Concord University Magazine Summer 2020 by Concord University

Magazine Magazine Summer Summer 2020 2020

DAY OF GIVING HOMECOMING FROM HOME CU FOUNDATION WELCOMES J.R. MARTINEZ TO THIS YEARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BECKLEY DINNER

From The President

Concord University President Kendra Boggess

CALENDAR OF EVENTS SEPTEMBER 10 Trivia Night SEPTEMBER 17 CU After Hours, Sophisticated Hound, Princeton, WV SEPTEMBER 24/25 CU Day of Giving

NOVEMBER 5 Concord University Foundation, Inc. Dinner featuring J.R. Martinez NOVEMBER 12 CU After Hours, Foothills Brewing Company Winston-Salem, NC

NOVEMBER 21 Fall Commencement NOTE: The safety of those who support our events is our main priority. Therefore, all events above are subject to the federal, state, and county guidelines in effect on the date of the event and in the State in which the event will occur. Please see www.concord.edu for the most up-to-date schedule of events.

FOR A LIST OF HOMECOMING FROM HOME ACTIVITIES, SEE THE BACK COVER OF THE MAGAZINE. YOU MAY ALSO VISIT WWW.CONCORD.EDU/HOMECOMING FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION. #CUHOCO2020

CONTENTS

FEATURES

President Dr. Kendra Boggess Vice President for Advancement Alicia Besenyei Chair, Concord University Foundation, Inc. Jack White '61 MAGAZINE STAFF: Director of Communications Amy Pitzer Staff Writer Sarah M. Pritchett Creative Services Manager Christopher A. Boyd '02 Contributing Writer Lindsey Byars '03 Contributing Editors Sarah L. Turner '98 Blake Farmer '17

24 NANCY JACKSON '65 30 LIZ WARE '09

36 FRANK FOLEY '02

42 GEORGE COSIER '77 48 MISSY SMITH '01

SUBMISSIONS: Please contact Amy Pitzer at 304-384-5211 or pitzer@concord.edu

MOVED RECENTLY? NEED TO UPDATE YOUR INFO? Fill out the Alumni Contact Information Update form under the Alumni tab!

ON THE COVER: Concord classes happening via online, inperson or a hybrid model for the Fall 2020 semester.

FEATURES

EVERY ISSUE

New Faculty Welcomed

University News

A Seat For You

Alumni Happenings

Alumni Awards

Alumni Spotlight

Beckley Dinner

54 Athletics

Phi Sigma Phi Leadership

Class Notes

In Memory of

The Concord University Magazine is published by the Concord University Advancement Office. A portion of the cost is underwritten by the Concord University Foundation, Inc.

Email: advancement@concord.edu Mail:

Office of Advancement PO Box 1000 Athens, WV 24712-1000

Phone: 304.384.6311 Fax: 304.384.6017

UniversityNews Dr. Edward Wright Huffstetler Welcomed As New CU Provost,VP for Academic Affairs

oncord University welcomes Dr. Edward Wright Huffstetler as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. He began his duties in July. Dr. Huffstetler’s experience in higher education spans more than three decades having served in both administrative and teaching roles. Prior to his appointment at Concord, his most recent position was serving as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa. He has also served the school as a Professor of English. His extensive administrative experience has focused on a range of areas including curriculum, faculty and staff, administration, assessment and accreditation, and special programs and outreach activities. “Dr. Huffstetler has demonstrated a commitment to helping bring out the best in people, whether faculty, staff, or students. As the go-to Dean, he was known for crafting strong, collaborative relationships, which will make him a strong addition to the CU team,” stated Mr. Daniel Fitzpatrick, Vice President of Operations and COO. Dr. Huffstetler has also served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of English at Bridgewater College as well as in other positions for the Bridgewater, Va. school. Additionally, he has taught at James Madison University and at Kirkwood Community College. Dr. Huffstetler received a bachelor’s degree from Coker University, majoring in English and Drama; a

master’s degree in English and American Literature from the University of Iowa; and a Ph.D. in English and American Literature from the University of Iowa. He is a member of the American Conference of Academic Deans; Association of American Colleges and Universities; Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures; and Association of Writers and Writing Programs. Dr. Huffstetler has been honored with the Ben and Janice Wade Award

for Excellence in Teaching; the Daniel C. Flory Grant for the Humanities; the Coker University Outstanding Young Alumni Award; and the Distinguished Poet Award from Sparrowgrass Poetry Forum. He has a number of scholarly and administrative presentations to his credit along with an array of publications. His writing has appeared in peer-reviewed journals, reference materials and book reviews. A published author, his work includes poetry, short fiction, and several books.

SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Student Support Services Receives Funding for Five-Year Grant through US Dept. of Ed Concord University’s Student Support Services (SSS) Program has been awarded federal funds totaling more than $1.7 million for a new five-year grant. The program has been refunded through 2025 with the award amount being $357,411 per year for the five-year period. This federally-funded TRIO grant program paid through the U. S. Department of Education works to help first-generation, income eligible students and students with disabilities to successfully navigate the course of post-secondary education from entrance through graduation. “Concord University has long been committed to improving student success and completion,” stated Dr. Sarah Beasley, Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students. “Our SSS staff ’s dedication to serving students is inspiring. We’re thrilled we will be able to continue the important work of supporting 200-plus student participants.” “Concord’s SSS team is excited to continue the tradition of support services for our participants while helping

them navigate the challenges occurring in today’s world,” stated Kristen O’Sullivan, Director of Student Support Services. The SSS Program at Concord is funded to work with more than 200 students annually and support four full time staff on campus. Services available to SSS students include: one-on-one tutoring services, peer mentoring, eligibility to apply for grant funding through the Student Support Services Supplemental Grant Aid program (SSSG), assistance with course selection, individualized counseling services (career, academic, personal, financial aid), cultural trips, utilization of the SSS computer lab, free printing, workshops (study skills, choosing a career, test taking strategies, funding your college degree, etc.) assistance applying for graduate school, and other supportive services. For additional information about Student Support Services at Concord University please contact Kristen O’Sullivan at kosullivan@concord.edu or 304-384-6099.

Board of Governors Votes to Affirm Officers The Concord University Board of Governors elected officers during its meeting on June 23. Chairman Dave Barnette, who will remain in his position, presented recommendations from the Executive Committee and the Board voted to affirm. Richard Jarrell, owner of Chickfil-a franchises in the Beckley area, was reappointed to the position of Secretary. Dr. Brad Lane, an optometrist and practice owner with Appalachian Eye Care in Princeton, W.Va. and Pearisburg, Va., will now serve as the Vice Chair. He is replacing Bill McKee who has decided to step down from the board. McKee has served on Concord’s Board since his appointment on Aug. 14, 2013. He is a retired wealth manager with Arnett Carbis Toothman, LLP in Charleston, W.Va. and currently resides in Florida.

Shown left to right are Richard Jarrell, Brad Lane and Dave Barnette.

“Bill McKee has been an asset to Concord University during his time serving on our Board of Governors. I am grateful for all he has contributed, and we will miss his guidance,” said President

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

Kendra Boggess. In addition to McKee, the Board also said farewell to the student representative. Taylor Carter, SGA President, will be handing her seat to SGA member Zoe Colley.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Senior Art Exhibition Presented Virtually

ith the Arthur Butcher Gallery in the Fine Arts Center closed due to COVID-19, an exhibition of work by graduating seniors could not take place on campus during the Spring 2020 semester. The senior artists did, however, have their moment in the spotlight thanks to a virtual exhibit. Select pieces of artwork from members of the class of 2020 were posted on the CU website for viewing. During the week after midterms, art seniors arrange for a jury with all full time members of the Art faculty. The student presents the faculty with work to be considered for an art exhibition in the Arthur Butcher Gallery. If the faculty agree that at least six works are representative of professional level artwork, the student will pass the jury and make final revisions guided by the faculty before displaying their final work. Traditionally, the exhibition is physically installed at the Arthur Butcher Gallery by the students who created the artworks. They agree on a time with the Art Department and arrange for a reception. These events are public and offer students the opportunity to share and discuss their artwork with friends, family, and people who have supported them. Jamey Biggs, professor of Art, department chair, and director of the university gallery, says, “For Art students, the exhibition reception can be as important as commencement.” Racing against stay-at-home orders this spring, students rushed to pick up their works and faculty shipped works to others who were unable to make arrangements. Work that would have been completed with University equipment had to now be completed at home. “The students had to become experts at documenting their works without the benefit of direct faculty help,” Biggs says. As they worked, students emailed images and statements to the Art faculty, who then arranged OneDrive folders for the artworks to be viewed simultaneously. The faculty held Zoom meetings to discuss the student works, make selections, and then make recommendations. The results were

Femur – Brooke King

Under Brush – Brooklynn Lilly

delivered to the students via email. Since a reception was out of the question, Art faculty worked with Concord’s web developer to create a page where student work could be displayed. This year’s exhibition includes watercolor paintings, mixed media images, computer graphics, ceramic sculptures, mixed media sculptures, pyrography, and photography. The web page dedicated to these works displays one work and a statement from the student that describes their work and intentions. “The Art Faculty at Concord are very

Lotus – Anthony Baldwin

proud that the spring class of 2020 was poised to overcome the unique challenges of this point in history. We as a faculty are grateful to these students for choosing Concord University and contributing to the artistic discourse during their time here,” Biggs says. “The Art department traditions will continue to change and evolve. We are looking forward to hearing of our students’ future accomplishments.” To view the exhibition, log on to www.concord.edu/seniorart.

SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Outreach during Pandemic Includes Personal Phone Calls from Student Affairs Staff When Concord moved to all online courses this spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Student Affairs staff went the extra mile to keep in touch with students. They undertook a special project with the goal of calling every CU undergraduate to check in with them. “We made a commitment in Student Affairs very early on that we wanted to connect with all of our students to check in, see how they were doing with classes, remote learning and the abrupt ending to the in-person semester, and find out any challenges or successes they wanted to share,” stated Dr. Sarah Beasley, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students. Calls were made primarily from the end of March through early April. Teaming up for the activity were staff from the Center for Academic and Career Development (CACD), Bonner, the Student Center/Student Activities, Counseling, Disability Services/Multicultural Affairs, Student Support Services, and Housing.

The staff spoke with students about the COVID-19 pandemic nationally and distance learning at Concord. They asked them if they needed any type of academic support and discussed what resources were available including putting them in contact with the CACD. If the students couldn’t be contacted by a phone call, texts and emails were used to reach out to them. Sharon Manzo, who is the office assistant for the CACD, shares her experience of being one of the callers. “Everyone I spoke with was receptive. Many thanked me for caring enough to check with them,” she said. “Some of my conversations were a little lengthy and of a casual nature. We just enjoyed a chat.” For those students who didn’t answer, Mrs. Manzo explains that she “left the CACD phone number in a message, offered assistance, and encouraged them to call back.” “I’m very glad we made this outreach effort; I think it was important,” she said.

New Health Sciences Major Added for Fall Concord University is introducing a Health Sciences major for the Fall 2020 semester. With this new academic program, students can earn a bachelor’s degree that puts them on track for a career in allied health related fields and admission to graduate programs. “The program was conceptualized as an avenue for Concord University to continue to meet the needs of the

region, specifically preparing students for work in allied health related fields and to help students meet admission criteria for various allied health related graduate programs,” stated Dr. David Campbell, Chair of the Department of Health Sciences. “Students enrolled in the B.S. in Health Science program can choose four different degree pathways that most closely align with their profes-

sional and educational goals,” he said. “Degree tracks include pre-physical therapy, pre-athletic training, exercise science, and pre-professional studies.” For more information about the Health Sciences major please contact Dr. David Campbell at dcampbell@ concord.edu Additional information is also available on Concord’s website at https://www.concord.edu/Academics/Registrar/Four-Year-Plans.aspx

PHOTO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES We appreciate the photographs you share with us for possible inclusion in Concord’s magazine. To help us provide quality reproduction of photographs, we are offering the following guidelines for your information. Photographs need to be at least 300 dpi. Image file size needs to be at least 1mb per photo. Photos should be in jpeg format and taken with a camera and not a cellphone.

If you have questions about guidelines, please contact the Office of Advancement at cboyd@concord.edu or 304-384-5258. Thank you!

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

UNIVERSITY NEWS

New Master’s Added to Degree Offerings

Concord University is now offering a Master of Science in Athletic Training, a post-baccalaureate degree that will be recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The MSAT is a five-year advanced degree designed to transition in sequence from the newly developed Bachelor of Science in Health Science (pre-athletic training emphasis). At the end of their sixth semester of study, pre-athletic training majors will transition in part from undergraduate to graduate studies, receiving their bachelor’s degree at the end of their eighth semester. They can then complete their ninth and tenth semesters in the advanced credentialed MSAT program. Upon successful completion of the advanced degree program, students will be eligible to sit for the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Board of Certification exam.

“I’m elated that after years of concentrated, intentional work, we are finally able to announce the offering of the MSAT program,” says Dr. David Campbell, Chair of the Department of Health Sciences. “The development of this program was a concerted effort between faculty, students, staff, stake holders, university administration, state/federal government agencies, and the national

accrediting (CAATE) body.” Transfer students, upon successfully satisfying all admission criteria, may enroll in the program as well. For more information, contact Dr. John Roberts, Director of the Athletic Training Education Program, at 304-384-6346 or jcroberts@concord.edu. Dr. Campbell can be reached at 304-384-5331 or dcampbell@concord.edu.

Keeping Up With Concord Social media has allowed people to keep in touch with individuals, groups and activities all across the globe and Concord is using some of these tools to keep its alumni connected to the University and each other. You can keep up with Concord through any (or all!) of the following outlets:

Facebook: Concord University Alumni Association, Inc. and Concord University Twitter: @CampusBeautiful and @ConcordUAlumni

Snapchat: ConcordU1872

Instagram: ConcordUAlumni

LinkedIn: Official Concord University page and the Official Concord University Alumni group

We hope you will take advantage of each of these sites as a quick and easy way to keep up with Concord!

SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

UNIVERSITY NEWS

New Grant-Funded Lab Instrument Installed The chemistry program in Concord University’s Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences has installed a major new laboratory instrument for teaching and research. The instrument allows students to use Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) to accurately determine the chemical structure of organic compounds. NMR is commonly used in the pharmaceutical and chemistry workforce for basic research, product design, and quality control in production facilities. With the addition of NMR to Concord’s instrumental chemistry laboratories, students will gain additional hands-on, career-focused skills. It will also help students learn to visualize the results of their experiments. The instrument will be widely used in organic chemistry, a second-year course taken by Concord’s chemistry and biochemistry majors, molecular biology majors, and others pursuing studies in pre-medicine, pre-pharmacy, and health sciences. Advanced students will use it for drug-development research and independent projects. The NMR was funded by a $40,000 Innovation Grant from West Virginia Science and Research, a division of the Higher Education Policy Commission. Dr. Hong Yin served as principal investigator on the grant proposal with

two department colleagues. “The NMR will be incorporated into lab classes for organic synthesis,” she stated. “Students will now have the opportunity to learn how to prepare samples, operate the spectrometer, acquire data, decode spectra, and identify unknown molecules produced during chemical reactions.” For additional information about Concord University’s Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, visit: https://www.concord.edu/Academics/Colhttps://www.concord. edu/Academics/College-of-Natural-Sciences,-Mathematics,-and-Heal/Department-of-Physical-Science.aspx

CU Part of National Hope Center Project Concord University has been selected one of at least 100 colleges and universities across the country to participate in the Emergency Aid During the Pandemic project. Being undertaken by the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice at Temple University, the project will help institutions learn how they can better address instances of student need on campus. Food and housing insecurities experienced by students are among the basic needs insecurities that are being addressed. According to the Hope Center, “these issues are even more prevalent during the pandemic.” The project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to assist schools by “codifying processes so they can more equitably, and more efficiently administer emergency aid and ensure student success.” Dr. Sarah Beasley, Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students, explains that participating in the project will provide data that should prove especially useful in better serving the university’s students. She said the information could also assist in fundraising for scholarships and building upon programs that Concord had in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic that address student need. These include an on-campus food pantry and the Gap Fund which provides small grants to undergraduates who have high unmet financial need or who find themselves in a financial situation that may lead to their dropping out of college. CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

As part of CU’s participation in the Emergency Aid During the Pandemic project, students and staff will be asked to complete surveys about need and emergency aid programs. Concord will in turn receive information about how other U.S. colleges and universities are delivering emergency aid and receive an institution-specific report about student need and access to emergency aid. Additionally, as a participant, Concord will receive data based recommendations on how to better deliver emergency aid.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Student Support Services Launches New Student Engagement Internship Program Students assisting and connecting with fellow students while gaining valuable leadership experience is the idea behind a new internship opportunity launched at Concord this spring. “Concord Student Support Services (SSS) created the Student Engagement Internship to assist the program in staying better connected to student needs and to provide peer support,” explains Kristen O’Sullivan, Director of Student Support Services. “These positions were created out of the challenges of 2020 and the knowledge that peer support is often able to provide a different level of services than direct staff interactions. “The Student Engagement Internships were born out of CU’s SSS Student Leadership Team, a team formed to keep the program grounded in current student ideas and issues,” she said. Junior Tallya Rhodes, from Washington, D.C., and Destiny Robertson, a senior from McDowell County, are the first SSS students to serve as interns. “Tallya and Destiny have done a great deal of content creation for the SSS Facebook group,” O’Sullivan said. “Their efforts have been tremendous and extremely well received as they help students have a platform to deal with the COVID pandemic and civil rights movement of recent months.” Both students have found the internship to be rewarding and enjoyable and a great learning experience. They have developed skills that will be beneficial to them in the future in their careers. “The SSS internship has provided me with opportunity in ways I would have never experienced,” Destiny said. “I am grateful to be a part of the SSS team.” She explains that “collaborative work” is the most enjoyable part of the internship for her. “Our collective ideas have great turnouts and are very

Tallya Rhodes, from Washington, D.C

Destiny Robertson, from McDowell County

rewarding,” she said. “I help with visuals and creating an attractive social media platform. I think as a student I provide a more approachable and comfortable environment for students to be honest,” she said. “The internship has helped tremendously with my communication and scheduling.” Destiny says she has also cultivated marketing skills and the ability to create visuals for social media which she says will be “an asset to any profession”. A sociology major, Destiny plans to attend graduate school after completing her degree at Concord, then work in the nonprofit sector. While helping fellow students, Tallya says she has also developed skills in the process. “My knowledge on professionalism has grown greatly since starting this internship as well as adaptability skills that I didn’t necessarily have before,” she said.

“When it comes to my work as a SSS intern, I get motivated through educating and helping others in any way I can. I try to do my best and be that person anyone can come to when they need help while also making sure that the right information is brought forward,” she said. “I hope that I brought a new perspective to the SSS program through my internship…that the SSS staff and anyone else who listened took what I said and really thought about it and will look at situations differently, hopefully in a better way,” she said. “As an intern, I was brought on to help fellow students and be that student engagement middle man that was needed at the time.” Tallya is majoring in athletic training with a minor in sports medicine. “After I graduate I plan to pursue a master’s degree at a college close to home while working part time at a high school in D.C.,” she says.

SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Austin Clay Named New Esports Head Coach Concord University is welcoming Austin “Timesplitter56” Clay as the new Esports Head Coach. Clay brings a strong background in the esports industry as both a competitor and a coach to the position. “Through a very rigorous and competitive selection process, we have found an outstanding esports coach to lead this cutting edge program to continued success in varsity gaming athletics,” states Andrew Sulgit, Assistant Dean of Students. “Concord is glad to welcome Coach Clay, and we are excited about the prospects for the teams this year.” “I am looking forward to being able to create an environment that both fosters highly competitive teams, and one that creates a welcoming community to all,” Clay says. “Furthermore, I’m looking forward to being able to help out these students with their gaming skills, but also support and give them the chance to continue their life within the esports industry, may that be competing, graphic design work, back-end work for production, casting the games, PR/social media and many more types of jobs once they are done with getting their degree here at Concord.” As founder of an esports program at Alfred State College in New York, Clay started the program from

the ground up, gaining experience in coaching, playing, being a tournament official, directing, finding sponsorships,

recruiting, public relations, and many other tasks. He ran the program for two years as the president/director. Along with competing in Overwatch at the collegiate level, Clay also served as Alfred States’ head coach of the Overwatch team. Under his guidance, the team placed in the top 100 schools for two years, and took first place in the Empire State Winter Games at Paul Smith College in New York. Clay also volunteered for several months as head coach of Overwatch at Ottawa University in Kansas, where he recruited and helped set up a team that he says has the chance of being in the top 10 of the nation. Originally from Kendall, N.Y., Clay holds a bachelor’s degree in Digital Media and Animation from Alfred State College. Since beginning competition in the fall of 2019, Concord Esports has made a mark as a powerhouse in national collegiate play. Concord holds the distinction of being the first public college or university in West Virginia to offer varsity esports to its students. For additional information on Concord University’s esports program call 304-384-5320 or visit http://concord.edu/esports

CU Partners with Global Mentorship Initiative Concord University is collaborating with Global Mentorship Initiative (GMI) beginning this fall. President Kendra Boggess signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the non-profit organization on Wednesday, August 12, 2020. Global Mentorship Initiative is an organization created from the Rockefeller Foundation’s Digital Jobs Africa Initiative to help prepare students for their first career job. This agreement will connect students with mentors who can provide experience based guidance and business skills to help better prepare students to enter the job market after graduation. “The project is key to the foundational stages of Concord’s Career Services initiative that focuses on reaching out to community partners, businesses, and local governmental agencies to help create an array of meaningful internship and CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

mentorship activities,” says Phil Lewis, Director of Career Services. Lewis adds that this collaboration is one of the latest additions to a campus-wide, career-oriented outreach program initiated by Dr. Boggess and coordinated through the Career Services office of the Center for Academic and Career Development. Skills students will learn include interview best practices, communication skills in a corporate environment, and how to build a business network—business soft skills graduates often lack. Faculty can nominate senior level students, who then must apply through GMI. Students can also contact Lewis in the Career Services office for more information at 304-384-6292.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

New Faculty Being Welcomed to Campus Concord University is welcoming the following new faculty for the Fall 2020 Semester.

sity and an M.S.W. from West Virginia University. She lives in Shady Spring, W.Va.

Ms. Tiffany D. Everette is joining the faculty as an Instructor in Social Work. She earned a B.S.W. and an M.S.W. from Concord University. Everette lives in Beckley, W.Va.

Dr. Safoora Javadi is joining the faculty as an Assistant Professor of Economics. Javadi received a B.S. from Tehran University; an M.A. from Allameh Tabatabai University; and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Javadi comes here from Williamsburg, Va.

Dr. James R. Hallas will serve as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics. He holds both a B.S. and a Ph.D., from Western Michigan University. Hallas comes to CU from Greenville, Mich. Ms. Mary Hoke has been named an Instructor in Social Work. She earned a B.S.W. from Mountain State Univer-

Mr. Alexander J. Rupprecht has been named an Instructor in Chemistry. Rupprecht earned a B.S. from Saint Vincent College and is expected to complete his Ph.D. this year from Duquesne University. He comes to Concord from Bellevue, Pa. Dr. Abdur Shahid is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science. He joined the CU faculty in January 2020. Shahid holds a B.Sc. from Chittagong University of Engi-

neering and Technology, and an MSc. and a Ph.D. from Florida International University. He came to Concord from Miami, Fla. Dr. Rodney A. Tigaa joins the faculty as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry. He received a B.S. from Manchester University and a Ph.D. from the University of Nevada-Reno. He comes here from Waite Park, Minn. Dr. Andrea B. Wamsley-Barr will serve as an Assistant Professor of Athletic Training and Health Sciences. She holds a B.S. from West Virginia University and a D.P.T. from the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She comes to Concord from Elkins, W.Va.

StayinformedabouthappeningsatCU! CompletetheContactInformationUpdateonlineat: https://apps.concord.edu/forms/view.php?id=22384 12

SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

DR. BECKLEY MICHAEL DINNER BEAN

Pick a Seat. Just for You.

Sarah Lively Turner, '98 Director of Alumni & Donor Relations

To purchase seats or for more information, visit

www.concord.edu/aseatforu CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE FALL 2019

AlumniHappenings Alumnus Endows New Scholarship to Honor Memory of George Floyd The Concord University Foundation is announcing a new, fully endowed scholarship established to honor the memory of George Floyd. During the memorial service broadcast, Concord alumnus Charles Hall ’62 listened to the President of North Central University announce the institution’s new scholarship to honor Floyd. As he challenged all universities to do the same, Hall decided Concord University should be among the first to join North Central. He immediately emailed CU President Kendra Boggess offering to donate funds to establish the scholarship. In his email to President Boggess Hall writes, “I was moved by the young President of the university, at the memorial service announcing their memorial scholarship for George and inspired when he challenged all universities to do the same. I had to be sure our university stepped to the forefront to meet the challenge. It was so important that we act to lead the way.”

Hall grew up in a diverse working-class community in Rand, W.Va. in a “family that abhors racism.” He adds that he prays not only for the country, West Virginia, and his now home state of Florida, but for “the good family of this good man who should still be living his good life.” The George Floyd Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to Concord University students who are seeking careers with the intent on making a positive impact on the world as advocates for social change. “As a university, we educate future generations of citizens that we hope will graduate and dedicate their careers to bettering our communities, our state, and our nation. Through this generous donation, Concord University will be able to support students who are called to make a difference in the lives of others,” says President Boggess. Contributions to the George Floyd Memorial Scholarship can be made

through Concord’s website at www.concord.edu/donate For additional information on this scholarship, please contact the Concord University Foundation at 304-384-6056 or foundation@concord.edu

Find Our Past Magazine Issues

ONLINE! Look for past issues of the Concord University Magazine on the website:

www.concord.edu/alumni

SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

ALUMNI HAPPENINGS

The Concord University Alumni Association Announces 2020-2021 Elected Officers The Concord University Alumni Association (CUAA) is announcing the officers who have been elected to serve during the 2020-2021 term. These members of the Executive Board are: President Ann Pauley ’74; 1st Vice President Jared Tice ’06; 2nd Vice President Melanie Farmer ’07 ’15; Treasurer Jean Dickens ’81; and Secretary Lisa Darlington ’98. President Ann Pauley ’74 Ann Pauley graduated from Concord in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education K-8 with a concentration in Social Studies. She received a Master of Arts in Gifted Education, Learning Disabilities, and Mental Retardation from the WV College of Graduate Studies and has earned National Board Certification as a teacher. Ann’s career as an educator has taken her to classrooms within the Mercer County School system as well as at Concord and Bluefield State College. She was named Mercer County Teacher of the Year for 1983-84. A tireless community volunteer, Ann has served as an officer and on a number of committees with the CUAA Alumni Council. She was named Alumnus of the Year by the CUAA in 2018. 1st Vice President Jared Tice ’06 Jared Tice was Student Government Association President and a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fra-

ternity when he attended Concord. He earned a BA in Political Science from CU in 2006, an MA in Educational Leadership in Higher Education from West Virginia University, and a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Maryville University. He is currently Senior Vice President for the College Experience and Dean of Students at Catawba College. Jared has been a member of the CUAA Council for 10 years. His service to Concord as an alum also includes volunteering as the Board of Advisors Chairperson for the Iota-Xi Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon. He received the Young Alumnus award from the CUAA in 2016. 2nd Vice President Melanie Farmer ’07 ’15 Melanie Farmer earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Concord in 2007 and a Master of Social Work from Concord in 2015. She has been a member of the CUAA Council since 2013, serving as scholarship committee chair each year. In 2018 she received the CUAA’s Young Alumnus Award. She has worked in Concord’s Office of Sponsored Programs for eight years, and now serves in that office as the Director of Grants and Contracts. Additionally, she has been teaching as an adjunct in CU’s Master of Social work program for the past two years. Melanie is originally from the McDowell County community of Squire, W.Va. She currently lives in Princeton, W.Va. with her husband, Jason, and daughters, Layla and Jenna.

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

Treasurer Jean Dickens ’81 Jean Dickens earned a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree from Concord in 1981; a master’s degree from the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies; and a certificate from the University of Kentucky’s College Business Management Institute. Her career includes a stint with the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C., and more than four decades working in the area of finance. This includes service as a financial analyst in Concord’s business office, in development, and as an adjunct instructor. She has served the CUAA as Treasurer for a number of years. Jean was named a Golden Alumnus by the CUAA in 2014. In 2017 she and her husband, Dale, received honorary doctorates from Concord University for their professional and volunteer service. Secretary Lisa Darlington ’98 Lisa Darlington is originally from Beckley, W.Va. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Concord in 1998 with Elementary K-8 and Math 5-Adult as her teaching fields. Excelling academically, Lisa was one of three valedictorians for her class. She went on to earn both a master’s degree in Mathematics and a PhD in Educational Research & Evaluation from Virginia Tech. Lisa has taught at Concord since 2007. She is currently a Professor of Mathematics and Chair of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department and serves on the CUAA Council. For her service, she was honored by the CUAA with the Alumnus of the Year Award in 2019.

ALUMNI AWARDS

CUAA Gets Creative with In-Person Presentation of Annual Alumni Accolades ach year the Concord University Alumni Association recognizes some of Concord’s most outstanding alumni with a series of CUAA awards. Alumni who have made significant impacts on their community, who have had personal and professional success, and who have given back to their alma mater are selected for four different awards. The recipients for 2020 are: Alumnus of the Year, Teresa Frey ’98; Outstanding Alumnus, Peggy Johnson ’71; Golden Alumnus, Tom Bone III ’76; and Young Alumnus, Dr. Mark Yost ’12. “These awards are usually presented at the CUAA spring

Alumni Social, but due to COVID-19, the Social did not take place this year. The Awards Committee still wanted to recognize some alumni for 2020 so after nominations were submitted, selections were made and we had to get creative with how to present the awards to these four deserving alums,” explains Sarah Turner, Director of Alumni and Donor Relations. A decision was made to personally deliver the awards to each recipient. As she visited each honoree for their award presentation, Turner spoke about why they were selected for the recognition. The presentation videos were shared on social media.

Outstanding Alumnus Award The Outstanding Alumnus Award is given to a Concord grad who has made outstanding accomplishments in their professional and civic life. A 1971 graduate of Concord with a home economics degree, Peggy Johnson has spent her entire professional career as a teacher, first in Maryland, and then in a few high schools in Mercer County. She belongs to the Mercer County Association of Retired School Employees, where she is currently serving as Vice President. She is a member of the Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta and has served in positions on the local, district, and state level. Currently she serves as the State Corresponding Secretary. She is an active member of the CUAA Pine Trees chapter, serving as a member of their Board of Directors. She is active in the Mercer County Quilting Bees and each year she makes a veteran’s quilt to present to a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, where she is a member and officer. She has also completed an Underground Railroad quilt and has published a book on black history in Mercer

Young Alumnus Award

• Peggy Johnson ’71

County. She has also served as a judge with the Mercer County Fair. A line from her nomination form explains why Peggy Johnson is the perfect choice for the 2020 Outstanding Alumnus: “She is always willing to lend a hand to those in need and to help make her community a better place.”

• Dr. Mark Yost '12

The Young Alumnus Award is given to a Concord alum who has demonstrated distinctive achievement in their career, civic involvement, or both and who is no more than 15 years past graduation. Mark Yost graduated magna cum laude from Concord in 2012 with a pre-professional biology degree, then continued his education at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, receiving his D.O. degree from there in 2016. He completed an internship at Bluefield Regional Medical Center in 2017 before heading to Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Ronceverte to complete a residency in Family Medicine. He served as Chief Resident during his last year there, and then the month following his residency graduation, Dr. Yost began his current position as the Medical Director of the Athens Medical Center.

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ALUMNI AWARDS

He is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians in Family Medicine and OMT. He currently serves as a WVSOM Rural Health Initiative Mentor and as a family medicine preceptor for WVSOM students. Mark served as the Resident Board Member for the WVSOM Alumni Association during his last year of residency and now serves on the

CUAA Alumni Council. He is involved with the Athens Lions Club, the Johnston Chapel Baptist Church Missions Committee and has already participated in medical mission trips to Peru, Guatemala, Ecuador and Nicaragua. As this is only the beginning for Dr. Mark Yost, the CUAA is proud to recognize him with the 2020 Young Alumnus Award.

Golden Alumnus Award The Golden Alumnus Award is given to a member of the CUAA who has contributed their time and/or talents to Concord University and the CUAA with no less than 25 years of service to the University community. Tom Bone, this year’s recipient, is a 1976 grad who never really left Concord for long after his graduation with an education degree. He has served on the Alumni Association Council on and off since the late 1970s and he was hired in 1979 as director of public information at Concord, a position he held for almost 20 years. Tom is a founding member of the Athens-Concord Town Social Committee, and performed for 15 years as the Town Social clown. He also worked on the committee that oversaw the installation and dedication of the 48-bell carillon atop Marsh Hall on campus. He walked the entire 162 miles of Concord’s second Quest for Scholars in 1992, helping then-president Jerry Beasley to raise scholarship funds and to promote the institution in seven counties of southern West Virginia. He was the principal writer and executive producer of a 28-minute video history of Concord, and an animated cartoon, The Legend of Concord Charlie. Tom has been a public address announcer for Mountain Lions’ sporting events since the 1976-77

academic year. He has participated in Concord theatre productions since 1975, including a dozen performances of Shakespeare’s works. In more recent years, he has continued to cover the news of Concord happenings for the Bluefield Daily Telegraph and Princeton Times. He has occasionally taught classes at Concord and worked in the campus bookstore. This lifelong dedication to his alma mater is why Tom Bone is so deserving of the 2020 Golden Alumnus Award.

Alumnus of the Year Award The Alumnus of the Year Award is given to a member of the CUAA who has contributed their time and/or talents to Concord University and the Concord University Alumni Association. Not only did Teresa Frey spend four years as a non-traditional student at Concord, she’s also spent the last 20 years of her life contributing to Concord as an employee. She has worked in the business office, the Education Division, and since 2011 has served as CU’s Academic Advisor for Adult Students. As an Athens resident, Teresa has attended and participated in countless campus and community events – everything from sporting events, to plays and concerts, Homecoming parades, even attending and/or volunteering at every Athens-Concord Town Social since it started. Her family hosted CU international students in their home, she was a homeroom mom at Athens School and she volunteered at the CU Senior Dinner for several years. Through her children’s attendance at Concord, she got involved with their Greek organizations and is a proud Phoenix of Phi Sigma Phi fraternity and is an alumnae initiate of the Concord chapter of Tri-Sigma. In 2014 Teresa became a member of the CUAA and has been a very active member, serving on a number of CUAA committees. CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

• Tom Bone ’76

• Teresa Frey '98

Highlights of her committee involvement includes serving as co-chair of the Alumni Day and Homecoming committees, and serving as a scholarship application reviewer for two years. She has been a great recruiter for the CUAA and even keeps membership brochures in her car in case she meets a Concord alum when she is out and about! Teresa is always there to step up, help out and do whatever is needed to get the job done – not for recognition but because of her love for Concord University. This is what makes her a perfect selection for Alumnus of the Year.

Alumni AUGUST 2020

Andrea Bertrand Richter ‘14 This month we wanted to spotlight an alum who is a great example of resilience and perseverance in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. After being laid off from her job at the end of March, Andrea Richter decided to focus her efforts on growing and promoting her small business. Through many hours of hard work and dedicating more time to her business she’s increased her sales by as much as 300%, recently signed a lease on a warehouse due to the need for more space for her business and was featured in the “How to support Black-owned businesses in Charlotte” article in June on the www.charlotteagenda.com website. We are so proud of alums like Andrea that put their education to work and keep pushing forward to pursue their dreams!

We hope you will join us as we come together and support Concord University on September 24th and 25th.

oncord University’s 2019 Day of Giving was a huge success, and that is thanks to you! With a goal of raising $24,000 in 24 hours for the CU Annual Fund, The Mountain Lion family rose to the challenge and surpassed our goal raising over $42,000. This year we are raising the bar to further support the university and our students. This year’s goal is to raise $50,000 for the CU Annual Fund. The CU Annual Fund supports campus projects, scholarships, and additional needs on campus. You may get a call from one of our Advancement Student Representatives leading up to Day of Giving. If you get a call, we hope you enjoy sharing some of your Concord experiences with them and

consider making a financial pledge for this year’s Day of Giving. No gift amount is too small, every amount contributed helps reach the $50,000 goal. We hope you will join us as we come together and support Concord University on September 24th and 25th. We are currently accepting financial pledges and matching gifts. One alum has pledged to match the first $5,000 raised on Day of Giving! If you are interested in making a pledge or matching gift, please visit us online at concord.edu/dayofgiving and fill out our pledge form. You can make your Day of Giving donation on September 24th online at: concord.edu/dayofgiving or by mail: CU Foundation PO Box 1405, Athens WV 24712

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ALUMNI HAPPENINGS

CU Stays Connected Through Virtual Events

hen the COVID-19 pandemic forced Concord to shut its doors back in March and hosting any kind of events in person became impossible, the CU Advancement Office started thinking about how to keep alumni engaged with CU in other ways. In May they hosted their first Concord U Virtual Trivia Night through the CU Facebook page. Attendees answer questions on a variety of topics through posting comments, with the person who gets the most correct answers winning an Amazon gift card. These Virtual Trivia Nights have been very well received and have continued throughout the summer with solid participation numbers each month. A second program started by the Advancement Office has been the Concord Alumni Online Book Club. Alums have the opportunity to vote on the book selection, get updates through a Facebook group and discuss the selections once a quarter through a Zoom call. The first discussion took place in June on “City of Girls” by Elizabeth Gilbert and the fall discussion of “The Giver of Stars” by Jojo Moyes is scheduled for September 29. The CU Alumni Office has also teamed up with the Career Services Office to start the Alumni Speaker Series. A number of alumni have signed up to give presentations to students via Zoom on a variety of career focused topics. This series kicked off on

August 25 and takes place the last Tuesday of each month. Even though this increase in virtual programming came as the result of not being able to connect with alums in person, these events have been a great way to reach out to alums during this time and the Advancement Office looks forward to expanding its virtual event offerings even more in the future!

Visit www.concord.edu/alumni for details on all virtual programs

CU Alumni-Owned Business Program If you are an alum who owns your own business we want to recognize you! The Concord U Alumni-Owned Business Program gives alums who own their own business the opportunity to show their CU pride at their establishment. Any alumni business owner can visit www.concord.edu/alumni and click on the “Alumni Owned Business” gray box. Simply fill out the form and the Advancement Office will mail you a window cling to display in your business. If the alum posts a picture of the cling on social media and tags CU in the post, we will share the picture on our social media feeds, along with listing the business on our website. CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

September 29

Engaging in a Virtual Environment Megan Parker ‘06

October 27

Legal Professions Panel Discussion Omar Aboulhosn ‘92 & Thad Bowyer ‘11

November 17

Transitioning from College: Job Hunting, Moving and Backup Plans Jay White ‘10 Each session will be presented via Zoom at 12:00 PM For questions and to access the Zoom link, contact Phil Lewis in the Career Services Office at 384 - 6292 or plewis@concord.edu

A Night of Inspiration CU FOUNDATION WELCOMES J.R. MARTINEZ TO THIS YEAR’S BECKLEY DINNER

burn survivor, Army veteran, actor, New York Times best-selling author, and winner of Dancing with the Stars is this year’s Concord University Foundation Beckley Dinner keynote speaker—you do not want to miss the opportunity to hear J.R. Martinez’s story of triumph over adversity. J.R. Martinez has traveled the world speaking with troops, as well as non-profits, universities, and a number of Fortune 500 companies—Wells Fargo, General Motors, and Red Cross, to name a few. Concord University is proud to be among his virtual stops this year, and we know his message will inspire you. A desire to inspire others began long before his book Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength and Spirit hit the best sellers list, before his 2011 victory on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and before his three year full-time acting career playing a veteran on the television show All My Children. J.R. Martinez gave his first inspirational talk in a recovery ward to a fellow burn patient. Nearly a year after he enlisted in the United States Army, this 11-B Infantryman from Hope, Arkansas was on a routine patrol in Iraq when the Humvee he was driving hit a roadside bomb. Three other soldiers in the vehicle were ejected, leaving Martinez trapped. But he survived. Martinez underwent 34 different surgeries and multiple skin grafts over the next few years, and it was during his time in the hospital recovering that a nurse asked him to speak to another burn patient who had just seen his body for the first time. “After a brief visit with the young man, I realized I had made a positive impact and helped him in some way,” Martinez writes on his website. He continued to help other wounded survivors in the weeks that followed that first visit, learning that “inspiration is often a two-way street.”

Martinez continued to travel the world as a motivational speaker, sharing his story with others. He says that while his story may be unique, his message is universal: “Change isn’t bad if you are willing to adapt.” He is passionate about giving back, dedicating much of his time to the non-profit world. He is a spokesperson for Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Glasswing International, No Barriers, and Debra of America. In 2008, All My Children was holding an open casting call, looking for a veteran to join their cast. Encouraged by a friend, Martinez auditioned and got the part. What was SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

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C O N C O R D U N I V E R S I T Y F O U N D AT I O N , I N C .

initially slated as a three month stent turned into three years on the show. In 2011, Martinez was asked to join Dancing With the Stars, partnering up with Karina Smirnoff. Their moves won the mirror ball trophy, naming the duo season 13 champions. After the show, he was asked to serve as Grand Marshal of the 2012 Rose Bowl Parade. Taking a break from the spotlight, Martinez started writing his first book. Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength and Spirit was released in 2012 and quickly climbed onto the New York Times Bestsellers list. “My book allowed me to connect with the world and proved that being vulnerable in front of others is respected,” he writes. Martinez lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, Diana, and their daughter, Lauryn Anabelle. You can’t catch him on the television screen right now because he spends most of his time traveling, speaking, attending events, and enjoying quality time with friends and family. You can, however, hear his remarkable story told

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

as only he can, streaming live at the Beckley Dinner on November 5. While pandemic circumstances have changed (and may continue to change) how the Beckley Dinner will look this year, technology will stream Martinez live for our donors. A plated and socially distanced dinner will be served in the Bright Ballroom at Glade Springs Resort on November 5 at 7:00 pm, and Martinez will join us live via Zoom immediately following your meal. The proceeds from this event contribute to the Foundation’s annual fund, which supports student scholarships and campus improvement projects. The student need right now is perhaps greater than it has ever been, and by purchasing your ticket to the Beckley Dinner, you are helping Concord students fund their education. In return, we are honored to bring you the inspirational story of J.R. Martinez. This is an opportunity you do not want to miss. To purchase your tickets to this and other Concord University Foundation events, visit our website at www.concord.edu/beckleydinner.

Blake Farmer, Manager of University Advancement

September 24, 11am - September 25, 11am Help us reach our 2020 goal of $50,000 in 24 hours to benefit the CU Annual Fund. Visit concord.edu/dayofgiving for additional information. 22

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RISTORANTE ABRUZZI • CHARLESTON, WV

In late July, the Advancement Office hosted a CU After Hours event at Ristorante Abruzzi in Charleston, West Virginia. A handful of alums came out of quarantine for an evening of food and appropriately "social distanced" conversation. Pictured L to R are: Ellie Thomas '20, Chelsea Goins '19, Victor Grigoraci '64, Joe Carowick '15, Brittany Means Carowick '12, Ed Bailey '75 and Sarah Lively Turner '98.

ADVENTURES ON THE GORGE • FAYETTEVILLE, WV

Alums from the Fayetteville area gathered at Adventures on the Gorge on August 13 for another CU After Hours event. Pictured from left to right are: Casey Ord '13, Kate Armentrout '12, Megan Maynor '16, Patrick Erickson '17, JR Davis '12, Jordan '17 and Mikaela Adkins '17 and their daughter Emmy, Amanda Erickson '18 and Sarah Turner '98.

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Employee Nancy Jackson outside of the Library of Congress Annex (John Adams Building).

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NANCY JACKSON ’65 FINDS HER NICHE AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

ancy Jackson’s rewarding career with the Library of Congress spanned more than three decades. This wasn’t her first job amongst the books and card catalogues, however. When she was a student at Concord, she worked in the Marsh Library. She recalls that she worked 10 hours a week, making 50 cents an hour. Her pay improved when she took on another student employment position. “In the last semester of my senior year, I got a job grading English papers for $1.00 an hour!” she reports. While Nancy spent part of her youth in West Virginia, she is a native Hoosier. “I was born in Fort Wayne, Ind.,” she explains. “Sometime in the early 1930s, my father and some other men from Organ Cave, W.Va. went to Fort Wayne to work at International Harvester. Prior to that, he had met my mother at a camp meeting in Renick, W.Va. They married in 1937. In 1947, following the end of World War II, we moved back to West Virginia and lived on a series of farms in Organ Cave, Sinks Grove, and Renick.” » CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

Nancy Jackson ’65

Nancy offers remarks upon her retirement from the Library of Congress in 1999.

NANCY JACKSON

On the job at the LOC.

Nancy says that she and her family made a wise decision when they selected nearby Concord for her college education. “It turned out to be a good choice,” she says. “I loved the campus, still as beautiful now as then.” Nancy majored in English. “I started out with a minor in library science, switched to sociology in the middle of my junior year and changed to a B.A. rather than a teaching degree,” she says. Explaining how she has utilized her English degree,

Nancy says, “At various times I did one-on-one teaching, some group teaching, written and oral communications. Studying English helped me with thinking analytically, organizing ideas, and communicating them clearly.” Nancy also values the relationships she developed with Concord professors. “I was able to have close contacts with some faculty: Russell Falt (piano and organ teacher), Arthur Flandreau (librarian), Mary Sewell Helvey (former librarian), and above all, Dr. James B. Shrewsbury, Jr., my mentor and lifelong friend until the 1990s,” she says. Her favorite classes included “virtually all of my English courses, especially Dr. Shrewsbury’s Victorian Period and Advanced Composition and Dr. William Robertson’s Shakespearean Tragedies.” “We spent half the semester studying ‘Macbeth’. Even now, I know quite a bit of it by heart,” she says. Dr. William Ofsa’s course in History of the English Language was also a memorable class. “I think about it as I hear the language changing,” she muses. Nancy was assistant editor of the yearbook and a hall monitor in her dorms. She was a member of Cardinal Key and Alpha Beta Alpha, and named to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities in 1965. She and her friends enjoyed going to Princeton for hamburgers and movies, “socializing in the dormitories”

It turned out to be a good choice. I loved the campus, still as beautiful now as then.

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NANCY JACKSON

Nancy celebrates her May 1965 graduation as the class valedictorian with mentor, Dr. James B. Shrewsbury.

and snacking on popcorn on Saturday nights when their house mother “suspended her rules about popcorn poppers.” Nancy’s academic achievements led her to the top of the Class of 1965, and she had the honor of serving as the valedictorian. Nancy has a special family tie to her alma mater. “My paternal grandmother, Nancy White Jackson, died when I was two so I never knew her. I feel a connection in that she attended Concord Normal School,” Nancy explains. “She was said to have a beautiful singing voice, so perhaps I inherited some of my interest in music from her.” Nancy recently donated some of her grandmother’s memorabilia to the Marsh Library. After graduating from Concord, Nancy earned a Master of Science in Library Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1967. Calling on what she learned in Concord classes, she bypassed several hours of coursework. “At the library school I passed equivalency exams in cataloging and classification and book selection using the knowledge from Concord library science classes,” she explained. While she was at UNC, she participated in an assistantship with the graduate library school, worked 20 hours a week in the art library, and was elected to Beta Phi Mu on the basis of academic performance. “Concord prepared me to hold my own in graduate school in competition with students who had gone to far better known schools,” she said. Nancy continued her education by earning an M.A. in English from George Washington University in 1973. She cultivated her talents as a classical pianist by studying piano with composer and GW professor, Robert Parris, for 16 years. “More recently, I have attended a program for amateur pianists, Piano at Peabody, at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Md.,” she said. She has participated in this musical program for 10 years. Nancy had several exciting employment options after » CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

At the library school I passed equivalency exams in cataloging and classification and book selection using the knowledge from Concord library science classes.

NANCY JACKSON

completing her master’s degree at UNC. “In 1967 there were more library jobs available than people to fill them,” she explained. “We had recruiters from all the New York City libraries, Harvard, a corporate library among others – and the Library of Congress.” After accepting a position with the Library of Congress, Nancy moved to Washington, D.C. and in July 1967, embarked on a 30-year adventure of living and working in the nation’s capital. “I was a descriptive cataloger and later a supervisory librarian in three different divisions,” she explains. “Besides the work, I enjoyed the diverse staff from various parts of the world, and above all, for once in my life, having access to all the books I wanted to read. This was not always the case during my childhood,” she said. “I enjoyed all that Washington, D.C. has to offer: concerts, museums, plays,” she continued. “I discovered travelling and have travelled in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.” “I liked to travel to places where I had literary associations. I loved my first trip to England in 1978. In 1979, I spent two days in Concord, Mass., and went to all the transcendentalist sites, especially Walden Pond,” she said. Nancy also took advantage of educational programs offered to library staff. “Librarians seem to have interests in a wide variety of subjects and activities. We had lunchtime programs

An avid traveler, Nancy counts the American Southwest among her destinations.

I liked to travel to places where I had literary associations. I loved my first trip to England in 1978. In 1979, I spent two days in Concord, Mass., and went to all the transcendentalist sites, especially Walden Pond.

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NANCY JACKSON

Someone said that getting older is like climbing a mountain. The

on diverse topics: cooking, music, stamp collecting … the list goes on and on. Sometimes we had speakers. I especially remember Jorge Luis Borges and James Brady,” she recalls. “People often comment that ‘the Library of Congress must have been an interesting place to work.’ It was, but it is necessary to remember it is a very large organization with approximately 4000 employees when I was there,” she explains. “Working there, one works in one’s particular niche. Mine was descriptive cataloging. “At LC, various functions of cataloging that might be done by one or a few people in a smaller library were done in successive stages by different staff members. My work had to do with the bibliographical portion of the cataloging record,” she said. “I worked in three divisions as a cataloger, quality control specialist, and supervisor in three divisions: Descriptive Cataloging Division, National Union Catalog Division, and Cataloging in Publication Division. All positions used my knowledge of descriptive cataloging and cataloging in general,” she continued. Nancy retired from her job at the Library of Congress in July 1999. “I have enjoyed life in the ‘slow lane’ ever since,” she said. Nancy currently lives at Greenspring Village, a retirement community located in Springfield, Va. “It has a lovely setting in the middle of woods. Prior to moving here, I lived first in D.C., then in Arlington, then Alexandria when I bought a condo,” she says. She enjoys tending her two garden plots and playing the piano, offering the occasional performance. As an avid reader, her love of books remains strong. Reflecting on her life, Nancy says, “Someone said that getting older is like climbing a mountain. The views keep changing as you go higher. Looking back, I greatly appreciate the occupational, educational and cultural opportunities that I had. They exceeded my childhood dreams.”

views keep changing as you go higher.

Visiting the Biltmore.

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FUELING T 30

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THE FUTURE SCIENTIST LIZ WARE ’09 IS DEDICATED TO RESEARCHING RENEWABLE ENERGY

s a scientist in the field of renewable energy, Dr. Anne Elizabeth Ware is gaining recognition for her professional contributions. She currently works for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., where she is a researcher and task lead for the high-throughput biomass analysis pipeline for the Center for BioEnergy Innovation (CBI). For her efforts, she has received multiple honors including the Director’s and President’s awards and recognition as a Key Contributor. Along with her colleagues she is recipient of the 2019 Alliance for Sustainable Energy Chairman’s Team Award for Exceptional Performance in analyzing numerous samples on the high-throughput pipeline she leads. According to its website, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is “a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future” and “the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States.” Dr. Ware explains the nature of her work with NREL. “I study what plants are made of and how we can use them to make fuels, chemicals and mateCONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

rials,” she said. “I also try to find the best ways to accurately and quickly analyze the products we convert the plants into. “Most of my work involves mass spectrometry and pyrolysis which basically means I burn plants in low oxygen environments and study the mass of the molecules that are made, which tells me a little about the plants themselves while the ‘burning’ is also a way to produce chemicals from plants that we might be able to use for something like fuel or polymers,” she continued. Dr. Ware began her career with NREL as a postdoctoral researcher in January 2014. She advanced to her current position in January 2016. Liz Ware graduated with honors from Concord in May 2009, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Comprehensive Chemistry. She minored in Mathematics. Her decision to attend Concord was based on the university’s reputation and its proximity to her hometown, Bluefield, W.Va. “I heard it was a good school and it was small and close to home,” she said. “I wanted to go to a school with small class sizes so I could get meaningful interactions with my professors. I think it paid off because I was pretty well prepared for »

LIZ WARE

Liz and Ian

Liz and Ian reach the summit of Mount Bierstadt at 14,065 ft.

Tristan and Rory join their mom Liz on the trail at Staunton State Park in Colorado.

graduate school.” Reminiscing about favorite classes and professors, she says, “I liked all of my classes taught by Dr. Crick, Mr. Westerik, Dr. Winfrey, Dr. Krider, Dr. Hawthorne-Allen, Dr. Brichford and Dr. Baker.” She considers the time she spent with fellow science students among her best Concord memories. “I loved hanging out with other students in the science lounge outside of Dr. Crick and Dr. Allen’s offices,” she said. “We would study and do homework and goof off and bother professors there.” Her campus involvement included tutoring, participating in Upward Bound, and helping organize Concord’s student affiliate of the American Chemical Society. Excelling academically, Liz received a number of scholarships and honors at Concord. Among these are West Virginia Promise Scholarship, Concord University SAT Scholarship, Academic Achievement Scholarship, Students of Excellence Scholarship, A.H. Montgomery Chemistry Prize (Chemistry Graduate Highest Honor), and the Virginia Blue Ridge Section of the American Chemical Society James Lewis Howe Award. Liz has strong family ties to Concord. Her late grandmother, Belvia Reid Honaker, earned her degree at Concord and went on to teach for several decades in Mercer County (W.Va.) schools. Mrs. Honaker, along with Liz’s sister, Mary (Harman) Parks, belonged to Sigma Sigma Sigma. Mary and her husband, Joey Parks, both graduated from CU. Liz met her husband, Ian Ware, at Concord. Like Liz, he is a member of the class of 2009. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. Liz and Ian have two children: A son, Tristan, who is 5 and daughter, Rory, 3. After living in Arvada, Colo., the Wares will be making their home in Golden. Joey and Mary are also currently living in the “Centennial State”. Following Concord, Liz furthered her education at the University of Kentucky where she earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry in December 2013. While she was at the Lexington, Ky. school, she received first and second place awards in poster competitions and was honored with a Max Steckler Fellowship and the Chemistry Department’s Outstanding Graduate Student Research SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

LIZ WARE

Award. She also served as a graduate student research assistant, a teaching assistant, and a laboratory technician. Liz describes how her Concord degree served her well in graduate school and now professionally. “I’m a scientist so it is my absolute foundation,” she explains. She says that attaining her doctorate “wouldn’t have been possible if not for Concord.” CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

“Also, my career as a scientist that works in a very cross disciplinary field – I work with chemists, biologists, engineers, ecologists, horticulturists, etc. – was well founded by all the different types of science classes I took at Concord including geography, geology, biology, physics and math,” she says. “I also benefited from the English department since writing wasn’t my strong suit and the professors »

LIZ WARE

helped me improve my reading and writing skills which I need and use for publishing scientific papers.” Along with earning her doctorate and doing postdoctoral work at NREL, Liz considers her current role in task leadership with the laboratory – and the accolades this has brought – her top professional accomplishments to date and the highlights of her career. Additionally, she says, “I’ve helped develop a lot of analytical methods that people use to analyze plants and biofuels and contributed towards some work that helps to understand plant genetics.” She counts “collaborating with people from all over the country” among the rewards of her career. “I get to work with so many amazing scientists,” she

said. “I get to do lab work, field work and sometimes I just enjoy sitting back and writing it all up to share with others. “Also, I’m an analytical chemist and it’s very rewarding to analyze something for someone and give them answers that help solve problems or better understand something or inspire us to ask more questions,” she continued. She also finds fulfillment in her career by presenting at national conferences and publishing her work in scientific journals. Dr. Ware has been involved in outreach and community service in various ways throughout her education and professional work. At the University of Kentucky, she conducted demonstrations for public schools on behalf of the Chemistry Department and served as a judge for a local SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

LIZ WARE

Liz’s pencil sketches often include subjects from nature.

elementary school’s science fair. She mentored high school students who worked on senior projects in the laboratory and tutored undergraduate students in introductory and advanced chemistry classes. Her involvement has continued in Colorado. “I volunteer for lots of educational outreach activities within NREL, particularly the state science bowl every year,” she explains. She is also a mentor for undergraduate interns; a member of the American Chemical Society; and a participant with the Postdoc Committee as a panel member and mentor. CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

Surrounded by the natural beauty and cultural opportunities of Colorado, Liz enjoys the lifestyle offered by living there. Outdoor activities including “lots of hiking” are on her list along with attending concerts. “I also love going to the botanic gardens in Denver and the art museum and there’s good food here, too,” she says. As for other hobbies and pastimes, Liz says she likes yoga and to draw, garden and cook. Her artistic talents lean toward pencil sketches of subjects found in nature. “I also consider cooking an art,” she says. She counts Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Korean dishes among her culinary favorites.

Frank pauses on a hike in Glacier National Park, Montana, to take in the grandeur.

SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

FRANK FOLEY ’02 UTILIZES BUSINESS SKILLS IN COMPANY LEADERSHIP ROLE

rank Foley says that the core values of the company he helps lead are a good fit for him and an important highlight of working there. A Regional Vice President for Fastenal, Mr. Foley has oversight of $300 million in annual revenue with his sales management responsibilities and in the area of finance management, oversight of $116 million in assets. His personnel management duties encompass 182 branch locations and 750-plus direct report employees. “The highlight of my career is getting noticed for the hard work and personal sacrifices I made to help the company and fellow employees. Each time I am asked to help or receive a promotion it reinforces that finding my ‘company good fit’ is a constant highlight,” he says. “I always get frustrated with the statistics about job hopping and it will take five to six jobs to find your career,” he continues. “I was fortunate to find a company that shares similar core values – innovation, teamwork, CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

ambition, and integrity – promotes heavily from within, and values performance.” “I could list promotions, awards, or other achievements I am proud of, but honestly the fact is that I am happy doing what I truly enjoy. I get to travel to new places and work with an amazing group of employees with similar goals,” he says. “Fastenal is many things to many different customers: an expert consultant, a logistics company, a technology provider, and more generally, a distributor of wide-ranging industrial and construction products,” Frank explains. “These aspects of our service share a common foundation: great people, close to our customers.” Frank is responsible for the Mountain West Region of the company that includes portions of nine states: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. He says that being honored along with his region »

Jill hikes in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.

Snowboarding trip at Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

has been an especially meaningful experience for him. “If I had to identify the most rewarding accomplishment while at Fastenal, it would be my region winning third place for the company for overall performance at our awards banquet last December,” he said. “At the time I had been working as a new Regional Vice President for just under

two years. This accomplishment showed that I had succeeded at motivating a large group of people to have a common goal.” Currently based in Salt Lake, Utah, Frank has relocated on numerous occasions during his progression upward with Fastenal. “I have moved quite a few times for work: Ashland, Ky. to Springfield, Ohio to Columbus,

Enjoying a hike at Snowbird Resort, Utah

SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

A snowboarding adventure in Aspen Snowmass, Colorado.

Ohio to Philadelphia to Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, then to South Jordan, Utah,” he says. He has worked in outside sales, as a branch sales manager and district manager. He has been in his current position since August of 2017. Frank considers his contributions in crafting a strong future for Fastenal and its employees his chief achievement thus far with the company. “My top accomplishment is the opportunity to build a stable business foundation/ satisfaction for our future employees,” he says. “A lot of my time is spent on creating or investing in programs for the future. If we can invest some time, assets, or resources to make one of our locations more efficient, it has a compounding effect. “Currently we are working on a standardization project for our vending machine programs. Our goal is to reduce the amount of time our employees spend servicing/ maintaining this program. Every hour we save helps the company, employees, and our customers (profit, work-life balance, reduced cost). This is the classic win-win scenario we often hear about and is amazing to experience firsthand,” he says. When asked what he finds rewarding about his career with Fastenal, Frank says the company hits the mark for him in a variety of ways. “I have found that I need to be challenged, rewarded for efforts/ performance, and work with great people while maintaining a healthy work-life balance,” he explains. “I have found a career that fits all of those criteria and more.” Frank grew up in Williamsburg W.Va. Although he graduated from Concord with a bachelor’s degree in business management, business wasn’t his first choice for a major. “As a freshman I enrolled as a biology major; however I realized that was not a great fit for me,” he said. When friend and fellow student Lewis Dunbar suggested he consider business as a major, he followed through with the suggestion and switched CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

majors during the spring semester of his junior year. “I am so glad I did,” he says. “I quickly realized that business was a much better fit for my skill set.” “After I changed my major to business, I was on the Dean’s List quite a few semesters,” he says. Frank also received recognition for an internship he participated in as a CU student. “I also earned the Intern of the Year award at Enterprise Rent-A- Car for my management internship the summer of 2001,” he said. When asked about his fondest memories from his Concord days, Frank replies, “anything involving meeting and proposing to my future wife Jill.” “She is my rock,” he says. Jill graduated from Concord in 2001. He adds that some of his best memories also revolve around his work in the residence hall. “I had an opportunity to meet a number of great people while working at Wooddell Hall, ‘The WU’ ”, he said. “I worked the front desk with the work study program my freshman year. After getting to know the residence staff I was encouraged to apply for a resident assistant job. I was an RA my sophomore through senior years. “The extra time spent on campus as an RA allowed me to meet and develop friendships with several different groups of students. Meeting the football players and international students was particularly fun,” he recalls. Along with being an RA, Frank was also a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Frank graduated from Concord in December 2002. “Concord also provided me with an opportunity to attend a quality four-year institution of higher learning relatively close to home,” he said. “Having grown up with a single parent, college was a concept that sometimes seemed out of reach financially. Concord offered a quality education that was affordable and easy to navigate.” Frank explains how his Concord degree is helping him in his career. »

FRANK FOLEY

THE MOST USEFUL INFORMATION CAME FROM PROFESSORS THAT HAD EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE ACADEMIA. I HAVE OFTEN SPOKEN IN CLASSES AT UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES OVER THE YEARS, AND IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE PROFESSORS AT CONCORD WERE VERY COMPETENT IN THEIR SKILL SETS.

Frank hikes in Utahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bryce Canyon National Park.

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FRANK FOLEY

“Almost every business class I took contributed a base knowledge necessary to run a well-balanced business. Some of the classes and projects were not real world relevant, but the understanding and history/ theory lessons were very critical to developing a well-rounded understanding of business,” he says. “The most useful information came from professors that had experience outside academia,” he continues. “I have often spoken in classes at universities and colleges over the years, and it is evident that the professors at Concord were very competent in their skill sets.” He says that the Marketing 101 class he had with Professor Bill Deck was a favorite of his, noting that he presented the GPS Garmin inReach Mini as his idea pitch for the class. He also lists Mr. Deck’s Quantitative Analysis as a favorite, along with Statistics, and Economics. “Outside of the classroom I enjoyed – and continue to enjoy – snowboarding and traveling to new places,” Frank says. He also counts hiking and visiting National Parks among his top pastimes. Considering where he currently lives, Frank is in an excellent part of the country to enjoy these activities. “I’ve been hitting all the major ski resorts in this area,” he says ticking off Utah, Colorado, California, Alaska, and Montana as states where he has tackled the snowboarding slopes. In Utah his National Park adventures have lead him to “The Mighty 5” – Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion.

Jill and Frank attend a TKE formal.

Frank and his brother Clay at his Concord graduation.

Hiking in Haleakala National Park, Hawaii.

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

PASSION BECOMES PROFESSION FOR CLOCKMAKER GEORGE COSIER ’77 “For some reason as a kid, they just fascinated me,” George Cosier says in response to a question he frequently hears – Why the fascination with clocks? He thinks that maybe his surroundings growing up had something to do with it. “Working on the farm as a kid, you work on a lot of machinery,” he says. Whatever the inspiration, George has been passionately pursuing the timepieces and their care, repair, restoration, and significance for more than half a century. He began his 52-year association with clock repair, when at 13, he had a fateful encounter with a prized family heirloom that had been tucked away for safekeeping in the attic. “My dad feared for the life of the clock, so he hid it up in the attic,” he said. George knew that the Seth Thomas ogee that had once belonged to his great-grandfather and dated back to the 1840s was hidden there, and he was determined to get his inquisitive hands on it. He said that when he was tall enough to reach the cord and pull down the steps to the attic, he went in search of the treasure that had been in his family for generations. »

GEORGE COSIER

Grinding a pivot on the small lathe.

The special family clock didn’t fare so well when young George began investigating its gears, hands and other interesting parts. “I broke some stuff on it,” he admits. Not surprisingly, his father wasn’t pleased. He gathered up his son and the clock and took them to a clockmaker in the area intending for George to pay for the repairs. George recalls the options Mr. Herman Dessell gave him when he evaluated the damage. Mr. Dessell said it would cost $35 for him to fix it, or if George would work with him on the repairs, the price tag would go down to $2.50 for parts. George agreed to the latter. He says that the venerable craftsman then handed him a piece of brass and told him to make the component needed for the repair. With this George embarked on an “unofficial apprentice program” with Mr. Dessell that lasted for several years while he was in high school. Later in his life, George had an opportunity to train with another talented artisan. After graduating from Concord in 1977, he began working for Southern States. Following relocations through several states and positions, his employment with the company landed him in Richmond, Va. in 1983. It was there that he crossed paths with Lawrence Edwards. “I met up with another clockmaker,” George said. “He was a true genius.” “All the time I was working at Southern States, I was going over to his house in the evenings and on weekends,” he recalls. In addition to possessing the knowledge and skills needed

SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

The family clock that started George on his career as a clockmaker now resides in his shop.

for clock making, George said Lawrence also had lathes and other tools of the trade. “He had the equipment,” he said. Along with being a mentor as far as working with clocks was concerned, Lawrence would also provide George with professional advice at a critical time in his career. George remembers well the date – Nov. 14, 1991 – when he was laid off from his accounting position with Southern States. “I went to Lawrence’s the next morning,” he said. The wise gentleman encouraged George to get his business license for a clock making enterprise of his own. He immediately followed his advice and George’s Clock Shop was born. Utilizing a “building out back of the house” and some equipment he already had on site, George got the business up and running.

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

George and a tall case bell strike made by John Payne in Lendham, England around 1740.

“I was basically unemployed for 24 hours,” he remembers. With a degree in business from Concord, George has called upon his accounting skills as a small business owner. “I do my books,” he explains. An especially memorable project for George in his career as a clockmaker has been helping care for Thomas Jefferson’s Great Clock. He was part of a select group of clockmakers who traveled to Monticello to work on the famed timepiece, among them Lawrence Edwards and David Todd, a curator from the Smithsonian. “It’s an interesting clock,” George says. He explained that they worked at the home of the third U.S. president after tourists had gone for the day from scaffolding that had been put up to reach the clock. »

GEORGE COSIER

Testing an antique bell strike movement

As for his favorite kinds of clocks, George replies, “I like the antique bell strike. Most people call them grandfather clocks.” He is especially impressed with how these clocks, dating from the late 1600s to 1850, were handmade by craftsmen without electricity or machines, taking months to complete. “Every single one of them is different because they are all handmade,” he said. He also counts “really fine jeweler’s regulators and weight-driven regulators” among his favorites. A conversation with this seasoned horologist about his life as a clockmaker can lead to a philosophical discussion on the meaning of time. “Everything revolves around time,” George says pointing out society’s ties to time zones, railroad time and military time. “People don’t understand what time did for the world.” George belongs to the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors and the American Watch and Clock Institute and has served as presi-

dent of local chapters of these organizations. Another of George’s passions is owning and restoring classic cars. He and a handful of his buddies “get together and restore old Mustangs” – the ’65, ’66 and ’67 variety, he says. Through the years, they have restored 15 of these ever-popular automobiles. He goes to cruise-ins and belongs to the Oldsmobile Club of America and the Central Virginia Mustang Club. Personally, he owns three Mustangs and several Oldsmobiles. George grew up in Pemberton, N.J., a community that he describes as “a small place that is all either blueberries or dairies.” A high school guidance counselor pointed him to Concord. As an accounting major, he took a lot of classes taught by legendary professor Harry Finkelman. According to his calculations, he says he took 33 hours from Mr. Finkelman including accounting, business law, business math, income tax and auditing. George got a jump start on his accounting career SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

GEORGE COSIER

News story courtesy of NBC12.

while he was still a student. He stepped in to help Concord’s Foundation with accounting and bookkeeping his last semester of college when the employee in that position passed away. He recalls that he made $2.30 an hour for his efforts. His involvement in campus life included serving as treasurer of the Crazy Eights and vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America. His community service extended to the town of Athens as a member of the Athens Volunteer Fire Department. Along with the books, notebooks and other belongings found in a college student’s room, George included a special timepiece. “I had a clock when I was at Concord, up on a shelf,” he recalls. One of George’s best memories from his college days is attending the Mountain Music Festival the fall of his sophomore year. “It was a just a great weekend,” he recalls. The event sparked his interest in playing a 5 string banjo, he says. CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

George also played the trumpet in the Mountain Lion Marching Band and the French horn in the concert band. He says another of his favorite memories is playing French horn for Concord’s production of the “Man of La Mancha” during spring semester when he was a sophomore. “I had the best time doing that,” he says. “It was great.” George has been back to campus several times since graduating and attended an alumni gathering in Richmond. He stays in contact with friends and classmates, including his best friend from college, Larry Echols. George’s sister, Sharon Cosier Swartz, is also a Concord alum. George met his wife, Linda, who is a teacher, in Richmond. They currently live in North Chesterfield, Va. George’s family also includes two stepsons and three grandchildren. Although he considers himself semi-retired now, George says he has plenty of work to keep George’s Clock Shop busy.

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SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

MissySmith’01Receives CoachoftheYearAward

issy Anderson Smith has been honored as West Virginia’s top high school coach for an impressive career that in 2019 included state championships in the two sports she oversees. As head coach of the George Washington High School volleyball and Herbert Hoover High School softball teams, Smith is the 2020 recipient of the prestigious Van Meter Award. Known as the High School Coach of the Year Award until 2016, The Van Meter Award is named for legendary Woodrow Wilson boys basketball and football coach Jerome Van Meter. Van Meter, who passed away in 2003 at the age of 102, won 869 total games in his dual coaching roles. Smith is only the second woman to receive the award that is voted on by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

With nine total state championships to her credit, Smith is accumulating an outstanding list of accolades befitting the Van Meter legacy. Since becoming head coach of volleyball at George Washington, she has led the Patriots to five state titles: 2005, 2006 (undefeated), 2012, 2015 and most recently, the 2019 trophy. Smith’s accomplishments in softball are no less impressive. The team’s 2019 state crown was their third in a row having also made it to the top spot in 2017 and 2018 (undefeated). The Huskies were state champs in 2014 as well. Her talent in leading the Herbert Hoover team captured an even bigger spotlight when she was named Maxpreps National Coach of the Year (COY) for softball in 2018. Her leadership in softball has also garnered the Kanawha Southern Officials Board COY in 2010 and »

MISSY SMITH

I enjoy building relationships with my girls. The bond extends further than just the years they play for me... 2012 and the NHFS COY for 2016-2017. Her trophy case holds a wealth of additional volleyball awards including the Kanawha Southern Officials Board COY for 2005, 2007, 2009, 2015, and 2017, the WV School Coaches Athletic Association COY for 20052006 and 2016-2017, the NHFS COY for 2012, and the Mountain State Athletic Conference COY for 2006, 2012, 2015, and 2019. Smith describes her reaction to winning two state championships in one year and, on top of that, the Van Meter Award. “Winning a state championship is never easy,” she said referring to the nine across her coaching career, “…but being able to win two in the same calendar year was very special.” She admits to having “so many emotions” when she received the phone call with the big news about the award. “At first, I was shocked and then humbled, when I was informed I was only the second woman to win the award,” she says. “Very quickly all turned into excitement. Any time a coach wins an award, it speaks volumes about his/

her program. No one wins awards with bad players or no support from school and community.” Smith says the relationships she establishes with her players is an especially rewarding aspect of being a coach. “I enjoy building relationships with my girls. The bond extends further than just the years they play for me,” she explains. “I have been lucky enough to be invited to graduations, weddings, baby showers, etc. It brings me great joy to be a small part of the successful journey that my girls make through life. I always tell them that I expect big things and they never disappoint.” Smith comes from a family of coaches with storied achievements all their own. “My grandfather, Lawrence Anderson, was responsible for coaching one of the first women’s softball teams in the state. My grandmother, Betty Anderson, and aunt Jean Payne, played on this team,” she explains. “My dad, Phillip (Nip) Anderson, is the interim head coach at West Virginia State University. He has coached there for several years as the assistant. Before that, he was a successful little league » SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

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CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

MISSY SMITH

PHOTO CREDIT: Beth Strawn

SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

MISSY SMITH

My family is a huge reason for my success. They are my biggest supporters and critics.

coach, taking the first team from West Virginia to the BigLeague World Series.” Missy considers the support of her family a key component of her success. She values the insights on coaching each member brings to the group. “My family is a huge reason for my success. They are my biggest supporters and critics. Both of which I need,” she says. “My parents, Nip and Regina Anderson, have always made sure that I had every opportunity and push I needed. My husband of 16 years, Jason Smith, is also a coach. He coaches football and teaches Civics at GWHS. Coaching requires lots of long hours and time spent away from home and I am grateful to have someone stand by me who understands what it takes to build and maintain successful programs. “My brother, Philip (Andy) Anderson, also coaches football and teaches at GWHS,” she continues. “Having coaches in the family allows for discussions and debates CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

that make us all look at situations differently. This helps us all be the best we can be as people and coaches.” Missy grew up in Pinch, W.Va. and graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in 1996. She was a student-athlete at Concord, excelling as a Mountain Lion in the sports she now so expertly coaches. A 4-year starter/ letterman in volleyball and softball, Missy was named All WVIAC 1st Team for softball in 2000. She was also tapped several times as Player of the Week during her CU career. She graduated from Concord in May 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Education in General Science. Along with her tireless dedication as the coach of two stellar programs, Smith is also a classroom teacher. She has taught seventh grade science at Elkview Middle School for the past 15 years. With the 2020-2021 academic year, she will be moving to Herbert Hoover to teach Biology. She currently lives in Charleston, W.Va.

ATHLETICS

Darby Fitzpatrick Named Sports Information Graduate Assistant

oncord University Sports Information Director Wes McKinney has announced the addition of CU softball standout Darby Fitzpatrick to the sports information office staff for the 2020-21 academic year. Fitzpatrick joins the Concord sports information staff while finishing her final year of collegiate eligibility in the spring of 2021. In three-plus years on the softball diamond, Fitzpatrick has compiled a record of 24-18 as a pitcher with a 3.20 ERA in 327.2 innings. She ranks fifth in program history in wins, seventh in innings pitched and 10th in ERA. As a two-way player in the outfield, Fitzpatrick has collected 100 career hits with 50 runs scored and 39 RBI in 366 at-bats. Earlier this summer, the native of Pocomoke City, Md. was named to the Concord softball all-decade team. Outside of softball, Fitzpatrick has worked closely with the CU sports information office the last two years as the primary photographer for several athletic teams at Concord. “With Darby’s background in graphic design and photography, I’m excited for the next step we can take in our graphics production in the sports information office,” McKinney said. “Darby is very familiar with Concord and the operations of the sports information office. She will be a great addition.” With an undergraduate degree in studio art, Fitzpatrick is beginning studies in Concord’s Master of Social Work program this fall.

Photo Credit: Concord Sports Information

SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

ATHLETICS

Duffy Named MEC Women’s Sports Coach of the Year

oncord University women’s soccer head coach Luke Duffy was voted the Mountain East Conference Women’s Sports Coach of the Year, the league office announced in May. Duffy is the fifth different coach to garner the award in the six-year history of the MEC Women’s Sports Coach of the Year honor, but is the first women’s soccer coach in the conference to be voted as the winner. Duffy is the first winner of MEC Sports Coach of the Year for either men’s or women’s sports at Concord. In his fourth season at CU, he led the Mountain Lions to a 19-2 record, the MEC South Division Title, the MEC Tournament Championship and Concord’s first NCAA Tournament bid in women’s soccer. The Mountain Lions broke the MEC single-season goals record for a second consecutive season as they tallied 70 goals during the 2019 season. The 70 goals were also the third most in Division II in the fall. Defensively, Duffy’s team was equally as stout as CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

Concord had a +61 goal difference, allowing just nine goals which were the third fewest among Division II teams. The success of 2019 comes just three years after CU won three games in Duffy’s first season at Concord. Overall, Duffy coached nine All-MEC selections in 2019 which broke the record for most players from one team on the All-MEC squads – previously set by West Virginia Wesleyan in 2014 with eight. The fourth-year coach also tutored the MEC Defensive Player of the Year, junior Morgan Carmichael, the MEC Offensive Player of the Year, sophomore forward Leah Foster, and the MEC Freshman of the Year, forward Rachel Bell. At season’s end, Foster and junior midfielder Mira Kontio were selected as All-Americans under Duffy’s watchful leadership. The MEC Women’s Sports Coach of the Year is selected by a vote of institutional administrators and the conference office.

ATHLETICS

MEC Announces Update for 2020-21 Athletics Season

he Mountain East Conference Board of Directors announced several decisions on Aug. 13, including the postponement of fall sports until the spring semester. The board’s resolutions come following the prior week’s announcement from the NCAA Board of Governors regarding additional requirements and the cancellation of 2020 NCAA Division II Fall Championships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The board also approved a reduced schedule model for fall sports that will shift to spring 2021 (football, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s cross country), that includes a conference championship, without participants exhausting a year of eligibility utilizing the legislative relief provided to NCAA Division II institutions for the 2020-21 season. Additionally, the board approved several other recommendations from the league’s Committee of Athletics Administrators: • Suspend competition for winter sports until no earlier than November 1, 2020.

• Suspend all competition in all sports indefinitely, with MEC board review by no later than Oct. 15, 2020. • Suspend the indoor track and field championship for the 2020-21 season. • All countable athletically-related activities (CARA), excluding the restrictions regarding outside competition, for all MEC sports are permissible (as allowed under NCAA rules and Board of Governors requirements) at the discretion of each MEC member institution. Note: The Mountain East has traditionally conducted its men’s and women’s golf conference championship in the fall, but the sport is classified by the NCAA as a spring sport, and thus will have a delayed conference championship in addition to NCAA postseason opportunities in the spring semester. “I pledged to our board, administrators, athletics staffs, and most importantly to our student-athletes that we would exhaust every opportunity to stage competition this fall, and I am confident that is collec-

tively what we have done within the MEC,” said Commissioner Reid Amos. “Present public health challenges, combined with the new mandates put forth by the NCAA last week, create too great of a challenge on too short of a timeline to be able to conduct meaningful competition for our fall sports. “We are tremendously disappointed for our student-athletes, and we recognize the gravity that comes with these decisions,” Amos continued. “We now turn our efforts to keeping our student-athletes engaged with their coaches and teammates this fall, continuing to develop our return to play protocols, creating new schedules for delayed sports, and preparing for our 21 championship events now slated for the winter and spring. We will continue our commitment to providing a meaningful athletics experience for all of our student-athletes and crowning MEC champions during the 2020-21 academic year.” Information is also available from the Mountain East Conference at https://mountaineast.org/

SPRING 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

ATHLETICS

Weitzel Selected to CoSIDA Academic All-District

or a third consecutive year, senior Jason Weitzel of the Concord University men’s cross country and track & field teams has been voted to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District. Weitzel, now a graduate student, added to his distinguished career during the spring semester by being named United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association (USTFCCCA) Atlantic All-Region for the 16th time during his track career as he earned all-region in three events – the mile, 3,000-meter and 5,000-meter runs – during the indoor season along with being on CU’s distance medley relay that was named all-region. The Athens, W.Va. native has been the MEC Track Athlete of the Year (2018), MEC Cross Country Runner of the Year (2016 and 2018), USTFCCCA Atlantic Region Cross Country Runner of the Year (2018) and a four-time Atlantic All-Region honoree in cross country during his illustrious career in the Maroon and Gray. Weitzel is also the current holder of seven school records in indoor and outdoor track between individual events and relays. As a student-athlete, Weitzel carried a 3.44 GPA throughout his undergraduate career as he graduated in December with a degree in health and physical education. He has since started his master’s degree, and will have outdoor track & field eligibility remaining in the spring of 2021. Weitzel was one of three representatives from the Mountain East Conference on the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team as Davis & Elkins’ Felix Buck-Gramcko and Frostburg State’s John Kerns were also selected to the squad.

Walker Honored with Martinsburg Dedication

oncord University head football coach Dave Walker has had the football stadium at Martinsburg High School dedicated in his name. The complex where the Bulldogs play will now be named Cobourn Field at David M. Walker Stadium. During his tenure at Martinsburg, Walker racked up 248 career wins in 23 seasons guiding the program while playing in 12 state championship games since 2001. In his final decade in charge of the Martinsburg program, Walker won eight of the last ten Class AAA State Championships, including two different four-peats (2010-13, 2016-19). When the Pineville native returned to southern West Virginia to assume the reins of the Concord football program in December, he had collected 56 consecutive wins at Martinsburg which is the second-longest active streak in the nation. CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

ATHLETICS

2020 Hall of Fame T

he Concord University Athletic Department and Hall of Fame Committee have announced the five former student-athletes that will represent the class of 2020. Athletes from five different sports make up this year’s class. In the class of 2020 is Evan Muscari (men’s golf, 2010-14), Amber Showalter (women’s basketball, 2005-09), Devin Smith (baseball, 2009-13), DeWayne Smith (men’s track & field, 1999-04) and Mike Spradling (football, 1989-92) Evan Muscari – Men’s Golf One of the most decorated players in program history, Muscari was named PING All-Region at the end of the 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons. The Pineville, W.Va. native was named to all-conference first teams three times during his career as he was All-West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) First Team in 2011 and 2012 before being selected All-Mountain East Conference (MEC) First Team in 2013. Muscari was on two conference championship teams as Concord claimed the final WVIAC Championship in 2012, and was the first team champion in the MEC behind Muscari’s individual conference championship in 2013. In his final two seasons, Muscari averaged 18-hole scores of 74.5 and 73.8. Muscari was equally sharp in the classroom as he was twice voted to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District Team and was also a Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-American Scholar in 2013 and 2014.

Amber Showalter – Women’s Basketball Showalter is one of eight players in the history of the women’s basketball program with at least 1,000 career points and 500 career rebounds. She ranks 19th in scoring with 1,016 career points and finished her career with 740 career rebounds, good enough for sixth in the CU record books. The Penn Laird, Va. native was named to the All-WVIAC Freshman Team at the conclusion of the 2005-06 season and was selected to the All-WVIAC First Team in 2009. During her all-conference season in 2008-09, Showalter averaged just shy

of a double-double with 13.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. For her career, Showalter shot 46.3 percent (396-for-855) from the floor which places her seventh in program history. She also appeared in 113 career games in the Maroon and Gray, tied for sixth. During Showalter’s sophomore and junior seasons, Concord tallied back-to-back 20-win seasons for the program’s first two 20-win campaigns. Along with her play on the hardwood, Showalter was one of the best field athletes for the Mountain Lions in her time at CU. She was twice named All-WVIAC Honorable Mention in the throwing events as she earned the accolades in the javelin in 2006 and the discus in 2007. Additionally, the two-sport athlete still holds the outdoor school record in the discus throw at 36.68 meters, a mark that she set in 2007. Devin Smith – Baseball As a two-way player for the Mountain Lions, Devin Smith ranks top 10 in program history in hitting and pitching statistics. In his career, Smith recorded 44 doubles which sits eighth in program history, and on the bases, he stole 28 career bags, ranking 10th. As a pitcher, Smith started 24 career games, tied for ninth at Concord. Overall, the Wytheville, Va. native hit .328 over 512 career at-bats and was 11-8 on the mound with 100 strikeouts in 137 innings. During his senior season, Smith hit a career-best .351 with seven home runs and 48 RBI to land on the 2013 All-WVIAC Second Team, the American Baseball Coaches’ Association (ABCA) All-Atlantic Region Second Team and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers’ Association (NCBWA) All-Atlantic Region Honorable Mention Team. The current Concord assistant baseball coach was on two WVIAC Championship teams as a player in 2011 and 2013.

DeWayne Smith – Men’s Track & Field Over 15 years removed from his successful career at Concord, DeWayne Smith still owns four men’s track & field program records. Smith is the school record holder in the indoor 300-meter dash (35.49 seconds), SUMMER 2020 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE

ATHLETICS

Class Announced the indoor 400-meter dash (48.57 seconds), the outdoor 400-meter dash (47.78 seconds) and is a member of CU’s 4x400-meter relay indoor school record team (3:19.39). After finishing as the runner-up in the 400-meters at the WVIAC Championships in 2002 and 2003, and earning All-WVIAC Second Team, Smith concluded his career by winning the 400-meters in 2004 to earn All-WVIAC First Team. Additionally, he hit a NCAA Division II Provisional Qualifying standard in the 400-meters during the 2004 outdoor season. In the classroom, Smith was on the WVIAC All-Academic Team four times. Mike Spradling – Football In a program that has had nine different players

win WVIAC Defensive Player of the Year, Spradling was the sixth winner at the conclusion of the 1990 season. During his final three seasons as a Mountain Lion, he was an All-WVIAC First Team honoree, and his career culminated by being selected as a NAIA Second Team All-American in 1992. Spradling was an integral part of two WVIAC Championships for Concord in 1989 and 1990 as he led CU to being the best defense in the WVIAC in 1990, allowing just 306.7 yards per game. Spradling was part of 28 wins during his career as the Mountain Lions only lost three conference games during his four years in the Maroon and Gray. Spradling went over 100 tackles in a single season twice – 1990 and 1992 – as he accumulated 316 career tackles, sixth in program history.

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CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

ATHLETICS

Graduate Assistant Coaches Join CU Athletics Staff

wo Concord alums are joining the Mountain Lion coaching staff as graduate assistants. Jakob Divers will be part of the baseball program while Jonathan Gore takes on responsibilities with cross country and track & field. Divers starts his coaching career this fall after a successful playing career for the Mountain Lions. The Moneta, Va., native had a career batting average of .298 to go with 135 hits and 98 career RBI in 148 games at Concord. Divers was an ultimate utility man for the Maroon and Gray as he appeared in the lineup at first base, second base, third base, left field, right field and designated hitter over the course of his career. At the conclusion of the 2019 season, Divers was named All-Mountain East Conference Honorable Mention after posting career highs in batting average (.323), hits (52), doubles (nine) and RBI (36). He started in all 50 games last spring, helping the program to its sixth 30-win season. Divers will assist with all aspects of the program while working on his master’s degree at Concord. Jonathan Gore returns to his alma mater as an assistant coach for the program where he flourished as a student-athlete from 2013-17. The former all-region long jumper begins his role at Concord this fall on head coach Mike Cox’s staff that also includes All-American RJ Anderson. In addition to being an all-region selection in 2017, Gore was the Mountain East Conference Championships MVP/ High Point. He was the MEC Champion

in the 100-meter dash in 2017, and took second in both the 200-meter dash and long jump that season. In all, Gore was a seven-time AllMEC performer during his time in the Maroon and Gray. He was also a two-time United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA)

All-Atlantic Region selection. Gore holds both program records for the long jump – indoor at 7.14 meters in 2015 and outdoor at 7.16 meters in 2017. The Fayetteville, W.Va. native will begin his coursework in Concord’s master’s of health promotion program in addition to his coach-

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ATHLETICS

Nathan Neff Named CoSIDA Academic All-American

nfielder Nathan Neff of the Concord University baseball team has been voted to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-American Second Team, the organization announced in June. Neff lands on the Academic All-American team for the first time in his career. Despite the cancellation of spring competition during COVID-19, CoSIDA continued its sponsorship of the Academic All-America awards program. Student-athletes were selected based on career statistics. Over his four years in the Maroon and Gray, Neff batted .332 (166-for-500) with 123 runs scored, 64 RBI and 15 stolen bases. His 95 career walks rank fifth in program history, and the Fredericksburg, Va. native had a career on-base percentage of .463. Furthermore, Neff never missed a game at Concord as he started 160 con-

secutive games, and helped the Mountain Lions to 90 wins over that time and an appearance in the Mountain East Conference Tournament in each of his first three seasons (This year’s MEC Tournament was cancelled). Neff was twice named to the All-MEC Teams as he earned a second-team selection in 2017 and was on the honorable mention squad in 2019. In the classroom, Neff earned his degree in business administration with emphases in accounting and finance from CU in May. He was an honor graduate, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a career 3.97 GPA. Neff was named Concord’s 2020 Outstanding Business Student of the Year. Neff was the only MEC representative on this year’s CoSIDA Academic All-American Teams and was just one of three players from the Atlantic Region.

This section was compiled by Sports Information Director Wes McKinney ’13. CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

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ACHIEVEMENTS 1960s ____________ LOWELL JOHNSON ’64 was honored in July for his career in public service by the Greenbrier County Airport Authority (GCAA). Appointed to the GCAA in 2010, Johnson served the group as chairman for nine years. He has also been assistant secretary for ports in the West Virginia Department of Transportation. Dr. Johnson taught in Greenbrier County schools and at Fairmont State and Bluefield State colleges. He has also served on the West Virginia Board of Education as president and vice president. JANE CONGDON ’66 is enjoying continued success with her book “How the WILD EFFECT Turned Me into a Hiker at 69: An Appalachian Trail Adventure”. The book has gone into a second printing and has received two awards: An American BookFest nonfiction award and five stars from Readers’ Favorite. In 2019 this popular work was a finalist for an Ohioana Book Award.

1980s ____________

CHARLOTTE LUSK ’84 has been named Wyoming County Teacher of the Year. This is the second time that she has received the recognition during her 35-year teaching career. She was also selected for the top honor in 2012. Lusk is currently a first grade teacher at Mullens Elementary. She has also taught at Baileysville Grade and Herndon Consolidated, having spent time in kindergarten through seventh grade classrooms. After receiving a bachelor’s degree from Concord in elementary education with a specialization in early

childhood education, Lusk went on to earn a master’s degree in speech communication from West Virginia University, and a reading endorsement/ remedial reading certification from the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies. KEVIN J. GIVEN ’89 has been elected to the WVU Foundation Board of Directors. He will serve a three-year term. Given is chief operating officer and partner of the Quail Valley Golf Club in Vero Beach, Fla. Since receiving his bachelor’s degree from Concord, Given has enjoyed a successful career in the hospitality industry for more than three decades.

1990s ____________

LORI WILSON ’94 completed an eight-year tenure as the athletic director at Keyser High School this summer. Wilson earned a degree in political science at Concord while playing on the tennis team. She also holds a master’s degree from West Virginia University. After working at Frostburg State University, Wilson has served as a substitute teacher in Mineral County since 2008. She embarked on her athletic director assignment in 2012.

2000s ____________

JEFFREY YEAGER ’10 received his Ph.D. in English at West Virginia University in May. His dissertation is “Prescribing the Profession: Representations of Medical Professionalization Debates in American Literary Forms: 1830-1940”. MORGAN HYPES ’15 has joined Hale Family Dentistry in Oak Hill

as an associate dentist. Morgan graduated as the valedictorian of Midland Trail High School’s Class of 2012. She received a bachelor's degree in Biology (Pre-Med) from Concord, graduating Cum Laude. At Concord, she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, the cheer squad and the soccer team. She continued her education at the WVU School of Dentistry and graduated this spring. A dedicated volunteer, Morgan completed more than 200 hours of community service while she pursued her degrees.

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Wes McKinney ’13 Honored with Excellence in Communications Award Wes McKinney ’13 has been named the recipient of the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association (USTFCCCA) Excellence in Communication Award for Division II. McKinney is the Sports Information Director for the Mountain Lions. The Excellence in Communications Award recognizes those athletics communications representatives at conferences and/or schools who have committed to outstanding coverage and support of collegiate cross country. Winners were selected by the USTFCCCA Communications Staff after a nomination period. “I would like to thank Concord Director of Athletics Kevin Garrett and President Kendra Boggess for the opportunity to work at Concord as a full-time employee for six years now," McKinney said. “As an alum of the university, Concord has always and will always hold a special place in my heart. I’d like to thank Concord head men’s and women’s cross country and track and field coach Mike Cox for nominating me for this prestigious award. Lastly, I would like to thank the student-athletes from all sports who make this job very enjoyable with their success in competition and in the classroom.” Not long after the indoor season ended and the outdoor season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, McKinney launched a two-part series entitled “Inside the Numbers” where he took a closer look at each team’s performances during the indoor season. He included numerous marks from a number of athletes in order to give a broad look at the season and not just through the guise of the stars.

All the while, McKinney produced Senior Spotlight features on YouTube for spring-sport athletes that had their seasons and career cut short, where fans can get to know those athletes who helped shape the teams during their careers on campus 15 to 20 minutes at a time. This doesn't just go for track & field, but all of the other sports, too, as McKinney is the only SID in town. “Wes has done an incredible job promoting our sport and in this pandemic that we are going through, he has gone above and beyond to promote our sport even more,” Cox said in his nomination for McKinney. “I feel like Wes is very deserving of this award and I hope you strongly consider him.” To help promote the sports of cross country and track & field further,

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

McKinney was selected by the Mountain East Conference to broadcast the 2019 MEC Cross Country Championship in Wheeling, W.Va. It was the first time the MEC broadcasted the cross country championship. The USTFCCCA Excellence in Communications dates back to 2014 and is given out to cross country and track & field sports information directors at the end of the cross country and outdoor track & field seasons. McKinney is the first MEC SID to garner the accolade while being the third SID in the Atlantic Region along with Slippery Rock’s Jon Holtz and St. Augustine’s Anthony Jeffries. As an alum of CU, McKinney was a four-year athlete for Cox on the men’s cross country and track & field team from 2009-13.

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Alums Land Leadership Roles with Phi Sigma Phi Concord alums are making their mark with Phi Sigma Phi National Fraternity. Dustin Blankenship ’11 has been elected National President of the organization; Brandon Green ’12 is the National Executive Director; and Joe Sharpe ’15 is serving as National Vice President. Andrew Sulgit, an Assistant Dean of Students at Concord, was named National Greek Director of the Year by the fraternity. Blankenship is the first National President of the organization to represent Concord. These Concordians bring a wealth of experience as student leaders with the fraternity and now as graduates to their current national positions. To name just a few, Dustin served as Chapter President at Concord and several terms as National Vice President. Joe also served as President at CU, has been a Senior Regional Director covering six states and is the current National Parliamentarian. Brandon was Treasurer for CU’s chapter and has been a National Vice President. They are also being honored with a growing list of awards for their service to the fraternity including the John Sandwell Staff Service Award and the President’s Gavel. Blankenship began his duties as National President after being elected on Aug. 8. “As National President, I will oversee all business and chapter operations, engage with stakeholders including campus administrations, chapter leadership, community and business leaders, and the membership, and finally develop new strategic partnerships for growth and development of the brotherhood,” he says. He goes on to explain what

representing his alma mater and his brothers means to him. “Representing Concord University and the Phi Mu Chapter is an absolute honor. I never expected to hold a position like this when I was a student at CU, but I am humbled by the support I’ve received from CU staff and alumni – including members of all other Greek organizations that were on campus at the time of my attendance,” he says. “Concord has always felt like home, and the messages and kind remarks of those who took the time to reach

out reminded me of the family that I developed there.” Dustin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from CU with a minor in Pre-Law. He obtained a Masters of Public Administration and a Juris Doctorate from West Virginia University. He is currently an instructor in the Business and Legal programs at West Virginia Junior College while also managing the school’s orientation programming. Green says that being involved in Phi Sigma Phi at Concord helped

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build his confidence. He hopes he can pass on the opportunity for growth. “It’s a great honor to represent not only Phi Sigma Phi but Concord as well. The person I have grown into has a lot to do with my time as a member of Phi Sigma Phi at Concord University,” he says. “I hope that in my position I can influence the lives of other fraternity members and help them grow as I did,” he continues. “If it wasn’t for the great experiences, connections, and growth at Concord, I wouldn’t have this great opportunity.” “As the National Executive Director, I handle all of the fraternity’s finances and my main focus during my first year was to move the fraternity into a new accounting software. I also handle all accounts payable and accounts receivable,” he explains. “I am also in charge of membership tracking and monitoring and distribution of membership materials,” he says. “I work closely with the National Council to conduct membership events and staff meetings as necessary.” Brandon received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from Concord. He also earned a Masters of Professional Accountancy from West Virginia University. Currently, he is an Assistant Accounting Officer at WesBanco. “As National Vice President my primary duty is to assist with the overall running of the organization,” Sharpe explains. “For example, I am currently over drafting our COVID-19 response, as well as a number of infrastructure items such as making some revisions to our National Constitution and By-Laws.” “It makes me incredibly proud to be able to represent Concord and my Phi Sig brothers. During my time at CU I never dreamed of making it to this point in my Fraternity career,” he says. “I have the honor

Dustin Blankenship '11, the first National President of Phi Sigma Phi to represent Concord.

Brandon Green ’12, is the National Executive Director for Phi Sigma Phi.

Joe Sharpe '15, serving as National Vice President for Phi Sigma Phi.

of being able to shape young men for the future to be better men with two of my fellow Concord alumni, Dustin and Brandon.” Joe received a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in Music from Concord. He currently works for Southern Software, a 911 software vendor out of Southern Pines, N.C.

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

Andrew Sulgit, Assistant Dean of Students at Concord, named National Greek Director of the Year by Phi Sigma Phi.

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OBITUARIES

1940s ____________

EULA BLANKENSHIP BAILEY: July 16, 2020. She was born in Bradshaw, WV, on October 23, 1916 to the late C.W. and Lottie Blankenship. She was the oldest of 8 children eventually settling in Clear Fork, WV, where she lived her entire life. She graduated from Oceana High School in 1935 and then went on to Concord College graduating with her teaching degree and following her marriage to the late Harry L. Bailey, she taught in a two-room school house in Elk Lick for several years before becoming the Clear Fork postmaster. She held that position for 34 years, retiring in 1982. Eula and Harry raised two daughters, Janet and Ella. In addition to her busy hours in the post office, she helped her husband, Harry, with their store, Bailey's General Store. She enjoyed needlework, crochet, embroidery and quilt piecing, and made beautiful throws for her family and friends. She loved to travel, taking many trips with her husband in their motorhome, as well as going on bus tours with a close group of girlfriends. Some of her favorite sites include New York, Niagara Falls, the western states and Hawaii. She loved to work crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She was also a big believer in exercise. She was predeceased by her husband, both daughters, brothers, baby Franklin Blankenship, S.D. Blankenship, King Edward Blankenship and W.C. Blankenship as well as her sister, Elga Jean Short. Those left to treasure her legacy include her two sisters:Helen Toler and Glenna Sue Childress, as well as her son-in-law, Donald Stanton, grandchildren: Kimberly Strickland, Angela Bossie, Chele Stanton, and Jon Michael Payne, and 13 great-grandchildren: Jennifer, Daniel, Kristen, Elizabeth, Ben, Heath and Grant Strickland; Katie Bossie O'Guin and Hannah Bossie; and Timothy, Matthew, Calvin, and Nick Payne; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

FRED LEWIS TAYLOR ’48: December 15, 2019. Born on October 8, 1918, at Falmouth, Indiana, he was the son of Frank Lewis and Nancy Virginia McGlothlin Taylor of Salt Sulphur Springs near Union. Fred began his education for his first eight years at Wickline School, then four years at Union High School, graduating in 1936. He earned a Standard Normal Teaching Certificate from Concord State Teachers College and began his teaching career at his alma mater, Union High School, for the spring semester. From 1939-1942 he taught at Grandview’s one-room school until he enlisted in the US Army on July 8, 1942. On October 10, 1942, he married the love of his life, Pauline “Polly” Elizabeth Honaker Taylor. Both were together while he was in the service until he was sent overseas in 1944 to serve in the 80th Division Company E 319 Infantry in England and France. Wounded in action on November 5, 1945, he served in the military until honorably discharged on January 9, 1946. While in the service he had earned two Purple Heart Medals, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon and World War II Victory Ribbon. After the war Fred earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Concord College and a master’s from Marshall College. His next teaching assignments were at Wise and Sarton, then Lindside Elementary and Union Elementary Schools as a math teacher and principal. He retired in 1980 with 40 years as an educator. Fred was a member of the St. John’s United Methodist Church serving as treasurer for 55 years and was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He was a resident of Union. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Clarence B. Taylor, step-mother, Nora Ellen Weikle Taylor, and wife of 71 years, Polly Honaker Taylor, on

1930s ____________

December 27, 2013. Survivors include his four children: Nancy (Robert) Crews of Rock Camp, Beverly ( Jim) Chadwell of Bedford, VA, Fred L. (Doris Ann) Taylor, II, and Dreama Taylor Gautier of Pearisburg, VA seven grandchildren: Don (Eva) Crews, Shannon (Michael) Mayhew, Abbey (Kevin) Blankinship, Chad (Betsy) Taylor, Casey ( Jason) Napier, Jarad Gautier, Tyler (Savannah) Gautier; nine great-grandchildren: Emily Crews, Pierce and Paisley Blankinship, Grayson and Gabrielle Taylor, Lilly, Noah, and Hallie Napier, and Elizabeth Gautier. Sister: Betty Sue Taylor Durham of Grafton, VA, and Brother: Frank Eugene (Bonnie) Taylor of Waldorf, MD.

1960s ____________

BRENDA JOYCE ALLEN OWENS ’68: June 11, 2020. Born January 19, 1947 in Matoaka, she was the daughter of the late George Leonard Allen, Jr. and Doris Webb Allen Morefield. Brenda graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education from Concord and later received her master’s degree. She left the area and moved to Richmond, Virginia where she resided until 2015 when she returned to Princeton. She retired from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. She was a member of Carr Memorial United Methodist Church in Glenwood. Her faith was strong as she was dealing with a neurological condition for the past few years. She never complained and kept a positive outlook on life and everything she encountered. She loved growing up in Matoaka and kept in touch with her classmates over the years that she loved very much. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Roland Owens, Sr. Survivors include brother, Barry Allen and wife Melva of Princeton; stepfather, Billy Morefield of Princeton; stepsons, C. Roland Owens, Jr. and wife Amy

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of Bridgewater, VA and Ryan Owens and wife Amie of Portland, OR; two step-grandchildren, Katy Owens and Cambria Owens; nephew, Dustin Allen; niece, Stacy Sheets; great-niece, Madison Sheets; special sister-in-law, Toby Brown and husband Ken of Boca Raton, FL; and special caregiver, Holly Meadows. JAMES REFOSCO ’63: August 15, 2020. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Toby Refosco ’63 and his brother, Arthur Refosco and his wife, Kathi, and his daughters, Deborah Refosco Cline and her husband Jim, Leigh Ann Frasco and her husband Mike, and Kate Refosco. He is also survived by his 8 grandchildren, Tiarra, Julia, Vincent, Patrick, John, Koby, Alec and Mariah, and by his niece and nephews, Angie, Tony and Joe. Jim Refosco was a teacher, football coach and inspiration to his many students, players, friends and family. He coached in Saint Mary’s County, Md.; Rahway, N.J.; Dover, Del.; Cumberland, Md.; and Punta Gorda, Fla. He retired and moved to Southern Pines, N.C. and just recently moved to Cambridge, Md. WILLIAM MERRILL SCHOLL ’69: May 14, 2020. Bill was a teacher and coach at Madison Grade School and later at Madison Junior High. He owned a service station in Madison for 14 years, returning to teaching at the Boone Vocational School, retiring in 2006. He was a graduate of Scott High School, class of 1962, Concord College (Speech and Physical Ed) and WV College of Graduate Studies (Guidance and Counseling). Bill had a lifelong passion for owning and restoring automobiles, especially Volkswagens. He

was a resident of Madison, WV. He was predeceased by parents: Robert P. “Bob” Scholl and Margaret Hale Scholl. He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Gee Scholl; sons, Heath E Scholl (Michelle), grandson Bryce, Knute R. Scholl (Elizabeth), granddaughter Kalina; daughter, Billea Jo Scholl; and brother, Robert Penman Scholl (Sonja).

1970s ____________

ABIGAIL PENDLETON “ABBY” HELCK ’74: July 7, 2020. From a Small Town to Big Things. Abby dedicated her life to love, teaching and her family. She grew up in the small town of Princeton, West Virginia, where she met her lifelong sweetheart, Chet, at the age of 14. Chet and Abby went from sharing pickles in their junior high school’s lunchroom to their first date on Valentine’s Day 1966. Their lifelong partnership flourished from there. Abby attended Concord University and graduated with a degree in education and music. She went on to lead a successful teaching career as her passion in the classroom and dedication to her students was evident by many awards and recognitions through the years. She truly cared about every student always making sure everyone in her classroom had what they needed to be successful every day. She especially enjoyed working with students in underprivileged communities. Chet and Abby were married May 25, 1974. Their only son, Greg was born in Georgia, October 1984. Abby truly loved her family. She supported Chet throughout his career while working and being an exemplary mother to Greg and all of his friends. Abby became a grandmother for the first time in 2016 and before passing, lived to love all three, Preston, Emersyn and Madison. Even in her final days planting flowers with them was her proudest moment. Throughout her life, there wasn’t a day when Abby didn’t have

CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

at least three books she was working on while finding some way to help someone else. Her positivity, generosity, and love for others defined her. She was a resident of St. Petersburg, Fla. Abby is survived by her husband, Chet; son, Greg (Sarah) Helck; and grandchildren, Preston, Emersyn and Madison. CHARLES SCOTT WOODS JR. ’75: June 4, 2020. Scott was born September 30, 1950 in Bluefield, WV to Lucille Paris Miles and Charles Scott Woods Sr. As a 1968 graduate of Bluefield High School, Scott joined the Air Force. After his service, he went on to attend Concord University where obtained a degree in business. He finished his education with a master’s degree in spiritual studies. In 1980 he began his outstanding 40-year career as a financial broker, establishing himself as the first Edward Jones broker in Lebanon, TN. During his time in Lebanon, Scott established many strong relationships and was known as a man who cared deeply about his many clients. Above all, Scott was a man of the Lord who was always studying the Bible and donating to ministries he held dear. He is survived by his wife Kathy Woods, two beloved sons, two step-children, three grandchildren, his brother and two sisters, a host of nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends.

2000s ____________

EMBER ZETTA WORRELL ’02: June 2, 2020. Ember was born September 20, 1961 in Beckley, WV. She was the youngest of six children born to the late Arthur D. Davis and Margaret Ann

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Lafferty Campbell of Beckley, WV. She was a 1979 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, where she played flute and was a flag girl in the Flying Eagle Marching Band. During her senior year of high school in 1979, she began dating her husband Mark. They married on November 16, 1979 at Cranberry Baptist Church. Ember returned to school and graduated Magna Cum Laude with her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Concord University, while continuing to work full time. She started working at Beckley Loan Company on April 15, 1982, where she continued to work her way up to Vice President. Her co-workers were like family and she enjoyed her days at work. Ember was a member of Cranberry Baptist Church for 41 years. She loved her church and enjoyed helping out anytime she was needed. Ember could be found serving as a Sunday school teacher, Bible school teacher, and also served as the church treasurer for 15 years. Ember was a faithful supporter of the Children’s Bus Ministry at Cranberry Baptist Church, a ministry close to her heart. Ember loved being outdoors and especially enjoyed walking daily. She was a resident of North Sand Branch. Ember loved her family and always enjoyed being the hostess for family events. Ember was preceded in death by her father, Arthur D. Davis; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ernie and Mae Worrell; brother-in-law, Glenn Davis; brotherin-law and sister-in-law, Dan and Carol Smith; sister-in-law, Sharon Marcum; nephews, Derek Orren and Cody Davis; and a very special lady, Granny Helen Campbell. She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Mark Worrell; mother, Margaret Campbell; brother and sisters, AD Davis, Susie Davis, Evelyn ( John) Martin, Valerie Obugene, James “Ted” Davis; nieces and nephews, Shawna Lilly, Danny Davis, Stacy Davis Cooper, Samuel Davis, Beth Cogar, Chance Martin, Misty Dawn Bell, Chris Obugene, Jamie Eastridge, Amanda Worrell Chornsbay, Ray Worrell, Christina Worrell, Dale Smith, Lisa Farha, Jennifer Smith Lawson, and Paul Michael Smith; and many close friends.

PHIL BONHAM “BUDDY” FRY ’14: July 7, 2020. Born May 8, 1951, in Princeton, he was the son of the late Phil Henry Fry and Hattie Alpha Bonham Fry. Buddy was a 1969 graduate of Princeton High School. He attended West Virginia University and returned to school later in life to earn his Regents Bachelor of Arts degree at Concord University in 2014. Buddy retired from the radio business after serving as manager of WAEY Radio and as station manager at WBDY Radio – where he had the idea for the stagecoach and BD Bird – and launching WAMN Radio. He worked as a lighting technician and cameraman at CBN in Portsmouth, Va., and as an insurance agent, broker, marketing manager, and travel consultant in West Virginia. He was also an avid cook and turned his love of culinary arts into a catering business for several events. Buddy was of strong Christian faith, growing up in First Baptist Church in Princeton. He was active in the Sounds of Conviction and later the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International, serving as a president and director of the Princeton chapter. Buddy was also a 45-year member of the Princeton-Athens Kiwanis Club, serving several times as President and Lt. Governor as well as an active Kiwanis Advisor to the Princeton High School Key Club and Keywanettes and the Concord Circle K Club. He and his best friend, Harry Christie, chauffeured and chaperoned the members to youth activities, including

International Conventions. He planned and hosted three WV District Kiwanis trips to the international conventions in New Orleans, Phoenix, and Toronto, and organized two WV District Kiwanis conventions at Pipestem. He was instrumental in arranging trips for his wife’s junior high bands for many years. As a blood donor to the Red Cross, he donated many gallons of blood over the years. Buddy was awarded the Princeton Jaycees’ Outstanding Citizen of 1981. “I like being involved. I particularly like being involved in those things of benefit to someone else. I see it as an extension of myself,” he is remembered as saying. He initiated the “Star of Hope” in Princeton, helping to place the lighted star on top of the Princeton Towers during the Iran hostage crisis. He was past president and publicity chairman of SCORE/ACE Chapter 371, sponsored by the SBA, as well as a director of the Mercer Anglers Club. He was a resident of Princeton, W.Va. He loved spending time with his wife and daughters and planning birthday parties and family vacations with them. His absolute joy in his later years were his two grandsons, and he was a wonderful pet dad and granddad to many animals over the years. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Debora Sue “Suzy” Bailes Fry of Princeton; two daughters, Lelia Ann Fry and friend Kuo-Lun Tye of Chicago, IL, and Debora Christine “Christa” Fama and husband Timmy of Princeton; two grandsons, Andrew Christopher Fama and Jonathan David Fama; one brother, Robert Henry Fry of Princeton; and several cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family throughout the country.

Do you have old photos from your college days? We would love to see some of the tasteful photos from your time at the Campus Beautiful. You could see them in a future edition of Concord University Magazine.

You can email your submissions: cboyd@concord.edu Or mail your photos and we will return them. Mail to: Office of Advancement, PO Box 1000 Athens, WV 24712-1000

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THOMAS GREENWOOD WILSON '79

MEMBER CONCORD MOUNTAIN LION CLUB TRIO PROGRAM LEADER

Thomas Greenwood Wilson passed away on June 6, 2020. He was born on July 4, 1957 in Marion, VA to James Franklin and Betty Lou Greenwood Wilson. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his sister, Diane Wilson Catley, and brother-in-law Dennis Brian Catley, niece Jessica Ina Catley and nephew Bryan Thomas Catley. Tom graduated from Marion Senior High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in music education from Concord University and a master’s degree in educational administration from Virginia Tech. After graduation from Concord he served as band director, music teacher, and assistant basketball coach with the Highland County, VA public schools (1979-1981). After receiving his master’s degree, he went to work for the Virginia Tech Upward Bound and Talent Search programs, serving as counselor, assistant director and was named director of the programs in 1998. He retired from Virginia Tech in 2012. In retirement, he worked for Blacksburg Transit, then worked for Virginia Tech Undergraduate Admissions until May 2020. Tom was passionate about educational opportunities for all students and worked through the programs to ensure that low-income and first-generation students in southwest and central Virginia had the opportunity to attend college. He was recognized as a leader at the state and national levels with the federal TRIO programs. He twice served as president of the Virginia Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel, served two two-year terms on the executive board of the Mid-Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel, and in 2004, 2011 and 2012 was recipient of the Virginia Outstanding Service Award for service to the state and regional associations. Throughout the years he was a presenter, panel member, and moderator at state, regional, and national conferences.

He served as choir director at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church from 1987-2019. He also was known in the area for playing drums with a variety of local bands. At Tech, Tom served on the Steering Committee for the Virginia Tech Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign. He served as faculty advisor for the Virginia Tech Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity at its founding, a role he maintained for more than 10 years. He was a resident of Blacksburg, VA. He was an avid golfer and was an active fan of Virginia Tech and Concord University sports. A Golden Hokie, he was an active volunteer Hokie Representative and was a member of the Concord Mountain Lion Club.

SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE! We want to hear from you! Send us your personal and professional accomplishments, news on marriages and family additions and updates on other noteworthy events in your life. Photographs are always welcome! Mail: Concord University ATTN: Office of Advancement P.O. Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712. Email: advancement@concord.edu

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ROBERT E. "BOB" HOLROYD Robert E. “Bob” Holroyd of Princeton, WV, passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2019. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Emilie Adams Holroyd in 2009. He proudly served his cherished country in the United States Marine Corps and his treasured Mountain State in a variety of roles, both public and private. He leaves behind a grieving family and community. “I never worked a day in my life,” he’d say before explaining that his love of the law as expressed by the US Constitution made his 61year legal career a joy rather than a chore. He advocated for a better world for regular people and was particularly concerned with legal, medical and educational sectors. Until his stroke, Bob kept a full work-week calendar, with halfdays on the weekend. His regular schedule included Friday breakfast in the Princeton Community Hospital (PCH) cafeteria. He was very involved with the hospital as a founder and board member, then as general counsel until his passing. Bob followed his mirror-twin brother, Fredrick Fairfax “Fred” Holroyd II of Charleston, WV (m. Sarah Gott Holroyd), into the world at Princeton Memorial Hospital on September 15, 1931. They were the second and third sons of Virginia Lazenby Holroyd, deceased, a daughter of Bluefield, WV, grocer Robert Edward Lazenby, also deceased. Their older brother, Frank Jackson “Jack” Holroyd Jr., and younger sister, Diane Holroyd Nichols, predeceased Bob. His father, the late Frank Jackson Holroyd, MD, was the son of Athens, WV, native Fredrick Fairfax “Uncle Doc” Holroyd and Hattie Shoemate Holroyd, both deceased. Uncle Doc bought ponies for his grandsons and later they accompanied him on horseback as he provided medical care to patients across southern

DESCENDANT OF ONE OF CONCORD'S FOUNDING FAMILIES – FRIEND OF CONCORD

West Virginia and western Virginia. Sometimes, they just rode for fun. As a student in Mercer Street Grade School in Princeton, Bob would sweet-talk his teachers into letting him and a few friends take field trips to watch cases at the Mercer County Courthouse, a few blocks from the school. “If a particular case got gruesome or racy,” he recounted, “the judge would wave us out and tell us, ‘now you boys go on back to school.’ It got hot in that courtroom with all those people in it, so the windows were usually open. We’d go sit under them and listen to the good parts.” Later, at Princeton High School, Bob served as captain of the debate team. He was known to tell boastful Ivy League graduates “I graduated from Princeton” and let them find out which Princeton on their own. After high school, he majored in political science at West Virginia University. In 1952, he volunteered for the United States Marine Corps to serve during the Korean Conflict. Bob had earned his sergeant’s stripes by the time he met Emilie at St. Mary’s College in Raleigh, NC. He’d gone to the school to visit his Bluefield cousin, not knowing she’d been confined to campus. Emilie, one of the cousin’s school chums, agreed to go out with him instead. After a courtship, part of which

Bob spent on duty in Cuba, they wed, lived briefly in married housing at Camp Lejeune, NC, and had their first child in 1954. USMC granted him reservist status the same year. He returned to Morgantown, WV, with his young family and began earning his Juris Doctorate degree. After finishing, he worked as a National Labor Relations Board intern in Washington D.C. before returning to Princeton and joining established attorney W. Broughton Johnston, deceased, to form the Johnston, Holroyd & Associates law firm. In 1966, Bob built a house on Courthouse Road, where the couple raised their three living children: Elizabeth “B” Holroyd of Chapel Hill, NC (m. Forrest M. Covington, Jr.); Magistrate William Frank “Bill” Holroyd of Princeton, and Mary Jacqueline “Mary-Jacq” Holroyd, Esq., of Athens (m. Samuel Hay Gardner). The couple never fully recovered from the loss of their infant son, Robert Edward Holroyd Jr., in 1958. They did not publicize their tragedy, preferring to direct their energies toward the living and to avoid uncomfortable discussions when they would rather talk about the needs of their community and state. To say that Bob was family oriented is like saying the Bluestone is a little wet. He gloried in his grandchildren, Emilie Elizabeth “Bess” Dolin of Thailand (m. Gene Bunyaraksh), Emma Hay Gardner of Charleston (m. Mickey Z King-Fowler), Robert Allen “Bob” Gardner of Morgantown (m. Erin Colleen Gardner), and Elizabeth Burney “B” Gardner of Fairmont, WV (m. Caleb Davis). Bess brought her daughter, Meeta (b. 2013), for long annual visits with her great-granddaddy, so Bob got to spoil her for six years. He is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews

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and a number of grand- and greatgrand nieces and nephews. Bob liked working with his hands and learning new skills. Over the years, he added stone and brick masonry to his woodworking capabilities, ultimately expanding the house with a garage on one end and a master bedroom on the other end, “to balance it out.” The late Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV ) tapped Bob in 1960 to serve as the southern West Virginia campaign chairman for presidential candidate John F. Kennedy, who overwhelmingly won the state, and both Bob and Emilie saw a way they could make a difference in their corner of the world: Democratic politics, as they felt it stood up for ordinary people. Their political adventures first put Bob into the Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor office from 1961-1964, the same year he won election to the WV House of Delegates, where he successfully supported the repeal

of the death penalty. He said it was not the place of a failable system to take lives. He also served as Mercer County Prosecutor from 19651967, where he saw a need for law enforcement personnel to better understand civic rights and the law. He wrote the first state handbook on search and seizure to distribute to police officers. He was a consultant to the Governor’s Committee on Crime Anti-Delinquency, Correction, and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He was also an instructor on Criminal Law and Procedure at West Virginia State Police Academy and taught West Virginia Basic Police Science Courses at Institute. He was a guest instructor at Blueﬁeld State College and an adjunct professor at Marshall University. He served two terms on the West Virginia State Democratic Executive Committee and became a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1976, helping nominate

DONALD CHESTER MIKUSH, SR. '56 Donald Chester Mikush, Sr. passed away on July 14, 2020 at the age of 85. He was born February 8, 1935 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. to the late Chester Sylvester Mikush and Elizabeth Yurgatis Mikush. A basketball scholarship took him to Concord College, where he played three sports and was leading scorer on the basketball team all four years. He was ranked among the leading scorers in the NAIA in 1955-56 and still held several school records when he was inducted into the Concord College Hall of Fame in 2002. He met the love of his life, Mary Lou Pruett, at a Christmas party in Baltimore, Md. while both were teaching. He earned a degree in Physical Therapy from University of Pennsylvania and established a private practice in Baltimore and

ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME MEMBER MOUNTAIN LION RECORD SETTER

Ellicott City, Md., where he was beloved by patients during his 44 years as a physical therapist. Don and Mary Lou lived in Ellicott City and Annapolis, Md. before retiring to Jacksonville, Fla. in 2001.

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Jimmy Carter for President. His love of the law and respect for the US Constitution can’t be questioned. Any time someone complained about some rule or law, he’d quickly suggest they make an effort to change it through political and legislative action. He had much to be proud of, but would list his work with the WV School Building Authority and the Mercer County 911 Committee among his most recent good causes. He was a member and officer in Princeton’s Junior Chamber of Commerce and an active member in the Princeton Rotary Club, and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars-VFW, American Legion, Elks, Moose, Mercer County and West Virginia’s State Bar Associations. Accolades and accomplishments are appropriate and expected in an obituary, but the reality of Bob Holroyd stretched immeasurably far beyond the columns of ink herein; it reaches still, and always will, far beyond.

In addition to his beloved Mary Lou, he is survived by four children, Donald Chester Mikush, Jr. (Sandra) of Todd, N.C.; Deborah Mikush Powers (Carl) of Midlothian, Va.; David Lawrence Mikush of Windermere, Fla.; and Donna Mikush Smith (Field) of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. He also leaves to cherish the memories of Pop Pop 14 grandchildren, David Mikush (Cambey), Katie Fogleman (Nick), Jay Mikush; Adam Powers (Deanna), Alex Powers, Mitchell Powers, Ryan Powers and Molly Powers; Clay Mikush (Keri), Courtney Mikush, Melissa Mikush; Kayla Smith, Emma Smith and Reid Smith; and by four great-grandchildren, Lila and Hardin Fogleman and Percy and Russell Mikush. He is survived by three sisters, Bernice Revit, Lisa Mikush and Anita Mikush of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Concord University Office of Advancement PO Box 1000 Athens, WV 24712

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Concord University Magazine Summer 2020

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