note•wor•thy
This is
NOTEWORTHY he Concord family never ceases to amaze me. Rarely a week goes by where the Advancement Office isn’t informed about one of our alums who has been promoted, won an award or accomplished something great in their careers and personal lives. We are truly fortunate to have graduates who have taken the skills and life lessons learned on campus, as well as the degrees they’ve earned, to do extraordinary things in their communities. Noteworthy is our opportunity to share some of those stories with you.
This year’s edition highlights just a small handful of the individuals who represent the Concord family so well. From protecting our country by serving in our nation’s military to treating and taking care of those who have already served, to developing the technology NASA needs to “live off the land” in space to being a star right here at home on Broadway, this year’s Noteworthy is inspiring and something I think all Mountain Lions can be proud of. We hope you find all of these stories as uplifting as we do!
Although I am not an official alum, I am a proud employee who has the privilege of meeting many of the individuals who make our University and its history memorable. The Advancement Office works hard to stay in touch with all of you as we feel our alumni represent the lifeline to our University. In our own way, we all epitomize an institution built on quality education and service. Our graduates are among the best in their fields. This tradition has kept Concord University strong for more than 145 years and we show no sign of slowing down. With great Mountain Lion pride,
Alicia Besenyei Vice President for Advancement
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
3 5 7 11
Judith Moore Class of 1969
Anthony Muscatello Class of 1972
Linda Poff Class of 1976
Jan Cahill
Class of 1991
13 15 17 19
Katrina Terry Class of 1991
Zornitsa Umlenska Class of 2001
Toni Muncy Class of 2004
Zack Grossi Class of 2013
MAGAZINE STAFF Vice President for Advancement: Alicia Besenyei Alumni Director: Sarah Turner '98 Graphic Designer: Foster Sheppard '14 Staff Writer: Sarah P. Dalton PR/Marketing Coordinator, Sr.: Amy Pitzer Concord University Office of Advancement PO Box 1000 Athens, WV, 24712
Special Edition 2017
1-304-384-6311 • Fax: 1-304-384-6017 advancement@concord.edu • www.concord.edu
note•wor•thy
JUDITH SMITH MOORE '69
Kurt Knudson and Judith Smith Moore '69 in a scene from the Broadway production of the musical "Sunday In The Park With George."
3
er first role on Concord’s stage was a portrayal of Lady Bracknell in “The Importance of Being Ernest”, directed by Professor Harry Paul. Among her other Concord theatre credits are performances in “The Happy Time”, “The Rainmaker” and “Long Day’s Journey into Night”. Judith graduated from Concord in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. Reflecting on her best memories as a Concord student, Judith fondly recalls “hours and hours of time spent in the old theater.” “I was always making the dressing room more homey,” she said. “I hung on every word that Mr. Paul uttered when he told us about his exploits in New York,” Judith said. “He told us that when his shirts needed laundering, he just tossed them and bought another box of shirts. NOTE WORTHY CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE
Actress Judith Smith Moore has enjoyed a long-running career that includes work on the stage and in film and television. With several Broadway shows to her credit, she also has experience in directing, writing and teaching. Judith is a native of Princeton, W.Va. and a graduate of Princeton High School. While she was in high school and later as a college student, Judith performed during the summer in the outdoor dramas “Honey in the Rock” in Beckley, W.Va. and “The Stephen Foster Story” in Bardstown, Kentucky.
“When we were working on a period piece, he rented costumes from Eaves in New York, and they arrived in big trunks. I always loved pulling out the costume pieces and checking the name tags to see if someone famous had worn the same piece in another show,” she said. Judith says she recalls an especially memorable moment “in biology class, when I looked up and saw another student for the first time, and how I knew immediately that this guy would be my husband.” “I unfortunately flunked biology twice. Professor Fezer told me that he’d let me eke by on my third time because he wanted my desk for a bright young freshman, but I did marry John Kenneth Moore,” she said. Ken Moore graduated from Concord in 1970. He is Curator Emeritus at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Concord University Alumni Association named him an “Outstanding Alumnus” in 2004. Following graduation from Concord, Judith taught
briefly in West Virginia, but theatre beckoned her to New for more than a year. York City and she arrived in the “Big Apple” in September Her film performances include playing Stella the 1969. Receptionist in the industrial film “Banking on Quality” Attending auditions at every opportunity, Judith (Tiger Films) and as a featured singer in “Siren Island” supported herself by working as a service manager at which won the Best Film Award at the Zurich Women’s premier retailers Saks Fifth Avenue, Henri Bendel and Film Festival. Macy’s. Adding television to her resume, she has appeared She landed her first theatre job when she was on “Late Night with David Letterman”, “The Rosie hired by Barry Manilow for “The Drunkard”, O’Donnell Show”, “Nightly News with Brian an off-Broadway show. Juggling her Williams”, and “Sunday in the Park with pursuit of an acting career and her day George” on PBS. jobs, Judith took roles in children’s Additionally, Moore has taught theatre productions, workshops, musical theatre master classes, backer’s auditions and showcases. traveled extensively in national Continuing to cultivate and tours, and been a guest artist in expand her talents, she secured her several productions including first musical with a full orchestra when “Lily” (Huntington Theatre, Boston) she was hired to play Marge MacDougal and “Hello, Dolly!” (Library Theatre, in “Promises, Promises” at the Bergen Jamestown, NY). Theatre in New Jersey. With the role her career Her work as a writer includes one unpublished gained momentum. book, “Appalachian Memories” and one screenplay, Regional theatre work took her across the United “Black Chickens and Marigolds”. She has written two States from Philadelphia, Baltimore and Long Island to plays that have been produced: “Stories to be Read with La Jolla, Coconut Grove (Miami) and Kansas City. She a Southern Accent”, co-written with Memrie Innerarity, performed in a variety of shows such as “Guys and Dolls”, and “For Sentimental Reasons”, which she directed. “The Pirates of Penzance”, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” Judith has also directed three Wayne Moore plays. and “The Boys from Syracuse”. Among her off-Broadway Moore retired in 2005. She lives in the theatre district roles in New York City are appearances in “Ten by Six”, of Manhattan. “The Evangelist”, and “The Petrified Prince”. She made her Broadway debut in the original company of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with George” as Nurse/Mrs./Harriet. Playing at the Booth Theatre, the musical starred Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin. She worked as an understudy for several roles in Sondheim’s “Into the Woods”, for her second Broadway show. Judith’s third Broadway undertaking saw her play the Wardrobe in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” at the Palace Theatre. The show later ran at the LuntFontanne Theatre, where she worked with Andrea McArdle, Toni Braxton, and Meshach Taylor. Judith also portrayed the Wardrobe in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, performing in “Beauty and the Judith Moore starring as Marge McDougal in “Promises, Promises” opposite of Ted Pugh at Beast” at the Princess of Wales Theatre the Bergen Theatre in New Jersey. CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE NOTE WOR THY
4
note•wor•thy
ANTHONY MUSCATELLO '72 As a senior research chemist for The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Dr. Anthony C. Muscatello focuses on space resource utilization, especially propellant and oxygen production on the Moon and Mars. In his work he is looking at how in situ resources can be utilized in human space exploration. "The most rewarding part (of my career),” he said, “is that my work may help with the exploration and eventual settlement of the Moon and Mars by future generations.” Anthony Muscatello at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex.
uscatello is based at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida where he is currently the Risk Manager for RESOLVE, the primary instrument for the proposed Resource Prospector robotic lunar mission. He is also the Principal Investigator for Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Mars Atmospheric In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) project. The project is developing the technologies needed to make methane propellant from the atmosphere of Mars to enable astronauts to get back into Mars orbit with much less mass from Earth. He has served as NASA’s lead for field demonstrations on the Mauna Kea volcano on the island of Hawaii and has contributed to or led several ISRU projects. His nearly two decades of experience with ISRU also includes working at Pioneer Astronautics, located in the Denver, Colo. area, where he was the principal
5
NOTEWORTHY CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE
investigator for two propellant production system projects. Prior to Pioneer Astronautics, Muscatello worked for Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico on plutonium and americium recovery from processing waste and nuclear materials safety. He assisted with the stabilization and removal of tons of plutonium and radioactive waste from the Rocky Flats Plant near Denver. Before moving to LANL, he worked on similar projects at the Rockwell International Rocky Flats Plant. Growing up in Princeton, W.Va., Tony had aspirations of working for NASA. He wanted to be an astronaut and maybe even someday be an administrator for NASA. These dreams of his inspired him to pursue a college degree in chemistry. “I grew up wanting to be an astronaut and I loved science so I decided to go into research and development to enhance my chances of being an astronaut,” he said. “I looked at my high school science classes and my best grades were in chemistry, plus I enjoyed those classes the most. So that’s what I
majored in at Concord. Lucky for me, Concord had a good Chemistry Department.” Tony excelled in his major and his mathematics minor. He received the Freshman Chemistry Award, the Freshman Math Award, and the Senior Chemistry Award. The local American Chemical Society chapter honored him with the James Lewis Howe Award. He was selected as a National Science Foundation Undergraduate Research Participant the summer between his junior and senior years. Graduating cum laude, he received his bachelor’s degree from Concord in 1972. Muscatello continued his education at Florida State University (FSU) where he was able to bypass a master’s degree and head directly into his pursuit of a doctorate. “At Florida State University, I started out with a one-year Nuclear and Radiation Science Fellowship and later received a University Fellowship as well as Research Assistant support,” he said. He earned his Ph.D. in Inorganic and Radiochemistry Chemistry at FSU in 1979 and did postdoctoral work on solvent extraction of actinides at Argonne National Laboratory in the Chicago area. “My education at Concord gave me a strong foundation for my entire career as a chemist, teaching me all the basics I needed to continue to graduate school to pursue my ambitions, which also included using radioactive materials for research and development,” he said. Along with his career achievements, Muscatello has extensive leadership experience with the Mars Society. According to the space advocacy organization’s website, the Mars Society is “dedicated to the human exploration and settlement of the planet Mars.” He has been a local chapter officer, chair of the steering committee, the Mission Support Director (MSD) for Analog Mars Missions and the Director of the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah. “I selected crews from volunteer applications to work for two weeks in a simulated Mars Habitat and Base, using simulated space suits to perform Extravehicular Activity (EVAs) to explore the area and develop techniques to explore Mars,” he said. Directing a team of other Mars Society members, he helped make the spacesuits used in the missions. He was the MSD for 78 missions to either the MDRS or the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station located on
(top) Tony Muscatello in one of the Mars Society simulated spacesuits in Goblin Valley, a Utah State Park. (bottom) Tony and his wife, Toni, and their four children (from left to right) Brian, Scott, Alyse and Tessa.
Devon Island above the Arctic Circle. For his volunteer work as MSD he received the Mars Society’s Pioneer Award and several other awards. Muscatello has also been honored by NASA. He received a NASA KSC Certificate of Appreciation for several technical and administrative accomplishments and was named an Engineering Directorate Employee of the Month. His work with RESOLVE field demonstrations brought him several NASA team awards and a team video for the Mars Atmospheric Processing Module resulted in another team award. He has been awarded several NASA Tech Brief Certificates for technologies that he has helped develop. Additionally, he is a co-inventor on two United States patents. Tony and his wife, Toni, have been married for 32 years and live in Viera, Fla. They have four grown children: daughters, Alyse and Tessa, and sons, Scott and Brian.
CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE NOTEWORTHY
6
note•wor•thy
LINDA POFF '76 Linda Poff is enthusiastic about teaching and especially enthusiastic about teaching geography to children. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious and make learning fun for her students. "The most rewarding aspect of being a teacher is student success. Helping a student to feel a sense of accomplishment is heartwarming, especially if that student has struggled to accomplish a task, or lacked the confidence necessary to complete the assignment,” she said. Linda Poff ’76 at the 2017 West Virginia Geographic Bee.
inda’s career in the classroom spanned more than three decades prior to her retirement in 2011. Not ready to truly retire, Poff continues to contribute to education as a substitute teacher and through her work with the West Virginia Geographic Alliance (WVGA). She has also served as an adjunct instructor at Concord. Linda graduated from Bluefield High School in 1972 and from Concord in 1976 earning a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Grades 1-9, with a specialization in Physical Education. As an undergraduate at Concord, Linda was a commuter student. “Since I didn’t live on campus, the student union was a favorite gathering place to talk with friends, compare class notes, and play a round of cards,” she said. Linda also participated in intramural sports. “I was on an independent team, since I did not belong
7
NOTEWORTHY CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE
to a sorority. It was fun being a team member, and competing against a variety of teams with different strengths,” she said. Linda began her teaching career in Mercer County at Montcalm Elementary in the fall of 1976 as a 4th grade teacher. Nine years later she transferred to Straley Elementary, where she taught 5th and 6th grades until retiring with 35 years of experience. During that time, she received a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Salem University, and returned to Concord to earn a master’s degree in Education with a Specialization in Geography Education. Poff worked as an adjunct instructor for Concord from 2003 until 2013, teaching a variety of geography courses, as well as social studies methods classes. In 1992 she became involved with the WVGA. She went on to participate in National Geographic Society workshops and conferences in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Calif., and Portland, Ore. “The WVGA is housed at Concord which afforded
me another ‘life changing’ opportunity, to work on staff “Remaining in touch with Concord has certainly made for years at our two week summer Geography Institutes a world of difference in my life.” for hundreds of teachers from various regions of West “Concord was the launching pad for the ‘birth’ of my Virginia,” she said. teaching career,” she said. “Concord has remained an Promoting geographic literacy remained at the top enormous influence on my career since 1976, and most of her priorities, to the extent that it led her to helping certainly will until the day I decide to truly retire!” she with National Geographic’s state Bee for West Virginia said. students and becoming the state Bee coordinator. Poff has received a number of honors for her The state Bee is now held on the campus of Concord exceptional work as an educator including the prestigious University with approximately 70-80 children from Milken Foundation National Educator Award in 1990. across West Virginia attending each year. Additionally, she was named the 1986 Mercer County Poff has also helped coordinate visits of the National Teacher of the Year; the 1990 and 2004 recipient of the Geographic Society’s Giant Traveling Maps of different National Council for Geographic Education Distinguished continents to the CU campus. Hundreds of area children Teaching Award; and the 1990 Regional Winner of the have benefited from interactive learning on the colorful Rand McNally/NCGE Excellence in Teaching Geography vinyl floor maps with Linda leading the “feet-on” Award. activities. The Concord University Alumni Association honored Maps of Asia, North America and Europe have traveled her with the Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2015 and to Concord thanks to Linda’s efforts. Crossing the state, the Golden Alumnus Award in 2017. she has traveled with the huge maps to the Eastern Panhandle and Shepherd University for children in that area to enjoy. She also attended training in Washington, D.C. with a Giant Traveling Map of West Virginia and went on the road with this map. “Offering an opportunity to students to be a participant in the Geographic Bee, or to be actively engaged in a National Geographic Society gigantic mapping activity, I hope is a spark that ignites a desire in the students’ thinking to want to know more about the country they live in, as well as the world they live within,” she said. “Hopefully, they will pick up an atlas or book, Google a site, or save their money to travel there someday in order to continue learning the similarities we share, as well as the differences that exist.” Noting her continued affiliation with Concord, Linda acknowledges the impact her alma mater and the education she received have had on her career. “I was blessed with the Linda and school children on a giant map of Europe. education I received at Concord College,” she said. CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE NOTEWORTHY
8
The Concord University Pathways Retention Scholarships are awarded to 35 rising or current sophomores, juniors or seniors who are WV residents, meet established financial aid requirements and are performing well academically and on the path to completing their degree. Concord University has partnered with the Maier Foundation to make these awards possible but need your donation to continue to match the Maier Foundation’s sponsorship. If you would like to support the CU Pathways Retention Scholarship, make your donation today, to the Concord University Foundation Inc. and write Pathways on the memo line of your check or give online at www.concord.edu/cufoundation/node/17 and designate the CU Pathways Retention Scholarship.
The Concord University Gap Fund is an emergency mini grant dedicated to providing small awards to undergraduate students with unmet need experiencing financial difficulties that could lead to their dropping out of college. The funds are housed in the CU Foundation and disbursed directly to students within five days of the receipt of a short application (if determined to be eligible and with relevant, allowable expenses). Your donation will insure CU can fill that gap and retain students who will become our state’s future leaders and scholars. If you would like to support the CU Gap Fund, make your donation today, to the Concord University Foundation Inc. and write Gap Fund on the memo line of your check or give online at www.concord.edu/cufoundation/ node/16 and designate the CU Gap Fund.
BOO FROM CU!
10.13.17 Friday the 13th
AFTER HOURS President’s House Backyard 5pm - 8pm
Live Thrilling Tunes
Spooky Snacks
Ghoulish Give-A-Ways
Bloody Peach Bellinis
Register online…if you dare www.concord.edu/cufoundation/13th
HOMECOMING Keg & Eggs Brunch! Live Music MTO Omelets Mimosa Bar Draft Beer Yard Games October 14th 10 am - 1pm University Point *Donations to the Concord University Annual Fund accepted
Register online at
www.concord.edu/cufoundation/brunch
note•wor•thy
JAN CAHILL '91 Jan Cahill got experience in enforcing the rules when he was assigned to be a resident assistant on the notorious “Ground Floor” of Wooddell, which he said “had a reputation for being the worst floor” of the Concord residence hall. Cahill went on to pursue a career in professional law enforcement. Today, as Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police (WVSP), Colonel Cahill has entered a new phase of his nearly three decades of distinguished service. Jan Cahill '91
e was appointed Superintendent in January 2017 by then Governor-elect of West Virginia Jim Justice. Cahill began his career with the WVSP in 1989 as a field trooper. He moved into leadership roles serving as Detachment Commander, District Commander and Drug Task Force Commander. When he retired from the WVSP in 2012, he was the Troop 6 Commander Captain in Beckley, W.Va. for the southern part of the state which includes nine counties and 13 detachments. He was elected Greenbrier County Sheriff in 2012 and reelected to the post for a second term in 2016. A highlight of his tenure as Sheriff was reestablishing the Greenbrier County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The United States Attorney’s office honored the task force in 2016 for the numerous convictions made involving the distribution of heroin and opioids.
11
NOTEWORTHY CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE
Cahill said he was drawn into police work because the career allows him to make a difference. “It is a public service,” he said. “You can really help out your community and fellowman.” He explained that the variety of work from day to day is also a positive aspect of the job for him. “No two days are alike,” he said. As Superintendent of the WVSP, Cahill is head of an agency with approximately 1000 employees with nearly 650 of those in uniform. According to Cahill, the WVSP will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2019, “making it one of the oldest state police organizations in the nation.” “It is a storied organization with a lot of history and tradition,” he said. After having worked for the WVSP before, Cahill said, “It’s a unique and big honor to come back.” He works out of the WVSP office in South Charleston, W.Va. Jan grew up in Peterstown, W.Va. He served three years (1983-1986) in the United States Marine Corps before attending college. His service included being
stationed in Japan. “I started Concord the very next day when I got out of the Marines in August 1986,” he said. “I was in Camp Lejeune one day and on ‘The Campus Beautiful’ in Athens the very next day. I went from the military regime to a college atmosphere literally overnight. It was an experience.” He soon, however, transitioned to being a college student. “It didn’t take me more than a week to assimilate,” he said. When reflecting on his best memories of his days as a Concord student, Jan says, “I met my wife here. We were both in the RA (resident assistant) program.” Selina, whose maiden name is Goins, was from Bramwell, W.Va. and was a homecoming queen at Concord. She graduated in 1989. In regards to his time at the helm of Wooddell’s “Ground Floor”, Cahill said working there ended up being “a great experience”. “They were a great bunch of guys. We never had any issues,” he explained. As part of his history classes, Cahill said he enjoyed traveling with fellow students to Civil War battlefields on trips conducted by Dr. David Bard and his wife, Carol. These adventures took them to Gettysburg, Chickamauga and other locations. “We camped on the battlefields,” he said. “They would put up mess tents.”
Cahill remembers Concord’s “closeknit” atmosphere where he “established lifelong friendships”. He also appreciates the physical attributes of the campus calling it a “beautiful place”. He received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Concord in 1991 and is also a graduate of the West Virginia State Police Academy. He taught Criminal Justice as an adjunct instructor at New River Community and Technical College for 10 years and has served as a substitute teacher in Raleigh County. Cahill checked an item off of his bucket list in 2012 when he rode his motorcycle on a solo cross-country adventure. He made the 6200 mile round trip journey from West Virginia to the West Coast and back on a Harley Davidson Street Glide, traversing some of America’s most famous highways like Route 66, Route 50 and the Pacific Coast Highway. He said that amazingly during the entire trip he wasn’t rained on once. Cahill has also written a book and anticipates publishing it in the future. “It is not a cops and robbers book but a series of humorous stories and observations on human nature,” he said. Jan and Selina live in Lewisburg, W.Va. Their family includes daughters, Samantha and Haley, son-in-law, Ryan and grandson, Brice.
CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE NOTEWORTHY
12
note•wor•thy
KATRINA TERRY '91 Lieutenant Colonel Katrina A. Terry has served in the United States Air Force since 1997. During her distinguished and decorated career, she has advanced through a variety of staff and leadership positions at the Major Command, Joint, and Service and Squadron levels. She recently assumed a new leadership role and is the Cyberspace Capabilities Development Branch Chief, Joint Staff J-6, at the Pentagon. Included among her responsibilities is providing recommendations to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Katrina Terry '91
atrina Street was born and raised in Princeton, W.Va. A 1986 graduate of Princeton Senior High School, she majored in mathematics and minored in computer science and statistics at Concord. She received a Bachelor of Science
degree in 1991. As a student athlete, Katrina played volleyball from 1986 to 1989 and basketball from 1990 to 1991. Excelling in volleyball, she was inducted into the Concord University Athletic Department Hall of Fame in 2008. Her honors in the sport include: First Team All-WVIAC 1987, 1988, 1989; only player in program history to be three-time first team All-WVIAC; and All-Tournament Team WVIAC 1987, 1988, 1989. The records she set are: Seventh in career kills (904); fourth in solo blocks (129); and, fifth in total blocks (336). “The best memories from my Concord days are
13
NOTEWORTHY CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE
from my time spent playing sports there,” she said. “Traveling up and down the eastern coast with Ms. Georgia Kelley and the finest bunch of ladies I could ever have the honor of knowing built lifelong memories filled with lots of joy and laughter, and even some tears and sorrow along the way. I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything in the world.” Continuing her education, Terry received a master’s degree in Engineering Management from The George Washington University; a master’s degree in Cyber Warfare from the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base; and a Doctor of Philosophy, Educational Leadership, from Trident University International. She received her commission in 1997 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Officer Training School. Her promotions include: Second Lieutenant, 1997; First Lieutenant, 1999; Captain, 2001; Major, 2007; and Lieutenant Colonel, 2012. Terry’s major awards and military decorations include: Defense Meritorious Service Medal;
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal; Joint Service Achievement Medal; and Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal. Additionally, she received the General Daniel “Chappie” James Award of Merit in 1997 during Officer Training School. She was named the Outstanding Field Grade Officer of the Year for the 325th Fighter Wing Communications and Information in 2008 and for the 14th Air Force Cyberspace in 2013. In 2015 she received the Defense Information Systems Agency Technical Program/Project of the Year honor. “I have been blessed to have some very unique experiences throughout my career,” she said. “My positions have led me to perform a variety of duties from teaching basic Air Force principles to officers as they entered the Air Force, to providing direct communications support to the President of the United States. The jobs haven taken me from coast to coast over my 20-year career and even to Germany for a brief period.” Terry said that “the opportunity to lead others” is among the top highlights of her military career. “Probably the absolute best assignment I ever had was when I was in command of the 30th Space Communications Squadron at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California,” she explained. “I spent two years leading 450 of the finest men and women I have ever met as we helped keep America safe through space launch and missile defense.” “One of the most exclusive and memorable highlights of my career was spent during my time with the White House Communications Agency. The Agency is a one-of-a-kind military unit dedicated to providing premier, worldwide, vital information services and communications support to the President and his staff,” she said. “I spent two years there and had exposure to many once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including regular access to the White House,” she said. “I had the pleasure of sharing a small part of that experience with
Katrina and her mother Barbara Street with President Barrack Obama
many of my close friends and family on numerous occasions as being a member of the Agency afforded us the unique opportunity to give them tours of the West Wing, something that is not available to the public.” When she was given the honor of a photo opportunity with President Obama in the Oval Office, Katrina shared the event with her mother, Barbara Street. “I’m blessed to have a very special Mama,” she said. “We have an extremely close relationship. She is one of the strongest people I know and has always been in my corner, no matter what! She is my hero!” “To see her standing by the President with the biggest smile I think I had ever seen from her made all the extremely hard work required to perform that job pay off! That will be an experience I will never forget!” Katrina said. She said that her mother along with her grandparents, the late Gregory and Louise Street, “drove the basic fundamentals of how to be a good person into my head from day one.” “Those morals and values are still what I use to help define who I am today,” she said.
CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE NOTEWORTHY
14
note•wor•thy
ZORNITSA UMLENSKA '01 Zornitsa Umlenska says the “discipline” she cultivated as a Concord student and “the overall experience of Concord” have served her well. Zornitsa excelled academically at Concord. Maintaining a 4.0 average in her double major of finance and accounting, she graduated as a valedictorian of her class. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 2001.
Zornitsa Umlenska ’01 in San Diego for a Citibank award presentation.
s a valedictorian, she had the honor of addressing the commencement audience on graduation day. She continued her pursuit of academic excellence in graduate school. When she earned her MBA from George Washington University in 2008, she finished the program with all A’s. Professionally, she has enjoyed exceptional success in her banking career with Citibank. She is currently Senior Vice President in Global Fraud Execution for Citibank in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. Umlenska has been with Citibank since 2001, joining the company as a management associate. This was prior to her receiving an MBA, but her Concord bachelor’s degree and her academic record and determination got her in the door. “I was one of the very few undergraduates admitted into the program,” she said. “The program was very
15
NOTEWORTHY CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE
much MBA and they only allowed one or two undergraduates and I was one of them.” Umlenska has moved up in Citibank, working in a variety of positions. She has been involved in management of employees, products and operations. In one position, she said she was “responsible for 600 people in the United States, the Philippines, and Canada.” Umlenska is fluent in three languages – English, Spanish and her native Bulgarian. Her mastery of Spanish is the result of a position with Citibank. Moving into the global aspect of the company, Umlenska took on the responsibility of supporting the Latin American segment which includes Peru, Mexico and other countries. Building on the foundation of her Concord Spanish classes, she worked with a tutor to hone her proficiency in the language so that she could utilize it in her Latin American role with Citibank. “I learned very quickly,” she said. As a result, Umlenska said she “led meetings in Spanish” and was able to “make presentations” in the
language. “I worked in Spanish,” she explained. A recipient of the Chairman Leadership Award, Umlenska is among an elite group of employees. She said that only the top one percent of employees receive the prestigious award. Umlenska is a two-time awardee, having earned the honor several years ago and again this year. When thinking back to her days as a student at Concord, Zornitsa said, “I have lovely memories.” She explained that it’s “the people” at Concord who help make it special adding that she felt “so welcome” to be a student there. She also values her friendships with fellow students. “I had very good friends,” she said. Zornitsa’s classroom experiences were favorable as well. “All my professors were just fantastic,” she said. “I loved the environment.” She explained that the slow paced atmosphere with “no distractions” was conducive to study. “There it was all about the academics,” she said. Zornitsa counts Dr. Kendra Boggess and Dr. Muhammad Islam among the professors who made an especially meaningful impact on her academic career at Concord. As part of one of her scholarships, she worked with Dr. Boggess, who was chairperson of the Division of Business at the time, on data collection for an alumni data base. She said the experience she gained from this project “was very helpful to me when I started work.” Umlenska says she frequently refers to the lessons she learned from her Concord professors to accomplish the tasks of her job drawing on life skills and how to approach situations. Along with her studies, Zornitsa worked in the Admissions Office for the four years she was at Concord. She was named “Tutor of the Month” for her dedication in helping her classmates with their coursework. “I tutored different subjects from Algebra to Spanish,” she said. She was also the recipient of scholarships that she said were based on academics and community service. Zornitsa worked during the summers while she was at Concord. “One summer
I was an accounting intern at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley,” she said. Adding to her resume, she also had an internship with a banking company in Tennessee. Zornitsa is originally from Bulgaria and attended Concord as an international student. Her husband, Alex Cockcroft, was also an international student. Alex is a native of the United Kingdom. He played soccer at Concord and graduated in 2000. Like Zornitsa, Alex has a career in banking. Zornitsa and Alex have a “fur baby”, Rory, who is a Chihuahua and hound mix. The 18-month-old dog is a rescue pet. “He is wonderful,” Zornitsa said. Rory is often their traveling companion when they take vacations. “We love going on vacation, sometimes driving up to the mountains,” she said. An avid runner, Zornitsa participates in fundraising races with the Donna Foundation. The organization raises money for breast cancer research.
Zornitsa and her husband, Alex Cockcroft ’00, vacationing with their dog, Rory.
CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE NOTEWORTHY
16
note•wor•thy
TONI MUNCY '04
Toni Muncy '04
hile helping people guided Muncy to a career in medicine, her motivation for being a physician goes deeper. “What caused me to want to be a doctor specifically comes from my personal experiences with physicians. Growing up I had some unfortunate encounters with physicians who treated me like a bothersome waste of time. I felt like I was treated differently based on my family’s financial standing. That never set well with me,” she said. “Every patient is important and everyone deserves good medical care despite how much money they have or what position they may hold in a community,” she said. “That really stuck with me and as a physician I treat all patients the same. There is no VIP line or VIP treatment for certain patients. I like to think that I give every patient the VIP treatment. “Likewise, I have never used my title to expedite my
17
NOTEWORTHY CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE
Caring for and helping people – especially when they are sick – inspired Toni Muncy to become a doctor. “I always knew that I liked helping people,” she said. “As a child when someone in the family would get sick, I enjoyed bringing them soup, covering them with a blanket, getting wet washcloths, etc. to try to help them get better.”
own care or ‘skip lines’ in the doctor’s office or while receiving ancillary services,” she said. Muncy is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), specializing in Family Medicine. She has worked at Bluefield Regional Medical Center (BRMC) in Bluefield, W.Va. providing inpatient and outpatient care. In June of this year Muncy began a new job with the Beckley VA Medical Center as a Family Medicine Physician. She says her duties include “taking care of patients in a family medicine clinic, as well as helping with the women’s health clinic, and providing osteopathic manipulative therapy as an adjuvant therapy for pain.” “What I find most rewarding about my work is being able to help people understand what is going on with their bodies,” Muncy said. “As a patient, it is incredibly scary to have a disease and undergo treatment that you don’t fully understand. Being able to provide comfort and knowledge to patients is the part of my job I love the most.” Toni was born in Princeton, W.Va. and grew up in Athens.
“Many people knew my mom because she was Athens’ crossing guard for many years,” she said. After graduating from PikeView High School, Toni continued her education at Concord. She was a member of Alpha Chi and Gamma Beta Phi, serving as president her senior year. She also participated in the Honors Program and Student Support Services and was named to Who’s Who. “My best memories of Concord include community service with Gamma Beta Phi, working in the Registrar’s office and helping people make their class schedule, and spending a lot of time in the science labs which was my absolute favorite,” she said. Muncy considers Concord’s beauty, tranquility and the helpfulness of the staff some of the University’s best attributes and what makes it special. “Concord is a special place because in addition to gaining an excellent education, it feels like home. It is by far the most beautiful campus. It is inviting and makes you want to be there,” she said. “The employees that work at Concord are incredibly nice and helpful. The whole University is overall warm and inviting. I
still like to visit to experience the peace and nostalgia.” Muncy received a bachelor’s degree from Concord in 2004 and earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) in 2008. She completed a Family Medicine Residency at BRMC and was Chief Resident there from 2010-2011. Her career experience includes serving as Medical Director of Gentiva/Kindred Home Health; Clinical Faculty Member at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM); and Associate Director of the Family Medicine Program at BRMC. For VCOM/BRMC, she has also been Interim Director of Graduate Medical Education and Program Director of Family Medicine. Among her honors is being named Clinical Preceptor of the Year Class of 2017 for the Southwest Region of VCOM. She is a member of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, the American Osteopathic Association and the West Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association. Muncy’s dedication to helping people goes beyond the walls of a physician’s office or hospital and out into the community where she quietly and without wanting recognition or fanfare extends generosity, kindness and friendship to her neighbors in need. Working with the Paul Miller Home in McDowell County, she hosts a Christmas party for the children there, takes them to fairs or out to eat, and provides money for movie tickets. She also brings cheer to nursing home residents at Christmas time as a secret Santa. Toni attends Bethel United Methodist Church where she is active in the administrative counsel and is a member of the United Methodist Women. “We do fundraisers to donate money to many missions in the area,” she said. Dr. Toni Muncy on the job as a Family Medicine Physician.
CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE NOTEWORTHY
18
note•wor•thy
ZACK GROSSI '13 Football is a way of life for Zack Grossi. He was born and raised in Tampa, Fla. where he not only grew up around football, he grew up around Tampa Bay Buccaneers football. "My dad was the NFL Security Rep for the Bucs when I was growing up and he has since become the Director of Event Security for the entire NFL, so I got to go to a lot of games and do a lot of behind the scenes stuff,” he said. Zack Grossi '13
got to go in the locker room after every game and I would run around and collect all the gloves and wristbands the players were going to throw away and give them out to my little league team,” he explained. “I went to every home game the year the Bucs won the Super Bowl in 2002.” There is more to the story, however, than merely watching the game for this young man who began playing football when he was eight years old and has attended no less than 11 Super Bowls. From little league through high school and college, Grossi compiled an impressive football resume. Today, as Offensive Quality Control Coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he continues to be involved in the sport he loves. “I have always been borderline obsessed with the game,” he said. “It teaches you so much about life and it has been great to me.” Zack attended Jefferson High School and was a quarterback on the football team. Advancing to
19
NOTEWORTHY CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE
collegiate football, Grossi played for Concord and excelled as a Mountain Lion. He was named second team all-conference in 2010 and 2011 and Conference Player of the Week in 2011. At the conclusion of his CU career, he was the all-time leader for Concord in touchdown passes (57) and pass completions (536). He was elected a team captain all four years he played for the Mountain Lions and had the most wins (18) by a starting quarterback in the NCAA era. Grossi’s football legacy goes beyond the honors and the records he set. He said witnessing a turnaround in the Mountain Lions’ culture from losing to winning, and being part of the team that made it happen, is a great memory for him and “probably the thing I’m most proud of.” “My first year at Concord the football team was coming off a winless season, so we had a lot of work to do,” he said. “We had to change a losing culture and that’s exactly what we did.” “That is one of the hardest things to do in sports,”
he added. Defeating West Virginia Wesleyan the final game of the 2011 season and beating Shepherd earlier that same year are special victories that stand out for him. With the win over the Wesleyan Bobcats Zack said the Mountain Lions “won the conference championship for the first time in 21 years and went to the NCAA playoffs for the first time in school history.” Reflecting on the Shepherd victory he said, “I think it was the win that catapulted our season. We actually started the year 0-2 and there were a lot negative things being said about our team. We stayed together and got through it so that was very cool to finish as champions.” A heartbreaking event for Grossi and Mountain Lion Athletics occurred during his senior year, however, one that would cut short his time on the field. Zack was involved in an automobile accident and the injuries he sustained left him unable to return to playing football. Yet, like a true champion, Zack continued to cheer on the team and worked on completing his degree. He received a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management degree from Concord in 2013.
He went on to serve as Offensive Graduate Assistant and Tight Ends Coach for the Mountain Lions. Zack is now in his fourth season with the Buccaneers. He started as a scouting assistant in 2014, advanced to pro scout in 2015 and was assistant to Head Coach Dirk Koetter in 2016. He explains what it’s like to be working for the NFL and a team that he is so at home with. “Honestly, I pinch myself every morning driving into work because it is so cool to get a chance to work for the organization that I grew up rooting for,” he said. “I’ve known some people in this building since I was a little kid. “At the same time I know how cut-throat this business is and the truth is we are all renting our desks. That’s why I try to make the most out of every day and I don’t take for granted getting to work in my hometown,” he said. Zack’s wife, Jacqueline Freeman Grossi, earned a degree in Business Administration from CU in 2011. Zack said meeting Jacqueline at Concord is a special memory from his time on campus. They have been married one year and live in Tampa.
Zack on the sidelines charting plays during a game. Photos courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE NOTEWORTHY
20
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
Concord University Office of Advancement PO Box 1000 Athens, WV 24712