Spring 2006 - The Talon

THE

TALON

SPRING 2006

THE MAGAZINE OF CENTRAL METHODIST UNIVERSITY

To Alumni and Friends of Central Methodist University:

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ach spring Central Methodist University participates in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), an instrument that both first year and senior students are asked to complete. Results from last yearʼs survey showed that our seniors rated Central Methodist significantly higher than did their counterparts in both regional and national samples on two components: student-faculty interaction and active, collaborative learning. While these results did not surprise us, since our students repeatedly relate their appreciation for the close student-faculty relationships that characterize much of the Central experience, the affirmation for the excellent learning opportunities that take place here daily was of course most welcome.

Last January, as I visited with each section of CMU411, Centralʼs senior capstone course, I asked them to recall high points of their Central experience, especially in terms of the two highest-rated factors noted above—interactions with faculty, and active and collaborative learning. Immediately students offered positive recollections of this mode of learning. Every discipline was represented in their reports, and students spoke with great appreciation of the effectiveness of “learning by doing.”

Examples from the sciences included trapping mammals in mammalogy, taking creek samples in ecology, electrocuting a pickle (!) in chemistry, participating in a float trip with a biology professor, “real world” physics labs, and geology field trips. Other experiences highlighted were our SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) team [where last year—our initial year—Central won the Rookie of the Year award and took third place overall at the regional competition], touring a leading advertising agency and developing the “Get Noticed!” marketing campaign for Central Methodist, and the Government Accounting class in which students had no designated textbook but had to consult the IRS website and the Fayette city ledger.

Criminal justice students enjoy mock crime scene investigations, athletic training students all work with our certified trainer faculty members at athletic events, and education students are placed in area schools right from the beginning of the program as they observe and assist in classrooms, long before they finish their coursework and do their student teaching. Before being assigned to their actual clinicals, nursing students work with mannequins in our laboratory that, thanks to built-in technology, simulate various ailments through sound and appearance.

Music students help organize on-campus festivals and our annual band and choir tours.

Across the curriculum Central students benefit from our career fair, internships, teaching and/or research opportunities with faculty, and extensive use of technology in labs and classrooms. Most of our classrooms are now equipped with permanently installed computers, white boards and/or smart boards, and projection technology, thus enhancing both learning and teaching opportunities on a daily basis.

This issue of the Talon explores in greater depth a number of these features of a Central Methodist University education. These practical, hands-on dimensions of learning bring subject matter alive in a way that simply talking about a topic generally cannot. This model of learning, along with the mentoring that faculty members regularly provide students, constitutes part of the reason that Central graduates are sought after by leading graduate schools and employers. Central Methodist University daily lives out our mission of “preparing students to make a difference in the world by emphasizing and professional excellence, ethical leadership, and social responsibility.”

Thank you for your role in carrying the best of the Central tradition to new heights.

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Table of Contents Message from the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Distinguished Alumni Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Alumni Reunion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Campus News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-24 Nancy Jones Retires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Honors Convocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Graduation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Gulf Coast Relief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Strategic Planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Collaborative Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Grainger Piano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-27 Alumni Address. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Alumni News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29-34 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Vaughan Hall of Sponsors Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Planned Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 A Chance to Give Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Cover photo: graduating senior, Andria Altman, winner of the 2006 Selecman AwardCMU photograph by Cathy Thogmorton

Senior Administration Dr. Marianne E. Inman, President Dr. Rita Gulstad, Interim Vice President and Dean of the University Kenneth R. Oliver, Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of Students Julee Sherman, Vice President for Finance and Administration Theresa M. Davis, InterimVice President for Advancement

Talon Editorial Staff and Contact Information Don Cullimore, Executive Editor Phone: 660-248-6238 E-mail: dcullimo@centralmethodist.edu Cathy Thogmorton, Editor Phone: 660-248-6391 E-mail: cthogmor@centralmethodist.edu Jenny Martin Anspach, Director of Alumni Relations Phone: 660-248-6234 E-mail: jmartin@centralmethodist.edu

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Alumni Reunion Weekend Alumni Honored at Awards Banquet Three Central alumni were honored in April with CMU’s highest alumni recognition. Judith (Engel) Rethwisch ’65 and Maurice B. Graham ’60 were awarded the Central Methodist University Distinguished Alumni Award, and Matt C. Cordon ’94 received Central’s Young Alumni Award.

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Judy Rethwisch retired in 2000 after 35 years of classroom teaching which included the subjects of Speech, Drama, Acting, Technical Design, Creative Film and Television.

She also produced more than 70 plays and coordinated numerous theatre and interdisciplinary projects. She is now the Fine Arts Coordinator at Affton High School in Affton, Mo. Throughout a long career she has touched thousands of students, and has invested time and effort in bettering the community around her.

Though she is no longer a teacher by profession, she is still very much involved. Rethwisch continues to teach an evening drama class that she established. The class gives Affton students a chance to produce all the aspects of a show. Rethwisch was the chairman for the 150th Anniversary Celebration for the Affton School District, and has worked in the development of the Affton Alumni Association and the Affton Education Foundation. She also produced the first Hall of Fame Dinner and Auction which gave $11,000 in teacher grants. In addition, Rethwisch developed and acts as the Chairman of the Metro South Arts Council. The Metro South Arts Council is a networking arts organization which sponsors project which bring the arts together through a Fine Arts Teacher of the Year Award, a Scott Joplin piano competition, and the development of Visual Arts and Music classes for enrichment in schools.

Rethwisch also established the Affton Centerstage Theatre (ACT) in 1987, and is still its executive director. ACT is an adult group that produces three shows a year.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in speech from Central, she received her Master of Arts in Theatre from Lindenwood University in 1983 and has continued her education with numerous in-services and workshops.

She was a charter member of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE), a national organization for theatre educators and artists, and has served it many years in numerous capacities. From 1984-1991 she served as the Missouri State Thespian director, and planned and executed seven State

CMU photo by Don Cullimore

Judith Rethwisch

from left, Judith Rethwisch, Maurice B. Graham, and Matt C. Cordon were awarded Central’s highest alumni honors.

Thespian Conferences in that time.

Rethwisch has been honored with an abundance of awards throughout her career, including The Outstanding Theatre Teacher Award which was named in her honor in 1993. However, perhaps the biggest honor came when the Affton High School surprised her during its 150th Anniversary celebration by naming the district’s theatre the Judith E. Rethwisch Auditorium in her honor. Former student, actor John Goodman, presented the award.

While at Central, Rethwisch was involved in Phi Beta Fraternity for the Creative and Performing Arts, Alpha Psi Omega, a national honorary dramatics fraternity, The Drama Club, and social sorority, Zeta Psi Lambda.

She currently lives in Fenton, Mo., with her husband, Braxton ’64. They have two children, Carter ’94 and Christine.

Maurice Graham

Maurice Graham received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Central and earned his Juris Doctorate in 1962 from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He served as a Central Methodist Curator from 1991 to 1996. Graham is currently the President of Gray, Ritter & Graham, P.C. Attorneys at Law in St. Louis, Mo., where he concentrates on the areas of litigation, including corporate litigation, medical negligence, and product liability. He also practices extensively in the areas of corporate law and health law.

Graham is a member of The Missouri Bar, the American Bar Association and the Bar

Association of Metropolitan Saint Louis. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Society of Barristers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, and is an advocate of American Board of Trial Advocates.

Graham is listed in The Best Lawyers in America, and among the “Best Layers in St. Louis” in St. Louis Magazine. He has an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell law directory, the highest rating accorded. Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine cited Graham as among the region’s top 100 lawyers and named him a “Super Lawyer” – among the top five percent of lawyers in Missouri and Kansas.

Graham was a member of The Missouri Bar Board of Governors from 1980 through 1990 and president of The Missouri Bar in 1988-1989. He has served on several Missouri Bar and Supreme Court task forces and committees and as a member and chairman of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee, which oversees attorney discipline in Missouri.

Graham received merit citations from the American Judicature Society and the University of Missouri-Columbia Law School and was honored by the University of MissouriColumbia with a Distinguished Alumni Award. He received the Missouri Lawyers Weekly Lawyer of the Year Award in 2001; The Missouri Bar President’s Award in 1991; the Spurgeon-Smithson Award in 1994; the Purcell Professionalism Award in 2000 and

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the Pro Bono Award in 2000. He has also authored multiple articles.

While at Central, Graham was involved with the Howard-Payne Hall House Council, he played football, and was a member of the social fraternity, Sigma Alpha Chi. He and his wife, Edna Mae, make their home in Clayton, Mo.

Juris Doctorate from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law in 1999 and was admitted to the Texas Bar. Cordon then took a position as a reference librarian at the Underwood Law Library at Southern Methodist University. He moved to Baylor University in 2000 as a reference librarian and an assistant professor of law. Cordon has also earned an M. S. degree from the University of North Texas School of Library and Information Sciences in 2001.

Cordon is the recipient of many awards, including the Outstanding Professor for Scholarship from Baylor University and the Outstanding Article Award from the American Association of Law Libraries. The Law Day Award was established in his honor and named the Matthew C. Cordon Excellence in Legal Research Award at Baylor Law School, and he was elected by the 2002 graduating class to hood the graduates at Baylor Law School.

Cordon is the co-author of “Legal Research for the Texas Practitioner” and “Specialized Topics in Texas Legal Research.” He has coauthored book chapters on legal research and

Matt Cordon

CMU photos by Don Cullimore

Matt C. Cordon is the associate director of the Law Library and a tenured professor of law at Baylor University, School of Law in Waco, Texas. He teaches courses in legal analysis, research, and communication and advanced legal research. As associate director of the Sheridan and John Eddie Williams Legal Research and Technology Center, he provides research services to the Law School community and supervises the law library’s public services department. He was elected to the Baylor University Faculty Senate and will serve as chair-elect of the Senate in 20062007.

After graduating from Central Methodist College with a B. S. in interdisciplinary studies, Cordon served as a reporter and sports editor for the Fayette Advertiser/Democrat Leader and the sports information director here at Central Methodist. He earned his

Texas legal history and has written more than 500 encyclopedic essays for West’s Encyclopedia of American Law, the Gale Encyclopedia of Everyday Law, the American Law Yearbook, and the International Directory of Business Biographies. He has also served as an editorial consultant and as a content editor on various publications.

While at Central Cordon played tennis and football, belonged to Alpha Phi Gamma social fraternity (Mokers), and served as editor-in-chief of The Central Collegian and coeditor of Inscape.

Currently, Cordon is a member of several professional committees and continues to serve as editor for many publications. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife, Jennifer, and their children, Matthew and Madelynne; freelance writing and editing; studying history; and developing websites.

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Class of 1956 (left to right), Row 1: Alpha Jo (Sutterfield) Hahn, Dotty (Gould) Luther, Carolyn (Johnson) Kemper, Gloria (Runge) Speer, Pat (Hatfield) Tuttle, John Hutcherson, Sam Downing; Row 2: Donald Sipes, Carolyn (Collins) Mitch, Don Browning, Bob LaMore, Marian (Bowman) Spivey, Caryl (Stinson) Staples, Mona Lou (Bayse) Haenssler; Row 3: Don Spalding, Jim Diekroeger, Al Griese, Jack Erber, Joe Swisher, Jim Thompson, Wally Crawford, Jim Shields, Dwain Langworthy, Gabby Haenssler, Bill March, Bob Hime, Richard Schultz

CMU Alumni Reunion Honors Classes of 1936, 1941, 1946 and 1956

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had not been on campus for a number of years. Following registration Friday, alumni were invited to participate in a forum with students in the new Eyrie Café. Later that evening, the Class of 1956 held a social hour and dinner at Emmet’s Kitchen and Tap. Saturday morning included a special presentation, “CMU: University of Opportunity,” by CMU President Marianne Inman in the Willie Mae Kountz Recital Hall.

Other special activities leading up to the Alumni Awards Banquet that night included a reunion class luncheon in the Jacobs Conference Center, a Grounded Eagles gathering at historic Coleman Hall on North Linn Street, followed by the Class of 1956 gathering at

the same location, and then the President’s Reception in the Lewis Foyer in the Student and Community Center.

Sunday’s activities included morning worship service in Linn Memorial United Methodist Church on the campus, Alumni Brunch in the Jacobs Conference Center, Student Honors Convocation, and the CMU A Cappella Choir Concert that afternoon in Linn Memorial Church.

Photos clockwise from above: Helen and Jim Thogmorton visit with their “first” class-1956; Theresa Davis visits with 1956 celebrants; the Grounded Eagles reunite; Margaret (Eager) Duren represents the class of 1941; President Inman talks with Grounded Eagles at the reception in Coleman Hall.

CMU photos by Don Cullimore

Nearly 100 alumni representing several class years gathered at CMU in Fayette the third weekend of April to celebrate their student days at Central and to participate in ceremonies recognizing distinguished alumni of the university. Being honored were members of the Classes of 1936, 1941, 1946 and 1956.

An ad hoc organization comprised of alumni from the 1940s and 1950s, former athletes who call themselves The Grounded Eagles, also were on campus.

During the Alumni Awards Dinner Saturday night in the Student and Community Center, distinguished alumni awards in two categories – Distinguished Alumni and Young Alumni – were presented to former students of CMU (see story page 4).

The alumni weekend was filled with numerous events on and off campus, but the chance to enjoy meals and distinguished alumni ceremonies in the new Student and Community Center was the highlight of the weekend for many alumni, some of whom

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Dr. Elliott Presenting Round Table Paper

Dr. Robinson Honored

by Mo. Senate

Dr. Dan Elliott, professor of biology, will present a paper this summer at the Oxford Round Table in Oxford, England. His topic, “Intelligent Design, Scientific Literacy, and Politicizing Science,” will focus on the differnce between scientific methods and faith and the folly of trying to combine the two.

Elliott was selected following submission of his abstract. About 35 delegates will attend the prestigious event.

Dr. O.A. “Berre” Robinson (right), professor of religion and philosophy, was recently honored by the Missouri Senate. In a resolution proffered by Senator Bill Stouffer, he was honored for receiving the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

The honor is only the latest in a long line of academic awards Robinson has received, which include Central Methodist’s Chester E. Hanson Award for Outstanding Teaching, CMU’s Master Teacher Award, the ODK Award for Outstanding Teaching, the Outstanding Educator Award from the United Methodist Church Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and multiple listings in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. He was recently invited to present at the Oxford Round Table in England, along with Dr. Mary Beth Freiden and Dr. Dan Elliott.

Dr. Carter Publishes Book on Covert Action Dr. John Carter (below), chair of the Division of Social Sciences, is publishing a new book. Titled Covert Action as a Tool of Presidential Foreign Policy: From the Bay of Pigs to Iran-Contra, the work studies presidential employments of covert action as a foreign policy tool during six presidential administrations from Kennedy through Reagan.

The book offers the reader a series of vignettes of covert operations undertaken by the American intelligence community during the critical period from 1961 to 1989.

These vignettes examine and illustrate the evolving nature of the relationship between the American presidency and the burgeoning intelligence community during the middle to late Cold War era.

CMU photo by Cathy Thogmorton

Campus News

Students Present Papers with Dr. Wiegers In March two CMU students joined Dr. Robert Wiegers, professor of history, in presenting papers at the 48th Annual Missouri Conference on History, held this year at State Fair Community College in Sedalia. As part of Wiegers’ conference session on “The Missouri Militia from 1751 to the Present,” sophomore Christina Thompson presented a paper on “The Free Black Militia of the Louisiana Colony,” and junior Ruben Hardesty presented one on “The First Missouri Militia, an Anniversary Date.” Wiegers concluded the session with comments and a summary paper.

Dr. Wiegers will also have an article published in the Missouri Historical Review this summer. Titled “Missouri’s Naval Militia, an Inland Area Navy,” the article is slated for publication in the July 2006 issue of the journal.

CMU photo by Don Cullimore

Faculty Farewells Central sends best wishes with several members of the faculty and staff who are going on to new pursuits this year.

Rev. Sara Chaney, who has been director of church relations since 1997, has been appointed associate pastor of Webster Hills UMC in the Gateway Central District.

Rev. Dennis Harper, the director of Central’s Wesley Foundation campus ministry, will be taking over as the pastor at Garden City UMC in the Heartland South District.

In a related move, Rev. Daniel Hilty, who has been pastor of Linn Memorial UMC, serving the campus and town for five years, is becoming the senior pastor of the First UMC in Jefferson City.

Dr. Alan James, assistant professor of chemistry, has accepted a position at Columbia College. He has been a member of the CMU faculty since 1999.

Doug Fessler, physical education instructor, head women’s basketball coach, and

sports information director has accepted a job teaching in Harrisburg. He had been with CMU since 1996.

Assistant CMU basketball coach and admission recruiter Travis Day has accepted a position from the New Madrid County Central Schools to teach and coach in that district, his high school alma mater. Day graduated from CMU in 1997 and has spent the last three years as the assistant varsity and head junior varsity basketball coach at CMU in addition to his work in the Admission Department.

Prof. Susan Bartel has accepted the position of assistant professor and director of the MBA Program at Stephens College. She has been assistant professor of business since 2004 and sponsored the innovative SIFE team. Bartel was recently honored with the Charlyn Y. Law Award from the Columbia Area United Way for promoting community service.

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Theresa Davis

Second Fraternity Goes National The CMU Greek organization, Sigma Alpha Chi, which has been in existence for nearly 60 years, has decided to affiliate with the national fraternity Phi Delta Theta.

It is the second fraternity at CMU to affiliate with a national organization since February 2005 when the Grand Council of Tau Kappa Epsilon accepted the petition of Delta Sigma Psi Fraternity to become affiliated with TKE. Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity has 155 active chapters and four colonies throughout the United States and Canada. It was founded in 1848 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where it is still headquartered. The organization was founded on the ideals of friendship, sound learning, and moral rectitude.

Phi Delta Theta has a historical association with Central Methodist. In 1876 a Phi Delta Theta chapter was established at Central College. It continued for two years beore ceasing operations.

Dillingham Receives Exemplary Teacher Award

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Dr. Thomas Dillingham, associate professor of English, was presented with the Exemplary Teacher Award during Honors Convocation April 23 at the university.

The award is given by the Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. Dillingham was nominated for the award by CMU faculty members and recommended by the faculty personnel committee. Criteria for selection as Exemplary Teacher include “excellence in teaching, civility and concern for students and colleagues, commitment to values-centered education and service to the institution, community or church.”

A CMU faculty member since 2002, Dillingham taught English, including Freshman Composition and Rhetoric, Character and Literature, Expository Writing, British Literature 1660-1830, British Victorian Literature, and Senior Thesis. He served as a member and chair of two university committees: Assessment and Cultural Affairs. He retires this year after four years at CMU. In addition to literary reviews, Dillingham has also published numerous articles, including “Missouri’s Literary Heritage,” a pamphlet published by Missouri Center for the Book; “A Passion for What’s Real: Poetry at the Marshall Public Library,” in Show-Me Libraries; and articles on William Gass, Peter Matthiessen, Sharon Old, Adrienne Rich, Muriel Rukeyser, Winfield Townley Scott, and C.K. Williams in the Encyclopedia of American Literature.

Dillingham has also been active in the Missouri Center for the Book-Missouri State Library, an affiliate of the national Center for the Book established in 1977 by the Library of Congress. He also is the founder and sponsor of CMU’s Geist Visiting Writers Program, which hosts a series of lectures at Central each academic year.

Dillingham earned his bachelor’s degree in English at Princeton University and his master’s degree and doctorate in English at Boston University.

Development officer Theresa M. Davis has been appointed as interim vice president for advancement. She takes over responsibilities for the position from former Vice President for Advancement Wendell Snodgrass, who left at the end of March to assume a fundraising position in Kansas. Davis has served in various capacities in the CMU Division of Advancement since the fall of 1996. Most recently, she was director of alumni relations and director of planned/major gifts.

Dr. Rita Gulstad has been appointed interim vice president and dean of the University, comprising both the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Graduate and Extended Studies. She replaces Dr. Earl Robinson who stepped down this spring.

In appointing Gulstad, Dr. Inman noted the opportunity for the two colleges to work even more closely together as a single university.

New Common Reading Dr. John Flanders, chair of the Division of Accounting, Economics, and Business, has announced that the Common Reading for the 2006/2007 academic year will be The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini.

Publishers Weekly called The Kite Runner “an eloquent Afghan version of the American immigrant experience in the late 20th century” with “several brilliant, startling plot twists that make this book memorable both as a political chronicle and a deeply personal tale about how childhood choices affect our adult lives.”

CMU photo by Don Cullimore

Dr. Rita Gulstad

CMU photo by Don Cullimore

CMU photo by Cathy Thogmorton

Davis and Gulstad Assume New Duties

Dr. Thomas Dillingham

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Saying Goodbye

S

by Cathy Thogmorton

aying good-bye to a favorite teacher is always hard, but when that person has influenced an entire campus to the extent that Nancy Jones has, it seems an impossible task.

Prof. Jones steps down from teaching this spring after 19 years at CMU’s Swinney Conservatory of Music. Hundreds of students have taken voice lessons or class from her. At the same time, she has taught all of us how to lead, how to listen, how to overcome adversity, how to laugh, and how to strive to be our best.

Nancy has been a member of the Swinney Conservatory faculty since 1987 and has been teaching singing for 41 years in higher education. For many years she has directed the Swinney Conservatory opera program, organizing and producing annual performances, such as “A Night With Menotti” and The Ballad of Baby Doe. She annually presented guest artists and vocal master classes with nationally known teachers, and she sang personal recitals on and off campus.

In 1998, Prof. Jones received the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Orpheus Award for significant and lasting contributions to the cause of music in America. She was instrumental in the founding of Central’s Theta Omicron Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, a women’s music organization which took the place of Phi Beta.

The faculty at CMU selected her to receive the Exemplary Teaching Award from the General (National) Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church in 2003.

During her professional career as a singer and vocal teacher, Nancy Jones performed as soloist with the Kansas City Symphony, the St. Louis Municipal Opera and the Kansas City Lyric Opera. She studied in Europe and created and recorded a premiere role for RCA records. She received her academic degrees from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Pittsburg (Kansas) State University, where her mentor was Margaret Thuenemann, who later donated her music library to Nancy. While the library was here, Nancy established an annual fall concert known as “The

Photos, clockwise from upper left: Nancy starred as Abby Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace, flanked

by Clay Hardesty as nephew Jonathon and Teri Haack as sister Martha (photo courtesy of Nancy Jones); Nancy at graduation where she became professor emerita, gave the address, and led the singing of the alma mater; Steve Watts ’88 (seated) visited Nancy’s classroom to talk about the life of a professional performer; an always gracious Nancy accepted flowers at her retirement concert; former students came from all over the world to honor Nancy in a special concert; Nancy with son Steve ’94. (other photos by Cathy Thogmorton)

Gems of the Thuenemann Library.” The library has now moved on to another active voice teacher and former student of Thuenemann in Texas.

It is indeed difficult to say those goodbyes to a teacher and mentor. However, we no longer have to say good-bye to Nancy Jones as a friend. She has accepted an administrative position with the University.

President Marianne Inman has announced that Nancy will stay on to become an asso-

ciate dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She will be involved in revision of some curriculum, including the current CMU 111 and 411 courses; student advisement; special events planning; and as administrative liaison to a number of faculty committees.

We are delighted to be able to say good-bye and hello at the same time to one of our true Central legends, Nancy Jones.

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Above, CMU students help kids mark up the Quad on chalk day. (inset) Students of the Utilizing Family and Community Resources work on setting up activities for children during TV-Turnoff Week.

CMU photos by Cathy Thogmorton

Stellar Science Fair

Turning Off the Tube

Alumni Band Still Fun

This spring the Fayette Area Community Trust funded a grant of $264 to be used toward National TV-Turnoff Week, in a project of Professor of Education Dr. Sherri Griffin’s class in Utilizing Family and Community Resources. The focus of the course is strengthening cooperation between home, school and community to provide a supportive educational environment for young children. The students participated in the grant writing process with Dr. Griffin and developed and led alternative activities for students, including swimming, chalk drawing, tie-dyeing, “messy night,” musical games and other activities.

There had been some speculation as to whether a post-Prof. House alumni band would be successful or not. It was. For the love of music, 42 alumni (from years 19542005), 10 current students, and a smattering of CMU music professors came together to play in the annual Alumni Band Concert in February. Noticeably missing were the late Prof. Keith House and perennial band member Jerry DeVos ’69, a euphonium player who died in December.

Everyone enjoyed the guest conductor, Capt. Donald Schofield, commander of the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America. The concert began with a roll-off, then “Barnum” with no conductor, which everyone thought appropriate this time.

The concert included three selections by Central alumni: “Joyance,” by Claude T. Smith ’54; “Abram’s Pursuit,” by David Holsinger ’67; and “Fight Eagles,” the new CMU fight song by Andy Glover ’83.

During the day the band voted to elect five band alumni to a band board to meet with Dr. Thomas Ruess, associate professor of music and director of bands, in the spring to organize the next Alumni Band Day. Alumni elected to the board were: Jenny Martin Anspach ’03, Ed Lammers ’78, Kelley Head ’81, Skip Vandelicht ’77, and Jeff Miner ’93. They will meet to build a rotating term schedule and term lengths.

Busy Spring for Geist Visiting Writers The Geist Visiting Writer Series presented three writers this spring.

Scott Kaukonen, a noted short story writer, spoke in March. He had been a sports writer and an editor before pursuing graduate work in creative writing. He has won several prizes, including the Chicago Tribune’s Nelson Algren Award. He currently teaches at the University of Missouri.

In April, the Geist Series presented two poets, Kevin Prufer and Walter Bargen.

Prufer is the author of three books of poetry, Strange Wood, The Finger Bone, and Fallen From a Chariot, as well as the editor of multiple publications. He is associate professor in the Creative Writing Program at Central Missouri State University.

Bargen has published nine books of poems, including The Feast: Prose Poem Sequences, which won the 2005 William Rockhill Nelson Award for best poetry book by a Missouri writer. He has won numerous awards for his poetry and his fiction.

The Geist Series is funded by supporting donations and the Fayette Area Community Trust and provides a forum where students and others can hear writers reading from and discussing their works. It is named in honor of English professor emeritus, Dr. Joe Geist, who currently serves as curator for the Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art on the CMU campus.

New SGA Leaders Elected

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The CMU Science Division hosted about 100 students from regional high schools and middle schools for the Three Rivers Regional Science Fair and the Missouri Junior Academy of Sciences Competition in the new Student and Community Center in March.

Sponsor Dr. Jerry Priddy, assistant professor of mathematics, praised the cooperation of the entire CMU community, especially the students who ran the fair. “I want to state for the record how nice it is to work with the kind of students we have here at CMU,” he said. “They were professional in completing their assigned tasks, courteous to all of the competitors, advisers and parents, and genuinely engaged with the students that came to compete.

They are a marvelous asset.”

The Student Government Association has new leaders for next year. Elected president was David Hutchison, a history and religion major from Vienna, Mo., and pastor for St. Paul United Methodist Church in Fayette. Elizabeth Platt was elected vice president. She is a business major from Eldon, Mo., specializing in marketing and advertising.

www.centralmethodist.edu

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Honors Convocation Awards Presented

CMU photos by Don Cullimore

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uring Honors Convocation April 23, six Central Methodist University faculty members and more than 70 students were recognized for their achievements.

Dr. James S. “Tiger” Gordon, professor of chemistry, was honored by students as the “most outstanding teacher” on campus. The recognition is formally known as the ODK (Omicron Delta Kappa) Chester Hansen Teaching Award.

Two other faculty members received recognition from students as the second and third most outstanding teachers on campus. They were, reDr. James “Tiger” Gordon (right) spectively, Dr. Ronald G. receives the ODK Chester Hansen Nutter, assistant professor Teaching Award from Dr. Dan Elliott. of religion and philosophy, and Susan M. Bartel, assistant professor of business. Both received Harold Momberg Gold Chalk Awards. Momberg, a Fayette resident, is a CMU professor emeritus of biology who retired in 1994.

Dr. Andrew F. Herbig, assistant professor of biology, was honored with the Glenn C. Riegel Faculty Science Award. The award is voted on by faculty in recognition of an outstanding faculty member.

Dr. Thomas F. Dillingham, associate professor of English, was honored with the Exemplary Teacher Award given by the Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. Dillingham was nominated for the award by CMU faculty members.

Dr. O.A. “Berre” Robinson, professor of religion and philosophy, was also recognized during Honors Convocation for his receipt of the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (see story page 7). The Governor’s award honors effective teaching and advising, service to the college community, commitment to high standards of excellence and the successful nurturing of student achievement.

Among the students who were recognized during Honors Convocation was Taylor Adam Brown of Fayette, who was the first recipient of a new honor – the Jeff Wilcox “Raising the Bar Award.” The memorial award is in honor of an outstanding former CMU student, Jeff Wilcox, who graduated in 1992 and died from brain cancer earlier

this year in California, where he lived. His widow, Stephanie RussellWilcox, and his parents, Ken and Kathy Wilcox, are sponsoring the award in his memory. It will go annually to a CMU student who has “raised the bar” in his or her efforts as a student and as a citizen.

Other students recognized with key awards included Kristofferson R. Culmer with the Human Relations Award, Douglas D. Hansen with the Taylor Adam Brown (left) accepts the new Jeff Victoria Award, and Wilcox “Raising the Bar Award” from Jeff’s parents, Ken and Kathy Wilcox, and his widow, Benjamin Tyler Holt with the Kim EverStephanie Russell-Wilcox. ett Memorial Award.

The Pannier-Cavanah Excellence in Education Awards went to Whitney E. Howser, Nathan Ryan Werremeyer and Amanda L. Massen.

Six students were recognized with the CMU Alumni Association Outstanding Senior Awards.

They were: Andria L. Altman, Kristofferson R. Culmer, Ryan McClouth, Andrea K. Mooneyham, Dr. Richard Bradley (left) presents one Elizabeth M. Roberts and of many awards to senior Kristofferson Christopher B. Townley.

(Kris) Culmer.

Two graduating students were recognized in the CMU Honors Program for having written outstanding senior theses – Martha Allen in biology and Elizabeth M. Roberts in chemistry.

Math Students Attend Convention Students from colleges and universities across Missouri gathered in St. Louis on April 27-29 to attend the annual meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) as part of the Missouri Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers Convention. Nine students from Central Methodist University and their teacher, Dr. Linda O. Lembke, professor of mathematics and mathematics education, were among the participants at the America’s Center in St. Louis.

The students, who all plan to teach mathematics or attend graduate school upon graduation from CMU, took part in special workshops designed for pre-service teachers and attended a special banquet. Speakers at the banquet included Cathy Seely, NCTM president, and James Rubillo, NCTM executive director. The future teachers also served as student workers at the annual meeting, greeting conference participants and giving directions.

One of the highlights of the national meeting was a session which focused on the CBS television series, “NUMB3RS,” a drama which depicts how people “use mathematics every day.” Series stars David Krumholtz and Navi Rawat answered questions about how the show has changed their perception of mathematics, as did Cheryl Heuton, one of the show’s producers and creators. Ed Burger, one of the show’s lesson-activity mathematicians, discussed lessons pertaining to the show which are available online through a joint initiative between Texas Instruments and the NCTM. Attending the conference from CMU were seniors Scott Peyton, Jessica Brewer, Melissa Lotz, Steve Loutzenhiser, and Josh Grotzinger; juniors Tonya Goosen, Jenn Lester, and David Reinert; and freshman Ian Young.

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Jones and Hilty Deliver CMU’s Commencement and Baccalaureate Addresses

Rev. Daniel Hilty

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Honorary Degree Conferred

An honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters was conferred on Robert M. Garst. Garst, a retired businessman, long-time civic leader and philanthropist, attended Central College (CMU) before transferring to Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) in Springfield, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in education and business administration.

Garst has funded seven Hall of Sponsor Scholarships at Central Methodist University and is in the process of endowing an eighth award. He has also actively supported higher education at Texas Tech University and Southwest Missouri State University (MSU) and United Methodist Church parishes in Midland, Tex- (Above) CMU Board of Trustee member as, and his hometown of Bruce Addison helps hood Robert Garst Marshfield, Mo. Now retired, Garst has had a long and distinguished career in the energy industry, including the establishment of his own oil and gas management and investment company. A charter member of the American Association of Professional Landmen, Garst was honored by this organization in 2004 as the recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award for “demonstrated leadership, integrity, and contribution to the industry, the community and the profession during your entire land career.”

Garst and his wife, Edith, live in Midland, Texas.

Professors Dillingham and Jones Granted Emeritus Rank Two CMU faculty members who are retiring this spring were granted emeritus rank.

Thomas F. Dillingham, CMU associate professor of English since 2002, taught English, including Freshman Composition and Rhetoric, Character and Literature, Expository Writing, British Literature 1660-1830 and British Victorian Literature, and Senior Thesis.

While at CMU, he founded and sponsored the Geist Visiting Writers program, named in honor of Dr. Joseph E. Geist, CMU professor emeritus of English.

Dillingham’s teaching career has spanned more than 40 years, including 29 years at Stephens College in Columbia, Mo. He was honored with the Exemplary Teacher Award given by the Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church.

He was nominated for the award

by CMU faculty members.

Jones, a tenured professor of music at CMU, had been a member of the Swinney Conservatory faculty since 1987. She had taught singing for 41 years in higher education. She served as director of the Swinney Conservatory opera program, organizing and produc-

Prof. Nancy Jones

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CMU photos by Cathy Thogmorton

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ancy Thompson Jones, retiring professor of music at Central Methodist University, delivered the May 6 commencement address in Puckett Field House and the Rev. Daniel L. Hilty, pastor of the Linn Memorial United Methodist Church on the campus since 2001, was baccalaureate speaker.

In July, he will accept a new assignment as senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City, Mo. More than 150 students from the main campus received Baccalaureate degrees, and 10 received Master of Education degrees. Approximately 24 more students from CMU’s Extended Studies Program and its regional campus in Sedalia also received undergraduate degrees.

photo courtesy of Jim Steele

Central Methodist University student Andria (Andi) Altman received CMU’s highest student honor, the Selecman Achievement Award, during commencement. Altman graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in chemistry and a minor in biology. She is the daughter of Larry and Eileen Sue Altman of Newark, Ohio.

Altman was the holder of a Curator’s scholarship from CMU. She was recognized as the top freshman student in spring 2003, and was also recognized as the top general biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry student. She has been on the CMU Dean’s list for the past seven semesters and is listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

She served as a chemistry assistant at CMU, and a pharmacy tech at the Arensberg Pharmacy in Newark, Ohio. She also served as a CMU Student Ambassador and the Convener Coordinator for Linn Memorial Church. She was also a member of the CMU volleyball team.

She is a member of the following organizations: Gamma Sigma Epsilon (national chemistry honor society), American Chemical Society Student Affiliates, ODK (Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honorary), AlSelecman Award winner, Andi Altman pha Epsilon Delta (national (left) and friend between ceremonies. pre-medical fraternity), Beta Beta Beta (national biological honorary), Alpha Chi (national college honor scholarship society) and Kappa Mu Epsilon (national honor-

John F. Kincaid Award Dr. Shirley J. Peterson, director of nursing and chair of the Health Professions Division, was presented with the John F. Kincaid Award, a departmental award that is given in recognition of an academic department’s programs that lead to significant contributions to education. Peterson accepted the award of behalf of the Nursing Department.

Peterson, who holds a master’s degree in nursing and a doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia, has been with Central Methodist University since 1986.

Dr. Shirley Peterson

CMU photo by Don Cullimore

Selecman Achievement Award

ary mathematics fraternity).

Altman will begin her career this summer as a Chemist I in the Analytical Services Division at Sigma-Aldrich Corporation in St. Louis, Mo. Additionally, she plans to further her education by earning a master’s degree in chemistry.

The Selecman Achievement Award was established in 1957 by Bishop Charles C. Selecman, a member of the Central College Class of 1898, a College Curator (1913-1914), and the third president of Southern Methodist University (1922-1938). He directed that the award be presented to the student who displayed the following characteristics to an extraordinary degree: Good Citizenship on the Campus, Scholarship, Religious Leadership, Moral and Spiritual Qualities and Outstanding Achievements.

CMU photos by Cathy Thogmorton

ing annual performances, and she annually brought to the campus guest artists and nationally known teachers who would present vocal master classes.

The Swinney Conservatory of Music at Central Methodist University held a recital March 25 to honor Jones for her long and distinguished career as a singer and voice teacher. Although retiring from full-time teaching, she plans to continue as a private voice teacher.

She has also accepted an invitation to serve as an associate dean in the CMU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

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Making a Difference in the Lives of Others Central Students Join Gulf Hurricane Relief Effort

been washed away with the house. There was nothing to see except random debris in their yard and a few cinderblocks from the house and church next door. We spent the second half of the day cleaning up the yard, making piles to be picked up next to the road.

The third day was the most memorable. The whole group was again together, and we were directed to help an elderly widowed gentleman whose children lived out of state.

At his house we gutted five rooms and a hallway.

The insulation and wall were wet and mildewed, which was especially bad for those who had asthma. The job was fun but a lot of work. We pulled out the ceiling and insulation, walls, nails, and carpet and developed a huge pile out next to the curb. The owner was very appreciative and could hardly keep from crying.

He touched everyone and made the trip rewarding. He had wanted to pay us or keep us for dinner but we refused pay and couldn’t stay for dinner since we had to get back and cook for the other 120 volunteers at the church where we were camping out.

The fourth and last day was the most stressful. As for many of the other places, we were given directions using street signs that no longer existed. It took us two hours—and a lot of help from locals—to find the correct location. When we finally got there, we cleaned out all of the contents from the house and lined them up along the street. We were finished. We left for New Orleans and from there home with a new perspective and a greater appreciation for our own lives. photo courtesy of Chris Buckman

e took the most amazing group down to Mississippi for the Hurricane Relief Effort. The group of 20 was evenly divided at 10 guys and 10 girls.

We took two vans and a truck and headed out March 11. We were packed in pretty tightly, but we enjoyed the trip nonetheless. It was the first time for some of the students to leave the state, and we managed to cover parts of three other states during the following week. We stopped in Memphis, Tenn., one night, as it was the halfway point between Fayette and Gulfport, Miss. We then spent the next four nights in Gulfport, two more in New Orleans, La., and then again in Memphis on the return trip, finally returning to Fayette March 19.

Once we arrived at Gulfport, the devastation was awe inspiring. It had been six or seven months since the hurricane, but there was still much to be done. Houses next to the shore were totally wiped out, plus a Taco Bell and a gas station.

Nothing was left except the concrete foundations. Huge churches were gone or missing their whole first levels. We saw a car inside a pool, trees full of debris, a Wal-Mart Supercenter with no first floor—it had been completely washed out.

The houses behind were visible, as all the store’s cinder blocks were gone. Further inland, for several miles roofs had to be repaired because of the high winds and rain.

While in Gulfport we tackled several tasks. The first was stripping and laying a roof. Not everyone had done this before, so it was definitely a learning experience for most.

We worked into the dark the first night, then came back and worked until the next midday. One of the touching moments we had was when the little girl of the house got home and rejoiced, yelling “We got a roof!” We left a small group to finish laying the last side of the roof and continued on to another couple in need.

The second house was now merely a lot, right next to the shore. The lot used to host a two-story house. The house had been completely washed away. The owners told us they never found any of their appliances, furniture, or anything—all had

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CMU photo by Don Cullimore

Students heading for the Coast (l-r), back row: Anna Compton, Shantrell Hudson, Whalen George, Ian Young, Nicholas Himmelberg, Ricky Smith, Kris Culmer, Rigo Bravo, Chris Buckman, Mike Malone; front row: Mickey Pitman, Ashley Glick, Kate Gruenewald, Mandy Schwennesen, Reena Patel, Tabitha Assel, Alicia Frans, and Chrissi Couch

(Above) Some students take a break while others keep roofing.

(Right) Life was primitive for the students who slept on the church floors.

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photo courtesy of Chris Buckman

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By Chris Buckman, Assistant Director of Student Development

CMU photo by Don Cullimore

Swann to Highlight Season of 75ths

Pisano Appears as Poe The enigmatic and dark personality of one of America’s most suspenseful 19th-Century literary figures, Edgar Allan Poe, made a posthumous appearance in April in the Willie Mae Kountz Recital Hall. It was indeed as if a reincarnation of Poe had come to life again in the body of English professor Frank Pisano (above).

Playing to a full house for nearly an hour, Pisano mesmerized his audience with a performance depicting Poe presenting a lecture at one of the well-known East Coast lecture halls in 1845, just four years shy of his mysterious death. Titled “Edgar Allan Poe at the Lyceum,” the one-man performance was bolstered by period music provided by Dr. Barbara Hamel, associate professor of music

and pianist, and CMU music student and soprano Veronica Herman, whose clear, lyrical voice was well suited to the period music.

Dr. Joe Geist, professor emeritus of English and director of the production, introduced the evening’s performance with a few wellchosen comments about Poe and the literary period. The stage performance was written

by Dr. Pisano and sponsored by the CMU Department of English.

Pisano, originally from the Northeast, said his interest in Poe developed during his teaching years on the East Coast when he had contact with The Poe Society of Baltimore, which has sponsored an annual commemorative lecture since 1923.

ODK Holds Initiation

CMU photo files

Omicron Delta Kappa, The National Leadership Honorary Organization, held initiation on Feb. 12. The following students were inducted: Rebecca Campbell, Kimberly Cullom, Whitney Howser, Christi Imgarten, Amanda Maassen, Scott Peyton, Melissa Polston, David Reinert, Layna Richardson, and Kara Sullivan. Beth Roberts was this year’s president of ODK. Dr. Becky Enochs is the faculty sponsor and Dr. Dan Elliott is the faculty secretary.

This fall will stand witness to several 75th anniversaries for the CMU and Fayette communities. The year 1931 saw the emergence of multiple changes in the physical and educational landscapes on the Central campus.

The first major occurrence was the opening of Paul H. Linn Memorial (United) Methodist Church on the site of the former Centenary Chapel. Linn remains a magnificent edifice that still supports a congregation of townspeople and college students. With the opening of the church came the installation of the Wicks organ, the instrument on which virtually all Central organ students learned to play. It, too, is celebrating its 75th anniversary, having been restored to its original glory in recent years. As a result of the original installation of the organ, then-organist Luther T. Spayde created the Organ Guild, which is also celebrating its 75th anniversary. In order to properly honor all of these birthdays—the church, the organ, and the Organ Guild, a special concert is set for this fall.

Internationally renowned organist Frederick Swann will present this fall’s Wicks Organ Concert. Swann, the national president of the American Guild of Organists, is Organist Emeritus of the Crystal Cathedral and of First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, and Organ Artist-in-residence at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, Calif.

In the summer of 2001, after completing a 60-year career as a church organist, Swann retired from church work in order to devote his full time to concertizing. The 2002-2003 was designated his “farewell season” as a touring recitalist, although he continues to perform on a limited schedule. He recently presented recitals at the National Convention of the American Guild of Organists and the National Convention of the Organ Historical Society, as well as major recitals at the Cathedral in Cologne, Ger., and Westminster Abbey in London.

The concert will be held in Linn Memorial UMC, Fri., Sept. 22, and is presented by the church and the Organ Guild. Following the performance, The Swinney Conservatory of Music and Central Methodist University will honor Swann with a reception in the new Student and Community Center. The concert will be free and open to the public.

A concert to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of Central’s A Cappella Choir, also by Dean Spayde, is being planned for next year.

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CMU photo by Cathy Thogmorton

CMU photo by Cathy Thogmorton

Dr. Clark Williamson, left, talks about religion’s effect on hatred and bigotry. Students in Dr. Nutters class, below, were totally focused on Dr. Williamson’s insights.

International Theologian Visits Campus Internationally-known theologian Dr. Clark Williamson visited campus on April 19 as a guest in Assistant Professor of Religion and Philosophy Dr. Ron Nutter’s Religious Roots of the Holocaust class where he discussed the roots of bigotry and hatred. Following the class, both men were available for continued student discussion over lunch. That night Williamson also lectured to a full house in Stedman 200 on “The Ethics of Exclusion.”

Williamson is a prominent theologian who works in the area of Christian theological response to the Holocaust. He has published several books on the subject, as well as on other areas of theological inquiry, and he has lectured and held workshops throughout the country on the effect of the Holocaust on contemporary theology. Williamson is a personal friend of Nutter and of Dean Emeritus Keith Keeling, who sponsored a reception at his home after the evening lecture.

CMU photo by Cathy Thogmorton

Campus Improvements Taking Place

Fine Phonathon Finish

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Once again, the exuberance of the CMU Phonathon students has allowed the group to exceed its goal. The students raised $32,099 for student scholarships. Divided into three groups, the students used mutual support and friendly competition to reach individual team goals as well.

The student group consisted of: Kristy Bare, Michael Boedeker, Sam Carden, Michael Crump, Katie Dove, Mariah Fuimaono, Stephanie Gordon, Jesse Little, Ma’u Pahulu, Sara Reyes, and Jodi Rush.

As students began heading home for the summer, the normally peaceful post-graduation atmosphere on the main campus in Fayette was filling with the sounds of bucket cranes, backhoes, power tools and loud-talking workers tending to a multitude of campus improvement projects.

Projects cheduled for completion by the fall semester: • Replacement of all the single-pane windows (many still with the original wavy glass) in 152-year-old Brannock Hall with modern, insulated windows. This project will greatly increase the energy efficiency of the building. The new windows are designed to be architecturally compatible with the original windows and their placement in the building.

• Installation of new heating and cooling (air-conditioning) systems in Swinney Conservatory and remodeling of its basement rooms • Renovation of nine classrooms and science labs in Stedman Hall • Preparation of area for new women’s softball field adjacent to the Estes Baseball Field • Improvements to classrooms (equipment, lights, furniture, etc.) in T. Berry Smith Hall • Replacement of steps behind Puckett Field House and some sidewalks These improvements follow on the heels of numerous campus upgrades that have been underway for several years, including remodeling of residence halls, the George M. Smiley Library foyer and reading room, and installing of a fiber-optic backbone across campus to facilitate communications capabilities. Many additional campus improvements are planned for the future as funding allows.

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CMU photo by Cathy Thogmorton

Christian Perspectives Week Celebrated

Artwork from Dr. Gennie Pfannenstiel’s students were displayed as part of Christian Perspectives Week. Above, a mosaic cross was displayed at the SCC. Right, Thera Freeman pays tribute to Mary.

Central Methodist celebrated Christian Perspectives Week in early April. Under the directive “The Great Commission: A Call to Action,” students could participate in a variety of activities for reflection and for action.

Among these were a public lecture by Dr. D. Stephen Long, associate professor of system-

atic theology at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, titled “Theology and PostSecular Philosophy: Beyond the Division between Faith and Reason”; a prayer breakfast where the students of the Gulf Coast Mission shared their experiences; a Mission Fair; a forum on “Flannery O’Connor on Supernatural Grace”; humanitarian work around Fayette; and experiences with musicians and visits to local churches.

Music Festival Seventy bands, choirs and other large musical ensembles overran the campus in early March for the 28th annual CMU Music Festival. Approximately 5,000 students from 67 middle, junior and senior high schools performed. In addition to the large groups, competitors included small instrumental and vocal groups and soloists. The festival was managed by students in the Swinney Conservatory of Music.

Inscape Gathers Award

Central’s Mu Lambda chapter has been awarded first place in the Sigma Tau Delta Literary Arts Journal Award competition for the 2005 Inscape. Sigma Tau Delta is an international English honor society. The award carries a $400 cash prize as well as prestige. The literary journals were judged on content, editing, and design. Inscape was described by the judges as well-designed with “an interesting mix of cultures and genres.”

The 2006 Inscape has recently been published. Chosen from submission from students, faculty, and staff, the book showcases campus talent through short stories, poetry, original translations, photography, and other visual arts. Inscape annually awards its own prizes for outstanding fiction, non-fiction prose, poetry, foreign-language poetry, and non-literary creative arts media.

The publication was founded in 1975 by Tau Tau Tau honorary fraternity; the international English honor society, Mu Lambda Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta; and Scribblers and Scrawlers.

Publishing is underwritten by CMU’s Student Government Association. Dr. Jack Healy, associate professor of English, is faculty adviser for Inscape.

Winners for 2006 include: Ingrid Wood, the Thomas F. Dillingham Award for Non-Fiction Prose; Theron Seckington, the Gordon Hadfield Award for Poetry; Benjamin Tyler Holt, the William L. Spencer Memorial Award for Foreign-Language Poetry; Rachel Slinkard, the Elizabeth Stapleton Award in Art Education; and Brooke Cooper, the Byrd Cooper Kirby Award.

The cover photo (shown left) is “Bisicleta” by Brooke Cooper.

What’s New With You?

Your fellow alumni want to know what you’ve been up to Name: _____________________________________________________________________________ Class: ______________ Address: ____________________________________________City: ________________________ State: ________ Zip: _________ E-mail: ____________________________________ Phone (H): __________________________________ Employer: __________________________________ Phone (W): _________________________________ Send your news to: Spouse’s name: ___________________________ E-mail: _______________________________ Jenny Martin Anspach Spouse’s employer: ____________________________ Phone (W): _______________________ CMU Director of Alumni Relations Names and birth dates of children: _________________________________________________ Central Methodist University Additional news: _______________________________________________________________ 411 Central Methodist Square _____________________________________________________________________________ Fayette, MO 65248-1198 _____________________________________________________________________________ E-mail: jmartin@centralmethodist.edu Phone: (660) 248-6214

You can also easily update your information on our website!

Fax: (660) 248-2287 Go to www.centralmethodist.edu/alum and click on "Update your Profile" to share your news!

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STRATEGIC PLANNING AT CENTRAL METHODIST UNIVERSITY 2005-2006

by President Marianne E. Inman

D

uring the 2005-2006 academic year, the Central Methodist University community has been engaged in a comprehensive strategic planning process. Our purpose was to look at the next five to 10 years—2010 to 2016— and to design a vibrant future for this very special university.

We began this task at the annual summer retreat for the Board of Trustees in August 2005. At that time we considered the societal and global higher education contexts in which we operate, we were updated on learning preferences and characteristics of the current Millennial generation, and we envisioned the elements that will be necessary to create this vibrant future.

The summary statement from that session is the following: • Central Methodist University offers career-oriented, studentcentered education in the context of liberal arts within an environment that supports self-discovery, social responsibility, and global understanding.

• Regardless of the educational setting, delivery system, or program, there is a strong core faculty and a curriculum that is supported by relevant pedagogy.

• Nimble in our ability to respond to changing market needs, innovative programs are offered in new or newly renovated facilities.

• Students experience a compelling community of learners, faculty and alumni with opportunities for individual and customized education. Students can develop leadership skills through the CMU Leadership Academy, interface with professionals in many industries through our corporate partnerships, or work with faculty as they develop entrepreneurial initiatives.

In biweekly sessions throughout the year, the broadly representative strategic planning team began with an environmental scan of futures projections, both from a societal perspective and from the specific perspective of student learning and teaching, and the extraordinarily competitive higher education marketplace. The team assessed perceived strengths of Central Methodist University as well as challenges and concerns. We asked ourselves candidly “Who is CMU?” and we shared our views and data on student engagement and retention.

As the plan has evolved, seven major themes have surfaced: 1. Improve the Central experience and promote student engagement through academics.

2. Improve the Central experience and promote student engagement through co-curricular activities.

3. Provide facilities and equipment to support and enhance the Central experience.

4. Extend access to CMU’s quality programming through CGES (College of Graduate and Extended Studies).

5. Attract and retain students, faculty, and staff who embody CMU’s mission and values.

6. Determine our compelling distinctions and increase public awareness of CMU through dynamic marketing.

7. Develop a culture of continuous improvement and grow our resource base through enrollment, advancement, and entrepreneurial ventures.

Enrollment goals of 1,000 students at the Fayette campus and 1,500 degree-seeking students in the College of Graduate and Extended Studies have been established. Continuing progress in access to technology, including wireless capability, is essential, as are ongoing improvements to our buildings and facilities. A center for the performing arts would serve both this university and our broader community well. Additional improvements to our athletic facilities are in order, as are more cosmetic enhancements such as sidewalks and steps, signage, and landscaping. All of our learning and laboratory spaces must be kept current in order to serve our students responsibly and well. We intend to convert our traditional library to an information resource center, also known as an “information commons,” which would feature electronic access to the full range of Missouri’s academic libraries...a service which is currently available and needs to be promoted more widely.

Today’s students’ preferred study and learning patterns require space to gather, use computers, talk about what is discovered and learned, and put together presentations to share with other classmates. Smiley Memorial Library is perfectly suited to

A concurrent process to strategic planning was the external development of a comprehensive marketing plan for Central Methodist University. The Columbia firm of Woodruff Sweitzer was engaged to perform this service, and, as a preliminary step to designing the plan, they conducted research on Central’s multiple constituencies through focus groups, telephone interviews, and written surveys. Great appreciation for the Central Methodist experience was expressed through these means, along with some clear suggestions for future initiatives.

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those uses through space reconfiguration and the steady upgrading of technology access.

During this past year a comprehensive process of academic program reviews was undertaken, resulting in the deactivation of several low-enrollment majors and renewed emphasis on others such as our traditional “towers” of educator preparation, health professions (athletic training, nursing, and pre-med), and music. More targeted and aggressive marketing efforts are seen as vital to attracting students to the full range of our excellent academic offerings.

In this next year our faculty will be engaged in reviewing our first year seminar course, CMU111, and in determining the appropriate model for a capstone experience...whether it is more effective to restructure what was known as CMU411, required of everyone, or whether to place the responsibility within individual disciplines. We will also undertake a review of our general education curriculum to assure that it reflects the “towers” of the Central Methodist experience.

The “towers” that we have in mind...those elements that reflect our mission, creed, values, and goals and that characterize what every Central Methodist University student “gets”...are an internship, the opportunity to engage in faculty-mentored research or other scholarly inquiry, an integrative capstone experience, service learning, and leadership. Of course our longstanding commitment to excellence, to personal attention, and to the fullest development of each individual are a given...and are expressed in five more “towers” as we highlight the academic, spiritual, social, professional, and co-curricular development of our students. All of these elements constitute the Central Methodist experience. We believe that their combination and presentation are truly distinctive and will provide superior aca-

demic and professional preparation to tomorrow’s students.

Central Methodist University has always been a college of opportunity. Through the years, and still today, many of our students have been the first in their families to attend college.

Many students have been guided here, primarily by faculty, to the professional interests they were meant to pursue. Most students, thanks to an intensely caring faculty and staff, have discovered truths about themselves that had never occurred to them before they came to Central. We have always provided opportunities for leadership and service and opportunities to excel both in and out of the classroom. In more recent years this spirit of opportunity has manifested itself through our extended studies initiatives; today there is a Central Methodist University presence in approximately 100 locations in Missouri. For persons who are not able to pursue learning opportunities in Fayette, we bring the learning to them...often via technology but most often in face-to-face mode.

True to our founders’ vision and spiritual base, Central Methodist University has been guided through its 152 years by the values and principles of the United Methodist Church. The church’s values shine through our creed and our statement of values, which proclaims our commitment to teaching and living through honesty, integrity, diversity, civility, responsibility, respect, and caring. These tenets will always lie at the core of our being, even as we design programs and facilities and opportunities that best serve current and future generations of students. A Central Methodist University education is preparation for a life of difference making, of academic and professional excellence, of ethical leadership, and of social responsibility. Please join with us as we implement our strategic plan and create a vibrant future for this institution that means so much to so many.

Two Elected to CMU University Board of Trustees

Robert Anderson of Plano, Texas, and Deborah Sellmeyer of San Francisco

CMU photos by Don Cullimore

Two new members were elected to the Central Methodist University Board of Trustees during its spring meeting April 21-22 on the main campus in Fayette. They are Robert F. (Bob) Anderson, president and CEO of Cardiovascular Providers Inc., in Dallas, Texas, and Dr. Deborah E. Sellmeyer, a Central Methodist graduate and currently a physician in California.

An accountant by profession, Anderson earned a B.B.A. degree in Accounting from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1964 and attended the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University. In addition to his association with the American Institute of CPAs, he is a member of the Texas Society of CPAs, which he served as chairman in 2000-2002, and the Dallas Chapter of the CPAs. He served as president in 1990-91 of the University of Texas at Arlington Advisory Council, and as division vice president in 1987 and 1992 of the United Way. Anderson is the brother of Larry Anderson, CMU director of Admission.

Dr. Sellmeyer earned a B.A. degree in Biology from Central Methodist College (CMU) in 1987, where she graduated summa cum laude and was awarded Central’s highest student honor, the Selecman Achievement Award. While at Central she was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa. She was honored by CMU in 1996 with the Young Alumni Award.

Sellmeyer earned her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1991. She is a physician and researcher and is the director of the Osteoporosis Center at the University of California-San Francisco.

She also serves on the CMU Pre-Med Advisory Board.

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Collaboration and Interaction a Success

by Cathy Thogmorton

P

erhaps you are of an age to remember when college classes were, let’s say traditional. Except for the odd progressive prof who encouraged collaboration, most classes were lecture-based. It’s equally likely that if you were going into teaching, the first time you stepped in front of students was the day you began student teaching! That was the way of the world. Little research had been conducted in the area of how people best learn. Education was as it always had been.

Thankfully, those days are long gone.

Teaching models have evolved to reflect the way real students really learn. Questioning, exploring, hypothesizing, discussing, researching, collaborating, experiencing— these interactive and participatory modes of learning (and, therefore, teaching) help all Central students get an education that will prepare them to successfully navigate the work place and all other aspects of their lives.

Teachers at CMU have become exceptional guides, mentors, and facilitators rather than just dispensers of information. Devoted faculty and staff open up new worlds of possibility through a variety of interactive learning, and students become invested in the Central experience in the process.

Today’s CMU students get more than their toes wet in their education. Early on, they get to dive in head-first, test the waters, and practice with their water wings, so that when the time comes to swim off on their own, they are totally prepared.

Central Methodist University utilizes collaborative and interactive learning in classes that cross the spectrum of degrees and majors and include a wide range of activities from practicums, internships,

Reality . . . Check

Most students want class work clearly related to their fields of study. In the business department SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) students build business plans, establish and run their own businesses,

science photos courtesy of Paul Porneluzi

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and field work to mentoring, exchange programs, and special projects. These experiences provide students real-world experience, promote community service, and encourage personal growth. There are numerous examples of exciting and challenging interactive learning that takes place at CMU. Here are just a few.

and work with clients on marketing. Marketing students came up with the tagline “Get Noticed” (see photo above left), used

by Central last year.

Students in criminal justice classes investigate mock crime scenes, find and identify evidence, maintain a chain of evidence, take and lift fingerprints, do luminol tests for blood traces, and work aspects of a crime scene. Additionally, they are mentored not only by the teacher, but also by a sheriff’s deputy.

For those studying science, field trips are common. Students take to the fields to study birds and mammals, reptiles and fossils, stars and creeks. They use Central’s Morrison Observatory and Hodge Nature Sanctuary. Often aided by their professors and the career development center, many find science-related internships in the summers; and during the school year, they travel to put on science demonstrations for high school students.

In the nursing program, most of the extended studies nursing programs meet in hospitals, while the Fayette program places students into hospitals throughout the area.

To prepare music students in performance and teaching skills, teachers regularly set up external auditions. Setting up music festivals and marching band days on campus allows students to work on Photos: Hands-on activities in science include studying eagles (left), a mammal lab (middle), and stream invertebrate sampling (top).

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CMU photo by RoseMarie Rogers

While some interactive and collaborative opportunities reflect real life, many others also have an immediate and positive influence on the community at large. Students of adaptive physical education, for instance, work in conjunction with Fayette’s Endless Options, a sheltered workshop. Central students teach physical fitness, basketball, baseball, and football. Their clients, in turn, improve their self-confidence, social relationships, motor skills, and physical fitness.

In a similar scenario, each student in exceptional child psychology completes a 20-hour practicum with special-needs individuals through Endless Options, local schools, a therapeutic riding center and an autism center.

Music students provide an usual service by teaching community people private music lessons. They also assist school districts by adjudicating at music contests.

One class in the nursing programs requires each student to confer with local resources to identify health problems in a community. In another class, students work with preceptors on real world projects, and then usually implement them as well.

Art students have recently created murals to grace CMU’s Student and Community Center, a restaurant, and a building being restored as a community center.

In a course on thanatology, the study of death and dying, students went on a field trip to a funeral home. The director reviewed what happens after someone dies. As students had just lost a classmate, it was a very personal experience for some of them.

The pre-med mentoring program is another highly personal interaction. Professionals in the field answer questions, give guidance and encouragement, and help students take make their best choices. In truth, nearly all classes have builtin mentors — the teachers. Central is known for that, too.

Every division, every department encourages interaction and collaborative learning, even some seemingly just-for-fun activities like electrocuting pickles and making liquid nitrogen ice cream.

As for today’s would-be teachers—they get in front of students long before student teaching. By then, they will be fine-tuning their skills, not second-guessing their choices.

CMU photos by Cathy Thogmorton

Service to a Wider Community

CMU photo by Cathy Thogmorton

organization, evaluations, and crowd control—invaluable skills. Concerts, recitals, and performances are given at every stage, culminating in a senior recital.

Personal Growth

Students mature through realistic experiences and community service, but some classes focus on personal growth, too. In one class students trained to be hospice workers in the community as a response to the common reading, A Lesson Before Dying.

A course on the Holocaust this spring introduced students to varying viewpoints through guest scholars, theologians, and rabbis.

Students doing what they love, not just learning about it—what could be better! And nowhere is such interactive and collaborative learning more evident than at Central Methodist University.

Photos, top: CSI students working a crime scene, processing evidence, and setting up a blood luminol test.

Bottom: Thanatology students visit a local funeral home and view caskets and the embalming room.

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Central Excellence Fund

Y

CMU photo by RoseMarie Rogers

ou’ve heard it over and over. “Give to the annual fund.” “Support the Central Excellence Fund.” “Your annual support is critical to our success.” You’ve been told that the Central Excellence (annual) Fund supports important stuff, like student scholarships. Well, here’s some proof of the importance of your support.

Meet Doug Hansen (photo, right). Doug is a senior, majoring in English and minoring in Education. And Doug, like 99 percent of our students, receives CMU scholarship assistance, made possible in part by your gifts to the Central Excellence Fund.

Doug’s hometown is Monett, Missouri, and the scholarship aid he received enabled him to attend Central. He’s a busy guy here – a member of Sigma Alpha Chi social fraternity; a member of the soccer team and of the track team; involved in the Student Government Association. Oh, and he manages to maintain an impressive gpa, allowing membership in the ODK honors society and in Sigma Tau Delta, the English honors society. He’s also student teaching this semester, and tutoring on the side.

After graduation, Doug plans to pursue a graduate degree while teaching at the secondary (high) school level. He would like, eventually, to teach in Southwestern Missouri.

Doug is grateful for the financial support he has received as a student here. He understands that this support has been made possible by alums, parents, and friends of the university and fully intends to “pay it forward” with his financial support of CMU. You can continue to help students like Doug to succeed here at Central with your gift – annually – to the Central Excellence Fund!

Bergsten to Present Gaddis Lecture

CMU photo by Cathy Thogmorton

Dr. C. Fred Bergsten ’61 (photo, below), one of the leading economists in the world, will return to campus to present the 2006 Merrill E. Gaddis Memorial Lecture. The lecture will be held in Stedman Hall Auditorium on Oct. 12, the Thursday prior to Homecoming weekend. The public is invited.

Sponsored each year

by CMU’s Kappa Chapter of Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society for the Social Sciences, the Merrill E. Gaddis Memorial Lecture honors Dr. Gaddis, who founded the Missouri Kappa Chapter of Pi Gamma Mu in 1935 and served as Pi Gamma Mu Regional Chancellor. Gaddis, who joined the CMU faculty in 1929, was professor of history and later chair of the Social Sciences Division at CMU until his death in 1958. The national honor society has sponsored the Gaddis Lecture since 1984.

Bergsten has been director of the Institute for International Economics, the only U.S. research institution devoted to global economic issues, since he created it in 1981. The Institute’s team of two dozen senior economists is widely regarded as the best in the world and it has been called “the most influential think tank on the planet.”

Bergsten was previously assistant secretary for international affairs at the U.S. Treasury Department (1977-81) and assistant for international economic affairs to Dr. Henry Kissinger at the National Security Council (1969-71). He has chaired many national and international commissions, including the Competitiveness Policy Council chartered by the Congress, the Eminent Persons Group of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the “shadow G-7” to advise the leading industrial countries on their annual summit meetings, and the TransAtlantic Strategy Group created by the Bertelsman Foundation in Germany. He is now completing his 34th book on a

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wide range of international economic topics.

Bergsten graduated magna cum laude from Central Methodist University in 1961 and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by CMU in 1994. He was valedictorian of his class, president of honorary leadership society Omicron Delta Kappa and the Pan Hellenic Council, a championship debater and extemporaneous speaker, member of the varsity baseball and basketball teams, and a national Rhodes Scholarship finalist. He received M.A., M.A.L.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

Bergsten was a member of CMU’s Board of Curators from 1982 to 1990.

Hire CMU Grads!

Employers who wish to hire CMU students and graduates can post full time positions, part time jobs and internships through our eCampus Recruiter system at www.ecampusrecruiter.com/ centralmethodist.

Employers can access candidates from all academic majors.

There is also a section for alumni to sign up to be mentors to current CMU students.

Check it out today!

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CMU Career EXPO 2006 On Feb. 24, the James C. Denneny Jr. Career Development Center welcomed 45 organizations to CMU’s new Jacobs Conference Center to speak to students about full-time jobs, internships, summer employment, and graduate/professional schools. Approximately 300 students attended the fair with several landing internships and fulltime jobs from the experience. Overall, employers rated the EXPO a 4.86 on a 5 point scale, while students’ overall rating averaged 4.63.

The Career Development Center was pleased with the support of faculty, staff, students and alumni.

A broad range of organizations attended, from the Missouri State Highway Patrol to the Sherwin-Williams Company. Several organizations had alumni ties, such as Dick Bailey ’84, president of the Armadillo Group; Patricia Williamson-Hughes ’96, nutrition research scientist from Archer Daniels Midland Co.; Kasey Klug ’05, assistant manager with Enterprise Rent-a-Car; Jennifer Pomajzl ’99, physical therapist and certified athletic trainer from Excel Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Clinic; Shawna Frazier ’89, patient services recruitment manager for Independence Regional Health Center; J.B. Waggoner ’91, managing partner of Inovatia Laboratories, Inc.; and Tammy Royston ’03, supervisor of event promotions for Isle of Capri Casino. The Career Development Center would like to take this opportunity to thank the alumni who attended.

Career EXPO 2007 is set for Thurs., Feb. 22, 2007, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. If you and your organization would like to attend to speak with potential new hires at CMU, please contact Director Linda Lorenz.

2006-2007 Career Development Center Schedule of Upcoming Events Aug. 23 New Student Etiquette Event Sept. 11-Oct. 30 Senior “Power Lunch” Series, Mondays Oct. 18 Men Only: Dress to Win, presented by JoS. A. Bank Oct. 23 Graduate Exam Practice Tests given by Kaplan Test Prep Nov. 7 Professional Etiquette Dinner Jan. 24-Feb. 28 Career Workshops, Wednesdays Feb. 22 Career EXPO 2007 Mar. 7 Graduate Exam Practice Tests given by Kaplan Test Prep Mar. 27 Professional Etiquette Dinner, RSVP required Apr. 26 Senior Fair: The Last Stop

CMU photos by Cathy Thogmorton

Senior Professional Etiquette Dinner On April 18, 46 seniors attended a professional etiquette dinner in the Jacobs Conference Center. The evening started with a mix-andmingle session, followed by a four-course meal where students learned the finer points of dining in a professional setting. Table hosts for the event were President Marianne and David Inman; CMU Board of Trustees member David Atkins from the Missouri United Methodist Foundation; Janell Dimond ’84, assistant with the CMU Division of Professional Education; Kevin Iwasczuk ’94, environment section supervisor and chemist for Inovatia Laboratories; Theresa Davis, CMU interim vice president for advancement; Dr. Gennie Pfannenstiel, associate professor of education; and Dr. Keith Keeling, emeritus vice president and former academic dean.

Students rated the event overall an average of 4.67 on a 5 point scale. This event is offered twice a year and is geared to seniors beginning their professional careers. If you would be interested in participating as a table host at a future professional etiquette dinner, please contact Linda Lorenz.

The James C. Denneny Jr. Career Development Center is always happy to have alumni on campus to talk to students in an area of career development or expertise.

If you would be interested in assisting current students in any of these ways, please contact Director Linda Lorenz at llorenz@centralmethodist.edu or by calling (660)248-6255.

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Swinney’s Grainger Piano a Treasure

by Marvin Manring ’85

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Steinway concert grand piano plays a prominent role in the musical life of the Swinney Conservatory’s Willie Mae Kountz Recital Hall throughout each academic year. For nearly 80 years, its keyboard has been touched by a wide variety of performers, ranging from first-year piano proficiency students to some of the twentieth-century’s most acclaimed artists.

The piano was completed and shipped from New York by Steinway and Sons on November 12, 1926, to the Aeolian Piano Company of Missouri and was delivered to the Recital Hall shortly after the completion of the Conservatory. The instrument is informally known as the Grainger Piano, a tribute to composer/recitalist Percy Aldridge Grainger (1882-1961).

His three visits to Fayette add a unique personality to one of the Conservatory’s oldest instruments.

of Boonville, the composer found that the connecting train to Fayette would not be available until sometime later in the day.

Even though this would be well in time to prepare for his evening recital, he was not one to wait around and decided to hike the tracks into Fayette. (The Katy Railroad had already reduced daily service to the community to one round trip in 1927, an unpopular decision with Central’s student body.)

Grainger set off for Fayette on foot with his tuxedo and a sheaf of music rolled up in his knapsack, arriving well before the afternoon train. (The composer had a reputation for demonstrating his athletic nature throughout his life. Keith House ’49, recalled a master class recital featuring Grainger at Kansas

Grainger first visited Central College in the spring of 1930 to present a recital in what was then one of the newest and grandest additions to the campus. Although the Central Collegian does not provide specific details, the idea of Grainger’s appearance that year was most likely suggested to Bishop E.F. McMurry by Dr. N. Louise Wright. The bishop was eager to showcase the music department’s new home as soon as he took the reins of the college presidency in 1927. Wright, the Conservatory’s innovative piano instructor and recitalist, was also responsible for Grainger’s return appearances in Fayette during 1948 and 1952.

Grainger’s eccentric nature came to the fore on his first visit to Fayette. After his arrival by train to the Katy Station north University’s Midwest Music Camp in the mid-1950s. When it was his turn to perform, Grainger leaped directly from the first row of seats up to the stage.)

All of Grainger’s three recitals were spectacular performances, as recalled by the Collegian, House, and retired Conservatory instructor Prof. Thomas Yancey. The 1930 recital featured his own (at that point) unpublished interpretations of English folksongs and also works by composers of the early 20th century, most notably Edvard Grieg.

Following his first performance, Grainger took a fountain pen and autographed the gold harp of the Steinway piano. Each time the instrument has been serviced and restored by Steinway and Company (the last being in the early 1980s), specific instructions have been given to preserve the Grainger signature.

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Editor’s note: Marvin Manring graduated from Central in 1985 and is a band director in Stockton, Mo. He claims to have been one of the worst pianists ever to tickle the Grainger’s ivories. His daughter, Liz Manring, took the photograph of the Steinway piano harp signed by Percy Grainger.

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CMU SPORTS Coaching Change for the Lady Eagles

CMU photo by Cathy Thogmorton

Following the Lady Eagles’ season, head coach Doug Fessler stepped down after nine years with the women’s basketball program at Central. He will be leaving CMU later this year to assume a teaching position with the Harrisburg (Mo.) School District. During Fessler’s tenure as head coach at CMU, the Lady Eagle program has produced 14 NAIA Scholar All-Americans, including five this season, two 1,000-point scorers, and six All-Conference performers.

Andrea L. Brooks, an NCAA Division II coach, becomes the new women’s head basketball coach at CMU. She will also serve as an instructor in the CMU Athletic Department.

Brooks has served as assistant coach of women’s basketball and recruiting coordinator for the past year with Quincy (Ill.) University.

She assumed her coaching duties with CMU in April. Prior to her work at Quincy University, Brooks served as assistant coach and direcAndrea Brooks tor of basketball operations at Bradley University, an NCAA Division I school, in Peoria, Ill., from 2003 to 2005.

A 1999 graduate – and valedictorian – of Hickman High School in Columbia, Brooks was a point guard for the Kewpies all four years of school. She also played as a point guard through four years of college, including two at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, 1999-2001, and two at Western State College of (Gunnison) Colorado, 2001-2003, where she earned her bachelor’s degree with a major in kinesiology with minors in art and English. She holds a master’s degree in English from Bradley University and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. Brooks has “We felt that she was the bt choice for CMU; family ties she brings excellent coaching and rruiting skills to Columwith her from NCAA Division I and Division II bia where her Jim schools, as well as strong academic credentials.” father, Sutherland, Ken Oliver, Vice President for Campus Life recently announced that he would retire both as boys’ basketball coach at Hickman High School and from teaching this spring. Brooks’ brother, Jason Sutherland, played men’s basketball at the University of Missouri-Columbia from 1993 to 1997.

Additional Coaches Hired at CMU Kenneth Oliver, vice president of campus life at Central Methodist University, and head Football Coach Merle Masonholder have announced the hiring of Gregg Nesbitt and Mike Brooks as assistant

football coaches for the Eagles. Oliver, long active in CMU athletics, also serves as CMU’s director of athletics.

Nesbitt comes from Hickman High School, in Columbia, where he spent the last 13 seasons as the head football coach. He also has collegiate coaching experience from Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State), where he was the defensive coordinator during the 1990-1992 seasons when the Bulldogs made it to the NCAA II National Playoffs. Nesbitt will continue his teaching responsibilities at Hickman High School, while serving as the outside linebacker coach for Central Methodist University.

Brooks, husband of new head women’s basketball coach Andrea L. (Andi) Brooks (see story left), was an assistant football coach with Quincy (Ill.) University prior to joining CMU. He also played football during college at Western State College in Gunnison, Colo., and at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and in the semi-pro leagues.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Western State, where he majored in communications, with a minor in theatre.

Also joining the coaching ranks this year at CMU is Jim Sutherland, father of Andi (Sutherland) Brooks, who will be serving as an assistant basketball coach in the women’s program. Brooks retired earlier this year from Hickman High School in Columbia, Mo., where he had been a teacher for many years and boys’ basketball coach.

YOU ARE INVITED! Central Methodist University 2006 Hairston Hall of Fame Game September 16 This year’s inductees: Amy Dority ’97 Greg Hession ’88 Mike Nichols ’87 David Fox ’83 Larry Anderson ’67

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The Men’s Basketball season came to a close in February with a record of 10-19, with a Heart of America Conference record of 7-13.

The Eagles had two players selected to the AllConference Team. Mike Wilken was selected to the AllConference Third team.

In 28 games this season, Wilken, a senior from Eureka, Mo., led the Mike Wilken Runnin’ Eatakes the shot gles in points (424), assists (70), free throws (98/121 – 81%), and threepointers (56/110 – 51%). Wilken tied the

school record for three-point shots made in a game with nine against Missouri Valley and has moved into the 1,000-point club.

Jordan Willer, a senior from Fulton, Mo., received an Honorable Mention. After 28 games, Willer averaged 12.5 points per game (351 total) and 5.5 rebounds per game (153 total). Willer also joined the elite 1,000-point club for the Runnin’ Eagles and has earned All-Conference honors for the second time.

The Men’s Junior Varsity team went 12-4 with their season ending in the first round of the HAAC JV Tournament.

Men’s basketball is coached by Jeff Sherman, this year assisted by Travis Day.

Women’s Basketball

CMU file photo

The CMU Women’s Basketball team fought through a tough season with a record of 5-24. Andi Mooneyham earned Third Team All-Conference honors for her season of play. In 29 games this season, Mooneyham, a senior from Marionville, Mo., led the Lady Eagles in rebounds (179) and steals (72) and was second in points (333). This is the fourth time she has earned All-Conference honors, and she ends her career number eight on the all-time scoring list with 1,208 points. She also set two new records in Lady Eagle Basketball history. Mooneyham set a new record in steals for a game, with nine at Baker University on Jan. 21, 2006, and on steals for a career September 25, 2006 with 258, surpass-

SAVE THE DATE CMU Golf Classic

at Forest Hills Country Club in Chesterfield, MO Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 10:00 a.m. and an awards reception following play.

CMU file photo

Men’s Basketball

Patrick Stroupe

ing the old mark of 253 set by Chris Gambill (1980-84).

The Women’s Junior Varsity team ended their schedule with a record of 8-8.

CMU Track and Field Central Methodist junior Patrick Stroupe and freshman Geoff Karhoff (Carl Junction, Mo.) qualified for the NAIA National Championships in race-walking this spring, after their performances at the Missouri Valley Championships. In the 5K race, Karhoff completed a time of 28:40, while in the 10K race, Stroupe completed a time of 48:19.

Earlier this season Stroupe claimed his first NAIA title as he won the 3K race-walk at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships. Stroupe won the race-walk with a time of 13:13.27, 30 seconds in front of his nearest competitor. He also participated in a 10K race against individuals from Canada, Central America, and Caribbean nations in

CMU sophomore Kiley Lewis bats during the Lady Eagle softball game against Columbia College in March 2006.

Proceeds to benefit CMU Scholarship Programs.

More information can be found on our website at: www.centralmethodist.edu/golfclassic 26 SPRING 2006 ✥ THE MAGAZINE OF CENTRAL METHODIST UNIVERSITY ✥ THE TALON

CMU file photo

Hole Sponsorships are available.

Please contact the Alumni Office for more information at 1-877-CMU-1854 ext. 56234 or by email at jmartin@centralmethodist.edu.

CMU Softball

CMU Baseball

Bridget Geisendorfer

The CMU softball and baseball seasons have come to a close for the year. The Lady Eagles ended their season 20-32 with a record of 8-12 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The HAAC Championship tournament was cancelled because of rain, so the Lady Eagles did not have a chance to defend their conference championship.

The Lady Eagles split a two-game series against William Jewell earlier this season with

New Projects in Athletics The CMU Athletic Department is currently working on many projects to improve the athletic facilities on campus. Ground for a new softball field has already been leveled near Estes baseball field on Reynolds Street.

The softball team currently plays its home games on a field in the Fayette city park. Another project on the list is adding lights and turf to the existing football field. These improvements would help not only the football program, but men’s and women’s soccer, the marching band, intramural sports, and summer camps. The CMU Booster Club is currently raising funds for these improvements.

The Baseball team ended their season with a record of 17-33 and 11-17 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Two Eagles were selected for All-Conference honors. Outfielder Nate Breland, a senior from Waynesville, Mo., earned First Team honors.

He also broke five Eagle records during his career at Central and is now the all-time leader in at-bats (603), hits (222), runs scored (158), sacrifices (25), and hits by pitches (30). Second-baseman, Perry Rice, a senior from Chaffee, Mo., was awarded Honorable Mention. He led the Eagles in at-bats with 161 and ended the season with a .311 batting average. He was among the team leaders with a .980 fielding percentage, and he turned 23 double-plays on the season.

The Eagles are coached by Van Vanatta ’99, who is in his second year as head coach. He is assisted by Jeremy Irlbeck, Jason Nold, and Justin Simpher.

Sept. 02 OPEN

CMU file photo

senior Laura Park pitching a shutout. They also swept a two-game series against Missouri Valley with Park pitching another shutout.

One Lady Ealge earned conference honors. Bridget Geisendorfer, a senior from LaGrange, Mo. was named First Team All-Conference. She was among the league leaders in fielding and hitting while playing shortstop this season for the Lady Eagles.

The Lady Eagles are coached by Pat Reardon ’90, who is in his 12th season as head coach. He is assisted by Ashley Smith ’05 and volunteer assistant coach Gene Reardon.

CMU file photo

August of 2005, where he placed third.

The track and field coaches are Brent Tischer and assistant Nate Rucker.

Stroupe is the son of Sam and Kathleen (Holmes) ’76 Stroupe, and the grandson of Bill Holmes, former football head coach at Central Methodist and member of the Hairston Hall of Fame. Holmes coached at Central from 1965-1968 and again from 19711978. During his tenure the Eagles compiled a record of 54-45-2, winning a conference championship in 1975.

Nate Breland

Central Methodist University Eagles Football 2006

CMU file photo

CMU senior baseball player, Perry Rice, slugs one against Truman State

Sept. 09

Missouri Valley College

Away

Sept. 16

MidAmerica Nazarene

HOME 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 23

Avila University

Away

Sept. 30

Baker University

HOME 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 07

Culver-Stockton College

Away

Oct. 14

Lindenwood University

HOME 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 21

Benedictine College

Away

Oct. 28

Graceland University

HOME 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 04

William Jewell College

Away

Nov. 11

Evangel University

HOME 1:00 p.m.

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TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

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Central Methodist University Alumni Association

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nother graduation is upon us. How time flies! Another group joins the ranks of the alumni. Another group sits back and reflects upon the four swift years that have passed.

It is so important to hold onto those memories of classes, music, sports, and the social life of a small college campus. One of the privileges of the presidency of the alumni association is giving a (brief, in my case) talk to the graduating seniors at commencement. For reasons that I don’t understand, I have been “matched” for some time with Prof.

Nancy Jones in the processional. She is such a class act. I will miss visiting with her when she retires.

On a different note, my wife Catherine and I spent some time in Baldwin, La., in early spring with UMCOR, the outreach arm of the Methodist Church that aids victims of disasters worldwide. This year we took supplies to “Common Ground” in New Orleans, a group of college-age kids who took time off school to aid in the recovery after Katrina. I was personally proud to

Mark your calendars for

Alumni Weekend 2007 In an effort to make reunions a better experience for everyone returning to Central, all class reunions will be held during Alumni Weekend in June, instead of a spring reunion weekend and reunions during Homecoming.

The first CMU Alumni Weekend will be June 8-10, 2007.

On campus accomodations will be available in McMurry Hall for the weekend!

find out that a group of Central Methodist University students went south to spend time helping with the recovery effort. I think this speaks volumes for the character and makeup of the CMU student and the United Methodist Church!

CMU has become more far reaching since 1961 when we were conveniently located on one campus, in one town, and with limited vision. The new administration has changed that. We now have campuses in Park Hills, Union, and Sedalia, as well as Fayette, plus courses offered throughout the state in hospitals, high schools, small group settings, and over the Internet. We now offer nursing and graduate programs that truly broaden our scope. The alumni of CMU can reflect back fondly on “the old days” yet raise our heads in pride of our university’s global accomplishments!

Please contact us, especially you brand new alums. We love to hear from alumni! The input dictates what we need to do and how to foster closer communication with our readers. My personal e-mail is Bevo@marshallnet.com; Director of Alumni Relations Jenny Martin Anspach’s e-mail is jmartin@centralmethodist.edu.

Central had existed for years in Fayette alone; now we have a much more global nature in our presence and in our outlook and activities. We think the changes are exciting. What do you think?

More information will be available soon!

Dr. Carl “Bevo” Lester President, CMU Alumni Association 28 SPRING 2006 ✥ THE MAGAZINE OF CENTRAL METHODIST UNIVERSITY ✥ THE TALON

NEWSMAKERS Robert ’35 and Mary Katherine “Bunny” (Pieper) Long ’34 were honored for their years of service to Friends of Historic Boonville at a ceremony in the Hain Garden on Sept. 25, 2005. A gazebo in the garden was dedicated to them.

Dorathy “Dot” (Wagner) Griessel ’36 and husband, Otto, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on June 28, 2006.

DeForrest Cline ’40 was appointed to the Missouri Greene County Senior Tax Board to help govern the distribution of contracts for organizations providing assistance to seniors.

James Harper ’42 is living in Town and Country, Mo., where he is doing well and “enjoying each day of life!”

Mary (Meentemeyer) Femmer ’45 and her husband, George, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on June 16, 2006.

Kathryn (Assel) ’46 and Louis Koenig ’49 make their home in Cincinnati, Ohio, where Kathryn has logged more than 15,000 hours of volunteer service at a local hospital in the ambulatory care unit. The Koenigs keep busy with mission trips around the world.

Lowell Allen ’47 is in good health and is employed by ARC Greater Chicago as an Emergency Relief Vehicle driver and has provided hot meals for many of the recent hurricane victims in the South. He also serves as Mass Care Head in Chicago, Ill., which serves northeastern Illinois counties.

Mary (Lewis) ’47 and Robert Hornyak ’48 live in Cincinnati, Ohio. Robert was honored by the University of Cincinnati and the U.C. Alumni Band for 50 years of service to the University. In January he was inducted into the Bandmasters Hall of Fame by the Mu chapter of Phi Beta Mu, International Bandmasters Fraternity.

Barbara (Conway) Harris ’51 is in her 10th year working part-time in the Chemistry Deparment at the University of Missouri-Rolla.

John Ellis ’53 is the President of Ellis Business Consultants Inc. in Cordova, Tenn.

Pansyetta (Glaser) Fleener ’53 recently sang a concert in the Grand Bahamas and also distributed clothing and books to the hurricane victims there.

Jeanette (Amick) Schwab ’58 is involved with the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Development Procurement and Supply Chain Management at BP in Houston, Texas.

Joanna (Dunnington) Innes ’59 is a professor emeritus of Newberry College in Newberry, S.C. She retired in 2003.

ness Studies in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and has been invited to travel to Ecuador to teach the Chemistry of Essential Oils to medical students there.

he was the vice president of marketing and sales.

The Rev. John Gooch ’60 has written a new book, John Wesley for the 21st Century. It is his sixth book in as many years, most of them published by Abingdon Press. John is a retired pastor and current youth ministry consultant, freelance writer and editor. He and his wife, Beth (Hammond) ’59, live in Liberty, Mo.

Floyd Satterlee ’64 is retiring from teaching after 40 years. He and his wife are planning to spend more time at their cottage in northwestern Ontario.

Donna Warford-Alley ’61 is the provost at the West Bank Campus of Delgado Community College in New Orleans, La. She is also a member of the Algiers Economic Development Foundation in New Orleans and a member of the Government and Economic Development Committee of the Harvey Industrial Canal in Jefferson Parish. In 2003 she was selected as one of the 40 “Women of the Year” by City Business Magazine.

Anne Coates-Conaway ’62 is a retired associate professor of counseling at Trinity University in Washington, D.C. Norma (Mounter) Frink ’62 is a reading specialist at Della Lamb Charter School in Kansas City, Mo. Harold Johnson ’62 is a retired United Methodist minister. He is currently the chair of the Restorative Justice Task Force for the Missouri United Methodist Conference, a member of the Missouri Coalition for Restorative Justice, the disaster coordinator for the Heartland Central District of the United Methodist Church and a director of the KC Metro Community Organizations Active in Disasters.

Donald Keathley ’62 is the owner of Concierge Handyman Services in Middlefield, Conn.

Joyce (Eickmeyer) Owens ’63 is currently a registered yoga instructor with the National Alliance of Yoga Teachers. She teaches 10 classes a week in western suburbs of Chicago. Joyce is also a member of the West Suburban Choral Union in Wheaton, Ill., and has been teaching piano.

Michael Jones ’64 retired from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska in December 2005, where

Patricia (Bausell) Lowe ’64 is the manger at Gilead Elder Care in Berrien Springs, Mich.

Bill Schoening ’64 has been with the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) for 38 years. He came out of retirement to work for the National Solar Observatory (NSO) as a designer and engineer on what will be the world’s largest solar telescope, called ATST (Advanced Technology Solar Telescope).

Jim Steele ’64 has been elected president of the Fayette area Chamber of Commerce. He previously has served as president of the Fayette Rotary Club, the Fayette Round Table Club, and the Fayette Area Heritage Association. Late last year, Jim and his wife, Christy, were instrumental in successful efforts to save the historic old Howard County jail. Ultimately, the jail sold to a Los Angeles attorney who is refurbishing it as a residence. Steele is owner of the Democrat-Leader and the Fayette Advertiser. The newspaper office will move in June to a new location on North Main Street (just south of the CMU campus) in space formerly occupied by Douglas Miller, DDS. Judith (Dryden) Clark ’65 is the grant coordinator for Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Mo. Kathryn (Waller) Coleman ’66 continues to sell antiques and collectibles in the Kansas City area.

Patty (Fulton) Rogers ’66 teaches English at the Spring Grove Area Schools in Spring Grove, Pa. Mark Leech ’68 is retiring as the superintendent of Gasconade County R-I schools. His wife, Sharon (Graves) ’68, will also retire this May after teaching Spanish for the last two years.

Donald Brashears ’69 is the president of the Miami office of DDB Advertising.

Earl Detwiler ’69 is the Chaplain PRN at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kan.

Alumni from the area gathered at the home of Charlotte (Lee)’55 and Ham Dethero in Lafayette, Calif., in early April for a chance to reconnect and remember their Central years.

David Stewart ’59 is the president of the Center for Aromatheraphy Research and Education in Marble Hill, Mo. He recently received a Doctor of Natural Medicine from World Organization of Natural Health Practitioners. David is the author of 16 books and just completed a lecture tour of Australia. He has also been appointed to the teaching faculty of the Institute of Energy-Well-

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Ron Johnson ’69 has been promoted to chief information officer for Scripps Networks. Scripps Networks is comprised of stations such as HGTV, Food Network, and GAC.

Arthur Ferraro ’89 recently completed a project for the Department of the Interior’s Take Pride in America Campaign.

He worked with National Spokeman Clint Eastwood and produced a series of televison public service announcements encouraging citizens to volunteer on public lands. He and his staff also produced an informational video on Take Pride. Art is still a producer and director for the Bureau of Land Management. He and wife Monica ’89 and thier two boys, Wilson and Zane, live in Phoenix, Ariz.

Art is pictured here shaking hands with Clint Eastwood.

Bill Rudeseal ’69 retired from Magneti Marelli Powertrain USA in April 2005 after 25 years as vice president for human resources and assistant secretary/treasurer.

Dan Trampe ’69 recently retired from the practice of dentistry and lives in Phoenix, Ariz.

Gary Miller ’71 is currently on the board for the Robla School District and is active in his union and in Democratic party politics.

Mary Sanderson Dolan ’72 graduated from Saint Louis University with a Master’s of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies on Aug. 12, 2005. She is currently a physician assistant at I-70 Medical Center in Sweet Springs, Mo. Cynthia (Lausen) Marek ’72 is a counselor for the Bristol Tennessee City Schools in Kingsport, Tenn.

Donna (Weiss) Shaff ’72 is the assistant activities director at Golden Canyon RV and Golf Resort in Gold Canyon, Ariz.

Cynthia (Jacobs) Ruggeri ’73 is the branch manager of the Cinco Ranch Branch/Ft. Bent County Library in Katy, Texas.

Linda Brown ’74 is a medical transcriptionist for Boone Imaging Center in Columbia, Mo. Tim Rice ’74 is a broker-agent at the Wells Insurance Group in Maryland Heights, Mo. Christine (Devlin) Winter ’76 is the band director at Sweet Springs R-7 Schools and will graduate with a master’s degree in education in May 2006.

Daniel Jackson ’77 is a detective and firearms examiner for the St. Louis County Police Department and Crime Lab. Judith (Galloway) Westen ’77 is an elementary music teacher for the Santa Fe Public Schools in Santa Fe, N.M. She and her husband, Phillip, are joyously awaiting their first grandchild in Aug. 2006.

Leonard Holloway ’78 is the assistant principal for the Riverview Gardens School District in Bellefonatine Neighbors, Mo. Martin Homer ’78 is a registered nurse at Sevens Hospital.

Linda (Miller) Teasley ’78 is a manufacturing technician at Intel Corporation in Hillsboro, Ore. She has been employed there since 2001 when she earned a technical degree in laser electro/optics.

Jorene (Burks) Brooks ’79 is the secretary to the director of physical education and athletics at Columbia Public Schools. She served as president of the Missouri Association of Educational Office Professionals in 2004-05.

William Homer ’79 is the project office manager for EDS in Plano, Texas.

Jerome Lenk ’79 is the director of music and liturgy at the Mission Dolores Basilica in San Franciso, Calif. In March of this year, Jerry was the organist for a benefit concert for “Search for the Missing Children,” a program run by a non-governmental organization in El Salvador to help find missing children.

Beth (Glaser) Luetjen ’79 was honored as an Oustanding Educator in a Specialized Area by the Columbia Fund for Academic Excellence. She is a music specialist at Paxton Keeley Elementary School in Columbia, Mo. Pam (Mills) Kawakami ’81 is a music teacher at Fort Mill Schools in Fort Mill, S.C. Patricia (McClain) Rice ’81 is the assistant vice president and editorial director of gift books for Andrews McMeel Publishing in Kansas City, Mo. Melissa (Knauer) Bazley ’82 and her husband, Raymond, have recently opened their expanded restaurant, RayMels Grill & Bar in Oak Grove, Mo.

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John ’62 and Marilyn (Ashe) ’63 Macumber during their trip to Egypt earlier this year.

Dominic Lenk ’82 is currently the assistant to the Abbot at Saint Louis Abbey in St. Louis, Mo. This summer he will be moving to Washington, D.C.,

to be a part of a team that will revitalize monastic life at Saint Anselm’s Abbey.

Charles Fisher ’83 assumed command of the 59th Medical Operations Group at Lackland AFB, Texas. He leads nearly 1,200 highly skilled and specialized medical staff in the Air Force’s largest medical facility.

Terry Henderson ’83 is the assistant general manager at Bodine Aluminum, Inc. in Troy, Mo. Karen (Wagganer) Burton ’84 is a freelance writer in St. Peters, Mo. James Hazlett ’84 is the owner and project manger at Hazlett Painting in Carthage, Mo. Susan (Rampy) Stegeman ’84 is the chief development officer for Special Olympics Missouri in Jefferson City, Mo. Mark Evans ’85 is the managing editor for the Blackwell Journal-Tribune in Blackwell, Okla., where he has been sports editor and associate editor since September 2004. In February 2006, Mark’s sports section won first place for Class 3 dailies in the Oklahoma Press Association Better Newspaper Contest. Mark recieved a master’s degree in history from Southeast Missouri State University and has written two books on historic Sainte Genevieve, Mo. Tricia Halferty ’85 is the assistant director of online communications at Taylor University-Fort Wayne.

Brett Nolker ’85 is an assistant professor of music education and founding member of the Music Research Institute at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In addition to coordinating the vocal/choral music education program, Brett has been actively conducting and presenting research, including recent papers at the national symposium of the Society for Music Teacher Education and an invited presentation for the Special Research Interest Group in Music Perception and Cognition at the National Conference of MENC. His wife, Jill (Puyear) ’83, teaches kindergarten for the Rockingham County Schools.

Angela (Brewer) Petry ’85 recently received a fifth Diamond Recognition Award from Verizon for yearly sales results and performance. She is a customer contact associate at Verizon in Wentzville, Mo. Dan Oliver ’87 was recognized as Missouri Coach

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of the Year for 2005. He is the head football coach at Affton High School.

Gay Litteken ’88 is self-employed as an early childhood and family consultant in Columbia, Mo. Denise (Wilson) Gissenaas ’89 will be teaching kindergarten at St. Alphonus Catholic School during the 2006-07 school year.

John Link ’89 will take over as the superintendent of the Fair Grove School District July 1, 2006. His wife, Wendy (Dryer) ’93, is a sixth-grade teacher for the Hartville R-II School District.

Kevin Mullins ’90 lives in O’Fallon, Mo., where he is self-employed selling health insurance.

Martin Hanson ’93 is a research fellow for the Howard Hughes Medical Center in Aurora, Colo.

He and his wife, Rosa, have one son, Martin III.

Steve Foote ’97 recently passed the Professional Engineers Exam to be a licensed environmental engineer.

Shelly (Linthacum) Hash ’93 is the children’s pastor at Journey Christian Church in Lebanon, Mo.

Janette (Roberts) Nichols ’97 is Probation and Parole Officer II for the Missouri Department of Corrections in Jefferson City, Mo. She received her master’s degree in criminal justice administration in 2002.

Brian Ross ’93 is employed by Shelton-Dooms Inc. in Ava, Mo. He and wife Rhonda have a son, Avery.

Alfred Valle ’93 is the president and owner of the 1st Morgage Group in Winter Park, Fla., and recenlty opened a third location in eastern Orlando, Fla.

Susan (Fitzpatrick) Hatfield-Sturgeon ’91 is a reading specialist at Renick Elementary, Renick, Mo.

Jeremy Anderson ’94 is a teacher and coach in the Springfield Public Schools in Springfield, Mo. He recently earned a master’s degree in administration.

Robert Lappin ’91 is a counselor in the Parkway School District in Manchester, Mo.

Joe Haffner ’94 is the news director of KIRXKRXL-KTUF Radio in Kirksville, Mo.

Todd Phillips ’91 is the director of Title III activities and an adjunct instructor at East Central College in Union, Mo.

Charles LaValle ’94 is employed at the Medical Specialists of Southeast Missouri as an infectious diseases physician.

Glenda Owenby ’92 is the director of operations for the American Poolplayers Association in Lake St. Louis, Mo.

Stephanie Bagby-Stone ’95 was promoted to assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Hallie (Rieves) Rainwater ’92 and her family recently moved back to Columbia, Mo., after living in the Washington, D.C., area for the past three years. She is currently a choreographer and dance instructor for the Lyceum Theatre, Dancearts of Columbia and Tryps.

Laura Castaneda ’95 graduated from the accelerated-track nursing program at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., on May 5, 2006. She will begin her new job as a medical-surgical nurse at North Kansas City Hospital on June 5, 2006.

Dori (Thomas) Waggoner ’92 has been granted a graduate teaching assistantship at the University of Missouri-Columbia where she will enter the music education doctoral program in the fall of 2006.

Jameson Allen ’93 is the head football coach and a physical education teacher at Windsor High School in Imperial, Mo. Christopher Goodheart ’93 is employed by Meridian Medical Technologies as a microbiologist.

Jeffrey Dinan ’95 is a regional sales manager for Kumho Tire USA in Chicago, Ill. Marde (Kent) Gann ’95 is a perfusionist at Rockford Memorial Hospital in Rockford, Ill. She and her husband, Greg, have two sons, Kelton and Korbin.

Lochie (Barton) Horton ’95 is a teacher in the Farmington R-VII school district. She is the CTA president and serves on an MSTA regional committee.

Scott Kuhlman ’95 completed his Master of Music Education in 2005 at CMSU. Carrie (Johnson) Barnes ’96 is a human resources consultant for Heartland Financial Group in Blue Springs, Mo. She also works a few days a month for the Missouri Bar Association.

David Govro ’96 is the director of warehouse operations for the U.S. Toy Company in Grandview, Mo. Manoj Abraham ’97 is a senior technical director for AT&T in Kirkwood, Mo.

Will Eisenhuth ’99 is the physical education department head for Patagonia UHS in Patagonia, Ariz. He recieved a master’s degree in career and technical education from Northern Arizona University and became a P.A.D.I. dive master in Dec. 2005. He also acted in his second movie, Silo Killer II. Will and wife Vicky, who were married in March 2005, were blessed with a daughter, Brooke Lynn, on Aug. 6, 2005.

Jennifer Anthony ’97 is an account executive for Osborn and Barr.

Christina Butterfield ’97 works in case management at a Methodist hospital in Indiana.

Heather Clark ’97 is a security risk officer at First National Bank and Trust Company in Columbia, Mo. Lori Erickson ’97 is currently a seventh-grade math teacher for the Aurora Public Schools in Aurora, Mo.

Elizabeth Shelby-Pettigrew ’97 will receive a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction on May 22, 2006, from William Woods University. Currently, she is employed at Swope Health Services in Kansas City, Mo., where she is the program manager of a school-based substance abuse prevention program titled Missouri SPIRIT Initiative. The program provides substance abuse prevention services to students in the Hickman Mills C-1 School District in Kansas City, Mo. Elizabeth resides in Belton, Mo., with her husband, Allen Pettigrew Sr. ’97, and their two sons Allen Jr., 9, and Percy, 5.

Angela Thacker ’97 is a systems analyst at the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville, Mo. Debbie Chavez-Newby ’98 is the park superintendent at Finger Lakes State Park in Columbia, Mo. Josia (Marriott) Leipholtz ’98 is an optometrist in the St. Louis area.

Joshua Richards ’98 is an assitant football coach at the University of Missouri-Rolla in charge of coaching the wide receivers. Josh is continuing to teach for the Saint James School District in St. James, Mo. Stephen Siebert ’98 is a nurse anesthetist for Mid-America Anesthesia Consultants in Columbia, Mo. His wife, Gretchen (Singleton) ’98, is a Title I reading teacher for the Boonville School District.

Dan Smith ’98 is the president and owner of Home Land Security and Electronics Inc. in Overland Park, Kan. Stephanie Bays ’99 is employed by Children’s Mercy Hospital as a pediatric resident in Kansas City, Mo. Julie Christian ’99 is a physician assistant and lives in Bloomfield, Mo. Annalynn (Dietzel) Gardner ’99 was promoted to director of radiology at Citizens Medical Center, Inc. in Colby, Kan. Calvin Gazaway ’99 is a professor at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He is also a minister.

John Oberlin ’99 will complete his residency training program in pediatrics in June 2006. He and wife Lesley (Strickland) ’01 and their twins, Mason and Mackenzie, will move to Dayton, Ohio, where John plans to join the pediatrics residency teaching staff as a general pediatrician at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Michael Reischman ’99 currently lives in Podebrady in the Czech Republic. He is the assistant headteacher, which involves administrative work, and teaches language classes at a private language school in Nymburk called “The Central Bohemian Adult Learning Institute of Jan

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Amos Komensky.” He also teaches business classes at international companies in the area.

Stefanie Spoon ’99 is a special education teacher at Meramec Valley R-III School District in Pacific, Mo. She was honored by Who’s Who of America’s Teachers in 2004-05 and in 2005-06.

Marti Wilke ’99 is a controller at Vatterott College in St. Ann, Mo. Laura (Topel) Jones ’00 is the accounting manager at For Your Convenience in St. James, Mo. Recille Norris ’00 is a laboratory scheduler for Gates Corporation in Columbia, Mo. Suzanne (Brill) Bradshaw ’01 is the owner and a pastry chef at Cakes Etc. in Olathe, Kan. Some of her creations can be seen at www.cakes-etc.net.

Douglass Hawkins ’01 recently joined the Navy and is currently stationed at the Naval Air Station in Whidbey Island, Wash. He is attached to the Security Unit, which is part of Military Police and Security.

Mary Henke ’01 is an at-risk elementary teacher for the Montgomery County R-II school district in Bellflower, Mo. Melissa Krog ’01 is teaching physical education and health at Truman High School in Independence, Mo. She is also the assistant coach for the varsity women’s basketball team and the head coach for the varsity track team.

Mark McMain ’01 is a production manager for IVX Animal Health in Saint Joseph, Mo. Amy Releford ’01 is a community support worker for Swope Health Services in Kansas City, Mo. Whitney (Crabtree) Drabant ’02 is teaching English at Mexico High School in Mexico, Mo. Rhiannon Pearson ’02 recieved her MBA with an emphasis in finance in 2004. She is currently the accounting manager for Transam Trucking in Olathe, Kan. Crystal (Annable) Hite ’02 is teaching fifth grade for the Sikeston R-VI School District in Sikeston, Mo. Anna (Hines) Meier ’02 is a sales consultant for Ford Restaurant Supply in Columbia, Mo.

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Kellie (Piesbergen) Platz ’02 graduated in May 2006 from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, Mo., with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and will be doing her residency in anesthesia and perioperative medicine at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Ga. Her husband, Kyle Platz ’01, will continue his second year of residency in family practice at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center

on Fort Gordon Army Post in Augusta, Ga. Travis Thebeau ’02 was promoted to captain in the Army in Nov. 2005. He is an intelligence officer and is currently deployed in Iraq.

Marcia Thrasher ’02 has lived in Columbia and worked at Boone County Family Resources as a supervisor since she graduated from Central. In fall 2006, she will attend graduate school at the University of Missouri-Columbia to obtain a master’s in social work.

Michael Allgood ’03 earned his master’s degree in secondary administration from William Woods in Dec. 2005. He is currently teaching social studies at Cairo High School in Cairo, Mo., and is the head track coach there.

Valerie Simpson ’03 is a community support specialist for University of Missouri Behavioral Health.

Zachary Schneider ’03 is a teacher and coach at Logan Rogersville High School, Rogersville, Mo. Sheena Akers ’04 is an administrative assistant at Affiliated Court Services in Columbia, Mo. Donita (Haynes) Burchard ’04 is a vocational and business teacher for the Greenville R-II School District in Greenville, Mo. Tiffany Delcour ’04 will graduate from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine on May 13, 2006, with a Master of Science in Public Health.

Brett Barth-Fagan ’03 is the executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Sedalia, Mo.

Michael Hadley ’04 is an agent for American Family Insurance in O’Fallon, Mo.

Tina Conrow ’03 is the bookkeeper for The Insurance Group in Columbia, Mo.

Miki Merritt ’04 is a marketing consultant for Cumulus Broadcasting in Columbia, Mo.

Stephanie Epifanio ’03 is associated with D/B/A/ Surprise Parties and is also an authorized trainer in Arlington Heights, Ill.

Anna Steele ’04 is a petty officer with the U.S. Coast Guard and recently received the U.S.O. Salute to Heroes Award for exceptional achievement and extraordinary contributions to the U.S. Armed Forces.

Mary Henke ’03 is employed by Montgomery (Mo.) R-II School District as an ESP Teacher for K-5.

Michael Holmes ’03 is a Kiowa repairer in the United States Army. He is currently serving in Iraq with the 10th Mountain Division.

Brian Viertel ’04 is employed by Browning Hardware in Boonville, Mo. Cirese Ballard ’05 lives in St. Louis, Mo., where she is a registerd nurse at Barnes Jewish Hospital.

Tanika (Moore) Macias ’03 is a platoon leader in the United States Army and is stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash.

Amy Carr ’05 is a nurse in the Critical Care Unit of Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia, Mo.

Lisa Shrum ’03 is teaching for the New Franklin (Mo.) R-I School District.

Derek Medlock ’05 is at the University of Missouri-Rolla working on a civil engineering degree.

Bob Grove ’53 and his grandson, Caleb, in Caleb’s CMU bib.

Eagles: The Next Generation Baby Photo Contest ATTENTION! Baby Photos Wanted!

Send us your favorite photo of your child or grandchild, ages 0 to 3. Winners will be invited to participate in the 2006 Homecoming festivities, Oct. 14, 2006. All participants will be featured in an upcoming issue of the Talon.

Submit entries by Aug. 1, 2006, to: Central Methodist University Alumni Office 411 Central Methodist Square Fayette, MO 65248 You can also submit your photo electronically, send to: jmartin@centralmethodist.edu Please include with photo: child’s name, age, name of submitting alumnus and contact information. (Please, only photos taken in the last 12 months.)

Sponsored by the Alumni Association Board of Directors

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Emily Morrow ’05 is a business manager at Dillard’s in Columbia, Mo.

nounce the birth of their fourth child, Lucas Daniel, on Feb. 16, 2006.

Kimberly Phares ’05 is a teacher and coach for the Potosi School District in Potosi, Mo.

Curtis Peters ’96 announces the birth of his son, Jonathon Lee, on May 4, 2005.

Annica Tuley ’06 is an elementary teacher for the Moberly Public Schools in Moberly, Mo.

Allicia (Young) and Paul Baum, both class of ’98, announce the birth of their son, Matthew Bradford, on Dec. 23, 2005. Paul is the business manager at Wehr Ford in Mountain Grove, Mo.

MARRAIGES John Bartley ’75 and Carla Louise Leeson were married on Feb 24, 2006. She was, literally, “the girl next door.”

Mandy (Yingling) ’98 and Craig Kostman wed on July 30, 2005, in Parkville, Mo. Mandy is a fourth-grade teacher at Atchison Elementary in Atchison, Kan., and recently completed her master’s in administration through William Woods University.

Amy (Himmelberg) ’99 and Travis Frey were married March 18, 2006, in Linn Memorial UMC. Amy is a supervisor at the Moberly Area Community College campus in Columbia, Mo Josh Fuller ’99 and Christina Williams were married in June 2005. He is currently a recreation supervisor for sports for the city of Casper, Wyo. Suzanne (Akin) ’00 and Corey Hall were married on Oct. 15, 2005, at the Versailles United Methodist Church. Suzanne is employed at Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home, her familyowned funeral home in Versailles and Laurie, Mo., as a licensed funeral director and embalmer.

Her husband, Corey, is the branch manager for Concordia Bank in Laurie, Mo. They reside in Versailles.

Jessica (Dannenhauer) ’01 and Paul Koscielski Jr. were married on Sept. 24, 2005.

Danielle (Chinn) ’01 and Justin Gardner were married on Sept. 3, 2005. She is currently a legal assistant with Cheyenne County in St. Francis, Kan. Laura (Friedrich) ’02 and Mike Robinson were married in July 2005 in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Laura (Arthur) ’03 and Jeffrey Harbison ’04 were married March 13, 2006.

Sarah (Peterson) ’03 and Jeffery Lappe were married Aug. 6, 2005.

Wendy (Kraft) ’03 and Charles Reese were married Dec. 18, 2004. Wendy is currently a youth specialist with the Division of Youth Services for the State of Missouri.

Samie Jo (Blattner) ’05 and David Hill were married July 3, 2005.

Carrie (Ridenhour) ’05 and Ryan Okenfuss were married on Oct. 15, 2005. Carrie is a firstgrade teacher for Crawford County R-II in Cuba, Mo.

BIRTHS Holly (Toler) Boyer ’94 and husband, John, an-

Shawna (Fuemmeler) ’98 and Scott Stefankiewicz ’99 announce the birth of their third child, Rylan Scott, on Sept. 12, 2005. Scott is an investigator at Moberly Correctional Center and Shawna will be teaching ninth and tenth grade English at Salisbury High School.

Brandon Wrinkle ’99 and wife Nancy announce the birth of their daughter, Morgan Rose, on March 22, 2005.

Kelly (Johnson) ’99 and Keith Ogle ’98 announce the birth of their second child, Emma, on March 22, 2006. Keith is a dialysis nurse in Kansas City, Mo., and Kelly completed her master’s degree in secondary education in curriculum and instruction from Central Missouri State University in Dec. 2005.

Kari (Wesselman) ’00 and Robert Adams ’97 announce the birth of their first child, Avery

Edwin L. Orear ’43 of Coffeyville, Kan., died Feb. 15, 2006.

Orear enlisted in the Navy in 1943, and was honorably discharged in 1947.

He then worked for the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company until July 1951. Later that July he became a coowner of McKnown and Orear Insurance and Real Estate Agency.

In 1955, he joined State Farm Insurance Company and moved to Coffeyville, Kan. He retired from State Farm in 1984.

Orear was involved with a number of organizations in Coffeyville, including: the Board of Trustees of the First United Methodist Church, the Coffeyville Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Coffeyville at 100 Committee, the Southeast Kansas Area Health Council, and the Coffeyville Medical Center Endowment Foundation, where he was on the initial board of directors.

He is survived by two sons, Gary Orear, Lexington, Ky., and Dr. James Orear, Joplin, Mo.; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nadine (Taylor) Orear ’42 and his brother Errell Orear ’40.

Orear and his family have established two scholarships at Central; the Orear Memorial Scholarship and the Edwin L. ’43 and Nadine Taylor ’42 Orear Hall of Sponsors Scholarship. Megan Curley, a current freshman, is the current recipient of the Orear Hall of Sponsors Scholarship.

McKenna, on March 3, 2005. Robert is a nuclear engineer for the Navy, and Kari works in real estate and for a contractor.

Ryan Pharr ’00 and wife Dawn announce the birth of their first child, Avery Grace, on Dec. 14, 2005. Ryan is a family practice resident at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City, Mo. Brian Bohner ’01 and wife Danielle, announce the birth of their first child, Destiny Marie, on Feb. 3, 2006.

Carolyn (Shepard) and Aaron Money, both class of ’01, announce the birth of their son, Vincent Thomas, on May 2, 2006.

Erin (Paulsmeyer) ’02 and Marty Gerloff ’04 announce the birth of their daughter, Madeline Brae, on Nov. 2, 2005. Erin is an R.N. at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City, and Marty is employed by Paulsmeyer Farms in Chamois.

Lynne (Biggs) ’02 and Brandon Maddox ’03 announce the birth of their second child, Gage, born in March 2006.

Hilary (Mueller) and Josh Myers, both class of ’02, announce the birth of their first child, Kathryn Marie, on Oct. 16, 2005.

Shannon (Purdum) ’03 and Bobby Strumlauf ’01 announce the birth of their first child, Payton Leigh, on April 7, 2006.

Stacey (Morrison) Drilling ’05 and husband David announce the birth of their first child, Noah Christopher, on April 2, 2006.

DEATHS 1930 Richard Freund ’30 of Beaver Dam, Wis., died June 22, 2005.

Eunice Harra ’30 of Miami, Fla., died Jan. 16, 2006.

Viverette Lee ’32 of Charleston, Mo., died May 14, 2005.

Esther (Laursen) Randolph ’33 of Fulton, Mo., died Jan. 8, 2006.

Mildred (Snyder) Walker ’33 of Prairie Village, Kan., died March 22, 2006.

Bernice (Followill) Joslin ’34 of Rolla, Mo., died Sept. 15, 2005.

Eileen (Rethwisch) Sewald ’34 of O’Fallon, Ill., died Jan 19, 2006.

Raymond Groves ’35 of Mexico, Mo., died July 8, 2005.

Ruth Aldridge ’39 of Saint Louis, Mo., died Feb. 11, 2006.

Robert Campbell ’39 of Chesapeake, Va., died Dec. 25, 2005.

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1940

died Sept. 24, 2005.

Annabel (Hull) Jones ’41 of Shawnee Mission, Kan., died Dec. 7, 2005.

Charlotte (Phillips) Taylor ’49 of Naples, Fla., died Jan. 24, 2006.

Murray Oeth ’41 of Dunedin, Fla., died Dec. 26, 2005.

1950

Mary (Rogers) Bowers ’42 of Bonner Springs, Kan., died Feb. 7, 2006.

John Burch ’42 of Dickinson, Texas, died Dec. 18, 2005.

Virginia (Ashbaugh) Smelser ’42 of Jefferson City, Mo., died April 14, 2005.

Naomi (Shockley) Hord ’43 of Hermosa Beach, Calif., died Oct. 6, 2005.

Wilfred Winters ’44 of Webster Groves, Mo., died Feb. 16, 2006.

John Kaster ’46 of Luxemburg, Wis., died April 14, 2005.

Leon Leatherman ’47 of Spring Valley, Calif., died Aug. 25, 2006.

Harvey Peterson ’47 of Aurora, Mo., died Dec. 25, 2005.

Margaret (Palmer) Cagaly ’48 of Merced, Calif., died March 20, 2005.

Anna (Scrivner) Kimbrell ’48 of Independence, Mo., died March 5, 2006.

Lewis Robinson ’48 of Flagstaff, Ariz., died Sept.

26, 2005.

Martha (Stevens) Mari ’49 of West Hills, Calif.,

Upcoming Alumni Events

Howard Monroe ’50 of Colorado Springs, Colo., died March 11, 2006.

Marian (Flesche) Fullgraf ’51 of Greenville, S.C., died July 5, 2005.

Richard Shockley ’51 of Washington, Mo., died Jan. 7, 2006.

Eugene Jacobs, Sr. ’53 of St. Louis, Mo., died Jan. 31, 2006.

John Blair ’66 of Raytown, Mo., died Feb 6, 2006.

1970 Terrence Lane ’72 of Warsaw, Mo., died Jan. 14, 2006.

Ann Holley ’77 of Liberty, Mo., died March 24, 2006.

1990 Jeff Koch ’99 of Evening Shade, Ark., died Feb. 5, 2006.

2000

Albert Meyer ’53 of Belleville, Ill., died March 4, 2006.

James McGuire ’06 of Potosi, Mo., died March 19, 2006.

Rosalie (Newman) Thomas ’54 of Saint Joseph, Mo., died Dec. 8, 2005.

Friends of Central

Leah (Nease) Vigil ’55 of O’Fallon Mo., died Dec. 2, 2005.

William Cutler of Columbia, Mo., died Oct. 16, 2005.

Kenneth Edmonds ’58 of Scottsdale, Ariz., died March 13, 2006.

Iona Smith of Fayette, Mo., died March 29, 2006.

William Miller ’59 of Troy, Mo., died Jan. 30, 2006.

1960 Charles Fisher ’61 of Blue Springs, Mo., died Sept. 19, 2005.

David Alderton ’64 of Kahoka, Mo., died Jan. 14, 2006.

Martha Roberts Meyer died March 23, 2006.

She was the wife of former dean, alumnus and Distingiushed Alumnus Dr. Samuel Lewis Meyer ’30. They were married for 53 years before his death in 2000. She is survived by her two sons, Samuel Lewis Meyer III, of Fairfield, Calif., and James Barton Meyer, of Franklin, Ind.

June 24 - CMU Hermann Wine Tour Join CMU alumni and friends for a day trip to Hermann, Mo. We will gather at Oak Glenn Vineyards & Winery in Hermann, Mo. at 9:30 a.m. and board a charter bus to see the sights of the Missouri Wine Country. Throughout the day we will visit five area wineries, including a lunchtime stop at the 15th Annual BBQ and Blues Festival at Röbller Vineyard & Winery. We will return to Oak Glenn Vineyards & Winery for dinner. Cost for the day is $50.00 per person and includes bus transportation, dinner and all cover charges. Please make your reservations by June 19, 2006 by calling the Alumni Office at 877-CMU-1854 ext. 56234, or registering online at: https://www. centralmethodist.edu/forms/alum/registrationform.htm.

July 14 - Luetjen Golf Tournament in Versailles, Mo. For more information, contact Ken Oliver at 660-248-6224 or by email at koliver@centralmethodist.edu. You can register for this event at http://www.centralmethodist. edu/athletics/luetjen/onlinereg.htm.

September 16 - Hairston Hall of Fame Induction

For more information on anyevent, or if you are interested in helping with an event, please contact the Alumni Office at 660-248-62348 or 877-CMU-1854 ext. 56234

34

September 23 - CMU Tailgate at Avila in Kansas City, Mo. Come cheer on your CMU Eagles!

September 25 - CMU Golf Classic in Chesterfield, Mo. For more information please visit the website at http://www.centralmethodist.edu/alum/golfclassic.html or contact the Alumni Office at 660-248-6234.

October 12 - Gaddis Lecture featuring C. Fred Bergsten ’61.

October 13-15 - Homecoming Join us on campus for Homecoming 2006! The classes of 1951, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, & 2001 will be celebrating special reunions.

November 4 - CMU Tailgate at William Jewell in Liberty, Mo. Come cheer on your CMU Eagles!

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CAMPUS CALENDAR MAY

25-June 29 — The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art Exhibition: “Missouri Fiber Artists” and a special showing of Fred Irvin art in Gallery annex.

Gallery Hours: 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, Reception from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., May 28. For information or to book a tour, contact Dr. Joe Geist at (660) 248-6324 May 30-July 21 — Summer undergraduate and graduate session

JUNE & JULY

Summer Camps and Conferences, including Basketball, Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Music, Science, United Methodist Church groups, Quail Camp For information, call 660-248-6225

AUGUST

22 — Fall Semester classes begin 15-Oct. 14 — The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art Exhibition: “The Persona in Art as Seen in the Permanent Collection” Gallery Hours: 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. For information or to book a tour, contact Dr. Joe Geist at (660) 248-6324

24 — Fall Convocation, 10 a.m., Linn Memorial United Methodist Church

SEPTEMBER

16 — Hairston Athletic Hall of Fame Inductions Half-time ceremony during CMU vs. MidAmerica Nazarene University football game Game time, 1:30 p.m.

Gallery Hours: 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, Reception from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., Oct. 29. For information or to book a tour, contact Dr. Joe Geist at (660) 248-6324 27 — Halloween Organ Recital 7:30 p.m., Linn Memorial United Methodist Church

22 — Annual Wicks Organ Concert Linn Memorial United Methodist Church 75th Anniversary of Linn Memorial and Organ Guild of America

28 — Annual Ashby-Hodge Galley Gala 6 p.m., Jacobs Conference Center, 4th floor Student and Community Center

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

7 — CMU Band Day

15-21 — CMU Chorale Fall Tour

12 — Gaddis Lecture, Dr. C. Fred Bergsten

DECEMBER

12-15 — CMU Little Theatre Production: Damn Yankees 7:30 p.m. Adults $6, Student $1.

Reservations, call 660-248-6281 14 — CMU Homecoming Football game 2 p.m., CMU vs. Lindenwood University 21 — CMU A Cappella Choir Concert 7:30 p.m., Linn Memorial United Methodist Church 29-Dec. 14 — The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art Exhibition: Featuring the art of Lisa Baylor.

3 — Jazz Band Concert 4 p.m., Jacobs Conference Center, 4th floor Student and Community Center 3 — CMU A Cappella Choir Christmas Concert 7:30 p.m., Linn Memorial United Methodist Church 7-9 — CMU Little Theatre Production: The Cherry Orchard 7:30 p.m. Adults $6, Student $1.

Reservations, call 660-248-6281 20 — Christmas & New Years Holiday Break through Jan. 3, 2007.

Mo. Fiber Arts Exhibition Featured at Ashby-Hodge Gallery More than 50 objets d’ art representing the works of Missouri fiber artists will be on display in The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art at Central Methodist University during a six-week show that opens in May. Titled “Missouri Fiber Artists,” the exhibition will run through June 29. Pieces being presented in the exhibition include a wide range of artistic works from tapestry to collage with photo transfers to silk scarves to cotton-fused appliqué wall hangings and numerous other works.

The opening of the exhibition follows on the heels of The Missouri Fiber Artists Association annual conference, held on the CMU campus from May 19 to 21. Gallery hours will be from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. For more information about the exhibition or to book group tours, contact Dr. Joe Geist at (660) 248-6304 (office) or 248-6324 (gallery). The gallery has an entrance to accommodate physically impaired persons.

Also being featured during the Fiber Arts Exhibition in The AshbyHodge Gallery is a special showing of nine paintings by Missouri-born artist Fred Irvin, who died earlier this year in Vista, Calif., where he and his wife, Betty, lived for many years. Being shown in the gallery annex, the Irvin paintings are works in pastel, tempera, and acrylic and are part of the gallery’s permanent collection.

Born in Chillicothe, Mo., in 1914, Irvin worked as an illustrator first in New York, where he had lived for 20 years, and then in California.

He created editorial art for major publications, cover art for magazines, and illustrations for children’s books and textbooks. As a freelance artist, he also did drawings, layouts and character design for Hanna Barbera Productions of Hollywood.

“Flag Day,” a 15” X 13” gouache, 1959, by Fred Irvin

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Daughters Honor George and Louise Vaughan with Hall of Sponsors Scholarship

by Carole Sue DeLaite

L

36

ove of family and alma mater, combined with faith in the transforming power of education, influenced the daughters of George A. and Louise (Clark) Vaughan, Franchelle Whitehead ’57 and Judith Taylor ’64, to honor their parents with a Hall of Sponsors Scholarship. The George and Louise Vaughan Hall of Sponsors Scholarship will assist students like those the Vaughans taught, advised, and befriended during nearly 50 combined years of devoted service at Central Methodist.

As associate professor of biology at Central from 1948 to 1975, George A. Vaughan helped shape the careers of many students who became successful physicians and surgeons. Science students frequently remember Prof. Vaughan fondly as an exceptional teacher. He advised the Central pre-law students, as well as the pre-medical students. Prof. Vaughan wanted to be a doctor, but the Great Depression intervened. In 1931, when he graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, he had no funds for medical school. Instead, he “read law” with his father, a professor of law at the University. George passed the Arkansas Bar, practiced law in Fayetteville, and then, as mayor of the city, began a lifetime of public service. During World War II he was an X-ray technician in a U.S. Army hospital. After the war the GI Bill enabled him to change careers.

He returned to the University of Arkansas and earned the Master of Arts in biology.

Louise Clark, a graduate of Galloway Women’s College and the University of Arkansas, married George Allen Vaughan in 1934. At the University of Arkansas, Louise Vaughan served for a time as Zeta Tau Alpha housemother. When the Vaughan Family moved to Fayette, she worked as secretary to the Howard County public health nurse. She began her position as registrar at Central in the fall of 1956. Both she and Prof.

Vaughan retired in 1975.

The Vaughans were active citizens of Fayette. Prof. Vaughan served two terms on the City Council. He was one of the organizers of the Fayette Common Fund. Louise Vaughan was a member of numerous clubs, including P.E.O., All Year Round Club, and M.M.M. Club. They were faithful members of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church where Prof. Vaughan was bishop’s warden and licensed lay reader for more than 25 years and often represented the church in the Fayette Ministerial Alliance. He authored a history of St. Mary’s. The Rotary Club of Fayette honored him as a Paul Harris Fellow. The Vaughans frequently entertained Central faculty, staff, and students in their home. Their dinner parties and receptions, which united town and gown, were legendary.

When George Vaughan died in 1991, his widow established the George A. Vaughan Memorial Scholarship at Central with memorial gifts, and then faithfully contributed to the scholarship. Following her death in 2005, the Vaughan daughters, Fran and Judy, and their husbands, R. Don Whitehead Sr. ’57 and James W. Taylor ’64, Ph.D., added their mother’s name to the scholarship and added funds from their inheritance to increase it to the Hall of Sponsors level.

Fran and Don met at Central. They were married by Central President Ralph Woodward after their junior year, and during their senior year lived in “Eagle Village,” the Quonset huts built for World War II veterans. Now both are retired: Fran from teaching English on the high school level and at the University of Tennessee at Martin; Don from Sterling Kinkead, the company that manufactures Kohler kitchen and bathroom products in Union City, Tenn. They live on the Whitehead

Family farm near Wellsville, Mo. Judy and Jim also met and married at Central. Judy, a recipient of the National Science Foundation Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, is a thirdgrade teacher at Inez Elementary School in Albuquerque. She has published several articles about the teaching of mathematics. Jim, who earned a doctorate in history, recently retired as Commercial Lines Manager at the New Mexico Mutual Casualty Company in Albuquerque.

Today a photograph of George and Louise Vaughan (above) hangs in the Hall of Sponsors Gallery near the Office of the Registrar in Brannock Hall where Louise Vaughan daily assisted Central students, graduates, and applicants. Another beautiful campus remembrance of the Vaughans is on loan to Central from the Vaughan Family. A reproduction of the historical genre painting, “The Blind Milton Dictating Paradise Lost to His Daughters” by Mihály Munkácsy, formerly graced the dining rooms of two generations of the Vaughan Family.

Now it hangs in Smiley Library near the English Department and inspires Central students.

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Planning Ahead to Support CMU

W

hat do Mary Wise, class of 1947, Terry and Elaine (Eversmeyer) Henderson, both from the class of 1983, and Dr. John Hutcherson, class of 1956, have in common? Well, besides being graduates of Central, all have made planned gifts to benefit future generations of students of Central Methodist University.

Mary Wise, a Missouri native who was born in Stafford, attended Central Methodist as a day student, driving up Highway 5 from the south. “It was a beautiful drive,” she says, “and I will never forget coming into town and seeing the beautiful spires of Central.” To help today’s high school students enjoy a similar Central experience, Wise has established a charitable trust with the University to fund a scholarship program. That’s in addition to an annual gift she’s been making for the last 50 years. “Through careful planning and a bit of thought, this lifetime gift for Central will be larger than I ever dreamed possible!” she exclaimed.

have given much thought to providing support for their beloved Central long after they are gone. “Central Methodist is a special place for us and this is our way to give back. We want to ensure that Central’s special legacy continues by leaving something for future generations.” Terry is assistant general manager for administration of Bodine Aluminum in Troy, Mo., and Elaine is assistant superintendent for the Wright City School District in Wright City, Mo. John Hutcherson, M.D., is a semi-retired cardiologist in Denver, Colo., and has made a provision in his will to benefit Central. Dr. Hutcherson has served Central as a member of the Board of Trustees for several years and says, “I think of Central when I look at where I am now. It’s my turn to give back.”

Terry and Elaine Henderson have made arrangements for Central to be one of the beneficiaries of a trust to be distributed upon their death. Although they are a young couple, they

There are many ways in which alumni and friends of Central can provide present and future support for this fine university.

Please contact Theresa Davis, interim vice president for advancement, toll-free at 877-262-1854 or tdavis@centralmethodist. edu for more information.

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Hall of Sponsors Scholarships A Chance to Give Something Back

W

hat inspires someone to establish an endowed Hall of Sponsors scholarship? The reasons are as different as the donors – but a common theme is “pay back” for the opportunities that were afforded by donors before them.

Hall of Sponsors scholarships were recently established by Judy Martin Parsons ’63 (Robert and Judy Martin Parsons Hall of Sponsors Scholarship), and by John ’62 and Judy Yeast ’61 Schofield and the family and friends of Marilyn Dickinson Dimond ’59 (Dimond-Schofield Family Hall of Sponsors Scholarship). Here are their stories:

as district coordinator until I retired in 2003.

“I have always been appreciative of and grateful for Central’s role in my education. Many of my Central mentors were female teachers who help me shape my future as an educator.

When my sister and I sold the family farm, I began thinking about how I might provide some resources for future CMU students. After considerable thought and with the support and encouragement of my husband, the Rev. Cleo Kottwitz, I decided to fund a scholarship in my name and that of my late husband, Robert G. Parsons Jr. ’62. The scholarship also honors a long list of people who have been so influential in my life, including my mother, Genieve Brown Martin.”

John ’62 and Judy Yeast ’61 Schofield: “We had a number of reasons for wanting to establish a scholarship at Central Methodist University. We are graduates of the institution, and feel that our education was second to none. We were thrilled that our youngest daughter (Molly Schofield Hennessy ’95) chose to attend our alma mater, when we had not even encouraged it!

“We wanted Marilyn Dickinson Dimond ’59 to be honored at her alma mater, and her son (Michael Dimond ’85) agreed that this was a proper memorial. Our daughter, Molly, received a Hall of Sponsors scholarship which allowed her to attend Central; we feel that this is a kind of payback to the university that did so much for us. Hopefully, future generations can enjoy the benefits of Central with our help.”

Judy and Robert Parsons

Judy Martin Parsons ’63: “Education has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a small child growing up on a farm, I was once found by my frantic mother walking along the main county road with my dog toward the nearest country schoolhouse. When my mother found me, she asked me where I was going and I replied, ‘to (s)’cool!’

“Education was stressed in our family, and it was assumed that my sister and I would pursue higher education. However, paying for college was difficult in the drought-stricken 1950s, and scholarships were the answer. Those, plus working full time in the summers and part-time for Dean Spayde in the Conservatory, allowed me to obtain an A.B. in history in order to....what else...teach! My career was spent entirely in Columbia Public Schools, where 38 I taught secondary social studies and served

John ’62 and Judy (Yeast) ‘61 Schofield attended Central from 1957 to 1962. They lived in Troy, Mo., and later Charleston, Mo., where they taught in public schools in Troy, Charleston and East Prairie, Mo. John taught band and choir, French, humanities, and high school mathematics. Judy taught sixth grade and junior high school social studies until they retired

Molly Schofield Hennessy and John and Judy Schofield

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from public school teaching in 1993.

They then moved to Independence to be near their three daughters, and they now live in the Truman Historic District.

John has continued to teach in private school and is in his 44th year of teaching. Judy has enjoyed retirement, volunteering, and teaching year-long religion courses at a local United Methodist Church. They both enjoy their seven grandchildren, who all live across the street; often all gather at the family farm near Brookfield, Mo. Mary Margaret (Molly) Schofield Hennessy ’95: The Schofields’ youngest daughter followed in her parents’ footsteps. Mary Margaret (known to friends and family as Molly) Schofield Hennessy graduated from Central Methodist College in May 1995, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration/Human Resource Management. A Hall of Sponsors recipient herself, Molly was the Marian Vogt Robinson Hall of Sponsors scholar. She was also a member of the Marching Eagles for two years; played in the Concert Band for four years; was a member of Zeta Psi Lambda, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Student Government Association; and worked as a fellow in the development office for three years in Brannock Hall.

After graduating from Central, Molly worked as a guest services associate at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Kansas City, where she remained until she met her husband, Michael Hennessy.

After leaving the Ritz-Carlton, she worked in human resources at Peterson Manufacturing Company for more than five years.

Molly is now at home full-time with their two children, John and Maureen.

Marilyn Dickinson Dimond ’59: Marilyn Dickinson Dimond graduated with a B.M.E. from Central in 1959, and went on to earn a master’s degree and a doctorate. She taught music at the Swinney Conservatory of Music at Central from 1966 to 1978, then served as director of academic services from 1978 to 1981.

Wanted: Your email address!

Now is a great time to send your updated e-mail address to the Alumni Office. We send periodic news and event invitations to alumni, parents and friends through e-mail. It is an easy and convenient way to stay in touch and keep up to date on the happenings at CMU. Please update your profile at www.centralmethodist.edu/alum or e-mail Jenny Martin Anspach, director of alumni relations, at jmartin@centralmethodist.edu.

(Note: We never sell your e-mail address, nor do we share your address with anyone without your permission.)

While at Central, Dr. Dimond served as adviser to Tau Chapter of Phi Beta Fraternity for the Creative and Performing Arts, the precursor to Sigma Alpha Iota. She also served on Phi Beta’s National Council for nine years, both as first vice president and as secretary; and she belonged to the alumni chapter, Pi Alpha Xi. When Luther Spayde died in the fall of 1972, Dr. Dimond took over the directorship of the A Cappella Choir for a time.

Marilyn Dickinson Dimond Dr. Dimond left Central to become the Director of Institutional Planning and Research at Moberly Area Community College, and later served as Columbia College’s Dean of Admissions and Records. Dr. Dimond also served as the director of the Versailles, Mo., Arts Council and executive director of the Royal Arts Council. She died in 2000. Her son, Michael, is also a CMU graduate (1985).

www.centralmethodist.edu Calling All Golfers!

Two chanc to hit the greens coming your way!

Fri., July 14, 2006 15th Annual Dr. James Luetjen Golf Tournament Rolling Hills Country Club, Versailles, Mo.

AND

Mon., Sept. 25, 2006 CMU Scholarship Golf Tournament Forest Hills Country Club Chesterfield, Mo. for information, contact Jenny Martin Anspach at jmartin@centralmethodist.edu or Sherry Wells at swells@centralmethodist.edu

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CMU Alumni Gathering Les Bourgeois A-Frame Rocheport, Mo. April 27, 2006

CENTRAL METHODIST UNIVERSITY 411 Central Methodist Square Fayette, MO 65248-1198 Change Service Requested

NonproďŹ t U.S. Postage PAID Jefferson City, MO Permit No. 210