RECORD THE
FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF GREENVILLE UNIVERSITY
SHOOK BY A BOOK CURIOSITY UNLEASHED INTO THE UNKNOWN
Fall 2020
Just Curious
The surprising places our wonder leads
THE RECORD | FALL 2020
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{ FROM THE PRESIDENT } AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY FUELED BY WONDER Scientists describe curiosity as a mental itch. New knowledge, they say, provides a good scratch. Curiosity paved my way to Greenville University; I suspect it paved your way, too. Maybe it moved you to visit campus, where conversations with a professor or coach compelled you to know more. Maybe AgapeFest or a sports camp helped you imagine yourself in a worship band or on the soccer field as a Panther. Like you, this year’s freshmen followed their curiosities to GU. Like you, they discovered new friends and pathways to new skills and ideas. But unlike you, they engage in a curious pursuit your GU experience did not afford: participation in groundbreaking research surrounding COVID-19. This year’s freshmen, along with our entire campus community, test for COVID-19 two times a week. The test, part of research conducted by the University of Illinois, uses an innovative procedure based on saliva samples rather than nose swabs. It takes about a minute to complete and shortens the wait time for results considerably. GU’s campus provides an environment that the three U of I campuses lack: reduced outside influences and a small population contained in a mostly residential, rural setting. These factors make the collection of samples easier and ensure better data. The data GU generates will give researchers a glimpse into possible control of the virus in a smaller community. Twice weekly, students in this “David” of a university contribute meaningfully to research that promises to subdue a “Goliath” problem. You play a part in this story, too. Many of these students benefit from scholarships you help fund. They benefit from your prayers, your words of encouragement, and your expressed interest in GU and campus life. Community defines the GU experience. Students want to experience campus life. They want to be together. They want to engage face-to-face with professors in classrooms. They want to dialogue and pray and worship together. I commit whole-heartedly and prayerfully to explore every avenue available that helps them fully, yet safely, embrace the GU experience. Blessings,
Suzanne Davis President
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ON THE COVER: “All really effective teaching begins where the student is and moves from the known to the unknown . . .” - GU President Emeritus W. Richard Stephens, Presidential Address, Faculty Fall Fellowship, 1987 THE RECORD (USPS 2292-2000) is published three times a year for alumni and friends of Greenville University by the Office of Advancement, Greenville University, 315 E. College Ave., Greenville, IL 62246. Phone: 618-664-6500. Non-profit class postage paid at Greenville, IL 62246. Vol. 111, No. 3 Greenville University online: www.greenville.edu Email: therecord@greenville.edu Send address corrections, correspondence and alumni updates to the Office of Advancement, 315 E. College Ave., Greenville, IL 62246; or call 618-6646500; or email alumni@greenville.edu. Chief Development Officer Scott Giffen ’99 Executive Director of Advancement Operations Evan Abla Director of Advancement Brett Brannon ’97 Director of Alumni & Church Relations Dewayne Neeley ’98 Manager of Alumni & Church Relations Cyndi Oglesby ’85 Executive Director of Campaign Breck Nelson Campaign Coordinator Beth Dodson Senior Development Specialist Heather Edwards Manager of Advancement Services Matthew Young Development Officer Pat Bond ’62 Managing Editor & Writer Carla Morris ’77 Contributing Editor & Writer Rachel Heston-Davis ’06 Graphic Designer Scott Brown Our mission: Greenville University empowers students for lives of character and service through a transforming Christcentered education in the liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies. Views and opinions expressed by individuals in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Greenville University.
{ IN THIS ISSUE }
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What if I viewed my patient’s heart from every angle before surgery?
idea shook 4 This me to the core, now what?
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How do I reconcile this curious clash?
How can I lead a choral ensemble without gathering?
14 MORE
How can I say no with such an advocate cheering me on?
Curious About Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Demystifyer-In-Chief and Career Tour Guide . . . . . . 7 Curiosity Unleashed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 With Time on His Hands to Imagine . . . . . . . . . . 13 NEWS Homecoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Campus News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Alumni News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 In Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
LEARN MORE AT: greenville.edu
THE RECORD | FALL 2020
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Photos courtesy of OSF HealthCare
Just Curious By Rachel Heston-Davis
“I’ve always chased the thing I didn’t understand but was interested in,” says Matthew Bramlet ’96. Today, the pediatric cardiologist looks back on an unlikely journey in patient care that has engaged 3D printing, virtual reality, and entrepreneurship—a path he couldn’t have predicted as a young biology major at GU or later as faculty at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria (UICOMP).
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When 3D technology was new and a 3D printer arrived at a simulation lab at UICOMP, Bramlet tried it out. He printed 3D replicas of hearts based on patient scans. One print granted so much insight into an upcoming surgery that Bramlet grew curious about how 3D technology might help cardiologists and other medical professionals. Bramlet began an advanced imaging and modeling (AIM) lab at UICOMP to explore that potential.
Meet the surgeon who wondered his way into 3D imaging and virtual reality.
Distant Collaborators The rapid advancement of technology soon led Bramlet into virtual reality (VR) imaging instead, which allows users to view 3D images from every angle. “Recreating the exact replica of a patient’s anatomy for 3D viewing is the future,” Bramlet says. The lab’s VR imaging proved so successful that doctors nationwide began sending UICOMP scans of their own complex cases for 3D imaging. New insights continued to push Bramlet down unexpected paths. Fellow surgeons engaged more readily when they used VR to explain procedures. What if you could record a doctor’s commentary and make it part of that virtual environment for the next user to experience? Bramlet wondered. The idea intrigued him but required money to develop. So Bramlet asked a new question: What if I founded a company to develop such a product? In 2018, Bramlet partnered with fellow GU alumnus and businessman Steve Garrou ’92 to found Enduvo. Enduvo uses VR to help trainers produce lessons that users can explore at their own pace, pausing and reviewing as needed. Sales of the software to companies in various industries fund Enduvo’s continued development of VR technology.
Bramlet believes this software will revolutionize medical training and beyond. He describes one VR lesson that incorporates the 3D background of a hospital room. A looped video displays a patient exhibiting symptoms including coughing; the patient’s vitals appear on monitor screens around the room. An icon representing the instructor points to various elements within the environment as a recorded lecture plays. Bramlet’s current chase raises still more questions and research possibilities, like how people learn and how VR can enhance learning. It’s the next, but likely not last, fascinating turn in a career fueled by curiosity and inquiry.
GU’s move to all online classes in the spring and summer did not hinder Lisa Sato ’22 and Ariel Magee ’21 from researching glioma tumors, a cancer with low survival rates. Since they Lisa Sato ’22 used mainly online resources, they could move the eight-week project forward from their respective homes. The rich experience challenged their problem-solving skills, computer/ coding skills, and more. “I was able to grow as a Ariel Magee ’21 student and in my appreciation for science,” said Lisa afterward. Ariel added, “I’m really thankful I was given this opportunity.” Both researchers receive donor-funded scholarships. Thank you for giving.
GU Core Value: Innovation
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by a book And if the author is right, wondered the GU alum . . . what then? By Carla Morris
“Shocked.” That’s how Jonathan recalls his response to David Platt’s book Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream (Multnomah, 2010). The book invited readers to replace the ethos of personal prosperity with proclaiming Christ’s glory to the ends of the earth. Its declaration of radical purpose, radical urgency, and radical call left Jon’s head spinning. Jon, a typical youth pastor serving a typical Midwestern church, voiced his wonder in prayer: “Lord, what can I do to reach the unreached?” The answer came days later when a colleague invited Jon to join him on a short-term trip overseas to teach the leaders of house churches in Southeast Asia. That was six years ago. Today, Jon lives in Southeast Asia, studies language, and teaches business English at a local school. He also delivers Bible lessons each week at house church gatherings. Helped by a translator, Jon does his best to satisfy the holy curiosity of attendees. For now, this is what “radical” looks like. In time, Jon hopes to acquire skills that will help him contribute even more to developing the church among unreached cultural and ethnic groups. He works through a well-established organization that partners with local congregations to plant churches among unreached people. Nine million persons inhabit the teeming city where Jon lives. He describes the believers among them as passionate and bold, “small in number, but large in faith.” 4
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Building friendships and partnering with them to share the Gospel has come surprisingly easy. “They don’t live in fear of repercussions for following Jesus,” he says. Language studies, however, have not come easily. Jon, who majored in accounting and business management at GU, dedicates many hours each week to learning a language that bears no semblance to the rules, syntax, and grammar of English. In languages like Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai,
and Hmong, a single word can have multiple meanings. Only slight tonal nuances distinguish one meaning from another. Jon struggles to master half-adozen of these nuanced tones. A stubborn truth fuels his persistence: Many spiritually lost persons— an estimated three billion people worldwide—have not discovered the Gospel because no Gospel messengers speak their languages. Among unreached people groups, 70 percent communicate mainly through the spoken word. This somber reality
keeps Jon on a slow but steady track to mastering syntax, tense, and tone. His relentless practice today may help seekers unlock kingdom treasures tomorrow. If he does not persist, who will? *To ensure their continued progress and security, this article omits that organization’s name and the host country in which Jon serves. Jon is not his real name.
GU Core Value: Service
What does he mean THIS KNACK? I remember my professor looking at me with disbelief when I told him I wasn’t a theology major, since—in his words—I had a “knack for this stuff.” My “knack” for theology really wouldn’t take shape until I signed up for a Foundations of Christian Doctrine course. I instantly fell in love. Theology stirred my heart and imagination. It was impossible to hide my new-found passion. Dr. Brian Hartley later asked me to seriously consider advanced theological training. Did I know then as a humble twentysomething senior that curiosity would open doors to seminary, a conversion to Roman Catholicism, and now a PhD in systematic theology at the University of Notre Dame? No way! But Dr. Hartley and others believed in my potential, and that was enough for me to take the leap of faith and apply to Candler. Looking back, I only ever knew the immediate next step in my journey, and just attempted to be faithful to what I believed God was calling me to at that moment in time. At GU, LaRyssa received multiple donor-funded scholarships including the Dean’s Scholarship and the Christian Unity Scholarship. LaRyssa Herrington ‘17, a PhD student at Notre Dame, holds a master of divinity from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.
Thank you for giving.
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PLAIN AND SIMPLE Meets Grand and Glorious By Carla Morris
For decades, GU students and faculty have enjoyed retreats at St. Meinrad’s Archabbey in southern Indiana. Tyler Boyer ’96 remembers the trip well, right down to the extra “baggage” he carried into the abbey—his certainty that Catholics weren’t Christian.
Photo courtesy Saint Meinrad Archabbey. Used with permission.
One of many regular prayer processionals at St. Meinrad’s.
The idea flowed from his “plain and simple” upbringing in the Mennonite church. “I was raised to greet Catholicism with a great deal of skepticism,” he recalls. Against the elegant backdrop of the archabbey’s vaulted ceilings, marble pillars, and polished floors, Boyer encountered exquisite serenity that helped him move from talking to God to listening for God in prayer. “Entering a place that was so grand and ornate that it made you want to be quiet, was stunning,” he says. Hearing the monks pray, praise, and chant left no doubt about their love for God and the scriptures.
If you miss a prayer time, even for several days, begin again.
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“I had trouble praying once a day, and the monks I encountered at Meinrad allowed prayer to interrupt their day at least four times,” he recalls. “It was an amazing experience that I will always cherish.” The monks also extended warm hospitality to Tyler and his classmates. “[They] treated me, their guest, as though I was Jesus.” The discovery turned his world upside down. Today, Boyer pastors the Knox Knolls Free Methodist Church in Springfield, Illinois, and serves as adjunct instructor in GU’s Bastian School of Theology, Philosophy, and
If you find yourself “prayerless” and feel embarrassed by your prayerlessness, begin again.
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Ministry. He recently authored Thou My Best Thought: A Free Methodist Prayer Book (Ignite Press, 2019), a daily guide inspired in part by his experiences at St. Meinrad. Out-of-classroom encounters like the St. Meinrad trip help students develop empathy for others and understand new perspectives. Echoes of the exquisite serenity Boyer experienced at St. Meinrad reverberate today in his gentle encouragement for others who struggle with prayer. With warmth and welcome, he invites them to just begin.
If you tend to pray only for yourself and your needs, begin to pray for one other person.
If you feel like you don’t spend enough time in prayer, begin to pay attention to God’s presence even in the shortest prayers.
Thou My Best Thought weaves the repetitions and rhythms of monastic prayer life into the habits of daily living, no matter the reader’s background or circumstances. GU alumni who have also “prayed the hours” at St. Meinrad may find the book contains an added bonus: the resurrection of memories that inspire anew.
ArcchAbbey_312_window by Chris Light is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Grateful - Boyer still harbors deep gratitude for his academic guides and professors: Frank Thompson for teaching him it is right and good to ask the next question; Brian Hartley for the insight that preaching involves art and science; for Ruth Huston, who patiently helped him learn Greek and understand the Wesleyan perspective. GU Core Value: Integrated Learning Photo courtesy Saint Meinrad Archabbey. Used with permission.
Demystifyer-In-Chief and Career Tour Guide On the college-to-career path with Michael Laughlin
Setting: Outside the Madison County Juvenile Delinquency Center Time: After a class tour Student 1: “This was so awesome! I can see myself working with kids like these.” Student 2: “No way . . . I could never spend my days in a place like that.” Both responses signal success for Michael Laughlin ’99, who chairs GU’s criminal justice department. Each semester, he orchestrates a broad range of experiences that take students out of the classroom and into the field. He hopes to tap their curiosity and provide some clarity about “good fit” with careers in criminal justice. His students: • Converse with judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and court reporters at county courthouses. • Watch trials. • Tour a federal correctional facility and converse with inmates and staff. • View hearings at a county drug court. • Talk with graduates of a program that integrates court supervision and counseling with treatment for drug use. • Tour local and state police facilities and talk with officers. • Engage in day-to-day operations of various facilities through internships. To learn more about criminal justice studies at GU, including its online bachelor of science program, email michael.laughlin@greenville.edu. THE RECORD | FALL 2020
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CURIOSITY UNLEASHED When we ask alums their advice for incoming freshmen, they often say, “Get involved!” Introducing GU’s Experience Hub, a one-stop shop of resources that help students engage, ask questions, and discover opportunities. Location: Ruby E. Dare Library, main floor.
St
ter
Where do I get my books?
t Service Cen n e ud
I need a ride to the airport; can someone help me?
They said to meet in the Black Room. What black room?
eS Coffe hop
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Got it!
Help! Someone said I could find accounting tutors here . . . GREENVILLE UNIVERSITY | GREENVILLE.EDU
Experie nc
dent Success u t S
titute Confe s n r eI
oom ce R en
Be sure to add volunteer experience to your resume like that sports club you organized.
Welcome! My group is excited to learn how we can help Rural King this semester!
rience Learn e p i Ex
.
Okay, when the team from ag business joins us that makes 12 collaborators in all. We’ll work here!
on
ity and Inclus s r i ve
Di
Expe ri
lassroom & “ C C ng
How do I apply to be on an Experience First capstone team?
or ab” W kspace o-l
ice Off
tial Learning n e
Think Tank
Let’s go with option C then; that makes our due date May 1.
eer Services r a C I’m here for my mock job interview. I’m so excited . . . now, two companies want to interview me!
I’m calling on behalf of GU’s MOSAIC scholars. We’d like to invite you to campus to talk about your new book.
GU Core Value: Community
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Congratulations! CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2020 ALUMNI AWARDEES
Distinguished Alumnus
Outstanding Young Alumni
Dr. Gene A. Kamp Loyalty Award
Dr. U. Milo Kaufmann ’56, prolific author, lecturer, and scholar
Paul and Courtney (Somerville ’03) Klimson, music industry professionals and founders of The Clinic, a nonprofit that serves touring musicians and their families.
Founding members of GU’s Heritage Circle and parents of two alumni, Dennis and Deborah Fenton have faithfully given their time, talents, and treasures to GU.
Nominate an alum today for GU’s 2021 Alumni Awards. Learn more at greenville.edu/ alumni-association or call 618-664-7119. Nomination deadline: January 31, 2021.
GU Core Value: Character
Members of the Classes of ’70, ’85, ’95, and ’10 will reunite virtually via Zoom, the online gathering platform. Call 618-664-7119 or email alumni@greenville.edu to learn more. Rapidly changing information and restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic make additional plans for Homecoming gatherings difficult. When this issue of The RECORD went to print, class reunions remained the only gatherings firmly in place.
“Safe-At-Home” Homecoming Join our online recognition of GU’s 2020 Alumni Awardees and Wilson T. Hogue Society inductees.
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FROM OUR DEN TO YOURS
Visit greenville.edu/alumni for updates about other possible gatherings, online or in person. Email alumni@greenville.edu to subscribe to our weekly For the Record e-newsletter to stay informed.
Freshmen gathered at Hogue Tower for GU’s 2020 Ivy Planting ceremony that launched a new year.
THESE STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW Join nearly two dozen GU alumni who have already committed to helping today’s students bridge college with career. Lend your expertise today and participate in a community circle that connects students in your field with: • Internship opportunities • Job shadowing • Help building strong resumes • Job interviews • Professional networking • Developing professional social media profiles, and more. Call me today to learn more about GU’s new career-readiness initiative, Community Circles.
Dewayne Neeley ’98 Director of Alumni & Church Relations
EMAIL UPDATE If you don’t receive GU’s weekly For the Record e-newsletter but want to, just email alumni@greenville.edu. Be sure to include your name so we can update our records.
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The Beat Goes On A curious conductor and emerging technology ensure that choral singing continues at GU. By Rachel Heston-Davis
How do you direct a choral ensemble when singing spreads contagion, rehearsals create risk, and singers must maintain six feet of personal space? Interim Director of Choral Activities Don Frazure needed answers, fast. In only a few short months choir students would return to GU’s campus for rehearsals. Frazure wanted to maintain the traditions and match the excellence of a typical GU choral season, but pandemic safety precautions limited gatherings. Curious, Frazure researched ad hoc solutions from choral conductors nationwide and looked to new technologies.
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He planned a hybrid model for fall semester: two weekly in-person choir practices and hours of individual GREENVILLE.EDU
practice online through a program called My Choral Coach. The program allows Frazure to share sheet music and recordings with students digitally and assign pieces for independent practice. Each student records and uploads his or her singing to the program for Frazure to review. Students can devote hours to mastering new songs and tricky measures from the safety of their rooms; Frazure provides individualized feedback. When the choir gathers, ample space in Whitlock accommodates social distancing. This model represents new territory for Frazure. His previous experiences—in opera performance, music education, and worship ministry—took place face-to-face. He’s not alone. COVID-19 forced choral conductors all over to explore unfamiliar practice methods. “None of us knew how to do this before the pandemic,” Frazure
says. Open minds and willingness to learn brought new possibilities. Groups like the American Choral Directors Association urged software companies to further develop programs like My Choral Coach. Some conductors now combine individual vocal tracks from each choir member into one recorded piece and forego live performance altogether. TUNEFUL TECHNOLOGY This fall, choir members under the direction of Don Frazure and members of all worship ensembles will wear special masks developed by singers for singers. The masks help contain droplets while allowing space around the mouth for performers to sing comfortably. Frazure resists going that far. He intends to keep as many GU Choir traditions alive as possible, including
popular events like the annual Messiah performance. “Music is meant to be shared among people,” he says. “That’s the intangible part about making music that I think we all took for granted pre-COVID.” Still, he appreciates that innovative technology helps reduce risks. Technology also allows broader audience engagement. Whereas GU livestreamed only select concerts in the past, it will livestream all concerts from Whitlock this semester, opening the entire choir season to alumni and friends from coast to coast and beyond. Whether in person or online, Frazure affirms choral activities at GU will continue without missing a beat until the days when it’s safe to gather again.
With Time on His Hands to Imagine . . . Last spring’s pandemic-induced isolation and social distancing couldn’t stop GU’s Will Sunderland ’21 from exploring new territory mastering the demanding lead vocals of the jazz song “Social Call.” One idea led to another, and he teamed up with Marissa Horning ’23 (vocals), Noah Schlosser ’20 (drums), Nathan Moll ’20 (Bass), Professor of Worship Arts Paul Sunderland (guitar), and Nashville musician Nick Monterio (piano) to record the cover. Will’s curiosity then took a different track. He peppered mixer and producer Jeremiah Smith ’21 with questions about that part of the process. “I have an ardent desire to learn what I do not know,” says Sunderland, who triple majors in psychology, Spanish, and organizational leadership. Visit spotify.com to hear Will’s version of “Social Call.” Will Sunderland performing in GU’s Messiah.
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INTO THE UNKNOWN Questions, mysteries, and a confident advocate “You can do this.” Demetrius Bush ’15, then a sophomore, took the application from his accounting professor, unsure what it meant. In a nutshell, the Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program meant all expenses paid for select minority accounting students to access training, resources, and mentors that prepare them for paid internships. It meant that Demetrius—if accepted— would also interview with multiple employers for internships. Top-tier firms filled five of the internships with the candidates of their choice. Professor Larry Saylor directed Demetrius to this opportunity because he suspected Demetrius could see his way through the competitive process. “His belief in me by handing me the application played a big part in my decision,” recalls Demetrius, who didn’t want to squander Saylor’s faith in him. The interview process at the end of the program resembled speed dating. A stream of hiring managers peppered Demetrius with questions. “I knew with 100 percent certainty that if I could sit in front of someone in a live interview, I could be one of those top five to get offers,” he recalls. GU Core Value: Thriving
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Ernst & Young offered Demetrius an internship that later opened doors to a job at one of the “big four” accounting firms. By the end of his senior year, Demetrius had signed a contract. Now an accounting manager in the San Francisco area, he looks back on a process that yielded both professional and personal rewards. “It reaffirmed my strengths. It was also the first time I really took my career into my own hands intentionally. It was my first big leap into a very competitive De field. [It] made me 5 metri us Bush ’1 understand just how valuable impressions are. You never know who has an amazing opportunity in their hands, waiting to hand it to you.”
Demetrius received numerous donor-funded scholarships including the GU Dean’s, Hopkins, Culp, and Willmot Scholarships. Thank you for giving.
{ CAMPUS NEWS } WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL EARNS NINTH AVCA TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD
Advocates for GU student-student athletes, golfers (l to r) Josh Morgan ’15, Doug Morgan ’87, Kent Krober ’78, Tom Morgan ’60
SCRAMBLE RAISES MORE THAN $15,000 Last summer, GU’s annual Jack D. Trager Memorial Panther Pride Golf Scramble honored the memory of GU’s longtime athletic director Jack Trager. The July 31 event recalled Trager’s profound influence as a mentor to student athletes and a role model for coaches. Today’s Panther coaches echo Trager’s approach by going beyond teaching skills and
GU’s 2019-20 Lady Panthers received the Team Academic Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). AVCA created the award in 1992 to recognize teams who match their dedication on the volleyball court with academic excellence. Honored teams maintain at least a 3.30 cumulative team GPA on a 4.0 scale for the year. This AVCA academic award marks the Lady Panthers’ ninth.
strategies to also developing strong character in their players. About 40 sponsors participated in this year’s event that raised more than $15,000. Proceeds will assist with capital improvements, including renovation to Burritt Gymnasium, that benefit GU athletes and coaches.
GU PODCAST HELPS FAMILIES SHOP FOR COLLEGE A new podcast, College Context, hosted by GU admissions counselors, addresses a range of topics prospective students and their parents encounter as they make decisions about attending college. As admissions counselors, KD McLean ’18 and Mark Barigye ’19 regularly connect families to resources that inform decisions. As podcast hosts, the pair extends the conversation to listeners further afield. They demystify financial aid and delve into matters like public versus private universities, acquiring college experiences that hiring managers value, and the benefits of a diverse student body. Sidney Webster ’21 produces the podcast. Listen in at https://collegecontext.buzzsprout.com.
2020 FALL TEAM SPORTS MOVED TO SPRING 2021 Governance groups for the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) and Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) voted to move select 2020 fall sports to spring. Panther volleyball and soccer teams will now compete in SLIAC’s spring 2021 season. Panther football will compete as part of UMAC competition, also in the spring. As of printing, plans remained in place for men’s and women’s cross country and tennis teams to compete in the fall. THE RECORD THE RECORD | FALL 2020 | FALL 2020 15
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{ CAMPUS NEWS } “SWEET TO WORSHIP” GU’s Pursuit ministry team typically leads worship and engages youth at seven or eight camping venues each summer. Tour Manager Nathan Kriebel ’16 finalized Pursuit’s summer 2020 itinerary months before COVID-19 forced camp closures. “It was a major disappointment,” said Kriebel of the cancellations that poured in. Only one camp— Phantom Ranch Bible Camp, a longtime host and friend to GU Pursuit teams—stayed open. The camp implemented an altered format that accommodated social distancing. “We were glad for the opportunity to share the gospel,” said Kriebel afterward. “It was so sweet to worship and serve together and to just be around people; it felt like another world where COVID didn’t exist.” Delivering the gospel remains central to Pursuit’s participation in camps. “[We] give high school students language to respond to God through encounters in worship music,” said Kriebel. Contact Nathan Kriebel to learn more about securing Pursuit for your event: nathan.kriebel@greenville.edu.
GU INSTALLS SOLAR PANELS Eight buildings on GU’s campus now draw power from solar panels. Workers recently installed 1300 panels in total, an installation made possible by a renewable energy program offered by the State of Illinois. GU acquired the panel system at no up-front cost and will use the energy savings over six years to pay for it. GU anticipates saving $70-80k each year, or 75 percent of its annual 939-megawatt power needs. Department Chair of Biology and Chemistry Eric Nord relates the commitment to solar power to GU’s mission as a Christ-centered institution. “We believe that the human vocation is to be bearers of God’s image to all creation,” he says, which means caring for the earth. “Installing these solar panels is one small step in the direction of putting this belief into action.”
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Genesis Martinez ’19 serves meals as part of Senior Skip Day. She is the grateful recipient of donor-funded scholarships including the GU Scholarship and Riggs Scholarship. Thank you for giving.
SENIOR SKIP DAY RECOGNIZED The National Association of Area Agencies recently recognized GU’s Senior Skip Day event in its 2020 Aging Achievement Awards. An Experience First initiative, Senior Skip Day engages graduating seniors with local senior citizens. Participants learn how connecting with someone of a different generation can help improve one’s empathy, mental health, communication skills, and overall appreciation for life.
LAFAYE PUBLISHES TWO NEW BOOKS, ADVISES PARENTS ON MULTICULTURAL BOOK SELECTIONS Acclaimed children’s author and mother of five, GU Professor Alexandria LaFaye, recently published two books with multicultural themes. Follow Me Down to Nicodemus Town (Albert Whitman & Company, 2019) draws from historical accounts of an African American pioneer settlement. Its portrayal of a chapter in Kansas’ history drew honors from the State Library of Kansas. LaFaye coauthored Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina (HarperCollins, 2020) with Lea Lyon. It captures the true story of an African American girl who falls in love with ballet after watching Swan Lake on TV. LaFaye advises parents to choose multicultural books that reflect cultural accuracy and engage youngsters in ways that directly relate
GU Core Value: Innovation
{ CAMPUS NEWS } INNOVATIVE COVID TESTING ON CAMPUS This summer, Greenville University announced a research partnership with the University of Illinois to evaluate a program designed to mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus linked to COVID-19. The U of I’s SHIELD program involves a novel means of testing for COVID-19 using saliva samples rather than nose swabs. GU regularly tests all students and faculty on campus, mitigating the risk of COVID-19 spread. By participating in the SHIELD program, Greenville University will serve as a test case for how a small university in a rural community can contain the spread of the virus. “We are a small, semi-contained university within a low-density part of the country,” says GU President Suzanne Davis ’00. “Our rural environment, combined with our ability to offer the most current scientific knowledge based on an epidemiologic model for testing, has allowed us to responsibly open campus for fall semester.”
to them. “The cultural accuracy piece is a sticking point,” she says. “How do we, as book selectors/readers, know if it’s accurate?” She recommends a guide produced by socialjusticebooks.org.
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What’s New With You?
ALUMNI NEWS 1950s Kay ’58 and Ruth Cole celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 27, 2020. Their son Deloy ’84, who heads GU’s digital media program, daughter Kari (Cole ’01) Cliff, and son Paul, and their families joined them in celebration at their home in Caldwell, Idaho, in July.
1970s ’70 REUNION YEAR October 16-18, 2020
Jeff Barker ’76 recently published two books: Performing the Plays of the Bible: Seven Ancient Scripts and Our Journey to Return Them to the Stage (Webber Institute Books, 2020) and Iowa Ethiopia: A Missionary Nurse’s Journey Continues (Hendrickson Publishers, 2019). Barker recently retired from his work as professor of theatre at Northwestern College. 1
John Edwards ’77 retired and moved to Wendell, North Carolina, in 2018. He and his wife Nita
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Yvi Martin ’01 now serves as senior pastor at Platte Woods United Methodist Church in north Kansas City, Missouri. 3
’85 REUNION YEAR October 16-18, 2020
1990s Janet (Koch-Tuin ’93) and Richard Knack were married on October 20, 2018, in Gaylord, Michigan, where the couple currently resides. Janet runs her web design business Acera Technologies and works parttime in retail. She also serves as her mother’s guardian and caretaker. ’95 REUNION YEAR October 16-18, 2020
2000s Last fall, Jim Catanzaro ’00 completed his 11th season as head football coach for Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois. He now ranks as the second winningest coach in Lake Forest football history with 60 wins. Jim is just 21 wins away from making school
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John ‘77 and Nita (Smith ‘77) Edwards
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(Smith ’77) live in the Robinwood Apartments where John serves as a volunteer chaplain for Robinwood’s 135 residents. PO Box 2276, Wendell, NC, 27591.
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Jeff Barker ’76
Submit your information online at greenville.edu/alumni.
4 Amber (Boxley ’04) Hurd earned her doctorate in educational practice from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. drahurd19@ gmail.com.
Cory and Emily (Nicholas ’06) Gerdts welcomed Avi Anne on May 18, 2020. Big brother, Landry John, three years old, is overjoyed. Seth England ’08 was featured in Billboard’s 2020 Indie Power Players list. His previous distinctions include Billboard’s Nashville Power Players (2018, 2019), Billboard’s 40 Under 40 (2014), Variety’s Hitmaker List (2018), and Variety’s Music City Impact Report (2017). He is a partner and CEO of Big Loud Publishing in Nashville, Tennessee. Big Loud’s records division celebrated five years on August 1.
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Yvi Martin ’01
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Amber (Boxley ’04) Hurd
Stewart Stephens ’14 and Kiki Lizárraga
Tara (Underwood ’09) Docekal has filed for 501c3 status for her nonprofit Mightiest Mamas. Mightiest Mamas supports mothers who face obstacles and hardships on the journey to conceive and give birth. The organization collects and shares personal stories from other moms and donates gift bags and baby clothes to the mothers of NICU babies at St. Mary’s Hospital in St. Louis.
manager for cycling sustainability company Pedal Movement. He manages over 1,000 city bikes for the Transportation and Mobility Bureau of the City of Long Beach. He recently completed a master of arts in mythological studies with an emphasis in depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California, and will continue his studies as a doctoral student.
2010s
Autumn Hartman ’15 graduated from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary with a master’s in public ministry. She majored in youth ministry while at GU. 6
Rashod Seaton ’11 recently published Key Traits to Becoming A Success: A Young People’s Guide (Lulu.com, 2020). The book draws from his experiences teaching and coaching in middle school and high school. He currently teaches seventh-grade writing in Champaign, Illinois. As an AVID instructor, he teaches midlevel students study skills that lead to Advancement Via Individual Determination. Rashod continues to minister as a musician and worship leader.
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Autumn Hartman ’15
’10 REUNION YEAR October 16-18, 2020
2020s Austin Burkhart ’20 has accepted a position with the Mulberry Grove Unit 1 School District in Mulberry Grove, Illinois, as a junior high science teacher. Jasmine Webber ’20 works as a youth pastor at John Wesley Free Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jasmine graduated from Greenville University with degrees in worship arts and youth ministry. She also worked as a pastoral intern at the Greenville Free Methodist Church from 2018-2019.
Veronica Schmidt-Gomez ’98 has an inspiring story to tell and found eager listeners last February at a conference of the National Association for Bilingual Education. She developed and delivers a middle school social studies curriculum that engages students with lessons in English and in Spanish on alternating days. The program has led to skyrocketing scores for students, in part because they more readily connect the two languages. The success has inspired a high school in her district to follow suit. Schmidt-Gomez created the program to better serve her district’s high population of native Spanish-speaking students. Many enroll in dual language programs in elementary school, but once they move to all-English instruction in middle school, they “stall out” in reading and writing fluency in their native tongue. A dearth of adequate English-to-Spanish textbook translations in Florida compelled her to translate textbooks and other materials. More elementary schools in her district now offer dual language programs, and her school will expand its dual language offerings to science and math courses. Schmidt-Gomez hopes many future students will share the experience she has enjoyed—loving two languages for life.
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ALUMNI NEWS
Stewart Stephens ’14 married Kiki Lizárraga on September 15, 2019. The couple lives in Long Beach, California, where Stewart works as bikeshare fleet 5
Caleb Watts ’19 is the new baseball coach at North Greene High School in White Hall, Illinois. Caleb majored in physical education at GU.
ALUMNA ON CUTTING EDGE OF DUAL LANGUAGE LEARNING
ALUMNI IN MEMORY
IN MEMORY Ruby (Hastriter ’47) Wytcherley, age 94, of McPherson, Kansas, died February 22, 2020. The former schoolteacher loved to travel; she visited 39 countries. U.S. Navy veteran Stanley Wytcherley ’48, age 96, of McPherson, Kansas, died March 22, 2020. He formerly worked for North American Rockwell. GU Trustee Emeritus Donald Joy ’49, age 91, of Wilmore, Kentucky, died June 6, 2020. A prolific author, he taught many years at Asbury Theological Seminary. Former schoolteacher Betty (Cassabaum ’50) Miles, age 93, of Springfield, Illinois, died April 28, 2020. William Mullins ’50 died February 25, 2020. His wide interests led to work in education, manufacturing, and electrical contracting. His wife Norma (Randlett ’49) survives. Educator Hope (Hopkins ’51) Coleman of San Diego, California, died June 3, 2020. She championed year-round education. Her dedicated service touched many. David Hill ’51, age 92, of Lancaster, South Carolina, died April 12, 2019. Rev. Gene Jarrett ’51, of Johnson City, Tennessee, died in March 2020. His 45 years of Christian service included Christian camping and church planting. Retired schoolteacher Luella (Connor ’51) Thomas, age 90, of Forestburg, South Dakota, died March 30, 2019. Former public-school educator and university director of teacher education Kenneth Dickinson ’52, age 90, of Spring Arbor, Michigan, died April 20, 2020. Beloved high school business teacher Julia (Erdel ’52) Farley, age 90, of New Carlisle, Indiana, died February 24, 2020. She served others with grace, kindness, and charity. Fulbright scholar Kenneth Shields ’52 died March 4, 2020. He pursued advanced studies in English literature and Christian theology, joining Southern Methodist University’s faculty in 1961 and retiring as professor emeritus in 2001. U.S. Army veteran Stan Johnson ’53, age 91, of Mulberry Grove, Illinois, died March 17, 2020. He worked in education both as a teacher and administrator. Former nurse Linda (Moorhouse ’55) Moore, age 87, of Spring Arbor, Michigan, 20
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died June 22, 2020. She also served faithfully through various church ministries. Linda’s husband Jesse ’51 survives. Rev. Wade Robinson ’57, age 85, died July 10, 2020. He served Free Methodist churches in Louisiana, Illinois, and Texas. Only his love for Jesus Christ surpassed his love for family. GU Trustee Emeritus David Fisher ’58, age 84, died June 17, 2020. A long-time engineer for Allen-Bradley Rockwell, the skilled communicator and collaborator served on the boards of multiple ministries. Pastor and Portsmouth Counseling Center Founder Rev. Ralph Hudson ’58, age 83, died April 26, 2019, in Lancaster, Ohio. His wife of 63 years, Dorothy (Ruble ’65) Hudson, survives. David L. Gines ’59, age 82, of Gainesville, Georgia, died March 18, 2020. A fundraiser in higher education, he initiated a resourcedevelopment program at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro. Marilyn (Martin ’60) Forbes, age 81, of Timonium, Maryland, died May 1, 2020. Before raising a family, she worked with refugees in Jordan and taught school in Beirut. Pastor and former Free Methodist conference superintendent Rev. Floyd Cooper ’61, age 91, of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, died February 16, 2020. Former air traffic controller Doug Rolfe ’61, age 82, of Bainbridge, Indiana, died March 25, 2020. His broad interests included travel, home design and construction, and pedal steel guitar.
from teaching in 2002 and from the pastorate in 2017. Pat Campbell ’67, age 76, of Chillicothe, Missouri, died June 30, 2020. She enjoyed many interests, but cherished family time above all. Former schoolteacher and coach Kenneth McKinley ’67, of Lindale, Texas, died April 11, 2020. He later worked with EOG Resources. Onetime schoolteacher and hospital lab technician Arlene (Burgess ’68) Miskelly, age 73, died April 15, 2020, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She loved music ministry. Track coach Lanny Conner ’71, age 70, of Berwick, Pennsylvania, died May 9, 2020. He guided many high school and collegiate athletes to championship titles. Former graphic designer Cindy (Odermann ’73) Ford, age 70, died July 12, 2020. Janice (Wiehe ’74) Harbison, age 68, of Edwardsville, Illinois, died May 3, 2020. She served in long-term care and also taught preschool. U.S. Army veteran Rev. Donald Pratt ’74, age 81, of Bloomington, Illinois, died July 3, 2020. He worked for McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft followed by 30 years of ministry. Former medical technologist Marilyn (Wood ’76) Jackson, age 94, of Greenville, died Sunday, July 19, 2020. Schoolteacher and athletic coach Joseph Robinson ’86, age 62, of Zanesville, Ohio, died February 2, 2020.
David Summerlot ’61, age 79, of Pocahontas, Illinois, died July 15, 2020. A U.S. Navy veteran, he worked for AT&T for 36 years.
Gulf War veteran Murlee Bahr ’88 died July 4, 2020. He owned and operated a landscaping business.
Former schoolteacher Patricia (Goodall ’62) Staff, age 87, of Springfield, Illinois, died June 10, 2020.
Eric Jewett ’98, age 43, died November 29, 2019. He was ordained a deacon in the Orthodox Church in America.
Devout prayer warrior, former schoolteacher Esther (Heilman ’62) Wease, age 92, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, died June 16, 2020.
Matthew Blount ’00, age 43, died April 21, 2020, in Westlake, Ohio. Regarded for his kindness and helpfulness, he enjoyed working in recreation and water sports.
Lucille (Wheeler ’64) Mann, age 78, died March 21, 2020, in Bethalto, Illinois. She worked at Olin Corporation for 33 years and participated in ministries of the Bethalto First Baptist Church. Bi-vocational schoolteacher and pastor Rev. Charles Alder, Jr. ’65, age 83, of Folsom, Louisiana, died April 11, 2020. He retired
Nicholas Olzem ’16, age 25, of Freeburg, Illinois, died April 4, 2020. His broad pursuits included music, science, and working on automobiles. High school football coach and U.S. Army veteran Jamie Baldwin ’20, MAE, age 45, died July 11, 2020, in McDonough, Georgia.
Can I Afford College? Yes, with help from GU’s faithful scholarship donors! Legacy Scholarship Up to $17,500 annually for dependents of GU alumni Free Methodist Scholarship Up to $17,500 annually for students affiliated with a local Free Methodist Church MOSAIC Diversity Scholarship Up to $20,500 annually for qualified students NEW! Women in Leadership Scholarship Up to $19,500 annually for qualified students Learn about these and many other scholarships at greenville.edu/cost-and-aid
GU Core Value: Christ-centered Wesleyan
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CURIOUS ABOUT EVERYTHING Junior Ben Nguyen Xuan cannot contain his unabashed enthusiasm for learning. He loves cooking, singing, dancing, making videos, studying languages, and sharing experiences with others. Literature, technical writing, and teaching English intrigue him. He imagines how he will apply what he learns: “It’s like the whole package that provides you the whole career.” Ben gratefully receives a donorfunded scholarship. Thank you for giving. 22
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