Concord University Magazine Summer 2016

CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2016

2016 Founders' Day Celebration

The 141st

Spring Commencement

Towers Renovation & Track Replacement

Softball's Third Straight 30-Win season

From the President’s Desk Greetings!

Welcome to the Summer 2016 issue of the Concord University Magazine. It is my honor to invite you to peruse its pages where you will find interesting stories and photographs that will help to once again bring Concord’s campus to life in your minds.

This month began a quieter, less crowded, yet very exciting, time to be on "The Campus Beautiful." In May, we began two major renovation projects that have involved many people’s efforts over several years and the projects’ eventual completion dates are enthusiastically anticipated by members of the Concord community. First, the Towers renovation project began with enormous scaffolding being erected around most of the North Towers building. We recently had the opportunity to walk through the construction areas, to view several renovation sites, to see some of the changes including new window frames, air conditioning and heating units, drywall, painting and technology cabling being installed. This project will make a big difference to those living on campus and it will provide great living experiences for our new and continuing on-campus students.

Additionally, in early June, we began the renovation of the track surface which has been milled, rolled, and now has a new coat of asphalt curing for a 28-day period. The final step will be the addition of the layers of embossed track surface that will provide a cushioned surface upon which our athletes will practice and compete.

This issue of our magazine also contains many stories that are meaningful to students, parents and our alumni. Concord’s Spring Commencement celebrated the graduation of 354 graduates who are now well prepared to move on to the next stages of their lives. Concord also awarded Honorary Doctorates to two alumni, Mr. Billy Owens and Mr. Andy Paterno, faithful alumni whose time on campus and support as alumni have provided meaningful assistance to the institution.

Another feature story involves our first combined Founders' Day/ Alumni Weekend that was filled with presentations, plays, concerts, exhibits, vendors and the Towers Renovation Groundbreaking ceremony. Additional activities that are highlighted in this issue are the Charleston Dinner, the Donor Appreciation Dinner, and the Senior Dinner that involved the participation of many community members. Finally, there are some fun photos and stories about our “Painting with the President” evenings that were a successful means for raising funding to support the Senior Dinner.

We hope you’ll enjoy learning more about these events and join us next year in additional celebrations.

Information on joining or renewing your alumni membership can be found at concorduniversityalumni.com. We are so appreciative of the opportunity to share Concord’s current experiences with alumni and other community members.

Please remember that our Class Notes section continues to be an important means of keeping up with your Concord friends. We never tire of hearing what you, as graduates, have accomplished and about the milestone events in your lives. Please continue to send us what is new in your life.

Thanks to each of you for your unique and special contributions to Concord University and for remaining connected with us.

Dr. Kendra Boggess Concord University President

Calendar of Events August 6 • Mountain East Conference Night with the DC United • DC United Major League Soccer Game • 7:00 p.m.

RFK Stadium Washington, DC August 11 • Concord Night with the WV Power • 7:05 p.m.

Appalachian Power Park Charleston, WV August 14 • Athens-Concord Town Social • 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Concord University Front Lawn

August 18 • CU Night at the Princeton Rays game • 7:05 p.m.

Hunnicutt Field Princeton, WV September 3 • CU Football Home Opener vs. West Liberty • Advancement Office Tailgate • 12:00 p.m.

Callaghan Stadium Athens, WV September 17 • CU Football Game vs. Urbana • Advancement Office Tailgate • 12:00 p.m.

Callaghan Stadium Athens, WV October 1 • CU Football Game vs. University of Charleston • Advancement Office Tailgate • 1:00 p.m.

Callaghan Stadium Athens, WV October 15 • Homecoming 2016 Concord University Athens, WV October 22 • Yankee Chapter Alumni Tailgate • CU vs. Shepherd Football Game Shepherdstown, WV

October 29 • CU Football Game vs. Glenville State College • Advancement Office Tailgate • 12:00 p.m.

Callaghan Stadium Athens, WV For details on any of these events please contact alumni@concord.edu or 1-304-384-5348. We hope to CU soon!

Inside this Issue Summer 2016

On the Cover The Honorable Omar J. Aboulhosn ’89, United States Magistrate Judge, delivers the Founders’ Day Celebration Keynote Address.

9 19 51 75

2016 Founders' Day Celebration

The 141st

Spring Commencement

Towers Renovation & Track Replacement

Softball's Third Straight 30-Win season

President Vice President for Advancement Alumni Director Chair, Concord University Foundation, Inc. Graphic Designer Staff Writer PR/Marketing Coordinator, Sr.

Dr. Kendra Boggess Alicia Besenyei Sarah Lively Turner '98 Doug Maddy '69

Features 9

2016 Founders' Day Celebration

19 The 141st Spring Commencement 25 2016 Donor Appreciation Dinner 27 2016 Concord University Foundation Charleston Dinner 45 The 27th Annual Homer K. Ball Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament 51 Towers and Track Projects Enhancing Campus

Lance McDaniel '10

69 HOMECOMING 2016 Schedule

Sarah P. Dalton

In Every Issue

Amy Pitzer

3

Alumni Happenings

29 CU Foundation, Inc. 31 Retired Faculty & Staff: Staying Connected 35 Beyond the Classroom

Concord University Office of Advancement PO Box 1000 Athens, WV, 24712 1-304-384-6311 Fax: 1-304-384-6017 advancement@concord.edu www.concord.edu

39 Greek Spotlight: Chi Omega Psi 41 Legacy Family 49 Alumni Entrepreneurs 53 Heritage & Horizon 59 Class Notes 71 Beckley Update 73 CU Athletics

Alumni Happenings Sig Tau Golf Outings Some Sig Tau alums from Concord gathered recently in Ocala, Florida and Myrtle Beach, SC for golf outings.

In Ocala, Florida (from left to right): Mike Wagner '71, Charlie Mancuso '73, Horace Blankenship '75, and Alex Castaneda '75.

Above (in Myrtle Beach, SC): Front row (left to right): Jeff Boyles, Alex Castaneda, E.R. Dickerson, Mike Wagner, Charlie Mancuso, Ronnie Ball; middle row (L to R): Paul Ward, Chipper Rose, Bob Rose, Bill Bertwell; third row (L to R): Ronnie Parker, Lillard Pitts, Tony Mamone, Marshall Parker. Not pictured: Tom Woodbury, Wes Basham, and Roy Keeney.

Left (in Myrtle Beach, SC) - Sig Tau Ladies: Front row (L to R): Pam Shumate Mancuso, Patty McColgan Parker, Habibi Mamone, Debbie Shumate Castaneda, and Ginny Thurman Boyles; Back row (L to R): Helen Ward, Barbara Smith Basham, Jackie Carson Bertwell, Gale Remington, Cathy Bias Wagner, and Linda Harman Keeney.

Chocolate Moose Gathering Alumni Director Sarah Turner ’98 (far left) and VP for Advancement Alicia Besenyei (second from right) visit with alums Kathaleen Mooney ’75 (second from left) and Ashley Barton ’09 (far right) during a recent gathering at The Chocolate Moose in Beckley, WV.

3 • Summer 2016

Alumni Happenings CU Spirit Night CU student Kimberlin Massie, Molly Bates Farrell ’15 and Lauren Stevens ’15 join Alumni Director Sarah Turner ’98 for a CU Spirit Night fundraiser for the Concord University Foundation at the Chickfil-A Beckley Galleria on May 19.

Proceeds from the evening will go towards student scholarships and other campus projects.

Save the Date!

Phi Sig Alums at this year's Alumni Banquet.

June 1-4, 2017 • Pipestem State Park Call 1-800-CALL-WVA to reserve your room/cabin Contact jlec@carolina.rr.com for details Summer 2016 • 4

Alumni Happenings

Check us out

ONLINE Check out the Concord University Alumni Association website for all your up-to-date alumni news and updates.

Please visit: www.concord universityalumni.com

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 5 •Summer 2016

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

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/

photos/42005172@N02/sets/

Pinterest: Concord University Alumni Association Instagram: ConcordUAlumni

YouTube: CUCATVIDEO

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

Relay For Life

Fundraiser Successful upon Return to Campus

R

elay For Life was reintroduced at Concord in 2016 following several years without the event being held at the University. The campus community came together in support of the activity, raising thousands of dollars along the way.

“I was proud to serve as the Faculty Advisor for CU’s Relay For Life,” said Lindsey Akers, Instructor of Communication Arts. “I got the opportunity to work with an excellent group of students who were dedicated to helping the American Cancer Society fund a cure for cancer. I think they did a remarkable job this year and I look forward to next year and the future of the event here at Concord.”

The Relay For Life of Concord University raised $6,545.15 during the 2016 event.

Following weeks of fundraising activities, Concord’s Relay For Life teams participated in a special event on Thursday, April 14 in the Carter Center Gym. From 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. activities remembered those who lost the fight to cancer while honoring the survivors.

The American Cancer Society describes the Relay For Life movement as its “signature fundraiser” in the fight against cancer. To learn more visit: www. relayforlife.org Top to bottom, left to right: Members of the CU Relay For Life planning committee prepare to kick off the event; Luminary bags lined the perimeter of the gym floor; During the Luminaria Ceremony; Participants pause from walking for a picture; CU Relay Committee Chair Britt Strother being interviewed by local media; Tri-Sigma’s Relay Team.

Summer 2016 • 6

ATTENTION

ALUMNI!

The Concord University Alumni Association has a number of alumni chapters that are always looking for new members. If you live in any of the following areas, we hope you will consider joining your local alumni chapter: 1. Pine Trees Chapter (southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia counties) pinetreesalumnichapter@hotmail.com

2. Beckley & Beyond Chapter (Raleigh, Summers, Greenbrier, Wyoming and the southern half of Fayette counties) beckleyalumni@mycu.concord.edu

3. Greater Kanawha Valley Chapter (Kanawha, Boone, Cabell, Putnam, Clay, Lincoln and the northern half of Fayette counties) charlestonalumni@mycu.concord.edu 4. Yankee Chapter (Northern States - NY, NJ, DE, MA, CT, RI, ME, VT, NH, PA) rgallione@aol.com 5. Roanoke / New River Valley Chapter swvirginiaalumni@mycu.concord.edu

Now, even more ways you can donate to or join the CUAA!

The Alumni Office is also in communication with alumni in the following areas regarding starting a new chapter or reorganizing an old chapter:

• Charlotte, NC

• Northern VA/ Washington, DC/Eastern Panhandle of WV

• Florida

• Morgantown, WV

If you are interested in being a part of any of these chapters please contact the Alumni Office at alumni@concord.edu or 304-384-5348.

Alumni E-mail Accounts

Help Graduates Stay Connected to CU Beginning with the May 2014 class, all CU graduates are automatically receiving an alumni e-mail account. Individuals graduating prior to May 2014 are able to request the service. This is a great way for alumni to stay connected to Concord.

The account offers 50 GB of e-mail storage and 25GB of

document storage on OneDrive. The “mycu.concord.edu” email account the alum used as a student will continue to be valid as well. The handle or username will remain the same with the new alumni account.

For example, smithj15@mycu. concord.edu becomes smithj15@ alumni.concord.edu as an alumni e-mail account.

Information is sent to all new graduates about the new alumni account including a link to a tutorial about its use. For alums graduating prior to May 2014, request your new alumni e-mail account by going to https://apps.concord.edu/ machform35/view.php?id=72399

Help Us

Rescue a Lost Mountain Lion!

While the Alumni Office makes every effort to keep in touch with all Concord alumni, we know there are some alums for which we do 7 • Summer 2016

not have a current mailing address, phone number and/or email address. If you know of any alums who do not receive the Concord

University Magazine, please contact us at alumni@concord.edu or 304-384-6311 and let us know.

Town Social

Celebrating 30th Year in 2016 he 30th Athens-Concord Town Social will be held on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016 on the front lawn of Concord University. The hours for the Town Social are being extended for 2016 with the event running from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. instead of three hours as in previous years.

The annual event is being held on Aug. 14 to coincide with the date Concord students move into the residence halls for the Fall 2016 semester. This allows students and their families, along with faculty returning to campus, the opportunity to participate.

The Town Social offers the campus community, residents of Athens and guests from across the area an afternoon to socialize, enjoy entertainment and visit vendor

displays and craft booths. This year, in addition to organizational and craft vendors, food vendors are also being invited participate.

Two popular area musical groups return to the Athens-Concord Town Social stage this year. Margo and the Bluegills are back with their “eclectic, rockin, folkin blues” while The Allen Smith Trio will entertain with “classic R&B with a twist of smooth jazz and soul.”

For more information about the Town Social contact Dr. Sarah Beasley at sbeasley@concord.edu or 304-384-6298 or Sarah Turner at alumni@concord.edu or 304-3845348.

The Town Social clown is a staple of the annual event.

Student Selected

For Computer Science Research Program oncord University senior Kyle Reinholt was selected for the 2016 Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training (SMART) program at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The tenweek research program in computer science is one of several fully funded opportunities affiliated with the Leadership Alliance.

“The main reason I applied is so that I could refine my research skills as an undergraduate before applying to a computer science Ph.D. program in the fall,” Kyle said.

“Experiences like these give you an incredible advantage when applying to graduate programs.”

Kyle is president of Concord

University’s Coding Coalition and has previously attended an REU (research experience for undergraduates) at Virginia Tech called the Multicultural Academics Opportunities Program (MAOP).

His research at Virginia Tech also served as his McNair Scholars Program research. A resident of Wayside, W.Va., Kyle is majoring in computer science.

Concord University faculty member Lonnie Bowe attributes Kyle’s success to his initiative and perseverance. Mr. Bowe is faculty sponsor of the Coding Coalition and Kyle’s academic advisor within Concord University’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

Kyle Reinholt Summer 2016 • 8

9 • Summer 2016

2016 FOUNDERS' DAY FESTIVAL

oncord University is celebrating 144 Years of Excellence in 2016. In honor of the occasion, the Founders’ Day Festival debuted this year offering a full slate of activities on Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23. Concord students, along with faculty, staff, alumni and the general public, enjoyed festivities on the Athens campus.

Adding to the celebration, the 2016 Alumni Weekend was held during this time. Presentation of the annual Concord University Alumni Association awards to distinguished alums highlighted the event.

Above: Founders' Day ceremony keynote speaker, Judge Omar Aboulhosn '89. His biography can be found on page 12. Below: Founders' Day ceremony platform party reciting the Pledge of Allegience. More photos of the ceremony can be found on page 13.

Summer 2016 • 10

2016 FOUNDERS' DAY FESTIVAL

Towers Renovation Groundbreaking Ceremony

Participating in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Towers Renovation at Concord University are from left: Concord University’s Mascot ROAR; Dr. Peter Viscusi, Vice President and Academic Dean; West Virginia State Senator Sue Cline; Mr. Jody Driggs, Principal of Silling Associates; Ms. Ronni Wood, President of the Concord University Student Government Association; Dr. Kendra Boggess, Concord University President; and, Mr. Elliot Hicks, Chair of the Concord University Board of Governors.

11 • Summer 2016

TOWERS RENOVATION GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

oncord kicked off renovations on the Towers residence halls during a ceremony on April 22. The program took place at 2 p.m. in the lobby of North Towers.

President Kendra Boggess called the renovation “an inspiring and critically needed upgrade” and that it is “like a dream come true.”

Vice President and Academic Dean Peter Viscusi referred to the groundbreaking as “the beginning of a new milestone in the journey of Concord University.”

Speaking on behalf of Concord’s student body, Ronni Wood, Student Government Association President, said she and her classmates are excited about the “incredible new changes” ahead.

The North and South Towers residence halls were built in 1968 and consist of 173,500 square feet.

Among the work being completed is demolition of building exterior wall panels; thermal-moisture protection; new interior finishes; new windows; new bathrooms; upgrades in mechanical and electrical systems including the addition of air conditioning for the residence hall rooms; elevator renovation and updating; new roofs; and, a state-of-the-art Wi-Fi network.

The projected completion date for the Towers renovation is October 2017.

2016 FOUNDERS' DAY FESTIVAL

FOUNDERS’ DAY CEREMONY

centerpiece event for the Founders’ Day Festival was the Founders’ Day Ceremony. The event began at 3 p.m. on April 22 in the Alexander Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.

Delivering the Keynote Address was The Honorable Omar J. Aboulhosn, United States Magistrate Judge and a 1989 graduate of Concord.

“My days at Concord were some of the best days of my life,” Aboulhosn said.

“Concord opened up the doors to my future,” he said. “This is where my success started.”

In her welcoming remarks, Dr. Susan Williams, Director of Concord’s Beckley Center, said Founders’ Day offered time “to reflect on the rich legacy and history” of the University.

The celebration also provided the opportunity to salute the contributions of faculty, staff and students, she said.

Award recipients include: Faculty Presidential Excellence Award, Dr. Dana Alloway, Dr. Cindi Khanlarian, and Dr. Christopher McClain; Classified Staff Presidential Excellence Award, Ms. Bonnie Brown, Ms. Christi Lamb, Ms. Susie Lusk, and Ms. Amy Pitzer; Non-Classified Staff Presidential Excellence Award, Mr. Jamie Boggs, Ms. Elizabeth Cahill-Musick, and Mr. Steve Meadows; Student Presidential Excellence Award, Ms. Carli Brewer and Mr. Adam Miller;

KEYNOTE SPEAKER OMAR ABOULHOSN ’89 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE, UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA

Judge Aboulhosn was born and raised in Princeton. He graduated from Princeton Senior High School in 1985, Concord University in 1989, and West Virginia University College of Law in 1992.

He practiced law in Bluefield at the firm of Richardson and Davis from 1992 to 1994 and Sanders, Austin, Swope, and Flanigan from 1994 to 2008, where he became a partner in 1999.

Judge Aboulhosn began public service as a Mercer County magistrate, a position he held during 1996. He was Princeton City Court Judge from 1997 to 1999, Mercer County Chief Mental Hygiene Commissioner from 2004 to 2007, President of the Princeton Police Civil Service Commission from 2004-2007 and an elected member of Princeton City Council in 2007. He was elected judge of the Twelfth Family Court Circuit (Mercer and McDowell Counties) in 2008 but declined to take the seat because then-Governor Joe Manchin appointed him to a new circuit judge position in the Ninth Judicial Circuit (Mercer County). He took office as a circuit judge on January 1, 2009, and was elected to that position in 2010. Judge Aboulhosn was appointed as a United States Magistrate Judge effective January 1, 2016.

Judge Aboulhosn was appointed twice to sit on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia to hear cases in which a Justice was recused. He served as chairman of the WV Supreme Court’s Juvenile Justice Commission and was a member of Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s Intergovernmental Taskforce on Juvenile Justice Reform in 2014.

He is a former member of the board of directors of the West Virginia Association for Justice. He is a current member of the Board of Directors of the Jonathan Powell Hope Foundation, Inc., which helps families of children with cancer.

Judge Aboulhosn received the 2007 Governor’s Service Award for volunteer community service. An Eagle Scout (1982), he currently serves as a merit badge counselor and as chairman of the Eagle Board of Review for the Mountain Dominion District of the Buckskin Council. As part of the Mercer County Schools’ mentoring program, he has partnered with Montcalm School’s sixth grade class and at the end of every school year leads students on a tour of the Southern Regional Jail.

He and his wife, Weena, have one daughter.

Summer 2016 • 12

2016 FOUNDERS' DAY FESTIVAL

Founders' Day Ceremony

and, Auxiliary Staff Presidential Excellence Award, Ms. Drema Richardson and Ms. Gurnie Taylor.

Mr. Kipp Cortez, organist/ carillonneur, provided the organ prelude and postlude. Vocal performances were offered by the Concord University ConChords.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held in the Fine Arts Lobby. Guests also had the opportunity to visit the Arthur Butcher Gallery to view the faculty art show and attend a performance by the Concord choir in the theatre later that day.

SATURDAY EVENTS

Top to bottom, left to right: The ConChords; Dr. Dan Krider, Grand Marshal; Dr. Susan Williams, Director of the Beckley Center; Mr. Mike Browning, Regional Coordinator for the Honorable Joe Manchin; Dr. Peter Viscusi, Vice President and Academic Dean.

13 • Summer 2016

he Founders’ Day Festival schedule on April 23 offered a variety of events across campus. Family-friendly activities included a reading corner for children hosted by the Marsh Library; educational games offered by the Council for Exceptional Children; and performances of “The Frog Prince.”

Concord’s Children’s Theatre Class presented “The Frog Prince” several times during the Founders’ Day Festival in the H.C. Paul Theatre. The production is based on a fairytale that tells the story of a prince who is turned into a frog and his journey to becoming human once more. Jordan Tuck played the Frog Prince. Kayla Jordan was his loyal servant, Brooklyn Clemons played the milkmaid and Amber Convery portrayed the peasant woman.

Activities also included the Founders’ Day Festival Vendor Fair, an alumni tailgate and the CU Mountain Lions spring football

2016 FOUNDERS' DAY FESTIVAL

game.

Alumni Weekend festivities the evening of April 23 brought alums and friends of Concord to the Student Center for a reception, banquet and the annual awards ceremony.

Founders' Day Ceremony: Faculty, Staff and Student Awards

MAROON-GRAY GAME

he Concord University football team wrapped up spring practice with its annual MaroonGray game on April 23 at Callaghan Stadium.

Kickoff was at noon.

No official stats or score were kept in the game.

However, catching touchdown passes for the Mountain Lions were junior running back Eric De Lucchi, sophomore wide receiver Jermeil Douse, junior wide receiver Paul Jones, junior running back Javares McRoy, redshirt freshman Brandon Plyler and sophomore wide receiver TJ Smith.

Plyler caught two touchdowns in the game, both from redshirt freshman quarterback Garrett Cropp. The longest play from scrimmage in the game was Smith hauling in a 66-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Brian Novak.

The CU defense forced several stops throughout the afternoon, but the game’s only turnover came on an interception from sophomore defensive back Chaudlier Shepherd.

The game featured a mix of live 11-on-11, 7-on-7 drills and goalline situations for the Mountain Lions.

The annual intrasquad scrimmage marked the end of spring practice.

Left to right: Presidential Excellence Award - Dr. Dana Alloway, Dr. Cindi Khanlarian, and Dr. Christopher McClain

Left to right: Classified Staff Presidential Excellence Award - Ms. Bonnie Brown, Ms. Christi Lamb, Ms. Amy Pitzer, and Ms. Susie Lusk

Left to right: Non-Classified Staff Presidential Excellence Award - Mr. Jamie Boggs (not pictured), Mr. Steve Meadows, and Ms. Elizabeth CahillMusick

Left to right: Student Presidential Excellence Award - Ms. Carli Brewer and Mr. Adam Miller

Left to right: Auxiliary Staff Presidential Excellence Award - Ms. Gurnie Taylor and Ms. Drema Richardson

Summer 2016 • 14

2016 FOUNDERS' DAY FESTIVAL

Saturday Events

ALUMNI BANQUET

Above: The Children’s Theatre Class presents “The Frog Prince.” Below: Participants in the Vendor Fair display their wares.

lumni Weekend activities included the Concord University Alumni Association’s reception and banquet the evening of April 23. The gathering was held in the Student Center. Entertainment was provided by the CU Jazz Band.

The CUAA presented four awards to alumni for outstanding achievements and service. Awards include Alumnus of the Year, Outstanding Alumnus, Golden Alumnus and Young Alumnus.

Award recipients are: Alumnus of the Year, John Lecco ’79; Outstanding Alumnus, Judge Robert Burnside ’70 and Sam Baker ’78; Golden Alumnus, Deborah Gore Gillespie ’74; and, Young Alumnus, Christy Laxton ’04, Jared Tice ’06, Sean Noland ’07, and Wendy Holdren ’11.

To learn more about the honorees, see below and on pages 16 and 53-58.

OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS ROBERT BURNSIDE ’70 The Outstanding Alumnus award is given each year to a Concord alum who has made outstanding accomplishments in his or her professional and civic life. Two individuals received this honor for 2016.

With his esteemed judicial

15 • Summer 2016

career, Judge Robert Burnside is a fitting recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus award.

Burnside majored in English and minored in American History at Concord. During his student days on “The Campus Beautiful,” he played alto saxophone with the

Concord Commanders. Although he wasn’t a music major, he participated in many of the music department’s activities. He was also involved in thespian activities and has fond memories of acting in the production of Chekov’s “The Three Sisters” in his junior year.

2016 FOUNDERS' DAY FESTIVAL

Robert Burnside '70

His love of music and performing continues today.

After graduating from Concord in 1970, Burnside furthered his education at West Virginia University and received a law degree in 1977. In May of 1977, he began practicing law in Beckley with the firm of File, Payne, Scherer, and Brown. He practiced there until 1988 when he was elected a circuit judge in Raleigh County, a position he continues to hold.

Sharing his legal experience and

knowledge, Burnside has taught undergraduate law courses on the higher education level and helped establish a legal studies curriculum which trained legal assistants.

A number of graduates of that program went on to law school and are currently practicing law.

He has been a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Beckley since 1982. His family includes four grown children and five grandchildren.

OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS SAM BAKER ’78 Sam Baker’s journey to becoming an Outstanding Alumnus began with his being the first person in his family to attend college and the first to graduate from college. He reached this milestone in 1978 when he graduated from Concord with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Following graduation, he worked for the Norfolk and Western Railway for seven years.

However, his desire to become selfemployed pushed him to accept a challenge from Nationwide Insurance in 1986 and he founded an agency that bears his name.

The agency has witnessed exceptional growth and success with offices located in southern West Virginia communities and in North Carolina and has achieved every major sales oriented award offered by Nationwide Insurance.

These include the highest honor of Presidents Council and the distinction of being the West Virginia leader for West Virginia Farm Bureau affiliation for 10 consecutive years.

Along with his success with the insurance agency, he is also owner of APlus Tax Service – Liberty Income Tax franchisee with offices in Bluefield and Princeton and owner of Premier Property Development which is involved in development of multiple commercial, residential and rental properties in West Virginia and North Carolina.

Baker was selected to serve on the Titan Insurance National Roundtable Board and was awarded the West Virginia District Service Agent of the Year award for outstanding service to the community. He was also honored with a special commendation for

Sam Baker '78

community service by former West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin.

His philanthropy and volunteerism extend to the “ICAN” program the agency organized to award college scholarships; a Little League baseball program; a charity golf tournament; and various animal related organizations in West Virginia that promote spay and neuter programs, adoption, Continued on next page.

Summer 2016 • 16

2016 FOUNDERS' DAY FESTIVAL

and animal rights. His agency’s “Weenie Wagon” concession trailer has benefitted nonprofit and charitable groups for more than 10 years including Concord’s Classified Staff and their scholarship fundraisers.

Baker is very active with CU’s Alumni Association as a lifetime member and as a member of the Executive Council. He and his family have graciously hosted gatherings at their home for alumni in the Charlotte area.

Sharing his business knowledge, he has served on the Business Advisory Council within Concord’s Division of Business for several years.

ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR JOHN LECCO ’79 The Alumnus of the Year award is given each year to a CUAA member who has contributed his or her time and/or talents to Concord and to the Alumni Association. This year’s Alumnus of the Year, John Lecco, exemplifies the personal qualities of a successful businessman and is a devoted alum and supporter of Concord University.

Lecco has received many accolades from his classmates and Phi Sig fraternity brothers who describe him as “an enthusiastic and tireless advocate of Concord University for over 35 years”; “a proud Mountain Lion and a devotee of the Maroon & Gray since his graduation”; and “an ambassador” for the University.

They also note his “exceptional” devotion to Concord that is “beyond comparison.” The impact of his passion and commitment to uphold the ideals and traditions of Concord, both as a student and alumnus, are especially noteworthy.

Since graduating in 1979, Lecco has been involved in promoting Concord and his fraternity on 17 • Summer 2016

many levels and in many ways.

He has sacrificed countless hours of his time to organize fraternity reunions and tie them in with meetings with CU’s President and Office of Advancement staff in order to keep members up-to-date on Concord happenings. Lecco has also been active with the Alumni Association in promoting local alumni meetings.

He has been responsible for bringing hundreds of alumni back to “The Campus Beautiful” for Homecoming, social gatherings, fraternity activities, and other special campus events throughout the years. They have traveled from many states including Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Arizona, Texas and the list goes on to once again retrace steps taken years ago, reminisce about their days at Concord and provide support to the Alumni Association.

Their presence has not only benefited Concord, but businesses in the area including the bookstore at CU, motels, restaurants, retail establishments and even a state park!

John Lecco '79

It’s been said that Lecco’s personal messages and his “relentless” devotion to inviting alums back to campus get the job done.

Since graduating, Lecco has utilized the degree, education and wisdom he gained at Concord to build a successful career as a telecommunications professional. He has achieved important personal business goals with significant management responsibilities for major companies such as Comcast Cable and Time Warner Cable, serving in leadership positions covering a number of states including West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania.

2016 FOUNDERS' DAY FESTIVAL

Saturday Events (continued)

Left to right: Fun activities for kids and an alumni tailgate add to Saturday’s festivities.

Maroon - Gray Game

Left to right: The Concord community gathers to watch the spring Maroon-Gray football game; tailgating at the spring game; Concord players participate in the Maroon-Gray game, building excitment for the 2016 season.

Find Our Magazines

On the Web

Look for archived copies of the Concord University Alumni Magazine on CU’s website at: http://www.concord.edu/advancement/publications

Summer 2016 • 18

19 • Summer 2016

The 141st Annual Spring Commencement

oncord University held its 141st Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 7, 2016 in the Main Gym of the Leslie R. and Ruby Webb Carter Center. Undergraduate and master’s degree candidates for graduation were recognized in ceremonies held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Valedictorians for the Spring 2016 class are Shea Jonathan Boothe of Ballard, W.Va. and Joseph Jeff Sweet of Lowell, Mich.

Boothe spoke during the morning ceremony and Sweet addressed his fellow graduates in the afternoon ceremony. (The valedictorians are featured in an article on page 23.)

Two honorary degrees were presented during the day. Mr. Bill Owens received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities, honoris causa at the morning ceremony.

Owens holds the distinction of being the first African-American student-athlete in Concord history.

He played football for the Mountain Lions during the 1954 and 1955 seasons.

An Honorary Doctorate of Humanities, honoris causa was presented to Mr. Andrew Paterno during the afternoon ceremony.

Paterno has achieved a successful career in banking and in the

Top to bottom, left to right: Students, faculty, staff, family and friends all gather for the 141st Annual Spring Commencement; Jenna Miller is excited to complete this milestone; art faculty member, Jack Sheffler goofing off; President Boggess gives words of encouragement to the graduates; Adam Wolfe, First Vice President of the Concord University Alumni Association, Inc. speaks to the crowd.

Summer 2016 • 20

The 141st Annual Spring Commencement

The Caps

Top to bottom, left to right: Elliot Hicks, Chair of the Concord University Board of Governors; Susan Williams, President of the Concord University Faculty; Ronni Wood, President of the Concord University Student Government Association; students receive their final instructions before the graduation ceremony.

21 • Summer 2016

insurance industry. He graduated from Concord in 1970. (The honorary degree recipients are spotlighted on the next page.)

Dr. Kendra Boggess issued the welcome during both ceremonies.

Members of the campus community offering greetings include: Board of Governors Chair Elliot Hicks; Faculty President Dr. Susan Williams ’91; Alumni Association First Vice President Adam Wolfe ’03; and Student Government Association President Ronni Wood.

Candidates for graduation participated in a ceremony based on their fields of study.

The morning ceremony included candidates for Master of Education and Master of Arts in Teaching and undergraduates from the divisions of Business, Education and Fine Arts.

Participating in the afternoon ceremony were candidates for Master of Social Work and Master of Health Promotion and undergraduates from the divisions of Humanities, Science, Mathematics & Health, and Social Sciences along with undergraduates in Interdisciplinary Studies and the Regents Bachelor of Arts program.

In addition to candidates for Continued on page 23.

The 141st Annual Spring Commencement

Honorary Degrees T

wo honorary degrees recognizing exemplary personal and professional accomplishments were presented during the commencement ceremonies.

Bill Owens received the degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa. As Concord’s first AfricanAmerican student-athlete, Owens holds a significant place in the history of Concord University. His presence in the classroom and on the playing field is responsible for opening doors for the generations of students who have followed in his footsteps and those yet to attend Concord.

From the West Virginia community of Giatto, he majored in biology and physical education.

During the 1954 and 1955 football seasons, he played end for the Mountain Lions.

Owens served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. His career path led him to the Long Beach Memorial Hospital in Long Beach, New York where he worked in the engineering department. A highlight of his time there came in 1973 when he was asked to oversee the building of an addition to the hospital’s nursing facility. Following 34 years of service, Owens retired in 2006. His civic and community involvement includes service on the city council’s Board of Appeals from 1989 to 2002.

He returned to campus for Homecoming 2013 to serve as Grand Marshal for the Homecoming parade and as an honorary team captain for the football game.

Concord’s Black Student Union presented Owens with two awards in 2013. For his “contributions to Concord and the AfricanAmerican communities and students” he received a Lifetime

Honorary Membership in the BSU. The Legacy Award recognizes his “contributions as a forerunner for black students of Concord University.”

The degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa was bestowed upon Andrew Paterno.

A resident of West Virginia’s Kanawha Valley, Paterno is known for his professional success and extensive civic leadership.

He graduated from Concord in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Geography and also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Charleston in 1974. Early in his career, he served as assistant director of Above: Bill Owens. Below: Andrew Paterno. Both the West Virginia Civil men received the degree of Doctor of Humanities, Service System and honoris causa. worked in the Governor’s Commerce, the West Virginia Office of Economic and Roundtable, and the Coal Community Development.

Contractors Insurance Limited Paterno went on to establish a career in the banking and insurance Board. He has also served on the Concord University Foundation industries that spans more than Board of Directors. three decades. He is a respected Paterno was named to The and accomplished businessman State Journal’s Who’s Who in West having served in high-profile senior executive positions with Wells Fargo Virginia Business Class of 2014. He received the Son of the Year Award Insurance Services, USA, Acordia from The West Virginia Society of Mid-Atlantic, and McDonough Washington, D.C in 2000 and in Caperton Insurance Group. Today, he is President of Huntington Bank’s 1999, received the Italian American Man of the Year Award from the West Virginia Region.

West Virginia Italian Heritage Among his board memberships Festival. Concord recognized him are Edgewood Summit, the West in 2000 with the title of Grand Virginia Bankers Association, Groundhog Watcher. the West Virginia Chamber of

Summer 2016 • 22

The 141st Annual Spring Commencement

Valedictorians S

hea Jonathan Boothe of Ballard, W.Va. and Joseph Jeff Sweet of Lowell, Mich. are the valedictorians of the Spring 2016 Class.

Boothe received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, summa cum laude, with concentrations in Accounting and Management. His minor was Appalachian Studies.

For Boothe, being valedictorian is “a great honor.” “It is nice that my hard work has been rewarded,” he said.

He plans to continue his education in the Masters of Professional Accountancy program at West Virginia University and serve as a graduate assistant while he is studying there.

Sweet received a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, summa cum laude. He majored in Athletic Training and minored in Biology.

Sweet explains what being graduation from West Virginia, candidates from out-of-state represent: California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

International graduates represent Albania, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Thailand. The class includes

23 • Summer 2016

Shea Jonathan Boothe (left) and Joseph Jeff Sweet (right) were the 2016 Spring Valedictorians.

valedictorian means to him. “To be honest I was in disbelief that they were talking to the right person when I found out. It all reaffirmed to me that hard work and sacrifice pays off,” he said.

“Next year I will be attending

seven veterans.

Musical selections prior to and during the ceremonies were provided by the Concord University Band and the Concord University ConChords. Following the ceremonies, graduates and their guests celebrated at receptions in Gym II and gathered on the lawn outside the Carter Center for photographs and congratulations.

Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) to obtain my master’s in Nutrition and Exercise Science,” he said.

He plans to work for their Athletic Training staff while pursuing his degree.

Above: Nicholas Edwards poses for a photo after the ceremony. Far left: (left to right) Anuj Rajthala, Sulaxya Lama, and Dhiraj Ranjit, originally from Nepal, enjoying their special moment with friends and family. Left: Ashleigh Taylor celebrates with family.

The 141st Annual Spring Commencement

‘Painting with the President’ Supports Senior Dinner

C

oncordians gathered for “Painting with the President” events to help raise funds for the Senior Dinner. The fun evenings allowed participants to support the dinner for CU’s Spring 2016 graduates while developing their artistic talents.

Spring 2016 Class Celebrates Milestone

G

raduating seniors were honored at the Senior Dinner held on April 28 in the Student Center Ballroom. The dinner, hosted by Career Services and the Alumni Office, offered a delightful evening for the soon-to-be graduates and their guests. Senior Dinners have become a popular event at Concord and are held at the end of each semester prior to commencement.

Summer 2016 • 24

Foundation Holds

Donor Appreciation Dinner

ontributors to scholarships for Concord University students were honored by the Concord University Foundation at the 2016 Donor Appreciation Dinner held on Thursday, April 21 in the Pais Fellowship Hall in University Point. Student recipients of scholarships also attended the event.

25 • Summer 2016

Richard Lawrence ’75 served as guest speaker for the evening.

Lawrence is an educational consultant providing school and system improvement support throughout the state of West Virginia. He works extensively with school districts to build collaboration structures focused on improving student learning.

Lawrence is an accomplished and highly respected leader in the Professional Development Demonstrations School Program.

This innovative program places School Improvement Specialists in schools, from elementary through high school, to guide educators in building programs to address school populations with higher percentages of minority, low income and special education needs.

In addition to his bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Concord University, he holds a Master’s in Educational Administration. He was a teacher and administrator in Summers County and has served as adjunct faculty for Concord University and the WV College of Graduate Studies.

He is also the former Executive Director of School Improvement and System Support in the Division of Educator Quality at the West Virginia Department of Education.

Jason Moore was the student speaker. Moore, a non-traditional student at Concord, pursued a degree in Social Work. He was a returning student who attended Concord from 1992-1994 and reenrolled in the fall of 2013.

Buoyed by the support of his wife and four children, he maintained a 4.0 average in his Social Work classes and has been recognized on the Dean’s list every semester.

He is the recipient of the David Barnette and David Taylor Scholarships. A member of the Spring 2016 Class, Moore plans to pursue a master’s degree to prepare him to work as a therapist for individuals, couples, and families.

Top to bottom, left to right: Bren Yeager, Interim Executive Director of the Concord University Foundation, Inc.; Abigail Owens, Anne Golinsky, Brenda White, Jack White and Leigh Ann Owens '89; Colby Hill and his mother visit with Dr. Jerry Beasley; Student speaker Jason Moore (left) and his wife (right) with Dave Barnette '74; Guest Speaker Richard Lawrence '75 (left) with Dr. Boggess (center) and Jason Moore.

Summer 2016 • 26

Lane Bailey ’74

Keynotes Charleston Dinner

L

ane Bailey, CEO and Co-Founder of Advocom Group, was the keynote speaker for the Concord University Foundation Charleston Dinner.

The dinner, which is one of the Foundation’s major fundraisers of the year, was held on Thursday, April 7, 2016

27 • Summer 2016

at the Charleston (W.Va.) Marriott Town Center. Proceeds from the event are used to help fund scholarships and campus projects.

Bailey, who graduated from Concord in 1974, is renowned for his ability to connect the dots and leverage governments on behalf of businesses around the world.

His ability to look at issues with a fresh perspective and find common ground was a major part of his work as President of Public Affairs for the global public relations and government affairs firm Golin Harris.

Prior to his work with Golin Harris, Bailey was one of Capitol Hill’s most experienced and savvy staffers. For 12 years, he served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), where his principal focus was job creation and international trade and investment.

A skilled communicator, Bailey has developed extensive brand positioning and message platforms for large, multi-national corporations and emerging companies. He has also provided communications training for hundreds of executives and government leaders – from CEOs and Supreme Court Justices to Surgeon Generals and mid-level managers.

Bailey serves on the board of directors of the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute,

a not-for-profit international research institute devoted to finding new drugs and diagnostics in the area of human memory. He lives in northern Virginia and is based in Washington.

Sponsors for the Charleston Dinner include: The Gregory and Lorraine Allen Foundation, Appalachian Eye Care, Appalachian Power, Ed Bailey, Dave Barnette, BB&T, Dr. Jean Bennett, Bowles Rice, BrickStreet, Chapman Printing Company, Huntington Bank, JacksonKelly, David and Sandy Kirby, Mountaineer Automotive, Andy Paterno, R.T. “Ted” and Susan Rogers, The Hugh I. Shott, Jr., Foundation, Inc., Silling Architects, John David Smith, Suttle & Stalnaker, and United Bank.

Top to bottom: Andy Paterno '70 and Dr. Boggess; Randy Price '85 - Concord University Foundation Chair, Doug Maddy ’69 - Concord University Foundation Past Chair, Greg Ball '85; keynote speaker Lane Bailey '74 with Dave Barnette '74.

Please visit concord.edu/cufoundation and click the “Donate” button.

Summer 2016 • 28

Pathways Scholarship Established for Concord University Students he Concord University Office of Advancement and the Concord University Foundation announce the establishment of the Pathways Scholarship. This scholarship has been made possible with a five-year challenge grant from the Maier Foundation in Charleston, W.Va. The Maier Foundation is a private, non-profit, charitable corporation for the furtherance of higher education in the state of West Virginia.

“It’s part of the Maier Foundation’s mission to financially support West Virginia students pursuing their college education.

We are thrilled to partner with Concord University and other donors through this challenge grant to ensure a student’s goal of earning a degree is within their reach,” said Bradley Maier Rowe, Maier Foundation President and member of the Board of Directors.

“We have met the challenge for the first year and will continue to seek partnerships for the upcoming years to continue this scholarship geared towards retention efforts,” Bren Yeager, Interim Executive Director of the Concord University Foundation, said.

With the challenge in place, the Concord Office of Advancement was able to partner with donors to secure the 2:1 matching funds needed to meet the challenge.

The late Janet Lee Hall made a sizeable donation to the scholarship.

Also contributing to the scholarship is the BB&T West Virginia Foundation.

“These generous contributions significantly help our goal of assisting Concord students to finish their degree programs,” Yeager said.

A native of Bluefield, W.Va., Hall received a Bachelor of Science degree in English from Concord College in 1953. An avid lover of

29 • Summer 2016

language and literature, she devoted her life to encouraging others to acquire that same love. She began teaching English at Northfork Junior High School in Northfork, W.Va. She also taught in the public school system in Waterbury, Conn., and at Montcalm High School in Montcalm, W.Va. After being awarded a fellowship at West Virginia University, Hall earned a master’s degree in English, then started her teaching career at the college level at Bluefield State College in Bluefield.

She continued her career in education at the then newlycreated Alexandria Campus of Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, Va. One of the foundational teachers at the Alexandria campus, Hall began as an instructor of English

Janet Lee Hall '53

Composition. As she rose through the professional ranks, she became active in expanding the curriculum, teaching the first English Literature course on campus, as well as the first college-level English Grammar course.

When she retired from the community college in 2000, Hall had achieved the rank of associate professor. She remained living in Northern Virginia, where she spent 47 years of her life. She passed away in June of 2015.

The Pathways Scholarship was announced to the student population at Concord University in early April and over 140 students applied for the $2000 per year award. The selection committee reviewed all the applications and on May 2, 2016, was able to award 35 students with the scholarship for the 2016-2017 academic year.

“Concord University is committed to helping our students be successful. Student retention and completion efforts such as the Pathways Scholarship are essential to ensuring this success,” Dr. Sarah Beasley, Director of Retention, said.

“Individual and societal benefits to earning a college degree are well documented,” she said. “By retaining and graduating more students, Concord continues to fulfill its mission of serving West Virginians and the regional community.”

For additional information on the Pathways Scholarship, contact Bren Yeager at byeager@concord.edu or 304-384-6056.

Educational Partnership Established with Greenbrier Valley Theatre

new partnership between Concord University and the Greenbrier Valley Theatre (GVT) in Lewisburg will offer students in southern West Virginia the opportunity to explore the world of professional theatre and will be a means to promote theatre education in the region.

Officials from the two groups signed an agreement on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 in the President’s Office on Concord’s Athens campus.

Concord University President Kendra Boggess said the partnership is an example of the collaborations Concord undertakes with agencies and institutions to further the educational experiences of students.

“We are looking forward to this latest endeavor and the potential it holds for our students to sharpen their skills and gain real world experiences in theatre,” she said.

GVT Education Director Courtney Susman said, “We are very excited about this new partnership and we look forward to expanding opportunities for Concord University students.”

Opportunities being discussed as part of the agreement include

“We are looking forward to this latest endeavor and the potential it holds for our students to sharpen their skills and gain real world experiences in theatre.”

President Kendra Boggess

Greenbrier Valley Theatre Education Director Courtney Susman, seated left, and Dr. Kendra Boggess, Concord University President, seated right, sign the agreement.

Shown back row, left to right: Concord University Instructor of Communication Arts Karen Vuranch; Kilie Mullins, a student at Concord; and Greenbrier Valley Theatre Producing Artistic Director Cathey Sawyer.

internships in set design and construction, costumes, lights, and sound with the theatre’s professional designers and directors; attendance at final dress rehearsals for a reduced price; participation in Master Classes with professional actors and other personnel; performance of GVT shows on Concord’s campus in Athens; and, the opportunity to audition to serve as understudies to the professional company. Students cast as understudies would be eligible to apply for and earn credits in the Equity Membership Candidate Program (EMC) for Actors’ Equity Association membership.

The program will be open to all Concord students, not just theatre majors, according to Karen Vuranch, an instructor at Concord who has been instrumental in developing the partnership between Concord and

the GVT. She said that individuals who are seriously pursuing a career in acting could benefit from the opportunity to earn EMC credits.

Concord student Kilie Mullins calls the partnership an “exciting opportunity.”

“I’m looking forward to what we can do with it,” she said. “I’m a freshman, so I’ll get the full experience of this agreement.”

To learn more about the partnership between the GVT and Concord, contact Karen Vuranch at kvuranch@concord.edu or (304) 384-5317.

For additional information on the Greenbrier Valley Theatre visit www.gvtheatre.org

Summer 2016 • 30

Dr. Dean Turner and his wife, Dr. Sherri Guilliams Turner '89 31 • Summer 2016

Dr. Dean W. Turner

Professor of Music, Emeritus his feature catches up with former faculty and staff and asks them to update us about their life today while sharing some memories of their days at Concord.

Background A native of Denver, Colo., I hold a BME from the University of Denver, MM and PhD from Michigan State University. I served one year at the University of Denver before coming to Concord. My immediate family is wife Sherri, Chihuahua Mr. Wiggles, son John and his family, including great-granddaughter Savannah and brother Dave.

How long did you work at Concord? What positions did you hold? What did you teach?

I served Concord full-time from 1970 until my retirement in 2007 with several years part-time thereafter. I moved though the academic ranks in the Music Department, teaching applied woodwind instruments, the Concord Commanders, etc. My administrative appointments were: Chair, Department of Music and Fine Arts; Assistant and Associate Dean; Vice President and Academic Dean.

What did you find especially rewarding during your time at Concord?

I found the opportunity to work with a plethora of qualified and eclectic faculty, a multitude of hard-working and diverse students, and so many dedicated and tireless staff and administrators especially rewarding.

I’ve always hoped I was contributing to the quality of life for all these ever-interesting groups.

What is the best athletic event you have attended at Concord?

Because I attended and performed in so many fine arts events, perhaps I can focus my response here.

Many years ago, Professor Harry Paul took his production of Shakespeare’s “Othello” to the correctional facility for women at Alderson. As part of an attached musical ensemble, I told Harry this would be a disaster with all inmates departing within a few minutes. Of course Harry knew it would be just like Shakespeare’s time with every woman enthralled to the final curtain, many shouting-out comments during the play and a lot of tears when Desdemona is threatened.

How many Presidents and Deans did you work under while at Concord?

With the help of Anne Whittaker in the Dean’s Office, I served under five Presidents (Marsh, Coffindaffer, Rowley, Freeman and Beasley) and seven Deans (Smith, DeBoer, Edge, Willis, Moore, Bronsard and Carrier).

What offices did you hold, what committees did you serve on, and what organizations were you involved in while at Concord? What honors and awards did you receive from Concord?

Besides those mentioned above, seems like I was a member or appointee of nearly every committee at CU. Are you, and if so, how are you staying connected with students?

I manage to stay in touch with many local and far-flung students via e-mail and attending their performances.

How are you involved in the life of the University today?

I am not currently involved in any Concord activities.

Summer 2016 • 32

Where do you live now? What are some of your activities, interests as a retiree? What hobbies, projects, community service, and civic organizations are you involved with now?

Having begun my retirement on Claytor Lake, Va., Sherri and I moved to Quinwood, W.Va. about two years ago. Besides keepingup with about six acres, I continue to enjoy reading (Stephen King’s a favorite), woodworking, and musical activities.

Faculty Artists Participate in Allied Artists Juried Exhibition Reidmiller Receives Best of Show

T

wo Concord faculty artists had work in the Allied Artists of West Virginia 70th Annual Juried Exhibition. The show opened May 15 and continued through June 18 at the Parkersburg Art Center in Parkersburg and featured the work of 63 artists from around the state.

Dr. Lauri Reidmiller, associate professor of art, won Best of Show for her acrylic painting “Cuts So Deep.”

“This painting is part of a new body of work that is based on my dreams. Everything in the painting represents something from my life,” she said.

Beckley Instructor of Art Mark Moore also has work in the show.

Moore’s mixed media paintings are titled “Recycled in West Virginia: Headline News” and “Recycled in West Virginia: Relieve the Watch.”

33 • Summer 2016

Above: Dr. Lauri Reidmiller with her acrylic painting "Cuts So Deep."

Left: Beckley Instructor, Mark Moore's piece entitled "Recycled in West Virginia: Relieve the Watch."

Collaboration with Australian Students Focus of Symposium

eacher education students in Concord University’s EPAT (Educational Psychology, Assessment, and Technology) collaborated during the spring semester with their counterparts at Victoria University in Australia, exchanging information on school systems, types of diversity, teaching methodologies, largescale assessments, and issues in education, among other topics.

Rachel Pitcher with her team's presentation.

Left to right: Dr. Anita Reynolds, Dr. Terry Mullins and Dr. Charlotte Hutchens

The students shared their findings at the Global Collaboration and Diversity Symposium on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in the Student Center Ballroom.

The symposium featured poster presentations, interactive activities and art festivities.

During the symposium, students demonstrated diverse technologies (Skype, Google Docs, Voice Thread, Wikis, etc.), while underlining cultural awareness and acceptance.

EPAT is taught by Dr. Anita Reynolds, associate professor of education, and Dr. Terry Mullins, professor of education.

To enrich the global symposium,

Bluefield Intermediate School students enjoying the symposium.

Dr. Lauri Reidmiller and her education students host a safari.

students from Bluefield Intermediate School visited Concord University on the same day for a Global Diversity event. Concord’s EPAT students shared technology and school differences with the students while conducting small group interactive lessons on history, geography, math, science, and diversity. The lessons centered on the Australian theme.

Dr. Lauri Reidmiller, associate professor of art, and her education students took the Bluefield Intermediate students on a safari, after which they participated in an interactive art lesson related to Australian culture.

According to the EPAT professors, the event highlights the emphasis placed in the Teacher Education Program on collaboration, global awareness and networking, and utilizing 21st Century technology.

The symposium is the capstone event for the students’ Australian collaboration, and also provides an opportunity to outreach to the public school students in Concord’s Professional Development Schools.

This activity has been presented during the fall and spring semesters at Concord University for the past several years.

Summer 2016 • 34

Faculty: Beyond the Classroom The Written Word

Brings Success to Concordians wo Concord University faculty members have recently achieved success for their scholarly endeavors in the area of writing and editing.

Dr. Charlotte Davis, Assistant Professor of Management in the Division of Business, has been elevated to the position of Deputy Editor of a research journal.

Professor of English Dr. Delilah O’Haynes, who is part of Concord’s Division of Humanities, has written a chapter appearing in a publication on workforce education for American Indians.

Concord applauds them for their work “Beyond the Classroom.”

Dr. Charlotte Davis r. Charlotte Davis has been promoted to Deputy Editor of the Journal of Eastern European and Central Asian Research (JEECAR).

She previously served as a Copy Editor for the publication.

JEECAR publishes advanced concepts and fundamental research in economics, finance, management, marketing and international affairs.

The journal is a multi-disciplinary, scholarly, peer-reviewed publication.

Dr. Nikolay Megits, Editor-inChief, says that as Copy Editor,

35 • Summer 2016

Davis “demonstrated her highest research-writing and professional skills with a sincere dedication to the assigned editorial tasks.”

Megits explains that Davis’ duties as Deputy Editor “will include coordinating the JEECAR’s editing processes and quality assurance of published material.”

Davis earned a B.B.A. in Accounting from Texas Tech University, an M.B.A. in Human Resource Management from Wayland Baptist University and a PhD in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management from

Dr. Charlotte Davis

the University of Memphis.

In addition to currently teaching at Concord University, she has taught at the University of Memphis, Christian Brothers University (Memphis), and Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU).

Her courses at Concord include International Business, Principles of Management, Human Resource Management, and Business Ethics.

Among her research interests are grief in the workplace, immigrant careers, expatriate issues, entrepreneurship and HR, social responsibility/ethics, and responsible global leadership. She has a number of published articles

and conference presentations to her credit and has served as a reviewer for business and management conferences.

Her involvement in the campus community at Concord includes serving as an advising counselor for Business students and membership on various committees. Davis has been a faculty sponsor for Concord’s Relay For Life and a volunteer with the University’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program. She also traveled to Puebla, Mexico in the summer of 2015, with the intent of setting up research, teaching, and exchange collaborations and relationships

with various private and public universities there.

Among her recognitions and honors is being named the recipient of the Distinguished Research Award during the 2011 Academy of Strategic Management Conference.

Davis’ professional affiliations include membership in the Academy of Management, Academy of International Business, European Academy of Management, Society for Human Resource Professionals, Academy of Strategic Management, Southern Management Association, Midwest Academy of Management and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Dr. Delilah O’Haynes oncord University Professor of English Dr. Delilah O’Haynes has authored a peer-reviewed chapter in the newly released book American Indian Workforce Education: Trends and Issues. The chapter is titled “Educating the Educators: Making Workforce Education Successful Through Understanding and Respect for Indigenous Cultures.”

O’Haynes said the book “has the potential to influence the future of the way we administer and/or oversee American Indian education in this country.”

“This work will be used by educators, political leaders,

American Indians, corporations, and all others with an interest in American Indian workforce education,” she said.

O’Haynes’ interest in the topic is tied to her family’s heritage and enhanced by her educational background and teaching experience.

“I am American Indian and Irish, predominately. My family’s DNA shows five Indian tribes in our heritage,” she said.

Dr. Delilah O'Haynes

Division of Business Division of Humanities Summer 2016 • 36

“My doctorate is in Composition Theory and American Literature.

I chose American Literature because of my Indian heritage and studied American Indian Literature whenever possible,” she said. “I introduced the teaching of American Indian Literature here at Concord many years ago, and I now teach two classes on this literature – one for sophomores, an introductory course, and one for English majors.”

O’Haynes has taught at Concord

University since 1992. She has also taught at several other higher education institutions and on the senior high and elementary school levels.

O’Haynes received an associate degree from Southwest Virginia Community College; a bachelor’s degree from East Tennessee State University; and a master’s degree from Radford University. She did post-master’s work in Creative Writing at Georgia State University

and earned a doctorate in English and Education from the University of Tennessee.

Her short fiction and poetry have appeared in numerous magazines and journals and she has had several poetry and nonfiction books published. The Character of Mountains, a book of poetry, was nominated for the Appalachian Book of the Year in 2007. O’Haynes has also had professional articles published in several journals.

Geo Bee and Giant Traveling Map

Offer Learning Opportunities eography was in the spotlight during April for two activities hosted

by Concord.

The West Virginia Geographic Bee brought students from across West Virginia to campus for the annual competition on Friday, April 1.

Surya Perla of Cross Lanes, an eighth grader from Andrew Jackson Middle School, claimed the championship from among a field of approximately 64 4th through 8th graders. He represented West Virginia in the National Geographic Bee in Washington, D.C. in May. The 2016 National Geographic Bee is organized by the National Geographic Society. The West Virginia Geographic Alliance provides additional support for the state Bee. Linda Poff ’76, a retired Mercer County teacher and former Concord adjunct instructor in geography, is coordinator of West Virginia’s competition.

Hundreds of area school children visited Concord April 4-8 for activities on National Geographic’s Giant Traveling Map

37 • Summer 2016

of Africa. The brightly colored vinyl floor map measures 26 feet by 35 feet and enabled the students to embark on a mock tour of the continent, while learning about its rich history and diverse geography. Designed for grades K-8, the map was unfurled in the Student Center Ballroom.

Ms. Poff coordinated the map’s visit to Concord and guided the students through lessons and fun activities related to Africa’s climate, natural resources, spectacular animals and their habitats, famous landmarks, demographics and more. She was assisted by CU students which allowed them the opportunity to enrich their learning opportunities as well.

This is the fourth Giant Traveling Map to visit Concord.

Maps of Asia, North America and Europe have also traveled to the University. Their visits have all been coordinated by Ms. Poff.

Top to bottom: Linda Poff '76 leading a group of school children around the map; Ms. Poff setting up a lesson; Surya Perla, winner of the 2016 West Virginia Geographic Bee.

Vietnam Veterans Saluted

oncord University remembered the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans during Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day on March 30. A noontime tribute was held on the Subway Stage in the Student Center.

This remembrance is one of several events Concord hosts annually to recognize military service and honor those veterans currently enrolled at the University. Last fall, Concord accepted the “5 Star Challenge” pledging increased support for student veterans.

The “5 Star Challenge” is an initiative of the Office of Veterans Education and Training Programs within the Division of Student Affairs at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Community and Technical College System.

The Challenge, which calls on institutions to adopt a set of exemplary standards for supporting student veterans, is a tribute to the military tradition of issuing

“challenge coins” to service members who embody the values and standards of their military units.

Tribute held on the Subway Stage in the Student Center as part of Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day.

Summer 2016 • 38

Chi Omega Psi

Greek life is an important part of the college experience for many Concord students. Bonds that are formed between brothers and sisters remain strong and continue to thrive as students become alumni. “Greek Spotlight” is dedicated to CU’s Greek letter organizations.

Overview Chi Omega Psi, a local philanthropy fraternity, was founded on January 24, 2007, in Athens, WV by Joshua McAtee, John Dengler, Jacob Stephens, Anthony Simms, T.J. DeWitt, Bill Gravely, Darrell Dameron, Caleb Stevens, David Paxton, Jay White, Johnny Bragg, and Matt Burdette.

The fraternity stands to promote a sense of family and belonging as well as grow in aspects of Confidence, Philanthropy, Teamwork, and Communication. Over the last 8 years, Chi Omega Psi has initiated 133 Brothers as well as numerous Honorary Brothers and Sweethearts.

Mission To grow and continue to serve the community while crafting confident, philanthropic, cooperative, and communicative Brothers into outstanding men.

39 • Summer 2016

2015

The Chi Omega Psi men headed to downtown Princeton, WV in fall of 2015 to lend a helping hand to the Princeton Renaissance Project.

Chi Omega Psi Facts • •

• •

Founded: January 24, 2007 Location of Founding: Concord University, Athens, WV Slogan: "Local men for a local cause" Main Philanthropy: Relay For Life

• • •

Colors: Red, Blue and Black Greek letters: XΩΨ Awards: Official recognition from the Town of Athens, West Virginia for services provided

2016 Chi Omega Psi Members

Current Officers • President: N. Mitchem • Vice President: T. Jackson • Secretary: J. Berry • Treasurer: J. Harvey • Service Rep: C. Spears • Sponsors: John David Smith and Lindsey Akers

The Chi Omega Psi paw painted on the road going through CU's campus.

For more information on the Chi Omega Psi philanthropy Fraternity please visit the Chi Omega Psi Facebook page (Chi Omega Psi Concord University), or send an email to mitchemn27@mycu.concord.edu.

Summer 2016 • 40

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Shared Concord Experiences

Create Fond Memories for Pierson Family

fter learning about Concord’s Travel Industry Management program at a high school college fair, Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe knew this was the school and major for her.

“I picked up the Concord book and found the Travel program. I was hooked,” she said.

A native of Alta in Greenbrier County West Virginia, Marlene graduated from Concord with a bachelor’s degree in 1987.

Furthering her education, she earned a Master of Science in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management from Clemson University.

As a teenager, Marlene began working in the summer at The State Fair of West Virginia. She moved through the ranks and has achieved exceptional career success in top leadership positions with her home state’s fair and Virginia’s as well.

For 25 years Pierson-Jolliffe served at The State Fair of West Virginia in Lewisburg, first as the Assistant Manager, then as the CEO. Since February of 2014, she has been Vice President of Operations, Commonwealth Fairs & Events, Inc. and Executive Director and Vice President of The State Fair of Virginia. Her office is located at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County, Virginia, birthplace of famed thoroughbred and Triple Crown winner Secretariat.

She explains how her Concord education has been a plus in her career.

“Concord helped me develop confidence. Concord was about relationships and a very close community type feeling,” she said.

“I have carried that with me into my lifelong career with State Fairs.”

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Michael, Christy and family

Marlene, Frank and family

Pierson-Jolliffe chaired the board of The International Association of Fairs and Expositions in 2013 and has served as a trustee for the IAFE Education Foundation. The Greater Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce honored her as the Business Leader of the Year in 2013.

Marlene is a member of the New Hanover Presbyterian Church. She is married to Frank Jolliffe and has two teenaged children, Danielle

and Jacob. Currently a resident of Mechanicsville, Va., Marlene says her interests include cooking, golfing, reading and “anything related to fitness.”

Marlene isn’t the only Pierson to graduate from Concord. Her brother, Michael, and his wife, Christy (Lilly), are also alums.

“I loved sharing the college experience with my brother and my ‘future’ sister-in-law…although

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Siblings Marlene and Michael

I didn’t know that at the time!”

Marlene said.

“My brother and I were in the Concord Commanders and I can’t say enough about the fun we had traveling all over West Virginia and to Florida with Ken Gleason and Dr. Dean Turner,” she said. “Not only was it a great band but we had a great time and I still have my trumpet!”

Michael has made music, and teaching others to develop their musical abilities, his career. Since graduating from Concord in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in education (honors in music), he has worked as both a teacher and an administrator. He taught for 15 years in West Virginia followed by a five-year teaching stint in Northern Virginia and then became a middle school administrator. After being hired in the central office of Loudoun County Public Schools, he became the district’s music supervisor in 2012.

“It is a fast growing district, gaining around 2500 students per year,” he said. “Since I have been in the central office, I have helped open 18 new schools. We currently serve 78,000 students in 89 schools with four more schools opening in the next couple of years.

“Being in the Washington, D.C. metro area has afforded me opportunities to visit embassies, work with the U.S. Dept. of Education and to be involved with

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Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe ’87 in front of historic barns at The Meadow Event Park

the Kennedy Center’s arts education initiative,” he said.

“I am very grateful for this rewarding and challenging opportunity, but I never forget my roots, growing up on a farm near Lewisburg and the world that was opened up to me when I chose to enroll at Concord in 1983,” Pierson explained.

Along with his career as an educator, Pierson is also a professional trombonist having played with such well-known artists and groups as the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Kenny Rogers and The Temptations.

Pierson holds a Master of Arts in Educational Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Marshall University. As a Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar, he served in a teacher program in Japan during the summer of 2002 to advance the quality of education there.

He is President of the Virginia Association of Music Education Administrators and is a member of the National Association for Music Education. Michael volunteers with his church and with flood relief and local mission work. His interests include skiing, geography/history and flight simulators.

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Michael says, “Of course, it is hard to think of college without thinking of my wife. We met there, dated and later married and have been together now for 28 years.

“My fondest memory is our first Valentine’s Day together. It snowed over a foot that day and I remember walking across campus with her on that beautiful night,” he recalled.

“Weekends on campus were very quiet as so many students would go home each weekend. It was quiet and the light from the nightlights just made it that much more romantic.

“We had a Valentine’s dinner in the Wilson Hall kitchen since there was nowhere to go,” he said.

“She fixed a boxed Chef Boyardee spaghetti dinner. I thought I was in heaven. We have had spaghetti for every Valentine’s dinner since that time in 1986.”

Christy graduated from Concord with a Bachelor of Social Work degree in December of 1989. She went on to earn an MSW from West Virginia University in May 1995 and an MA in School Counseling from Marshall University in August of 2000.

The Piersons currently live in Winchester, Va. where Christy is a guidance counselor for Millbrook High School. Their family includes sons Conner and Braden and Braden’s wife, Kelli.

Michael Pierson ’87 with the combined Eagle Ridge Middle School orchestra and band at the premiere of a commissioned Brian Balmedges piece Summer 2016 • 42

What is your favorite memory from finals/ graduation week?

My most favorite memory of graduation week was knowing I'm graduating and achieving my dream and goal. Other memories of graduation week were the academic procession across campus, walking across stage receiving my diploma and having my picture taken with President Marsh shaking my hand.

- Edward (Eddie) J McQuail '70 Two things come to mind when I think of finals and graduation—first is long nights of studying for Dr. Burgher finals in The Concordian office. Second is spending the Friday before graduation at a cabin in Pipestem with 3 of my sorority sisters decorating our caps for the next day. Both are very special memories to me about such a stressful but exciting time of year for a new college graduate!

- Sarah Lively Turner ’98 Many memories surround my final week as an undergrad at CU, but probably one of the more memorable ones is the night my friends and I camped out on the front lawn of campus. After we had finished studying in the Library one night, we walked over to the front lawn, sleeping bags and pillows in tow, set up a couple tents, and camped out.

It was a fun night and a great way to forget about the impending “real world” that awaited us.

- Lance McDaniel ’10 I remember very vividly going up on stage with a pair of running shorts 43 • Summer 2016

under my gown and having the majority of everyone say, “I really hope you’re wearing something under there.” My response? I hope so too.

- John Meadows ’10 Some of my favorite memories from finals week were gathering in the Delta Zeta lounge or the library with my sisters and studying together.

Groups of us had classes together, so it was helpful to have study buddies and spend time with each other at the same time.

- Carrie Wyrick ’05

I will always cherish the day I spent with my Sigma sisters decorating our hats before graduation!

- Barbara Mullins Ames '98 What I remember most from Finals Week is trying to learn a semester’s worth of material in one night!

- A Happy '03 Grad

There were about 14 of us that took an impromptu road trip to Myrtle Beach between finals on Tuesday and graduation practice on Friday in '93...

There was a mix of music majors, Sigmas, and other majors I cannot recall. Just know the band had to be in our seats at 2:50 on Friday for graduation practice and I pulled in at 2:40... It was a mad dash but we made it. Brought back Band Director Randy Budd a T shirt-- it smoothed things over for cutting it so close.

- Meleah Fisher '94 Senior Send-on was probably my favorite memory. Several of the sisters got together and passed down TriSigma items and beloved letters to younger girls. We put on a skit where we pretended to be all of the younger members from funny experiences, and the girls made us gift baskets. I remember getting a huge teacher bag full of school goodies! Good times!

- Michelle Blankenship Dooney '07

Graduation celebration

Question for the next issue: What is your favorite campus life memory?

Roar goes to CocoCay, Bahamas Left to right: Bob Layne ’71, Hilah Layne ’70, Luke Layne (son), Renea Layne (daughter-in-law), and Mila Layne (granddaughter).

CU takes over the performing arts center April 2016 in Amsterdam Harbor. He avoided the red light and drug districts.

Roar hanging out with Dr. Joe Cincinnati '86 and Dena Marrale at Superbowl 50.

TAKE ROAR WITH YOU! Show us where you’ve taken Roar! Find your cut out of Roar on page 82 of this magazine.

Summer 2016 • 44

Homer K. Ball Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament

Raises Funds for Scholarships Benefitting Concord Students

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he 27th Annual Homer K. Ball Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament was held Friday, June 10, 2016 on Pipestem State Park’s 18-hole course.

Proceeds from the tournament go to the Homer K. Ball Scholarship Fund held by the Concord University Foundation.

Ball, a Lerona, W.Va. native, graduated from Concord in 1948.

He served as sheriff of Mercer County, West Virginia state senator and director of the physical plant at Concord.

Ball was also an avid golfer. In 1991, the annual golf tournament benefitting Concord was named in his honor. After his passing in 2008, the tournament was renamed the Homer K. Ball Memorial Golf Tournament.

Top to bottom, left to right: The Ethel N. Bowen Foundation, Inc. team; former CU President, Dr. Jerry Beasley, with current CU President, Dr. Kendra Boggess; the Ball family; the Homer K. Ball Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament Champions, the Princeton Elks Lodge (L to R: Jimmy McPherson, J. J. McPherson, Jeff McGraw, and Scott Miller).

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Box City Raises Awareness

for Homelessness and Hunger

oncord’s annual Box City occupied the front lawn of campus near the Bonner House on Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16.

For 24 hours (8 a.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday) campus organizations and groups of students lived in their makeshift shelters to bring awareness to the issue of homelessness and to raise funds for a local mission. This year the event supported the Five Loaves & Two Fishes Food Bank in Kimball, W.Va. Box City is sponsored by the Bonner Scholars Program.

Students gather on the front lawn of CU to construct their cardboard homes for the evening.

CU Celebrates Earth Day 2016 with Week of Activities

oncord celebrated Earth Day 2016 during the week of April 18 - 22 with activities involving both Athens and Beckley.

Activities included a grounds clean-up by campus volunteers and distribution of reusable water bottles by Concord’s Tobacco Coalition on April 20. The Bonner Scholars Program coordinated a pill bottle recycling program through

Matthew 25: Ministries.

Informational signs, displays, tables and programs were also part of the week-long observance.

In honor of the celebration volunteers received a free biodegradable pot with vegetable and flower seeds.

A student works to maintain the beauty of "The Campus Beautiful" during Earth Day 2016 week.

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Undergraduate Research Day Marks Ninth Year

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he 9th Annual Undergraduate Research Day and Graduate & Professional School Fair took place on Thursday, April 14, 2016 in the Student Center Ballroom.

Co-hosted by Concord’s McNair Scholars and Psychology programs, this event provides a professional venue for Concord students and McNair Scholars from Bluefield State College and West Virginia State University to share their research and other academic work with the Concord community and guests.

Poster and oral presentations, along with exhibits at the fair, were part of the day.

This year’s keynote speaker was Dr. Daniel Ehlinger who is a second year postdoctoral research fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He has a passion for both neuroscience research and the training/teaching of graduate and undergraduate students.

Ehlinger received his PhD in

Psychology (concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience) from George Mason University in 2014, where he studied mechanisms of neural plasticity during adolescent nicotine exposure.

Currently, he studies the structure and function of the serotonin system in the expression/ treatment of neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders using behavioral and genetic mouse models of depression, schizophrenia, addiction, and autism spectrum disorders.

Find out all the reasons people love CU by visiting www.concord.edu/advancement/i-heart-cu 47 • Summer 2016

Above: Keynote speaker, Dr. Daniel Ehlinger delivers a presentation to the students on his studies. Left: Students present their research.

West Virginia Poet Laureate Shares Works at CU Gathering

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he Poet Laureate of West Virginia, Marc Harshman, spoke at Concord on Thursday, April 14. His afternoon presentation to students and other members of the CU family and community was held in the Wilkes Family Chapel in University Point.

Harshman is the seventh Poet Laureate of West Virginia. He was appointed by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin in 2012 in recognition of his work for both poetry and children’s literature. He shared several selections of his poetry and his works for children during his visit to “The Campus Beautiful.”

Following his remarks, he held a book signing for guests.

Harshman’s four chapbooks of poetry include “Rose Of Sharon.”

His second full-length collection, “Believe What You Can,” is forthcoming from The Vandalia Press of West Virginia University in October. Additionally, his poems have been anthologized by Kent State University, the University of Iowa, University of Georgia, SPM Publications [London], and the University of Arizona. Harshman is the author of 13 children’s books including his acclaimed work “The Storm” and the recently released “One Big Family.”

Concord University’s Division of Humanities and the Marsh Library partnered to bring Harshman to campus.

Above: Poet Laureate, Marc Harshman gives a presentation on his work in poetry and children's literature. Left: Some of Marc Harshman's works.

Above: Marc Harshman autographing his work for the crowd that gathered. Left: Mr. Harshman recites one of his poems. Far left: Guests enjoying the presentation.

Summer 2016 • 48

Alumni

Entrepreneurs In conjunction with the launch of Concord’s Entrepreneurship Initiative in 2013, the Concord University Magazine includes this regular feature that spotlights successful entrepreneurs within our

Paul Ewing ’78

alumni ranks.

For these individuals business is thriving and their stories pay tribute to the knowledge and know-how they gained from a Concord education.

Builds Premier Home Construction Company aul Ewing has built an award-winning business that offers premier services in its field. As President and Owner of Ewing Building & Remodeling, Ewing is bringing top-notch home construction to the Blacksburg, Va. region.

He began the business in 1995, inspired by a family background in construction and apartment management and has continued to expand the venture through the years.

In 2006, Ewing Cabinet Company was established to complement the building business. Today, the family owned and operated Ewing Companies hold a prominent position in home building, remodeling and custom cabinetry design.

Paul manages the overall operation of Ewing Building & Remodeling and leads the sales and marketing effort for the Ewing Companies. His wife Debbie is also an officer of the company and their

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Paul Ewing ’78

two sons are also principals. Jason is the construction supervisor and Bradley works in a marketing and management role.

Ewing Building & Remodeling and Ewing Cabinet Company – referred to as the Ewing Companies – are operated as two separate entities out of a showroom on South Main Street in Blacksburg, but

according to Paul, they are in reality one company.

“We refer to ‘Ewing Teamwork’ which is the convenience of working with a single coordinated team for design, planning, cabinetry, and building services,” he said.

Projects include kitchens and bathrooms, offices, entertainment centers, home remodeling, home

additions, whole house renovations, decks, screened porches, gazebos and more.

Residents of Blacksburg for 30 years, Paul and Debbie both grew up in Bluefield, W.Va. Paul completed a four-year stint in the U.S. Air Force prior to college and attended Concord on the GI Bill.

“When I was in college, I was married with two sons, and worked full-time in a management training program with American Water Works Company,” he said.

Paul graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management in 1978 at the age of 27.

“My Concord education opened the doors with the two large corporations I was with prior to starting my business and provided me with the knowledge and confidence needed to deal effectively in the business world,” he said. “When I completed my military service, earning my Concord degree was something that was very important to me and I was willing to sacrifice to get it.”

Along with working for American Water, his resume prior to launching his own business includes service with Hercules Inc. “I always believed the best opportunity for me was to own my own company. I was not comfortable trying to climb the corporate ladder and dealing with the bureaucracy,” he said.

“When I look back, I realize that it was a brave, perhaps foolish move, but it worked out,” he said. “It amazes me how willing people in the profession – suppliers, bankers, community leaders, and others – were to help and assist me along the way.”

“Our business philosophy is to be fair and honest in all that we do, to provide the best possible product, and to treat our clients with the utmost respect. Our goal is to have very satisfied customers who will refer our company to others,” he said.

The Ewing Companies have been honored with numerous awards and the list continues to grow.

Included are the Homebuilders

Just a few examples of the outstanding work done by Ewing Building & Remodeling and Ewing Cabinet Company.

Association Design Excellence Award, recognition in 2012 from the New River Valley Homebuilders Association and the New River Valley Design Excellence Award in 2014. The Best of Houzz is also among their stellar awards.

Both Ewing businesses received Virginia Living Magazine’s Best of Virginia accolade in 2014. Ewing Building & Remodeling was named the Best Contractor in Southwest Virginia and Ewing Cabinet Company earned the Best Kitchen Design Firm in Southwest Virginia designation.

Not only is this hardworking family and their business team making the region they call home a more attractive place with the homes and interiors they create and build, they are also shaping better

communities with their extensive civic involvement and volunteer work.

They are active in the community through membership in the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, the New River Valley Homebuilders Association, the Blacksburg Rotary Club, the South Main Merchants Association, Be Kind Blacksburg Initiative and other groups.

Giving back to their neighbors also takes the form of supporting charities and other causes.

The Ewing delegation has hosted several Souper Bowl Throwdown events. These popular fundraising gatherings have benefited such organizations as the United Way and the Blacksburg Children’s Museum.

Summer 2016 • 50

Two exciting renovation projects at Concord University are making “The Campus Beautiful” an even better place for academic and athletic endeavors. The track at Callaghan Stadium is being resurfaced and the Towers residence halls are undergoing major improvements.

TOWERS RENOVATIONS

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he North and South Towers residence halls were built in 1968 and consist of 173,500 square feet. Among the extensive renovation work being completed on the buildings is demolition of building exterior wall panels; thermal-moisture protection; new interior finishes; new windows; new bathrooms; upgrades in mechanical and electrical systems including the addition of air conditioning for the residence hall rooms; elevator renovation and updating; new roofs; and, a state-ofthe-art Wi-Fi network.

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The CU Board of Governors views the Towers renovations

Towers renovations are underway.

The project to renovate the facilities was kicked off in a ceremony on April 22, 2016 in conjunction with Concord’s Founders’ Day Festival. The projected

completion date is October 2017.

“When completed, each student living space in the Towers will offer an updated bathroom and foyer area complete with new shower and sinks. New flooring and heat/air conditioner units are being installed in each space,” said Rick Dillon, Concord University Vice President of Administration and Associate

Dean of Students. “Double pane windows will replace original single pane units and all bedrooms will be painted. Each residence hall will also receive elevator and IT upgrades to include the latest version of Wi-Fi networking.”

Silling Associates, based in Charleston, W.Va., is the architectural firm for the renovation project.

TRACK REPLACEMENT

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ork is underway on CU’s track to give the facility a new surface.

The replacement project began on May 9, 2016 and is scheduled to be completed on Aug 5, 2016.

Among the work being done is removing the surface and milling down the asphalt underneath, putting down new asphalt and the creation of a new, high quality surface.

“With the new track we hope to once again host collegiate and high school events, bringing potential students, alumni, donors and friends to our beautiful campus,” said Kevin Garrett, Concord University Athletic Director.

The entire track replacement project is being funded through donations. Benefactors of the project include: the Hugh I. Shott, Jr. Foundation, the Preservati Family Charitable Trust Foundation, the June Oblinger Shott Foundation, The

A new track coming August 2016!

Pace Family Foundation, and Donnie and Linda Holcomb.

Beynon Sports Surfaces, Inc., of Hunt Valley, Md. is the contractor for the project. Jim Christie with Larson Design Group located in Morgantown, W.Va. is serving as the architect.

To follow the progress of the track replacement project, visit the Concord University Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ concorduniversity Summer 2016 • 52

Heritage & Horizon Golden Alumnus Deborah Gore Gillespie ’74 Maintains Longstanding and Faithful Dedication to CU he Golden Alumnus award is given to a CUAA member who has contributed his or her time and talents to Concord University and the CUAA with no less than 25 years of service to the Concord community.

This year’s honoree, Deborah Gore Gillespie, is exemplary in her dedication and service to her fellow alums and to CU. She goes above and beyond whenever asked to help with events, chair a committee, or promote association and local chapter activities always adding her special touches of charm, grace and hard work to every gathering she helps plan and to every office she holds.

Her involvement in the CUAA runs deep with service on the Executive Council where she has been an active member of numerous committees. She is a member of the Pine Trees Alumni Chapter serving as secretary, vice-president, and for the last five terms, as chapter president.

In 2013, the Alumni Association honored her with the Alumnus of the Year award.

Gillespie explains why she believes it is important for alumni to remain involved in the life of Concord University and to support the Alumni Association.

“If you don’t have alumni that are willing to give their time and effort to work toward keeping the Alumni Association active, soon there would be no association,” she said. “People need to give back to the institution that gave them their start in professional life,” she said.

“As former President Marsh said, ‘Come to Learn. Go to Serve.’ What better way to serve than volunteering as alumni in any way you can.”

Gillespie says that current Concord students benefit from the involvement of alumni in the life of the University.

“There are many ways that the alumni can assist students and the Advancement team. By lending our support to CU it is for the betterment of the students currently attending,” she said.

Along with her leadership roles in the Pine Trees Alumni Chapter, Gillespie’s involvement with the organization includes supporting the chapter’s scholarship program.

“One of our goals has been to give a $2000 scholarship to a freshman from Mercer County. We rotate that choice between the four county high schools each year,” she said.

“Another goal of our chapter is to enhance the

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Deborah Gillespie '74 receives the Golden Alumnus award University activities by our support and attendance of these events,” she explained.

Gillespie shares what makes Concord a special place to her.

“I grew up in Athens. Concord was always a part of my growing up. Local people attended cultural and athletic events at the college,” she said. “Many of my classmates in school had a connection to Concord because their parents taught there. Many of those classmates’ parents I had later as professors.

“There was always a cohesive relationship between the town of Athens and the Concord community,” she said.

Deborah was born and raised in Mercer County and

Heritage & Horizon after graduating from Athens High School in 1971, she came to Concord where she earned not one, but two degrees.

The first, a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, which she received in 1974, was followed by a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1977. Continuing her education, she obtained a master’s degree in Speech Communication from West Virginia University in 1983 and completed 45-plus graduate hours certification.

“People need to give back to the institution that gave them their start in professional life. As former President Marsh said, ‘Come to Learn. Go to Serve.’ What better way to serve than volunteering as alumni in any way you can.”

Deborah Gore Gillespie ’74

Her career as an educator spanned more than three decades. She taught in the primary grades in Mercer County schools including Glenwood, Thorn and Athens.

During this time she was nominated as an outstanding teacher.

Gillespie says that a Concord degree holds clout in her profession.

“I graduated with a BSW and then completed a second degree in Elem. Ed.,” she said. “At that time, a graduate from Concord in education had no trouble in finding employment. Concord has always had a reputation for their academic programs and graduates.”

Reminiscing about her days as a Concord student, Deborah says that campus activities stand out in her mind.

“I think the best memories were of the student activities that were available to us in the early ’70s.

There was always a play, game, dance, social, concert, art exhibit, something, almost every weekend for students to attend,” she said. “This was not a suitcase college.

Students didn’t go home on the weekends, they stayed on campus to participate in the activities and events.”

The atmosphere on campus at the time was also different than how it is today, Deborah notes.

“Students were so mature then, (with) lots of servicemen coming back from Korea and Vietnam.

These men had been in a war and were very serious and intent on completing their college education,” she said. “Everyone dressed more professionally, especially on Wednesdays when the fraternities would wear dress shirts and ties and sororities would wear their sorority colors and pins.”

A member of Delta Zeta National sorority, Deborah is a 37-year member of Beta Sigma Phi International sorority and is presently in the West Virginia Alpha Mu Master chapter. She is a past member of Delta Kappa Gamma society.

Her community and civic involvement extends to membership in the West Virginia Retired School Employee Association, the Red Hat Society and as a charter member of Butterfly Sisters. She is a leader in her church and resides in Princeton with her husband, George.

DID YOU KNOW?

Concord University’s mission is to provide a quality education, to foster scholarly activities, and to serve the regional community. The mission is summed up in the words of former President J. Franklin Marsh Sr.: “Come to Learn. Go to Serve.” This has become a Concord motto.

For more on Concord traditions, please visit http://www.concord.edu/advancement/concord-pride-our-traditions

COME TO LEARN. GO TO SERVE.

Summer 2016 • 54

Heritage & Horizon Outstanding Career and Community Involvement Recognized With Presentation of Young Alumnus Award to Four Alums The Young Alumnus Award was created in 2012 as a way to honor young alumni who have demonstrated distinctive achievement in a career, civic involvement or both and who have not been out of college more than 15 years. Four individuals have received this recognition for 2016. They are: Jared Tice ’06, Christy Laxton ’04, Wendy Holdren ’11, and Sean Noland ’07.

Jared Tice ’06

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ared Tice was a campus leader during his time at Concord. He served as President and Secretary of the Student Government Association; President of the Student Organization for the Understanding of Politics; and Vice President and Chair of the Rush and Recruitment and Public Relations committees for his fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon.

His involvement outside of the classroom also included serving on the Student Activities Committee and as a Freshman Orientation Leader along with being part of the men’s tennis team. He also found time in his busy schedule to be a manager of the Student Center and to serve on the West Virginia Advisory Council of Students.

Tice graduated from Concord in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration. Continuing his education, he earned a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration from West Virginia University in 2008 while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. While he was at WVU, he was a graduate assistant in the Office of Teacher Education.

He has risen through the ranks in his professional career in higher education. He worked at West Virginia Northern Community College in Wheeling as the Student Activities Program Coordinator and then relocated to Wilson, N.C. to work at Barton College.

Currently serving as Barton’s Dean of Students, he is the senior judicial hearing officer with responsibilities extending to supervision of the Office of Student Activities, Greek Life, Intramural Sports, New Student Programs, and Parent and Family Relations.

Jared says his Concord education has greatly influenced his work today with college students.

“The education, inside and outside the classroom, I received at Concord University had a profound impact on my life. It is where I discovered my passion for working with and serving college students,” he said.

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“It introduced to me a world I never knew existed.

Much of who I am and my approach to students can be directly attributed to my experiences, my mentors, and my involvement on ‘The Campus Beautiful.’”

Reflecting on his CU days, Jared says this time in his life is especially memorable.

Jared Tice '06

“Nearly every Concord memory and moment I had could be listed as a ‘best’ moment, even the moments when I stumbled or even failed. Concord taught me to learn from all my experiences,” he said.

“Joining Tau Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity and the bonds I had with the active brothers and alumni especially at Homecoming, Greek Week, and Lip-Sync stand out the most,” he said.

“Additionally, serving as Student Government Association President and working on issues pertinent to the students and advocating on behalf of them was really rewarding.”

Tice teaches on the college level and has a number of conference presentations, committee memberships and professional organization memberships to his credit.

He has been honored by the National Orientation Directors Association and received the Advisor of the Year Award from Barton College. For his contributions to making a significant difference in the lives of students, he is the recipient of the 2016 Spirit of Barton Award, the highest staff award at the College.

Tice was named the Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority 2015 National Fraternity/Sorority Advisor of the Year.

This award is given annually to honor a fraternity/ sorority advisor for significant contributions to the

Heritage & Horizon Greek system on a campus where a Sigma Sigma Sigma chapter is located. This is the first time a Barton College fraternity/sorority advisor has received this award.

His volunteer work includes serving as secretary and treasurer of the West Virginia Collegiate Flag Football Association and the Ohio Valley Collegiate Flag Football Association. He continues to be involved with Tau Kappa Epsilon on the chapter, state, national and international levels. The fraternity’s Iota-Xi Chapter recognized him as Alumnus of the Year 2016

in recognition of outstanding service and dedication to the undergraduate chapter and the international fraternity.

The CU Alumni Association benefits from his service as an Executive Council member and a Lifetime member.

“My alumni experience has been amazing with Concord and I continue to create new Concord memories every time I step foot back onto campus,” he said.

Wendy Holdren ’11

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endy Holdren is making her mark in the world of journalism. As a student at Concord, she showed a passion for writing and reporting that has translated into her successful career as a reporter in southern West Virginia.

During her Concord days, Wendy worked for The Concordian for three years including serving as Editorin-Chief of this student publication. She also completed a journalism practicum in CU’s Advancement Office assisting with public relations and marketing. She was responsible for writing press releases about Concord news and events. Her enthusiasm for her assignments and her willingness to suggest story ideas on her own displayed professionalism and dedication.

“Some of my best memories at Concord were with my fellow staff writers at The Concordian,” she said.

“We spent some late Tuesday nights together editing and designing the weekly publication. We all shared a common interest of putting out a quality student newspaper, but we had lots of fun during the process — listening to music, playing games and sharing stories.”

Her involvement in campus life extended to other activities as well. “I was briefly a member of the sorority Sigma Sigma Sigma, and I enjoyed participating in civic events on campus, such as A Day Without Shoes and Red Hand Day,” she said.

Looking back at her not too distant time at Concord, Wendy says, “I’ll also never forget the beauty of the campus, no matter the season.”

Holdren graduated from Concord in May 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with an emphasis in journalism and writing. Furthering her education, she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in interactive media at the University of Missouri located in Columbia, Missouri.

Since November of 2011, this award recipient has

worked for The RegisterHerald newspaper in Beckley, W.Va. Her primary reporting focus is court coverage, but her by-line also appears with articles across a variety of topics from breaking news and investigative pieces to profiles, entertainment, lifestyles and more. She has also worked as a Wendy Holdren '11 freelance writer and has had personality profiles published in Wonderful West Virginia magazine.

“I received an excellent education at Concord, but what stood out to me the most was the professors and their willingness to go above and beyond in their guidance,” she said. “I started at Concord planning to go into the medical field, but after receiving encouragement from Jenni Canterbury, a former communications professor, I joined the student newspaper.

“From there, Lindsey Akers helped me grow in my role with the paper as I moved from staff writer to section editor to editor-in-chief. Rosalie Peck saw my passion for journalism, and has helped me in more ways than I can say. She even continues to offer guidance today, and her encouragement is the main reason I recently decided to go to graduate school.

Without Concord and its professors, I would not be where I am today,” she said.

Holdren has been recognized professionally on both the state and national levels. The West Virginia Press Association has honored her on two occasions, once for “Best Coverage of Legal Issues/The Courts” and again with an award for “Best In-Depth or Investigative Reporting.” This year, she has added to her accolades by being named a National Press Foundation

Summer 2016 • 56

Heritage & Horizon Fellowship Recipient for “Confronting the Opioid Epidemic” training in Baltimore.

Wendy says her involvement in the community is an extension of her work with the newspaper.

“I feel deeply engaged with the community in which I live through my work with The Register-Herald.

Sharing information about fundraisers and events for

non-profit organizations and local charities is one way I try to help,” she said.

Wendy also volunteers to help animals in need. “In my spare time, I also love to volunteer at the Humane Society of Raleigh County by walking shelter dogs,” she said.

Christy Laxton ’04

C

hristy Laxton is a lifelong resident of Wyoming County West Virginia. Her love for her home county is evident in her professional career and in the many community and civic activities she tirelessly undertakes to make her community a better place.

She has been employed for more than 14 years by the Wyoming County Economic Development Authority (EDA). Christy was hired by the EDA in November 2001 during her sophomore year at Concord.

“I was hired as the grant and loan program coordinator at the EDA. They had received funding to assist those businesses that had been flooded in the July 2001 floods throughout Wyoming County,” she said.

“My education at Concord was crucial to assisting me with understanding the loan and grant processes and be knowledgeable in preparing loan applications packages which included business plans and cash flows, underwriting loans, and applying for grants,” she said.

“I became Assistant Executive Director of the organization after graduation at Concord and in December of 2005, I became the Executive Director of the Wyoming County EDA at the age of 23.”

Among her responsibilities with the EDA are managing fiscal and administrative processes related to receipt and expenditure of funds; promotion of Wyoming County in southern West Virginia; marketing the county to outside business interests; grant writing; and representing the county in regional and state initiatives.

Laxton earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Concord in May of 2004. A cum laude graduate, her majors were Accounting and Finance. She was awarded the Collegiate All-American Scholar Award by the United States Achievement Academy and was certified as an Economic Development Finance Professional in May 2010.

“My education has influenced my career greatly,” Laxton says of her Concord degree.

“I have used my education that I received from

57 • Summer 2016

Concord on a day-to-day basis in my career,” she said.

“Not only with the expertise of accounting, finance, and communication skills, but being surrounded by a great environment at Concord makes you feel that you can succeed in everything that you do. Everyone at Concord encouraged me to be the best that I could be.”

Christy Laxton '04

Along with her time in the classroom at Concord, Christy values the friendships she made. “I lived in a triple room in Wilson Hall when I was a freshman,” she said. “We had great memories from being in that triple from late night conversations with each other to sharing a computer and a telephone and making great new friends.”

“I played softball at Concord as well and that was a great experience!” she said. “Softball was memorable on many different aspects, but getting to travel across West Virginia and going to Florida for Spring Break was the best part. I hadn’t had the privilege to travel much growing up, we were lucky to go to the local state park, but getting to travel all across the state and then going to Florida to play the sport that I loved was a dream come true.”

Today, her community and professional involvement extends to the 20 boards and committees within Wyoming County and around the state that she serves upon as a member, four of which she serves in a leadership capacity.

Naming just a few of these, she serves on the National Coal Heritage Area Authority, the Oceana and Mullens chambers of commerce, the Southern West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Region One Planning and Development Council and the West Virginia Economic Development Council.

In addition to her long list of committee and board service, Laxton has also volunteered as a t-ball coach, youth basketball coach, youth group leader at her

Heritage & Horizon church and for Junior Achievement in the school system.

For her leadership, achievements and community work, she was named a “Young Gun” by the West Virginia Executive magazine this year. Additionally, she received the Women’s Business Center

Entrepreneurship Award in 2007 and the West Virginia Brownfield Award in Economic Development in 2015.

Christy currently resides in Pineville, W.Va. with her husband of nearly 15 years and their four children.

Sean Noland ’07

"I

consider receiving the Young Alumnus Award from my alma mater this year to be a great honor,” Sean Noland said.

Sean graduated from Concord in 2007 with a double major in political science and history and a minor in pre-law. He was involved in the Student Government Association and was president of the student body during the 2006-2007 academic year.

Reflecting on his best memories from his Concord days, Sean says, “Mostly I remember working to improve student life through the Student Government Association, participating in the Phi Alpha Delta mock trial competition and meeting my wife, Ashley.”

In November of 2014 Sean and Ashley were married on Concord’s campus at University Point. They currently live in Nitro. W.Va. Sean worked for several years at Concord following graduation serving as Coordinator of Continuing Education.

Today, Sean is making a difference in the lives of fellow West Virginians through his professional career and his work with the Supreme Court of Appeals Division of Probation Services. He says there is a direct link to the work he did inside and outside the classroom as a Concord student and the work he does today.

As a student employee at Concord, he performed data analysis for the then fledgling drug court initiative of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. At this time – 2007 – there were only three drug courts in the entire state. This experience with criminal justice programs led to a job with the West Virginia Division of Justice and Community Services in 2011 evaluating and developing the state’s network of day report centers.

In 2014, Noland accepted full-time employment with the Supreme Court of Appeals Division of Probation Services working again with the state’s drug court programs as a field support specialist.

In the five years since he had last worked with the drug court program, it had expanded from three to 25 programs. Today, there are 29 in existence. It has been projected that by mid-year, all 31 judicial circuits in

the state will be served by a drug court program as a result of the coordination between his division and the judges in each circuit.

“I find the work I do highly rewarding,” he said of his successful career in civil service.

Sean says the valuable lessons he learned at Concord began from his earliest days on campus as Sean Noland '07 a freshman. As he advances through his career, he is becoming more aware of how his Concord education has benefitted him and what it continues to offer.

The ability to utilize critical thinking skills and a commitment to lifelong learning are among the important traits he saw emphasized at Concord, he explains.

“The first lessons I was taught at Concord have been the hardest to learn but the most helpful,” he said.

“On orientation day, President Beasley explained the qualities of an educated person and what it means to be a lifelong learner. I did not fully appreciate these lessons until after I began my career and could see the difference between those who exhibit these qualities and those that do not.

“When you are in a position to affect policy on a statewide level, you must be able to think critically and see past what seems to be the ‘common sense solution.’

Often the best solution lies beyond the common sense solution,” he said. “One must be willing to explore the counter intuitive or more nuanced option. It is often challenging to do this because of our own biases and preexisting notions. The reward is not only a better outcome at work, but the personal growth one experiences as a result.”

Sean is an active member of Generation Charleston and serves on the group’s policy committee. His pastimes include cooking, running and golfing.

Summer 2016 • 58

Class Notes Achievements

Joe Roles '55

Joe B. Roles ’55 told the story of “Mary Jane’s War” to the West Virginia State Society of Washington, D.C. on Feb. 3, 2016.

The presentation was held in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. Among those in attendance were West Virginia senators, congressmen and a representative of the Governor’s Office. Roles outlined the benefits of publicity and film-induced tourism for southern West Virginia.

Robert B. “Ben” Crawford ’58 was recognized for volunteer service as a Leading Light for his leadership in founding the Kiwanis Club of Blacksburg, the Community Foundation of New River Valley, and numerous volunteer roles including the Boy Scouts, 4-H, Ruritan and AARP. New River Valley Leading Lights recognizes volunteers who are making community-changing impacts through volunteer service and who serve as models to inspire others. The award winners are recognized at the spring banquet with a plaque, a certificate and a substantial monetary donation to the non-profit of their choice. Crawford, nominated by the Blacksburg Chapter of AARP, was among 69 nominees.

Mark Wills ’77 has been appointed by West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin to serve as Circuit Court Judge for the state’s 9th Judicial District. The position was vacated by Omar Aboulhosn ’89 who resigned to accept a position as United States Magistrate Judge. Wills was also the winner of the contest for the circuit court judgeship in May’s election.

This victory had him set to take office on Jan. 1 of next year.

Wills, a native of Princeton, W.Va., graduated from the West Virginia University School of Law. He is an attorney at Wills Law Office in Princeton and has served in the West Virginia House of Delegates and in the West Virginia Senate.

Teresa Barton ’83 was named the 2016 West Virginia Outstanding Biology Teacher. Barton, who teaches at PikeView High School in Mercer County, also received the award in 2006. In conjunction with the West Virginia Science Teachers Association and Prentice Hall, the honor is presented through the National Association of Biology Teachers. Barton has taught science for 33 years including 19 years in Monroe County.

Kenneth Polk '87 59 • Summer 2016

Kenneth Polk ’87 has been named senior accountant to the NFL Carolina Panthers Finance Department. Ken has been employed by the organization since July 1993, three months before the NFL awarded the franchise to what was then

Richardson Sports. He is currently the longest tenured employee on staff.

Jodi Tibbs ’87 is the Vice President of Regional Operations for Bankers Insurance in Virginia.

David Tibbs ’88 is the Activities Director at Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton, Va.

DeWayne Taylor ’92 announces the release of his book “Sacred Daggers.” The Pit Viper Mystery is available through Amazon in both paperback and ebook. Taylor, who lives in Princeton, W.Va., is a 15-year employee of the United States Postal Service. He is currently the Lead Sales and Service Associate at the Athens, W.Va. post office.

Greg Puckett ’93, County Commissioner, has been recognized by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for environmental work on behalf of the Mercer County Commission. Puckett and the Commission received the Environmental Stewardship award, one of the agency’s 2016 Environmental Awards.

Marla Bell ’06 was named the 2016-17 Greenbrier County (W.Va.) Teacher of the Year. She is an art teacher at White Sulphur Springs and Frankford elementary schools. Bell has worked as an itinerant art teacher in Greenbrier County since 2006, serving several of the county’s elementary schools.

Nathan Quick ’06 has been selected a Distinguished Alum of Case Western Law School. He will be honored at an upcoming gathering at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and will be a guest lecturer. Nathan interned in the Mercer County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Marla Bell '06

Sarah A. Justus ’11 graduated as a Doctor of Pharmacy from the Appalachian College of Pharmacy in May 2015. While she was a student at Concord, Sarah was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority and participated in study abroad programs to India and Puerto Rico. She has also completed a five-week rotation in the Dominican Republic providing pharmaceutical care.

Sarah is currently a full-time staff pharmacist for Walmart Pharmacy in Salem, Va. Ashley Noland ’11 has been named director of development for Recovery Point of Huntington. Her responsibilities will include fundraising and corporate development for Recovery Point facilities in Kanawha, Cabell and Mercer counties. With locations in Huntington and Bluefield, Recovery Point is a long-term, residential recovery program. Another location in Charleston plans to open soon. HER Place in Huntington is also part of Recovery Point and offers peer support for women. Noland has previously worked with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission as a program specialist involved in education and health efforts in West

Class Notes

Success Story!

Mary Liljequist '77 Grows Successful Business with Persistence and Creativity Mary Liljequist of Raleigh, N.C. has grown an interest in gardening into a successful landscape design business. Her firm, Earthly Delights, specializes in residential design.

The groundwork for Earthly Delights began when Liljequist was determined to rebuild the landscaping at her own home following a tornado in 1988. Realizing she needed to upgrade her skills before she could tackle the project, she took a landscaping class at a community college, and then signed up for another as her interest grew.

When her pharmaceutical job ended due to corporate restructuring, she turned the situation into an opportunity for a career change.

She furthered her education by earning an associate degree in applied science and landscape architecture technology. Along the way, Liljequist also worked for two landscaping companies before launching Earthly Delights in 2003.

Today, she creates the designs for Earthly Delights clients, then serves as the contract administrator and manages the subcontractors as the projects are completed.

Mary Liljequist ’77 and a sampling of her Earthly Delights creations

SUCCESS STORY:

Please send us news of your success in business, career, community service, etc. Photos are welcome as well. Contributions may be emailed to advancement@concord.edu or mailed to Concord University, Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712.

Wedding

Virginia. She has also been employed with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. She holds a master’s degree in integrated marketing communication in addition to her degree from Concord.

Andrew Evans ’16 has been elected to the Monroe County Board of Education. At 23 years of age, he is the youngest individual to be elected to this office in the history of Monroe County.

Rebekah Lynch and Patrick Kania '90

Patrick Kania ’90 and Rebekah Lynch were married on Aug. 8, 2015 in Lancaster, S.C. The couple are the proud parents of Abbie Kania 17, Kamryn Lynch 16, and Greyson Kania 15. Patrick, a Sigma Tau Gamma alum, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Travel Industry Management. He is the Manager of Evans Petroleum Company in Lancaster, S.C.

Summer 2016 • 60

Class Notes Concord Classmates Receive Medical Degrees Four 2012 Concord alums recently received degrees from the West Virginia University School of Medicine. They are: Dustin Syvertson, Emily Fridenmaker, Paige Cook, and Levi Stevens. Dustin will be doing his residency at the University of North Carolina in pathology, Emily in internal medicine at CAMC, Paige in internal medicine/pediatrics at Ruby Memorial in Morgantown, and Levi in Otolaryngology at Ruby Memorial.

Shown from left to right: Dustin Syvertson, Emily Fridenmaker, Paige Cook, and Levi Stevens.

Births Tam Mallory ’68 and wife Linda Mallory of Charleston, W.Va., are pleased to announce the birth of their first grandchild, Odin James Curtis. Odin was born on July 27, 2015 and resides with his parents Heather Mallory Curtis and James “Jae” Curtis in Poolesville, Md.

Sarah Baker Bailey ’08 and Nicholas Shawn Bailey of Bluefield, Va. announce the birth of their son, Stone Douglas, on Jan. 15, 2016. Maternal grandparents are Dr. John ’68 and Carol Little ’71 Baker of Princeton, W.Va. Paternal grandparents are Doug and Debbie Bailey also of Princeton.

Passings

Frances Marie Moody ’44: March 16, 2016. She was born on May 15, 1922 in McComas, W.Va. to Arthur and Della Gilmore Moody. She was a resident of Princeton, W.Va. She is survived by her sister Betty J. Moody of Princeton and many cousins including Dianna Alvis and husband Danny of Athens, W.Va., Sarah Avellar and husband Joe of Williamsburg, Va., and Danny Shumate and wife Becky of Rockledge, Fla. She was an accomplished musician and educator, much loved and admired by her students, associates, family and friends.

She received a bachelor’s degree from Concord College and a Master of Arts Degree from Columbia University, N.Y. in 1948.

She began her career as choir director at Princeton High

61 • Summer 2016

School (1944 to 1961) where she founded the Princeton High School Madrigals and wrote the PHS Alma Mater. She then joined the faculty at Fairmont State College, Fairmont, W.Va. (1961-1984) where she was choral director, music education specialist, organ and piano specialist and emeritus professor. She served as president of the West Virginia American Choral Directors Frances Moody '44 (1967-1968). She was a recipient of Women of the Year, Gamma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma in 1970 and was chosen for the Choral Seminar at the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts in 1975. She was a member of Music Educators National Conference, American Choral Directors Association, and Concord’s Alumni Association. She was also guest director and accompanist for Choral Place Festivals (Honey in the Rock), West Virginia, (1968-1975). She was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Princeton, where she served as organist. She also served as organist at the Princeton Baptist Church for several years.

She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority and the Princeton Delphian Club.

Class Notes BB&T Promotes Business Division Alums Shane Carosi ’03 has been promoted to Market President at BB&T’s Robert C Byrd Drive location in Beckley, W.Va. Carosi brings more than 15 years in the banking industry to his new role. The Princeton, W.Va., native earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Concord University and a Graduate Degree in Banking from Stonier at the University of Pennsylvania.

Aaron Kemlock ’05 has been promoted to Business Services Officer at the Robert C Byrd Drive location. Kemlock brings more than five years in the banking industry to his new role. The Oak Hill, W.Va., native earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Concord University and a Master’s in Education from Marymount University.

Concord alums Jeremy Ayers ’09, Mortgage Loan Officer, and Karen Ewing ’94, Market Leader, are also based at the Robert C Byrd branch.

William Jackson Hartman ’47: May 19, 2016. Born April 22, 1924 in Athens, he was the son of the late Arthur A. Hartman and Bertha Sue Duncan Hartman. He was a 1942 graduate of Athens High School and graduated from Concord College with a B.S. degree in Education. In 1952, Bill graduated from West Virginia University with a master’s degree in Education William Hartman '47 and Administration. He was a U.S. Navy veteran serving in World War II in the Amphibious Forces where he earned the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with star in the Philippine Liberation.

He also earned the Emblem of Amphibious Forces, American Theater Ribbon and the WW II Victory Medal while serving on the USS LST 452. A resident of Athens, he was a member of the Athens Baptist Church. Bill was a member of the West Virginia Retired Teachers Association, Concord College Alumni Association, member and Past Master of Concord Masonic Lodge #48, AF & AM, and Past Grand Lodge Master.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille Goode Hartman; one sister, Margaret Jewell; two brothers, Raymond D. Hartman and Arthur A. Hartman, Jr; and one son-in-law, George G. Dickerson, Jr. Survivors include one daughter, Suzanne H. Dickerson of New York, N.Y.; one

Aaron Kemlock '05 (left) and Shane Carosi '03 (right)

grandchild, Erin Amarantha Dickerson; one brother-inlaw, Paul Greer of Lewisburg, W.Va.; and several nieces and nephews.

Jack Richmond, Sr. ’48: February 27, 2016. A resident of Beaver, W.Va., he was born on June 6, 1921 to the late Harvey and Etta Vest Richmond, and was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Jack graduated from Shady Spring High School in 1940, where he was active in sports, and for several years held the 100 yard dash record (10.2 seconds).

He was in the army and stationed mostly in the Philippines during World War II. Upon his return after service, he completed his college degree at Concord and then taught at SSHS his entire career. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of almost 60 years, Josephine Harris Richmond; brothers, Lacy, William, Robert, Harold, Harvey Jr., John and Oren; sisters, Esta, Eunice, and Wilma; son-in-law, Fred Hayes. Those left to cherish his memory include his son, Jack Richmond, Jr. and wife Linda; daughters, Shirley Hayes and Sheila Ellis, all of Beaver; grandsons, Jeff Hayes, David Richmond and wife Tami; granddaughter, Theresa Whittaker and husband George; greatgrandchildren, Brian, Tyler, and Megan Richmond, Preslei and Brylee Whittaker; sister-in-law, Rosemary Richmond and a host of nieces and nephews.

Martha Elizabeth Link Phelps ’50: February 4, 2016. A resident of Ronda, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Posey Lester and Anna Lee Hackworth Link. She was born

Summer 2016 • 62

Class Notes in Crow, W.Va. on February 2, 1927. She was a member of Dawes United Methodist Church for more than 50 years, a Sunday school teacher, and secretary for the Dawes United Methodist Women. She taught school in both Raleigh and Kanawha counties. She taught at Dorothy and Pettus elementary schools in Raleigh County and Wet Branch, Ohley, and Sharon Dawes elementary schools in Kanawha County.

Her teaching career spanned 33 years. She enjoyed traveling and was an avid reader. Martha graduated from Shady Spring High School as the valedictorian on May 26, 1944.

She continued her education at Concord College and became a school teacher. She started her teaching career in 1946 at Dorothy Elementary School in Raleigh County, West Virginia.

While working at Dorothy, she met a young man, Ashford Phelps, who became her husband. They were married on May 23, 1952 and parted only by his death on May 27, 2007.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, as well as sisters, Frances Scott, Geneva Rupe, Legatha Furrow, and Maude Jordan, also brothers, Paul Link and Howard Link. Surviving are her son, Gerald “Robert” Phelps and wife, Bonnie of Dry Branch, also daughters, Karen Gray, and husband, Michael of Belle, and Mary Jane Willis, and husband, Charles “Chuck” of Charleston. She also had three granddaughters, Amy Jo Sowards, and husband, John of Saint Albans, Pam Carroll, and husband, Brian of Belle, as well as Cassie Cochrane, and husband, Chris of Hilton Head, S.C. She had four great-grandchildren: Alyssa Sowards, Bryson Sowards, Mallory Carroll, and Reagan Cochrane. Also surviving are a brother, Jerry Link and his wife, Jean, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla. and sister, Patricia Campbell of Crow, W.Va. Her family also includes several nieces and nephews.

Virginia Mae Maddy ’51: March 1, 2016. Born July 22, 1931 at Bertha, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Opie Byrd and Georgia Grace Young Honaker. Virginia Mae was a Hinton High School graduate and attended Concord College. At the age of 19, she was a volunteer for the Cancer Society and served on the state board. She also helped transport cancer patients to area hospitals for treatment.

Virginia Maddy '51 She worked extensively to do fundraising with WV Crippled Children’s Society. She was past president of Junior Women’s Club and earned Outstanding Junior Woman of the Year. She was the national award winner for Purple Patch for the American Cancer Society. She was retired from the Summers County Board of Education with 24 years of service, having worked at various schools in Summers County and also worked two years for HeadStart. She was instrumental in inspiring Summers County to gain their first speech therapist. She was a caregiver to her husband and mother in later years. A resident of Hinton, Virginia was a member of Bellepoint Baptist Church in Hinton. She was 63 • Summer 2016

preceded in death by her husband, Bob J. Maddy. Survivors include two daughters, Cathy Deeds Richmond and husband Johnnie of Talcott and Ann Deeds Jacobs of Venice, Fla. Four grandchildren, Michael S. Smith of Venice, Jennifer Sisson and husband J.R. of Quantico, Va., John Richmond and Julie of Salem, W.Va. and Allison Williams and husband Joseph of Charleston, W.Va. Five great-grandchildren also survive.

Walter Franklin “Buddy” Farrish, Jr. ’55: March 31, 2016.

Born March 6, 1933 in Oak Hill, W.Va. he was the son of the late Walter Franklin and Wanda Elizabeth Burruss Farrish, Sr. Buddy was a 1951 graduate of Collins High School in Oak Hill and a graduate of Concord College. As a successful businessman, Walt retired from IBM having worked as a marketer for 25 years. He and Peggy owned General Business Service in Oak Hill. He was a resident of Oak Hill. Other than his family Walt had two great loves in his life – music and the sea. He leaves behind his adoring family which includes his loving wife, Margaret “Peggy” McClaskey Farrish; his four children, Joy Farrish of Oak Hill, Beth Ann Farrish Frommer of Jensen Beach, Fla.; Amy Jo Farrish of Oak Hill and Walter F. Farrish, III of Oak Hill; and grandchildren, Maris Quinn Frommer, Samantha Nibert, Dawson Nibert, and Walter F. Farrish, IV.

Charles Bert Davis ’57: January 19, 2016. Born April 23, 1929 in Bluefield, W.Va., Charlie was the son of Charles Bert Davis, Sr. and Pearl Estelle Lester Allison.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather Lofton “Al” Allison, his sister Juanita “Nita” Davis Thacker and her husband, Harry Thacker. A lifelong musician, Charlie’s love and passion for music began in third grade when he started playing percussion instruments. He continued to play percussion in band through Charles Davis '57 high school and graduated from Beaver High School in 1948. From high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and graduated from the Navy School of Music in Washington, D.C. before serving in the Navy Band aboard the Aircraft Carrier Franklin D. Roosevelt. While in D.C., he met a charming young lady from Pennsylvania who worked for the FBI. That chance meeting through a friend led to a wedding in August of 1950 when Charlie Davis married the love of his life, Louise Bush. To this union, three children were born, Deborah, Donald, and David. Following military discharge, Charlie entered Concord College on the GI Bill and a scholarship from Bluefield Symphony Orchestra. While at Concord, he participated in the symphony, taught percussion classes, and played percussion in the marching band, with the Concord Commanders, and in a top 40 band called The Mood Lenders. Concurrently, Charlie ran a television and radio repair business for two stores in Bluefield. Charlie received a bachelor’s degree in music and psychology from Concord and began his education career in Clifton Forge schools.

Class Notes Hired to direct band and supervise public school music when there was no band, no music, and no equipment, Charlie was asked by the superintendent to start a band. Charlie did that and more. He started a system-wide program of music education. While in Clifton Forge, Charlie participated in the Roanoke Symphony, served as Minister of Music at Clifton Forge Baptist Church and was chosen to play percussion in the All American Band Directors Band in Chicago. In 1960, Charlie was hired as band director at Dublin High School. He led the Duke band on to receive superior ratings in multiple competitions. Under his direction, the Duke band was chosen to represent the Lions of Virginia at the International Lions Convention Parade in New York City. Charlie earned a master’s degree in education administration from Virginia Tech, taking classes at VA Tech, UVA, and Radford College.

He moved from directing the Dublin High School band to be the assistant principal and later the principal at Dublin High School. When Dublin High School and Pulaski High School merged to form Pulaski County High School in 1974, Charlie moved to the central office as Director of Vocational Education where he worked to develop the vocational and technical programs at Pulaski County High School. Two years after it opened, the PCHS vocational program was one of the most successful programs in Virginia. While working for Pulaski County School system, Charlie played in the Otey Warren band in Roanoke and later with the Old Pros at NRCC. Charlie eventually became the director of the Old Pros. Charlie retired from the Pulaski County School System in 1991. In retirement, he continued to be involved in music, playing in his band with a group of friends and conducting sing–alongs at Dublin United Methodist church where he was a member since 1960. Charlie was a well-rounded, intelligent, renaissance man. He excelled at leadership and music, as well as car, home, and appliance repair, technology and electronics, building projects, and the art of gardening.

He had an eye for beauty and a keen sense of humor. Charlie Davis was a Lifetime member of the Dublin Lions Club, in active membership for over 50 years. He loved volunteering at the fair with the Lion Dog stand and cherished his friendships forged over the years of community action and service. Charlie Davis will be greatly missed. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 66 years Louise Bush Davis; three children and their spouses: Deborah Davis Allen (Garry) of Richmond, Va., Dr. Donald L. Davis DDS (Sharon) of Troy N.C., and David L. Davis (Rita) of Durham, N.C.; two grandchildren: Kay Allen of Fairfax, Va., and Dr. Greg Davis of Washington, D.C.; an uncle, John Thomas of Bluefield; a cousin, Ann Johnson (Johnny) of Bluefield; nieces, Pat Cox and Nancy Bailey (Steve) of Bluefield; a community of faithful friends and neighbors; and his furry friend, Minnie.

Darrell Kenneth Cales ’58: February 17, 2016. Born February 1, 1930 at Green Sulphur Springs, W.Va., he was the son of the late Clarence M. and Edna M. Clay Cales. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by an infant brother Gordon Cales, his brother Claude Cales and a sister Beulah. Darrell was a graduate of Sandstone High School. He proudly served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War, stationed in New York. He attended the Bluefield Business

College and Concord College, earning his bachelor’s degree.

He was accepted and graduated from the first dental class at West Virginia University, graduating in 1962. He also was an employee of the C&O Railway, while earning his degrees, working out of Hinton. He began private practice in August 1962, and practiced dentistry for over 50 years in Rainelle.

He was of the Baptist faith, and attended First Baptist Church in Hinton. Darrell was a member of the Shriner’s Club, the Hinton Elks Lodge, Knights Templar and the Athens Chapter of the Masonic Lodge. He also was a lifelong member of the WVU School of Dentistry Alumni and the American Dental Association. He was one of the founders and served many years on the Board of Directors of First State Bank and Trust in Rainelle, and later the board of City National Bank in Charleston. He was a former owner of Center Chevrolet and WRRL radio station, both in Rainelle. “Doc,” as known by so many, was a people person. Not really having any hobbies, his love was talking and interacting with people. Many a patient and friend sat with him in his office or at Center Chevrolet and shared a cup of coffee while talking of the good times as well as the bad. He helped many family members, families, students, churches, towns, and those down on their luck with his generosity in 50 years of dental practice. As an employer, he provided jobs through his business ventures, not just his dental practice but Center Chevrolet, Traveler’s Inn, Burger Box, just to name a few. One would be hard pressed to find a better example of the American Dream than “Doc” Cales.

A lifelong bachelor, he is survived by his faithful longtime companion Marilyn McGuire and her daughters, Carol Crookshanks of Rainelle and Renee Whitmore of Oak Hill; one sister, June Willey of Hinton; four nephews, Gerald Cales of Scottsdale, Ariz., David Cales of South Charleston, Larry Pennington of Wirtz, Va. and Jerry Pennington of Rainelle; and one niece, Kathy Spencer of Hurricane.

Bernard B. Hamrick ’62: April 17, 2016. He was born April 8, 1938 in Marlinton, a son of the late Charles Page and Nelie Florence Chestnut Hamrick. Mr. Hamrick earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Concord College and his master’s from Florida Atlantic University. Bernie was a retired teacher and coached basketball and golf at Miramar High School in Hollywood, Fla. The gymnasium at Miramar High was named in his honor. He Bernard Hamrick '62 was of the Presbyterian faith, a member of the Lewisburg Elks Club, and a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves. He was a resident of Lewisburg, W.Va. In addition to his parents, Bernie was preceded in death by sisters, Jerry Shanklin, Catherine Spurlock and Marilyn Bennett; and brothers Page Hamrick, Jr. and Virle Hamrick. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Betty Gale Russell Hamrick; daughter Lynn Gayle Vanlderstyne (Richard); grandson, Daniel B. Smading; sister,

Summer 2016 • 64

Class Notes Virginia Dent; brother, Frank Hamrick; many nieces and nephews.

Mary Frances Garten Hunter ’64: January 15, 2016. A resident of Collinsville, Va., she was born in Beaver, W.Va., on October 10, 1933, to the late Dorsie Cyrus Garten, Sr., and Annie May Garten Pack. In addition to her parents Mary was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Ruth Ann Hunter Sanders, and two brothers, Dorsie Cyrus “DC” Garten, Jr., and Kenneth Ray “Ken” Garten. She is survived by her son, Bruce W. Hunter and his wife, Susan, two granddaughters, Angela Sanders Morris and Mary Elizabeth Hunter, and one brother, Robert W. “Bob” Garten and his wife, Sue, along with several nieces and nephews. After passing entrance exams at Beckley Jr. College as a high school sophomore, she was allowed to enroll without having finished high school. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Education at Concord College and a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling at the University of Virginia. Mary touched many lives in positive ways over the years as a teacher and guidance counselor in the Henry County school system. She was always delighted and encouraged when she encountered former students out in the community during the 20 years following her retirement. Mary also found great joy and fulfillment in various positions of service as a Christ-follower at Villa Heights Baptist Church where she worshiped most of her adult life. She served that community of faith many years as an adult Sunday school teacher and deacon and felt particularly called to visit and minister to those who were no longer able to participate regularly in church activities and ministries due to illness or advanced years.

James David Toler ’66: February 15, 2016. A resident of Kopperston, W.Va., he was born July 25, 1944. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Maxine Toler and his mother-in-law, Freda Nottingham. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Connie Nottingham Toler; two brothers, Michael Toler and wife, Vicey and Eugene “Smokey” Toler and wife, Becky; a sister, Joanne Scott and husband, Gerald; children, David Ash Toler, Michelle Puzio and husband, Larry, Darelle King, Gina Maynard and husband, Michael and Jake Meade; grandchildren, Michael Puzio, Lauren King, Ryan King and Adam Burks and wife, Kristen; and greatgrandchildren, Tegan and Anabel Burks. Jim graduated from Oceana high school in 1962. He went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Concord College and a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee. He retired from the Wyoming County Board of Education, where he taught at Oceana High School, Pineville High School, Berlin McKinney and Wyoming County Alternative School. He was a professor at the University of Tennessee, an adjunct professor at Southern WV Community and Technical College and was the director and curator of the Raleigh County Veterans Museum in Beckley at the time of his death. A lifelong scholar and learned historian, Jim Toler was an American Revolutionary War reenactor and enjoyed sharing his love of history with others. He was not only a teacher to his students over the years but also to everyone who met him. Currently on display at the Raleigh County Veterans Museum is a replica of the 65 • Summer Spring 2016 2016

USS West Virginia, a project that took Jim 20 years to build by hand in his spare time. Jim was a member of the American Federation of Teachers and was elected to the Wyoming County Democratic Executive Committee. He participated in the Civil Rights Movement by way of peaceful “sit-ins” and volunteered with the Kopperston Boy Scouts. He was also a gunsmith, a master woodworker and a Golden Gloves Champion. He was a loving husband and father, and a kind and generous friend and neighbor.

Claudia Lynn Blankenship Wender ’71: January 20, 2016.

Lynn, as most of her friends and family knew her, was born April 20, 1949 at Man, W.Va., the daughter of the late James C. Blankenship, Jr. and Virginia Lee Lambert Blankenship.

The family moved to Oak Hill from Princeton in 1964. Lynn was a 1967 graduate of Collins High School in Oak Hill where she was active in numerous organizations and student government. She was a graduate of Concord College where she was member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority serving as president for two years. She attended Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Oak Hill and was a resident of Oak Hill. An accomplished self-taught pen and ink artist, Lynn did several postal caches and commissioned drawings including the Altamont, which hangs in the corridor of the Fayette County Courthouse. She was a former teacher for the Fayette County Board of Education and for several years, volunteered as an art teacher at SS Peter and Paul Catholic School. A daughter, Jennifer Lynn Wender preceded her in death. Survivors include one son, David A. Wender and fiancée, Violet Russell of Blacksburg, Va.; a brother, James C. Blankenship, III and his wife, Sarah of Fayetteville; and three grandchildren, Sophia, Audrey and Timothy. Lynn very much loved her family and her niece and nephew, Hope and James.

Mary McClintic Jones ’72: January 10, 2016. Born in Williamsburg, W.Va., in 1937, she was the daughter of the late Edgar Michael McClintic and Gertrude Carder Jones. She was a graduate of Greenbrier College and Concord University. She was a devoted educator at Lewisburg Elementary School and administrator at Alderson Elementary School with more than 28 years of service in the Greenbrier County school system.

Mrs. Jones was co-founder of the Open Book Bookstore in Lewisburg, W.Va., with her late business partner, Ann Duncan, and a consultant for the Open Court Publishing Company.

She loved spending time with her family and friends and enjoyed the beach, traveling, and animals. She is survived by sons, Michael Floyd Jones (Ann) of Charlotte, N.C., and Keith Edward Jones (Cheryl) of Lewisburg; grandson, Michael Jones of Durham, N.C.; granddaughters, Megan Jones of Charlotte and Hannah and Heather Jones of Lewisburg; greatgranddaughter, Lily Knight of Charlotte; step-grandsons, Josh (Lauren) and Jeremy (Nicole) Crump; step-greatgrandchildren, Camryn, Ayden, and Leighton Crump; sister, Susan Gee (Ed) of Ft. Worth, Texas; niece, Becky de Loryn (Evan) of California; nephew, Bobby Gee of Texas; and special friends, Mary Schoumacher, Jo Ann and Herb Pearis, Dee and Glenn Jones, Barb and Bruce Bowling, and their daughters, Anne and Kate, and Patty and Rusty Hunter.

Class Notes John Steven Feller ’75: January 18, 2016. Born June 23, 1953 in Mullens, W.Va., Steve was the youngest son of the late John W. “Jack” and Margaret “Peggy” Cullington Feller. He was a resident of Mullens and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Mullens.

After graduating from Mullens High School, Steve received a business degree from Concord College. He then joined his father in their family business, C V Feller Insurance Agency, where he managed the Oceana office.

In his younger life Steve enjoyed boating and water skiing, flying John Feller '75 the family airplane and sky diving, snow skiing, playing tennis and softball, and then later hunting, fishing and river rafting with his children, as well as coaching them in youth sports. Those left to cherish his memory are his two sons, Derek S. Feller and his wife, Kayla and Brent T. Feller and his wife, Stephanie, and their son, Shane; his daughter, Logan Marie Feller; and his brother, Charles T. Feller and his wife, Vickie of Mullens.

Debra Elaine Thomas Gillian ’77: March 19, 2016. She was the daughter of Fred Wilson Thomas and Rosie Marie Irvin Thomas and was born May 24, 1955 in Raleigh County, West Virginia. She was a member of Senior Friends, Well I’ll Bee and Friends of Raleigh Co. Library. Debra graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1973 and Concord College with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

Debra Gillian '77 She completed her master’s degree plus 45 hours in speech and communication from WVU in 1984. She started her career with the Raleigh County Board of Education at Eccles Elementary in 1977 as a first grade teacher. She taught 33 years including at Beaver,

Shady, Daniels, Cranberry and Cresent. She was a resident of Beaver, W.Va. Debra not only had a love for teaching but for traveling as well. She traveled to Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Israel, Ireland, North Ireland, Scotland and Wales. She enjoyed genealogy, cats and antiquing. She was preceded in death by her parents. Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband of 41 years, Clark Gillian; son, Christopher Clark Gillian and daughter-in-law, Anastasiia Osokina Gillian; siblings, John Franklin Thomas and wife Arbutus of Richmond, Va., Shirley Marie Smith of Elgin, Ill., James A. Thomas and wife Marijean of Goreville, Ill., and Sharron Lee Lilly of Daniels along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mary “Marge” Margaret Montgomery ’94: March 22, 2016. Marge was born to parents Shirl and Frankie Montgomery on May 3, 1945 in Covington, Va. She grew up as the youngest of five children and attended Frankford High School. Later in life, she attended Concord College. She was a bus driver for Greenbrier County Schools for 28 years Mary Montgomery '94 and retired in 2006. Marge also hung wallpaper and painted working at The Greenbrier Hotel along with owning her own business. She was a resident of Renick. Marge liked to walk the Greenbrier River Trail and be outside working around her home. She was an avid traveler and tried to visit Maine at least once a year. Marge loved to take a room in an old home and restore it to look like new. She loved her grandchildren and spent most of her retired life traveling to see them. She was a great friend to others and was always looking to help someone in need. She enjoyed visiting with her close friends in West Virginia and Maine. She was preceded in death by her parents, Shirl and Frankie Montgomery; brother, Gail Montgomery; first husband, Sam Taylor and second husband, Paul Sales. Marge is survived by: her five children, Richard Clark Taylor (Lisa), Paulette Ray McNeely (Rodney), Amy Maria Stone, Meg Eleanor Sales-Bradley (Jim) and Harold Daniel Sales (Tracie); sisters, Joan Stern and Carmen Buster; brother, David Montgomery; and eight grandchildren, Josie, Samantha, Katie, Jesse, Daniel, Ben, Lillian and Lola.

Calling for Class Notes 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 welcome as well.

Please email your news items to advancement@concord.edu or mail them to Concord University, Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712.

Summer 2016 • 66

Alumni Spotlight

Alumni Spotlight features outstanding achievements of alums and is highlighted on CU’s website. The Alumni Spotlight archive is located at: http://www.concord.edu/advancement/alumni-spotlight-archive

February 2016 - Larry Shaw '77 Congratulations to Larry Shaw ’77 on being chosen as one of two 2016 inductees into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame!

Visit the link below to read about Larry’s well-deserved recognition: http://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/20160123/larry-shaw-curt-warner-named-tostate-sports-hall-of-fame

March 2016 - Deirdre Cline '86 Congratulations to Concord alum Deirdre Cline ’86 on being named the next Superintendent of Schools for Wyoming County (WV). She has been the assistant superintendent for elementary schools for over two years.

Deirdre began her new position on July 1. To read more about her appointment please visit the following link: http://independentherald.com/news/1974/a-teacher-in-the-mountainscline-to-be-next-schools-chief

April 2016 - Christy Salters Martin '90 Congratulations to alum Christy Martin on being named to the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame 2016 Class. Christy is the first woman to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony happens this summer. To read more about Christy’s career visit the following link: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/boxing/female-boxer-christy-martinheadlines-2016-hall-of-fame-class-223501880-boxing.html You can also hear Christy talk about the biggest fight she ever faced on a recent episode of the podcast Inside Appalachia. Visit the link below to hear her tell her story: http://wvpublic.org/post/going-through-hell-keep-going-findingresilience-and-hope-appalachia.

Congratulations Christy on this history making accomplishment!

May 2016 - Todd Hanchock '08 In May we wanted to highlight CU alum Todd Hanchock ’08 and his band, Adairs Run, for making a name for themselves in the music business! To read about Todd’s journey from Mercer County to Nashville, go to: http://www. bdtonline.com/news/former-pikeview-student-follows-his-musical-questwith-adairs-run/article_5a2e1e36-1012-11e6-a8f5-e78bbe3ab6d2.html Best of luck to Todd and his band mates as they continue pursuing their dreams!

67 • Summer 2016

• US News and World Report 2016 ranks CU as the 5th best public college in the Regional Colleges South category and #1 in WV • Concord has consistently placed in the top tier of Best Colleges for the past 11 years • 2,800 Students • Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees

• 80 Majors, Minors and Programs of Study • Scholarships for Academics, Performing Arts, Community Service, Athletics and Leadership • 18 NCAA II Athletic Programs • 16:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio • Over 70 Clubs and Organizations

REFER A STUDENT • To apply: hub.concord.edu/admissions/node/64 • To schedule a visit: hub.concord.edu/admissions/node/43

1-888-384-5249 admissions@concord.edu www.concord.edu

Connect with us!

Summer 2016 • 68

Thursday, October 13 • Homecoming Parade and Bonfire - 6:00 p.m.

Friday, October 14 • Alumni Pig Roast - 6:00 p.m.

• Lip Sync - 8:00 p.m.

• CU Athletic Department Golf Tournament - Contact anita@concord.edu for more information

Saturday, October 15 • Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2016 Induction Ceremony • Mimosa Brunch -10:30 a.m. to noon • Recognition of 1966 WVIAC Championship Football team • Cardinal Key Reunion Tea - Contact cardinalkeycu@gmail.com for more information • Lion's Den Tailgate - 11:00 a.m.

• Football game kickoff - 1:00 p.m.

• Alumni Affinity Tents • Parents' Club Tailgate

For the most current schedule of events please visit www.concord.edu/advancement/homecoming

MORE EVENTS TO COME!

69 • Summer 2016

A r e t h e MOUNTAIN LIONS in your will?

Ye s

N o

I d o n’ t h a v e a w i l l

I f y o u a n s w e r e d “YES”. . .

If Concord is in your will or other estate plans, please get in touch with the Concord University Foundation, Inc. at 1-304-384-6056 or check out your options online at www.gftpln.org/Home.do?orgId=6307.

I f y o u a n s w e r e d “NO”. . .

Think about putting Concord in your plans by making a valuable and meaningful gift that costs nothing today!

I f y o u a n s w e r e d “I DON’T HAVE A WILL”. . .

Then it is time to start planning! Visit www.gftpln.org/Home.do?orgId=6307 for more information on how you can leave a legacy at Concord University.

Summer 2016 • 70

BECKLEY UPDATE

Popular Culture Students

Learn about Ecology Firsthand

F

ifteen Concord University Popular Culture students joined Sociology Instructor Lori Pace in a visit to the Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority on April 12. Students were given a guided tour by Director of Education Sherri Hunter on “Leachate Larry” through the acres of completed dumps and onto the active site learning of the EPA regulations, layers of protection for the ground water, lifetime of the 80 acres, and capture of methane

gas for energy. The students also viewed the Recycling Center at work and were treated to lunch at the dump.

“This real life community connection to class readings and discussion about ecology, carbon footprints, and the greening of America is invaluable,” Pace said.

Students also celebrated Earth Day, April 22, by joining the Solid Waste Authority in an afternoon clean up.

Sociology Students

Assist Kids Child Advocacy

S

ociology students from the Beckley campus donated $250 to Just for Kids Child Advocacy from fundraising they conducted.

Pictured are some of the students from instructor Lori Pace’s Violence in America class with Just for Kids Director Scott Miller (center).

71 • Summer 2016

CU students participating in Popular Culture field trip.

Beckley is on Facebook!

Keep up with events, campus activities, volunteer opportunities and lots more at the Erma Byrd Higher Education Center.

Facebook - Concord Beckley Student Services Facebook - Concord Beckley Office

Homeless Veterans Benefit

from Beckley Student Collections

B

eckley students were busy during the spring semester with community involvement activities.

From the beginning of the semester until Spring Break, Lori Pace’s Sociology students held a collection for homeless veterans. They worked with Michael Anderson, MSW, LCSW, on the Veterans Administration Homeless Team. The Team provides counseling, outreach, and has a 10- bed shelter in Greenbrier County. The haul of donations they collected included blankets, hygiene items, hats, gloves, socks, and hand warmers.

Additionally, Pace’s Criminology students visited the Gene Spadaro Juvenile Center on March 23. Lt. DeJarnette gave a comprehensive and informational tour of the facility.

Top: Criminology students visit the center.

Bottom: Lori Pace delivers the collection for homeless veterans.

Summer 2016 • 72

CU Athletics

Softball’s 30-win Season

Above: Alyssa Morris

One for the History Books he CU softball team completed the 2016 campaign at 31-23 overall.

With this record Concord clinched a third consecutive 30-win season, a first in program history.

Following regular season play, Concord advanced to the Mountain East Conference Tournament standing at 29-21. In the first matchup of the tournament Concord defeated Wheeling Jesuit 6-0. CU then fell to Charleston 6-3. Landing in the winning column again, Concord logged a 7-2 victory over Shepherd University before falling 8-0 to UVa.-Wise in the final game of the season.

Alayna Furr

Junior shortstop Alayna Furr and senior catcher Alyssa Morris were named to the All-Mountain East Conference First Team. Junior outfielder Lauren Lewis was selected to the all-league second

team.

For Furr, it was the first time she has been voted as a first-team pick by the Mountain East Conference in her career. Furr finished second in the MEC in hits with 71 and was also third in the league in batting average at .402. The Lovettsville,

Furr, Morris, Lewis Tabbed AllMountain East

73 • Summer 2016

Va. native scored 48 runs, fourth in the MEC, while Furr has already shattered the single-season mark for hits in Concord history. Furr also stole a team-high 15 bases while only getting caught twice.

Morris is a First Team All-MEC selection for the second straight year, and an all-conference selection for the fourth consecutive year. The Virginia Beach, Va. native led CU in both home runs (11) and RBI (46).

Lauren Lewis

CU Athletics Morris finished in a tie for fourth in the league in home runs and was tied for fifth in RBI. Additionally, Morris was seventh in the MEC in slugging percentage at .664 after completing her senior season with 24 extra-base hits.

Lewis earned her third straight all-conference recognition and her second straight All-MEC Second Team honor. This past season, Lewis hit .369 with four home runs and 45 RBI. The Kearneysville, W.Va. native hit a team-high .398 in MEC games and all four of her long balls came during conference play. Lewis also gunned down six base runners from her left field spot. With Lewis batting second this season, Concord compiled a record of 17-7.

Beatty Named to All-Tournament Team

Freshman pitcher/outfielder Abby Beatty was voted to the All-Mountain East Conference Tournament Team. In four games for the Mountain Lions, Beatty batted .416 (5-for-12) with two runs scored, one home run, one double and five RBI at the plate. In the circle, the Roanoke, Va. native pitched 20 innings going 1-1 and striking out nine batters.

Beatty fueled a Concord win in an elimination game versus Shepherd as she was 2-for-4 with three RBI. She helped her own cause at the

dish against SU, and in the circle scattered five hits and one earned run in a complete-game effort for her ninth win of the season as the Mountain Lions downed the Rams 7-2.

Morris Voted to NFCA All-Region Team Senior catcher Alyssa Morris was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association All-Atlantic Region First Team.

Morris wrapped her Concord career by hitting .343 with 11 home runs and 46 RBI in her final season in the Maroon and Gray.

In her outstanding four years as a Mountain Lion, Morris finished her career as the all-time career leader in hits (228), home runs (46), RBI (169) and doubles (49).

Additionally, Morris is seventh among active players across Division II in career home runs with 46. Morris is also tied for 10th among active players in career doubles.

Morris helped CU to its third straight 30-win season in 2016 as it also spent time being ranked in the region as well.

This marks the second straight year that Morris was named as a NFCA First All-Region performer.

Last season, the Virginia Beach, Va. native went on to be named a NFCA Third Team All-American, the first All-American for Concord in softball.

Morris is eligible for All-American consideration by being a first team all-region player.

Wigmore Added to Softball Staff

Abby Beatty

Taylor Wigmore has been named the new assistant coach for the Concord softball program.

Wigmore comes to Concord after a stint as the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Conn. where she worked with the men’s and women’s basketball teams as

Taylor Wigmore

well as lacrosse and men’s soccer.

Wigmore also worked alongside several other programs at Hartford.

“I’m really excited to start working with the girls in the fall,” Wigmore said. “I’m looking forward to making a positive influence on the program and continuing the success with Concord softball that has already been established.”

Before Hartford, Wigmore interned as a strength and conditioning coach at Western Carolina, Minnesota and her alma mater, Limestone.

A 2014 graduate of Limestone, Wigmore helped the Saints to two conference championships in 2011 and again in 2014. She was named to the All-Conference Carolinas Tournament Team in 2014. During the regular season in 2014, Wigmore won 10 games in the circle for the Saints. The Silver Springs, Md. native was also named Second Team All-Conference Carolinas as a freshman in 2011 after batting .321.

Wigmore was also a two-time National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American in 2011 and 2014.

In addition to being a strength and conditioning coach, Wigmore also has a background coaching softball as she has served as an instructor for the Fastpitch Nation training facility in Bloomfield, Conn. for nearly a year.

Summer 2016 • 74

CU Athletics HALL OF FAME Hall of Fame Inducting Six New Members The Concord University Athletic Department has announced the 2016 Hall of Fame class. An induction ceremony will be held Oct. 15 at University Point.

Five former Concord standouts and one coach make up the 2016 class. The inductees are: Freddie Ford (football), Kevin Garrett (baseball coach), Matt Horn (men’s golf), Donovan Huffer (baseball), Shawnee (Carnett) Kegley (women’s track and field) and Hannah (Ashton) Smith (women’s soccer).

in career tackles as a Mountain Lion with 375 stops. After completing his senior year at Concord, Ford went on to play in the first ever Division II/ NAIA All-Star Game in North Dakota.

Kevin Garrett

Freddie Ford '95

A four-year starter for the Mountain Lions at linebacker from 1991-1994, Freddie Ford was a First Team NAIA All-American in 1994 after also being named the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) Defensive Player of the Year.

The defensive stalwart saw playing time on the 1992 Concord squad that advanced to the NAIA playoffs and had the number one defense in the nation.

For his career, Ford ranks third

75 • Summer 2016

The winningest coach in Concord baseball history, Kevin Garrett has amassed 378 wins in the dugout at CU over his 16-year career. Garrett has been named the conference coach of the year three times in his career, 2001, 2003 and 2008. From 19962010, Garrett racked up 355 wins and took Concord from the doormat of the WVIAC to a perennial contender in the conference and region. Garrett’s teams made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament during his first stint as coach.

In the summer of 2015, Garrett returned to the head coach position of the baseball program. During his tenure, the Pineville, W.Va. native has coached six conference players of the year, 33 first team all-conference performers, 10 all-region players and nine All-Americans.

Matt Horn '06

One of the most prolific golfers in CU history, Matt Horn was the 2006

NCAA East Regional Champion as well as the 2005 WVIAC Medalist.

Horn paced the Mountain Lions to the regional team championship in 2006 as they also made the national championship the same season. Horn was a First Team WVIAC selection as well as an Honorable Mention AllAmerican in 2006.

Throughout his career, Horn played in 50 tournaments and averaged an 18-hole score of 76.9. Horn finished in the top 10 21 times, the top five 12 times and was the medalist for two more events.

Donovan Huffer '10

A talented position player and pitcher for the Mountain Lions, Donovan Huffer appears several times

CU Athletics in the Concord baseball record books.

The Buffalo Gap, Va. native was a three-time all-region selection during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons at Concord as well as a first team All-American as a junior in 2009 and was a third team All-American in 2010.

Huffer tops the Concord record books for career hits (276) and doubles (62) while placing second in career batting average (.427) and runs scored (217). Huffer also won 15 games on the mound for Concord in his career. Additionally, Huffer was the class valedictorian of his graduating class in the spring of 2010.

Shawnee (Carnett) Kegley '14

In the spring of 2011, Shawnee (Carnett) Kegley, became Concord’s first national champion in any sport as she captured the 800-meter run title at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championship. Carnett added another national championship during the 2014 NCAA Division II Track and Field Indoor National Championships again winning the 800-meters.

During her career, Carnett was a six-time All-American out of a possible eight times during track season. Carnett currently holds 14 school records and was an important

contributor and Second Team AllWVIAC selection during cross country as CU won its first WVIAC women’s cross country title in program history in 2010.

Hannah (Ashton) Smith '03

In a program that has seen several great players come through, Hannah (Ashton) Smith is just one of three players in women’s soccer history to be a three-time first team allconference selection. Ashton was named First Team All-WVIAC in 2000,

2002 and 2003 and also picked up a second team all-region honor in 2002.

Ashton helped the Mountain Lions to the WVIAC Tournament semifinals in all four years at Concord and was a key contributor in Concord winning the 2002 WVIAC Tournament Championship. In Concord’s run to the championship in 2002, it outscored opponents 20-2 in three games. Ashton played a big part in limiting opponents to goals over her career as a central defender.

FOOTBALL Coaching Staff Sees New Faces Three individuals have recently joined the coaching staff for Mountain Lion football.

Josh Beekman

Josh Beekman has been named offensive line coach. A former Boston College All-American, Beekman was a four-year NFL lineman with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears and also spent a season with the Florida Tuskers of the United Football

League.

Off the field, Beekman has interned with the Miami Dolphins and Boston College and served Eastern Kentucky as an offensive line graduate assistant. He comes to CU after being a graduate assistant coach at Florida International. Beekman received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Boston College.

Scott McKillop

Scott McKillop takes over the position of linebackers coach and coordinator of the special teams unit

Summer 2016 • 76

CU Athletics round selection by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2009 NFL Draft. Due to injury, McKillop’s pro career was cut short in 2011. Along with coaching at Pitt, McKillop spent his college playing days as a Panther and was named an All-American.

Brendan Murphy

at Concord after being a volunteer assistant at the University of Pittsburgh in 2014 and a graduate assistant with the defense and special teams in 2015.

The Export, Pa. native was a fifth-

Brendan Murphy is serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Murphy comes to Concord from St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Ind. where he spent the last three seasons guiding the Pumas offense.

Murphy has had two coaching stints at St. Joseph’s as he coached running backs in 2006 and defensive linemen and special teams in 2007.

He graduated from St. Joseph’s in 2006. In between coaching at his alma mater, Murphy was an assistant coach at Seton Hill for five seasons (200812). He was in charge of the team’s tight ends and wide receivers.

2016 Schedule

September 3

West Liberty

Home

September 10

Fairmont State

Away

September 17

Urbana

Home

September 24

West Virginia Wesleyan

Away

October 1

University of Charleston

Home

October 6

UVa. - Wise

Away

October 15

Notre Dame College (Ohio)

HOMECOMING

October 22

Shepherd University

Away

October 29

Glenville State

Home

November 5

West Virginia State

Away

November 12

UNC - Pembroke

Away

77 • Summer 2016

CU Athletics National Honorary Taps Three Mountain Lions The senior trio of offensive lineman Tyler Billings, kicker Andy Ellington and linebacker Cade Rogers were selected as members of the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society, the organization announced in April.

To be eligible for membership in the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, players must be a starter or significant contributor in the last year of eligibility at a NCAA or NAIA school, have maintained a 3.2 or higher GPA throughout the entirety of their undergraduate program and must be meeting requirements towards a degree.

During his time in the Maroon and Gray, Billings blocked for the most prolific running back in school history, Calvinaugh Jones. Billings was named an all-conference selection in both 2012 and 2013. With Billings along the offensive line the last three seasons, the Mountain Lions allowed 36 sacks in 35 games. Additionally each of the seasons, CU led the Mountain East Conference in fewest sacks allowed. As a physical education major, Billings carried a 3.36 GPA. Ellington became the best kicker in school history during his four years at Concord. Ellington made 44 field

ATHLETICS

Golf Tournament Set for October 14 The Sixth Annual Concord Athletic Department Golf Tournament is scheduled for Oct. 14, 2016. As in previous years, the tournament will take place at Fountain Springs Golf Club in Peterstown, W.Va. Each team will be made up of four

Left to right: Tyler Billings, Cade Rogers, and Andy Ellington goals which is more than double the number of second place in school history. The Winfield, W.Va. native also owns eight of the 10 longest kicks in CU history including two boots of 52 yards. In 2014, Ellington was a First Team All-MEC pick as well as an all-region selection.

Furthermore, he also was voted to the CoSIDA All-Academic Team twice in his career. Ellington maintained a 3.25 GPA in his field of study, business administration.

Meanwhile, Rogers was a significant part of two stout defenses in his two-year stay at Concord after transferring from Feather River Community College. Rogers collected 93 tackles, four sacks, one interception and 10 tackles for loss in

two seasons at Concord. The Sparks, Nev. native helped CU allow the second-fewest points per game in the MEC this past season at 20.8 while also sporting the second-best rush defense (115.9 yards per game) and second-best overall defense (342.3 yards per game). In the fall, Rogers became the first Concord player to receive Academic All-American honors. Rogers maintained a GPA of 3.95 as a recreation and tourism management major at Concord.

In its 10th season, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society set a record with 875 players from 278 schools qualifying for membership into the prestigious group.

players and the cost per team is $200.

Hole sponsorships are available for $100 per hole.

Registration will begin at 7:45 a.m. on Oct. 14 with a shotgun start slated for 8:30 a.m. Lunch and awards are scheduled for 1 p.m.

Prizes will be given to the top three teams as well as closest to the pin and longest drive.

To register for the tournament, email athletics@concord.edu, call 304-384-5440 or fax 304-3845117. For additional information visit: www.cumountainlions.com/ documents/2016/5/18//Golf_Outing_ Flyer_2016.pdf?id=978 Appalachian Eye Care is sponsor of the Concord Athletic Department Golf Tournament.

Athletics section compiled with assistance from Wes McKinney ’13 in the CU Sports Information Office.

For more on CU athletics, check us out online at

www.cumountainlions.com Athletics section compiled with assistance from Wes McKinney ’13 in the CU Sports Information Office.

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CU Athletics CU ON TV Concord and WVVA to Continue Partnership during 2016 Football Season The Concord University Athletic Department and WVVA-TV have announced that three football games for the upcoming 2016 season will be televised by the local NBC affiliate.

WVVA will broadcast the Sept.

17 contest versus Urbana, the homecoming game on Oct. 15 against Notre Dame and the final home game of the season on Oct. 29 against Glenville State. Kickoff against Urbana and Glenville State will be at noon while the Notre Dame game will now begin at 1 p.m. instead of the originally scheduled time of 2 p.m.

“We started this last year, this partnership, and it went off so well,”

WVVA General Manager Frank Brady said. “It’s exciting to see the relationship continue, and we need to do everything we can as a television station to help grow the Concord program.”

After broadcasting a trio of games last season, WVVA Sports Director A.J. Good will be the play-by-play voice for the games this season while a color commentator has yet to be announced.

“It helps our students and alumni to be able to watch games when they can’t be (at the game),” Concord University President Dr. Kendra Boggess said.

Several CU players are from across small towns and communities in southern West Virginia, so extended family members will be able to

watch Concord football on Saturday afternoons this fall. Furthermore, the televised games will help continue to market the Concord football program as well as all athletics on the Athens campus.

“Recruiting, it helps us so much to be able to go out and tell football recruits we are going to be able to put you on TV three times and that’s a lot of times more than most people can say,” Concord Director of Athletics Kevin Garrett said.

WVVA-TV is the local NBC affiliate and the games can be seen on channel 6 on Comcast in Bluefield, W.Va., channel 6 on Suddenlink in Beckley, W.Va. and channel 5 on Suddenlink in Princeton, W.Va. Games can also be seen on wvva.com/live

MEN'S BASKETBALL Todd May Named Men’s Basketball Coach Concord University Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach Todd May has been hired as the school’s 15th Men’s Basketball Coach, CU Director of Athletics Kevin Garrett announced June 15 at a press conference.

May elevates into the position of head coach after previous Concord head coach Kent McBride left for the same position at California (Pa.) earlier in June.

May spent the last four seasons as the assistant coach on McBride’s staff at Concord as the Mountain Lions piled up a mark of 66-51 over that span with 42 of those wins coming the last two seasons. May played a vital part in Concord winning the 2016 MEC Tournament Championship and appearing in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament. It was the first time for both feats since 1997.

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The 42 wins CU combined for the last two years were the most in back-to-back seasons since 1990-91 and 199192 when those teams won 50 contests. In his time at Concord May has helped coach six all-conference selections including allregion selection Rob Reed.

Additionally, he has seen three Concord players top the 1,000-point mark in Aaron Miller, Reed and Damien Tunstalle.

Along with his coaching duties at Concord, May has also assisted with the NCAA compliance work Todd May since arriving prior to the 2012-2013 season.

May is a 1995 graduate of Circleville High School in Circleville, Ohio. After high school, he attended Ohio University, where he got his start

in coaching as an undergraduate. He was the Freshman Head Coach and Varsity Assistant Coach at Miller High School from 1998-2000. His senior year at Ohio University, 2000-2001,

CU Athletics he was a Student Assistant, under Larry Hunter, who is currently the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Western Carolina University.

After college graduation, he went to Jackson High School where over a six year period he served as the Head Freshman, Junior Varsity Head Coach, Varsity Assistant Coach and Varsity Head Coach. During the six years at Jackson, the Ironmen won a sectional championship, and recorded a school record, 18 wins in the 2004-2005 season. In the summer of 2005, May was named Varsity Head Coach of the

Jackson program, where he guided the Ironmen to their last winning season to date, in 2005-2006.

In 2007 he returned home to Circleville and was the Junior Varsity Head Coach and Varsity Assistant Coach. From 2008-2012, he was an integral part of Columbus State Community College’s national success.

During this time, the Cougars were 101-24, with a national tournament appearance in 2009. While at CSCC he helped seven players reach the NCAA Division I level.

Additionally, May helped recruit

Terry Hopewell to CSCC before he joined the Concord staff. The next season Hopewell came to CU where he ended up being an all-conference selection.

May graduated from Ohio University in 2001, with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and is currently working on his Master of Arts in Health Promotion at Concord.

He resides in Princeton with his wife, the former Megan Graham, also from Circleville, Ohio.

A Heaven Sent Ministries Hunger Challenge is a challenge to come together during a huge one-, two- or three-day event to fill a shipping container with thousands of meals for starving children and their families.

To meet the challenge, hundreds of volunteers work together to package hundreds of boxes of food, at a cost of $65 a box.

This year, head coach Mike Cox took several athletes to the Hunger Challenge including freshman Damon Akers, freshman Linda Ault,

freshman Corey Carvelli, sophomore Roger Foster, freshman Emilee Henry, freshman Kaitlen Hubbard, freshman Kenna Knowles, freshman Tyler Kosut, sophomore Kristin Lee, senior Aaron Martin, junior Jacob Meadows, freshman David Meck, senior Rene Miller, junior Cimarron Nicely, freshman Madison Sanders, sophomore Justin Snyder, freshman Matt Strand and assistant coach Leanne Watson.

TRACK & FIELD Athletes Participate in Hunger Challenge The Concord University men’s and women’s track and field teams volunteered at the Hunger Challenge at Johnston’s Chapel Baptist Church in Princeton, W.Va. April 10.

This is the second consecutive year that the track athletes at CU have participated in the Hunger Challenge.

The event runs for one weekend each spring, and is designed by Heaven Sent Ministries.

Track athletes help children in need by answering the Hunger Challenge call.

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Become a FRIEND of the J. Franklin Marsh Library at Concord University!

The Joseph F. Marsh Library formally opened on November 29, 1941. The library has grown to over 157,087 volumes today, which include books, microfiche, magazines and bound periodicals. The library has been and continues to be a vital part of the educational program of Concord University.

“Friends” are comprised of members who recognize the value of a quality library and want to support and enrich the services provided. Becoming a Friend is a terrific way to be involved in your community and to help promote a love of reading and learning.

Your annual gift helps us • Expand access to online databases and journals • Improve library technology and build for the future • Purchase rare items for special collections • Sponsor readings and lectures for the benefit of the University as well as the area communities You can become a ”Friend of the Library” by sending your annual contribution to: Concord University Foundation, Inc. Friends of the Library Fund PO Box 1405 Athens, WV 24712 Or by calling 304-384-6266

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TAKE ROAR WITH YOU! We want to see you with Roar wherever you go! Cut out Roar, to the left, and take him on your fun adventures. Then, take a photo with our friendly mascot and send it to us so we can share with the rest of the CU alumni family!

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