brought the idea to Fayette City Hall for consideration, and it was later approved. The proposal, he explains, will allow CMU students and area residents and families to use the trail for recreational activities. No funding comes from the city, and completion will be contingent on volunteer efforts, Sandefur notes, with completion anticipated this summer. The beauty of D.C. Rogers is what initially drew Sandefur to the idea. Additionally, the location has ample land with great opportunities for public use. He hopes the trail will provide enhanced leisure opportunities that will improve the quality of life for the residents of Fayette. 54
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Sandefur recently began tagging trees with orange hunting tape to mark the path, with the help of local runners Patrick Stroupe ’07 and J.B. Waggoner ’91. The three designed and planned the trail together. Physical work began as part of CMU’s Service Day.
ADP students, staff also volunteer In April, Adult Degree Program students, faculty, and staff at the St. Louis campus had an opportunity to provide servant leadership to Kingdom House in south St. Louis, which has provided childcare, food and clothing assistance, job training, youth and teen programs, and senior services to its neighborhood since 1902. It provides resources to help people become self-sufficient and economically independent. The United Methodist Church is a partner in supporting Kingdom House, and CMU is thrilled to participate as well. The volunteers spent the day working in the thrift store and food pantry, helping organize the resources to better serve patrons in the week ahead. The ADP volunteers were joined by Robert and Donna Puyear, who are both on the Board of Directors of Kingdom House. Donna also serves on the Board of Trustees for CMU. ADP students, faculty, and staff are holding a donation drive to collect items for the thrift store and food pantry.
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Campus news Nurses go the distance Nine students from the Master of Science in Nursing-Clinical Nurse Leader program attended Nurse Advocacy Day in Jefferson City in February. They reviewed the legislative process, met with legislators in the capitol, and heard presentations from state and national members of the nurses association. They were accompanied by Dr. Susan Devaney. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education recently approved accreditation for all of CMU’s bachelor and master nursing programs for the maximum allowable time of ten years. Photo, from left: Dr. Susan Devaney, Kristi Atkins, Cathie Grus, Erin Smith, Ashley Catry, Melissa Clark, Susanne Collins, Jeanetta Murphey, and Ayanna Williams. In front is Jen Raffaelli.
Career EXPO a success
Pratte honored
This year’s EXPO, sponsored by the James C. Denneny, Jr., Career Development Center, was a huge success and well received among students and employers. Overall, 50 employers and 200 students attended. Students took the opportunity to visit booths ranging from graduate schools, law enforcement, business, education, to non-profits. Students were encouraged to “Get in Gear” for their careers, dress professionally, and begin to make those important network connections with business professions.
CMU’s Jill Pratte, ATC, is the recipient of the NAIA-ATA Athletic Trainer of the Year Award. Recipients of this award have distinguished themselves as models of the athletic training profession in both personal conduct and professional allied health service to student- athletes. The recipient is chosen annually by the NAIA-Athletic Trainers Association (ATA). Pratte, a clinical coordinator and professor in the athletic training department at Central, has been an assistant athletic trainer at the University for 11 years. She oversees graduate assistants for men’s and women’s basketball and soccer. She also teaches full time and coordinates clinical experiences for upper-level athletic training students. She previously worked with men’s basketball, soccer and baseball; and she also continues to provide athletic training services for home games of men’s and women’s basketball and soccer, plus softball. Pratte also is the insurance administrator for all student-athletes at Central Methodist as well as the emergency awareness-AED coordinator for the entire CMU campus. Pratte led the charge to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on campus, helping the campus leadership
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and broader community understand the importance of AEDs. Thanks to Pratte’s efforts in educating the campus and community, Central now has 11 AEDs on campus. She is working to gain support for three more to assist the University in attaining full emergency preparedness. Pratte also volunteers her time to assist high school coaches and others in obtaining their CPR/First Aid/AED certifications. Pratte’s colleagues note that she spends a great deal of time promoting the field of athletic training, especially at the NAIA level, as well as providing great care to injured athletes and great advice to student athletic trainers. “Jill is a very caring, competitive and personable certified athletic trainer,” says Wade Welton, head athletic trainer at Central Methodist for 20 years. “She treats all athletes, no matter whether they are varsity or junior varsity, as one and the same, making all of their injuries important to her personally.” Pratte will be recognized at the NAIA-ATA Business Meeting in June in conjunction with the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Convention, held this year in St. Louis.
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Alumni news
Central alumnus finds passion in volunteer work by Heather Carlton, Advancement events planner
Volunteering his time to a good cause had been in the back of Jack Tickner’s mind for some time, but he had not yet reached a decision on what to do. He knew he wanted to help; he just wasn’t sure how. His answer came on a Sunday about a year and a half ago. Tickner ’50 was doing what he loved most on Sundays: heading to church for a morning filled with the Gospel. Little did he know, this wasn’t just any ordinary morning, but a day that would touch his life forever. As Tickner was pulling into the church parking lot, another car pulled up next to him. A very concerned looking woman with a child popped her head out, pleading for Tickner’s help. Her husband had lost his job, they had no money, and she needed food for her child. “I was skeptical at first,” Tickner says. “I wanted to make sure I wasn’t being panhandled.” But something was tugging at his heart—he felt the need to help this woman. Tickner had the woman follow him down the street to the grocery store where he bought the small family what they needed. As they were leaving, the grateful woman stopped Tickner and asked him a simple question. “May I pray for you?” Tickner was surprised at her request—she was going through hard times but still wanted to take the time to pray for him. He gladly accepted, and then the woman and her child were on their way. That morning at church, Rev. Susan Ledbetter of First United Methodist Church in Bentonville, Ark., gave a sermon on doing something meaningful with one’s life. “Don’t just sit there,” the preacher said. “Get outside of these four walls and do something.” Tickner knew those words were meant for him. “That message seemed to be looking right at me,” Tickner says. “I decided right then that I needed to get involved.” Between the sermon and his encounter with the struggling woman, Tickner knew it was time for him to start helping. Soon after, with his 45 years of legal experience as a lawyer, he joined the Court Appointed Special Adovates (CASA) Association as an advocate for children. CASA is an organization that helps protect abused and neglected children by promoting court-appointed volunteer advocacy. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over these children so they don’t get lost in the jungle of the legal system and to make sure they are living in a secure environment. Most children involved come from unhealthy surroundings involving illegal substances and abuse. Once an advocate is assigned to a child, she or he visits with them regularly and keeps in touch with anyone currently caring for the child (foster parents, doctors, teachers) to make certain the child’s needs are being met. “Basically, we CASA volunteers are sometimes the only constant contact these children have, and we’ll be there as long as they need us,” Tickner notes. 56
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Tickner currently advocates for an eight-yearold girl who was placed into foster care when her home was raided for drugs. Her mother is currently serving a two-year sentence. The young girl has been moved from foster home to foster home. She even lived with family members for a short time before they decided they weren’t able to care for her any longer. Tickner recalls trying to get in touch with the girl after being away on a trip, only to find she was no longer at that foster home. “She feels like nobody wants her,” Tickner says. “She’s sweet as can be. The idea that anyone would want to hurt her—I just can’t believe that.” But Tickner is hopeful the little girl has a bright future ahead. The first group of children he mentored ended up back in their mother’s care after she decided to get her life back on track. Tickner is optimistic this girl will receive a happy ending as well, and is working hard to find her a loving, stable home. Volunteering for CASA has impacted Tickner’s life in more ways than he imagined. “I grew up in a solid family. I never worried about food or a roof over my head,” Tickner says. “I took all of those things for granted, and now I’m seeing what this other world is like. It has helped me see another side of children.” Not only has he been able to make a difference in children’s lives, but Tickner also takes the opportunity to share his experience with others to bring awareness to the CASA Association. Through this, he hopes to garner new volunteers. Tickner encourages anyone interested in being a positive influence in a child’s life to volunteer, regardless of age or profession. “You won’t get paid for it,” he says. “You can’t go in expecting something in return. But you’ll have the satisfaction of helping a child.” Tickner hopes to volunteer as long as he is able. For now his age and health aren’t holding him back, and he will continue to fight for these children.
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Campus news
CMU going greener: plant operations and SIFE expand recycling program
by Brittanee Jacobs
From Central’s earliest days, green has been the primary color associated with the University. While this tradition lives on, CMU now promotes another “green” tradition. In recent years, Central Methodist University’s recycling efforts have been growing, from the food service’s Trayless Tuesdays to the recycling of fluorescent light bulbs. The latest step at making Central a more “green” institution is a joint effort. CMU’s Plant Operations department and Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) have advanced the University’s positive environmental impact by recycling hundreds of pounds of various products per week. SIFE is an organization of CMU business students that develops and implements programs to inform CMU students and the community about the free enterprise system. Director of Plant Operations Derry Wiswall has embraced SIFE’s ambitions for this project. Along with SIFE project managers Tom Walker and Kayla Sanders, Wiswall has partnered with Kit Brewer, recycling coordinator of Boonslick Industries (BI) to establish a long-term recycling program. Cardboard has been picked up at CMU by BI for several years; however, Brewer and Wiswall have expanded the program to include paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass.
GO BIG GREEN
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Spring 2012
Brewer’s team collects the recyclables every Friday. BI even donated recycling receptacles to be used throughout the campus, and trash bags, making the program costfree for Central. In the first week of collection at CMU, a total of 50 pounds of plastic, paper, and aluminum were collected. Eleven days later, the total weight was 72 pounds. The very next week the Above: Sophomore Brittany Boggs uses a number had tripled paper recycling receptacle in Smiley Library. to 210 pounds. This is one of seventeen new blue paper According recycling receptacles Plant Operations to Wiswall, the added on the Fayette campus. increase in total weight is directly related to the addition of new recycling receptacles, including seventeen blue plastic/aluminum containers and four paper containers. In January, fiber bins were picked up four times for a total of 9,180 pounds. The bagged items (plastic, paper, aluminum, and glass) have been collected three times for 1,437 pounds. Wiswall hopes to expand the recycling program even further. A short-term goal is to develop a better way to serve students in the residence halls. “More containers in more accessible areas will greatly increase the awareness of our community,” he says. “It is important to educate people on our attempts to be green.” The “green” movement gained momentum during the last academic year when the CMU Board of Trustees approached SIFE to craft a campus sustainability policy for the University. This task was accepted by the SIFE team and led by Danny Vachalek ’11. The SIFE team’s proposed sustainability policy was approved by the Board and President Inman and put into place.
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Campus news New Church Leadership major
Leadership camp for UMC youth
By Michael Pope, United Methodist Church liason
Central Methodist University added the Religion and Church Leadership major for the fall 2012 semester, according to Dr. Daryl Jefferies, associate professor of religion and chair of the Humanities Division. The idea for this new program started years ago during discussions with church and educational leaders, including CMU President Dr. Marianne Inman; Beverly Boehmer, coordinator for Youth and College Ministries; and Reverend Bob Farr, director of the Office of Congregational Excellence; both of the Missouri Conference of The United Methodist Church. “Central Methodist University has been preparing leaders in many professions, including the church, for more than 150 years,” President Inman concurs. “The needs of the church for contemporary leaders, both clergy and lay, now must be met through experience with multiple disciplines; thus, we have designed the major in Religion and Church Leadership.” Boehmer says, “Many churches are hiring lay staff in youth ministry, Christian education, and other areas of the church that are not clergy. Persons with this training will make excellent candidates for such positions, providing churches with leaders with solid backgrounds and experiences.” Farr observes, “Today’s 21st century church needs leaders who can lead effectively, which means they must be trained in a multi-disciplinary way to meet the needs and challenges facing our churches.” Dr. David Kerr ’67, retired pastor and CMU Board of Trustees member, points out, “My educational background at Central was foundational. My major in business administration, along with a minor in economics, provided me with tools that I heavily leaned upon. The new religion and church leadership major provides a well-rounded exposure for future leaders. My hope is that students will come to CMU and have decades of service to be used of God to change the world.” In this new major, students will take a core set of classes to establish a foundation in biblical studies. They will take a variety of electives in religion and other disciplines to round out their knowledge of cultural and social dynamics and of ethics. Students will also learn skills in communication and management to help them succeed in leading ministry programs. The major was designed with practical ministry in mind. Lucas Endicott, CMU chaplain, explains, “This major provides students the kind of multi-disciplinary approach that is necessary for pastoral ministry. CMU is committed to equipping the next generation of church leaders, and this major is helping lead the way.” More information regarding this new major can be found on the CMU website: www.centralmethodist.edu. 58
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A youth camp to help develop future leaders in the United Methodist Church is being offered June 22-24 on the campus of Central Methodist University. “Youth have great capability to lead. With training and by empowering to lead the ministries for, with, and by, youth can explode,” said Beverly Brase Boehmer ’68, director of youth and college ministries for The Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church and a conference organizer. “When youth take leadership, their own spiritual growth deepens,” Boehmer added. Targeted at UMC youth who completed grades 9-12 during the last school year, the camp is a mix of teambuilding, worship, in-depth instruction, and fun. Campers will stay in residence halls on the Central Methodist campus and learn from a variety of session leaders. Session topics include Exploring Leadership; Leaders Know Themselves; Leaders Know God; Leaders are Learners; Leaders Love Others; and Leaders Lead Now. Speakers include Lucas Endicott, CMU campus minister; Karen Hayden, director of pastoral excellence, Missouri Conference; Lee Walz, director of camping and retreat ministries; Claire Smith, director of youTheology at Saint Paul School of Theology; Michael Pope ’77, UMC liaison at Central Methodist; and Boehmer.
we want your address! Now is a great time to send your updated email address to CMU! Central emails monthly enewsletters along with event invitations, announcements, and other notifications. Contact Heather Carlton at hcarlton@centralmethodist.edu to be added to the list or update your profile on the CMU Eagle Connection at http://cmalumni.centralmethodist.edu. (We will never share your information without your permission!)
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Campus news Leadership Institute draws crowd
CMU Chaplain to lead Fayette UMCs
The fifth annual United Methodist Church Leadership Institute at Central Methodist University drew a record crowd in early May, and participants had a chance to listen to two United Methodist Bishops. A crowd of approximately 215 from across Missouri flocked to the CMU Student and Community Center. Bishop Will Willimon (photo, right) of the North Alabama conference was featured, and his presentation was titled “The Greatest Challenges of Leadership in the Name of Jesus.” Also speaking was Bishop Robert Schnase of the Missouri Conference (photo, right). The event was coordinated by Michael Pope ’77, CMU’s liaison with the UMC. President Marianne Inman gave the welcome and an update on CMU, and Campus Chaplain Lucas Endicott presented the opening prayer.
The Rev. Lucas Endicott, currently chaplain for Central’s Fayette campus, is about to see his job description expand considerably. In April, with the support of United Methodist District Superintendent Rev. Lynn Dyke, the Missouri Conference, and both Fayette United Methodist Churches, Linn Memorial and St. Paul, the structure of the local ministry altered. The UMC ministers in Fayette are moving to new locations, so Endicott will become the senior pastor for both churches and continue as leader of Central’s campus ministry. He will be assisted by pastor Jacob Schneider, who is finishing his seminary studies at Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky. Schneider is originally from St. Joseph, and his father, Tom Schneider ’68, is a CMU alumnus. Endicott will serve as the “visionary” leader for the University and both churches. He will continue to lead the Tuesday voluntary chapel services on campus and will preach alternately between St. Paul and Linn. Schneider will preach the service at the other church each Sunday, alternating with Endicott, and will work with various committees and councils of both congregations. Becky Kendrick, the chair of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee of Linn says, “We see great potential and opportunity to grow the faith and introduce Jesus Christ to members of the Fayette community and surrounding area . . . and look forward to seeing the United Methodist faith thrive in our community.”
Millersburg Preschool Comes to Visit In an annual rite of spring, Dr. Sherri Griffin, professor of early childhood education, brought students from her Millersburg Preschool to visit the Central Methodist early childhood students. Energy filled the day as CMU students observed Griffin working with students (left photo). Each set of students had plenty of time to interact with the others and learn from the experience. In the right photo, small groups of older and younger students play together. One of the assignments later was to draw something from the Stephens Museum of Natural History, as the four focused young men are doing in the middle photograph.
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Lady Eagles Softball soars on field, in classroom
by Kent Propst, executive director of Marketing Communications
A year ago the 2011 CMU softball team played a lot of smart ball enroute to a 41-15 record—no surprise, given the team’s overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.627. This spring, the 2012 squad of Coach Pat Reardon did even better on the field, and while final grades were not in at Talon press time, it’s a safe bet they exhibited similar talent on the academic side of the scorecard. The 2011 Lady Eagles’ classroom skills have earned them recognition as having the highest team grade point average in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the thirdhighest GPA among all university and college softball teams in the nation. The 2012 team was 40-12, nationally ranked at #20 at press time, and headed for the NAIA national softball tournament for the first time in 30 years. The team was both the regular season and post-season Heart of America Athletic Conference champions for
the first time in four years. This despite early struggles against a tough schedule that at one point saw the CMU record at 129, including a forfeit win. But the women caught fire after that, going 16-2 in the conference to claim the regular season title. The NAIA national softball tournament began May 17 in Gulf Shores, Ala. For their 2011 season, Reardon and the Lady Eagles were honored last winter by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association at its annual convention in Las Vegas. More than 1,200 softball coaches were on hand for the event. Thirteen members of the 2011 team achieved a 3.50 GPA or better, and expectations were high for another successful season on the field and in the classroom this spring: 10 of the scholar-athletes were back in 2012. The Lady Eagles finished 2011 as the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) regular-season
Marjorie Lusby pitches a winning game.
champion as well as runner-ups in the HAAC postseason tournament. In addition to their overall record of 41-15, their conference mark was 16-4. “This is an outstanding accomplishment for this program,” Reardon said. “We have set a high standard both on the field and off, and it is nice for these players to be recognized for their hard work and dedication.” The scholar-athletes from 2011 who were back for more this year included sophomores Briana Kirkland,
Head Coach Pat Reardon poses with a plaque commemorating the highest GPA in the NAIA by the CMU Softball Eagles. As a coach, Reardon surpassed the 500-win milestone in 2012, becoming only the second coach in league history to do so. He currently ranks second in HAAC history in wins.
Megan Robbins, Aubrey Utley, and Melanie Wilmsmeyer; juniors Brook Brandt (who was injured and redshirted this year), Courtney Dennis and Erika Reinagel; and seniors Kelsey Johnley, Rebecca Lipsey, and Kayla Yount.
Above: Kelsey Johnley (#8) steals another base on her way to setting a new Eagles record for stolen bases.
Left: Erika Reinagel (#4) crosses home plate to team congratulations from Rebecca Lipsey (#21) and Kerri Francis (#1).
Athletics
Eagle Athletics Fuemmeler new cheer/dance coach at CMU The new cheer and dance coach at Central Methodist University comes with most impressive credentials. And Terin Fuemmeler has the enthusiasm to match. Fuemmeler, who began work at CMU April 26, has most recently been the cheer coach for the Glasgow High School Yellowjackets. But not long ago, she was on the football sidelines as a cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs. And before that, the Olathe, Kan. native was a Kansas University Crimson Girl and Spirit Squad member. She is a KU graduate. “Cheer and dance have been my life, from high school through college and at the professional level,” Fuemmler says. “I love it. The students here will gain so many different skills they can use, no matter what they choose to do in life.” Fuemmeler will coach and supervise both CMU’s cheerleaders and its dance team. Yet the job involves much more than choreography and technique, though those are certainly important parts of it. She will also be expected to actively recruit new members to the two squads, and monitor the academic
performance of members of both groups. Fundraising and budget management are important elements, too. “I like the way the position is structured,” Fuemmeler says. “It’s an enormous load, but I will give it everything I have in me – it’s going to be great.” Fuemmeler will also teach classes for CMU. It’s a good thing Fuemmeler has an abundance of energy, because in addition to her new opportunity at Central Methodist, she and husband Josh have other demands for their time, three in particular: daughter Tenley (2½) and seven-month-old twins Tyley and Trey. “I want to grow the cheer and dance programs at CMU, and make them something that young women and men want to come here for,” she says. “I want the University to be proud of the program and I want the students to be just as proud. This is an incredible opportunity.”
Spirit Squad The Central Methodist Spirit Squad participated in the 2012 Heart of American Athetic Conference Championships in February at MidAmerican Nazarene. The Eagles took second place in all-girl cheer, mascot, and hip-hop competitions. Central Methodist placed third in the open dance category. For their outstanding effort, the Eagles received a bid to the 2012 NCA/NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship in Daytona, Fla., in April.
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Baseball The Central Methodist baseball team finished in second place in the Eastern Division of the Heart of America Athletic Conference and advanced to the Championship Game of the HAAC Tournament. Central Methodist opened the tournament with a 6-5 win over No. 23 MidAmerica Nazarene. Trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Eagles rallied for five runs. Central Methodist also defeated Evangel 7-5 and Avila 10-3 in the tournament. Central Methodist swept a four-game series over Missouri Valley and took three-of-four against Graceland and Evangel. Late in the season, the Eagles went 13-3 during a stretch of 16 games. Central Methodist catcher Daniel Peters won HAAC Player of the Week on March 5 after the Eagles swept a three-game series against Roosevelt. Drew Greiwe won HAAC Pitcher of the Week on April 9 after the Eagles took three-of-four against Graceland. Greiwe was named to the All-Conference first team. Peters and center fielder Dustin Ray were voted to the AllConference second team. Third baseman Mike Allen and designated hitter Brennen Wood were tabbed honorable mention All-HAAC. Right fielder Matt Gessner was named to the Gold Glove Team.
Softball The Central Methodist softball team won its second straight HAAC regular-season championship and third in the past five years while also capturing the league’s tournament championship with a 4-1 win over Baker. The Eagles were ranked No. 20 in the country and qualified for the NAIA National Championship for the second time in school history and first since 1981. Aubrey Utley and Michele Rupard were named HAAC Pitcher and Freshman of the Year, respectively. Pat Reardon was named Coach of the Year for the second straight season. Utley and Rupard were joined on the All-Conference first team by catcher Rebecca Lipsey, first baseman Kayla Yount, and outfielder Kelsey Johnley. Designated player Bri Ford was named to the All-Conference second team. Shortstop Jacqulin Cappuccilli, outfielder Erika Reinagel and designated player Courtney Dennis were honorable mention selections. Reinagel was also named to the Gold Glove team. Johnley set the school’s new career records for runs scored (144) and stolen bases (61). Utley set a new single-season school record for wins (25). Reardon surpassed the 500-win milestone in 2012, becoming only the second coach in league history to achieve the feat. He currently ranks second in HAAC history in wins. Utley was twice named HAAC Pitcher of the Week. The first time was on March 12 after she picked up a pair of victories and threw a no-hitter against NCAA Division II Southwest Baptist. She also won the award on April 16 after winning four games in the span of a week, including two against No. 20 Evangel. Ford was voted HAAC Player of the Week on April 2 after the Eagles posted a 5-1 record in the span of six days.
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Track and Field - Indoor Highlights abounded for the Central Methodist track and field teams throughout the indoor season. The Eagle women defeated Illinois College and placed second in the HAAC Indoor Championships, while the men also placed second at the conference meet. Central Methodist had athletes win many HAAC weekly awards. Kiefer Smith was named HAAC Indoor Field Athlete of the Week on January 23 and February 6. Lucas Manring was voted HAAC Indoor Track Athlete of the Week on January 30. Kate Fulton was named HAAC Indoor Field Athlete of the Week on January 30. Rebeca Barajas was voted HAAC Indoor Field Athlete of the Week on February 6. Central Methodist had four women and one man qualify for the 2012 NAIA Indoor National Championships. Central Methodist totaled four All-America honors after the event. On the women’s side, Barajas finished in sixth place in the pentathlon on the first day of the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships, becoming an All-American in the event. With her sixth place finish she tallied 3,267 points, setting a new school record. Barajas recorded personal bests in three out of the five events. She set a new school record in the 60 meter hurdles, clocking a time of 9.3 seconds; she also recorded a throw in the shot put of 8.02 meters and ran the 800 meter dash in a time of 2:27.57. In the long jump and high jump, Barajas recorded solid performances of 5.04 meters and 1.59 meters, respectively. Barajas earned All-America honors for the second time by placing eighth in the triple jump, posting a leap of 11.31 meters. Shelby Garrigus placed 16th with a leap of 10.85 meters. Fulton, competing in the high jump, was able to overcome an injured jumping foot to place fifth in the event. She earned All-America honors for the second straight year. Kelly Klusmeyer placed 15th in the shot put with a toss of 12.86 meters. On the men's side, Manring finished second in the 800 meter run, posting a new school record time of 1:50.16. The Stockton, Mo., native placed just .02 seconds behind the national champion, Jarrod Morris of Wayland Baptist, on his way to All-America honors.
Men’s Basketball The Central Methodist men’s basketball team finished the 2011-12 season with a 14-15 overall record and was 8-10 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The Eagles won five of their last seven games to make the HAAC Tournament Quarterfinals. Melvin Tillman, Eric Franklin and Elliott Black were named to the 2012 All-HAAC Men's Basketball Teams. Tillman was voted to the third team. Franklin and Black were Honorable Mention selections. Tillman was fourth in conference play in assists per game with 3.92. He was 19th in scoring in the league at 11.28 points per contest and had a career-high 33 at Baker in the last regular season game. Franklin ranked second in the league in steals per game with 2.68. He was third in three-point field goal percentage, hitting 40.2 percent of all attempts from beyond the arc. He was 15th in scoring in the HAAC with 11.76 points per game. Black ranked 12th in the HAAC in scoring with 12.07 points per game. He was eighth in offensive rebounds per game with 2.11.
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Track and Field - Outdoor The CMU track and field teams continued their dominance in the outdoor season as they did during indoor competition. The Eagle women’s and men’s teams each placed second in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships. The Eagles also won the CMU Open, and each team placed second in the CMU Invitational. Central Methodist won numerous HAAC weekly awards. Curtis Bedor won HAAC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week on March 19. Lucas Manring and Carey Nolan won the award on April 9 and April 16, respectively. Jordan Kukal won HAAC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week three times, which came on March 19, April 9, and April 16. Kaitlyn Loeffler won HAAC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week on March 19. Kelly Klusmeyer was named HAAC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week on March 19 and April 9. Kate Fulton won HAAC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week on April 16. During the season, Klusmeyer broke the school records in the shot put with a toss of 11.87 meters and in the discus with a throw of 42.25 meters. Melissa Morrow set a school-record and National B Qualifier mark in the hammer throw after a toss of 48.55 meters. Shelby Garrigus had in the long jump a mark of 5.78 meters, which was a National “A” Qualifier, new school record, and currently ranks second in the NAIA. Amber Beaverson finished the 3,000 meter steeplechase in 11:44.74, establishing a new school record. Rebeca Barajas finished the heptathlon with 4,267 points, setting a new school record and national qualifying mark. On the men’s side, Drew Hinton established a new school record in the decathlon, scoring 4,562 points and a national qualifying mark. On the men’s side, Manring in the 800 meter dash had a time of 1:50.89, posting a National “A” Qualifier. Kukal threw the discus 51.44 meters, which currently is third in the NAIA.
Women’s Basketball The Central Methodist women’s basketball team finished the 2011-12 season with a 17-13 overall record and was 13-5 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, good for third in the league standings. In his first season on the sidelines of Puckett Field House, James Arnold wasted little time in turning around the Eagle program. Inheriting a team that won just five games the previous season, Coach Arnold and his staff increased CMU’s win total by 12, marking the second greatest turnaround in NAIA Division I women’s basketball regular season history. During the 2011-12 campaign Central Methodist spent three weeks receiving votes in the NAIA Division I National Poll for the first time in school history. Picked by the Heart of America Athletic Conference coaches to place ninth in the pre-season poll, the Eagles stormed up the standings to finish third, just two games out of first place. Their 17 wins overall, third place finish, and 13 league wins were by far the most in a decade and the most since moving up to NAIA Division I. For this effort, Coach Arnold received HAAC Co-Coach of the Year Honors while junior Towanda Sutton and sophomore Samantha Gathercole were named second and third team All-HAAC, respectively. Sutton was named the HAAC Player of the Week on January 9. Gathercole won the honor on Febuary 6. Sami Dunger finished her career as the school’s seventh all-time leading scorer with 1,309 points. The Eagles continued their stellar performance off the court as well by leading the nation with six Daktronic NAIA Scholar-Athletes in Catherine Kyle, Alexa Fox, Kristin Willer, Sarah Foster, Raylyn Nuss, and Brittney Hotsenpiller.
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Golf The Central Methodist men’s and women’s golf teams concluded the 2011-12 season in the first week of May at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships. The men’s team placed fourth, while the women’s team came in sixth. Ty Lieberman carded a 236 over the course of two days for the men. Brad Howell finished tied for 16th overall after firing a 246 after three rounds. Tyler Peasel was tied for 18th after shooting a 247. Nathaniel Oliver came up with a 250 on the Par-71 Course, while Wesley Sowell shot a 268. Kelli Esquivel led the women’s team and finished tied for 13th overall, firing a 187. Jessie Norton placed tied for 17th after compiling a 194. Kayla Esquivel was 20th overall, shooting a two-day score of 197. Mallorie Renth finished 24th with a 210. Both teams competed in the Spring since the beginning of March. The Eagle men finished second in the Eagle Open and third in the Missouri Valley Spring Invite, while the women’s highlight was a second place finish in the Missouri Valley Spring Invite. On the men’s side of the Eagle Open, Lieberman finished third overall, and Central Methodist’s “A” team placed second overall. Lieberman finished the two-day event with a 146. Oliver was second on the team and tied for seventh overall with a two-day total of 152. Brad Howell fired a 157. Austin Rapp, who shot a 74 on Monday, Peasel and Sowell each tallied a combined score of 159 to round out the top four from both the “A” and “B” squads. For the women’s team in the Missouri Valley Spring Invite, Kelli Esquivel and Jessie Norton took eighth and ninth place overall, respectively. Esquivel shot an 89 on the final day of the tournament to finish with a 180. Norton carded a second-day 89 to post a 182.
Spring HAAC Athletes-of-the-Week Baseball Daniel Peters - March 5 Drew Greiwe - April 9
Lucas Manring - Jan. 30
Women’s Basketball Towanda Sutton - Jan. 9 Sammie Gathercole - Feb. 6 Men’s Basketball Eric Franklin - Feb. 20 Softball Aubrey Utley - March 12, April 16 Bri Ford - April 2 Men’s Track & Field, Indoor Kiefer Smith- Jan. 23, Feb. 6 66
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Men’s Track & Field, Outdoor Curtis Bedor - March 19 Jordan Kukal - March 19, April 9, April 16 Lucas Manring - April 9 Carey Nolan - April 16 Women’s Track & Field, Indoor Kate Fulton - Jan. 30 Rebeca Barajas - Feb. 6 Women’s Track & Field, Outdoor Kaitlyn Loeffler - March 19 Kelly Klusmeyer - March 19, April 9 Kate Fulton - April 16 Central Methodist University
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Athletic Awards
Estes Prize In Athletics Tyler Belt
Darla Pannier Outstanding Female Athlete Rebeca Barajas
James M. Luetjen Award Aubrey Utley
Cavanah True Eagle Award Jacob Heppner
Moz Rahmatpanah Champions of Character Coach Award Fred Smith Champions of Character Student Award Jacob Heppner Champions of Character Team Award Football Team Poage Award Cody Davis
Find the Eagles Online! Eagle Athletics website: www.cmueagles.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/cmathletics Twitter: twitter.com/cmueagles LiveStream: www.ustream.tv/centralmethodist Eagle Updates: text scores for your favorite Eagle sports. Sign-up at www.cmueagles.com.
Spring 2012
21st annual
Luetjen Tournament July 13, 2012 Hail Ridge - Boonville For questions or to register, contact: Sherry Wells at 660-248-6346 or swells@centralmethodist.edu Register online at: http://cmalumni.centralmethodist.edu/luetjen12
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Athletics
Coach of the Year honors First year CMU women’s basketball coach, James Arnold (photo, right), was voted 2011-12 Heart of America Athletic Conference Co-Coach of the Year. Arnold led the Eagles to a 17-12 overall regular season record, including a 13-5 mark in conference play. The 13-5 record landed Central Methodist in third place in the final standings. The 17 wins, 12 more than the previous season, ranks the team third in NAIA history for win improvement between two seasons.
Stroupe makes World Cup team
Homecoming 2012
Former Central Methodist track and field national champion and All-American Patrick Stroupe has qualified for Team USA after participating in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Cup Trials. A total of 16 competitors took part in the trials. On the men's side, Trevor Barron was the top American finisher in the 20 Kilometer Racewalk. He will be joined in the event at the World Cup by Stroupe, Tim Seaman, Nick Christie and Dan Serianni. Stroupe won the 2011 United States Indoor National Title in the 3,000 Meter Racewalk. Stroupe, who completed his collegiate career in 2007, was a five-time NAIA national champion and eight-time NAIA All-American in the indoor and outdoor Racewalk during his time in Fayette. He won back-to-back indoor titles in 2006 and 2007 and outdoor championships in 2004, 2006 and 2007. Stroupe was also a Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete in cross country and track and field at Central Methodist. Team USA competed for the 25th IAAF World Race Walking Cup, scheduled for May 12-13 in Saransk, Russia, in both the 10 km and 20 km events.
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October 12-14 Come home to Central for a great weekend! Some events planned during Homecoming: - Informal, all-class social hour on Friday evening - Parade (free cocoa and donuts on the square) - Dedication of Classic Hall - Football game - Special class gatherings - Much more! Special Reunion Classes: 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987,1992, 1997, 2002, & 2007
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theme is
90’s TV
The full schedule will be available at: http://cmalumni.centralmethodist.edu/HC12
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Alumni news
Alumni gatherings One never knows where Central Methodist University might show up! The Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations has been busy hosting gatherings for alumni and friends that provide an opportunity to take a walk down memory lane with old friends while meeting new ones and learning more about what is currently happening at Central. Stephanie Lewis, director of development; Alan Marshall, director of development and alumni programs; and Donna Merrell, vice president for advancement and alumni relations, along with the assistance of some wonderful alumni, have hosted several gatherings including Third Thursday Gatherings in the greater Kansas City and St. Louis metro areas as well as events at State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Mo., and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Above: Alumni met in St. Charles, Mo., at the Grappa Grille. From left: Gene Potts ’62, Lee Potts ’63, Jenny Preston ’61, Dick Bailey ’84, Bob Felt ’50, Fae Ragsdale Felt ’54, Jane Williamson Paeth ’66, J.B. Loewenstein ’68, Al Griese ’68, Kevin McClain ’89, and Susan Brandt ’78.
Be sure to watch the Central Alumni Events page, http://cmalumni.centralmethodist.edu/events for details about future events. If you would like to host a gathering in your home, at your office, or at a public place in your area, please contact the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations by calling 877-CMU-1854, ext. 56234. Heather Carlton, events coordinator, will be more than happy to assist you. Mark your calendar for one of our upcoming events. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Left: In February, CMU alumni attended a play in St. Louis. Among the participants (with an actor from the play at left) were (l-r) Mindy Gregory ’93, Mike Auchly ’92, Judy Engel Rethwish ’65, Shirley Wegener Westlake ’57, Margaret Lippelman Knapp ’64, and Stephanie Lewis.
Right: Alumni gathered in April at the Classic Cup in Kansas City, Mo. From left: Ilene Morrison House ’50, Eleanor Rudd Calvert ’52, David Bandy ’66, Lee Smith ’07, Sam Yankee ’59, Rev. L. Kyle Hern ’73, Alan Marshall ’92, Heather Gibson ’09, Nancy Yuelkenbeck ’78, and Dr. Marianne Inman, president of Central Methodist University. Attending but not pictured were Mark ’84 and Sadonna Conarroe, Donta Hubbard ’98, Jane Crigler ’61, and Mike Hackley ’73.
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To the CMU Alumni: “You Can Leave Central, but Central Will Never Leave You” was the theme of our Distinguished Alumni Celebration that recognized Dr. Carl “Bevo” Lester, Dr. Brett Ziegler, and Young Distinguished Alumnus Lathem Scott on April 28. Central’s alumni are the heritage of the institution, and it is important to recognize their accomplishments and achievements to society. A special thank you to the CMU Alumni Board for making this gala special, and to Donna Merrell, vice president of Advancement and Alumni Relations, and her staff for making this event a reality. Our hope is that more and more alumni will come back and add support to CMU. You will find a Distinguished Alumni nomination form at: http://cmalumni.centralmethodist.edu/awards. Think of those you know who would be worthy of this award and make a nomination on the form found there, or contact Alan Marshall, director of development and alumni programs, at 660-248-6260 or agmarsha@centralmethodist.edu. We are already planning for next year’s award event. Another project of the Alumni Board is a fundraising effort for the CMU Alumni Association. We have secured the rights to the beautiful photo of T. Berry Smith Hall, taken by Notley Hawkins, that graced the cover of Talon in Fall 2010. You may purchase your very own print of this lovely, memory-evoking image while supporting the Central Methodist Alumni
Association at the same time. Look for the advertisement on page 42 of this Talon issue for more information. As we are trying to involve as many alumni as possible, I am happy to report that we have a full Alumni Board with 19 members, plus four advisory members who will work on special projects. The Board plans to hold a retreat this August to plan for next year’s activities. We are always looking for new members, and you can indicate your interest by emailing me at judyreth@aol.com. There are many events for alumni to visit at CMU. If you have not seen the campus recently, you will surely love seeing it again. Remember, when you first chose Central, you also chose many lifetime friends. We are all the heritage and the legacy that is Central Methodist University. And as Central will not leave us, neither do we ever truly leave Central. We look to you to keep Central and those friendships strong.
From the Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner (l-r): President Marianne Inman; Dr. Brett Ziegler and Dr. Carl “Bevo” Lester, the Distinguished Alumni; Distinguished Young Alumnus Lathem Scott; and Judy Rethwisch, CMU Aumni Association president. (See article, p. 12)
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Alumni news Newsmakers Dr. Richard Dalton ’48 and wife Virginia “Ginny” celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in October 2011. Pat (Brown) Robertson ’49 and husband Ed were honored March 4 at the Church of the Resurrection as the choir debuted an anthem in honor of their 60th wedding anniversary. The piece was commissioned by their daughter, Libby, and her husband, Brad Bergman. Daniel Schores ’50 was inducted into the Pi Gamma Mu Hall of Fame in the fall of 2011. Pi Gamma Mu is an international honor society in social sciences. Marilyn (Gaddis) Rose ’52 was honored in a Festschrift, a celebratory publication of her work by others, at Hunter College in April 2012. Bobby Ray Grove ’53 celebrated his 80th birthday in October 2011, at a large party with his family and friends. Jim Hardy ’54 and wife Carolyn were selected as the February 2012 Seniors of the Month by Twin Pines and KTVO for their volunteer work with the United Way and other organizations. They reside in Kirksville, Mo. Bea Jackson ’54 is teaching fractions and English to the housekeeping staff in her retirement community in Sun City Center, Fla. Donald Michie ’57 and two colleagues were honored by the Society of Biblical Literature at its annual meeting in San Francisco, Calif., celebrating the 30th anniversary publication of their work on the gospel of Mark, Mark as Story: An Introducton to the Narrative of a Gospel. Fred Bergsten ’61 was appointed to the Advisory Committee of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Roland Love ’61 presented a workshop at KCPT–PBS–TV titled “Children Writing Their Parents’ and Grandparents’ Life Stories.” Kenneth O’Brian ’64 was elected the mayor of Fayette, Mo., in April 2012. Clyde Lear ’66 was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in January 2012. He is the retired Chairman and CEO of Learfield Communications, Inc. Pat (Jordan) Hilgedick ’72 was chair for the Holiday House 2011 in Fayette, Mo. Jerry Longwell ’55 was inducted into the HurstEuless-Nedford Independent School District Hall of Fame in Bedford, Texas, in 2011.
Melinda Elmore ’63 volunteers at Southern Boone (Mo.) Public Schools working with “at-risk” middle schoolers. She was recently awarded the 2011 Hero Award in Education and Literacy by the Columbia Tribune.
Cliff Wagner ’79 was remembered March 25, 2012, at a memorial tribute show in Branson, Mo., to raise money for the Christian Action Ministries, Hope Center, and Cross Roads Food Pantry. Wagner was a longtime emcee at Presley’s Jubilee and a performer at the Old Starlight Theatre before his death in 2004.
Ginger Royston ’71 was honored by the Northeast District and Junior High Choir Clinic who commissioned, dedicated, and sang a song for her at the Moberly Area Community College Activities Center in April. Avian Bear ’74 was named to the “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” list in the December 2011 edition of School Band & Orchestra. One band or orchestra director was chosen from each state. Dennis and Colleen (Hagerla) Pease, both class of ’75, have moved from Goleta, Calif., to Columbia, Mo. Dennis is working at the University of Missouri as a research scientist in the Electrical Engineering Department. Colleen can be reached at lavmo4@gmail.com.
Kevin Freeman ’88 has been named the superintendent of the Mexico Public Schools in Mexico, Mo. Dianna “Dee Dee” (Hart) Shelton ’88 was honored as outstanding volunteer by the Jefferson City Public Schools Foundation in October and was inducted into the Hall of Leaders Class of 2011. She is married to Jay ’86 and they have two children, Kate and Ross. Jeff Arrigo ’89 graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with his MATESOL degree. He is currently teaching adult ESL at The English Center USA in Champaign, Ill.
David Williams ’76 is the director of Health, Safety, Security, Environmental and Risk Control Management for VECA Electric and Communications. VECA is a $200 million electrical and technologies corporation based in Seattle, Wash.
Andy Upham ’91 is an advisor for Columbia College in Columbia, Mo. GySgt Michael Maschmeier ’92 and wife Rebecca (Woods) ’93 live in Havelock, N.C., where Michael is stationed at Marine Air Station Cherry Point as the Enlisted Conductor of the Band.
Mary Beth (Crocker) Dearing ’77 and her husband, Tom, took the re-creation cruise to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Debbie (Eaton) Drane ’77 is an administrator at the Fayette Caring Center in Fayette, Mo.
Mindy Gregory ’93 was recently honored for 15 years of service to the St. Charles School District.
Susan Maier ’78 is an adjunct instructor for Fayetteville Technical Community College in Fayetteville, N.C.
Freddy Allen ’94 and Amy Armstrong released a new CD in April 2012, “We Get Along.”
Carolyne (Wilder) Peery ’80 celebrated 10 years with the Holiday House in Fayette, Mo.
Len Barry ’94 was named a “Top 40 Under 40” Community and Business Leader in the Chautauqua, N.Y., region for his work with the area’s Arts Council. In 2011, he coordinated “These Are Days,” a 30th anniversary retro-
Hadley R. Edwards ’81 has been appointed the New Orleans District Superintendent of the UMC starting July 1, 2012. John Robert Baker ’82 received the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching at Wittenberg University in 2011. The award is the highest award given to a member of the faculty. Mark Conarroe ’84 was elected to North Kansas City’s City Council. Clarence Smith ’84 was featured on the cover of the December 2011 edition of Jazz Ambassadors Magazine, and was the subject of a feature story. Everett Preyer ’85 is a sales associate/project coordinator at Experitec, Inc. Rich Wilson, OD, FAAO ’86 passed the Board Certification Examination and is now a Diplomate with the American Board of Optometry.
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Central alumni Leonard McClain ’74, Richard Schultz ’56, John Charlton ’73, J.W. Arnold ’90 and Dorothy (Windsor) Lomenick ’53 enjoyed their time together in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Feb. 19 at a CMU Alumni Gathering. Keep an eye on the Alumni Events Page for upcoming events in your area!
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Eagle Connection Update your information, post a class note, search for a classmate and much more! Become a member of the CMU Eagle Connection today! Follow the easy steps below to register. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Visit http://cmalumni.centralmethodist.edu Click on “First Time Login” above the password box under the rotating picture. Enter your last name. Find your name in the list, select it, and hit the “Next” button at the bottom. Enter your ID number and click the “Verify” button. This number can be found on the label of your Talon above your name or can be sent to you by a member of the Advancement staff. 6. Once you have verified, you will be able to update any of your information and create a username and password that you can use the next time you visit the Eagle Connection If you have questions, need your ID, or just need help, contact Heather Carlton at hcarlton@centralmethodist.edu or toll-free at 877-CMU-1854 ext. 56234.
spective of the legendary Jamestown (N.Y.) musicians 10,000 Maniacs.
Ty Harrison ’97 is the varsity head football coach at Mexico High School in Mexico, Mo.
Tracy (Crowe) Jones ’94 is an assistant project manager for IBM in Columbia, Mo.
Zachary Templeton ’97 was named assistant superintendent of the Mexico School district in Mexico, Mo.
James Horne ’95 has joined Bonehead Promotions to help launch a new sports network in Clarksville, Tenn.
Jeromy Hodge ’98 has been promoted to Branch Manager at SunTrust Bank.
Billy Huthman ’95 is the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for North Port High School in North Port, Fla.
Brian McKenney ’00 was promoted to assistant superintendent of personnel services for Lindbergh (Mo.) Schools.
Cindy Ridgwell ’96 is the social service director at the Fayette Caring Center.
Becca Rogers ’00 had her basketball uniform number retired at Holt (Mo.) High School in Dec. 2011. Darren Dean ’01 was selected as runner-up for the Yemassee William Richey short ficton contest, with his story “Bring Your Sorrow Over Here.” Dean is the founding editor of Cedars, a digital literary magazine.
A gathering was held at State Fair Community College in Sedalia on Jan. 10, 2012. Front Row: Stephanie Lewis, Brian Hill ’90, SFCC President Marsha Drennon, Elizabeth (Magee) Rooks ’70, Aimee (Hutsell) Sage ’02, Robert Rackley, Kevin Bucher ’90, Donna Merrell, Deb Degan-Dixon; Back Row: Matthew Abernathy ’98, Darren Pannier ’92, Dawn Machlin ’93, Dan Page ’74, Vaughn Loomis ’92, Kevin Matz, Clint Hamilton ’11, and Kyle Hamilton.
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Phil Stark’s ’01 daughter, Emmaline Jo-Bryan Stark, was dedicated on March 11, 2012, in the Maplewood United Methodist Church by her grandfather, Dr. Jim Johnson. Daniel Yung ’01 is the manager of nursing services at Missouri Cancer Associates in Columbia, Mo. Jenny (Martin) Anspach ’03 was promoted to assistant director for Marketing Communica-
Central Methodist University
tions at Central Methodist University. Wendy (Kraft) Reese ’03 received her master’s in psychology from the University of Phoenix in November 2011. Frank Flaspohler ’04 is an attorney at Flaspohler Law Office in Fayette, Mo. Beverly Fuemmeler ’08 is the owner/baker for the Tea Time Bakery in Fayette, Mo. Laura Flaspohler ’07 studied abroad in England during the summer of 2011. Adrienne Moritz ’07 is an optician for Premier Eyecare Associates. Chris Polizzi ’07 is a graduate assistant for the University of Iowa football team. Seth Brimer ’08 is playing for the MidMissouri Outlaws Professional Indoor Football Team as an anchor on the offensive line. Micah Brimer ’08 is playing for the MidMissouri Outlaws Professional Indoor Football Team as an anchor on the offensive line. Heather Gibson ’09 is a staff accountant for Marks, Nelson, Vohland, Campbell, Radetic LLC. Johnathon Hankinson ’10 is the competition coordinator at Special Olympics Missouri. Kelcey Zutavern ’10 is the assistant sports information director for Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. Samantha (Gross) Chott ’11 is an administrative assistant for the Pasadena Adult Rehabilitation Center in Pasadena, Calif.
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Alumni news Adam Galla ’11 was named Lakeland College’s new head men’s and women’s soccer coach. Amanda Kerns ’11 is a paraprofessional at Silex High School. Preston Pinson ’11 joined the Doe Run Southeast Missouri Mining and Milling Division (SEMO) as an environmental technician. Ki Ki Karmi ’12 is the Classified Employee of the Year at Oakville Elementary in St. Louis, Mo. She will begin her graduate work at CMU in the fall. Jim Marchbank, CMU Trustee, was named a 2011 Outstanding Faculty Member for Fontbonne University.
Marriages Nina Gooch ’84 and Erica French were married at the Office of the City Clerk in New York City, on Dec. 23, 2011, following a religious service at the Metropolitan Community Church of Boston on May 20, 1989. Stephanie Schwane ’02 and Mathieu Agee were married Jan. 14, 2012. Dustin Jones ’03 and Kellie Brashear were married March 5, 2011. Michael Hadley ’04 and Ashley Archibee were married July 16, 2011. Emily (Morrow) ’05 and Miki Merritt ’04 were married on Dec. 10, 2011, at Linn Memorial United Methodist Church in Fayette, Mo. Mallory (James) Nelson ’08 and Darin Mahon were married Dec. 17, 2011. Cory Guzan ’09 and Esther Macias ’11 were married June 25, 2011. Mallory Proctor ’10 and Seth Clatterbuck were married April 21, 2012. Corrine Roller ’11 and Scott Hill ’10 were married June 24, 2011. Tyler Ditzfeld ’12 and Ali Lemens were married Sept. 3, 2011. McKay Rustemeyer ’13 and Derek Lannigan ’10 were married Aug. 13, 2011.
Births Mark and Susan (Friemonth) Freese, both class of ’76, welcomed their first grandchild, Max Freese Meriwether McAdams, born on Feb. 16, 2012. John and Kay (Burchard) McNeill, both class of ’79, became grandparents to their first grandchild, Jaxson Dean Boone, born Aug. 2011.
Lori (Erickson) Rook ’97 and husband Kanin announce the birth of their son, Keston Travis, on April 7, 2011. He is welcomed home by big sister Audrey. Dennis ’98 and Sarah (Sheridan) Harper ’04 announce the birth of their second son, Andrew Thomas, on March 5, 2012. Jeromy ’98 and Amy (Sneed) ’00 Hodge announce the birth of their son, Case Everett, on Jan. 25, 2012. Dave and Marti (Wilke) Bates, both class of ’99, announce the birth of their daughter, Miriam Elizabeth “Miri,” in October 2011. She joins big brother Jonah who is now two and a half. Paula (Boulware) Bross ’03 and husband Matt announce the birth of their daughter, Autumn Maize, on Oct. 18, 2011. She joins brothers Logan, age 10, and Dawson, age 5. Wendy (Kraft) Reese ’03 and husband Charles announce the birth of their second son, Isaac Andrew William, on Aug. 24, 2011. David and Jennifer (Roe) Thompson, both class of ’03, announce the birth of their son, Alexander Law, on March 22, 2012. Salum ’05 and Jennifer (Lester) Stutzer ’07 announce the birth of their second son, Max Daniel, on Oct. 24, 2011. Brandon Simpson ’07 and wife Heather announce the birth of their daughter, Bailey Venita, on March 6, 2012. Lee Smith ’07 and wife Stephanie announce the birth of their son, Cole E., on Feb. 26, 2011. Amanda (Frink) Frevert ’08 and husband Taylor announce the birth of their son, Hunter Dean, on Nov. 17, 2011. Mallory (James) Mahon ’08 and husband Darin announce the birth of their daughter, Naomi Christine, on March 19, 2012. Jessica Lackland ’09 and Phil Johanning announce the birth of their son, Eli Michael, on April 7, 2012. Michaela (Bauer) Jones ’10 and husband Jamie announce the birth of their son, Riley Robert, on March 4, 2012. Kelsey (Aholt) Stricker ’09 and husband John David announce the birth of daughter Kynleigh Joan on April 18, 2012. Jeffrey Strain ’10 announces the birth of his son, Roman, on July 20, 2011. Aaron Evers and Chauncey Martin, both class of ’11, announce the birth of their daughter, Valorie Faye, on March 26, 2012.
Chastidy (Adams) Bailey ’93, and Jim Bailey announce the birth of their son, Andrew Christopher, on June 3, 2011.
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Deaths 1930 Albertha A. Panhorst ’31 of Saint Clair, Mo., died March 2, 2011. Norman Franklin Childers ’32 of Melrose, Fla., died April 24, 2011. Elizabeth (Philips) Zenge ’33 of Columbia, Mo., died Nov. 8, 2011. Lois (Smith) Johnmeyer ’35 of Fayette, Mo., died Jan. 27, 2012. Walter H. Bohling, Jr. ’36 of Pebble Beach, Calif., died Dec. 5, 2011. Dorathy (Wagner) Griessel ’36 of Columbia, Mo., died Oct. 15, 2011. Martha J. (Deatherage) Eberhard ’38 of Dayton, Ohio, died July 25, 2011. Maurine (Bartels) Donohew ’38 of Glenwood, Ill., died Jan. 25, 2012. Mae K. (Schmidt) Heckmann ’39 of Independence, Mo., died Oct. 28, 2011. Marguerite (Schultze) Garcia ’39 of Saint George, Utah, died April 26, 2010. Kathryn (Blankenbaker) Thomas ’39 of Austin, Texas, died Jan. 23, 2012. Elizabeth (Blair) Atteberry ’39 of Belton, Mo., died April 13, 2012.
1940 Nelson C. Block ’40 of Austin, Texas, died July 10, 2011. John C. Glenn Jr. ’40 of Elizabethtown, Ky., died Feb. 5, 2010. George Will Shirley ’44 died April 24, 2012, in Springfield, Mo. A Bunceton, Mo., native, he won the National Contest in piano. After graduating from Central, he studied in Vienna, Austria, and London, England, as well as several universities in the U.S. with recognized strength in music. In addition to teaching music and piano at the University of Indianapolis, Columbia College, Southwest Baptist University, and Missouri State University (when all had different names), he also served as organist for many churches. He was the longest serving organist for St. John’s United Church of Christ in Springfield. His name, as well as his surviving spouse’s will be known to many Central students through the years from the George Will ’44 and Harriet Ellen Shirley Hall of Sponsors Scholarship. Still, his beautiful music will be missed by many.
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Alumni news Robert H. Hodge ‘42 died May 6, 2012, in Kansas City. Entering Central in 1938 with his twin brother, William James, he joined the chemistry club, the national pre-medical honorary, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He also met his future wife, Fayette native Anna Mae Besgrove ’44. Medicine, the fine arts, Central, and Anna Mae continued to be essential parts of his life. After three years at Central, he transferred to Washington University and earned the M.D. degree in 1944. On completing his residency and a tour of duty with the Army, he began a private practice in internal medicine that spanned more than 35 years. During these years he was an active member of many professional medical organizations as well as a range of civic, church and arts boards. Kansas City named its second largest park in his honor, Robert H. Hodge Park, for his service on the park board and city council. Not only did art museums, the opera, and the symphony in Kansas City benefit from his interest in the fine arts, so did the Lyceum Theatre at Arrow Rock and Central in Fayette. In 1993 he and Anna Mae were instrumental in establishing The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art at Central. They then continued to see that the Gallery grew in holdings and, thereby, service to the University and local community. His love of Central and support for its mission were also expressed through a gift of 86 acres north of Fayette that became the Besgrove-Hodge Sanctuary. A Hall of Sponsors Scholarship and coordinating class reunions were additional ways they helped Central. Central recognized Dr. Hodge in 1973 with the Distinguished Alumni Award and in 1999 with the College Service Award (along with his wife). Central students chose the Hodges to be Grand Marshals for the 1990 Homecoming parade. He is survived by his wife, Anna Mae, and two sons, Robert H. Jr. and Richard M. and their wives, as well as his twin brother, William. A daughter, Nancy Hodge Shy, predeceased him. Joseph C. Schulte Jr. ’40 of Joplin, Mo., died Feb. 9, 2012. Helen S. (Dunham) Cowan ’41 of Los Alamos, N.M., died Aug. 19, 2011. Ione (Brorein) Knight ’41 of Cape Girardeau, Mo., died Jan. 4, 2012. James B. Pettijohn ’41 of Springfield, Mo., died June 29, 2011. Raymond Gene Truesdell ’41 of Clark, Mo., died April 19, 2012. Sanford F. Cockerell ’42 of Independence, Mo, died Jan. 31, 2012. James T. Harper ’42 of Carrollton, Mo., died Feb. 16, 2012. M. Eleanor (Woods) Drake ’43 of Warrensburg, Mo., died Jan. 21, 2012. Harold F. Funke ’43 of PeWee Valley, Ky., died Feb. 6, 2012. Stanford C. Nieburg ’43 of Ellisville, Mo., died Jan. 18, 2011. Carolyn (Libby) Ward ’43 of Rock Hill, S.C.,
died Dec. 22, 2011. Julia J. Utterback Wrather ’43 of Cape Girardeau, Mo., died April 13, 2012. Norma C. (Innes) Kienker ’44 of Palatine, Ill., died Jan. 29, 2012. Isabel (Mathews) McNulty ’44 of Kennett, Mo., died Dec. 3, 2011. Kathleen (Dodd) Sumerall ’44 of Kansas City, Mo., died Jan. 19, 2012. Mary Charlotte (Paxton) Huttie ’45 of Shawnee Mission, Kan., died Aug. 24, 2011. Donald L. Jeffries ’46 of Shawano, Wis., died May 23, 2011. Vernon Eugene Matson ’46 of Emporia, Kan., died Jan. 18, 2011. Jack H. Porter ’47 of Saint Augustine, Fla., died Aug. 21, 2011. Robert M. Radasch ’47 of Arlington Heights, Ill., died Feb. 6, 2012. Mary (Rissler) Rundlett ’47 of Independence, Mo., died Nov. 24, 2011.
John A. Epple Jr. ’48 died May 1, 2012, in Kansas City, Mo. John, better known as “Jerry,” was born in Fayette, Mo., on Christmas Day in 1926. He attended Central College (now CMU) for a year before completing his engineering degree at the University of Missouri. He married his wife, Jeanne, in 1950, and she survives him. Epple joined the family business, John A. Epple Construction Company. The company was widely known on Central’s campus as it built or renovated every building on campus in the 1950s and 60s, including Holt Hall, Burford Hall, Woodward Hall, and the expansion of Cupples Hall. The Little Theatre and Epple Park were both gifts of the Epple family. He and his siblings also established the John A. and Elizabeth King Epple Hall of Sponsors Scholarship to benefit Central students in perpetuity. In addition to his wife, he is survived by children Elizabeth Epple, John A. Epple III, Constance Epple Stella, and Margaret Epple Gilk and spouses. Also surviving are eight grandchildren. He was prceded in death by brothers Dr. Lawrence Epple and Robert Epple, and a sister-in-law, Dr. Katherine Christman Epple.
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Jane (Schindler) Weitkemper ’47 of Columbia, Mo., died Nov. 27, 2011. James Lloyd Duncan ’48 of Pueblo, Colo., died Sept. 29, 2011. Mary Anne (Anderson) Allen ’49 of Des Moines, Iowa, died Jan. 24, 2012. Jeanne R. (Poindexter) Lacy ’49 of Prairie Home, Mo., died March 19, 2012. Elizabeth (Littleton) Myracle ’49 of Portageville, Mo., died July 30, 2011.
1950 Ruth (Lake) Alexander ’50 of Hazelwood, Mo., died June 23, 2010. Richard B. Byrd ’50 of Spokane, Wash., died April 3, 2012. Dorothy Jean (Diehl) Gemeinhardt ’50 of Hobe Sound, Fla., died Jan. 1, 2012. Paul G. Gemeinhardt ’50 of Hobe Sound, Fla., died June 14, 2011.
Dr. Robert Bregant ’53 died March 9, 2012, in Jefferson City, Mo., where he had been a founding partner of Sanders & Bregant, which became Capital City Medical Associates. As a Central student he was a member of the Scalpel & Forceps Biology Club and played basketball. Active in several professional associations and in statewide medical policy, he faithfully supported his alma mater. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann (Steele) Bregant ’55, his son Robert (Lisa), and his daughter Susan Jean Raaz (Jeff) and her family.
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Alumni news Donald G. Spalding ’56 died April 2, 2012, in St. Louis, Mo. A championship high school athlete, Don led the Central Eagles to three basketball championships and lettered three years as a baseball outfielder. He also was a member and leader in C-Club, Sigma Alpha Chi, Pan Hellenic Council, and Alpha Epsilon Delta, the premedical fraternity. He graduated cum laude with a B.A. in chemistry. That devotion to athletics, social and family interests, and his profession continued throughout his life. After earning his M.D. from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1960 and completing his internship and residency, he practiced radiology until 1998 when he retired. During his career he served as a member and officer at the local, state and national level of numerous medical professional groups. His athletic focus as an adult was golf, which he played regularly on Wednesday afternoons. In his final game, he won the “75 and Over” golf tournament in Innisbrook, Fla. Central was fortunate to be included in Don’s “family” because he served in many ways, including four years on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Central recognized him with a Distinguished Alumni Award in 1989 and inducted him into the Hairston Hall of Fame in 2001. His wife, Sondra (Sercu) Spalding ’57, has served on Central’s Board of Trustees since 1993. Their generosity to Central is recognized by names on spaces in the Student and Community Center and the renovated Classic Hall. In addition to his wife, Don is survived by children Stephan (Dawn), Brian (Lisa), and Katheryn (Douglas) McWard, and seven grandchildren.
Dr. Adolph J. Wood ’52 died Sept. 26, 2011, in Sebastopol, Calif. A physician, he had a strong interest in the environment and environmental science. Dr. Wood contributed to Central faithfully. He is survived by his wife, Yolanda.
The Reverend Dr. Paul W. Schlapbach ’53 died March 24, 2012, in St. Louis. His 46-year ministry included pastorates in O’Fallon, Festus/Crystal City, and Bridgeton as well as District Superintendent for the ColumbiaMexico and Poplar Bluff-Sikeston districts. Central recognized him with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1988 and an Honorary Doctorate in 1990. He is survived by his wife, Gloria Schlapbach, and sons David and Daniel, Daniel’s wife Jennifer Roebuck, and one granddaughter. Arthur Russell Kiefer ’50 of Shell Knob, Mo., died April 26, 2011. Myrl R. Scofield ’50 of Raymore, Mo., died Jan. 21, 2012. Fae E. (Rice) Sotham ’50 of Columbia, Mo., died Feb. 29, 2012. Blair Buckley Jr. ’51 of Fayetteville, Ark., died Jan. 16, 2012. Charles E. Magruder ’51 of Kinnelon, N.J., died Dec. 17, 2011. Fred Max Stephens ’52 of Chillicothe, Mo., died March 23, 2012.
Marilyn I. (Kelly) Corwin ’59 of Wildwood, Mo., died Jan. 14, 2012. Theodore Wesley Roberts ’59 of Lake Helen, Fla., died Nov. 2, 2011.
1960 Ralph Henry LaForge ’65 of Kansas City, Mo., died April 4, 2012. Carolyn F. (Burlage) Butler ’66 of Silsbee, Texas, died June 10, 2011. Daniel Henry Anderson ’67 of Union Star, Mo., died Nov. 25, 2011. Janice (Worker) Powell ’61 died suddenly on Feb. 12, 2012, in Malden, Mo. An educator, she was a loyal supporter of Central Methodist. Husband Sam Lee ’62 and son Sammy and his family survive. Daughter Lisa (Powell) Goessling ’84 died in June 2001; a scholarship in Lisa’s name assists Central’s business students.
Dr. Glenn R. Joyce ’61 died Dec. 4, 2011, in Alexandria, Va., after a five-year battle with cancer. A senior research physicist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, he developed the most advanced ionosphere models in the world. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri in 1966 and taught at the University of Iowa until 1979. Glenn served as a member of Central’s Alumni Board and was a loyal supporter. A new award for Central’s science students has been established in his name. Glenn is survived by his wife, Anne (Raine) Joyce ’62, his son Adam, and two grandchildren.
Roger Ward Mason ’53 of Columbia, Mo., died Jan. 20, 2012. Gordon R. McDaniel ’53 of Lonedell, Mo., died May 28, 2010. Theodore J. Mohr ’54 of College Station, Texas, died Jan. 12, 2012. Martha (Taylor) Cox ’55 of Columbia, Mo., died April 16, 2012. Katherine (Gwinn) Goodwin ’55 of Cameron, Mo., died May 3, 2012. Ray Edward Morris ’55 of Ballwin, Mo., died Sept. 21, 2011. Mary Lillian Groves ’56 of Mexico, Mo., died Nov. 27, 2011. Janet Carlyn (Lashley) Mohney ’58 of O’Fallon, Mo., died Jan. 13, 2010.
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Michael B. Corbett ’67 of Milwaukee, Wis., died Dec. 27, 2010. Alex M. Lewandowski ’68 of Lenexa, Kan., died March 6, 2011.
1970 Martha K. (Langerhans) Ellsworth ’71 of Normal, Ill., died Dec. 26, 2011. Terry Joe Rowland ’72 of Harrisburg, Mo., died Jan. 20, 2012.
The Reverend Ralph L. Clark ’77 died on Nov. 23, 2011. An ordained United Methodist pastor for 32 years, he served the congregations of Hopkins-Pickering, Dockery ChapelJamesport, Meadville-Evangel, Rock Port-Watson, and Nevada as well as the district and conference in various positions. Ralph was also a loyal supporter of his alma mater.
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Campus news Martha (Lindsay) Warbington ’72 of Newnan, Ga., died Jan. 30, 2011. Wayne Anthony Brown ’74 of Claremore, Okla., died Jan. 27, 2012.
introducing
Stanley Ray Davis ’74 of Laramie, Wyo., died Oct. 20, 2011.
NEW
a brand
1980
way to
Jolinda Marie Yoker ’89 of Springfield, Mo., died Feb. 6, 2012.
Give
1990 Get more information about wills, bequests, gift annuities and other gift options on Central’s brand new gift planning website!
Ashley Elaine McKay ’98 of University City, Mo., died Jan. 20, 2012.
2000 Gregory Scott Fischer ’01 of Sweet Springs, Mo., died Feb. 18, 2012.
www.centralthrives.org
Marjorie L. Perkins ’07 of Sedalia, Mo., died Nov. 5, 2011.
Friends of Central
Questions? Contact Donna Merrell at 660-248-6214 or dmerrell@centralmethodist.edu
Howard Black of Glasgow, Mo., died Dec. 8, 2011. Deborah Colley of Grain Valley, Mo., died April 6, 2012. Bernice Huttsell of Fayette, Mo., died Jan. 17, 2012. Rev. James Frederick Lawson of St. Joseph, Mo., died Feb. 2, 2012. Tom Monnig of Glasgow, Mo., died April 1, 2012. Lil (Haden) Nicholl of Fayette, Mo., died Jan. 19, 2012. George Ruselowski of Boonville, Mo., died Feb. 17, 2012. Richard J. Wilson of Jefferson City, Mo., died April 1, 2012.
Dr. Richard H. Peerson died on Nov. 13, 2011, in La Mesa, Calif. An active member of the First United Methodist Church of San Diego for nearly 50 years, he served on the boards of the Spreckels Organ Society, Meals on Wheels, and the Foundation of San Diego Mesa College while also supporting Central Methodist University. He is survived by his wife, Janice (Egner) Peerson ’60, three children, and two grandchildren.
Betty Denneny died March 25, 2012, in Edmond, Okla. Hundreds of Central students and alumni have been touched by her generosity through the James C. Denneny, Jr. ’47, Career Development Center in the Student and Community Center, named for her late husband. She faithfully supported the work of the center. She is survived by sons Jim and John and their families.
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James M. “Mike” Donnelly died Dec. 7, 2011, in Fayette. He and his father were partners in Donnelly Motors Ford from 1971 to 1989; he owned Boonslick Motors as well as several rental properties. He is survived by his wife, Susan (Markland) Donnelly ’70, and sons Matthew and Anthony and their families.
Kenneth E. Hagerla passed away Dec. 25, 2010, at his home in Edina, Mo. His wife, Wilma D. Hagerla, preceded him in death Aug. 22, 1998. Kenneth grew up near Edina where he and Wilma spent their married life running the family farm and operating the Suburban Farm Supply for more than 50 years. Surviving children are Central Methodist graduates David Hagerla ’72, Colleen Pease ’75, Douglas Hagerla ’77, and Barbara Hagerla ’80. Mr. and Mrs. Hagerla took pride in their children, attended a variety of events, and enjoyed time spent with their children and grandchildren.
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Make a difference. Share the Central experience. Give today. To make your gift online visit: http://cmalumni.centralmethodist.edu/cef. If you would like more information on the Central Excellence Fund, please contact Peggy Robb at probb@centralmethodist.edu or 660-248-6239.
The Spring Phonathon crew takes a break to pose for the camera. From left: Shelby Miller, Stazhia Pleasant, Caryn Jackson, Ashley Novak (standing), Amy Meyers, Ashley Nyakundi (standing), Summer Lamberson, Sean Tobeler (standing), Ashlee Hanson (standing), Taylor Reinkemeyer, Katie Stewart, Jennifer Garrett, and Katelyn Olvera. Not included in the photo were callers Kaity Eversmeyer, Anh Le, Ricky Massana, Merikate Novak, Hayley Powell, Jeff Singleton, David Tolbert, Abigail Ulrich, Toni Weatherford, Angela Weicken, and Sarah White.
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Hahne ’60 joins the Board of Trustees Bob Hahne’s history with CMU stretches back to January 1957, when he enrolled as a fresh-faced freshman from Washington, Mo. Now, after his more than 50-year association with CMU, Hahne will help chart its course into the future after joining its governing Board of Trustees. Hahne, of Falls Church, Va., was elected in February and began his fouryear term at its April meeting. “I accepted this honor feeling a need to give back to the school that helped a first-generation college student grow,” Hahne says. “I am continually impressed with the success and growth of the school under Dr. Marianne Inman’s leadership.” Hahne has never really stayed away from CMU for long, even after his career took him from Missouri to New York and to Washington, D.C. He served his alma mater previously as a member of the President’s Council. “Despite his busy schedule and residence at some distance from Fayette, Bob Hahne has maintained close connections with Central and has demonstrated extraordinary loyalty to this special institution,” President Inman says.
“I am delighted that he has joined our Board of Trustees.” While in college, Hahne was active in baseball, Chi Delta, Pi Gamma Mu, Business Club, and was on the Howard-Payne House Council, while majoring in Economics. It’s also during his time at Central that Hahne married the love of his life, the former Barbara Williams. Together they had three sons. Sadly, she passed away last fall. Upon graduating from CMU in 1960, Bob Hahne accepted a position with the accounting firm Deloitte and Touche, as it was then known, in its St. Louis office. Ten years later and still with Deloitte, he moved to New York, N.Y. After only a year there, he shifted to its Washington, D.C., location, where he remained until his retirement. At that time he held the position of managing partner for its Energy and Utilities Services Division. Hahne remains active, serving on the boards of Chain Bridge Bank (McLean, Va.) and SkyBuilt Power (Arlington, Va.), as well as in his local Rotary Club. Left, Bob Hahne (center), talks with fellow Board of Trustee members Jeff Hogenmiller ’70 (left) and Richard Dailey ’70.
Board targets residence hall upgrades Campus improvements and institutional growth, both near term and farther down the road, were the focus of much of the Central Methodist University Board of Trustees’ quarterly meeting in February. Board members approved an approximately $1.5 million series of improvements to CMU residence hall facilities, primarily Howard-Payne and Holt Halls, according to President Marianne E. Inman. About $800,000 is for improvements in Howard-Payne, with another $630,000 for Holt, Inman notes. Work will start this summer, continue through next year, and wrap up in the summer of 2013, she says. Among the more prominent long-term projects addressed by Tom Celli, of the Pittsburgh, Pa., firm Celli78
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Flynn Brennan Architects and Planners, were major improvements to Stedman Hall, CMU’s primary science and health sciences facility; to T. Berry Smith Hall, which houses many CMU instructional programs; to Clingenpeel Hall, a former gymnasium that could become student fitness and recreation space; and a variety of enhancements to CMU residence halls. Celli and CFB have worked with CMU for a number of years. Board members also heard of plans to relocate and consolidate functions within CMU’s Center for Learning and Teaching in Cupples Hall. Those changes will be made possible when The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art relocates from Cupples to Classic Hall upon Classic’s renovation.
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Calendar
of Events
June
October
8-9: Iolanthe, Summer Opera Workshop, The Little Theatre 16: Alumni Band 24: St. Louis Zoo 26-29: Piano Ensemble Camp, Swinney Conservatory
4: Gaddis Lecture 6: Band Day 11-14: Little Theatre Musical Production 12-14: Homecoming 2012 18: Third Thursday Gathering, Kansas City & St. Louis 18-20: Dog Sees God, directed by senior Jordan Brennan 21: Gems of Vocal Literature 26: Halloween Concert, Linn Memorial
July
November
10-12: Instrumental Camp, Swinney Conservatory 13: 21st Luetjen Golf Tournament, Boonville 31: Commencement - Union
August 9: Commencement - Maryland Heights, Salem-Ladue UMC 21: Classes Begin in Fayette
September 1: Hairston Hall of Fame 8: CMU Tailgate at Avila, Kansas City 9: Wicks Organ Recital - featuring Dr. John Ditto Linn Memorial 14-16: Family Weekend 16: Alumni Gathering at Moon River Grill, Branson 16: Pinnacle Brass Recital, Recital Hall 20: Third Thursday Gathering, Kansas City & St. Louis
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2: Chamber Music Recital, Recital Hall 4: Choir Concert, Linn Memorial 7: MMTA/MTNA Recital, Recital Hall 12: Church Street Boys Concert, Recital Hall 15: Third Thursday Gathering, Kansas City & St. Louis 15-20: Chorale Tour 17-25: Thanksgiving Break 29: SAI Christmas Concert, Linn Memorial 29-Dec. 2: Little Theatre Production
December 2: Band Concert, 4th Floor SACC 6: Jazz Concert (Band & Choir), 4th Floor SACC 6-8: Student Directed Plays, Little Theatre 9: Choir Concert, Linn Memorial 10-13: Finals Week 17-Jan. 14: Christmas Break
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