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Pro Christo et Patria Edition Prepared and Sent Out
SUMMER 2019
FROM THE PRESIDENT C A L V I N
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T R O U P
I often ask people what books they return to regularly
as guideposts within their Christian calling. Within Christian higher education, I have relied upon A Christian Critique of the University, by Dr. Charles Habib Malik. In the introduction of the book, Malik says, Since the university determines the course of events and the destiny of man more than any other institution or agency today, it is impossible for the Christian not to ask the question: What does Jesus Christ think of the university? To a Christian this question is an absolute imperative. Of basic condition of the modern university, Malik concludes,“Christ cannot possibly be pleased.” A generation earlier, C.S. Lewis wrote that modern people are prone to ask,“What are we to make of Jesus Christ?” Malik suggests that modern universities have been asking this question with an agenda—to swerve away from Christ, Jesus himself.“There is always something else put forward to make us forget him: justice, science, culture, prosperity, pleasure, serenity, peace.The important thing is to replace him…” Nearly 40 years later, we see collegiate education swerving away from Christ at an alarming rate. Malik’s critique points us to the heart of the problem: it’s personal, not political or intellectual.The educational establishment objects to Christ.
In this sense, we work to keep Geneva College serving faithfully as a thoughtfully counter-cultural institution—a ministry of education that educates our present generation of students pro Christo et patria. And we trust that with the Lord’s help we can together deliver this heritage faithfully to future generations.
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something of us long before any of us ever enrolled at Geneva. His good purposes have been established and certain from before the foundation of the world. However, as students and alumni, we work out His purposes for our salvation with fear and trembling, looking for the good works He has prepared in advance that we might walk in them. And so, the seal of the college continues today to place students and alumni where we can hear God’s call, and to position us well, not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds—that we might know the will of God.
At the conclusion of his essay, C.S. Lewis says that the central question of our lives applies Malik’s question of the university to each one of us in person.The question is not,“What are we to make of Jesus Christ?” but rather, “What will Jesus Christ make of us?” To be sealed as Geneva alumni puts us on course to discover the answer over and over again, because as Geneva alumni, we are “for Christ and country” and committed to pursue the totality of our life’s work under the Bible— the word of Christ.
Christ alone, as the one master teacher, possesses the transforming power of true education. At Geneva, we continue to strive to listen to Him pro Christo et patria.
Of course, we believe that Christ began to make
Calvin L.Troup, PhD President
GENEVA MAGAZINE
GENEVA M A G A Z I N E
SUMMER 2019 Geneva Magazine is published two times per year for Geneva College alumni, donors, students and parents. It showcases the college and its constituents as they strive to fulfill the college’s mission. Opinions expressed in Geneva Magazine are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the editorial review board or the official position of the college. EDITOR DAN DIETER DESIGNER BEN LICHIUS
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EDITORIAL REVIEW BOARD MARVIN DEWEY, PHD, EDD CHERYL JOHNSTON DAVE LAYTON ’88 KELLY SANZARI, MA RICHARD TALBERT, PHD CALVIN L. TROUP ’83, PHD VAN ZANIC ’93 JAMIE SWANK, JD WRITERS OLIVIA FORTON ’19 JACOB YARNELL ’19 KATHARYNE REITSMA ’20 EMILY WALKER ’20 JESSICA WILSON ’21 PHOTOGRAPHERS CHRISTY MARTIN ’16 ABIGAIL BANKES ’19 ALAINA COTTAGE ’22 OLIVIA FORTON ’19 GREG MEILANDER ’19 MEGAN SCHOENEWEIS ’19 RACHEL KOONTZ ’20
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From the President
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George Tannehill ’46 leaves Geneva $6M Planned Gift
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Sprinting to Success
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The John H. Gerstner Project
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Prepared and Sent Out: Service Pro Christo et Patria
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Athletic News
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On Campus/Community Involvement
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From Mechanical to Medical
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In Memoriam
Commencement Address by Dr. Stephen J. Nichols
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Campus News
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Class Notes
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Please send feedback to editor@geneva.edu or Geneva Magazine, Geneva College, 3200 College Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 15010.
Much More than Preserving Books Geneva Dedicates the John H. Gerstner Collection for God’s Glory By Olivia Forton ‘19 and Cheryl Johnston
In early May 2019, Geneva College welcomed
esteemed guests from near and far to campus for the John H. Gerstner Collection Dedication.This dedication celebrated the newly installed Gerstner Collection on the main floor of McCartney Library. A Harvard graduate, Dr. Gerstner was a renowned theologian who mentored R. C. Sproul and many others, authored dozens of books and contributed significantly to Reformed Theology in the 20th century. He also regularly taught at Geneva and spoke at chapel. Dr. Gerstner’s family donated his collection of works, private and published writings, study notes, video and
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extensive resources for public access at Geneva College.The collection will greatly benefit Geneva students and faculty as well as theological scholars from across the country interested in apologetics, Jonathan Edwards, and biblical inerrancy among other scholarly emphases in Dr. Gerstner’s work.This
valued collection is expected to benefit novices and advanced theologians alike, particularly those working in the Reformed tradition. Geneva College President Dr. Calvin L.Troup remarked that it’s a wonderful blessing for Geneva College to have such a collection that aligns with the college’s mission. “We are not here to preserve books.We’re here to help young people understand that Christ has claims on every aspect of their lives.We need to pass along to the next generation the gift that John Gerstner gave the students that he taught – helping them to be believers thinking, believers living before God and giving Him their lives.” The events marking the opening of the Gerstner Collection were held over Commencement weekend and included a Gerstner Symposium, Dedication and Pastor’s Luncheon.
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We need to pass along to the next generation the gift that John Gerstner gave the students that he taught.” - Calvin L.Troup, PhD
The Gerstner Symposium, moderated by Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary President Dr. Barry York, investigated the topic,“What questions and contributions of note make the work of John H. Gerstner merit continuing study?” A panel of three contributors who knew Dr. Gerstner well participated in the discussion: •
Dr.Art Lindsley,Vice President of Theological Initiatives at the Institute for Faith Works & Economics
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Dr. David Coffin, Senior Pastor of New Hope Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Fairfax, VA
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Dr. Mark Ross, the John R. DeWitt Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the Institute for Reformed Worship at Erskine Theological Seminary in Columbia, SC
An overflowing crowd gathered under a large tent beside McCartney Library for the Dedication. At this event, Dr. Stephen Nichols, President of Reformation Bible College and Chief Academic Officer of Ligonier Ministries, noted,“John Gerstner was an evangelist to academia – a respected scholar with the boldness of a reformer to speak the truth in love.”
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John Gerstner was an evangelist to academia.”
Vesta Sproul
Dr. Stephen J. Nichols
The Genevans under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Smith
Left to Right: Dr. David Coffin, Dr. Art Lindsley, Dr. Mark Ross, Dr. Barry York
- Stephen J. Nichols, PhD
“In a time of great controversy in the 60s and 70s, when denominations were caving… he was uncompromising, a warrior, standing strong and rooted. He was not only confessional but convictional confessional.” With the Gerstner Collection located at Geneva College, that heritage will live on, observed Dr. Nichols. “Like Gerstner’s own students, Geneva students will find these manuscripts and books and get a little steel in their spine, a little encouragement from the legacy of John Gerstner. Scholars will come here to discover more about Apologetics as a Reformed position. And pastors will realize there is a little book that places them in the presence of Jesus Christ – and enables them to lead their congregation right to Him. I trust that God will use the materials and the space we dedicate today to the praise of His glory.” Dr. Byron Curtis, who studied under Dr. Gerstner, is a Geneva College Professor of Biblical Studies, writes music and talked a bit about an anthem he penned, “Soli Deo Gloria.” The title, he explained, means “To the Glory of God Alone” and is a motto he heard many times from the lips of Dr. Gerstner. It is also part of the Latin translation of one of Dr. Gerstner’s favorite verses of scripture, 1 Timothy 1:17.The Genevans, the college’s official choir, brought the anthem to life by singing two of the movements from “Soli Deo Gloria.” Dr. Gerstner’s son, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Gerstner, and his pastor, Rev. David Kenyon from Pioneer Presbyterian
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Dr. Jonathan Gerstner, Dr. Calvin L. Troup
Church in Ligonier, PA, shared remembrances. Dr. John “Jack” White ’58, President Emeritus of Geneva and a contemporary of Dr. Gerstner’s, gave the Dedication. (See the Q&A on page 6.) Fittingly, the Dedication events ended with a Pastor’s Luncheon, featuring a challenge to God’s front line of today to be diligent in conveying the gospel to the world and raising up disciples in Christ’s name – a cause to which Dr. Gerstner devoted his life. Dr. Nichols gave the message for pastors and all who gathered at the luncheon. Those who would like to experience the robust works and materials comprising the Dr. John H. Gerstner Collection are invited to visit the room that houses the collection on the main floor of McCartney Library. For more information or to view the webcast of the John H. Gerstner Collection Dedication, go to www.geneva.edu/gerstner. G
Q&A with Jack White on John H. Gerstner By Katharyne Reitsma ‘20
Dr. John H.“Jack”White ’58,
former Geneva College President, knew Dr. John H. Gerstner and talked about Dr. Gerstner’s relationship with Geneva, his influence and the collection.
Q: How did you come to know Dr. John H. Gerstner? A: Dr. Gerstner played a part in my coming to faith. In 1954, I was not a believer, but my roommate John Russell took me to a service at College Hill RP Church at which Dr. Gerstner was preaching. He was a very, very dynamic speaker in the Rev. David Kenyon, Dr. John H. “Jack” White, and Dr. Jonathan Gerstner pedagogical style. He preached a famous series of sermons,“Hell: Q: How did the Gerstner Collection find its way to What It Is,”“Hell: Who’s Going There” and “Hell: How Geneva? to Escape.” These sermons were very significant in my coming to faith. Later, I was a student of Dr. Gerstner’s A: The collection was housed in a warehouse not in two classes at Xenia Seminary in Pittsburgh. I got available to anyone. Dr.Troup and I agreed that the to know him quite well. He was one of the most most appropriate place for a trove like this should be noted scholars of Jonathan Edwards in the evangelical at an institution that loved the biblical and Reformed community. Theology that is represented by Dr. Gerstner’s ministry and teaching. A decision was made by the family to give Q: What were Dr. Gerstner’s connections to Geneva? the collection to Geneva College and make it publicly A: While I was working at College Hill RP Church, I available. asked Dr. Gerstner to teach a Sunday School class for Q: What influence do you expect the Gerstner students one day a week for four weeks each year. Collection to have? When I went to Geneva, I also had him teach short courses on the Bible each year. And he preached in A: I think it will be a place for local pastors and lay folk chapel several times in the 1970s and 1980s. His robust to come and be informed and inspired by Dr. Gerstner’s Reformed and Calvinistic teaching helped to shape teaching through the years.They will be able to sit and Geneva into a college that had that same love. enjoy the many, and there are many, DVDs, audiotapes, etc. And then, there are very precious books and notes Q: What was Dr. Gerstner most passionate about? about his substantial study of Jonathan Edwards. For A: It was a combination of two things: First and Geneva students and scholars from across America, most importantly, he wanted people to know Jesus there will be an opportunity to study primary sources personally. And secondly, he wanted people, believers, of one of the foremost Reformed scholars of the 20th to know and love sound, biblical theology. century right here at Geneva College. G
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ON-CAMPUS / COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Douglas/Paton Fund Geneva announces the creation of the Douglas-Paton Humanities Fund in honor of professors Betty Douglas and Ann Paton, key architects of Geneva’s Humanities program. They were integral in the creation of the Humanities core, launched in 1969. This endowed fund provides funds for field trips, guest speakers and other resources. The chair of the Humanities Program, in consultation with the Provost, determines how these funds will be used each year. Alumni are invited to participate in helping Geneva establish the Douglas-Paton Humanities Fund with a one-time gift or commitment over one to two years.
Ann Paton, PhD
Betty Douglas
Hartman/Myers Scholarship Eddie Hartman and Keith Myers, two beloved graduates from the class of ‘83, are memorialized along with other graduates lost from the class of 1983 through the Eddie Hartman and Keith Myers Memorial Scholarship Endowment. This endowment was made possible through the contributions of Calvin ‘83 and Amy (Spears ‘83) Troup and Andrew ’83 and Jane (MacDonald ‘85) Bernard, who together have committed $75,000 in seed money over the next four years to this endowment. Alumni are encouraged to aid in this effort to meet or exceed a memorial endowment goal of $150,000, an amount that will produce $6,000 in annual scholarships for Geneva students.
Dr. Kevin J. Vanhoozer Dr. Kevin J. Vanhoozer was a chapel speaker and 2019 Vos Memorial Lecturer with a message entitled, “Staurology, Ontology, and the Travail of Biblical Narrative.” Dr. Vanhoozer is a Theologian and Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois. He earned his BA from Westmont College, his MDiv from Westminster Theological Seminary and his PhD at Cambridge University in England.
Vos Reprint Geneva College announces the June 2019 availability of a new reprint of The Book of Books from Crown & Covenant Publishers. The Book of Books is a collection of essays about the primacy and vitality of the Word of God. The clear message is to love, to know and to follow God's written Word. The book was first assembled in 1978 to honor beloved Professor J.G. Vos—Bible teacher, Reformed theologian, pastor and missionary—and his passionate work for God's kingdom. Contributors include Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Cornelius Van Til, J.G. Vos and John H. White. New to this edition: a photograph section; a new preface; an introduction that explores the effects of Vos’s time in China on today’s burgeoning Chinese church. Learn more by visiting crownandcovenant.com, calling 412-241-0436 or visiting the purchase page at Crownandcovenant.com/product_p/bs231.htm.
Keith Myers
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Eddie Hartman
ON-CAMPUS / COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
City-College Alliance Intentionality and connection is important to Geneva. As the largest employer in Beaver Falls, Geneva invests and collaborates with the city to work toward the flourishing of the community as a whole. Geneva’s motto – Pro Christo et Patria – is not just a motto; it is a mandate to live for Christ and country, to invest in the surrounding community, to build, encourage and strengthen it. “The Lord brought us here,” shares President Calvin L. Troup concerning Geneva’s move from Northwood, OH to Beaver Falls in 1880. Invited into an already established community, Geneva sits on gifted land from the Harmony Society. Since then, the histories of Beaver Falls and Geneva have been integrally intertwined. Therefore, the Board of Trustees formed the CityCollege Alliance with Beaver Falls. At its heart, the mission of this alliance is to establish a partnership to intentionally collaborate, establish new connections and support current ones. Tangible examples are the newly opened 1.78-mile Walk Beaver Falls Trail
between the Geneva campus and the Beaver Falls business corridor, the South Campus Project, which will renovate the city-college boundary of campus through the generous donations of friends and a grant from the Commonwealth Finance Authority; and partnering with Communicycle, a bike sharing community allowing students to travel on and off campus. Geneva also started the Beaver Falls Fellows Program, which provides a quality Christian education to qualified Beaver Falls High School graduates at no cost. Officers from the city’s police force earn their criminal justice degrees at Geneva and invest in the college while earning vital field experience doing security work on campus. These are just some of the many ways that Geneva and Beaver Falls are working together to form a city of connection, communication and community. Through the City-College Alliance, community members can work toward fulfilling Jeremiah 29:7, “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you,” and through seeking the welfare, through intentional investment, all will be blessed.
Harlem Globetrotters Dazzle Geneva Community Geneva College brought together a couple thousand people from surrounding communities in Metheny Fieldhouse on February 5 for The World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters and their “Fan Powered World Tour.” Fans of all ages and backgrounds communed in cheers and laughter at the showcase of iconic basketball talents, tricks, jokes and entertainment. One section of the gym was devoted to honoring Special Olympics participants. Local Boy Scout troops and youth basketball teams joined the festivities. At halftime the Blackhawk High School choir performed, youth basketball players played a game, and students from Central Elementary School enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience by intermingling with the Globetrotters on the court and posing for a picture with their school banner. It was a memorable community-building event. 8
ON-CAMPUS / COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
South Campus Spruce Up Geneva embarks on the next phase of Expanding Our Edge 2.0 with a focus on improvements to the southern end of campus where it meets the City of Beaver Falls. Improvements will include new black iron rod fencing to match Reeves Field, as well as a new entrance to the Merriman Athletic Complex. New signage will adorn the bleachers of the Track and Field Complex. In addition, improved lighting will brighten a new, wider sidewalk bordering PA Route 18. The more appealing south campus will present a better athletic environment and a safer and more inviting space for walking.
Dr. Christopher Yuan Addresses Singleness and Homosexuality Dr. Christopher Yuan, renowned Christian speaker on faith and sexuality, spoke at two Geneva College events this February 27. In Chapel, Yuan shared his struggle with homosexuality and journey to victory through Christ in his sermon titled, “Redeeming Biblical Singleness.” He ended his testimony with a message to Christian singles on the goodness, holiness and eternality of singleness. That evening, Yuan gave a lecture, “A Christian Response to Homosexuality” for the Geneva Visiting Artist & Lecture Series (GVALS). Yuan is Professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute and author of multiple books including, Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God, A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope. 9
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Tolkien & Lewis Performed at Geneva Playwright and actor David Payne’s production, Tolkien & Lewis: Wardrobes & Rings, was staged in Geneva’s John White Chapel during two performances in January. The work explores the friendship of the two lions of twentieth century British fantasy writing. The Chronicles of Narnia (Lewis) and The Lord of the Rings (Tolkien) reached millions of readers, young and old alike, with mystifying adventures to entertain and deep truths to move people's hearts. They were also Oxford University faculty members, participants in a literary group known as the Inklings and friends who had their share of disagreements and estrangement. In the play, audiences joined "Jack" and "Tollers," as they knew each other, at Oxford's historic Eagle and Child Pub for one last visit, tempered by thawing humor, confession and reconciliation.
Shooting Victim Robbie Tolan Tells His Tale The Geneva College Criminal Justice Club hosted speaker Robbie Tolan on February 15, 2019. Tolan, author of the book No Justice: One White Police Officer, One Black Family, and How One Bullet Ripped Us Apart, shared his experience as a survivor of a 2008 police shooting and the legal process that followed. Son of a major league baseball player, Tolan described himself as an advocate for victims of police brutality. Tolan says, “God put me here for a reason; He spared my life for a purpose. I can’t be selfish in this second chance that I’ve been given.”
ON-CAMPUS / COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Concerts Captivate Christian Community Geneva contributed to the Christian community’s praise of God through music in two March concerts. The college hosted Big Daddy Weave, popular Christian contemporary music group, in a concert bringing together nearly 2,000 Christian music fans from the surrounding communities in Metheny Fieldhouse. Lead singer Mike Weaver and bandmates performed best-selling songs like “Redeemed,” “The Lion and the Lamb” and “Overwhelmed” from their catalog, developed over a 20-year career. As is their custom, the band spent time after the concert greeting, listening to and praying with concert goers. Geneva sponsored Christian contemporary artists Casting Crowns’ concert at Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena. Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing Tony Turner, EdD, spoke from the stage about Geneva’s mission, and thousands of attendees received information about a Christ-centered Geneva education and a gift.
Snell & Kaemingk Lecture on Political Philosophy
for Public Justice and author of the book Christian Hospitality and Muslim Immigration in an Age of Fear (Eerdmans, 2018).
The Bitar Memorial Lecture Series welcomed Dr. R.J. Snell and Dr. Matthew Kaemingk to speak on two complementary approaches to political theology. On February 6, Snell spoke on “The Law of Love: A Classical Approach to Political Theology.” While Snell emphasized the classical, Kaemingk focused on the Reformed approach, giving his lecture, “The Cross, the Crown, and our Muslim Neighbor: A Reformed Approach to Political Theology,” on March 27.
Both lecturers also held classes for Geneva students and engaged informally in philosophical conversation with them.
Dr. Snell is Director of Academic Programs at the Witherspoon Institute in Princeton, NJ and has authored many books including The Perspective of Love: Natural Law in a New Mode (Pickwick, 2014). Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics at Fuller Seminary, Dr. Kaemingk is an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church, Fellow for the Center
Dr. R.J. Snell
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COMMENCEMENT MAY 11, 2019
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a few moments to bring you a charge from God’s word.
by Dr. Stephen J. Nichols
This is a text in Deuteronomy chapter six, and we find ourselves in Deuteronomy chapter six in a time of transition, a time of anticipation, of what’s next for the nation Israel. And we hear these words, Deuteronomy 6: 10-13. “And when the Lord your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you - with great and good cities that you did not build, and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant - and when you eat and are full, then take care, lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve by his name you shall swear.”
Excerpted From Dr. Nichol’s Geneva College Commencement Address, May 11, 2019
It’s been a real joy for us to be on your campus. It’s
my first time on your campus, though I am a Western Pennsylvania native. And I bring greetings to you from Ligonier ministries. Also accompanying me is Vesta Sproul, the wife of R.C. Sproul, and greetings, Dr.Troup and administration, to you faculty, to you honored guests and family, and to you especially, graduates. Now one thing you know, being at a college like Geneva, is that salvation is by faith alone, through grace alone. But graduation is by works. And you have earned this moment, and I trust that you will savor this moment of celebration. Please allow me SPEAKER Dr. Stephen J. Nichols • • • •
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President of Reformation Bible College in Sanford, FL Chief Academic Officer of Ligonier Ministries Author of 20 books including Beyond the 95 Theses and Jesus Made in America Blogger, podcast host of 5 Minutes in Church History and Open Book.
GENEVA MAGAZINE
This is a richly textured text. As I read this text, all sorts of images come to mind, images of cities and the ancient land of Canaan, with houses that are full of furniture and wares and supplies that are needed and at wells, cisterns, and vineyards, and olive trees. We very clearly see what is expected of Israel when they get into this land of Canaan the foundational, fundamental activity of how they are to respond to God and what God demands of them. On the one hand you have remembering; remember, the key here is,“then take care lest you forget.” And what flows from remembering is gratitude for all these things that were done for us, that we did not do. And from gratitude flows dependence, the realization that we could not do these things without the assistance of others, and ultimately without the faithfulness of the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. And then from that gratitude and dependence, we fear God. We have that proper perspective on who He is, and who we are. We order all of our lives and every aspect of our lives along that relationship.
We have a very clear task: we serve Him, and we give Him our exclusive allegiance, and we swear by no other name. We remember, we are grateful, we are dependent.We fear God, we serve Him, and we show Him our allegiance. On the other side is forgetting. Forgetting leads to ingratitude. We forget what everyone has done for us and the things that were provided for us, and so, we cultivate a deeply rooted ingratitude, and that leads to an independence. We are in this on our own, and we need not the help of others. Once ingratitude and independence take root, it leads us directly to pursuing little idols and our hearts wander far from God.We stray, and we seek after other gods. That’s the upshot of this text. And Israel is reminded as they come into this land, they are to remember.The part that sticks out to me is the wells. I love the idea of the wells. I think about some of these wells. Do you remember one of them was somewhere on the way to the wilderness of Sur? And there a well was not dug but it was discovered - it was a spring. It was discovered by a woman and she was in a very desperate situation. And in this culture water means life.The absence of water means death. Here Hagar finds this spring, in the wilderness of Sur. She’s led to it. And as Israel went into the land, they were to remember that these wells were given to them - wells that provided life and wells that told them stories, stories of God’s faithfulness and even stories of God’s faithfulness despite His people’s unfaithfulness and quarreling and bickering.They were to learn something. They were to learn gratitude for God. Now, you know that as a graduate.You know that you are not here without the help of others.You know that you would not be here without your parents digging deep wells for you throughout your life. And that you would not be here were it not for the faculty who had dug deep wells for you to drink from. We remember, and that causes us to be grateful.
may very well be generations who come after you. What wells will you dig with your lives for those who will come after you?
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What wells will you dig with your lives for those who will come after you?”
Not only be grateful but have a proper ambition. Ambition is sometimes one of those words that gets abused easily, but ambition not need be unhealthy. If we are ambitious for ourselves, then yes. But if we are ambitious for God, for His glory and for future generations to know the God of Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob, then that is a healthy ambition. And so, as you embark on what is next and as you move into to that next phase that God has for you, remember, be grateful and realize that there may very well be generations who come after you. And what are you leaving for them? Believe, love, fear, serve and obey Him. I encourage you to remember these words - To remember all that has been done for you, ultimately, by God through others, for you. Remember and be grateful. May you get to the end of your lives and may you say that you have believed, you have feared, you have served, that you have given your all and your whole allegiance to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. May God bless you with a life of faithfulness and a life of fruitfulness. May God bless you graduates, 2019 graduates of Geneva College.Thank you. G
Watch the video...
And so, my charge to you firstly is remember and be grateful. For from that gratitude will spring a dependence upon God. And from that dependence upon God will spring verse 13, fearing Him, serving Him, and swearing your allegiance to Him and demonstrating it in all of your life. But let me encourage you not only to drink from wells that others have dug, but let me remind you that there
To see the full commencement address, go to: www.youtube.com/genevacollege
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George Tannehill ’46 Leaves Geneva $6 Million Planned Gift By Jessica Wilson ‘21
George Tannehill ’46 served his community and
his country well during his life, and by way of a planned gift to Geneva College of around $6 million, he continues to serve well. He received a Geneva Life “G”Alumni Award in 1994 for achievements of service above self and noteworthy efforts on behalf of Geneva, community and nation. He also received nine bronze stars and battle awards in his time in the Air Force during World War II. Among his many military decorations and citations are a Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge with Oak Leaf Clusters, the European-African Middle East Service Medal, and U.S. Air Defense Medal. He retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserve on July 1, 1968 as a Major and Executive Officer with the 911th Troop Carrier Wing, Greater Pittsburgh Airport. Tannehill’s service to Geneva, community and nation 15
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started early when he enlisted in the Air Force reserves in 1942, just one semester into his studies at Geneva. He served in the Air Force for three years and spent 20 months in Italy with the 775th bombardment squadron. Even while he was away, Geneva was still on his mind and in his heart. While he was overseas,Tannehill wrote, “I heard in [the] mid-Atlantic via radio that Geneva [football team] beat Westminster by 10 points.” In the published work A History of the 775th Bombardment Squadron, 463rd Heavy Bomb Group, Tannehill’s squadron is remembered as an all-American outfit, proud patriots and possessing an unlimited will to achieve. After his service,Tannehill returned to Geneva, graduating in 1946 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. His education continued at the University of Pennsylvania where he completed
an MBA in 1948. His professional career began with Koppers, Inc. as an Auditor for Procedures, but he was later transferred and promoted to the Supervisor of Accounting and Procedures and eventually became Comptroller.Tannehill served on assignment in Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Egypt,Turkey, Philippines and Australia during his time with Koppers. He married Beverly Bae Wally in 1972 at their longtime church, First United Methodist Church.The Tannehills were very invested in their church, serving their community members, young and old, through mentorship, Sunday school and leadership. George Tannehill served on the board of directors for Jersey Settlement Cemetery for 30 years and served 15 years on the board of Asbury Heights (Methodist) Retirement Home, Mount Lebanon, PA, including three years as its president. He taught Sunday school for many years at First United Methodist Church, and in his early life, also worked as an Assistant Professor for The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina in Charleston. In 1956, he began teaching as a part-time professor at Geneva College and held this role for five years. George Tannehill served God, community and country wherever he was. During his service in the military, the accolades and the stories of his valor tell of his courageous service. His dedication to his profession also led to successes in business, and he valued learning and teaching.These types of service were clearly present in Tannehill’s life as he sought to honor God and neighbor through prayerful service. Upon his passing in July 2018 at age 96, he gave one of the most substantial monetary gifts Geneva has ever received, an estimated $6 million, to ensure a continued legacy of service to future generations. G
The Life “G” Award Recipients The Life “G” Award, Geneva’s highest alumni honor, is presented each year to a graduate for service above self, one who embodies the principles for which Geneva stands and whose efforts on behalf of the college, the community and the nation have been exemplary. The award is also a means of honoring alumni for exemplifying Geneva’s standards, mission and commitment to servant-leadership. At the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on May 11, 2019, two recipients were honored with the Life “G” Award. F. Ann Paton ‘50 is from New Castle, PA and graduated from Shenango High School. At Geneva, she had a double major in math and English, sang in The Genevans, worked two jobs and graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1950. She joined the Geneva faculty in 1958, and she stayed until she retired in 1994. She was given the Excellence in Teaching Award. Her degrees are the Geneva BA, Master’s from the University of Pittsburgh, and PhD in Medieval British Literature from the University of Colorado. She loved classroom teaching and is thankful for the company of scholarly people, united in their vision and practice of Christian higher education. Charles Ray Steele ‘52 was born in Western Pennsylvania on January 29, 1925, the fifth child of Elmer and Ernestine Steele. Ray enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and was a part of the Army Air Corps, flying raids over Nazi Germany from England. He was a flight engineer on a B-24. He graduated with a business degree from Geneva College in 1952. He and his wife, Barbara Ann Baltzell ‘52, met while both were members of the Geneva College Choir in Beaver Falls, PA. He passed to his life eternal on January 31, 2019, two days after his 94th birthday. He was awarded the Life “G” posthumously. 16
Prepared and Sent Out: Service Pro Christo et Patria By Dani (Fitzgerald ’14) Brown
Geneva College’s motto,“Pro Christo et Patria,”
articulates the college’s desire to prepare people to serve God and serve others, for Christ and country. In living out this motto, a virtuous pattern manifests – students come to Geneva to prepare to serve their neighbors, and then Geneva sends them to their mission fields, whether they be professional vocations, graduate schools, full-time ministries or others. For some Geneva graduates, the mission field is thousands of miles away and for others, it’s close to home in the local community.That’s the way it was for Charles “Mick” Jones ’08 ADP, ’11 MSOL. Jones, who has over 30 years of service under his belt, served the local Beaver Falls community as a police officer for more than two decades, eventually becoming the city’s police chief. Jones also served in the U.S. Air Force in both active duty in the ‘80s and in the reserves in the ‘90s. Jones clearly knew how to serve before attending Geneva’s adult completion program in 2008 and later receiving his master’s in organizational leadership. But he says the college gave him the tools necessary to be a Christian servant leader. “Biblical study and good solid biblical principles in 17
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management… I thought Geneva would be a good fit,” he says. And it was. At Geneva, Jones sharpened his scriptural knowledge and leadership foundation, and with his continued work in the community, he became the City Manager of Beaver Falls. “In my role as a Christian manager, I’m a real big fan of servant leadership, and it’s so much more than the day-to-day tasks,” Jones says. “I probably spend a lot more time with people, talking about their personal challenges. And that’s crucial. It’s important to be there for people and let them know you care.” With his experience in the military and working as a local police officer, Jones knows firsthand what brokenness looks like in the world. But as a believer, he says he has hope and can share that hope with others. “There’s a lot of brokenness in the world, and a lot of people don’t know where that comes from,” Jones says. “You don’t always have to open up your Bible with them, but you may be the only Bible somebody sees.” When Jones sees injustice in the city and is frequently reminded of the sinfulness all around, he stays positive, focuses on the good that’s also taking place and keeps his eyes on things above.
“I let my life be a sermon in itself,” he says.
But overall, attending a college that prioritized trusting the Lord through all circumstances had an impact she relies on, especially on the harder days.
Other Geneva alumni find themselves in similar situations, being confronted by the brokenness of the world yet seeking the Lord through it all.
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“A lot of days I really do lean on my faith and pray for the students on my heart and the more needy situations,” she reveals.“I’ve been in tears over a student and giving it to God. I have to realize that I have limitations, but I have to trust that God will be there for them and provide for them.”
I let my life be a sermon in itself.”
As a Geneva graduate student,Thomas says she especially valued learning from professors who worked in a public school setting, but still remained true to their Christian faith and ethical convictions.
Minnesota native Katie Thomas ’17 MA is one of those folks. She received her Master of Arts in Counseling from Geneva in 2017 and currently works as a school counselor in the Slippery Rock Area School District in Butler County, PA. While attending Geneva, she worked at an inpatient, mental health facility serving the vulnerable in the local community. What she learned hands-on in the community coincided beautifully with her experiences at Geneva, both in the classroom and working as an academic advisor in Geneva’s Student Success Center. “It all kind of played a part,” Thomas says. “I worked in the mental health field and it’s been impactful as a school counselor because I get the medical side of counseling. I was also able to work as an academic advisor. I enjoyed working one-on-one with Geneva students and hearing what did and didn’t work for them.”
“Dr. Shannan Shiderly (a Professor and Chair of the program) gave good, practical insight into the public school setting, expectations and how to navigate it,” Thomas explains.“As a school counselor, I’m a neutral party. Dr. Shiderly’s insight and advice from her years as a school counselor were very beneficial.” Now, as a school counselor herself, Thomas is an advocate, a listener, a teacher, a supporter and a leader. And through it all, she does so as a servant of God. “Counseling and my Christian faith are intertwined,” she says.“I can serve God by helping people and walking alongside them.”
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Counseling and my Christian faith are intertwined. I can serve God by helping people and walking alongside them.”
While Jones stayed nearby and Thomas came to Geneva from far away, alumnus Dean Dinell ’15, who earned a Geneva degree in Sociology in 2015, initially decided to attend a college several counties away. “The general consensus with high school students was that once you graduate from Beaver Falls, you have to move as far away as possible.You have to get away from here,” Dinell says.“That was sort of the unspoken rule, and I had fallen into that for a time.” But Dinell said he felt called back to Beaver Falls and Geneva College. He even packed up his things and drove back to the city in the middle of the night, transferring to Geneva and starting classes that same semester. 18
“Chapel, the mandatory Bible classes and other opportunities were such an enriching experience. It brought everything to light and confirmed to me who I am as a Christian and what I believe in,” he says. Now, four years after finishing his undergraduate program at Geneva, Dinell ran for Beaver Falls City Council and hopes to come alongside the good that’s already taking place in the city. Dinell says.“That service mindset has been instilled in me, and I think I’ve found my calling.”
“ Dinell says the more he studied sociology and learned from his professors at Geneva, he realized,“There are great things being done here in the community, and I want to be a part of that.” Attending Geneva was a turning point for Dinell, not only in his desire to serve the community, but to do so because of his hope in Christ. Although he was raised in a Christian home, Dinell credits Geneva for really enhancing his faith.
Helping students hear and respond to God’s call in their lives is a primary tenet of the Geneva College vision.Through vocational training and fostering academic strength, Geneva prepares its graduates to serve and sends them out regularly to all corners of the world to proclaim the Good News as they integrate faith and life. G
AUTHOR
Through his studies at Geneva, especially his classes with Dr. Brad Frey, Dinell started to see Beaver Falls in a whole new light – with less judgment and more grace.
That service mindset has been instilled in me, and I think I’ve found my calling.”
Dani (Fitzgerald ’14) Brown studied writing at Geneva College and worked for the college’s student-organized newspaper. She is a reporter for the Ellwood City Ledger and Beaver County Times and also teaches English as a second language to Chinese students online.
L LegacyGrant GENEVA COLLEGE’s
To see all of the legacy photos from this year’s commencement ceremony, go to Geneva.edu/legacy.
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To celebrate the importance of our legacy families, we offer a legacy grant to incoming students who have a parent or grandparent who graduated from Geneva.
For questions about the Legacy Grant, contact your admissions counselor at 724-847-6500.
From Mechanical to Medical By Jessica Driscoll-Owens ‘14
Joshua Woolley ’03 looked like the perfect,
successful, soon-to-be Geneva graduate. He was studying mechanical engineering, and with only a semester standing in his way of graduation, he already had job offers.“My last semester I felt worried, anxious and depressed,”Woolley says.“I knew something wasn’t right.” During that semester, a friend invited Woolley to hear a lecture by Dr. James Antaki at the University of Pittsburgh on the engineering of artificial hearts. The topic piqued Woolley’s interest, but the offer of free pizza piqued it even more. This lecture turned out to be so much more than free pizza as Woolley talked with others about bioengineering and artificial heart research. He began to realize that working with machines was not his calling. He enjoyed engineering but wanted to see his work directly impact the lives of those around him, through medicine, to serve God and neighbor through his vocation. A number of doors flung open for Woolley during this time. It just so happened that Geneva’s Assistant Dean of Students Joy (Morgan ’68) Jewell was familiar with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s (UPMC) Artificial Heart Program because her husband, Paul Jewell ’68 received a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD), which helped him remain healthy enough to later undergo a successful heart transplant. A VAD is a piece of hardware implanted in the heart to assist blood flow to the body. “VADs are used to provide support, pumping blood one ventricle at a time until a heart transplant is available,” explains Woolley. These devices allow the patient’s body to continue receiving a proper flow of blood, increasing the chances of a successful heart transplant. Woolley found this work fascinating and later accepted a part-time position in the Artificial Heart Program at UPMC, his Geneva degree helping him make this new interest possible.“I had to work a full-time mechanical engineering job to pay the bills, but my real job was working at the hospital,” Woolley explains.This job and the connections Woolley made during this time led him to apply to the University of Pittsburgh’s Bioengineering PhD program.
Dr. Joshua Woolley ’03 is the recipient of the 2018 Geneva Alumni Distinguished Service Award, first author on multiple peer-reviewed publications, first author for a book chapter in a physicians textbook, an invited lecturer to numerous conferences and hospitals, and an expert in Pediatric Anticoagulation.
While Woolley knew he had finally found his calling, he did not feel prepared for a PhD in Bioengineering or the lab work required for his degree. However, God saw him through, and his Geneva degree gave him the flexibility necessary to step up to the challenge. After applying to and being turned down by several labs for his internship, Woolley got accepted into his first-pick lab with William Wagner. “I was so excited but nervous,”Woolley reveals. “We were studying how blood interacts with artificial heart and surfaces, but I knew nothing. My first day I was on Wikipedia looking up platelets and such because I didn’t know anything about that.” As Woolley approached the completion of his PhD Program, he accepted a position as Clinical Affairs Specialist with Berlin Heart, Inc., at the time the only VAD provider for children.There, he provided clinical support for children with VADs.“I cannot touch the patients, but I assist the surgeon by telling them how to do the surgery and ensure the device is attached properly.” Woolley loved working with children, but after implants in over 130 children, he thought it was time to move on. He became interested in developing a better VAD device for children. In 2017 Woolley accepted a new position as Director of Clinical Affairs at NuPulseCV, an artificial heart startup company. Here he began working on a Mechanical Circulatory Support device, which assists rather than takes over the work of the left ventricle.“Our device is easier to live with and has less complications than VADs,” Woolley says. It is currently awaiting FDA approval. G 20
CAMPUS NEWS
Jack White ‘58 Honored as a Faithful Servant The Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) in Pittsburgh, PA, held their annual support dinner on Friday, March 22. At this event former President of Geneva, Rev. Dr. John H. “Jack” White ‘58 was honored with the Faithful Servant Award. His service was highlighted in a video created by the Coalition for Christian Outreach from his years of partnership with them. Dr. White joins 12 past recipients of this award. When thinking of potential award recipients, President of RPTS Barry York said, “We look for someone who has consistently served Christ and the church over a lifetime with fruitful ministry and maintained a Christ-like character in so doing.” Dr. White displayed this kind of service and character in his work both as a pastor and as the President of Geneva College, as well as through his work in helping to establish ministries like: Beaver County Christian School, the Center for Urban Biblical Ministries and Tiger Pause.
Dr. White was a student at RPTS from 1958-1961. Later, he served on the Board of Directors and Trustees. Dr. White says that RPTS, especially Dr. Bruce Wilson, “taught me about the lordship of Christ over every area of life, a Biblical worldview and Christian education.” Dr. White says these themes shaped him in understanding Christ’s claim on every area of life, especially the area of education, and helped him fulfill roles at Geneva as a teacher, administrator and later President from 1991 - 2004. While Dr. White was honored to be recognized by RPTS as a Faithful Servant and is very grateful, he says, “As far as I’m concerned, this is too much about White and not enough about God’s grace and glory. If it hadn’t been for His grace, none of the opportunities that I had would have happened.”
Low Geneva Student Loan Default Rate Gets Even Better The three-year cohort student loan default rate for students who graduated from Geneva improved to 4.8% for 2016 (the latest data available). Geneva’s 2015 student loan default rate of 6.5% was 8% better than the national average for private colleges and nearly 40% better than the allschool average. Geneva Director of Student Financial Services, Allyson Grubb ‘04, ‘13 MSOL says, “I believe the faithfulness of Geneva families is the greatest reason for our low loan default rate. In partnership with these families, we offer personal loan exit counseling, personal communication with students and parents, and financial literacy activities throughout the year.”
The March Matchness giving challenge results are in!
667 $250,193 $160,000 Generous Donors
Raised by Alumni, Friends, Faculty, Staff and Students
Matched by the Geneva College Trustees & Advancement Board
The Grand Total Raised...
$410,193 Thank You! Geneva.edu/give
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CAMPUS NEWS
New Programs Approved Geneva students will have new options of study for majors, minors and concentrations:
Long Time Band Director Hangs Up Uniform Donald Kephart, Geneva Band Director and Chair of the Department of Music, has retired after 36 years of service at Geneva College. Kephart, or “Coach” as his students call him, has directed the Golden Tornadoes Marching Band since 1983. He was also inducted into the Beaver Valley Musicians’ Hall of Fame in 2018 and won the Geneva College Excellence in Teaching award in 2005. Kephart has served his students and colleagues with grace. Replacing Kephart as new Band Director will be Mark Godwin, who is currently band director at Union Area (New Castle) School District and owner of Godwin Music Studio. He previously taught music at Aliquippa Schools. Godwin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Slippery Rock University. He lives with his wife Maegan and two children in Beaver, PA.
Communication Design combines the visual arts with the depth of communication scholarship and theory. The major will prepare students by developing their communication skills and providing hands-on design experiences. Community Leadership, offered at Geneva’s Pittsburgh Campus at the Center for Urban Biblical Ministry beginning in January 2020, is a four-year program in which students gain expertise in leading organizations and institutions of various types. • • • • • • • • • • • • •
BS, Actuarial Mathematics BS, Aviation Business Administration BS, Computer Science/Cybersecurity Dual Degree BA, Community Development BS, Cybersecurity BSBA, Finance Adult Development and Aging Services minor Behavioral Health Science minor Children, Youth and Family Services minor Concentration in Information Technology (Business Administration majors) Entrepreneurship minor (non-Business majors) Global Humanitarian Services minor Master’s in Education with School Counseling Certification
New Song Announces Summer Tour New Song, a special Geneva College music ministry, starts its 2019 summer tour June 22. This year’s group consists of ten students: Lily Burgreen, James Lyu, Kyle O’Keefe, Grace Skarzynski, Joel Yoder, Elyn Snyder, Jordan Kiesewetter, Matthew Munford, Ariadne Lewis and Annie Dawson. They will spend the summer ministering to many people across the Midwest. Saturday, June 22 - Dress Rehearsal Concert - Beaver Falls, PA
Tuesday, July 9 - Lawrence, KS
Sunday, June 23 - Minerva, OH
Wednesday, July 10 - Shawnee, KS
Monday, June 24 - Cincinnati, OH
Thursday, July 11 - Clarinda, IA
Wednesday, June 26 - Sparta, IL
Friday, July 12 - Washington, IA
Thursday, June 27 - Tulsa, OK
Saturday, July 13 - Davenport, IA
Saturday, June 29 - Sterling, KS
Sunday, July 14 - Janesville, WI
Monday, July 1 - Quinter, KS
Tuesday, July 16 - Midland, MI
Friday, July 5 - Cheyenne, WY
Thursday, July 18 - Lafayette, IN
Saturday, July 6 - Grand Island, NE
Friday, July 19 - Pataskala, OH
Sunday, July 7 - Clay Center, KS
Sunday, July 21 - Derry, PA
Monday, July 8 - Winchester, KS
Monday, July 22 - Robinson Township, PA
For details, go to Geneva.edu/newsong. 22
CAMPUS NEWS
New Hires at Geneva College Anthony Turner, EdD The Geneva community welcomes Dr. Anthony (Tony) Turner as the new Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing. Dr. Turner joins Geneva from his previous position as Vice President and Dean of Student Enrollment Services at Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, IL. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Practical Christian Training from Bob Jones University, a Master of Arts in Evangelism and Church Planting from Liberty University, and has just completed a doctoral degree in Leadership in Higher Education from Northcentral University of Arizona.
Mark Godwin Geneva College is excited to hear the new sounds of Mark Godwin as he joins the community as the new Band Director. Godwin has lived in Beaver County his whole life, attending Blackhawk High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Slippery Rock University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Education Technology for Online Instruction from Slippery Rock. Godwin has served as the Band Director at Aliquippa Area School District and then as the Union Area School District’s Band Director.
Michael Grinder
Joe Calderoni
Michael Grinder, new Geneva Women’s Basketball Head Coach, held the same position at the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville. Grinder received a bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry from Simson University, where he also played basketball. After college, he moved to Palestine to play professional basketball. He has coached basketball in foreign countries for four years.
Joe Calderoni also joined the Geneva Community this year, accepting the Events Manager position in the spring. He has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Michigan State University and worked for 30 years in this field. He lives in Enon Valley with his wife and three of his four children, all of whom are adopted. Calderoni is a member of Chippewa Alliance Church.
HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS*
September 27-28, 2019
FRI 9/27
Reunion years: 1959, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014
Ongoing 12 p.m. 1 - 4 p.m. 4 - 5 p.m. 6 - 8 p.m. 8 p.m.
Select Classes Open for Alumni to Attend Golden Grads Reunion Luncheon Campus Tours Alumni Profession Panels All Alumni Dinner and Alumni Awards Ceremony The Genevans Concert
SAT 9/28 8 - 10:30 a.m. 11 a.m. 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1 - 2:30 p.m. 3 p.m. 6 - 8 p.m.
Presidential Pancake Breakfast The Genevans Concert Class Reunions Academic & Affinity Reunions Football Game vs. Waynesburg University 100 Years of Engineering Celebration
*For more events and information, visit: 23
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Geneva.edu/homecoming
Aficionados Honoring Christ Through the Arts
Building a Lasting Legacy By Olivia Forton ‘19 Gifts from the senior class of 2018 and the Geneva College Board of Trustees of $5,342 funded a new gazebo on the west lawn of Old Main. Built from poplar wood, the gazebo stands out as a lasting legacy in a most visible part of campus. Inside, lights hang among the trusses, shedding warmth for an evening swing. The lights were reclaimed from the sanctuary of an RP church, purchased by the college in the early 2000s. The octagonal structure, complete with six swings facing inward, serves as a place of community where all can come and swing, relax, chat, study and enjoy the afternoon sun together. Kelly Sanzari, Director of Alumni Relations, says, “The seniors really wanted it to be a place where people were able to gather.” And the gazebo is already doing just that – fostering community. The workmanship of Geneva employees is evident in the new structure. Instrumental were carpenter Rick Fleisher and engineer Dave Clark, who drew the plans, including cuts, a parts list, and dimensions, from photographs. “Building the gazebo was a group effort,” Fleisher states, with electricians, builders, engineers, contractors and public coordinators all playing integral roles in its completion.
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I give to Geneva because the college was very giving to me when I was a student. I benefited from generous scholarship support while at Geneva. I also have been blessed by God, and He has called me to give back to those who have graciously blessed me.” - Nathan M. Danneker ’16
Geneva
Your loyalty to the Geneva Fund year after year truly makes an impact! •
Student tuition, room & board provides more than 87% of the operating budget. Giving to the Geneva Fund assists in filling the gap between tuition/room/board and the college’s remaining operating expenses.
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Your gift impacts students as they learn that everything they do has an eternal impact.
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Alumni participation is vital! A higher alumni rate of participation ranks Geneva higher nationally in publications such as U.S. News & World Report.
The Geneva Fund Goal for 2019-20 is $1,185,000 and an increase in the number of alumni donors by 300. Make an impact early in the new giving year, and make your gift today. Your participation now will help us keep Geneva strong.
Geneva.edu/give 25
Sprinting to Success By Chris Mathews ‘00
Senior Aaron Tedys grew up as a standout
athlete in football and track and field at nearby Riverside High School. When it came time to pick a college,Tedys chose a school about two hours away that had recruited him to play football. However, after one semester, Tedys realized it was not what he was looking for, and he decided to transfer. “I wanted to be in a Christian environment, and I wanted to be close to home,” says Tedys. “I wish I had focused a little more on Geneva coming out of high school, but that semester away helped me mature and figure out what was really important to me.” Tedys knew about Geneva and its Christian community, and he felt it would be a good fit to continue his college career. He had a couple high school friends who were already at Geneva, and they spoke very highly of the school. He thought about joining the football team, but he felt it might be best to leave athletics behind and focus on his academics. A week after Tedys arrived on Geneva’s campus, he got a call from Track and Field Coach Phil Thompson, who convinced him to come to a track practice before making a decision. Tedys eventually agreed, showing up at the next practice, and everything clicked from there. His first season,Tedys ran well, and the team finished in the middle of the conference standings. Coming into his sophomore year, Geneva had a strong group of upperclassmen returning, with Tedys as a key member. Coach Thompson felt the team was on the cusp of something special, and his optimism proved accurate. Geneva won its first Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship in track and field during the outdoor season in 2017. Tedys won the 400m race and ran on the winning 4x100m relay as well as earning points in the 200m and 4x400m relay. It would prove to be only the beginning of winning for Tedys and the Golden Tornadoes. Over the past two seasons, Geneva has added to its trophy case with two Indoor PAC Championships and two more Outdoor PAC Championships, making it five straight conference championships for the Golden Tornadoes. Tedys has been a big reason why. “Aaron is such a tremendous athlete,” says Coach Thompson. “It’s rare you get to coach a kid of his
talent. He’s a natural leader, and teammates just gravitate to him. He’s a key reason why we’ve had the success we’ve had, and he’s going to have great success at whatever he chooses to do in the future. I love him like one of my own kids.” Tedys says the impact Geneva has had on him goes far beyond athletics. “I’m so glad I came here,” he says. “The relationships I’ve built and the friends that I’ve made have been tremendous. I wanted to surround myself with Christians, and this place is full of them. The people here support you. They care for you. You’re not always going to make the best decisions sometimes, so you need people around you to encourage you, and correct you when you need it. Geneva has done that for me.” Tedys already has a job lined up after graduation. Through a series of connections,Tedys accepted a position as an assistant track coach at a college in Missouri. Coach Thompson has had a big impact on Tedys, and Tedys hopes to emulate Coach Thompson in many ways. “Coach Thompson represents what a coach should be,” says Tedys. “He’s not afraid to be hard on you sometimes, but you always know that he’s doing it for your good. He knows how to coach you but also how to be a father figure at times as well, showing care for his athletes as people. “Where I’m going isn’t a Christian school, but hopefully I can build those types of relationships that can impact people’s lives the way I’ve been impacted. Geneva has done really a good job of integrating faith into all of my classes, my athletics and my friendships, and I hope to be able to offer the same thing to the students I get to work with.” G 26
ATHLETIC NEWS By Chris Mathews ‘00
Celebrating Athletic Excellence TEN HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2018-19
Men’s Track
1. The Geneva College men’s track and field program won its fourth and fifth straight Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) championships this past season. The Golden Tornadoes easily won the indoor championship in February, and they cruised to the outdoor championship in April by almost 80 points. The program has been led by a standout senior class, who have put their mark on the program with their excellence over the past four seasons. Head Coach Phil Thompson also received his fifth straight PAC Men’s Coach of the Year award after the outdoor season. 2. Senior Trewon Marshall finished his storied career at Geneva by being named the PAC Offensive Football Player of the Year. He broke Geneva’s all-time career rushing record in the fall, finishing with 4,263 yards. His single-season total this year of 1,716 yards is second all-time in school history, and he finished his career with a 286-yard effort, the second highest single-game total in school history. 3. Senior Josh Duffie was named the top runner in the conference for his performance during both the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons. Duffie was named the PAC Indoor Most Outstanding Men’s Performer at the PAC Indoor Championship, and he followed that up by being named the PAC Outdoor Most Outstanding Men’s Performer at the PAC Outdoor Championship. He holds multiple school records in track and field and was a 1st Team All-PAC performer in cross-country.
Trewon Marshall Quinn McCracken
4. The men’s volleyball program had a very successful first season as a varsity program under Head Coach Curt Conser, competing in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC). Junior Quinn McCracken (1st Team All-AMCC and Newcomer of the Year), sophomore Anthony Baronio (1st Team All-AMCC) and sophomore Dan Townsend (2nd Team All-AMCC) all received conference recognition. Geneva finished the season 20-9, 11-3 in the AMCC, which tied it for the regular season championship in the AMCC. The Golden Tornadoes ended up losing a heartbreaking five-set match in the AMCC semifinals to eventual champion Thiel. 5. Michael Grinder was hired to take over as the head coach for women’s basketball after Lori Wynn stepped down at the end of the season. Grinder comes from the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville where he had successful stints as the head coach for both the men’s and women’s programs. He led both to their best seasons in school history, with the women winning their first conference championship this past season.
Josh Duffie
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6. Three Golden Tornadoes reached significant milestones this year. Senior Callie Ford became the third women’s basketball player to surpass 1,500 career points. She finished her career with 1,624
points, third all-time at Geneva. She broke the single-game scoring record with 39 points against Penn State Altoona in the first game of the season. Junior Ethan Moose surpassed 1,000 career points midway through the season. He was named a 1st Team All-PAC performer for the second year in a row, and he is headed towards becoming one of Geneva’s top ten scorers in school history. Senior Haley Sainato reached 100 career stolen bases early in softball’s season. Sainato is already the school’s all-time leader in stolen bases, breaking the previous record of 81 steals late last season, and she is on pace to be named an All-PAC performer all four seasons at Geneva. 7. A total of 51 student-athletes received all-conference recognition for their performance in their sport, including 22 1st Team Honors. Those numbers don’t include baseball or softball because PAC had not released awards at the time of publication. 8. Geneva had 64 student-athletes receive recognition on the PAC Fall Honor Roll for their work in the classroom, the second most in the PAC. To make the honor roll, a student must achieve at least a 3.6 GPA and be a current member of one of the fall sports team, which include men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s tennis and women’s volleyball. The spring honor roll had not yet been announced at the time of this article. 9. Women’s golf is preparing for its first season of varsity competition in the upcoming fall. Andrew Fee, who is also the Director of Athletic Operations and Associate Head Softball Coach, was named as Geneva’s first Women’s Golf Coach. Fee has been recruiting heavily for the team in preparation for their inaugural season, and in November, it was announced that nearby Connoquenessing Country Club had been chosen as Geneva’s home course. 10. Last summer saw the completion of the new turf on Reeves Field, and it proved to be a huge benefit to the college and the surrounding community. Besides the football team, the men’s and women’s soccer teams used it as their primary home field. The student body used it regularly for intramural competition, and the Special Olympics made good use of it in April. The community also utilized it, notably as the home field for Beaver Falls High School.
Callie Ford
Haley Sainato
Women’s Golf
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IN MEMORIAM 40s _______________________________________
Vincent W. Piccola ‘58 on November 16, 2018
Velma L. (Heineman) Burrows ‘41 on March 1, 2019
Edward J. Vass ‘58 on February 14, 2019
Betty R. (Holt) Trout ‘45 on December 6, 2018
Paul “Pete” J. Balik ‘58 on March 2, 2019
Dr. Thomas F. Sheffer ‘46 on June 14, 2018
Henry Ziegler ‘58 on March 9, 2019
Carolyn Kulcyk ‘47 on May 9, 2019
Martha T. (Towicimak) Rapso ‘58 on March 24, 2019
Gloria Giovannini ‘48 on December 29, 2018
Faith C. (Boyd) Bromm ‘58 on April 20, 2019
Margaret “Peggy” (Zahn) Hayward ‘48 on February 12, 2019
Mary E. (Reed) Marco ‘59 on February 17, 2019
Roy Blackwood ‘48 on February 24, 2019 Martha A. (White) Beard ‘49 on December 1, 2018
60s _______________________________________
Olive Jeanne (Warren) Lane ‘49 on February 15, 2019
Margaret (Metzger) Emelson ‘60 on January 25, 2019 Eugene E. Kopczak ‘60 on February 21, 2019
50s _______________________________________
Guy P. Demaio ‘61 on November 24, 2018
Mervyn M. Means ‘50 on April 18, 2019
Elizabeth F. (Kramer) Bodensky ‘62 on December 13, 2018
Charles Mason ‘50 on April 28, 2019
William Donald Moore ‘62 on October 31, 2018
Beatrice (Sambol) Vickers ‘51 on January 30, 2019
Glola G. (Caskey) Basler ‘63 on November 19, 2018
Albert Lyle Peluso ‘51 on February 7, 2019
Dr. John J. Nicklas ‘63 on January 26, 2019
Mary E. (Drogus) Hanna ‘51 on February 1, 2019
Marilyn E. Datt ‘65 on December 23, 2018
Marian Jean (McClain) Clapie Krivoski ‘52 on November 10, 2018
Margaret J. (Irvin) Dishong ‘65 on December 30, 2018
C. Ray Steele ‘52 on January 31, 2019
Jean (Elder) Bash ‘65 on September 11, 2018
Jovan Vukmaravich ‘53 on November 22, 2018
John Hutchinson ‘65 on May 3, 2019
Joseph W. Zurku ‘53 on March 17, 2019
Michael H. Thompson ‘66 on November 2, 2018
Robert E. Sterrett ‘54 on December 18, 2018
Edward Miller ‘66 on April 26, 2019
Rev. Andrew G. Slade ‘54 on January 14, 2019
William A. Marmalich ‘66 on May 1, 2019
Frank Stephen Matsukas ‘54 on March 28, 2019
Lois Marlene (Erickson) Larson ‘66 on May 13, 2019
George N. Panagis ‘55 on March 21, 2019
June Hall ‘67 on April 24, 2019
Eugene “EK” Hassan ‘56 on November 19, 2018
Robert J. Stefan ‘67 on June 30, 2018
John E. Miller ‘56 on December 21, 2018
W. Joyce (Blair) Bloemers ‘67 on October 29, 2018
Marcia E. Elliott ‘56 on August 13, 2018
Wesley K. Lewis ‘68 on November 9, 2018
Dr. John Robert Sapp ‘57 on October 27, 2018
Mary M. (Boal) Batchelor ‘68 on November 20, 2018
Ray E. Coakley ‘57 on January 11, 2019
Richard A. Byers ‘69 on February 9, 2019
Thomas D. Kennedy ‘57 on January 27, 2019
Martin H. Matthews ‘69 on April 16, 2019
Doris J. (Musgrave) MacKenzie ‘57 on February 4, 2019
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Harold E. Boyer ‘57 on April 2, 2019
70s _______________________________________
Patrick Cortazzo ‘57 on May 7, 2019
Mable Patricia (Butcher) Trotter ‘70 on March 9, 2019
GENEVA MAGAZINE
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IN MEMORIAM Bruce A. Hawk ‘71 on November 6, 2018
Joanne Doedyns ‘97 on May 2, 2019
Richard S. Lapishka ‘71 on January 13, 2019
Bonita “Bonnie” L. Ney ‘98 on January 5, 2019
Frank J. Sniezek Jr. ‘71 on January 13, 2019
John T. McCreary ‘98 on April 29, 2019
Wendell R. Dean ‘71 on March 4, 2019
Ruth Barrett ‘98 on May 19, 2019
Rev. William R. Betteridge Jr. ‘72 on March 12, 2019 Marilyn J. Tychonievich ‘72 on March 19, 2019
00s _______________________________________
Nicholas G. Pavkovich ‘75 on April 30, 2019
Judith Stoops ‘02 on May 11, 2019
Harold J. Wissner Jr. ‘77 on November 6, 2018
Ann Tweddell ‘03 on May 5, 2019
Ellen L. (Cunningham) Fleming ‘77 on May 22, 2018
Larry Shonka ‘05 on February 18, 2019
John R. Huffman ‘77 on April 13, 2019
Christopher R. Yinkey ‘07 MA on December 8, 2018
Carroll B. Skinner ‘79 on November 19, 2018
Royal D. Hart Jr. ‘07, ‘10 MSOL on January 14, 2019
Mary Ann (Freeman) Davis ‘79 on January 16, 2019 10s _______________________________________ 80s _______________________________________ Rebecca (Harrington) Forest ‘80 on June 29, 2018
Richard L. Evans ‘12, ‘14 MA on October 31, 2018
Merle A. Platz ‘80 on April 14, 2019
Friends ___________________________________
L. Richard Balmer ‘82 on March 4, 2019
Philip Inman on February 8, 2019
Scott A. Eckert ‘85 on January 5, 2019
Elda V. Perz on November 10, 2018
Lawrence P. Brenneman ‘85 on March 14, 2019
Frank Walker on December 29, 2018
Don Clendenning ‘86 on May 5, 2019
Andrew Doedyns on May 4, 2019
Randal J. Peterson ‘88 on April 19, 2019 90s _______________________________________ Nancy K. Starr-Brickner ‘90 on November 13, 2018 Dale I. Claerbaut ‘90 on February 15, 2019
Denotes members of the
Heritage Society,
Bruce J. Hemphill ‘90 on February 18, 2019
which recognizes the valuable contributions of
Jeffrey Thomas ‘92 on May 9, 2019
alumni and friends who include Geneva in their
John P. DiMarzio ‘93, ‘00 MSOL on March 6, 2019
estate and/or financial plans by gifts made
Shirley J. Estright ‘93 on March 11, 2019 Carrie A. (Rorabaugh) Balas ‘95 on November 9, 2018
through annuities, charitable trusts, gifts of life
Jessica (Martin) Twardzik ‘95 on January 20, 2019
estates, undivided partial interests in real estate
William G. Cornell ‘95 on January 20, 2019
or life insurance, and gifts made through their
Martha S. Werner ‘96 on January 24, 2019
will. To learn more, visit
R. Jean Whitcomb ‘96 on January 21, 2019 Danielle M. (Edgar) Korpiel ‘96 on January 30, 2019
Geneva.giftlegacy.com 30
CLASS NOTES Class Notes are available on Geneva.edu. Visit the site to learn about fellow classmates, and submit an update so they can remain connected with you.
two sons-in-law and six grandchildren. They live in Shoreview, MN.
Dr. Steven S. Garber ‘76 has been appointed Professor of Marketplace Theology at Regent College, in 50s Vancouver, BC and is the director of the master’s program in Leadership, Theology Jean (Mitchel) McFarland ‘58 and and Society. This past fall his book, husband Rev. Glenn McFarland ‘58 Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for moved from Southern California 12 the Common Good, was translated into years ago to Florida where they retired. Indonesian, and he was invited to come Glenn is a retired minister, school for the launch, speaking many times over principal and teacher. Jean is a retired many days; his wife Meg (Elliott ‘73) RN, having worked in the ICU and ER as joined him. There are now editions of well as an instructor and administrator. the book for India, and this next year a Chinese translation will be done as well.
married to Judy Moore O’Data and has two children, Aaron and Lauren, and one granddaughter, Riley Ann.
90s Shawn Caldwell ‘90 released his second CD, “It’s Christmas Time,” in November 2018. It is a collection of original, contemporary and traditional Christmas songs. For more information or to order, visit www.shawnecaldwell.com.
60s
Bruce ‘63 and Lois (Edgar ‘63) Alexander celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on June 12, 2018. Bruce retired as a colonel in the Army after 27 years of service in Washington D.C. The Alexander’s retired to Mebane, NC. John Manzetti ‘69 officially retired in 2018. He also published a book, Small Bites of the Elephant in 2018 to share his broad business knowledge and experiences with entrepreneurs and small business owners.
70s Sandra Pittenturf ‘74 has retired from her management position at DFIN Solutions, Inc. She plans on spending most of her time with her three grandchildren. Dr. David Howard Jr. ‘74 retired in May 2018 after 36 years of teaching Old Testament and Hebrew at Bethel Seminary (St. Paul, Minnesota), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, IL) and the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (New Orleans, LA). He has published 14 books on Old Testamentrelated topics and worked on the translation teams for three English Bibles: the New Living Translation (NLT, 1996), the English Standard Version (ESV, 2001) and the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB, 2004). He served as President of the scholarly guild for theologians and biblical scholars, the Evangelical Theological Society, in 2003. He has also been privileged to teach in Eastern Europe (Romania) since 1998 and Southeast Asia (several countries) since 2009 in various theological schools. He and his wife Jan have two daughters,
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GENEVA MAGAZINE
John McBurney ‘91 and wife Alisha welcomed their third daughter, Makayla Ansley, on November 20, 2018. She joins sisters Abigail and Jasmine. Rev. Rebecca (Mahr) Cartus ‘77 participated in the 2018 Parliament of the World’s Religions Conference in Toronto, ON from November 1-7, 2018. She presented a workshop, “Hands Across the World: Building Bridges of Peace to Become the Beloved Community.” Randy Roeber ‘79 retired as a Lockheed Martin Program Manager in November 2018. He and his wife Diane (Kirchmeier ‘75) live in Vestal, NY. They have five sons and twelve grandchildren. Dr. John Emmart ‘79 and his wife relocated to Rolla, MO where John is the Chief Human Resources Officer with Phelps Health.
80s
Linda (Harrison) McMullen ‘95, ‘99 MSOL completed her PhD in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University (Santa Barbara, CA). Her dissertation was “Howard Thurman’s Journey to Community: A Case Study of the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples 1943-1953.” Linda is currently the Ely R. Callaway Sr., Associate Professor of Management and International Business at LaGrange College (LaGrange, GA). Sara (Sandherr) Taylor ‘95 and husband Damen welcomed their first grandchild in 2018! Their family attended the Pack the Gym alumni tailgate. Sara and Damen have four children: Gabrielle, Lillianne, James and Violet. The family resides in Pittsburgh, PA.
Doreen (Barrows) Perry ‘81 resides in Ambridge, PA. Jon O’Data ‘82 has been named Location Manager with the Cremation Society of Pennsylvania in charge of the Pittsburgh region with an office in Wexford, PA. The Cremation Society of Pennsylvania is a division of Service Corporation International (SCI). Jon is a graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and also holds an MBA from Robert Morris University (Moon, PA). Jon is
Sarah (Zwinger) Gibbs ‘98 is pursuing a technical career after 19 years of working in higher education. She is an
CLASS NOTES Implementation Consultant for TargetX, working remotely from home. She is excited to use the knowledge of the past 19 years to help colleges and universities better facilitate the use of their CRM. Carol Howard ‘98, ‘03 MSOL joined the full-time faculty of Penn State Greater Allegheny in August 2018 as Lecturer in Business Administration and Marketing. Josh ‘98 and Lee Ann (Trotter ‘97) Mahar welcomed their son Ethan Richard Mahar on November 13, 2018. He joins his older sister Elise. Alicia (Fink) Purdy ‘99 worked as a fulltime, freelance journalist for the past 15 years, focusing on business, politics, finance and other freelance projects. However, she has decided to leave her professional career behind to pursue a new vision. In October 2017, Alicia published her first book, The Way of the Worshipper, which has been used in Bible schools, churches, seminars and conferences around the world. In June 2018, Alicia was invited to speak and teach about worship at several churches throughout the Philippines In November 2018, Alicia launched TheWayoftheWorshipper.com - a blog that expands the vision of her book, which features daily devotionals, teachings and resources and is more centered on the subject of worship. Using her Broadcasting degree from Geneva, where she was a DJ for three years, Alicia is currently working on launching a podcast/vlog on The Way of the Worshipper YouTube channel about worship as well as her next book.
Kathryn “Kaye” (Gideon) Weaver ‘04 and her family moved to Dayton, OH for their last military assignment in 2016 after spending six years living in Hawaii. 2019 will bring one more move but this time to Maryland and as a fully civilian family when her husband Zach retires from the Air Force. In 2017, Kaye, Zach and the kids (Gideon, TJ and Lorelei) welcomed the final addition to their family. Liliana (Lily) was born on February 21, 2017. While there may still be moves in their future the whole family is looking forward to staying in one place for a little while.
fiction piece titled Changing Change. It is a business and self-help book designed for leaders and others who seek to better understand change and more effectively engage their goals. More information can be found at darrell.haemer.co. Gregory Holland ‘10 and wife Kristin welcomed their first child, Connor, in June 2018.
Scott Sweatman ‘05 and wife Katie live in Lynchburg, VA and are expecting their third son in November 2018. He will join big brothers Jack and David. James ‘06 and Rachel (Cypher ‘06) Samreny welcomed their son Michael on February 17. Michael Lehman ‘07 and wife welcomed a son Owen in September 2018. Melissa (Brooks) Boehret ‘08 and husband Seth welcomed their son Cameron Dennis Boehret on February 12, 2018. He joins siblings Ellie and Adrian.
00s
Susanna (Jalosky) Giesey ‘08 received her Master of Public Management degree from Carnegie Mellon’s H.J. Heinz College of Public Policy and Management. She currently serves as Chief Program Officer at Venango Training and Development Center, Inc. and resides in Seneca, PA with husband Merle.
Maj. John A Topper III ‘02, ‘08 MSOL was promoted to Major in September 2018.
Anna (Foust) Wall ‘09 and husband Justin welcomed their firstborn son, Knox, in January 2018.
Adam Jones ‘10 MAHE is the Associate Director of the Office of Student Conduct at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He and wife Melissa have four children and reside in Indiana, PA. Jill (Hanson) Moore ‘10 and husband welcomed daughter Millicent (Millie) in August 2018. Jamie Kensinger ‘11, ‘13 MAHE accepted a new position at CLI/Sheetz as an HR Generalist. Benjamin McCauley ‘11 and wife Ashley welcomed their third child, Ginny Blye, on October 22, 2018. She joins older siblings Clayton (2015) and Fayre (2017). The McCauleys reside in Olathe, KS where Ben is a software engineer at Garmin.
Kyle ‘09 and Chelsea (Yarger ‘09) Harrington welcomed son Jace Harrington in May 2018. He joins big sister Sadie, born in 2016. Tyler Marwood ‘09 and wife Katherine welcomed their daughter Mercy Anne on August 23, 2018.
10s Darrell Haemer ‘10 MAHE published his first book in December 2018, a non-
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CLASS NOTES Chris Slick ‘11 resides in Mechanicsburg, PA with wife Jori and their son Caleb. Daniel ‘11 and Kelly (Fitzpatrick ‘11) Allan have two children, 3-year old daughter Adelie and 1-year old son Ezra.
Resources Department. She and husband Caleb ‘17 and Jill (Leatherman ‘16) Daniel welcomed their first child, Dietrich, Metzler were married on June 10, 2017. in July 2018. The couple resides in Herndon, VA. Stephen Noell ‘15 is a graduate research assistant at Oregon State University. He and wife Tamara reside in Corvallis, OR.
Ryan Bruckner ‘12 and his family celebrated son Harrison’s first birthday on Katie (Key) Rager ‘16 and husband Aaron are pleased to announce the birth April 18, 2019. of their little blessing Faith Elizabeth Hannah (Winkle) Lund ‘12 and husband Rager, born on January 2, 2019. Chase welcomed their baby girl, Emma, in July 2018. Big brother Peter loves his sister and enjoys helping her learn new things.
Mickayla Nero ‘17 will graduate from Geneva College in May 2019 with a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Mitchell Steffy ‘18 spent time working with Reach Global doing hurricane relief in North Carolina and met a fellow Geneva alumnus, Jacob Bruker ‘13, who was working with another church. Pricilla Robertson ‘15 MSOL received her Doctor of Education in Administration and Leadership Studies from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, PA). She is the Interim Assistant Director of Military and Veteran Services at Community College of Allegheny County (Pittsburgh, PA).
Dan ‘16 and Samantha (Jensen ‘16) White welcomed a son Ellis in 2018. Ian ‘14 and Sarah (Abbott ‘15) MacKenzie welcomed their second child, Charlotte Grace MacKenzie, on September 6, 2018.
Photos appear after the corresponding class note.
Daniel ‘15 and Becky (Dimidik ‘16) Keys welcomed their first child Seth Daniel in July 2018. Tyler Clewell ‘15 was hired in July 2018 as the 4th band director at his high school Alma Mater, South Huntingdon, PA. Tyler is working with students in grades 5-12 and directs the marching band, Jr./Sr. high concert bands, 5th grade band, jazz and pep bands. He is happy to be in his hometown and loves making music with his students. Ainsley (Guess) Knapke ‘15 is currently working as a Project Manager for Clermont County, OH in the Water
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GENEVA MAGAZINE
Class Notes Information To share your news, visit geneva.edu/alumni/connect and click on “Alumni Update Form.” Highresolution pictures of at least three megapixels in size may be submitted in JPEG format. Inclusion of all items in Class Notes is at the discretion of Geneva College in accordance with the community standards of the institution.
Geneva.edu/alumni/connect
Alumni Baby Onesies Let the alumni office (alumni@geneva.edu) know the name and birthdate of your new baby, along with your current address, and we’ll send you and your newborn a Golden Tornadoes onesie (size: 12 months).
“Geneva College saved my life,” says Yvonne S. Gentzler ’75 PhD, Associate Professor Emerita, University of Minnesota. When Yvonne first visited Geneva, she didn’t have a direction for the rest of her life or even for the next few months, but she discovered something unexpected – it felt like home. The people she met beginning on day one were friendly, fun, kind and caring, and they became her fast friends. She trusted them enough to be herself. “It was exactly what I needed but didn’t know I needed,” she says. These Geneva friendships shaped who she would become. Yvonne not only developed a love for Jesus and a robust faith, she earned a PhD and inspired others, including her colleagues at a handful of esteemed institutions, where she served and worked collaboratively to create ventures to sustain human health and well-being. Several years ago, Yvonne received a diagnosis of early dementia. The outpouring of support from those students, who she influenced as Sigma Phi Epsilon’s first rstt Faculty rs Facultyy Fellow, was profound. It highlighted her impact actt on ac on the the e students, which she attributes to the meaning gG Geneva eneva a had in her life: “It always meant more to me because it was home.” Yvonne has completed the circle of influence e that started her first day at Geneva by committing to establish an endowed scholarship through her estate. Generations gh of students will continue to be blessed through her thoughtful and generous gift. To learn how you can give a gift to future students, please contact Geneva Planning du o Giving Officer at plannedgiving@geneva.edu orr go to Geneva.giftlegacy.com.
Yvonne Gentzler ‘75, PhD
Geneva.giftlegacy.com 3200 College Ave. Beaver Falls, PA 15010 P: 724-847-6614 | F: 724-847-5017 | plannedgiving@geneva.edu
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“You need to minister in your vocation. It’s a completely different way of looking at life when your focus is being a follower of Jesus Christ not just an engineer, accountant or teacher. It changes everything.” - Genna Frederick ‘12 Genna Frederick ‘12 is the Technical & Process Manager for medical products at Metalwerks, Inc.
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